Chapter 18: A Bird's Shadow

Crimson red feathers zipped through the sky towards the tall building where Hawks crouched, staring at his phone, frustrated with the message he had just received. The pro hero sighed, slipping his phone into his pocket. How much more do I have to do to get them to trust me?

Since coming back to Japan almost a month ago, his days have been nothing but hectic. It felt like everyone was breathing down his neck with his hero work and the mission.

Standing up, he stretched his wings fully behind him, then with a flap, flew towards the ground, the swoosh of the wind nipping against his face. He smiled, savoring the moment.

.***** **** ****.

"They weren't kidding about this being more mutant friendly here." Evan said, leading the way down the street with Rouge and Kitty following.

"Yeah, totally cool. Hawks is so lucky to live here. Whoa, see that guy? He has four arms! And look at that crocodile looking person! Rouge what do you think? Amazing place, right?"

"Eh... It's cool I guess." Rouge shrugged, her eyes traveling around the crowded streets, arms crossed avoiding any human contact.

It hadn't been long since they had left Logan behind in a clearing in the woods. Kitty and Evan wanted to explore Osaka City, and they dragged Rouge along with them.

"Where to first, guys?" Evan asked, looking back at Kitty and Rogue as he led them into a nearby store.

"I don't know maybe-"

*THUD*

Evan, still looking behind him while he was walking, whipped his head back forward to see the chest of the man he had just run into. Looking up to the tall man's tired eyes and long black hair, Evan braced himself for a fight, unsure what to expect, not noticing the group of 20 students with many different appearances standing behind Aizawa.

"Like, we are totally sorry. We didn't, like, mean to run into you like that." Kitty apologized.

"It happens. Is there something we can do to help you three?" Aizawa asked.

"Oh no, we don't need help, we're just-"

"Ya'll ignore him, we can use some help. Our friend here got us lost." Rouge interrupts, pointing to Evan.

"You guys visiting from America?" Deku asked them. "We know someone from America. His name is Professor Xavier. He runs this school in the USA for those who have quirks— well he calls them mutations— and-"

"Shut your mouth, you damn nerd. No one cares." Bakugo snapped.

"But Kacchan-"

"So, what are guys doing around here anyways? Shouldn't ya all be in class?" Rouge asked, breaking the tension.

"Oh, we are in class. This field trip is to observe heroes as they do their jobs. We are on our way to meet with a few of them right now." Denki said.

"Isn't that dangerous to watch heroes doing their jobs?" Evan asked.

"Very. Each one of us have our provisional license. This is the only reason Aizawa is allowing this trip. Since he is a pro hero, he is keeping a close watch on us to ensure our safety, too." Kirishima said.

While Kitty and Evan chatted excitedly with Deku and his class, Rogue hung back, her eyes absorbing everything in the area, careful to keep her hands to herself to keep her absorbency a metaphor.

A flash of red caught her eyes. Her gaze followed the feather as it made its way back to a familiar figure who was standing with a large black duffel bag slung over his left shoulder, head buried in his phone, leaning against the wall near an alley. Hawks?

What is he doin? Rouge narrowed her eyes, trying to make out the large black object slung over Hawks' shoulder. Suddenly, her eyes were met with his hawk-like stare, seemingly surprised. As quickly as the surprise appeared on Hawks' face, it vanished and was replaced with a smirk and a shushing finger to his lips.

Their eye contact was broken when Hawks turned his gaze to his phone and put it to his ear. Moments later, he took off swiftly into the sky.

"Rouge?"

"What do ya want? Are we goin or what?" Rouge asked. Aizawa sighed and motioned them to follow him to the next observation site on their agenda, a hero agency.

. ***** ***** **** ****.

Hawks, flying back from the successful mini-mission the commission assigned 20 minutes ago, grinned widely as his keen sight picked up the familiar sleek black jet parked on the outskirts of Osaka City.

He shot towards the clearing in anticipation of seeing his friends, concerned what he might say if Rogue told the others what she witnessed. As Hawks approached his landing point, his heart flip flopped when only Logan came into view.

"What's up Silver Claws, didn't know you guys were coming. If I did I would have thrown party." Hawks teased as he waved to Logan while he landed. The pro took in the sight of the jet, battered and beaten. "What happened to the jet? It looks like someone took it for a joyride through a raging storm, twice."

"Look what the cat dragged in. What are you up to, Feathers? It's been awhile."

What all does he know? Do I lie or tell him? "Actually, I've been busy. You know, with being one of the top heroes and all. So, what about you? Where are the others? They didn't come along?"

Logan raised an eyebrow, alarmed by the concern on Hawks' face.

"Well, I ended up with more people than I expected because Kitty, Evan, and Rouge decided to stowaway. I sent those three to town to get them out of my hair. Scott and Jean are at a required school trip and Kurt got in trouble with a prank so wasn't allowed to come."

"Aw, I was hoping they would be here. I would have loved to see them all. Hey, you should all come next time. Then I'll have to throw a real party." Hawks grinned widely.

"You mean you wanted to see Jean?" Logan teased.

"Ah- wow, is it hot here or is it just me? Haha, I mean, someone should really turn on the air con-"

"Hawks, we're outside." Logan interrupted, amused by Hawks' failed attempt to dodge the accuracy of Logan's statement.

"I-ah-I know, I was just, you know... molting..." Hawks replied, pulling his coat collar over his face to hide his blushing cheeks.

"Hey, Hawks!"

The winged hero turned his head, relieved by the distraction, to see Kitty, Evan, and Rouge walking up to him.

"Yo, guys, what's up? It's great seeing you. Did Enjoyed your tour of the city?"

"You bet. It's so different here. I can't believe all the people with different mutations just causally strolling about." Evan said as he and girls came to a stop in front of Hawks and Logan.

"We ran into Aizawa, well, like, Evan did actually-"

Evan elbowed Kitty, but she was unphased.

"And the people he was with... they all knew Professor!"

"What can I say he gets around. The thing is, dad and the others met when they first came here a month ago."

"What were ya doing earlier? You don't have that bag anymore." Rouge butt in, eyeing him up and down.

"Oh, that? I was just doing my job. Hero work involves a lot different types of tasks. We have to be ready to drop whatever we're doing when the call comes."

"Why didn't you come say hi? And why did you not tell Logan you had seen us? Why is everything so secretive? Who were you on the phone with?" Rogue pressed on.

Hawks shifted his shoulders uneasily. Damn, where did she learn to interrogate? She scary good at it.

Hawks and Rogue stared at one another before a ringing from his pocket cut through the air between them.

"Excuse me." Hawks said, pulling it out to answer as he walked a few paces away, his wings twitching behind.

"Okay, yeah, I can be there in less than five ma'am." He said to the other person on the line. Glancing at the X-Men, he place the speaker on mute quickly.

"Look, I gotta fly. I'll see y'all later. Oh, and don't worry about the hotel bill. I'll swing there and pay it off for you guys too." Hawks smiled, flapping his wings to lift himself up.

"You don't have to do that Feathers." Logan said, disturbed by more of Hawks' failed attempts to lie.

"Actually, I insist. Can't have my friends waste money on rooms when they have their own issues at hand. I'll come by again sometime when I get a chance."

He waved and took off, putting the phone to his ear to talk to the president of the commission as he flew to the scene of the crime.

. *** **** ***.

The streets weren't as quiet as one might think that night. Rouge was walking back to the hotel. As promised, as soon they checked in, all their rooms where paid for.

"Why did he avoid my question earlier?"

A shadow passed over her head, the wings shielding the light from the lamp post into brief shadow. Rouge glanced up to see the figure had vanished but not before catching a glimpse of his crimson red wings.

"Now that is strange. What is he doing up at this hour?" Rouge glanced between the hotel and direction Hawks had went before heading after the pro.

Hawks flew, keeping well out of sight of the public. He followed the directions given to him by Dabi. Why does he want to meet up tonight? What is he planning?

Hawks' heart skipped. Earning the trust of the league was proving difficult, and it became even more difficult after what transpired last month when Dabi had showen up to the mansion unannounced.

"Hmm?" Hawks brows furrowed, sensing movement nearby. He sent out a feather. Who's watching me? The red feather zipped around each corner, searching for the person trailing him.

As he landed, he saw Rogue emerge from behind a tree.

"Whatever ya doin,' watch yourself." Rouge turned to walk off, leaving the forest behind her.

"I know, Rouge. But I need to do this, you won't understand." This is something I have to do, whatever it takes to make others safe. With that he steps through the darkness, letting it engulf him.