Kotetsu couldn't stop the scream that ripped from his throat. The pain was immeasurable. Searing, white hot, blistering pain coursed through Kotetsu's veins. He rolled onto his stomach, pushing himself off of the floor and onto his hands and knees. He spit onto the dust-covered floor, blood trailing from his mouth.
"Shut up! Shut up!" Muramasa growled, pressing his boot against Kotetsu's back. "Stop making so much damn noise…"
He knew he was dreaming, he knew that this was a terrible memory and if he woke up it would all disappear. But Kotetsu couldn't wake. He tossed and turned in the strange bed, in the guest room of Judge Yuri Petrov's house unable to wake himself from his vivid, terror-filled dream.
"I'm not fighting you!" Kotetsu cried, sinking to the floor under the weight of his brother's boot.
"I know!" Muramasa snarled angrily. "I want you to! Don't just lie there like a dead fish…"
"What?" Kotetsu shook his head in confusion, crawling on his elbows out from under Muramasa. "I don't understand…"
"Do something!" Muramasa demanded in frustration. He used his foot to roll Kotetsu onto his back. He kneeled over his younger brother, the scent of liquor filling his nostrils. "Hit me."
"Hit you?" Kotetsu asked, his eyes wide with panic.
"Yeah, hit me." Muramasa repeated. "Hit me real good, real solid in the jaw."
"But…" Kotetsu couldn't grasp Muramasa's meaning. He looked up at his older brother, tears streaming down his bruising, bloodied face.
Muramasa struck Kotetsu's cheek with the back of his hand. He sat down heavily, straddling Kotetsu without warning. Kotetsu groaned, wriggling under his brother's weight uncomfortably. "Hit me."
"I don't want to…" Kotetsu refused, his voice quivering.
"Why not?" Muramasa snarled, leering in Kotetsu's face. "Afraid I'll cream ya?"
"No, b-b-because I l-love y-you…" Kotetsu sobbed, shaking his head back and forth adamantly. "And I d-don't w-w-want to hurt y-you…"
And then Muramasa was flipped like a switch. He kissed Kotetsu fiercely, his hands combing through Kotetsu's hair. He thumbed away the tears from his brother's eyes; he wiped away the snot that dripped from his nose. Muramasa showered him with salty kisses, his hands gently exploring every inch of Kotetsu he could reach. "I'm sorry, Kotetsu…" Muramasa murmured between kisses. "I was only teasin'…"
"You love me right?" Kotetsu asked quietly, his lips curving suggestively around Muramasa's ear.
"Yes." Muramasa breathed, lifting Kotetsu's shirt.
"Say it." Kotetsu commanded, an unusually bold move.
"I love you." Muramasa said obediently.
"If you love me," Kotetsu suggested carefully. "Then you shouldn't hit me…"
"Shaddap." Muramasa snapped, his eyes narrowing.
"No, no, just listen…" Kotetsu pleaded, his legs wrapping around Muramasa's waist. "If, if y-you love me… I can make it feel good…"
"It already feels good." Muramasa replied, his fingers pinching Kotetsu's nipple roughly.
"No, no... trust me…" Kotetsu continued, his voice syrupy sweet. "I can make it feel even better, but you can't hurt me anymore…"
"I like doing it my way." Muramasa refused flatly.
"But I can be… better…" Kotetsu offered, his hands tugging at Muramasa pleadingly. "I can do better. You stop hitting me and I'll start, uh, being sexy…"
"Alright then," Muramasa said with a laugh. "Then show me. How are you going to be sexy?"
"Are you gonna hit me again?" Kotetsu questioned. "Promise or I'm not gonna show ya."
"I promise." Muramasa agreed, sitting up and climbing off of Kotetsu. "Undress or something. Do it slowly… I don't know. Show me something…"
"When you love someone…" Kotetsu said softly, his fingers brushing over the bruising skin on his face. "You don't hurt them."
"Stop trying to make me feel bad." Muramasa pouted. "Hurry up and do something."
Kotetsu didn't feel as if he woke up. He simply rolled out of bed and into the narrow, outdated bathroom. He stared at himself in the oval mirror and his hands trailed along the bruising on his neck. He remembered the dream and he sighed, his fingers touching where Barnaby's hands had been hours ago.
He washed himself in the sink, rummaging through the medicine cabinet for deodorant. He decided that he couldn't look at himself anymore and he turned away from the mirror as he brushed his teeth with a washcloth.
Kotetsu felt weakened by his dream. He felt as if he might pass out from blood loss. Everything was dim and dark and hopeless. He leaned against the wall of the bathroom and didn't even bother to blink his tears away. He stood there for several minutes, crying helplessly in Yuri Petrov's guest bathroom.
And just when Kotetsu thought that he had no tears left he collapsed. He hit the corner of the counter, blood soaking through his hair and spilling onto the tile. He dipped his fingers in the thick, warm blood, smearing it over the floor.
He only stared at the expanding pool of blood. He felt no external pain. He finally pushed himself up and into a seated position, his legs crossed beneath him. A laugh escaped his lips and he began to giggle uncontrollably.
With a sigh and a shake of his head, he threw his head forward, smashing it into the porcelain toilet beside him. There was a terrible crack and blood poured from a cut on Kotetsu's forehead. The laughter died away and Kotetsu curled around the base of the toilet, his body shaking with sobs.
Barnaby sat in front of his laptop in a horrified stupor. The file had finished playing all the way through and the large white play icon flashed on the screen. Barnaby swallowed uncomfortably, his stomach twisting in revulsion. I don't understand, he thought. Why do I have this?
The SD card had one video on it. It was a dark and grainy film of Kotetsu Kaburagi, drugged and bound, being attacked by an unknown assailant. Kotetsu came to and used his NEXT power to free himself, Keith Goodman arriving a few minutes later as Sky High.
"What a horrible thing to keep." Maverick said, leaning against the frame of the bedroom door. "Give it to me and I'll destroy it."
"What are you doing here?" Barnaby asked, spinning around in his chair.
"Am I not welcome in your home, Barnaby Boy?" Maverick scoffed, shaking his head.
"Of course you're welcome…" Barnaby said, but then that felt wrong. He felt his skin prickle and he shuddered. "What are you doing here though?"
"I came to check on you." Maverick explained, reaching around and ejecting the SD card from the computer. "And I find you watching this filth."
"I wasn't!" Barnaby exclaimed, his entire face reddening. "I didn't know what it was, and then when I watched…" Barnaby shook his head, averting his eyes. "I don't know why I have it. Who is Kotetsu Kaburagi? Why do I have this video of him… being… attacked…?"
"Barnaby, did you speak with Kotetsu Kaburagi yesterday? At Mr. Goodman's house?" Maverick asked, twirling the SD card in-between his fingers.
"Yes." Barnaby admitted, swallowing thickly.
"What did he say?" Maverick asked.
"He said that he was my boyfriend…" Barnaby confessed, feeling a little ridiculous. "And he said that you're a NEXT. And that you're dangerous…"
"How silly." Maverick said.
"I found-" Barnaby's hand reached for the small, black box but he stopped, a strange feeling holding him back. "I found that SD card and I got curious. When I saw it was of Kotetsu Kaburagi, I didn't know what to think…"
"Some people are monsters." Maverick said with a sad shake of his head. "To drug a person with doggie pills…"
"I don't know why I would even have it." Barnaby replied anxiously. "There's no way I would ever condone or" Barnaby cleared his throat. "And how do I not remember him? I don't understand… I can't believe…"
"I tried to tell you at dinner," Maverick sighed. "He's not good enough for you."
"What? What are you talking…about…?" Barnaby's eyes widened in shock.
"I don't like you being unhappy, Barnaby Boy." Maverick said apologetically.
"What did you do to me?" Barnaby growled, standing up from his chair. "Who is Kotetsu Kaburagi?"
"Don't worry about it." Maverick said soothingly. "It won't matter in the morning."
"I didn't expect you to call again."
"I'm desperate and pathetic."
"I don't recognize the number either…"
"I dreamt about you last night." Kotetsu said quietly, leaning against the wall in Yuri's kitchen. He twisted the coils of the phone cord around his finger anxiously.
"Good or bad?"
"Neither." Kotetsu breathed out. He pressed his back further into the corner, his hip painfully pressed against the edge of the counter. "It was just life."
"What happened to Barnaby? Something happened, huh?"
"I just… I have no one else to call…" Kotetsu cried, his voice breaking as the sob escaped his throat.
"Are you drunk, Kote-chan?"
"No." Kotetsu shook his head, even though Muramasa couldn't see. "I… I am in trouble."
"Are you hurt?"
"Nothing I can't heal."
"Is someone else hurt?"
"Not physically, per se."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I'm probably going to be killed." Kotetsu cried. "I'm going to die. All alone…"
"What's going on? How do I help you? What can I do?"
"Nothing. You can't help me… I'm fucked… I'm completely fucked… I don't know what to do. I'm too stupid to figure it out on my own and I have no one to help me…"
"Come home, Kotetsu. Whatever you're fighting, it doesn't matter. Just come home…"
"I'd rather die." Kotetsu gasped. "I'd rather die."
"God, Kotetsu… I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. Please… just come home. I swear to God I won't see you ever again if you come home safe…"
"I just wanted to talk to you…" Kotetsu muttered. "I just wanted to hear your voice one last time…"
"No!" Muramasa shouted. "What the hell are you doing? Don't you dare hurt yourself, Kotestu!"
"I'm not going to kill myself." Kotetsu laughed ironically. "Hell, maybe I won't even die at all. But it doesn't matter. If I lose, I might as well be dead…"
"I don't understand what you're talking about…"
"Do you love me?" Kotetsu asked suddenly.
"Yes."
"Say it." Kotetsu demanded, a peculiar smile twisting his lips.
"I love you, Kotetsu. I love you. Pleas-" Kotetsu hung up the phone, a strange feeling of satisfaction settling in his belly.
Kotetsu sat in the living room, staring up at the staircase. Earlier he had heard voices but now the entire house was silent. Yuri hadn't shown himself since he walked off the night before and Kotetsu felt more than a little imposing.
After several agonizing hours of deliberation, Kotetsu finally caved and opened Yuri's fridge. It was a depressing sight, everything labeled and dated carefully in boring plastic containers. Kotetsu searched through the leftovers, some too miniscule to serve a child, before finding some chicken and rice. Kotetsu microwaved the food, cursing the loud beeping of the machine. He ate quickly, washing his dishes when he finished and searching the cupboards until he found where they most likely belonged.
He sat in lonely silence as the sun began to set. He could hear traffic outside and knew that it must be rush hour. His stomach growled, rumbling painfully. He thought he heard footsteps above, as if someone was pacing. He listened carefully, his entire body focused on the sound.
There was a noise outside, it pierced through the air and Kotetsu's skin prickled uncomfortably. Kotetsu covered his ears, dropping down behind the rocking chair for cover. The noise was unbearable and Kotetsu couldn't remember a time his hearing had been so sharp. Kotetsu watched through the slats of the chair as the front door opened and a man stepped inside.
Kotetsu was surprised to realize that it was Yuri Petrov walking in. Kotetsu sprang out from behind the chair, raising an accusatory finger. "I thought you were up there! How did you get out there?!"
Yuri looked at Kotetsu with an arched brow. "I was at work. I have a job."
"I've been waiting for you to come down all day!" Kotetsu exclaimed with a groan.
"I wasn't even here." Yuri said simply, placing a large brown paper sack on the kitchenette. "And don't speak so loudly."
"I heard voices!" Kotetsu pressed, peeking into the odorous bag curiously. "Ooh… what is this? Smells good."
"My mother is home." Yuri replied, smacking his hand against Kotetsu's. "And get out of there. That's dinner."
"Any news?" Kotetsu asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"You're famous." Yuri said with a humorless grin. "The moment you step outside you'll be exposed."
"Well, shit." Kotetsu muttered, sinking into the chair beside him.
"Not that I care, but do you have a plan?" Yuri asked, tucking his hair behind his ear. "You can't stay here forever."
"I'm leaving tonight." Kotetsu replied, chewing on his fingernails, a habit he had kicked long ago. "I don't have a plan. I'm just gonna go with it." Yuri looked shocked, concern twisting his features before he collected himself.
"You're just gonna die." Yuri said in a mocking tone. "Don't be such an imbecile."
"I've accepted that I'm a disappointment." Kotetsu said with dry laugh.
"Don't say such things." Yuri sighed, his hands clutching at the hem of his shirt.
"I know who you are." Kotetsu said quietly. "Are you really going to let me live?"
"You know who I am." Yuri retorted. "If Wild Tiger manages to survive will you try to arrest me?"
"Of course. I will arrest Lunatic." Kotetsu said matter-of-factly. "If I catch Lunatic and I manage to take him down, I will."
"You're rather idi-"
"You saved me. You saved Kotetsu Kaburagi." Kotetsu explained. "I could never arrest someone who showed me as much kindness as you have. But if Wild Tiger has an opportunity to stop Lunatic, Wild Tiger will take it."
"You're brave." Yuri said.
"And so are you." Kotetsu replied. "Even if you don't want to admit it."
"I'm going upstairs." Yuri said with a curt nod. "I probably won't be seeing you again."
"I don't have a plan…" Kotetsu exclaimed. "But that also means I don't plan on dying."
"I wish this world was a place for you, Mr. Kaburagi." Yuri placed a container of food on the table and picked up the bag, holding it against his chest. "You're too gentle." And then he walked upstairs without looking back.
Kotetsu opened the Styrofoam container and began to shovel the food in his mouth. He wasn't exactly sure what sort of sandwich he was eating but he was thankful that it was smothered in cheese. The meat was red and the onions didn't seem to be onions at all. But the cheese was melted and hot and gooey and if it was the last thing he ever ate he would be okay with that.
"That's him." Barnaby snarled, smacking the poster down on the table. "This is our guy."
"He looks like a sleaze." Antonio said, sparing only a moment's glance at the picture of Kotetsu Kaburagi.
"Is he as dangerous as they say?" Pao-Lin asked, looking up at Nathan in concern.
"Oh, don't worry." Nathan assured her. "He's an old man. Nothing you can't handle."
Karina and Keith studied the wanted poster with interest. Karina shook her head, biting down on her bottom lip. "Why would a NEXT kill someone with a knife?"
"I don't get it." Ivan said, his laughter strained and awkward. "I don't get the joke."
"Joke? What's funny to you, asshole?" Barnaby growled. "This fucker killed Samantha. She was the last family I had left…"
"But Mr. Wild Tiger…" Ivan shook his head, his violet eyes wide with concern.
"Shhh…" Keith murmured, looking down at Ivan kindly. "Barnaby's upset. Asking questions will only make it worse."
"But!" Ivan shook his head in disbelief. "What are you all doing? I don't understand…"
"Ivan! Stop!" Keith ordered, grabbing Ivan's shoulders firmly. "This man is wanted for killing Samantha Taylor. She was very close to Barnaby… This is personal…"
"Are you crazy?" Ivan asked, turning to look at each of the heroes in turn. "Are you all crazy?"
"You're being weird, Ivan." Karina snapped. "Just shut up."
"It's Mr. Kotetsu! Mr. Kotetsu wouldn't kill anyone!" Ivan screamed, terror filling his voice. "Why are you all acting like this? I don't think you're funny!"
"You know this man?" Barnaby asked. "Where is he? Where would he hide? Tell me now, Origami!"
"Do I know him?" Ivan sat down, his entire body shaking. He shook his head in refusal and pulled his knees up to his chest. "No, I don't know him…. I must've gotten him confused with someone else…"
"I'm gonna kill that bastard… If you know where he is… You'd better…" Barnaby warned.
"Don't threaten Ivan." Keith snapped impatiently. "He's just a kid."
"Today's half off wing day at the diner." Ivan muttered. "That's something we all like…"
"I don't think right now is the time for wings, Ivan…" Antonio groaned. "Get serious."
"I'm sorry, I…" Ivan nodded his head, the words dying unspoken in his throat.
"He can't hide forever." Barnaby growled to himself. "Kaburagi will show up sooner or later…"
"Don't worry." Keith said soothingly. "We'll get him."
"I'll get him." Barnaby corrected aggressively. "I'm going to take him down myself."
"Oh, my!" Nathan exclaimed playfully. "The pissing contest is about to start."
"I think we should all take another look at the picture…" Ivan suggested. "A good, long look."
"I've burned his face into my memory." Barnaby growled. "I'll never forget it."
"Eh," Ivan whispered. "Don't be so sure…"
"Are you alright?" Keith asked, looking Ivan up and down.
"Actually, I don't… feel good…" Ivan lied quickly. "I think I'm going to go visit the nurse…" Ivan stood and nearly bolted out the door and down the hall. He didn't know what was going on but he knew he had to get as far away from the other heroes as possible.
Ivan ran outside of the station, his breath unusually short. He pulled his hoodie over his head and tightened the string. He peered around the crowded street suspiciously before morphing into a stranger passing by. He ran toward the park bench, sitting down and pulling his phone out of his pocket.
He searched his contacts for Kotetsu, murmuring to himself. He couldn't believe that every text, every voicemail, every trace of Kotetsu Kaburagi was gone from his phone. He tried to remember Kotetsu's number, but after three unsuccessful and awkward attempts, he gave up.
"Now what?!" Ivan groaned aloud. He pulled his legs up on the bench and helplessly watched the people in the park. All around him people seemed to carry on with their lives. Ivan felt a deep pang of anger at the situation and his own cluelessness. He sat in the park until the street lamps came on, mulling over the situation.
"You all alone?" a man's voice unfurled in his ear. Ivan's head snapped to the side, his eyes widening in surprise. He furrowed his brows, pursing his lips as he surveyed the group of men standing behind him.
"What do you want?" Ivan snapped, standing up and turning around to face the men. "I don't have any money on me."
"Hey, don't get so defensive." One of the men said, looking around at the other people scurrying out of the park.
"Yeah, we were just gonna ask you a few questions…" the original man said. "You wanna make some money?"
"Listen," Ivan growled, his eyes glowing brilliantly in the dying light. "I'm in a really bad mood and you probably don't wanna fuck with me…"
"Oohhhh…" the men whooped, circling around Ivan menacingly.
"Hey!" A man yelled, running straight toward the group of men. "What're you kids doing?"
"Hey, Sir…" Ivan yelled, waving at the good Samaritan pointedly. "I've got this, please don't get involved. I don't want you getting hurt…"
"Don't act so tough, kid." The man said, walking up and pressing between the gang of men and Ivan. The man smiled, his eyes creasing in the corners handsomely. He pat Ivan's head, messing up his hair and wiggling his hood. "They outnumber you 10 to 1."
"You…" Ivan gasped, staring at the man in disbelief.
"What's going on here anyway?" the man asked. "Owe 'em money?"
"Listen, old man… we don't wanna hurt ya. Move along. This is none of your business." One of the men snarled.
"I told you, I'm in a bad mood." Ivan growled. And he threw his body to the side, delivering a perfect roundhouse kick to the guy in the front. He moved swiftly, expertly taking on each opponent, but his strength couldn't last. As they began to overwhelm him the other man stepped in. He quickly took on three or four at once, tossing them to the ground in a growing pile.
Within a minute the entire group of men were incapacitated. "Mr. Wild Tiger," Ivan breathed out in relief. "What are the chances? I can't believe you showed up here…"
Kotetsu's eyes opened wide in panic. He looked Ivan, still in disguise, up and down. "W-w-wait…"
"It's okay," Ivan whispered, morphing back into his true form. "It's me…"
"Ivan! Holy shit!" Kotetsu nearly yelled. He grabbed Ivan by the arm and dragged him off, distancing himself from the scene of the incident quickly. "Do you know who I am?!"
"Of course I do!" Ivan exclaimed, violet eyes wide. "What's going on? I feel like I'm in the middle of some conspiracy!"
"You are!" Kotetsu groaned.
"Great! I'm gonna die!" Ivan said, shaking his head in exasperation. "I don't want my body to get thrown in the river…"
"How come you know who I am?" Kotetsu demanded. "Barnaby, Keith, Antonio…"
"The whole group." Ivan admitted sadly. "No one remembers you."
"Maverick didn't get to you?" Kotetsu asked, shaking his head in confusion.
"Maverick? Well, I just saw him. He called a meeting and… and, oh my God… He took our phones and then he showed us… Oh my God… I am totally going to die now…" Ivan panicked.
"You're not going to die." Kotetsu assured him. "You are not going to tell anyone that you remember me."
"What? But how are you going to undo this? We have to do something…" Ivan continued.
"There is no 'we' Ivan." Kotetsu said gently. "I have to do this myself. If anything happened to you because of me, then, I don't…"
"I'm a hero too." Ivan insisted. "I will help you."
"I can't let y-"
"No! You're not 'letting' me do anything… I am a hero, damn it. Mr. Wild Tiger, I will do everything in my power to help you." Ivan shouted.
"I know… I know…" Kotetsu agreed with a sad smile.
"We need to get out of here." Ivan said, pulling Kotetsu in the opposite direction. "Everyone is looking for you."
"I need to get into the station…" Kotetsu argued. "I need my suit."
"That's not gonna happen." Ivan shook his head adamantly. "There is no way in Hell you can get into that building."
"You're right, I can't." Kotetsu looked down at Ivan, a smile twisting his lips.
"What?" Ivan asked, shrugging. "You can't, sorry."
"Nope, I can't." Kotetsu repeated with a nod.
"You want me to go get your suit, don't you?" Ivan sighed.
"Yes, I do." Kotetsu said with a smile.
"Dang it." Ivan groaned.
"I can think of something else." Kotetsu said.
"No, I'll do it." Ivan said firmly. "I can do it."
"Thank you." Kotetsu ruffled Ivan's hair.
"Okay, I'll be fast. You wait here. Stay hidden…" Ivan nodded, turning around and jogging back toward the station. "Jaa ne!"
Kotetsu smiled as Ivan disappeared across the park. Once Ivan was completely out of view, Kotetsu began to walk away, distancing himself from the park and Ivan as quickly as possible. "Sayonara, Ivan."