"Hn. That…could have gone better." Noriko was reluctant to admit it, but the mission to destroy the City W branch had been nothing short of a disaster. When she originally thought of bringing down a branch of Grey Corporation, she had a clear image of it. She was alone, fighting her way to the laboratory. Scientists and security would be cut down where they stood and she would destroy the research stored there. Then she would free the test subjects.

Instead of things going as smoothly as she had imagined and ending with her triumphantly escaping to a hideout to plan her next attack, she found herself running frantically out of a burning building with a cyborg and having a dog girl tucked beneath her arm.

The younger hybrid had fought and struggled to try to free herself and finally succeeded when they neared City Z, Sharp teeth buried into Noriko's right forearm and a strong kick was delivered to her thigh. She dropped Emiko and the child sprinted off toward the wilderness.

Staring down at her oozing arm, she frowned. "Emiko! Don't go! Let me explain!" She started to run after her and was stopped by a metal hand grabbing her wrist. "Genos?"

"It would be better to let her go. She would only fight you if you tried to keep her here." He stared off in the distance toward the wilderness for a long moment, watching the retreating hybrid. When he looked back to Noriko, he saw her green eyes fixed upon her wounded arm. "Noriko, I can tell what you are considering, but I insist that you let me take care of that."

"F-fine." She had been considering licking at the wound, just as he was hinting at. The catgirl's ears flattened in annoyance at requiring help and walked alongside him in the early morning light.

Their mission had been a partial failure and it had taken all night, between traveling and committing the act itself. It was around five o'clock in the morning at this point and Noriko was feeling the fatigue start to set into her muscles. Her tail swished side to side as she focused on not limping. The pain from Emiko's kick was magnified by her tiredness and she knew that it would bruise.

Genos watched her for a moment before wordlessly scooping her up in his arms. Her right arm instinctively wrapped around his neck for support and she released a soft meow of surprise. Resting her head against his chest, she remained tense. "Noriko, I am taking you to Master Saitama's home to treat your wounds. He should be awake by now."

"Hn. J-just put me down, okay? I can walk."

"I am not going to let you make it worse."

"It's just a bruise. I'm fi-" Her eyes widened as he leaned down, his mouth meeting hers gently. Blood rushed to her cheeks and she quickly turned her head to the side, wanting to hide her blush. "Hnn. That…wasn't…fair."

They were getting close to the apartment building and the blonde focused his gaze on it instead of her flushed features. "I believe that it was fair. Why would you think otherwise? I helped you set up the destruction of the laboratory and all of the research that was kept in the City W branch."

This is the second time…that he kissed me and then acted like it was nothing. He moves on so quickly. Why do I feel…disappointed? Like I wanted it to go further. Noriko let him carry her without protest and was glad when the apartment door opened to reveal that Saitama was out.

Genos set her down and went to get bandages for her wound, leaving her to sit at the table. He paused in the restroom, realizing that he was alone with the catgirl. Of course, it was uncertain how long his master would be gone, but he was now presented with a particular opportunity. Grabbing the box of bandages and a wet cloth, he went to take care of the girl's injury.

She was surprised by how gently he took her forearm and even more so by how carefully he wiped away the blood. There was a clear imprint of Emiko's teeth in her pale skin and it stung horribly. Each tooth seemed to have punctured into her flesh, leaving a red and somewhat gooey hole behind. 'Hnn…she was scared. I've never seen her act that way before. Not around another hybrid."

"You knew her from the City G branch."

"Yes…she was the youngest test subject there. When they brought her in…she was only four. Barely old enough to fend for herself." Noriko's hands curled into fists as Genos began to wrap gauze around her forearm. "They sent her… knowing that I couldn't kill her. Damn it."

"Grey Corporation is aware of your intentions. If we are going to move further and destroy more of their branch locations, you will need help," Genos pointed out. He finished up, securing the bandage and setting aside the box. "They know your face. If I, or Master Saitama, were to infiltrate the next facility then I am sure that we could successfully destroy it and send the message to the president of the company that you are not working alone and will not be easily defeated."

Noriko tilted her head, her fists loosening. "You…really want to help me…?"

He nodded once. "I intend to help you take down Grey Corporation so that you can live without fearing their retaliation at your escape. I have observed you since the day that we met and I know that you are constantly alert in fear of their next attack. You live in a place without doors or window panes so that you can escape more easily if your home is raided. You look over your shoulder multiple times throughout the day as if you suspect that you are being watched. I want you to be able to live without fear and if destroying Grey Corporation can insure this, then I will do whatever it takes to annihilate them. I cannot forgive their unethical treatment of their test subjects and what they have done to you to ruin your life. Noriko."

His metal hands gripped her small, pale hands and he stared down into her green eyes with a stern expression on his face. "I am committed to bringing you happiness." Her body temperature seemed to rise, her hands growing quite warm at a rapid pace. "My feelings for you have not decreased since I told you about them. I believe that the feelings have grown stronger and I-" Genos went silent as she leaned up, pressing her lips to his.

She closed her eyes, a bit unsettled by the fact that his stayed wide open. The catgirl knew that her blush was even worse now, but his words had a large impact on her. The beating in her chest was like a nail being hammered; a fast and painful pace that made her want to hold him close. When she finally broke the kiss, she moved to pull away in shame. He had not kissed her back, despite proclaiming feelings for her. The elation in her chest turned to despair in an instant. "Hn. I-I'm sorry…I didn't…I wasn't thinking."

Noriko was startled by a hand planting on the back of her neck, forcing her lips back to his. Genos tilted his head to deepen the kiss, seeking to shrink any remaining distance between his solid metal body and her soft form. His free arm wrapped around to her back, pushing her to him. The cyborg leaned back, taking her with him, and she soon found herself lying on top of Genos on the floor.

The kiss had started off gentle, a reminder of his feelings, but soon escalated. There was a heat to his lips as he moved them to mold against hers, metal fingers tenderly running through her violet hair. He felt her legs slip to either side of his hips, her knees squeezing slightly at his waist. Behind her, the girl's tail lifted and curled at the end in pleasure.

He enjoyed the shared kiss, but found himself wanting more. The hand on her back traced up and down her spine at a sensual pace, drawing a purr from her that fell muffled against his mouth. Genos decided to make a bold move to further things along. His tongue slipped from between his own lips and traced along her bottom lip. She hesitantly opened for him, but her body tensed on top of his. He let his tongue move into her mouth, caressing hers and forcing him to muffle a moan that threatened to escape her.

She could feel his fingertips inching a little further down with each stroke down her back. Anticipation fluttered in her stomach like butterflies. She knew what was to come, but was still nervous. When his hand dipped lower, she prepared to bite back a yowl. What happened instead was not what she was expecting. A metal hand rested on the curve of her bottom, seeming to appreciate the shape of her rear. Noriko's purr grew louder against his lips and she finally broke the kiss, nuzzling her cheek against the side of his neck. "Hnnnya…wh-what are you…doing?"

"I am appreciating what my girlfriend has to offer. Would you like to take this further? If you are uncomfortable, then I will stop or make the necessary adjustments." He paused and held her tighter for a moment. "Although I am incapable of the actual act itself, there are other things that I can do that will surely bring you pleasure, Noriko."

"Hn. I'm just…I just like doing this," she confessed. If he can't…do that…then can he feel pleasure? The thought that he was unable to enjoy it made her feel guilty. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she shivered, feeling his fingertips drag over the curve of her bottom. Even through the fabric of her pants, Noriko was easily able to feel the heat radiating from his metal fingers.

"If you are worried that I am unable to feel anything, you are wasting your time. I am able to feel everything," he assured her. "I am able to feel everything; I am just unable to seek pleasure in the same way that an ordinary man could. I still gain pleasure from being able to touch you, Noriko."

The two heroes were turned now and her back rested on the floor. His arm now free, he let his hand rest on her hip as he brought his mouth back to hers. Noriko's eyes slid closed instantly, her arms tightening around his neck to try to bring him closer to her. A warmth at her waist made her back arch in euphoric shock as a metal hand sought her bare skin. His smooth fingertips trailed up her chest, his palm gently resting on her breast. Even through her bra, she could feel the warmth of his touch. That and the sensual way that he massaged her flesh soon had her writhing beneath him on the floor.

He still wanted more. Touching her this way was good though. He had begun to wonder if she would break up with him, but when she kissed him he knew for certain that she shared his feelings. The cyborg's other hand slowly drifted to the waist of her pants as he continued to kiss her. A knee planted firmly between her thighs, gently nudging at her every so often to try to draw sounds from the catgirl. The door clicked open just as he was starting to delve beneath her bra.

The two young heroes froze in place. Noriko's face went red and she clenched her eyes shut. The kiss was broken and Genos got off of her as Saitama entered the apartment. A certain aching settled in her chest and lower half as she realized that their moment was over.

"Hey, so…what was that about? Were you guys making out?"