Disclaimer: Not my characters or world, I just like to play with them. All characters are copyright of their respective owners.

If you are offended by violence/child abuse do not read any farther. Any comments regarding this will be ignored. You are warned.

Hayato was giving me one of his don't screw with me looks. I could feel Ryu's eyes on me too.

"Guy's seriously it's not a big deal ok." I flinched as Hayato stood giving Ryu a look. Next thing I knew Hayato was dragging me out into the hallway, Ryu close behind.

"What do you want Hayato?" I tried to sound pissed and it came out scared. I wasn't scared of Hayato, I was scared of what he might do.

"Ryu, grab his arms and hold him for a sec will ya."

I tried to make a break for it then, but with the both of them on me I ended up in a headlock with Ryu whispering in my ear to just calm down.

"Take you are acting really weird and you've been moving like you are in pain." Hayato wouldn't let me look away from him. "Now you can either tell us what's going on or so help me I'm gonna strip you right here in the hall and see if Ryu is right."

My whole body went cold and I could feel myself shaking against Ryu.

"N-no, you don't have to do that. I'm-I've just not been feeling good." I tried for a smile knowing he wasn't going to be convinced. "My mom is out of town and my dad's cooking really sucks."

I felt Ryu shake his head. "You are lying Take. You're always the one who is trying to keep me and Hayato out of trouble, so why won't you let us help you?"

Squirming out of Ryu's grip I turned to face him. "I don't need any help. I'm serious guys."

I staggered as Hayato pushed me towards the wall. The glint in his eyes gave me chills.

"W-wait, what are you doing? Hayato!" I shoved at him as he grabbed for my uniform jacket yanking it down. Ryu was already moving to restrain me again.

"Guys!" It came out as a panicked screech. If they saw . . . if they saw they would know. I was fighting them in earnest now, tears stinging my eyes. Somehow I ended up getting elbowed in the face, pain exploding behind my eyes. I gasped, my head snapping back to thud against the wall. It was as if the blow broke open something inside me. I slid down the wall holding my face in my hands doing everything in my power to not go to pieces. Something warm, wet and metallic tasting was running over my lips. God, I'm bleeding!

"Oh shit." I flinched away from Hayato as he knelt down beside me, his eyes suddenly soft and pleading. "Take I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

He pulled at my hands and I let him pull them away. I didn't have the strength to fight them anymore.

"Goddammit." Pulling his handkerchief out of his pocket he started to wipe away the blood. Ryu hunkered down on the other side of me. Offering me his as well to try and stem the bleeding. My head was pounding now and the urge to let go and tell them everything was difficult to get under control. I closed my eyes, letting my head drop forward.

"Take please, please tell us what's wrong." Ryu pleaded softly. It wasn't until a warm finger caressed my cheek that I realized tears had betrayed me.

I didn't open my eyes didn't want to see the pity in their eyes. My voice was rough with barely held in check pain, "There isn't anything you guys can do. It's not as bad as you think, okay. You guys are always looking out for me, but this is something I have to take care of on my own."

Hayato sighed and the air suddenly smelled of raspberry chocolate. "Who is it? Who has been hurting you, Take?"

Wiping at what I hoped was the last of the blood, I glanced up at them. Easing myself away from the wall I went to stand. They both reached for me as I wobbled. I really needed to get out of here. Forcing myself to stand up straight I shook off their hands.

"I'll see you guys later, I'm ditching the rest of the day." Turning I walked out of the building.

I wondered around for a while, having to stop every now and then when my nose started bleeding again. After a while I looked around realizing I was in an area I wasn't all that familiar with. Sighing at my own stupidity, I went back retracing my steps. Soon the surroundings became more familiar and I decided to go to Kuma's ramen shop. I had enough for a single bowl on me and I was starving. I had just passed a construction site when I heard someone shout my name. I glanced around not quite recognizing the voice. A large calloused hand, that I knew all too well clamped down on my arm. I found myself jerked around to face my father.

His face was bright red and the look in his eyes was pure murder. If he was terrifying drunk, seeing him sober and this mad nearly sent me into panic mode.

"You little shit!" He snarled at me his fingers biting into my arm with horrifying strength. "You are ditching school again!"

There was a laugh from behind him and I felt him flinch. "So this is your kid. I thought I recognized him the other day. You should be ashamed Keita, it's no wonder no school but Kurogin would take him. He'll get expelled from there soon enough anyway. Then you'll have a real delinquent on your hands."

While the man talked, I tried to work my arm out of my father's death grip.

"Not if I beat some sense into him, first." Still holding my arm he drew back a fist.

Oh god! He wouldn't dare, we were in public. He wouldn't dare. The blow would have knocked me flat except for his grip on my arm. Several more blows sent me reeling. He'd never snapped like this before, never when he was sober. I'd always thought it was just the alcohol. Always hoped it was just the alcohol.

"Dad, wait plea-" I landed hard on my back everything threatening to fade out around me. I made it to an elbow only to yelp in surprise as he grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled me to my knees.

"I am not going to have a worthless son."

The last thing I saw was Hayato and Ryu running up behind him as he drew back his fist again.