Chapter 9

Justify

.:+:.

"... Sunshine... can we chat for a minute, yeah~?"

He sounded like he tried so, so hard to make his voice cheerful- but it didn't work, and he just sounded guilty, and sullen.

Good. He should feel fucking guilty.

This is his fault

.:+:.

"... Mm... How about She-Wolf? Ya can turn into a wolf, yeah~? I saw ya do it in the video with Stain~"

"Do not call me She-Wolf."

"Yeah, that one doesn't sound right~" he mused, unperturbed with the small glare that Spirit shot him across the table they were sitting at. The restaurant around them was quiet and there were few other Pros in it (you know, since it was one of those places reserved for Pro Heroes only). Despite the small number of people and the aim that this restaurant be some place where a Pro could go and not get hounded or mobbed and have some semblance of normalcy and privacy, however- she could still feel people looking at her, and him... Both Hawks and her.

Hawks was just popular all around, but even other Pros couldn't help but keep casting glances back and forth at her. She was the one who went head to head with Stain and walked away from it where no other Hero had. And she had made that 'speech' to the Press about a Hero's job and all of that had been taken up by so many other Heroes... She was a hot topic right now, even with other Pros. So yes, they kept staring at her and she was sure a few of them were muttering things too. She was just glad they had the better sense and manners not to try and come up and say anything, lest they interrupt her meal and whatever weirdness it was that had Animal Spirit out and eating dinner with Hawks.

Oh yes, that was another reason they were staring and mumbling and there was quiet chatter all around. Because what could be more interesting than seeing Animal Spirit out and about after what went on- then seeing her with Hawks of all people, and looking so familiar with one another?

To anyone it probably looked like the No. 26 and the No. 24 were friends.

And we're not... But rumors will start running anyway... Damn it.

Going out in public with him to eat seemed a bad idea now.

"Mmmm... Speaking of though, you have a lot of animals you can change into, huh~?" Hawks changed gears with ease, smiling as he tapped his finger against his glass. He was sitting cross-legged in the booth across from her and his wings tucked tightly against his back as he leaned over with his elbows on the table top. His one hand was constantly playing with the glass in front of him, moving it, tapping it- you name it. He just couldn't sit still, and he also couldn't stop asking things and talking.

Spirit was leaned back against the cushion of the booth across from him, one knee crossed over the other and her arms crossed about her chest as she simply watched him, her own drink (water actually) was left untouched on the table in front of her, and they were waiting on the food that had been ordered. She blinked at the question but didn't reply, because sure enough- he wasn't done talking.

"Ya never really change between three or four different sorts of animals~! A cat, a bird and something heavy and strong like a rhino are your go-to forms, hmm~? Makes sense, but no one ever gets to see all the things you can change into, but you changed into a bunch of different ones when you were fighting with Stain~" He hummed, "A cat and a wolf, eagle, rabbit, goat, jaguar, some sorta feral dog, and a snake, and all of that in one fight~! Your 'repertoire' is pretty big, huh~?"

Big yes, but it did her little good if she couldn't change into more than three in a short time period without getting sick... He doesn't need to know about that part.

"I suppose." She mumbled lowly, he nodded brightly.

"Ooh, I've got another question, it's been bugging me a little ~" he switched gears again, "So Stain's Quirk paralyzes people when he manages to get some of their blood, yeah? He totally got you right off the bat, but you broke free of it super fast and didn't get caught up again, huh~? What's with that~?" She paused, it was a valid question and a lot of people had been wondering about it, the police especially.

Her eyes dropped closed as she let out a small sigh, "... different species of animals have different blood types than humans do. When I changed into a different animal, it would have a different blood type than the blood that Stain consumed previously... In essence, it would be like I was an entirely different being." She explained lowly, "The nearest I could figure, that's why I got out of the Paralysis to begin with. And I made sure to Shift into a different animal every time he cut me, and kept from changing back into something he'd already consumed the blood for."

His eyes gleamed as his expression flooded in wonder and surprise, but she missed it since her eyes were closed. "So you're sayin' your Quirk changes everything about you~? Like your whole biological makeup~?" He asked in an instant, Spirit paused.

"... Right down to the DNA." She mumbled, "You couldn't determine if I was Animal Spirit or an actual cat if you just looked at physical and biological things. If I leave DNA behind when I'm Shifted, it's the DNA of an actual animal- a perfect copy... Besides coloring, and the fact I can talk." She elaborated softly, low enough so no one else heard anything. "... There's no genetic difference. When I Shift into a cat, I'm an actual cat... When I Shift into a dog, I'm an actual dog... You get the point."

"That's way cooler than I thought~!" He chirped brightly, Spirit glanced up again to see him looking like a kid in a candy store. "I just figured you were more like a modified human image of all the animals, but you're literally changing every single smidgen of your body into something else, and in rapid-time~!" He smirked, "Your DNA~! You alter your DNA and make it into the DNA of something else ~! That's super cool~!" He looked quite excited about the information- he was excited- and she would have snapped at him to quiet down in an instant, only... He wasn't actually being that loud. He seemed to have taken her silent cue of keeping her voice low and did the same without having to be told.

"Oh, I get why your Uniform is taking so long to repair~" he mused, his cheek leaning in his hand as he chuckled. "It's gotta be made up special and everything so when you use your Quirk you don't worry about losing your clothes between forms, huh~?" He asked,

"... Yeah, that's the gist." She replied. That and-

"A good plan, though I don't think anyone would complain if they got to see ya naked just once~" he smirked, Spirit stiffened as her face flushed.

"Shut your trap, you bloody fucking perv!" She snapped hotly, he waved a hand nonchalantly at the now seething No. 26, still smiling.

"Hehe, you don't need to be so embarrassed Spirit, I already told ya that you're pretty-" he hummed,

"Hawks, I'm gonna claw your eyes out if you do not shut up, right fucking now." She cut him off, red eyes flashing as she leaned forward, her fingers digging into the table and fighting the urge to Partial Shift and give herself some actual claws. He seemed all the more amused by her anger though, but he stopped anyway.

"Alright~! I'll quit for now~!" He chuckled lightly, Spirit growled and shot him one last glare before pointedly looking away from him again- and waiting for the heat in her face to die down.

I hate him

"How about I call you Vex?" He asked,

"No." Was the short reply, he shrugged. His phone buzzed and she was saved his incessant chatter for a little while as he picked it up to see what notification the buzz had signaled. Spirit's eyes moved toward him from the side, watching as his eyes moved as if he was reading something and soon enough he smirking at he screen and looking... Pleased.

"What the hell are you grinning about?" She muttered,

"Hmm~? Jealous I'm not paying more attention to you, Spirit ~?" He quipped lightly, she scowled, and he only chuckled in amusement at the look. "Well, since you're so curious-" he hummed, turning his phone around so she could see the screen.

His screen showed the figure of a large, tall man with flames surrounding him and his face in the form of a beard, standing with his arms crossed and looking cross, with a multitude of people tied up and banged up around him.

"-Endeavor just totally took on a group of Villains with about 30 people and beat 'um all on his lonesome~! He's a few Wards over and he finished everything in about ten minutes~! Pretty par for the course though, he's not the No. 2 for no reason ~!" Hawks explained brightly, saving Spirit having to read the headline or the article underneath it. "He's super efficient, and that's coming from someone like me- but Endeavor's not just that, he's strong as hell too~! There's not been anyone who could beat him~! And I doubt there ever will be someone who can- Endeavor's the sort of guy who doesn't go down for anything~" He flipped his phone back around and started scrolling the page down, smiling still and continuing to talk.

"Even if he does eventually meet someone who's a real pain, you can be sure he'll keep fighting until he's won~ Endeavor doesn't back down, that's a part of what makes him such a great Pro~" Hawks hummed, still smiling to himself. Spirit blinked, her eyes narrowing slightly at the No. 24 as he continued on about Endeavor and with his... Praises. And the way his eyes were gleaming as he talked about the No. 2- he almost lit up, and it wasn't just his carefree demeanor or his joking one. He was genuinely enthused and serious about what he was saying. There was almost a sort of boyish innocence in him, and quiet, soft admiration for the No. 2.

When he complimented her (barring how serious he was a few minutes ago when she commented about him being disappointed about her First-Contact Capture Record...), he was so bright and cheery. They were the same age and in some respects, on the same level. But this? About Endeavor?

This wasn't that, this was real. This was something like someone talking about a person they looked up to, and maybe even had looked up to for awhile... Endeavor wasn't a young Hero, but Hawks surely was. Maybe it wouldn't be a stretch to think Endeavor had been something of an inspiration when Hawks was training to be a Pro.

... Huh...

"Even if he's not real likable with the Press or Media or anything, he's still a damn good Hero and his gruffness has it's own charm too~" he chuckled a bit to himself, his eyes darting from his phone and leaning his cheek in his hand as he smiled at her. "Sort of like you, Spirit~! I suppose I like that gruff charm about both of you~!" he said lightly, she bit the inside of her cheek. He let out a small breath, waving a hand a bit and his smile fading a bit from the life it had- only a little.

"I bet all I just said probably sounds out of the norm though, lots of people really bash on Endeavor for not being more friendly~" He murmured, almost as a joke. "His personality is the biggest hang up people have, they're always on about him not being 'more like All Might'~ And I see why they'd be hung up on it, don't get me wrong- the guy's the Symbol of Peace, everybody loves him and his bright and shiny personality is a big draw~! But even if Endeavor's not the most friendly or fan-oriented guy, he's still super good at his job and he kicks ass~! General popularity is important for every Pro, and he's certainly popular~! He's a great Pro even if people wanna grumble about him~!" Spirit just blinked, her expression neutral and quiet as she listened to him continue- only to get interrupted when their food was delivered to their table.

"Here you are." The waiter murmured, setting the plates down and Hawks shot the man a signature smirk.

"Thank you~!" He hummed brightly, his eyes gleaming as he looked to the stack of yakitori on the plate. Oh yes, of course that was what he ordered by the way. He was obsessed. Like really, really obsessed.

Spirit murmured her own thanks as the waiter set down a bowl of noodles in front of her and walked away. Hawks plucked a skewer of yakitori up from his plate and clapped his hands together with the end of the stick between them, smiling her way.

"And thank you for the food, Spirit~!" He told her brightly, she nodded.

"... You're welcome.." She mumbled, he was already biting into his food.

"So anyway~! Back to what I was saying~" He started up again, talking around his food as Spirit pulled up her chopsticks and kept her eyes on her bowl instead of him. "Endeavor's got a lot of raw power and he's good at using his Quirk and not roasting people and cities accidentally~ Lots of other Heroes have power, but they can't ever let loose or they risk causing too much damage~! Damaging things is expected as a Hero, that's why we got Insurance to cover us when things do get too out of hand- and Endeavor does fry a city street every now and then, but comparatively speaking- he could be a lot worse~! The fact that he isn't just goes to show he's got a lot of control on his power, and could easily rival All Might in that category~!"

Spirit curled the noodles around her utensils and sighed internally, he's really good at going on a tangent, hmm? But this time especially... I know he's obsessed with yakitori, but this almost makes me think he might be a little obsessed with Endeavor too...

"And I think that whole thing about All Might being the reason that Japan has a crime rate of 6% isn't exactly right~ Ask any Villain and I bet they'd be just as afraid of going head to head with Endeavor as they would be going against All Might~! If not more so~" Hawks continued, chuckling to himself. "All Might's a power-house and all, but because he's so cheerful all the time he's not always as much a daunting figure as Endeavor is, and that in itself is super useful~! If you have more Villains wary of you, the less chance they act out~! And I think Endeavor's whole persona is perfect for him, and is what Japan needs to balance out All Might's personality~" he murmured around his food, and looking content as content can be. Spirit just resigned herself to eating quietly. He wasn't likely to stop talking until he asked a question of her, and seeing as how the current topic of conversation was Endeavor, and the No. 2 had nothing to do with her- she would have time enough to eat her food.

... how he manages to keep stuffing his face and talking at the same time is a mystery though...

"And any way of making a world where there's less Villains out causing trouble is good with me~" he chirped, "If there's less people willing to cause mayhem that means less chance for other people to get hurt, and overall things would be more relaxed for everyone~! Eventually I'm sure Endeavor will even outrank All Might~!"

That's a big thing to ask for though... Even with Endeavor as the No. 2, there's still a considerable gap between him and All Might...

"Of course if that happens, it probably means something happened to All Might- and that's not exactly a pleasant thought. So hopefully it'll never come to something like that... He does have merit as being a sort of leader that other Pros can look up to." Hawks added in a bit less cheerfully now, the conversation suddenly turning more serious out of nowhere and Spirit paused in her eating. She glanced up at him but he was looking at his food as he spun the skewer between his fingers a little, "It's not really something I think a lot of people could even imagine, since everyone sees All Might like this sort of invincible guy that can't be beaten- but he's still human, yeah? Things happen, people get hurt, get old- the works. He won't be around forever, some day he's not gonna be here to save everyone. And everyone is so dependent on him right now though, it'll be hard to keep things running without him... We'll get there eventually, I don't doubt it- but we'll need someone else to step into that role of leader, and if rank holds, Endeavor will be that someone." He murmured, Spirit blinked.

... Sounds like he's thought about this whole 'no more All Might' scenario a lot, huh...? Another thing I wouldn't expect from you Feathers... Another thing in a list of things I hadn't expected, and you keep showing me different...

He smiled softly, letting out a small sigh as his eyes dropped closed and his cheek leaned into his hand a bit more heavily. "Lots of people are gonna grumble about it- it'd be a super high standard to hold him to, no doubt... Maybe even impossible~" he hummed softly, "Though I think Endeavor's totally capable of being that leader, he's just gonna have to settle in to his own routine when the time comes... He probably won't be the next 'All Might', and that's fine~ He'll just have to be him, and who knows- maybe Endeavor will be the one we need and not another All Might~" he paused for a few seconds as if he was silently musing to himself, before he shook his head a bit and smiled more. "Anyhoo~! I've probably rambled about all that enough, sorry to talk your ear off about such out of the blue stuff, Spirit~" he smirked, glancing at her again and catching the utterly flat expression she had. "You're a super good listener ya know~! And I sorta figured you'd not really get super upset or anything if I brought all that up- you seem like you'd be pretty open-minded and levelheaded about a bunch of topics~! But even then, all of that was a little out of nowhere~! I doubt you've ever really thought about All Might and a situation like that, hmm~?" he asked brightly, and clearly a rhetorical question, he already assumed she never had- and he would be right.

Rationally she was aware that some day All Might would no longer be around. It made sense, he was human, and either by death or old age or whatever, some day he would no longer be there. However she'd never really thought about the future of there being no All Might, not once... Because quite honestly, it was an unpleasant thought, for many, many reasons.

It surprised her that he had thought about the future like that though. He didn't seem the sort to plan or think ahead, but he clearly had. It was more rational and thoughtful of him than she assumed he was capable of.

... I might have really misjudged him... For all his childish behavior and idiotic tendencies- he's not as oblivious or shallow-minded as he seems.

But what's that? He 'sorta figured' that I'd be 'pretty open-minded and levelheaded about a bunch of topics'? What gave him that idea? I've been pretty argumentative and confrontational the whole time he's known me. Why would he just assume I'd be rational about anything?

She shook that thought off and focused on her chopsticks instead of looking at him, even when she garnered a reply to his question. "I generally tend to stay away from wondering about when someone is either gonna die or have to retire, so no- I've never really thought about All Might not being around." She murmured quietly, "I am surprised you've even bothered to think that far ahead though, Feathers... But as a word of warning- if you go talking about all of that with anyone else, you probably will get smacked. Even musing that something bad might eventually happen to All Might is something like heresy in this country." She sighed, "Plus it's just generally depressing, and a bit morbid- not that you don't have a point, Feathers. You're not wrong, realistically things will change and nobody can rely on one person forever." she added, he blinked. She set her chopsticks down across the edges of her bowl and glanced up at him for the first time since starting to talk. "However I'm interested in why you seem to think I'm so 'open-minded'." She mumbled, "You hardly know me, Feathers. What makes you assume I wouldn't get all huffity if you started talking about all of this?"

He smiled at the question, "Ah, I think you just proved the point, Spirit~" he chuckled, she shook her head.

"Before I said anything just now, and clearly didn't get all wound up." She corrected, "You assumed I would be level-headed before I proved I was, but I wanna know why you just figured I would be." He nodded a bit, seeming to go into thought a moment and still smiling slightly.

"Hmm... I dunno, really~! I guess I just had a feeling you were like that~!" He replied lightly, she grumbled internally.

"Well that's a hell of an answer." She muttered dryly, he smirked.

"Maybe it just goes to show I know you better than ya thought~!" He chuckled,

"Doubtful."

"Ah, come on Spirit~! I think things are going well between us~! Don't you~?"

"Hmph, you're less annoying than I assumed." She replied flatly, he smirked.

"Hehe, such high praise! Does that mean we've moved passed the 'uneasy acquaintances' stage~?" He hummed, she sighed.

"... Maybe." She mumbled, her eyes dropping closed as his eyes glittered and he smiled a bit more. "And do be aware that next stage after that is not 'friends'- more the relationship is 'professional' instead."

"Gotcha, but we're still moving up at least~!" he hummed brightly, Spirit let out a silent breath. She crossed her arms over her chest again as he paused long enough in his talking to eat some more of his food, grinning like an idiot still and humming some soft sort of tune under his breath as he did so.

Well he looks pleased... What a child.

"By the way, what's your take on all that~?" He asked next, she quirked a brow. "Ya know, about someone eventually replacing All Might~"

"I told you Feathers, I've never thought about it." She murmured,

"I know, but you said I had a point- which means you're not totally against the notion of All Might having someone to replace him." He murmured, "As long as you're open to the notion, why not give it some thought and give an opinion~?"

How pragmatic of you Feathers...

"My opinion would be biased." She mumbled, he tilted his head at that. "... Seeing as how I don't think the Rankings are gonna change, Endeavor would be the logical choice, and the one most people would probably turn to if it came to that. But I don't really know him well enough to judge if he would be a good leader." She leaned back against the booth a bit more and let out a small sigh, her eyes falling closed. "... and as it is, I'm not really sure anyone can live up to All Might, regardless of Rank or power or whatever. That'd be a tall order to fill... I'm one of those people who sees All Might like some sort of insurmountable force, in my own way... He's done things I thought impossible, and I don't know if anyone can top that... So I can't really be objective about the subject, and give you a good answer..." Spirit mumbled, her voice getting a bit softer as if her thoughts were trailing away. Hawks blinked at her, "... even if I can rationally consider the idea he'll get replaced, emotionally I'm not really in a right place to really wonder on it... And I'm really not the right person to ask on anything involving All Might anyway..." she sighed, his head tilted at the words. Spirit shook her head at herself, her red eyes opening as she looked back at Hawks. "But I'd like to leave this whole 'No more All Might' thing alone now, Feathers." she announced firmly, her tone changing out of nowhere and he seemed to hesitate at it. "I do have a question for you, though I'm pretty sure I know the answer already."

"Oh? Well ask away~" he hummed, almost immediately regaining the composure he'd lost for a second there when she said she wanted to leave the discussion alone. And at least he had the better sense not to prod- it'd be infuriating if he tried even after she clearly said they were changing topic.

"You're one of those far and few people out there whose #1 favorite Hero is not All Might, aren't you?" Spirit asked evenly, he paused. "Everyone has a list of their favorite Pro Heroes- even other Pros. Not everyone comes up with a top ten, but a top two or three is common enough. And probably about 99% of Japan would all answer All Might if they got asked who their all time, #1 favorite Hero is. But not you, hmm?" Hawks smiled slightly, letting out a breath as he leaned his chin in his hand again.

"Color me impressed Spirit, we must really be getting to know each other if ya got me pegged like that~!" He chuckled, she quirked a brow.

"Oh yeah, it was really tough to figure out." she muttered, her tone nothing but sarcasm. "You know, even after you just spent fifteen minutes ranting on about Endeavor being really great, powerful, efficient, and probably having what it takes to be the next leader among Heroes. I totally thought you had to be a true All Might fan- but something told me that wasn't it. Can't really put my finger on it, but there was something that had me doubting it, odd as that sounds." He smiled, his eyes flashing, but his expression pulled slightly too, almost a little embarrassed.

Well that's new

"Alright Spirit, I think you made your point~" He told her softly, "I didn't realize I'd talked that long, I guess I just got super in to it~"

"So you're favorite Hero is Endeavor, hmm?" She mumbled,

"Yeah~! Bit out of the norm, I know~" he murmured softly, how voice lowering out of reflex as he shot her a slightly unsure look. "I get you're real big on All Might, Spirit- and that's totally cool~! He's totally in my top three, I've just always been more an Endeavor sort of guy even since I was a kid~! And I've stuck with it too, even if it's not really all that popular for anyone to not have All Might as their #1~! Guess I like breaking free of all the norms~!" He hummed, and for some reason it sounded like he was trying to defend his decision. And almost like he was unsure if it was really alright saying it out loud... He's actually nervous for fucks sake- and about this?

What, is he afraid I'm gonna judge him for who he likes better? Why the hell would he care what I or anyone else thinks?

Her expression must have changed, because his smile faded and he looked a little more unsure than he already seemed, "... Ah, why ya lookin' at me like that, Spirit~?" He asked slowly,

"Why do you sound like you're trying justify your decision, so you don't seem 'uncool'?" she asked flatly, he stiffened. "Honestly, that's what it sounds like." He smiled sheepishly- which was very much not like him.

"Oh, I guess it's just 'cause it's kinda weird in the grand scheme of things..! You know...! Not a lot of people would pick someone over All Might...!" He chuckled, and he sounded embarrassed. She'd hardly ever seen him like that, ever.

And she... it's annoying..! How does he go around being so cocky and carefree and like he doesn't have a care in the world- only to get embarrassed about admitting who his favorite Hero is...?! He's such an idiot!

You can't go around acting like you don't have a care in the world and then get all worried about something like this-

"You can like whoever the hell ya want, Feathers." Spirit cut him off quickly, and he jumped a little at how forceful her voice was. His eyes flashed, looking a little taken aback as she let out a slightly irritated sigh. "And you sure as hell shouldn't have to feel like you need to defend your decision. Regardless of it being out of the norm or 'uncool' or even just weird. You like who you like- don't act like you're in the wrong for picking Endeavor over All Might, that choice is totally up to you and it shouldn't matter what anyone else says about it." She muttered hotly, "Sod it what anyone else thinks." She huffed at him, her words near a growl and shaking her head at him as her eyes drop closed.

Hawks just stared, his jaw dropped slightly and eyes glittering at the suddenly so firm Animal Spirit... The woman who didn't hesitate to tell him that he should never have to defend himself and what he liked. The one who told him to 'sod' what others and even the word thought about his opinion... She was so serious. Almost like she might even be willing to snap anyone's head off if they tried to belittle what choice he or someone else made when picking someone over All Might. There ignited a sort of die-hard, steeliness in her that could be compared with the drive to 'stand up for what you believe in'... To stand by his choice of favorite Hero and not have to apologize or explain himself- not to anyone.

"You're allowed to choose whoever you want as your favorite- and you don't have to apologize for it, ever." Spirit went on, Hawks' eyes widened a little bit more as his mouth closed, his expression awed, and his attention utterly fixed on her.

He'd mostly refrained from admitting to a lot of people his preference of Endeavor over the illustrious, world famous, Symbol of Peace- because he knew so many people had issue with the Flame Hero. To the general public, Endeavor was a bit of a hard pill to swallow even if he was the No. 2. A lot of people just had a hard time liking Endeavor for who he was, and most only really 'liked' him because he was so powerful. But he liked Endeavor for who he was- even if he was gruff and stern and had some not so impressive PR skills. He'd liked Endeavor a really long while, and he'd honestly gotten used to having to defend why he liked the No. 2 over All Might- lest he really turn someone off and against himself. That habit was what happened now- he tried to make light of it and say he liked 'fighting against the norm' so it would be easier for Spirit (and others before her...) to just accept his choice.

But she... She seemed genuinely annoyed with him for trying to play it off like that. She told him plainly that he shouldn't defend himself- that he didn't have to, and ignore anyone who said otherwise. She was so fiery out of nowhere, and so sincere... She... She just... Woah.

He felt like his heart skipped a small beat out of nowhere, and he didn't know why it would. And now he couldn't even think of any reply, words failed him right then and there as he held her in his gaze, and words rarely ever failed him.

"And apart from that- what do you mean 'I get you're real big on All Might, Spirit'?" Spirit muttered lowly, not giving him much a chance to sit and just stare in silence. That glittering blood-red gaze of hers found him again and the utterly stiff posture he had adopted, and she kept going regardless of how stunned he looked. "Honestly Feathers, what part of all that stuff I wrote to you about All Might and that bloody fucking picture he took earlier gave you any idea I even liked him?" Hawks blinked, quiet still as she waved a hand dismissively in air. "I already told you- I won't 'fangirl' about him." Spirit muttered, "I respect his work as a Pro and the people he's helped, but I can hardly stand him as a person- and that's mostly because me, and not him- but the point stands. I'm not 'real big' on him or even at all really. Which makes you trying to defend yourself with me all the more aggravating." She growled, he tilted his head in question and surprise.

"... Ah... So wait a minute, you're one of... Your favorite Pro isn't All Might...?" He asked quickly, leaning forward a bit as she huffed.

"Of course he's not. You're just an idiot and assumed he was." She muttered dryly. His smile returned at that though, slowly, and not at all bothered with being called an idiot. "Do you really think I'd have gotten so worked up about him taking a picture on my phone if I was a huge fan?" She asked lowly, his wings shifted as his smile got a bit wider, he almost looked excited.

"Well, look at that~! I told ya we had a lot in common, Spirit~!" He hummed brightly, "So if All Might's not topping your list, who is~? Gotta take it's not Endeavor, since ya said you didn't know him all that well~"

Well he perked up real fast

"Oh wait, don't tell me~! I wanna guess~!" He corrected, waving his hand at her before she had a chance to reply, and smiling as he let his eyes drop closed as he seemed to go into thought.

Guess..? Oi... He is literally a child...

"Hmm... Edgeshot~?" He asked, Spirit's expression fell flat as she resigned herself to waiting through the next few minutes that would be filled with 'guesses', to which for all of them- her answer would assuredly be;

"No." she sighed,

"Ryukyu~?" He asked without skipping a beat, "Her Quirk's pretty close to yours~!"

"No."

"Selkie~?"

"No."

"Hmm... Gang Orca then~? Ooh, or maybe Crust~?" He hummed,

"No, and no."

"Kay... Then what about that Death Arms guy, huh~? You met up with him after ya got out of the hospital yeah~? You two seem chummy~!" He smiled,

"We're just friends, Feathers, we went to the same high school." Spirit mumbled, "But just because we're friends doesn't mean he's my #1 favorite Hero- and he's not."

"Oh, I didn't realize ya guys went back that far~!" He murmured, "Hmm, okay so how about Yoroi~?"

"No." She answered again and he seemed to bite the inside of his cheek, "Feathers, you will never guess who it is." She pointed out and he smirked,

"But I've barely gotten started~!" He argued brightly,

"I'm not really thrilled with the idea of sitting here waiting for you to list off every Hero you can think of." She replied lowly,

"Well then I'll just try and stick with people I think you'd like because of who you are personally~!" He hummed,

You do not know me that well, Feathers

"Just don't tell me your #1 is Best Jeanist, yeah~?" he chuckled, only sort of joking, but mostly serious... after all, Best Jeanist had, until a few months ago, been Hawks' 'mentor' before the Feathery-Idiot ditched him to 'strike out on his own'. And from what she gathered about how well that decision went over with Best Jeanist- Hawks might actually be just a little unhappy if she said yes.

She sighed though, because Hawks was clearly gonna keep guessing regardless of what she said. "No." She mumbled, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

He and Best Jeanist really didn't leave off on good terms, huh...?

"Wash~?"

"No."

"Is it me~?" He asked slyly, she huffed.

"Are you really looking to get your ego bruised?" she grumbled, he chuckled.

"Hehe, I didn't think I'd be your #1, but I hope I'm at least in your top ten~?" He asked, she just sighed.

"Couldn't say, I don't have a 'top ten'." she murmured,

"Oh~? So does that mean you've got a top three at least ~?" He asked next, Spirit nodded. "Interesting~! Are any of the guys I just mentioned in your 2nd and 3rd spots then~?"

"No." She murmured, he looked surprised.

"Really~? Wow, could have thought I'd have at least gotten one~!" He hummed, tapping his finger against his chin as his eyes narrowed in thought. "Hmm... Seems like I'm gonna actually have to give this some real thought, huh~? Same thing with that new nickname... Guess I'll just have to hit you up when I think up another guess~! In the meantime though, I wanna ask ya somethin' else~!" Spirit blinked at the sudden change in subject- not that she minded, grant you. Like she'd already said, she wasn't looking forward to just listening to him list off things, but what on earth did he want to ask now?

"... Ask what?" She murmured,

"What are you up to tomorrow~?" He asked easily, her eyes narrowed.

"... Why...?" She asked at length, he smiled.

"I told ya I wanted to work with ya, Spirit~! I figured we could Patrol together~" he replied brightly, Spirit paused.

"... Feathers, I'm one of the biggest topics right now after all the Stain stuff. If I'm seen out and about with you on Patrol, we're gonna get swarmed. Constantly." Spirit mumbled, "And we won't get much done in the way of Patrolling."

"Well, we could just stick to the skies ya know~!" He countered with ease, "That way we'd avoid all the Press and whatnot and still keep an eye out on the ground below~"

"Ever persistent, aren't you?" Spirit murmured,

"Its part of my charm~!" He chuckled,

"Yeah, well- 'charm' or not, I'm not sure about it... You'll just have to wait and see if I'm up to it tomorrow." Spirit mumbled, "So sorry Feathers, you don't have an answer for tonight- just a maybe."

"Mmmm, I can live with a maybe Spirit- because a maybe means there's a chance of a yes~!" He hummed brightly, his spirits not seeming to take even the tiniest hit. Perpetually cheery, hmm?

She shook her head at him a little and let out a small sigh, her hand pulling her drink closer and up toward her lips.

"... We'll see Feathers... We'll see..."

.:+:.

"Kage, you're back I see."

Spirit glanced up from stacking glasses at the voice, grimacing internally at the less than hidden tone of question in it. She'd expected people at the Strip Club to wonder why she had suddenly bailed for so many days, but in the Redlight District most people had the better sense than the question other people. It wasn't their business and there were so many ways around here in which a simple 'what were you doing?' could land you in a world of trouble... and sometimes hurt. Many people here didn't take kindly to being prodded and the inhabitants had adapted to a 'don't ask, don't tell' culture.

And though the matronly Tenchi didn't specifically ask 'what were you doing that last few days?', it was more or less implied in her tone of voice... And honestly, Spirit wished she wouldn't. She appreciated that 'don't ask, don't tell' culture in the Redlight District, and it was one of the appeals to living here in the start.

Spirit's red eyes trailed sideways and over toward Tenshi, hardly pausing in her stacking of the glasses as she nodded slightly toward the older woman. Tenshi took up a usual stool on the very end and corner of the bar near the entrance, cigarette held lightly between her fingers and heavy-lidded eyes watching Spirit (or rather Kage) intently.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Spirit murmured quietly, "I was stuck at home sick off my ass."

"Jeriko mentioned you'd said you were sick." Tenshi mused, "He also mentioned 'sick' meant a hangover..." Spirit grimaced,

"I told him that wasn't it..." Spirit grumbled hotly under her breath, Tenshi waved a hand dismissively.

"No one will take his word over yours." She sighed, "You're feeling better though?" Tenshi asked, her eyes almost piercing as she looked Spirit up and down, and Spirit did her best not to seem bothered by it.

She'd changed into her bar uniform and put the color contacts in of course, and also made sure that there was no sign nor trace of the bandages littering her person or the wounds she'd earned that anyone would be able to see. Which took a bit of work, she had to keep her sleeves rolled down and the cuffs buttoned of course, but she'd also had to work a bit of makeup magic to conceal the cut on her cheek that was otherwise very visible. Which she had managed, and the relative low-lights in the Club helped... She just had to make sure she didn't accidentally rub it off.

Oh, and she had to keep from reacting to pain or anything that might give away the wound that went through her. Which shouldn't be hard, and really wasn't- she was fairly spared from running in to anyone in her little space tucked away behind the bar, but sometimes moving or lifting her arms or little things were still earning pain, and she had to bite back at it every time.

She nodded at Tenshi, "Yeah, I'm good. Don't worry about me." she replied simply, Tenshi drew a long intake of her cigarette, nodding in return to Spirit's assurances, before letting the smoke back out.

"You heard about what happened with Animal Spirit and Stain, hmm?" Tenshi asked next, and Spirit groaned internally.

Of course this comes up...

"Yeah, I took a look at the video when it went viral." Spirit mumbled softly, the glasses clinking as she continued to stack them. "Pretty violent stuff..." She sighed,

"No kidding, most of the murders around here don't even get that heated- or messy." Tenshi murmured, "Have to give Animal Spirit some credit, though... She's the only Pro to all away from Stain without serious injuries, or end up dead." Tenshi drew in another breath of her cigarette, her eyes dropping closed as she shook her head. "... Shame she didn't catch him, but she did better than everyone else so far. I just hope Stain doesn't come looking for a kill around here, we have enough to deal with already."

"... no kidding..." Spirit grumbled,

"Speaking of trouble, though." Tenshi mumbled, Spirit's hands paused as her eyes shifted from the glasses and toward the older woman, her head tilting.

"Hmm?"

"Some of the customers have gotten a little more handsy lately." Tenshi muttered, "We had to throw out a band of them yesterday when they got too rowdy. It's like they've lost their minds... And I'd bet anything it has to do with Stain getting more popular."

"... he's an excuse for people to do what they normally wouldn't." Spirit mumbled, shaking her head in agitation. "They rationalize that someone else has gotten away with something bad, so they might as well try to get away with their own bad behavior too. Or they justify what they're doing by saying 'he's doing it too, the world has gone to shit, so why not fuck things up further- you only live once!'. It's all fucking stupid though..." She let out an aggravated breath and reminded herself where she was... It was better not to get too worked up, lest her behavior earn questions.

"You live in the wrong part of the city if that's how you feel, Kage." Tenshi pointed out quietly, Spirit sighed.

... A good point, but living here has little to do with how I feel or think... It has to do with money, and the culture here.

... And more than that... There are people who would think I deserve to live here... Many would, if...

She shook her head at herself, stacking the last glass up and her eyes never finding Tenshi again. "... Maybe." She mumbled softly, and with that the small burst of conversation between herself and Tenshi seemed to die for a little. The older woman cast Spirit a slightly narrowed stare at the way 'Kage's' voice seemed to lower, but she didn't press the issue,

"Ah, another thing Kage-" Tenshi added, almost as an afterthought and Spirit raised a brow in question. "- we have a new girl, she started yesterday." Tenshi explained, gesturing behind her slightly toward where the hallway to the dressing rooms were. "Her name's Okita, she'll be in from tomorrow on, mostly working part of your regular shift and a little of the busier hours." Spirit nodded slightly,

"... alright... I'll introduce myself when she's around." Spirit murmured,

"Do that, she might relax a little if you're nice to her." Tenshi murmured, Spirit narrowed her eyes at that.

"... I take it she's young then? This is her first time working?" Spirit asked slowly, Tenshi nodded.

"Young, and pretty, and inexperienced... she'll learn quickly though." Tenshi mumbled, Spirit bit the inside of her cheek.

She'll have to...

Tenshi said little after that, and nothing more than chit-chat before she got up from her seat and moved away.

Spirit kept herself invested in her work, picking up glasses and refilling them for the ever constant line of patrons in and out the door and stopping at her bar or staying there. It was a particularly slow day, all things considered... and maybe that was for the best.

She had little under two hours left of her shift before another interruption came in, and this time in the form of the buzzing of her phone in her back pocket. She pulled the device up and read the number that was calling, and didn't recognize it. But she did recognize the first few numbers, and what they were regularly reserved for- Police or some other government official... probably as a follow up on the Stain thing, if she had to guess.

Spirit bit the inside of her cheek and set the glass she had in one hand down. She called the attention of the security guard not far from the bar and muttered a quick 'back in a minute, I need to take this call' before she circled around the edge of the bar and headed out the back door to the Club. Her eyes did a quick survey of the area to make sure there was no one around in that dingy back-alley to listen, and when she found nothing but trash and filth she tapped her thumb against the answer button and turned her back on the door she had come through.

"...Hello?" She murmured, taking a few steps forward and toward the opposite side of the alley.

"Hello Animal Spirit, this is Okawa Takamori, I'm the Director of the Night-Hunters, we are a small and largely unknown task-force working under the Public Safety Commission." The voice on the other end announced, getting somewhat straight to the point as Spirit's eyes narrowed slightly at the title.

Night-Hunters...? And the Public Safety Commission...?

"I will make this short, I received your contact number from Dante in the Blacklist Division." Takamori continued on steadily, hardly pausing even a moment- almost as if he was afraid to let the call linger too long. Spirit stiffened though, her eyes narrowing to slits at the mention of Dante and that-

Blacklist

What in the fuck is this-

"We are attempting to pull together assets for a delicate situation, and I would like for you to meet me in three hours, at the Okoe Prefecture in Kyashi Ward." He murmured lowly, "I will explain what this is about to you in more detail when we meet, for now please understand I need the utmost precaution from you. I do not wish to summon you nor order you about, but I would appreciate if you were to cooperate for now. Understood?"

Spirit bit down on her tongue, her grip around her phone tightening slightly as she glared daggers at the graffiti-laden wall in front of her. She'd never heard of this supposed 'Night-Hunter' group or that they were connected with the Public Safety Commission in any way, and yet she knew the number looked official, and this guy on the other end was being way too formal and to the point to not be who he said he was... and she hated it.

He talked to Dante, he knows who Dante works for- and shit

She was answering the summons without pausing for even the smallest of seconds, not even with her questions and the strange situation... something was off, and this seemed important. And with all that in mind, she knew immediately his fast-paced tempo was definitely out of precaution for her call or his to be traced. Secrets and hiding things and whatnot, and she hated it more that that attitude and behavior was not so foreign.

"... yes sir."

Thank you for reading! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Please, follow, Fav, and Review if you can! Thank you!