Lookie! Another final chapter. It's quite long, too... Bleh. This thing is OVER. after 18 freaking months... Part of me is relieved, but another part is sad. If you read it right through, you can tell how much I've progressed. '

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Bleh.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYOU!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryou was in total disgrace- he had been for a long time now. He'd been given the biggest grounding of his life, all of his books and C.D's were taken away from him, and he wasn't allowed to watch television for another month. He was forced to attend extensive therapy, and his medication had doubled. In fact, short of school, and the bathroom, he was forced into his room around the clock. What hurt Ryou the most, however, was the fact that his father now ignored him. He'd never said a word to him, ever. He even ate his meals separately to the teenager so he wouldn't have to see his son. Ken was, if anything, more unbearable than ever. Although he never called Ryou names outright, he was constantly eyeing the boy, and dropping subtle hints. It was almost as though he was begging for the spirit to unleash from the Ring.

"Ryou?" The teen blinked, and lifted his head from the pillow. What did she want this time? Ryou grumbled as he walked over to his door. He turned the knob, and pulled the door open, staring tiredly at his stepmother.

"What do you want." He muttered, leaning against the doorframe. "It's not time for me to eat yet…" Izumi sighed.

"Your father… He had something important to talk to you about," She said softly. "You need to go and see him in his study." Ryou snorted, rolling his eyes. See him in his study... Who does he think he is, some kind of emperor?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm glad to see you've come."

"Whatever Dad. What do you want?"

"I have a very serious matter to discuss with you."

"And?"

"It's about your… position at this house, Ryou."

"What are you saying?"

"You are turning fifteen in two months, and I think that it's time for me to be thinking about… separate housing."

"You're kicking me out?"

"No, I wouldn't look at it like that-"

"Then what is it, huh? What do you call it?"

"I'm just saying that… Maybe it's time to think about supporting yourself…"

"I'm not even fifteen yet!"

"Look, I've been looking at quality schools in the tri-city area, and I found one that would be very good for you… They have a brilliant Literacy and Arts program, and their pass rates are among the highest in Japan."

"Where is this school then?"

"In Domino."

"That's an hours' drive away!"

"I'm sorry, Ryou, but it's a good school, in a good town."

"I don't care! This is just you sending me away because you can't stand me anymore!"

"Please, I don't want to hear anymore of this. You will spend the rest of the school year here, and will attend Domino High after the summer vacation."

"Wh-when exactly will I be moving?"

"A month before school starts again."

"You can't do this Dad, please! I'm too young for this, I don't want to live on my own…"

"Please Ryou, tears will not sway my decision."

"You can't leave me alone with him! If you loved me, you would let me stay here where it's safe for me! You wouldn't leave me alone with him… He'll hurt me again, I know it… Please Dad, don't leave me alone with him."

"I am thinking of the safety of my children, Ryou."

"Wh-what?"

"What."

"Th-Then what am I? Do you see me as your son?"

"I think that it's time for you to go."

"What! What the hell is wrong with you? I'm your son, Dad, I love you!"

"I-I think it might be best if you leave, Ryou."

"D-Dad?"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryou rubbed at his eyes as he leaned into the leather upholstery of the car. Although he tried to stop, tears still stinged his eyes. His father had hurt him a lot over the past few years, but it had never gone this far. Ryou never thought that his father would do this, send him away forever, and the rejection really stung.

"Ryou honey?" Izumi frowned in concern at the fourteen-year-old. "Are you okay?" Ryou shook his head, his face still buried in his hands. "Oh, sweetie…" She murmured, gently rubbing her spare hand on the teens' back. Ryou whimpered, and sniffed, his shoulders shaking. "I'm so sorry, Ryou. Your father wanted you to be sent back to the psychiatric ward, but I just couldn't let him do that to you again, I couldn't. I was… My idea, I suppose, but I only suggested a boarding school. I would never have asked to get you to move entirely. I'm sorry, Ryou, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault." Ryou muttered, rubbing at his eyes. He lifted his face from the soft cradle of his hands, staring out of the passenger window. "It's his. All of this is his fault, his idea." The teenager wrinkled his nose. "What hurt the most was when he said he didn't love me." Izumi froze, eyes widening as she stared at her stepson.

"What? He said he didn't love you?" Her face fell. "Oh Ryou baby… I'm sure he didn't mean it. Of course he didn't mean it. He loves you, he just doesn't know how to show it. I think he's… Well, a bit scared."

"Are you scared of me?" Ryou inquired, lifting soft brown eyes to stare at his stepmother. Izumi shook her head, a small smile on her face. The teen let out a long sigh, and rested his forehead against the window. The city scene of Domino flicked past his vision, shops, malls, and the odd house. Ryou bit his lip, and closed his eyes. True, this place was a lot more homely looking than the place he had previously lived in, but he would still father be living with his father-

Ryou gasped. Without warning, a white-hot pain seared through the skin on his chest, feeling like fire. His vision blurred, the brightly coloured store he had been driven past like coloured blobs. The teen clutched at his shirt, a soft whimper spilling from his lips. He was vaguely aware of Izumi stopping the car, and a soft, concerned on his shoulder. Ryou bit back a scream as the pain in his chest grew, and he felt liquid trickle down his skin. He was bleeding…

"Ryou!" Izumi almost screamed as she anxiously shook the boys' shoulders. Ryou gasped for air as his hands tightened on his shirt. What's going on? Why is my chest hurting so much? "Ryou." Izumi said firmly, staring Ryou right in the eye. "Talk to me." Ryou could only nod, biting back a sob. "Listen to me, honey, are you feeling pain in your left arm?" The boy shook his head, sobs finally tearing from his throat. "Oh thank goodness." She sighed in relief. "Please Ryou, where does it hurt?"

"H-Here." Ryou gestured towards his chest, gasping and sobbing. "O-Oh m-my…" Izumi let out a long sigh, rubbing his back. "Wh-What's wrong with me…"

"I don't know baby…" Izumi whispered sympathetically. Ryou's chin trembled as the pain finally subsided, reduced to a dull throb.

"I-I'm ok." The whitenette finally managed to gasp, taking a deep breath. "I-It's going away…" Izumi frowned. "I-I'll be okay…"

"Maybe we should take you to a doctor-"

"NO! No doctors, Izumi, please…" The woman let out a long sigh, replacing her hands on the steering wheel. Her shoulders sagged.

"If that's what you want…"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, it's…"

"Tiny?"

"Yes, but it's not like you need much space."

"Oh yes, I'm just packed away nicely in this tiny box."

"Ryou, I'm so sorry."

"Please don't say that Izumi, it's not your fault."

"I still feel so bad it came to this."

"Well, I mean, look on the bright side… I won't have to put up with Ken anymore… Or Dad…"

"Oh Ryou…"

"Look, I'll be fine. I mean, this place is small, but it's really nice. I like the light blue carpet. It's really… airy, like my room… We better unpack some boxes."

"Okay, Ryou."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryou bit his lip as he ducked into the bathroom, and took off his sweater. He winced at the bloodstains on his shirt, and undid the buttons, a knot of trepidation in his stomach.

He winced as he stared at the reflection in the mirror, the Sennen Ring fixed on his chest, its points embedded into his skin. Ryou let out a hiss as he pulled the ring from his skin, rubbing at the throbbing bloodstains. Ow. What on earth caused this?

/It's not possible./ Ryou blinked, taking another look at the mirror. He could clearly see the spirit standing beside him, looking thoughtful.

What's not possible?

/The Ring picked up on another power source... And there is only one item so powerful as to break your skin like that…/

What's that?

/Shut up. I'm trying to think./

About what?

/Well... Let's just say that you just might be getting your wish./

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It's probably time we got stuck into the kitchen stuff." Izumi said thoughtfully, rubbing at her chin. Ryou nodded, kneeling down and picking up one of the two boxes marked 'kitchen supplies.'

"What did he give me?" Ryou asked, tearing off the packing tape. "I mean, I heard him telling you to only pack me the bare essentials…"

"Well…" Izumi grinned. "Not really, look inside." Ryou frowned, and opened the box. His expression changed to one of delight, however, when he saw what was inside.

"Oh Izumi…" He gasped, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh my gosh… You're giving me your pots?" He lifted one of the copper-bottomed pots out of the box, hefting it in one hand. "You can't… You love these."

"You love them more." She said softly. "Besides, I can't cook for beans. I'm not going to let them go to waste." Ryou blinked very fast, biting his lip.

"These are so expensive… What is Dad going to say?" Izumi shrugged, and couldn't help but smile.

"They're not his, They're mine. I'm giving them to you. Think of it as an early birthday present if you want." Ryou's grin grew, and then faded.

"I'm going to miss you so much."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Amane

Well, this is it. My new home. It's better than I first expected, really. I thought Dad was going to be a real tightwad, and just give me a studio, but he didn't. It's actually quite nice. The walls are all freshly papered, and the carpets quite new, and there's even a little balcony. Apparently, the rent is minimal, too. I was surprised to hear that, I mean, in most cities, a hundred and fifty dollars wouldn't by something even close to being this nice.

I'm scared, and upset, but sort of... excited, at the same time. It's every teenagers dream to be living alone. Dad even got me a credit card and told me to go crazy- within reason. That's really nice of him. I think a little part of him is guilty, and he's trying to make this nice for me… I don't know. All of this is so confusing. I'm still in two minds.

I have a whole month of this place to look forward to before school, as well. At least Dad was decent enough to let me get cable, and I got all of my books and C.D's back, as well. I even found my old Monster World set in one of my boxes in my wardrobe- But for the sake of others, I might leave it in there. I went for a bit of a walk after Izumi left, and the place really is nice. There's a beach, and a park, and a few malls, but at the same time, it's kinds homely. There are hardly any cars, either. I think another reason Dad chose this town is because it's got one of the lowest crime rates as well, which means it's safe enough for me to live by myself- as long as social services don't go sniffing around when school starts. I don't think they should...

Another thing I quite like is the privacy. I have a whole apartment to call my own. No more of Dad yelling at me, no more Ken... Heck, I could post these letters on the wall and it wouldn't matter.

I'm getting a bit scared about him. Ever since I got here, he's been really restless. He says there's something very, very important in the city. I don't know what to think. I just hope he doesn't hurt me, or anyone else anymore, but it's a stupid, false hope, and I know it.

I'm upset that it all came to this, though. I mean, It's been just me and Dad for so long, and then Izumi and Ken, and then Kiko came along... And I got pushed away. I still don't know why, but I have my suspicions. All of the photos of you and Mum ended up in my boxes. Even the big picture of us getting our portrait. He really misses Mum. I found a picture of Mum before she had us, and held it up to the mirror, and found out another big reason why Dad doesn't want me around. I look like her. I mean, really, really look like her. Same eyes, same hair, same face shape, everything. I think that is why he wanted me to cut my hair as well...

I think it's a lot of factors rolled into one that pushed us apart. You and Mum dying, the Ring, my 'mental diseases' my sexuality, and my looks. It all contributes. And I'm sad that I've lost my father like that. I'm sad that we'll probably never be friendly again. But I tried. I honestly tried. If he has a problem, then I can't help it, can I?

But then again, he always loved you more. And I always loved Mum more. Funny how fate pans out, isn't it?

I have to stop now, my hand is hurting.

All my love to Mum,

Ryou.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, that's it. It's over. No more. And please don't beg me, either. No more. Please no more.. -cries-

Nah, just me being overdramatic. Muaha. I wanna thank everyone and stuff, I wouldn't have continued this. Seriously. I'm going to miss this, and I did cry a bit when this was over. But meh. X.X

R&R!