A/N:All these characters do not belong to me. Characters in this fan fiction goes to their respective creators and publishers. Please enjoy my fan fiction.
Chapter 1: Road to forgiveness
As a young shinobi ran through the forest, avoiding the shadows the best she could. When Kasumi reached the end all she saw was her Half sister, Ayane, waiting with a look of "I caught you" and relief.
Finally Ayane said " I've been looking for you".
Of course it was natural for Ayane to be looking for Kasumi.
Then Kasumi questioned "Are you here to kill me for the crime I committed for abandoning the clan?".
With a slight chuckle Ayane answered "No, you have been forgiven for that".
As if she has never heard those words before, Kasumi pressed the matter further "Then why are you here?".
Ayane gave her an answer with a look of sorrow clearly expressed on her countenance "The village had come under attack by an unknown assailant and Hayate has been kidnapped. There are only a few survivors from the ambush".
Suddenly someone came out of the shadows as if on cue, he made his presence known by saying "What is going on here?".
In reply, Ayane replied to the man's question while bowing in respect "Nothing is going on master."
As the word 'master' came out of Ayane's mouth, it hit Kasumi. "Hayabusa!?" She said with realization.
Hayabusa in response to the copper haired kunoichi's epiphany moment, posed her a question "So you're aware of the situation?"
"Yes, I am a little bit aware of the situation that happened in the village, then how come you know about the incident in question?"
It took a long pause as cherry blossoms flew by, Ayane patiently waited for her master to break the ever uncomfortable silence.
Ryu finally broke the wind's howling "Well the reason I know is because the intruders were after you"
The thought of being kidnapped is horrible: taken to a barren place, men would have done something horrible the least. Those thoughts gave a shiver down her spine.
Finally Ayane broke the silence by saying "Do you know who could've possibly kidnap Master Hayate?".
Kasumi unleashed a fury, clearly directed at Ayane, said "And where were you when the ambush happened?! You're part of the clan, why didn't you defend it as part of the Hajinmon sect?"
With a firm but gentle voice, desperately trying to hold back her tongue, voiced her defense "I must respect my master's fiancee and besides I was just returning from an assignment that Irene had wanted me to complete when the attack occurred".
Clearly she had just made herself a fool "I'm so sorry that I jumped to conclusions without knowing you were out. And can please repeat what you first said?" The last sentence was spoken with confusion
Finally Ryu spoke "No need Ayane, I'll do it myself. Before the attack on your clan happened, I asked both your father and brother if I could have your hand so both the Mugen Tenshin and Hayabusa clan could form an alliance but I don't see it in that light." Hayabusa explained how he wanted to marry her with his intense green eyes that surprisingly held gentleness in them.
After a few minutes all the information sank in, Kasumi asked "Can we please go to the village, so that father can elaborate more about the ambush".
Ayane agreed with Kasumi " We should go to the village, so that she can be further informed about the attack".
As all of them made their way to the Mugen Tenshin village, Kasumi suddenly fell to her knees because of a sudden pain from somewhere in her body. Both Ryu and Ayane took notice of her collapsing, Ryu took action and carried her all the way to the village not wanting her to exert herself. As they arrived at to the village, our 3 shinobis traveled into the head of the Mugen Tenshin's house where princess Kasumi was put to rest.