He stepped off the train and wrinkled his nose in disgust as the sweet, vibrant breeze washed over him. His eyes scowled as they looked around at the shops and the tags that littered the streets. His ears burned as they took in the hustle and bustle ambiance of the district.

He hated Shibuya.

If he didn't have business here, he would never come back to this wretched part of Tokyo. Why his worthless, ungreatful Nephew had chosen to stay here after his parents had moved on instead of moving to the states with him, he could not fathom.

His mouth curled up in a feral sneer. Well, that shrimp wouldn't have a choice this time. If he had to beat that kid into submission, he would. There was no one to stop him this time, no reason to hide his true intentions.

Neku would be his hier. Or he would be a puddle of pulp and flesh on the side of the roads he loved so much.

Anoku would not hold back this time.

TWEWYTWEWYTWEWYTWEWY

"I do not want that bastard in my life again!" Neku shouted defiantly "I hate him! Scratch that...I LOATH him entirely! Don't you lay there and tell me to seriously consider letting him walk in here and make himself at home!"

Joshua raised both hands "Neku, my dear Neku...trust me on this! I cannot protect you if I am out of range. This is the best case scenario! I will not let him kill you."

"He'll kill you first!" Neku protested "He'll kill you because you're weak. It's what he does!"

Joshua snicklered "He can try, Neku-kun. But I'm not as helpless as you are. I have half my powers as Composer, remember? Both you and he are merely human. I, on the other hand...am far more powerful even at my current state of existence."

Neku narrowed his eyes "I thought you never bluffed."

The Composer giggled, flipping his hair with his good hand "I don't. Do not judge my current levels by comparing my performance with Apollo. That's not a fair estimate. He's ascended. Even if I had my full powers, I would be below him. A far better estimate would be comparing me to you. If I wanted to, and without any aid at all, dear partner...I could easily kill you without so much as an extra breath."

"That's comforting." Neku muttered.

"It should be. It means you're quite safe with me. But only if you remain inside the house. And Shibuya will remain safe as long as Anoku is in the house. Therefore, you and your uncle must both occupy the same space. If he goes out, Shibuya will most definitely suffer. As her Composer, I cannot allow that to happen."

Neku threw up his hands in frustration "But if he stays here, I'll definitely suffer!"

"Don't be silly, Neku. I cannot allow that to happen either." Joshua smirked, "However, it is clear that I can't be letting your uncle run amuck in Shibuya. He is already spoiling her melody with his down tones. There is a note in him that even I am wary of, and the city itself feels his malice. Best to keep such a sour song contained for now."

"Then keep him contained...just not here!"

"Far too late for that, dear, dear partner. He's three blocks away."

The young boy was turned around and shoved face first into the hard tile of the kitchen. The failed brownie experiment was force fed down his throat and then he was beaten savagely by his uncle's fists until he cried out in pain.

"Get it right next time you stupid lightweight! I'll make mince outta yer hide next time!"

"Joshua...I'm begging you...please not him, here...in my house..." Neku began to sweat hard.

Joshua simply continued to smirk.

"Trust me, Partner."

There was a knock at the door. Neku froze as a gruff voice sneered "Neku Sakuraba, you open up and let me in, or I will climb in the window and give you such a tanning, your ass will burn for a year!"

Neku stayed rooted to the spot he stood in, unable;e to move...or unwilling.

Finally, after several more bangs, the orange haired youth finally got the courage to unlock and open the door.

He was rewarded with a hand shooting out and grabbing his neck, slowly lifting him off the floor while he choked and kicked his legs.

"About time you answered the door, Neku!"