The Proximation of Hello and Goodbye

39

Katsuki couldn't tell a soul exactly how many people he'd taken out while he was fighting on the lower levels of the building. He just remembers the slight ring in his ears and the taste of salt on his tongue. He can still recall the numb ache in his arms and shoulders, but all of it felt like very little in comparison to how badly he needed to get to Izuku. What's more than that he hasn't heard anything from Eijiro since he stated that the hallway he was entering was more heavily guarded than the other two he'd checked. He was beginning to feel hopeful about the outcome that would come of Eijiro's observations, but now there's only a sinking feeling in his stomach, indicative of the fear that he's beginning to feel. The thing is, however, that Eijiro is a hero, as he's stated many times. He should be able to hold his own for a while if he has to. At least, that's what he had to tell himself to keep himself on track. Problem is, he's nowhere near on track at the moment, and he has no clue what happened to bring him to this point.

He follows behind a tall, muscular man. He doesn't feel like himself, as his physical form and his consciousness have been separated from one another. A tether attaches him to not only his physical form but the man carrying it. He can't use his quirk, not in this form, but his consciousness has no way of controlling his body from here. "What the hell?" he murmurs, tripping over his feet. "What happened?"

The man ahead of him chuckles. "It doesn't matter what happened. The only thing that matters is what's about to happen," he explains. "You're about to get to see the boss again, but this time, you won't live to tell the tale."

"Cocky sentences for someone who had to make me virtually helpless to get anything done. How'd you manage to pull that one off?" Katsuki asks.

"Just a little help from a well-coordinated team, which it appears you could use."

Katsuki freezes where he stands and scoffs, "What the hell is that supposed to mean? We've arrested more of your people than I can count."

"Cocky of you to assume they were in disposable. Anyone who matters that much is either on the top floors with Shinobu or gone away on jobs of their own. We've never been above using people for our benefit. I figured as much would be obvious. But, you-- you heroes-- have sent every one of the heroes leading the charge on this farce, save for one, and now look at all of you. You can't even use your body, courtesy of my quirk. The fire and ice lackey you've got running around here can't find his red-headed boyfriend and is starting to get a little messy. And, then, there's the redhead. The traitor who thought he'd get away with it. Shinobu has special plans in store for the both of you," the man explains. "I hope you're as good a fighter with your friends as you have been with all of the people you've taken out here."

"Hmph, guess you'll just have to find out, hm?" Katsuki counters.

"Guess so," he answers. The rest of their walk is done in silence and they walk into the main office part of the building, making a straight shot for the door at the end of the walkway. Katuski feels a chill run down his spine upon watching the man open the door and lead them both inside. Shinobu sits at a desk in the center of the room. Izuku lays in the corner, his hands bound and tears staining his cheeks. What makes the sight worse is the way he tenses up upon noticing that Katsuki has walked into the room. And, Eijiro, he sits in a chair by the windows in quirk canceling cuffs. Sure, he's strong enough without his quirk, but they're literally designed with people like him in mind, people who are stronger than him, too. He sits idly, his eyes unwavering as they stare toward Shinobu. Then, there's Ena, who sits with glassy eyes at the edge of Shinobu's desk.

This certainly isn't ideal.

The man sets down his own body, making sure to keep a hand on his body at all times as he puts a pair of cuffs on him as well before dropping him completely onto the floor. With that, Katsuki gasps for air as his body hits the floor with a thud. He can't shake overwhelming nausea that is stemming from his stomach, not to mention his head feels like it's splitting. He wretches on the floor, vomiting on the ground beneath him. His eyes are watering when he looks up to see Shinobu standing over him with a sinister smirk. He kicks Katsuki onto his back and then crouches down over him. His hand grasps the straps of Katsuki's hero costume and pulls him up so that his face is only centimeters away from his own. "Well, won't you look at that? Finally made your way up here, though I have Hideo to thank for that. He's so good at following orders after all," Shinobu says. "You look awfully unwell, Katsuki . Not to worry, it'll wear off soon. Hideo's quirk sort of has that effect on people."