It seems a pity I have to waste this room to argue, bit I will do it. Mask, you constantly complain about the same thing. This story is too 'same' to the rest of my others, etcetera etcetera. So you keep on reading it. Why? If my writing annoys you to such an extent and you can already accurately predict what is going to happen, then why do you continue reading it?

I don't mind you reviewing and saying what you think, don't get me wrong. You want to say it is crap and you think it stinks, go right ahead. But you are not under any obligation to continue reading. I know that personally, the only books I continue reading that I don't like are ones that I have to read, like school books. But I am not standing over you with a big stick and forcing you to read on pain of death or cooties or whatever. So why do you continue torturing yourself?

Of course my writing style is going to be the same. It is still me writing, after all. I tend to keep the same thoughts from each story because it is still the same character and they still think the same way. This story is not going to change because you've dropped in a review. The formatting has been fixed since the beginning, and it's more then likely that it will remain that way until the conclusion. That's mostly what I don't understand (and yes, I'm stupid, I will admit that readily).

You keep on reading even though it's obvious to everybody and their pet dog you aren't enjoying it. How come? As before, this isn't meant to be an offensive bitchy statement, just a question. But if you take offence, then that isn't really my problem.

And no, I am proud of myself. I have never watched a single episode of any soapie. One of my claims to fame. :)

Anyway, that's my rant. To the rest of you, I hope you enjoy. Of course, I hope that everyone will enjoy, but there's more chance of the rest of you enjoying it, is there not?

"So. You actually want to talk with me now?"

A small twinge of guilt. "Who told you?"

"Nobody. You can accuse me of a lot of things when I am inebriated to the point of stupidity, but forgetting things is not one of them,"

He made a face. "I'll remember that,"

Ryu walked alongside him in silence. It was comfortable. Seemed a lot friendlier then they had been for a while.

The girls were far in front of them, chattering away happily. They were trailing behind them, walking slowly down the street. "Even when we are arguing, it seems a lot lonelier without you to talk to," he admitted.

Ryu smiled gently. "I agree completely with that- Hayate, get out of the way!"

He just had time to move before a car drove onto the area of footpath he was previously on, honking the horn wildly. Pedestrians scattered, clearing the pathway for the unruly vehicle, which continued driving down the footpath before turning the corner, tyres screeching, and heading down the road to the beach.

"Who the hell was that?" he gasped, catching his breath and staring inquisitively at Ryu.

"I couldn't be one hundred percent sure, but it looked like Leon and his cronies. God knows what they were doing, driving down the path of a crowded city area like that…" Ryu started walking again, shaking his head. "The fools. Anybody could have been injured, were their reflexes not fast enough,"

"Hurry up, you two! We haven't got all day, you know!" Ayane was staring at them both, hands on her hips. "You can have make-out time later!"

He sighed. "Not again. If I didn't know better, it seems she likes the idea of us being together,"

Ryu made a slight face. "Don't even insinuate it. I've heard it enough already,"

Lisa was laughing at them again. "What do you think of her?" he asked his friend.

"I'm not quite sure, actually," Ryu admitted. "She seems nice enough, but… I'm not certain,"

"She has nice legs, though,"

Ryu shot him a glare.

"Okay, okay… although you have to admit she does. And her… assets… aren't half bad, either…"

"Hayate!"

"Alright… fine… where's your sense of humour, Ryu?"

"I have a sense of humour. Just commenting in what is supposed to be an offhanded manner about a female's… assets, as you call it, does not comply with what rules my humour has,"

"Your humour has rules? And shouldn't you have referred to the assets as 'them', not 'it'?"

"Shut up, Hayate,"

"Shut up? How positively eloquent,"

Ryu sighed. "One point to you,"

He couldn't stop the grin from breaking out on his face.

"Could I ask you a favour?" he questioned suddenly, the grin disappearing instantly.

"Of course. Whether I accept it or not is completely different, however,"

Silence for a moment.

"Maths homework. Last night, I was working on it and Father lost it at me because he thought I wasn't and all. I'm just… having trouble again,"

"I'll help you," Ryu looked sideways at him and smiled.

Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by Ryu's phone ringing. Looking surprised, Ryu answered it.

"Hello? Yes, yes… I understand… oh, god… really… alright, I will be there as soon as I can. Thankyou… yes, give me ten minutes or so… thankyou… bye,"

Ryu turned to him. "I have to go,"

"What's happened?"

"Father's suffered a massive stroke. They're not sure whether he'll make it,"

"Oh, Ryu," he said helplessly, not knowing what on earth to say. "I'm sorry,"

Ryu gave him a wry smile. "Don't worry about it. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

How can he be so relaxed about this?

"Do you need a place to stay?"

Ryu shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. See you later,"