1963-11-15 - Catching Up
Summary: David and Akihiro have a chance to catch up.
Related: The Grim Connection
Theme Song: None
akihiro maverick 


Hell's Kitchen may not have to deal with demons anymore, but the criminals are still an issue. Some things, and people, never change, Like Akihiro. So when a few punks tried to rob the store he was in, he laid them out, surprisingly leaving them all breathing. Suppose some things do change.

And that's how the teen has found himself several blocks away, sat on a bench with a cigarette resting between his lips. "So much for peace and quiet." he grumps, turning his gaze skyward for the moment.

*

There are still some old demons lurking around Hell's Kitchen, but David isn't certain how many of them originated with the Hellmouth. He's been pounding the pavement for two days now, and it shows — his suit is rumpled, collar undone and tie loose. But when he happens upon a familiar face, he looks, and sounds, entirely alert.

"Akihiro. Good to see you in one piece," David says in a tired voice, slowly pacing towards the bench. He gestures towards it questioningly, not wanting to take a seat uninvited.

*

"David. How've you been?" Akihiro looks down and flashes the man a pleasant smile. "Have a seat, yeah. You want a smoke?" he digs his pack back out, offering it over to David. "Don't think I've seen you around since that Weapon X bullshit."

*

"Oh, why not. Thank you." David reaches for a cigarette as he drops down onto the bench, offering Akihiro a lopsided smile. "It has been a while, yes. I've been up and down. Finally feeling human again, which is a nice change," he admits, turning the cigarette over in his fingers. "Though it does make work trying, at times. How about you?"

*

"Finally got that damn bomb out of my head. So now I'm just hiding from them, sure they want their adamantium back." Akihiro shoots a grin, reaching up to light his cigarette. "Not really feeling human, but I'm alive. So that's something. Should probably try and find some work to get my mind off of it."

*

David tucks the cigarette between his lips and leans over to let him light it, grinning around it as he does. "Well, bomb-free is always a plus," he muses, raising his eyebrows. "I sort of fell into my new job. Hired a PI to help me look into Colcord, next thing I know, I'm helping her with a missing person's case. One which is…" His expression grows troubled. "…I don't know. It smells very bad."

*

"Really?" Akihiro arches a brow. He lights the cigarette then leans back, resting his arm on the top of the bench. "If they need any help with that, I am part bloodhound. Never been one to shy away from a little blood either."

*

"I might suggest we take you up on that, actually," David admits, thoughtfully stroking a hand across his chin. "It has just become bloody. Literally. If you're looking for work, I could introduce you." He looks down long enough to fish one of Jessica's business cards out of his jacket, offering it over.

*

Akihiro reaches over to take the card, looking it over. "Just how bloody are we talking? Not that I'm too worried about it, unless we're talking horror show instead of a shootout. Can't promise I'd play too nice with some people."

*

"The missing girl we were initially hired to find turned out at our office in the middle of bleeding out," David explains, his expression grim. "Thank God Heather was there to help. But whoever took her was trying to send a message, and there are… eight?" He glances off to the side, then nods. "Eight other kids from the same school still unaccounted for. Police dismissed them all as runaways."

*

"So what you're saying is, I need to go get myself kidnapped." Akihiro sighs, tucking the card away. "Don't suppose you have any leads at the moment?" He ashes his cigarette, only to promptly take a long drag. "Eight kids. Fuck."

*

David can't help but laugh. "I don't recommend it. You saw how that turned out for me," he says wryly, shaking his head. "All we really have right now is the suspicion that the cops have been bought off, and the fact that they all go to Hell's Kitchen High. Wilson Fisk's just dumped some money into the place, so sniffing around him might be a good place to start, if you're looking for something to do 'til I can make introductions."

*

"Oh yeah, that can't be good." Akihiro sighs quietly, putting his cigarette out and tossing it. "Shouldn't be an issue to see what Fisk is up to. Breaking and entering is the thing I'm second best at, right behind getting shot. If they have anything to do with those kids, we'll find out."

*

After a moment's thought, David lifts a hand and makes a grabby motion with his fingers. "If you're going to go that far, let me have the business card back. Not that I expect you to get caught, but just in case. If he is involved, I'd rather he not know we're looking into him until we have something concrete."

David squints thoughtfully, trying to think of other options. "There's also the soup kitchen. One of the missing kids used to volunteer there, another took meals."

*

"Oh, I'm not going after Fisk. Not yet at least. The soup kitchen sounds like a good start." Akihiro turns his full gaze onto David, "Not sure if you know from Logan, but we're also lie detectors. I'm sure it wouldn't work on people like Fisk, but street level mooks and enforcers aren't trained to watch their heartbeat."

*

"Ha! That's handy. You should be fine then," David muses, immediately taking his hand back. "I appreciate the help. Jones will too, though she'll probably express it in her own iminitable fashion. She's generally about as personable as Laura," he says wryly. "But she's good people."

*

"Well, I'm personable, but I've beat at least fifty men to death with my bare hands. Can't let that trick you." Akihiro reaches up to rub at the back of his neck, "Imagine that's not something you hear from anybody, especially a teenager. But then again, Weapon X wouldn't have went after me if I were average."

*

"It is unusual," David confirms, but there's nothing unkind or judgmental in his voice. He reaches over to lightly clap the teen on the shoulder. "When I was a teenager, I was fighting the Nazis across Germany and France," he admits. "I didn't really have a childhood either."

*

"Well, those were Nazis. Mine are just criminals. Well, mostly." Akihiro sighs quietly. "A few teenagers were going to shoot a person I know because she's a visible mutant. I lost my cool, one thing lead to another, and I had beaten one to death, stabbed the other two, and we managed to blow up that old woman's shop."

*

David exhales heavily through his nose, sending out a plume of smoke. "When you're used to fighting for your life, it's hard to keep it in control and dial it back," he murmurs, watching Akihiro quietly. "Even when you're not a Howlett. You and your old man have a whole other set of complications that make it even harder. All that matters when we do slip up is how we handle ourselves afterwards."

*

"Yeah, I lost myself to the rage again. Suppose I should look into figuring out how to fight that." Akihiro fishes out another cigarette, this one hand rolled. "One day that's going to happen and I'll hurt a friend. That or not get away before the cops show up."

*

"You could talk to Heather about it," David suggests, not even bothering to suggest Logan himself. "She's too damned smart and experienced for her own good, but that does put her in a good position to help. And she does genuinely like helping. If there's a way to keep your rage in check, she'll help you find it."

*

"Yeah, she's who I turned to while I was away from the school. Seems like the person to talk to about all that." Akihiro lights up this cigarette, which quickly turns out to be a joint. "Her or Professor Xavier. He's a pretty peaceful person too. Not sure how he keeps it up."

*

David hums thoughtfully. "I've never met the man. Some people are just like that, though. I've always been a bit envious," he admits, nodding from side to side. "And then I wonder how on Earth someone so calm ever manages to get anything done."

*

"Probably because they don't have to take the time to fix holes in their walls and shop for clothes that aren't full of bullet holes." Akihiro suggests with a grin. "Almost went through what funds I had buying clothes. Had to go shopping four times last week."

*

David takes the cigarette out of his mouth long enough to whistle lowly. "You have been keeping busy, haven't you? Sorry you've had it so rough," he chuckles, slowly shaking his head. "If you need a hand with cash, let me know. I've still got a nest egg or two squirrelled away that Stryker didn't manage to find."

*

"Yeah, those aliens that hit the other day didn't help. Blew my legs right off." Akihiro shakes his head slightly. "Pretty used to it though. Third or fourth time I've lost a leg in this city." At the talk of cash he nods slightly, "I appreciate it. But I'll shoot for trying my hand as a PI. A samurai can't take handouts."

*

"I should warn you, the job doesn't pay very well," David says lowly. "At least, not right now. But when Jones can't afford to cut you a paycheck, I can make up for it. Then it's not a handout." He smiles wryly. "Fair?"

*

"Fair enough." Akihiro nods. "A loan is a lot better than charity. And to be fair, I don't need much. Have plenty of drinking money stashed back. Those corpses weren't using it."

*

Again: no judgment from David. He just nods once, smile still on his face. "Be a shame to let it go to waste. If you're not busy, give Jones a call," he suggests, clasping his hands in front of himself. "Let her know you and I are acquainted, I mentioned the case, and you'd like to help. Mention the bloodhound thing."

*

"Can do." Akihiro nods, tugging his sleeve back to check the time. "Shit, looks lime I'm going to have to run anyway. May as well make that call when I get back."

*

David nods once, staying put where he is. "I'll vouch for you when I see her next," he promises. "And I'll let Heather know you might be by for some help. Thank you again for the cigarette," he adds, smiling around what little is left of it. "It was good to catch up."

*

"Not a problem." Akihiro nods. "I'll be around." He lifts his hand in an easy wave before wandering off down the sidewalk.

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