No, Mask, I don't mind at all, honestly. It just amused me because I've pondered it a lot myself! Hehe! Yum, chocolate…

But on a more serious note… I'm trying to hack into his psyche here. Try and show everybody what a wonderful (cough) character Hayabusa is and more then just the super ninja. Yeah… I know what I'm trying to say. Even if no-one else can get what the hell is going on.

And my summary for this chapter would be… run, Forrest, run! Yay! Watch the kangaroos go! Anyway…

Gouki, I love your TV idea. Really, I do. Gave me some ideas.

Kasumi: He two-timed on me! -Slap-

Hayabusa: Hey! Stupid whore! -Hit-

Ayane: JERRY! JERRY!

Kasumi: Shut up, you ho!

Ayane: Who you calling a ho, slut? -Whack-

Hayate: -From sidelines- Give her the chair!

Kasumi: Yeah! -Grabs chair-

Ayane: Die, bitch! -Grabs another chair-

Hayate: -Puts feet up on seat- Glad I'm in the sidelines… -yawn-

Or something. Heh. Kasumi can't stand being left out, can she? Oh well. Hope Kasumi-fans don't go around eating me. And what's scary, this chapter's made me like Hayate a bit more. Well, to be honest, 'my' Hayate. My Hayate doesn't go around making rude-ass comments to Ryu (well… basically) and isn't a prick, so. Yeah. Anyway. On with the chapter! (Finally!)

What is it with girls and running away from me?

He sighed heavily. No use going after her. Kasumi was renowned for her easy-going nature and friendly demeanour… until she got angry. The angrier she was, the better it was for you to be far away.

"Ryu? Can you come here for a moment?"

He spun, to see his physics teacher waving at him. Reluctantly, he walked over, remembering belatedly that the physics paper he hadn't done the previous week because he had walked out was due, and he hadn't done it. "Yes, sir?"

"You know what…" the physics teacher trailed off. "What's this?"

A gesture reminded him of the bruises his father had inflicted the other day. "Oh, I… I, uh… fell off the roof," he said hastily, knowing full well that his pathetic lie would not be bought.

Sure enough, the only response he got for his statement was a raised eyebrow and a sceptical expression.

"It's true, sir. I was… sitting on the roof and I… sort of… fell off,"

"Assuming that you weren't doing your physics work?"

He thinks he's so amusing. Just because the physics sheet was on falling objects… "No, sir,"

"Have you done it at all?"

"No, sir,"

"You're lying to me, aren't you?"

"No, sir. I honestly haven't done the physics work,"

Mr G gave an exasperated sigh. "You know what I mean,"

"…No, sir…"

"Well, in that case… bullocks is all I have to say to that,"

"Bullocks, sir?" he asked, momentarily confused. Doesn't he mean 'bollocks'?

Shaking his head slowly, the physics teacher responded easily. "No. Mr Gale told me about that fuss you started in the class the other day about pigs and cows. 'Bullocks' is much more of an appropriate term,"

Not knowing how to respond to this unusual statement, he settled with, "Yes, sir,"

"What's going on, Ryu?"

Silence. I can't tell him. Father would murder me. On the other hand, just once, he wanted to tell somebody. Just to even be reminded that somebody cares. That's all. Someone that isn't Hayate, because both of his sisters seem to detest me. But I can't.

"Nothing is going on, sir. I just fell,"

It felt like a large weight was being lowered onto his shoulders, getting heavier and heavier until eventually, he would collapse under the weight.

"You might as well go, Ryu," Mr G gave a wave of his hand, dismissing him. He was about to speak, but then realised that the physics teacher didn't want to listen any longer.

He's angry at me too? Him and the rest of the world.

The bell rang. He ignored it.

Down the back oval, where he was least likely to be found. The beautiful trees and plants were calling out to him.

He sat down underneath a large-branched tree. Birds danced above him, almost as though they were constantly rejoicing over their freedom.

Freedom. I have thought about it.

But it's not right. I have to live on for Irene.

"Irene. What would you do?" he questioned aloud.

He shut his eyes, and could picture the vivacious blonde in his head easily, even after all the time that had passed since he had last seen her alive.

Just live life to the fullest, Ryu. You only live once, after all. Might as well enjoy it while you can. Do what you think is right.

"Perhaps," he muttered. "And that's what always seems to be wrong,"

"Never thought I'd see you skip a class," Hayate's head poked out from behind the tree, startling him and nearly causing him to topple off the log he was sitting on.

"Hayate? What are you doing here?"

His friend smiled; a gentle, kind smile. "Listening to you talk to yourself? Did you know that talking to yourself is the first sign of madness? But, no, that's not what I was doing. I have a free period now, but I know you don't,"

"Yes. I have an advanced maths class now, actually,"

Probably not the best thing to miss. But I don't care.

"Do you often come down here?" Hayate sat down on the log beside him.

"Yes. More often it seems to be when I am supposed to be in a class,"

"Me too. Although, not skipping the class thing. Father would kill me. But in frees, I always come down here. It's so nice and peaceful,"

Both of them fell silent, listening to the birds chirp happily in the trees above their heads.

Surprisingly, it was he that began feeling uncomfortable about the silence before Hayate.

"Both your sisters detest me now. Must be a hat trick or something,"

"You do have a knack," Hayate agreed.

"Have you ever had the feeling where it seems like everybody detests you?" he questioned in what was supposed to be an offhanded manner.

"Don't we all? But, yes. You feeling like that now?"

Hayate knows me too well. "A little. I wanted to talk earlier, but nobody wanted to listen,"

"Bull-shit," Hayate snorted. "I've been wanting you to talk for over five years. Talk to me,"

"Kasumi thinks that Ayane and I slept together. So, in the middle of the court-yard, she came over and began yelling at me, something like she loved me and I turned her down so I could go and sleep with Ayane," he said finally. "Ayane detests me because I stupidly tried to kiss her the other day. Don't ask what possessed me to do it, because I have no idea. My physics teacher asked what this was…" he gestured to the bruises on his face, "and got angry because I wouldn't tell him. God knows what he's thinking now. Just everything is getting to me and right now, I can't deal with it,"

"You know, you'll look back on this in a year and laugh," A thoughtful looking Hayate offered.

He nodded blankly.

I sound like such a whining fool. And he asks why I don't 'open up' enough. I don't want to depend on him. I don't want to depend on anybody.

He was on his feet before he knew what he had done.

"I don't want to depend on you, Hayate,"

"What?" Hayate stood up as well. "I don't mind. It's sign of a good friendship that you can talk to me about these things,"

"No. I don't want to depend on you. I don't want to lose a part of myself again if you die, Hayate. The only person that gets all of me from now on is me,"

"What about Ayane?"

A bitter laugh escaped his lips. "I gave her everything I could give her, everything I let myself have, and look where that got me,"

With that, he stood up and left. Running blindly, ignoring Hayate calling desperately after him.

I have to get out of here.