Two Sides to Every Coin (OPM Garou x OC)

Chapter 19: His Humanity pt.2

CHAPTER IS LONGER THAN NORMAL. HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY.
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Garou landed on a building near the school. Or, at least where the school used to be. The schoolyard was a barren area, filling with construction equipment, the old school torn down. In its place was a large building, which was just in the early stages of construction.
'Good. That school was shit, anyway,' Garou jumped off the building top, landing gracefully and quietly before the perimeter fence. He climbed the fence easily, and strolled on into the construction area, "What the fuck is he trying to do, ambush me?" Garou stopped suddenly. His body tensed and his nerves were on edge, and he knew that eyes were on him, "TATSU! I'm here! Give me the kid, now!"
Just then, men started to emerge from out of the behind stacks of material and from behind trucks. Garou wasn't at all surprised as he gazed at them all, coming closer. The thugs jeered and taunted, but Garou didn't seem to care.
"So, this is the Hero Hunter? He don't look like much."
"We can take him easy."
"What's a monster doing here? Acting like he's a person?"
"So, you actually came?" Garou turned towards the familiar voice. Looking up, Tatsu appeared, standing on top of one of the bulldozers, "Didn't expect you to."
"You kidnapped your own kid and threatened to kill him," Garou pointed out.
Tatsu scowled, pointing at the white haired man, "You're a monster, Garou! Quit acting like you care about others! You didn't even try to do anything when me and my boys trashed your precious dojo!"
"Where's the kid?" Garou glared. Tatsu just chuckled and said smugly, crossing his arms, "Somewhere you won't find him. It's not like you're going to live long enough anyway to find him."
Garou was about done with Tatsu nonsense, "You're sick, you know that? What are trying to prove by roping an innocent child into this?"
"This is to prove that you're still that loser monster from when we were kids! No monster deserves to be happy! I'm the victim here!" Tatsu spewed angrily.
Garou just blinked at him, "You're still on about this shit? You're not a victim, Tatsu. Right now, you're the one acting like the monster. Taking a child, twisting his mind up and taking him away from his mother? Even threatening to kill him, just to prove a sick point?! You're own blood?! I might've wanted the world to fear me, but even I ain't that twisted! Make this easier on yourself and give the kid up!!" his tone becoming louder and more angry with every word.
Tatsu growled, this maddening look in his eyes, "You're dead."
Garou was about to lunge at him, but in doing so, forgot about the goons. Two thugs grabbed his arms, holding him. Garou stopped immediately, scowling as his old bully sneered at him. Tatsu scoffed, "Enjoy your grave, Garou," he jumped off the bulldozer and ran off.
"TATSU!!!" Garou looked at the men, who were snickering and laughing while holding him in place. Another guy grabbed a sledgehammer that was next to a large pile of dirt, "This is going to be fun; taking out the infamous Hero Hunter. The human monster."
Garou watched as this guy lifted the weapon, swinging it a few times to get a feel for the weight of it. Garou wasn't impressed.
'This is like Tatsu. Always having his friends do the work,' He then started taking note on how many thugs there were, 'One in front of me. Two holding me,' His gazed travel to his left, 'One on the left,' then to his right, 'Two on the right. So, six total. What a joke.'
"You guys are making a huge mistake," Garou stated, still letting the men hold him. The thug with the sledgehammer approached, smirking, "Too late to beg for your life, Hero Hunter."
Garou couldn't stop the wicked grin from appearing on his face, "The same can be said for you lot...when I'm done with you."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Garou pulled at his left arm, catapulting the man off him and sent him flying into one of the men on the right. Garou repeated this with the man on his right man, flinging the thug into the one of his left. Only two left standing.
The thug holding the hammer, although now terrified, tried to charge at Garou. Garou promptly snatched the sledgehammer out of his grip, then punched him in the face. The goon fell to the ground like a sack of bricks. Garou stood idly for a moment, then turned to the last goon. The man flinched, sweating bullets under Garou's gold, menacing gaze. The man yelped in fear and ran for it. Garou scoffed, throwing the sledgehammer aside, "Idiots."
He then looked towards the building in question. The metal framing was all that was put up, piles of giant beams here an there, large cranes hovering over the building, "The kid must be in there. What the fuck did I get myself into?" shaking his head he started towards the unfinished building. This was honestly the last thing he expected things to go with Tatsu. Who would've thought he would fall off the deep end?
Still, if he didn't stop this maniac now, who knew what he'd do to get back at Garou. Kaana immediately came to mind and he was aware that it was a possibility that she'd be next.
Making it to the building, he noticed that the structure was just erected. The levels on the frame work was probably about two floors in, so not very tall. Garou glanced around, trying to figure where a child could possibly be hiding.
"About time, monster," Garou turned and saw who was standing there.
Garou sighed, "Seriously? You, too?"
It was Jirou. Garou was a bit surprised, but honestly shouldn't have been. Garou noticed that Jirou was obviously putting up a front. He can see the nervous sweat rolling down his forehead, "You got nerve, coming this far."
Garou chuckled, that wolfish smirk appearing, "What, were you expecting a bunch of thugs to get the drop on me? And you can drop the act, I can see you sweating."
Jirou scowled, trying to save face, "I ain't afraid of you, Garou! We got a score to settle for making me look bad!"
"You did that by yourself with your stupidity. I simply put you in your place," Garou got into a loose stance, "So, do you want to leave here with your life, or in a body bag?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself, freak. I'm gonna--" Jirou couldn't even get the last words out. Garou had suddenly appeared in front of him, his eyes glaring into him and he punched him in the gut. Jirou gagged and doubled over Garou's fist. Garou silently stepped back, wound up and kicked Jirou across the face. Jirou flew with so much force into a metal pillar, the metallic hum from the impact rang loudly as he slumped to the ground.
'Did Tatsu seriously reach out to anyone that hated me? This guy is seriously desperate,' "Huh?" he heard a shuffling. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a little shape running off, "Hey!"
Garou sped in front of them and they fell to the floor. It was Itachi, who looked petrified, staring wide eyed at Garou.
"There you are, brat. I've been looking for you," Garou proceeded to grab his arm, hoisting him off the ground, "Let's go."
Garou started to walk, but what he didn't expect was for Itachi to dig his heels in, "Let go of me! I'm not going with you! HELP!"
Itachi then bit Garou's hand. Garou grunted and immediately let go, clenching his hand angrily and growled, "You little--"
"Leave me alone! You killer! Monster!!" Itachi screamed. Garou went from being pissed that this kid bit him, to absolutely baffled, "Killer?? What are you talking about?!"
"Dad took me because you were after us!! He told me to hide here so you wouldn't try to kill me!!" Itachi screamed at him, trying to stagger away.
Garou deadpanned again, 'Tatsu seriously told him that I was going to kill him?' Garou sighed exasperatedly, "Brat, your old man lied to you. I'm here because your mom sent me."
"You're lying! Dad said you want me dead for touching your lady!" Itachi started backing away more as Garou stepped closer.
"You seriously think I'd kill a child? In case you haven't noticed, kid, but I haven't killed anyone," Garou pointed with his thumb, "That guy over there is still alive," Itachi looked and sure enough, Jirou was faintly groaning, but was alive. Itachi's anger faltered and looked back at Garou, "And I'm about to have a son of my own. You really think I would've come here just to kill a defenseless kid? Your dad has hated me for years, for reasons I'll never understand. Hate to break it to you, Itachi, but your old man used you as bait to try and lure me here to kill me. He even went as far as to threatening to let you die if I didn't show up."
Itachi's eyes were wide in disbelief, "That--That's not true! Dad--He--" Itachi looked to be on the verge of tears, but his disbelief turned into rage and denial, "YOU LIE! Don't come near me!!"
"I'm taking you back to your mom, your dad is unstable," Garou went to grab Itachi again, but the boy was having none of it. He fought Garou's grip on his arm, "NO! Let me go!"
As Itachi wrenched his arm out of Garou's grip, and he fell onto the ground. He scrambled up and started to make a break for it.
Then, there was an audible groaning of metal, that was immediately followed by a loud snap, like the crack of a whip. Itachi stopped when he heard it, and when he looked up, his eyes widened. A large platform that was attached to one of the cranes was falling. It was filled with metal beams, and Itachi was directly under it.
Garou saw it and noticed that Itachi was frozen stiff.
It all happened in slow motion. Itachi's gaze did not tear from the falling platform as it grew larger as it fell. He couldn't find it in him to move, he was so scared. Just as it was several feet from crushing him, Garou had shoved him out of the way. Itachi tumbled several feet away as the beams crashed into the ground, the floor shaking from the impact.
Itachi lied prone for a moment until the ground stopped shaking and the air went silent. He slowly sat up, groaning, "Ow...Wha--what happened?" he then looked himself over and realized that he was unharmed, "Did...Garou--?" he quickly looked towards the pile of beams and the platform that held them. The platform was smashed upon impact and the beams were everywhere. Itachi stood and ran towards the pile, fearing the worst. When Itachi came closer, he gasped. On the ground just outside the rubble was blood spatter. A lot of it.
Itachi was visibly shaking, his knees gave out and he fell on his rear, whimpering fearfully, "Master Garou...he--he saved me...?" Itachi didn't know how to process this. This man, who his father made out to be the worst monster in existence, just died saving his life. A monster wouldn't do that, "He's dead because of me..."
"YES, I got him!" Itachi snapped his head towards the shadows and saw his father running out, looking triumphant, "Good job, Itachi! He fell for it!"
"What..?" Itachi's eyes then widened in horror, "You...wanted this to happen..?"
Tatsu looked at his son confused, then smiled widely, "Well, duh! You helped me lure him here! Honestly, I didn't actually think he'd try to save you, but he did!"
Itachi then felt sick to his stomach, this statement only further confirming what Garou had told him, "You didn't...know if he'd save me? You tried to kill me to kill him?!"
Tatsu was shocked by his son's anger, "Why are you mad? The monster's dead, now life can go back to the way it was!"
Itachi shot up in a rage and started to hit Tatsu's stomach with his fists, "You killed him! He didn't do anything to you! You used me to kill him!" Itachi was crying angrily, "You're a monster! He had a family!"
Tatsu looked unfazed, but mildly annoyed and grabbed Itachi's wrists, "Knock it off. I used you, get over it. There's nothing you can do to change that he's dead."
Just then, there was the sound of groaning metal again. Tatsu snapped his gaze to the pile of metal rubble and froze when he saw the pile moving. The other beams on top fell over as a single beam moved, and under that beam, was Garou.
"What?!" Tatsu gaped.
Itachi was frozen, white as a sheet, "Master Garou..?"
Garou dropped the beam beside him with a loud thunder. He was hunched over, his clothes were ripped up and soaked in blood. His face was scratched up, his nose was bleeding, and a stream of blood was flowing down his forehead and over his right eye from a gash somewhere on his head, hidden by his white hair. Garou was breathing hard, but his teeth were clenched in a ferocious snarl, his eyes wide with rage.
"You..." Garou growled and slowly climbed out of the rubble. Tatsu looked like he was staring death in the face; he might as well have been. He couldn't move and Itachi managed to rip his wrists out of his father's grip and frantically moved away.
Tatsu, now realizing that, not only did he fail in killing Garou, but who was now coming after him, he tried to run. More like trying to scramble on his belly, as he tripped over his own feet in attempt to get away. He didn't get far, as Garou grabbed his ankle and started to drag him towards his bloody silhouette.
Tatsu clawed at the ground, trying to get traction, but it was no use, "No! Stop, please! Don't kill me!" he cried out in fear.
Itachi watched as Garou pulled his father towards him, grabbed him by the neck and held him in the air with one hand. Tatsu clawed at the hand around his throat, which only made Garou tighten his grip.
Garou was still snarling, eyes wide with a blind, animalistic rage, "I should just kill you and be done with it..." he continued to tighten his grip, "Let's see how long your neck holds out before it snaps in my hand."
"Master Garou, don't do it!" Itachi's voice reached his ears, but didn't seem to stop his actions, "You can't kill him! He isn't worth it! You'll lose everything if you do! Please!!"
There was a moment of tense silence, no one moved. Garou seemed to have stiffen after Itachi's pleas to stop.
Garou then felt the adrenaline subsiding, his mind slightly clearing and he just now registered what was currently happening. He had Tatsu by the throat and was about to snap his neck. Stunned by his actions, he quickly dropped the man to the ground. Tatsu hit the ground and coughed harshly, holding his neck and gasping for air.
Garou was trying to make heads and tails of what just happened when the world started to spin. Too much blood loss and too much pain quickly caught up to him. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and he fell back onto the ground with a hard thud.
Worried, Itachi ran over to Garou's still form, getting on his knees and started to shake him, "Master Garou?! Master Garou, wake up!" Garou didn't move. Itachi frantically put his ear to the man's chest, scared that Garou actually died, this time. He sighed in relief when he heard Garou's heart beating.
Then, Itachi noticed a shadow looming over him. Lifting his head, he gasped when he saw his father with a pocket knife in his hand, "Move, Itachi," Tatsu ordered in a low, menacing tone.
Itachi threw his body over Garou in an attempt to protect him, "No! I won't let you kill him!"
"Fine, then die with him," Itachi shut his eyes tightly, waiting for any kind of blow to land, but it never did. He slightly opened one eye to peak, but then fully opened both in shock. Standing in his father's place was a hero. Tatsu was on the floor, unconscious and standing beside his form was none other than Saitama.
"A hero..." Itachi sprung to his feet in relief and rushed up to the bald hero, grabbing at the fabric of his yellow jumpsuit, "Please! Help Master Garou; he's dying!"
Saitama blinked at the sobbing, pleading boy before looking towards Garou. He noticed that Garou just looked worse than he actually was but it was clear he did lose a lot of blood, "Oh, man. Good thing Saya called when she did. Kaana's going to be pissed."
Saitama walked over to Garou's body, Itachi letting the man go, "Come on, Buddy. Let's get you some help," he grunted as he hoisted Garou up, pulling his arm over his shoulders.
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Meanwhile, Kaana was still at home with Saya. She had eaten dinner and Saya was cleaning up for her as she sat at the kitchen table. Kaana kept looking over towards the front door, worry was filling her. Daichi can feel his mother's stress and started to kick.
Kaana caressed her belly, trying to sooth her baby, but her worry didn't go away, "Garou's been gone for some time, now. Do you think something happened?"
"I'm sure everything's fine," Saya dismissed as she washed the dishes. Internally, though, Saya actually was worried. It was why she called Saitama. She had asked him to go to the dojo and ask around. She hadn't heard anything since the call.
Just then, like clockwork, Saya's phone started to ring. Saya wiped her hands dry quickly and answered, "Hello?"
"Hey, Saya. Um...something happened," Saitama was standing in the hallway of the city hospital, "Can you guys get over here? I'm at the City X Hospital. Garou got pretty banged up."
Saya paled at this, but answered calmly as to not alarm Kaana, "Um, okay. We'll see you then."
Saya hung up and looked over her shoulder, only to find that Kaana was staring back, "Who was that?" she questioned.
Saya paused, then finally said, "Saitama. Garou's...in the hospital."
~
Saitama put his phone away when he heard the doctor, "Mr. Saitama, the patient is awake."
"Oh, good," Saitama walked with the doctor, "So, what's the damage?"
The older looking doctor looked at his chart, "Well, with all the blood, we thought it was much worse, but it wasn't. Just a lot of gashes and a head injury. A couple of broken ribs, but all in all, he should make a fast recovery. May I ask what happened?"
"I'm not sure, myself," Saitama stated, but that was a lie. Heading into the room, Garou was lying in the hospital bed, completely alert, most of his torso and arms wrapped up and gauze around his head. He noticed Saitama walking in with the doctor, "Where's the kid..?" his voice was soft from the mild grogginess.
"The child's mother has been notified with the number he gave to us. He's in the hall with security," the doctor walked over, "Now, how are you feeling?"
"I've been worse," Garou answered nonchalantly. The doctor just stared, then just chuckled awkwardly, "Well, it's good that you're awake. I'm assuming that you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, then."
"You could say that," Garou really didn't want to go into detail, and quite frankly, he just wanted the doctor to leave. The old man was now uncomfortable, but kept a professional smile, "Well, the call button is right beside your bed if you need anything. I'll be back shortly," with that, he scurried out of the room. This left Saitama and Garou in an uncomfortable silence.
Saitama wasn't really picking up on the vibe, of course, as he went to sit in the chair, "So, that kid told me that crazy dude dropped a ton of support beams on your head. That must've sucked."
"Why are you here?" Garou countered his comment with a question.
Saitama replied, "Saya called and asked me to snoop around a bit. I went to Bang and he told me where you went. I didn't think I'd find you in the state you were in."
"So, you brought me to this dump? How am I going to explain this to Kaana?" Garou snapped at him, but was too tired to exert anymore anger.
Saitama kind of went quiet, a sweat drop appearing on his forehead. He rubbed the back of his head, "Uh, I think she already knows. I called Saya a while ago and they're on their way."
Garou's eyes widen and he groaned, holding his hand against his eyes and lying back on the pillows, "She's going to fucking kill me."
"Sorry."
~
A little while after that, police were actually there as Saya and Kaana made their way into the hospital.
"What's going on?" Kaana noticed the police speaking with a doctor and with the security guards. With the security guards was familiar face, "Itachi?"
"You know that kid?" Saya wondered.
Kaana looked at her older sister, "He was Garou's former student. His father used to bully Garou when they were kids," Kaana stopped as her mind then pieced it together and her eyes widened with sudden realization. If Itachi was also here, then that meant one thing, "So, that's what this was all about. Tatsu must've done this. Why didn't Garou say anything?"
"What?" Saya was confused. Kaana ignored the question and asked the receptionist where Garou was. After a little of back and forth, Kaana started making her way to where Garou's room was. Upon entering, Saitama had looked over his shoulder and Garou grown very quiet when he saw her.
Kaana didn't know what to make of this. Garou was wrapped up in bandages, police were here and Saitama was with him. Just what the hell did he do?!
Kaana walked inside, making a beeline straight to Garou, who sat up, "Kaana--"
"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Kaana shouted at him, "You didn't come home and Saya tells me you're in the hospital?! Why are police here?! What did you do?!"
"I didn't do shit! Will you stop screeching at me, so I can fucking explain?!" Garou shouted back at her, despite the sharp pain of his ribs with every deep breath he took. Kaana, still fuming, plopped herself on the bedside and crossed her arms, "Well?! I'm waiting!" she seethed.
"Tatsu trashed the dojo and he also kidnapped his kid to lure me out. I went to go get him and I wound up getting about two tons of metal beams dropped on me!" Garou explained, "Look, the last thing I need right now is you yelling at me!"
"Why didn't you say anything to me?! You had me worried sick!! What else have you been hiding?!" Kaana asked in an accusatory fashion.
Garou scowled and looked away from her, "Nothing important--"
"Garou, if it involves this situation, then it is important!! WILL YOU STOP HIDING THINGS FROM ME?!" the man froze as Kaana screamed at him, then tears started to form in her eyes and her voice broke, "When you lie to me, it makes me worry even more."
Garou blinked in bewilderment at how fast Kaana became upset. He became flustered as Kaana burst into tears, "I-I just wanted to keep you safe. Tatsu threatened to go after you after killing me, first. I didn't want you to stress yourself out over this."
Kaana held a hand to her face as she cried angrily, "And seeing you like this doesn't make it any better for me! Did you even think about what the outcome of this was going to be? Were you even going to tell me?"
"I..." Garou trailed off, now seeing what she was talking about. The whole time, Saitama, who had silently backed out to the doorway, was standing there with Saya. Garou was stuck, he didn't know how to console her, as he messed up really badly. He worried her a great deal, and she didn't deserve that.
"I...I have no excuse," Garou shook his head guiltily, Kaana tried to control her sobbing, "You're right. I shouldn't have kept this from you. Everything. I'm sorry, okay?"
Kaana wiped at her tears, "Don't hide anything from me, you idiot. Okay?" she snivelled.
Garou said nothing and grabbed her free hand, squeezing it reassuringly. After calming down, Kaana finally took in his condition, "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice small.
Garou gave a light scoff to hopefully break the tension, "I've been through worse. Nothing major is broken."
Kaana gave a small smile in relief, "Good. At least, you're alive."
"Trust me, it'd take a lot to kill me," Garou smirked at her, then winced when one of his broken ribs shifted, he grabbed at his side, "Breathing's a bitch, though."
Kaana gave a light hearted smile, then placed a hand on his shoulder, coaxing him to lie back down, "Try not to move too much, okay?"
Garou obliged to her request, lying back down with a grimace, "Yeah."
Saya and Saitama exchanged looks before looking back at the other two, "They're an...odd couple," Saitama said.
"So are we," Saya shrugged. Saitama couldn't dispute that.
"Excuse me?" the two heroes turned around in the doorway. Standing there was a woman they've never met before with the child from earlier, "Is Garou inside?"
"Who's asking?" Saitama asked.
"I'm Itachi's mother. I was informed of what happened. Are you the hero that stopped Tatsu?" she asked the baldy.
Saitama looked mildly confused, "That guy that pulled a knife on the kid? Yeah, I stopped him. Garou was nearly crushed saving your kid. Your family's crazy, lady."
Saya punched Saitama in the shoulder, "Don't be so rude," she scolded as Saitama rubbed his shoulder.
"No, it's alright. Tatsu has always...I've seen him losing his mind for a long time, now. That's why I'm filing for custody of our son as our divorce goes through. Is it alright if I speak to Garou?"
"Um, sure, I guess," Saitama stepped to the side, allowing Itachi and his mother to step inside. Garou was speaking animatedly with Kaana when he noticed someone out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head towards the door, he saw that it was Itachi and his mother. Kaana's gaze followed his and saw them, as well and immediately became apprehensive with their presence.
"Why are they here?" Kaana asked, still eyeing the two cautiously.
"I came here to thank Garou. If it weren't for him, my son would've been killed and Tatsu wouldn't be locked up," Itachi's mother then bowed, "I'm sorry that you two had to go through this. I know what Tatsu did is unforgivable, but my son was just a victim in this."
Itachi, who looked to be on the verge of tears this whole time, stepped up and bowed, as well, "I'm sorry for everything I said and did! My dad was wrong about you! You aren't a monster, at all! You almost died because of me! I'm sorry, Master Garou!"
Garou was silent as these two people were thanking and apologizing to them.
"I know our words aren't enough, but at least let me pay for the hospital bills," she insisted, now looking up at them, "It isn't much, but--"
"None of this was your fault," Garou spoke, silencing the two for a moment, "Tatsu was the one to blame in this. You two were just along for the ride. Itachi."
Itachi shot up to attention at Garou's tone, "Let this be a lesson. Not everyone has your best interest in mind, so you need to choose your peers carefully. With that being said, you also need to step up. As the man of the house, you need to look after your mother, now. Can you do that?"
"Yes! I will!" Itachi nodded earnestly.
Itachi's mother gave a watery smile, relieved and grateful, "Thank you so much, for saving my son."
Garou simply gave a nod and with that, Itachi's mother grasped his hand and they went to leave.
Saitama and Saya stayed for awhile after, until it got too late. They took Kaana home, as well. This left Garou to his thoughts, until he fell into a light sleep.
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Kaana returned to the hospital the next morning, some home cooked food in a bag. The door to the room was open, so she just peered inside, lightly knocking at the doorframe.
Garou, who was awake and staring out the window, turned his head towards the door, "Hey."
"Hey," Kaana smiled as she walked inside, taking a seat on the bed, "You look a lot better today."
She took notice that most of the bandages were gone, his wounds healed, as well as the gash on his head.
Garou gave that cocky smirk, "Of course, I'm better. I ain't a slow healer."
"And the ribs?" Kaana inquired.
Garou simply replied with, "Only bruised, now. Can't tell you how freaked the doc was when he looked me over. They'll let me go in a couple days because of this."
"That's good. It was nice that Itachi's mother was nice enough to pay the hospital bills, so we don't have to worry about that," Kaana then reached into the bag, "By the way, I brought you some food from home. I figured you'd want this instead of the hospital food."
Kaana handed him a container filled with sushi and assorted cooked meat. They ate quietly, just enjoying the silence. Kaana was eating her vegetables and meat, as she couldn't have fish. After finishing, Kaana noticed that Garou had grown very quiet, looking away and out the window again.
"Garou?" Kaana called to him.
Garou, without looking her way just muttered in wonder, "How can a man disregard his own son's life like that?" he said with disgust.
Kaana frowned, knowing that Garou was indignant to this cruel and horrible turnout for Itachi. No child should have to go through such trauma.
Garou turned to look at Kaana, "I tried to kill him. Tatsu, I mean."
Kaana's eyes widened a fraction at this admission, but showed no other signs of shock.
"Maybe I--" Garou couldn't finish his thoughts when Kaana grabbed his hand. He looked from down at this, then back at Kaana.
"Stop it," Kaana spoke calmly, but pointedly, "Even though that may be the case, you're still a better man than he'll ever be. You were only protecting Itachi."
Garou wanted to be comforted by her words, but he found her dismissal of the issue irritating. How can she just dismiss that he used to be a horrible person?
"I just told you I almost killed someone, how are you not disgusted?" Garou questioned.
Kaana gazed intensely at him, "Because I've seen far worse in people, Garou. I know how horrible and selfish people can be. Some can be redeemable, some can't. Tatsu was a monster, who couldn't let go of what he once had. He hurt others because he gained something from it. I know you feel horrible for stooping that low, but you didn't kill him. You saved someone, Garou. That's speaks more to me than you know. You have morals and a good heart, which no one can ever change in you."
Garou stared back at her, his expression was calm, but his gaze held a lot of emotion behind them. He really didn't know what to say to her words. She saw so much in him that he still doesn't see in himself. Garou always had to put on an act in front of the world, but Kaana saw right through it. He knew he was still trying to overcome such thoughts, and he was thankful to have Kaana as his anchor.
His gaze traveled to her belly and his eyes softened. The fact that she even wanted to have his children as well, it felt like so much than he deserved. Still, here she was; reminding him of who he is, making him a better person. Even carrying his son that was due in less than two months. No one else can do this and not crack under the pressure of dealing with his problems. Kaana was the only one.
"…Thanks," was all he could think to say. However, there was more to that thanks than Kaana knew.
Kaana smiled, "I'll always be here," and leaned in, kissing him softly on the lips. This warmth, this happiness; Garou was never going to let that slip away. Never. Even with the mistakes he made, he had to remember: that's what makes people human.
That's what made him human.