Welcome to our new readers! Thanks a lot for joining us, and thanks to all of you who waited for the next chapter. Wow, I can't believe it's going to be the end of April and it is close to May. Why did I say that? I honestly don't know, I'm just trying to make most of a conversation since I got nothing else :P OK, hm… Oh yeah, the chapter!

Alrighty, it's Barnaby's birthday and Katsuko and the rest of the heroes try to make it his best one yet! Oh, the poor blonde bunny :3 Let's hope he survives. OK, I really got nothing else to say here so let's get this chapter rolling!

Disclaimer: Tiger and Bunny is under the rights of Viz Media. I am only fulfilling a request.

~Episode Five: Go for Broke!~

"Good morning, everyone!" Katsuko walked into the room, cheerily greeting her partner and the accountant of Apollo Media, taking a seat at her work desk on the brand new morning. She laughed a little too forcefully when she saw the bouquet of white orchids on her desk, looking at the note card attached to the plants pot. "How sweet! Bunny, remind me to send a thanks to Sky High later, alright?"

Barnaby side-glanced at her before returning to his work, a well-hidden scowl on his face. Pouting, Katsuko tried to think of another topic.

"W-Well, you know! Today is such a great morning, right?" She tried, looking at the documents left on her desk. "Makes you forget about paying government-related things and you just think about how other things are really important!"

"That's because you're not paying them." Grumbled the accountant.

"Oh, Florence, you kidder!" The brunette, flicking at her hand-made cat ears to emphasize her humor. From Barnaby, she could feel some sort of negative emotion on him. It was so thick, Katsuko could reach out and feel the dense wall of emotion. "You alright, Bunny?" She leaned across to his desk and rested one hand on his forehead and one on her own, testing the temperature difference. "You don't feel warm or nothin'. You sick or somethin'?" She said, concerned.

The blonde swatted her hand away, glaring and surprised at himself for feeling comfort when Katsuko gently touched him.

"I'm not sick," He muttered, turning away. "It's just . . . Seeing your face . . . Reminded me of yesterday. . ." Abruptly, he stood up and walked out of the room. Sitting back in her seat, the cat-eared NEXT tried to reel back to yesterday's events. It wasn't anything they hadn't deal with before for the past month. Katsuko had caused a little bit of collateral damage, got sent to court, charges were placed, and the two walked out. Sure, she and Bunny had an argument, but that was nothing new. Was it something else?

"Wait . . ." Tan fingers tapped along her desk, and Katsuko bit her lip. "Didn't that woman who wanted his autograph say something?"

"I bet Barnaby Brooks Jr. has such glamorous birthday parties!"

"Actually, I don't plan on having a party or anything tomorrow."

Amber eyes widening, Katsuko slapped her forehead.

"Oh man, that's it! Damnit, I should have seen it!"

"Wait, what?" Kyle stared back at Katsuko as he draped his towel over his matted hair. "You're going to do a what for who-now?"

"A birthday party for Bunny!" Katsuko exclaimed again, grinning excited. Already did she unfold her plan to Kyle, Fire Emblem, and Antonio, the four of them gathered in the workout room. "We need to throw the best birthday party for the guy!" She said.

"Sounds absolutely fabulous, Sweetie." Fire Emblem praised.

"So you're saying that pretty boy was upset over a birthday party?" Kyle asked, finding the whole story hard to believe. His competitor sniffled and wiped an unshed tear, nodding with sympathy.

"Yeah, you should've seen the poor guy. He looked so heartbroken and sad," She almost sobbed, eyes glimmering. "The only way to cheer him up is with a kick-ass birthday party!" She declared.

"Sounds like you're meddling." Antonio sighed.

"Eh?" Katsuko did a double take. "What do you mean?"

"I mean your "boyfriend" doesn't strike to be the partying type of guy." Explained the foreigner. The veteran threw her hands in the air.

"Oh, come on! When Bunny sees all the trouble we went through to throw him a party, he's gonna be like, "Oh, you guys shouldn't have! I have nothing else to say but thank you!" She gushed, her eyes turning puppy-like as she clasped her hands. "Trust me, he'll like it so much, he'll probably hug us for this!"

"If I'm getting hugged by that guy, count me out." Grunted Kyle.

"And if he gets annoyed by it, that could lead to him breaking-up with you." Antonio pointed out.

"No way! Bunny hates to lose points so I doubt he would want to upset the fanbase," Katsuko shook her head, finding herself off-track. "C'mon, even Fire Emblem said it was a fabulous idea!" She quoted.

"Actually, it sucks." Admitted the fire heroine, almost knocking Katsuko over with the vocal blow.

"Oh, why do you guys have to be like this!" Whined the dark-haired, shaking her head. "Isn't a birthday a time where you get together with the people you know and just have a good time celebrating with care and love?"

"Thing is, he doesn't care about any of us." Kyle growled out.

"Miss. Tigress does have a point." Sky High walked into the room, golden-blonde hair neat and cut even after a work-out and blue-grey eyes set with his angular and handsome features. "Birthdays should be celebrated with people who care the most gathered to support an important milestone in someone's life. Mr. Barnaby deserves an opportunity such as this, don't you all agree?" He asked, throwing a charming smile.

"Then it's settled!" Fire Emblem smiled. "Let's throw Handsome a great birthday bash!"

"When the King of Heroes puts it like that, what else is there to say?" Laughed Antonio. Katsuko threw a dirty look.

"But I just said-"

"Sky High, that was just awesome," Kyle gave a thumbs up with a smooth grin of his own. "The way you put it, way inspirational, dude."

"He's just repeating what I said!" Katsuko shouted, sulking when no one seemed to be paying attention. Groaning, she crossed her arms and held her chin high. "Well, since all of you jerks are finally agreeing, then let's throw Bunny a party." Off to the side, she muttered sarcastically, "Great plan, Sky High."

"Thanks, and thanks again, Miss. Tigress!" The wind hero grinned. "Such a kind woman you are. Very kind."

Even if she was annoyed, Katsuko smiled the slightest and shrugged. Even if Keith had pretty much butted in, there was no way she stay mad at the guy. He was too cheery for his own good.

"By the way, what are you gonna get Barnaby for his birthday, anyway?" The brunette flinched and turned to Kyle.

"W-Well, I thought the party would be good enough?" She responded, getting an eye roll from the icy Prince of Pop.

"No way, Miss. Accident Prone. Look, you need to get something from the heart, even if it's a douche bag like Mr. Perfect," At Katsuko's queasy, look, he offered a kind smile. "Look, you want me to help you?"

"You know what he likes?" Asked the older NEXT.

"No, but I am a guy, so it'll be more easy for you to figure out what Barnaby likes." He informed. Katsuko gave him a grateful look and the blonde had to turn his head away to hide his flushing cheeks.

"This?"

"No."

"How about this?"

"No."

"This? What about this? Or this?"

"No, no. Definitely not," Having enough of the silly questions, Barnaby turned and glared at Katsuko. "Why are you asking me, anyway? I've already said no for the past half-hour." He muttered, his head starting to ache from the past questions his "girlfriend" had been asking him when she got back from work-out. It was beginning to drive him insane.

"H-Hey," Katsuko waved her hands, one of them holding the Gifts of Sternbild catalog Kyle had lent her. "I just w-wanna know more about ya, Bunny! You know, the more I know about you, the more the public's gonna like it, right?" She asked, trying to hide everything she and the others had set up.

Still perturbed by the questions, Barnaby turned and prepared to walk out of Apollo Media, only to be stopped by his partner again. "Now what?" He sighed agitatedly.

"Come on, Bunny! It can be anything! Just tell me one thing you would want, more than anything!" The brunette tried. Sighing, Barnaby's gaze wandered off and he suddenly pointed to the wide-screen hanging high in the lobby.

"That."

Katsuko followed his finger and tilted her head.

"You want a flat-screen?" She stuck her tongue out. "Wouldn't you have a hundred of those or something by now?"

"Not that," Barnaby muttered, starting his walk again. "The diamond . . ." He hoped that would throw the old hag off his back. It was a little white lie, but maybe it would throw her off. It wasn't as if Katsuko could actually get it for him.

As he left, Katsuko eyed the screen as it displayed an impressive diamond on a chain, hordes of people gathered around the exhibit it was displayed in.

"The rare diamond know as The Tears of Hercules is currently on display at the Sternbild Central museum. People have been gathering from all around to get a look at the gem, which is priced roughly at six-million Sternbild dollars . . ."

"That's way out of my budget. . ." Katsuko sighed and rubbed her head, biting her lip. Just what else could she get her stubborn "Bunny's" birthday?

The melody was soft and light. A violin was strummed with a harp as the song played on Barnaby's stereo, the latter reclining in his seat as he talked to the elder woman via webcam, a small fork held in his hand.

"Thanks for doing this every year." He told her, a hint of guilt in his tone. The woman smiled back, white hair proving her age but her eyes a kind blue.

"It's nothing," She said, smiling at the blonde. "I've worked for your family for so long, dear. Baking you a pound cake is the least I can do."

The sponge-feel of the tongue still lasted on his tongue and it bough Barnaby back to the past. The woman had been in his life for so long, ever since he was small. And every year, she sent him a pound cake for his birthday, each made special and with love. Barnaby was grateful for that, even though the cakes were a painful reminder of the past.

"Barnaby?"

"Huh?" The green-eyed hero looked up and nodded blankly. "Right, sorry . . . I was just thinking . . ."

"Another year with just me, right?" The woman gave a small smile. "I hear you're dating someone. Why aren't you two spending your birthday together?"

"It's complicated," Barnaby sighed. "I don't want her to go to the trouble." He said. 'Because knowing the old hag, she'll screw it up somehow.'

"Well, just make sure to care for her, dear. This is your first love, right?" Barnaby didn't respond. "And whoever she is, she must be special."

"She's . . . Something all right."

The woman laughed softly. "I think your parents would love to meet her and send their condolences," She batted her wet eyes with a napkin. "If only they were with us today."

Barnaby didn't reply, his hands clenching at the arms of his seat.

"I should get going. Have a wonderful birthday, dear." The flat screen closed the web communication and Barnaby was left alone in the dark.

He sighed and ran his fingers near his temples. He was alone again. In a room that had proven his successes and lavishes. But what was all of this to having someone by your side? Even if Barnaby didn't want to admit it, the linger pain throbbed in his heart. That one millisecond of realization; He was truly and utterly lonely.

His wrist communicator gave a buzz, prompting him to turn it on. Katsuko's face was shown, and she was running, looking over her shoulder before looking at the screen of her own communicator.

"B-Bunny!" She screamed when a hand almost grabbed her shoulder, before she shook it off and ran harder. "You gotta help me! I'm in the East syndicate of Sternbild! Some guys are trying to kidnap me and put me in their underground slave trading show! I-I think they know I'm Wild Tigress!" She screamed again and breathed heavily, at her running limit. "B-Bunny-!" Her scream was muffled as a hand clamped over her mouth and pulled away from the scream, the sound of a crackle sounding through the mic as static sprinkled in front of the screen.

Barnaby stared back at the screen, confused by what he just saw. If Katsuko was being stolen, then why wasn't she using her powers? Surely, even someone as naïve as her use her Hundred Power to take on a couple of thugs, right? Barnaby shook his head, ready to toss off his partner's plea for help.

"Well, just make sure to care for her, dear. This is your first love, right? And whoever she is, she must be special."

Barnaby sighed, placing down his fork and heading out the door.

Katsuko rounded a corner, taking steps back as three thugs surrounded her with guns held at the ready.

"Just stay where you are and no one's getting hurt." The one who nearly caught her said.

"Well, 'cept you." The smallest of the three snickered.

"What do you want with me?" Katsuko pressed herself closer to the corner, sweat beading down her neck as she bit her bottom lip.

"You're an easy catch," Said third thug, a giggle in their voice. "Our customers would certainly love to have you on their laps. Now, come quietly, or else we'll beat you down and set you up with all our older patrons."

"No way!" The brunette shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself. "I'm not gonna be some merchandise to your sick show! Just wait, when my partner gets here, we're gonna kick your asses and shut down your Underground market!" She gasped when someone grabbed her from the back of her neck and pull her to a person, a gun held to her head.

"We'll see about that," The man said, smirking at her face. "As soon as your pal get's here, he'll be sorry. We'll take him on and let him watch as we steal you away and never be seen again. He'll look so pitiful." The man laughed, Katsuko struggling in his hold.

"No!" She screamed and threw her head out. "BUNNY! SAVE ME!"

Something flew through the air and landed off the man's forehead, freeing Katsuko. The veteran jumped back and caught the flying item, grinning at blue-green eyes.

"Bunny!" She hugged the pink-felt rabbit. "You're here! Thank goodness!"

"Hate to break up the reunion, but you're time is up!" Four guns pointed in the couples' direction and the leader took a step and grinned.

"Say your prayers!"

"Bunny-!"

Four guns fired off and confetti flew into the air, small banners with the words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" hanging off the openings of the weapons.

"Happy birthday!" Cheered the four thugs and Katsuko, the latter clapping her hands with a grin.

"Guys, that was awesome!" She threw thumbs up to Antonio, Kyle, Fire Emblem, and Sky High. "All of you guys looked really convincing. Man, I nearly had a heart attack back there when I was calling Bunny, Tony." She praised to Antonio, who shrugged with a hidden grin in turn.

"I didn't hurt you, did I, Miss. Tigress?" Asked Sky High.

"No way," Katsuko rubbed her neck absentmindedly. "Well, maybe for a second or something it started to hurt, but I'm OK! Really!" She smiled. "You did awesome. Just keep doing that and it'll look way more convincing!"

"Right," Sky High nodded, cheeks dusting with red at the compliment. "I won't let you down!"

"That actually was a success, hm?" Asked Fire Emblem.

"Yeah, this could actually work," Kyle agreed. "Oh yeah, did you find a gift for Barnaby or what?" He asked Katsuko. Katsuko scratched the back of her head, rubbing her toe into the ground and petting the stuffed-rabbit's ears.

"I thought I'd give him this." She said, rubbing her nose with the rabbit's.

"Nope," Kyle snatched the toy away. "This is our gift for him. We all chipped in to buy this. You gotta give him something yourself, and it's gotta be from the heart." He crossed his arms. "Did you even ask him?"

"I did, but I didn't want him to find out about the party," Katsuko grumbled and crossed her own arms. "The guy's really hard to read. I searched all day but I couldn't find anything."

"Tough luck." Sigh Kyle, the three other NEXT echoing his action. Katsuko followed them in suit, wonder just what she could get her partner in so little time.

She was running again, just as it was all planned. All Katsuko had do to do was run to the estimated spot and the party could be thrown. Antonio was running after her, ready to run her to the corner. Katsuko made a turn and gasp when she saw Barnaby running up another direction.

'Shit, he's here early!'

She made a signal for Antonio to get away as she led Barnaby through a maze of buildings, reaching a dead-end.

"What was that?" Asked Barnaby when he reached her, looking around. "I thought you said some guy was chasing you."

"H-He was!" Katsuko gulped. "But you must have scared him away!" She gave fake smile and ran up to Barnaby, hugging him and patting his back. "Thanks, Bunny! You're the greatest!"

"What?" Barnaby pushed her away, lips turned with a skeptical look. "That doesn't make any sense. Why would he run away from just one guy coming after him?" He walked up to Katsuko, throwing a hard look. "Just what's going on?"

"W-Well-yahhh!" Katsuko screamed as she was roughly grabbed from the back of her neck, and arm locking around her throat as she was pulled to someone with the barrel of a gun pressed to her forehead.

"One word, and the girl get's her brains blown out." Said a crude voice.

"What the-?" Katsuko gasped as the hold on her neck tightened.

'Sky High, what the Hell?'

"Take it easy!" She whispered harshly at the man. "You're grabbing too hard, Sky High!"

"What?" Barnaby's eyebrow began to twitch, irritation flying off the handle. "Seriously, what's going here? What kind of set-up is this?" He asked, taking a step closer. The gun was cocked at the man held Katsuko closer.

"Say your prayers!"

"Bunny-!"

The bullet struck one of the walls of the building, making a small explosion. Katsuko trembled and held onto Barnaby, who saved her at the last second. The man who had the woman cursed, before a car horn honked from the other side of the alley.

"Sir, this way!"

"About time!" The man muttered, throwing a dirty look at the two before running away.

"What happened?" Kyle and Fire Emblem rounded a corner, their ski masks removed. "We heard actual gun fire! Did you guys start without us." Kyle.

"What?" Barnaby backed away from three of them. "Why are you two dressed like that?"

"For the party . . ." Fire Emblem shook her head and looked at Kyle. "We should get going. I don't think that was Gorgeous back there."

"Right." Kyle agreed and the two dashed off, leaving behind Katsuko and Barnaby.

"Am I missing something here?" Asked Katsuko.

"That's what I would like to know," Barnaby threw his arms out in confusion. "You mind explaining what's going around here?" He glared as Katsuko looked away, tugging at her signature white choker.

"Well," She gulped, averting her eyes. "The truth is, we were holding you a surprise birthday party. . ."

"Again with you meddling," Barnaby nearly groaned, glaring at his partner. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop that!?" He jabbed his pointer finger at her, making her stumble back. "You cause trouble for people when you try to help them out. Can't you get that through your thick skull already!?" He could tell he was a going a little too far, the words were pouring out faster than a waterfall, and they hurt more than one being pounded by one.

Katsuko kept her eyes down, hurt. All she wanted to do was throw Barnaby a birthday party. Did it effect the blonde hero that much? Did everything she do bother him that much? It looked like Barnaby was really mad at her and she had to wonder why this simple gesture of kindness would upset him so much. She wanted to say something, but she was afraid anything she said would only get him more mad or cause the moist-feeling in her eyes to break into tears.

The younger NEXT nearly missed the tears. He didn't realize his words were strong enough to make Katsuko act like this. It made his gut turn and coil around his heart, telling him that is was wrong to shout at his partner like that.

Dual rings sounded in the alley, and the both of them checked their wrist, Agnes appearing on the screens.

"Hello, heroes," she greeted, looking viciously excited about a new crime taking place. "New orders from the Justice Bureau. We got a robbery on our hands. Get to it."

As ordered, Barnaby raced off to get to action, Katsuko following him with just as much speed. With Angel still on his communicator, Barnaby got the low-down.

"So he's a NEXT?"

"Yes. Pauly, an inter-city thief who can change his body into diamond. Be careful, you two."

"Sounds real tough!" Katsuko raced along with the rookie, brown hair flying behind her shoulders. "What's the plan, lil' Bunny?"

"I've had enough of you," Chillingly, Barnaby glowered at her. "You've bothered me enough, so stay out of my way!"

"Huh?" Katsuko felt something stab inside her. It was deeper than a physical blow, and it hurt a thousand times worse.

"Partners, couples, I don't care anymore! For the media, we can act as much as we want, but when fighting and catching a criminal, just do me a favor and quit screwing things up!" He shouted, barely looking back at Katsuko's expression of hurt and surprise as the Apollo Media transportation truck came rolling by, Saito greeting them with a smile.

"Need a ride?"

"TIGRESS AND BARNABY! ARE YOU GUYS READY?"

"Coming in a little loud there, Saito!" Katsuko winced, she and Barnaby grabbing onto the handles of the metal pods they were in, their body suits scanned. The slim yet slightly bulky metal of their armor was slipped onto them, their helmets finishing off the transformation. The two of them walked out of the pods and Barnaby cocked a brow at the pink jack-rabbit head that was printed on the side of his chest plate.

"A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA FOR YA!" Called Saito's voice from the control room of the vehicle. "I HEARD IT WAS BARNABY'S BIRTHDAY, SO I MODIFIED HIS SUIT A LITTLE! TIGRESS'S, TOO!"

"Huh? Where?" As Katsuko scoped her suit for the mark or any new modifications, Barnaby could only scowl at his new emblem, feeling humiliated.

"Incredible! The King of Heroes himself, Sky High, is first on the scene!"

The large getaway car was riding along a bridge of Sternbild when Sky High arrived, dressed for action in his suit of silver and purple.

"You criminals ruined our entire skit!" He shouted, holding up a sheet of lines written from front to back. "After I worked so hard to memorize our lines!" With a shout, he honed in his wind power into a ball of tornados and fired it at the villains, the car accommodating them sent flying a crashing to a stop. Pauly and his henchmen made action to slip away with jetpacks, but Sky High managed to catch one of them with his own, the man dressed as a butler whimpering.

Pauly and his last worker made a run for the other side of the bridge, but the two stopped as two conjoined motorbikes pulled up on them, Sternbild's first ever, super hero couple stepping off their rides with their suits glowing, red and green clashing with light.

"And just arriving now is Barnaby and Wild Tigress with their Hundredth Powers activated! This means they only have five minutes before their colossal strength die down."

"Let's get 'em, Bunny! . . . Bunny?" Katsuko whipped her head this way and that, finding no signs of her partner or the villains anymore. She was left standing like a moron.

Separated from his employer, Pauly's henchman thought he could escape from the other side with everyone distracted. But a trail of ice slid across his path and he fell to his feet, gasping when pistols were held a few feet away from his face.

"I'm the king who makes you freeze," Blue Thorn smirked, ice-blue hair combed at his ears. "So prepare to-"

A red sports car with dazzling racing flames zoomed next to him, glittering metal almost blinding him.

"Shit, I'm late." Sighed Fire Emblem, kicking her feet to rest on the wheel of the car.

"Hey!" Kyle glared at her, his hands on his hips. "At least let me say my line, damnit!"

"I know the feeling," The both of them looked up to see Sky High sulking as he hovered by. "I also wanted to say my lines. There I was, waiting the whole time," His head rolled dramatically. "Alone, in some dingy black alley . . . Like a dog . . ."

"Oh, brother," Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Oh, poor Gorgeous," Fire Emblem cooed. "That sounds horrible. Here, let's make it up to you. Take the last guy." She offered.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Said the King of Heroes. "I think it's best if we let them handle it." He looked to the sky, his competition following his gaze curiously. Sky High smiled behind his mask. "After all; it is Barnaby's special day."

Katsuko growled when she caught sight of Pauly's diamond-humanoid form. Out of the compartment of her wrist, she lassoed her zip line wire and threw it, catching the villain by his ankle and lifted from the ground. Hopping in the air, Barnaby met her and the two struggled to hold on and keep him on the ground.

"We got him!" Wild Tigress beamed.

"Great job at pointing out the obvious, old bag." Commented Barnaby sarcastically, his glowing, blue eyes flickering to the time limit for his powers. Thirty second left. 'Shit . . .'

"Damnit!" Katsuko cursed at the same time. "Our powers are gonna run out soon!"

A vein popped on her blonde partner's forehead.

"Again, great job pointing out the obvious! To the criminal at that, you idiot!" The two heroes and Pauly were lowered to the ground, the duo breaking away from the diamond NEXT, the thief smirking at them haughtily.

"So your powers are gonna die down soon, eh?" He barked with laughter, grinning like a mad man. "Well then, I'll just stick around longer, then!"

"Don't count on it, coal for brains!" Shouted Wild Tigress, running at him with her fist thrown back and a charging punch fired at his gullet. Not a scratch was made on the blue surface and Katsuko glared.

"Nothing." She muttered. She flew back as Barnaby launched himself into the air and swung his foot dynamically, a kick strong enough send Pauly staggering back a little but not enough to break him. Pauly smirked at the couple, holding his arms out.

"You see?!" He laughed, his armor of diamond shinning from the street lights. "I'm made of the hardest material known to man!" He crackled wickedly at Tigress and Barnaby threw at him with their strongest punches and kicks, yet nothing was able to break the hard surface of diamond. Ten seconds remained and all seemed to be lost.

The two partners shouted in unison, something bright washing over the screened of their eye-sets.

*Good-Luck mode activated. Preparing Good-Luck mode for Tigress and Barnaby*

The heroes' eyes widened, Katsuko's gauntlet and Barnaby's shin and foot guard modifying themselves. Green and a pink metal took over their suits, and the main assets of their attacked increased with more enchantments and a surge of power coursed into them, with one last battle cry, Katsuko threw her mightiest punch while Barnaby kicked an sir-defying kick, a sharp crack meeting their attacks and Pauly flying off as his diamond shield shattered into a million pieces.

*Tigress and Barnaby. Over and out!*

As their powers reverted them to their human abilities, Katsuko looked at the amazing glove she obtained from the sudden burst of power.

"We did it . . ." She whispered, sneaking a glance at her partner as he checked over his upgraded leg.

"These add-ons are amazing," Barnaby said in awe to Saito, via blue tooth. "Our powers increased much stronger than they ever did before!"

"EH, THEY DON'T EFFECT YOUR POWERS AT ALL," Saito yelled, surprising Barnaby (And not just from the volume of his voice). "YEP! IT'S PURELY COSMETIC! JUST MAKES YOUR SUITS LOOK COOLER!"

"That's it?" Katsuko asked with wide eyes, looking over her glove.

"Then how did we beat the criminal?" Asked Barnaby, just as bewilder.

"YOU TWO WORKED TOGETHER!" Shouted Saito as if the answer was right in front of them, the duo looking at each other and meeting surprised gazes. "IT WAS PERFECT TEAMWORK! THE BOTH OF YOU COMBINED YOUR POWERS AND BROKE DIAMOND! IT'S INCREDIBLE THAT YOU TWO USED YOUR POWERS TOGETHER! NICE WORK!"

"I wouldn't exactly call it teamwork." Muttered Katsuko, brushing her finger on the bottom of her nose, looking away and blushing. Technically speaking, both her and the egoist struck at Pauly at the same time.

"Yeah, don't get the wrong idea!" Barnaby hated that his cheek were burning red, thinking that he and his annoying hanger-on of a partner/girlfriend had worked together. It was completely illogical and impossible for them to do so. He couldn't believe it. "It was pure luck-"

"DON'T BE A BUNCH OF CHUCKLEHEADS, YOU TWO!" Saito interrupted. "YOU TWO WERE WORKING IN PURE SYNC! YOU'RE FINALLY BECOMING A TEAM!"

The two flustered heroes chose to ignore the insistent Saito, giving Katsuko the chance to realize that Pauly was making a move to escape. Fast on track, Wild Tigress effortlessly dangled him by the back of his black coat, glaring at him. An idea came to her head, and she looked over her shoulder.

"Why don't you take him in?"

Barnaby wasn't able to hide the surprise look on his face. What did Katsuko just say?

"My birthday present to you," Katsuko waved him Pauly a bit for emphasis. Green eyes finally saw The Tears of Hercules diamond hanging around the loaf of a man's neck.

"You honestly believed me when I said I wanted the diamond? I can't take stolen property-"

"You little dingbat of a bunny!" Katsuko shook her head, scolding her partner. "I meant this guy! Turn him in, why don't ya? I know how much you like ranking in the points," Barnaby's face turned even more shocked, provoking Katsuko to give a sweet smile. "Happy birthday, Bunny!"

Caught in what he should be feeling, Barnaby scoffed light and closed his eyes.

"There's nothing "happy" about it," He muttered. Katsuko gave a look and he continued walking over to her. "And I hate it when you meddle, how many times do I have to say that?" He stood face-to-face to her, compelled to tell his own personal hindrance something. But another idea caught to him, and it made him take the surprised veteran by the chin, looking into her confused, gem-bight eyes. "On the crime scene, we're partners. In public, we're a couple. But anything other than that is non-existent. I meant when I said I won't tolerate you getting in my way. So now, all I need for you to do is stand here," He leaned closer, their lips a hairsbreadth away. "And don't move." He whispered, closing the back between them.

Katsuko would have gasped if she wasn't shocked statue-still.

TV screens everywhere blinked with the latest coverage that same night. Antonio (having himself lost in the maze of allies) and the other heroes watched up with everyone else turning into HERO TV at the new scene. Every citizen watched in amazement and awe as Barnaby swooped down and kiss his partner, Wild Tigress, passionately on the lips, his eyes closed and his "girlfriend's" widen in a glazed astonishment.

Ratings for HERO TV shot up like a skyrocket.

Barnaby: Hi, this is Barnaby. The member of Tigress and Bunny who saves the best bite for last. What? Fire Emblem is suspected of murder? What the hell's with the old hag? Geez, one kiss and she's going to go into sleeping cat mode or something? Why- Wait . . . That mark . . . Next time, on Tigress and Bunny; Fire Be Thy pet, But Thy Master is Many. See ya!

Tigress and Bunny: Episode Six: Fire Be Thy pet, But Thy Master is Many!

Welp, how did ya all like that? Man, I just have to say this right now. Actually, two things. One, I did not plan on the kiss to be that early. But! I wanted to give you guys a tidbit of some romance for fem!Kotetsu and Barnaby, so that was one of the things that came to mind. Even if Barnaby only did it to make himself look better ^^; And second, I cannot wait for summer already! Summer means I'll get to update faster! Till then, I have to update these stories of mine as soon as a I can. Damn :p

Well, make sure to review everyone! Is anyone else looking forward to the next chapter? I hope you are! Well, I better get going! Remember to read and review and I'll get back to all of you real soon! See ya!

This is me saying, Peace!