The Clouds Will Part
Chapter 1
The sound of thunder can be heard in the distance, as Ayane ties back her purple hair. Rain drops glisten on her window, while tears form in her crimson eyes. Ayane lets out a sigh, as the thunder forces a memory to resurface in her mind. Ayane gazes at her reflection and cringes. She cannot hide the presence of Hayate, that lurks beneath the surface.
Fire forms in Ayane's eyes, as she shatters the mirror with her hands. She can no longer stand to look at herself: "What have I done?" she asks. Ayane runs outside in order to escape her overwhelming feelings of guilt and disgust. She looks up at the sky and watches the lightning illuminate it. Ayane lets out a scream, which echoes over her village. The storm immediately follows her lead. A lightning bolt strikes a tree and it crashes down in front of her. Ayane cannot take her eyes off of it. She remains still and mourns the violated tree. She lies down in the muddy grass and closes her eyes, as she allows her haunting memories to overtake her.
6 months earlier
Ayane opens her eyes to the sun beaming down on her. She stretches her petite frame and climbs out of her bed. Ayane heads out to the river for a swim. She glances around to make sure no one is watching. She slowly removes her dress and shakes her hair free. The sun sparkles on her pale breasts, as she jumps into the cool water. Ayane closes her eyes and dives in deep. When she surfaces, she sees Hayate sneaking a glance at her from the shore.
"Mind if I join you?" he asks. Ayane's hesitant gaze shifts to a small nod. Her face turns beet red, as she timidly puts her arms around her breasts. Hayate puts down his sword and takes off his clothes, revealing his lean, muscular body. He slowly approaches Ayane in the water and shoots her a half-smile. Ayane lets out a nervous giggle and playfully splashes him. Hayate initially gives her a look of disapproval, but then he suddenly grabs her and pulls her closer to him.
"What are you doing?" Ayane shrieks, as she pushes him away from her. "It is ok," he explains. "Don't be frightened, we cannot deny our connection any longer." Ayane's mind races, as she thinks about the consequences of her actions:
"What will Kasumi think of me if she finds out?" Hayate's deep brown eyes give her a penetrating stare, as his hand brushes up against her arm. She locks eyes with him and releases her breasts from her arms. Hayate embraces her and starts kissing her all over. Ayane melts, as Hayate touches every inch of her body. He picks her up in his arms and she wraps her legs around him tightly. Ayane gives in to ecstasy, as he enters her. Ayane lets out a small moan and clings on to him. When it is over, he releases her and gives her a kiss on the forehead.
"I have to go," Hayate says. He leaves Ayane, still trembling in the river. A rain drop falls on her head, as she slowly drags herself out of the water. Ayane begins to run home in order to avoid the storm, but it is too late. She runs into a temple to take shelter. Ayane's footsteps echo as she approaches the altar. She gets down on her knees to confess her sin, when she hears a woman's voice in the distance:
"Ayane, the truth is I am your mother," says the voice of Ayame, Kasumi and Hayate's mother. Ayane freezes, as the tears begin to roll down her cheek. She realizes that Raidou, the man that raped Ayame, is her father. She runs out of the temple and slams the door so hard, that she cracks it. Ayane runs as fast as she can. She trips over a branch and falls to the ground. Mud covers her body, but she does not dare to wipe herself off. She is shaking violently and unable to channel her rage.
Ayane runs through her village and starts smashing windows with her hands. Blood sheds to the surface of her knuckles. Ayane fixates her fiery eyes on the blood, the same blood that she shares with Hayate. Ayane screams and claws at her skin. The blood pours out of her, tainted. Ayane hears Raidou's voice over her screams. Without thinking twice, she runs toward him with tears piercing her eyes. She attacks him and sees him as the source of all of her pain.
Raidou easily pushes her back and Hayate steps in to defend her. Ayane's combination of love and disgust makes his appearance unbearable and at the same time, so comforting. Hayate's tender touch comes back to her, as she watches Raidou throw Hayate into a wall.
"Master Hayate," she shrieks. Ayane faints and everything goes dark.
Present Day
Ayane opens her eyes and looks up at the sky. The clouds part and the sun begins to peek out. She gathers herself up and stands tall. With Hayate's memory gone, she realizes that she must live with this shame alone. However, she cannot ignore the connection that still exists between them. She wipes away her tears and stares at her reflection in a puddle. She will not be able to free herself from Hayate, but she knows that she must continue on and face the struggles that lie ahead. Ayane smiles at her reflection and walks away, leaving her past and love behind her.