A/N: I just want to let you know that this chapter in no way determines who will be topping. I haven't even decided that yet.

Chapter 2

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

"You want to know where he is?" Lloyds looked skeptical at Barnaby's question. He folded his hands neatly on top of his desk, eyeing the bouquet of withered flowers upon Barnaby's lap. "Have you checked his apartment?"

"Yes," Barnaby replied, "Several times. It doesn't seem like he lives there anymore."

Lloyds sighed.

"Kotetsu was a secretive man in the sense that he wanted to keep his hero life and his normal life separate."

"But he must have given you another way to contact him."

"He had a PO box that he never checked. Especially when there were fines and bills involved. We have a phone number that was never in service, and I believe you were listed as his emergency contact. He never was one for paperwork."

Barnaby let his shoulders slump, disappointed. Lloyds continued.

"His employment did not end on good terms, as I'm sure you know. I haven't been in touch with him since the day he retired."

"You mean since the day he was fired," Barnaby corrected. He remembered the day well. Kotetsu's time limit had dropped below thirty seconds, his points had been at an all-time low, and on television he was somehow supposed to act as if nothing had changed. The season ended and Apollon dropped him with no sympathy.

And Barnaby had never seen his partner so angry. He remembered the rampage, the destroyed training hall, finding Kotetsu in the bathroom, hand bloody from where he had punched the mirror. And then how Kotetsu had tried to hide it from him.

"It's nothing, Bunny. I'm getting too old for this stuff anyway."

"After the Jake incident, we did receive an angry letter about Kotetsu's well-being. It's possible that the letter was from his mother, or perhaps another relative. I can give you that address if you want."

"I suppose I have to start somewhere," Barnaby said. Lloyds searched his drawers and pulled out an old letter. He handed it to Barnaby.

"While I have you here, I might as well tell you that, starting next week, you will be getting a new partner."

A slim, blonde eyebrow twitched in irritation He'd heard that Apollon might be planning something like this, and it just didn't seem fair.

"I've been your only hero for five years," Barnaby said.

"And you've done an excellent job," Lloyds reassured him, "but you know how it is. Television needs fresh blood."

Barnaby stood up, holding his flowers to his chest.

"No one can replace Kotetsu," he said angrily. The phone was ringing now and Barnaby had the feeling that he was being dismissed.

"If you don't like it, you can quit."

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

It had been a long drive out of the city. Kotetsu's town was rather...country, not at all suited to Barnaby's style. He stuck out like a sore thumb in the quiet neighborhood, pulling up to the house in his red sports car. He looked down once more at the letter's return address to make sure he'd gotten it right…

…and returned his eyes to the empty lot in front of him.

A neighbor was passing by, walking his dogs. He gaped openly at Barnaby's expensive car.

"Did the Kaburagi's live here?" Barnaby asked, figuring that as long as he had the man's attention he might as well make use of it.

"You're Barnaby Brooks Jr." the man replied in awe after getting a good look at Barnaby's face, "My kids are big fans…so is my wife."

"Kotetsu Kaburagi," said Barnaby impatiently, "Did you know him?"

"No one knew that man. We hardly ever saw him. Never even figured out what he did for a living. He seemed nice enough the times I spoke with him, but I just don't know about a guy that never can spare the time to visit his family. Though I sure as hell am curious now that celebrities are asking for him."

Barnaby sighed, leaning back in his seat.

"All I want to do is thank him for the birthday present," Barnaby told him, "But I don't seem to have a place to send the card to."

"I think he had a good friend named Antonio, maybe that guy would know."

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Barnaby berated himself for not thinking of Antonio sooner. He knew the two had been friends since high school, but he did not even think to ask him about Kotetsu when they'd talked briefly at his birthday celebration.

Sitting in his car, Barnaby took out his phone and scrolled through the contacts until he reached "Rock Bison". The name, Barnaby realized, really ought to be changed in his phone book. "Rock Bison" had retired shortly after "Wild Tiger", claiming that being a hero just wasn't the same without Kotetsu.

"Hello?" the familiar gruff voice answered, "Barnaby, is that you?"

"Yeah," Barnaby answered.

"I suppose you're not calling just to chat."

"No."

"What do you need?"

Barnaby's eyes slid to the passenger seat of his car, where the wilting lilies had littered petals all over the leather.

"I need to get in touch with Kotetsu. Do you know where I can find him?"

"No I don't. We had a disagreement. We don't speak anymore." The man's voice was tight, as if he would prefer not to talk about it.

Barnaby tried not to let his frustration show. How could one man simply disappear off the face of the earth? What the hell was he supposed to do now?"

"What day is it?" Antonio asked after a few minutes.

"Friday."

"Kotetsu's a man of habit. You might be able to find him tonight at the Hero's Bar around ten. He likes to sit in the barstool second from the end and order a Legends Cola."

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

The place was packed. Populated by a diverse crowd, televisions pointing in every direction and flashing the same footage of one of Barnaby's recent rescues, scantily clad waitresses flitting from table to table. It wasn't quite the type of bar that Barnaby was used to. Normally he would gravitate toward the high end bars and clubs. The ones with membership fees and good alcohol. But he supposed Kotetsu wouldn't be able to afford such expensive places.

He pulled his hat lower over his face and adjusted his sunglasses, refusing to take them off even though he could barely see inside the dark bar. He pushed his way through the crowd, catching a glimpse of the counter.

Second stool from the end, sipping what looked to be a 'Legends Cola', sat a dark-haired man. He wore a black and white striped hat.

Of course, it wasn't unthinkable that someone would have the same hat at Kotetsu. What would be strange, however, was if that hat had the dark oil stain in the exact same spot from that time with the elevator bomb.

Barnaby's hand was on his shoulder within milliseconds.

"I've found you, old man."

"Ehhhhh? Who are you?" It was not Kotetsu's voice. And when the man turned around, it was not Kotetsu's face. "Piss off. I don't sleep with men."

Barnaby colored in embarrassment.

"Excuse me?" Barnaby began in an affronted tone. The drunken bastard refused to take his eyes off the nearest TV, which was now showing footage of last season's 'King of Heroes' ceremony.

"Excuse me, sir."

"What the fuck do you want, boy? I'm trying to watch Barnaby Brooks Jr."

"Then look here," Barnaby told him. He grabbed the man by the back of his shirt and tossed him off his seat. The people in his immediate vicinity had gone silent, perhaps expecting a drunken bar fight.

"Where did you get that hat?" Barnaby snarled.

"It was given to me a few hours ago," the poor idiot said, hands up in effort to placate Barnaby, "A stranger paid me to sit here, bought me a few drinks, and said that if I was harassed by some blonde gigolo to give him this."

He reached for the bag at his feet and pulled out something pink. A familiar plushie that vaguely resembled a rabbit.

Barnaby stared at it, feeling the rage bubble up inside of him. Kotetsu was playing him, leading him on a wild goose chase, making him into a fool!

Barnaby snatched the plushie and stormed out of the bar, shoving people out of his way. Once outside, he looked down at the stuffed rabbit again.

He took it in both hands and ripped off its head.

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

By the time he had reached his apartment, Barnaby had already formulated a plan. He entered the dark room, not even bothering to turn on the lights. He walked to the closet, throwing open the doors and immediately began pushing through his hanging clothes.

He couldn't explain his sudden desire to see Kotetsu and he certainly didn't know what he might do when he actually found the man, but he was done playing by Kotetsu's rules.

He took the armful of garments and laid them out carefully on his bed. They were precious to him. He never before had the urge to touch them because of the painful memories they would bring up. And now, the use they were about to be put to would only shame their previous owner.

They were all nice. It was hard to pick one.

"Eenie," he pointed to the first, "meenie," the second, "miny," the third, "moe." He smiled to himself. "Catch a tiger by his toe. If he hollers let him go. Eenie, meenie, miny, moe."

His finger pointed to the lovely, red cocktail dress. He held it up, feeling exhilarated.

Red was his color, after all.

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.