Chapter 31:Turnoil

"So, like, what's our plan?" Kitty asks as she rejoins Hawks outside the Safety Commission building. "That wait was, like, forever! You guys must have -"

Hawks looks over at Kitty, but the image of Rouge's injuries is all he can see. "It's not like that, Kit-Kat. They don't brief us or help us. We are sent in blind."

"So, like, what did you just do in there? You were there for, like, two hours."

"The Commission is nothing like my father, Kitty. They chewed my ass out for two hours for being injured."

"Like, what did they say?"

"I dunno. I honestly just blank out when they are talking to me and nod occasionally. Nothing they are saying is helpful."

"So… we don't have a plan?"

"Nope."

"Do we know what we're walking into?"

Hawks looks back at Kitty, thankful to actually see her this time instead of an injured rogue, but the hurt is just as bad. Pretending to not care was much easier before seeing the fear in her eyes.

"Hero work is… different than X-Men work. You all have Professor, and he actually cares about you. The Commission just cares about our results."

"Are they, like, going to send us help?"

"Like hell they are. It's all on me."

"Do they know I'm here?"

"Trust me, that would not be a good idea."

"So… can we make a plan?"

"You really don't know anything about me. I'm always a step or two ahead."

"But I, like, need all the steps now so we can work together. Otherwise I will have no idea what's happening. Hawks, you're injured. You can't rely on your quirk. You're gonna have to figure out how to communicate with me so we can do this together."

Hawks blinks, staring blankly back at Kitty as her words marinate in his mind. I don't know if I can do this. I've always relied on my ability to assess situations as they come. Why did I let her tag along? Am I leading both of us to an inevitable death?

"Hawks, snap out of it. You are one of the best strategists I've ever met. You may not have your quirk but we've totally got this. We just have to work together."

"I don't want you to turn out like Rouge. I'd rather die than see another one of my friends get hurt."

"Then let me in on what we are doing so that doesn't happen."

"You sure you want to do this? There's still time for you to back out."

"Totally."

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

After hours of nonchalantly searching for Hawks, Jean is becoming more desperate. She passes the kitchen, seeing a few stragglers from dinner, but not Hawks. 8:45pm. Come on, Kei. Where are you?

As her last ditch effort, Jean heads to Hawks' room. Growing increasingly aware of the time, She looks again at her watch. 8:57pm.

Jean knocks on Hawks' door. "Keigo? Come on, let's talk about this." She pauses for any indication that someone is on the other side. After hearing nothing, she knocks again, this time more loudly.

"Kei?" Jean pushes in his bedroom door and looks around the room. Her shoulders slump when she sees his curtains blowing from open window. She makes her way through the half disheveled room to close it.

As she turns turns to leave, she freezes when she notices a group of crumpled shirts. Slowly, she approaches them. Lifting up the dark blue shirt he had been wearing, her breath got caught in her throat. Snagging the shirt she races off.

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

"Hank!" Jean runs over to the beast man as he was heading towards the front door. Hank turns to face her.

"What's going on, did you find Keigo?"

Jean shakes her head. "H-he's not in his room and the window was open. He's gone, Hank. I went to find him to talk about what happened but— he's gone and— and he's hurt, Hank."

"What?"

Jean holds up Hawks' blood stained shirt. "His wounds— they're reopened. This shirt is doused in blood. What did I do wrong? I should have noticed. I pushed him too hard and drove him away. It's my fault and-"

"Jean. It's not your fault. Keigo isn't really one to follow rules. He was ordered to report to the infirmary for daily checks. We haven't seen him there once. I'm sure he's around here somewhere."

"I've looked and asked if anyone has seen him. What if he's in danger? We have to find him. What if I don't see him again?" Jean breaks down crying.

"Who died?" Logan asks, walking through the front door with Professor and Scott following him.

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

"Please, Jean, have a seat. We'll find him." Professor X says. Jean sits on the stairs.

"I was actually just briefing Scott and Logan on something that may confirm your concern. Your intuition, as usual, is spot on, Jean.

I have been tracking the commission since getting Keigo back. I lost him once and can't afford to lose him again. What I have figured out so far isn't much, but if we work together, I think we will find him."

Just then, the front door slams shut as Deku charges through frantically. "I- I can't find Kitty anywhere. Has anyone seen her?"

All eyes shoot towards Professor X. Just then, Kurt teleports into the room. "Hey guys, did someone take the jet? It's missing."

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

After two hours of racking their brain, Evan had enough. Heading towards the living room, he says, "I give. We aren't getting anywhere. Call me when something interesting happens." He plops on the couch and turns on the tv.

"I can't believe you're giving up, Evan! We need to find him!" Jean begs.

"And I need to rest. I'm fried chicken. Sorry, is that too soon?" Evan responds as he begins flipping through the channels.

Moments later, Evan calls out to the group. "Uh, Jean? You're either going to love me or hate me right now. You guys have got to see this."

Everyone rushes into the living room, to see Hawks and Kitty walking out of the Safety Commission with looking unusually distressed. The caption below reads.

Small wings, big plans. Who's under Hawks' wing?

"Get your stuff packed, team. Looks like we're headed to Musutafu City." says Professor X.