Chapter 7- They stepped in.

Garou was silent as he flew Melee back to the hero hospital. He didn't know what to say or how to say it. "Are you upset with me?" she asked.

He sighed. "Yes… no… I don't know!" he said. "Why would you hide this from me?"

"I wasn't hiding it, I just didn't think it was that big of a deal."

"Melee. We have been through hell and back together, why go through this? You saw what I endured, I don't want that to happen to you."

"Why not? Garou… I have liked you… I've always liked you… I thought… if I became the same as you, we can be something more together…"

He paused mid air. "You wanted to become like me, to be with me?"

She nodded. "Look, I don't have a family, I don't really have any friends. You are the closest thing I have had…" she paused. "Never mind, let's just go…"

"Melee…"

She didn't speak another word, Garou however felt reluctant now to take her to the hospital. "Is this what you want? What you really want?" he asked.

"Does it matter?"

He looked between her and the hospital. "No, let's go home then." He began to turn the other way and flew back to the mountains where Silverfang's dojo resided, but they didn't stay with Silverfang any longer. It was Garou's choice to leave, feeling he shouldn't be in a place where people came to learn from Master Bang. Not to mention he still scares people off. Instead, Garou found a hidden home within the mountains. It was made by both Bang and Bomb when they were young, apparently to have girls over without their parents noticing. Melee found the place to be cozy, Bang and Bomb had made the place appear perfect to host elegant tea ceremonies. The walls and floors were wooden, yet very dusty at the time. With a little cleaning up and fresh furniture, it became a home.

The moment Garou's feet hit the ground. He sensed them. "Someone is in our house." He said.

"Anyone familiar?" she asked.

Garou snorted. "Who else interferes with our lives?"

The two entered the cave and found Silverfang with other S class heroes. "Did I do something wrong?" demanded Garou.

"Yes, but it was for the right reason. We know about Star's situation and I am here to remedy it," explained Child Emperor.

"Then why are they here?" Garou questioned. Child Emperor brought along Tatsumaki, Silverfang and Zombieman. "You think I am going to put up a fight?"

"Perhaps" said Fang. "But first, I need to know. How long have you known about this?"

"He just found out today," Melee explained. "I've hidden the truth from him and kept my arms covered up."

"You knew? Why didn't you have it addressed sooner?" demanded Zombieman.

"Because, I didn't care what it was going to do to me! If I become like Garou, fine! If I don't, so what!"

"Ew, you don't care if you turned out like that!" demanded Tatsumaki. "I mean, look at him, he's disgusting!"

"You are insulting me in my own home." Garou growled.

Child Emperor approached with caution. "Did you want this?" he asked of her.

Melee sighed. "Yes," she confessed. "I thought… if I were more like him, he and I could be together."

The room went oddly quite. "You love that thing!" shouted Tatsumaki.

"Him! I love him! And yes!" snapped Melee. "What's it to you anyways? None of this concerns you. It's my life, not yours."

"It concerns us because them we will have to be cautious about two dragon level threats in our midst." Said Zombieman.

"Wait, what?" demanded Melee.

"Shortly after you left the association, since you were no longer registered as a hero, you became rouge. Being associated with Garou, it has placed you under the same threat level as him. Level dragon." Said Zombieman. He took out a cigarette and began to smoke. "I got a way of knowing for certain what is going to happen to her. Leave it to me, I am going to call in a favor."

The room stared at Zombieman. "Who do you know that can help us about this?" demanded Child Emperor.

Zombieman took a deep inhale from his cigarette. He breathed out the smoke and said. "The same bastard that made me what I am…"