Thank you Niffer, Kamira, Sailor Centarui, and Rai Dorian for reviewing.

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What do I do to ignore them behind me?
Do I follow my instincts blindly?
Do I hide my pride / from these bad dreams
And give in to sad thoughts that are maddening?
Do I / sit here and try to stand it?
Or do I / try to catch them red – handed?
Do I trust some and get fooled by phoniness,
Or do I trust nobody and live in loneliness?
Because I can't hold on / when I'm stretched so thin
I make the right moves but I'm lost within
I put on my daily façade but then
I just end up getting hurt again
By myself myself
I ask why, but in my mind
I find I can't rely on myself
chorus:
I can't hold on
To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
It's all too much to take in
I can't hold on
To anything watching everything spin
With thoughts of failure sinking in
If I
Turn my back I'm defenseless
And to go blindly seems senseless
If I hide my pride and let it all go on / then they'll
Take from me 'till everything is gone
If I let them go I'll be outdone
But if I try to catch them I'll be outrun
If I'm killed by the questions like a cancer
Then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer
by myself
How do you think / I've lost so much
I'm so afraid / I'm out of touch
How do you expect / I will know what to do
When all I know / Is what you tell me to
Don't you know
I can't tell you how to make it go
No matter what I do, how hard I try
I can't seem to convince myself why
I'm stuck on the outside

By Myself By Linkin Park
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Chapter 2: By Myself

The annoying buzz of the alarm clock by the bedside awoke Hitomi from her blissful dreams; pulling her into the harsh world of reality. She slammed the palm of her hand on the clock until the irritating buzzing ceased. Groggily she sat upright and yawned.

Hitomi pushed away her blankets and threw her legs over the edge of the bed. She yawned again and stood up. As she departed from her bedroom, Hitomi grabbed her short blue, silk housecoat and put it on. She went through her typical Saturday morning routine. She boiled a cup of tea, ate her bagel and read the newspaper while watching some TV.

At a quarter to nine her had a quick shower. She let the water just wash away all her problems. After her shower, Hitomi changed into a pair of bellbottom jeans and a deep purple, long sleeved shirt. It was a mild spring day but the sudden bursts of wind would send a chill up her spine.

Hitomi went back to the living room and continued to watch the TV. Not too long after she had sat down, the doorbell rang. She took a quick glance aft the clock and wondered how time had passed so quickly. She got up from her seat and opened the door. A small smile crept to her lips as she looked at the two young girls before her.

"Come in you guys. I was wondering when you were gonna get her." Hitomi invited them in and showed them to the living room. "It seems like forever since I last saw you two." The taller of the two was obviously the elder sister. "I can still remember when you were just knee high Masumi."

"Ya, but it looks like I'm finally catching up now." Masumi replied with a grin.

"Shut up and sit down." Hitomi said in a joking manner. "So how old are you now?"

"Well in August I'll be turning fifteen."

"Oh my god! I can still remember when you were just turning five. God how time flies." the girls giggled and turned on the TV. "So, how's school going?"

"I sometimes wish I was still in junior high. The teachers were nicer and didn't give as much homework."

"Ya well that's high school for ya." Hitomi paused and took a stroll down memory lane. She could still remember when she use to baby-sit Masumi and her younger sister, Chikuma. It seemed like only yesterday that they were only nine and three years old. Hitomi missed those carefree days of being a preteen.

After they ate lunch, the three girls decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood looking for Masumi and Chikuma's parents. The sounds of children playing in the streets brought a small smile to Hitomi's lips. Lucky kids, so lucky…Hitomi thought to herself.

"Hey mom!" Masumi yelled while waving her hand at her mother and father who was chatting with one of the residents in the area who happened to be an old friend.

"Are you guys done yet? I have to go to the movies remember." Chikuma complained.

"Yes, we're done. I guess we should head back." Replied their father. "Here Hitomi." He handed her two thousand yen.

"You don't have to pay me Wakai-san."

"No, I insist." Hitomi looked at the money, sighed and took it.

"Thank you."

"No problem. I know that you're going through a hard time so spoil yourself with it." Hitomi smile graciously at him and thanked him again for his kindness.

Masumi and the rest of her family left and Hitomi was alone again. She sighed and began to walk back to her place taking the scenic route. She was determined not to think about her family but how could she? Everyone around her had one; no one was alone. Van…I wish you were here…you know what it's like to be alone; to have no family…She clenched her hands into fists. Damn it Van! Why is when I need you the most you're not here! A few tears escaped her emerald eyes and slid down her cheeks.

She wiped away her tears and continued to walk at a steady pace. Her eyes drifted from the ground to the sky and back again. She looked to find something to distract her mind, to stop her from thinking of her loss. Then that's when it happened. A sleek red and black convertible came to a screeching halt on the street in front of her. The driver stepped out and walked around to the other side, towards Hitomi.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her head shook no and she took a step backwards. This can't be real…he can't be here…he just can't be…

"Well, well, well…what a pleasant surprise Hitomi." Hitomi was lost for words. She could barely think of how to react. "I must say you're quiet the mouse to chase. You should be proud of yourself. You led me on quite mouse chase looking for you."

"W-what…how-?"

"What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost Hitomi."

"But you're…what did you do to her!?"

"Oh Celena? She's fine. She has her pansy ass brother taking care of her."

"What do you want Dilandau?" Hitomi demanded.

A/N: Ya, I'm stopping there. Why? I want to leave on a cliffhanger because I am evil. Well, hoped you enjoyed and I'm still not going to say who the pairing is. It could be V/H, it could be A/H, it could be F/H and it could be D/H. You'll just have to wait and see. Well, like always, if you want an e-amil when I update, just leave your addy in a review or e-mail it to me at