Drip…drip… drip…

The faint sound of rain drops hitting the window calmed Rain immensely. She was just recovering from her alcoholic father's severe beating. There was a black ring forming around one of her piercing blue eyes, her pale blue hair was messy and knotted up, and her slender body was covered in nasty bruises and cuts. There were stains on her cheeks from where the tears streaked down.

'I hate him…I just hate him,' She thought while she sat on her bed with her knees tucked under her chin.

~Flashback~

"You're a worthless piece of shit!" Rain's father screeched as he punched her in the stomach.

She flew across the room and landed in a heap. Rain whimpered and wiped away the tears from her eyes. She curled up and tried to protect herself from the oncoming blows of the drunken man.

"You are a disgrace of this family!" He yelled, pounding her.

Rain's blood boiled. She couldn't take any more of this cruelty! How dare he say that to her! She stood up and faced him. "ME! What about you? You're the one drinking all the time! You're the one who's a pathetic fool, thinking drowning your problems in alcohol all the time will help you! That'll do nothing! You're fucked up and twisted, you son of a bitch!" She said, surprised that her voice came out so strong and clear.

Unfortunately, Rain's sharp remark earned her a slap across the cheek. She cried out in pain. Her father roared with laughter, his eyes as red as blood. In his hand, another bottle of beer sloshed around.

"Girl, you are ultimately weak!" He bellowed. "I can't believe I raised you!"

Rain backed up into the corner of the room. She curled up again to protect herself. This went on until her father got too drunk and collapsed on the couch. She watched him with wary eyes until she was sure he would not get back up. Quickly, she fled to the safety of her room and made sure to lock the door.

~Flashback Ends~

She hated that man so much…

'At a time like this, Yoh-Chan would have called,' she thought.

Asakura Yoh was Rain's best friend. They had known each other since they were babies. Rain, however, moved to Paris, France when they were 10, but they frequently called each other to stay in touch. Yoh would always call her at the right time, whether it is when she needed comfort or wanted to share her success, he was there for her.

RING! RING!

Rain chuckled softly.

'Right on time, Yoh-Chan,' Rain thought.

"Hello?" Rain said as she answered the phone.

"Yo, Rain-Chan, It's Yoh!" Yoh's cheery voice said.

Rain smiled and held the phone close to her ear. Yoh always made her feel better.

"Oh, Yoh-Chan, how are you?" Rain asked, trying to not cry.

Yoh noticed that she sounded unusually quiet today. Something wasn't right.

"Rain-Chan, is something wrong?" Yoh asked with concern.

Rain took in a deep breath and told Yoh about what had happened not long ago. Yoh listened carefully at what the girl was telling him. He said consoling words when she burst into tears. After awhile, Yoh came up with a decision.

"Rain-Chan, listen to me," Yoh said.

"W-what?" Rain whispered, tears still running down her cheeks.

"Pack your bags," Yoh said. "You're coming to Japan."

Rain wiped away her tears.

"What are you talking about?" She asked.

"You're coming to live with me."

Before she could answer, she heard a click, and Yoh was gone.

'Japan?' She thought.

CLICK!

Yoh sighed as he hung up the phone. He couldn't believe how much pain his friend had gone through. Though they haven't seen each other for so long, he still cared for her. He loved her, the little sister he never had. He never wanted her to get hurt again, and by her staying with him, she wouldn't have to be exposed to such cruelty.

"Yoh, who was that you were talking to?"

Yoh winced. He had not been aware that Anna was listening to him. He hadn't even known that she was in the same room.

"Anna, were you here the whole time I was on the phone?" He asked.

The blonde-haired teenager nodded her head.

"That was Rain, my friend," he said, answering his fiancé's question. "She's having some…family problems so I offered for her to stay here."

Anna gave him a stern look. Yoh tried his best to stand his ground.

"Just because she's having some 'family problems,' doesn't mean you have to let her stay here!" Anna strictly said. "So what if her mom won't let her do whatever it is she wants! So what if her sister and she just had a fight! I don't care."

Yoh was about to tell Anna the truth, but she cut him off.

"She can't say just because of trivial reasons, Yoh," Anna retorted. "You can't take in every helpless person!"

This time, Yoh replied.

"But Anna, Rain has a good reason to be here!" He said.

Anna crossed her arms and asked, "And what is that reason, Yoh? If it's good enough maybe I'll let this Rain Girl stay."

Yoh was silent for a moment. His brown eyes were brimmed with tears as he thought of his friend being beaten. The thought of it getting worse frightened him.

"Rain's dad drinks a lot, and Rain told me that… he has been beating her lately." Anna's expression softened a little bit. "She said that she's scared. Anna, I just don't want him to do anything else to her… I don't want her to be hurt again."

Anna sighed. She put her hands on her hips.

"Fine. She can stay," Anna said dryly, trying to keep her emotions inside as usual.

Yoh wrapped his arms around her, taking the girl by surprise.

"Thank you, Anna!" Yoh said cheerfully.

Anna pulled away from his grasp.

"You're still going to have to make dinner," she said.

Yoh's smile did not fade. He nodded his head and left to prepare their meal. Anna looked at the doorway, where the chocolate brown-haired boy had went through, a small hint of a smile on her face.

'You're a good-hearted person, Yoh,' she thought.