Author's notes: WELLL a new chapter ! Read and Review !
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Kasumi's eyes opened as she yawned and stretched. She sat up and glanced over to the window to see that it was morning. She wondered what time it was, she figured this was the latest she had ever slept in. She pushed aside the blankets and crawled out of bed. She stood and stretched once more.
She walked into the bathroom. She looked into the mirror and turned on the tap. She splashed some water on her face. She then walked out of thebathroom and headed towards the table int he center of the room. She picked up a small black pouch as she reached inside and pulled out several items. She set them aside as she grabbed her uniform and changed into them. She wore her black sleeveless top, with black pants. There was a belt strapped around her waist which held her small black puch with her weapons inside. She grabbed her mask and the items she set aside and walked into the bathroom. She brushed her hair and then pulled it back into a high pny tail on the top of her head. She took a pencil with black on the end and traced it around her eyes darkening them. She then picked up her mask and fastened it on.
She looked in the mirror one last time, with a nod of satisfaction she exited the bathroom and shortly exited her room alltogether. She slid the door shut and walked down the hallway. She passed Ryu's room and stopped, she figured he had already left. She continued down the hallway. She turned a corner and the sounds of smashing plates and cups fell to the ground as a hot sensation took over Kasumi's chest. She quickly looked down and saw Yuzukii with a horrified look on her face of what she had just done. "Uruwashii-sama! I'm so terribly sorry! I was in a rush a-a-and I just..." she said breathing quickly. Kasumi raised her hand and Yuzuki stopped talking. She quickly fell tot he floor and began cleaning up the mess. Kasumi bent down and helped her. "Uruwashii-sama, please I clean it. A servents job like this shouldn't be handled by someone such as you." "Such as I? Tell me Yuzuki-san, what am I exactly?" Yuzuki stopped and looked up at Kasumi. "Well..your greater than anyone like I, you saved our village out of the purity in your heart, and-" "That's enough Yuzukia-san. There is nothing that seperates you and I except for the ability of fighting I posess and the kindness in your heart. We are one in the same, we are both human beings." Kasumi said with a smile beneathe her mask. Yuzuki nodded and smiled.
Kasumi then stood and brushed off her shirt. "Yuzuki-san, you wouldn't happen to know where R-...Hayabusa-sama is, would you?" Kasumi asked quickly correctnig herself." Yuzuki stood holding the broken pieces of glass and wet rags as she nodded. "I believe he is in the village helping repair and clean up." "Arigatou Yuzuki-san." Kasumi said with a bow as she turned and exited the building.
--
Ryu sat atop a roof as he hammered a few shingles down to hold the roof together. The other villagers and a few ninja's were putting up the frame of a house, as a few others began nailing it together. Ryu stopped as he qiped his forehead of sweat. He placed the hammer down and looked up at the sun that shined down upon them. He sighed as he began hammering again.
Ryu heard a snap and the yell of a man as he turned and saw the frame that they had put up for a house was falling apart. A man turned to run when his leg got caught under a piece of wood. He raised his hands above his head as the fram began falling down upon him when it suddenly stopped. He looked up to see Ryu holding the frame up using the support of his back. He got into a stance as he started to push the frame the opposite way.
A piece of the top snapped and began falling towards the man trapped under the wood. Ryu looked over as he saw the sharp piece of wood fall. He couldn't move to save the man because he would allow the whole frame fall and crush everyone. Suddenly, a black figure appeared in front of the man, the figure kicked away the wood and grabbed the man leaping out of the way of the falling wood. The wood crashed to the ground where the man was laying only seconds before. The crowd, and Ryu looked on as the black figure turned and placed the man down.
The crowd recognized and began cheering. "Hurray for Uruwashii-sama! She's saved us again!" Kasumi smiled and waved as she made her way over to Ryu. "I only saved that one man, Master Hayabusa here saved the rest, he held up the frame afterall." she said as the crowd stopped and began cheering Ryu's name. Ryu looked up at Kasumi before sighing and pushing the frame away as several ninja helped set it down.
They continued on their way repairing the houses and rebuilding them. Kasumi and Ryu stepped off to the side. "Kasumi, what are you doing." Ryu asked crossing his arms. "i came to help." she said placing her hands on her hips. Ryu sighed as he turned and headed back to the house he was working on earlier. Kasumi smirked as she too headed out.
The villagers once again attempted to put up the frame of the new house. Kasumi was there this time assisting them. When they raise the frame up Kasumi jumped atop it and quickly fastened them togetehr tightly so that they would not come apart. She did this several times until the whole frame of the house was completed and secure. She jumped down and looked up, shielding her eyes from the sun as the crowd cheered. "Alright!" she said thrusting her fist into the air. "We'er barely done, let's get going!" she yelled. "Hai! Uruwasii-sama!" the crowd all yelled in unicen as they began cutting pieces of wood and bamboo. Kasumi watched as the villagers, and even the ninja's participated.
Ryu sat atop the house repairing it as he glanced over at Kasumi and what she was doing. He rolled his eyes after the crowd cheered and shoted her name. He then turned back and continued working on the roof, a small smile appeared on his face but quickly vanished.
Several hours passed and Kasumi and the rest were working on the foundation when they all turned their heads after hearing several woman shouting for them. "Dinner! Dinner!" they shouted as the villagers and ninja's dropped their tools and headed for the building in which the women prepared hot meals for them.
Three long tables were set up, pillows all around them. On the tables were rows of plates and cups. In the center of the tables were pots of hot soup, rice, chicken and bread. Wine and water were on the table as well for drinks. Kasumi walked in behind everyone as they all sat down to eat. She found a spot and sat down. Ryu walked in and walked to the head of one of the tables and sat down as well. Ryu wasn't wearing his mask so he could eat, Kasumi however wore her mask and she knew she couldn't remove it, or else her identity would be known. The other ninja's had on masks as well, they excused themselves and returned home where they were to eat there in the privacy of their own home.
Kasumi sat and stared at the foor before her as she watched the villagers eat and enjoy themselves. She glanced over at Ryu who was eating as well alone at the head of the table. "Uruwashii-sama, won't you have something to eat?" one of the villagers asked that sat beside her. Kasumi looked over and smiled beneath her mask. "I'm not that hungry." she said waving her hand as she heard her stomache grumble. The villagers laughed upon hearing this, "Don't be silly! Eat!" they said cramming her plate with food. Kasumi looked longingly at the plate of food, she was very hungry but knew she couldn't sacrifice her identity. She faked and yawn and stretched. "Well, it looks as though I'll be off to bed now, I'll see everyone in the morning." she said standing up as the villagers groaned. Kasumi waved and then dissapeared out the door. Ryu sat and watched what had just happened and how she had looked at the food. He finished up his meal and walked over to where Kasumi was sitting, grabbing her plate.
Kasumi closed the door behind her as she entered her room. She walked over to her bed and fell ontop of it. She noticed that her toom had been tidied and her bed made. "Yuzuki-san" she said to herself with a smile as she dug her face into her pillow. She lifted her head as she heard a knock at her door. She got off her bed and headed towards the door. She slid it open to see who was there. A familar face, "Master Hayabusa." she said with a smirk. He just looked at her as she sighed and turned and walked into her room, Ryu followed. "What can I do for you?" She asked walking over to the window and looking out over the garden. "Here." Ryu said placing a plate full of food on her table, as well as a cup with wine. "Hm?" Kasumi said turning around and seeing the food. Her eyes widened as she approached the table. "I couldn't let you go hungry." he said turning to leave. Kasumi sat down on one of the pillows as she looked up at him walk away. "Thank you Ryu." she said as he simply nodded and exited her room sliding the door shut behind him. He stopped outside her door and sighed closing his eyes as he turned and headed down the hallway to his room.
Kasumi took off her mask and picked up the chop sticks as she began eating her meal. Several minutes later she finished and placed the chop sticks down. She rose to her feet and walked into the bathroom closing the door behind her. She ran the water and climbed into the bathtub. She leaned her head back and sighed.
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The next morning Kasumi was down in the village bright and early working on the houses with the villagers. Ryu was there as well helping. The worked hard all day and stopped each day around dinner time to eat and relax. Ryu made his visits to Kasumi's room after dinner to give her a full plate of food. Occassionally he would stay and they would dine together. Each day the houses were completed more and more. Kasumi and Ryu would give each other occasional glances and quickly look away and continue on with their work.
Kasumi layed down in her bed as she stared up at the ceiling as she sighed. She began thinking about the past few days. She was thinking about the time her and Ryu spent together and the looks they gave each other. She smiled as she thought about when he stayed to eat dinner with her, and she marked it as the first time she actually heard Ryu laugh. She turned onto her side and looked out the window.
What is this feeling.
I can't have feelings for him...
can I?
She asked herself as her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
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The next day they were down at the village again working hard on the houses. They were nearly completed. A few hours had gone by when the villagers suddenly stopped. There was a reported disturbance in the village. Rogue ninja's were raping some of the women and killing the men. Kasumi,Ryu and a few other ninja's immeadiatly headed over to where the disturbances were being reported.
Ryu kicked down the door of a house as screams were heard from inside. A woman was sprawled out on the bed while one of the rogue ninja had his way with her. Ryu unsheathed his legendary dragon sword and slashed the rogue ninja as he fell to the ground. Kasumi quickly rushed over to the woman as she draped a blanket over her bare body. She then turned and followed Ryu into the back rooms.
They burst through as there was more rogue ninja having their way with young girls as young as 15. Ryu clutched his sword tightly as he began killing the ninja. Kasumi pulled out a kunai and slashed the ninja's throats. They finished up as Kasumi grabbed more blankets and covered the young girls bare bodies. Ryu had moved on into another room with the other ninja's as Kasumi stayed behind to comfort the young girls. "Look out!" One of the girls yelled as Kasumi turned and one of the ninja stood holding a sword above her head. Kasumi quickly turned grabbing the young girl and held her close to shiled her.
Kasumi felt immense pain across her back as the ninja slashed her. He grabbed her shoulder and turned her over. He cut the top of her shirt and reached over to cut the other side when Kasumi kicked in his knee cap and he fell on one knee in pain. She stood to execute another blow when she was grabbed from behind. The ninja rose to his feet and slashed at Kasumi's chest. She bent over forward spitting out blood. She then jumped upwards and got on the backside of the man that was restraining her. She grabbed a kunai and lodged it into the back of his neck. He fell to the ground. She grabbed another kunai. "Stop!" the rogue ninja yelled as he held a sword to one of the young girls throats. Kasumi clucthed her kunai tight and then dropped it to the ground. The rogue ninja smirked dropping the young girl as he headed over to Kasumi and threw her against the wall. He held her against the wall as he got close. He smiled and ripped the other part of her shirt. He began to laugh. As the door burst open and the smile on his face faded. He looked down to see a sword straight through his chest. He dropped his katana and fell to the ground.
Kasumi's vision became blurry as she had lost a lot of blood. She staggered forward before finally collapsing. "Kasumi!" Ryu yelled as he ran forward and caught her. Kasumi binked a few times befoer finally closing her eyes and being succumed into darkness.
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Ryu paced back and forth outside of Kasumi's room. His footsteps echoing through the hallway.
Yuzuki took off Kasumi's clothing and cleaned her up. She bandaged her wounds and treated them with medicinal herbs. She wiped her forehead. Kasumi's mask was still on, Yuzuki didn't touch it but noticed blood dripping from underneathe. She removed it in fear of an injury. Yuzuki's eyes widened as she saw Kasumi's face, and recognized her. She sat silent for a few moments. She knew who she was, and what she was to do if ever encountering her. She was too inform Ryu immeadiatly or go straight to Hayate-sama. She sighed wiping her mouth and deciding on what to do.
She pulled the blanket up covering Kasumi's bandaged body so that only her shoulders and top of her chest were shown. She placed the mask beside the bed and walked to the door. She slid it open to see a worried face. "Hayabusa-sama, please step in." Yuzuki said as he stepped in and Yuzuki checked the halls before closing the door.
Ryu walked over to Kasumi as he noticed her mask was removed and he looked over at Yuzuki. "Hayabusa-sama, she is-" "I know." Ryu said looking back at Kasumi. Yuzuki's eyes widened as she stepped closer. "You mean you've known all along?" Ryu nodded. "But what of Hayate-sama's orders.." she said now standing a few inches behind him. Ryu sighed. "I will explain everything to you, but you must promise to keep this a secret." he said motioning to Kasumi. Yuzuki nodded kneeling down. "I am too faithful to Uruwashii-sama to give her up." Ryu nodded as he turned back to Kasumi.
"It was a very long time ago.." he started. "Kasumi was princess and heir to her clan and village. She was to become the 18th master of Mugen Tenshin Ninja Clan, but ran away in order to enter the dead or alive tournament. There, she hoped to defeat a man called Raidou, the man responsible for crippling her brother Hayate. By leaving the secretive ninja clan she became a nukenin, a runaway shinobi. Now labelled as a traitor, Kasumi is pursued constantly by assasins from her clan, not a day passes that there isn't an attempt on her life. Despite this Kasumi still wished to see her brother, so she entered the third DOA tournament. While Hayate was crippled, i was away on a personal mission, one that had to do with the attack on my village, the Hayabusa village. When I heard that she had gone missing and then entered the DOA tournament, I too entered in hopes to find her and bring her back. I was however, unsuccessful." "Why did you go to save her?" Yuzuki asked listening attentivly. "I made a promise to Hayate a long long time ago, that I would do everything in my power to protect her." he said looking at Kasumi. "It seems that I have not only failed many times before, but I've failed now as well."
Yuzuki rose to her feet. "I'll leave you be Hayabusa-sama, and not to worry, this secret is safe with me." she said with a bow as she exited the room.
Ryu sat beside Kasumi's bed as he watched her unconcious body. He sighed looking out the window then back at her. "I will not let this happen again...I promise." he said taking her hand and holding it with both of his.
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A few days later Kasumi opened her eyes and slowly sat up. She looked around her room, no one was there. She looked down and saw the bandages around her chest. She looked over at the table beside her bed as there was a hot cup of tea. Kasumi reached over and grabbed the cup as she brought it to her lips and slowly sipped the tea, she could feel the warm sensation flow down her throat and into her stomache. She placed the cup down as she pushed back the blankets and swung her legs over the side of her bed slowly standing up. She was wearing long pants, and only the bandages around her chest to cover her. She walked over to the bathroom and looked into the mirror. The black make-up she wore was wiped off, and her hair was clean. She knew she must've been in bed for days yet her body was clean. She smiled as she thought that Yuzuki must've taken care of her. Her smile soon faded when she remembered she wasn't wearing her mask and Yuzuki must've seen her face.
At that moment the door to her room slid open. A young woman walked in and turned the corner and saw Kasumi. "Uruwashii-sama!" she yelled with a smile. "Yuzuki-san." Kasumi said with a smile. "You're up! You should stil be in bed!" she said rushing to Kasumi. Kasumi shook her head. "No, I'm okay now Yuzuki-san, no thanks to you taking care of me each day." Yuzuki said. "It wasn't just me, Hayabusa-sama was in here every day morning till night taking care of you, more than I at least." Kasumi's eyes widened. "Ryu.." she said. Yuzuki nodded. "I know everything about you now Kasumi-sama, and I promise, your secret is safe with me." Kasumi smiled. "Arigatou, Yuzuki-san."
"I think it's time to remove the bandages." Kasumi said looking back into the mirror. Yuzuki nodded as she walked up behind Kasumi and began to unravel the bandages. When she was finished she layed the bandages aside. Kasumi traced her fingertips where her wounds used to be. "They're completely gone!" She exclaimed. "The ones on your back are gone as well." Yuzuki said with a smile. Kasumi turned to face Yuzuki."Thank you." she said. Yuzuki waved her hands, "Anything for you, Kasumi-sama. Oh! I forgot! I have something for you." "For me?" Kasumi asked grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her. "Yes yes, follow me."
Yuzuki said rushing out of the bathroom.
Yuzuki placed an outfit on Kasumi's bed. Kasumi walked over and her eyes widened. It was a inja outfit that was in the same design as her old blue and white one. Except this one was black with a golden trim. On the bottom piece that hangs in the middle of her legs, little pink cherry blossoms were printed on going down, on the left side of the chest was a golden dragon and pink cherry blossoms. A pink band wrapped around the wasit of the outfit to hold it together. Long white socks layed beside it with sandles. Black arm guards and shin guards were placed beside it, each black with a golden trim as well. And finally, black shorts for her to wear underneath.
"Yuzuki-san..this is gorgeous." she said approaching the outfit. "Try it on!" Yuzuki yelled. Kasumi smiled as she nodded. Yuzuki exited the room to give Kasumi some privacy. Kasumi changed into her new outfit, finishing it off with the mask to conceal her identity still. She left her hair down this time. There was a knock at her door as she approached the door and opened it. Yuzuki was standing in the doorway. "This is for you Uruwashii-sama." she said handing her a note. Kasumi took the note and Yuzuki bowed and walked away. Kasumi closed her door and headed back into her room. She untied the string and opened the paper.
Kasumi,
Meet me in the training grounds. Come alone.
Ryu.
Kasumi closed the paper and placed it on her bed. She walked to the door and left running down the halls and dissapearing outside the door.
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Ryu sat atop a rock in the training grounds as his eyes were closed and he was focusing. "Took you long enough." he said standing and flipping off of the rock. He looked up and sawk Kasumi in her new outfit. It had reminded him of when Kasumi used to wear her blue and white outfit, or even her pink and white outfit. "That outfit is very nice, although," he said approaching her. "It's missing something." He pulled out a pink cloth, something was wrapped inside of it. He stopped in front of her and unwrapped the cloth revealing a tanto. Kasumi's eyes widened as she recognized the weapon. She reached out her arm and took the tanto, she examined it. It was the same one from before, the same one she stole when she left her clan all those years ago, the same one she had given to Ryu at the last tournament.
"You have a new outfit, your old weapon, and to finish it off." Ryu said as a ninja in black approached him holding something. Ryu took it as the ninja bowed and then dissapeared. He held up something before Kasumi. It was a katana. He slowly unsheathed it. The blade had designs of cherry blossoms and a dragon, much like that of the designs on her outfit. Ryu quickly sheathed the sword and turned ti, the hilt facing Kasumi. "This is for you." Kasumi secured the tanto onto the back of her waist where it usually is and she accepted the katana. "I will train you to master the arts of the katana, so that, like me, you could become a great swordsman...woman." he said with a smirk as he crossed his arms. Kasumi smiled as she unsheathed the sword and examined the blade. "Training will be every morning all day. We break once for food and water, understood." Kasumi sheathed her sword and got down on one knee, the sword in front of her and her head down. "Hai sensai!" she said as Ryu smirked. "Excellent, we begin now!" he said as he unsheathed his legendary dragon sword. Kasumi rose to her feet unsheathing her katana as they charged at each other.
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Author's notes: Well, another chapter. Review and let me know what you think. )
http://i94. theres a link to see what kasumi looks like now. just paste it into your browser:) except, in my story she has a black mask on! )