Disclaimer: I wish I owned GetBackers…I'd make Himiko wear a better outfit VV… and be with Hevn Then there'd be no confusion about who Ban's with

Chapter 1: …but who?

Kurodo Akabane had been acting very odd lately. Ever since the Limitless Fortress retrieval, he'd almost been a different person. It was starting to worry everyone at the Honky Tonk. Akabane would come in everyday, order a yellow sponge cake, and always eat the white frosting with sprinkles first. Needless to say, his presence was weird enough and with the fact of the odd food, but his new personality was by far the most uncomforting. He wasn't his usual cheerful-yet-sadistically-creepy self. He just stared at the colorful sprinkles on his cake and listened to everyone else's conversations. He had a blank look in his eyes that made him seem to be in another world entirely. Kurodo Akabane was a man defeated. But by what?

Ginji and Natsumi, although feeling uncomfortable, were beginning to get concerned. Ban was getting annoyed. Of course Paul was just happy for a paying customer.

After about a month of this, Ginji had had enough. So he went over to Akabane in an attempt to cheer him up.

"Um, hey Mr. Akabane…er… what's up?", he said nervously with his friendliest smile on. Ban sat at a booth, watching him protectively.

"Oh…nothing…my hat.", replied Akabane, sighing as he ate more icing and sprinkles. Paul and Natsumi stared, watching the spectacle.

Ginji smiled uneasily, "oh…yeh, it is." He suddenly noticed that Akabane's hat had a piece cut out of it. Impulsively he grabbed it and looked at the slice. "Wow! How'd this happen Akabane!"

Everyone stared in shock at what happened next.

"Please Mr. Amano.." Akabane looked up at him with tears in his eyes, "Please…give it back."

Ginji's voice trembled "A…Akabane?" he hurried and returned Akabane's hat. Overwhelmed with pity, he flung his arms around Akabane. "What's wrong? What's happening to you!"

Ban quickly stood up, knocking his plate to the ground.

Akabane turned slightly red, and continued his silence.

Natsumi and Paul gave each other an odd look, and Natsumi giggled "It looks like Mr. Akabane's in love!"

Akabane suddenly stood up, pure anger burning in his eyes, knocking Ginji to the ground. "Foolish girl." A scalpel cut through the air, brushing Natsumi's sleeve. She gave a squeek and Paul caught her as she fainted.

Ban's right hand was immediately at Akabane's throat, ready to crush. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now!"

Ginji stared up at them in a daze.

Yet Akabane wasn't listening, he probably didn't even notice. He merely looked at his hands, eyes wide in horror, his vice weak and scared, "I…I can't even throw strait…", and the next second he had dissapered.

Ginji rose to his feet. "I'm sorry everyone…" he said in a whiny voice, "he just seemed so sad."

Ban smacked him on the head, "idiot!" and scoffed, "And he better not love you…if he knows what's good for him." He scoffed and walked off to be alone, leaving Ginji looking very confused, but with a slight smile on his face.

A/N: OMG! Imma cry! I hope you liked it! Did you like it? Sqwee!

Meh wants towrite smut next chapter…erm, dangit! That'd screw up the rating XD Ok! There'll be an insert chapter for the next chapter! Yummy!

Ok! Next Chapter: Oh My! – Everyone's favorite doctor confesses his love for a certain prettyful blonde we all know and love. Unless you don't… What are you? A terrorist!