Barnaby poured himself a drink. He jumped up on the kitchen counter, resting his feet on the arms of Kotetsu's chair. Once Kotetsu's daughter left they had dragged the chair into the kitchen where Kotetsu instructed Barnaby on how to properly mix a Yorsh.
"You have a daughter." Barnaby said, after nearly chugging his entire drink.
"Yeah."
"How old?" Barnaby asked, his green eyes narrowed. "Let me guess, 10?"
"9." Kotetsu answered with a nod.
"And the mother?"
"Dead."
"How long?"
"Five years."
"Damn it." Barnaby groaned, pinching the flesh at his temples. "I can't kill you now."
"Good." Kotetsu breathed out. He took several deep breaths, his eyes closed.
"Why are you all bloody anyway?" Barnaby asked already opening a box of cereal and pouring some directly into his mouth. He chewed noisily before slapping the box back on the counter.
"I got in a little altercation after work." Kotetsu replied, wriggling his fingers under Barnaby's shoes.
"With?" Barnaby asked, pushing firmly down with his feet.
"It was a personal matter." Kotetsu explained, noticing his zipper was still undone. He grimaced and shook his head. "It didn't hurt."
"I don't care if it hurt." Barnaby growled. He put more weight on his legs, nearly standing on Kotetsu's hands. "Who did it? It wasn't some drunken patron…"
"Random hooligans." Kotetsu said, his left hand stinging with agony.
"Give me his wallet." Barnaby instructed.
"H-h-he-hey!" Kotetsu protested as one of the interrogators began fondling him, searching his clothes without hesitation. Kotetsu wriggled against his restraints until the man pulled away with his wallet in hand.
Barnaby caught the wallet and opened it. He smirked as he looked through it. "$31."
"Oh no! I've been robbed." Kotetsu said, trying his best not to grin at his own foolishness.
"Eddie, Thomas," Barnaby tossed the wallet back. "Go get more yogurt." Barnaby eyed Kotetsu. "Strawberry? Vanilla?"
"Strawberry Kiwi." Kotetsu answered. "The kind that comes in the thin tubes."
"Sure," Eddie said, glowering at Kotetsu with a look that could kill. "We'll be right back, Boss."
"The Martinez Gang jumped you after work." Barnaby said simply, lifting his feet off of Kotetsu's hands. "Didn't they?"
"Four guys hardly constitute a gang…"
"Who are you protecting?" Barnaby demanded, kicking his foot squarely against the center of Kotetsu's chest.
"Myself." Kotetsu barked, growing angry. "And the people who sacrificed to get me here."
"People like my father?" Barnaby asked.
"Yeah, sure, people like your father…" Kotetsu admitted, his cheeks reddening.
"Why did you leave the Shini Sous?" Barnaby asked.
"I," Kotetsu shook his head from side to side.
"You can't tell me?" Barnaby shook his head in rhythm with Kotetsu. "The Shini Sou were on top 10 years ago." Barnaby slid off the counter, Kotetsu's body between his legs. "And you were the strongest man in Sternbild." Barnaby leaned over, his blonde hair tickling Kotetsu's face. "What happened?"
"I was never the strongest man in Sternbild." Kotetsu argued.
"What did you do, to deserve this?" Barnaby asked, suddenly stroking Kotetsu's hand, where his fingers had been amputated above the knuckle.
"Do you know of the Molotovs?" Kotetsu questioned, watching Barnaby carefully. "They were a big family when I was coming up. They disappeared around the time I did. The Latin Kings ended up wiping most of 'em out. "
"Those Russians? They're half-dead." Barnaby retorted. "It's pathetic."
"But they weren't. They were top 3, no doubt." Kotetsu explained. "That's who you should see about your father. It sounds more like a Molotov than a Shini Sou." Kotetsu smirked, a bit of nostalgia getting to him. "The Shini Sou had style."
"I'll go talk to the Molotovs." Barnaby agreed. "But right now I'm talking to you. And you aren't saying much…"
"That's because it's personal." Kotetsu said, his mouth held tightly.
"I know you were kicked out of the Shini Sou." Barnaby blurted suddenly, growing impatient. "But no one knows why." Barnaby exhaled heavily. "That old man has pride. He won't say a single word against you, even if you're no longer a part of them…"
"Ah, Kumicho." Kotetsu smiled. "I can hear him telling you to fuck off."
"What did you do that was bad enough to get expelled from the yakuza?" Barnaby pressed. "The infamous Wild Tiger."
"It was what I didn't do…" Kotetsu admitted, immediately regretting it.
"Now you've done it." Barnaby groaned. "I'm too curious to leave it alone…"
"Pick." Kotetsu said sharply. "Do you want to know how I know your father or why I was kicked out of the Shini Sou?"
"I want to know about my father." Barnaby replied instantly. "Please."
"I returned something your father lost." Kotetsu murmured. "It was no skin off my back, but your father never forgot a debt. I didn't know him; I didn't speak more than fifty or so words to him…" Kotetsu looked down, licking his busted lip. "And in my time of need, he returned the favor."
"What did he lose?" Barnaby asked.
"Something important." Kotetsu replied, refusing to elucidate. "I'm leaving it at that."
"And your 'time of need'…" Barnaby pressed.
"They called it betrayal." Kotetsu whispered. "But it wasn't."
"Did you snitch to the police?" Barnaby asked with a sneer.
"No." Kotetsu shook his head adamantly. "Of course not. The yakuza was my entire life."
"What did you do?" Barnaby repeated, for what felt like the millionth time.
"I told you, it's what I didn't do." Kotetsu retorted. He struggled against the rope, flashing Barnaby a pitiful look. "You can untie me now."
Barnaby obliged, releasing Kotetsu from the rope. Kotetsu stood, his body pressing against Barnaby's for a few seconds. He pushed the chair back, giving himself some space. He zipped his pants, pulling his tie the rest of the way off.
"Tell me." Barnaby said softly. He watched Kotetsu, a pang of guilt filling his stomach as Kotetsu rubbed his mutilated hand.
"I'm not sure of the word in English…" Kotetsu muttered. "But the wakagashira of the Molotovs…" Kotetsu looked down, his face somber. "I was supposed to kill him."
"Let's see, 10 years ago, who was the underboss of the Molotovs…?" Barnaby pondered.
"Yuri Petrov." Kotetsu answered.
"And you failed." Barnaby nodded.
"No, I didn't fail." Kotetsu corrected. "I refused."
"You refused your boss?"
"Kumicho asked me as a favor, I went to Petrov-sama and refused in person."
"Wait…"
"The boss of the Molotovs, hired me to kill his own son." Kotetsu explained.
"But you refused to do it."
"Yeah, and I went to Yuri," Kotetsu continued. "And told him what I knew."
"So my father protected you from the Molotovs?" Barnaby asked, trying to sort all of the information out.
"Not just the Molotovs, but the Shini Sous as well…" Kotetsu laughed bitterly. "Your father vouched for me and got the Russians off my back. And I cut off this finger," Kotetsu tapped his ring finger. "And presented it to my Kumicho, in apology."
"How'd you lose the pinky?"
"I answered your question." Kotetsu said, facing Barnaby.
"I still have questions." Barnaby insisted, stepping closer.
"We don't always get what we want, Bunny-chan." Kotetsu was hit with such a strong feeling of déjà vu he had to close his eyes.
"You said to ask my father," Barnaby whispered. "But I can't… Why do you call me that? Tell me."
"It's time for you to leave." Kotetsu said, his hand wrapping around Barnaby's arm. He was solid and Barnaby was caught off guard by the strength he used to yank him toward the door.
"Why did Petrov want his son killed?" Barnaby threw out his arms, catching himself on the door frame. He was shocked at how easily Kotetsu could move him around. "I won't leave until you answer me, Old Man."
"He found his son in bed with another man." Kotetsu answered. "I thought that was common knowledge at least."
"Yuri Petrov is gay?"
"It's none of my business." Kotetsu pushed Barnaby over the threshold.
"Was it someone in the organization or…?"
"If you have any other questions, go ask the Molotovs." Kotetsu snapped. "And take trustworthy, strong people with you. Yuri Petrov used to just love catching people on fire."
The door slammed shut in Barnaby's face.
"What happened?" Keith gasped, dropping his backpack in the entry of the shop.
"Eh, this?" Kotetsu shrugged. "Nothing much."
"Your face…" Keith murmured, his hand brushing tenderly over Kotetsu's cheek. "Did you get in a fight, Tiger?"
"It wasn't much of a fight." Kotetsu said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "It was more like a friendly greeting."
"Mr. Tiger," Keith began unsurely. "Maybe it's time to move."
"I'm not moving just because some little shits are trying to be badasses." Kotetsu scoffed.
"They're not kids." Keith argued. "They're dangerous criminals. I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation here." Kotetsu had to try not to laugh at Keith's phrasing. He simply nodded. "They won't be content with breaking windows for long."
"The only thing I'm worried about is you and Ivan." Kotetsu admitted. "I can handle myself."
"So you keep saying, Mr. Tiger." Keith said, a little more loudly than what was polite. "But you can't see yourself. You look terrible. Your lip is making my lip hurt. And your eye is nearly swollen shut…"
"When do you start summer session?" Kotetsu changed the subject.
"Next week." Keith said softly, walking back to retrieve his bag. "I'm just taking another course on taxes."
"Yikes. That sounds delightful," Kotetsu made a face before smiling. "You're so smart. If I had been as smart as you, I wouldn't be stuck in this run-down, ol' bar."
"I'll probably be a corporate slave the rest of my life," Keith retorted. "At least you're your own man."
"Nonsense." Kotetsu smacked his hand gently against Keith's forehead. "You're gonna be my personal accountant, aren't ya? You'll pull in an easy 100k being a CPA."
"It's only temporary." Keith said, unzipping his backpack and removing a thick textbook. "As soon as I get my bachelor's I'll get a fulltime job. My parents will get off my back and I'll go back to school, nights or online, or something…" Keith smiled, his nose wrinkling handsomely. "And one day, I'll be a vet. My parents wouldn't pay for it, but once I'm out, I can do whatever I want…"
"But I'll still do your taxes." Keith offered.
Kotetsu smiled, smoothing his goatee down. "I'll have to get a cat or something."
"Why?"
"So I'll have a reason to come visit you." Kotetsu explained.
"You don't really need a reason." Keith said, blushing. "You could come just because…"
The door swung open, the frame hitting the wall with a smack. The little, old woman from the laundromat stepped inside, her hands wringing the front of her shirt. "Tiger, we need your help…"
"Heo-san," Kotetsu walked around the bar toward the shrunken old woman. "What's going on?"
"It's Jim Choe." The woman explained nervously, her voice shaking. "He paid, but they came back and said it wasn't enough…"
"Martinez?" Kotetsu asked, walking out the door and onto the sidewalk. Mrs. Heo trailed after him, taking many hurried steps to keep up.
"Yes," Mrs. Heo nodded. "We didn't know what to do. Mr. Jun said the police would take too long…"
"Go back to your shop," Kotetsu instructed. "I'll handle this."
"Tiger!" Keith shouted, hurrying to lock the door of the bar. "Wait! I should call before you go-"
"No police." Kotetsu shouted back as he stalked toward Jim Choe's dry cleaner. Anger coursed unchecked through his body and he felt strong. He took several deep breaths, but it was useless. He had no idea what he was walking into and couldn't calm down. "They'll just get in my way."
Kotetsu crossed the street and walked down the alley, stepping into the shop through the open back door. He walked through the neat rows of plastic covered clothing and into the front of the store.
"Mr. Kaburagi!" Jake exclaimed, slapping his hand down on the counter.
Kotetsu narrowed his eyes as he moved to walk around the counter. His shoe slipped but he caught himself. He looked down, red liquid smeared beneath his shoe. He looked from the pool of blood to Jake in silence.
"Don't worry." Jake continued, seemingly oblivious to the rage seeping through Kotetsu's pores. "I took what he owed me. We're evened up."
Kotetsu hopped over the counter which put him between two of Jake's goons. Kotetsu kneeled beside Jim Choe, his fingers searching for a pulse. Jim Choe jumped and Kotetsu visibly relaxed. "It's Tiger, Choe-san." Kotetsu smoothed his hand over Jim Choe's back. "I'll take care of it."
He stood slowly before turning back to face Jake. "He paid you."
"He paid me the original amount." Jake drawled excitedly. "But that was the price before you refused my help. I had to compensate because of you. You see, you're only hurting the shops around here. You're only hurting other hardworking immigrants…"
"I'm sure you've heard by now," Kotetsu began slowly. "That Brooks Corp has been walking around the neighborhood recently."
"Is that supposed to scare me?" Jake asked, his blue eyes narrowing with distaste. "Fuck you. I'm not scared of a pompous little bitch like Barnaby Brooks."
"Just like how I'm not scared of a pompous little bitch like you." Kotetsu shot back, his arms flexing.
"Nobody calls me a bitch!" Jake shouted, bumping his chest against Kotetsu's roughly. Jake punched Kotetsu in the stomach, winding him. Jake smiled grabbing Kotetsu's face and squeezing. "Having trouble breathing?"
Kotetsu smirked, his knee lodging into Jake's groin. Immediately Kotetsu punched Jake, sending him flying into the goons behind him. "I'm fine."
"You'll pay for that." Jake threatened, a strange calm settling into his features.
"You have no idea how much I wish you would…" Kotetsu snarled, knocking his fist against his chest in gesture. "Go ahead and try me."
Jake pulled something from his jacket. A streak of exhilaration quivered down Kotetsu's spine. He smiled, his blood pumping harder and harder.
"Alright! Let's break it up!" Antonio yelled, flipping open his badge.
"Police!" Ryan shouted, his gun raised. "Hands up and FREEZE!"
Jake shoved his hand back in his jacket before raising them sheepishly. "Jeez, officer. This is a misunderstanding…"
"Shut the hell up. Everyone against the wall. Against the wall now!" Ryan barked.
"You too, Tiger." Antonio added, nodded in gesture at Kotetsu. "You'll be cuffed until we can sort everything out. You know the drill."
"B-b-b-but…" Kotetsu stammered, covering his face as Antonio pushed him roughly against the wall. "It's obvious what happened! Wh-why do I have to?"
"Spread 'em." Antonio instructed, patting Kotetsu down. He searched Kotetsu, using more force than necessary to keep him pinned to the wall. Finally, he pulled out his cuffs and secured Kotetsu. The detective pushed down hard until Kotetsu was forced to the ground.
"If ya wanted me to sit, all ya had to do was ask!" Kotetsu protested, crossing his legs and ducking out of Antonio's reach. Kotetsu sat in silence for only a few seconds before growing irritated. "Choe-san needs medical attention. Hurry up."
"EMT's can't come in until we give the all clear." Antonio explained, patting down one of the goons. He hardly looked, his hands barely touching.
"Tiger," Keith called out, peering inside the shop anxiously.
"Stay back." Antonio barked, flashing his badge. "Or we'll cuff you too."
"What?!"
Sweet, innocent Keith, Kotetsu thought. God, don't let this ugly world change him. Kotetsu sat on his knees, rolling his shoulders back with discomfort. "Go back to the bar," Kotetsu instructed. "I'll be back when I can."
"Do you need help?" Keith asked, watching the police nervously.
"Stay back." Antonio repeated. "Don't make me say it again."
"You can help by going back." Kotetsu insisted. Keith nodded wordlessly before ducking out of view.
Ryan interviewed Kotetsu. Ryan had insisted and Antonio had stormed off all pissed off. Ryan documented everything carefully, even asking Kotetsu how to spell the ethnic names. "I'll look into this."
"Great." Kotetsu said with an impatient nod. "Am I free to go?"
"You're in a hurry." Ryan noted, pushing his notepad into his jacket. "I'm sure that kid can manage the twenty or so tables you get every night…"
"Keith-san's capable." Kotetsu allowed. "But I'm better."
"I won't keep you long." Ryan promised. "I just have a few questions I wanna ask."
"About tonight?" Kotetsu licked his busted lip irritably.
"No."
"Gahhhhh!" Kotetsu exclaimed, pulling at his hair. "What do you people want from me?"
"Why does Lopez hate you?" Ryan asked, ignoring Kotetsu's outburst.
Kotetsu sighed. "He wasn't always in Gangs and Narcotics," Kotetsu explained. "You could say I'm kinda what inspired him to switch career paths."
"Yeah, he used to be an MPI, right?" Ryan asked, scratching his chiseled jaw.
"It's nothing extreme. I just fucked up one of his cases." Kotetsu admitted, his eyes focused on something distant. "I didn't realize he was a cop at the time."
"He doesn't cause you problems, does he?" Ryan questioned. "In retaliation?"
"No." Kotetsu laughed the question off. "We have no contact outside of his duties as a detective." Kotetsu stood and turned, wriggling his cuffed hands in gesture. "Now am I free to go?"
"Yeah, we're done here." Ryan unlocked Kotetsu's handcuffs, pocketing them.
Kotetsu walked past Jake on his way out. Jake looked up, his piercing blue eyes meeting his. He blew Kotetsu a kiss, smacking his lips rudely. "I'll see ya later, Kaburagi…" Kotetsu remained silent as he passed the row of cuffed goons. He turned the knob, pushing open the door of the police station. "Don't wait up for me. I'll be home late, sweetheart…"
Kotetsu paused, staring at Jake. He wanted to ask Jake what the fuck was wrong with him, but he couldn't. He couldn't bring himself to even respond. He shook his head and let the door slam shut behind him.
He walked down the sidewalk and toward the bus stop. He sat down on the bench to wait and dropped his head in his hands. For the first time in a long time, he felt trapped. He didn't understand why all of this was coming to a head now, after all this time. He swallowed miserably, his face aching.
