AN: Boxes and boxes of apologies for taking such a long time to update. Honestly, uni's been such a beast, and now that I'm in the middle of my mid-term holidays, I can finally take a deep breath, kick myself in the pants and continue writing again. I've made a solemn promise to some people that I'd never leave this story unfinished, and I fully intend to keep it.

Lastly, a BIIIG shoutout to Zidana123 for your comments...and also to everyone who's already reviewed and faved. Thanks so much!

"Ms. Kaburagi."

Tetsuko started, the chess piece she'd been toying with slipping from her fingers and clattering noisily onto the board below. She'd been left alone inside Yuri Petrov's office for a good ten minutes after his secretary had allowed her to enter. Naturally, she'd started prowling about the place.

Yuri strode over to his desk, apparently just gotten out from a hearing. "We really need to stop meeting like this," he said.

"Yes. People would've thought that we're secretly dating."

The man stopped short, fixing her with one of his impossibly steady serpentine gazes.

"A joke," she hurriedly said, then added: "Sir."

"Really now?" he sniped. "My apologies, then. Do give me fair warning the next time you're compelled to make another one."

He tossed the sheaf of folders he'd been holding onto the desk, then proceeded to undo his judicial robe, hanging it onto the coat hook. "I see you have an affinity towards the knight."

"Huh?"

He nodded towards the chess pieces she'd been trying to reassemble. They really were an impressive set: genuine laser-cut Swarovski crystals, stamped with a serial number and an engraved golden plate which said 'For services rendered – Judge Yuri Petrov' in curly letters. Tetsuko didn't even bother imagining what kind of services were rendered.

"Oh. Yes, well…it's the only piece I recognize. Aside from the king and queen, of course."

"A powerful piece in its own right. Most likely due to its unique movement. I suppose it reminds you of yourself. One not bound by conventional rules. So unpredictable as to being a danger to yourself at times. Do you play?"

"Me? No. Although I've had a hand in a few rounds of shogi…"

"Shogi?"

"Japanese chess. Same concept as this one, slightly different rules."

"Hm, interesting. You must teach me someday."

"Yessir," Tetsuko said. She had a long list of things she'd rather not do, and being alone with Yuri Petrov, tutoring him on the finer merits of shogi was one of them.

"Oh, do sit down, Kaburagi," Yuri sighed, settling into his own chair himself. "One would think that this is your first visit. You know, there was a time when I'd asked the secretary to pencil in your appointment, because it always seems like you'd be back here on an almost weekly basis. Why, I'd had an entire shelf reserved just to keep your case files. Never before had I known a Hero with so great an affinity towards property destruction."

"Last time I was here, you'd slapped me with a 3,000 dollar fine," she stated.

"And you're worried that the numbers would escalate this time? It is to be expected. You have broken the number one rule of Heroing. Yes, yes…you might plead the fact that you're no longer a Hero. But by your actions, whether directly or otherwise, you have involved your former colleagues into an act which may well jeopardize their respective careers. Not to mention that Mr. Carreidas is suing for damages."

"Mr. Carreidas?" she repeated blankly.

Leaning over to retrieve something from the bottom drawer, Yuri pulled out yet another file – this time noticeably thicker than usual – and slapped it onto his desk. He opened it, riffling through the papers before singling out one.

"Tony Ignatia Carreidas. Owner of Bar Tony's," he read out. "You are familiar with this individual, are you not? Because he certainly does. Called you a few choice expletive terms in his report…so I'd assumed that you and Antonio Lopez are on first-name basis with him."

"Ugh, Tony. Yes, I know him. We're – uh – regulars at his bar."

"Not anymore, I'd imagine," he observed. "He'd also filed a restraining order against you both."

"Restraining order?" Tetsuko sputtered. "On a bar? Can he actually do that?!"

"Apparently, he can. Especially after the rather large crater Mr. Goldsmith had caused. You're not allowed to be in or near his premises for an indefinite amount of time. Failure to comply shall result in your swift detention." Yuri set the paper down, a wide smile gracing his face. It wasn't a comforting sight. "Things are just getting better and better for you, isn't it?"

Tetsuko groaned, burying her face in her hands as she slumped onto the chair opposite him. There really was nothing she could do or say to plead her case. By the time the police had arrived last night, they were greeted by the sight of a mangled Bar Tony's already sunk three feet into the ground. A group of bikers were lying in a haphazard circle, badly beaten up and knocked out by Ryan's powers. Tetsuko, Bunny, Ryan and Antonio were the only ones left standing back-to-back, each forming the corner of a square. Tetsuko, if she believed the various reports to be true, were brandishing a half-broken bottle and a cue stick, repeatedly shouting 'Make my day!' to anyone who'd dared come near.

"Look, I swear it all started between me and Bun- Brooks. It wasn't supposed to involve anyone else!" Those bikers just happened to join in after Tetsuko and Bunny had crashed into their table. Apparently they didn't like their drinking sessions interrupted. Ryan had whooped in delight, happy that he could join in on the fracas. Antonio merely stepped in to make sure that she didn't get killed.

"Kaburagi, at the risk of making a tasteless pun with regards to Goldsmith's powers, I believe you still do not understand the gravity of the situation."

"Oh, haha. That's a good one, sir," Tetsuko said weakly.

"There will be a public backlash regarding this matter. People may start boycotting HeroTV entirely. I'm sure I don't have to have to spell out the domino effect that takes place afterwards. Loss of viewership means loss of revenue. Corporate sponsorship may no longer be feasible. Lopez's career is already hanging on a thread. This may be the very thing that makes that thread snap. As for Brooks, with his impending retirement and upcoming reality show, who's going to produce it if nobody's going to be watching? Do you want him to leave with a bang, or with a whimper? Shall I go on?"

"No, I think I've-"

"Goldsmith, now…he's already in a bit of a, shall we say…conundrum? Already in suspension and now being charged for assault and property damage – all thanks to you, I believe. His mess is something which I'm looking forward to sort out." He paused, nailing her to the wall with one of his sharp stares. Tetsuko already had a sizeable collection of it, given the amount of time they'd spent together – largely due to her lawbreaking ways. Impassive stares, calculating ones, thoughtful ones, irritated ones. There was none in her collection which indicated warmth, or compassion. Yuri Petrov could cause a cold snap with just one glance. "You certainly know how to occupy my weekends, Kaburagi."

She had nothing to add to this, so she said the only thing she could think of: "Some people play tennis."

"I've half a mind to draft a rulebook for every fledgling Hero and get them to memorize each line by heart. We should do everything we can to prevent embarassing incidents such as these from happening again. I do hope you're not planning on making me reserve another shelf space for you again?"

"No, sir."

"Now-" Yuri placed his elbows on the desk and laced his slender fingers together. "Shall we recite once again the number one rule of Heroing?"

Tetsuko's shoulders slumped. "A Hero does not harm or get involved in altercations with civilians," she mumbled.

"Very good!" he said, as if praising a star pupil. "Regarding the matter of your punishment-"

"What is it this time? The rack? Or the Iron Maiden?"

Yuri hesitated, olive eyes raking over hers, as if he was trying to discern that this was another piece of mirth from her. Then slowly, very slowly, his lips spread out into a smile. He did the one thing Tetsuko imagined he wasn't capable of doing.

He'd laughed.

"Ehem. Ahahaa…"

Tetsuko smiled back at him, a tad uncertainly. She'd honest-to-goodness believed that Yuri had a secret room in his office, where he'd keep various dungeon paraphanelia and torture instruments. Maybe, on days when he was feeling particularly depressed, he'd descend into that room and run his fingers over the well-oiled guillotine, and weep joyous tears as he hugged the chain handcuffs, wishing with all his might that public flogging was still in fashion.

"We no longer resort to medieval methods of punishment," Yuri finally said, still smiling. "I've forgotten how amusing you were, Kaburagi. Do feel free to break more laws so that you could keep on entertaining me."

"Would you be more lenient if I'd performed a one-woman stand up comedy?"

That instantly wiped off the smile. "No."

"Oh well," she said with a shrug. "Can't blame me for trying."

Prior to her meeting with Yuri, Tetsuko had another pressing appointment to attend to. She'd stepped out of her car, swallowing her trepidation with an audible gulp. She was pretty sure she'd gotten the correct house. Her fingers clutched the box of Taketsuru Pure Malt, although probably the best peace offering at this point was her own head on a plate. As an afterthought, she ducked down to the side mirror and fixed herself up as best as she could, tucking in an unruly lock of hair and adjusting the angle of her brand-new newsboy cap.

She straightened up again, choking back a wince as her wounds protested. Bunny almost did a number on her ribs, and it's a wonder they weren't broken. That damned idiot may punch like a sissy, but he definitely kicked like a mule.

She looked up and down the street. Not bad for a Silver-tier residency. Shiny family-sized MPV's and Toyota Camrys lined the sides of the road. She heard the laughter of children as they played in someone's backyard. There's probably a daycare centre nearby. She'd passed through a guard house prior to entering the area, and the guard on duty had asked for her details and driving license.

She looked back up at the house again. Its owner had displayed a considerable prowess in Zen-style gardening. A rock path deviated from the main driveway, leading towards a small koi pond festooned with lilypads and one lone Japanese bamboo fountain. She'd imagined it'd be a nice spot away from home during springtime, when it'd be cherry blossom viewing season. She could already taste the sake and sakuramochi just by thinking about it. God, how she missed Oriental Town.

She rang the bell, hearing it echo throughout the house. A moment later, she saw the living room curtain twitch slightly, followed by the front gate opening by itself. A beaming Bunkichi waited for her at the door as she walked up the driveway.

"You could bring your car inside, Tetsuko-chan," he said.

"Ah, it's fine. How are you, otoo-san?" she said, bowing. "It's a little late, but here's a housewarming gift. Nothing too extravagant, I'm afraid."

Bunkichi clicked his tongue at her offering. "Tetsuko-chan, you shouldn't have!" he said, although he sounded pleased as he accepted it. "Thank you all the same. Come on in!"

She stepped through the threshold. The house still smelt new, with fresh pinewood and lacquer mingling with the potpurri Momoko had always been fond of. She made towards the living room sofa, but stopped when Bunkichi said: "What are you doing? You're supposed to get in there!" He motioned further into the house, seemingly towards the kitchen. "Momoko's already waiting for you!"

"Er, she is?" Tetsuko said awkwardly. "She's not planning to chop me up for dinner, is she?"

Bunkichi shook his head, gesturing impatiently as he ushered her down the hallway. "Her morning class has just finished, and she's resting at the moment."

"Class? What class?"

"Oh, we didn't tell you? She teaches calligraphy three days a week. Lots of people in the neighbourhood are interested. Well, they're mostly elderly folks like us, but occasionally there are high school students. They say her lessons are easy to understand."

"That's great. Good for her."

Bunkichi stopped before a set of sliding doors, painted prettily with plum blossoms and a majestic crane attempting to take flight. Tetsuko wished she could fly away too.

"Momoko? Tetsuko-chan's here. Shall I bring her in?" Bunkichi said to the door.

Momoko's voice floated back out towards them. "Enter."

Tetsuko looked at Bunkichi, who beamed and opened the door for her. "Go," he said, giving her a slight nudge. She reluctantly stepped into the room. "I'll make us some tea," he whispered, before closing the door behind her.

Tetsuko took in her surroundings. The place was certainly set up like a classroom: with rows of low tables arranged on the floor, and a lone table at the front where the teacher would sit. All around the walls hung calligraphy works and the occasional Chinese painting – presumably the works of outstanding students.

"You've missed Tomo's memorial service."

She turned. It was Momoko, who'd quietly emerged from the next room. She was dressed in a peach yukata, her hair done up in a neat bun. She stood tall and proud, and for a moment, she seemed like an empress. "Don't you pay your proper respects to him anymore?"

"I did, okaa-san. In my own way."

Momoko was visibly displeased, but nonetheless moved towards her teaching desk. Tetsuko bowed towards her. "How are you, okaa-san? I know I should've come by sooner, but I've been busy. My apologies."

"After your last display of rudeness, I'm surprised that you'd even show up," she said tartly. Then, motioning towards the desk, she added: "Show me your penmanship."

"Eh?" Tetsuko said, confused.

"You still know how to write in Japanese, I hope? It'd be a terrible shame if you didn't."

"O-of course I do!" Tetsuko said, stung at the implication. "It's just that I-"

"Then let's see how well you do it. Start with your name. Go on."

"Er, okay," Tetsuko said, and settled down at the table. There was already a roll of paper prepared, along with the ink and brush set placed at the side.

Momoko sat beside her, folding her legs neatly beneath her and tucking in the hems of her yukata.

"It's not perfect, mind you," Tetsuko said, taking up the brush.

She'd paused for a moment, thinking of the best way to start, then started writing. The truth was, she hadn't held a calligraphy brush since elementary school, and she could feel her wrist movements were stiff. Already she'd caused a big blot in one spot when she paused for too long. She dabbed more ink onto the brush, dribbled slightly onto the paper, but went on doggedly. It may not be perfect, but she'd never any job unfinished.

Finally done, she set down the brush and let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Atrocious," was all Momoko said, a slight pursing at the corners of her lips the only hint of her displeasure.

"Really?" Tetsuko said, "I thought it was easy enough to read. What did I do wrong?"

"The spacing between your characters are irregular. And your strokes…you tend to put weight at the wrong places. The whole thing doesn't seem balanced at all. It looks more like a chicken scrawl than an actual writing. Didn't you know that penmanship is an art all by itself?"

"I – uh – must've missed that during Art class," Tetsuko said, rubbing the back of her neck.

"I will show you the proper way of doing it," Momoko said, making shooing motions with her hand.

Tetsuko scooted to the side, while Momoko took over her place. She tore away the sheet with Tetsuko's handwriting and put it neatly onto the floor. Staring at the fresh piece of blank paper, she then delicately held up the hem of her right yukata sleeve as she took up the brush. She began to write; or rather, her brush danced over the paper in a series of sweeping steps that seemed complicated to Tetsuko. Beneath her hand, Tetsuko's name flowed and bloomed with nary a sound save for the rustling of bristles gliding over the hot-pressed parchment.

Finally setting down the brush, Momoko folded her hands back onto her lap. For a moment she didn't say anything, making Tetsuko wonder if some sort of compliment was expected of her.

She opened her mouth – "It's beautiful, okaa-san. I never thought-"

"I expect the both of you here every Friday night for dinner," Momoko suddenly said. "No exceptions. No excuses."

"Huh?"

"And Kaede will spend at least a week with us every semester break. It's about time someone taught that girl proper manners and skills, and it's obviously fallen upon me to carry out that task." Momoko arched a brow tartly. "I suppose that isn't too big of a demand in return for our generosity?"

"Generosity?" Tetsuko echoed, still feeling completely at sea.

"St. Mary's school chairman just happened to be a personal friend of mine. I may have put in a good word or two his way regarding Kaede."

Tetsuko froze, the sudden and terrible revelation dawning on her like a giant wave. "What did you say?"

"Are you deaf? I said I'd put Kaede into that school and paid for her tuition fees as well. That's what you wanted, wasn't it? Honestly, Bunkichi gave me such a serious talking-to after that restaurant fiasco. You'd think that it was all my fault! Told me that you'd never let me see Kaede anymore if I keep picking on you. As if I'm a bully! I was just being truthful. Surely you'd already realized that by now. Why are you looking at me like that?"

Tetsuko had been staring. So Bunny had been right all along. And to think that she didn't believe him…

She finally managed to work out her tongue. "Okaa-san, Kaede's a NEXT." Then, when no other response seemed to be forthcoming, she went on: "Someday she'll be on HeroTV too. She'll go to Hero Academy and I'll teach her everything there is to know about being a Hero and more."

Further silence. The kind of dreaded silence where Tetsuko was expecting an impassioned outburst, where Momoko will start cursing her for birthing another abomination of nature such as herself.

"Will she be wearing spandex?"

"Spandex?" Tetsuko echoed, wondering if she'd heard right. "No, not if I can help it-"

"Because I don't want to see her dressed up like that strumpet Blue Ice or whatever her name is. You could see half her buttocks in that getup!"

"No, she definitely won't look like Blue Rose," Tetsuko said, wondering what Karina would say if she knew she was being called a strumpet.

"And you'd better make sure she minds her P's and Q's. I don't want to see another Kaburagi canoodling around in public like some damn floozy!" Momoko caught the indignant look on Tetsuko's face. She must've realized that Momoko was referring to that public kiss with Bunny. "Oh, you know what I mean!" she snapped. "Not that I'm actually saying that you're a loose woman…just…just that there're proper ways of doing it. Traditional ways. If we don't hold on to tradition, then we're no better than monkeys."

"So what? Are you saying that I should marry him?" Tetsuko asked, mind still trying to process what her mother-in-law was actually saying. Did she disapprove of Bunny? Did she think a traditional approach would somehow purify what was deemed as blasphemy to her eyes? Should Tetsuko even care to begin with?

Momoko sniffed. "Far from me to dictate what you should and shouldn't do. You're more than capable of making your own decisions. I'm just not too sure of how you go about to handling your…what's that modern word now? Oh, yes. Flings," she said, narrowing her eyes as she said the last word, as if implying it was some sort of dirty laundry that should never be aired in public.

Someone spoke, and it took Tetsuko a moment to realize that it was her. "It wasn't a fling."

"Oh? What do you call it, then?"

"I…" she hesitated, the feeling suddenly hitting her like a train. She looked up, seemingly dazed. "I love him."

Momoko looked as if Tetsuko had announced that she was going to shave her head and run off to join the French Foreign Legion. "Excuse me?!"

Tetsuko smiled, then laughed. "I love him." To the face of the surprised older woman, she went on: "My God. I love that stupid, pigheaded jackass. He's almost impossible, really. Goodness knows how many times I've felt like killing him. But…no matter how much he hates me, I'd still love him. It's crazy, and I know it's crazy. But it is what it is."

Momoko had always prided herself as being someone who's never at the loss for words. But in all her years, she could remember only two occasions that left her as such. The first was when Tomo came home announcing he was getting married. The second time, would be this.

Tetsuko laughed again, her delighted voice bouncing against the four walls and surprising Bunkichi, who was just standing outside with a tray in hand, discreetly listening for any signs of murder. "I've completely messed things up with him, but I'm pretty sure I could fix it. He'll sulk and complain like a girl, but I'm always the one who has to run after him."

"Where are you going?" Momoko asked, alarmed. Tetsuko had scrambled to her feet and made towards the door.

Tetsuko paused. "To fix things," she said, sliding the door open and practically hopping outside, almost colliding against Bunkichi. "Sorry, otoo-san!" she said breathlessly. "But I have to go. Thanks for the tea!"

She started clattering down the hallway before she seemingly remembered something, returned back to bow at the both of them, then turned around again to hare out of the house. Moments later, Bunkichi and Momoko heard Tetsuko's car roar to life.

After a beat, Momoko huffed. "Didn't even stop for tea. What utter cheek!"

Tetsuko exited Yuri's office, and stopped short.

Bunny was seated at the couch, apparently waiting for his own audience with Yuri. Their eyes clashed, and Bunny was the first to look away.

"Mr. Petrov will see you now, Mr. Brooks," the receptionist said pleasantly.

The man nodded, and got to his feet. He made his way towards the door, but Tetsuko was still blocking it.

"Excuse me," he murmured, still not looking at her.

Tetsuko took a moment to study him. She'd imagined that they both must've looked quite a sight. Noticing the bandage on his forehead and remembering the minor stitching required there, she found herself trying hard not to wince. That had been her doing, along with the scratches along his neck and cheek. Whatever outstanding bruises on his face had been expertly covered with liquid foundation, but she knew they were there.

"Bunny," she said, and noted how his body immediately tensed. "I'm really sorry. For…for everything. I know there's no excuse for the way I've been treating you...but I'll do everything I can to fix this. I…I promise."

He said nothing, merely shuffled his feet and shifted his gaze up to the wall with a sigh.

"You were right…as always," she went on. "I went to see Tomo's parents just now, and it turns out that his mother really did pay for Kaede's tuition. All of it. So I can rest easy about money now. But it doesn't come without strings attached, though. Still, it's nothing that I can't survive," she added with a small laugh, and grimaced when it came out as a high-pitched squeak.

"I've been thinking about what you said. Before the - before we-" she broke off in frustration. Of all the times to be fumbling about! "Before that stupid fight, I mean. You said that you wanted us to continue the way we were. Well, I'd very much like that." She suddenly felt like running for the hills, but she soldiered on nonetheless. "I want to try this…with you," she blurted out.

Bunny's face shot up then, regarding her incredulously. Mistaking it as a sign that he'd misunderstood, she hastily added: "O-of course there's still the possibility of you wanting to kill me after everything I did…which is fine. You can kill me first then we can go back to working this thing out. I'm totally cool with that. I mean, I do technically deserve it, so-"

"What makes you think I'd want to try anything with you?"

She stuttered to a stop, scarcely able to believe what she'd heard. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Barnaby snapped. "You don't like me enough to be with me. That's what you said, remember?"

Tetsuko's shoulders sagged. "I know what I said." But it's not what I really meant. She mentally cursed Antonio for allowing her to take alcohol. She cursed herself for breaking her sobriety vows. Maybe she should've settled for a goddamned Diet Coke and none of this would've happened.

"For one moment last night you've stopped trusting me. How did that happen? After all the things we've worked on, all these years. Did you happen to conveniently forget about that?"

"Of course I didn't! Why would you even think that way?"

"Without trust, we have nothing."

"Bunny, I never said that I-"

"Get out of my sight. I don't want to talk to you, nor see you again. Ever."

Tetsuko sighed as she killed her car engine. Another bust-up with Bunny. How many times does it make this week? And how many times was it caused by her? Almost all of it, she'd reckoned. She was a walking ball of disaster, and quite possibly the only real talent she'd ever had was to ruin every single chance she could ever have with Bunny.

"Crap," she said to the steering wheel. She suddenly had an overwhelming need to bash her head against it repeatedly until she passed out. That'd be a fun way to end the day.

Exiting her vehicle and locking it behind her, she trudged her way back to her apartment. Maybe she could drown her sorrows with green tea tonight. And a large order of potato crisps and ramen. She'd bloat up like a blowfish by tomorrow, but at least it'll give her ample reason to drag out her running shoes again. Already she could imagine Keith sagely advising her to do proper warmups prior to a run.

She was walking down the hallway, almost reaching her apartment, when she suddenly stopped.

"Oh, hell no," she breathed.

Somebody's broken in.

She could see the front door slightly ajar, the splintered edges along the side of the lock indicating that it had been forced open.

Somebody's. Bloody. Broken in.

Shit.

Episode the next: Can things get anymore worse for Tetsuko? Yes, I'm afraid so.