Chapter 12 – The meeting.

A full week would pass, despite the close eye he kept on her. Star wasn't much better. She would wake for a few hours a day, but fall back asleep when her energy was drained. Garou didn't want to leave her side, but was told he needed to. The doctors were still nervous around him, nurses wouldn't enter the room if they found him at the bedside. He would sometimes step outside through the hospital window and waited for the nurse to finish her rounds. It wasn't fair though. They ought to know by now he means no harm, he wasn't out to hurt those within the hospital walls either. He just wanted to be certain she was okay.

It wasn't long until others began to show up. Child Emperor dropped by to see Star and her healing progress. But more importantly, he wanted to see Garou up close. "I haven't had a chance to make notes about you, about what you did…"

"I am not a science experiment," he growled.

Child Emperor watched his words. "I mean… how could you have developed an anti venom? How is that even possible? Can your body really do all that?"

Garou snorted, and smirked slightly. "I guess so."

"Well, if you want help in seeing what you can do…"

"I'll do it myself, thanks. Why are you really here?"

Child Emperor nearly forgot. "Oh, that meeting Sitch wanted to talk about with you and the S class heroes…"

"I'm not going."

"But you have to be there!"

"I'm not leaving her!" he snapped back.

He startled the kid, and was quick to apologize. "Sorry, I can't leave her, not like this."

"She's been sleeping a lot. What if we get someone else to look over her? Someone you trust?"

"Silverfang needs to be at the meeting too, doesn't he?"

"It will just be a few minutes, she is going to be fine, this is a hero hospital and there are many near by if anything happens. Okay? If there's trouble just fly right back."

Garou sneered to the notion, but reluctantly agreed. After all, today could change not just his life, but Star's as well. With a nod, he took his leave. Exiting through the hospital window, he took flight to City A and the Heroes Association. Silverfang was waiting for him and opted to speak with Garou before the meeting. It was the usual mentor speech. Don't make waves. Don't say anything to anger the others and more importantly, don't tell them how easily he could be them all down. "Sure, take the fun out if it old man."

"Garou, be serious!"

"Fine!" he muttered. "But one word about me turning into this on purpose and I will not hesitate to snap back… literally."

"I know you are upset about Star, but she will be fine."

"It's not just that," he protested. "It's how the others are seeing me. I am to blame for what happened to her because I was helping someone else. Is that really part of a hero's job? To let others know when they screwed up? How I should have helped one person over that of another?"

"Garou…."

"If you ask me, this is a load of crap. I'm starting to rethink my options about this whole thing."

Garou decided to go inside, but Silverfang was worried. Has he been lured back to the monster's side?

In the meeting room One hour later.

"We have spoken with the board of directors of the Association, many are willing to give him a chance to be an outside help to us if and when the need is called for it. Garou has demonstrated his ability to take down a threat quickly, we have had far fewer casualties and damage done to the city. We see this as a great opportunity…"

"Opportunity or trap?" said Atomic. "I don't trust the snot nose punk, I don't trust the company he keeps either. Did you hear this Shuriken Star took down Tank Top Master and the Tank Top crew?"

The heroes whispered, muttering how Star was acting a lot like Garou.

"This isn't about her," muttered Garou. "We are talking about me, so shut up and continue!"

"I see the two are rubbing off on each other rather nicely. I don't like this, I don't like this at all Sitch." Said Atomic. "Not to mention you aren't addressing the real issue here. The more he eats the stronger he gets especially off of demon and dragon threat monsters. This isn't going to work!"

He then turned to Silverfang who kept oddly quiet. "What about you Fang? What do you have to say to this?"

"I have said all I could, and you know my stance on Garou. He is my student."

"Yeah, he is. You should have taught him respect for those stronger than him."

Garou laughed lowly at first, but then burst into a fit of it. "Oh, that is rich Samurai! That is hilarious! Take your own advice why don't you!"

"Your finest student, huh Silverfang?"

"Oh, if you really think that way I will be more than happy to demonstrate what I can do." Garou announced, but he quickly stopped himself. "But I suggest another time."

"Oh? Not mentally prepared are we?" Atomic Samurai stood up, he confronted Garou, nearly standing nose to nose with him.

"I warn you now Atomic, don't touch me"

However, Atomic did just that. He shoved Garou in the chest hard, partly to feel how tough his monster flesh is, and another to just piss him off. "Outside, you and me. Let's see if I can beat some respect into you."

Garou smirked. "I've already won the fight, you are in no condition to face me."

"We'll see about that."

"Gentlemen, this isn't why we are here!" protested Sitch.

"I suggest you let them get this out of their system now, or it may come to ahead when we need to work together," said Silverfang.

"Ooo, this is going to be good!" grinned Tatsumaki