The Shadow Kingdom

Inko's Favor

Artist Credited: Zerii-chan on Deviantart

"Quit following me!" Bakugo snarled at Kirishima, Sero, and Kaminari. "You should all have better things to do with your time than to annoy me!"

"Sorry Bakugo, but we promised your mom that we'd make sure you didn't do anything stupid."

"Interfering old hag..." Bakugo set his teeth and cracked his knuckles. "One of these days I'm gonna..." he paused and held up a hand. "Shut up... someone's coming." He ducked into the brush and looked out at the road. He saw the rider racing across the dirt path.

"Who was that?" Kaminari whispered.

"I dunno, but he was in an awful hurry." Sero whispered back.

"A messenger, maybe? He had a satchel so maybe someone's sending some urgent news." Kirishima rubbed his chin in thought.

"Let's go..." Bakugo didn't wait for the others to register his words. He darted down the path after the rider. The only towns in this direction were Tattooin and The Farmlands. He'd keep the rider in sight until that fork... if it veered right he'd ignore the rider... but if he kept going straight and was heading for the Farmlands, only one person could be sending that letter...

His eyes sharpened when the horse ignored the turn off for Tattooin and kept going.

"Usagi!"

Finally, Bakugo thought with a sneer. I can finally find out where you are, and get rid of this irritating worry.

~Izumi~

"Shoto..." Izumi narrowed her eyes. "Put...me...down."

"No," Shoto replied simply continuing his light trot back to the house. He had her stretched across his lap his arms around her protectively and both hands firmly on the reins.

"You're blowing this way out of proportion. I'm only a month along, a walk isn't going to hurt me."

"I'm told women think they're invincible the first few months of pregnancy, and that they tire rather frequently because of it. With your abilities you will take that a step beyond so I'm not taking any chances." He guided the horse further up the path, ignoring Izumi's pout.

"You're not taking this like I expected you to..." She sighed heavily. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

"If I asked you to give up on this mission would you listen?" He asked her not taking his eyes off the lane.

"No, I made a promise that I would-" she started to explain but he cut her off making her temple throb more with irritation.

"My point exactly... I can't get you to go home to your mother, I can't get you to stay here where I know you'll be safe, and I can't make you give up on this crusade... so instead we'll compromise. You take it easy, eat right, and take no unnecessary risks, and I will do my best to protect you and our child."

"Shoto..." The annoyed look lessened and she slid a hand over her belly. "You do realize it may not be yours, right?"

He paused the stallion and looked down at her. There was hurt in his eyes... but something shadowed it. She saw determination... and hope. He removed his hand from one of the reins to cup over her belly and had Izumi's eyes going soft with affection.

"I'm aware... but Bakugo's cut himself out of the picture. I won't leave you to carry this burden alone. So whether he is my blood or not I shall support you both." He finally smiled at her. "Is that acceptable?"