A/N: Me again~ Woah, another chapter, already? Especially since I usually take a year to post more? Yup, I feel like writing~ Also, I don't have spell check and its really cold in my basement where my computer is, so misspellings may be more common that usual. Not that I spell things wrong! I just forget that I already added a letter, or press the wrong one...I suck...

Anyway, this is a more serious chapter centered around Seto.

Please enjoy and don't forget to review, or PM with with any questions, comments, or concerns~

Chapter Warnings: An AU-ish spin on Shounen Brave

Chapter 2: The Brave

Kousuke ran. He ran until he could not longer breathe, no longer stay upright with his exhaustion. He placed his hand on his heart as he cried, remembering all of the awful words.

"Just disappear already."

"That stupid old man only cares about himself."

"What's his problem?"

"Stay out of this, you good-for-nothing!"

"You're a nuisance."

"Ugh, she's always trying to act so cute. It's so annoying!"

"Go die!"

And then? The oddly kind voice, amongst the hateful thoughts,

"That little boy...Is he alright?" Kousuke's eyes widened as the voice he heard came nearer. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he flipped around in surprise. A young teenager, probably about fourteen, was looking at him, with such gentle, concerning long green hair was pulled back into pigtails, reaching her lower back. Her simple frilly pink shirt and white skirt made her beauty stunningly natural. Her piercing green eyes were kind, and when Kousuke blinked he could have sworn he saw red, but when his eyes snapped back, everything was normal.

"Hello there. Are you alright? Why are you crying?" She asked, "My name's Minami, it's nice to meet you." She held out a hand for him to take.

"I hope everything's okay..." He heard her voice in his mind again.

"Bastard, don't mess around!" Kousuke flinched, standing up and running again. He heard her call after him, but he couldn't go back. No matter how nice she was she was still near all of those people. And he couldn't stand to hear those people.

Kousuke walked down the street with Nee-chan, Shuuya, and Tsubomi. The quartet were walking home from school, intent on stopping at a cafe for a quick snack. They entered the building-Carly's Coffee and Pastries-and looked at the menu behind the workers. It was actually a fairly long line. The place looked clean, and pretty new. Shuuya leaned over to whisper something to Nee-chan, who laughing in response. Kousuke smiled, settling on a chocolate croissant and a caramel frappuccino. When it was their turn to order, the cashier smiled brightly. The smile was familiar. Once she made eye contact with Kousuke, she winked, asking for his order.

"A chocolate croissant and a caramel frappuccino, please," He ordered, and moving by to sit down at the counter. She got the others' food and drinks, and quickly set to work to make what they asked for. Her green hair, two pigtails held into a ponytail twirled around with her, and the young mind-reader let out a sudden, harsh gasp.

"You're the Onee-san from that time before!" Her work slowed as she came to a stop, looking at him.

"Sure am. Nice to see you again!" She continued on with her job, and the group sat down to talk with her for a bit, since there was only another barista in the building.

"So, how'd you meet Kousuke?" Shuuya asked, sipping his hot coffee.

"I saw him running by himself in the streets and asked him what was going on," She answered with her never-changing smile, "But he panicked and ran away! It surprised me so much that I fell over. I couldn't even catch him after that!" The teens giggled amongst themselves for the next half an hour before Nee-chan decided it was time for them to go home. Minami bid them farewell, and asked them if they'd come again. They said yes.

Roughly a month later, the siblings once again made their last trip for the week to Carly's Coffe and Pastries (They went on Tuesdays and Fridays after school). Intent on seeing Minami again, Kousuke raced Shuuya to the shop, losing by a second. The two laughed, walking up to the cashier, ordering their food, and sitting down at the counter, like always.

"Hey guys!" Minami smiled (Honestly, Kousuke, thought, she never stops smiling, like Nee-chan).

"Hey!" Kousuke replied while Tsubomi and Nee-chan sat my them, "Yesterday, on my way to school, I saw a rabbit! I think it stared at me for a while."

"Really? That's cool! Today a stray cat walked inside my house," Minami handed them their orders, "So, how's school going?" She asked, before turning to greet two new customers, and them back at them, looking expectantly.

"Well-" Tsubomi started, when a loud bang filled the air. The two customers that had walked in were now holding guns, and Minami's eyes widened as she reached for the phone.

"Hey, bitch, what do you think you're doing!?" The taller one yelled, charging at her. She yanked it off of the receiver, dialing the police.

"Police, we're being held hostage at Carly's Coffee and Pastries on-Ahg!" She squeaked as the man pulled her, throwing her into the pastry display.

"What the fuck are you doing, huh, bitch?" He hollered, "Think calling the police will help? Like hell!" He waved his gun around as he spoke. Minami winced, her face still being pushed into the glass display that now beginning to crack at the force. Her cheek was bleeding. Panic was imminent on her face, and she shut her eyes, whispering,

"Please, forgive me..." And her eyes went red.