I'm so sorry for not update this story soon. Maybe now I have lost the people that interested to my story in the first place. But still… I feel I must finish it for all the people who already nice enough to give their reviews. Those reviews really encourage me to write more. Splash, thanks a lot for your encouraging and also for your advice… Is this chapter more readable now? And to Triple T, this chapter would never be finish if it wasn't because of you who continue to support and encourage me to fasten my work. And last but not least, thanks to Anonymous for the wonderful review and your help to correct my grammar in this chapter and also the first chapter before I post them. So anyone please reread the first chapter to read how wonderful work she done to my mess chapter. ^_^ Now, still in Yamato's Pov…

By the way, this is the first time I try to post a story by HTML. Hope it works.

Note : the word in //italic// indicated thoughts.

Disclamer : Still not own it.

A LONG ROAD TO JOURNEY

Chapter 2 : In The Heat Of The Night

//Relax, Yama. Don't let them know you're afraid. Just stay cool.// I try to calm myself and pretend I didn't hear what the boy had said, just quickening my steps a little. But they seem to have another plan. I was surrounded.

"Where do you think you're going, pretty boy? Don't you want to have some fun?"

"I'm not interested. Please step aside."

They all laughed like idiots. "You don't really think we would waste such a beautiful creature like you, do you? Don't play innocently, babe. We all know what you want. You want a good fuck, don't you? And we can give you exactly what you want and more."

"I'm not gay!" I tried to reason with them while looking for an escape without them noticing.

"Liar! You're a fag! You look like one!" One of them shouts.

The leader pulls out a knife and threatens me with it. "Now, you can either co-operate with us or you want it the hard way. You choose!"

I know there's no other way. There are so many of them, but I used to be a tough boy years ago. I know being outnumbered means I need to use the element of surprise and that I only really have one chance. I need to be careful, that one break and I can over power the strongest one of them. That will shock them just enough for me to make my escape.

I let my face fall, defeated, in an effort to fool them. They are all smiling. They think they've already won.

"Now, strip!" The leader orders, grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

I pretend to obey him. My shaking fingers move slowly to unbutton my shirt and they laugh. Suddenly I throw myself at their leader. Never in my life have I been so grateful for the judo lessons I took when I was little. I'm not a black belt, but I know enough to paralyze him.

Now I am holding the knife to his throat while pinning his arms behind his back with my other hand. Nobody speaks; they are all in shock. It had never crossed their minds that the skinny boy, already under their mercy, could turn the situation like this. I smile coldly.

"Give me a reason… just one reason, why I shouldn't cut his throat."

Nobody moved. They all stare at me with wide eyes. I scan the area and notice a boy, about my height but maybe a little older, to the left. He looks so afraid, trying to make himself as small as possible. //Maybe his elder brother forced him to join the gang. Hmm, I could reach a safe, more populated area much more quickly if I go in his direction. Once I get there, I'll be safe. //

"Get out of my way! Don't try to follow or I won't be responsible for his life!"

"What will you do to me? Let me go and I promise nobody will do anything to you. You can go in peace!"

"Oh please, what do you think I am? A five year old boy? You're going with me until I say otherwise. Tell your boys not to follow us or you'll be really sorry!" I threatened.

'You heard him!" That's all he could say.

I started to move with him to the left. The rest of the gang moves away, giving us some space. The boy that I saw before falls as he clumsily tries to get out of my way. He shakily tries to get up and I notice movement amongst the others and I turn away from the fallen boy to address them.

"Back off, all of you!" That's all I can say before my hand drops the knife and I fall, my body wracked with sudden pain. I quickly lose all strength and curl in a ball. Before I knew it, I was pinned to the ground a series of strong grips holding onto my hands, shoulders and legs.

My mind and vision begin to clear from the sudden change. I look on with disbelief at the boy that seemed so fragile just a moment ago. He stood up in front of me smirking cruelly. It was then that I recognized the electric shocker in his hand. I close my eyes in defeat.

"You know, I believe you. No fag could react the way you just did. I bet you are one of us, a tough guy."

I open my eyes with hope. "So you'll let me go then?"

"How can I? Sota was right, it's a crime to waste a beautiful creature like you." He laughed maniacally as he saw the fear in my eyes.

"You know what your mistake was? You underestimated me. You judged me by my appearance. Never crossed your mind that I might be the leader of these boys, did it? Now it's time to pay for that little lesson you have just learned."

With those words, he leapt upon me, kissing all over my face, sucking my lips and neck, biting me like a hungry animal. I tried to scream but his mouth covered mine and drowned out the sound. I couldn't struggle; too many strong arms held me to the ground. I could feel his tongue dance inside me. The beer taste was just so strong and made me want to vomit as if I needed more than just the thought his tongue was inside my mouth to bring on such a feeling. I tried to bite his tongue.

He soon released my mouth and began slapping me over and over. I could taste the blood in my mouth. Then he smiled wickedly, making me feel sick in the stomach.

"What are you waiting for? I'm not selfish. We can share him together. Just remember that I'll be the first to fuck him."

With those words the others just lost their sanity. I could feel many hands start groping me; squeezing any place they can reach. A strong hand stopped the scream that tried to escape from my mouth. The hands that pinned me to the ground were already gone but I still couldn't move because of the bodies that surrounded me.

That's when I finally broke down. Everything became no more than a blur; my fear took control of my body. I just scream and keep screaming even though those hands prevent my screams from being heard. I couldn't explain what happen then.

In my panicked state I couldn't hear or see anything anymore. I just keep screaming. Almost totally unaware of my surroundings I didn't realize that the bodies were moving away, all I could fathom was the sound of somebody screaming, somebody that seemed far away. Eventually however, I realized I was free, that nobody held me any longer.

I knew I should help my saviour to fight those boys, but my body didn't seem able to obey and just curl into a ball. My screaming turns to sobbing. Suddenly I realize there is no sound at all except for my crying. Then I heard footsteps and someone knelt beside me. I looked up with a face covered with tears to say thank you.

Switch Pov

He had followed the boy for three days now. He'd slipped into the apartment whilst the boy was asleep and put microchips in strategic places so he could watch and hear any conversation inside. He discovered that the boy spent most of his time alone. He couldn't help but feel a pang whenever the boy came home and murmured "tadaima" faintly. It didn't seem like he expected anyone to answer his greeting, just that it was a habit that he was too familiar with.

And then that Ishida man had ordered his son to stay at a friend's house. A very late act of caution the man surmised. He followed the boy to his friend's apartment. He hadn't had the time or opportunity to put the microchips in there, so he remained silent outside until the boy had stormed off in the middle of the night.

He followed him to the alley, knowing it was a dangerous place. He sensed the danger even before the gang had approached. He wanted to help the boy but he couldn't let anyone see his face. Beside, as a professional assassin he could easily kill them, but he couldn't do anything that would disgrace his profession. What would others say about him if he used his skill to beat those boys?

But those boys just didn't know when to stop. He felt his anger boil when he saw what they were trying to do. And all of his doubts were forgotten. He used the clown mask that he already prepared to cover his face and went straight to them. He let his anger take control of him. Soon there was a lot of screaming and a lot of bodies, but he simply didn't care.

After the last one fell, he went and knelt beside the boy. He felt the urge to hold the boy tight so he could protect him from the world. Then he remembered his job. He took a handkerchief with chloroform in it. The boy looked at him with tears streaming down his face. The grateful look in the boy's eyes turned into shock and fear.

He covered the boy's face with the handkerchief before he got a chance to make a noise. The boy's eyes just went wide before they closed as the owner fell unconscious.

Taichi Pov

So I was standing outside Yama's apartment. I didn't have the courage to ring the bell or even to knock. //"Come on, Taichi! You couldn't sleep and just wished for the morning to come so you could come here and now you are just chickening out and standing here like a moron?!!//

I jumped as the door suddenly opened. I blinked as I saw Takeru at the front door. He looked as confused as I was. "What are you doing here?" We both stopped as the question popped out from our mouths at the same time. "I mean…" There we go again. We stop again.

"Okay, we really must stop that. Is Yamato here?"

"No. I've been trying to call since last night but nobody answered, so I came over early to check. He isn't here and his bed hasn't been used. Taichi, do you have any idea where he is?"

"I knew where he was until last night," I smile sourly. Then I remember. "How did you get inside if there is nobody here?"

"Oniichan gave me a spare key when I complained that I couldn't see him as much as I want to. That way I can come here whenever I like. Where is he, Taichi?"

"He was supposed to be staying with me whilst your father is out of town, but he just took off late at night. I don't know where he is, Takeru, but I'm sure that he'll be just fine. Don't worry."

"If you're not worried, then why did you come here? And what do you mean he just took off? Where did he go?"

"Erg, we had… we kinda had a fight." I blushed.

"A fight? Geezh, Taichi, after all these years you and him still fight like little children? What was the fight about?"

I could tell that Takeru was annoyed. I didn't blame him.

"Mmh, nothing. Just a little misunderstanding. Look, Takeru, I'll search for him. Just stay here. Maybe he'll call. I'll call you as soon as I get news, okay?"

I just leave before he can ask me questions that I couldn't explain. Damn, my hormones! If I could control myself, this mess would never have happened! I go to my apartment building, making that the first step in my search for him. I wonder where he might be. I asked the men that worked at the twenty-four-hour shop and even the security around there.

Finally my clues take me to an alley in a dangerous neighborhood. My heart wishes that he didn't come here in the middle of the night, that the person I asked is wrong and recognized him as another blond boy. There are a lot of people there and I can make out police cars. My heart starts beating fast. I couldn't stop the feeling that something is wrong and something terribly bad is about to happen.

"Hey, Taichi!"

I turn to the person that called me. I recognize him as one of my soccer team. "Hey, Takuya."

"It's scary, right?" He nodded to the crowd.

"What happen here, Takuya? Why is there a lot of cops here?"

"You don't know? Oh right, you live far from here. There's been a murder. It was awful. My neighbor found a lot of dead people there! She screamed and woke everyone up in this neighborhood. Someone then called the cops."

"Do you know who are they?" //Please God don't let it be Yamato!//

"Everyone from around here knew them by their reputation. I think it must be a gang war or maybe some revenge from a victim. Man, I hope your musician friend was already home."

That sets off my alarms. "My musician friend? You mean Yamato? Did you see him last night?" I asked as I gripped his hand and startled him.

"Huh? Yes, I saw him. I couldn't sleep last night because of the noise those boys made every night. So I just looked at the street to see if maybe someone called the cops to ask them to shut up. Then I saw him storm off into the alley. I tried to call him but he didn't seem to hear me. But with his speed, I thought he would make it outside the alley before those drunken boys even notice him. Why? Is there something wrong?"

I couldn't say anything as panic washed over me. I didn't answer Takuya's questions, storming off to the end of the alley instead. I saw a shopkeeper who looked down the alley curiously. I rushed over to him.

"Excuse me, Sir. Did you happen to be here in the middle of last night?" He looked at me with surprise.

"Why, as a matter of fact, yes I did."

"Did you see a boy of my age about the same height last night? He is blonde and has blue eyes." //God, please say yes. Please say yes.//

"I'm sorry. I didn't see anyone came from that alley. The alley is a very dangerous place. Nobody dares to go there after dark."

My face just turns pale. "Are you sure? Maybe he passed by when you weren't looking?."

"No, kid, he couldn't have. I never leave my post. I would notice if anyone come from that side. Like I said, it's not often that people come from that alley after dark, so I would notice your friend if he took this direction."

My heart sank. I mumbled a thank you. //He wouldn't… He couldn't be…//

I quickly ran back to the alley. The cops were still there. I can't see the faces of the dead boys because sheets cover them. I cross the police line but a young policeman immediately stops me.

"Where do you think you are going, kid?"

"Please, Sir, my friend may be one of them," my voice cracked as I said that.

"Excuse me? You don't seem like one of the gang."

"I'm not! And my friend isn't either, but someone saw him go in this direction. I already asked the shopkeeper at the end of the alley. He didn't see him come out. Please let me make sure he wasn't one of them."

The policeman's eyes soften as he hears my explanation. "It against the rules." My face fell as I heard what he said. "Come with me."

I quickly look at him, my face lightening a bit. I follow him to where the corpses lay. The policeman opens the sheets that cover the faces one by one. Each time my heart fills with hope as I realize this one isn't Yamato. Maybe the shopkeeper was wrong after all.

Finally he opens the last sheet. I sink to my knee as tears start falling down my face.

"Hey, kid, are you alright? Is he your friend?" His voice full of concern.

"No, he is not. He's not here. Thank God he's not here!" I cry out, my tears still running freely. I'm just so relieved that Yamato is not here.

"Good to hear that." The policeman smiles softly. "Listen, kid, this is not a pleasant place for you to stay. So calm down and then just leave, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you so much for your help, Sir." I say as I try to stand. Just then my eyes catch a glimpse of an object on the ground. I quickly pick it up.

"Hey, your suppose not to touch anything here! What is it?" He asked as he sees my hand that is holding the object shaking terribly.

"It's his harmonica. Takuya was right. He was here last night. Oh God, what happen to him?"

Ooh, am I evil to end it like that? ^_^ What would happen to Yama then? Please review so I know that I'm not doing such a waste.