In Each of Our Hearts

The Sports Festival

Izuku sat in the makeshift nurse's office after his match with Todoroki, staring at his recently healed right hand. He would be the first to admit that he was scared. Recovery Girl had said outright that she would not heal anymore wounds this severe. But, for the life of him, Izuku couldn't bring himself to regret the cause. At least he had managed to get through to Todoroki, if only for a moment. With any luck, he'd would take Izuku's words to heart.

"Deku!" Uraraka burst into the room, excitement and worry written on her expressive face. "Iida's match is going to start soon!"

"Kay!" Midoriya stood, running after his friend. Recovery Girl had told him that he was free to go when he was up for it, so no worry for the nurse's wrath weighed on his mind. "He's against Hatsumi-san from Support, right?" He asked, running alongside her.

"Yeah! He's sure to win!" Uraraka exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air.

"I don't think you should count Hatsumi-san out. Her support weapons were amazing during the cavalry battle earlier."

The two reached the stands in a matter of minutes, making it just in times to see their friend's battle. They watched as Iida, in a very Iida-like fashion, spoke of his opponent's passion and sportsmanship; managing to convince Midnight to allow him the device he'd been given by his opponent. Izuku almost couldn't watch as Hatsumi-san held what was essentially an enormous advertisement for herself and her "babies." It was borderline disturbing.

On the bright side, as Izuku would later point out to his embarrassed friend, he still won the match, right?

Izuku was quickly distracted when Midnight announced the next match; Kaachan vs. Kirishima. He couldn't say he was surprised by the method the two used. Kirishima tried to quickly overpower Kaachan, but Midoriya knew he wouldn't fall for it. Despite his... aggressive personality, Kaachan was actually a good strategist. And, just as he expected, Kirishima lost after several tiring minutes.

   The following battles proceeded rather quickly. Todoroki defeated Iida, much to the latter's disappointment. Both Izuku and Uraraka tried to cheer him up, but he was soon called away by the sound of his ringtone. The two aspiring heroes turned to the next match, concern for their friend quite obvious, and steadily growing.

   Midoriya wasn't surprised by the near ferocity that Kaachan showed during his match with Tokoyami. He knew first hand how detrimental that determination could be. And how painful. Izuku couldn't help but wince at the thought of certain... physical affects of the other's determination.

   Finally, the final match was announced. Todoroki facing Kaachan. If Izuku was entirely honest, he wasn't sure how this match would turn out. Both were powerful, that much was obvious enough, but both also had relatively strong minds in battle. Izuku watched as the match started, practically feeling Kaachan's frustration when Todoroki only used his right side. Despite being so close, Izuku could only barely hear the irritated shouts coming from the blond. Midoriya couldn't stand it. He'd thought that maybe he'd gotten through to Todoroki, if only a bit. But he could still see hesitation, even fear in Todoroki's movements.

   "Dammit," he muttered. "Todoroki!" Midoriya was on his feet now, shouting as loud as he could, praying that the other boy could hear him. "Don't lose! Do your best!" The two continued fighting, resulting in a massive explosion. The crowd waited with baited breath as the smoke cleared, revealing an unconscious Todoroki. But he was out of bounds. Kaachan had won.

Midnight called the match, but Kaachan refused to listen, gripping the front of Todoroki's shirt. He began shouting words that went unheard to Izuku, but the near hysterics were clear. He could have actually killed the unconscious boy had Midnight not used her quirk.

The awarding ceremony took place upon his waking, though he had been tied down in practically every way. All Might awarded the medals to the three aspiring heroes, the crowd cheering. Midoriya clapped along with the others, feeling a twinge of disappointment in his gut. Despite everything, he did want to win the festival. But what's done is done.

Students went their separate ways afterwards, many leaving with their families. Izuku was a bit concerned for Iida; he hadn't seen him since his stepping away to take that phone call. Thoughts of his friend were briefly put on the back burner when he saw a familiar head of half red, half white hair.

"Todoroki!" He shouted running over to the boy. "Congratulations on making the top three!" Midoriya couldn't hold back a wide grin.

"Thanks," Todoroki responded quietly. For some reason, he couldn't seem to look him in the eyes.

"Todoroki? Are you okay?" Izuku asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I wanted to... thank you, Midoriya. You have given me much to think about as far as my left side goes." The green haired boy blushed, throwing his hands up frantically.

"No! It's fine, really!" He nearly shouted. "You deserve to be happy, Todoroki. I'm just glad to help."

"I should be going..." Todoroki trailed off, what seemed to be a slight blush on his face. Izuku was sure he imagined it, though. Or maybe it was the lighting? But there was no way the other boy was blushing. No way. Midoriya only then realised that he was still standing in the path of said other boy.

"Oh! Yeah, right," he finished lamely. "I'll see you around!"

Upon Todoroki's departure, Midoriya turned in the opposite direction, knowing that he should get home soon. His mom probably saw how his matches went, and was likely worried sick. The thought made him wince. He hated worrying his mom, but he managed it so often.

Izuku was brought out of his almost self-deprecating thoughts by the sound of what seemed to be a fight. No, he thought, he shouldn't get involved. The pained grunts continued, making Midoriya's hair stand on end. He would get into serious trouble should be jump in, he reasoned with himself. It was a loud cry of pain that finally made his self control snap.

He ran to where the noises came from; a nondescript back alleyway. His fist were clenched, ready to defend if need be. But, rather than the fight scene he expected, he was met with the sight of... no one? Suddenly, a familiar dark fog filled his vision. Panic set in quickly.

Kurogiri!

Before he was able to struggle in the slightest, the smoke engulfed him, taking him away. Izuku barely felt his feet touch the ground before a sharp pain in his neck caused blackness to spread through his vision. It was a matter of seconds before he collapsed, unconscious.

A/n: Hi guys! Thanks for reading! Sorry that this chapter is basically just a reiteration of the Sports Festival episode, but I wanted to go back and change a few minor details, and use it as a set up for my own story. I promise that things are going to pick up, just bear with me!

Please leave a comment of what you think! I love reading them!