Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 54

We didn't finish by lunchtime. Not even close.

The sun was setting as my classmates and I struggled out of the Beast's Forest. We all were battered and bruised beyond belief, our bodies dragging along the ground with exhaustion. A whole day it had taken us - one whole stinking day.

Huffing and puffing, I staggered out into the clearing, brain barely registering that we'd finally made it. I was so tired; using every ounce of energy I had to take down those dirt monsters was harder than I anticipated. Not only that, but how could I forgot how emotionally draining today had been? That's right - I couldn't, because the compliments for Momo replayed in my head like a tape, the image of Shoto looking at her freezing in place.

Yeah, what a day it had been.

As I struggled to keep myself upright, I saw just how beat up my friends were, as well. Bakugou was holding his wrists, Iida was limping from engine overuse, Midoriya looked about ready to pass out, and a little bit of ice still clung to Shoto's right side. I honestly was surprised that his uniform was still in tact, considering how easily mine burned up.

Everyone was in the same boat, nursing their own injuries or just making the effort to even stand. However, we all practically dropped to the ground as soon as we reached Pixiebob's feet.

"You said that it would only be, like, three hours!" Sero complained as he heaved a frustrated sigh.

"I guess we based it on how long it would take us," Mandalay admitted, chuckling. "Sorry."

"Now you're bragging about how much better you are?" Sato asked. "That's so mean!"

"I'm starving!" Kirishima howled, throwing his head back. "This is hell!"

I agreed with the spiky, red-headed boy, but I just couldn't find the strength in me to reply. Trying to use energy while simultaneously store it up had taken a huge toll on my body, and it was taking what little control I had over my body left to keep me from collapsing. 'Can't... keep... standing...'

My delirious attention was drawn back to the blue kitten before me, however, as she started mewling.

"I thought it would take you kids even longer!" Pixiebob exclaimed, clenching her paws in a child-like manner. "You did much better against my dirt monsters than I originally thought you would. You guys were seriously great, especially..." I flinched at how she pointed in my general direction, crying out, "The five of you! It's obvious that you've had quite a bit of experience."

Midoriya, Iida, Bakugou, Shoto and I stood perplexed at her announcement, our breaths ragged and uneven as our chests heaved. Pixiebob suddenly licked her lips, and I gulped at how sinister she looked. 'This can't be good.'

The blue kitty leapt towards us, arms opened wide as she cried, "I call dibs on these kittens! I'll groom them myself!"

We all groaned as we were attacked by Pixiebob's large paws, our arms raised to protect ourselves from the sharp claws she had extended. We shouted in protest, but nothing seemed to be getting through to the blonde-haired woman. Pixiebob reached out to me, and I could feel her claws scrape the fabric of my blouse, but before she could snag me, I was pulled away.

One minute I had been about to be kidnapped by Pixiebob, the next I was being shielded by Shoto staring at his back as he stood in between me and the crazy cat-lady. He didn't say anything, and I didn't either, all I could do was stare at the back of his heterochromatic head with shock. While one of his hands shielded his face, the other was holding tight to my wrist.

"S-Shoto!" I squeaked - frickin' squeaked - as my cheeks flared up. I didn't need protection from one measly cat-lady; what was Shoto thinking? That I couldn't protect myself? That just because I was absolutely rooted from today's events that I couldn't fight one last battle. Seriously?!