Chapter 4 Uncomfortable company.

Garou couldn't stand to look at her for the time being, she stayed close beside him, and made certain he didn't leave her sight. "Why are you even here? Why are you involved in this now? Did you say something?" he demanded.

"I said nothing that would harm your chances at freedom. I told them the heroes attacked you the other day, nothing more. I told you I keep my promises, so quite being an asshole about it!"

A brief smirk came over him; he paused and turned to Star. "You don't fear me, do you?"

"Don't give me a reason to. Besides, you need someone on your side right now. I suggest you don't blow it."

Garou paused for a moment; the devious grin on his face didn't quite fade away just yet. "Hm, this could be interesting."

"Don't get any ideas, as I told you before. I got your back, and having your back means calling you out if you are about to do something stupid. And believe me, I will!" she warned. Still, the smile remained. He allowed her to walk closer to him, but kept a close eye on her as well.

The two went into the city; despite the stares they were given Garou, the people remained relatively calm since Shuriken Star was next to him. He kept looked about, distrusting the face of the masses around him. They already know he was deemed a threat before, but now, people are starting to assume why. "I hate that look." He muttered. He began to hear the whispers, people wondering why he looked so strange, why he wore this black armor on his body. Why was Star with him?

Star kept pace and walked beside him. "If the stares bother you, just don't look at them."

"How can I not, they are staring right at me. I mean, how would you feel?" he demanded.

"Been there, not to this extend, but rabid fan girls are a close second." She explained.

A small grin came over him. "Another Sweet Mask story?"

"If you want to hear it."

A distraction was nice, so, with a nod, he agreed to listen.

Star explained it was three month in her job working for Amai Mask. She was tasked to get him to his other engagements on time. He was in the back parking lot, signing away on autographs and taking selfies with his fans, but her watch told her it was time for him to go. "Sir, you need to leave, now!" she said sternly. "You have an interview at six, traffic is a little slow and it will be worst if you don't leave this moment!"

"Thanks Mimi," and took his leave.

The moment he left, she was surrounded by thirty fan girls, all glaring at her with anger and resentment. "I didn't get my picture!"

"I wanted his autograph!"

"I was so close I could smell him!"

"He didn't have to leave!"

"One girl decided it was appropriate to slap me for ruining her chance to meet Sweet Mask. Another pulled at my hair that I had in a ponytail at the time. Two others kicked my shins and one nearly bit me." She explained to Garou. "Sadly this wasn't the first nor would it be the last time I get attacked by his legions. Needless to say, I prefer facing monsters than a mob of fan girls."

The story made him snicker, but he also felt for her too. She didn't like working with the man, but endured to help her family. "You sure get your fair share of lumps in life too, don't you?"

Her head nodded. "Been like that since I was a kid."

"How did you manage?" he asked.

Star smiled. "Something my dad always said. Only in darkness, can you see the stars"

They continued on, when they came across a familiar school ground. "I said give it to me, Tareo!"

They both paused and saw a boy with a bowl hair cut clenching on to his book. "I told you before, it's mine!"

"Yeah, well, I want it now. I'm older, so you have to do as I say!"

"Is that the same kid?" he muttered to himself. He watched as Tareo was shoved to the ground. A low growl escaped from Garou. He didn't hesitate, in a single, powerful leap. He cleared the fence. In his landing, he kicked up dust and dirt, some even swear the ground shook a little as he stood behind the kid being picked on. The four others surrounding him stopped and stared at the strange man. "Boo" said Garou.

"MONSTER!"

The kids ran screaming home to their mothers, the one trying to take the book even wet his pants! Garou was about to leave until he heard the kid call out. "Uncle?"

He muttered. "Yeah, defiantly the same kid."

"Uncle?" questioned Star as she made her way next to Garou. He was flushed with embarrassment; he didn't want her to know some kid called him Uncle! "Wouldn't big brother be more suitable?"

The kid's eyes lit up.

"Don't encourage him," he whispered to her.

"I never had a brother before, Big Brother!" the kid then paused and stared at him. "Big Brother, you look different than before."

"Yeah, I know." Garou replied.

"But… you don't look as scary as before."

This… surprised him. Garou leaned down and looked to Tareo. The two locked eyes, he wanted to see if what the kid said was true. "I don't?"

Tareo shook his head. "No, last time, you looked really scary. But this time, you don't. You look a lot different before, but I am not scared."

Garou didn't quite know how to feel about it. He was becoming a monster again somehow, and yet compared to the last time. He wasn't as scary looking? How was that even possible? He thought he looked worst than before! "So, how much longer are you going to be with that book? I still want to borrow it."

Tareo smiled. "I am almost done, and I promise, you can borrow it Big Brother!"

"That's so cute." Said Star.

"This never happened," warned Garou.

As Garou stood, he sensed someone lingering behind him. "Oh… picking on children now are we? Heroes too tough for you?"

Turning his head, he saw them. Golden Ball and Spring Mustachio. Star stepped forward. "Back off, he scared off a couple of bully kids, that's all." She said.

"Looks to me, he was attacking them. This one couldn't get away in time now could he?" said Golden Ball.

"You guys are really starting to get on my nerves" Garou muttered.

"You can't say you didn't have this coming." Mustachio tossed a white handkerchief into the air, in a puff of smoke it became his infamous spring sword. "On guard!" he called.

Garou stood ready to fight, but it was Tareo who stepped in front of him. "Leave him alone!" the kid called.

"Step aside son, that is a dangerous creature behind you." Said Mustachio.

"I am not moving!"

Garou was touched. The kid that annoying at first was starting to grow on him. However, Garou stepped forward once more. "Go home, if they want a fight they got one. I am no longer in the mood to be a nice guy."

Tareo didn't want to leave him, however Star took him off to the side. Garou turned to the two heroes. "Fine, let's get this over with."

Golden ball smiled. "That's more like it!" and launched his first attack. The projectile was easily dodge, there was not much for it to bouncy off of and come back at him yet, as Garou moved to the left, Mustachio cut him off and attempted to stab him with the sword. He easily avoided that too. Their movements were too predictable and yet they started moving faster and aiming for more vital areas than before. Golden Ball sent a barrage of projectile towards Garou, despite his current state, he could still move, deflect and avoid them with relative ease. Some did hit him, at least, he thought they did, Garou didn't quite feel anything.

Mustachio took his turn, constantly attempting to stab, slice and pierce any part he could, and yet Garou wasn't the least bit fearful of the blade. Golden Ball too aim once more, this time he was off his mark, his projectile struck a tree and was heading towards the kid! Garou tried to rush after it to prevent it from striking when Mustachio to hit his mark. The tip of the blade struck Garou in the chest, but no blood was drawn. Harder and harder Mustachio pushed, until the sword broke!

Garou wasn't the least bit concerned about the sword, but was relieved when he saw Star knocked Golden Ball's attack out of the air.

Silence befell the heroes. Golden Ball even took a cheep shot, aiming for where Mustachio struck, but found his attack fall dead on impact. "Nothing, he was stabbed and nothing happened!" muttered Mustachio.

"What the hell is this? What armor is he wearing? That should have gone through him easily!" protested Golden Ball.

"Are we done?" demanded Garou. "Because if not, it's my turn!"

The two heroes froze, Mustachio reached behind his back. "I wouldn't be calling for help if I were you!" said Star.

She wasn't too far way with Tareo at her side, the two held cell phones and appeared to have recorded everything. "Wait, what are you do? Were you recording this?" asked Golden Ball.

"Me too!" grinned Tareo.

"What will the heroes association think of this? Attacking without being provoked? I say that would be a B Class move." Said Star.

Panic overcame the heroes; they got on their hands and knees begging them not to send the videos in. Star however wasn't in a forgiving mood. "I have to agree with Garou, you guys think just because he attacked you in the past, you get to strike him down now? Doesn't the phrase turn the other cheek mean anything to you?"

"You do know what he did, don't you?" asked Mustachio.

"I do, but do you also know he had the power to kill everyone he came across?" said Star.

Golden Ball sneered. "He shouldn't be allowed to walk a free man."

"Your reasoning is awful," said Star. "Now, I want to see you apologize… Garou… you too!"

He gave but a sneer yet agreed to it. Mustachio and Golden ball got to their feet once more, reluctantly turned to face Garou and cautiously placed their hand out. Garou shook their hands and apologized for his actions. Neither hero accepted it, Star could tell by the anger in their eyes. Heroes like that too don't forgive and forget that easily.

With the fight over, the two left with their tails tucked between their legs. Garou turned to Star shaking his head. "That was ballsy"

"That was nothing, the camera wasn't on."