This chapter's a little late in coming, because I'm lazy. Sorry!

Anyway, thanks as always for reviewing, yeah?

Mask, deal :) I don't mind you dissing, as long as you give a reason behind it. And I was actually thinking how badly the last chapter proved my point, but… err… let's just forget that!

Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

His father was coming home today, after a few weeks in the hospital.

He had mixed feelings about that.

On one hand, he was glad that his father was alright.

On the other hand…

Perhaps he was just being selfish.

The shrill noise of his phone jolted him out of his reflections. "Yes?"

"Hey, stupid,"

He resisted the urge to sigh. "Hello, Ayane,"

"Hi,"

Silence. So much for decent conversation.

"Favour. Can you do my maths for me?"

What? "How come?"

"I can't do it,"

Fair enough, I suppose… "What is it?"

"Nothing overly strenuous. Just linear stuff,"

He shook his head, but responded in the affirmative. "Alright,"

"Thanks. I owe you one,"

She hung up, leaving the phone buzzing in his ear.

You've helped me. I suppose we're even now. Not that you would ever admit that yourself, of course. You're too stubborn to do something like that.

"Hey, Ryu! Your father's home. Want to come down?"

Murai's voice drifted up to him from downstairs. He made a slight face, getting heavily to his feet. I suppose I should go. Hopefully this… incident… has made him realise something.

But my guess is that he has realised nothing.

He walked slowly down the stairs. His father was still obviously not in good health, Murai's aid being needed for support. However, he looked infinitely better from the last time Ryu had seen him.

He had neglected to visit regularly over the course of his father's hospitalisation, for more reasons then one.

"Hello, Father. Do you need any assistance?"

Ken shook his head. "No. Ryu, sit down. I need to talk with you,"

Gingerly, he perched himself on the edge of the couch as his father lay down opposite him.

"This happening… it made me think,"

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe…

"Your mother wouldn't want me to be angry with you. She would want both of us to move on. She loved both of us and she would probably be very ashamed at the person that I have turned into,"

Murai came into the room, brought his father coffee and then left again.

"So, Ryu. I guess… I apologise,"

He stared across at his father in disbelief.

No, surely… he's…

It felt as though an enormous weight had been lifted off his shoulders at his father's words. He does really care for me. This… everything… isn't all for naught.

"Father… thankyou,"

"No problem," His father offered him a thin smile. "You better go upstairs and do your homework, then. Right?"

He nodded. How many years has it been since he last smiled at me…?

"The doctors said I can't drink for a while, either. So I guess there goes that. But it'll be okay. We'll be fine. Right? We can start again. A new start in your mother's name,"

Dumbly, he nodded again.

Thankyou.