Marriage.
That one word, sent Hayate in a frenzy under the heavy mask he wore. His eyes lit up in disbelief, trying to think if he misunderstood his father. Marriage was never directed at him until this point in time.
"Marriage?" He asked, hiding the affirmation. The elder nodded, pacing the floor in front of his son.
"As a leader of this clan, eventually you must have a heir to take your place when you leave. Which is why you are giving two options. Find a woman you shall love and marry before your 27th birthday or have it arranged for you."
Hayate bit down a remark to ask who'd choose the maiden but he knew well who'd choose the bride. His fist curled into his lap, knuckles whitened as the bones poked out. Marriage was a word Hayate secretly despised. It was nothing but an empty word that binded two people together. Though, his parents' marriage was happy, he felt that the word for him wouldn't be as true. He had hoped for some time of delay when he had to face it but honestly, his mind had worried about it every now and then.
"The maiden. What must she be like?"
"Somebody the parents and elders can approve. That's all but it's best if she's in any clan that's on good terms such as the Hayabusa clan."
Hayate listened as his father explained what was crucial. Her personality, her past, her present, what's she capable of, basics of what Hayate should find. He really didn't wish to deal with this until later on in time as but the clan matters more than selfish needs and wants. Funny how he just was getting used to juggling his responsibility too.
Happily, Hayate was dismissed accordingly, and just when his feet stepped out the room, his father stopped him.
"If something occurs, please use this as a last resort but," Hesitation to continue was almost frightening until he continued,"Find one of our own if it comes down to it."
Hayate looked back to see stern eyes staring back at him.
"Yes, Father."
Hayate left, the words stone hard in the tensing air. He walked calmingly from the empty hallway to the outside of the home. The rain scattered everywhere, the day grey and cloudy, nothing but the sound of rain hitting the floor was only heard. He sat down on the footsteps, blankly gazing upon the homes spread out. The outside world has suddenly become so dull to Hayate now.
"Come on, hurry up Makoto!"
He found a pair of kids running towards shelters, both males laughing and panting with their sandals slapping the ground and the heel of their feet. He smiled at the sight of the two happy children, remembering how things were simpler back then. How lucky those children are.
"Master Hayate?"
His smile vanished, hazel irises following the feminine voice. He found a certain purple-haired relative dry under a transparent red umbrella. A soft smile showed as she walked in front of him, keeping her distance.
"Are you alright?" She asked, the look of concern starting to show.
He signed as he pat his hand to his side. She closed the umbrella as she went under the roof, sitting by him. He scooted a bit, giving her room as she smiled at him. He might as well tell her what's going to happen. Just say it quick and easy, he thought.
"Ayane, I'm going to have to marry next year."
Crimson orbs showed grimace as they wandered off to the grey outdoors. Ayane pulled back the strain of lavender, her face now becoming emotionless and unreadable. Though, her eyes showed the true emotions of anger and almost resentment. Negative emotions had always been easy to see in them, even when her face showed the opposite.
"Mother mentioned this to me." Ayane stated bluntly, her voice low and harsh. A moments of raindrops passed, neither of the two speaking but instead have their own thoughts to look over. Eventually, Hayate decides to ask an important question.
"Who would-"
"Nobody."
The answer came out quickly and certain, cutting off the rest of the question. She knew the question and the answer was there would be nobody worthy of her master nor her brother. Nobody deserves such a man and she'll be damned if she finds somebody worth that blessing.
"Nobody." She repeated, holding the umbrella to her lap, tightening the grip of it,"Nobody."
Hayate nodded, smiling at his sister internally. She was so protective of him, he honestly liked that she showed such worry. He was also happy that she has become more or less like his sister than an underling. They finally became more family-like, though Ayane still refuses to let go of the 'Master Hayate' or act more relaxed. Then again, this wasn't the place to be relaxed.
"I see. Nobody you know of?"
"No."
He put his arm around her and brought her closer to him, her body suddenly tensed at the sudden notion. Her body finally relaxed,her head on his shoulder, and his chin placed right on top. He pushed back the bangs and kissed her exposed forehead, releasing her bangs. He let out a puff of air as she seemed to sink further, her hand now laying on the dark blue fabric of his kimono.
"I wish you'd just stay single." Ayane admitted.
"I'd wish for that,too." Hayate sighs, watching the silhouette of his father appear at the far end of him.
If only I didn't have to marry, he thought dreadfully.
Red liquid escaped the elder man's lips, a saddening smile forming under the gushing blood. He knew his time has come, he couldn't stay as long as he hoped. He wanted to see his young girl fight for first place of the Dead or Alive tournament. He wanted her to win, in hopes she'll finally believe he's proud of her when he was already proud. He wanted to see that happy face he raised and see her overwhelmed with accomplishment. His wife looked at him with grief, tears starting to form.
"Don't cry. You'd know this would happen soon." He said, cracked and almost inaudible.
"The nurse will help you just hang in there!" She cried, her hand squeezing his. The feeling was barely noticeable, his body had grown rather numb. The brunette was miserably holding back sobs as she watched the man she loved slowly die.
"I can't. I'm sorry but my body has gotten weary. I can't hold on anymore."
"Please. Just for a little longer." She pleaded, her other hand caressing his cheek. His eyes started growing heavy, the glint of blue attempting to still shine,"She'll be devastated to find yo-"
"I know. Maybe it's for the best. Please..get me some paper. I need to write this final thing before I go."
The woman was shocked but did what he said, only to find no paper but a weak napkin that'll do. She reached for a pen in her purse and handed him the two things.
"Okay, I can do this." He whispered to himself,confidently.
His hand was shaking too violently for him to properly hold the pen, but he couldn't care. He needed to write before he left. He needed to, he had to. He held the napkin down on the empty bed table tray, his pen creating shaky, sloppy but readable handwriting. He let out another blood-filled cough, spots of it landing on the napkin. He let out a small gasp as he realized the oxygen was suddenly gone. He couldn't care, he has to get the last word in. He had to.
The chocolate-haired woman looked at the trembling hand suddenly wave off the napkin and his chest stopped rising, her hands no longer on his face or his hand were now on his shoulders.
"Honey!"
The ghostly face, wrinkles encased everywhere, and his white mustache sprayed with red had her almost lose it. The reflected light in his eye has darkened, yet despite his depressing appearance, the smile he had on from the beginning was still in tact. She looked at the written napkin, taking it from his cold hands. Her eyes widened at the handwriting and suddenly the tears she attempted to hold back slid off the corner.
Ich liebe dich, meine liebe. I was always proud of what've you done. Please,no tears for the deceasing.. Understand this is life. You'll mustn't worry about me. I'll always be here for you, Hito
He didn't even finish his daughter's name, leaving out the last two letters in her name.
"Get a doctor now!" The wife screamed in german.
The wife quickly grabbed the napkin as the newly appeared nurse took her away from the now dead man. Gawking blankly at the napkin, teardrops from her face fell onto the ink, smudging the last half written name. She reread it over and over, carefully folding the napkin and placing it in her purse. In a breeze, she felt the rush of some doctors and nurses hurry to her husband.
"Where were you, nurse?" The japanese wife asked in her own native language,"Where were you?"
The nurse tried to comfort the woman,unsure of what the woman said until she finally ripped away from her.
"Where were you?!" She yelled this time in German,"Where were you when my husband needed you?!"
The nurse looked away, biting her lip as the look of guilt over-washed her.
"I'm sorry.." Was all she managed to say before the japanese woman fell to her knees and cried her heart out.
Her husband has gone away, leaving one unaware of what has happened now and one in despair. Her beloved daughter was the only thing the wife had left. Poor young girl had lost her father trying to help him out. Then, the mother had an epiphany.
"Is the match with the young girl on?"
The nurse, crouched down to her level looked at her confusingly and taken back at the strange question.
"Pardon?"
"The girl in the finals, my daughter, is her match on?"
"You mean with the chinese man, Jann Lee? I'm not sure, I haven't checked. Isn't her name-"
"Hitomi." The japanese widow replied,"Her name is Hitomi."