Offer of Protection
Chapter 1: It Begins
Author's notes: My second fanfic on this site this one is not a romance novel as of yet...maybe later but right now it is a different possibly action one especially since Kokoro is never really focused on. So let me know whether you love it or hate it, reviews are appreciated flames are stupid and will be ignored.
Disclaimer: I do not own Dead or Alive, Tecmo, or Team Ninja.
My name is Kokoro and I have a story to tell that goes beyond the DOA ring, and it all began with a chance meeting with Ryu Hayabusa at the fourth DOA tournament. I guess it involves Lei Fang and Ayane but not right away. It all started with me and him.
The tournament started as it usually did with people milling around in the general lobby area, talking amongst themselves I found myself talking to Lei Fang and Ayane just happened to be near us. It also happened that not too far away Ryu Hayabusa and Hayate were engaged in some kind of serious talk because neither one was smiling or was talking loud, we assumed it was secret ninja business.
"Kokoro what are you going to do on the opening night of this tournament?" Lei Fang asked because she thought to go clubbing that evening.
"I don't know maybe turn in early since it was a long trip. I do not know how you can stand those clubs, they are far too noisy and the dancing is very intrusive." Kokoro replied while giving a slight shudder.
"Who will I go with then if you do not go with me?" Lei Fang pouted. "How would like to come with me Ayane?" Lei Fang asked hopeful Ayane would go with her.
"Not a chance in hell you are getting me to come to some nasty club where the guys want to grab me in places that will earn them a severed limb." Ayane replied with a tone of disgust when giving any reference to a club.
"oh damn." said Lei Fang disappointed and then turned to look at the two serious ninjas deep in discussion and getting even stormier expressions with each passing minute.
"This is something I should look into Hayate if he is trying to get Kokoro killed, then I should find out why by protecting her." Ryu said Even knowing Hayate did not like the idea of putting his best friend in that line of danger.
"I still do not like this Ryu, what happens if you are killed for trying to aid her from not being assassinated by the tournament holder? Then you can not help anyone think this out logically." Hayate said trying to reason with his stubborn friend.
"And if Ayane or Kasumi were in this position instead?" Ryu knowing this was a dirty shot, but took it anyway, he needed to convince Hayate this was the best way.
"Ok I see now what you mean, but I want to help if I can so keep me posted on whatever you find alright buddy?" Hayate asked knowing that if Ryu was in trouble he wanted to be right there beside him.
"Sure Hayate. I would not cheat you out of this." Ryu assured this by giving Hayate his own special handshake that he and Hayate made as a guarantee of sorts, kind of like a contract between friends.
Ryu and Hayate then separated from each other, by walking to different sides of the room, but as he passed us Ryu gave a glance of reassurance and I felt empowered from his aura of calm. He did not stop to talk but he continued on to the place he was heading and just started to watch the entire room.
I decided to go up to him and ask him what that glance was for. "Hello Mr. Ryu I was wondering if you can perchance tell me why you gave us that glace?" I asked noting that Lei Fang and Ayane decided to tag along with me.
"Oh no reason really, and call me Ryu." Ryu said in stoic tone, not betraying himself at all.
"But it did have a meaning right? I know you and usually your actions have a reason behind them, they always have." Lei Fang said directing that statement right to the point she was trying to make.
Ayane just decided to keep staring at Ryu, content to offer her own argument when the time was right. Lei fang and I decided to nettle Ryu with questions to get to know him a bit better since they have spent three tournaments and I just met him and since I might be fighting this guy we should know him a bit better right?
So after a time and when our matches were, considering a week or two would be given to weed out all of the unworthy contestants. We all decided to head to our rooms and I noticed Lei Fang was rooming with me, but I invited Ayane to come and chat with us. She nearly declined until Lei Fang gave the pouting face and that won her over. 'I have to learn how to do that because the results speak for themselves I thought as the two went on ahead.
I glanced back and thought I saw a man shadowing us but I could not be certain, so I kept walking every so often looking back until we got inside the room, and I locked all the available openings. Ayane asked if she could bunk here rather than with her sister for just one night, Lei Fang and I agreed, glad that Ayane was opening up to us. The rest of the night was good and we slept like usual what a good first day, more of the story to come in the next day.
Ryu came into his room cursing a bit "Kokoro almost caught me, damn! Well tomorrow I scout around and find this killer or his employer and try to get rid of this thing that has come upon us" Ryu thought as he got ready for bed. The only thing he was focused on before he drifted off to sleep was how important it was to find out what he could.