Shoto had been slowly dragging his feet along, trying to find the motivation to keep on walking as he held onto the reigns of his ivory steed. The further he got from Izuku, the more pain he felt, which meant that to him, every step had been agonizing. He didn't know how to explain it or how to feel about it, so he tried to keep to himself for the time being. But his hand was always right where his left shoulder and neck met, wincing as every second ticked by, as if it were torturous.

Why does this damn mark hurt so much, he was shaking his head, trying to numb himself from the pain that he was feeling both internally and externally, It wasn't even this bad when I left the castle. What kind of stupid game is this? He must have noticed Itsuka looking at him curiously from the side, because he jerked his head to look at the ground, a bitter look on his face. It had been a while since he had such a harsh expression present on his face, but right now, he was in pain.

"Uhm your name is Todoroki right?" The silver haired boy was trying to grab his attention back. Though he knew that he didn't look happy, he really wanted to help him get his mind off of what had just happened just about an hour or so ago. He didn't move his gaze and he only responded with a nod, not wanting to engage in conversation. "Oh alright then, Todoroki.... So uh what do you like to do?" There was yet again no answer. "Dude, are you oka—"

"Tetsu, I don't think he wants to talk, just leave him be, alright?" Finally, the orange haired female spoke, seeing as right now he had something else in mind. Tetsutetsu sighed, and went back to talk to Neito, who was bragging about how successful he was. Even though she had told Tetsutetsu to lay off, she wasn't heeding her own warning, and stopped the prince in his tracks, letting the other two walk further ahead. "You highness, are you okay? I really need to talk to you and ask you a few things."

The prince panicked both internally and externally, "Sorry, I like guys—" He completely misread the situation and that was the first thing that came out of his mouth on instinct, not even thinking. Shoto immediately covered his mouth, and Itsuka was obviously just frozen in place, not knowing how to respond to that. "I meant uh that I'm not interested." He pretended to cough, trying to fix himself and his words, but it was clear that he was overly embarrassed, his face a bright pink.

"I'm sorry that wasn't what I was gonna ask at all," the female laughed, trying to shake away that moment. "What I was going for was a little less about me and more about you."

"I feel like I should be left alone for a while." His response was blunt, and he knew what he could tolerate right now. "Maybe you just need to join back up with the other two and I'll follow closely behind."

"You're thinking about running away from us, aren't you?"

The prince looked up, kind of shocked that she had basically just read his mind that easily. He thought for sure that now there was no chance of getting away, now that the orange haired knight had figured out his plan in a snap. "Well... you got me I guess."

"It's alright. I was gonna let you go anyway."

"Wait... really?" Itsuka nodded with full honesty, thinking that their decision to take the mission was no longer fair in any way. "But... but why? You guys came and just... took me."

She sighed sympathetically, knowing her own mistake, "I know that what we did was wrong, and I apologize for not stopping Monoma sooner. But, you really care for him, don't you?"

"Monoma? What? No. That's a weird question to ask. I hardly know him, and to me, he already made a bad first impression."

Giggling slightly, she covered her mouth a bit, "Not Monoma, your highness. I meant Midoriya-Kun."

He looked up towards the sky, thinking about it for a while, until a gentle smile appeared on his face, closing his eyes. "I'm still learning about many things in this vast world. Both about him and love. It has only been two days, so I can not say for certain what I'm feeling or what I think. But he has already taught and showed me so much, and I have yet to learn more about what there is in store for the both of us. Ever since I left the castle, I have been nothing but happy, thanks to all that he's done for me. Maybe it's a little much to be saying these things, but I honestly think that it's only best for him and I to stay by each other's sides for as long as we can." He then realized that he got lost in his words, and that the female was staring at him with a smile on her face. He moved his face back to its normal level and tilted his head, "I apologize for the monologue."

"Don't apologize. I think it's sweet that you feel that way." She nodded reassuringly, letting him know that all was well. "But you know, I think that well, maybe you should get going. I have a feeling that Midoriya wants you back just as much as you want him."

He nodded, turning around, "Thank you, Kendo. I will remember your kindness when I take the throne."

Shoto began to walk, but was immediately stopped by a loud yell, "NOT SO FAST!" It was Neito's voice, and it immediately caught both of their attention. "KENDO, YOU TRAITOR! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WERE JUST GOING TO LET THE PRINCE WALK AWAY!!"

"Monoma, you can't just take him from who—"

"I MEAN REALLY! AFTER ALL WE'VE BEEN THROUGH, YOU WERE JUST GONNA LEAVE ME HANGING??? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS, WE EVEN TALKED THIS OUT!!" He started stomping toward them, a scared Tetsutetsu scurrying closely behind.

"I just think that he should be with who makes him the happiest."

"You know what? Dude, we should all stay here until we settle this out! I think we need to talk this all out again!" The grey haired male finally intervened, not liking the idea of his friends arguing.

Both Neito and Itsuka sat on the floor in a huff, crossing their arms and crossing their legs. Shoto looked really confused about this whole group's demeanor, and just slowly sat down on the grass. He shook his head, knowing that reuniting with Izuku would take longer than expected.

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The greenette was walking back and forth, racing around the campsite as Ochako and Tenya had been packing away their things. He had his hand right below his mouth in a thinking position, and he mumbled loudly to himself. Too many things had been on his mind, and he was planning out his plan of attack at that very moment.

The brunette sighed, fairly concerned for her friend, as she stuffed everything into her bag. "Iida, is Deku okay? He's been at it for hours. He didn't even eat breakfast!"

"I'll talk to him. Hopefully I'll be able to snap him out of it." The blue haired knight stood up, fixing as glasses, walking towards Izuku in the hopes of making him feel better. "Midoriya? May I talk to you for a small duration of your time?"

He didn't immediately respond, but then, once he got an idea, he yelled, "I GOT IT!" He then realized the other male staring at him with wide eyes, and lowered his voice, "Sorry about that haha. But, the point is, I know how I'm going to get Sho back." He then immediately grabbed his bag, ready to leave the campsite.

"Midoriya, I don't advise you to go after him. I think that you should leave them be and carry out the mission."

"And what? Let him suffer with a group he doesn't want to be with? Is it so bad that I want to get someone I care about back? I know I'm being selfish, but I need him! He makes me happy! I'm going after him, regardless of what you say to oppose me, Iida. He asked me to go after him, so please, just let me. I don't want him to be held back by the limits the rest of the world puts on him. I want him to enjoy something for once in his life. I know that they won, but it seems only fair that he's happy." He then realized how much had come out of his mouth without him even thinking, and he covered his mouth mildly embarrassed, "Sorry for the monologue..."

Tenya was taken aback by his words, but then nodded with understanding. "If I can't stop you, at least let me come with you."

"Let me come too! I really think you two should be reunited!" She winked knowingly at the greenette, triggering a blush on his face.

"Thanks guys. But once we get there, I want to do the rest on my own. I feel like it's my job to get him back, and I just need to do this on my own terms. I do appreciate the support though." He slung his bag over his shoulder and gestured for the other two to follow. "This is do or die.... Well not really, but I'll die internally if I don't."

Ochako laughed, "Come on guys! We gotta get going before they get too far away!" Izuku and Tenya both nodded, and they headed off in the same direction the other group was, hoping to reunite with Shoto.

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"Well when you think about it, the challenge wasn't all that fair. I mean, you knew you had the upper hand, so it was to your benefit. I mean really, if Uraraka hadn't been on their team, then we wouldn't even have won! The rest of them aren't mages, so there would have been no way that you could have used your clan's power." Itsuka slumped her face into her hand, trying to explain to Neito how the whole issue shouldn't have turned out like this.

"Maybe we should have done a better challenge, one that doesn't involve... I don't know, magic?" Tetsutetsu was the only one standing up, vowing not to leave until they settled their dispute.

The prince began to mumble to himself, "If I did stay with this group, the mission would run much smoother... and maybe I'd be fine with the marriage in the end..."

"What if instead of a game, how about we settle it with something else?" Itsuka tried to compromise with her blonde partner, knowing that he liked competitions of sorts.

"But you know.... I can't leave Izuku.... it won't feel right..... maybe I should leave...?"

"Like what, Kendo? You need to be more specific if you want my attention!" Neito folded his arms across his chest, he really didn't want to change his mind from where they were now.

"Oh but then again..." he kept his hand on his chin, constantly second guessing his decisions. It's not like anyone heard or paid any attention to him, for they were too busy arguing.

"Well I was thinking—"

"Neito Monoma! Itsuka Kendo! Tetsutetsu... Tetsutetsu!" The whole argument ended with a squeaky yell, one that belonged to Izuku Midoriya. Everyone darted their gaze at the greenette who had just yelled out their names. Although they had been a few hours behind, they were able to catch up since the other three had taken quite a long time on their discussion.

"Izuku? What are you doing here?" Shoto stood up, seeming as if he were surprised, however, on the inside he was overjoyed to be seeing him again.

"Sho!" The knight smiled at the sight of the other male, and really wanted to run to him, hold him, and never let go, but instead shook the feeling away and turned back to the trio. "You three! You don't have the right to take Sho away from us! And I'll win him back, just wait and see!"

"Ah!" Neito walked toward him in a cocky manner and smirked, "And just WHAT are you going to do, Izuku Midoriya? Cry to me until I give him up?" Laughing he let his hand hover over his forehead as he stared up.

"No, Monoma. I challenge you." Drawing his sword he held it next to the other knight's neck, but not too close so that it only intimidated him rather than hurting him. This only made everyone in that area wide eyed in surprise, not really expecting such a nice kid to change his whole aura in the span of a few seconds.

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