Heyaz all! When I got my PS2, I got Dead or Alive 2 with it. It took me approximately 5 seconds to fall in love with Hayate and Hayabusa. The hair man! *sigh* Anyway, I decided to write a ficcie wif the two boiz and Kasumi-Chan. Mild warning, this fic contains just the barest of barest hints of shounen-ai. Okei?
It's set during the third tournament in the Asian hotel. It's one of the stages on DOA2. (The room with the sliding Japanese/Chinese doors, the ones you can send people flying through into the garden outside!)
Anatha thing, this fic has tons of flashbacks, so bare wiv me okeiz? Plus I absolutely DETEST Tina. She gets beaten up badly. So uh, gomen 2 all u Tina luvers. (Pu-leez! She is such a slut!)
Disclaima: All charaz belong to their respectful owners. Whoeva they r. Oh, and the promise Hayabusa makes, belongs to Aragorn from LOTR. See if you can recognize it.
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A Promise Kept
Chapter 1: Cherished Re-union
Hayabusa sat on the roof of his room. It was temporary of course, just while the third tournament was on. The wind ruffled his waist long hair, and whipped away the loose ribbon that was holding it in place. His hair streamed behind him in a curtain of silk. He gazed at the sun as it gracefully rose up from the horizon, painting the sea brilliant shades of red and yellow. He sighed and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. The ninja bowed his head, remembering the promise he had made to his best friend not such a long time ago.
*~Flashback~*
"I have to leave. Look after Kasumi for me." A cloaked figure said curtly, before turning to walk out on the bewildered ninja.
"Chotto matte Hayate-Kun!" He called, grabbing his best friend's upper arm. The figure turned to look at him.
"What about Kasumi? You cannot just leave her. You know she loves you more than the world." Hayabusa explained. A tear trailed out of the corner of his beautiful brown eye.
"I know...I can't bear to leave her. But-but there are so many questions that need answering. Tell her that I left to find answers, that it's not her fault. Tell her I love her more than life itself. Promise me Hayabusa, that you'll look after her. Promise me!" He pleaded, firmly clasping the ninja's shoulders, and shaking him slightly.
"I promise you, I will do everything I can to protect her."
"But how can I be sure that you will? Hayabusa, how can I be sure you will keep your promise?" The emerald-eyed ninja gazed at the man before him and inched closer.
"I will Hayate-kun..." Then he placed the most barest of kisses on his friend's lips before pulling back. "If by my life or death I can protect her, then I will." He whispered. The moonshine briefly illuminated the man's face, and revealed tears staining his cheeks. He embraced the slightly smaller ninja, burying his face in his hair.
"Arigato..." Hayate whispered, then kissed his friend briefly on the cheek.
"Sayonara Hayate." The ninja replied sadly as the man silently escaped into the night wind.
*~End~*
The ninja touched his cheek where his friend had kissed him. When he had defeated Hayate, his friend finally remembered who he was, but had forgotten the bond between them. He smiled bitterly.
"What is the use of dwelling upon one's past?" A shadow caught his eye, and he focused on it. He saw the briefest flash of light brown/red hair before the figure disappered into the hotel. The footsteps were too light to be that of a man's. He backflipped silently onto the ground and disappered into the shadows after the figure.
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Hayate stepped out of the shower, finally clean after a hard night of fighting and only 4 hours sleep. He put on his red pants and a light, cotton bathrobe, then began towelling his reddish hair. He heard a knock.
"Excuse me sir, but could you spare me five minutes of your time?" A small female voice asked. He looked at the clock above his bed.
"Actually, I have half an hour. So, sure." He opened the door, and a cloaked figure launched itself at him. "Nani?!" He stumbled backwards and fell against the wall. The figure looked up, brown eyes brimming with tears. "Imoto-chan?!"
"Hayate nii-san!" She sobbed, burying her face in his hair.
"Kasumi-chan, what are you doing here? You know that if someone catches us, we could be killed."
"I know." She sobbed, looking up at him while tears fell out of her gorgeously innocent eyes. His face softened and he wiped away the tears with his thumb.
"Oniisan, you don't know how hard it is to be a runaway Shinobi. It's so hard to be alone..." He embraced her tightly, his eyes filling with unshed tears. She was alone because of him.
*~Flashback~*
"We're sorry Kasumi, but you're brother is dead." The elder said. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"You're lying!" She screamed. The elder shook his head sadly. She fell to her knees and screamed until her throat burned. Ayane gently placed a hand on her half-sister's shoulder. The teen collapsed gratefully into Ayane's arms and cried.
"He's gone. Oniisan's gone...He's not coming back. He's really gone..." Kasumi whispered as Ayane gently rocked her sister.
"I know...Sshh, you're going to be fine." Ayane hushed. Though she never liked her half-sister, Ayane could see the deep pain Kasumi felt. Kasumi pushed her away gently and stood up. Her eyes narrowed at the elders assembled in front of them.
"You're lying! I know it! Hayate's too strong to have died!" She picked up her katana and tucked it in her sheath. Then she picked up her small duffel bag and slung it over one shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going young lady?" The elder demanded.
"To find my brother." She answered, determination in her eyes. Ayane gasped.
"That's crazy Kasumi! He's gone!"
"NO HE'S NOT!" She yelled.
"If you leave Kasumi, you will never be welcome back as a Shinobi. You will be an outcast. If you are seen with any other Shinobi, you will be killed."
"I DON'T CARE!!!! I WANT TO FIND MY BROTHER!!!!!!" Kasumi screamed. She swiftly jumped out the window and began to run, her eyes burning with tears.
"I'm coming for you Oniisan...Just wait for me."
*~End~*
"I'm sorry if I'm such a pain Oniisan, but I just need someone to hold me. Everyday I have to hide in the shadows, I can never even go into a shop without caution. Everyone know's who I am. I just need human contact. Please understand..." She sobbed.
"Imoto-chan... I'm so sorry you have to go through all this. I'm not worth all your suffering. You should've just left me!"
"No, you ARE worth it Oniisan. You're all I have left. I love you." She whispered. He sobbed, burying his face in her hair, ashamed that he had put his sister through so much pain.
"I love you too Imoto-chan." He answered softly. He rained kisses on her soft hair, inhaling the scent he had missed for so long. He remembered when he had faced her in the tournament, not knowing who she was.
*~Flashback~*
A teen looked at him hopefully, eyes wide with innocence.
"Nii-san? Hayate nii-san!" He cocked his head at the name, unfamiliar with it, being the second time he had been called that.
"You...know me?" Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"Aren't you my brother?" He said nothing and got into his fighting stance. He fought fiercely, but she, only half-heartedly. As though she didn't want to hurt him. After the fight, he cradled her in his lap. His mind was desperately trying to remember her, so hard that he was beginning to get dizzy. Her eyes were closed, her breathing laboured. He gently stroked her cheek, and her skin felt warm beneath his cold fingertips. Something was crying out to him, telling him that he loved her. But somehow he couldn't quite grasp it. His mind was swirling with so many emotions, and the more he begged it to calm down, the more haywire it went. /Stop it! Please!/ He begged, and a small sob of frustration escaped his throat. He gently lay her on the ground and removed his jacket. Placing it gently over her, he then kissed her brow softly, before turning to face the feared Tengu.
*~End~*
A knock startled the two from their cherished silence. "Hayate-Kun?" A male queried.
"Hayabusa?" He asked, bewildered.
"Hai." Hayate opened the door slowly. Kasumi's face lit up with happiness.
"Ryu-Chan!!!" She squealed and embraced him tightly. The ninja blinked svereal times before hesitantly embracing the seventeen year-old that was clinging to him happily. Hayate laughed at the look on his best friend's face.
"Don't worry Ryu-Kun, she tends to do that a lot." He winked at his little sister as she poked her tongue out at him. Hayate shut the door and smiled as Kasumi continued to hug his best friend.
"It's very nice to see you again Kasumi-San." Hayabusa said after a while. She looked up into his emerald eyes and smiled.
"Yes, it is." He noticed her eyes were slightly puffy. He reached out and gently touched beneath her right, then left eye. She closed her eyes.
"Have you been crying Kasumi-San?" She looked away and stared at the floor.
"Yes." He gently tilted her head up so that their eyes met once more.
"I thought you were stronger than that..." He said softly.
"I-I couldn't stand being alone. I'm sorry I'm so weak..." She said, and pulled away from their embrace. Hayabusa instantly regretted his words and looked away in shame.
"Gomen Kasumi-San, I didn't mean it." The teen said nothing, and just stared out the window.
Hayate coughed to break the silence and took off the robe before putting on his fingerless gloves. "I-uh have to go to my next fight. Coming?"
"Against who?" Hayabusa asked, glad he had changed the subject. They all walked out the door and down the hall.
"Tina." Was all he said. Kasumi hissed with disgust.
"That slut! I hope you get her good!" She declared. Hayate smiled and ruffled her hair. He walked halfway through the door that led to the arena, before turning to look at the two people he loved.
"I'll get her for you. Okay imoto-chan?" She smiled, ran up to him and kissed his cheek.
"Hai!"
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"Here I come!" Tina drawled in her thick American accent. She leaned over, and displayed her cleavage. Hayate narrowed his eyes in disgust.
"Don't come near me!" He hissed. He got into his fighting stance and Tina pouted seductively. The arbiter, a cute looking 14 year-old with light pink hair, stood between them with a mic. She looked at the two then the crowd.
"Get ready. Fight!" She announced, before gracefully disappearing in a whirl of rose petals.
Hayate wasted no time and quickly punched her in the stomach. Hard. The blow sent her straight through the sliding doors and into the garden. She got up and angrily aimed a kick at his chest, but this left her wide open. Hayate took the chance and punched her in the ribs. Tina then performed a throw that got too close for comfort. Kasumi, cloaked beside her beloved ninja guardian, snarled as Tina 'accidentally' grabbed her brother in a 'certain' place as she performed the throw. Anger pumped through her veins as Tina continued to flirt, and she almost burst in fury, if not for Hayabusa restraining her, as Tina went overboard with one move. As Tina locked Hayate in a throw that would painfully injure his leg, she lustfully placed a kiss on his crotch. Hayate turned red, half with embarrassment, the other with fury. He slammed blow after blow, kick after kick into the American and the match was soon over. He looked at his opponent, pitifully sprawled on the dirt. Blood trickled out the corner of her mouth as she looked at him through one eye, the other fast turning purple.
"I hate you." He spat bitterly. Tina managed a small pout before passing out. Hayate wiped the blood from his lip, the cut aquired from a careless mistake in the fight. The arbiter re-appeared in a whirl of petals before taking Hayate's hand, and raising it.
"Hayate is the winner!" She announced cheerfully. Kasumi whooped with joy and jumped up, punching the air. It was a big mistake and her hood fell back, exposing her identity. Ayane spotted her half-sister immediately.
"Hello." She greeted icily. Kasumi gasped.
"A-Ayane-San." Ayane smiled bitterly and whipped out a shuriken, holding it at Kasumi's throat. Kasumi looked at Hayabusa desperately, and Ayane laughed.
"He can't do anything. It's an order for the whole Shinobi clan, that if you are spotted, then you must be killed. No one can interfere. No one." Hayabusa smiled before lowering Ayane's arm.
"Very true Ayane-San. But you are forgetting that Kasumi entered the tournament, which means that if you kill her, YOU will be exiled from the clan for breaking the rules." Ayane gasped, realizing her mistake. She growled in frustration, before turning heel and leaving.
"You're safe for now Kasumi. But once this tournament is finished, consider yourself already dead, SIS." She spat. Kasumi breathed a sigh of relief and embraced her guardian.
"Arigato Ryu-Chan!" He smiled at her.
"It was nothing. Come, let us congratulate your brother." The two walked over to where Hayate sat. Kasumi embraced her brother, raining kisses on his cheek. He laughed and ruffled her hair.
"Stop it imoto-chan! You're embarrassing me!"
"I'm glad you kicked her butt! That slut deserved it!" Hayabusa helped his friend up, and fondly clapped him on the shoulder.
"Very well done Hayate-Kun."
"Arigato." He answered, with a small bow. Kasumi hugged her brother tightly and he winced.
"As much as I love the attention imoto-chan, that really hurts." He stated through clenched teeth. Kasumi let go, looking at him apologetically. She settled for holding his hand in her right, and holding her guardian's in her left as they walked back to the hotel. Hayate opened the door for them and motioned for the two to enter. Kasumi started to, but stopped so fast, her brother slammed into her.
"Imoto-chan! What gives Kasumi?!" He poked her back playfully.
"Gomen...I-I just realized that I have to run away again."
"Nani?! But you entered the tournament!" Her brother reasoned.
"The clan recently dispatched a new set of assassins, and they aren't part of the clan, so the rule won't apply. The next round I'm in isn't for another month, which leaves me wide open."
"We will not let anything happen to you Kasumi." Hayabusa replied strongly. Kasumi shook her head quickly. "Iie. I won't risk either of you two. I love you both too much to do that." Hayate melted at his sister's words, and felt extremely proud of her.
"When will you have to go?" She choked back a sob.
"At sunset." Hayate embraced his sister.
"Then you still have some time left with us. Come on, let's go up on the roof."
"No it's okay Onii-Chan. I'll pass." Kasumi stared at the floor sadly. Hayate pouted.
"Please? For old time's sake?" Seeing her brother's innocent eyes and pout, Kasumi couldn't help but smile. "Well...I guess so..."
"Yatta!!!" Hayate cheered. He grabbed Kasumi's hand and literally dragged her upstairs. Hayabusa smiled at the pair, glad that his friend smiled more often. /Maybe you should do that/ A voice in his head said. The ninja pushed away the thought as he disappeared in a whirl of leaves to join his friends.
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"Are you the one they call the 'Smiling Assassin'?" The man asked. The girl tossed her pale rose-colored hair and shrugged. She blinked, gazing at the figure with amusement twinkling in her golden eyes. "Well, technically here they call me Michiko."
"You are the one in charge of the fighters?"
"Nuh uh. I'm the arbiter for the fights, NOT the fighters." She replied airily.
"Is a girl called Kasumi part of the tournament?"
"What if she is?"
"Then you tell me where she is." The man responded. The girl shrugged.
"And what if I don't wanna tell you?"
"Then you will die." He hissed, and held a shuriken to her throat. She giggled.
"Tsk tsk tsk Samurai-Sama!" In less than a second she drew her two Katanas from their sheath at her back and slashed the man's throat. Blood splattered her outfit, identical to Kasumi's white and pink one, but with the colors switched. The man fell to the floor with a thud and she pouted.
"You silly baka! Now look! You got blood all over my favorite outfit!" She giggled, and kicked the limp figure before her face turned serious.
"Though I am only fourteen, I am in charge of these fights. I will not have anyone injuring my contestants." She spat on him before whirling away in a haze of rose petals.
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Like it? The next chapter is very mushy, cuz I am a MASSIVE Hayabusa/Kasumi fan. They are so cute! R&R peeplz!
It's set during the third tournament in the Asian hotel. It's one of the stages on DOA2. (The room with the sliding Japanese/Chinese doors, the ones you can send people flying through into the garden outside!)
Anatha thing, this fic has tons of flashbacks, so bare wiv me okeiz? Plus I absolutely DETEST Tina. She gets beaten up badly. So uh, gomen 2 all u Tina luvers. (Pu-leez! She is such a slut!)
Disclaima: All charaz belong to their respectful owners. Whoeva they r. Oh, and the promise Hayabusa makes, belongs to Aragorn from LOTR. See if you can recognize it.
***************************_***************************_***************************_*************
A Promise Kept
Chapter 1: Cherished Re-union
Hayabusa sat on the roof of his room. It was temporary of course, just while the third tournament was on. The wind ruffled his waist long hair, and whipped away the loose ribbon that was holding it in place. His hair streamed behind him in a curtain of silk. He gazed at the sun as it gracefully rose up from the horizon, painting the sea brilliant shades of red and yellow. He sighed and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. The ninja bowed his head, remembering the promise he had made to his best friend not such a long time ago.
*~Flashback~*
"I have to leave. Look after Kasumi for me." A cloaked figure said curtly, before turning to walk out on the bewildered ninja.
"Chotto matte Hayate-Kun!" He called, grabbing his best friend's upper arm. The figure turned to look at him.
"What about Kasumi? You cannot just leave her. You know she loves you more than the world." Hayabusa explained. A tear trailed out of the corner of his beautiful brown eye.
"I know...I can't bear to leave her. But-but there are so many questions that need answering. Tell her that I left to find answers, that it's not her fault. Tell her I love her more than life itself. Promise me Hayabusa, that you'll look after her. Promise me!" He pleaded, firmly clasping the ninja's shoulders, and shaking him slightly.
"I promise you, I will do everything I can to protect her."
"But how can I be sure that you will? Hayabusa, how can I be sure you will keep your promise?" The emerald-eyed ninja gazed at the man before him and inched closer.
"I will Hayate-kun..." Then he placed the most barest of kisses on his friend's lips before pulling back. "If by my life or death I can protect her, then I will." He whispered. The moonshine briefly illuminated the man's face, and revealed tears staining his cheeks. He embraced the slightly smaller ninja, burying his face in his hair.
"Arigato..." Hayate whispered, then kissed his friend briefly on the cheek.
"Sayonara Hayate." The ninja replied sadly as the man silently escaped into the night wind.
*~End~*
The ninja touched his cheek where his friend had kissed him. When he had defeated Hayate, his friend finally remembered who he was, but had forgotten the bond between them. He smiled bitterly.
"What is the use of dwelling upon one's past?" A shadow caught his eye, and he focused on it. He saw the briefest flash of light brown/red hair before the figure disappered into the hotel. The footsteps were too light to be that of a man's. He backflipped silently onto the ground and disappered into the shadows after the figure.
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Hayate stepped out of the shower, finally clean after a hard night of fighting and only 4 hours sleep. He put on his red pants and a light, cotton bathrobe, then began towelling his reddish hair. He heard a knock.
"Excuse me sir, but could you spare me five minutes of your time?" A small female voice asked. He looked at the clock above his bed.
"Actually, I have half an hour. So, sure." He opened the door, and a cloaked figure launched itself at him. "Nani?!" He stumbled backwards and fell against the wall. The figure looked up, brown eyes brimming with tears. "Imoto-chan?!"
"Hayate nii-san!" She sobbed, burying her face in his hair.
"Kasumi-chan, what are you doing here? You know that if someone catches us, we could be killed."
"I know." She sobbed, looking up at him while tears fell out of her gorgeously innocent eyes. His face softened and he wiped away the tears with his thumb.
"Oniisan, you don't know how hard it is to be a runaway Shinobi. It's so hard to be alone..." He embraced her tightly, his eyes filling with unshed tears. She was alone because of him.
*~Flashback~*
"We're sorry Kasumi, but you're brother is dead." The elder said. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"You're lying!" She screamed. The elder shook his head sadly. She fell to her knees and screamed until her throat burned. Ayane gently placed a hand on her half-sister's shoulder. The teen collapsed gratefully into Ayane's arms and cried.
"He's gone. Oniisan's gone...He's not coming back. He's really gone..." Kasumi whispered as Ayane gently rocked her sister.
"I know...Sshh, you're going to be fine." Ayane hushed. Though she never liked her half-sister, Ayane could see the deep pain Kasumi felt. Kasumi pushed her away gently and stood up. Her eyes narrowed at the elders assembled in front of them.
"You're lying! I know it! Hayate's too strong to have died!" She picked up her katana and tucked it in her sheath. Then she picked up her small duffel bag and slung it over one shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going young lady?" The elder demanded.
"To find my brother." She answered, determination in her eyes. Ayane gasped.
"That's crazy Kasumi! He's gone!"
"NO HE'S NOT!" She yelled.
"If you leave Kasumi, you will never be welcome back as a Shinobi. You will be an outcast. If you are seen with any other Shinobi, you will be killed."
"I DON'T CARE!!!! I WANT TO FIND MY BROTHER!!!!!!" Kasumi screamed. She swiftly jumped out the window and began to run, her eyes burning with tears.
"I'm coming for you Oniisan...Just wait for me."
*~End~*
"I'm sorry if I'm such a pain Oniisan, but I just need someone to hold me. Everyday I have to hide in the shadows, I can never even go into a shop without caution. Everyone know's who I am. I just need human contact. Please understand..." She sobbed.
"Imoto-chan... I'm so sorry you have to go through all this. I'm not worth all your suffering. You should've just left me!"
"No, you ARE worth it Oniisan. You're all I have left. I love you." She whispered. He sobbed, burying his face in her hair, ashamed that he had put his sister through so much pain.
"I love you too Imoto-chan." He answered softly. He rained kisses on her soft hair, inhaling the scent he had missed for so long. He remembered when he had faced her in the tournament, not knowing who she was.
*~Flashback~*
A teen looked at him hopefully, eyes wide with innocence.
"Nii-san? Hayate nii-san!" He cocked his head at the name, unfamiliar with it, being the second time he had been called that.
"You...know me?" Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"Aren't you my brother?" He said nothing and got into his fighting stance. He fought fiercely, but she, only half-heartedly. As though she didn't want to hurt him. After the fight, he cradled her in his lap. His mind was desperately trying to remember her, so hard that he was beginning to get dizzy. Her eyes were closed, her breathing laboured. He gently stroked her cheek, and her skin felt warm beneath his cold fingertips. Something was crying out to him, telling him that he loved her. But somehow he couldn't quite grasp it. His mind was swirling with so many emotions, and the more he begged it to calm down, the more haywire it went. /Stop it! Please!/ He begged, and a small sob of frustration escaped his throat. He gently lay her on the ground and removed his jacket. Placing it gently over her, he then kissed her brow softly, before turning to face the feared Tengu.
*~End~*
A knock startled the two from their cherished silence. "Hayate-Kun?" A male queried.
"Hayabusa?" He asked, bewildered.
"Hai." Hayate opened the door slowly. Kasumi's face lit up with happiness.
"Ryu-Chan!!!" She squealed and embraced him tightly. The ninja blinked svereal times before hesitantly embracing the seventeen year-old that was clinging to him happily. Hayate laughed at the look on his best friend's face.
"Don't worry Ryu-Kun, she tends to do that a lot." He winked at his little sister as she poked her tongue out at him. Hayate shut the door and smiled as Kasumi continued to hug his best friend.
"It's very nice to see you again Kasumi-San." Hayabusa said after a while. She looked up into his emerald eyes and smiled.
"Yes, it is." He noticed her eyes were slightly puffy. He reached out and gently touched beneath her right, then left eye. She closed her eyes.
"Have you been crying Kasumi-San?" She looked away and stared at the floor.
"Yes." He gently tilted her head up so that their eyes met once more.
"I thought you were stronger than that..." He said softly.
"I-I couldn't stand being alone. I'm sorry I'm so weak..." She said, and pulled away from their embrace. Hayabusa instantly regretted his words and looked away in shame.
"Gomen Kasumi-San, I didn't mean it." The teen said nothing, and just stared out the window.
Hayate coughed to break the silence and took off the robe before putting on his fingerless gloves. "I-uh have to go to my next fight. Coming?"
"Against who?" Hayabusa asked, glad he had changed the subject. They all walked out the door and down the hall.
"Tina." Was all he said. Kasumi hissed with disgust.
"That slut! I hope you get her good!" She declared. Hayate smiled and ruffled her hair. He walked halfway through the door that led to the arena, before turning to look at the two people he loved.
"I'll get her for you. Okay imoto-chan?" She smiled, ran up to him and kissed his cheek.
"Hai!"
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"Here I come!" Tina drawled in her thick American accent. She leaned over, and displayed her cleavage. Hayate narrowed his eyes in disgust.
"Don't come near me!" He hissed. He got into his fighting stance and Tina pouted seductively. The arbiter, a cute looking 14 year-old with light pink hair, stood between them with a mic. She looked at the two then the crowd.
"Get ready. Fight!" She announced, before gracefully disappearing in a whirl of rose petals.
Hayate wasted no time and quickly punched her in the stomach. Hard. The blow sent her straight through the sliding doors and into the garden. She got up and angrily aimed a kick at his chest, but this left her wide open. Hayate took the chance and punched her in the ribs. Tina then performed a throw that got too close for comfort. Kasumi, cloaked beside her beloved ninja guardian, snarled as Tina 'accidentally' grabbed her brother in a 'certain' place as she performed the throw. Anger pumped through her veins as Tina continued to flirt, and she almost burst in fury, if not for Hayabusa restraining her, as Tina went overboard with one move. As Tina locked Hayate in a throw that would painfully injure his leg, she lustfully placed a kiss on his crotch. Hayate turned red, half with embarrassment, the other with fury. He slammed blow after blow, kick after kick into the American and the match was soon over. He looked at his opponent, pitifully sprawled on the dirt. Blood trickled out the corner of her mouth as she looked at him through one eye, the other fast turning purple.
"I hate you." He spat bitterly. Tina managed a small pout before passing out. Hayate wiped the blood from his lip, the cut aquired from a careless mistake in the fight. The arbiter re-appeared in a whirl of petals before taking Hayate's hand, and raising it.
"Hayate is the winner!" She announced cheerfully. Kasumi whooped with joy and jumped up, punching the air. It was a big mistake and her hood fell back, exposing her identity. Ayane spotted her half-sister immediately.
"Hello." She greeted icily. Kasumi gasped.
"A-Ayane-San." Ayane smiled bitterly and whipped out a shuriken, holding it at Kasumi's throat. Kasumi looked at Hayabusa desperately, and Ayane laughed.
"He can't do anything. It's an order for the whole Shinobi clan, that if you are spotted, then you must be killed. No one can interfere. No one." Hayabusa smiled before lowering Ayane's arm.
"Very true Ayane-San. But you are forgetting that Kasumi entered the tournament, which means that if you kill her, YOU will be exiled from the clan for breaking the rules." Ayane gasped, realizing her mistake. She growled in frustration, before turning heel and leaving.
"You're safe for now Kasumi. But once this tournament is finished, consider yourself already dead, SIS." She spat. Kasumi breathed a sigh of relief and embraced her guardian.
"Arigato Ryu-Chan!" He smiled at her.
"It was nothing. Come, let us congratulate your brother." The two walked over to where Hayate sat. Kasumi embraced her brother, raining kisses on his cheek. He laughed and ruffled her hair.
"Stop it imoto-chan! You're embarrassing me!"
"I'm glad you kicked her butt! That slut deserved it!" Hayabusa helped his friend up, and fondly clapped him on the shoulder.
"Very well done Hayate-Kun."
"Arigato." He answered, with a small bow. Kasumi hugged her brother tightly and he winced.
"As much as I love the attention imoto-chan, that really hurts." He stated through clenched teeth. Kasumi let go, looking at him apologetically. She settled for holding his hand in her right, and holding her guardian's in her left as they walked back to the hotel. Hayate opened the door for them and motioned for the two to enter. Kasumi started to, but stopped so fast, her brother slammed into her.
"Imoto-chan! What gives Kasumi?!" He poked her back playfully.
"Gomen...I-I just realized that I have to run away again."
"Nani?! But you entered the tournament!" Her brother reasoned.
"The clan recently dispatched a new set of assassins, and they aren't part of the clan, so the rule won't apply. The next round I'm in isn't for another month, which leaves me wide open."
"We will not let anything happen to you Kasumi." Hayabusa replied strongly. Kasumi shook her head quickly. "Iie. I won't risk either of you two. I love you both too much to do that." Hayate melted at his sister's words, and felt extremely proud of her.
"When will you have to go?" She choked back a sob.
"At sunset." Hayate embraced his sister.
"Then you still have some time left with us. Come on, let's go up on the roof."
"No it's okay Onii-Chan. I'll pass." Kasumi stared at the floor sadly. Hayate pouted.
"Please? For old time's sake?" Seeing her brother's innocent eyes and pout, Kasumi couldn't help but smile. "Well...I guess so..."
"Yatta!!!" Hayate cheered. He grabbed Kasumi's hand and literally dragged her upstairs. Hayabusa smiled at the pair, glad that his friend smiled more often. /Maybe you should do that/ A voice in his head said. The ninja pushed away the thought as he disappeared in a whirl of leaves to join his friends.
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"Are you the one they call the 'Smiling Assassin'?" The man asked. The girl tossed her pale rose-colored hair and shrugged. She blinked, gazing at the figure with amusement twinkling in her golden eyes. "Well, technically here they call me Michiko."
"You are the one in charge of the fighters?"
"Nuh uh. I'm the arbiter for the fights, NOT the fighters." She replied airily.
"Is a girl called Kasumi part of the tournament?"
"What if she is?"
"Then you tell me where she is." The man responded. The girl shrugged.
"And what if I don't wanna tell you?"
"Then you will die." He hissed, and held a shuriken to her throat. She giggled.
"Tsk tsk tsk Samurai-Sama!" In less than a second she drew her two Katanas from their sheath at her back and slashed the man's throat. Blood splattered her outfit, identical to Kasumi's white and pink one, but with the colors switched. The man fell to the floor with a thud and she pouted.
"You silly baka! Now look! You got blood all over my favorite outfit!" She giggled, and kicked the limp figure before her face turned serious.
"Though I am only fourteen, I am in charge of these fights. I will not have anyone injuring my contestants." She spat on him before whirling away in a haze of rose petals.
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Like it? The next chapter is very mushy, cuz I am a MASSIVE Hayabusa/Kasumi fan. They are so cute! R&R peeplz!