Vei Rin- Chapter 29: Hero Assocition!

Everyone had returned to Veirin's apartment not long after the death of Ebon Metal, nighttime was near. Gaia and Lumeri Galis explained everything to their daughter and Vei explained everything to them too, even about Rin and how to tell when she's taken over; They decided to stay there with her. They didn't want to part from her, they've waited for over a decade to be with her and they weren't going to leave. Vei, being in the kitchen cooking up fish with Lumeri's help, couldn't stop smiling with relief in her eyes. For the first time in a long time, she was so happy. She was giggling at her father's failed efforts in trying NOT to burn the fish...and Gaia kept giggling behind him, making the poor husband blush out of embarrassment. Lumeri's eyes twitched at both of their amused giggles and his face lit up red, grumbling lowly to himself. "So...Veirin. I take it, your adoptive parents, those 'tigers' gave you your name? How'd you find out about your last name?" Genos questioned as he sat on the couch with his master, watching television.

Vei didn't care anymore about hiding her feelings now. Ever since she watched Saitama overrule Ebon Metal in that fight, she knew he was going to win. Feeling the chains that bound her break off one by one, the burdens she had to go through or handle on her own so she could find her parents and get rid of that villain...all dropped. Her heart, her feelings held behind bars managed to break through and she didn't stop them... Now...those new emotions she felt, that she thought would never show up again, surfaced. She was smiling up a storm, blushing a little and she recalled how she found out about her last name. "My m-mom...her hair clip had Galis engraved on one side of the bead. Since it came from my mother and it had her scent, I figured that was my last name. I found out about that after I grew up a little with those tigers and after they gave me a name." she explained. Vei didn't have her sunglasses on, she figured she didn't need them to hide her eyes anymore...well, unless she goes outside.

"Yes, sweetie. I had that engraved on the bead so if anyone found it, they know who to return it to. Turns out engraving it, gave it more of a purpose than I thought it would.~" Gaia said and closed her eyes with a loving smile on her lips. "Honey, I'd love to give you a hand! After all, we've been reunited and I want to do everything together with you!" Her mother was so happy, she looked a lot healthier than she did before and there was a gleeful glow about her that would even outshine the sun itself.

"U-Um...sure! M-Mom, can you...get the drinks ready? I made some tea." Vei mumbled with a shy smile and pink on her cheeks. Being anti-social and suddenly breaking that after Gratta's death, it all felt so foreign to her but she felt free at the same time. Lumeri saw that and snorted, finding his daughter's pink tinted cheeks adorable. "What...?" Vei questioned her dad who stood next to her and lifted a brow, frowning all the while.

"Nothing...it's just, your face being that red...it's cute. If there's a guy you like, then he doesn't know what he's missing out on.~" He teased lightly and gasped when he got some raw fish smacked on the side of his face. That fish slid down and left a slimy, gross looking trail down his cheek. Soon everyone began laughing, even Saitama and Drive Knight. Now it was her father's turn to blush from embarrassment, his entire head turned red.

Gai was in midst of pouring tea out of a pot that was on the counter nearby and she couldn't help but laugh too. Just hearing that sloppy slap occur and hearing it make a mushy sound as it trailed down his face, put her into a giggling fit. "Now, 'dad', I highly doubt there's a guy for me since I have a split personality. No one likes to deal with two people in one body..." Vei answered, blushed and put the cooked fish on a platter. Her dad was now preparing some homemade Ramen and that fish is what went in it.

"Nonsense, my little girl's very unique and more than one person in you..." He trailed off and paused for a second. "I 'doubt' Rin would interfere with your love life. Besides, she only comes out at night, right?" He winked, stuck his tongue out playfully and began to put the cooked fish in the Ramen.

"Do you 'want', another fish slapped on your face...?" Vei asked, turned around and got ready to slap another fish on him. Again, everyone laughed, finding their conversion rather amusing. "Damn, what's his deal...?" she asked herself in her head, feeling the hair clip in her hair dangle from her movement.

"If you do, you're going to be wearing noodles." He teased again with a mischievous smirk forming. She began to wonder why he was acting like that, questioning if she had some part of his personality somewhere in her, considering she's his daughter.

All she did was roll her eyes and start to get bowls out for everyone. Drive Knight, who stood leaning against the wall nearby watching them, was chuckling quietly to himself at the sight. Isabelle helped Gaia pass out the poured tea and placed them on the table, soon assisting Veirin and Lumeri pass out bowls of Ramen and Fish. "Lumeri, Gaia, I'm just happy that you are both alright now. I can only imagine what it feels like for you both to be reunited with Veirin." she said, only to hear a cat meow near where Saitama sat. On the floor next to the Baldy's side, Sonic was sitting cross legged and Gratta's cat was purring up a storm. "Ah, Sonic! You brought the little guy here with you?" Isabelle chirped happily and gave a gleeful expression.

"Yeah, I decided to take it in since he has no owner anymore..." Sonic replied, scratching its head and nonchalantly watching the T.V marathon that was playing. Of course, he wasn't wearing his purple ninja outfit and nor was Vei's master. Sonic had lost the cat after they met up on that cliff edge but he found it a while afterwords.

"'He'? So it's a boy cat?" She blinked at the ninja and giggled, soon sitting at the table after Vei, Gaia and Lumeri sat down.

"Yeah." That was all she received, before he stood up and put the cat down. "His name's Kage." he said rather bluntly and stretched, now walking over to the table.

"Kage...it's suiting." Vei's master replied and chuckled. "Alright, food's ready everyone." she added, saw Drive and Saitama both stand up. Genos doesn't eat, being a cyborg and all, he just decided to sit with them all instead.

Soon everyone began eating and once Saitama took his bite, he gasped. "Wow, this is really good!" he complimented and continued eating. Drive Knight wasn't eating either, he was just doing the same thing as Genos since he was similar to him.

"Not bad." Sonic mumbled in between chews and sucked up some noodles. Lumeri smiled and so did Gaia, they both began eating right after. Vei watched them all, she felt so fuzzy just watching everyone sit together...it was as if...she had her own big family. Something she thought she would never have, due to trying to stay distant from others so she could hunt her parents down. But now, since she finally found her parents, why bother trying to push people away now? What sense is there to give cold shoulders? What reason would she have to push others away who want to help her or be her friend...? Those questions lingered in her mind as she gazed upon the Ramen in her bowl. Eventually she too, started eating.

"Veirin, might I ask a favor of you?" Drive Knight spoke up in question, as he folded his arms and wtached her peek up slightly.

"What is it...?" She asked curiously, not even giving him a sharp glare like she used to.

"There's going to be a meeting at the Hero Association, here in City Z. After Genos and I reported what happened, they wanted to meet the victim of Ebon Metal, the person he kidnapped so they could hear their end of the story. Vei...they want to meet and talk with you." This made everyone aside from Genos, to perk up with concerned and shocked features.

"Me...? They want to see me for 'that' reason?" Vei asked with a bit of annoyance in her voice, but sighed after taking a deep breath. Why glare? Why bother trying to give off intimidation over something that isn't a problem anymore? It was more of a habit than anything else, she's just trying to overcome it. "Fine, what time?" Asking that, it was Geno's turn to speak up. Honestly, she wanted to thank everyone for helping her. For everything they have done to help find her parents and defeat Gratta. She just didn't know how to really 'thank' them...a simple 'thank you', she believed wouldn't cut it. She felt like she owed them big time.

"Eight o'clock pm, which in our case...it'd be an hour until then." The demon cyborg said and peered over at her surprised face, only to flush a light pink and look away. Being a cyborg meant he lacked emotions, but he began to question why he began to feel a little funny. Ever since her feelings were pointed out on that day when he was helping her cook, he was getting weird fuzziness in his chest. He figured something in his body was malfunctioning since he was mechanical... "After that, I need to go visit Dr. Kuseno for...questions." he added and roamed all over the internet for hidden, specific reasons.

"Who's Dr. Kuseno?" Vei questioned the demon cyborg and rose a brow, she was just about to take another bite.

"He's the one who turned me into a cyborg and he's the only who I can go to, to ask 'specific' questions." Genos replied and emphasized the word 'specific'.

"Huh...sure." That was all she said in return and continued eating. Several minutes later, about twenty minutes before eight o'clock, they were all done eating. She was given an explanation about who all was joining the meeting at the Hero Association. They were all walking down the busy streets together, taking a good while to get to the building. Unfortunately Sonic couldn't attend the meeting seeing that he's listed as a Villain. He chose to go back to his own place, he planned on visiting her again.

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At the Hero Association, a large group of people sat around at a table in a blue lit up room where light emitted from the middle of the table. Puri-Puri Prisoner, Metal Bat, Tank-Top Master, Flashy Flash, Watchdog man, Superalloy Blackluster, Pig god, Zombieman, and King. Metal Knight appeared absent... Child Emperor, Atomic Samurai, Silverfang, and Terrible Tornado. Blast who was also missing... They all sat at the table.

"Are they coming?" Silverfang questioned and looked towards the door, only for Child Emperor to speak up.

"They should be. I requested that they bring the victim here with them, during our meeting." he said as he licked at a lollipop and hummed in thought. "I can only assume the victim's home is a bit far from this building." he added, looked up at Silverfang and saw him close his eyes.

"I still can't believe that the villain who terrorized both hero and villain alike, finally got taken down." Flashy Flash spoke up and he too, closed his eyes, sighing at the end.

"I wonder if the victim was a beautiful young man. Such a damsel in distress, the young man getting kidnapped by such a villain just irks me!" Puri-Puri Prisoner slammed his fist on the table and scowled. As if on cue, the doors opened and in came Drive Knight, Genos, Isabelle, Gaia, Lumeri and...Veirin. Drive Knight and Genos both took their respective seats and Saitama just stood next to his pupil. "Where's the victim and...who're these people?" he added in question, raising a brow confusedly until Drive spoke up.

"Gaia, Lumeri and Veirin Galis, they were all victims to Ebon Metal, The False king." Drive answered, peered over at the other three who stood awkwardly in front of the doorway.

Veirin held her breath as everyone stared at her and her parents, she averted her cat eyes which were covered by her blue rimmed sunglasses. Even Gaia had her eyes covered, reason being... Vei didn't want her mom getting fingers pointed her way and being accused that she was the mysterious feline; Basically the same reason why she kept her own eyes hidden. "Veirin, or...Vei, could you come sit? Your parents can stand behind you, we're sorry for not having enough chairs..." Silverfang spoke up and stared at the stern young woman who gave of a nervous vibe. He was the only one who noticed her uneasiness and the only one who guessed right on which person Veirin was, out of that small group that came in.

A silent nod is what she gave and all eyes followed after her as she made her way next to Saitama, sitting on the edge of the table slightly. "So...care to explain to us? You've been on the news a few times and the mysterious feline has had a decade worth of mystery that no one's been able to solve. We concluded that you and the mysterious feline were connected somehow." Child Emperor stated and didn't even glance over at the young woman.

Veirin remained silent, but got nudged by Saitama who nodded her way in reassurance. She looked nervous but knew she had to tell them, since the whole deal with Ebon Metal and her parents were finally resolved. "If I tell you...please, don't tell any of the lower ranked heroes. I don't want anyone who I don't trust or have never met, to be spreading false rumors or pointing out fingers in my direction and making citizens shun me. If any of you happen to do that, I swear I'll find you and-" before she got to finish, Saitama lightly tapped the back of her head and caused her to peer over to the side at him.

"Veirin, it's cool. They won't." His simplistic features gave a friendly smile and her expression eased up a little.

She sighed, nodded and closed her eyes. It took her a bit to explain everything that happened, from the part where her tiger parents took her in up to when she was searching for her parents and that Rin always worked at night, investigating. "You mean to tell me, that 'Rin'...being your second personality and the other half of your name, was the one behind all of that? Mostly?" Superalloy asked and tilted his head, raising a brow at Vei.

"Yeah... Rin is very cautious about strangers that she comes across. She's able to sense hostility from others and with that, she can also tell if someone's lying or not. Say, if someone wants to attack her out of hostility but they're a silver tongue and don't show express it on their face, she could easily tell if they're lying. If someone walks up to her, she'd either freeze in place watching them carefully or she'd run for it. She's also a very patient person, if she doesn't see a way around someone, if she's cornered or they're much stronger than her then she'd sit there and wait for an opening to either run for it, or strike when their back's turned. Anyway...enough about her..." Vei said and closed her eyes again, folding her arms against her chest and keeping her back to them all as she sat there.

"That explains it and the reasons behind her attacking a few heroes or so. Animals, especially felines, are a great judge of character. And yes, I agree. Since we know who Rin is we won't continue our investigation on her, but..." Silverfang spoke up and examined her with one eye cracked open. "You still have a lot more explaining to do. Why didn't you come to us for aid? We're heroes, are we not? You could've called the Hero Association for help regarding your parents and Ebon Metal." he added.

"Yeah...but if I did that, you all would've been dead. I saw how that creep took a lot of S ranked heroes down, alongside those villains and lower ranked heroes! Besides...I didn't want people in my way. I had a mission and that was to find my parents and ask why they abandoned me. If I were to ask any hero for help and explain my situation to them, all I'd get from them is mockery and laughter in my face. No one would believe me if I told them my story." she explained and refused to look at either of them.

"So, over ten years you've been investigating and trying to hunt down your parents? Only to find out they were hiding from the worst villain in all history and trying to keep you safe from him. So...why did he want you so badly?" Asking that, Gaia was the one to speak up this time.

"Um...it's because of me. Ebon Metal wanted my blood so he could spread it across the world and kill off every empowered human. Our blood, mine and Veirin's, are toxic to anyone who had power coursing through their veins. Of course, I injected myself with a disease so that my blood wouldn't be any good. So, he resorted to my daughter, kidnapping her and planned on using hers instead." She explained, only to feel Isabelle hug her from the side. Gaia continued explaining the situation they had before Ebon died, even mentioning the parts where her and her husband had to produce a child for the sole purpose of new, clean blood. Quite a lot of time had passed after everything was explained; Their entire story, Veirin and her parent's both. Isabelle even explained her parts, how she trained Veirin and practically taught her everything she knew about everyday life and fighting.

"It's surprising... Ebon Metal, also known as Gratta Quall, planned on turning the world back to how it used to be; To where there were no heroes or villains, let alone anyone at all that had power in them. It's a scary thought..." Zombieman said and kept his strict narrowed eyes upon the surface of the table.

"Please...don't tell anyone. If people find out who I am, they'll most likely stay away from me or accuse me as some murderer." Vei mumbled with sorrow in her hidden eyes, only until Genos took those sunglasses off. She gasped at the cyborg and tried to get them back, when he shook his head 'no'. "Give those back, Genos!" She rose her voice, tried again but was held back when Saitama pulled her backwards slightly.

"Vei, they know who you are so why hide from them?" Genos questioned with his narrowed yellow eyes and frowned. She clicked her tongue at that, looked away and plopped her butt back on the edge of the table. "Face them, Vei..." he demanded. She wondered why he wanted her to look their way, but when she did and turned around, a couple of men gasped. Her eyes were indeed, the same as Rin's only her slits were a little wider than hers.

"Wow, you really are just like a Catwoman from the old Comics.~" Metal bat said and winked at her with a toothy grin.

"Shut it..." Vei said and scowled, then sighed.

"Well, why hide from the world? Your story is understandable, from what I've heard and I can understand why you wouldn't want others to find out who you are... But, why don't you try and become a hero? You don't have to be in public unless the situation calls for it. Drive Knight and a few others are very good with gathering information and are exceptional fighters. As far as we know, we don't have a ninja hero or a Catwoman yet. If you chose to, you could even become a full time hero by switching between your personalities. You could be serving the people during the day, while Rin served at night, it would be no different than the mission you had before; Only you would be hunting down villains and taking care of threats. You can be a hero but still protect others behind the scenes, much like the hero 'Batman' from the old comics." Silverfang explained to Veirin who stood there wide eyed at him and mouth slightly agape. How would he or Metal Bat even know about the American comics? Suppose, being allies with people who have manga and comics, it wouldn't be much of a surprise.

"The pay's good too, not to mention. That is, if you hit Class A or S. You would be considered a Shadow Hero, which is a nickname given to those who work behind the scenes or in the shadows like Drive Knight and a few others. It's a new type of hero label I just came up with." Child Emperor stated and peered over at her from the side.

"Got to hand it to you, you're not half bad of a fighter, from what I've heard of and seen so far." Metal Bat grinned and caused Vei to sigh.

Veirin sat there pondering in silence for a good while, staring at her own feet and having folded arms. Isabelle hoped that she would become a hero, even if she would still think of herself as an anti-hero, she would be considered a hero none the less if she joined. "Sweetie...be what you want to be. You're free from Ebon Metal, so are we and you no longer have to spend years trying to find us. You can live your life how you see fit." Gaia softly spoke and gave a motherly smile, as she stepped forward towards her daughter. "Your father and I wouldn't think any less of you, in fact, we'd be proud of you no matter what decision you'd make." she added.

She still stood there thinking, it was taking her a good ten minutes until she finally decided on something. She looked up at them all and kept her arms crossed, still having that serious look in her cat eyes. "Fine...I'll try out to become a hero. Only because the pay's good! Besides...I need a knew change of pace anyway... So, if you come across Rin, aka the mysterious feline, don't attack...or approach her. I'll let her know what I'm planning to do so she won't be so confused or frightened." With that, everyone hummed in agreement and nodded.

"Good... We'll have a new addition to the hero side if you pass. The hero try-outs will be held tomorrow, hence one of the reasons why we asked for you to come here today... Do not hold back which ever power you have during the try-outs, so that way the judges can accurately record your strengths and weakness, then determine what class you'd be under." Atomic Samurai said, smirked and stood up. As did everyone else, they too, began to leave and Tornado who was across the table from Vei, kept eyeing her curiously.

"Hmph!" Tornado huffed and crossed her arms, looking away from a confused Veirin. She too, left and Veirin's little group were the only ones in there now.

"We look forward to seeing your results tomorrow, Veirin. I'll meet you at the try-outs and watch from the sidelines." Drive Knight stated and looked her way, before leaving the room.

"Well dear, it looks likes you're going to make some friends.~" Gaia winked and giggled, teasing her daughter all the while.

"Friends...huh..." Vei mumbled and sighed out of her nose, closing her eyes. Soon, she faced Genos, Saitama, Isabelle and her parents with a slightly embarrassed expression. "Um...I think I have plenty..." she said, keeping her eyes averted with a straight face and pink dusting her cheeks. This surprised Genos and Sai, they never expected her to consider them friends. "I...also wanted to...'thank' you...for helping me. I owe you...a lot. It just feels like me saying 'thank you', won't cut it." Her cats eyes closed at the end and heard nothing but silence...until...she heard Genos speak up.

"You can make it up to us, by becoming a hero and staying our friend. Let us come and visit when ever we want, offer my master dinner every now and then, and let us have a night out to every so often to hang out." The cyborg smirked and crossed his arms too, making her mother and Isabelle giggle at each other behind him. Vei's eyes were wide and her face was lit up red. "Now, I need to go visit Dr. Kuseno before it gets any later. See ya guys!" Genos smiled genuinely and waved a hand as he ran off, leaving them in there.

"Fine, fine, I can work with that." Veirin agreed to the terms and nodded, smiling faintly to herself all the while. "Heh, just as Genos said...we better head home before it gets too late and...before Rin wakes up." She gave a friendly smile this time and walked towards the door, leaving Saitama smiling and the three others grinning up a storm. Veirin finally considered Genos, Saitama and the others 'friends'. Who wouldn't, after saving and helping them out of a tight spot like she was in?

With time passing, Veirin and her parents got back to her apartment. Genos and Saitama went back to their place and Drive Knight was out on his own again. Her parents slept in the same room as her, hopefully not for long though. Vei planned on saving up money after she became a hero, or at least she hopes to become one, and buy a proper house to live in. So now there she was, her parents were sound asleep and so was she. Vei had already made a note out for Rin, giving her a long explanation of what all happened, what she plans to do and what to be aware of.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open and her slits were thinner than normal...Rin woke up. She slowly rose up in the bed and looked around, observing everything until her eyes laid upon her parents. She quietly but swiftly rushed out of bed to see them. Their peaceful, sleeping faces put a soft smile upon her lips and her green eyes wavered in relief. "Vei...you and our friends did it." A single tear strolled down her cheek at the sight. So this time, she decided to stay home for a little while and lay down on the floor next to her parents, practically purring since she could smell the familiar scent. "I missed you so much, mom...and dad... So much..." she whispered in her head and nuzzled her scalp against her father's back, with a closed eye smile.

She laid there for a while, before standing back up and staring at their sleeping frames lovingly. When she peered over at the door, there was an exceptionally long note written out for her. "I wonder..." she trailed off in her mind and read its contents, only for another relieved, appreciative smile to form. "No more pain, no more loneliness, the empty void in my heart is now filled... I feel so...free..." More tears streamed down her face after that. "This calls for a late night snack and a celebration.~" she sang lightly in her nearly monotonous voice and vanished from sight, leaving behind an afterimage.

She put her white tiger outfit one and just got done tying the green ribbon around her bun. She was in he bathroom, until Gaia's voice resonated in the air. "Sweetie?" Rin froze in her spot, she hoped she didn't wake either of the two up by accident... Gaia, being the cat she is, was able to sniff her out and found her in the bathroom looking in the mirror. "Ah, you must be Rin." Her mom said and giggled, knowing exactly who that is considering the thin slits and different vibe she gave off.

Rin's eyes moved over to view her mom, giving that robotic, straight stare she'd normally give to anyone. Only this time, they softened. She rushed up to her mom and gave her a big hug, again practically purring in delight. She felt her mom's arms wrap around her frame comfortingly, it felt so good to feel her mother in her grasp...so relieving... "I love you...mom..." Rin's nearly monotonous voice sounded in Gaia's ear and she heard her mom shoosh her gently.

"I love you too, dear. Why are you up at this hour? Wait...so it's true, then? You really do wander around at night while Vei roams during the day?" Gaia's cat eyes blinked and looked at her daughter from her peripherals. Seeing her nod in her embrace, she just gave a loving smile and a reassuring pat on the head. "Well, go ahead and enjoy your freedom. I won't stop you. Your dad and I will be right here, we're not going anywhere." After that was said, she watched Rin get teary-eyed and wiped a stray one away, soon nodding to her.

"I'll be back before morning, mom..." Rin replied. They stared at each other for a good moment, before she vanished from sight like before and left an afterimage behind. Gaia couldn't stop smiling, she was so happy...