Chapter Text
It’s been around seven full cycles since Aiizwa and Ka’tzuki broke out of the illegal zoo ship with two new acquisitions.
Ka’tzuki acts as Izuu’kkuu’s keeper, even though Izuu’kkuu can speak some Basic. The other was always at the human’s side. It was well established that if you needed one, you need only find the other and you’ll find the one nearby. They were nearly attached at the hip.
Izuu’kkuu was for once not near Ka’tzuki . The human had babbled and gesticulated something that Ka’tzuki still didn’t quite get, but he understood the gist of it. Maybe it was for the best that he let Dek’ū out of his sight every now and again. Not to mention he was still enrolled in his studies that had been put on hold up until now.
He and his squadron had been given a mission to check on a power spike that UA had decoded a few light years away. This was supposed to be an easy mission, one for Ka’tzuki to get back on his feet and reacquaint himself with his knowledge that might’ve been lost while captured, albeit shortly.
It was J’iir-o who was in charge of the mission briefing, she flipped through the hologram and brought up the details with ease before explaining just what it was exactly that they were looking at.
“We’ve been notified that there was a spike of fuel around the sector within the Galaxy in the furthest territory. Some sort of spat we believe.”
“No that’s too high of a level to be a normal fight between gangs.” Ka’minarri cut in, almost incredulously.
J’iir-o twisted her long ears between her digits, almost pensive with the way she looked over the map again. “See here how the power flags before spiking nearly thrice gold, as though two other beings came from nowhere in seconds. A near impossible feat, unless it’s organized crime, they’re the only other entities with that technology.”
“It’s impossible. What you’re implying.” Serro drawled from where he was hanging above them. “There’s no way they were able to move that fast, over that extreme of a distance.”
“Not fully. There were the Teleporter tribes that were once rampant. Perhaps one of them is in league with whomever began this.” J’iir-o shot back.
“Maybe. It’s just odd to me that this is occurring here. They’re brave enough to do this in HPSC owned territories. Who knows what they do in the dead land clusters that aren’t within our sphere of influence.”
“Think it has to do with the human Aiizwa returned with?”
“Nah, that would result in more gangs moving within our routes but we’ve not come across any since stain. News hasn’t spread, and let’s keep it that way. We have a rouge asset that cannot be easily controlled, from what we can tell.”
J’iir-o huffed before closing out the hologram. “I’ve got a session with Momo, we can continue this later.”
The rest of the group gave their assent and spread around the room, no longer needing to huddle around the briefing map. A few lingered nearby it, some fiddling with a few of the buttons or going over the routes and systems they would pass through.
Ka’tzuki was overlooking their designated refueling station when he heard the door to the conference room whoosh open.
Dek’ū stumbled into the room, his face pinched into a sour look that Ka’tzuki had learnt meant only the worst for him. He groaned and tried to shoo Dek’ū out, of course, his little human didn’t care to listen to him. Instead of leaving Dek’ū plodded closer, his footsteps loud and echoing. Ka’tzuki was always secretly amazed by the amount of noise Dek’ū decided to make.
Humans are extremely contrarian, something Ka’tzuki is dealing with while his teachers get to relax. How was it that he ended up being its main caretaker. What tomashit. He’d never admit that he demanded to be Dek’ū’s main caretaker until they got home.
“Dek’ū,” Ka’tzuki grumbled but didn’t stop the other from coming close and wrapping around him.
Another thing he and Aiizwa had learned about humans. They’re almost disgustingly tactile. Eri, the poor thing, thrived with Dek’ū’s tactility. It took the return ride home for Ka’tzuki and Aiizwa to get used to the humans touches.
“Kacchan!” Dek’ū whined, his voice high and reedy. “I wanna spar.” He fixed Ka’tzuki with a larger than normal look, his face pulled into what could only be called a pout.
Ka’tzuki flared the thick frills on his neck and bared his teeth at the snickers of his crew around him. Ðenkki’s cackles were the loudest so he spat a thick glob of nitroglycerin at the walking ball of technical nightmares.
Dek’ū tugged at his forearm with a whine, and to the hoots and hollers of his classmates Ka’tzuki found himself powerless to disobey.
Which is how he found himself puttering over the idiotic human like (a mother hen), squawking his horror at the, in Dek’ū’s opinion which is never to be taken seriously, minor wound.
“I’m fine, let’s try again.” Dek’ū tried to settle into a stance once more, but Ka’tzuki rattled his scales and shook his head.
You’re not fine! You’re you’re bleeding and hurt. Go see Shuzenji or stars forbid it I will drag you there myself.” He pointed to the door
I don’t need to see her, I’m perfectly fine!” Dek’ū stomped his foot and Ka’tzuki glowered at him.
“Jeez, never seen bakubro actually care for someone.” Kirrishim’ma’s voice cut through the tense stare down.
“I bet he’s got a crush on it.” Ka’minarri whispered loudly.
Sharp red eyes focused on Ka’minarri with deadly efficiency. “Say that again and I’ll break your tusks and shove them through your ports.” Ka’tzuki snarled.
“Sorry, sorry. So touchy.” Ðenkki backed away, using Serro as a shield in case Ka’tzuki decided to go after him.
“Don’t mind him Ka’minarri
, he just wants to look cool in front of his mate.” Tapeface laughed.
Dek’ū’s brows were furrowed, something Ka’tzuki had learnt, from Dek’ū, humans did that when deep in thought.
“What’d they say?” His head tilted to the side. His basic was still clunky and he had issues following fast conversations or heavy dialects.
“Nothing important. Now let’s go. We’re done here for today.” He hauled Dek’ū up and began the walk to the recovery ward. Much to the amusement of those traitors he called his friends. He’d get them back for this eventually. The thought being the only thing holding him back from attacking the group of idiots. That and having to physically haul his human to the medical ward.
“But Kacchan you said you’d help me with my language skills.” Dek’ū whined. He didn’t bother fighting against Ka’tzuki’s grip. Despite the other holding him akin to a disobedient cub. Ka’tzuki would’ve thrown a fit if someone, even his friends, tried to hold him like this. Dek’ū didn’t even bat an eye when he did it on accident the first time. With no complaints, it was a habit he built. Whenever Dek’ū was being difficult Ka’tzuki would carry him to whatever appointment he was due for.
Turns out that Shuzenji was very interested in having a live human specimen. A placid one was a goldmine of information.
“I’d rather let Iida and yaoyorozu teach you before letting those idiots poison your thoughts.” He growled.
It was true though the other students had little experience with teaching or learning other languages. Most knew their home-world’s primary language and the HPSC verified language used by all HEROes and HERO-hopefuls.
All of this to say; Dek’ū could learn a much better way.
“Here, we’re here.” He dropped Dek’ū and the human landed with a muffled ‘oof’, not even bothering to land on his feet. Ka’tzuki still had a tough time remembering that humans were one of the most dangerous sentients with Dek’ū acting like he didn’t break out of a highly secured ship half starved. “I’ll go hunt down the hag to come and check on you.”
Dek’ū made an odd huffing sound but folded his plantigrade legs beneath him nonetheless. Ka’tzuki nodded, happy that the human had noted the fruitfulness of fighting and went to find their doctor.
As he left, the door closing behind him with a soft whoosh, all he could think of was the thought of walking like that had his spine itching. The entirety of his feet touching the ground was impossible while he was in movement– Ka’tzuki hadn’t even known it was possible as he’d never seen plantigrade in all other species he’s seen.
As he searched for Shuzenji he had the urge to attempt to walk with his entire foot on the ground, not just his toes. Though he quashed the urge down. He’d try it later in the privacy of his dormitory. Not while he could be seen.
It took a few more empty rooms before he found her checking over a few of his classmates
“Welcome back B’aakūgou, we’d heard of you and Aiizwa being brought back with some extra cargo.”
J’iir-o snorted as they wrapped their elongated ears around their finger. “Though I’d hardly call a human something as inconspicuous as extra cargo, yknow?”
“I’m sure there’s a reason for the language nezu-sensei used when addressing the news.”Yaoyorozu cut in. “It is good to have you back B’aakūgou. The class was left floundering without your leadership.”
By class he knew that she meant the students that had chosen to follow him, his own little squadron that had grown until it was a little under half of the students within the class. He wouldn’t admit it but he felt pride on hearing that they needed him. That he wasn’t just a figurehead role or that they followed him for some stupid reason.
“Thanks,” He grunted, “have you seen Shuzenji? Dek’ū needs to be seen. He’s injured after our spar.” He tacked on at the shocked looks he received in response.
“She’s just down the hall. Should be in her office I believe. You just missed her.” Momo, ever the helpful one responded while J’iir-o attempted to imagine fighting a human.
“Thanks.” He grunted again and left the two to their business.
“I wonder what it’s like,” J’iir-o hummed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen more than a diagram of a human before and to think now we have one in our midst.”
Momo nodded, quiet and in thought, her eyes following the retreating forms of her classmate and the human that followed.
“I just don’t think this is the right time for this mission,” she murmured to Jirou, “Ka’tzuki and the human are attached and I doubt UA would allow the human to leave the main freighter without reason, much less allow it to take on missions.”
J’iir-o bobbed her head in agreement but said nothing. She had her own reservations, but hearing some of the mirrored helped to soothe her own misgivings a smidge.
———
Izuku pouted from the cot he had climbed onto after Kacchan had left. The ornery reptilid had barked at him, and he could vaguely recognize what he was being told to do.
It wasn’t even a big wound! Just a minor scrape, human skin was fragile compared to the rough edges of sentient reptile scales. He hadn’t even realized he’d been hurt until Kacchan began squawking in alarm and gesturing to the minor cut. It had already begun coagulating by the time they’d made it to the medical ward!
Izuku grumbled and glared at the scratch on his arm. The blood was thick and barely dripped past the open folds of his skin. It was no longer a deep crimson instead it was a thick coppery green that oozed slower than sap. It was barely anything to get concerned over, especially after what he’d been through.
But, Kacchan was just as headstrong so Izuku conceded and waited for his friend to find the resident doctor. Even if he wasn’t too fond of her poking and prodding, he’d endure it for Kacchan.