When the Nightmares Start Chapter 14: Time for Action, a la corda d'oro fanfic

Chapter 14: Time for Action

Len

I have never thought to see Ryotaro would reacted in such a way when I told him I was going to leave. He gave me, us all a speech that reflected everyone's heart. And I could see in Kahoko's eyes when he mentioned about uhm… the feelings stuff, that Ryotaro was actually telling the truth. And I too, ahem… was stunned by hearing it. I blushed a little, but hid it anyway, since I didn't really want that guy to tease me to death.

After giving him a punch of my own, I went to my parents and hugged them. It have been so long since the last time I could see them, touch them with my two hands like this. Feeling the warm, the nice familiar smell of mother, the firm yet soft of father. This was real, and it wasn't an illusion my mind created to deceive me. Oh, how much I have missed them, when I felt the hot tears of mother touched my shoulder I realized that they have felt the same way I did.

But, emotional time was over when Ryotaro called me over to the window. Eight cars of CBA Corp. have arrived at the front door. And followed those eight ones, were more that only just came out from the bushes.

" They have come." I whispered. This was sooner than I thought. I was hoping that the won't come until another day or two, that way we could prepare for the strike but now…

" Everyone, listen to me." I said. " From now on we must speak in a low voice okay? And we must stick together." They nodded in agreement.

" Now, all of you have to do what I say. First of all. Turn off all of the lights, and prepare yourselves, they have come." Another nod received from them. " Azuma, do you have anything in this house that could use as weapons?" I asked.

" Well, I heard father said once something about the needs to protect the house, since we are, after all far away from the city. If I remembered correctly then the secret weapons storage room is somewhere in the library."

" What do you mean by 'if I remembered correctly'?" I heard Ryotaro asked.

" Because, he said that when I was only a little boy and after that I have never once stepped foot in this house again, until this week that is."

" Lead us there, Azuma." Normally, I won't trust him that much since after the whole engagement incident with Kahoko. But he was our last hope at the moment, so whether or not I like it, it'll have to do, for everyone's safety, for mine and Kahoko's, too.

We came as Azuma opened the library' door. It was big, filled with thousands of books, that maybe the one and only on this world.

" So, why is it that this secret weapons storage room has to be hidden in a library exactly?" Ryotaro and his big mouth.

" Well, my father thought that this would be the last place where they would look for you know, the secret hidden weapons storage room. Now, do have anymore questions that you would like to ask?" Azuma sounded really annoyed then and I swore I saw him shot Ryotaro a deathly glare that said 'I'll probably kill you if you asked anymore stupid questions like that'.

" So how do we find this secret room in here?" I asked.

" I remembered that one of these books in here is the key to open the door."

" How exactly are we going to…" Mr.I-ask-what-I-like luckily has been stopped by Kanazawa, it seemed that teacher has noticed the glare, too.

" Okay everyone, there are ten of us, if we look closely then one of us will bound to find that key, so let's spread out, alright?" The teacher announced as the others looked at me.

" I shared the same opinion with him, so let's do it."

All of us spread out. Eyes looked, hands touched, trying our best to find that hidden key that led to that hidden room. My eyes searched around, books, books and books, everywhere. Azuma's father was right about hiding the things that needed to keep secret in here, a prefect place. I continued on searching, until I heard someone called my name.

" Len, Len!" The whispers were enough fro me to hear.

" Kahoko?"

" Come here. I think I found something." She used her hand to pulled me closer. I blushed a little since, we were, uhm, quite close. But the idea flew away as fast as it came.

" What is it?"

" A book, really thick."

" So what's wrong with it?" I was confused.

" Look, it seems really think right? But when you pick it up, it feels so light, like the inside is hollow."

" What?" I took the book in her, it just like she said. I flicked my finger on the thing's cover and it made a pretty weird sound. " You are right. It is hollow inside. Maybe the key is in here." I tried to open the book, but it won't open.

" You can't open it. I tried before but no used." I tried again. Nice, just like she said. It was impossible.

I brought the thing out and called everyone to stop searching. Each of us tried to open the book but, no used.

" Do you know how to make this thing open, Azuma?" I asked, looking at the long haired 'maestro'. He was deep in thoughts, yet again. I think that he was trying to remember something.

~Flashback~

Azuma

I was in the library with father as we were sitting in front of the fire and drinking our tea. It was nice and cozy, I like it when father and I spending some quality times together like this. Mother and Grandmother was too busy taking care of my other brothers and Miaby, my new born little sister. They've gotten their hands full so no one paid that much attention to me anymore except for father. I took a sip of my tea, it was my favorite, it got a smell that could calm my stressing nerves.

" Azuma." I looked up to look at father when he called.

" Yes, father." I smiled at him.

" I have something to tell you. Do you remember when I told you that we need to protect the house no matter what because we a far away from the city?" I nodded, still looking straight at him. " Now, hold out your hand, son." I did what he said as he dropped something into my palm. I saw that it was a gem, a crystal, it was very pretty, shimmering under the golden lights from the fire place. " Keep it. And remember this, when ever you need to protect the house, our house, the key is…"

~End of Flashback~

Len

I saw Azuma grimaced a bit as he used a hand to held a side of his head, looked like he has trouble remembering something. And then I heard him murmured 'the key is…' or similar statement like that.

" Hey, look." Shoko called. We stared at her, waiting for what she was gonna say and the girl just blushed. " Uhm, uhm, look, on the book, there's… a hole on the locker. Something is missing."

" Yes, you are right." I studied the hole for awhile.

" I think it fit a small jewel." Mother suggested. I looked up at her and nodded.

" You are probably right, mother. It seems to be the best idea we have, for now."

" The key is…" I heard Azuma's whispering to himself again, over at the corner and still clutching his head. I knew that whatever he was trying to remember got something to do with the missing gem on the book's cover. I took the book from Ryotaro's hands and brought it over to him. Showed the book in front of his face as I spoke.

" Azuma, look at the book. We have just found out that it is missing something and that something maybe a jewel. Do you know anything about it?" I asked him slowly, trying to get the question into his troubled mind. The guy stared at it for awhile then suddenly, his eyes widened and shone up. A satisfy smile curved its way on his lips.

" The key is… always with you! I remembered!" I happily announced.

" What exactly did you remember?" I asked again.

" My father, he once gave a crystal and said that when I want to protect the house, the key is always with me." He said, sounding quite happy. The other came next to us as I continued the conversation.

" So, where is that crystal now?"

" Here, I always keep it with me." He slitted his hand inside his jacket and took out a small, yet very beautiful crystal.

Azuma slowly put the thing in the hole and it fit! He pushed on the crystal and the lock flicked open. We were so happy that it did! Opening it up, the inside really as hollow and there was a steel flower liked metal. What was it for? Neither of us knew until, the Maestro took it and started heading toward the fire place. It has very fine fragementship, with soft flowery curves and decorated with two lion head and each of it has a round steel circle in its mouth. Azuma's hand smoothly slitted along the edge and came to the middle of the two lion heads. There was a hole like the book as he put it in. A complete fit. He used his hands to held the steel circles in the lion's mouths and started to push in. After turning them, he began to pull and those heads followed his hands outside. The fire place slowly turned and finally showed the things that hid behind it.

There were everything that you ever needed to have in a battle. The thing as that wasn't any guns. I guess that guns were too much for just protecting the house. Each of us took what will suit us best. I saw a sword, a Japanese sword. Picking it up, quite heavy, drawn the sword out of its sheath, the blade shone greatly and I could see the sharpness in it, it could slice through everything, I think, it will serve my purpose. Then , something got my eyes, a box, small one that has been hidden deep into a dark corner. The others haven't notice it yet. Curiousity whelmed up as I used my hand, slowly approached it. The box was in my grasp now and I opened it. I couldn't believe what I found in it…

Okay, everything is going according to plan. At least I hope so. I called everyone to gather around me so I could provide the plan I have instore in my mind.

" First of all, the enemies don't know the ways around the house so in advantage of that we'll have a better chance in giving them a surprise attack, that was the reason why I told you to turn off the lights in the first place. Now, there is no doubt that they will divide their forces into groups, we'll do the same. We'll spread out, group A will be between Azuma, Kazuki and Keiichi. Group B, Kanazawa, mother and father. Ryotaro, Shoko and Kahoko, you all will be in group C. Group A will stand at the staircase, B will be at the back of the house, and you three group C will be in charge of taking care the way to our rooms." I looked around to see whether or not they would agree. I received a nod and that was all I needed. " You guys must stick together, never leave your stand and please watch out for each other's back. These people will do everything to win even if it is to play dirty. Kanazawa, please take care of my parents, I'm intrusting them to you. I'm sorry for pulling you into this mess, mother and father."

" No, son. We are just glad that we could help you." Father put a hand on my shoulder, it felt like he was giving strength, so was mother and her gentle smile.

" What about you, Len?" Kahoko asked.

" As for me. I'll go by myself. I have my own business to take care of."

Normal POV

" What are you nuts?" Ryotaro shouted (in whisper) at the violinist face, sounding angry.

" Of course not. This is something that I need to settle with Fan-fan myself. So, please, for once, let me do this." Len looked straight into his friend's eyes with a burning determination in them. The guy was speechless for a minute, couldn't find a word to say because of that pair of eyes and he knew, no matter what he say now won't change anything. Let out a heavy sigh.

" Go and do whatever you want, see if I care, you jerk. But make sure you come back alive, or else even if you are a ghost, I'll go to hell and find you then beat you up so badly you won't be able to go around and do your scary ghost stuffs." That earned a smirk on his blue-jay haired friend.

" Remember, I'll do the same to you if you let them lay a hand on Kahoko. I'm not just gonna beat you up, I'm going to tear you apart, pull out your skin, shave your hair and finally, slash you one hundred times, no until I satisfied enough." Len whispered in a low tone voice into Ryotaro's ear. His voice was cold, icy and have a hint of danger in it. And it sent a chill down to our pianist friend, he knew right away that the guys was serious, he meant what he said and maybe even he'll make it even worse than what he just described.

" I don't need you to remind me. Without you telling me, I know what I'm suppose to do." Ryotaro managed to said it out, in a confident voice.

Standing up, Len let the sword slitted through his belt on the left side of his hip. Stood tall on his feet as he gave out the order.

" If you really, and I mean really have taken care all of the guys in your stand then go to the other stands to see if they needed help or not, okay? Now, let's get to your positions." He stopped then continued. " One last thing, and listen. Be careful not to get hurt or capture. And this is and order, not a suggestion." His voice was serious, yet caring at the same time. Before they leave, Kahoko stayed back and gave Len a concern look. He noticed it as he went to her. His lips curved up into a warm smile. Using a hand to touch her cheek.

" I'll be fine, don't worry. Trust me."

That smile was still there and as if it was slowing melting the girl's worry away. Slowly moved his fingers, Len held a lock of her crimson hair in his hand and played with it for a little. Leaned forward and gave it a kiss, he could smell her scent, the scent of warm sunlight and sun flower dancing in the midst of summer breezes. It calmed his troubled mind, so much that he wish this would never end, if so then he would hold her closer into his arms, to feel more about her, to touch her soft skin.

But no, if that happened then it would only be a dream and when he wakes up, he would already been drown into this nightmare forever and won't be able to escape along with his friends, his family and his… beloved. He has already made a stupid mistake once and now that is not going to happen again. He has sworn to protect his friends and he is gonna do just that. No more mistake, no more running from this nightmare, this time, he got his friends beside him, nothing more to be afraid of, now. Len is gonna stand and face this challenge and fight and end this once and for all.

" Let's go." Len said softly to Kahoko who now has her face burning hot. " Everyone is waiting." As she went away, smiled then turned her back at the corner, Len murmured to himself.

" I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you myself. But Ryotaro will do it for me. Please be safe for your sake and… mine, too. I don't know what I'm gonna do if I lost you." With that, he went away to his stand and prepare for the big battle.

Sitting in the living room, Len held the hilt of his sword, ready for anyone to come and charge in. He knew how danger it was to fight alone with Fan-fan's henchmen, but for his friends, he'll do it and for his parents, too. They were the things that left for him to care on this cruel world, so he have to do everything he could to prevent anything that could do harm to them. And her, Kahoko. She as the Goddess that led him out of the swamp that has almost drown him in despair and desperation. And to mention, father, mother, his friends, Kanazawa and that stupid, big mouth Ryotaro, the guy that hated Len's guts for than anyone on this planet and so did Len. They like the same person, both talented at music and look at each other like arch-enemies. And yet, now, at this time, this moment, they are helping each other, like true friends.

In his mind, Len was hoping that after all of this has ended. Everything will be back to normal, everyone will be happy and hopefully they'll accept him even though this left hand of his couldn't be use, and he couldn't play anymore music to them. He was nowhere the level he has been three years ago. But he was hoping that, they still accept him even that he was a burden to them.

Footsteps. They were rushing toward where he was. Well, they finally charged in, clutching the handle tighter than ever as he pulled the sword out, the steel blade ran through the wood sheath, creating a cold sound and Len's eyes sharpen, narrowed and his attention aimed straight at the door. His freezing cold gaze and feature brought the whole room into a quiet stillness.

The door swung open, and they were storming in but the first few men have been knocked down by a slash of the sword Len was holding as they fell down to the floor. Swung the weapon as the drops of blood flew on to the floor and the blade once again shone brightly.

" Hey, hey. It's the loser that has escaped a few days ago." One of the men pointed at Len and said half mockingly. Looking straight at them as he sent a chill down to their vein and spoke.

" Listen here. None of you will get through here, not even a step. Not until you over came my death body." His voice was in a low tone, cold and somehow scary.

" Yeah, right! You don't scare us! C'mon, show that dog what we can do!"

" I know what you can do and I certainly know that you can't touch me. So back of or else."

" Say all you want you insect, because you gonna be a corpse soon!" They came running to Len all at once as Len rose up his sword calmly.

" You ask for it, I have warned you."

Len ran up to them for a few steps then jumped up into mid-air, swung his sword down and with that one swing separated into three slashes as they stroke those henchmen harshly on the torso. He landed easily on his feet and not far away, those who have insulted him have all lay down on the floor in their own pool of blood. Standing up, expression still as calm as though nothing has happened at all.

" You'll pay for that!" A man with dagger charged in from behind the violinist's back, planning to get 'little toy' of his in his enemy's stomach. But no, Len realized that danger was coming for quite a while ago. Turning around, rose up his free hand and as fast the man was running in front of his face, he chopped on the guy's wrist and the dagger fell on the floor. Holding his wrist painfully as the guy received a blow right on his face and broke his nose from Len. He bent down and picked up the fallen dagger and flipped it in his hand.

" Thanks but I don't like cheating, neither do like cooking. Although, appreciate the dagger, maybe my friend will find it pretty convenience to cut the vegetables with it." He smirked. Then form his hand into a fist and flung it over his shoulder and hit right on the guy's face who was trying to attack him from behind, again, without even looking. Len sighed. These guys were such cowardly people. He may as well just fight them all at once.

Kahoko

It has been awhile since we came to our stand. And since then there were just only ten men arrived and Ryotaro defeated them easily without these two girls help. I looked at Ryotaro, who as standing there with a steel silver-plated staff in his hand, I would say all of that aloud, about my, our feelings that is. I couldn't believe that he would say everything out like that, Ryotaro, that guy was so straight forward, so was Len. I subconsciously blushed when I remembered his hand softly touch my cheek as he moved up his hand and leaned to kiss my hair. I was so closed to him, that I could smell his scent of to sweet and gentle, he was everything like his name, the Moon. And every word he whispered into my ear, even now I still can feel his warm breaths on my neck. I never felt that way before. It was almost as if, my heart will stop beating right there and then. But Len went alone by himself, what if he got attack? His wound couldn't heal that fast, he was still weak, if the wound opened up then he'll get into trouble. I tried to stop him from going but didn't succeed. He was endamager himself. Oh God, I hope he was alright.

" This is weird." I suddenly heard Ryotaro murmured to himself as he snapped me out from my chain of thoughts. Thank goodness for that.

" What do you mean by 'weird'?" I asked worrily.

" Everything. I swear that I saw with my own to eyes that eleven cars have arrived at the front gate."

" So? What's wrong with that?"

" Don't you see? It's too quiet, if there were to be eleven cars arrived and full with men." I nodded, trying to figure it out what he was getting at. " Then how come, there were only some of them came here, there should be more, right?" His words hit me hard. Oh no, what if… " C'mon." I looked up. " Let's go, then we can check to see what is happening. And, don't worry okay?" He smiled at me, a smile full of determination. He was telling me to believe in Len.

" Yeah. You are right. I shouldn't be worry." I smiled back at him and grabbed Shoko's wrist slightly. " Let's get going Shoko."

" Yes,… Kahoko." The girl answered shyly, as we hurried behind Ryotaro.

We were heading to the hall. The sounds of fighting were louder and louder each step I took. I couldn't help but strating to get worried. Even so, I still have to stay calm no matter what happened. I managed to calm down like I just told myself by breathing in and out, deep and slow. As were approaching closer and closer to the main hall, Ryotaro warn us to be cautious because it'll be dangerous. We stopped and hid ourselves behind the banister. I peered down to the hall and my eyes went widen as I saw Len as fighting so many henchmen and they were like attacking him all at once! I was about to stood up but a hand held me back.

" I have to help him, Ryotaro!" I stared at the person that has his hand on my shoulder as he stared straight back at me, too. He shook his head slightly.

" There are too many, they are outnumber us, if you go down there now you are just gonna endamager yourself."

" No, I won't. But he'll be if we don't help him now!"

" He won't be happy if you do."

" I don't care. All that we have to do now is help…" Suddenly he used both of his hands to held my shoulders and shook.

" Listen, Kahoko." His voice was full of anger. " What can you do if you go down there, now? If anything happened to you, that guy, Len, he'll be out of control. And when he did, he'll go and kill everyone of them then what will that make him? No more than those beasts who disguise themselves humans! Then he will have to go to jail. He has already had enough regrets in his life Kahoko, and I don't want to put anymore burden on him, don't you understand? He loves you a lot, and he is willing to do everything to get revenge for you if you've been killed by them. Don't make him more miserable than he already is Kahoko."

I stared at him, speechless. I could understand what he was saying. A single tear slipped down my face just by thinking about Len who will risk his life for me and then go to jail, spending the rest of his life and talent in a cell as he slowly rots away. Just because of me? No, I won't let that happen. Len still has a lot of things he has to do in his life, I don't know what they were, but I do know one thing that will be listed first in his chain of work. After all of this, he will go to a hospital and get his hand cure, that was for sure!

Footsteps. I heard them were moving toward us as I warned the other two to be careful. Ryotaro noticed it, too. As he told us to get ready. Footsteps were getting closer and closer. And then a figure appeared. Right then, Ryotaro jumped up in mid-air and when he was about to strike.

" Stop it, Ryotaro!" I shouted as his swung was a miss.

" What's the matter?!" He shouted back, looking quite angry. I used my forefinger to pointed.

" They are not the enemy! They are the others." Understood what I meant, he turned around and looked.

" Kazuki?"

" Hey, man. You scared the heck out of me! I thought I was going to get my head split like when the people play split the water-melon on the beach!" Kazuki exclaimed as I giggled a bit and so was my senior. Even at this time, he hasn't lost his sense of humor. I saw that Ryotaro was blushing a bit thanks to the embarrass.

" Well, I wish that Kahoko didn't stop me. I would like to see your head split into pieces like that if you keep on laughing at me!"

" That's right, Kazuki. You shouldn't laugh at other people, because you don't know that what they say are serious or not." Azuma appeared, too and with Keiichi right behind him. I have to say the boy was still looking as sleepy as ever. Then I saw that Kanazawa was coming, too, along with Len's parents. I was surprise to see them.

" Why did you come here?" I asked.

" Well, we want to know why there were only some of the guards came but as you said, there were many of them, if I remember right?" The teacher turned his head and focus his attention on Ryotaro.

" Yes, you're right. I was wondering about that too. That was why I came out here. And guess what I've found." He pointed his finger don to the hall. Mr. and were looking down as well and both of them gasped at what they saw, like I did, Len was fighting almost the whole gang of henchmen which were under Fan-fan's control.

" Oh my!" Misa Hamai exclaimed. " We have to help my son. He is in trouble." She looked desperate. I knew how she must felt right then.

" Of course. I was afraid that if we go down there now we would be outnumber. But now everyone is here. Let's do this!" Ryotaro said aloud. And we agreed with him as we started to run down the stairs and charged in.

Ryotaro

Okay, back with me. As Kahoko said, we began to charge in. I fought the one that were running in the opposite direction than we did. And a few minutes later, I found myself standing next to Len.

" What are you doing here?!" He asked, sound pretty angry as he beated up the guys were charging in.

" Well, it seems that you were in trouble so we decided to help."

" 'We'?" He turned his face to see that the others were fighting nearby, too. And he saw that his parents and Kahoko were there as well. " What the? I thought I told you to protect her, not letting her out here to fight!"

" Yeah right. Like I can do that!" I swung the staff and knock out four men. " She and you parents just kept on insisting, so, we have no other choice." Then I heard a low growl.

" I swear that, if anything happened to either of them, you and Kanazawa will take responsibility for it." Len sounded angrier than ever.

" Whatever you say. Suit yourself. But really now, you don't have to worry about them."

With that we began to fight. Knocked down as many as possible and so were the rest of us. I was surprised to see that Len dared to use a sword to fight them.

" Hey!" I called as we leaned our back to each other.

" What?"

" I've been meaning to ask. Did you kill all of them by using that sword?"

" No. They are just unconscious. If I kill any of them, I'll be nothing more than a low life like they are."

" That's good to here. But remember, I'm gonna be the one who beat up the most henchmen, you can't do anything about it."

" Try me." We were smiling, somewhat smirking, arrogantly as we looked at each other. So, he still got his pride, that eagle was almost as big as his body. More and more of them gathered around us.

" I'm gonna be the winner." I declared.

" That's what you say but it's not what you're going to do." He mocked me. But I'm going to deal with that later on, now we have to focus on how to defeat all of these men.

" Ready?"

" Of course."

" KYAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kahoko

Sounds of fighting on the other side was getting louder and louder as I heard a shout but of two voice collide to each other. I turned around to see that Len and Ryotaro were fighting with enthusiasm. And to my surprise, they both were smiling like they were having fun by doing this.

" Ahh!" I heard a yell as I turned to see that one of them has threw Shoko to the ground harshly.

" Shoko! Why you…!" I came running toward that jerk and gave him a hard hit on the head as he fell down to the floor. After that I ran to where Shoko was lying.

" Shoko! Shoko! Are you okay? Can you hear me?" I shook her shoulders.

" Kahoko…" She replied weakly. This wasn't good. She was too weak, I have to bring her to somewhere safe. Putting her arm around my neck as I used the other one to support her body up, looked around as I saw a dark corner beneath the staircase, it seemed to be the best place for now so I brought her there. Lying the girl down as her back leaned against the wall.

" Stay still okay? You'll be safe, don't worry."

" I am… sorry, Kahoko." I hushed her as I saw tears forming at the corner of her wine colored eyes. I wiped them away.

" No, no. Don't be. This is a battle. And in any battles, there are always some people who will get hurt and they need to rest to regain their strength because if they couldn't fight this one, there'll be a next one then they can help in the next coming up fight. So, you don't need to apologize, no just rest here and try not to make a sound." The girl smiled with acknowledgement as she nodded at me. I smiled back at her then left.

We kept on fighting until fifteen minutes later, almost all of them were out. Mostly because of Len and Ryotaro flying kick, slashing and stuffs, then there was Kanazawa throwing Thai knifes, Azuma flying tea spoons and Kazuki's club. It was pretty strange, seeing Kanazawa and Azuma using the kitchen accessories so well.

" How did you guys do that?"

" Well, because since I was small, grandmother told me that I should study about the tea ceremony, so I'm used to this."

" Pretty easy. You know how much I like to slice up the fish in the kitchen since I'm still a single man." Then the teacher's face became a little depress. " It's sad that I couldn't slice them up like what I did to the fish." He looked gloomily at the sharp knifes as they created some cold flash of lights, I swear that I heard a thunder stroke right after he said that. The scene sent a chill down my spine. Scary. Never seen him like that before.

" Hey!" I heard a call.

" Ryotaro? Where's Len?"

" He went outside first and told me to call you guys." He said that and all of us including Len's father and mother came along.

Running outside. We stopped as Ryotaro gave out a sign. He peered out, seeing no trouble was out there we began to move out again. As we went out, it was still raining really hard, I saw that Len was standing there with his hand clutched the sword's hilt tightly with streams of water ran down his face. Suddenly a black limousine arrived slowly and stopped in front of him and a long silence was pulled out. No one made a move until…

" Get out here!" Len shouted. I could see in his eyes the burning hatred and anger. " I know you are in there! Show yourself, Fan-fan!" The shout got louder and filled with even more anger. The door swung open as a dark figure stepped out. A woman, with long raven hair, wearing a red Chinese traditional clothing. It was Fan-fan! She stepped out into the light as she looked at Len then let out a long, evil laugh. Her laugh filled the humid air of the night.

" Well, well." She has finally stopped with the long chain of laugh. " Isn't this my little pet." She looked straight at Len. " Where have you been? I have been looking for you. Yuta missed you very much, too. He said that these days in the red-light district, there aren't that many pretty women anymore, he said that they tasted so boring." At that time, another shadow came out. A man with a weird face, with slanting eyes, flat nose and a stupid smirk on his face and he dressed in a loose glossy looking orange shirt and a pair of not-so-pretty pants. " Am I right, Yuta?"

" Yes, yes." His voice was raspy and full of lust as he licked his lips in a craving and disgusting way. " That geisha you gave me, what was his name again. Oh, yes, Len. He was delicious, the smell of youth, soft skin and his body was very nice." Oh gosh, this was the guy who raped Len! " And now look at him, he seems much better than before, his hair has been cleansen and cut, so is his body and oh how he looks like he has some flesh in him, now. My desire for him is even more, now." He drooled down his face. He is an animal, not a human being.

I saw Len ran toward them with his sword rose high in the air.

" Shut up!!!"

" I wouldn't do that if I were you." Fan-fan said with a smirk on her face as she flicked her fingers. All of the sudden, many guys jumped out from nowhere as they surrounded us and pointed guns at us. We were stuck, none of us could move an inch. " Touch me, even if it is only a tiny scratch, your friends' lives will be in danger. You don't want them to have hundreds of holes on them, right?"

Len turned around, his eyes widen as he saw us being surrounded. He gritted his teeth tightly.

" Let them go! They have nothing to do with this!" He shouted at Fan-fan.

" Don't worry. I won't do any harm to them, if you promise to be a good pet, listen and do what I order you to." He held his sword tighter than ever, his shoulders shook a little from the anger. " Now, decide fast or I won't guarantee their lives."

" Don't Len! Don't! We'll be okay! Just don't listen to her!" I shouted and so was the other.

" Shut up! Let Len concentrate." Fan-fan shouted back. As the guard moved in closer and tighten the circle and the guns were right next to us.

" Stop it." I heard Len said. " I'll… I will do what you say."

" No, Len!" Ryotaro shouted.

" That's right. Good boy. Now, drop your little toy." He did what she said as the sword touch the ground, creating a metal liked sound. She started to rub his head like a master rubbed her dog.

" One condition. I want to speak to them for the last time." He lowered his face as he spoke.

" Of course."

Len nodded as he walked toward us in a strangely calming way and his face was still down. Footsteps were loud, wet and muddy. He slowly approaching us as the guards lowered their weapons in a cautious way. Len stopped in front of me. My heart was pounding hard, I was worried and nervous in a certain way. What was gonna happen next? I don't know but I just can't shake this weird sensation away. It felt like something bad was going to happen like the time in HongKong. Everything was quiet, all I could hear was the sounds of rain, falling from the sky and touching the solid ground.

" Everyone. Thank you, for supporting and helping me through this tough time of my life. I'm sorry for making all of you worried and upset, and even tried to lie about the truth. I have underestimated you guys. I should have known right from the beginning that I can trust you and believe that you can do this, because, nonetheless you are my friends and family. The ones I will remember for the rest of my life no matter where I go or what happen, I have and will remember you all, forever."

Tears were forming in my eyes, he sounded like this will be the last time we'll ever see each other again.

" Kahoko." He called my name. I looked at him, to my surprise, he was smiling. The smile was soft, warm and gentle, yet, it brought a sad feeling to you when you looked at it. This made me even more worried. He went closer and closer then gathered me into his arms. His embrace was tight, powerful, almost demmanding. I could feel his warmth touch, his body's sense that smell like a cool night of Autumn, when the dark blue sky full of twinkling stars and the shimmering big, round Moon, with soft breezes that bring along a warm, calming feeling. It felt like my feet were lifting off the ground, I was lost in his arms. " I have to go." He whispered into my ears. I shook my head and held him tighter, I won't let him go. " Kahoko, this is something that I have to do. Fan-fan is only after me and for my friends, family and for your sake I have to go."

" No. Please, no. Don't go." I begged him, the tears were coming back to my eyes as they slipped out and streamed down my cheeks. Using his fingers as he wiped those tears that were slowly mixed with the rain.

" I am so sorry. I know that you are sad but there is nothing more I can do in this situation. If I don't go, they'll harm you all." Len slowly explained to me, but I refused to listen.

" No. I don't care, just stay, even if I die, I won't, I swear I won't let you go." I was desperate. " Please. I can't risk loosing you again, last time was already too much, I don't want to bare the pain, despair and the heartbreak again. Loosing you were just too much, and now, here you are standing right in front of me, I won't let them take you away!" I shouted. I looked at him, as he did the same, I could see sorrow was filling his amber eyes. Using all of the strength left that I could muster, I clutched onto his arms. He still looked at me. Then moved his hand down to his pocket and pulled out a small box that I saw earlier and opened it up. Inside was a brooch? As he slowly place it in my hair after twining it up. I was surprised, and noticed that his eyes have never left my face.

" I was right. It really does fit you very much. You look beautiful." That smile appeared on his lips again as he put both of his hands on my cheeks and wiped away the last remaining beads. He slowly leaned his face toward mine and… kissed me.

Len's lips were so soft as he gently deepened the kiss. Surprise filled at first but then I accepted the kiss. It was so passionate, and intense, he slipped his tongue into my mouth, I could taste the sweet sensation that was flowing into me. My body relax, I felt so warm, it like he and I have gone to heaven, a place where we don't have to worry about anything, where we can be at peace and share the feelings we have for each other with no one there to interfere us.

We broke the kiss and both were gasping for air. I could see that his face has a pinkish color on his cheeks, I couldn't help but smiled. For awhile there, he didn't say anything at all. But then as he bent down again, with his lips next to my ear as he whispered to me.

" I love you, Kahoko."

My heart felt like it skipped a beat. I looked at him with my eyes widened. " That is the reason why, no matter what happened, I won't let you get hurt. I will do everything for you to be safe. Even this…"

Even this? What does he mean by that? Len looked up then as he looked over my shoulder and nodded. What was he nodding for? I turned my head around and saw Ryotaro, he was standing with a painful in his eyes. It was then that Len turned his back against me. I was surprised, I reached out, holding his arms and leaned my forehead on his back.

" Please. Stay with me, Len. You said that you love me, but why are you leaving?" He didn't answer. Using his hands to shook of my grasps as he walked away. " No! Come back!" I yelled.

" It's too late." I heard him saying. When I was about to run to him, a strong hand grabbed me tightly. I looked back, it was Ryotaro. He was shaking his head, telling me not to run after him. I tried to push away his hand, I struggled to do so, the tears poured out again in the process when I saw Len was getting further and further away from me, out of my reach, out of my life. I could feel that my heart was starting to have a race, I could hardly breathe. No, please, don't go, please, I don't want to loose you. I need you, don't go, I rather die than watching you slowly getting out of my grasps again.

" Len, please, oh my gosh, please, I beg you, just stay with me. I don't mind dying, just as long as I could be with you. I'll do everything, It's not too late! Don't walk away, Len!!!"

But he didn't even turn back to look at me, not even once, he just kept walking away. Each and every step he took as he was getting closer and closer to Fan-fan, and further out of my life. Tears rolled down from my eyes non-stop. What should I do? What can I do? He was too far away.

" LEN!!!"

Len

" That is the reason why, no matter what happened, I won't let you get hurt. I will do everything for you to be safe. Even this…" I told her as I looked up and nodded to Ryotaro who was standing there ready whenever I give the signal. I knew that he wouldn't be happy doing what I asked him, but it was my last choice.

When Kahoko turned her face around to look at him, I took my chance and turned my back on her. Then I suddenly felt her small, trembling hands held my arms tightly and her head leaned against my back.

" Please. Stay with me, Len. You said that you love me, but why are you leaving?" I didn't answer her, she was making this harder for me. But, I have to this. Biting my lowered lip, I used my hands to pushed her fingers and walked away. " No! Come back!"

" It's too late." I said to her, small but enough for her to hear as I moved my feet that felt so heavy like they have been chained to the ground by a 200 kilograms metal ball. I went away, each heavy step I took, listening to Kahoko's shouting in the background. I could hear them all, every word she said, every time she called my name. My heart slowly broke into pieces, it was so painful, my heart ached, my whole body ached and I bit my lip so hard that blood was licking out from the wound. Even so, for my friends, family sake and for her sake. This was what I must do. No matter how much I denied it, it was still the truth, that someday, somehow, Fan-fan's henchmen will find me, and then bring me away, torture me harder because I dared to run away from them. They may even kill this family of mine if I refused to go. This was my only choice.

" I said that I love you, and I really am. That's why I'm leaving, because I love you. I'll miss you, Kahoko." I whispered to myself. Not like anyone could hear it but, I couldn't turn around and tell her this, now. Because, if I do so, I won't have the heart to leave. It has already painful enough just to listen to her desperate shouts, if I look into those beautiful golden eyes right now, I would be so hypnotize that I can't go.

This was the best choice that I could think of in this situation. Let the other, let them be innocent, let them be humans. I have already tainted, so dirty that I couldn't look at myself in the mirror, I have been hurt once, I don't mind if they hurt me again. They can do whatever they like for all I care, because, meeting my friends, family, Kahoko once again, spending a wonderful week with them, I felt like I have been re-borned, I have a chance to live my old life again, full with join and happiness that I blindly didn't realize before. That was already enough. God has gave the most precious thing that a man like myself could ever ask for. I'll keep these memories lively in my mind. Because for they are my treasure…

I was standing in front of Fan-fan as the rain was still pouring down my body. It seemed that God intended to cleasen this damn body of mine, but I think he was wasting his effort.

" So, finally return to you mistress again, are we now my pet?" She used her finger to lifted up my chin and stared at me, her eyes were telling me that she was planning something.

" Ack!" Something hit the back of my head so hard that I have to stumbled forward. Turning around, I saw a tall familiar guy who was holding a club in his hand. Norman! Something warm started to flow down my neck, some kinds of liquid. I used my hand to touch the place I have been hit. Looking at my palm afterward, I realized that it was blood. The wound was starting to atone itself when I fell onto the muddy ground.

" Feeling a little dizzy now, are we?" My vision swooned, but still, I could see the smirk on her face as clearly as day. " Pets get punish when they do something wrong. In your case, it is a very wrong thing for running away from your cage like that. So I have to make sure that you won't do that again." The blood was flowing out more and more as I felt that I was starting to loose my grip on reality. " What should I do? Humh… I know! This will certainly work. You ain't getting away after this!" She looked happy, jumping up and down like, acting like a little child that was about to receive a present. This made me feel uneasy. I saw her walk toward that giant Norman and whispered something into his ears. Maybe this is my chance! I stood up, feeling a little dizzy with the sudden move, but managed to regain myself and try to headed to the forest. Until a punch of men showed up from the bushes with all kind of weapons. I was stuck.

" Tch…tch…tch. I left my eyes off you for what? Three seconds and you were trying to run away again. Bad, bad boy." She stopped then looked at me with an evil eyes. " But you won't be anymore." Fan-fan was definitely planning another scheme. " Grab him!" The guards came toward and held me on the torso. " Listen!" She turned her face back to my friends. " All of you here will witness how the Shen family teaches their pet to behave right here and now. So enjoy!"

Everyone, including me was surprised. Then I noticed that my mother and the other was rocking Kahoko, well at least she stopped crying now, although the worriness didn't disappeared from their eyes. But I was still nervous, what was she planning to do? Whatever it is, it won't be beautiful to me or my friends, only to her that is.

" Held him down!" Fan-fan shouted and I was down to the mud again. " Norman." She called as the servant stepped forward. " Do your thing."

" Yes, Mistress." The guy starting to move his wrists around and folded his finger which made a really weird cracking sound. He was warming-up.

" Stop it!" I heard a shout. Who was it? Father?! He was standing up. " Will you take me in my son's place. And then you can do anything you want to me instead of him!"

" Me, too." Mother?

" All of us!" Everybody?

" HAH! You all must be very brave or maybe very stupid! But This is between me and my pet. If you replace him now, it won't be fun anymore. He is the one I'm interested in, you guys are nothing special." Then she turned her attention back on me after shutting the other up. " Now, back to business. This will ensure that you'll never leave me again."

Norman who was still holding the club in his hand began to swing his up into the air. Oh no, I know what he was trying to do now! I struggled to get up but no use. The thing came down from the air above and aimed to my… right knee. I might never walk again after this. Shouts were coming from the background, looks like the other noticed it, too.

ACK!!!

My eyes widened in pain. I tried my hardest not to scream out. But I still choked a little. Oh gosh, it was so hurt!

" Humh… he won't scream, well that's no fun. This should help." Lifting up her leg, she was wearing high heel shoes as she crash the sharp heel against my already injured leg.

" AHHHH!!!!"

" That's right, that's what I want to hear."

The grips on me have loosen. Bring my knee up to my chest as I held it. Blood was flowing out so much, the pain.

" Ahhh…" It was so hurt! Oh God, what am I going to do know, this was more painful when they cut my hand. My eyes watered, it felt as if my leg was going to fall out at anytime. I bit my lower lip to bare the pain that was shooting through my whole being. I didn't have chance to recovered when Fan-fan began to hit me with that damn whip. Swinging the whip as she slashed me with it, every part on my torso, I tried to covered it up with my arms but she kept hitting on them until my flesh was torn out as the blood was dripping down.

" Stop you bitch!" I heard someone yelled, it was Ryotaro. He tried to run to where I was lying but stopped because the guns were pointing straight at his forehead. He looked at me, I could see the burning anger in his eyes. I shook my head.

" Don't…" I whispered weakly. If he do something rash like trying to find his way out now, he'll be kill and I don't want that to happen. The circle of guns tighten, forcingly as he stepped backward. That's right, think of your own life first, Ryotaro.

Fan-fan kept on hitting me until I started to cough violently that she has to stop. My mouth was so dried yet, I still coughed and my throat hurt. When she stopped hitting me, it felt as though my body was on fire it was burning. I could feel every slashes she hit me with that whip and the rain wasn't helping that much at all. My skin screamed out every time that a bead touch it. I couldn't see anything clearly now, everything was a blur, a blur of color, and I think that my ears were stuck, too. My head was pounding hard. Turning my head to my side. Something caught my eyes. A shade of crimson. I blinked my eyes for a few times but before I open them…

" Len!!!" I knew who is that now. And that person was calling out to me. My eyes slowly opened as her image appeared. A girl with crimson hair, burning golden eyes, white skin and gentle fingers.

Kahoko…

To be continued…

A/N: How was it you guys? Sorry for the long delay, I'm just not good at writing fighting and romance scenes, so I needed time to collect my ideas. Sorry if it wasn't as good as you expected. Anyway, bye-bye.

Next time: Changing identity.