"Hawks I told you I'm fine. There's no need to fuss over me." Tiredly, Katsumi sighs, brow furrowed at the boy before her, feeling Hawks fingertips comb through her long locks, braiding bits and pieces, meddling with her hair. It was the best thing the two could settle on after she had come back home where Hawks had insisted on taking her home. She knew fighting with him would be more hassle than needed so she agreed, he thought he'd get her a cab or something but of course not. He swoops her in his arms and took her of course…she still couldn't believe he did that then again she shouldn't be too surprised considering its him. Still, she couldn't believe that when she came to the apartment, he insisted on cooking, on cleaning, on tending to her every need. She didn't need it, she need any of that. She was fine, he was fine.
"But I want to…" Whinging, Hawk whines, plopping his head in the crook of her neck once more, removing his hands from her hair to wrap around her waist as they sit down on the sofa, her body leant over his as the two watch the screen showing numerous clips of all sorts.
"They really are hyping up this mutant month aren't they?" Katsumi points out brow furrowed.
"Guess it's to do with the recent rise of mutant crimes." Hawks gathers making Katsumi furrow her brow at the thought.
"You think you'll be busy?" Gently, Katsumi asks staring at their hands entwined.
"No doubt about it." Hawks mutters, rubbing patterns into her hand.
"You okay?" Gently, Katsumi questions him, brow furrowed.
"Yeah just…" Hawks trails off sighing shakily.
"Sorry this must be sensitive for you." Apologetic, Katsumi grimaces, she shouldn't assume she never knew what to say when it came to this sort of thing. She didn't notice sure she noticed others looking different to her but so long as they gave her the same respect, she gave them. She didn't care then again for all she knew, a single word could ruin it. She didn't it, it was such a different difficult Battlezone in itself.
"Eh it's nothing really." Aloofly, Hawks shrugs his feathers fluttering teasingly touching her nose making her sneeze slightly, bringing a small snicker to Hawk's lips at the kitten like sneeze.
"Hey if it means something to you then it's not nothing If it's important to you it's important to me." Mad, Katsumi huffs, trying to scrunch up her nose trying to stop the sneeze threatening to let out.
"Thanks…" Tentatively, Hawks smiles softly at the blonde before her.
"Look I'll admit I know jack about this sort of stuff. I mean the closest thing I have is my mother, who is technically a mutant sure but she doesn't look it. You know?" Unsure, Katsumi sighs.
"Lucky her then…" Tensely, Hawks grumbles, nuzzling his stubble into her side.
"Sorry but if you want to talk about it, vent I'll listen I can't say I'll understand but I want to try." Tensely, Katsumi smiles she had hoped she had worded it right. She didn't know….she had learned of how some people reacted to mutants it was ridiculous to her. She remembered a fair few of her sidekicks telling her of how those they who tried to get into other agency refused them due to…their mutations. She didn't really know how to feel about it, it was a battlefield of its own, one Katsumi just didn't comprehend why it had to be an argument in the first place. Urgh…Katsumi grimaces at the sore stinging sensation of her head.
"…Thanks." Softly, Hawks smiles down at her.
"Something still wrong?" Katsumi questions clearly concerned placing her hand on his cheek, rubbing her thumb against his stubble.
"Are you sure you should go tonight?" Whining, he grumbles leaning into her touch, nuzzling into her side.
"I'm going to my parents I can't exactly say no." Chuckling, Katsumi shakes her head at the thought, she didn't want to release the wrath of her mother.
"But…" Hawks whines grumbling.
"I'll be fine I promise." Katsumi shuffles slightly turning to face him, gently placing her hands on either side of his cheeks, rubbing patterns into his head as he leans into her touch, whining.
"Your arm though…" Hawks curls closer into Katsumi, his grip tightening around her.
"Hawks I lived without an arm for years I appreciate what you did with my hair but I'm fine, everything is fine." Firmly, she promises him.
"…." Hawk furrows his brow staring at her, his gold never leaving her raw reds only then for them to perk up at the soft ring of the door.
"Katsumi?" The voice of Masura calls out as he knocks on the door, Katsumi feels his grip tighten around her, noting his hues dilating, his gold glaring at the door, bringing her close to his chest, his fingertips digging deep into her. She looks up noting the feathers floating in the air, sharpening aimed at the door.
"That's dad." Sighing, Katsumi removes herself from Hawks, huffing, pouting on the sofa.
"But he isn't a hero." Hawks argues, his arms crossed over his chest alongside his legs as he watches her go.
"Hawks I will be fine." Sighing, she approaches the door, opening it.
"If anything goes…" Hawks begins brow furrowed looking over the sofa.
"If anything goes wrong, I'll text you I promise just enjoy yourself yeah?" Sighing, she places her hand on his head.
"…Yeah." Hawks cranes his neck to the side.
"Just make sure you don't drink too much okay?" Gently, she lightly hits his cheek cradling his cheek.
"I'll be with friends I'll be fine." Frowning, Hawks rolls his eyes at her.
"That doesn't mean I don't worry dumbass…" Sternly, she prods his cheek with her forefinger.
"…And you think I don't worry?" Hawks bows his head.
"Katsumi? You ready to…oh…" Masura's eyes expand when seeing Hawks on her sofa.
"I should go." Katsumi pushes herself off the sofa.
"Right…" Rejected, Hawks glances to the side sadly dejected.
"Hawks I will be fine I promise I ain't weak." Katsumi assures him.
"I never said you were." Meekly, Hawks grumbles crossing his arms over the top of the sofa.
"Then take care of yourself alright. Here. I trust you'll lock up." Katsumi tosses the key over to him.
"…Right." Swiftly, he catches said keys watching on as the two leave, leaving him to lock up…
"Sorry if I interrupted anything." Apologetic, Masaru smiles softly at Katsumi as she slides into her seat. She reaches for her seatbelt, her eyes widening when she looks up from the window, her ruby reds softening sadly when noting familiar feathers of ruby red stretched out from high above. She looks up to see Hawks looking down at her from the balcony ledges perched upon it bringing a small smile of endearment to Katsumi's lips at the sight. He never was one to stand normally he always had to perch on the edge almost like a gargoyle.
"Nah it's fine dad." Katsumi assures Masaru as he slides into the driver's seat. She smirks up at Hawks, simply staring down at her giving a small salute of sorts which she salutes back, bringing a small, strained smile to his lips when watching the car go off.
"So who was…?" The soft click of the door echoes as Katsumi snaps out of her thoughts turning to her father, hearing the click of the key turning as the engine roars and the car purrs ready to set off…
"It's not what you think it is." Curtly, she cuts her father off, brow furrowed crossing her arms over her chest tiredly.
"I know…" Meekly, Masaru smiles softly endearingly at his daughter.
"Sorry again about having you pick me up I know its busy around here." Apologetic, Katsumi smiles she had hoped to drive herself there but…solemnly, she looks over at her flannelled shirt open, exposing her snow-white tank top, the sleeve of her flannel coat of sorts to her side having been folded up, buttoned up even. She looks over at the empty sleeve before her.
"I just can't believe your arm would bust up today." Sighing, Masaru furrows his brow at the sight looking over at his shirt.
"Eh I'm not surprised the technicians back at the agency think it was a build-up it was bound to happen." Honestly, Katsumi confesses, she wasn't much of a tech wiz but she knew it was bound to happen, especially with her track record.
"Because you keep pushing yourself." Masaru furrows his brow at Katsumi who groans, leaning back into the plush pillow of leather behind her, craning her head up at his remark.
"Dad…" Drained, Katsumi whines, not having the energy or willpower to deal with another lecture form him.
"Your mother and I just don't want you pushing yourself sweetie." Softly, Masaru tells Katsumi, his features softening sadly at her clearly concerned for his little girl.
"I know dad…" Katsumi nods her head, rolling her eyes exasperated.
"So guessing you can't drive for a while." Masaru gathers, brow furrowed worried for his little girl.
"Not without my backup prosthetic as you know…hey dad?" Frowning, Katsumi grumbles glaring to the side only then to falter further furrowing her brow as her tone turns sheepish, shy even as she squirms slightly.
"Yeah…" Masaru hums looking over at his eldest.
"The others won't mind right? I mean…" Uncomfortable, Katsumi looks over at her sleeve sighing. She knew it had been a few years but the thought still lingered in her head now and again.
"They'll be fine with it sweetie..." Masaru tells her smiling softly at her.
"Yeah sorry…" Katsumi bows her head apologetic.
"Don't apologise for it." Masaru tells her sternly, scowling.
"You look tired." Katsumi furrows her brow noting her father adjusting his lenses when he stops the car before the blaring bright light, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I am a bit tired next month's theme for the magazine changed the sudden want to do mutants." Masaru answers as Katsumi notes the bags hanging heavily from his eyes as he reveals the news to her making Katsumi grimace.
"Yeah mutant month right?" Strained, she smiles uneasily not quite sure what to make of it all.
"Right…your mother nearly hung the boss by his neck." Masaru mutters grimacing, glancing to the side scowling at the memory.
"That isn't surprising." Katsumi sweat drops, a part of her pitying the poor soul that had to face her.
"Inko mentioned bumping into you today." Masaru remarks.
"Yeah…" Katsumi furrows her brow.
"She felt terrible about your arm." Masaru sighs.
"It wasn't her fault though." Tiredly, Katsumi groans, brow furrowed.
"You know how Inko is Katsumi." Masaru smiles tentatively at his daughter.
"Yeah…" Softly, she smiles back.
"Izuku will be happy to see you." Masaru tells her.
"I wonder if he still has those hero notes of his." Humming, Katsumi ponders out loud she always found that notebook of his to be endearing.
"I'm sure he'll ask you a lot of questions so you better be ready." Masaru warns her.
"Yeah heh…hey dad…" Sweat dropping, she smiles strained looking over at the window recognising the neighbourhood.
"Hm?" Masaru hums as Katsumi's features falter.
"How's…Katsuki?" Tensely, she grimaces, a stoic stone mask upon her facial features.
"…He's alright." Masaru sighs brow furrowed.
"Good….I'm glad." Katsumi smiles relieved.
"You should hear him U.A or nothing he's going to that school no matter what." Masaru tells her making her eyes expand.
"Seriously?" Stunned, she whispers.
"No other school can do it. He really is following into your footsteps…" Masaru remarks making her wince.
"…Let's hope he doesn't follow all the steps." Pained, Katsumi grimaces glaring at her arm.
"You okay?" Masaru asks noting her furrowed frown.
"Yeah just…worried." Katsumi winces, glancing to the side sadly.
"Katsumi…" Masaru sighs sadly.
"I know my brother is smart don't get me wrong. I just…" Katsumi attempts to explain but…
"Don't want to see him hurt." Masaru gathers smiling softly at his daughter.
"Yeah…" She nods her head trailing off.
"Katsumi I know Katsuki doesn't show it but he really does look up to you. He tries to hide it but Midoriya mentioned seeing a certain poster of you." Masaru points out.
"A poster but I don't do merch." Confused, she furrows her brow.
"I think he printed it out." Masaru exclaims.
"Ah that would make sense." Katsumi nods her head in understanding.
"I know your brother may seem a bit rough but…" Masaru trails off.
"That's just how he is." Katsumi states.
"Exactly. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you." Masaru reassures flexing his fingertips around the leather wheel.
"Yeah…" Aloofly, Katsumi grimaces, glancing to the side solemnly staring at the fleeting flashes of light, finding a strange sense of peace. She leans back in her seat, just happy to be with her father, no eyes on her, no flashes on her, no nothing on her just as her and her dad heading home.
"We're here come on we can't have this without the guest of honour after all!" Masaru smiles softly at Katsumi as the car stops before a familiar house, where greeting them is the boisterous bellowing of her family home.
"Ma you here?" Smirking, Katsumi calls out as she and her dad enter her home, feeling a sense of familiarity, nostalgia bringing a small smile to her lips at her home.
"Katsumi you came." Inko smiles softly at the sight of her standing up, seeing Midoriya sat down smiling shyly up at her.
"Course I did you think I'd provoke the beast." Cheekily, she jokes smirking.
"Oi who the hell you calling beast!" Bellowing, a familiar blonde walks in, smirking smugly at her daughter, prodding her cheek after lopping her arm around her shoulder.
Who do you think old hag?" Haughtily, she chuckles teasing her.
"The fuck you call me!?" Mad, Mitsuki smirks smugly bringing her into a manhole, rubbing her knuckles into her head, a noogie making the two snicker.
"You heard me!" Katsumi snaps back, smirking smugly at her as Mitsuki lets her go.
"Oi Katsuki you got anything to say to your sister! Come on it's her big day! She ain't here often you know!" Sternly, Mitsuki calls out to Katsuki making Katsumi's eyes expand as she looks over at her little brother on top of the stairs, staring down at the scene playing out, his raw reds clashing against her own.
"Tch, she ain't number one so she ain't worth my time." Aloofly, Katsuki sneers disgust dripping down his tone.
"Oi! That isn't how you talk to your big sister! This is her big day after all." Annoyed, Mitsuki snaps scowling at her son.
"It's fine mom." Gently, Katsumi places her hand on her shoulder squeezing her shoulder trying to calm her mother's fury.
"But…." Mitsuki furrows her brow only then to look over at Masaru shaking his head making her sigh grumbling under her breath, crossing her arms over her chest, letting it go.
"Aunt Inko, Izuku it's so good to see two you how have you guys been?" Warmly, Katsumi smiles softly at her family friends.
"I've been well congratulations on making it to the top ten." Inko tells her.
"Heh thanks still can't believe this is happening to be honest…" Shyly, she sheepishly scratches the back of her head.
"Katsumi I'm sorry again about…" Apologetic, Inko begins bowing her head but…
"Don't be. It isn't your fault it was bound to happen." Honestly, she assures Inko.
"It was?" Inko's eyes expand.
"Yeah, the technicians back at the agency think it's build-up kinetic crap or something…I sort of just zoned out what they said though heh…" Unsure, Katsumi smiles sheepishly.
"Katsumi c-congratulations on making it to the top." Meekly, Midoriya stands up, staring down at his fidgeting fingertips, beaming brightly.
"Midoriya! Look at you! Look at your little freckles they're so adorable! You're so cute!" Coyly, Katsumi squeals beaming brightly at the ruby red-faced boy bringing him into her arm, hugging him.
"K-Katsumi!" Flailing, Midoriya squeals, his voice cracking breaking, embarrassed by her sister figure's affection.
"Aw I could just pinch your cheeks!" Squealing, Katsumi smiles beaming brightly at the boy nuzzling her cheek into his freckled cheek, steam spewing out of his flustered form.
"P-Please don't!" Meekly, Midoriya begs brow furrowed, he loved Katsumi he did like a little sister but she could be so embarrassing with him sometimes. She was never like that with Katsuki so why him? It could be so embarrassing sometimes…
"I take it Katsuki isn't joining us." Katsumi remarks letting Midoriya go from her side hug.
"Looks like it. Probably pissy I didn't give him a recommendation." Bitterly, Katsumi huffs plopping herself down upon the sofa, draping her arms over the armchair.
"A recommendation?" Mystified, Mitsuki says surprised sharing a look with her husband from the news.
"Yeah he just stormed into the office acting as if I would give it to him. As if he owned the place." Bitterly, Katsumi grumbles, glaring as she leans over the armchair slightly before leaning back down, draping herself over the chair, looking up at the ceiling at the memory.
"That little shit." Seething, Mitsuki stands up, about to snap when…
"Don't waste your energy ma. It won't get through to him. I mean I know he wants to get into U.A but still…" Sighing, Katsumi slumps, slouching her shoulders. She calls out to her mother, about to chase after Katsuki, about to head up the stairs.
"Speaking of U.A didn't you give them an offer Midoriya." Masaru points out turning to the freckled boy.
"You did?" Surprised, Katsumi turns to face Midoriya.
"Y-Yeah." Meekly, Midoriya bows his head.
"That's great you're still working for your dream Midoriya that's so admirable." Amazed, Katsumi praised Midoriya making him blink baffed, taken aback.
"K-Katsumi…" Shyly, Midoriya whispers smiling softly sniffling.
"Tch don't encourage the runt." Bitterly, a familiar voice bellows making Midoriya flinch.
"Oh look who decides to grace us with his presence." Pointedly, Mitsuki snaps scowling giving her son quite the dirty look making Katsumi sigh sensing the tension beginning to bubble, grow, burn.
"Tch quirkless trash like you shouldn't even step foot on U.A ground." Disgusted, Katsumi snaps scowling at Midoriya just as Katsumi's raw reds narrow noting his quivering, quaking fidgeting form, looking terrified tensing up cradling his shoulder making her scowl.
"Katsuki that's enough." Fed up, Katsumi snaps sharply scowling.
"I'm just saying how it is." Katsuki sneers scowling.
"I-I…" Meekly, Midoriya tries to argue but…
"You know what Katsuki if you're going to act like this then go back to your room." Annoyed, Katsumi places her hand up in the air huffing, grumbling glaring at her brother.
"Excuse you?" Katsuki snaps slamming his palm down on the stairs, steam spewing out from the stair railing, singe marks marred on top of the railing.
"If you're going to continue being a prick during the countdown then I don't even want to look at you." Mad, Katsumi snaps snarling seething, her blood boiling, bubbling, burning.
"Are you ordering me around1?" Mad, Katsuki yells, snarling seething at her baring his feral fangs at the unimpressed girl.
"DAMN RIGHT I AM NOW GET UP THOSE STAIRS." Sternly, she commands her baby brother, his raw reds dilating from her words.
"LIKE HELL I-" Katsuki begins but…
"Your room. NOW." Scowling, she cuts him off making him step a step back seething before turning on his heel, storming, stomping up the steps.
"Yeah continue stomping up those steps real mature Katsuki!" Angrily, she snaps yelling at him seething when in return hears the heavy kick of the ceiling being kicked, stomped upon in return.
"I'm sorry about him Izuku." Sighing, Katsumi furrows her brow at the boy as the two sit outside feeling the chilly crisp breeze brushing against their hair, his bushy green locks tangle ruffle in his hair while the breeze combs its teasing touch through her brown roots.
"I-It's okay." Timidly, the boy beams shyly smiling, his hands stretched out moving about trying to brush it off as the two had decided to go get some air after hearing the sharp sound of screaming, shouting, screeching from within, hearing a fair few explosions emit from within.
"No it's not he shouldn't have said that crap to you." Frankly, Katsumi states the fact firmly, frowning as she looks back at her home seeing both Inko and her father feebly trying to hold back the boisterous blonde before she huffs, plopping herself back on the chair, cross.
"…Katsumi." Meekly, Midoriya's green soften sadly at her, brow furrowed, not quite sure what to say. She was always so kind to him, even as a kid she looked out for him.
"What is it Izuku?" Katsumi questions the boy brow furrowed, clearly concerned the boy. She didn't meant to be protective over the boy but she knew how he was, how frail he was as a kid, how rough Katsuki could be to him. She knew being quirkless wasn't easy she saw what would happen to people like Midoriya, being looked down upon….
"Do you…do you think I have what it takes…to be in U.A?" Hopeful, Midoriya questions Katsumi bowing his head staring sadly down at his hands, staring at his fidgeting fingertips, furrowing his brow uneasily.
"…I think there's more to being a hero then just what it shows on the poster." Politely, Katsumi sighs shakily, bowing her head hoping she could try to get him to understand but a part of her knew, she couldn't it would be easier to understand through living that life, seeing the world as it was. There were some aspects of heroism that would be easier to explain by seeing it with his own eyes then have it explained to. It would be better to meet people who are all different, who each have their own motives, own reasons for doing what they do…
"Hm?" Innocently, Midoriya hums, brow furrowed, not quite sure what to say.
"When I was a kid I used to think heroes were the guys who saved the day you know like All Might the one with the powerful quirks. But over time, over my time in U.A I learned a lot." Calmly, Katsumi explains leaning forward briefly brow furrowed. She tries to explain herself to him but…even she knew it wouldn't make sense not entirely, not fully, not until he himself experienced it.
"What like?" Fascinated, Midoriya ponders in awe his greens gleaming glistening, patting himself down no doubt looking for a familiar book.
"There's so much more to being a hero than being the hero." Sighing, she attempts to explain, brow furrowed slumping her shoulders.
"Hm?" Mystified, Midoriya hums.
"There are some heroes who can't function without technical equipment to help them. There are so many heroes out there doing what they can even the smallest step can save thousands. Whether it be by making the suits for the heroes or by being the person who created the plan that outsmarted the enemy." Sighing, Katsumi sighs furrowing her brow. She attempts to explain herself, grimacing, looking over at her empty sleeve, feeling a familiar searing sensation in her chest, the knot in her stomach tightening, tugging.
"…What do you mean?" Midoriya furrows his brow making her smile strained at Midoriya's innocence.
"Being a hero is much more complex than you'd think. You know something…" Sighing, Katsumi lean forward, leaning into the plush pillow of her palm as she furrows her brow.
"What?" Midoriya asks curious seeing her strained smile.
"I hate the term hero." Honestly, she confesses brow furrowed.
"You do?" Midoriya says shocked.
"Heroes, villains, in the end we're all people trying to make it in the world. Nothing is black and white Izuku everyone has their own reasons, their own motives, their own beliefs as to why they do what they do. But being a hero, being a villain it's too subjective it's never easy as that. What one make see as an action of heroism could be seen as villainous…" Katsumi confesses to Midoriya her thoughts soon drifting off towards a certain blonde.
"…I…I don't understand." Midoriya furrows his brow befuddled.
"I don't expect you too. When you get into U.A you will." Softly, she stands from the porch.
"You….really think I can do it?" Midoriya asks her again.
"Izuku there are may methods of heroism you don't need to be the poster boy to be a hero. If you don't make it in the hero course, there are all other ways to become a hero. I mean I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the technicians in the hero society who made me my prosthetic." Frankly, Katsumi explains looking back over at the empty sleeve of her arm.
"You do have a point there." Sighing, Midoriya gives her that, his features faltering at the sad sight of her arm.
"I'm just saying if you do make it into U.A but not the hero course that isn't a bad thing. There's still a lot of other ways to become a hero and if you do become a hero you'd be a huge role model for other quirkless people out there." Truthfully, Katsumi explains to him.
"Y-Yeah…thanks Kat." Tentatively, Midoriya smiles softly up at her.
"Anytime kiddo hey…what's this?" Softly, she smiles at him only then to falter furrowing her brow when seeing behind his collar scorch marks.
"I-It's nothing." Shyly, Izuku smiles unaware of Katsumi's heart dropping.
"Scorch marks…Izuku what's going on?" Sternly, she demands from the boy, his glassy green gazing into her roaring red.
"I…" Midoriya bows his head sniffling, the tears threatening to fall as next thing the boy knew, the tears came out, descending down from the wailing boy before her eyes.
"Hey it's alright, it's okay…" Softly, she wraps her arm around him holing him as he clings to her, letting him let it out all, wailing as she hears the truth of it all, the news of the situation, the bully that made her blood turn ice cold, that made her heart drop shatter as she stood up once Midoriya had calmed down, leaving him, knowing what needed to be done.
