Disclaimer: I own nothing
Rated: T
Miko was silent.
Hawks took a glance as she obediently followed him with her head lowered and the corner of his lips twitched, as she reminded him of a beatened frightened dog.
This next encounter certainly would not help.
They had split off with Endeavor – somehow escaping the rushing media mob as the Flame Hero went to a hospital just in case, even though his eye and sight were fine. However, as Miko said, there was still quite a large scar on the man's face
"Miko-chan, I can't really figure you out!" Hawks said cheerfully, trying to break the serious tension in the air, even as they walked in a rather ominous part of the city, filled with empty and rundown factories and warehouses, "I honestly have no idea what your Quirk is!"
Dulled blue eyes glanced up briefly before looking to the side, "I..." She said hesitantly, not sure she had the right to speak, but Hawk's encouraging smile, she continued, "I do not understand the concept of 'Quirks'." She answered quietly.
Hawks almost tripped, stopping as he stared at her in disbelief, "But you showed all those powers during that battle! Barriers! Your sealing ability with your sword! That white light that turned that Nomu to ash and could have done who-the-hell-knows-what to Dabi! Your healing abilities! You're saying they're not Quirks?!"
"They are not," Miko confirmed as she rubbed her arm that had her rosary wrapped around her tekko sleeve, "Everyone here is... different," Her breath came out faster, "Out in the open, like it's normal."
"I don't understand at all," Hawks said outright, rubbing the back of his head, "Do you come from some secret country that doesn't have Quirks?" He joked.
"You are out in the open!" Miko covered her face with her hands, "The Tengu ruled the Southern Lands of Japan! But it changed with time!" Her arms lowered and she just looked so... broken, "Are there more of you!?"
"Uhh..." Hawks scrambled for an answer, "Yeah, there is! I even took him as an intern. His name his Tokoyami Fumikage or Tsukuyomi you should say in public," The blond scratched his cheek, "I could schedule a meeting if you want."
"Lovers' spat?"
Hawks simply pulled a feather from his pocket and sharpened it to a blade, pointing it in the direction where the voice came from while Miko grabbed the hilt of Kurikaramaru, beginning to unsheathe it, "Miko-chan, stand down." Hawks ordered and Miko froze as a familiar figure stepped out of shadows.
"Didn't think I'd see the kid so soon again, but I see what's happening," Dabi smirked, "A little puppy, is it? You training her to be a loyal guard dog? And here I thought you were the glowing trending No. 2 Hero?"
Miko shivered a little at the words, but turned her head to the side as if dismissing him, "I would rather be an Inu than an Amanojaku. You are nothing but lowly servants to the real Oni," She frowned darkly, "The Flaming Oni towers above you."
"Is that so?" Dabi's smirk didn't falter, "Too bad I don't listen to whimpering little puppies," He stuffed his hands in pockets and turned to Hawks, "You broke your part of the agreement. You brought the strongest Hero and yet it was a little girl who ends up killing it. No casualties even. So, what's my compensation?"
"I have to keep up my Hero appearance. I can't lose the public's trust," Hawks answered, pointing his feather blade at the Villain, "The more they trust me, the more intel I can get. Think in the long run," His eyes narrowed, "You broke your end of the deal too. There is no compensation."
"Too bad," Dabi shrugged, eyeing Miko with too much interest that it disturbed Hawks, "It's easier on a puppy to swap masters the younger they are," He closed his eyes, "But I'm sure there's no real meaning to that saying, 'you can't teach old dogs new tricks'?"
Hawks snapped.