Quick lot of notes this round: Wussy? -Falls over laughing- Yeah, probably. Him, Hayate… everyone! That's what happens when you let Hayabusa-obsessed fangirls write a story. Some people call it angst and character development… others have a blunter way of putting it. -Round of applause- I like it!

Actually, Helena isn't intending to be bitchy as such. She wants to help Kasumi but doesn't realise that helping her will hurt her, too.

Summary of this chapter: Kasumi chucks a wobbly! Hope you enjoy And thanks for reviewing, as always!

"Never thought you would…" was the first comment that greeted him as he entered the school gates, hurriedly adjusting his tie. He had been running late that morning.

Never thought I would what? "What on earth are you talking about, Brad?" he asked his somewhat tipsy friend, even though it wasn't even nine in the morning yet.

"Oh, you know… you and that other chick, hook up…" Brad trailed off.

Probably some random alcohol-induced ramble… he quickly dismissed it, tying up his hair loosely, still wet from the shower. That was, until several girls came up to him, year elevens from memory, and literally herded him into the wall.

"Hayabusa! Hayabusa! Is it true?"

"Is what true?" he asked exasperatedly. "I have to get to-"

"That you and Ayane are in love?" one of the girls asked innocently.

What?! Who… someone must have seen us down at the shops when I… but… who? I don't remember seeing anybody that we knew there…

"No, it isn't true. Now, if you will excuse me…" he attempted to push through the now rapidly growing circle of girls from numerous year levels, but to no avail.

"Well, we heard that you two were in love. And you…"

Before he knew what he was doing, his feet had taken him over to the young girl speaking.

"We what?"

The girl shrank back, clearly intimidated.

"You… you know," One of the girl's friends finished.

He pursed his lips. You know… surely they don't mean… oh, god.

"Look, if I hear another word about this then you all are going to face serious repercussions. Understand? Every single one,"

The girls fell silent immediately. To be disciplined by him was something very rare, which was probably why he had got their attention so quickly.

She felt numb, numb to the bone. He and Ayane… love each other… and… did that? Oh my god… no… how could he…? I knew that we wouldn't work out, but I…

…heck, I still loved him. This hurts so badly…

When Helena told me, I assumed it was just something small. But…

The group of girls suddenly fell silent, and it was then she heard Hayabusa's voice.

"Another word, just one more word about this and you will all be very sorry,"

She nodded slowly. Hayabusa had an almost vindictive way of staying to his words to the letter, and if he said they would be sorry, then she knew that they would be. It wasn't often he gave punishment and used his position, but when he did, the punishment would be harsh.

Very harsh.

The group of girls scarpered, dispersing instantaneously. She tried to move away with the group, but he spotted her.

"Kasumi,"

Even just hearing his voice hurt now. It was alright when he was neither mine nor Ayane's. Even with Irene it was fine. But now, that he's with Ayane, it just proves she's beaten me. She's better then me. And it's so… unfair.

He reached out a hand to her, probably to touch her shoulder or something, but she moved away quickly before he could. A mildly confused expression crossed his face.

"What's wrong, Kasumi?"

"You… you just turned me down, embarrassed me at the formal to run into my half-sister's arms, didn't you?" Her voice was rising. "Even when I only had the best intentions! All I wanted was to do something special for you and Irene; you just throw it back in my face! Yes, I thought after then, that we could never be. But I didn't expect you to reject me then go straight back to Ayane! Did she make a nice lay, then?"

Nice lay? Now I'm even beginning to sound like Ayane. She narrowed her eyes. I don't care. I thought that he was more of a gentleman, even more of a decent person then to do that! I really did care about him, and then I decided to move on for him… and he just goes to Ayane! Straight into Ayane's arms!

Emerald eyes turned as cold as ice. "What are you trying to imply, Kasumi?"

"I'm not trying to imply a thing!"

She was screaming now. Letting all her bottled-up anguish out into the open.

"I'm TELLING you! I'm TELLING you that you have the morals of a twisted sociopath! Turn me down and run to Ayane… you could have just TOLD me that you were sleeping with her, instead of lying through your teeth to me! I loved you, Hayabusa, I really did, or as much as I knew how! You meant that much to me!"

A small crowd was beginning to gather. In less-then polite terms, she told them to go away.

It takes a lot to make me angry. But boy, when I get angry, I get ANGRY.

"But, no. You turn me down to run to my half-sister. Thanks a lot for nothing, Hayabusa! I thought you were a nicer person then this. Obviously not,"

She barged through the group of people, running for the toilets.

Love can drive you to drastic measures. Even a teenager's naïve view on love means a lot.

Hayabusa… Ayane… how could you?

Her mind drifted back, to those shows on television where people spoke about being in love and getting married. She could picture herself on one, easily. That hurt, too.

Kasumi. Can you imagine yourself spending your life with this man?

Do you take this man to be the one that holds your heart?

Tears blurred her vision as she continued running.

I do. Or…

I did.