Chapter 2 // Let's Chat

Kage held the knife to Toga's throat, taking in the person she never expected to see again. The blonde hair tied in messy buns, the schoolgirl uniform with the respectable blood stains, the knives probably hidden in her sweater. "Hands up."

"What's wrong with visiting friends?" Toga said, grinning. Her eyes glinted golden in the light. The blood smeared on her lips made Kage's stomach churn.

"We...are not friends." Kage muttered, still holding the dagger out. "We never were."

"Aww, Kage-Boo-"

"Don't call me that!" Kage spat, cheeks flaming. "How dare you come even NEAR me, after what you did to me, after what you did to Miku!" Kage's heart pounded with rage to the point where her vision was rimmed with scarlet.

"Miku, Miku..." Toga thoughtfully tapped her chin, swinging back and forth. "Oh! Miku! She was so cute, we were the best of friends!"

Kage's arm was getting tired from holding the dagger. "You were...until you killed her."

Toga pouted. "Hey, that's not nice. She offered the blood, and I took it. You shoulda seen it, it went through my tubes, suck suck suck-"

Kage let out a cry of fury. "She died because of you! You're a villain, Toga, and you still won't leave me alone."

"Hey, we were friends too." Toga waggled her finger, giggling. "Being a villain is so fun! You should totally join the League!"

"The League?" Kage's arm dropped, stunned. "You don't mean the League of Villains? I thought that was a rumor."

Kage had heard of the rumors, and discussed it with Deku lots of times. They both agreed that without any proof, it was unlikely that it was true. But if Toga brought it up, then Kage seriously doubted it wasn't true. Toga was more of a follower, and she wouldn't think to lie of something like that on the spot.

"Of course not!" Toga giggled, swinging her arms around. In the dim light of a nearby streetlight she looked possessed. "The League is so fun! You should join us! After all, with both of your quirks you'd be really useful!" she sang. Kage tensed.

"I don't use my mom's quirk." Kage snarled.

"Why?" Toga took a seat on an overturned basket. She patted the box next to her. "it down, let's chat!"

Kage shook. As if she would tell Toga. "No! I have places to be, and I'm not going to be a villain like you!"

Toga pouted. "Fine. But...if you change your mind..." she handed a small, pink pocket notebook. "And if you don't mind-"

Kage didn't feel the needle pierce her skin until she could feel the blood being sucked from her body. "Of course." she hissed through her teeth. "Shoulda known."

Toga kneeled by Kage's side, stroking her hair. "You're hair is so cute! Are these highlights new?"

Kage looked faintly at her long, black hair with pale, blonde streaks. "No...it's from...my quirk..." she coughed, wheezing. She gripped the notebook as Toga plucked the needle from Kage's side. "Perfect! This'll last me awhile! Bye, Kage-Boo!"

"Don't...call me that..." Kage muttered, gripping her side as Toga disappeared from view, singing the lyrics to some Japanese pop song. Before she blacked out, she suddenly remembered that Deku was waiting for her. The Midoryas.

Damn.

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<Deku_120 has logged on>

Deku_120: Kage! It's been two weeks, what happened?!"

Deku_120: Kage, I'm getting worried. The entrance exam is coming up...

<Sunfox333 has logged on>

Sunfox333: Sorry. Was in the hospital.

Deku_120: WHAT?????

Sunfox333: I won't explain via chat. Wanna meet up somewhere?"

Deku_120: Of course, sure. Maybe my place?"

Sunfox333: Sure, and have your mom get a panic attack by seeing me all bandaged up? No thanks. How about the study cafe we go to?

Deku_120: The Jade Dragon? Of course! Does afterschool work?

Sunfox333: Sure. I'll just go check in with my teachers for my work, and I'll meet you there.

Deku_120: Okay, glad you're okay! See you then!

<Sunfox333 has logged off.>

<Deku_120 has logged off.>

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Kage winced as she stretched off the bed. The bandages around her side and stomach still hurt like hell. She had lost a lot more blood than she remembered. But, she couldn't stay in bed forever, and she missed her friend's company.

She chose a baggy black shirt and grey sweatpants. She was growing paranoid that Toga was everywhere. She would see a glimpse of her blonde buns, or a sharp smile that made her heart race. A schoolgirl uniform would set her teeth on edge. So the more basic she looked, the better chances she had of not being recognized. She let her long, unbrushed hair back. With luck, she'd look like a hungover teenager to not call attention to.

She peeked in the kitchen. Her mother was sitting at the table, the coffee Kage made untouched, next to a practically empty wine glass. It send an angry twist in her stomach. She didn't understand how, but she didn't know if she loved her mother anymore.

"It doesn't matter." Kage murmured to herself. "When I'm a hero, I'll make a difference."

"A hero? W...whith your quirk?" her mother slurred. Kage stiffened. "You-you...you're like...a v-villain...hah. A villain." her mother laughed, obviously drunk. Kage breathed shakily.

"I'm going out." Kage slammed the door, wiping her eyes. Damn, she hated when her mother was like this. She wiped her eyes again, eyes stinging.

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After picking up her work, and reserving a table at the Jade Dragon, Kage watched as the pink notebook slipped from her bag. She tensed as the fan flipped it to the first page. It had a phone number in swirly, glittery pink pen. Of course...she traced over the number with her fingernail.

"Kage!" Kage quickly shoved the notebook in her bag. Deku peered over the table. "You okay?"

"Yeah, you just startled me, is all." she forced a laugh.

"I'm glad! So what happened?" Deku asked, scooting into the booth. She hesitated. Would she tell Deku that she was confronted by Toga? That she knew the League of Villains was real?

That maybe...she once considered Toga's offer?

No. She was a hero. her mother was wrong. Toga was wrong. Bakugo was wrong. She could be a hero.

She would make a difference.

"I got into an alleyway fight. Some dude tried to mug me." she lied, guilt spreading through her face as Deku innocently began questioning her wellbeing. She hated lying, but...

She hated that Toga's offer wouldn't go away more.