Hey all, I was going through my story when I came across loads of grammatical mistakes… so I went to republish all the chapters. Hahaha.

For new readers, this story revolves around Len who is now a guardian of six children. Heh heh heh. It's filled with fun and laughter, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it (:

Chapter 1: First Meeting

The air was bitterly cold and the ground frozen solid. Snowflakes fell against the background of a dark starry sky. In the day, Tokyo was a busy city coated with a blanket of white frosting. But at night it was a different landscape. The snow had stopped falling by then, and whatever had melted in the day started to freeze. Frequent flashes from the headlights of cars lighted up the frozen icicles. Somewhere beyond the clump of snow, six children trudged on.

The oldest boy cradled a young girl in his right arm while his left hand held on firmly to the exposed hand of a young boy with orange eyes. Behind him was a boy who was slightly younger than the first. He had his hands on the shoulders of two other kids, a red head and a blonde. The red-haired girl was constantly rubbing her hands together to stay warn, Unable to resist the cold, she sped up to the boy in front.

"Ryou-nii, my hands are freezing!" she wailed.

The green-haired boy stopped in his tracks and looked sadly at the girl. He wished he could help her but he didn't have gloves as well. In fact, none of the children were dressed warmly at all. He reluctantly took off his scarf and wrapped the girl's hands with it.

"But won't you be cold without it?" she asked.

"I'll be fine," he lied. He could already feel the cold creeping up his neck.

"Where are we going?" the young boy who held Ryou's hand asked.

"I'm hungry," Kaho complained.

"And sleepy," the blonde boy remarked.

Ryou sighed painfully. "I...I don't know, but I'll find a place for us stay soon, okay? Just hold on, it'll be over soon. Just hold on."

He said those three words again just to reassure himself. He had no idea where they were going, or what was to become of them. All he knew was that they had to carry on.

It was midnight and almost every light was out. As the six children walked on, they came to a house on a hill. It was a large house with a black Victorian gate and only one room was lit. Inside, someone was playing the violin. The tired children stopped to rest and listen.

In the room, Tsukimori was practicing his violin as usual. He had a concert in a month's time and he wanted it to be perfect by then. As his music crescendo, he gradually approached the climax. Right at the crucial point, the ring of the doorbell broke his concentration. Tsukimori cursed silently as he looked into the screen to see which moron had disrupted his playing. What he saw made him even madder.

"What do you want? I have no business with pesky children like you." Ryou was taken aback by the hostility. "My…My name is Ryoutaro, and I was wondering if you could so kindly give us…" Click. Tsukimori switched off the speaker. Irritating kids, he thought. The other four children huddled around Ryoutaro in cold. The young girl in his arm started to cry. He couldn't let them suffer anymore. After all, it was his fault they were out in the snowy night in the first place.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. The bell rang continuously. Tsukimori was really pissed off now. He punched the speaker button and hollered, "If you don't leave this instance, I'm calling the police!" The children quivered under his voice and Ryoutaro took a deep breath before blurting out, "Please! I'm begging you! We're all so tired and sleepy, and we can't bear this cold anymore. Just one night! Then we'll be gone! Just-" Click. The speaker was switched off again.

Ryoutaro clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He had anticipated it from the start. Who would want to take in a couple of kids who were loitering around the street? But still, he felt a pang of disappointment. As he began to lead the group away, the front gate opened. A blue-haired man swung open the door and a gush if icy wind blew in. "One night." He held up his finger sternly. All the children cried out in relief and flooded into the house. Len quickly closed the door to block out the freezing weather.

Inside, the children stared in awe. It was a house fit for the wealthy. The floors were marbled and a chandelier hung grandly on the high ceiling. The walls were painted beige and the soft carpet caressed their weary feet. It was big and cozy, and most of all, it was warm.

Tsukimori wondered why he even bothered letting them in. Maybe it was because of the crazy storm brewing outside or the slight pity he felt for them. Either way, he had too much food in his home and didn't mind giving them away. The children threw their outer coats on the floor and hastily propped themselves up on the high dining chairs. A purple-haired boy picked up the coats and folded them. A blonde boy was having difficulty climbing up and Tsukimori lifted him with ease. Whoa, he's light, Len thought. As he looked around, he counted a total of six children. They were all sleepy and tired but they were still talking energetically.

The oldest boy whom Tsukimori talked to previously went up to introduce himself.

"Thank you again. We're really glad."

The other children nodded their heads violently, as if to agree with him.

"I'm Tsuchiura Ryoutaro. He is Yunoki Azuma," pointing to the long purple-haired boy.

"I'm Hihara Kazuki!" a younger boy with green hair beamed. His orange eyes shone. "And she's Hino Kahoko," pointing both arms at the red head.

Kahoko smiled and held out her right hand to point at the blonde boy.

"My name is Shimizu Keichi," the blonde said drowsily before Kahoko had the chance of saying anything. Kahoko then pointed her hand at a young girl with light green hair.

"She's Fuyumi Shouko!" Shouko looked up anxiously. Tsukimori couldn't tell whether her cheeks were red from blushing or from the cold.

"What's your name?" Kahoko asked.

"Me? I'm Tsukimori Len."

"Can we call you Len-nii?"

"No you may not."

Tsukimori went into the kitchen before she could say anymore. When he came out, he carried a large tray of assortments and fruits. Ryoutaro distributed the food evenly and they all said their thanks together. Itadakimasu. The children started to devour the food.

Azuma was chewing on an apple when he turned to Ryoutaro and asked, "Do you think we can really find our parents?" Ryoutaro who was busy feeding Shouko put down his fork.

"I really don't know. But I'm sure we can find them."

"Why don't we try the police?" Azuma queried.

"No! Once we go to the police, the old man will catch us! We can't afford that risk."

Tsukimori wondered what they were gabbling about but decided not to poke his nose into other people's business. He stayed in the living room and watched them eat, afraid that they may steal his stuff and run away. The two boys never brought up that topic again after that.

They look like they haven't eaten in days. Len noticed that they were all very skinny and their skin wrapped their naked skeleton tightly.

When they were done, the four children huddled together on the soft carpet and fell into a deep slumber. Ryoutaro and Azuma stayed back to wash up the plates and utensils. At least these children have mannerism, Len thought satisfactory.

"I'll turn up the floor heater," Tsukimori told Ryoutaro.

After ensuring the children were all comfortable and warm, he retreated into his chambers. Stifling a yawn, he collapsed onto his head and lay awake for a while thinking about his upcoming concert in February before succumbing to sleepiness.

The next morning, Tsukimori was woken abruptly by a loud crash. He jolted upright and scrambled to see what had caused it. As he flung open the door, his face turned scarlet. Cushions and food were thrashed around the hall. Yoghurt was splayed everywhere, even on the ceiling. The curtains were torn and his sofa was stained with jam. In the middle of it all lay a broken glass table. Two children were running around and laughing, throwing fruit cakes at each other. Kazuki held a tart in each palm; his face was smeared with peanut butter. He took aim at Kahoko. Keichi sat quietly at a corner, hugging a jug of honey and suckling honey off his thumb. Shouko and Azuma were still sleeping while Ryoutaro had probably woken up from the crash too. He stood and gaped in horror at the mess.

Tsukimori stomped forth and grabbed the hand of the giggling girl roughly. She winced in pain but he ignored it.

"Look what you did you my house you brats!" he bellowed.

The house turned deathly quiet. The children stared at him, before covering their mouths to hide their giggling. Kazuki was the first to break into hysteric laughter.

"What's so funny you brat?" Tsukimori snapped.

"Big bro… You… You like a clown!" Kazuki explained between peals of laughter.

The other children started to laugh along. Tsukimori was seriously fuming by now.

"Get out! All of you! Now!"

He opened the door and tossed the girl out. The other children hastily gathered their belongings and scurried out. Ryoutaro tried to apologize and offered to clean his house, but Tsukimori was obviously in no mood to listen. It was a mistake to take them in after all. They had turned his house upside down in just one night. After making sure the children were truly far away, he slammed the door and headed to the bathroom to wash his face.

As he entered the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror, he let out a shriek. His fringe was all tied up with a rubber band and he had two ponytails at each side. His face was vandalized with markers. Tsukimori muttered under his breath and viciously washed his face.

Ryoutaro sighed heavily, they had destroyed the house of the person who had given them warmth and food. Shaking his head, he carried Shouko and was about to set off once again when he noticed that she was unusually hot. Upon closer examination, his face went pale. She was shivering uncontrollable and panting heavily. Sweat dripped from her chin and her throat burned with each breath. She was gravely ill.

Tsukimori picked up the phone and dialed his housekeeper's number. As he waited for her to answer, he stepped carefully around the broken glass and into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. The kitchen was in a worse state than the hall.

"Good morning Mr. Tsukimori. How may I help you?" the voice on the other end asked mechanically.

"I need you to clean a very big mess. And fix a broken table."

"Did something happen?"

"A tornado broke in here last night."

The housekeeper coughed. "Anything else?" she asked.

"Yes, one more thing. Bring a ladder," Tsukimori said as he scowled at the ceiling.

"As you wish," the phone died.

Tsukimori exhaled. Placing the phone down, he realized with disgust that it was coated in honey. Urgh.

The bell rang loudly and frightfully. He peered into the speaker with a murderous face and it soon became thunder when he realized that it was the children again.

"What do you want this time? Wrecking my house isn't enough for you? I swear I'll send you all to-"

"Something's wrong!" Ryoutaro interrupted. "Something's wrong! She…She can't breathe!"

Shouko was wheezing as she gasped for air like a fish. Oh God, she has fever. Tsukimori quickly picked up the phone again, ready to dial for the ambulance. Then he hesitated and placed it down. His car would be faster.

Hastily, he drove out his car and shoved the children in. Tsukimori stepped hard on the accelerator and sped towards the hospital. Destroying his house was one thing, and Tsukimori was going to get back at them later. But letting a young kid die in the cold was another. No matter how devilish they were, no kid deserved to die. His Ferrari flew down the road.

As soon as he reached the entrance, he opened the door and the children scrambled out. Carrying Shouko in his arms, he ran up the steps to the reception.

"Hello sir, how may I help you?" The lady behind the counter asked.

Noticing the flushed girl in his arms, she immediately led him into the emergency room, no questions asked.

The other children chattered nosily, asking the nurse if Shouoko was going to be alright. The nurse smiled and patted their heads.

"She'll be fine, our doctors are the best after all."

As the children waited outside anxiously, Ryoutaro walked up to Tsukimori to thank him again. For the first time, Tsukimori noticed that he was a dark and tall boy. His dark jade eyes were mature and determined.

"I don't know how to thank you. You helped us twice," Ryoutaro said gratefully.

Tsukimori just merely shrugged and glanced away.

"By the way, would you mind telling me what you children are doing in this kind of crazy weather? You guys are not even properly dressed," Len stated, noticing that these children were not wearing any scarves or gloves, just a pair of torn jean pants and a patched up oversized coat. Their shoes were falling apart and their hair stuck to their faces.

"We're from Light Orphanage," Ryoutaro finally said unwillingly. Azuma shot him a look of surprise but Ryoutaro ignored it. "We ran away last night."

"What are you crazy? Even if you want to run away, choose a better day! Don't run away on this sort of crazy night and fall sick," Tsukimori exclaimed.

Ryoutaro settled down explained to him. He explained about how Light Orphanage wasn't a proper orphanage though it was legally approved by the government and that the children there were kidnapped from young. Ryoutaro himself was brought there when he was six. When his parents were killed in a car crash, the kidnappers quickly took him away and the police assumed that he had died together with his parents.

As the years went by, Ryoutaro learned that the orphanage sold the children to work overseas. In the past few months, the number of children declined rapidly, before they knew it, they were the only six left. Then one night, Ryoutaro overheard a conversation of the boss telling his client that he would sell the remaining six children by the end of the week. So he knew that they had to escape or be forever bound to the terrible fate that lay ahead.

Ryoutaro also explained that they hoped to find their parents from this escape. Tsukimori now understood what he and Azuma were discussing the previous night. These children were victims of a cruel criminal.

"Is the orphanage a legal one?" he asked.

"Yes, like I said. Corrupted but legal," Ryoutaro said.

Tsukimori had heard of screwed up orphanages that didn't provide proper living conditions for the children before. But kidnapping them was against the law. If he allowed the children to continue with their plan, they would either get caught or die sooner or later. He couldn't report this matter to the police either. If this sort of corrupted organization could go undetected by the police for so many years, it most probably meant that they had an ally in the police, so bringing these criminals to light would require cautious planning and good connections.

Tsukimori suddenly thought of the mayor whom he had recently become quite acquainted with ever since his first debut in the music society. He's perfect, Tsukimori thought.

He turned to Ryoutaro and said, "I know how to capture those kidnappers, but you need to follow my instructions. I have a good connection with the mayor, and I believe he can track down the organization for you without them knowing. But in the meanwhile, you would have to stay with me. Is that all right with you?"

Ryoutaro could not believe what he was hearing. He got down on his knees and bowed till his forehead touched the floor. Azuma hurriedly joined him and Tsukimori had to urge them to stop it as people were starting to stare.

"Why are you doing this? After how we destroyed your house, and troubled you to send Shouko to the hospital. And to pay for the bill. And-"

"This is because you guys aren't going to survive long if you stay outside. Sooner or later, either the owner will find you or you will die from the cold. In any case, you guys won't make it," he said flatly, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"Since your orphanage is a 'legal' one, your boss can't do anything if I adopt you. As of now, I am officially your guardian."

Tsukimori was 21, above the legal age for adoption. He smirked as he thought how the boss would be fuming when he realized the six children had been adopted. And how he would have to answer to his client. Then he thought of the press that would come to know of this news. Since he was a famous musician, it wouldn't be long before someone found out. As well as the responsibility of six children. Not one, but six bouncing kiddies. He thought about how his house would be burned down sooner or later or explode. He groaned. Crap, I'm going to be a father.

Chapter one comes to an end here (: please review

The ages have not been clearly stated so I'll say it here

Tsukimori Len : 21

Tsuchiura Ryoutaro : 12

Yunoki Azuma : 10

Hihara Kazuki : 8

Hino Kahoko : 7

Shimizu Keichi : 6

Fuyumi Shouko : 4