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Tsuyu was never an awfully religious girl.
Sure, she believed that there had to be something out there. It only made sense, right? Regardless, she was never really one to speculate on it.
That being said, she was convinced she must have been in hell.
It would be due punishment. She choose to get involved with Toga. She allowed herself to get to a point she couldn't crawl out of. And now? Now she was locked up in some warehouse in the middle of nowhere, hoping she wouldn't bleed out.
It was a little funny actually.
Tsuyu coughed up some blood. Okay, so it wasn't funny at all, but she was trying, alright? Being trapped in that hell house for so long had her desperately looking for some form of happiness. She didn't know how long she had been there. All she knew was that every day was filled with torture, mental and physical.
Sure, the stabbing and prodding was bad. It was painful, it was nauseating, it wasn't a good time. However, it was nothing compared to that split second of hope that filled her heart whenever she saw Uraraka.
Then it would be Toga, and Tsuyu's dreams would come crashing down.
Honestly, she claimed to still love Tsuyu and yet she did this to her. Worst of all, Tsuyu knew Toga was sincere. Toga really did love her, and of this, she was certain.
She just wasn't certain just how broken Toga was.
Tsuyu felt herself involuntarily flinch as the door opened, moonlight pouring in.
"Hello darling!" Toga chirped, closing the door behind her, "I'm sorry for being late! I was going to be here sooner but...ah, I got busy!"
Tsuyu keeps her mouth shut. She won't justify that with a response.
"Okay, so...seems like you're still mad."
Tsuyu almost laughs at that. There was no way she was being serious.
Toga frowns, groaning, "I hate it when you're like this."
"Maybe, and this is just an idea, ribbit, you shouldn't kidnap someone if you want them to be nice to you."
Toga giggled into her hands, "Sorry. I know you being serious but ah...you can't blame me."
She makes it a point to stay silent.
"Please? Just play along for a minute? Can't you see we're running out of time?"
"What?" Tsuyu's brow furrows in confusion.
"Just," Toga sighed, sitting down in Tsuyu's lap, "Can you just...I don't know. Kiss me."
The green haired girl grits her teeth, "After everything you've done to me, after all the torture, the pain, you want me to just kiss you?"
"Don't start trying to guilt trip me now!" the blonde is laughing as she speaks, but it's humorless, "Trust me, I feel bad, but it's too late for that now. Just...please."
Tsuyu is stronger than this. She shouldn't give into Himiko...to Toga. She isn't Himiko any more. She showed just how depraved she was. Everything Toga had done to her should have served as a didactic experience. Even if she still had some stupid lingering feelings, or some dumb urges, she should know better than to indulge Toga at all. Yes, she knows better than to do any of that.
But then Tsuyu's lips are on Toga's and she can't even pretend to be surprised at her weak resolve.
Toga holds the other's face in her hands, face deathly serious, "You know you could just be a villain with the league, right? Or we could run off together? Things don't have to be this way."
"Ribbit," Tsuyu sighs, "I'm a hero. That's who I've always wanted to be. That's always who I've been."
"I know. I knew you would say that. It's who you are, and I love you for that."
There's a long silence, and Tsuyu wants nothing more than to envelop the girl in the hug.
Then, the moment is broken as Toga turns to her phone, "Damn, they're close. I thought we had more time."
It then clicks. Tsuyu was empathizing with her captor. What was she doing? She was allowing herself to be manipulated. And yet...
Toga had felt so real in that moment.
"Alright, so we have a lot to go through, so let's start," Toga grinned, although she didn't seem happy in the least, "I planted a tracker in Mina's phone, and it looks like they're on their way. Lucky you!"
"Ribbit? But how...?"
"Well, Mina and I hung out all the time and you never know when you need a tracker on your bestie! If Ochako had done that you wouldn't be in this situation! Isn't that funny?"
Tsuyu tenses at the mention of her friend.
"Anyway!" Toga continues admiring one of her knives, "They probably tracked where I had sent the video of you from! I made sure they could track you down! I have no idea how many are coming, though! It'll be a surprise! Yay!"
The frog girl takes a moment to process the words. Toga had made sure they could find her? "Why would you ever...?"
"So things end well for everyone! I got my fun with hurting you, and you get to go home!"
"Did that really make you happy? Really?"
Toga clears her throat, "It doesn't matter. Here's the story, you had no idea that I was...well, me. You thought I was just good ol' Himoto, okay? That way, they won't even know you were being all bad!"
Was Toga...protecting her? She had no reason to feed her lies, nor give her an alibi. Yet, there she was, being helpful. Why? "Okay. That's what I'll do!"
"Good. I love you."
"I..."
"Don't. I just needed you to know."
"I know."
"Awesome. Yay!" Toga clapped, "They're almost here! Oh, by the way, I have someone else downstairs so...check that out!"
"Wait, what?"
They had no more time to discuss anything as a large explosion had Tsuyu's ears ringing. At this, Tsuyu knows exactly who's there. Why would Bakugou come save her, though? She hadn't rescued him, and it wasn't they were specially close.
Not that she was complaining.
Tsuyu looked over the group. Midoriya, Bakugou, Ashido and Uraraka had all come to help her. Uraraka...it was stupid, but after so many false calls, so many fake rescues...
This one almost felt fake too.
"I'll kill her myself! Where is she?" Bakugou had a scowl across his face.
"Not if I kill her first!" Ashido looked around for a moment, spotting the tied up girl, "Tsu! Oh my God!"
"Not so loud, Racoon Eyes!"
"You're screaming too!"
The group began to rush towards her. Well, up until she felt cold metal of a knife pressed up against her neck. Tsuyu tensed. It was fake. Of course. There was no way Toga would let her go that easy.
"I have to play the part, don't I?" Toga whispered in Tsuyu's ear, calming her down the smallest bit, "Okay cuties! You found her! I'm mega impressed, really!"
Midoriya let a shaky smile grace his face. He was thinking. He had a plan.
"Let Tsu go!" Uraraka demanded, looking grave, "Or we'll just take her."
"Tsk, tsk. That's not how this works," Toga frowned, "All beauty, no brains, huh? You're going to leave before I slice Tsu's little head off!"
Midoriya stepped up, "That's what you think. You underestimate us, Toga Himiko!"
Toga gawked, "Even you, Izuku? I'm hurt."
Uraraka grinned, "No you're not. But you will be."
"Huh?"
"Now!" Midoriya cried.
Uraraka levitated Ashido as she sent a flurry of acid Toga's way.
Tog a shrieked, jumping out of the way. This was in vain, though, as bakugou sent a large explosion towards her.
"Owie!" Toga grimaced, holding her side, "You guys pack a punch! I've got to go!"
And with that,Toga hobbled off, disappearing into the shadows.
"We've got to go after her!" Bakugou lunged, as Midoriya grabbed his arm.
"Kacchan, not now. It's not safe."
"Fine."
Ashido hugged Tsuyu tightly, crying wildly, "I'm so sorry! I should have...I don't know I just should have helped you!"
"It's fine," Tsuyu leaned against her, then turning her gaze upon Uraraka, "Th-There's someone downstairs."
And with that, she passed out.