"Hurry now, Masako!"

"But...but where?" Masako's little feet echoed loudly against the pavement, her large, scared hazel eyes searching through the darkness for her big sister. The only thing keeping them together was the firm grip her sister had on her tiny hand.

"Hush!" Masako's heart jumped as she was jerked into an alleyway and held tight against her sister's own pounding chest.

"Kimi...I'm scared." she whispered, clutching her sister's leather jacket and burying her face into the soft fabric of the white mini-dress under it. Kimi gently stroked Masako's short chestnut brown hair and brushed her bangs out of her tear-stained face.

"We can't stay here. They...they found out about Mom and Dad." Masako's eyes widened as she took notice of the way her big sister's olive eyes were clouded, and how her shoulders weren't held back like they usually were. She found herself wishing the nearby streetlamp would just burn out so she wouldn't have to see her sister like that. As a six year old girl, she didn't know very much. But she knew her sister well enough to realize something horrible had happened.

*~*(earlier that same night)*~*

"Your father should be home soon, Kimi." The thirteen year old preteen nodded at her mother's words. Her mother was nothing short of a top dollar prostitute. With the heavy makeup, bleach blonde hair and curvacious body to boot. Her top and skirt left very little to the imagination. Kimi sighed and picked at the loose stuffing poking out of the ratted sofa in their poor excuse for a living room.

"Should I get Masako?" Kimi asked softly, twirling a lock of her shoulder length hair around her skinny finger. Her mother pulled out a cigarette and lit it, ignoring her daughter's question. Kimi was about to repeat herself, but her mother's cell phone interrupted her. She sighed as her mother retreated into the kitchen to take the call.

"Your husband owes me some money, Darla." She grimaced at the rough voice on the other end. She threw her cigarette in the sink and rinsed it down the drain.

"Hank, I already told you he'll have the money by next week!" she snapped. Kimi stood in the kitchen doorway, watching her mother curiously. Hank laughed as if she had just told him the funniest joke in the world.

"Ah, yes I'm sure he will. Just like the last week...and the month before that." Darla bit her lip, glancing at her daughter.

"My prostitutes have been-"

"Yeah, yeah. They've been fucking their pretty little heads silly for you, I'm sure."

"We'll get the money, Hank."

"Your husband made a deal with the mafia. Darla, we have been exceedingly lenient with him...but I'm afraid something needs to be done."

"But you-" she paused, her heart sinking at the sound of the dial tone. She wordlessly shut her phone and slipped it back in her cleavage. "Kimi,"

"Yes, Mom?" Kimi knew not to ask anything about who she spoke with. All she knew was they were bad people out to get her father. Darla pulled out another cigarette and held it in her bright red lips.

"Go outside and play with your sister. Don't you come back in the house unless I say so." Kimi nodded and blew her choppy black bangs out of her eyes as she went through the living room and out the back door. Darla watched her go and sank into a chair, the cigarette fumes quickly calming her.

"Masako?" Kimi called. Her eyes scanned the back yard and finally settled on her little sister. She was sitting on the swing and staring up at the stars. Kimi held her jacket close to her thin body, her boots making next to no sound as she shuffled through the dead grass.

"Hey, Masako." This time her sister looked at her and smiled. Kimi sat in the swing beside hers.

"What's wrong, Kimi?"

"Well..." she sighed, not knowing if telling her was the best thing to do. She didn't want her little sister to worry or get scared.

"What?" Masako titled her head to the side. It was something she always did when she was curious or confused. Kimi supposed it was a mix of the two.

"It's that man again. He's harassing Mom again for money that Dad apparently owes him." Masako frowned, kicking at the dead grass with her bare feet. Kimi took notice of her sister's lack of shoes and sighed. "How many times have I told you to wear shoes?" Masako shrugged.

"A lot." she muttered, closing her eyes. "That's not the point. When will that man just leave our family alone?" Kimi bit her lip, dreading the answer. Would he ever?

"I...I don't know." It was the only answer she could give.

"Hey, Daddy's home!" Masako's excitement was obviously forced. Kimi looked across the yard and sure enough, he was home. She could recognize that green mustang anywhere. Their father stepped out of the car, smoothing the jacket of his pinstripe suit, a lit cigar hanging from his lips. His fedora shadowed his face as he disappeared into the house. Kimi and Masako listened to the yelling that inevitably came with their parents seeing each other. As a pimp and a prostitute, it was left unsaid that the relationship was hardly problem free. It was only made worse when he got involved with those men.

"Don't listen to them. Look at me." Kimi cupped Masako's face in her hands and sang a favorite lullaby to soothe and distract her. Kimi used her thumbs to brush away her sister's tears. She sung louder when the yelling increased. They sat that way for about an hour, ignoring the fighting in the house. It was just the two of them.

"You need to get away from here!" Kimi and Masako jumped, their hearts pounding.

"M-Mom? Why?" Kimi asked, dropping her hands from Masako's cheeks. Darla's makeup was running down her face.

"Those men...they came here looking for your father. Please, get out of here!" she said sternly. Kimi nodded and grabbed Masako's hand, pulling her out of the swing.

"We have to go, sis." Masako looked up at Kimi and her mother.

"But why?" She looked like she was ready to burst into tears. Darla knelt down to Masako's level.

"I can't let those men find you. Sweetie, you have to go with your sister." Their mother's voice was firm and strong. They had no choice in the matter. Masako began crying again, not wanting to leave her mother. Darla kissed her on the forehead and stood up straight, squeezing Kimi's shoulder. "I know you will keep your sister safe." She managed a small smile. It sounded gravely like she was saying goodbye. Kimi bit her lip at that thought. She was, wasn't she? Those men...they wouldn't let her live. There was no way.

"Let's go." Kimi tried to ignore the despair in her own voice as she tugged her sister along. When they reached the end of the yard they spared their mother one last glance. She was already back in the house. "Goodbye, Mom." Kimi whispered, taking care her sister didn't hear.

"Where are we going?" Masako squealed when a gunshot echoed through the previously silent neighborhood. She was jerked into a run by Kimi. They took off into the night, not daring to look back.

*~*(end flashback)*~*

Still in the alleyway, Masako didn't pull away from her sister, remembering the recent events.

"Is Momma going to be okay?" she asked weakly.

"Yeah...she will be." Kimi looked down at the top of her sister's head, a lump forming in her throat. No, no she won't.

"Can we go see her now? I wanna go home, sis. I-I'm scared." Kimi shook her head slowly, even though Masako couldn't see it.

"Mom told us to go, didn't she?" Masako nodded wordlessly, her face smothered in Kimi's dress. "So if we go back she'll be mad at us. We don't want that, do we?" She shook her head. Kimi looked out into the street, it was deathly quiet save for the occasional car driving by. She watched the cars, secretly hoping one would stop and take them away to their happily ever after.

Maybe one would stop so she could take her sister somewhere far away. So they wouldn't have to worry anymore. They could start fresh and have a new life. Kimi knew she wasn't capable of caring for her sister without help. The problem was that she didn't know who she could turn to. Her parents didn't have any trustworthy friends and frankly, she didn't want anything to do with her family. She loved her mother dearly, but her father always brought nothing but trouble for her and Masako. He was always pissing the wrong people off, which was why they had to move almost constantly. It was only recently that he got involved with a big time mafia in the area though. Kimi wasn't aware there were any major mafias in England, but she could count on her dad to find them and piss them off, that much was certain.

She glanced down at her sister again. She was crying.

She often wondered why her father continued to get involved with dangerous people...she came to the conclusion that he simply didn't care who he hurt, so long as his pocket was filled in the process. Kimi despised people like that. Even if it was his own family.

She kissed her sister's head, muttering sweet nothings to her in an effort to calm her down. It wasn't working.

What was a thirteen year old girl like herself supposed to do? Where could she go? She knew she couldn't afford a place to live...even if she did, how was she going to pay for food and clothing...or an education?

She chewed her lip slowly, contemplating her options. There weren't many, if any at all.

Whether she liked it or not she was going to have to grow up fast for the sake of Masako. She looked back at the traffic, now painfully aware of the whole situation. If she didn't think of something...or there wasn't some kind of miracle, then they were sleeping in this ally. She looked in the other direction, the darkness hiding how far the alley actually extended.

And who knew what would happen to two defenseless young girls sleeping in an alley? Kimi shuddered at the terrible possibilities. Sleeping here was not an option. Absolutely not.

Masako looked up at Kimi, feeling her shudder.

"What's wrong?" she asked, noticing the troubled look in her eyes.

"I want you to stay right here, okay?" Kimi said sternly, sounding a little like her mother. Masako whined and shook her head.

"Don't leave me!" Kimi grabbed Masako's shoulders and forced her to step back. They locked eyes.

"I'm not leaving you, I'm just going to see if I can get help." She pointed at the large trash cans across from them. "Hide behind those trash cans until I get back." Masako nodded, getting on all fours to crawl between the large rusty cans. Kimi left the alley as soon as Masako was encased safely in the shadows.

Kimi held her jacket close, her dress fluttering up in the slight breeze. She continued straight down the sidewalk, lips pressed tightly together, her clunky boots thumping the cement with every step. She was tempted to flag down a car, but quickly dismissed the thought. What if it was a murderer...or a rapist? She wouldn't take that risk and leave Masako to fend for herself should she do something so stupid. She looked forward once again and noticed a nice limousine parked at the sidewalk near a pastry shop. Kimi's brow furrowed in suspicion. She wasn't used to seeing very many limos in the area. She brushed it off and stared into the large window of the pastry shop. There were only two customers inside, but that wasn't her main concern. All those lollipops, cakes, pies, tarts, toffee, candies, breads, doughnuts...

Her stomach growled rather loudly. She pressed a hand to her belly, sighing. She hadn't realized just how hungry she actually was. Well, duh! We did miss dinner after all, she thought, frowning. She shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking of herself. Masako was probably starving. She reached into her jacket pockets, feeling nothing but fabric. No money.

"Thank you Watari." Kimi looked at the two customers leaving the pastry shop. An old man was carrying several large bags of sweets to that limo. Another man with wild dark hair wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and baggy jeans was following him, his hands in his pockets and a lollipop in his mouth. She glanced at his feet and gasped. He wasn't wearing any shoes. "Hmm?" She covered her mouth and backed up as the man came close to her, putting his face mere inches from hers. His eyes were dark and had bags underneath them. Was he an insomniac? "Hello there, little girl." He smiled at her, it was honestly very disturbing.

"Please don't hurt me." she begged softly. He tilted his head to the side, momentarily reminding her of Masako.

"I won't hurt you," he took the lollipop out of his mouth and held it out to her, "Here, it's strawberry flavored." She blinked at the lollipop that had been practically shoved in her face, a little disgusted.

"Uh...I'm not...sure..." she muttered. He smiled once more and popped it in her mouth. Kimi's eyes widened in shock as she tasted strawberry and his spit. He ruffled her hair and shuffled to the limo, waiting for the older man to finish putting the bags in the trunk. Kimi took the lollipop out of her mouth and held it in her hand, grimacing. She carefully approached the strange man and tapped him on the back. He turned to look at her.

"Oh, hello again." he greeted, putting his thumb to his lip.

"I've finished loading the bags, Ryuzaki." Ryuzaki kept staring down at her, as if he was reading her like a book.

"Excellent." he replied, still staring at her as he bit his thumbnail.

"Well, who is this young lady?" Watari asked, smiling kindly at Kimi. She gazed up at him hopefully.

"Sir, would you please help me?" Watari knelt down in front of her.

"What's wrong? Are you lost?" Kimi bit her lip. Could she trust these people? She glanced at Ryuzaki and back to Watari. The older man she might be able to, but the other one still freaked her out.

"My sister and I need a place to live. Our...our parents...they aren't alive anymore." It was made so much more real when said aloud, as Kimi discovered when she had to hold back tears.

"Where is your sister?" he asked, standing up straight. Kimi pointed back down the way she came.

"She's hiding in the alleyway. I'll take you to her." Watari nodded and allowed her to lead him by the hand. Ryuzaki watched them go, his eyes calculating.

"This girl..."

Kimi tugged Watari's hand as they neared the alley.

"She's just up ahead." Watari kept up with her quick pace.

"What is your name?" he asked gently. She glanced back at him, slowing down to a comfortable walk. Watari and his old joints were silently thanking her.

"My name is Kimi. I'm thirteen years old." She smiled at Watari. "What's your name?"

"I am Quillish Wammy, but please call me Watari." he chuckled. Kimi smiled, feeling much safer with this man. She pulled him into the alley.

"Masako, you can come out." Kimi cooed softly, standing in front of the trash cans. Masako crawled out from the shadows and clung to Kimi.

"I was so worried!" she shrieked. "I thought you left me."

"We have to go. This man is letting us stay with him." Masako looked up at Watari, who smiled warmly at her. She moved closer to Kimi.

"O-okay..." Kimi grabbed her sister's hand and followed Watari back to his limousine. Kimi looked around and figured Ryuzaki was already inside and waiting. Watari opened the door for them and Kimi helped her into the limo, getting in next to her. Masako gasped and jumped into Kimi's lap when she saw Ryuzaki sitting next to her with his knees to his chest. Kimi glared at him and held her sister close. Watari started up the limo and drove off.

"Where are we going?" Kimi asked Ryuzaki as they rode. He rested his chin on his knees and said nothing as he stared hungrily at the strawberry lollipop in her hand. Masako took another look at Ryuzaki before burying her face in Kimi's jacket, still scared. Kimi offered Ryuzaki the lollipop he had so openly been staring at. He took it from her, holding it delicately between his thumb and finger, popping it in his mouth.

"Thank you, little girl." Kimi watched Ryuzaki suck on the lollipop, frowning slightly.

"My name is Kimi, and this is Masako." Ryuzaki nodded, totally absorbed into devouring the sweet candy. "Where are we going, Watari?" Maybe she would have more luck with him. Watari glanced at Kimi from the rear view mirror.

"We're heading to Wammy's House." Kimi glanced down at Masako. She had fallen asleep.

"What's that?" she asked, not looking away from her sleeping sister.

"It's an orphanage founded by me for gifted children." He sounded very proud of the place. Maybe it could be their new home? She brushed Masako's bangs out of her face. She certainly hoped so.

"You are welcome to stay at Wammy's, of course." Ryuzaki added as he finished the lollipop and rolled down the window to dispose of the stick.

"Thank you, Ryuzaki, Watari." Kimi rested her head against the door and stared up at the stars whizzing by. She yawned, and fought the urge to close her eyes.

Approximately thirty minutes later the limousine came to a stop, jolting Kimi awake. She shook her head and looked out the window at the ornate iron gate surrounding a large mansion-like building. The plaque posted on the gate in Old English lettering was visible thanks to the limo's headlights. It read: Wammy's House for Gifted Children. Watari opened the door for her in a welcoming gesture. She shook Masako awake and helped her out of the car. Masako rubbed her eyes and smoothed out her baby blue sundress.

"Where are we, sis?" she asked, yawning. Kimi took her hand and smiled, gazing up at the beautiful mansion.

"We're home, Masako." she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "This our new home."

"Sis?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sleepy...can we go inside?" Kimi laughed for the first time that day and looked at Watari.

"Of course, I'll show you to your rooms." The two sisters smiled and eagerly followed Watari into the mansion. Ryuzaki was right behind them, watching the two girls carefully as he bit his thumbnail.

"Kimi...She Who is Without Equal, and Masako...Justice." Ryuzaki smirked slightly, his eyes glancing to the night sky. "We shall see." He stopped in his tracks, lost in thought. Kimi looked back at Ryuzaki and told Masako to follow Watari as she came up to Ryuzaki.

"Is something wrong?" she asked curiously. Ryuzaki looked at her, putting both hands in his pockets.

"No, nothing." They stared at each other, trying to figure out what the other was thinking. Ryuzaki obviously found what he was looking for, but Kimi still knew nothing about this man. He was unreadable. They both looked to the sky in time to see a shooting star. Kimi gasped, and reached up for it childishly. Ryuzaki smiled, amused by the gesture. "You're supposed to make a wish." Kimi closed her eyes and held her hands to her chest.

"I know." She took a deep breath. "I wish to be strong enough to take care of Masako. I want to keep her safe and raise her to be a strong, independent woman...that's what I wish." Ryuzaki was impressed at the selflessness this young girl displayed.

"You already are." Kimi looked wide-eyed at Ryuzaki.

"Y-you think so?" He nodded.

"I know so. Kimi means She Who is Without Equal. Keep living up to your name, and you'll do a fine job protecting your sister."

"I will, thank you."

Ryuzaki grabbed Kimi's hand and smiled reassuringly, leading her inside her new home. At that moment, Kimi couldn't have been happier.