I won't succumb to this world's perception of you 

They could be right and I could be wrong 

But whichever way you decide to go 

I'll be with you till our bodies turn cold 

Following Kato’s declaration as a shadow and a wanted criminal, the Hunter Force Association (HFA) began investigating his background. They uncovered a potential link between Kato's father and the long-extinct Hamorabi Clan. 

The HFA had previously examined Kato's father when he married Kato’s mother, Korra, but found no evidence linking him to shadows. 

However, after Kato’s recent actions, they suspected that Kato’s father had concealed his true nature.

With Korra in a coma and unable to provide information, the HFA turned to Kato’s acquaintances, including Takimo. During his interrogation, Takimo faced harsh questioning. 

Hunter: So you're Takimo Zenoshi??

Takimo: Yes Sir 

Hunter: So according to the reports and investigations we carried out, it says you're Kato Hamura's best friend. Is that true? 

Takimo: Yes sir. Its true 

Hunter: And you're a lighter?? What's your ability?

Takimo: Fire Manipulation sir 

Hunter: (gives him a suspicious look which makes Takimo feel uncomfortable) So you're friends with Kato Hamura so that must mean that you knew he was a shadow the whole time didn't you?

Takimo: NO!! You got it all wrong. Kato’s not a shadow. He’s not someone who would hurt anyone.

Hunter: Are you dumb kid? He was seen in his true form with some other shadows and he even attacked a Level 1 Hunter 

Takimo: There's no way that's true. I've known Kato since we were kids. If he was a shadow, I would have been able to sense it the moment we met. I'm lighter as well so.....

Hunters: Listen kid, shadows have a way of suppressing their shadow energy and aura in a way that's almost undetectable. It's obvious that your friend did the same thing to fool you. Also we investigated his family and found out that he's actually from an ancient shadow Clan that had been extinct for over 500 years. 

Takimo: (in shock) There's no way. There has to be some kind of mistake.......

Hunter: So you mean to tell me that you know nothing about Kato or what he was planning??????

Takimo: Kato wasn’t planning anything evil. He’s not like that.

Hunter: For all we know, you could be in on what he's planning and you're just trying to cover up for him. Did he kidnap any of your loved ones and threaten you to cover up for him????

Takimo: My parents are dead and I don't have anyone close to me other than Kato. So no I'm not covering up for him or anything

Jason suddenly enters the interrogation room to watch the questioning progress go on. 

Hunter: Your parents are dead huh? Don't you think his kind is responsible for their deaths??? 

Takimo: (annoyed) THEY DIED IN A PLANE CRASH SO DON'T TRY AND PIN EVERYTHING ON KATO!!!!!!!!! 

Jason: (taps the Hunter on the shoulder) That's enough. If the kid says he doesn't know then he doesn't know and don't try and pry into his personal life. He's just a kid who still doesn't get how the world works.

Hunter: (grumbles) Yes sir

Jason: If you don't have any questions left for him, I'll take him out. 

Jason led Takimo out of the interrogation room and took him outside. 

He did not say anything to Takimo at first but then he wondered why Takimo would go so far to say that Kato wasn't an evil person even when it's confirmed that he was a shadow. 

Jason: Why are you so determined to defend Kato, even with the evidence against him?

Takimo: (visualizing his past with Kato) "Since my parents died, Kato and his family have been like my own. Kato’s been my best friend for years. I know him. He wouldn’t do anything to harm anyone.”

Jason: (scoffs and begins to walk away) Forget about him kid. I've fought a lot of Shadows since I joined the HFA and shadows don't care about anyone but themselves. Forget about Kato Hamura if you know what's good for you......(leaves) 

Takimo began to walk home on his own as it begins to rain but he didn't mind because he could use his fire ability to keep his body warm. 

Many thoughts began to flow into his head as he walked back home.

**************************************

September 10th 2012

Nine year old Takimo was on his way home from school when a group of three boys ganged up and started bullying him. 

Bully 1: Look at his funny looking hair! Who has orange hair anyway???? So ugly 

Bully 2: Bet you're a lighter ain't you? Or you don't have powers?

Bully 3: Useless (all three of them laugh) 

Takimo: (feeling uncomfortable) Leave Me alone!!

Bully 1: Huh???? I don't want to. What are you gonna do? Use your lighter power on me????

Bully 2: Or why don't you call your mummy or daddy?

Bully 3: No wait. He doesn't have a mom or dad. 

Bully 2: For real??? Then there's no one to protect you (they all laugh)

Takimo: (gets angry) Don't talk about my mom and dad like that!!!!! 

Takimo tried to fight all of them at once without using his fire because he was scared that he'd burn them, but this of course doesn't favor him because Takimo was not good at fighting at that age so he got beaten up by the bullies.

 All Takimo could do when he realized that he couldn't beat them was to curl himself like a ball while the bullies stomped on him and dirtied his clothes. 

Then all of a sudden, Eight year old Kato appears. 

(Kato turns nine on December 1st 2012) 

Kato: Stop it. That isn't right.

Bully 1: Huh?? What are you gonna do if I don't stop????

Kato: (poses like he wants to fight)

Bully 2: Looks like he's ready to go (clenches his fists)

Bully 3: Idiot. He should have ignored us and kept walking

The three bullies ganged up and beat up Kato till he had a black eye on his right eye side and had broken his left arm. 

Luckily they weren't too far from the school so Takimo was able to run and get help from the teachers who came and stopped the bullying. 

Kato was taken to the school's hospital where he was treated and Takimo stayed with him while the nurse tried to reach Kato's mother. 

Kato's left arm was so bad that he had to wear a cast and bandage his right eye.

Takimo: (asks Kato) Why did you help me??

Kato: (sighs) We're similar in many ways. I heard what happened to your parents. I'm sorry about that. My dad also left my mom a few years ago too. And I also noticed that you always looked sad and lonely and that's why those boys bullied you. I just felt like you don't have to be alone all the time and I wanted to be your friend but you always seemed sad and looked like you didn't want to talk to anyone and you always disappear the moment the school bell rings so it wasn't easy to meet you. So I finally found a chance to actually talk to you and be your friend. Although I wished it was under different circumstances.(looks at his left arm cast)

Takimo: (bursts into laughter) 

Kato: Huh? What's funny? 

Takimo: (still laughing) You're funny. I didn't think I needed anyone or that anyone cared about me at all. 

Kato: If it makes you better my mom can be your mom too.

Takimo: For real??

Kato: Yeah my mom wouldn't mind. And it also helps you not to feel alone again. 

Takimo: (smiles and stretches out his right hand for a handshake) I'm Takimo Zenoshi

Kato: (stretching out his hand to shake Takimo) I'm Kato Hamura. Nice to meet you too

Takimo: Yeah!!!!! 

Kato's mother, Korra Hamura then enters the school's hospital and sees Kato and begins to baby him. Kato then introduces his mom to Takimo 

*****************************************

 

Returning home, Takimo, drenched from the rain, put his clothes in the dryer and found a book he and Kato had written together. It held plans for their future, now overshadowed by Kato’s absence.

Takimo: Kato, Did you really lie to me? 

Two Weeks Later, On graduation day, Takimo stood alone, haunted by memories of his best friend and the uncertain future ahead.