This had been her second week of surveillance, she had been tasked to watch a top member of a new gang. Pfft if they could be called that, they were just made up of random people. Some school drop out who wore her uniform still, like she was trying to hold onto some innocent past life she could have had. Another was this very disturbed split personality, literally, guy who for the most part cared about them all. Some smoke vapor looking guy that seemed to be their means of transportation , nothing more. There was the guy she called magician, she though his quirk was pretty cool.
A lizard guy that was obviously a Stain fan, he didn't seem like he really was evil. Just didn't have another choice because if the heroes were out to stop Stain then this guy wouldn't stand a chance. She had a soft spot for anyone that was a fan because if she was being honest she would say Stain had a point. That didn't matter, her path had been chosen for her and she had to be a hero just like the rest of her family.
There was their leader, he was something else. There was something sinister about him, he was very focused. It made sense because who his mentor is but there was something else. She could understand AFO goal and need for power but this guy. Was he doing it for himself or was he groomed to think this is what he wants?
This was part of her personality that made her good at her job, her curiosity made her find out every detail about a subject. It was a gift and a curse. Her quirk helped too, track and stealth. Neko, she hated that name, it was such a lazy name choice. Yes she had cat ears but that was the only physical feature to a cat she had, well maybe her nails but still. A very lazy hero name that was given to her.
The last member, the one she was tasked to watch was Dabi, cremation quirk. Her first thought when she saw him was the sad emo boy that didn't get enough attention as a kid. He was always by himself or if he was partnered with someone he always let them do the talking. For the most part he was a mystery, he never did anything out of the ordinary but never had a set pattern. BUT he was focused and seemed like every move he made was for a specific goal. What that goal was she wasn't sure.
She did notice that he did not like for someone to stare at him too long or make any comments about his appearance. He quickly put an end to their existence. She was slightly shocked the first time and thought he was over dramatic about the whole thing but after that she chuckled when it happened again. Yeah he looked like he was pieced together but by adding the piercings he played up on that feature. She could understand where he was coming from, it was like the time she was given that gag gift for her birthday, a collar with a bell. She had been so pissed that she shredded it in front of everyone.
As she watched him she couldn't help but see the beauty in his imperfections. She was curious how he got hurt but whenever she tried to dig into his past she always hit a dead end. He was a real mystery and knew she was the only one that would be able to solve it.
Today had an odd energy about it, there was something in the air she could feel it. Everything seemed normal, she was following him as he just walked around but she felt on edge. She kept looking over her shoulder for whatever it was that was making her nervous. It was almost dusk and even though it was a calm day the uneasiness never left. Dabi left to find some dinner and that's when it felt like she went into a dream. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and someone was aiming to shoot at him.
It was like she was watching events unfold in a movie, she wasn't in control of herself. She could only watch. In slow motion she watched as she lept from the building towards Dabi. He looked up at her and smirked, as if he had been waiting for her to show herself. She didn't have time to analyze his reaction, instead she grabbed him by the jacket and threw him towards an alley as they both watched a bullet hit the spot he was just standing at.
"Get out of here, I'll take care of this." She didn't give him a chance to respond, she quickly ran towards the area the shot came from. Why did she save him? She was only suppose to observe and never interfere. She had watched many of her subjects get attacked or killed and she never intervened before. Was it wanting to know the enigma that was Dabi? What was that look, had he known she was following him and for how long? So many questions that needed answers.
She was standing where the shooter had been, they must have ran the second she jumped in. She looked around for clues to figure who would want to target Dabi but more importantly why he was a target. She was kneeling down looking at the barely visible imprint the shooter left, she was so focused that she didn't hear someone approaching.
"You're fast, I was wondering if you would ever show yourself." He squatted down and smiled, "Don't bother, I just wanted to see what you would do."
Neko glared at him and her ears turned back in anger, "You planned all this?"
"Retract those claws kitty, I was just testing you." He stepped back and put his hands in his pockets.
She looked him up and down and sneered, she began to say something but decided to just leave. As she turned away he grabbed her arm.
"Wait a minute, tell me why you're following me."
"Why should I?" She tried to pull away from him but his grip grew tighter and began to grow warmer.
"I can't just let you go, you should know by now I'm giving you a chance and you know how rare those are. So be a good kitty and talk."
Neko closed the distance and had her body against his as she stared into his eyes. Just as she expected he began to shift his weight to move away from her. He did not like his personal space invaded. She pushed her body closer to his, "What's wrong flame boy, is this too close for you?"
Dabi clenched his jaw and then grabbed her hips and pulled her in, "What if I said it wasn't close enough?"
Her ears immediately perked and she hated that she couldn't control them, well when it came to this type of situations she lost her control. "What?"
"Guess I got the cat's tongue." Dabi smirked and kissed her.
Neko was shocked and stiffened, she thought his kiss would be rough but it was very tender. She slowly relaxed into the kiss and felt his tongue slide against hers. He tasted like a warm winter night, can someone taste like a specific memory that you've never had? That's what it felt like, a memory of a time where you sit by the fire enjoyingthe smell of wood burning and the sound of it crackling as you drink a smooth glass of whiskey. It felt warm and familiar and she didn't want it to end.
As he pulled back she let out a whimper and he chuckled, "Yeah, that's how I feel too."
Neko regained her composure and pushed him away, "How did you know?"
Dabi stuck his hands back into his pockets and walked around her, "You're not the only one that watches, I know when I'm being looked at. I almost burned you out of your hiding spot once but I was curious." He looked at her ears.
They immediately flattened back on her head, "If you make another comment about cats I'll end you before you finish that comment."
Dabi put his hands in the air, "ok ok, I get it. I'm tired of being referred to as burnt bacon. So who are you?"
She hesitated, she had already crossed the line by interfering and talking to him. "Neko, that's what they call me."
Dabi arched his eyebrow unamused, "Clever ... what's your real name?"
"What's your real name?"
He smirked "So that's it, someone wants to know who I am. Tell you what, keep me company and I might tell you."
She looked at him disgusted, "You expect me to sleep with you for a name? You're disgusting."
She turned to leave but again he grabbed her, "I didn't mean sex, I meant hang out with me. Talk, share some food, that kind of stuff."
"Why me?"
"Why not you?" He watched her roll her eyes, "Look, I don't know why. I just feel the need to have you close to me today. Ever since I noticed you I have felt more relaxed knowing you were there."
She had noticed he wasn't as angry or stressed lately and wondered what had changed in him. "Is that true or are you just saying what you think I want to hear?"
He smiled and reached for her snow white ears, thinking she would pull away he was surprised when she tiled her head towards him giving him permission to touch her. It was so soft, he gently rubbed the tip at first then caressed her whole ear. She closed her eyes and he noticed a soft hum, almost a purr, coming from her.
Neko quickly opened her eyes and pulled back in embarrassment. "Oh gosh, that was ..." she turned and covered her face, she had never let anyone touch her ears before so she didn't know she would have that reaction.
Dabi smiled and had thought it was cute. He walked past her like nothing happened, "Hungry? I know a great place that has amazing ramen."
She was thankful that he didn't mention the purr, "ok." She followed behind him, "You can call me Yuki."
Cute he thought, everything about her was cute and he knew he needed to protect her. He threw his arm around her shoulder "Still Dabi ... for now."
She smiled, all her rules were being thrown out the window now so might as well enjoy this moment.