Work Text:
Chapter 1
Where the Leader Falters
The city was quieter than usual. Not silent never silent but softer. The usual hum of distant cars and flickering lights blended into the night like a lullaby. High above it all, perched on the edge of a familiar rooftop, Catboy sat with his legs dangling over the side. His tail swayed slowly behind him, not with excitement but thought. That was rare.
Usually, Catboy was moving, talking, planning leading. But tonight, he just sat. And thought. "Great job, Catboy," he muttered under his breath, his voice flat. "Real amazing." The words were supposed to sound confident. They always did. He'd said them a hundred times before I'm the great, amazing Catboy! like a hero announcing himself to the world. But now? Now they just sounded wrong. His ears flicked back.
Tonight's mission replayed in his head whether he wanted it to or not. Too many voices. Too many people. Too many directions. "Power Heroes, split up!" he had said. It sounded right at the time. Leaders made decisions. Leaders gave orders. But then someone went the wrong way. Someone else didn't hear him. Another got stuck dealing with something they weren't supposed to handle. Everything had fallen apart so fast. And worst of all? It was his fault.
Catboy exhaled slowly, resting his elbows on his knees and burying his face in his hands. "I'm supposed to be the leader," he mumbled. "So why can't I get it right?" The wind picked up slightly, brushing against his suit, ruffling the fur around his ears. Normally, he liked that feeling. It made him feel fast. Free. Tonight, it just felt empty.
"You're awfully quiet for someone so 'great and amazing.'"Catboy froze. That voice. Slowly, he lifted his head. Standing a few feet behind him, arms crossed and posture as relaxed as ever, was Night Ninja. Of course.
"Night Ninja," Catboy sighed, not even turning all the way around. "What do you want?" Night Ninja didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer—quiet, careful. Not sneaky in a threatening way, just observant. He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as he looked Catboy over. That was new. "What?"Catboy asked, a little sharper than he meant to. Still no answer. Night Ninja just kept looking at him. Not smirking. Not laughing. Just watching. And for some reason, that made Catboy more uncomfortable than any usual taunt. "Why aren't you saying anything?" Catboy added.
Night Ninja finally moved. Without a word, he walked over and unexpectedly sat down beside him. Catboy blinked. "Okay, that's new." For a moment, neither of them spoke. The city stretched out in front of them, lights blinking in the distance. Somewhere far below, a car passed by. The world kept moving. But up here? Everything felt paused.
Night Ninja rested his arms on his knees, leaning forward slightly. "So," he said at last, his voice quieter than usual, "why isn't the great, amazing Kittyboy out there with his team?" Catboy flinched slightly at the words. Normally, that kind of teasing would've earned an immediate comeback something quick and confident. But this time… "I messed up," he said. The words slipped out before he could stop them. Night Ninja blinked. That wasn't the response he expected.
Catboy stared straight ahead, jaw tightening. "I gave the wrong orders. Everyone got split up. Things went wrong." He swallowed. "Again." Silence. "I'm supposed to lead them," Catboy continued, quieter now, "but every time the team gets bigger, it's like I just lose control." He let out a small, frustrated laugh. "Some 'amazing' leader, right?" Night Ninja didn't laugh. Didn't interrupt. Didn't even make a snarky comment. He just listened.
"So what?" he said finally. Catboy turned to him, confused. "So what?" Night Ninja shrugged. "I deal with the Ninjalinos all the time," he said, gesturing vaguely. "There's more of them than your team. And they don't listen either." Catboy blinked again. "Wait, really?" Night Ninja scoffed. "They trip over nothing. Run into walls. Forget plans." He rolled his eyes. "Half the time, I don't even know what they're doing." For a second, there was a pause. Then Catboy smiled. Just a little. "Okay, yeah, that sounds about right," he admitted. Night Ninja let out a short laugh. "See? You're not special."
The moment softened, just slightly. Then, like flipping a switch, Night Ninja straightened and smirked. "But don't get used to it,"he added. "You're still annoying." "There it is," Catboy muttered, rolling his eyes but there was no real bite to it. Night Ninja stood, brushing himself off before glancing down at him. Then he held out a hand. Catboy stared at it. "What?" "Get up," Night Ninja said. "Why?" Instead of answering, Night Ninja suddenly leaned forward and tapped Catboy on the shoulder. "Tag."
Catboy blinked. Night Ninja grinned. Then he bolted. "Hey—!"Catboy scrambled to his feet. "Wait—what?!" Night Ninja leapt across the rooftop, landing lightly before glancing back. "Well?"he called. "Where's that leader that always ruins the fun? Come catch me!" Catboy stood there for half a second, completely confused. Then he laughed. Actually laughed. "Oh, you are SO asking for it!" he shouted, taking off after him.
The rooftops blurred beneath their feet. Night Ninja darted left, then right, leaping gaps with ease. Catboy followed, his movements faster, sharper more natural. "Too slow!" Night Ninja called. "Oh yeah?" Catboy smirked. "Let's fix that. Super Cat Speed!" In a flash, he surged forward and disappeared from sight. Night Ninja landed on the ground and skidded to a stop, spinning around. "What?" He stumbled back as Catboy appeared in front of him, arms crossed with that confident grin. "Gotcha"
Before he could react, Night Ninja bumped into him—and both of them lost their balance. Catboy, caught off guard, slipped but landed a second later on the sloped hill just beyond the building with a rough thud. "Oof!" Leaves scattered as he slid down the hill, rolling once before finally stopping in a pile at the bottom.
For a moment, he just laid there, staring up at the sky. "Okay," he groaned. "That would've hurt a LOT more" A shadow dropped beside him. Night Ninja landed lightly, barely making a sound. "Try keeping up next time," he said, brushing himself off like nothing happened. Catboy huffed, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "Oh yeah? You're the one who ran into me." "That was strategic," Night Ninja shot back immediately. "That was clumsy," Catboy corrected. There was a pause. Then Night Ninja let out a quiet laugh. Catboy blinked. "Okay, that's still weird." "Don't get used to it," Night Ninja muttered, though there wasn't much bite behind it.
They both settled into the pile of leaves, the earlier energy fading into something softer. The night air was cool, the city quieter down here. For once, neither of them rushed to leave. A minute passed. Maybe two. Neither of them spoke. Until—
"You still messed up, you know," Night Ninja said suddenly. Catboy turned his head, blinking. "Wow. And there it is." Night Ninja smirked slightly, sitting up. "I mean it. Leader or not, you let things get out of control." He shrugged. "That's on you."Catboy sighed, flopping back into the leaves. "Yeah, I know."There was no argument this time. No comeback. Just honesty.
Night Ninja glanced at him for a second, then looked away. "But" he added, quieter, "you didn't give up." Catboy froze slightly. "What?" Night Ninja stood up, brushing leaves off his outfit. "You're still here, aren't you?" he said. "Still thinking about it. Still trying to fix it." He turned his back slightly. "That's more than most people would do." Catboy pushed himself up, watching him. "Thanks." Night Ninja didn't respond.
Instead, he took a step forward clearly about to leave. Something about that made Catboy's chest tighten. "Wait—" Night Ninja paused. Catboy reached out and grabbed his wrist. The moment froze. Both of them looked down at where their hands touched. Catboy immediately let go like he'd been burned. "S-sorry—!" he said quickly. "I just—I didn't mean—" He stopped himself, taking a breath. "I just wanted to ask..." Night Ninja turned slightly, waiting. Catboy hesitated. Then—"Do you think we could do this again?" he asked.
A beat of silence. "This?" Night Ninja repeated. "Yeah. Not the fighting. Just..." Catboy gestured vaguely. "Talking. Running around. Not trying to beat each other up for once." Night Ninja stared at him. Really stared this time. Like he was trying to figure something out. "Maybe," he said finally. Catboy's ears perked slightly. "But don't get used to it," Night Ninja added quickly. "Today was just different." "Different how?" Night Ninja looked away. "My day off," he said simply. "From being a villain." Catboy blinked. "You get those?" "Rarely."
A small smile tugged at Catboy's face. "Then I guess I'll just have to find you on your next one." That earned a quiet scoff. But there was something amused in it. Night Ninja adjusted his stance, a smirk hidden beneath his mask. "Maybe I'll let you." He took a step back. Then another. The air shifted slightly. "See you soon..."He paused just for a second. "Catboy."
Catboy froze. Not "Foolish Feline" Not "Kitty boy." Just—Catboy. Before he could respond, a burst of smoke filled the air. When it cleared, Night Ninja was gone. Catboy stood there alone, the leaves crunching softly beneath his feet. The city stretched out before him again. But this time, it didn't feel as heavy. A small smile appeared on his face. "Yeah," he murmured. "See you."