Mutants: Normal

6-4: Left out

At that moment, the reinforced automatic doors slid open. Entering the lobby, Hua spotted Fang, Zero, Ranulf and Pierre were assembled in the middle of the large chamber. She wanted to wave and say hello from far away, but instinctively stopped. Her cheer didn't seem to belong in the pocket of tension that surrounded the returning group.

So instead, she kept on walking with Shuigu at her side. As they approached, it was Ranuf who noticed them and spoke first. "Hey, Hua," Ranulf said sheepishly. "Sorry, you came all this way down to come welcome us back, and we're dead as bricks here..."

"Don't worry—as long as you guys are safe, everything's fine." Hua looked around the group that wasn't really meeting her eyes. "So, how'd it go?" she questioned. "None of you are hurt, right?" As always, her eyes darted first to Fang, noticing a pale thin line on his cheek—probably nothing. Her gaze continued down the side of his smooth cheek, to his mouth with its full lips slightly apart—stupid! She tore her gaze away, hoping she hadn't been focused on Fang long enough for anyone to notice. Giving the others an all-over with her eyes she didn't see any injuries...

Wait. Her eyes stopped at Zero's face. It was slightly swollen; a small enough swell that the average doctor giving a check-up wouldn't bother asking.

"Zero, did you get hurt?"

The mutant blinked, averting his distant stare to her. "No."

He was lying through his teeth.

"Your face is swollen," Hua continued, stepping closer to him. She felt his face and he winced in response, more from reflex than actual pain. "This was from a blunt attack. A fist?" A punch could definitely leave a similar size and imprint shape. "Not too long ago, or you would have fully healed. The swelling is faint and near gone but I can tell." She peered at them all with worry. "Did you guys get into a fight with the culprit?" She glared at each of the returning boys in turn; they all shook their heads. "So the criminal is still at loose in the city..."

"It's not the criminal." True. "I'm not injured at all. I don't know what you're talking about," Zero argued, pulling away. As he did so, he gave Ranulf a wary glare, but the cat mutant was dealing out glares of his own at Shuigu.

Lies. Hua frowned. "Fine, go ahead and lie. It's not that big of a deal anyways. None of the others are hurt, thank god." Relief flooded through her at this fortunate truth.

A pause. "Well, now that that's take care of, Shuigu, I'd like to have a word with you," Ranulf beckoned at Shuigu, who looked incredibly guity, to follow. With the rest of the crew watching, they exited the front doors.

"I can't believe he skipped out on another mission," Hua sighed, watching as the both of them disappeared from her line of sight. "He's in real trouble with Ranulf now, isn't he?"

"Most likely. Ranulf's only that happy when he's furious," Zero joked, nodding vigorously.

"Well, let's get to a better topic." Forcing down her strange hypersensitivity to Fang, Hua walked over and tapped him on the shoulder, clearing her throat. "Fang, let's talk. You too, Zero."

The two guys exchanged glares before consenting with a grunted "sure".

"Look, I'm not stupid," Hua continued, rubbing her forehead. Since her fun session with Dr. Wang, her day had been going downhill. And now I have to deal with these two... "I know something's up. Fang, you keep on glaring at Zero like he's a world-class wanted criminal. Zero, you look at Ranulf like he's some shady character. What's going on?"

"We aren't exactly seeing eye to eye," Fang began, crossing his arms in his typical position when he was on the defensive, "but I think we agree that we don't really want to confide in you right now."