Yay, I can have author's notes again. I feel special… haven't had these in ages.

Hassun/Gouki: Ah! I get it now. –Grin- And yeah, I like falcons anyway. They're very cool, no? And when you compare what you can link them with…

Wolf: Target practise, now that's an amusing imagery. Makes me laugh just thinking about it… Ryu and Hayate fall victim to dive-bombing fat pigeons or something. Heh.

Jamo (it's shorter then Metal Overload for me to type, even though I just did…): I will keep updating, never fear! Or maybe that is something to fear… err… never mind. Glad you liked it… and I'm sure something is brewing, but if I was ever allowed to know…

Fireinu: I wish everything would stay happy too. But you never know. That's the problem. Heck, I don't know until I write it, so you're as surprised as me. Ah well… we'll see what happens…

Ghost: Yeah, I agree completely with what you've said. To sum it up instead of you getting a bigger ramble, my proof-reader is the reason it's ended up so long. She is slightly slave-driving in the way she makes me write more and more of this beast-story, simply so she can go "Ayane's so cool" or something like that. However, that said, I'm glad you still like the story, despite the whole length-to-storyline-addition ratio.

A random note to nobody in particular: I am slowly but surely in the process of re-writing this story, see if I can get a better flow to it (or something…). Won't be re-posted for a long time yet, though, so don't look out for it.

Well, these notes are fat, so I had better stop. More writing for me to do… a plot bunny is brewing below the surface of my head, (As darned always) so I better go pull it out of the hat, or it might get cross at me. Until next time!

"Good evening-" he cut himself off abruptly at the sight that greeted him as he opened the door. Both his father and Murai were asleep or unconscious on the couches, cans of alcohol littering the floor beside them.

Great. Just wonderful. I didn't even know Murai drank.

He shut the front door less then gently, turning back to stare at the two inebriated adults with a slight frown on his face. Suddenly, Murai stirred, looking at him squarely.

"Ken told me the whole story. So much for you not being a murderer,"

"What-" he started, but before he could continue, Murai stood up, standing menacingly over him.

"How could you do that to your own father? Your own family?"

"I didn't-"

"Bull shit you didn't," his father, who he had dismissed to be passed out on the couch was sitting up now, glaring balefully at him.

Before he could react, Murai swung a fist at him. Even if he had noticed it in time, he would have been too stunned by the fact that it was actually Murai, as opposed to his father, to do anything in time.

The blow connected squarely. He reeled, trying to see through a damaged eye, struggling to maintain his balance.

"You deserve everything you get!" Murai roared. "You've ruined this family!"

Another punch, this time connecting with his nose. There was a solid crack and he could feel blood dripping slowly down his face from the impact of the blow.

But still, he did nothing. He couldn't do a thing. Never could, never would be able to.

God damn, he felt so helpless.

"You little good for nothing shit," his father hissed.

He assumed that it would be a good time to take his leave then and there. Backing up to the staircase, his hands reached behind him for the first throwable object. A vase.

He lobbed it to the ground, where it shattered instantly in front of his father and Murai. Luckily for him, neither Murai nor his father was wearing shoes, and their progress was halted by the sharp glass littering their only path to him. He dashed up the stairs, up to his room, locking the door.

What's happened to Murai? I never thought that he would…

I have to get out of here. I really have to get out of here. I won't see my eighteenth birthday by this stage.

Gathering up some of his personal belongings from around the room, he dropped them into a large sports bag, before picking up his phone and dialling. Seemed unusual, that whatever was going on between them that the number came so instantly.

"Yo," Hayate's voice drawled easily into the phone.

"Hayate, it's me," he spoke, more hastily then he had intended.

"Ryu?" Hayate sounded anxious at this stage. "What's up?"

"Could I… could I come around for a bit, please?"

"Ryu… slow down and tell me what's wrong,"

"Nothing, I-" he broke off abruptly, knowing that lying would help neither of them. "Father,"

Silence for a moment.

"Come on over. How long will you be staying?"

"Thankyou, Hayate, you're a life-saver,"

Another silence.

"I hope you mean figuratively, not literally," Hayate said finally.

He thinks it's that bad that he has to ask? "Thankyou. Is it alright if I stay the night?"

"No problem. Stay as long as you want to,"

"Are you sure?" he questioned. "I don't want to impose, but…"

"No. It's fine," Hayate said firmly. "Bring your stuff over. I'll see you soon,"

On the other hand, Ayane was struggling to stay awake during a compulsory snobby church service. Lucky bitch year twelves. Just because they're in year twelve that gives them legitimate reason to slack off and get out of it. Suppose I can get out of it next year, but. That's good. Damn good. Fucking geek… ticks us off and everything… anal-retentive little fucking git…

"Hey, Ay," Tina whispered under her breath. "Check this out,"

Tina passed her a phone. Taking it, she stared at the screen.

'H. U r 1 sxc lil gal. Ur hot & I wnt 2 c u soon. Meet me 1 mall, Sat. C u then. Luv ya. Z. XXX'

"Zack, huh?" she asked, passing the phone back to Tina, who passed it to Hitomi. Hitomi nodded, wrinkling her nose.

"Unfortunately. I know he's been seeing other girls behind my back. I've tried telling him that I'm not interested any longer but he can't seem to take a hint. A hint, or ten hints,"

"What's the XXX supposed to mean?" she questioned loudly, ignoring the dirty looks several people were shooting her. "He wants you to give him what he can only dream about and watch on porn movies?"

Tina sniggered out loud, causing the geek to spin around and stare at the three of them suspiciously.

Hitomi grinned. "Yeah, something like that…"

Geography is boring… why did I do it…?

"…Hayate?"

He jumped, turning around to face his mother who had a stern expression plastered on her features. "Who were you just talking to?"

Can I get no privacy? "Why?"

His mother placed a cup of tea on his desk. "You came up here telling me you were working on your homework. That's why I'm curious,"

"Well… I was," he pointed to the geography work scattered on the desk. "That aside for a moment, could Ryu stay over for a while?"

"How long is a while?"

"I…" Pause. "I don't know,"

"Why?"

Now that was an awkward question. "Umm… problems… at home,"

"Can't he sort them out? It is a weekday,"

Not really… "No, not really,"

"Hayate? What's going on?"

"It's a long story, and it's not really my story to tell,"

His mother sighed. "Alright. But I expect a good explanation when he goes, young man,"

"Fine… whatever…"

I wonder how the girls will react to having Ryu in the same house as them for a while? It could calm their problems down, or just increase them tenfold.

This should be interesting…