A/N: It seems to me that pain and loneliness is Hizumi's only companion. But I suppose if it wasn't, then I'd have no real meaning to be doing this fanfic, now would I? Alright then…now since that's been settled, I propose we get on with this.

KousukeAsazuki: Tell me…who, on the face of this corrupt planet, doesn't have problems? I do, you do, we all do. The key is to handle those problems face on, instead of shying away from them. That's what Raven and Hizumi failed to recognize, since they were both determined to have the last say and prove the other wrong. Thank you for the review.

Polaris18: Shouldn't you be working on the other half of the oneshot like we planned? Don't waste time posting up new fanfics and neglecting the one you said you'd do. Anyway, my ferrets probably won't be added into this fanfic, and if they did, they would appear later on. Probably as a last resort….(already thinking of how to use them) Thank you for reviewing.

Angel of 513: I'm glad that you like it. And yes, Hizumi did act like a jerk to Raven, but can you blame him? He had every reason to be upset, but he just went about handling it the wrong way. Thanks for reviewing.

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Hizumi let out the breath he was unaware of holding and collapsed onto the bench as Raven left. "Damnit." It was clear that the girl had intruded on his personal space, but since when had it really become his? Did finding the secluded area give him authority to mark it as his own private property? He had found the park, but he never felt the right to call it his own; and since the spot resided within the boundaries of the park, did he really have any right to claim it at all? 'You're thinking too much.' His mind reasoned. 'It's about the principle.' Hizumi concluded, leaving it at that. But something still nagged at him, refusing to leave him alone. 'Maybe the reason I'm alone….isn't because of the inherited status of my brother. Maybe it's because I try so hard to push people away…when I know I'm just going to end up alone anyway…' Despite the years of neglect and ostracism, he knew that it would prove to turn out better, not only for himself, but for everyone, if he distanced himself.

But something still remained…after the so-called logic the boy had practically blinded himself with was gone….something still bugged him, and he knew it. The Earth, though as corrupt it may have been, held billions of people. Why couldn't at least one of those people see him for who he was…? Not as Yaiba's heir, not as the devil, but as Hizumi Mizutsuro…the boy who cried out to be recognized and appreciated. The boy who begged to be acknowledged by who he was instead of what he was. Why couldn't one, out of the billions of people, show him at least a little bit of love?

Another sigh escaped his lips as he thought it through, unable to come up with an answer that would satisfy him. He wanted answers, but instead, he had just given himself a royal migraine. "What a pain…" The mint-haired boy huffed in annoyance and stood from the bench. It was clearly late, and he needed to get back home before Kirie had a conniption and he landed himself in the hospital from an attack and an ashtray to the head. Claiming it out of boredom, he ran the events through his head, seeing himself getting in the front door, only to be attacked, verbally and physically, by the ambiguous Watcher. No doubt Kiyotaka would try to calm the out of control woman, only to be ignored and stand quietly on the sidelines. Then Kirie would yell and throw the ashtray…Hizumi would never see it coming until it was too late, and he lie on the floor in a pool of his own blood.

Kiyotaka would have a hell of a time explaining it to the doctors after he was rushed to the hospital.

A soft chuckle spilled from Hizumi's lips and he shook his head at the realization that it could possibly happen. In fact, with Kirie, it was a question of when it would

happen…not if. He pushed it to the back his mind, deciding that a fight with Kirie was practically inevitable, and he made his way out of the clearing, stumbling along the path of dead trees and upraised roots in his haste.

Once clear from the maze of trees, Hizumi smiled for a brief moment as he saw the form of the girl who had approached him earlier. "Hey! It's you!" The mint-haired boy yelped, wanting to apologize for earlier. He stopped suddenly, in order to prevent slamming into her and knocking her down. "Um…it's Raven, right?"

The ebony-haired girl glanced over her shoulder, staring at the boy like he was the root of all evil. "I have nothing to say to you. Good night." She said simply, and began to walk away, not wanting to have anything more to do with the rude child.

A frown danced upon Hizumi's lips at the sudden comment. "Wait! I…I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier! I…I was stupid…and…well…" a hand was raised, brushing back those light green strands. "I'm sorry. I realized that you had every right to be there, and…I…I really acted like a jerk. I'm sorry."

Raven stopped in her tracks at the apology, pondering is she should forgive him or not. He had thought about the situation, and came to the conclusion that he was wrong in the way of doing things, so…. A tiny sigh made its presence known, a clear sigh that she was at least slightly irritated. "Your name."

Hizumi blinked. "H-huh?"

"Your name." Raven turned, staring at him through silver-purplish orbs that reflected the last fading rays of the sunset, making them look more stunning, and more of a fiery orange, if anything. "We haven't been properly introduced, since you failed to give me your name earlier." Raven stated. She treaded forward, her raven black locks waving violently behind her as the tempestuous gales settled and the twilight quickly passed into the dark night. The park lights came on, in attempt to illuminate the darkness that had so suddenly crept in. "Your name…." Raven repeated, as her eyes seemed to change color again, to adjust to the night. Those eerie orbs lost their silver glint and took on a darker purple hue, complimenting those raven tresses.

"Oh…" Hizumi gasped, not just at those unusual eyes, but at the fact that he was standing there like an idiot, gawking and not hearing a word she said. "It's Hizumi. Err…Hizumi Mizutsuro." He told her, in hopes that she would at least consider his apology. "Um…if you're still mad at me, I can make it up to you. How about coming to my place for dinner?"

Raven blinked at the sudden invitation. "I assure you, that's far from necessary; and rather sudden, might I add. I will, however, be so kind as to grace you with something else besides my presence…" she spoke, carefully choosing her words. A moment of silence passed between the two before the girl continued. "Apology accepted."

A/N: Well now, I wonder just how long before things between them stay settled. Only time will tell. Until then, feel free to drop off a review. Ja.