( WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS SUPER RUSHED SO I CAN'T GUARANTEE PERFECTION)

How dare they?
Hurt me I don't care, but to hurt him....
It's only fair I hurt them back, don't you think?
After all, Ichimatsu Nii-San's my favourite person...
It's only right to protect the things you love, isn't it?

Of course, I didn't know that then, but that's just because I had yet to discover I could fight back...

Ahaha, It's a scary thought isn't it? To feel powerless...

~last chapter ~

"Jyushimatsu...Are you scared?" Ichimatsu Nii-San asked crouching beside me. Previously, we had been cuddling, and I was so happy, but I can't let that get in the way. I can't ever let him know about what happened....

Almost immediately I turned my body away feeling my stomach drop as guilt washed over me. It was the right thing to tell him but I could never let him worry...My shoulders began to tremble, mentally scolding myself for this I began to shuffle around to make it look more natural hoping Ichimatsu Nii-San hadn't noticed.

"A-Ahaha!~ Scared? Me? Nooooo way!" I cheered hoping I sounded normal before fumbling to my feet and rushing out of the room. Grabbing my hoodie and shorts as I did so. I felt terrible for leaving but at this point I'd spill the secret...I couldn't have Ichimatsu Nii-San ever become a part of this.

~ A little later~

After a nice long walk I began to calm down. It was always good to get out my energy so that I could think clearly. Humming softly I roamed around for an apology gift for Ichimatsu Nii-San. After all, I must've made him upset suddenly leaving like that...

The city is always funnest in the day because it's surrounded by other people, so it was less scary! However, I personally like to hang around the alleyways if I'm not at the park because I usually find kitties! Ichimatsu Nii-San loves kitties!

'Ichimatsu Nii-San...I wonder where he is now.' I found myself thinking as I stared down at my slippers. None the less, I had to find something. With this in mind, I continued to jog my way through the vast alleyways.

Then, interrupting my thoughts was a high pitched meow that I recognized right away. 'KITTEN.' I thought with the little ahoge in my hair shot up.

The next little while I spent trying to track down the high pitched call of the kitty. Much to my surprise, I got lucky and found it pretty quick! A little black kitten with yellow eyes stared up at me curiously.

With a proud giggle I softly scooped it up into my arms. Ichimatsu Nii-San always did love to meet new strays. I smiled playing with the small kitten in my hand as we began to walk.

"Nii-San's gonna love you so so much~" I hummed nuzzling the now purring kitty. I couldn't help but smile. It was just too cute!~ how could I not?

Then, I heard something that made me stop dead in my tracks. The sound of Ichimatsu Nii-San with the voice of the seniors...Thinking it was just my imagination I took a few steps forward. After all, If Ichimatsu was really there I had to do something.

Trudging forward I noticed the sounds of slapping and loud bangs. Pausing for a moment I realized that once I turned that corner there'd be no turning back. Trembling, I clung closely to the small kitten squirming in my grasp. I shook my head and plastered on a smile hoping to give Ichimatsu his present.

Then, my stomach dropped.

~TimeSkip~
( to the end of last chapter)

I grit my teeth. How dare they?! At this point, I'd done everything I could think of...They promised not to hurt him and they lied! Not only that, but they hurt mine and Ichimatsu's friend!

"Y-You guys...." I growled through clenched teeth. Feeling an emotion I had never truly felt before raging within my chest.

"Hurt my Nii-San..." I added looking down at the ground. My hair covering up my eyes temporarily blurring my vision. During this,
I had a thought...What if I found a way that they'd never hurt Nii-San ever again...Wouldn't that be nice?

Then, as if to snap Me out of my sudden trance the leader pulled away from Ichimatsu Nii-San to walk up to me. "And just what are you gonna do about it smiley? Would you rather us just kill him now?" He asked roughly gripping onto my bruised arm.

I winced turning away. I hated the mockery in his tone. "I-I'll..." I stuttered trembling with fury. On a sudden impulse I threw the leader against the wall roughly causing surprise to wash across his face. "I'll kill you...I'll kill you damnit! Don't ever touch my Ichimatsu!" I threatened throwing the leader away. I could feel the intensity on my face through my eyes. My smile growing larger as I saw the leaders reaction.

The leader looked frightened. However, only a moment before two of his so called friends took hold of my arms. One came up behind me and kicked the back of my legs causing me to fall onto my knees before the leader.

"Now, Now...Keep this up and our little deal will be broken." The leader said tilting my head up roughly. I had enough. He had no right to hurt Ichimatsu like that. I quickly chomped down on his hand that had been caressing me. Causing the leader boy to pull away with a cry. He gave me a rough slap causing me to whimper out. My blind rage beginning to dilute within the overwhelming fear I felt towards the seniors.

Ichimatsu was panting for breath using the wall to support him. My lips trembled with guilt...Now that I had misbehaved I didn't even know what they'd do to him.

Tears began to glaze my eyes. "W-Wait! I'm sorry, I-I-" I stuttered out. "I don't know what came over me! I-I promise it won't happen again!" I begged on my hands and knees.

The leader looked as if he was processing my words for a moment before leaning down pulling me up by my hair. I weakly clung onto him feeling pathetic for giving up so easily. "Please...D-Don't hurt Ichimatsu Nii-San..." I begged.

"We weren't gonna hurt'em. We're just gonna have some fun is all~" the heavily accented yakuza wanna be cooed causing me to go frantic.

"H-Hang on, please not that! N-N-Nii-San wouldn't like that!" I pleaded.

It truly was a horrible feeling... From weak, to angry to purely helpless...I couldn't do anything to help Ichimatsu.

Then, it hit me.

Letting go of the leader I scrambled to my feet and ran as fast as I could to Ichimatsu carefully scooping up the injured cat next to him. "Nii-San hurry!" I exclaimed pulling him to his feet and beginning to run. I knew it was a stupid idea but anything would be better then having Ichimatsu hurt again...

The boy's were about to lunge for us when out of the corner of my eye I saw him signal for them to stop.

"This isn't over smiley." He said simply. At that moment I knew,

Those words would haunt me for the rest of time...

~

After a little while of running I managed to get Ichimatsu Nii-San near the house. I panted for breath falling onto my scrapped knee's.

"Jyushimatsu..." Ichimatsu murmured breaking the silence. I managed a weak smile towards him.

"Y-Yeah Nii-San?!" I asked faking an overly happy tone. Guilt filling my body once more. Now he knew I had lied to him...

He sighed and lowered himself onto my level softly cupping my dirt and tear stained cheeks.

"Why didn't you tell me...?" He asked. His tone didn't seem demanding. Just concerned...

"B-Because-" I paused realizing just how weak I sounded. "I-I'm ok! Muscle Muscle h-"

Interrupting my cheer was Ichimatsu pulling me into a hug. Though it was such a simple action it managed to make me feel so safe and warm. My eyes widened as I let out a small sniffle. "N-Nii-San I-...I'm fine!" I insisted and he just shook his head.

"Don't be stubborn, it's ok to cry..." he murmured. His hand running gentle circles on my back.

"I-" I paused to hiccup slightly as I felt tears pricking my eyes and beginning to slip down my face. "I'm so sorry Nii-San! I-I *Hic* I'm so sorry I let them hurt you!" I sobbed and I could hear Ichimatsu's smile in his voice.

"Shh, Shhh it's ok..." he hushed me softly patting my head.

Jeez, I was really the worst...Not only could I not protect Nii-San but now he was babying me too. I loved it of course but I couldn't help but feel guilty.

After all, they had hurt him too...

"How long has this been going on?" He asked pulling away only slightly to wipe my tears.

"N-...Not long..." I murmured quietly.

He nodded and pulled me back into a hug where we remained in silence. None of us wanted to re think what had happened or re live it for that matter so the silence was just perfect.

~

End of Chapter 2

(( A/N: Hey I'm so sorry for the rushed chapter! Next time our story will skip up to present time. Also, don't worry I haven't forgotten about Ichi and Jyushi's cat friend. We'll see more of him next chapter. Anyway, thanks again for taking time to read my story. Also, always feel free to leave me questions, concerns and/or requests in the comments. I promise to do my best to make this a good read :) ))