Hello, Draco here! Just wanted to give a quick thank you to everyone who is giving their time to read this. It's been years since I've posted any fan-fictions, and back then the stories were for different series.

I hope you all enjoy this story and stick around for the entire thing, as it will be more than this one chapter. Since my friend and I wrote this together, hopefully it won't take long to get the rest of the chapters posted after editing. Cross your fingers haha.

And as a side note, just to give an indicator of when this takes place, it is after Jake and before the beginning of the second season. We also mention events and characters that appeared in the first movie, The Beginning. So if you're new to the series, please catch up before reading this, else you risk being spoiled.

With that said, if you like this, or any of the future chapters/stories, please feel free to leave us comments/reviews! We'd love to get feedback, and I'll be sure to reply! Critique is also welcome so that we may continue to improve our writing. Thanks, and thanks again~! (sorry, couldn't help myself)

Disclaimer: We do not own Tiger and Bunny, any of the characters, blah blah blah…you all know the spiel.

"So, Bunny, since we have the day off, let's do something fun!" Kotetsu suggested in his typical upbeat way as the two heroes walked out of the Apollon building that mid-morning in their civilian clothes. Even though that detail didn't matter much, considering Barnaby had no alias. He nudged his partner's arm with interest, wearing a wide grin and a sparkle in his eyes. "What do you say?"

"No thanks." Came the quick, flat-toned reply.

Kotetsu rolled his eyes at the bored reply. "Aw, come on; there's got to be something you'd like to do. We've got all day, so it can be just about anything! You can't tell me you're going to go back to your apartment and shut yourself in all day?"

Barnaby said nothing, leading him to believe that was exactly what he intended to do. The veteran hero studied his younger partner with a perplexed frown as a thought struck him. "Well, maybe if you got out a little more, you could actually tan a little. Bet the ladies would be all over that, huh?" he teased, nudging the blonde again, who mimicked Kotetsu by rolling those pretty green eyes of his. "Besides," he pressed on, "being a little more sociable wouldn't kill you. What better way to do that than hanging out with your best partner!" He thumbed to his chest with pride, puffing up and straightening to walk in a dignified manner.

Barnaby turned a deadpan stare to his friend. "Kotetsu, you're my only partner." The words 'you idiot' were unspoken but implied.

"Exactly! Oh, come on!" Kotetsu tried looking as pitiful as he could muster and when his partner continued to stare at him, unimpressed, he whined, "Bunny~!"

"Ugh, stop," Barnaby sighed, and allowed his shoulders to droop ever so slightly in exasperation. Honestly, his partner could be so childish at times and then nag him like a parent at such regular intervals, it was a wonder he hadn't developed whiplash. "I just don't feel up to doing anything today. But that doesn't have to stop you. Go ahead and –"

"Kyaaaah! It's Barnaby!"

Both heroes spotted the gaggle of rosy-cheeked fan girls approaching at full speed. The youngest among them couldn't have been older than twelve, and Barnaby judged the oldest as somewhere in close proximity to Kotetsu's age. The four ladies shared similar physical characteristics, leading him to suspect all were somehow related.

Slapping on his public smile, Barnaby assumed the position, as Kotetsu called it, and stepped forward to greet the enthusiastic females with dashing civility. "Good morning, ladies. Nice day, isn't it?"

The little one ducked her head and blushed. The three older ones danced in place, their eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, it really is," one of them agreed, twirling a lock of her hair suggestively. "We're talking to you, so today is just wonderful! Oh, and your partner too. Can I please shake your hand?"

"Ooh, me too!"

"Me three!"

Barnaby had to smirk as he offered his hand to the star-struck women who couldn't grasp it fast enough. It would seem poor Kotetsu was still anchored in his shadow. Would his partner sulk about it after they were alone or resume harping on him to do something fun? Neither aspect felt promising.

The hero noted the young girl was clutching a trading card to her chest but had yet to look up at him or take his hand. It was kind of sweet, he supposed. "Shall I sign that for you, miss?"

Her young face beamed even as her cheeks colored again. "R-really? Will you? Could you, please?" He nodded, and the girl shyly held out the card for Barnaby as he produced a pen and scribbled his signature before handing it back. "Wow! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Barnaby's so cool," one of the older ones squealed. "Such a gentleman!"

"'Such a gentleman,'" Kotetsu quietly mimicked under his breath. "Heh, gentleman. If only they knew…" He sighed, stuffing his hands in his pockets to wait out the fan mania and prayed they wouldn't be waylaid by more, since these ladies had poofed into existence from out of nowhere. Kotetsu could tell the overwhelming tide of estrogen was starting to suffocate Barnaby as well, but he had to keep up a good public image. The older hero could sense Barnaby was about to politely excuse them when he apparently noticed something.

"Say, is that a Wild Tiger card?" Barnaby asked the girl. "You could get that one signed too, since he's right here." He gestured to the waiting Kotetsu, clearly having caught him in a daydream as he snapped to attention. "Assuming my partner wouldn't mind accommodating you, that is."

The girl managed to tear her gaze from the walking and talking vision of masculine beauty whom she clearly worshipped to blink innocently at Kotetsu. "Um…well, if he wants to…" she murmured, ducking her head again and blushed.

"Ah, yes, Wild Tiger. Almost forgot you were standing there. We're really big fans of Barnaby, but…you know, you do look pretty good up close," said one of the women, and the rest, minus the girl, giggled flirtatiously. "Especially now that we're seeing you out of the suit. It must be wonderful being partners with someone as cool as Barnaby."

The older hero slapped on a smile of his own, despite what he was thinking. "Ah, yeah. Wonderful! It's certainly something!" He laughed a bit and came forward to kneel down to the girl's level. The fake smile dropped in favor of a real one as he held out a hand. She was just a child and, if she was a fan of his as well, he wouldn't let her down. "I'd be happy to sign that for you." Maybe it was because the girl was young but Kotetsu was reminded of Kaede suddenly. Granted, his daughter was not as shy as this girl, but still, the smallest indication caused him to miss her even more.

"Okay," said the girl and timidly held out the card.

Signing it, Kotetsu handed the card back. "There ya go, two personally-autographed cards! Aren't you lucky? Thank you for supporting us. You fans help us out a lot too, you know. Right, Bu—Barnaby?" Looked up at his partner, whose public smile had nearly dissolved in favor of a lethal glare. The blonde smiled a little wider to compensate as he stood.

"That is very true. Your support does mean a lot. Well," Barnaby drawled, taking a step back. "As much as I would love to talk more," he ignored Kotetsu's derisive snort, "we must be going now. My partner and I have already made plans elsewhere today. It's been a pleasure."

"We love you Barnaby!" They scurried away, the youngest hugging her autographed trading cards like precious trophies.

"They're gone," Barnaby sighed, relieved. "At least they were fairly normal."

"Yeah. Could've been Towel Girl again," Kotetsu replied with a huge, knowing grin in his partner's direction, as Barnaby's cheeks went pink from the memory of the woman they had rescued about a week ago.

-Flashback-

The victim's house had been broken into while she was in the shower. The burglar had thought to take advantage of the situation until he figured out that the woman had somehow managed to dial the police on her cell phone. Barnaby and Kotetsu had been first on the scene, making quite the dramatic entrance through the woman's second story bedroom window. Or it would have been, if Kotetsu hadn't tripped over the woman's vanity stool and tumbled headlong into the criminal, knocking him down.

Giving a sad shake of his head, Barnaby had asked his partner, "You alright?"

as Kotetsu had sprung upright.

"Yep! Just caught my foot on the thing—"

"Stool."

"Yeah! And I think I might've really clocked this guy when he broke my fall. Hey, buddy, you doing alright? The criminal groaned and Kotetsu wagged a chastising finger in his face. "What's your issue, man? Breaking into a woman's place while she's freshening up? That's low. Bunny, how is she?"

The woman in question was shaking tremendously and from more than being wet, wrapped in a towel. Barnaby approached, flipping up his visor. "Were you hurt, ma'am? I know we crashed in here unannounced…"

"N-no." She replied with a small shake of her head.

"Good." Seeing the bathrobe in a pile on the floor, he retrieved it and held it out to her.

"Here ma'am. You can slip into the bathroom and put that on. We've got him."

The woman sniffed, wiped at her eyes and accepted the bathrobe. Barnaby stepped aside to clear her path to the bathroom but, after meeting eyes with him, she gave a sly smile and let the towel slip from her curvy and voluptuous frame to pool at her feet. The younger hero froze, and heard Kotetsu swallow behind him. Not breaking eye contact with Barnaby, the woman slowly began shimmying into the robe before her spell over him broke and he quickly turned away, only to discover Kotetsu had a hand clamped over the criminal's eyes while he had also turned away.

"Mmm," she gave a sultry purr as she finished securing the sash at her waist, though she was still showing enough skin that it almost didn't matter. "My heroes."

-end flashback-

Neither of them had breathed a word to the police about the gorgeous victim flashing them and neither had she, and since that day, Kotetsu had insufferably and fondly referred to the victim as 'Towel Girl.'

Barnaby aimed a sharp warning scowl at Kotetsu. "Don't."

The older hero laughed. "Don't worry; that one's safe with me. Plus I like being the only one who knows about it. Gives me something to hold over your head," he teased, enjoying the crimson implosion of embarrassment on the blonde's face. But Kotetsu let it drop when he remembered what Barnaby had mentioned to the fan girls before. "Ah! That's right! You confirmed we were going out!" He punched the air victoriously.

"Okay!" He grabbed his partner, pointing into the distance dramatically while Barnaby eyed him as though he had lost his mind. "Let's go! I know the perfect place!"

"I never confirmed anything," Barnaby argued moodily, purposely dragged his feet in the attempt to slow his overly enthusiastic companion. "I lied. I said that so they would think we were busy and go away. You can let go now. I don't want to go anywhere. Kotetsu, I don't want to hurt you."

"Nope! There's no backing down now, Bunny! You said it, so it counts!" Unaffected by the threat, he gave Barnaby a good yank to get him moving again. "I'll drive."

"But you almost never listen to anything else I say when we're out in the field. This is why our company has so many pending lawsuits. What makes now any different?" But he begrudgingly climbed into the passenger seat of the outdated model vehicle while Kotetsu scurried to get in on the driver's side. Admittedly, though he would never say so, Barnaby was a little curious as to what his friend had in mind.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Despite being a grown adult, Kotetsu couldn't keep the happy sparkle from his rich brandy-colored eyes as the two heroes stood peering through the entrance of Big Tree Amusement Place, the fairly-new amusement center of Stern Bild that extended down all three levels near the edge of the city where there was more ground and therefore space to house all the rides and restaurants.

"Aw, Bunny, come on," He smacked Barnaby's shoulder companionably. "This will be tons of fun! Remember when we were here last? We were chasing after that one roller-skates guy, uh…"

"Robin Baxter."

"Yeah, that guy!" Kotetsu exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "He sure was a pain wasn't he?"

Dragging a hand through his hair and heaving an exasperated sigh, Barnaby turned to leave. "I'll pass on this, thanks." He jerked to a halt when Kotetsu snagged his arm, preventing his escape.

"You're such a killjoy for someone your age, Bunny. Nothing wrong with having fun now and then, you know? You act like you've never had fun in a place like this."

He stared at the other hero and stated emphatically, "Because I haven't."

Kotetsu visibly winced at that, instantly feeling guilty for having brought up an aspect of Barnaby's past. He knew Barnaby hadn't had the best of childhoods, and here he was, making his friend remember. "Well, all the more reason to do this now!" he recovered, grabbing Barnaby's arm again to haul him toward the ticket counter. "I bet I'll get you admitting you had fun by the end of the day!"

"I sincerely doubt it," Barnaby grumbled, and had to slide his glasses back into place from all the jostling. "Kotetsu, you have a daughter for this kind of thing. Why don't you take a paid vacation? You haven't used yours yet, have you? I'll put in a good word with Mr. Lloyds about giving you time off. You can bring Kaede here. I'll even autograph something for you to give her."

His pleas and negotiating went ignored. They halted at the ticket counter where Kotetsu only let go of him to ask the employee at the window for a ticket and dug out his wallet. For a fraction of a second, Barnaby contemplated rabbiting, but knew the other hero would just hunt him down and drag him back. Heaving a resigned sigh, he stepped up to the window like a man when it was his turn to pay for a ticket. He rejoined Kotetsu after having done so. "Happy now?"

The older hero gave a triumphant smile with his hands resting on his hips. "Yes, I am. Know why?"

"Indulge me."

"I purposely left that opening for you back there. You could've run if you really wanted to when I had my back turned. But you didn't." He pointed. "So that means a part of you is actually curious. Just admit it." Kotetsu leaned in close and smiled knowingly at his partner's indignant scowl. "The little bunny really does want to have a little fun, huh?"

"You're so annoying," he muttered, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from curving. The man did know how to meddle. When they first met, it had been a great source of contention the way Kotetsu would constantly ask if he was eating properly or getting enough sleep. The man acted like a complete mother. But, after Barnaby learned Kotetsu had a daughter, it all suddenly made sense. His partner's parenting tendencies weren't as annoying now as they had been. Almost. The fact remained that Kotetsu could read him, seemingly without trying, and anticipate his next move. It was unnerving. And annoying. How could the man be so consistently sharp about stuff like this and completely forget things having to do with work? "None of the others could handle being your partner," he realized. "However, since that joyous responsibility falls to me, I guess I have no choice since we're already here."

"There ya go, that's the spirit!"

As the pair of heroes entered the park, right away, Barnaby knew he was correct in his assumptions that the franchise was geared more towards children, though there were some adult aspects poking out here and there, like the rollercoaster track in the distance. He could hear people screaming as they dropped down the steep incline and race around a sharp turn. He glanced at his partner and saw Kotetsu was happily soaking it in, of course, and occasionally grabbing him to point out something. Unable to help it as a tiny, genuine smile poked through his defenses, Barnaby shook his head in acquiesce. "I give up. Lead on, fearless one. I hope you realize we're going to get mobbed more frequently in a place like this."

Kotetsu shook a finger at him. "Uh-uh, you're going to get mobbed. You're the one who decided you didn't want an alias like the rest of us heroes, smart guy. Regretting that a little bit now?" All the same, he kept his voice down so no one around would overhear.

"So old-fashioned."

Fire roared to his left and Barnaby whipped around, expecting trouble. "Oh. It's just a fire-breather." Self-conscious after his knee-jerk reaction, he said, "Well, now what? You literally dragged me here. I expect to be entertained for what I paid for my ticket." Kotetsu sighed dramatically.

"Sheesh, don't you have any faith in me? Look around you; this place has got a hundred fun things! Just pick one!" He waved his arms in an encompassing motion for dramatic effect. When the blond hero just glanced about like he had no idea what to think, Kotetsu sighed and slung an arm around his partner's shoulders. "Okay, I'll pick first and start us off. But then it's your turn pal. Hmm…" Looking around a moment, ignoring that Barnaby was trying to shrug out of the hold, he spied something interesting and pointed, yanking his partner closer again. "Aha! Look, see that game booth there?" Down the way a bit, said game booth was set up with a line of squirt guns aimed at the back of the booth where moving targets swayed back and forth.

"Are you serious?" Barnaby calmly removed Kotetsu's arm that was inadvertently trying to strangle him. "That's for little kids."

"I bet I can whoop your little bunny butt at that!"

Barnaby's glasses glinted in the sunlight as he arched a brow. "Is that so?" A thin smile stretched his lips. "The old-timer is challenging me to a trivial carnival game? I hope the strain doesn't prove too much for you, especially when you lose. I'm better at raking up points than you are."

At the jab, Kotetsu scoffed indignantly. "Hey! What about all those times I let you have my points!?"

"Your generosity or lack of judgment isn't my concern."

There were six mounted guns but only the two heroes and a little girl were manned three.

An older man in charge of the water gun game stood by the controls. "Everyone ready? Three… Two… One…go!"

The jets of water spurted out of the guns and the two heroes nailed the swaying targets without mercy as the timer frantically raced to zero.

"Five, four, three, two, one! Okay, everyone, good job," said the amusement park worker. "Let's see who won the most points!" He studied a screen momentarily. "Ah, it looks like gun number four is the winner! Good job, sir!"

Barnaby smirked over at Kotetsu. "Don't cry." Kotetsu held up his hands.

"Hey, I can be a graceful loser, so you be a modest winner. I kind of still won though, because I got you to have some fun." He looked content as he stood up. "And there's more where that came from!"

"Go ahead and pick out your prize, sir!" The worker motioned overhead to where several dangling stuffed animals and toys swayed. "The most popular customer pick is that cute little bunny rabbit plush. It comes in pink, green, red, and purple."

"No thanks. I just wanted to beat this old man. That's prize enough." Barnaby replied smoothly.

"I'm not that old," Kotetsu muttered with an annoyed pout.

"But, sir…" The worker protested. "You understand they're free, right?"

"No worry, I'll pick it out instead!" Kotetsu volunteered. "How about that pink bunny one? It's the cutest, right?" Completely ignoring any kind of reaction his younger partner was having at the moment, the hero had his own plan as he turned to a little girl they had been playing against. "Might as well give this to someone who can appreciate it, right? Here, you can have it."

The little girl's face lit up as she happily accepted the gift. "Really? Wow!"

"What do you say, Katie?" Came the gentle voice of her mother from nearby.

"Thank you so much! Bye!" She waved as they walked away. Kotetsu waved back before turning to Barnaby, who was waiting quietly.

"So, Bunny, what now? You won, so you get to pick this time." he said as he rejoined his partner, hands sliding back into his pockets casually.

"Oh?" Barnaby asked. "Well, in that case, I—"

"Ah, wait!" Kotetsu loudly interrupted, grabbing Barnaby by the shoulders excitedly. Pulled off balance suddenly, the younger could only stagger in confusion.

"W-what are you—"

"That!" Turning his partner slightly in the direction he was pointing, the older hero grinned. "I've got to show you that ride, come on! You can pick the next one, I promise!"

The ride that apparently just couldn't wait was set up on a large round, spinning platform with smaller cylinder-shaped capsules scattered around for people to sit in. "I remember this ride, it's a classic! Looks like they redesigned it a bit too. You're bound to love this one, Bunny!" He gestured for the other hero to come over as he started walking. Barnaby however dug in his heels.

"I refuse to get on this ride. It's clearly geared towards children. I don't know if you've forgotten, but I'm only twelve years younger than you. How could I possibly enjoy this ride? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"Just trust me—"

"Trust me, he says. Why does that sound so familiar?" The younger was rolling his eyes.

"This will be worth it, at least to start us off. Come on, I'm not asking for an arm or leg here Bunny." Stepping over, the veteran grabbed hold of his partner's arm and gave it a little tug.

Finally Kotetsu got Barnaby to humor him, though half of it was Kotetsu trying to drag Barnaby onto the ride. Sitting down, the door shut and they were trapped in the circular seat. Now he older hero was inspecting the wheel positioned in the center of the seat, grabbing and giving it an experimental turn. "So, what does this thing—" When it moved their entire capsule he paused, expression blanking momentarily. If Barnaby had been paying attention rather than looking around, he may have seen the devilish smile passing across the man's face as he slowly leaned back into his seat again, exhibiting patience as everyone else settled in the other seats around the rotating platform.

Slouching petulantly, the blonde crossed his arms over his chest and tried not to make direct eye contact with the other people settling in for the ride in their separate cars. "What does what thing do?" he asked, looking back at Kotetsu.

"Oh, nothing. Figured it out." As the ride started up a minute or so later, Kotetsu glanced over to his partner. "See? Just a nice relaxing ride, right? Ever been on this sort before?" He could already guess the answer, but asked anyway.

"No, I haven't. And you will notice that most of the individuals enjoying this ride are small children. Granted, they are accompanied by their parents, but…"

"Well, this spins on its own, obviously. Kinda like a carousel. But, you see this wheel in the middle? This is the fun part. Ready?" Cracking his knuckles, he took hold of the wheel with both hands and that evil smile resurfaced. "Hang on, little Bunny!" With that, a faint blue glow surrounded him and his eyes transitioned from the warm amber they were to the same blue.

The realization hit Barnaby too late and his green eyes widened in horror. "No, wait—"

It only took a millisecond for their seat to be sent spinning at nauseating speed, blurring everything around them and forcing the pair to hang on for dear life in their vortex of death, smashed against the seat. "Whooooo-hooooo~!" Kotetsu shouted, laughing at their situation and his partner's distress. Barnaby was also shouting but for a much different reasons. If they could have seen outside of their predicament, they would have noticed the velocity of their spinning capsule was rather like a top in comparison to the other lazily swirling ones.

Neither knew how long their fun—or hellish experience—lasted, but when the platform gradually crawled to a stop, their capsule revealed Kotetsu throwing back his head to laugh heartily while Barnaby had to pry his fingers from their death grip on the seat. Both were dizzy, this was further demonstrated when the blonde tried kicking the other hero in retaliation. He missed the first two times before managing to connect with his foot with Kotetsu's shin, making the man yelp between bouts of laughter.

"I'm…never speaking to you again," Barnaby managed, cupping a hand to his forehead as the world tilted madly. "Did you have to use your… I feel sick," he muttered, and tried to stand before quickly deciding against that. "I hate you." This might have sounded more convincing if he hadn't glanced at his dizzy friend's laughing face to deliver this sentiment and noticed Kotetsu's glowing eyes were moving back and forth, a common symptom of dizziness. A smile broke through and Barnaby chuckled, shaking his head in amazement of his own reaction and his partner's idiocy. "You're hopeless," he snickered, trying to repress the urge to laugh.

Kotetsu leaned back against the seat, fanning himself with his cap, which he'd stored in his back pocket during the ride. His laughter was also beginning to subside. That is, until he caught sight of the younger hero and his usually perfect curly hair mussed and out of place. The sight promptly sent him back into a fit, shakily leaning forward as he doubled over, holding his stomach as the blue glow surrounding his form faded away. "You should see your hair, Bunny! You look like you lost a fight with a hairdryer!"

Barnaby shoved him. "Like you look any better!"

"Gentlemen," started the ride operator, "I need to start the ride again. If you'd like to get off, now is the time. Or you could ride again if that's what you—"

"No." Barnaby rose carefully, gripping the side of the seat for balance. "We'll get off. I couldn't endure that again." He shoved Kotetsu as he stood beside him so that he fell back onto the seat. "If I never walk straight again, it's your fault. Don't touch me." Thankfully, his equilibrium was steadying out and he managed to walk to the exit in a fairly straight line. "I hope you fall."

"Aw, that's not very nice, Bunny…" Kotetsu whined, though he was still pretty amused. Managing to get to his feet after another try, he shuffled to the exit door opening while hanging onto the sides to guide him. Getting down was a whole other ordeal however, and the hero almost did fall on his ass but recovered well enough.

After watching his friend struggle for a second, Barnaby changed his tune by asking, "Do you need help? Should I carry you?"

Kotetsu glanced up from under his cap with a smirk as he straightened, pointing an accusatory finger in his partner's direction. "Hah, you're a wise guy, you know that? I got it, I got it, I'm coming…" Carefully planting his feet one in front of the other, the hero made it past the gate to join Barnaby.

As they sat to recover from their near-death experience on a nearby bench, Barnaby said, "You're evil. I may never trust you again. Also, I'm picking the next ride. That way, if I die, it will be on my head." He heard rather than saw his friend chuckle beside him.

"Aw, admit it, that was fun. Don't be so dramatic."

"Funny, coming from you." Barnaby shot back.

Kotetsu ignored that. However, he had mentally noted a couple key details in the moments they had been resting: Barnaby was choosing to progress with this adventure, considering he had stated that he was picking the next ride. He could have easily said that he quit and was going home, but he hadn't. Plus he'd gotten Barnaby to laugh. Kotetsu was stacking up the victories today, it seemed, and that was way better than points! "You're right, though. It's your turn. Pick away, Bunny!"

Barnaby glanced around, soon spying a rollercoaster he'd seen earlier. "I wonder what that's like."

"Hm?" Looking over in that direction, Kotetsu saw the rollercoaster and his eyebrows rose. "Oh? So you want to jump right to those? Okay!" Standing, he adjusted his cap. "It's been a while since I've been on a rollercoaster but, as your favorite partner, it's my duty to accompany you on this venture!"

Running a hand through his blonde curls in the hopes of taming it at least a bit, Barnaby smiled at his friend's boundless energy. "Yes, accompany me, favored partner," he teased. "Somehow, I feel this ride will prove less hazardous to our health than the last."

The rollercoaster was indeed exhilarating but, true to Barnaby's predictions, when they exited the ride they did so walking upright without the slightest weave in their step. Still, the younger hero was clearly juiced from the adrenaline rush as he retrieved his glasses from where he'd tucked them in his jacket, putting them on again. "I can't believe you bought those mini photos," he chastised, but accepted the extra photo Kotetsu shoved him without argument. The image showed them seated side-by-side at the front of the rollercoaster as it plunged down one of the drops on the track. Both were screaming with their hands in the air. There was high color in their cheeks and the right amount of terror mixed with fun in their expressions. Barnaby pocketed his. "Are you going to do that for every ride that offers it? You'll run out of money."

Kotetsu smirked. "Of course I'm going to buy them! Anyway, are you predicting we'll be going on that many more rollercoasters? Okay, Bunny, challenge accepted! After all, without photos, I couldn't show everyone how happy you can be! You should loosen up like this more often, not just around me," he teased fondly.

For a moment, Barnaby just stared at him, blinking as he processed what he'd been told. "I'm thirsty," he stated bluntly, changing the subject. "All that screaming must have done it. I'm going to grab something. Do you want anything for that bug you swallowed during the ride? I heard you gagging."

As that particular memory returned to him, the older hero scowled. "That's right; you just laughed at me, you brat! I was choking!" He was hardly mad of course, though maybe just a little embarrassed. "What would you have done if I'd passed out or something? Huh?"

Barnaby tilted his head in sympathy. "Was it a big bug?" Mock sympathy more like. Kotetsu's eyes narrowed at him, not looking very impressed or appreciative.

"Not cute, little bunny." Came the flat, annoyed tone of the older hero. "You're supposed to say something nice, like, 'Oh, I'd never let that happen, Kotetsu.' Or 'Don't say scary things like that!'" He added dramatically.

"Or 'I might cry?'"

Kotetsu gave Barnaby's shoulder a light shove, though he was unable to keep up the irritated façade. "Now that you mention it though, why don't we grab some lunch?" Glancing down, the veteran checked his watch. "It's around that time anyway, and I think the food court is nearby. Don't know if you'll find any rabbit food but I'm sure you can get something suitable there." Raising his arms, he flexed his hands on his head like long ears to tease, dancing away as Barnaby attempted to smack him in retaliation. "Ahaha, the Bunny's getting slow! What's wrong? Does hunger make you cranky too?" he continued to antagonize playfully.

"I have one consolation in all of this: You began lunch without me on the rollercoaster."

Fighting his gag reflex from the implication, Kotetsu muttered, "You're really not cute, you know that?"

Smiling pleasantly, Barnaby glanced at the directive signs tacked to the signposts around them. "The food court must be that way," he said, pointing. "Shall we?"

It was surprising how hungry they were. Eating took them a little longer than expected because the avid HeroTV Live fans, kept approaching to interact with the heroes.

Thankfully though, almost everyone crammed into the court was more interested in getting their kids to eat and shoveling something down for themselves for the energy to go on shepherding said children. It was great that some people respected their downtime. Barnaby chewed a fry that he nicked from Kotetsu's plate and, dare he admit, basked in the ambience of the afternoon. It hurt a little, seeing this many parents with their children, but before it hurt too much he looked back at Kotetsu and warned, "Mustard is about to squirt out the back of your sandwich, Kotetsu."

"Hm?" Mouth full, Kotetsu chewed, swallowed as he rotated the sandwich in his hands. "No kidding. Thanks, Bunny! That would've been messy." With a grin, he promptly fixed the problem by licking the mustard from where it was oozing out before going back to eating. But it would appear the older hero was more aware than he let on, pulling away the plate of fries as Barnaby went in for another steal. Kotetsu wagged a finger at him. "You thought I wasn't paying attention, didn't you? Just how oblivious do you think I am?" He slid the plate back with a smile. "Just teasing, don't answer that. Have a fry, Bunny."

"Since you insist," he replied with a grin, "I will."

Bellies full, they walked around a bit to digest, played a few more carnival-type games, then hopped onto the bumper cars. It was a close contest as to who was trying to ram whom into the wall. Most of the individuals riding during their turn were little kids, making the two of them prime targets as they pursued each other. It quickly became a game of dodge-the-kids-to-slam-your-partner-into-the-wall. At one point, Kotetsu managed to box him in, reversing only to floor it into the side of Barnaby's bumper car to ram him repeatedly. Barnaby only got out of that one by also hitting reverse at just the right moment, then jerking forward to check Kotetsu's bumper and clear him out of the way. Then the children had descended and Barnaby gave a cheeky wave to his partner as he drove on past the vehicular violence, only to find himself checked by a freckle-faced boy with a front tooth missing as the boy's lips spread in a mischievous smile.

Once they finally managed to get out of the bumper cars, they still got held up with the children and wound up handing out more autographs before the energetic youngsters, and their parents, were satisfied.

After that childish fun ride, they went looking for something more exciting. They decided on a rollercoaster aptly named Deathtrack. The heroes laughed off the cliché name and moseyed into the waiting line. By the time they got off twenty minutes later, both were sprinting for the nearest bathroom. They elbowed each other aside to get into the nearest stall, until one of them relinquished the struggle and dove for the neighboring stall. Then, dropping to their knees in front of the toilets at the same time, they brought up the lunches they ate little over an hour ago. In between retching, they solemnly vowed never to speak of this incident to another living soul for as long as they lived, and unanimously agreed that whoever had invented Deathtrack was a twisted sadist. They also wondered why they were the only ones on that ride to toss their cookies when no one else had.

"Bad idea to eat before that," Kotetsu gasped.

"Uh-huh," Barnaby half moaned from the next stall.

When their stomachs finally seemed to settle down, they each bought a soda to sip, hoping the carbonation would settle their digestive systems as they walked to a nearby bench on a bridge overlooking the water, took a seat. "Kotetsu…that was very stupid of us. I can understand why you might not be able to handle it, but I should have been fine."

Kotetsu snorted lightly in amusement, knowing by now how to interpret how the younger spoke. "Maybe my 'oldness' is contagious. Sucks for you." Smirking, the older hero took an obnoxious sip through his straw of his drink for the purpose of annoying Barnaby, grinning mischievously. It seemed he was getting his second wind after that last ordeal. Barnaby pantomimed shoving the bottom of the bottle up into his friend's face with a smirk.

But before either of them could get out another word, they heard screaming, and a large wave of water slammed into them from behind, successfully drenching and silencing them. Glancing to the other side of the large bridge, they noticed a raft-like craft floating away from them through the water. And after thinking about it, they noticed the ground around their area of the bridge was darker due to being wet. Had it been that obvious it had been from the water ride?

"Huh, that was pretty stupid of us too," Kotetsu chuckled. "I've got to admit though, that felt good." He leaned back before his eyes shifted to his friend, since he hadn't said a word yet. The sight that greeted him had him snickering, barely able to contain it. "You okay there, Bunny? Got a little wet there? Your glasses are crooked, by the way."

"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Barnaby replied, and removed them to flick water droplets from the lenses. "I need to clean these." He reached for his pocket and paused for half a second before his back went straight as an arrow. "Be right back," he said quickly, and just as quickly hurried off the bridge to the nearest restroom. Kotetsu was then left alone to sip his soda, though he should probably relocate since the bridge was clearly a wet zone. He would wait for Barnaby to finish prettying up where it was dry.

Deciding it was best to remain nearby in clear view of the restrooms where his pretty-boy partner had gone, the veteran hero leaned back against a wall, positioned in the sun. "I'll probably be waiting here awhile," he thought aloud with a teasing smile as he took another sip of his drink. At least here was a prime people-watching view to keep him occupied for however long Barnaby decided to take beautifying himself. A lady strutted past in obscenely short shorts and Kotetsu felt he was only human when his head naturally tilted after her. Someone must've been smiling down on him, because one of the lady's friends kindly emptied their water bottle over her head, drenching her. She had screamed, then snatched her friend's water bottle to smack them with it while they laughed and ran down the street. Kotetsu took a lazy slurp through his straw.

"It's that guy there, with the hat," he heard a voice mutter. Kotetsu almost by instinct turned his head to look in that direction, but managed to stop himself. It was not his business to listen in on the private lives of others.

"The dapper old guy with the fancy shoes?" asked another voice. "Drinking the soda?"

I am not old! Kotetsu thought with annoyance. Why did people always think or say that?! Okay, so what if he was one of the oldest heroes? Besides, mid-to-late thirties wasn't old! The fact that the other terms used were 'dapper' and 'fancy' were no excuse. Crossing his arms, he huffed and pouted, trying on ignoring the group.

"No, no! The dude with the blue T-shirt and the hat. That's him on the bridge, the little rat."

Mildly intrigued now, Kotetsu subtly shifted his view. The speaker, a tall punkish-looking teenager, and his group of friends all angled secretive glances past Kotetsu to where another teenaged boy, wearing a ball cap backwards and matching blue T-shirt, strolled across the bridge hand-in-hand with a girl about the same age. She laughed and hugged his arm at something he said. The boy laughed too, but when he glimpsed the group up ahead he stopped, hesitated, then said something to the girl, rubbing the back of his head nervously. She laughed again and steered them back the way they came.

"Gonna take more than a bridge to get away from us, loser," muttered the older punk-looking teen, the apparent leader of the group. "Let's follow them." They trailed after the pair across the bridge.

Well, that was a clear set-up for disaster if Kotetsu ever saw one. His gut told him he needed to investigate this, just to be safe. It could end up being nothing, some stupid teenage quarrel, but going by what he'd observed and heard, there was a good chance trouble was forthcoming.

Meanwhile, standing in front of a mirror in the restroom, Barnaby immediately puled out the photos in his jacket pocket to check on them. "Dry," he said with obvious relief, glancing with shifty eyes toward the exit as though expecting Kotetsu to walk in and embarrass him. Carefully tucking the photos away, he turned to the secondary reason that brought him into the restroom: maintaining his appearance.

How had they not noticed the wet ground earlier? Were they that out of it? Combing his hands through his hair, he accepted that the curls were going to get curlier as they dried and there was nothing he could do. And yeah, he was soaked, but after getting sick the way they had, the sudden cool splash had been refreshing. Grabbing his soda as he left, Barnaby walked outside, heading straight for the bridge…and paused to make sure another wave of water was not coming before venturing further. But when he got back to the bench where he had left Kotetsu, he found it empty. Not that he could blame him for moving. The blonde walked back the way he came, thinking that perhaps he overlooked him. But it would seem the other hero was not accounted for. Barnaby decided to contact him. "Where are you?" he asked when Kotetsu answered.

"Ah…hey, Bunny. Are you done already? Thought for sure you'd take an hour in there," he teased somewhat distractedly. "I, uh, just thought I saw something a little suspicious, so I'm checking on it. No big deal." he replied quietly. Turning to face the way the teens had gone, the older hero tried to look like he wasn't spying as he stepped over to duck behind a Hermes statue.

"Suspicious how? Where are you?" Barnaby repeated with a frown.

"Over past the bridge. I overheard some punk-looking kids talking about following two others, a boy and girl." He quickly gave descriptions of the key players. "It sounded like they were up to no good, so I followed them here. Might be nothing, but I had a bad feeling."

Barnaby's frown deepened. Kotetsu's 'gut instincts' usually got them into trouble, particularly the legal lawsuit kind. However, with the involvement of children and his partner's parental tendencies from having a child of his own, the probability was high that Kotetsu's instincts were right on the money this time. "Alright, we'll check it out. Wait until I get there before you—"

"Yo, Andy!" the leader of the troublemakers yelled, loudly enough that Barnaby heard from his end. Further ahead, the teenage boy and girl stopped.

Kotetsu frowned, definitely not liking where this situation was headed. "Just get over here," he said to the other hero quietly before hanging up.