Welcome back to anyone who gives a shit. What did you think of Amai Mask's weird thing with Blast in Chapter 135?

Disclaimer: I don't own One Punch Man. Credit belongs to One and Murata

Chapter Seven: On the Run

Tatsumaki groaned. Her whole body hurt and ached. Her head pulsed, preventing any coherent thoughts from forming. She gripped her legs, curled up to her. She was shivering, and the thin blanket covering her did nothing to protect her from the cold.

When the pain ceased enough for Tatsumaki to think she lifted her head off the pillow. She was in an abandoned house, or so she guessed due to the amount of mold and lack of light. In fact, the only light was the little stream coming in through the shuttered window above her.

Tatsumaki pulled herself up and sat upright on the bed. Where was she? What happened? Why did she feel so much like shit?

Then she remembered. Well then. So where was Amai Mask?

An uncomfortable panic seized her. Had Beaut abandoned her too? Where was he?

Tatsumaki gripped the blankets harder. Where was Beaut?

Then there was movement. Tatsumaki's eyes snapped to it, half expecting a metal form to step in and grab her.

But no, it was Amai Mask. Strangely, a feeling of relief and pleasure flowed through Tatsumaki. What the fuck was that.

It didn't matter much since the next thing Tatsumaki noticed was that Amai Mask had food.

Tatsumaki's stomach growled and she fell out of the bed, stumbling over to Amai Mask.

"Woah there tiger," Amai Mask said, lifting it out of her reach. "Let me set it down first."

Amai Mask set the food down on the table, giving her a plate and utensils. As soon as the bags were down Tatsumaki lunged at them. Amai Mask couldn't help but gape in awe as he watched the tiny esper devour four quarts of rice, one quart of lo mein, a bag of chicken wings, half a pound of sushi, and a fish.

As soon as the food was gone Tatsumaki looked at Amai Mask. "No more?"

Amai Mask laughed. "I was hoping that would last us a few days at least. Guess I'll have to go get some more."

Tatsumaki blushed in embarrassment. She hadn't realized how much she had eaten until she looked down at the table and saw all the empty boxes spread out before her. And she was still hungry.

"Is there any water here?" Tatsumaki asked.

"Sure, as long as you don't drink all of that too," Amai Mask chuckled, causing Tatsumaki to blush even deeper.

Amai Mask got up and poured her a glass of water from the sink. For some reason, this didn't bother her as much as it should have. He handed it to her and she drank it all.

They sat quietly for a minute. Then Tatsumaki spoke.

"Metal Knight said something about someone intentionally weakening the Hero Association."

"What?"

"I'm not really sure, I was kind of fuzzy at that point, but Metal Knight hinted that Bang's retirement, Metal Bat's, Child Emperor's and Darkshine's turn to the Neo Heroes, our firings and your reveal being connected. He implied that someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes, to weaken the Hero Association as a whole."

Amai Mask thought for a moment. "I don't know how much you're aware of the inner working of the Hero Association, but many financial backers and Hero Association nonhero employees have also left or turned to the Neo Heroes. McCoy being one of them. The Hero Association has been corrupt right since the start. Maybe someone from the Neo Heroes or just someone with an agenda against the Hero Association is taking action."

"But who?"

Both were silent for a moment. Then Tatsumaki spoke up, "Do you think it could be Sitch? Or Sekingar?"

"Sitch I don't think would turn on the Hero Association. He's too loyal. Sekingar…I could see. He's a practical man. Maybe he decided the Hero Association has outlived its usefulness and opted for a better association. But at this rate, a conflict between the two associations is inevitable. Perhaps that's why Sekingar or whoever it is taking out the heavy hitters like you, Bang and Metal Knight."

"A…conflict?" Tatsumaki pondered. "You don't mean…"

"That's exactly what I mean. A hero civil war," Amai Mask finished.

The two sat in silence once more, contemplating the gravity of the situation.

"That makes sense," Tatsumaki agreed. "If so, will the Neo Heroes really be better than the Hero Association?"

"I've heard mixed things about the Neo Heroes," Amai Mask admitted. "They do seem to care about their heroes more than the Hero Association. They pay more and have better benefits. They also seem to have a better threat detection and a better system to deal with said threats. Their numbers already far surpass the Hero Association's dwindling numbers. But that may be because they don't seem to mind enlisting criminals, one of their biggest criticisms. Rumors also say that if you break the Neo Heroes rules you could be expelled from the Neo Heroes, or worse."

Silence filled the small house once more.

Then Tatsumaki asked, "Well, what should we do?"

Amai Mask looked at her. "We?"

"Well yeah, it's not like we can stay here much longer. Metal Knight will be searching for us."

"You misunderstand. I do not plan on staying with you."

Tatsumaki's heart turned to stone. "What?"

"You have become a massive target. As soon as you're well enough to be on your own, I'm finding my own way. I only took you along because that's what a hero would do."

Amai Mask stood up. "I'm going to see if I can find more food."

Amai Mask left the house making it feel smaller than ever. Tatsumaki curled back up in her bed, clutching the cloth close to her. So close, she could almost pretend she didn't feel the tears streaming down her face.

The next day, Tatsumaki realized she had a fever. Her shivering would not stop. She sweat through the entire day. Any food Amai Mask brought for her she ate quickly.

Amai Mask spent most of the day out scavenging for food and other supplies. They were in the rubble of City Z ghost town, the very same Tatsumaki had not so long ago ripped up from the earth only a few weeks ago.

It was strange. In such a short amount of time, everything was different. Going into the Monster Association hideout, she had been confident, strong, at the top of the S Class, unbeatable. When she left the Monster Association, she was battered and bruised, but remained unfazed. But now, here she was, in the ruins of her own design, broken and discarded by the only thing she ever knew. All her life she never believed in getting help from anyone. But lately, she's been reliant on people for her own survival.

But it seemed that was about to change.

Finally, at sunset, it seemed she was recovering. She stopped sweating, although it seemed she would need to find new clothes. The shivering had ceased and Tatsumaki was feeling much better. Her mind was clear and functioning.

It was around then Amai Mask returned. "For dinner I have a hotpot, a couple fish, and a salad. Which do you want?"

He looked at her. Tatsumaki told him she wanted the fish. He gave her the fish and proceeded to eat. Tatsumaki ate slowly, a stark contrast

to the last few meals. Whether Amai Mask noticed or not, she wasn't sure. Tatsumaki finished her fish and wiped her mouth with a napkin. Amai Mask slurped down the last of the hotpot and let out a content sigh. Tatsumaki put her utensils down and stared at the table. She was aware that Amai Mask rose and crossed the room.

"Catch!" Tatsumaki looked up just in time to telekinetically stop a plastic bag from hitting her in the face. Intrigued, Tatsumaki looked inside.

"While I was out I found some new clothes for you. It's probably not what'd you like, but it's better than that dress where anyone could tell it's you."

Inside the bag was a pair of jeans seemingly her size, and a sweatshirt.

"I'll leave you so you can change," Amai Mask said, walking outside.

Tatsumaki stared at the hoodie. It depicted some kind of anime. What was "Mob Psycho 100"? Tatsumaki wasn't sure, but she appreciated the chance to get out of this soaking dress.

The jeans were a little baggy, and the sweatshirt was a little bit too big. But Tatsumaki was grateful for the thought.

"You good in there?" Amai Mask called in.

"Yeah, I'm good," Tatsumaki told him.

Amai Mask strolled in and did a once over at her. "Certainly not a depiction of beauty, but it will serve."

Tatsumaki was tempted to argue with him, but she yawned before she could get a word out.

"You seem tired, and I am as well. It's been a long day for both of us. Let's get some sleep," Amai Mask suggested.

Amai Mask left for his room before she could argue. Not that she wanted him to stay, it would just be helpful to get an idea of what they would do and where Amai Mask would go tomorrow. When he left.

Yeah.

Tatsumaki laid down on the bed. Her new clothes and the thin blanket was enough to keep her warm. She pressed her face into the pillow. But she didn't close her eyes.

When she woke up in the morning, Amai Mask would leave. And she would be on her own again.

Not that she wouldn't be fine. She could take care of herself. She didn't need Amai Mask to look after her. He was just some dumb A Class Hero. She was far above him. In every conceivable way.

Yet Tatsumaki couldn't bring herself to close her eyes. She hated it. Why did this happen to her? Why was she here?

How dare the Hero Association bring this upon her? How dare they label her a threat?

Did they want to piss her off? Fine. If they wanted a monster, she could give them a monster.

Especially for him. Did that bald idiot seriously think he could just kick her out of the Hero Association and not suffer her wrath? She would show him the power of a real Hero. He was nothing to her. Even less than Amai Mask. She would crush the octopus shaped chrome dome.

And she would smile all the while.