"So, I guess we're leaving, huh?" Kotetsu murmured, placing his packed bag on the table.

"What?" Barnaby asked, placing the box of sweet rolls on the counter. He lifted the lid of the box and inhaled the sugary aroma before looking at Kotetsu. "Why do you have your suitcase?"

"What? I thought we were leaving…" Kotetsu whispered, turning and placing his palms on the edge of the counter. "I mean, after last night…"

"Ohh ho." Barnaby said, in such a way that Kotetsu felt a chill. "Oh, we are not leaving, Kotetsu."

"What? Why?" Kotetsu whined, gesturing to his suitcase impatiently. "I thought we were coming back here to pack!"

"I thought we were bringing breakfast." Barnaby said, pointing to the box of breakfast rolls.

"Those were to soften the blow! They'll be sad we're leaving, so they needed a treat!" Kotetsu explained.

"Kotetsu, we aren't leaving yet." Barnaby sat down at the small, square table and kicked his feet up on the chair beside him. "We told Kaede we would be here until Friday and we will be here until Friday."

"Bunny-chan…" Kotetsu groaned. "I thought you understood… I can't stand to be here… I can't stand to be around him…"

"I understand or at least I am trying to…" Barnaby admitted softly. "But I am also a man. I have my pride. And you have yours… And there is no fucking way that you are running away."

"Bun-"

"He's not chasing you away from Kaede." Barnaby said simply, folding his arms over his chest. "He's not going to take anything else from you."

"Ugh…" Kotetsu opened the box of rolls and grabbed one in each hand. He tore into the bread, barely tasting the bean paste before he swallowed. "You are intolerable."

"You're safe, you know that right?" Barnaby breathed, licking his lips. "He can't hurt you anymore. It's over."

"Shhh!" Kotetsu hissed. "Ma will be up in a few minutes… I don't want anyone hearing anything…"

"You should tell her." Barnaby said simply, his green eyes watching Kotetsu. "Before we leave we need to tell her everything."

"Absolutely not." Kotetsu argued, his shoulders stiffening. "Like you said, it's over. There's no point of telling her now. All it would do is hurt her."

"We'll talk about this later, Kotetsu." Barnaby spoke firmly. "Because as things are now, it's not okay."

"Ah, man, Bunny… I just want to go home." Kotetsu whined. "Please?"

"No." Barnaby shook his head. "But we can stay at the hotel if you want." Barnaby smiled reassuringly. "Does that make it any better?"

"Maybe." Kotetsu muttered, scratching his chin absently. "I'm not sure yet."

"Ahh… Good mornin', Papa…" Kaede said with a stretch. She smiled at Kotetsu, her face bright and happy. She was his spitting image and it tickled Barnaby. "Good morning, BBJ."

"Kaede, his name is Barnaby." Kotetsu corrected her, offering the box of sweet rolls. She took two and bit into one, her eyes narrowed irritably. "Please be respectful."

"Ugh… Papa!" Kaede complained, talking with her mouth full. "Everyone calls him that!"

"Nobody he actually knows…" Kotetsu pointed out.

"Excuse me, one minute…" Barnaby interrupted, pointing at Kotetsu accusingly. "What's my name?"

Kotetsu's face split into a wide, mischievous grin. "Buhhh-nyyyy…"

"It's Barnaby." Barnaby teased, biting down on his lip.

"Good morning." Anju greeted the room. She kissed Kotetsu on the cheek and squeezed Barnaby's shoulder. "You boys stayed out late."

"That's my fault." Barnaby said with a smile. "I'm afraid I'm a bit unused to the country life. I made Kotetsu show me around a bit."

"Oh, well there's not much to be done in Oriental Town." Anju apologized.

"We had fun." Barnaby assured her, a blush creeping into his cheeks. "We got plenty done."

"Breakfast, Ma?" Kotetsu offered a roll politely.

"Thank you, Kotetsu." Anju took a roll and sat down at the table. "Your brother should be here soon. He offered to take us to the mountains today."

"You know, we don't need him to chaperone us." Kotetsu pointed out.

"We do everything with Oji-san." Kaede said softly. "Just because you're here doesn't mean we should change everything."

As if on cue, the front door opened and Muramasa walked into the house. "Tadaima."

"Okaeri." Anju and Kaede called back.

Muramasa walked into the kitchen and he almost seemed surprised to see Kotetsu was still there. He smiled at his mother and Kaede, nodding toward Barnaby in greeting. "Good morning."

"Kotetsu brought breakfast." Anju said, gesturing to the box on the counter.

"Actually, Barnaby bought it." Kotetsu admitted.

"Ah, you should've let me know, I could've stopped on my way in. Yosuke owes me some money…" Muramasa opened the box and took two rolls.

"Oh, it's fine." Barnaby said with a shrug. "It kinda feels nice to pump some Sterns into the local economy…" Barnaby's eyes met Muramasa's. "Everything here is so cheap and quaint compared to Sternbild."

The next few days passed in a blur. Kotetsu felt like he was on a carnival ride and he couldn't get off. He felt queasy, shaky, and sweaty. He felt as if he was being dragged around the countryside rather than showing Barnaby the town. And then on Friday morning, he woke up to the most wonderful day. His perpetual headache seemed to dissipate. There was no horrendous taste in his mouth. He didn't stagger or sway or stumble.

"You look chipper." Barnaby murmured, rolling over in bed.

Kotetsu considered what to say. How did he explain this feeling? Kotetsu wondered if it was the alcohol prohibition, but he wouldn't admit that sort of thing out loud. Kotetsu shrugged, pulling his pants on. "Glad we're going home, is all."

"It's 6 o'clock…" Barnaby groaned, covering his face with a pillow. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"I'll pack your bag. Sleep." Kotetsu said as he picked up Barnaby's suitcase. He grabbed the outfit saved for that day and placed it neatly on the table.

"Train isn't until 7 pm…" Barnaby sat up, the sheet pooling around his exposed waist. He rubbed his eyes and slapped the bedside table until he found his glasses. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and studied Kotetsu critically. "You're not going to run off before you talk to your mother are you?"

"Barnaby…" Kotetsu sighed heavily. "It's been about 20 years. It's too late for her to do anything about it…"

"She deserves to know the truth." Barnaby explained patiently, for the hundredth time. "His actions are still affecting her. He's the reason you don't come. She deserves to know that. How long did he lie to her? She's your mother. She needs to know."

"And Kaede…?" Kotetsu asked, looking out the window. "She needs to hear this? Where is she supposed to go during this little talk?"

"Lunch with friends." Barnaby proposed. "It's all been arranged."

"You…" Kotetsu twirled the wedding band around his finger. "I don't want to do this."

"I know." Barnaby nodded his head in sympathy. "But you need to."

"Barnaby Brooks…" Kotetsu sat down at the little table and rested his chin on the surface. He watched Barnaby, his amber eyes wide and unblinking. "You're too much."

"I'm going to go shower." Barnaby climbed out of bed, his nakedness bared. Kotetsu unconsciously bit down on his lip, his eyes following Barnaby all the way to the bathroom. Barnaby leaned against the narrow door jamb, a smile tugging his lips. "Wanna join me?"

"You're in trouble today." Kotetsu breathed, his belly tingling slightly. "You're cut off."

"Okay…" Barnaby drawled, his arms flexing impressively as he pulled against the frame of the door. The muscles of his chest and abs rippled as he turned, his beautiful, thick legs stretching attractively. "Your loss, Old Man."

Kotetsu couldn't agree more. With a disappointed sigh he closed his eyes, jumping slightly as the shower pipes screamed to a start. He decided to be productive and finished packing while Barnaby showered. He felt rather domestic and he wiped his face roughly in an attempt to remove the idiotic grin on his face. For some unknown reason, doing for Barnaby was just completely satisfying.

About an hour later, Barnaby had checked out of the motel. He waited for Kotetsu outside while the older hero hired a rickshaw to take them to the Kaburagi's home. The rickshaw driver was silent, youthful and strong. Barnaby couldn't imagine growing up in such a place, doing such a job day after day. He looked at Kotetsu, trying to picture him as he might have been.

"What?" Kotetsu asked. Barnaby realized he was staring and he looked away quickly. "I thought you'd think it was fun."

"Oh, no. I don't mind. I mean, sure we could walk there just as easily, but it's kinda neat…" Barnaby said. "It's something I've never done before."

"Make sure to tell Maverick all about it." Kotetsu replied dryly, sinking back into the bench as they approached the Kaburagi's farm.

"Just relax." Barnaby whispered, squeezing Kotetsu's hand reassuringly. "You're fine."

Kotetsu climbed out of the rickshaw, thanking the man politely. He walked up the house and knocked on the door before opening it and stepping inside. The windows were open, a slight breeze wafting around the house. Something was cooling in the kitchen, something delicious. Kotetsu's mouth watered as he dropped his suitcase in the foyer.

"Tadaima." Kotetsu called out, walking into the kitchen. He was surprised to find Muramasa sitting at the dining table alone. He looked up when Kotetsu entered, his dark eyes settling on his.

"Welcome home." Muramasa replied. He nodded at Barnaby in greeting. "Morning."

"Good morning." Barnaby said, his words chewed up and spit out.

"Where's Ma?" Kotetsu asked, eyeing the pie cooling in the window.

"With Kaede." Muramasa answered. "She's upset you're leaving. She won't come out of her room."

"Sounds counterproductive to seeing me longer…" Kotetsu noted dryly.

"You should go talk to her." Barnaby suggested.

"Ah… well… okay…" Kotetsu sighed in defeat. He stared longingly out the window before turning around and heading to the other side of the house.

Muramasa and Barnaby sat in silence. Muramasa tapped his fingers against the table, his eyes drifting around the kitchen absently. Barnaby sat across from him, his arms folded and resting on the table. He looked at Muramasa, or stared rather, his green eyes narrowed and sharp.

Muramasa swallowed, his throat bouncing noticeably. He looked at Barnaby out of the corner of his eye. Barnaby smirked, a devilish impulse flickering inside of him. "Am I making you nervous?"

"Huh?" Muramasa cleared his throat, looking over at Barnaby. His eyes were narrowed, his jaw held tight. His panicked expression reminded him of Kotetsu and Barnaby's smile widened.

"You seem tense." Barnaby said, his eyes locked on Muramasa.

"Ah, well, I'm not…" Muramasa said blankly, his eyes blinking slowly.

"May I ask a personal question?" Barnaby asked, leaning forward slightly in his chair.

"What?"

"Why aren't you married? You seem like a family man. You didn't want your own?" Barnaby questioned.

"I have my own." Muramasa replied brusquely. Muramasa snorted air through his nostrils loudly. He turned and looked at Barnaby irritably. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." Barnaby said, sitting back in the chair and folding his arms over his chest. "Fire away."

"Are you screwing Kotetsu?" Muramasa asked.

"Yes." Barnaby admitted without blinking an eye.

"And you… you can just admit that outright?" Muramasa shook his head in disbelief.

"You asked." Barnaby said simply. "And I'm not embarrassed by it. Far from it, actually."

"You should be more conservative. What if Kaede found out?" Muramasa asked, his eyes settling on Barnaby.

"That's funny." Barnaby spat. "You're so cute."

"Hah?" Muramasa's eyes narrowed curiously. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm not going to argue with you right now. Kaede is here." Barnaby breathed. He smiled handsomely, his cheeks dimpling. "But I am going to beat you half to death if you can't behave yourself today."

"Excuse me?" Muramasa sat back in his chair, looking around the kitchen as if Barnaby had sprouted two heads. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about me and you. You piss me off and I fucking pulverize you." Barnaby spoke slowly, emphasizing every word. He smiled threateningly and Muramasa's expression soured.

"Are you crazy?" Muramasa asked.

"Yes. I am. And you should be very, very scared." Barnaby cracked his knuckles. "The only reason we're sitting here in the same room is because of Kaede."

"What the hell is your problem?" Muramasa barked. "Fucking psycho."

"I know about it." Barnaby whispered, his voice gruff. "I know what you did to him."

"What I did…?" Muramasa looked confused and frightened. His face softened and his eyes widened. He licked his lips and swallowed with effort.

"And I'm not going to pretend like I don't know anymore." Barnaby continued. "If I pretend like everything's okay, well then, Kotetsu will think what you did was okay because it's over and done… But it's not okay…"

"What I did…" Muramasa repeated mechanically. He looked over at Barnaby and stood slowly, his chair scraping the floor. He paused in front of Barnaby and shook his head. "That was a long time ago. What are you doing?"

"It's not fair that he has to suffer twice." Barnaby said simply. "I'm going to make damn sure you suffer too."

Muramasa walked from the kitchen quickly, looking over his shoulder at Barnaby with incredulity. "Shut up."

Shut up. Shut up? Barnaby's smile widened. If that was the best Muramasa Kaburagi had to offer then the potential threat of retaliation against Kotetsu was almost nonexistent. He wanted Muramasa to feel as though a noose was tightening around his neck, but only if Kotetsu wasn't in the line of fire.

"I won't." Barnaby muttered to himself and the empty kitchen. "I won't shut up."

"OH MY GOD!" Kaede squealed. "Is this real?!"

"Hello…" Karina Lyle said brightly. She pushed a strand of brown hair behind her ear and smiled. "It's nice to meet a friend of Barnaby's…" Karina looked at Kotetsu pointedly.

"Blue Rose! Blue Rose for real!" Kaede cried out excitedly. "I think I might faint…"

"Hey, you didn't faint for me…" Barnaby drawled playfully, squeezing Kaede's shoulder.

"How are you here?" Kaede asked, her hands shaking.

"Barnaby called me." Karina explained. "He said I had a fan out here in Oriental Town." Karina shoved her hands in her pockets. "I asked Titan Industries for the day off and they agreed."

"Oh, well, how very nice…" Kotetsu growled, his eyes wide and his lips pursed in irritation.

"Ah, well, what are friends for." Karina said with a shrug. "Anyway, I was wondering, Kaede, if you'd like to have lunch with me?"

"Lunch with Blue Rose? The Super Idol is actually asking me to lunch?" Kaede shook her head in disbelief.

"Absolutely," Karina answered.

"P-P-P-Papa! You have the best job ever!" Kaede stammered. She hugged Kotetsu tightly before hugging Barnaby. "Thank you, BBJ!"

"BBJ?" Karina asked, arching a brow.

"Don't ask." Barnaby muttered.

"She reads a lot of Tiger Beat and TeenBop." Kotetsu explained with a wave of his hand.

"Oh, really?" Karina purred, knocking shoulders with Kaede.

"You should see the posters on her wall." Kotetsu mumbled, shaking his head. "It's scary."

"Shaddap, Papa!" Kaede groaned, pushing against his back.

"I have some too." Karina admitted. "It's a girl thing."

"Oooh, I bet you have some Wild Tiger posters up, huh?" Kaede teased.

Karina's face twisted into a mortified expression and Kotetsu began to choke on air. They both turned bright red and Kotetsu swore that Barnaby would pay. "W-why would you say that?" Karina asked, looking down at the floor, her cheeks stained pink.

"It's okay, don't be embarrassed." Kaede said sweetly. "My Mom kept stuff like that before she died. Wild Tiger was her favorite too."

Kotetsu felt as if he had been punched in the gut. Barnaby cleared his throat and pat Kaede's shoulder. "Alright, ladies. You have fun." Barnaby said quickly, ushering the girls toward the door. "Remember, call before you head home."

"Oh, okay…" Kaede said, looking around at the adults behind her. "By-e…"

Barnaby and Kotetsu watched as the two girls climbed into the backseat of a fancy, black car. As the car pulled out of the drive Kotetsu wished he could disappear. Barnaby reached out, taking Kotetsu's hand. Kotetsu looked over at him and smiled nervously. "You ready, Kotetsu?" Barnaby asked gently.

"Not at all." Kotetsu confessed, his complexion turning a sickening green.

"Mrs. Kaburagi, Muramasa, I think we should all take a seat in the living room." Barnaby suggested politely. "Kotetsu has something he'd like to say."

"No I don't." Kotetsu blurted out instantly.

Barnaby looked at Kotetsu in shock, a surprised laugh escaping his lips. "Yeah… you do…"

"Not really." Kotetsu replied. He turned away from Barnaby and walked toward the kitchen. "I'm gonna grab a beer." He turned and looked at his brother. "Want one?"

"Sure." Muramasa said with a nod. He looked at Barnaby and the hero could swear he saw a victorious smile splay his lips.

"Kotetsu!" Barnaby snapped, chasing after the older hero into the kitchen.

Kotetsu threw open the fridge and grabbed two beers. He twisted off the cap and lifted it to his lips. Barnaby wrenched the bottle from his hands, slamming it down on the counter. "What are you doing?" Barnaby asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "You need to go back in there and…"

"No. You need to mind your own business." Kotetsu snapped. He grabbed the beer off the counter and took a swig. Barnaby's mouth twisted angrily and he narrowed his eyes.

"Kotetsu." Barnaby warned, his hands clenching at his sides. "Why?"

"Why?" Kotetsu shook his head. "You tell me why. Why do I have to hurt her? Why do I have to hurt him?"

"Because he hurt you!" Barnaby shouted, his voice reverberating off the kitchen light.

"Two wrongs don't make a right." Kotetsu reasoned.

"Oh my God!" Barnaby exclaimed in exasperation. "That is the stupidest… You… You are a coward. You are a chicken shit."

"This has nothing to do with you." Kotetsu said simply, shrugging his shoulder. "Just leave it alone."

"Don't do this." Barnaby pleaded. "Kotetsu, don't do this…"

"I can't tell her." Kotetsu whispered. "Not now."

"Give me the beer." Barnaby instructed, sticking his hand out.

"Why?" Kotetsu asked.

"Because you don't need it."

"I do."

"You shouldn't have it."

"I want it."

"Go in that room. Sit down and tell your mother." Barnaby instructed firmly. "You can't move on until you address it."

"I can't tell her that." Kotetsu shook his head.

"I'll be with you." Barnaby promised. "I'll help you."

"But what if…" Kotetsu breathed out slowly. "What if she's mad at me?"

Barnaby was stunned into silence. The question seemed preposterous at first mention but the longer he thought on it the more his own stomach ached. What if she was angry at him for saying something? What if she took sides? What if she said something horrible? Or kicked him out? Or asked him not to come back?

"I don't know what's going to happen," Barnaby admitted. "But I do know that she loves you very much. I can't say how she'll react, but…" Barnaby sighed heavily. "I will always protect you. No matter what."

"I'm afraid she won't love me anymore." Kotetsu said so softly that Barnaby thought he might have imagined it.

"It will work out." Barnaby said, a certain itch in his chest reminding him that he couldn't be sure.

"Okay." Kotetsu agreed, handing the open beer bottle to Barnaby. He held the other in both hands, walking into the living room morosely. He passed Muramasa his beer and sat on the end of the sofa. Barnaby sat on the arm beside him, his mother in the rocker across and his brother on the love seat.

"What's the matter?" Anju asked, looking at Kotetsu with worry.

"I…" Kotetsu began unsurely. "I just wanted to talk to you two."

"About what? What's going on? Is something wrong?" Anju pressed.

"I've been having nightmares." Kotetsu explained. "They started about a year back." Kotetsu took a deep breath. "They're bad, I don't get any sleep."

"Oh no." Anju said.

"I've started drinking too much." Kotetsu admitted, looking down at his wedding band. "And I… well, sorry to say this Ma, but I've had sex with over 68 different people in less than a year."

"Ko-Kotetsu-chan…" Anju muttered in shock. She covered her mouth, her eyes wide.

"Don't look so disappointed, Ma." Kotetsu drawled, his eyes watering at the corners. "Until a year ago I only had sex with two."

"What-" Muramasa began to question but Kotetsu cut him off.

"What does this have to do with you? Why am I telling you this? I'm getting there… shut up for a minute." Kotetsu spat quickly. "The dreams I've been having… they're not fake… they're not just shit I thought up in my subconscious…"

"You're an alcoholic, Kotetsu." Muramasa said.

"I said shut up for a minute!" Kotetsu shouted.

"Kotetsu…" Anju muttered, her hands wringing in her lap.

"It's okay," Barnaby whispered, placing his hand on Kotetsu's shoulder. "Calm down, go slow…"

"It's your fault I'm fucked up." Kotetsu accused, his eyes searching his brother's. "I thought I was over it. I tried to forget and it came and got me in my fucking sleep…"

"Stop." Muramasa lifted his hand in a halting gesture. "Stop it now."

"I don't want to do this anymore." Kotetsu said, holding his hand under his mouth as if he might retch. "Bun-ny, I don't want to." Kotetsu turned toward Barnaby pleadingly.

Barnaby looked down at Kotetsu, his heart breaking in two. He swallowed with difficulty, his throat constricting. His eyes watered and he cursed himself. He had to stay strong, he couldn't let Kotetsu see him upset. Barnaby cleared his throat and smiled at Kotetsu encouragingly. "Just do it, like a Band-Aid."

"Okay…" Kotetsu agreed, his entire body shaking.

"Okay…" Barnaby whispered, biting down on his bottom lip.

"Muramasa ra-" Kotetsu fainted.

Kotetsu had fainted.

Barnaby looked down in shock at the older hero. Kotetsu was slumped over on the couch, blood pouring from his nose, unconscious. Barnaby wanted to scream. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Oh, God… Kotetsu!" Anju cried out. "Mura-kun, get a cool towel."

"Ma… he's fine…" Muramasa said softly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Muramasa, get a towel! He's fainted…" Anju instructed.

"Ma… I'm sorry…" Muramasa's breath became jagged. He looked at his mother, his face in an expression of tremendous grief.

"What?" Anju shook her head in confusion.

"Pop…" Muramasa wheezed. "When we were little, he would…"

Barnaby's mouth dropped open. He looked from Kotetsu, unconscious on the couch, to Muramasa in disbelief. If Muramasa said what he thought he was about to say…

"He would do things…" Muramasa confessed.

Barnaby felt as if the bottom of an elevator dropped. He took deep breaths, his eyes closed. The room was hot and he felt sick to his stomach. Barnaby shook his head and took a step forward. "No… this isn't right…" Barnaby began.

"Oh my God…" Anju cried, big, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. "What? What are you telling me…?"

"Kotetsu…" Barnaby said, shaking Kotetsu gently. "Kotetsu, wake up!"

"I think that's what Kotetsu was trying to say…" Muramasa said softly, his eyes downcast.

"Kotetsu…." Barnaby pleaded, brushing his hand over Kotetsu's face. "Please, please, wake up…"