kuroXIII - Actually, he was just trying to make a point that because Barnaby keeps focusing on one thing, he doesn't notice what's happening around him XD (although I suppose I did channel a bit of Holmes there /big fan of BBC Sherlock/)

Note: "Insert Conversation Here" = speaking in German

Setting: After series
Genre: General/Angst
Rating: PG (may or may not change)
Summary: Four years is a long time to be missing, but it doesn't stop Barnaby from trying to find his partner, Wild Tiger, who went MIA those four years ago. By chance, a man of strikingly similar warmth crosses his path; he is everything that Kotetsu was, but at the same time everything about him is wrong.

Once Lost Yet to Return

He pushed the door open with a heavy heave, dropping his keys into the basket on the side table as he let out a tired groan. Home had never been more inviting in all his life; a hand reached to run through auburn bangs, not caring if they stood up in a mess. Between the panic from being held hostage and trying to hand the kids back to the arms of deeply worried parents, it had been a long day and it wasn't even lunch time yet.

"…you're on the news," William pointed out. Akira only hummed, walking across the threshold to see the TV on and replaying the broadcast about today's events. He only snickered at the video of himself throwing the man over his shoulder.

"Heh, it's hard being a star player."

"This isn't funny, Akira! You could've been killed!" Will slammed a fist against the back of the couch. The grin on Akira's face dropped, putting a hand to his hip.

"He was going to grab one of the kids; I couldn't let that happen," he answered seriously. The raven-head let out a groan, burying his face in his hand.

"This is why I told you your Good Samaritan act is going to get you killed…"

"Well think about who had a better chance of defending themselves – a small, six-year-old girl or a forty-plus year old man?" before the conversation could carry on, a phone ringing distracted both men's attention. Two pairs of eyes stared for a moment, before Will reached over the side of the couch to answer it.

"Hello? ... Yeah, he's here," he held the receiver towards Akira. "Its old man Hurst," he stated plainly. A genuine look of surprise crossed Akira's face before it melted into a warm smile, walking over to take the phone from his companion.

"Hello, Aldric."

"Akira! Are you all right? You're not hurt or anything, are you?" the voice on the other questioned. Akira laughed softly at the concern in the surprisingly light tone, despite the heavy accent.

"I'm fine, honest – the kids are all fine as well."

"They said one of the teachers was shot though!"

"He's fine – one of the Heroes managed to revive him, so he's in the hospital right now," Akira explained. Will only watched him from the couch, always amazed at how rough the other sounded whenever he spoke in German, despite the usual tenderness in his voice.

"Ah, you worried me so much! When I saw you on the news, I thought my heart would stop!"

"You have no problems sending me out to kill someone, yet you drop dead when I'm taken hostage? You're a hypocrite sometimes, Aldric."

"On missions I know you're the one holding the gun to someone's head – not the other way around," the man on the other end grieved. Akira only laughed, giving him a hard time as they continued to talk for a bit, before the auburn haired man bid goodbye and hung up the phone. He placed it back onto its holder, back tracking to pick his bag off the floor and headed upstairs to his room. Dark, sharp eyes were sulking as Will watched him head up to the stairs.

"How come whenever you get into trouble he goes all paternal on you, but ignores me?"

"Simple – he likes me and hates you," Akira answered smugly.

"That's unfair favoritism!" William yelled from the couch. Akira only laughed as he quickly raced up the stairs before his housemate could do anything, closing his door with a light slam. He walked across the small space to toss his bag on to his bed, before collapsing into the armchair facing the foot of the bed. He let out a heavy 'oof' sound as he leaned back into the plush material, taking his glasses off to place on the desk just next to him and closed his eyes. Usually bosses and assassins don't have close relations, but it was a little different for Akira – he owed everything to Aldric and doubt he'd even be alive right now if the man hadn't taken care of him.

Honey-brown eyes opened to stare up at the ceiling; he didn't have to choose this kind of life, he could be living life as just an ordinary school teacher – he didn't have to become a killer. Akira sighed, gently massaging the bridge of his nose; he had started to wonder after his first kill if he made the right decision or not, but now he was certain he had no regrets. An estranged smile came to his face at the thought, leaning his chin in his palm – or maybe he just numbed his human side enough that he was immune to such feelings.

-8-

The atmosphere was intensely silent, a strange heavy air hanging between them despite the bustling, noisy business of the restaurant. Antonio tapping his fingers on the table top, staring between Barnaby and Kaede, both lost in their own thoughts, eyes picking a spot to focus on and then never leaving that spot. It had been mutually decided to at least get some lunch for the girl before they dragged her back to the academy and informed the professors that she had snuck out. She would probably get detention for a week or so, along with some cleaning duties and possibly lose her privilege to venture off campus for a while.

The tapping increased, the man clearly at a loss of what to say to the two somber beings, but at the same time uncomfortable with this eerie silence. Their drinks had come providing some distraction, but after the quiet thanks, it was back to that unnerving silence. Maybe he should've let Nathan come along for lunch – at least he could host some sort of conversation, even if it did get a little too suggestive for Kaede's age (though he doubted there wasn't much a sixteen-year-old teen wouldn't know by now).

"Alright, you two – what's up?" he finally asked, bringing his fist down with a light thud. The two blinked at him, before quickly occupying themselves with their respective cups, answering at the same time.

"Nothing…" it started them both that they had the same answer.

"Nothing, my ass –"

"Antonio! Language!" Barnaby scolded.

"It's not like I don't use it myself…" Kaede muttered.

"You two have been all but dead since the whole hostage situation – something's gotta be up," the burly man pointed out. Barnaby decided to take a rather long sip from his cup to keep from answering, Kaede staring down into the contents of hers to avoid eye contact with hazel-green gazing at her. Antonio sighed, leaning back in his seat; he was never very good at this consoling kind of talk. If his old high school fights with Kotetsu were anything to go by – the one who usually had to pull them together was Tomoe; she always knew what to say to get them to stop and think about what they were fighting over. He sighed again – he really wished some of that wisdom had rubbed off on them; he was finding he really needed that recently.

"Uncle Antonio… you've known my dad a pretty long time, right?" Kaede suddenly asked. Antonio blinked at her, shrugging his shoulders casually.

"Yeah, pretty much – I mean, we've been best friends since high school," he answered, a thick brow arching in curiosity. "…Why?"

"If… if he suddenly became a different person, would you still recognize him? Would you still be able to absolutely tell it's still him?" chocolate brown eyes finally looked up at him. Antonio didn't say anything – actually, he didn't really know what to say to that; he as probably the last person to ask that kind of question, considering the whole memory wipe during the Maverick incident. He didn't even consider once that he might have known Kotetsu during that whole fiasco, so he wasn't sure he was the right person to answer that question.

"Er – what's with this all of a sudden? You think you've seen your dad somewhere?" he asked, trying to keep his voice straight. He didn't want to sound skeptical, but he didn't want to sound too hopeful either. She didn't say anything, eyes darting to a busy corner of the restaurant.

"The teacher who was taken hostage – Akira Hurst," Barnaby spoke up.

"Huh? You know the guy?" The blond shook his head, as he continued on.

"No, just his name but he… he sounds a lot like Kotetsu…" he whispered softly. The atmosphere became very deafening, drowning out the chattering and clatter of the other patrons. Antonio couldn't speak, folding his hands together to lean his chin against them; he hadn't really paid much attention to the man who more or less rescued himself from the culprit's hands. He was too busy lamenting over the fact that Kaede was skipping out on school.

"…You don't seem very enthusiastic about it…" he pointed out.

"...he sounds like him, but… he's not Kotetsu," the blond finally answered after several moments of silence. Kaede suddenly stood up from her chair, avoiding eye contact with them.

"I have to use the restroom!"

"…Take your time," the veteran allowed. He watched her as the girl speed-walked to find the bathroom, not once raising her head up. He knew what she was going to do – Kotetsu never cried in front of anyone, not even to Tomoe even after they got married; Kaede was no different, following the exact same pattern her father did. He sighed – she was good balance of her parents thankfully. Hazel-green turned their attention to the man gazing emptily into his drink, hands cup around it, lost in his head somewhere.

"Are you absolutely sure it isn't Kotetsu?" he pressed. The younger nodded slowly.

"Yes – there's just too much difference and he doesn't… he doesn't feel like Kotetsu…" pale, slender hands tightened around the cup. Antonio didn't say anything, wishing he hadn't asked in the first place, taking a sip of his own drink. Definitely – definitely should've let Nathan join them for lunch.

-Chapter Five/End-