Combustion ✦ STEVE ROGERS² [✓]

01 | AND FOR GOSH SAKE, WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!

IT WAS CLOSE TO SUNDOWN. Kato was flying through the air, heading back to her apartment. Her face and suit were streaked with soot and ash - remnants of the forest fire she'd helped put out - and she was exhausted. But once again, lives had been saved, thanks to her. However, when she flew through the open window and landed in her apartment, Kato couldn't help but let out a relieved sigh. She was definitely glad to be home.

After revealing her true self to the world, Kato's life had become a whirlwind of activity. She went from place to place, helping as many people as she could and sometimes spending hours if not days away from home. She didn't mind doing it, as it was what she'd signed up for, but she hated being away from Cherry so much. And she could tell Cherry was beginning to hate it, too - the little bengal was starting to grow much more snippy and less affectionate than she had been before. It was almost as if Cherry was holding a grudge against Kato for being gone so frequently. But Kato didn't blame her. If she was being honest, she probably would've done the same.

So now, as Kato closed the window to her apartment, she didn't hear Cherry's customary greeting trill as usual. So she turned around, seeing that her pet cat was sitting on the couch with her eyes closed and her paws tucked under her. However, Cherry didn't open her eyes when Kato entered, even though she most likely knew who it was.

Kato clicked her tongue, hoping to get Cherry's attention. "Cherry," Kato called. "I'm home."

Cherry didn't look at Kato or even open her eyes, but the slight swivel of her ears told Kato that she'd heard her. Sighing to herself, Kato walked over to the couch before sitting down next to Cherry, leading the small feline to open her eyes and let out a small, annoyed meow.

"I'm sorry, Cher," Kato said to Cherry, leading her cat to look at her. "It's just... this hero stuff has been taking up a lot of my time. But I had no idea I'd be away from you for this long. I see how much it's bothering you, and it's killing me. So I'm going to make it up to you, I promise. I won't go on any more hero business for at least two months. And I'll spend those entire two months here with you." Kato smiled. "How's that sound?"

Cherry met her gaze for a long time. Then, she gave Kato a friendly meow before getting up and headbutting her hand. It was clear she was happy with the decision.

Kato's grin widened, and she began to scratch under Cherry's chin before stroking her spine. "That's my girl," Kato said, and moments later Cherry began to purr.

After a few minutes, Kato stopped petting Cherry and stood up. "I'm gonna go shower and get all this soot off me," Kato said. "Be back in a few."

Cherry hummed softly in response before relaxing on her side on the couch. With that acknowledgement, Kato went to her room and pulled off her suit, then walked into the bathroom, shut the door, and turned on the water. Once it was a suitable temperature, she got into the shower, then stood there for a moment as she let the hot water run down her back.

Ever since her act of valor at the bank, Kato had cut off all contact with her friends. She couldn't help it. She was almost certain that she was on the radar of some organization now - whether it be VICE or the remnants of HYDRA - and that scared the hell out of her. But she wasn't scared of being recaptured by VICE or HYDRA. What scared her was what either of them could do to her friends to get to her; what they could do to Steve. And she couldn't let that happen. She wouldn't let that happen.

So she'd become a ghost again. She'd dropped off the grid once more, turning her phone completely off and locking it away in a lockbox so she wouldn't be tempted to use it. And she hadn't talked to any of the Avengers, despite the many times where she wanted to.

After mulling over her thoughts, Kato finished up in the shower, washing all the soot off her body and out of her hair. Once she was done, she stepped out and wrapped a towel around her chest before using a small hand towel to dry her hair. Then she left the bathroom, walking out into the living room just in time to hear the knock on the door.