Toman's Black Cat

Y/n's POV

When the knives came out, I already expected it, but decided to take a different approach.

I must approach everyone differently. There are times to fight, but lately I'm getting the sense that there are other things that are needed more.

I turned toward Hanma as he held a blade to Takemitchy's throat and reached my hand out to place it over the one he was using to hold the knife.

I don't want to feel myself die again.

"Please don't hurt Takemitchy." It came out as a plea even though I meant to sound more confident.

But, even more than that, I don't want anyone else to hurt alone. How many people hurt in my own world and also chose to hurt others because of it? It's no excuse, but I want to try to understand at least a little more…

The act seemed to make him extremely nervous, but I refused to break eye contact with him, glare, or even pull away. He shrugged as if he was annoyed and pulled back. I smiled at him in appreciation.

"Thank you, Shuji."

Every time I say his name, he looks…uncomfortable.

Things progressed as they had to, and Chifuyu looked like he was ready to kill someone even though we are supposedly working together. The whole time they talked, Hanma eyed me suspiciously, but made no effort to hide that he was doing so, most likely in an effort to scare me. Kisaki looked way less than pleased to see I wouldn't be going away when an agreement was reached.

Once a few things were sorted out, we all made our way to meet the mole Kisaki told us about, but before going into the building, Hanma hung back and motioned for me to do so as well.

I stopped to go talk with him and was immediately stopped by Chifuyu's hand grabbing my wrist. "You can't trust him." He hissed. Even still, I know he was more afraid than anything else.

"Don't worry, Chifu. I'll be okay." I said with a smile before continuing my walk to Hanma.

What am I doing? What am I doing?

I couldn't help but repeat this to myself all the way till I stood in front of him. It seemed comical to even acknowledge that he is so freaking annoyingly tall as I stood before him, likely to be threatened.

He didn't immediately say anything, just glared into my soul. He suddenly let out a haunting chuckle. "You think flirting with me is gonna get you anywhere? I can show you what it'll get you, if you want babe."

I looked toward the others who were waiting on us to catch up before seeing the mole before fixing my gaze on Hanma again.

"Shuji…I hate the things you're doing." I spoke soft enough to where only he'd be able to hear me. I looked back into his eyes. "Everyone has pain they deal with. You either deal with it, or you spread that pain with anyone and everyone around you."

His face fell a little as he continued to stare at me like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You think you know me or something, little girl?" He stalked closer to me practically shoving his face within inches of mine, but I didn't flinch or back down. "Maybe I can remind you of the things I've done to you so far…" As he spoke, he began tracing his "Sin" hand down the side of my face and stopped at my neck like he was going to choke me.

"I could have fun with you for real this time if you want." He made no effort to hide how he looked at me from top to bottom. "I can help both of us know each other a lot better." he added with a smirk.

Breathe.

"I don't know you at all, Shuji. That doesn't change the fact that I'm not going to share my pain. I'm going to use it to help people around me." He let out a bitter laugh.

"You gonna use your pain to help your friends? Is this your way of threatening me? You gonna tell me what you'll do to your enemies now?" His hand wrapped a little tighter around my throat, but I smiled in response.

I didn't look away from him the entire time. "I said I would use my pain to help people around me. I could be wrong,"I gently placed my hand on his and moved it away before continuing, "but you're a people, right Shuji?" I gave a sad smile before going back to Chifuyu.

Chifuyu immediately asked what happened. "Why was he touching you? Was he threatening you? I'm gonna kill'em." I grabbed his arm and smiled at him. He looked embarrassed. "Why are you smiling at me?"

"Because I see that you care and it means everything to me." I replied.

Hanma stalked past us. "Let's go idiots."