Disclaimer: I don't own anything/anybody you recognize. I am the creator of Cheyenne Bradley alone. Any likeness to events or people is entirely unintended and I do not mean to offend. Please read the warnings which are posted at the beginning of each chapter. If any of the warnings sounds as if they might disturb you please take caution in reading.

A/N: Ok, here is the new improved and much more longwinded version of Hope for Love chapter one. Chapter two is about a third of the way written and will be up soon. PLEASE NOTE! The following chapter is fairly tame, but does mention death. The upcoming chapters however will be much more graphic and will contain DEEPLY DISTURBING TOPICS. This includes but is not limited to: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Sexual abuse, Incest, Severe beatings/torture and rape. There will be slight mentions of a male/male slash relationship, though it isn't extremely graphic. If anyone has a problem with these topics please be advised they will be showing up quite soon.

HOPE FOR LOVE
BY MAKIA DURRON

Hunter Bradley was not happy. He was, in fact, brooding on his bed dividing his attention between glaring at his traitorous clock and staring in disgust at the nice black pants and red button up shirt that his mother had laid out for him to wear. It wasn't even the right color red for goodness sake! He heard the gentle sounds of his door being opened and ignored it as he shoved his hair out of his eyes. He felt the bed dip next to him and looked over to see Blake looking uncomfortable in his own dress clothes. Sighing in defeat, Hunter quickly changed then hugged Blake and dragged him from his bedroom wordlessly. He was the older brother so he had to give the good example to Blake, even though he was only older by a year and eight months.

After today though, Blake would be a big brother too. He smiled softly at Blake's curious look and nudged him with the arm that was around Blake's waist. Blake was only seven and Hunter had just turned nine last week. They were both adopted when they were toddlers so they had grown up together and barely remembered a time before they were together. But not too long ago their Mom and Dad had approached them and told them that they were going to be adopting a little girl, meaning that Blake and Hunter were going to have a sister.

Hunter wasn't sure if he liked this idea, girls were soft, and didn't like sports and were whiney. But Blake was excited to not be the baby anymore. Their new sister was supposed to show up at two, which was only 15 minutes away.

Hunter felt a strong hand fall to his shoulder and squeeze. Looking up he smiled halfheartedly at his Dad and nodded before guiding Blake into the living room to sit on the couch. They sat there for a minute, Hunter barely listening as his father explained that their new sister, Cheyenne, was four and had lost her parents in a car accident. She liked playing catch and gardening, apparently, something which Hunter found promising despite his misgivings.

Suddenly, the door bell rang, causing them both to jump and his mom to laugh, "Don't look so scared, its like you're about to go fight the entire Thunder academy by yourselves!" She teased as his Dad got up to answer the door with his Mom. Hunter heard the gentle, chirpy voice of the social worker and his parents greeting Cheyenne. Suddenly curious he was about to go to the foyer to see her but was thwarted when they came in to sit down in the living room with the boys. Blake slid of the couch and came over to greet Cheyenne.

Hunter resisted for a moment, completely taken in with Cheyenne's adorable chubby face and black curls, her skin was creamy soft looking, and the color of milk, she was suddenly giggling and hugging Blake, her voice like bells as she laughed and then she looked over to Hunter expectantly. Suddenly deciding that he didn't mind having a sister he smiled at her and came over to say hello as well.

Cheyenne smiled at the taller blonde boy that came to say hello. She liked him and the dark haired boy a lot, she could tell she would like playing with them. Reaching forward to hug Blake then Hunter when he came closer she smiled again and gave them a sloppy kiss on the cheek which made them cringe before taking their hands and drawing them over to the backpack that lay down next to the coworker's feet. "Color wif me?" She asked in her high soft voice, those three words enough to capture their souls as her eternal slaves for life.

Hunter nodded, ignoring the grin that Blake sent him. He was sure that it was because he had declared coloring for babies earlier in the week, but decided that he was only doing to make his new sister happy, so it didn't matter. Settling down on the carpet next to Cheyenne, he took the proffered Disney coloring book and immediately looked over to her crayons to find a color to start with, surprised with the small 20 pack she pulled out. Sighing he got up and disappeared, causing Cheyenne to look up in shock and then sadness as he left her side.

Hunter returned shortly, a huge tin box in hand as he sat back next to Cheyenne. He gently hugged the little girl who smiled brightly up at him, any sadness suddenly gone at his reappearance. He opened the tin and put it in the middle of where they were sitting, grinning at her squeal of delight from the numerous crayons housed within. Hunter gently kissed her black curls, smiling as her bright blue eyes danced up at him, He began to color before feeling someone looking at him. He looked up and immediately began smiling happily when he noticed that his Mom was watching their bonding with a triumphant look on her face.

~*~*~

It just wasn't fair.

Blake was holding Cheyenne in his arms, trying to comfort the whimpering girl, she had been terribly frightened from the explosions that rocked above them. He glanced over at Hunter and bit his lip as he noticed his elder brother's enraged expression. "Hunter," he whispered, snapping Hunter out of his mental torture. Hunter quickly moved over and hugged Blake, cuddling Cheyenne between them. "Shh, Shya its ok, Mommy and Daddy will be back in a minute," he soothed as he exchanged a worried look with his younger brother.

They had been enjoying a wonderful dinner with their parents, having spent the day playing in the park with Cheyenne and putting on a puppet show for her. Suddenly a loud crash sounded in the living room, glass flying in through the doorway and their father had immediately rushed to see what had happened. The rest was a blur, he heard his father shouting for Hunter to take him and Cheyenne to the bunker, his Mother had rushed out to help his father and he heard dull thuds and cries as Hunter picked Cheyenne up and grabbed his arm, rushing him down to the basement and further into the secret bunker they used for emergencies.

The fight had lasted for a long time, and every minute made him cling to Hunter tighter. He was trying desperately not to cry, he was a boy and he didn't want to scare Cheyenne. She was softly crying for Momma and he wasn't far away from joining her. Cheyenne had been with them for two months and had never experienced anything like this before.

Their parents were ninjas, teachers at the Thunder Ninja Academy. They had been practicing with the junior classes recently and were enthralled, hoping to one day be ninjas as well. He shifted, Cheyenne had become dead weight in his arms as she fell into an uneasy sleep. Hunter moved to sit next to Blake and carefully pulled him in his lap, making the warmth return more fully in the cool cellar. The sounds had died off, hopefully their parents would come get them soon.

They Waited. For hours it seemed there was not a single sound coming from the upstairs, then finally the door opened. Blinking in the bright light from the Basement bulb hanging almost directly overhead they looked up, expecting to see their parents but were instead confronted with Sensei Omino, the headmaster of the Thunder Academy. "Come boys, Lets get you out of there," he said gently as he beckoned them forward.

Blake's heart sank.

"Where are our parents?" Hunter asked softly, lifting Cheyenne from my arms and carefully climbing the stairs with her head cradled on his shoulder.

Sensei looked at them, the tears more visible as they fell from his eyes. "I'm afraid, my boys, they didn't make it." He whispered softly as he hugged Hunter, taking Cheyenne from him and then hugged Blake.

"Come, you're going to come live with me," he said gently, reminding them of what their parents had said earlier in the year during an explanation of what would happen if they died too.

Hunter suddenly seemed wary, "Cheyenne is coming too right?" He asked, as he spotted the social worker who had dropped Cheyenne off months ago.

Sensei Omino winced, trying hard to come up with an explanation. "Boys, your parents hadn't named anyone a guardian for Cheyenne in their will, according to Mrs. Clarke here; she has to go back into state custody. We're going to fight to get her, but I don't know if there is anything we can do." He said softly as he handed the sleeping girl to the woman waiting.

"NO!" Hunter yelled, reaching immediately for Cheyenne, trying to pull the toddler out of the woman's arms. "You can't take our sister!" He screamed out, rage flashing through his eyes as a large fork of lightning crashed outside in the front lawn.

"Hunter! Calm yourself, we're going to go see her tomorrow, the court hearing will be in the morning and we can argue our case then but until then you must control your emotions," Sensei rebuked sternly, causing Hunter's shoulders to slump in obedience. Immediately turning to hug Blake he let his tears escape into his brother's soft black hair as he tried to assure him, like a big brother should.

~*~*~

The next day Hunter didn't even scowl at the dress clothes that Sensei Omino 'Uncle Tron' he reminded himself sternly, had picked out for him and Blake to wear. He focused instead on what he would say if given the chance, how he would explain why he needed Cheyenne to stay with Him, Blake and Sensei.

Hunter was still apprehensive, despite the long talk he'd had with Sensei Omino, that he was doing everything in his power to bring Cheyenne home, he never seemed as assured as he usually was of his abilities while saying it. Hunter clipped on his crimson tie, shrugging his shoulders into his light coat and carefully picking up his wallet. His dad had helped him start an odd job business the previous summer so he had the opportunity to earn money beyond the five dollar a week allowance he received. Unlike Blake who would spend his allowance on games and toys, he had saved almost all of it, spending only 20 dollars on books, from both sources. He had it secured on the inside pocket of the motocross wallet and slipped it into his coat's outside pocket. He then picked up a soft leather pouch from beneath his pillow, carefully checking the drawstrings on it before moving it to the inside zippered pocket on his jacket.

The pouch was a comforting weight against his side, his mom, 'don't cry, you don't have time!' he reminded himself firmly, had shown him the location of his parent's emergency fund earlier in the year. It was there for him to give to Sensei Omino and contained over 5,000 dollars to be used only if something happened to them or there was a disaster. He was pretty sure this qualified, but he was hesitant to give it to his Sensei. He had considered his options the night before and decided that if worst came to worst, if they refused Sensei as guardian of Cheyenne then he was going to take her and Blake and run.

He had it all planned out, there was a hotel in the middle of town that had rooms for 20 dollars a night, he could get a room for them and do jobs for people like he'd been doing, he'd have to be careful and they'd have a lot to sacrifice but they'd be together, and that was all that mattered to him.

He sighed at his own dismal thoughts, sending a prayer up that they wouldn't have to resort to that and quickly made his way to Blake's room. He knocked and entered after he received only silence in reply. After they had taken Cheyenne last night Blake had refused to speak to anyone. He looked around the neat room and found Blake sitting in the corner, staring stonily out of the window. "Blake?" he whispered as he slowly approached his brother.

Blake turned and Hunter winced at the pain and anger simmering in his little brother's eyes. "Bro, we're gonna be ok," he said gently as he sank to his knees beside the smaller boy. "I promise, no matter what they say today, we're going to be together," he vowed as he leaned in and quickly told Blake his plans.

Pulling back, he was relieved to see the hope slowly returning to Blake's eyes. Blake was instantly cautioned not to reveal the plan to anyone, especially Uncle Tron.

They began packing a backpack, first with clothes and then coloring books, the tin of crayons and a coat for Cheyenne. Finishing off the load with a few books and a picture of their parents they were zipping it up when Uncle Tron walked in.

"Boys it is time for us to depart," He said gently, taking each of them into a hug and guiding them from the room.

"Wait," Blake said quickly before darting in and back out, a small bag in hand, "I can't forget the snacks for Shya." He said gently as he put them in the top of the backpack and walked with them to the entrance of the Academy.

~*~*~

They arrived at the courthouse twenty minutes before their hearing, and Hunter immediately began to look for Cheyenne. His heart was racing by the time he finally found her, bawling her eyes out in the corner of the hallway. A large man was holding her arms, speaking sternly to her and when she wouldn't respond, shaking her firmly, his voice rising. Hunter quickly moved forward, intent on stopping him. A well dressed woman was sitting close by and glaring at the little girl in disgust. "Oh just shut up already you little brat!" she snapped finally glaring at the toddler and getting up to walk further away from her.

Hunter snarled at her as he passed, determined to get her away from such awful people. Picking her up and cradling her to his chest he glared at them both. "Don't you ever speak to her like that! She doesn't deserve your anger!" He said tightly as he cuddled her close.

"Hun'er, Bwake!" She cooed happily, snuggling her face into Hunter's shoulder and smiling widely as Blake quickly approached and kissed her on the cheek.

Blake smiled his hand gently soothing the tears away from Cheyenne's face, completely unaware of the Judge who had been watching from a nearby alcove. "Good morning Shya Monkey, is the dinosaur in your tummy hungry yet?" He asked teasingly, bringing a grin to Hunter's face at the memory of how the joke started.

Cheyenne had been playing with the boys, completely absorbed in their game of guess who when suddenly her stomach growled. She jumped in surprise and looked down at her stomach in curiosity. "Hun'er, Bwake was dat?" She asked softly, her stomach surprising her with another growl.

Blake grinned at Hunter and winked before turning back to the toddler sitting next to the blonde. "That's your tummy dinosaur, whenever your hungry he roars to let you know its time to eat." He informed teasingly, giggling at her shocked expression.

She stared down at her tummy again and brought her wide blue eyes up to meet Hunter's "If I eat, the dinosawer be happy?" She asked and grinned in delight as he nodded.

Standing up carefully she ran into the other room, calling for their mom, "Momma, Momma! The Dinosawer is hungwy!" She informed, not noticing when her mother laughed and ruffled her brothers' hair before picking her up and carrying her into the kitchen, asking the Dinosaur what it wanted for lunch.

Cheyenne nodded, giggling when Blake produced a package of string cheese, her juice and her fish shaped box with cheddar goldfish inside. "Dank woo," she said primly before taking a sip from the princess cup she now clutched.

Hunter followed Sensei Omino into the Judge's office, laughing as Cheyenne informed them her 'dinosawer' had roared thank you for the food and was taken by complete surprise as the man from before snatched her out of his arms, bringing her to tears again.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Hunter exclaimed angrily, stepping forward to retrieve his sister causing Sensei to put a stifling hand on his shoulder.

Cheyenne continued to cry, struggling to get out of the strange man's arms and back to Hunter. The Judge, who had witnessed the this action and the subsequent refusal by the female lawyer to comfort her and the man's rough handling. Had a considering frown on his face and eventually suggested to the man that they let Cheyenne play with Hunter and Blake while they discussed the case.

The man, whom Hunter learned was Cheyenne's third cousin named Michael, began the dispute by stating that as a blood relative, however distant, he was the only one who should even be considered for custody of Cheyenne.

Uncle Tron, on the other hand, was a calming balance to Michael's protestations and spoke reasonably of how the Bradleys had just adopted Cheyenne, and had meant to change the will later in the week. He further stated that they would have wanted their children to be together.

The lawyer for the cousin, immediately countered that it was important for a family member to raise a child. She then asked Sensei if he was related to either of the Bradleys.

Sensei had responded in the negative but quickly explained that he had grown up next door to Todd and had been there through out his life and later Christine's when they had married, lost loved ones and found out the news of their infertility. He was there for all three adoptions and was counted as an uncle to Blake, Hunter and now Cheyenne. He assured the Judge who seemed to be in their favor, that he had a comfortable life, was independently wealthy and although not married, had a daughter who was 14 and loved Cheyenne, making for a positive female influence in the toddler's life.

The female lawyer cut him off here and began citing laws that worked in Michael's favor, making Hunter's blood boil. He stood up, smiling reassuringly at Blake before stepping forward towards the Judge. "Sir, may I please say something." He asked respectfully, his hands clasped behind his back and his posture erect and confident like he had been taught.

The Judge held a hand up to the lawyer's protests and nodded for Hunter to continue. He considered his words for a moment then nodded once to the Judge, "When my parents adopted me, I was a real mess. I had been abandoned by my mother and grew up on the streets for almost a year before I was found by Child Services, I was bumped around to a couple of homes before the Bradleys found me," he paused the continued, "I was really angry all the time, I had been let down so much I figured they would let me down too, just like all the others. I was always screaming, tried to run away, hit my dad. But then one day Uncle Tron came over to meet me. He found me on the roof and sat with me, didn't yell or tell me to get down but just sat there. He taught me how to meditate, how to use my words instead of my fists. He was always there when I needed encouragement and with his help I really got close to my parents."

Blake watched Hunter admit these things to the Judge and smiled down at the floor, kissing Cheyenne's head and helping her sharpen a crayon she wanted to use. He trusted Hunter to keep them safe.

Hunter took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "I know that my parents messed up with the paperwork, but I really need Cheyenne to stay with us. I promised her, like I promised Blake that I would take care of her. I can't break that promise. I know my Uncle isn't married but he really does care about us, we all love him and I know that we'd be ok with him. I know Mr. Michael is Cheyenne's cousin and I don't think anyone would mind if he came and visited and got to know her, but we just lost our parents, it isn't right to take her brothers away too."

The Judge nodded but turned to listen as the lawyer pointed out that Hunter had been violent in the past and that, no matter how touching his story was, it still didn't excuse the law being ignored.

The Judge sighed and nodded at her words. "I think that in light of the circumstances, perhaps a visitation schedule can be set up for the boys to visit the girl?" He Judge asked, giving Michael a look, to which he nodded reluctantly.

Then I will grant temporary custody to Michael Clarke, with a review in one years time," He ruled, getting them to sign the papers.

Hunter was appalled and immediately gave Blake a look, who packed up the crayons and coloring books. Hunter looked around trying to find a way to get them out when Cheyenne suddenly gave him the perfect opportunity. "I has to go potty, Hun'er." She said loud enough for the adults to hear.

Hunter nodded to her and looked to the Judge. "Sir, is it alright if my brother and I take her?" He asked his face respectful as Blake shouldered the backpack.

The Judge waved them out, to which Mr. Clarke gave an unhappy face.

Hunter took Cheyenne in his arms and let Blake open the door. After getting a few steps away he hastened to a near run and led Blake down the stairs, "Shya, I need you to be real still, we'll get you to a potty in just a minute." He promised as they bolted out the door and quickly made their way to a taxi on the corner. "Sir we need to get to 14th and Lexington." He said respectfully as he pulled his wallet out of his jacket.

The cabbie gave them a curious glance but at seeing the money in Hunter's hand shrugged and drove off.

~*~*~

Two Weeks Later:

Hunter carefully made his way down from the room, paying for the next two days at the discounted rate. He had made a deal with the owner to clean the bathrooms and take the trash out every night in exchange for reducing the rate by half.

The manager, who seemed strangely sympathetic agreed instantly and had made it fifty dollars a week, to Hunters delight. He took out a mostly full can of garbage to dump as he shouldered the empty backpack and made his way down to the nearby market.

The women were used to seeing him every few days for crackers, peanut butter, juice and fruit. They always held his backpack for him and rang him up, easily believing the tale of encouraged independence by his parents to pick up his own after school snacks. He was easily tall enough to pass for an 11 year old and used it to his advantage, claiming they'd just moved in down the street.

There had been no sign of Sensei, Mr. Clarke or the police and after the second week of hiding and playing it low it seemed that the coast was going to remain clear. The hotel room was small and rather drab but it was clean to the best of their combined abilities and seemed safe enough. Cheyenne was beginning to get a little restless, having almost completed the coloring books, but she had understood well enough that they had to stay there until it was safe.

Today he decided to get some brown paper bags, so he could make puppets for Cheyenne when he got home. Smiling at how happy that would make her, he carefully carried the basket to the front and smiled sweetly at the cashier who gave him a piece of candy. Taking the food laden backpack he waved goodbye and made his way down the two blocks towards the hotel.

He was suddenly wary when he felt someone staring. He didn't look around, acting instead like he hadn't a care in the world and carefully ducked into the alleyway near the hotel. Waiting for a while until the bad feeling passed, he cautiously made his way to the entrance and quickly went up the stairs to the room he was sharing with his siblings.

The bad feeling in his gut wouldn't go away.

He had spent the afternoon with Blake meditating and making puppets for the show they put on. He fed Cheyenne her crackers, told her a story based on a picture in one of her coloring books and kissed her goodnight as he tucked her in to the middle of the double bed. He carefully looked out the window and sighed as a cop drove away.

"What's wrong?" He heard behind him, startling him as Blake put a hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry," he apologized before watching the street again. "I felt someone looking at me earlier, I guess I got spooked," he explained carefully, trying not to show Blake just how worried he was.

Blake nodded to him, giving him a light hug before moving to the bed. "I'm going to go to bed, We need to come up with some school books tomorrow so we don't get behind," he informed Hunter as he curled up protectively around the toddler in the middle of the bed.

Hunter nodded and checked the lock, before turning the light off and joining them. "Good night," He whispered, kissing Cheyenne's cheek and closing his eyes.

A short while later there was a knock at the door. Hunter, startled awake, gave a fearful glance to Blake and carefully moved to look out the peephole. It was the police. He bit his lip and quickly moved back, carefully motioning for Blake to get Cheyenne beneath the bed. He moved towards the closet where their food and clothing was stashed, barely getting the doors closed before their room door was opened and the chain snapped. The two cops immediately searched the room but found the room was empty. The cops were about to leave when one's eyes snapped to the bed. Hunter winced, realizing the covers were unmade and felt a tear escape as the cop muttered that the bed was warm.

He moved to check the bathroom then looked under the bed, shouting in triumph as he found Blake and Cheyenne. "Where's your brother!" He snapped as Blake tried to keep away from him.

Hunter sniffed and opened the door, stepping forward and motioning for Blake and Cheyenne to join him. "What do you want?" He asked bravely, moving to stand in front of his siblings.

The first officer moved forward fast and grabbed him, slapping handcuffs on his slim wrists, "You've been charged, by a Mr. Michael Clarke, with kidnapping charges for his cousin Cheyenne Clarke." He said imperiously, letting his partner recite the Miranda Rights.

"Her name is Cheyenne Bradley, officer." He informed calmly, trying to sooth Blake as he gently told him to get their things.

"Whatever you say kid, now come on." The officer responded tiredly as he dragged them downstairs and in front of Michael Clarke.

"This them sir?" The cop asked as he motioned to Hunter. Michael nodded, sneering at the Bradley brothers as he quickly snatched Cheyenne to him, causing her to burst into tears. "That's them alright," He confirmed as he snarled at the boys. "Say goodbye, you're not ever going to see her again." He threatened as he quickly left and made his way to the car idling on the corner.

"CHEYENNE!" Hunter screamed, quickly breaking away as he ran towards his sister, "No! You can't take her!" He cried before choking as one of the policemen caught him. Sobbing he watched as Clarke took her away, never to see her again.

A/N: OK! So after all of that… oh my god I feel like such a bitch! I really REALLY want to know what you all think. I know that there was like a single sentence talking about this before but I wanted to really give you a story you could love. I need to know your opinions though. The next chapter will be a brief flash from this scene as Hunter has a nightmare of it and he being really cranky with everyone the next day as it's the anniversary of their separation with Cheyenne. It also has a brief look into Wes and Eric moving into the new neighborhood and some introduction to Cheyenne and her situation.

As this is obviously more detailed please be aware that the next few chapters which deal with her situation and subsequent escape are going to be a lot more graphic then you might remember. If anyone wants the original first chapter of which the next three or four chapters will be based on feel free to leave a review with the request and I'll pm it to you. The review button is below PLEASE USE IT! I could definitely use some feedback and ideas from you all.

Also, as you keep reading, think about who you'd like to see her paired with in the future. It will take a while to get there but I think it might bring some closure to her and the story. I'd like to know who you think would be best for her and reasons why. Eric is with Wes and vice a versa so they shouldn't be considered. I think Eric and she will be very close because he can kinda get some of her emotional problems. But I see him more as an uncle or big brother. I'm not adverse to the idea of her and Hunter if people can give me reasons and a possible way for it to come about but I think I'll leave Blake out of the running and keep him cannon with Tori.

Anyway I hope you enjoy, Chapter two should be up sometime later today or tomorrow.