Splash!

Distinct footsteps were heard on the wet cobblestone in mid-Europe.

"Catch that thief!" The baker shouted wildly as he pointed his fingers to my direction. No one made a move except giving a started gasp when I pushed through the crowd that was steadily making their way. That was to be expected in this impassive society. No one made a move to help my friend Jenny when she was bleeding from an illness so why would they make any now?

I managed to slip away to a corner unnoticed and quickly went through the alleyway to our secret hideout.

"Yo Skull." Vlad jumped down from the trashcan and looked at the french bread I stole.

"Where's Denis?"

"Off with daddy again."

I grimaced. Although Denis's dad is pretty decent guy, his job involved hard labor; I mean extremely difficult and painstaking work. Usually lasts 'til dusk. Guess I won't see him today. Too bad he'll miss out our grand feast.

"Got the stuff?"

"Who do you think I am?" He snickered and brought out a chunk of cheese.

"Sweet!" I broke my french bread in half and place a lump of cheese on the top before biting down. Vlad took the other half and did the same. The bread was still warm with salty taste. I took a gulp from the gathered rain in a broken cup. Cold water filled my mouth, my senses felt refreshed.

Comfortable nibbling sound accompanied the silence in the abandoned ally. Feeling content with food in my stomach, I lied down with my hands behind my head. Chilly zephyr swayed my hair.

"Oi, plan to catch a flu again?"

"I'm indestructible after all."

"No wonder you didn't die yet."

"Shut up."

I woke shivering myself out of cold. I was twilight and through the faint gleam of starlight I saw Vlad tensed up on the same position, a little bit disheveled. I saw a faint sight of fear in his eyes.

"What's up?"

He turned to my voice seemingly startled.

"Ah, It's... nothing..."

"You know you suck at lying."

"..."

I rolled on my stomach and placed on hand under my chin.

"Talk."

He shifted, eyes adverting.

"... There were two men in black suit just down few allies..."

"Do you think...?"

"Maybe..."

Just to fill you in, Vlad ran away from home. Supposed to be a big family of stuff I don't even bother knowing. So those men he mentioned may be the hired to find him and he doesn't plan on going back anytime soon.

"... Are they still there?"

"No, but I think they will return."

Sigh...

"Look. I don't feel like sleeping anytime soon so rest for awhile."

"But..."

"Want me to knock you out?"

"G'd night."

I positioned myself to where Vlad was before. The wall was still warm.

"Ahh~" How should I entertain myself?

"Hello~? Still alive?" Denis's hand waved in front of my face. Damn. Headache.

"Shut up." I kicked Vlad.

"Damn man! Stop doing that!"

Denis laughed. He is always a happy-go-lucky person. "So what should we do today, guys?"

"Ah right, I promised that I'll show you another secret passageway I discovered." Vlad recalled.

"You mean what we discovered." Like I'll let you to steal all the honor.

"Hahaha! Let's go!"

While we were on our way, a struggling noises caught our attention. We exchanged nervous glances before approaching its source. The men in black were dragging few kids as they struggled. I noticed, they were the residents of this alleyway. I met them few times when I was still new to this place.

"Shouldn't we help them?" Denis whispered.

Vlad stood there, frozen.

"Let's go tell the policeman." I suggested, "I'll keep watch on them. You guys, go."

Vlad didn't move. I elbowed him.

"Let's go," whispered Denis pulling Vlad, "be careful, Skull."

I waved them off without turning.

Man, those men are ruthless. Bruising and dragging them around like they were luggage. I followed closely behind but not too close to be noticed. Finally they came out to the clearing and there was a black car parked on a road. The kids seem to be unconscious. Man, when are they coming? Any later and it'll be too late.

"Vion, you're late."

Another man in black suit approached them with something that seems familiar to me.

"These little runts were sniffing around, too much for my comfort." Vion raised one kid I recognized as...

'Vlad!' I shouted in my head. The other one behind Vion was Denis! Anger bubbled inside my stomach but I knew I was no match for three grown adults. 'But I have to do something! Think stupid brain! Think!'

"Hey you! What are you doing!" A women looking out of the window shouted, witnessing the scene of felonious men putting dirty kids into the trunk of the car. "Believe me! I'm going to call the cops if you don't stop what you're doing right now!"

Startled, three men dashed into the car and drove off.

'Oh no you don't! Not going to let you off with my friends!'

I dashed off into alleyway, all the paths and shortcuts printed in the back of my memory. 'There was one intersection the car on this road have to take to get anywhere and it'll take about ten minutes if I hurry...'

As I went past different twists and turns, I saw a flicker of what seemed to be a man following me on the broken window. Panicked, I quickened my pace- well, if you call running 'till you're whizzing a pace. It was easy to notice him since platinum blond hair stood out in the gray, stark concrete ally with black scars here and there. At the slit between two peeling buildings I had a glimpse of the same sleek black car passing. It was closing near the destination and I have reached it first.

'It's now or never!'

I jumped out to the crossroads with my arms stretched to meet the car that will soon run over me.

"It's okay, I'm indestructible after all..." I muttered with my eyes closed.

Screech-! BAM! Splutter! Crunch.

'Ow, ow, ow... Ah- my rib hurts like h*ll. Man, this is bad. Seriously bad...'

I twitched my finger only to have excruciating pain pierce throughout my body.

'Guahhhh!'

'I can't afford going to hospital and this is going to last for months. Ahhh~ how will I survive this time? Vlad and Denis... they better pay back for this! And I know just the thing to make them do... Kufufu... (evil smile) Ite! Itete-te! I shouldn't have done that.'

Through my crimson view I saw three figures climbing out of the crashed car cursing. While they were running away, three black handcuffs flung over, restraining them. The blond man I saw earlier approached them. With my ringing ears I heard him say,

"For ignoring Vongola's warning, I'll crush you to death."

'Huh? How does that work? What's warning? Clam?' (Vongola in Italian means clam)I gingerly set up and my head spinned painfully. As I gently rubbed my temple I... 'Huh?! Where did they go?' It was as if they disappeared into thin air.

Hissing, I reached for the trunk and yanked it open. There were few bruises but alive. Relieved, I shook them awake.

"Wha, huh?" Denis spoke, dazed. I got everyone out. Curious crowds were forming. Some of them looked at my figure with terrified, wide eyes-

"Kyaaah-!"

A scream pierced through the dark kitchen where pots and silver-wares have fallen. A figure crouching down was clasping the ears as if they'll fall away any moment.

Drip... drip...

A pond of blood glistened purple under the pale, blue moonlight. A dark figure with eyes wild with fear ran away with a clank of a knife.

"Ite-te..."

A sharp pain throbbed in my chest but I ignored it and staggered forward.

"Yuno, are you alright..?" I winced before calling out again. "Yuno?"

When I raised my voice to get her attention, she desperately scooted back until she was against the refrigerator.

"Ah... Ah..." Her eyes were wide with horror and shock. I lent out a hand but she flinched away, her limbs shaking wildly. I was stunned by her reaction.

"Yuno...(wheeze) Everything is alr.."

"Go... Go away..."

"Yu.."

"Stay away!"

She swung her arm right across me. Her eyes were teary. She muffled a cry with both hands and knees on the ground. Her shoulders trembled with each falling tears as if her life was depended on it. I touched my chest at another sharp throb. I felt something wet and I began to feel numb. I looked at my hand which was now stained in eerie purple. I turned my gaze back to the cowering, frightened girl.

"Go away..."

I saw the flashes of Yuno's eyes in the crowd. Those eyes... While they muttered quietly it occurred to me.

'Oh no, Denis and Vlad shouldn't be seen here. This might call trouble for Denis's family and Vlad hiding from his.' I glanced at their worried expressions. I gathered up my courage and breathed in sharply before jumping on the roof of the smashed car. I twirled elegantly as my body would allow and bowed with one hand against my chest.

"Good evening, everyone! You have witnessed the very first act of your infamous and indestructible stuntman, your very own Skull-sama!" I raised my hands and closed my eyes sightly as if praising myself. From the corner of my eye, I saw Denis and Vlad vanish into the alleyway without anyone noticing. I doubt men in black would still be around or even come here again. I further raised my hands arrogantly and my face up to the sky, eyes closed.

"Now who's up for some applause?"

Clap... Clap..

Clap... Clap... Clap, clap...

Clap, clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

The crowd got excited and few whistle and praises were heard. I let myself drown in acclamation as I felt Yuno's gaze slowly fade out.

How was it? How was it? I want comments and reviews! XD

And just so you know, the men in black are from Estrano Familia and I'm sure you've guessed who the blond man is.