Flashback :-

Taichi's POV:-

'I hate this'

I thought as I stood by the street with some other small kids with bowls in our hands as we begged trying to capture the attention of some tender-hearted person passing by.

'I hate this life'

Across the street stood a man in his 30's smoking a cigarette while making sure none of us ran off. Some have tried ,but they were always caught and as punishment , let's just say , they aroused more sympathy than others .

'I refuse to live like this'

Me and the other kids go to , or we're led to a beaten down hut when the sun goes down and after taking the money we got that day ,we're given a bit of food before being sent off to sleep . Next day , it happens all over again.

'I Won't live like this'

I'm a 7 year old kid. Unlike other kids who were abandoned or kidnapped , I was an orphan living with my uncle and aunty , my uncle was a drunk and my aunt only took me in for a share of my parents inheritance , but I was an unwanted burden and they locked me out of the house one night when I spoke my mind to them...and that's ...when I met him.
He was tall and bulky and told me to call him pops . He offered me a way of living and like a fool ...I accepted ...this wasn't living .

.

Today , we're near a huge compound , the man in charge of us said it belonged to some super rich guys called the 'kannagis'. They're compound was huge and the wall extended into a thick undergrowth which seemed to lead to a forest . A forest for a backyard .wow.

A kid tried to run away that day ,that kid was me . I dived into the bushes and ran , just ran . I didn't think they would notice since they were too busy watching a wealthy-looking man come out of the compound. I was wrong .After a few minutes , I heard them follow .

"BRAT, WHEN WE CATCH YOU , YOU'LL BE BEGGING WITHOUT A LEG"

They meant it, I've seen it myself .But I still ran , I ran and ran until they're voices faded away and then , I stopped . A dead end .The only thing in front of me was a cliff . I went to the edge and looked down . Chances of survival , zero.
I thought over the reasons I have to live . I found none . I would get caught and made so that I could never walk again or rather I would be made so that I could arouse more sympathy , more money ...for them. Was life worth it ? No , not to me. I extended my foot to the edge thinking of nothing more than how I would escape when suddenly ,two small hands grabbed my shirt and pulled me back causing me to land with a *off*.

"Hey! That's dangerous , you know ."

I looked at the owner of the shrill voice to see a girl with red hair dusting herself off while having a frown on her face . I was about to yell saying that she shouldn't have bothered , but I was shocked to silence . Her clothes were ...burned , I think , and so were mayor parts of her body . She was covered in bruises and her eyes seemed dead , as if the world could end and she wouldn't care . I know I wouldn't . She looked at me and said .

"You weren't trying to kill yourself , were you ?"

I quickly looked straight at her with a face of anger .

" AND WHAT IF I WAS ? IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS ..."

She seemed shocked at my outburst , then her face darkened and a vein popped on her forehead .

"HEY ,YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL , YOU KNOW"

I simply looked away with a admittedly arrogant

"Whatever ..Who are you anyway?"

She crossed her arms over her chest .

"I should be the one asking you that .My names Ayano , Ayano kannagi and you're trespassing into kannagi grounds .Unless you leave , I'll be forced to call the guards "

I snorted.

"And what ? They'll kick me out ?or will they put me in prison ?..."

I said getting up and walking back to the ledge .

"...if only kids my age could get thrown in prison, then I would have gotten myself arrested a long time ago ..."

She didn't say anything , she just stood there and listened. It felt nice to let everything out .

"...Living like this ...is the same as being dead ."

"Let's make a deal ..."

I turned around to face her , surprised at her words . She looked at me with an understanding look than seemed out of place in a face so young .

"You want to die cause you just can't take how miserable your life is . Instead of fighting , you just want to give up , right ."Her voice was serious and accusing as if that was the most pathetic thing she could imagine .

"YOU DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH !DON'T ACT SO SMART."

"But I'm right ,aren't I ?"

I couldn't reply , what could I say ?.

"I saw your reaction when you heard my name , you probably think that I'm some spoiled rich kid that doesn't have any idea about how horrible life can be ..."

Once again , no reply came .

"...Right again ,huh"

I looked away .
"Shut up!"

"Let's have a deal."

I turned back to face her , she seemed determined or scared , or maybe both .

"We both complain about how miserable our lives are and the whose life is most miserable gets to kill him or herself and the other person can't interfere . Deal?"

I was dumbfounded and a bit embarrassed at the thought 'Easy win' that passed through my head .

"What the..."

Suddenly shouts were heard .

"IF YOU DON'T COME OUT IN 10 SECONDS ,I'LL CUT OFF BOTH YOUR LEGS , YOU LITTLE BRAT ."

I saw her look at me , I knew my face showed terror and fear and my feet inched closer to the cliff . Her eyes narrowed as she whispered.

"So that's why..."

I whipped my head towards her , my face full with concern . She seemed startled .

"Leave."

"What?"Her shock was replaced with confusion .

"If they catch you ,they'll make you into a beggar as well or hold you for ransom . Run away now, I'll lead him away"

She was frozen . Her face showed an unrecognisable expression .Her lips moved slowly shaking as if in unbelief .

"Yo...you're wo...worried about m..me?"

I looked straight into her eyes ...

"I don't want anyone else to live like this ."

...and I set off towards the voice .

"FIVE"

I wonder how I'll move with no legs .

"FOUR"

Oh well! I'll find some way .Guess I'll use my hands.

"THRE...uh"

I could see him a distance away . He seemed anxious and was talking to someone .Suddenly two small hands clapped my mouth and pulled me to the side with a force that hands that small should not possess .

*uff*

"Shhh! be quiet."

I knew that voice , after all I only heard it about 5 seconds ago.

"What are you doing here?"

I asked instinctively lowering my voice to wishpers .

"Preventing you from getting caught for trespassing , duh. Now shut up."

I did just that and listened to what they were saying.

A.N:-

I'm soo sorry for not updating but I truly have No time . Still I had this random two-chap flashback in my documents folder so I thought 'well, might as well load it '. Don't know when the next will come . Seriously busy and parents are even more 'no fun stuff' right know ( I didn't think it was possible ). These two chaps will tell about the beginning of Ayano's and Taichi's friendship. Hope you like. Sorry again and thanks sooo much for all the reviews and faves .