Ryu/Ayane. Rated for language and adult situations.

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Dead or Alive' series.

Ayane sighed as she shoved her journal under her mattress, she didn't want to leave it behind though she knew her pesky brother would get into it in an attempt to prove once and for all that there was something going on between her and Ryu. Even though she and her brother were both adults and shouldn't pry into each other's personal lives, it was just how they were…constantly getting on each other's nerves as children. If Hayate had a love interest, she'd probably be doing the same thing to him. Besides, at some point he'd have to realize that Ryu loved her more than life itself. She suddenly looked at her watch, it was time to leave so they could catch their train. She'd insisted on it, swearing it plainly be easier on her. But the truth of the matter was that when it was time for her medicine to run out, she could take more in the privacy of a bathroom.

"Here, I want you to wear this." Ryu handed her a piece of folded cloth.

She quirked an eyebrow, the contents of the cloth was a half-broken amulet "What is it?"

"The Talisman of Rebirth. I want you to wear it just in case we can't find Christie in time." He tied it around her neck and then wrapped his arms around her.

She blinked a few times "What's wrong?"

"I…I'm not sure if it will work. It's very old and has been used a lot." He swallowed hard "We might not be able to find an antidote, and when the poison overcomes you, the amulet might not work…" he stroked her hair "I'm scared I'm going to lose you."

Ayane grimaced. Never In her life, since the day she met Ryu, hear him say that he was 'scared'. She was speechless as fear consumed her –the kind that surrounds you in complete hopelessness. 'What if he's right?' tears filled her eyes and she felt liquid droplets hit the top of her head. Her heart felt like it stopped as she forced her head up.

Ryu wiped away tears, sinking to his knees "I'm sorry, -"

"Ryu-" she choked out and wrapped her arms around his neck "…Please don't be sad…" she whispered.

"I can't… my optimism has dwindled and despair is consuming my soul."

She raked her fingers through his soft brown hair, trying her hardest to think of something to say. But the pain in her chest prevented her ability to think clearly.

Ryu leaned his head back against the cushion of the train's seat, trying his absolute hardest to force his bad feelings about finding Christie. He looked down towards his lap when Ayane shifted her weight. She'd fallen asleep over an hour ago, he'd been watching her attentively for signs of physical deterioration. He knew she was stoic and would never let anyone know she was in pain. He knew she was worse than she let on and she couldn't lie in her sleep. He lightly brushed her hair away from her face, and then rested it on her shoulder.

Hayate cleared his throat "Ryu,"

"I'm sorry." He removed his hand from her shoulder.

He shook his head slightly, "No, not that, I've always dreaded the day that my baby sister would fall in love…" He looked down, unable to look at them anymore.

Ryu stared at him for a moment. Already tactically choosing his responds, one careless word could easily lead to misconception. One of the last things he wanted to be to get into a fight with his best friend. In front of her no less.

"Growing up for us was hard, it was mostly because of our parents. Well, only one of them was really mine." He stared at the floor for a moment, deciding he wasn't making much sense "Has Ayane told you that she is my half-sister?"

Ryu shook his head.

"My mother died giving birth to Kasumi. As the leader, my father had to remarry quickly. A year and a half later, Ayane was born."

Now it sounded familiar to him, she mentioned it to him a long time ago. She'd told him her mother's bloodline was tainted, making her different from the rest of the Mugen Tenshin ninjas. It was the main reason was she was around him all the time. Okay, that was a lie…when her father was still alive, he asked Ryu's father that she occasionally stay with them to assist the Hayabusa clan in anything they needed. At a young age, he understood that it was because the other Mugen Tenshin clan members were afraid of her dark powers. That they thought that the Hajin Mon bloodline had died off along with Ayane's grandfather but all soon realized how wrong they were when she started training when she was a child. After only three years she was able to keep up with Hayate and Kasumi, they'd been training almost six years longer.

"Ryu?" Hayate almost sounded concerned as he tried to bring his friend back to Earth.

He suddenly looked up "Sorry…what were you saying?"

It took him a moment before he answered, "Ayane was always left out. I love her as dearly as Kasumi, I never wanted her to feel like she was less." He rubbed his face "I've strayed from my point. Ever since I can remember, Ayane has wanted to fall in love and have a family. Though the Hajin Mon skips a generation, father always told her it would be a mistake. Each new generation of Hajin Mon are much more powerful than the last. They lose control of their power easily, making them very dangerous. And bad fortunes tend to follow them."

Ryu's eyebrows knitted, he almost refused to believe it. He practically grew up with her and never, never in his life could he consider her any kind of threat.

"You're right, Ryu. I agree with you. Though, it's just us" he seemed to know what he was thinking. Then he said guiltily "…and your clan knew it, too."

Ryu knew what he meant…They both knew trouble liked to follow Ayane around. Hayate blamed himself for the death of the Hayabusa clan. His attention moved back to Ayane, who was clutching her side. He glanced at Hayate, then back at her. They could see she was in a lot pain.

"It looks like her kidney." Hayate leaned over more.

"Mmm." Ayane briefly grimaced before she opened her eyes and noticed they were staring. She smiled nervously "I shouldn't have fallen asleep while we were moving." She placed a hand over her mouth to feign motion sickness "I'll be back."

They watched her run off to the bathrooms, both bore worried expressions. Ryu stood up to go after her.

Hayate gently grabbed his arm "Ryu…I'm happy that you're the one she fell for. I couldn't have picked a better husband for her."

He smiled, "It's frightening how you always seem to know what I'm thinking."

"I don't. I was just hoping since you're bangin' her, you'd eventually get hitched." He sent Ryu on his way.

Ayane picked herself up off the floor after consuming the potion. "Prodigy my ass." She glared at herself in the mirror.

"Ayane?" Ryu knocked on the door. After she opened it, he immediately touched her forehead "You look pale. Are you in pain at all?"

"Yeah, the medicine just wore off… I guess I didn't understand the severity of 'quickly'."

"Can't you put them in a larger container?" she asked shook the empty vile.

"No, if you consume more than a small amount at a time, your body will be overcome." He stood her upright.

"That blows." She grimaced.

He touched her face "Are you sure you're alright? You look really pale."

"Yeah, I'm fine." She faintly smiled.

He held her hand affectionately "Promise to tell me if you're not feeling well? Please don't lie to me anymore..."

'Damn, cornered.' she draped her free hand around his neck "I promise, master Ryu."

"Thank you." He wrapped his arms around her waist.

She kissed his cheek 'I hate lying to you… but I have to…'

He pressed his lips against hers. Ayane giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. He pushed her against the wall and deepened the kiss. She hastily slid her hands between them and began loosening Ryu's pants, groaning when he teased her neck and collarbone.

"Ayane! Ryu!" Hayate banged on the door, and sternly said; "Man, just 'cause I said I approve of you guys doesn't mean you can run off and fuck whenever you want! Ayane, I know you can hear me! Get out here!"

I am really, really sorry to everyone that added this story to their alerts. I got stuck on it and recently decided it's now or never. I re-organized it and added a lot of new content. I hope it came out alright, I haven't had a chance to proof read it yet…But once I do, I'll post the new version.