Sept 7: Cold Feet

[Toshiro Narumi]

Don't do this to me bro, please.

Tosh ignored Bruce as he knocked on Miss Kinney's door, incredibly nervous about what he was going to say.

[Laura Kinney]

There's an audible groan from inside. Apaprently X-23 has yet to get used to people actually coming to see her in her office.

"Come on in."

[Toshiro Narumi]

He came in with obvious hesitation, not even looking her in the eyes.

[Laura Kinney]

"Despite what the rumors might say, I don't actually bite." she says.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I..."

He straightened up a little, but still doesn't look at her.

"I don't... think I can do this."

[Laura Kinney]

"This being the teams?" she masterfully deduces.

[Toshiro Narumi]

He nodded guiltily.

[Laura Kinney]

"And you want to call it quits because..."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Because on my first day I failed to make sure the criminal I knocked out actually was, got flung into a teammate, got myself shot, and if anything happens to Sam it's my fault because trading her was my idea. I'm a liability, even shifted."

[Laura Kinney]

"We all mess up. It was your first time out, yeah?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"...yeah..."

[Laura Kinney]

And you drove off a group of villains before they could grab any money, took one of them captive and managed to infiltrate their group. You're worried about Morrigan and that's good, but she wouldn't have done it if she didn't think she could handle it. You did well. You even got shot and you didn't just lie down to catch your breath. That earns you a lot of respect in my eyes, kid."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"But... I could just as easily have been hit just right and died. Besides..." he sighed, "My parents are gonna freak and force me out anyway."

[Laura Kinney]

"I'm not gonna bullshit you, this stuff can get dangerous. But would you rather somebody else on your team have gotten shot? Because that's probably what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I... hadn't thought of it like that," he admitted.

[Laura Kinney]

"And that's true for all of you. If you don't go out there then people will get hurt. Regular people who can't take a bullet and walk it off, people who'll get fried if some asshole mutant takes it too far. No one can expect you to do it but don't bow out because you think getting hurt means you failed somehow. Getting hurt is half of what I do and the other half is bouncing back from it."

[Toshiro Narumi]

See, bro? The lady gets it.

"I just... just don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."

[Laura Kinney]

"Then get hurt for them. Be there so no one else has to take the hit."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"But other me isn't bulletproof and doesn't regenerate either..." he argued, though his resolve to quit has obviously withered on the vine.

[Laura Kinney]

"Look, I can't make that decision for you. If you don't want to get hurt then leave. If you don't want to endanger your teammates then stay. I know it's not an easy call to make."

[Toshiro Narumi]

Believe in the Tosh that I have faith in.

Okay, okay. Dork.

Well I am you, bro.

It was faint, but there was a distinct glimmer of bravery in his eyes as he finally met hers.

"I'm staying."

[Laura Kinney]

"I'm glad to hear that. Did they get you patched up alright?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Yeah. Barely a wound to treat when I shifted back."

[Laura Kinney]

"Good, I'm glad to hear that."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Thank goodness for thick monster skin."

[Laura Kinney]

"Oh and Tosh? It gets easier."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"My other half keeps insisting the same thing," he smiled.

[Laura Kinney]

"Then listen to him." she smirks. "That all?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Yeah. Thanks for snapping me out of the pity party."

[Laura Kinney]

"Hey, tough love I can do."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Self-esteem is something I need to work on. Have a nice day Miss Kinney."