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.

The HFA began to look into Kato's family, specifically his father. However, they found no record of him or any information on when he married Kato’s mother, Korra. He was a big mystery as he was now under suspicion of being a shadow since their investigation confirmed that Korra was a normal human before she was bitten. 

With Korra in a coma and unable to provide information, the HFA turned to Kato’s acquaintances and Takimo was called in for questioning. 

Takimo sat in the dimly lit interrogation room for what felt like an hour before a man with an overgrown beard walked into the room and sat across from him and placed the folders he held in his hands on the table between them. 

He gave Takimo a stern look which made him feel uneasy which was the Hunter's intention all along.

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 Clarion?? What's your ability?

Takimo: It's a fire ability sir. 

Hunter: Then where's your Clarion mark?

Takimo: It's on my back sir.

Hunter: Take off your shirt and let me see it then.

Takimo gave him a weird look which seemed to annoy the Hunter.

Hunter: It's just how things are done here,l kid. If you've got nothing to hide just do it. 

Takimo sighed and then stood up from his seat and removed the T-shirt he wore and turned around to reveal the big blue mark of a Phoenix on his back. 

Meanwhile, from across the one way glass, Jason Enderby stood and monitored everything as he watched Takimo put his shirt back on and take his seat.

Hunter: That wasn't so hard now, was it?

Takimo: No...

The Hunter saw the uncomfortable look on Takimo's face and smirked.

Hunter: 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 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 Clarion 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.

Kato's face flashed in Takimo's mind. 

Takimo: 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 his involvement with the shadows?

Takimo: Kato wasn’t involved in anything. 

Hunter: For all we know, you could be in on what he's planning and you're just trying to cover up for him. We just discovered that shadows and Clarions are working together and your friend was in the middle of all this.

Takimo's eyes widened.

Takimo: What?!

Hunter: Did he kidnap any of your loved ones and threaten you to cover up for him?

Takimo clenched his fists. 

Takimo: My parents are dead and I don't have anyone close to me other than Kato and his mom. So, I'm not covering up for him or anything.

Jason suddenly entered the interrogation room. 

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

This was the last straw for Takimo.

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

The Hunter was about to yell back but was stopped by Jason who tapped him on the shoulder.

Jason: That's enough. If the kid says he doesn't know, then he doesn't know and do not 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. 

The Hunter nodded and Jason led Takimo out of the interrogation room. 

As they walked toward the building’s exit, Jason couldn’t stop wondering why Takimo would go so far as to insist that Kato wasn’t an evil person, even after it had been confirmed that he was a Shadow. 

Jason: Why are you so determined to defend Kato Hamura?

Takimo sighed.

Takimo: 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. Isn't that enough reason to defend him? 

At this point, they got to the exit of the building and Jason opened the door for him. 

Jason: (scoffs) 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......

Takimo walked outside and Jason shut the door behind him. He took a deep breath and began to walk home. On the way, it began to rain but he didn't mind because he could use his fire ability to keep his body warm.

As he walked under the rain, many thoughts began to flow into his head, particularly the memory of how he first met Kato. 

*****

It was sometime in 2006. Nine year old Takimo was on his way home from school when a group of three boys ganged up, cornered him 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 Clarion ain't you? Don't have powers? Use them to defend yourself! 

Bully 3: Maybe he doesn't have any powers.

Bully 2: Then he's just a useless bum!!

They all began to laugh at Takimo who wasn't comfortable with the ongoing event. 

Takimo: Leave Me alone!!

Bully 1: Huh? I don't want to. What are you gonna do? Use your Clarion 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 laughed again and the mention of Takimo's parents changed his mood..

Takimo: Don't talk about my mom and dad like that!!

Takimo tried to fight all of them at once without using his fire. He was afraid he would burn them, but that hesitation put him at a huge disadvantage. At that age, Takimo simply was not good at fighting, and the bullies quickly overwhelmed him.

When he realized he could not win, the only thing he could do was curl into a ball. He shielded his head as best he could while their boots came down on him again and again, grinding dirt into his clothes and bruising his body.

Then all of a sudden, another kid appeared.

Kato: Stop it! It's not right to pick on someone! 

All the bullies turned to see an eight year old Kato standing behind them.

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

Kato posed his fists up. 

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 on Kato, beating him until his right eye was swollen into a black eye and his left arm was broken.

Luckily, they weren’t far from the school. Takimo ran as fast as he could to get help, and the teachers arrived in time to stop the attack.

Kato was taken to the school’s infirmary, where he was treated. Takimo stayed by his side while the nurse tried to reach Kato’s mother.

His left arm was badly injured, so it had to be put in a cast, and his right eye was wrapped in a bandage. But through it all, Kato still has a smile on his face which puzzled Takimo.

Takimo: Why did you help me?

Kato: 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 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 hearing this bursts into laughter leaving Kato confused.

Kato: Huh? What's funny? 

Takimo: 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 smiled and stretched out his right hand for a handshake

Takimo: I'm Takimo Zenoshi.

Kato stretched out his hand to shake Takimo 

Kato: I'm Kato Hamura. Nice to meet you. 

Takimo: Yeah!!!!! 

Korra Hamura rushed into the school infirmary. The moment she saw Kato, she pulled him into a tight hug and immediately began fussing over him. After a few embarrassed protests, Kato gently pulled back and introduced his mom to Takimo.

****

Returning home, Takimo soaked from the rain, tossed his clothes into the dryer and wandered into his room. On his desk lay an old notebook, its pages worn from years of use. It was the book he and Kato had written together.

Inside were dreams they once shared. Plans for the future. Everything they swore they would accomplish after high school.

Now, every word felt heavy.

Takimo closed the book, his hands trembling as Jason's words from earlier began to flash in his mind. 

"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..." 

Takimo: Kato...Did you really lie to me?

Two weeks later, on graduation day, Takimo stood alone.

Surrounded by laughter, caps in the air, and families cheering, he felt none of it. His mind was trapped in memories of his best friend and the future they were supposed to face together.

A future that now felt terrifyingly uncertain.