Cloudless skies stretched far and wide, kissed by morning sunbeams of pink, orange, and blue that glittered across the clear waters. Dolphins leaped excitedly into the air in attempts to capture the magic above, feeling a bit jealous of the passing seagulls' ability to fly. Petite waves of ocean splashed upon a jagged stone standing in the water, reaching high enough to wet her fin from below.
Milky-beige arms opened wide and reached for the sun, allowing its comforting warmth to caress her bare skin. Her voice was light and elegant as she sang the words to a song she did not know, but her heart seemed to be familiar with. Upon finishing her melody, she leaned into gravity's embrace and allowed herself to fall into the ocean.
She swam until she came upon a coral reef ranging in all shapes and pastels. Here, she spotted a blue tang swimming about by its lonesome, and she floated over to introduce herself. The small fish wiggled with joy as she approached with a gentle wave and a smile. They studied one another for a moment, both quite fixated and content, until the tang playfully swam past her, and she gave chase with a gleeful laugh.
They fluttered along quickly at first, but then slowed to a steady pace once they cleared the reef. The tang shuffled over to place kiss her on the cheek, making her giggle, and she could've swore she saw the fish smile back at her. They drifted along aimlessly for awhile, until something draped around her from above. Tightly woven fabric tugged at her, leaving bruises across her arms and completely ensnaring her. She felt herself being pulled away and reached out for her new found friend, who seemed to be getting further and further the more desperate her pleas became. She struggled in place, wiggling frantically to break free. Water rushed past her at high speeds, and her heart got caught in her throat as she attempted to scream-
Then everything was gone, and the first thing she felt was a heavy pounding in her chest. Her breathing was irregular, and her skin was clammy and hot. Wide, brown eyes stared up at a textured ceiling, slowly coming to the realization she was not where she was a moment ago. Once the fog in her mind had passed, she drew the blanket off herself and sat up along the headboard, taking a moment to catch her breath. It was just a dream, she thought. Just a dream.
In the days that followed, Kasumi made sure to actively avoid Ayane at any costs. In the mornings, she would secretly listen out for Ayane leaving before even considering crawling out of bed. At night, she noticed that Ayane would often come back to the hotel long after the sun had gone down, so she'd make sure to be tucked away in her own room before then. Though no other conflict had spurred between the sisters since their first night, Kasumi couldn't help feeling disheartened, especially considering how they were able to get along just fine during their previous stay. She hoped that Ayane just needed some time and eventually this would blow over, but the longer she waited, the more anxious the nukenin became.
She heard the front door open and shut, the unofficial green light of Ayane allowing her to exist for the day, but instead of preparing to meet with her friends, Kasumi stayed put in the confinements of her troubled mind
Maybe sharing the same space was too much. It had been a little over a decade since the girls had even spent more than ten minutes with one another, and forcing them to all of the sudden share a room would certainly unearth Ayane's angst, even if they did have their own personal bedrooms.
The younger kunoichi had also been appointed as the leader of the Hajimon sect some time ago. She mentioned this to Kasumi some time ago in the midst of a duel. Sect leaders, more specifically that of the Hajimon, were entrusted with a great responsibility, mainly being sent out on death-teetering missions, where success relied on your ability to survive.
This meant, now more than ever, that everyone's eyes would be stalking her every move. Waiting for the moment where she would slip up, and be mercilessly ridiculed about her failure. She couldn't blame Ayane if she was a bit peeved at all the mounting pressure. In fact, if she was honest with herself, Kasumi could argue that's partly the reason she ran away.
However, it was the last thought that made her uneasy: what if Ayane truly hated her? Could that be possible? Despite any arguments or examples Kasumi could conjure to deter this thought, it hurt her to admit that she no longer knew her sister. It hurt her to contemplate that Ayane, someone she once regarded as her best friend, no longer held any semblance of affection for her. Of course she had pondered this thought long before returning to the island, having spent many sleepless nights unable to quell her anxiety, but having it confirmed in real time… it crushed her.
Now sitting on the edge of the bed, her fingers traced the slow phantom pain along her cheek. She knew she should get a move on. Kokoro and the others would be waiting on her, but whereas previously she was elated to join her friends for breakfast, that enthusiasm gradually waned into self-despair.
She brought her knees up and clutched her ankles, the room's deafening silence suddenly threatening to overtake her. But she's been here before, more times than she'd like to keep count, residing in a shell of herself that assumes the position. Years of being a nukenin had its ways of acquainting her with dark emotions she didn't know she held.
Even with the bonds she's formed outside of her village, she was still forever destined to be hunted by her clan and family. She would often reconsider ever having established personal connections with anyone.
Kokoro was but a stranger to Kasumi when she risked her life to protect her. An innocent girl carrying on with her life, suddenly getting involved in a peril she never saw coming. Kasumi hated the inconvenience she unwittingly placed upon, not only Kokoro, but also the rest of friends. She thought it best for her to just disappear. She couldn't cause any trouble that way, or better yet, let Ayane finish her task. Get it over with once and for all. That way, she'd keep her friends out of danger, and Ayane could finally exact her hatred. Everyone would benefit, even Kasumi herself.
She was ashamed to admit it, but a part of her longed for death. It was like a presence that consumed and coated her in a thick layer of melancholy, making the woman in the mirror barely recognizable. Her cheeks sagged, her eyes drooped, and her golden air muddied by shades of gray. This was but another clone, but one far more dangerous than Alpha-152. A cracked image that had been torn apart, leaving only the help of herself to piece back together
Coming to the island was more of an escape than a vacation. An escape from persecution, and the roots that traced back to her embedded seed of sorrow. She knew that once these two weeks were over, she would have to leave this small paradise conveniently out of harm's way. Things would go back to the way they were; she would return to that tied up ghost of a shell hanging in the back of her mind, and she would continue to whisper soothing lies whilst applying amber to her lips with a tube of chipped lipstick.
She didn't remember exactly how, but she managed to drag herself out of her room, and met up with Kokoro at the beachside ice cream bar from the evening before.
It was another sunlit day on New Zack Island. The skies were clear, the air was tropic and so were the beaches. Perfect for bikinis and icy cold snacks while a cool ocean breeze sweeps the shoreline. Kokoro was certainly enjoying herself, savoring the delicious taste of her Pocky green tea parfait. But she couldn't quite say the same for her friend who, upon glancing to her left, hadn't even touched her dessert. Kasumi seemed to be lost in thought; her posture rather lethargic as she stared off into space with unblinking eyes. Kokoro frowned and placed a hand on her shoulder, causing the kunouchi to jump imperceptibly at the sudden physical contact.
"Hey, you okay?" she asked softly.
Kasumi straightened herself before putting on the best face she could. "Yes, I'm fine."
Of course Kokoro wasn't buying it. Something was on her mind, that much was obvious, and she regretted not inquiring sooner.
Since the day they saw Ayane fighting with Christe, Kokoro noticed the brunette was all laughs and smiles when interacting with the group, but then she would sullenly stare down at the sand when she thought no one was looking. With how comfortable they've gotten with one another in such a small time, Kokoro felt that if Kasumi ever needed to talk, she would definitely come to her.
Although they previously agreed to leave the kunoichi to her own problems, Hitomi and Lei-Fang were not currently with them, and Kokoro took this opportunity to confront her.
"Kasumi, please talk to me. If there's something wrong, you know you can tell me, right?"
"I just…" Kasumi trailed off, internally debating whether or not to speak at all in fear of saying too much. She took a breath before starting again, "It's just that…"
Then it suddenly came crashing down on her, like roaring waves breaching and shattering the levees of a dam. She lowered her head and tried her best to blink away the wetness in the corner of her eyes. "Kokoro, I-"
She stopped when she felt Kokoro take her hand in hers, and looked up into stern, beady eyes.
"Come with me."
Kokoro pulled Kasumi out of her seat and bee-lined across the beach. Kasumi made no attempt to resist the dark-haired girl's pull. She came to find out shortly after meeting her that, whenever Kokoro got serious about something, there was no stopping her. It didn't seem like Japanese girl was giving her much of a choice anyways.
The Seabreeze Cottage was the third, and final, newly built hotel on the island. Actually, they were more like a small collection of water-top cottages built over a waterfront on the eastern side of the island. They took on an outdoorsy theme, with each cottage having a wooden décor, a wide open terrace that lets you dive straight into the ocean, and a canopy-equipped bed. All these features were lost upon Kasumi however. Her cheerless eyes surveyed the scenery, but failed to take it all in.
Kokoro led her to the rim of her bed, taking this time to take hold of Kasumi's remaining free hand into her own. She didn't say anything though, merely offering worried stares while lightly browsing her knuckles with her thumbs. Kasumi's eyes rummaged over the generic rectangles on the rug beneath them, trying to lock down a pattern of cohesive thought. She knew she owed her friend an explanation, but couldn't figure out where to begin.
"You know that... my clan…" she tried. "We have rules that must not be broken, or else be subjected to harsh consequences."
Kokoro nodded and Kasumi took time to swallow away a knot in her throat.
"My uncle, Raidou, was once set to be the seventeenth leader of our clan, but then that honor was passed to my father instead. Raidou left our village, only to return years later to steal a secret ninja art that's been passed down for generations. He attacked my brother, the new heir to the throne, and placed him into a coma. Once I received word of what happened, I left the village without permission to get revenge."
Kokoro wasn't very knowledgeable about shinobi, nor did she know they even existed until she met Kasumi, so taking in this information was a little overwhelming. Still, it was the first time ever Kasumi talked about her past, and she was intrigued to hear her out.
"Ayane tried to stop me, but I didn't listen. I took pursuit and eventually found Raidou at the first Dead or Alive tournament. He was working with DOATEC, and threatened, not only my life, but my family's as well. I killed him, but I couldn't return home. The clan casted me out and given the order to kill me, in fear that I would reveal them to the world… Ayane was the one they sent after me."
"So that's why… that's why she's always coming after you."
"Yes," Kasumi answered solemnly with a small nod, "but there's more to it than that. You see, Raidou… was also Ayane's father."
Not expecting that in the slightest, Kokoro's eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't believe what she was hearing! But, in the midst of her shock, a thought abruptly made itself known.
"Wait, if Raidou was your uncle, but he was also Ayane's father, then that would make you two...?"
"Related, yes."
The inevitable gasp that followed was consequently drowned out by the sound of Kokoro's mind exploding. She stared at Kasumi in disbelief, looking for a sign that what she was saying wasn't true, but Kasumi only nodded again, finally meeting her eyes for the first time since they had arrived.
"She was born some months after Raidou ran away. However, this was kept secret from us for most of our lives, my brother included. Growing up, Ayane and I were the best of friends, nearly inseparable. We even got matching haircuts once. I always looked forward with playing with her, but she lived in another sect of our village, so it wasn't always possible. Sometimes, when we did play together, the villagers would often give Ayane nasty looks and even spit on her, calling her a 'cursed child'. I didn't understand why until many years later, when Ayane and I were both told the truth of her conception." Kasumi took a pause to catch her breath, inadvertently causing Kokoro to sit on the edge of her seat. "My mother was the one who gave birth to Ayane."
"Wha- what?! How is that possible?"
"Raidou was angry that he had lost his right as clan successor, and in a jealous fit of rage, he raped my mother. Once this was revealed to us, Ayane began to hate me. I'm not exactly sure why. She just one day stopped talking to me, and would give me disgusted glares whenever she saw me. She would even go as far as starting fights with me, even though all I wanted to do was talk. I just wanted to be there for her..."
Her voice grew small, prompting Kokoro to frown once more. She silently observed the wave of emotions swirling on Kasumi's face, and felt useless in helping her friend quell her despair. It pained her to find out that Kasumi had been carrying this burden all this time.
Kasumi tore her gaze away from Kokoro and back to the rug below, being sure to keep her hands within Kokoro's, as to let her know that she wasn't leaving.
She realized at this moment that she needed this. All these years of being alone, exiled by her own clan and family. Having to endure the company of ghastly, demeaning voices that would regularly remind her about all her mistakes. Having to fight for her life against the one person who, she never would've guessed, would one day become her mortal enemy. It was all coming undone before her like ribbons of rapture, and Kasumi was powerless to hold it back. Tears burned down her cheeks and she lost her composure.
"She hates me, Kokoro, she hates me!" She cried. "I… I just want things to go back to the way there were. I never meant to hurt her and… all I want to do is tell her that I'm sorry… I just don't know how. She wants to kill me. I know she was ordered to do so, but she actually wants to do it… How did that happen? And why… why does she hate me so much?"
Kokoro quickly gathered the brunette into a desperate hug, wrapping her arms around her shoulders. Kasumi accepted the embrace, resting her forehead just below Kokoro's collarbone as her silent tears became full on sobs. Her face was red and hot with the buried anguish she kept inside. And it just kept coming, like endless tides during a storm. She tucked her arms under Kokoro's and reached up her back until she clung onto her shoulders. Kokoro responded by placing her chin upon silky hair, and they stayed like this for some time.
The tension in Kasumi's chest slowly bled away in the passing moments. One of Kokoro's hand found the kunoichi's hair, and stroked gently. Although her sobs had ceased, Kasumi was still shaking and made no attempt to break the hug. Kokoro was happy to hold her for as long she needed, even smiling to herself when Kasumi turned her head to lay flat just above her bosom. She lightly rocked the kunouchi back and forth in a subtle rhythm, which helped subside her shudders, and aid her normal breathing.
Once she was fully calm, Kasumi was able to take in the soft sensations of Kokoro's skin against her cheek, which reawakened her awareness of her current position.
"I'm sorry." she said, not sure if Kokoro could hear her. The night-haired girl immediately shook her head.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm your friend, remember? I'll always be here for you," Kokoro answered soothingly. She felt Kasumi nod in her arms. "Thank you for opening up to me. I had no idea you had it so rough. In all honesty, I'm not sure what to say."
It was Kasumi who shook her head this time. She pulled back a bit to meet Kokoro eye to eye, taking note of the faint, wet streaks down her face.
"It's ok, you don't have to say anything. You doing this much is more than I could've asked for. I'm the one who should be thanking you."
She laughed a little after realizing the irony, and Kokoro joined her in the laughter, shedding a friendly smile. They both wiped away their tears, feeling a bit embarrassed, but mostly delighted over the bond they created in this moment. They exchanged smiles and laughed again, realizing how much of mess the other looked. Kokoro suggested they run some water on their faces, in which Kasumi followed, willingly being lead this time.
"You're sharing a room with her!" Kokoro exclaimed, nearly dropping her freshly made tea.
Kasumi simply nodded at the girl's question before taking a sip. They sat adjacent from one another at the oak wood table located in the dining room, enjoying refreshments that Kokoro prepared after returning from the bathroom.
"From what Helena has told me, all the girls were paired with their tournament rivals." said Kasumi, suddenly aware that Kokoro only had one bedroom. "So, I'll be residing with Ayane during my stay here."
"No you won't!" Kokoro practically shouted as she stood from her seat, "You can stay here with me. I won't let you go back there after everything you've told me."
The brunette sighed. This conversation was going exactly where she didn't want it to go, but there was no way around it. She thought perhaps telling Kokoro everything may have been a mistake, but then dismissed the thought. She deserved to know, especially since she already once saved her life, and continued to look out for her. Even more than that, Kasumi bashfully enjoyed the fuss her friend was making over her.
It was selfish, but Kasumi was glad to have finally told someone about her past. She felt lighter, like part of her burdens had lifted from her, even if it did consequently wind up on someone else. Kokoro seemed willing to take on that burden though, even offering refuge. That was just the type of person Kokoro was, and Kasumi let a honeyed smile spread across lips.
"Kokoro… you are truly a great friend, and I thank you so much for caring about me the way you do. It has been… therapeutic to say the least, and I'm so glad I was able to meet someone like you," she expressed, looking up to meet her friend's gaze. Kokoro's features softened as she returned the smile. "But… I'm going to stay where I'm at. I'm going to try and work things out with Ayane. This might be… my only chance."
"But she'll try to kill you!" Kokoro scowled, to which Kasumi responded with a shake of her head.
"If she wanted to kill me, she would've done it by now. She even told me herself that she wasn't here to do so." Kasumi picked up on the fact that this contradicted what she said earlier about Ayane, and it seemed to have strengthened her resolve. "I think that somehow…I can make this right."
Kokoro sat back, gently placing her hands over the brunette's as she held her gaze, hoping to convey the worry she felt.
"Kasumi… I just don't want you to get hurt. You're a wonderful, inspiring person, and if anything ever happened to you, I wouldn't forgive myself."
"I know, and I appreciate your concern. But… I have to do this for me. I've… grown so tired of running and hiding. I just want to talk to my little sister again. I miss her."
It occurred to Kokoro that Kasumi had just referred to Ayane as her 'sister' rather than 'friend' like she had previously.
"So I… want to try one more time I'm going to do my best." Kasumi concluded.
There was a determined glint in her eye, something that Kokoro found hard to push pass, but was slowly coming to terms that she wouldn't be able to talk Kasumi out of this. It would appear that her mind was already made up, and Kokoro had no choice but to accept it. She sighed deeply, but not out of annoyance. Rather, she now mirrored her friend's expression and took her hands firmly in her own.
"If that is what you want to do… then I support you one hundred percent!" she encouraged much to Kasumi's delight. "I'm sure that you'll find a way to re-connect with Ayane. But, just know that if anything ever happens, I'm always here for you."
Kasumi smiled.
"Thank you, Kokoro."
With lunch already have gone by, Kasumi figured she'd stop by a nearby food stand, then perhaps take a stroll through the jungles. Back at home, Kasumi would often take long walks through a neighboring forest, which helped put her thoughts together. She hoped that replicating this routine would allow her to think of a way to approach her sister.
Easier said than done, Kasumi thought to herself as she walked along the line where the beach met the ocean. She hadn't the slightest clue as to what to do or say when the time came. If the time came. She was very aware that she would have to be the one to initiate the interaction, and that alone was more pressure than trying to figure out what to say afterwards. It was hard enough knowing she was already on Ayane's bad side, so whatever she came up with had to be enough for Ayane to want to tolerate her, let alone hear her out. Sadly, nothing else came to mind except for knocking on Ayane's door to see if they could talk, which Kasumi knew would be the last thing she would want to do.
She came to a stop and dug a hole in the wet sand with the toe of her sandals. Mastering the Mugen Tenshin style and various ninpo arts was difficult growing up, but none of her training could prepare her for taking on a fight like this, especially since she was already losing! Her eyes followed the ocean to the horizon, hoping the answer would come sailing in on life boat sent from the beyond.
"Hey! Kasumi!" a voice rang out behind her. She turned to find a blonde woman in the distance waving at her. "It's you, right? I've been looking for ya."
The woman was wearing a black-and-white, halter string bikini with a lattice front and spider web pattern. She also had a thick, southern accent with just enough sass to convey that she wasn't no regular cowgirl.
Kasumi immediately recognized her was and returned the gesture. "Good afternoon, Tina!" She called out. The two women trudged across the sand and exchanged friendly smiles once they were closer.
"Been a long time now, hadn't it?" said Tina, "I reckon I ain't seen you since the tournament."
"Yes, it's good to see you again." Kasumi replied with a bow. Tina waved her hand from side to side.
"You ain't gotta do all that, I ain't royalty!" She joked, causing the kunouchi blush. "In any case, I came lookin' for ya'll to see if you were ready to settle the score?"
"Eh? Score?" said Kasumi, genuinely confused.
"Lisa and I gotta score to settle with you and Ayane. Ya'll got the upper hand last time, but this time you won't be so lucky."
Kasumi felt a quick jitter run through her, and her smile became lopsided. She realized the blonde was referring to the volleyball match they had last year.
Though Tina and Lisa were rivals, they were also very compatible. Between Tina's raw power and traditional wrestling background, and Lisa's speed and luchadora training, they brought fierce competition in the ring and sought to test their synergy in new ways.
They contemplated who they wanted to challenge, but unanimously decided that the shinobi sisters would be their best bet. Wrestling versus ninjutsu locked in fiery battle of beach volleyball, how could they not get excited?
Surprisingly, Ayane wasn't opposed to the idea and accepted the challenge with a cocksure grin. She acknowledged Kasumi only briefly to instruct her to take the backline, so they she may set Ayane up for hard spikes. She hadn't even asked her if she even wanted to participate, and probably only allowed Kasumi to play alongside her just to make the teams even. Nonetheless, that didn't bother Kasumi. Seeing Ayane smirk and get worked up over friendly competition, brought a smile to her face. That was the first time in a long time that they had did anything together. At least anything that didn't involve fighting one another, and Kasumi made to sure to cherish those moments.
This time around, however, it was more than likely that same scenario would not be replicated. Not only was Kasumi sure that Ayane would refuse to cooperate, but she hadn't even thought of a way to break the ice. How was she suppose to all of a sudden ask Ayane to team up with her? Just the idea of casually approaching Ayane made her more anxious than she already was.
"I don't think that's such a good idea." she chuckled nervously.
"What, ya' scared now? Can't handle the heat?" Tina teased, putting her fist on hips and getting in Kasumi's face.
"No, it's not that. It's…" Kasumi paused to look for an excuse. "I wouldn't even know where to find Ayane."
"Oh don't worry about that, we already found her!"
"You did…"
"Mhmm. She was fixing to take us on all by herself had I not convinced her to let me come find you. I saw you walking with Kokoro earlier this mornin' near the cottages, so I figured you'd still be nearby."
Kasumi was shocked. She would've expected Ayane to decline Tina's request and play without her, or even refuse the challenge all together, but instead she was waiting on Kasumi to arrive.
It seemed that the life boat Kasumi was looking for came looking for her instead. She gave Tina a quick nod.
"Ok, I'll come with you." she affirmed.
"Yes! We got ourselves a riot!"
Lisa was first to come into view as Kasumi rounded the lifeguard house. Her long, brown legs extended across the sand, pulling her emerald halter-neck bikini as she stretched. On the other side of the net stood Ayane with her arms crossed, facing the other away. It wasn't until Lisa greeted the approaching duo that Ayane peered over her shoulder.
"Good. You found her. I was beginning to think I'd be doing all this warming up for nothing." said Lisa.
"As promised, our missing piece of the puzzle." Tina added sarcastically. "Let's do this!"
Kasumi caught Ayane's glare as she walked over and offered an unsure smile, to which the younger sibling simply turned her head from.
"Don't lose." was the only thing muttered before Ayane took her place in the backline.
It's to be epected, Kasumi thought, and decided it best to focus on the match for now.
"We'll play a three-set match." said Tina, with a ball in hand. "And none of that ninja magic ya'll being using in fights, ya hear?"
With that, Tina passed the ball to Lisa, who began the match with a swift serve.
The ocean waters now shimmered with a orange-reddish hue as the sun began its slow descent. Most of the visitors could be found heading indoors to prepare for dinner, or to go gamble away their money in the casinos. However, there were 4 women in particular that weren't doing neither of those things, as they were still locked in a fierce contest.
The score was tied, match point, and the shinobi sisters were defending. Tina had swapped positions with Lisa, in hopes that a good set from her partner would open an opportunity for a game winning spike. Sweat glistened on the girls' faces, but neither side was backing down, their glares intensifying, and the air steaming with competitive tension.
Ayane swapped with Kasumi late game and had yet to instruct the brunette to switch back. She knew Ayane was better at striking, so she felt it would better serve them to switch back. Even so, she didn't voice her concern. Instead, she swallowed away her worry, and squared up for the next play.
The ball went up and Tina jumped high into the air, smacking it as hard as she could across the net. Ayane had adjusted to returning such explosives serves, immediately bending her knees for a quick lunge to the right. However, while anticipating where the ball would land, a fleeting glint from the sun came into view, throwing off her hand-eye coordination. She prevented the ball from touching the sand, but it was now flying away from the net. Kasumi watched in horror as the ball soared above her, making its way out of bounds. She quickly darted after it.
Ninja speed is acquired through intense training, not magic, so Kasumi's use of her uncanny agility and reflexes couldn't disqualify them from the match. She managed to catch up, but now had the challenge of re-angling the ball, and hit it with enough power to knock it back in-bounds. She dove and pumped her arms up and behind, sending the ball back toward Ayane before landing on her face.
Judging the trajectory, it appeared that Kasumi's return was sent more vertical than horizontal, and Tina felt a grin creep onto her face. But that grin soon fell apart as she discovered that, not only did Kasumi pop the ball back into play, but she also managed to align it perfectly for Ayane to attempt a spike. Taking notice of this as well, Lisa readied herself to block, but she was too late. The lavender haired kunouchi was already half way into the air, rushing to meet the ball rather than waiting on it. She pulled back then delivered an iron smack! A thunderous crack was heard overhead, and Lisa felt sharp winds graze the side of her face. She turned her head just in time to see Tina follow her whiff… but also miss the return.
"No way, this can't be happening!" Lisa wailed dramatically. Her hands on her head as if she was in agony, while Tina sunk her fist in the sand bitterly. Ayane watched them with a victorious smirk, crossing her arms once more. Kasumi looked over and pieced the puzzle together, her excitement quickly getting the best of her. She hurried to Ayane with open arms, seemingly closing in for a hug.
"Ayane, you did it! You're amazing!" she celebrated.
The young kunoichi gave her sister a baffled look, causing Kasumi to decrease her pace. It became apparent how out character it would be for Ayane to return such affections, and a shade of pink crossed her face as a result.
"I mean… um… we won." she said coyly, suddenly interested in her twiddling digits. Ayane just stared without responding
After the wrestling duo gathered themselves, they reached under the net for a congratulatory handshake. They may have lost the match, but they were far from sore losers. Kasumi moseyed over to meet them, but Ayane didn't follow, opting to turn in the other direction and take her leave.
"What's that? You too good for a handshake now?" Tina shouted. Ayane gave a lazy wave as she kept walking.
"That girl got no sportsmanship." Tina fumed and Kasumi bowed as an apology.
"Don't mind Tina. She's just a little sore after losing… again." Lisa shot at her partner.
"We wouldn't have lost if you hadn't missed!"
"I wouldn't have had to scramble to play defense if you had served normally, instead of going for an ace!"
"You gotta keep up if you're gonna be on my team darlin'."
The petty bickering faltered as the pair walked off the beach and headed further inland. Kasumi was pretty sure neither of them would see it, but she waved good-bye to them anyways. As she turned to leave, she was surprised to see Ayane standing not too far off, tapping her for impatiently. If Kasumi didn't know any better, she would suspect that Ayane was waiting on her, but as to not embarrass herself again, she trotted over more steadily this time.
"Um… thanks for playing with me again. I… had a lot of fun." she tried.
Ayane didn't respond again. It was almost as if she was actively ignoring her. Didn't she want Kasumi to come over to her, or was she mistaken?
"Good." she barely heard Ayane say before glancing over her shoulder. "We didn't lose."
The young kunouchi continued to take her leave, ditching any room for further discussion. It was an unexpected response, one Kasumi couldn't even hope for, but she didn't hesitate in claiming it as a small victory. Her moment was short-lived, having been rudely interrupted by the harsh growl of her stomach. She hadn't eaten anything since earlier that day, and as she thought about what she wanted for dinner, an idea began to formulate in her head.
"That's it!" she exclaimed.
She remembered a dish that her mother used to make them when they were kids, one that Ayane highly favored over anything else. Although it required a handful of different ingredients, Kasumi was confident in her ability to replicate it, and she wasted no time getting directions to the nearest grocery from the lifeguards on duty.
Automatic sliding doors graciously welcomed the kunoichi back to the Coral Reef Hotel. She had returned rather early, feeling more fatigued from the volleyball match than she would care to admit, and sought a relaxing bath to soothe her muscles. She found the room, opened the door, and was greeted with the smell of sizzling, spiced beef and vegetables. A plethora of spices, sauces, and other fresh ingredients littered the kitchen -between it all was Kasumi, who wore a bright, blue apron over her bikini while chopping what Ayane assumed was cabbage. The door closed behind her, drawing Kasumi's attention up to meet Ayane's confused face.
"Oh, welcome back! I didn't expect you so soon." she said. "But, I'm almost done. Dinner should be ready soon if haven't already eaten."
With the shock of walking in on her sister cooking subsiding, Ayane found it was hard to ignore the delectable aroma that caressed her nostrils. Kasumi's only prayer, while she was shopping, was that Ayane would at least consider tasting her cooking, and hoped it would be enough to her liking to have dinner with her.
Lucky for the brunette, Ayane had skipped dinner in favor of a meditation and was quite famished. Of course she wasn't going to let her sister know that, opting instead to waltz through the living area, and straight into her room without any explanation.
Kasumi's heart sank when the decisive click of the door dashed her hopes. She frowned, gazing dismally into a pot of uncooked food, but after only a few moments, Ayane emerged from her room, now sporting a white tank top and black spats (yoga shorts). She rounded the couch furthest from the kitchen and took a seat, crossing her arm and making sure to avoid Kasumi's hopeful stare.
"Hurry up. I want to shower soon." she said, falsely irritated.
The light in the brunette's eyes brightened and she resumed cooking, having noticeably added more pep in her step.
The wait was brief, having barely finished a shinobi hymn in her head before eyeing Kasumi in her peripherals. She walked out the kitchen with steaming bowls and silverware in hand, offering one to Ayane with a giddy smile. The younger sibling accepted the dish with a roll of her eyes. Kasumi then took a seat on the couch directly across from Ayane, placing her food on the cocktail table that sat between them.
Finally having the finished product in her hands, Ayane was able to see what it was that smelled so good: udon, cabbage, onions, mushrooms, carrots, shirataki noodles, and thinly sliced beef.
"Sukiyaki?" she questioned.
"Yep!" Kasumi happily replied. "We used to eat this all the time when were kids, remember? It was your favorite."
Ayane did remember, and it suddenly made sense to her as to why this smell was so familiar. Though sukiyaki wasn't an uncommon dish where they grew up, this particular recipe emitted distinct nostalgia of her childhood. Back when Kasumi and herself would often share meals in the middle of the day.
Whenever the two girls were able to take a break from their training, they would meet in a flower garden behind the Tenjinmon palace, where Kasumi and her family lived. They played tag, smelled the flowers, or would even spar until Kasumi's mother came out to greet the girls with supper. Ayane always look forward to this time of the day, especially if she was able to feast on Lady Ayame's famous sukiyaki. In those days, sharing those moments with both Kasumi and her mother filled her with glee, even if she didn't know they all shared the same blood.
Ayane used the fork Kasumi handed her and took her first bite. She chewed for bit, letting the savory seasoning and soy sauce delight her taste buds. Her eyes widen; this tasted better than how she remembered! She expected some level of competency in Kasumi's cooking ability, considering that it was most likely Lady Ayame who taught her, but she hadn't thought it would actually exceed her expectations.
She looked up briefly to find that Kasumi was staring at her adamantly. She was rigid, her food untouched, and she appeared to be waiting on Ayane for a verdict. The sect leader swallowed before speaking.
"It's not bad." she offered offhandedly. She saw the visible tension around her sister disintegrate as she exhaled.
"Thank goodness." Kasumi breathed. "I'm glad you like it."
Kasumi couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. It was sincere, golden, and captured Ayane in a glazed stupor. Her cheeks flushed slightly and tiny, teasing sensations floated about in her chest. She adverted her eyes after realizing she'd been staring, and tried her best to ignore this feeling. Her 'slip-up' went mostly unnoticed by the nukenin, who finally dug into her own serving without further worry.
They ate in silence, the only sounds pertaining to the occasional slurps of udon or shirataki. Kasumi's mind was racing, however. Though she seemed composed on outside, on the inside, she was desperately searching for something to talk about.
It was the endgame after all, Ayane having graciously complied to her prayers, but she hadn't quite thought this far ahead. She was so worried about perfecting the dish, that the idea of creating conversation slipped her mind. But she couldn't just let this moment keep passing by like this. Ayane was sitting across from her, enjoying a meal with her, not trying to kill her… what other opportunity would Kasumi get? She had to come up with something and fast.
Asking about home was out of the question. She had considered the idea out on the beach, but came to conclusion that it would come off as her more concerned about her family rather than Ayane herself. There was also the likely chance that Ayane wouldn't even humor her with conversation. She could feel the time that stretched between them; vast and open like an endless sea.
"He misses you..."
The brunette glanced up at her sister, who was still her enjoying meal. She looked as though she didn't say anything at all, and Kasumi began to wonder if she had imagined it. Her suspicions waned when Ayane set her bowl in front of her and spoke again.
"Master Hayate -" she paused for a moment. She didn't know why she was even saying this, almost as if the words escaped her mouth before she could process them. "…he's taken his place as head of the clan."
Hayate was the eldest born, and the only son to the head of the Mugen Tenshin clan.
After recovering from his coma and amnesia, Hayate resumed his shinobi training and sought to succeed his father, Shinden, in becoming the next leader of their clan. He and Ayane were often paired together when they were sent on missions, and it allowed them to create a bond with one another. She looked up to him, being the only person Ayane would consider she was familiar with, so it broke her to learn how little he cared for her.
Before the third tournament, Shinden reported to the Hajimon palace to speak with the council about Genra's betrayal. Ayane was present for this meeting, having just been appointed to assassinate her foster-father, with the promise of becoming the new leader of the Hajimon sect upon her success. Hayate requested that he joined Ayane to hunt down the traitor, wanting to prove his worth, and Shinden granted him permission. It was during their pursuit that Hayate told Ayane he was diverting from their mission in favor of finding Kasumi. Feeling jealous, the kunoichi insisted otherwise. She used the fact the Kasumi was still considered a traitor, just as Genra was, and should not be shown any mercy. That earned her a slap from her older brother. A slap that conveyed more to Ayane than Hayate would ever share with her in words.
It didn't come as a shock to learn that he still worried about her. Kasumi had briefly met with Hayate during the third tournament. He was noticeably torn between his shinobi duty and his desire to see his sister. He even tried saving her, stating he would just pretend that they didn't see one another, but Kasumi rejected the idea. They fought as an expression of affection, and she escaped soon after, going back into hiding.
But this wasn't about her, this was about Ayane, and she didn't want her to regret opening up to her. She watched the lavender haired girl lost in thought, looking as if she was teetering on whether or not to say anymore.
"I see." Kasumi quickly filled in. "Thank you for sharing that, Ayane."
Ayane simply nodded in response. She nearly finished her meal before she Kasumi spoke again.
"I miss Hayate as well." she said staring blankly into her bowl of food. "And mom… and dad. Everyone really. I miss being home."
Ayane was listening, but hadn't provided her with undivided attention, continuing to eat her meal instead.
"But most of all…I miss you, Ayane."
Ayane halted her next bite, suddenly feeling crossed. With her sheer unwillingness to trust what the nukenin every had to say, her immediate instinct was to toss Kasumi's words aside. She was even ready to voice her denial, but the retort died on her lips when she met Kasumi's languid stare.
"Ever since I was banished, I would spend many nights wondering and worrying about you. Hoping you were okay. Hoping that, maybe one day, we could… somehow have a moment to just… talk. Or at least have enough time for me to ask… 'how are you doing?'"
Her was voice strained and desperate, almost as if she was begging Ayane rather than just asking her a simple question. Ayane felt a sudden tug in her chest, which she deemed was also the source of the abrupt thumping she heard in her ear.
"So even if it's only for a little while," Kasumi continued, "I'm glad to be able to see you, Ayane."
She flashed another radiant smile, revealing her teeth. A foreign warmth crept onto Ayane's her face, and she was hard pressed to ignore the floating sensations from before.
This had to be for the first time that Ayane realized that her sister was truly beautiful. Long, shimmering, caramel hair, narrow, youthful orbs of copper, and a smile as luminous as the sun. Ayane was helpless against it, enamored even. Her fingertips fidget along the ceramic bowl, urging her to set it down. She wanted to reach out, but she was hesitant. She wanted to believe what her sister said was true. She wanted to - she stopped.
She realized what she was thinking, and a hasty fear washed over her like a cold rain. Her gaze snapped away from her sister, blinking away her fleeting emotions. She felt uneasy and not quite herself. She couldn't wrap her head around what she was just feeling, and if she was completely honest, it kind of frighten her. This foreign, and perhaps forgotten longing unexpectedly over taking her… she was afraid of it for reasons she couldn't even begin to explain.
Eventually getting fed up with her own ambiguity, Ayane stood up from the couch and zipped past her sister. Kasumi's concerned eyes followed her into the kitchen, where she hurriedly rinsed her dish in the sink, then rounded past her again without saying a word.
"Ayane, wait!" she pleaded.
The younger kunouchi stopped in her tracks right as she reached for the doorknob to her room. She kept her back turned, refusing to meet those compassionate eyes for her own sake. This worried the brunette, and the silence made more her anxious the longer Ayane stood there. Why was she leaving? Did she say something wrong? Whichever the case, she couldn't let Ayane go back just yet. She feared that if she did that, she would never have another chance like this again.
"I mean it. I still care about you. I always have." she emphasized.
She waited, for what seemed like an eternity, for something to let her know what Ayane was thinking. However, she remained completely still, letting the silence drag on. Please, Kausmi thought.
Ayane took a deep breath, tempering the fear she couldn't explain to a calm. Her hand found the knob and she slowly pushed the door open.
"Awake before sunrise… or I'm leaving without you." she finally said and she crossed into her room, shutting the door behind her. Kasumi's face perked after comprehending the disguised invitation. She smiled to herself, inwardly nodding at Ayane's condition, and happily finished her dinner before heading to bed.
- tbc
Author's Notes: Ok, so first off, I have no idea to make a closed line break, so I just held down the hyphen button across the screen. Secondly, during the editing process, I was fixing up paragraph 20 and in my head I said "…the air was tropic and so were the bitches!" lol.
Anyway, my friend Mojo(jojo) told me that this chapter started a bit slow for his taste, so I had the dream sequence as a nod the allegory of Kasumi being nukenin from her DOA4 ending. Hope it turned out well, and I'll see you next week for chapter 3!
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