The Damned Legacy

Chapter Five. Caught Outside

"Seraph!" Izuku calls as he sees her approach. Ochako and Eri are beside him, and Eri is holding onto his sleeve.

Kukumi holds up a hand as the intrusion finally silences her teasing of Tenya, "hey there, Deku. Glad to see everyone important made it out safe." No thanks to me.

"Honestly, that fire spread was perfect for making all of this look like some infighting accident and keeping Dynamight off our tails." He grins at her before patting her shoulder, "you did great. Now we have a few members to start with before we get more and slowly get rid of them."

"Get rid of them? Why would we do that?" Kukumi asks reaching for Tenya. She got a wave of lightheadedness and chalked it up to smoke inhalation.

Tenya puts an arm around her waist to steady her as Izuku watches the interaction, and Kukumi is certain his smile gets wider. "Their sense of loyalty only serves me a good purpose in bringing them to our side, not in any long-term scenario. Of course, they will not know that they have been phased out when it happens, but we have to assure nothing more attractive comes along in the long run."

Ochako buts in then, "did it ever occur to you that they flopped because of how seamlessly and effortlessly you infiltrated them? I know that Kota has been destabilizing them for years until we were ready to strike, but really if anything, that would make this even more impressive, Deku."

He smiles at her endearingly, "Doll, you flatter me."

Kukumi rolls her eyes at the two of them and rubs her temples. "Can we go back yet? It's late, and the heroes will be on their way here, you know." She didn't mean to sound so crass when she asked, but her head started hurting, and she was still getting uncomfortable dizzy spells.

"Kukumi, are you alright? You look paler than you did when I brought you out." Tenya asks, starting to look her over.

"It's probably just the lack of proper sleep at appropriate hours. My body is adjusting." Truthfully she has no idea. It could have also been committing her first murders, but she had to fight through it. At least till they got back.

"Rogue, take Seraph back. Hailburn, Calamity, and I will wrap things up here, but get her to a bed and make sure she isn't poisoned or something."

"I'm fine, Deku-" she cannot complete the thought because of the glare from their "leader." His emerald eyes bore into her with a mix of concern and fury.

"Go, both of you."

Tenya nods and scoops Kukumi up once again before starting the journey back. She wanted to make a fuss about being okay and sticking around to finish the job, but she was not in the mood to test Izuku's wrath today. So she rests her head on Tenya's shoulder and lets her eyes close.

"You didn't have to do this, you know. I could have walked." She protests without any real merit.

"Your exhausted body says otherwise. Therefore, it is nothing for you to worry about."

Kukumi sighs, "you could just say that you wanted to hold me again."

She assumes this gains her a blush from him as he stumbles through his protest, "I am supposed to assure you remain safe. This is the easiest method."

Kukumi giggles at that, smiling softly. Another beat of silence before she frowns, "I never asked if you were okay with my flirting, and I am sorry about that." She peeks up at him a moment and still sees the glow of blush on his face, "I would hope that by now you would tell me if it makes you uncomfortable."

"Would you stop if I told you it did?"

"Of course, no matter how enjoyable I find it, I do not want to be a source of your suffering." Kukumi lifts her head only to feel his fingers press into her flesh before they start rubbing softly.