Chapter 6: Life of a stranger

He wondered what had just happened, he went for his usual pick up supplies shopping trip, and ended up bumbing to some girl who apparently went to the same school as he did. As he had a flash back of the event, seemed like a day ago rather than just a few minutes of their meeting.

I hated wondering around at night…….stupid drunks trying to harass you for spare change. Strange people walking past and have the urge to want to stare at you, of course kasumi had her little meetings late now so I have to do most of the shopping.

Before I knew what was happening someone had just bumped into me, I was not even aware at first, to busy concentrating on path ahead of me. The impact was a little sudden, good job I did not feel it to much, and then there is the person who had just bumped into me.

I would have told this girl to 'watch where she walked next time' but that reminded me of this boy named Jan Lee who went to my school. Always the nice person he is, telling people to watch where their going when he has the knack of shoving past them on purpose.

"Ohh please forgive me I am sooo sorry" she pleaded. I was not really even listening at that point; just hopping the shopping was not damaged. Then I noticed delicate hands reach out for the various scattered food items. I felt the need to apologise myself so I did. "No please except my apologies I was not initially looking where I was going either" I tried at least.

She told me her name, Hitomi…what a pretty name I pondered. It sounded Japanese, and from the little I could see of her face, she had similar Japanese features, but mixed in with what looked like European features as well. With those deep blue eyes, that resembled the sky its self………….pretty child like brown hair with golden streaks gracing it. That distinct pink hair band she wore above the fringe, yep if I saw her in a crowed I would immediately remember her.

I told her I also attended the same school, and of course gave her my name, she could have that. I was ready to pick up the shopping and just go after the conversation was not much to go by. Before she asked "So anyway….you have a lot of shopping there do you cook? Or does your mother do it?".

I know she had good intentions when she said it, but it just awoke something dark inside my heart. My mother had died years ago, there was no point thinking about it, besides I have to look at my sister everyday, that's enough to remind me of my mother. So I just told the truth, she had died when I was young, and it was mainly me and my sister that cooked, farther was not into that sort of thing.

I felt a little sad for her, since she looked more upset about it than I did, as she went into what looked like a prayer. I would have told her it was not necessary, but it was such a nice gesture I did not have the heart.

I bowed before leaving her, I remembered how late it was getting and I needed to get home, I did hope I would see her again sometime.

Just not have her bump into me like that.

He opened his door, carefully watching his step as he entered with the shopping. After closing the door he made a start on packing the shopping away. His usual daily chores, even though Kasumi his sister would help out with that most of time. "Hey Hayate do you need help with that" came the sweet voice of his sister. It was obvious she had just come back from school, as she still wore her smart uniform.

"Not it's fine, so how was school" he made conversation. While packing various shopping items away.

"Fine………..Ayane skipped again, no surprise there, I swear I am sick of having to bring in her lame school sick notes because she cant be bothered to go in!" she managed to keep the rage to a minimum. Not again…….what is it with this girl! Can Ayane not for once just be like kasumi and try to go to school!...well I guess that is asking a bit TO much. "I will have a word" he replied.

"Yeah tell farther too as well, he's been oblivious to her skiving……..actually he's been a lot happier lately have you noticed" she thought about it. He had noticed that himself, for one he was coming in later hours in the day instead of morning when he usually saw his farther. "Yeah I noticed what do you think is going on with him" hayate smirked.

"Who knows with him, anyway I have to go, I will be staying at friends till evening" she smiled before waving goodbye. He waved back, continuing to pack the shopping away. He remembered he needed to have a word with Ayane, who now came into the kitchen. Looking more tired than ever as she stood rubbing her eyes, light lavender hair stood on end, still wearing her silk purple pyjamas. It was clear she never had any intention of getting up early for school.

Typical, he thought,Ayane who was his half sister from his departed mothers side was the trouble maker of the family. With her evil glares, un-caring attitude, and strange purple hair that she was actually born with.

"Ayane what the hell!" he exclaimed angrily, throwing his arms up in the air. She just shot him a look of confusion.

"Yeah good morning to you to Hayate" she frowned, getting out a box of corn flakes, while searching for a bowl.

"What time is this to get up, oh I forgot your usual time, and I see you missed school again! You do know farther is going to be angry" he crossed his arms. Giving her the parent 'look'. She just ignored it, eating the cereal on its own lazily from the box instead.

"Don't bother, Kasumi already gave me that shit before she left, I don't feel like going in today, and I don't care what the hell he thinks! He's your farther you give him that message from me" she was not bothered. He would have given her a long lecture, but he himself was too tired. He had only just got back and it was morning, he usually went to visit his friends till morning, then come back with the shopping.

"Oh yeah that Ryu called, he said you have a class project to hand in……and your half is not done yet, now if you will excuse me I have a bed to attend to" she yawned before heading off. He did not even get a chance to say anything. Oh damn it the experiment I forgot, damn Ryu is going to be pissed.

He decided to call Ryu back; his mother came on the line, "umm is Ryu there please", his mother politely called Ryu, who came to the phone instantly.

"Nice to hear from you, Hayate have you done your half of it yet?" Ryu asked worriedly.

"Umm……well not exactly" hayate tried to explain.

"I see…..well meet me at school tomorrow or something and I am sure I can help you with your part" Ryu waited for hayate to agree.

Hayate could not believe what a nice friend he had, who would be willing to help him with the part he should have been able to finish himself. Curse your generosity Ryu Hayabusa, always the sincere understanding one, there was not even an excuse for me not to finish that geography project.

"Thanks a lot Ryu, you have no idea how much a appreciate this, how many times have you relied on me to finish my part of the work…and still I let you down…" he sighed.

"Its no problem…..honestly your only human, and with your family to look after and all I can understand, it's not a big deal we can finish it tomorrow, I shall see you then" Ryu went.

"Oh yeah…..this is the life alright" he mumbled sarcastically before starting to finish the packing.