Akihiko sat at his desk, staring at his computer screen. After two days of unsuccessfully trying to get Misaki and his terrified face out of his head, he'd decided to see what he could find on him. What he found made his stomach knot. Takashi Misaki was a seven-year-old boy who'd been proclaimed a missing person, was never found, and later was declared dead. There was a man suspected of kidnapping the boy, but no proof was ever found, and he was never even charged – much less arrested or convicted. The man's name was Fukui Keiji. (A/N: I couldn't find anyone in the actual anime/manga evil enough to be this guy, so I made up my own dude, which is something I generally try not to do, especially in AU's) When Akihiko searched him, he came up with a picture of a younger version of the man he'd seen with Misaki. The author's stomach knotted. He felt like he was about to be sick. That poor kid…is being pimped out by that bastard…He stood up, running his fingers through his hair. Then, without another word, he changed, printed off the articles, and left.

Half an hour later saw him in the red-lights district in front of the club he'd gone to with Aikawa. Taking a deep breath, he paid the guard at the front door and slipped in. His eyes scanned the room, searching for signs of the attractive, young prostitute. Nothing. He walked over the bar and leaned against it.

"Hey, what can I get for you?" the bartender asked.

"I'm looking for someone. His name is Misaki. He's pretty young – seventeen – has messy, brown hair and bright green eyes. Really sexy."

"Oh, him. Yeah, wait another half hour and he'll show up."

"He comes every day?"

"Most days. He occasionally misses a few – you know – when the clients are too rough the night before." Akihiko's stomach clenched.

"Yeah, I get it." He sat down. "Has no one ever tried to help that kid?"

"Well, actually a number of people have called the cops, but…"

"I heard. They don't do anything."

"So really…our hands are pretty well tied. That man…he's bad news. I've seen him kill people – or have them killed – for the smallest things. It's an unfortunate truth, sir, but there's really no helping that poor kid. The best thing that's coming for him is that by the time he hits thirty or so, he'll probably be so broken and by that time old enough that no one will want him that his…his owner – let's be frank – will hopefully just toss him out."

"More likely kill him."

"Is that so bad? Look…I see that kid and I almost want to kill him out of pity, myself. Of course, that would be if I didn't value my own life, which I do. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?"

"Water."

"Wow…alright then." He got the author his water and moved on to another customer. After a while, Akihiko caught sight of Misaki coming into the club. He stood up abruptly and walked over to the boy, reaching for his wallet. Keiji smirked hungrily from behind the boy, who was staring at Akihiko in shock.

"How much to buy the whole night?" the ashy-haired man asked, his eyes locking with Keiji's. The "businessman" pondered the question a moment.

"20,000 yen," he decided. Akihiko took out his wallet and paid up, not really caring that he was wasting his money. The man's brows lifted in surprise but Akihiko was already grabbing Misaki and dragging him away. He went to a back room and shoved the boy inside…before he realized he'd completely terrified him, and he now stood there, shaking like a newborn kitten left out in the rain.

"Sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to scare you." He turned and locked the door. "Sit down on the bed." Misaki obeyed, clearly still nervous. Akihiko took out the articles he'd printed off and handed them to the boy. "Take a look at those." Shaking hands accepted them and shocked, wide eyes stared at them. "That was you…wasn't it?" No reaction. The author walked over to sit beside the young prostitute. "That's why you're doing this…that man…he's making you, and because you don't even really exist, anymore, he can do anything to you – not to mention, he's obviously got police on his payroll." The silence was enough to tell him he was right. "God, I feel like such a bastard, taking advantage of that."

"Don't." Misaki's voice was little more than a whisper, barely audible. "Of all the people…that have ever bought me…you're the only one…that didn't force me. I-I offered that night. I seduced you."

"Why?"

"I…I didn't know what else to do."

"You don't have to do anything, with me, okay?" He nodded.

"W-why are you doing this?"

"Because I want to. Do I need another reason?"

"Umm…no…I guess not." They lapsed into silence.

"You look tired. Why don't you get some sleep. We have enough time." Misaki blinked up at him and then obediently crawled into bed, huddling down beneath the blankets. The author scooted over to sit beside him but made no move to touch the boy. What are you doing, Akihiko? He asked himself. Even if you spare him one night…what difference does that make? And you can't actually afford to do this every night for the rest of his life. He exhaled deeply, staring at the boy's sleeping form.

Misaki turned over, revealing his face to the interested author, who frowned slightly when he saw the blatant fear written on the boy's face. Even when he sleeps, he thought. Yet he was sure a comforting hand on the boy's cheek or head wasn't about to help. The boy continued to toss about, but not once did he utter a sound other than a low whimper. As the boy's apparent nightmare seemed to get worse, however, Akihiko decided it was time to wake him up at least for a little bit.

"Misaki," he called softly. And then a little louder, "Misaki!"

"Nii-san!" The boy cried out as his eyes snapped open, staring straight at the author, who sighed and shook his head.

"I'm not your Nii-san. I'm sorry."

"Usami-sama."

"You were having a nightmare."

"Y-yes. Thank you…for waking me up."

"Do you want to try to go back to sleep at all? You still have time."

"No…no, it's okay." The brunette sat up. "Why…why did you buy a night with me last time. I saw you. You weren't interested in anyone else…are you a pedophile?"

"It's not that."

"But you're gay, right?"

"Yes. I normally prefer men my age, but I saw you and…you captivated me. And the next thing I know, you're sauntering over to me offering something I was having a hard time resisting."

"What was that? Because when we first went into that back room, you didn't seem interested in anything other than talking."

"A chance to get closer to you. Besides, you were adorable…but it was clear that you were terrified." Misaki swallowed hard and nodded.

"But then I tempted you…"

"Yes, you did."

"I…I wish I hadn't."

"I'm sorry for allowing myself to be tempted." The boy chuckled softly, humorlessly, and shook his head.

"Not your fault, anyways. Anyone in your position would've done the same. When you came today…were you thinking that maybe I might…do it again?"

"No. No, I wasn't thinking or wanting that at all. I'd feel horrible, doing that to you while you're forced to work like this…forced to live like this."

"No one's ever…" Misaki swallowed hard. "No one's ever acted like this…towards me." A tear slipped down his cheek. "Y-you're so k-k-kind to me."

"Shh…don't cry." This only made the boy sob harder.

"I c-c-can't help it. O-once I g-g-get started…I ca-can't stop!" Suddenly, Akihiko found the boy's face pressed into his shoulder as he sobbed. "W-wh-why are you so k-k-k-kind to me?" Hesitantly, the author put his arms around Misaki, rubbing his back in slow, soothing circles.

"Shhh…shhh…" He couldn't really say anyone in his position would've done the same, and he couldn't explain why else he was kind to the boy. He didn't see himself as being particularly kind, just humane. He let the boy cry the tears he'd been waiting ten years to shed. He let him pour his sorrow and pain and desolation into him until he could cry no more, and then he just held him and rocked him and let him calm down. It was a long, long while before Misaki sat back, wiping his eyes.

"I'm sorry…" he mumbled.

"Don't be. I came to give you relief…at least for this one night…"

"Th-thank you. Why…for me?"

"Well, money's not really an issue, so it's not a big deal."

"It is…it's far more than anyone else had done for me ever since…" the boy swallowed hard and let Akihiko infer the rest of the sentence. The author smiled sadly.

"No one deserves what happened to you."

"When I was seven…I was at the store…with my brother, Takahiro. H-he sent me to get f-flowers…for our parents' graves. I went and that's when…that man came and grabbed me. I tried to scream, but he covered my mouth and nose so I couldn't breathe. I passed out, and when I woke up, I was in his bed…naked. He told me…he was going to teach me how to work. I-I was so afraid, but there was nothing I could do. At first, he just made me use my hand and mouth. Most mornings I threw up because he made me swallow so much…so much semen. God, it went on forever. Then, when I was nine, he u-used my b-backside for the first time. I still remember he came home, drunk and angry about something…he just yanked off his clothes, chained me to his bed with my face down – I didn't know what was happening, he'd never wanted me face down before – and then he put it in me…with no preparation or anything. After that, it was like the floodgates had opened. He taught me every kink and fetish, every position, the way to moan, how to read my partner and know what they want before even they know, even how to force myself to orgasm. When I was ten, he started bringing me to different clubs, whatever clubs would take a boy my age. Of course, he was connected, so most of them would overlook their policies – if they had any – for him."

"Oh, Misaki…I'm so sorry…"

"Sometimes I can hardly remember how long it's been. Everything just blurs together, after all this time. E-except you. I usually can't remember the name or face of anyone who buys me for a night, even for a day, but you…you I remembered. I-I don't want to forget you."

"You won't. I'll come visit you as often as I can. I promise."

"Y-you will?" A light of hope timidly touched the boy's face.

"You have my word."

"Thank you…thank you so much…" Misaki hugged the author, again, nuzzling his face into his chest. This time, Akihiko was a little more confident, returning the embrace. The boy felt fragile and slight, like a trembling bird, in his arms, thin arms and nearly emaciated body so delicate he could crush him just by holding him too tightly. "Usami-sama…"

"Misaki. I'm so sorry…I can't do more." He couldn't explain the drive he had to protect this boy. Maybe it was that he had never met someone as desolate as he was, but it truly broke his heart to see him in this position. He stroked the boy's hair until he fell asleep, again. With a small smile, he laid him down and tucked him in and waited for their time to be up.