Problematic kitten

Chapter 30

Scar on Usagi's cheek; Trash

Aizawa frown a little to Usagi's answer. "What about her?" "Without her, I wouldn't be here. I would probably be dead." Usagi admit and lower her eyes. "Why you believe that?" He ask and she hear how Yamada sit on the spot child service worker left. "If I didn't ran that one night from him, I wouldn't start vigilantism. I wouldn't have met any of you, I probably would be dead or in gutter. He always said that he will kick me out after middle school if I didn't get a job and pay for the roof." She explain mindlessly, deep in thoughts. 

Usagi start to play with hem of her sleeve. "That was part of the reason I was in Coffee Bean, Mr Tanaka was only one willing to hire me. He even gave me food, leftovers from the day. I mostly survived because of those after he left me. All my money went on pills ingredients, I couldn't afford food when there was more important things I needed. Then he came back and... kicked me out... After proper goodbye." She talk without expecting them to listen and chuckle a little. "Yeah, not very glamorous story." She admit and move to sit on edge of couch. She turn to look at men and frown. 

Both of them are stoic while storm play behind their eyes. Usagi frown and tilt her head. "Um... Aizawa? Yamada?" Neither of them react. She carefully touch Aizawa's forearm and snap him out of it. "You okay? I didn't meant to upset you guys. I honestly didn't expect you to listen." She admit ashamed. That snap Yamada out of his head too. "Wouldn't listen? Of course we listen what you have to say." He announce with hint of anger. "I'm sorry." She apology and lower her head. "Never apologize about telling us what is bothering you." Aizawa tell her. She nod but didn't look at them.

Aizawa sigh and pinch bridge of his nose. "Usagi?" She raise her head to look at him. "There is something we need to do and I have a feeling you don't like it." She frown confuse and turn to look at Yamada. He has serious expression too. "What is it?" "We need to take some pictures of your scars that he has made on you, as evidence against him." She frown even more confused. "I don't have scars." "Yes you have, and we can make them appear." She tilt her head.

Then it hit her. Aizawa's Erasure can make them appear. She pale and scramble to other end of the couch. "No." Little whimper broke heroes hearts but they know that it has to be done. "We can call an officer to come and take pictures but I need to see you in order to make them appear." He continue to explain. She shake her head while holding her hand between them, pleading for them not to do it. "Please no." She whimper with broken voice. 

Aizawa try to move closer to Usagi but she flinch and curl smaller. He didn't know what to do and turn to look at Yamada. He has mournful expression with hint of anger. After a moment he sigh and move to crouch down next to couch, next to her. She has closed her eyes and covered her ears. "Usagi, Little Listener." He start and touch her forearm. She flinch away with a whimper. He lay his hand on her forearm and she start to tremble. "Usagi, kid. Please look at me." He plead. She slowly open her eyes and turn to look at him. Her eyes full of horror. It squeeze his heart.

"I know that it is scary but we need to do it. I need you to be brave, can you do that? So we can catch the bad guy one more time." Yamada ask. Tears has start to stream down Usagi's face but she slowly let her hand drop. "You won't leave me?" She whimper. "Of course not. Why would we?" "B-Because t-they h-h-a-has t-to l-l-look hi-hid-hideous." She sob and close her eyes again, trying to get her breathing under control again. Men share a look. "We won't leave you no matter what." Yamada promise. "Never." Aizawa join in and take her hand in his. She open her eyes and look at both of them. 

Usagi force her emotions down, look at her new family members and nod. "Okay, but here and no one else." She give in. Men nod. "Whenever you are ready." Yamada promise. "Now." She answer and move to stand up, he has to make her way. "Can I have a tank top or just underwear?" Men frown worried. "Lesser is better but only if you are comfortable." She nod and take deep breath. "5 minutes, in spare bedroom." She announce and rush upstairs.

Usagi use the time to lock her emotions away. She force them in a box and throw a key away. That is the only way she can handle the situation. She take off everything else but her underwear, pet Kuro and walk in empty bedroom. Aizawa is already waiting for her with a camera. "Can you take the pictures alone?" "Hizashi will be here soon, he has to grab something first." She nod and walk middle of room where lights hit best. She close her eyes and turn toward heroes as soon as she hear door close behind her. 

"Just be quick." Usagi ask and spread her arms for better view. "We will." Aizawa promise and familiar itch spread to her skin. She bite inside of her cheek so she won't try to run from the situation. She listen how camera click around her. After what felt like century camera sounds stop and she crack an eye open. Men stare at her face. She know what they stare, kanji that he carved in her left cheek couple years ago. "Who?" "He made sure that I know my value." She answer with blank voice and camera click one more time. "We are done." She immediately walk out of the room and in her own to put on her clothes.  

Usagi shake, she has some difficulties to put on her clothes but eventually manage to do so. She climb in bed and curl around Kuro, tears start to slide down her face. She feel disgusting, exposed, raw... hideous. She hear how door open and someone walk inside. She feel how bed sink a little under the person and gentle hand start to pet her hair. She didn't dare to move, to signal that she is crying again. "You are very brave, kid. No one should have go through what you have been." Aizawa's gentle, steady voice praise her. 

Usagi has to bite her tongue, hard, so she won't spat to him something hurtful. Instead she curl more, Kuro meow as disagreement but didn't move. "Some of the scars are from villains, right?" She nod a little. "I'm sorry to say but you need to go through them in order to tell us parts of what are his doing." She whimper as answer at first. "I know, just... not today?" "Not today." He promise, take his hand away but didn't move from the spot. Giving her his silent support. That gesture make tears stream down faster but she manage to hold her sobs inside and only couple hiccups can be heard.