A/N: Due to unforeseen stupidity on my own part, I lost the original copy of this story ToT. Thankfully I've been able to recover the first two chapters courtesy of the document manager here on Fanfiction but on the flipside all progress I made on the third chapter is lost. While editing on my computer, I've fixed a few things and am re-uploading chapters 1&2.

Fic for my dear cyber sis, Julia Fernandez Hiwatari (We sure are doing a lot of stories for each other lately aren't we?) Not sure how many chapters this one will be considering i was chewing on this one for well over a month. Maybe three to four depending. And i'll TRY not to go overboard with characters, as is my usual habit.

Also a quick update in regards to my other stories. Until further notice, i don't think any of them will be getting updates. My motivation pool is drying faster than i can refill the blasted thing.

I am also working with Julia Fernandez Hiwatari to improve the birthday fic she wrote for me. Hopefully work on it won't take too long as I have plans for a sequel to it.

Well that's enough of my ranting.

1

Clouds hung ominous and grey on a cold evening. People hurried with coats hugged tight to avoid any possible rainfall. One man however was not so eager to amble hastily through the streets, his slate grey/dark blue hair swaying in the vague breeze. Crimson eyes stared drowsily at the path ahead, tired from an exhausting day gazing at a computer screen. The man's journey came to an end outside a small manor. Taking a deep breath he trod carefully onto the long gravel driveway that led to the towering building ahead. Large varnished oak doors opened wide before him, a butler standing off to one side. He was tall, well built with a strong chin and somewhat large nose. His short sandy brown hair was slicked back; leaf green eyes shining with sympathy toward the shorter male plodding quietly passed him. A shrill voice sent shivers down the thinner man's spine, preventing him from placing one foot on the stairs.

"Kai you'll come here right this instant!"

Without being told, the silent butler took his masters' brief case and took it to an office down the hall. Maids bustled about the corridors running errands, bobbing a quick curtsy to the worn out businessman trundling to where the voice had come from. It didn't take him long to find the caller, standing just inside the door of the drawing room staring fearfully at the rosy ginger haired chartreuse eyed woman poking at the dimming fireplace. She was a spot shorter than him with a thickened waist barely hidden by the bleach white frock she wore.

"You're late." The woman spat, turning her narrow, cold eyes toward the door.

"But Tanya…"

"I warned you Kai. Coming home late WILL be punished. Move it. I'll hear no excuses from you."

Kai didn't dare to argue, head hung low as he was led to the basement. He fiddled a little with the gold band around his finger, wondering what he'd done to deserve the way his wife treated him. Yes their marriage had been forced due to them both coming from wealthy families but over time Kai had learnt to love his arranged spouse. Tanya had fawned over him the first few years but as time went by, her fawning turned into aggression. It wasn't until their fourth child was on the way that the physical abuse started. Despite wanting to fight back, Kai couldn't bring himself to strike the woman who'd given him everything he never knew he wanted in life. Up in the main manor, the stern eyed butler followed through a carefully constructed plan that he'd been setting up on his master's behalf.

Days cruised by and at the end of each one, Kai returned to the abusive hands of Tanya. She would rant and rave at how he'd ruined her life with each strike of a barbed whip, claiming it was Kai's fault her once slim, attractive body had become disfigured into a hideous mess through bearing his four beautiful children. Yet each night before bed Tanya would apologise, claiming that a monster deep inside had taken over her body. Kai had heard the excuse countless times but he still believed the hollow words, showering his wife with all the love he could give in his wounded state. It sickened the loyal butler to see his master hopelessly wrapped around someone's finger. Despite that, he understood Kai's reluctance to retaliate. No doubt Tanya would go straight to the authorities, have him arrested and deny visiting rights to their children. The last thing Kai wanted was to be ripped away from the four gorgeous humans he'd had a hand in making.

Kai's eldest three children saw very little of him no thanks to their mother. When Kai did get to spend time with his heirs, he'd always be too sore and tired to do anything with them. Little that Kai knew, his oldest son could tell something was wrong with him and had confided in the butler he saw as an uncle rather than a servant. It was around that time Tanya had started using the whip on him and goodness knew what else.

Kai was just changing into some comfortable clothes one Saturday afternoon when his 10yr old daughter walked into his and Tanya's room, immediately seeing the scars and fresh cuts on his back. When asked about them, Kai foolishly told her it was from Tanya's love for him, that she'd understand when she was older. Regardless of Tanya's protest, Kai took their children to the park that same day, hoping to make up for how little time he spent with them. While he watched his kids play, Kai was approached by an old school friend; a young man with bushy indigo hair, sharp red eyes and a large nose. They talked for what felt like hours, mostly about the old days of high school hell and causing all manner of mischief for their peers. Kai felt refreshed when it came time to go home, wishing he didn't have to part ways with the shorter adult so soon.

Returning to the manor, Kai was ushered upstairs by his loyal butler to be cleaned up. Deep into the night, terrors haunted Kai's every dream. Tanya slept unhindered, deaf to her husband's troubles. Thinking being in a different bed might help; Kai crept off to one of the spare rooms and wriggled under cold clean sheets. Not long after he closed his weary eyes, three smaller bodies crawled into the bed with him under watchful leaf green eyes.

About a month went by after Kai talked with his childhood pal at the park. While he worked long days at the office, his butler conspired to put an end to the abuse that went on behind closed doors. Somehow the rest of the manor staff were oblivious to what their master went through on a nightly basis.

Early on a cold Monday morning, Kai shuffled around to get ready for work. Tanya was still asleep, worn out from being treated like a queen all night. It took Kai less than an hour to get showered and dressed, wearily stepping out of his room and toward the stairs. He didn't have to look to know his childhood friend turned butler was following close behind him.

"I shall endeavour to finish work in time to collect the children from school, Sergei." Kai whispered, determined not to wake his sleeping missus. The butler dipped his head in acknowledgement, knowing that Kai had requested his assistance without asking.

"As you wish, milord. Should I get the children something on your behalf? A sweet treat perhaps?"

A grateful smile tugged at the corner of Kai's lips as he and Sergei descended the curving staircase down to the main floor.

"I should think some of your famous home made piroshki would suffice, Sergei. Perhaps I could trouble you for some myself? I've been craving them for weeks now."

"Of course sir. Anything else?"

"If we can, I'd like to take Raisa with us as well. I see too little of that child. She screams every time I try to hold her in my arms."

Sergei logged everything mentally, leaving Kai in the dining room to prepare his breakfast. The last time another member of staff cooked Kai's morning meal he was laid up in a hospital bed from being poisoned. Since then Sergei had either cooked everything himself or oversaw the chefs to make sure they didn't try anything sly.

Once Kai had a steaming plate of freshly cooked nutmeg waffles in front of him, Sergei wandered up to the nursery where Raisa slept. Stepping through the door his bright eyes met with large orbs of sleepy crimson, rosy ginger hair messily tangled around a chubby face. Stubby little arms pierced the air as Sergei moved closer to the crib.

"Good morning Raisa." Sergei cooed as he carefully lifted the tot into his strong arms.

Raisa cackled to her belly being tickled but before she could squeal in delight, Sergei placed a finger to his lips and she copied him. Out of all Kai's children, he loved Raisa the most. Tanya had pushed her away shortly after giving birth two years ago and with Kai busy at work, Sergei had been left to look after the girl himself.

Looking at Raisa often reminded Sergei of his own daughter who he hadn't seen in years. That wasn't to say he bore no love for Raisa's siblings. He cared for them, but Raisa would forever hold a special place in his heart. It didn't take him long to change and dress the youngster, carrying her to the dining room on his sturdy hip.

Kai was just finishing his breakfast when Sergei returned, a familiar sickly look set upon his pale face. Sergei didn't need to ask what was wrong, knowing Kai had a history of anorexic periods. Hoping it might snap the young billionaire out of his grief, Sergei carefully placed Raisa into Kai's lap, remaining close by so she didn't pitch a fit.

"Hey Princess." Kai croaked, reaching out to stroke his daughter's cheek.

Raisa squirmed in Sergei's hold, unable to recognize the man that looked like death itself. Identifying that Raisa would probably start screaming at a moment's notice; Sergei lifted her into a comforting embrace, hushing her unwept tears. Raisa's constant rejection of him drove a knife through Kai's already wounded heart. An idea crossed Sergei's mind, escorting Kai to the sitting room where he could relax for a little bit before heading off to work.

With his master catching a cheeky nap, Sergei strode down the main corridor and into an office. Raisa babbled away on Sergei's lap, trying and failing to wrench the phone receiver from her surrogate papa. She fell silent when given a plush doll to cuddle, giving Sergei the peace he needed to make a phone call. Ten minutes later he put the phone down with a sigh of relief.

"Come on then trouble. Time to get your siblings out of bed and ready for school."

Raisa squealed in delight, eyes twinkling with mischief. She loved being taken to wake her brothers and sister up. First up was the oldest son who always took the longest to get ready. Sergei set Raisa down gently on the boy's back as he slumbered stomach down. She immediately reached for his slate grey locks and pulled…hard.

"Bo-bo!"

Sergei would've howled with laughter had the hour not been early. Raisa's gleaming crimson pits clashed with a drowsy eye of the same shade as her brother glared over his shoulder. Raisa tugged again making the boy wince and grumble loudly about being up already. To Sergei's surprise the younger two were already up and dressed, sat at their desks doodling or something.

Once he had all three walking children in front of him, Sergei went back downstairs and into the room he'd left Kai in. As hoped, the dual haired male was dead to the world. Kai was never home when his kids came out of hiding, telling them that something was very wrong. With a gentle nudge from Sergei, the youngest of the older three siblings tiptoed towards the couch and carefully hugged Kai's neck. While they were distracted, Sergei whispered in the older boy's ear, something that made grey eyebrows dip in a frowning fashion. He either didn't like what had just been muttered to him or was frowning with determination.

For most of the day, Sergei silently packed Kai and his children's belongings into boxes while Tanya did whatever it was she did during Kai's working hours. She'd not been told her husband had been forced to stay home, finding out when Sergei left the building. Kai was just napping on one of the many luxurious sofas catching some well needed sleep, woken suddenly by something hard hitting him in the stomach.

"Get up." Tanya growled. "I warned you about skipping work, Kai. Move." Tanya pointed to the door with an angry frown, her spare hand clutched into a tight fist.

Kai staggered to his feet, not daring to disobey the order. He knew full well that further "disobedience" would be met with harsher punishment. Half way to the basement his body gave in, leaving Tanya no other choice but to drag him and she did so by grabbing Kai's spiked tresses. This in turn caused him a lot of pain but it was nothing compared to what Tanya doubtless had in mind.

To Kai's horror, Raisa was strapped to a chair, tears biting at her crimson eyes as she squirmed to get free. Dropping Kai near some hanging chains, Tanya moved swiftly over to her daughter and raised a hand, intending to strike the terrified tot.

"Don't touch her!"

Tanya's hand had been inches away when the call came, soul piercing green eyes locking onto a defiant Kai.

"You'll watch your tone when speaking to me you filth. And I'll do as I please to this spoiled brat. I was the one to push her out of my body, not you."

To prove her point, Tanya struck Raisa across the face, hard. It pained Kai to watch his child suffer while he was powerless to stop it, pushing himself off the floor only to receive a club to the gut.

"I never gave you permission to move, faggot. Did you really think I wouldn't find out that your green eyed butler has been screwing you behind my back? After EVERYTHING I've given you over the years you just waltz off and sleep with the first dick willing to go near you!"

"You're getting it all wrong, Tanya!" Kai protested, nursing a now bigger bruise that pulsed angrily. "Sergei has never touched me like that! I swear to you I've been loyal all this time!"

Tanya was having none of Kai's arguing, kicking him in the teeth harshly. Kai was sure if his parents could see him now he'd be gutted and thrown to the dogs within minutes.

"Do what you want to me" He sobbed woefully "But leave Raisa out of this. Please Tanya I'm begging you. Don't subject her to the same childhood I had to suffer."

For a fleeting moment it looked like Tanya would take Kai's plea seriously…but then she whipped Raisa in the blink of an eye making her scream again, a large cut left behind as a bitter reminder.

"It seems I didn't make myself clear the last time, Kai. I'll do whatever I please with that child. And there's nothing you can do to stop me, being the pathetic, cowardly man that you are."

Sergei returned to the manor around an hour later, immediately met with a feeling of dread as he stepped through the door. The nauseating stench of copper wafted through the building, Sergei's steps hastening towards the basement. What he found there sickened him to his very stomach. On one side of the room Kai lay motionless and coated in blood. Across from him was Tanya holding a knife…cutting at Raisa's skin mercilessly.

Unlike his master, Sergei could not contain the urge to protect that which was dear to him, launching towards Tanya with speed she clearly didn't expect and disarmed her with a single strong back hand to the face. He then proceeded to break all of Tanya's fingers to prevent her from attacking Raisa again. Sergei had not returned alone, the red eyed bluenette from the park arriving with a gun drawn.

"Jesus fucking Christ." He gagged, mostly on the fresh new coppery tang in the air. "You should've said something sooner, Sergei. This place is a goddamn bloodbath!"

With Raisa now safe, Sergei rushed over to Kai and checked for any sign of life. Thankfully he was still breathing, his face twisted into a depiction of intense pain. Sergei's attention was drawn now to a swollen area on Kai's back, not daring to touch it.

"Ivan, you go and call for an ambulance. I'll stay here with them. The bitch won't dare try anything. If she does, I'll gut her like a pig."

Ivan couldn't say he liked the murderous tone to Sergei's voice but did as he was bidden, stepping just outside the room to call for backup. Within minutes the driveway was alight with sirens and buzzing with police and first responders alike. Sergei dutifully stayed beside Kai as much as he could, Raisa bandaged up on his lap.

Her physical injuries ranged from minor to serious though few of the incisions were deep. The major damage done was to her mind. Raisa had broken down quite severely when Sergei questioned her with simple terms.

Kai wasn't so lucky it seemed, Sergei's world crashing to a halt when paramedics gave him their on-site analysis. He didn't care to see what was happening to Tanya, more focussed on how to help Kai and Raisa over the trauma they'd faced together. Much as he dreaded to, Ivan informed Sergei he'd be needed at the station to file both an alibi and a witness statement in regards to the events that transpired.

The buff brunette didn't say a word, just nodded in silent acknowledgement. With that done, Ivan went off to file a new part to the case he already had, wordlessly wishing his friend a speedy recovery. With Ivan gone, Sergei was left with the dilemma of how to tell the kids about what happened and why they wouldn't see their mother again.

It felt like years dragged by as Sergei contemplated on how to break the news gently to the children he saw as his own. When it came time to collect the trio from school, he decided to just see what happened. Leaving Kai and Raisa in Ivan's capable hands, Sergei set about his usual afternoon routine. Thankfully both the junior and senior schools were right next to one another, separated only by a looming brick wall.

Pulling up to the curb, Sergei turned off the engine and stepped out to lean on the warm bonnet. Bells rang soon after and students spilled out of both buildings en masse. Being close to 7ft tall, Sergei was able to see over the ocean of youngsters and pinpoint his quarry, heart pounding hard against his chest.

First to reach him was the daughter, her ginger/dark blue hair still tied into the neat braid Sergei had fastened that morning. Mismatched eyes of green and crimson gleamed in the late afternoon sun, set deep into a tanned face. She greeted Sergei with a big hug, burying her face into his freshly ironed shirt affectionately. It didn't take her long to notice somebody missing.

"Uncle Sergei, where's daddy? He said he'd come pick us up today."

Sergei bit his tongue, not wanting to upset the girl before the boys arrived. Their arrival granted both relief and dread to the loyal butler.

The oldest, Kai's twin from head to toe in every way, could see something was wrong with Sergei but decided to remain silent. Tanya had drilled the saying "Children should be seen and not heard" into his head at a young age and it stuck even now he was 15 years old.

His brother, owning ginger streaked gray hair and heterochromia in opposite eyes to their sister, was just as silent at 13 years of age. Sergei took a deep breath, preparing to tell probably the biggest half-lie of his life.

"Kids, there's been an accident at home. Your dad and Raisa were both admitted to hospital with injuries of varying levels."

"What about mommy?" The girl asked innocently, unaware of the monster her mother was behind closed doors.

The older boy stepped forward, a fire to his eyes when he spoke. "She did something to them didn't she? Uncle, I respect your decision to keep my siblings in the dark but remaining silent about that woman's abuse will only scar them more."

Sergei knew the boy was right but he just couldn't find the right words to tell them calmly about what Tanya did. His shoulder's sagged in defeat, Sergei let out a resigned sigh.

"Very well, Gou. Saoirse and Viktor will be told what's been going on but not by me. It's better left to someone with something of a neutrality towards the situation. For now though I'm dropping you guys off to stay with a friend of ours while I sort some stuff out. Home is off limits until further notice."

Saoirse and Viktor said nothing as they clambered into the car and fastened their seatbelts. Gou wanted to say something, silenced by a large hand being set upon his shoulder.

Their journey came to an end outside a normal looking house coloured pastel blue. Keeping the kids all somewhat behind him, Sergei knocked loudly on the door, rewarded with the sound of coughing from inside. Into his line of sight came a scrawny man with scarlet red hair and icy blue eyes, a half used cigarette between his bony fingers.

"Bloody hell Sergei, warn me before you show up at me damned door."

"And I told you to stop sucking on those blasted cancer sticks but it obviously didn't sink in. I would've called you but something came up at the manor and it's not wise for the kids to return there yet. Could you perhaps look after them for a few hours while I sort stuff out?"

"How many ankle biters?"

"Well Yuriy, one of them is tall enough and grouchy enough to pop you in the mouth and the other two can aim a little below the belt so your ankles are safe."

Sergei stepped aside to let "Yuriy" get a look at the kids, earning him a disgruntled grumble from the skinny redhead. Turning from the door, he signalled for the quartet to follow him inside, popping the cigarette between his lips as he walked. Saoirse clung to Sergei's hand while her brothers put on brave faces.

Inside the house was simple. The bottom floor had the kitchen, a living room and a door leading to the back yard and a flight of stairs that likely led to bedrooms and the bathroom. Yuriy's living room was nothing to write home about, the walls a drab grey and the floor a bland dark brown carpet.

"Sit down kids" he mumbled "I won't bite your heads off. Just to warn you all the rats I call sons are due back any second and the oldest is a bit of a shit on no account of my parenting skills."

Right on cue the front door opened and slammed shut causing a vein to pop in Yuriy's head. Sergei covered Saoirse's already assaulted ears to protect her from the onslaught of foul language likely about to happen.

"STOP SLAMMING ME GODDAMN DOORS Raziel!"

"Fuck you old man!"

Yuriy resisted every urge in his body telling him to slam his cocky ass son into the nearest wall, leering at a boy around Gou's age with his every feature. He just had more meat on his bones. The younger boy, probably no older than 10 years old, had short reddish brown hair streaked with red highlights and mismatched eyes. His left eye was chocolaty brown and the right piercing blue like Yuriy's.

Unlike Raziel he possessed a meek disposition and quickly hid behind his father upon seeing strangers. Yuriy patted the boy affectionately on the head, still staring metaphorical holes into his other son. Saoirse and Gou recognised the brothers from their classes at school. While Yuriy's youngest was somewhat fine with their guests, Raziel certainly was not.

"What the hell are you doing here, faggot? Mommy kick you out because she found out you're queer did she?"

Sergei acted on Yuriy's impulses for him, clapping Raziel swiftly across his gob without a hint of remorse. Add to that the swift kick to his family jewels from Yuriy, Raziel found himself sent to the floor.

"You'll hold that foul tongue in front of me, boy." Sergei growled, poised to strike again if the need arose. "What happens in our house is none of your damn business. Though I can see your mother wasted no time filling your head with her homophobic propaganda. I thought you divorced that poor excuse of a womb, Yuriy?"

Questioned man stubbed out his now dead cigarette in a nearby ashtray, puffing out a cloud of foul smelling smoke to finish off his nicotine fix.

"I did. But she fought me tooth and nail for rights to see her kids and I hadn't the manpower to shut her down. Believe me Sergei I've tried teaching me boys that her ways are wrong but it just ain't sticking with this pathetic example of a Johnson."

Yuriy gestured to Raziel with his foot, catching him on the chin a little. He turned now to Kai's children, his expression softening.

"I might look like any ol' bottom feeding bum but at least I have standards. Me home's always clean an' the kids ne'er go hungry. Hell I've skipped meals just so they could eat. You three are always welcome here so long as there's a level of respect between us. I owe your old man a lifetime of gratitude so until it's time for Sergei to whisk you all home, I promise to love ya like you're me own."

Saoirse looked like she was about to ask why Kai had never introduced them to someone who was clearly family in some way but Yuriy cut her off before she could say anything with a hand raised for silence.

"I'd tell you to ask that thing you call a mother but she'd probably feed you some lies. Truth is sweetheart that your mam and my ex-wife are similar ilk. 'Cept my woman never ever raised a hand to me. Sarah knew I'd whoop her six ways from Sunday if she so much as scratched me. It's not my place to say what Tanya did to Kai but I will say this. That woman is a monster. And you'll all be better without the likes of her in your lives."

Sergei cleared his throat suspiciously and gestured with his eyes for Yuriy to follow him somewhere quieter. Before leaving, Yuriy opened the door leading to his back yard for the kids to go and have a romp outside if they wanted. His youngest son wasted no time, bounding over to an aged swing. Raziel made himself scarce, vanishing off upstairs to nurse his throbbing injuries. Saoirse tentatively ventured into the yard prompting her brothers to follow after without being told.

Once he'd explained everything to Yuriy, Sergei drank in one last look of the kids he loved as his own before heading back to the hospital. Suddenly in the mood to soak up some sun, Yuriy took a seat in the yard to watch over the kids like he'd promised.

Some time later Sergei returned with Ivan not far behind. The kids were all inside by now having something to eat in the kitchen. Raziel seemed to have mellowed after his outburst earlier but Yuriy kept an eye on him just in case.

Once they'd all finished their food, Yuriy sent his sons upstairs. The discussion about to happen wasn't for them to hear. First however Sergei insisted on doing the dishes and nothing Yuriy said or did could stop him. Ivan waited for the towering giant to return before he started talking.

"There's not really any easy way to say this kids, so please forgive my bluntness. Earlier this afternoon your father and baby sister were found injured at home. It pains me to admit that your mother was the one responsible for hurting them and she was still attacking Raisa by the time Sergei and I arrived. For the past several years, Tanya has been mentally and physically abusing your father, taking advantage of the fact he was too soft to strike back at her."

Ivan spared a glance at the siblings, noticing a look of pure malice to Gou's eyes while Saoirse was weeping into Sergei's side. Viktor seemed to be a mix of his brother and sister, steely eyed but liable to burst into tears at a moment's notice. Taking a sip of his now half cold cup of tea, Ivan opened the medical report he had on hand.

"Kai's injuries are quite serious. From what I understand Tanya's assaults on him have never broken any bones but caused fractures in the past. Now however he's paralyzed from the waist down and will be wheelchair bound until further notice due to spinal trauma. Meaning his back is badly hurt. He was awake a little earlier and has been unresponsive thus far. We're not sure if his head sustained a nasty hit or he's just being the same stubborn fool we all know and love."

Ivan paused again, this time just to catch his breath.

"Your sister is better physically, sustaining only cuts and bruises but her mental state is badly shaken. The events of today will likely haunt her for years if not the rest of her life. With all the evidence Sergei compiled and everything that happened today, Tanya will be looking at a harsh sentence and your father's lawyer is going to push for life without bail and no rights to see any of you while she's in there and if she ever gets out. And that's a massive if. I'll leave the rest to you, Sergei."

Said man just nodded, more focussed on supporting the kids. Yuriy came out of his silent shell once Ivan closed the front door gently behind him.

"If you wanna spend the night with Kai I'll house the kids for tonight Sergei. Raziel won't dare start anything again. If you'd rather stay with the kids, then feel free to stay. I'll happily take the couch so you guys can have my bed."

And there's chapter 1. For reference, Saoirse is pronounced seer-shuh and is irish in origin. she, Tanya, Xakyr, Raziel, Raisa and Viktor are all OCs that i have made. There will be recurring OCs of mine in later chapters.

Can't promise an update soon as I have some research and other things to do