This story's hit over 200 reviews! That is sooooo wonderful! Thankyou so much for reviewing… but please let me keep my war-hammer! *Sniff*

My god. Lordfolken, you really flatter me. I was reading your review and blushing so badly, I thought my face was going to burn and fall off my neck. Ahh… if I am truly a goddess then Hayabusa is my lil' bitch. (okay, kidding, before you all give me weird looks) He can be my god. *Grin* But seriously… I don't think it's that good for you to crown me a goddess, but hey, if you want to give me chocolate, then I can live with that ^_^

Gah, my cheeks are still flushing… *blush*

That's made me think. Must make Hayabusa shrine! *Big grin* Mmm, Hayabusa… okay, I'm sorry! I'm trying! ^_^

*

"He's going to be charged with assault. So is Raidou. Lucky you were just acting in your defence, otherwise you would have been as well. Same with Ayane. Out of court hearing, since all the evidence and witnesses pointed the same way,"

He let out a sigh of relief, expelling a breath he hadn't realised he had been holding. "That's… good," he managed to get out instead.

"But, punk?" he glanced up into unreadable sky blue eyes at Rachel addressing him, albeit in a rather demeaning manner. "You're still going to see one of our psychiatric therapists. I'm not sure about you, and it's one of the conditions we're letting you go scot-free,"

"There's no point," he protested weakly. "Father already made me see the counsellor at school and that was a waste of time,"

"Just humour us, okay?" Rachel leaned forward, giving him an impassive look and a less-then modest view of her chest. "What do you have against shrinks, anyway?"

"They listen to you complain and then tell you things that anyone with common sense would be able to tell you and get paid for it. What isn't there to like?" he sighed, eyes dropping to the slash on his arm. It had begun to heal, yes, but was still tender. "Besides, it automatically puts you as an eccentric. I don't see myself like that,"

"Your father was bashing the shit out of you. It gives you justification to see a shrink without falling into the 'crazy' stereotype,"

He couldn't stop the light flush from making its way onto his cheeks. "He wasn't,"

Rachel rolled her eyes. "We got witnesses, remember? We know more about this then you do. Remember, we sniff out conspiracies from everything?"

"Okay, fine…" he mentally cringed at the memories which her words evoked. "But it doesn't mean I have to agree with you,"

"So soon?" Sky blue eyes rolled upwards to the roof. "I was looking forward to you putting up a fight. Makes my job easier. I argue and get paid for it,"

"So sorry to disappoint you," he muttered.

"Hey," Hayate greeted him. Even though his friend hadn't mentioned his horrible words since the evening of the 'arrest', he was still worried about Hayate. "How did it go?"

"Not as badly as it could have, I suppose,"

Hayate shrugged. "I get it. Seeing a shrink? That's nothing,"

"It's stupid. I'm not going,"

When gold met green, he knew that he had said the wrong thing, or perhaps simply too loudly. "You should. Gives you time to vent. And not on me,"

The flush that had graced his cheeks earlier appeared again. "I can't apologise any more then I have already,"

"Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have mentioned it, either,"

There was an awkward silence that had never been there before. He remained still, eyes averted from his friend's intense gaze.

"So. When do you get to be called crazy again?" Hayate asked finally.

"On Wednesday. Day after tomorrow. The only thing that I'm looking forward to are the two periods of math I miss out on," he sighed softly. "Is that the only reason I'm going there in the first place, to be called crazy? Firstly, you could do it. Secondly, it's probably because that woman likes to make me squirm,"

"Yo," A bruised, but otherwise normal looking Ayane walked out, holding three cups of coffee carefully. "Take some. It's burning my fingers, so hurry before I drop the blasted things,"

There was silence for a moment as they sat at the café's table, sipping the coffee. "So," Ayane started finally. "What happened to that dickhead Raidou? Are they cutting his balls?"

"Charging him with assault," he corrected monotonously.

She snorted. "Boring. I'll beat the shit out of him and steal all his money," she declared.

"Whatever," Hayate muttered. "Besides, you started this in the first place. If you hadn't called that guy a wanker then he wouldn't have come out of the bushes and all this wouldn't have happened,"

"Don't blame this on me!" she exclaimed indignantly. "It's Hayabusa's fault for having such a dick for a father!"

"I do apologise," he said heavily, putting the coffee cup down heavily and standing up.

"Where are you going?" Hayate asked bemusedly.

You sound so naïve, Hayate. How do you manage it? You and Kasumi… both so innocently unaware. I wish I could be more like that. "Away,"

He smiled sadly, dropping some change on the table. "See you at school tomorrow,"

"Okay. That wasn't my fault,"

"What do you mean it wasn't your fault?" Hayate retorted. "You're the one who's so insensitive. You really are a bitch sometimes, Ayane,"

"Don't criticise me!" Perhaps I'm so angry because he's right. No… wait, what am I thinking… he's not right! Gah! "He's just too sensitive. Who really gives a shit, anyway. It's over and done, nothing else can be done about it now,"

Are they right? Am I really just a good-for nothing?

He was walking along the street to his house, kicking a rock steadily in the process.

I don't know. I really don't know anymore.

Kick. Kick.

This sort of thinking is too deep. I don't like it. Rachel would have a field day if she knew.

Kick.

And Hayate. I can't say how sorry I am to him, not properly. Words don't do it justice. I can't believe I was so tactless to say that to him. Especially since I've seen how it's bothered him, eaten away at him since the accident. I really am an ass sometimes.

He reached the doorway. Nobody home. His father was who-knows where.

Oh well. Live each day as it comes, like Irene always used to say. Although, I don't think that she meant it in the context I'm going to take it.

The key slipped in the lock. The door swung forward, admitting him into the dark house.

Ayane. I don't know what to think about you. You confuse me.

Up the stairs. The second to the top stair creaked under his weight. As always.

She probably thinks I went because of what she said. I didn't. Just… I needed to go.

Opening his door, coming to his own familiar area.

I think I just need to be alone for a while…

*