"I'm sorry Kyo...I just can't do it anymore..."

The woman smiled as tears leaked from her eyes. The five year old's burgundy eyes glistened, salty tears forming.

"What do you mean Mama? I don't understand..."

His chubby little hand reached out to grab the fabric of his mother's shirt, but he missed and fell onto the dead grass of late autumn. His mother gave him one last pitiful look before stepping on to the wooden train tracks. Kyo looked up, wiping a piece of grass off of his cheek, as his vision met with the scene before him. His eyes widened when he heard the booming approach of a train. He turned to see that the vehicle was zooming towards the woman...and she wasn't moving out of the way.

"MAMA, COME ON!" He screamed, tears falling dryly on to the grass as he reached his hand out to her. She smiled as the train closed in, moving closer and closer until-

SMASH.

Kyo heard the sickening noise, and fell numbly to his knees as the train continued to crush his lifeless mother for what seemed to be an eternity. His tiny body trembled as he took in what he had just witnessed. Things finally fell silent, only the sound of a small breeze whistling through the wind assured the boy that he hadn't gone deaf. He slowly faced the tracks, hoping to see his mother standing safely on the other side. He fully anticipated the fact that when he opened his eyes, she would be crouching down to pick him up and carry him home. His eyelids lifted slowly, only to reveal a crushed figure on the tracks. She was gone forever.

Ten years later, Kyo stood in front of a stone grave. It was the anniversary of her death, so he and his father came to visit. Along with them was Kyo's new step mother and step brother. His new "brother" was the kind of person that was always praised for anything he did. Who was he? He was a silver haired boy by the name of Yuki Sohma. Kyo glanced over at his "family" who was waiting for him at the gate, before placing a flower in front of the cold tombstone.

"Hello."

The ginger was startled, and immediately spun around to face the speaker. His eyes radiated confusion as he stood facing a grey haired man in his twenties or thirties. He had a kind enough looking face, so Kyo didn't feel in the least bit threatened. He felt like he could trust this person.

"My name is Kazuma Sohma. I heard from a few family members that you've had it kinda rough since...that day...so, would you like to come live with me?"

Kyo scoffed. Since when were people nice to him like this?But before blowing the idea off completely, he gave it more consideration. A happy life...a new start...

It was definitely worth a try at least.

"Uh, yeah...I'll go ask my parents..."

His feet sped across the ground, making an almost hypnotic rhythm, as he approached his father and others. He explained the offer, hoping that his father would comply. Why wouldn't he? He's wanted Kyo gone since day one.

"No." The man said sternly.

Oh yeah. Kyo almost forgot. Since when did his father allow him happiness? The teen gave Kazuma a frown as he was roughly pulled away from the site by the arm. The kind man was saddened by the boy's position, but he knew there was nothing more he could do...for now...

One week later, Yuki returned home from his all boys private school with a flyer in hand. He approached his step father and bowed.

"Father, I received an offer to train martial arts daily at a local dojo. Since my grades were above average on the end of the year test, may I please attend these lessons?"

Kyo's dad raised an eyebrow at the polite boy and snatched the flyer from his hands. He scanned the sheet, and lifted an eye at Yuki.

"Fine. Go."

Yuki gave a small smile that didn't even begin to express how happy he was. Kyo, however, looked at the boy sourly.

Where was Kyo's chance at freedom? At happiness?