Author's Excuses:

Wow! All lot of you really tried to guess who the kidnapper was. Well today she will not be revealed.

MWUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Thank Shinigami's Forlorn Angel for betaing and so on! Blame her for all mistakes and changes! No just kidding...we'll share blame. :D

SFA: No way. You can take all the credit yourself.

Alright, you'll be hearing more of the two boys in this chapter. It may seem that they are taking the main focus, but their not I'm just establishing their relationship with the other characters as they may hold important roles later. Plus they're really cute!

I'm No Angel

Chapter 13: Shinjitsu wo Tsukamitore -'Grasp the Truth'

The two orphans finally stopped in a back alley after running for what seemed like miles to catch their breath. "Nii-san... Was it really necessary to knock them out with that big rock?" The younger one asked, still feeling guilty. "And then leaving them in the middle of the road... What if something really bad happens?"

"Don't worry, Duo. They won't be out for more then a few minutes, less then that. I didn't hit them that hard." The green-eyed orphan said trying to comfort his brother. There was a laugh and the sound of a heavy door banging. "Hey, hey...two little pretties in a dark alley...what are you doing, hmmmm?" Two men had just walked out of the nearby park dressed in police uniforms. They were obviously drunk. One had short dark hair and the other sported a similar haircut, but with blonde hair.

Duo looked up at the men, a terrified look shining in his violet eyes as he backed away from them, hiding behind the older boy. Solo stood in front of his younger brother who was obviously frightened of the drunks. "Leave us alone, what we're doing is none of your business," the older boy said bravely.

"Oh... this one's feisty" The blonde man said, smirking as he and his companion continued their approach. "We might have to do something about that..." He grinned "What do you think, Archer?" He asked his comrade.

"Yeah...were gonna have to do something about that." The dark haired man named Archer answered. The men kept at their slow pace until they were only inches from the boys. Archer grabbed Solo's arm and smiled. "I'll take this one. Or do you want to gang up, Tucker?"

Tucker looked at the younger boy who was still cowering away from them and chuckled. "I say we take that one first... He's much prettier..." He said, swiftly approaching the youth and grabbing him by the wrists. " Wouldn't you say so, Archer?"

Archer glanced around the older boy finally getting a good look at the younger boy. He had longer braided brunette hair to his hips, and big violet eyes. "Yes very..." He growled smirking at the boy. Solo highly disliked that man touching his brother and tried to struggle from the dark haired man's grip. "Let the fuck go! Damnit! You better leave him alone!" He kicked at the man trying to get him off.

Similarly Duo kicked out, managing to hit his captor where it counted the most, causing the man to let go. He instantly ran to help his older brother and sole protector as the blonde spent a few moments recovering.

Solo Kicked atArchers' knee's and struggled free, grateful that his brother had been able to get free. Turning slowly he stared at the men trying to figure the best way out of this mess.

Solo reached back for his brother's hand. "Don't worry Duo, It's okay. Daijôbu."

Archer stood back up helping his friend as well, and glared at Solo and Duo. "Your gonna pay for that you little cunts"

Duo took Solo's hand as he moved closer to the taller boy, wincing at Archer's threat. Tucker on the other hand, having recovered, growled dangerously at the small boy, barely keeping his anger in check. Slowly the two men advanced on the boys, causing them to back up until the bumped into a stone wall... It was a dead end.

Solo stood fully in front of his brother. "Leave us alone! At least leave my brother alone." Solo said, trying not to show how scared he was. These guys were much bigger, and much meaner than the others... he didn't think that they would be able to take them, but he sure as hell wasn't gonna let Duo know that.

"It's too late for that." Tucker smirked. "That little brat is gonna get what he deserves..." He said as he took a menacing step towards the boys, as Duo cowered away slightly.

"No! Leave him alone. He's too young." Solo bit his lip in thought. "If you have to take it out on someone take it out on me instead! Just… leave him out of this…" His voice trailed off as he tried to bargain with the attackers.

"No... He's gotta learn that there are consequences for his actions." Archer replied as Tucker grabbed Solo, pulling him away from his brother.

As soon as the older boy was out of the way Archer took a step forward, cracking his knuckles and punched the braided boy in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. The man slowly leaned down and grabbed the rope of hair, using it to lift the child up and kicked him hard in the stomach.

"No! You fucking asshole! Stop!" Solo elbowed Tucker in the stomach and stamped on his foot causing the man to let go and grabbed the dark haired man and started to punch and kick anywhere he could reach. Continuing still even when Tucker came in to help out his friend. He managed to get a good few punches in the nose, chin, one in the eye, and a few kicks to the shins. The older boys elbow caught Archer in the stomach and ribs.

Archer dropped the violet-eyed youth to the ground as the older boy attacked him, turning to meet the challenge and punched the green-eyed urchin in the stomach, winding him. He then pushed the boy back to Tucker growling out, "Hold him. He then turned back to the small figure that was just starting to get up off the ground and kicked him solidly in the ribs, causing him to fall once more.

Solo continued to fight Tucker trying to get free. "No...Please!" Solo sobbed, he couldn't stand to see his brother hurt. "Otouto-san..." He renewed his struggles again starting to feel tired, but not letting down. "Damn't Let go...what's wrong with you guys you're supposed to be police officers! Please, leave my brother alone!" Tucker tightened his grip and smirked.

"Shut the fuck up, police officers don't help little thieves like you!" Tucker said squeezing the older boys arms.

"That's right.." Archer said, as he slid his hand inside of Duo's pants, fondling the small boy before removing the piece of tattered fabric, bending the boy over a nearby crate. This caused a renewed sense of fear to awaken within the small child as he began to struggle once again, which only resulted in a sharp tug on his long hair followed by Archer slamming his head into the wood of the box.

"Uh...Archer we've got a problem." Tucker said. Solo stopped struggling and stared off toward the street. The two guys that they had stole from earlier were walking toward the group. "Help us! Please!" Solo yelled and was immediately punched by Tucker for it, but it was too late as the two men were now running.

Archer frowned as he also noticed the two men who were still a distance away. He glanced at his friend, "Let's go. We can get these two later.." He growled as he noticed a slightly ajar door and, letting go of the small boy, dashed through it.

Kiros ran up to the two orphans, most of his anger had dissipated. "What the fuck?" He asked, but was ignored as Solo ran to his brother handing him his pants and wrapping him in a protective hug. "Otouto-San are you okay?" He asked cradling his brother in his arms.

"S-Solo?" The boy stammered as he curled into the older boy's arms, his entire body trembling as his mind was plagued with unpleasant memories. Tears slid down the boys pale cheeks as he whimpered, burying his face in Solo's shirt.

"Yeah, it's me Duo, your fine, it's okay now they're gone." Solo said while stroking the smaller boys hair and rocking him back in forth.

"I'm scared.." The longhaired youth admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I know, it's okay your going to be fine. We're safe now." 'I hope' Solo thought, and looked worriedly look up at Kiros and Ward hoping they wouldn't want to hurt them too. Thankfully they looked more sympathetic then angry. Solo turned back to his younger brother. "It's okay." He said and kissed the brunette's forehead.

Ward looked down at the two boys, then at his friend using sign language. ' What's going on here? What happened?'

"I don't know...What happened to you boys?" Kiros asked stepping closer. Duo's violet eyes watched Kiros as he approached, wide with terror. The dark-skinned man stopped when he saw the look on the younger one's face.

Solo hugged Duo closer, "Nothing, just some guys bothering us, are you here for your wallets? We'll give them back if you just leave us alone."

The older boy continued to comfort his brother. "No we'll do better. You two need some food...and a bath." Kiros saw the clothes they were wearing and cringed. "You definitely need new clothes."

"That depends. What do you want in return?...Nothing comes without a price." Solo asked.

Ward frowned hearing this, a lump forming in his throat as the sight of the two boys made him want to cry. Kiros didn't need to look at the much larger man to know what he was thinking. The same thoughts were running through his mind. How many hardships did these children have to face to have such a bleak outlook on life?

"You look like you live on the streets...so you would know a lot about them. Including the black market slave trade?" Kiros asked an idea formulating in his head. Duo whimpered at the mention of the accursed trade to which he and Solo had lost many a friend, holding onto his brother tightly.

Solo nodded and hugged his brother. "Yes we know it quite well." Kiros gave Ward a look and smiled. "We need help ourselves."

"What kind of help?" Solo asked skeptically.

"A friend of ours was kidnapped by people involved in the trade, and we want to get him back. That is how you can pay us. All you have to do is help us get our friend back." Kiros asked hopefully.

"I don't wanna go near that place... Nii-san..." The violet-eyed youth whispered to his brother, looking up at Kiros, still obviously scared and trembling.

"It's okay, don't you want a bath, clothes, food. A girl, Selphie, will take care of you. You'll like her a lot. Please we really need your help, and you really need ours. We'll even forget about that wallet thing." Kiros said crouching so as not to look so tall and intimidating. Duo, buried his face in Solo's shirt once more, falling silent as the thin man kneeled down to be level with them. He would leave this decision to his older brother.

Solo thought about it...these guys didn't seem too bad, and they really needed a bath, clothes, and some food..."Duo, we really need some clothes and stuff...we should do it. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise." Solo said kissing his brothers forehead again before turning to Kiros and nodding. "Okay we'll help you, but no funny stuff okay?" Kiros nodded. "Nothing funny will go on, I promise."

Duo curled up to his brother, nodding his acceptance of the older boy's decision…"Okay... Nii-san." He whispered quietly. His brother was all he had and he would do almost anything his brother asked of him. And so the two boys went with Kiros and Ward back to the vehicle and they climbed in the back seat.

MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm enjoying your guesses as to who is Seifer's kidnapper is quite a lot! Though no one has been able to guess right. A few figured out who may be involved though.

Read & Review. I've got the next chapter ready. I may just post it sooner then usual if you get my drift... ;P

SFA: And keep guessing at who the Kidnapper is. Who knows? You may be right..