Hello! I'm back with a brand new story about one of my fave couples: RyuxHay! This one is going to be longer than my first one and, I believe, have a lot more emotional and heartbreaking content within it. So just a few warnings:

1). There are sensitive subjects that are approached in this fan-fiction. If you're uncomfortable, I am very sorry. But I do like to write about issues such as the ones that you will be about to encounter.

2). I do not own any Dead or Alive/Ninja Gaiden characters. Tecmo and Team Ninja do.

3). There is heavy sexual activity that are to be engaged by two of the most beautiful men in videogames.

4). Please read and review! I greatly appreciate any of them. And thank you so much for all of you who reviewed my first fanfic ever!

5). Please enjoy!

~*~*~*~Prologue: The Painful Secret~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~Time: 3 years and 2 months ago (March Blossoms)~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~Location: Shiden and Ayame's Residence within the Mugen Tenshin Ninja Clan~*~*~*~

A soft spring breeze blew about Hayate as a he lifted his cup of tea to his lips. He held his hands steady, his body rigid, as his eyes were focused on his father, and not the lush terrain of the rock garden beside them. To the untrained eye, he seemed completely calm although his body was somewhat on edge. A ninja's attention was never taken off from their surroundings. But to someone whom had mastered the art of deception as any true ninja would, like his father, knew that he was completely uncomfortable and a bit afraid.

Another cool breeze blew, surrounding his father with white Japanese blossoms. None seemed to touch his dark gray kimono as if the petals were afraid of him. As if they were warning Hayate of the danger his father may present if he told him what he had to...

They both sat in silence, sitting straight in their chairs before the low patio table, eating their dishes of steamed cabbage and pork and seared new potatoes. His heart was racing and he was sweating profusely, although his blue bandana caught most of it. His white gi was sticking to his body. The gentle kisses from the wind did nothing to lessen the heat emanating from his pores. His breaths could not be heard clearly by his father, but he was paranoid that Shiden was able to. They were quick and intense, as if he could not draw enough air into his lungs in time to keep from suffocating.

Yet, he forced his hands to still as he picked up a potato with his chopsticks and placed it into his mouth. He made his chest rise and fall in a rhythmic pattern that did not betray his hammering heart as he chewed. He controlled the frightened child behind his eyes as his father's gentle ones settled on him.

Shiden gave his son a loving smile. "Are you alright, Hayate?"

No.

A worried look then crossed his face. "Don't tell me that it was too soon to give you leadership of the Mugen Tenshin Ninjas?"

Hayate sipped his green tea before answering by shaking his head. He was afraid that his voice would give him away.

His father gave a relieved laugh. "That's good to hear. Since you are doing very well."

"Thank you, Father." And he meant it.

His father was a good man who loved both of his children dearly. Every mistake or decision made by his children he accepted, because he always told them that he could not live for them. But he was not afraid to give his personal opinion or tell them when he felt hurt and disappointed.

That was what was holding him back from telling his father. This was such a time when Hayate could not bear to hear discouraging words. He needed his father beside him. He needed him to understand that it could not be helped. Would he understand that Hayate had tried his best to not fall as hard as he had? Would he still treat him the same once he found out what Hayate had to tell him?

He opened his mouth to speak once more, but he could not make any sounds.

Shiden's face instantly turned serious as he set down his chopsticks. He watched his son avoid his eyes and become fascinated with his own pair, picking at his pork.

"What is it, Son?"

Hayate let out a shaky breath which struck fear into Shiden's heart. He sounded afraid and nervous. Hayate was rarely afraid and he had never been nervous in his life. What had frightened him so?

"What is it, Hayate?" He said firmly, making sure that Hayate caught his authoritative but endearing tone. He saw that Hayate was quivering slightly and he knew that Hayate knew it also, after he made himself stare into his eyes.

Hayate swallowed hard, trying to rid himself of the lump in his throat and felt his free hand gripping his pants to try and hold himself together. His father knew something was wrong with him. And it wasn't that per say. It had more to do with Shiden's reaction to Hayate's words.

He bit his lower lip and closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure once more. His thoughts were screaming for him to lie and keep his father in the dark, for fear of how he would be towards Hayate from then and forward. His aching heart was begging him to tell the truth because everyone that he loved deserved to know.

But he couldn't. He just couldn't...

Hayate slowly opened his eyes and Shiden saw that they were filled with tears. He physically jolted. Hayate had never cried once in his life. What would make him cry now?

"Hayate? Son? You must tell me what is wrong with you. Now." His quiet loving tone was still evident, but angst seemed to grip at his vocal chords.

A tear steadily rolled down his cheek as Hayate took in a heavy uneasy breath.

"Father...I'm in love."

Shiden didn't know that he had been holding his breath until he exhaled. His face broke into a smile as he wiped beads of sweat from his forehead and across his silky white hair. He let out a laugh.

"Oh Hayate. Is that what you were worried about?" A rush of joy filled him as he nodded at his first born son. "I know that falling in love for the first time can seem like dangerous territory. You've never explored it and you don't know what may happen. But Son, that is every experience in life. And love will be one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling."

He was about to continue when he realized Hayate was shaking his head profusely. He was leaning against the table, a hand against his forehead. "No, Father. You don't understand."

"What's there not to understand? Isn't this your first love? I thought that all the women before meant nothing to you?"

"That's just it. It is my first love."

Shiden stared at his son confused, placing a steady hand on his arm. "Then what is the problem? Every new love must be traversed by the ones whom are in it. I can only give you advice about what I have gone through."

Hayate's hazel eyes connected with his dark brown ones, tears streaming down his face. "You—You don' t understand..." His voice trailed off as he was overcome with sobs.

Shiden squeezed his son's arm in reassurance. "What am I not understanding, son?" He whispered. "What do I not get?" It didn't bother him that his son was crying although it had initially alarmed him. Crying and showing emotion did not make his son any less of a man. He was more of a man than Shiden believed he ever could be.

Nothing will ever make me think less . He thought.

"Father," Hayate finally choked out, his body noticeably trembling. He had been quietly heaving for a few minutes. "I'm sorry...but I'm not as well. If I could change anything...I don't think I would."

"That's okay, Son." Shiden nodded his head although Hayate was not paying attention. "I wouldn't change my love for your mother as well. There is nothing to be sorry about."

He was searching his brain for something that would make Hayate feel this way in the depths of love. He couldn't come up with anything due to the fact that his son seemed to be in extreme duress and his attention was solely upon him.

He watched as Hayate seemed to calm himself before lifting his head. He clenched his hands together tightly and stared at them hard, before lifting his eyes to meet Shiden. His reddened eyes seemed to search for something, Shiden didn't know what. His face seemed to be cleansed of emotion, although his frown gave away that he was in pain.

"Hayate, tell me what is wrong with you. Why do you feel this way?"

He said nothing for a few moments, still searching for something, before he opened his mouth.

"Father...I'm..I'm in love with..." He faltered, his gaze falling to the table as he took a few breaths to steady himself.

This was it. There was no going back. He had to tell his father the truth. No matter what happened. He owed it to his father, his mother, his sisters, the Clan...and him.

He found his father's apprehensive gaze once more. He couldn't feel his heart beat. His skin suddenly felt cold. His breath seemed to catch within his body and was unwilling to escape. He found it hard to swallow. But, he still knew he had to continue.

"Father..."

His voice was nearly silent on the blowing wind, as if it wanted to carry away his words and tell him that his life could end if he spoke the words that he wanted to—that he needed to. Strands of his light brown hair blew across his face as the wind continued to try to stop him from speaking.

"Father." He began again, a bit louder to be heard. "I'm in love with..."

Shiden didn't realize that his hand had fallen from his son's arm as he heard the words or that his mouth was agape. All he heard was a crash that came from beside him.

And Hayate's words repeating in his head.

Notes: Poor Hayate. Usually so strong and temperamental, but for something as serious as his heart and his parents, his normal demeanor has been shattered. And the irony that can be found in Shiden's words...I hope you will stick around for the next chapter!

*The patio set-up for Hayate and his family had the backs of chairs, the seat, and no legs.

*"March Blossoms" is what I think of when I think of March (the blossoming of spring).