Author's Note: It will be a while before I update. The next chapters are quite long…I think. :(

…it's dark, yet I don't feel alarmed.

It felt so familiar, probably because that's where I've been for these last few years. Oddly, it was only recently I learned how blind I'd been. I guess because I'd been walking down that road for such a long time that I never bothered to care to notice. Still, I didn't expect someone like him to bother coming along just to help someone like me. Even now, I'm racking my head over it. I can't even fathom why he would go through the trouble. I guess that's just in his nature; helping everyone and anyone without really taking the time to stop and think about it. It's one of his stupidest traits really but perhaps if it wasn't for that, I would still be walking down that dark road. Hmph, I shouldn't call it a stupid trait then.

Heh. This is really ironic. As annoying as he is, I find myself indebted to him.

…Actually, I suppose it's only right as well not to him call annoying anymore considering I don't find him irritating anymore. At first I did though. I didn't know him at all and even attacked him Yet, he still always followed me around and did nothing but try to befriend while inquisitively asking me a cluster of questions one after another. His favourites were;

Please, join the team!

Why are you with Fifth Sector?

Come on, play soccer with us!

Why do you hate soccer?

Play with me!

Now multiply those each by fifty and that was about how much times he asked me those questions in a single day. It got on my nerves, definitely. I couldn't stand it, especially when he went on and on about how great soccer was and how bad Fifth Sector was, and what I was doing was wrong like he actually understood what I was going through when he didn't. I lost my temper on him many times but he remained persistent, continuing to follow me with his preaching. It angered me more. I called him stupid, idiotic, irritating, a nuisance, a burden, vexing, a freak, obsessed…things around those lines, and begged him to leave me alone. I even kicked a few soccer balls at him to make a point but he always stood back up and came back following. He's a stubborn one who didn't learn easily. So I gave up and decided to put up with it. Over time, I learned to ignore most of his antics.

Now, I guess I should admit it. I'm not sure if anyone has noticed it yet, I hope not, but I've actually begun to grow fond of him. I don't mind his…cheeriness anymore. Sometimes, I even reciprocate his enthusiasm unconsciously and I've grown to look forward to seeing him on occasion. It took a while before I noticed these small changes in me and even longer for me to accept that fact. His presence had grown from irritating to refreshing in a blink and, admittedly, I felt like something was missing when he wasn't around.

I'm…very glad we met. Very glad. More than what I could ever say in words.

…Tch, I really screwed up. I knew that but I wanted to pretend nothing ever happened and eventually, I simply forgot about it…

Tch, what happened?

It's that kid again.

That annoying brunette? I thought he wasn't a threat?

Well, he is and at the rate things are going, he's only go do more damage.

Then why are we letting some kid do this? We should get rid of him!

I still remember every word. It was purely by accident I overheard them, of course. I knew about those thugs too. Like most of the other members of Fifth Sector, they were unpredictable and so I stayed clear of them. Still, I presumed that they were bluffing because while most were like that, they weren't exactly dangerous. Just because they were mean didn't mean that they were criminals. That was what I thought back then and I thoroughly believed it until around two weeks ago. It was so quick but I think I saw one of them following us. It was difficult to tell so maybe I was wrong but so long as I couldn't be sure, the thought that they were planning to actually go through with their plot scared me. Damn it! I should've done something back then when I had the chance!

Since then, I've kept my guard up and stayed close to Tenma. Luckily, he hasn't notice them. All he has noticed is that I've been spending more time with him and he doesn't seem to mind that much though he seems confused by it. I guess that means he's used to me putting a certain amount of distance between us.

And then a few days ago, I finally get a clear view of two of them. We were walking around the shopping district when I noticed them following us. Hoping it was just a coincidence. I pretend I didn't see them and kept silent as I followed Tenma around. But after about an hour with them still trailing behind, I knew that they weren't going to stop until I left Tenma alone. By then, Tenma was tired and he had everything he needed to buy and wanted to go back.

All right, but can we stop by somewhere? I still feel like doing something.

Um, okay. Where do you want to go?

I took him into a nearby a building; an arcade centre, and then I coaxed him into playing a game. It was hard to find one that would keep him busy long enough since he lost in almost every one of them in a minute or less except Taiko no Tatsujin, albeit we had to set it to 'Easy Mode' and it took even longer for me to convince him that playing this would strengthen his arms for goalkeeping. When he finally bought and started playing, I excused myself but promised I would come back to play with him. I left him and snuck through to the back. I expected to see them there waiting to jump me but no one came out. I breathed a little easier.

I didn't want to see them. If they were gone, then I might have been worrying about nothing. But they were there and they were purposely keeping out of sight.

Are you sure he's in there?

Yeah, I'm sure. You saw him, right? Don't tell me you're getting cold feet.

Of course not. I'm just worried about that extra guy! We can't get him if Tsurugi keeps hovering around next to him! I Why's he even with him?

Who knows. Maybe he likes keeping a pet around. Anyway, if he doesn't leave then we'll wait tomorrow. He can't be with him all the time. Once he's alone, it'll be as we discussed; we'll just grab him, throw him in the car and go.

He pulls out his phone and begins pushing buttons. I'm fuming right now and that's putting it decently. I like keeping a pet? He's my friend!

Hello? Yeah, we found him. He's at the arcade near Marukin Ramen. Okay. See you there.

So? Where is he? He's coming. He's going to park two block west of here. When we need him, we'll call him. Go wait for him there, that way, we'll know he's there. We don't want any mishaps with this.

Okay, okay.

I see the second one coming my way and I hide. He passes by without seeing me and I follow him. I'm scared to death but not for me. They're planning something terrible. When I look back at it, the street outside the arcade was empty and it was so loud inside. If he went out…

I phone him. He has to pick it up.

Tsurugi?

Hey. How's it going?

What? I can't hear you.

Where are you?

Are you there? I can't hear you. Hello?

I'm cursing. If I speak loudly, the other guy might hear me.

Stay inside the arcade. Can you hear me? Stay inside.

…Um, I'll just head to the bathroom and find you. You can tell me what it is there.

I felt so relieved. I forgot that I told him that I would be there. I just hope he stays there. He can't go out. I text him to stay in the bathroom until I came back to fetch him. I need to keep him inside. I follow the thug to a very lonely street with only one van. I don't like what I'm seeing and hide behind a wall and wait. When I see him wave to it, I do everything I can to stay put. They talk for a moment and he returns. I look around for something and take a trash can lid. Once he comes, I hit him hard. There was a loud 'clang', just as I hoped. He went out quickly. I toss him out to the pavement and I hope the driver sees. Then I begin hitting the lid against the wall, imagining it as this arse's face. Finally, the driver comes out, shocked and curious. I toss the lid out so he knows I'm still here and run back. I turn back after running a good distance and throw the soccer ball in my hand down as I hear him come and curse, and kicked it straight at him with Death Sword. He had no time to run. It hit him hard and he was knocked out instantly.

No one is around to hear the commotion so I search the third guy for the van key. Once I got it, I ran and opened the back door of the van and look around inside. I see a very clunky bag. I take it and my head is starting to come up with a number of things that could be inside. I hope it's just gym equipment or laundry inside but when I open it, I had trouble calming down and it took a lot from me to decide not to beat to death the both of those unconscious bastards with that trash lid but then I see the second guy start coming to. I take taser inside. I shiver at what they were planning on using it for, but I push the thought back quickly, and go to the second guy, and shocked him with it before shocking the third as he started waking up from his buddy's scream. I'll admit, I actually enjoyed it. After that, I had trouble but I eventually got them inside the van and handcuffed both their hands to the metal support of the folding seats at the back. With both their hands were bound, I duct taped their mouths, and then both their feet together for good measure. I wonder if I should just leave them there to starve to death but that wouldn't make me better them.

I lock the back and I throw the bag at the front and hope that something inside might help the police later and lock it before tossing the key under the van.

I head back. This time I'm feeling happier because if I kill the last one of them, I can say it was in self-defence. Meaning; I could kill this one. When I see him still waiting in the same place for Tenma to come out, I can't hold back my anger anymore.

…I can't remember what happened after that. It was mostly a vague blur, but whatever happened, it was enough that even the patrons inside the noisy arcade heard the commotion and came out to try and break us up, but I kept lunging at him. I wish I could have screamed at them why I wanted to kill him so badly but I couldn't because Tenma had come out too. He must've been surprised; either because he thought I was inside when I wasn't or because the both of us were covered in blood. We were both in a messed up state. I was trying to kill him after all. Either way, the commotion was enough that eventually someone called the police to come over and settle things.

I cared little all the same. All I cared was getting them all out of Tenma's life permanently; one way or another. So by the least, I wanted to teach them a lesson before they get hauled to prison. More importantly than that, I had to keep it as quiet as possible. He had been scared of every man he saw other than Coach because he was afraid that they would try to do what old man tried do to him…and then succeed. If he knew what they were planning, that they were planning to abduct him and torture him and...

He couldn't find out.

So I ignored him as he yelled at me to stop punching him and I continued to ignore him as I was being led away. He looked scared out of his wits so I told one of the police about the attack last month and it was enough to prompt them into giving him a ride. Call me paranoid, but I was scared that there were more people in cahoots with these bastards lurking around.

They questioned me at the station after they patched me up. I told the police that they were following us which was absolutely true. Then, I told them about the car. It took a while but they found the car with the guys still inside, muffling a scream and struggling. I smiled when they told me that. After that and some more questions, they let me go home and told me that they might call me again and warned to never do something like this again or they would lock me up. I scoffed at it and I went home. It was already well after midnight by that time, but for some reason, I found myself having trouble sleeping. Something was bugging me. I eventually fell asleep by early sunrise but I must have been out for only a little while before I woke up. Tenma had passed by to check up on me and wouldn't stop ringing that accursed doorbell.

Are you alright?!

I'm fine.

You're covered in bandages! And…your eye! What happened, Tsurugi?

They tried to mug me so I fought back.

Why were you even out there? You said that you were inside.

I lied. I went for a stroll. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to worry.

It's fine but…why didn't you just tell the people when they came to stop you? You could have said so. You didn't have to keep fighting them alone.

…I wasn't thinking.

Tsurugi, this isn't like you. What happened last night?

You can tell I'm lying?

Yes. We're friends after all. So please tell me.

…I'm sorry. I can't tell you.

Why?

I just can't.

He gave me a frown asked some more but eventually it grew late and we left for school. I hadn't a chance to even eat. When I arrived, I was avoided by everyone else with my injuries, most rightly deducing that I had gotten involved with some street brawl. I didn't care. What's done is done and those were three less dangerous criminals off the street. Tenma was safe.

…So why do I still feel so bothered?

I sit through the period as the teacher begins the class. He begins talking about history, about something old, definitely. He starts talking a war, faction vs faction, and about how everyone was trying to kill one guy.

…Everyone trying to kill one guy? Then I wonder suddenly, what of the rest? Oh crap! What if there were more?!

I sit up from my desk, much to my classmates' surprise. The teacher tells me to sit down, but I don't bother listening.

Shoot! Why didn't I realise this?! It wasn't just them. There were many others who benefitted from being with Fifth Sector, and with it gone, must have lost a lot. What if they were still angry with him? So angry that they would try to do what those three did? And what if they succeeded?

If it wasn't for the kid and Coach, the old man would have killed him. And if I hadn't spotted them that time, they would have kidnapped him and done with him whatever they wanted.

I couldn't be there to protect him all the time. Neither could Endou or the rest of the team, and he certainly couldn't defend himself alone against a group of thugs like those! He would be raped, beaten, tortured, killed...!

I should be saying that I'm over thinking things but if those three were willing to go that far to harm Tenma, it was definitely possible. If not today, maybe they'll strike tomorrow or the day after or day after that!

I excuse myself, and run out the room. I hear the teacher screaming my name, but his words sound faint. I can't concentrate. My head hurts too much. All I could see was images Tenma going through what those kids in that horrid album had to go through. I could see him being chained up and being treated like a toy until he died from it. I can barely breathe.

I walk down the hall. I'm trying to collect myself, and my thoughts through the pain, hoping to come up with a solution where Tenma could live his life without having to look over his shoulder the whole time. I feel groggy, but I force myself to keep awake.

My vision begins to blur and I'm surprised to see a haze of light surrounding me and it's slowly closing in. I find myself struggling now for a breath.

I feel weak, so much that I can no longer stand and hug the wall for support. I feel cold.

I don't know what's happening but I think this might be it. Bright light, inability to breathe…what else, right?

I try to move my legs to get to Tenma's classroom but it's too late. The last thing I saw before the bright light completely took over my vision was the school floor as I collapsed on it and the last thing I thought was not my brother or how pitiful my life was but at how much of a failure I was. I realised the real danger too late and I wasn't able to warn Tenma in time.

…All right. I'm not really religious but…God, if you're out there. Or whatever higher being is listening to me right now…I get it, okay? I screwed my whole life up, happy? Just…please. He hasn't done anything wrong. Please…don't let him die like that. He doesn't deserve it.

And the light fades and it's replaced by darkness. I try to move but I can't. My guess is that I'm now in hell. Strangely, I don't care. If it's anyone who deserves to be here, it's me, I'll admit that much. But…I wonder if the gods were merciful enough to hear that last part out. I don't want him to die. He doesn't deserve it. Now all I can do is hope they granted it and he'll be able to live his life to the fullest. And then I close my eyes as I lie in that dark space. I was dead after all. What else was there to do but sleep?

…T…ug…?…k..!…!

…what was that? I was sure I heard something.

Tsu….! Wak….p….!

T-That voice…! That's Tenma's! D-Don't tell me he-?!

Tsurugi?! Wake up already! You have to do your homework!

Tsurugi jolted open his eyes and rubbed them angrily. "Tenma…can't you see that I was sleeping?"

"Don't snap at me!" Tenma pouted before pointing to the tray of food beside him. "Anyway, here you are! Porridge made with lots of vegetables!"

Tsurugi frowned looking at the floating green bits filling the top hefty white bowl, not missing the pills next to a glass with blended green goop filling it. "Couldn't you…um, have put some…meat inside at least?"

"Just chicken. You know what the doctor said." Tenma reminded. Tsurugi was now slightly more terrified because he couldn't see it anywhere on the tray.

"Is that why it's all green?" he asked.

"He said green vegetables will help you sleep." Tenma answered. "That's wheatgrass smoothie in the glass by the way. Thought you might want to know."

"Thanks…" Tsurugi said sarcastically. "The pills too?"

"Yes. They're to help you sleep." Tenma replied.

"Could you have at least made the portions smaller? I can't finish this!" Tsurugi complained.

"No. The doctor said you have to eat." Tenma said. "You already fainted a few days ago because you hadn't slept or eaten so don't complain now that you should eat less. That reminds me, you better finish your report by ten so you can early tonight!"

Tsurugi grumbled angrily. "That was one day and that was days ago. I'm fine now."

"I know, but still…" Tenma said. "You have been acting strange. Let me be sure that at least you're taking good care of yourself."

Tsurugi just shook his head. That answer was exactly what he had expected.

"I bet it was a real disappointing, huh?" he tiredly asked. "To hear that I passed out because I was sleepy and hungry."

"What? No!" Tenma snapped. "I don't care! You should be taking care of yourself better. You really had us all worried, you know? When I heard you fainted, I thought you were going to die…"

Tsurugi heard his voice waver. It was obvious that he was about to cry again.

"Geez, I-I wasn't going to die!" Tsurugi said. "Don't overreact like that!"

"Says the one who's covered in bandages from that fight!" Tenma said. "I thought a wound had reopened or something!"

"It's not as bad as it looks!" he said even though it clearly was because he was still covered with bandages.

"May I remind you that you need to buy some more bandages tomorrow?" Tenma pointed. Tsurugi was tired and had had enough, mostly because he knew he wouldn't be able to convince Tenma to see things from his side. He was stubborn then and more so now.

"Okay, okay…" Tsurugi grumbled. "Get off my case already!"

"…fine." Tenma answered. "I should get home soon. It's getting really late."

"Actually, wait!" Tsurugi said. He got up as he did but tripped soon after. He didn't fall but nearly doing so was enough to scare Tenma.

"A-Are you alright?" Tenma asked.

"I'm fine." he replied. "Anyway, more importantly, you can't leave just yet!"

"Why not? It's getting late." Tenma said.

"That's why. It gets dangerous at this hour." Tsurugi explained.

"O-Oh." Tenma muttered. "No, I-I've walked back from here a few times before and nothing's happened! It'll be quick!"

"And what if something happens in that quick time?" Tsurugi asked. "Just because nothing's happened yet doesn't mean it won't."

"But…I-I'll fight then." he answered with a whimper.

"What if there's a lot of them?" Tsurugi asked. "And what if they had weapons? Have you ever thought about that? You won't stand a chance."

Tenma didn't reply.

"Don't take it the wrong way. I just don't want you to take unnecessary risks." Tsurugi tried assuring. "Things have gotten more dangerous lately. Sometimes it's best to avoid danger than heading straight for it. You may not be able to handle it, especially when you're alone."

Tenma nodded quietly, understanding clearly what he was telling him. "…I didn't think I'd ever hear you say that. What's gotten into you?"

Tsurugi didn't want to answer that, though he did frown at him, and gave him a little flick on his forehead. The smaller boy uttered a small cry but didn't think much of it and smiled at him.

"Nii-san's room is empty. You can stay there." he said.

"Okay, but just for tonight. If you need anything, just say something." Tenma said. "And please get a lot of sleep, okay?"

Tsurugi nodded his head.

Tenma exited the room quietly, still shaking a little from his warnings, but he knew he was safe. Inside, Tsurugi wondered if he had overdone it. Still, it was better than letting him get still remembered the text he got from the officer the day after he passed out.

Released on bail. Tsurugi nearly screamed. It's times like this I wonder why bails even exist. Sure they weren't officially convicted criminals but they charged for a reason! Why couldn't they stay there in a cage to make sure they didn't do anything while waiting to be 'officially convicted'!

Tsurugi had called his brother seventeen times soon after before he answered. He wanted to make sure he was safe too and told him everything and he made sure he told Nurse Fuyuka. He visited the hospital and it looked like the security was enough. Yuuichi took the time to calm his brother's fears, equally irked that they were out on the streets again though they both felt that they should have seen it coming as the three, despite having lost much, still held quite a load inside each of their gold-kind pockets.

"I'm sorry I got you wrapped up in this."

"It's fine, Kyousuke. Just watch over Tenma. Even though they are injured, I don't think this is the last we've seen of them."

"Tsurugi, Yuuiichi. I have the drinks you wanted."

"Thank you. Anyway, you both should head back now. Visiting hours is almost done and you need to sleep early."

"Not you too, Nii-san…"

"Okay. Thank you for having us, Yuuiichi."

"Bye, Tenma. Take care. Oh, and Kyousuke, don't worry. I won't tell Tenma about this but I think you should."

That was what Nii-san told me secretly before I followed Tenma outside. I wished it was that easy but Tenma had suffered enough. I didn't want to scare him more than he already is.

I shake my head, hope for the best, and continued doing my homework.

And then I hear something from downstairs. I grab a bat, and my soccer ball as I got up to step out the room. I quietly went to Yuuichi's room and give it a light knock. "I'm going downstairs to watch tv."

"What? I thought-"

"I'm finished, don't worry." I said. "You go to sleep. You've worked yourself to the bone taking care of me over the last few days."

"Huh? You're worried about me?" Tenma asked from the other side.

"Idiot! Why wouldn't I be? Now go sleep." I told him. He was quiet for a bit but then said, "All right. Please sleep early, okay, Tsurugi? …I worry about you too."

Personally, I think I worry about him more. I go down and I hear the back door rattle. I locked both doors and thankfully, our home only has small windows on the first floor, not enough for a person to fit through.

I turn the television on, searched for whatever noisy show I could find and set the volume and stereo as loud as possible. I go back and I see the door knob moving on its own.

"Are they that desperate?"

Since the fridge is next to it, I moved it quickly in front of the door but it was hard considering how heavy it was. I move closer and I hear them say, "Damn brat! I can't open the door!"

"Tch! I know you're there! Come out you!"

"I'm going to kill you for messing me up the other day but not before we kill you're other friend too! That punk is the reason why my business is floundering!"

I didn't answer those greedy pigs. I headed straight to the front door while I phoned the police. After the quick call, I unlock the door and took a few paces back for room.

"So they want to kill Tenma…" I reminded myself. "Come out, Lancelot…"

I waited with my keshin behind me. Despite the unusual amount of malice it was emanating, I felt strangely peaceful.

I had no regrets doing this.

I didn't care about what would happen to the team or me. All I cared was what was going to happen in the next few seconds.

Finally, the door bursts open and then I tossed the soccer ball up.

"LOST ANGEL!"

Tenma frowned as he dressed to get to bed. "He tells me to sleep but how can I with that much noise?"

He went to bed and propped a pillow on his head to drown out the noise. "Stupid Tsurugi…"

Taiko no Tatsujin- A real game often found in arcades. Beat the drums according to the beat and have fun! Unfortunately, it seems Tenma lost fairly quickly too.

Marukin Ramen- A ramen chain restaurant that specialises in Hakata ramen or tonkotsu ramen. They can be found in Shirokane, a district of Tokyo. It is unknown in Inazuma Town is actually located near or within the area.