The Damned Legacy

Chapter Two. Into The Belly Of The Beast

Kukumi's heart is racing as she follows Deku into a different part of the city's underground. Twists and turns that she will not get out of without aid. Finally, in another darker alley than the one she usually came out of, he stops abruptly in front of her and knocks on part of the wall. It sounds like he is hitting wood rather than the brick exterior the building displayed. A door swings open, and Kukumi can't see anyone else inside.

"I thought I told you not to wait up, Doll." Deku breaths, and Kukumi raises an eyebrow.

The voice that answers is softer and tired, feminine, and Kukumi is even more intrigued, "you didn't bring me with you." Deku steps into the doorway as they are still talking, "I wanted to make sure you got back okay. Did she come with?"

Wordlessly, he gestures to Kukumi, who is tentatively standing in the doorway. She could burn the place to the ground for a quick escape, but anger bubbles under her calm demeanor after seeing the other people in the room. This is looking very suspicious for it not to be an attack.

"Seraph," Deku flicks a hand towards one of the couches in the dingy living room, "please sit. You are a guest."

She swallows again; God, I must actually be crazy. She steps through the door and takes in the room. There is a brown wood minibar on the right wall that Deku is quickly working at. The woman he is talking to a moment ago is next to him, whispering something in a low tone. She is cute, round face with pink cheeks and pretty brunette hair. A girlfriend, maybe? They look nothing alike, so that made far more sense to her than them being siblings. This girl looks at Deku with nothing short of pure admiration, devotion, and concern? Not all sunshine and rainbows for the villains. She sees movement by the back door, and a man taller than Deku and built like a wall is guarding the exit. He has exhaust pipes protruding from his calves and a straight unamused face. His posture is straighter than Kukumi has ever seen on a human being. He has dark blue hair and glasses that reflect the light. He's kinda cute. Kukumi scrunches her eyebrows at the thought; not what you need to be thinking in the middle of a villain hideout. Then she saw the last figure out of the corner of her eye. Hair flaming up merely on instinct as she turns to him. His eyes go wide as ice and fire cover his body.

"Hailburn." Deku's voice is gentle but commanding as the man in front of her melts and extinguishes his respective sides. His hair and eyes are what catches her attention first. His hair is half red and half white, and his eyes were heterochromia with one grey and one turquoise.

Okay, so maybe more than one person in the building is attractive. Kukumi reaches above her for her floating on fire hair and pulls it over her shoulder to snuff out the flames. "My apologies." She clears her throat. "Startlsme." Kukumi steps toward the couch, all eyes staring at her. She is never one to shy away from a glance, especially these days, but this scrutiny felt more vicious. More prepare to pick her apart and leave her bones for the strays. She sat on the couch, her body still tense and ready to fight any one of them.

Deku sits across from her and smiles, "I appreciate you extending your trust so much." Kukumi meets his eyes and nods before he continues, "Now, the reason I brought you here, if it isn't clear enough already. I want you to join us."

Kukumi's eyes go wide, "excuse me?" I'm a vigilante. I have probably messed up some of their plans before! Why on earth would they want me to join them?! No, this is a trick. Her heart is racing in her chest. It's not like she could feasibly refuse at this point; they brought her to their hideout and will kill her if she refuses. She is stuck between a wall and a hard place, and if she refuses, she will have to burn her way out. I don't know the other three quirks, but ice guy, Hailburn, is the only one I am worried about. He's the only one to compliment me and hold my weakness. He'll be the only hard one to face realistically.