Hi-ya! So this is the next chapter. Hope you like it. It's not yet rising action, but getting there, so don't think it isn't getting anywhere. I just need time to finisih introducing the cast of characters, and so on and so forth. (Disclaimer: I do not own Dead or Alive, Team Ninja, or Tecmo.)

By the gates, he saw his little sister waiting for him alone. She drew her eyes upon the ground, clasping a book to her chest. The blank expression on her face led him to draw conclusions of unnecessary complexity, as he wondered about what she was thinking at the very moment. Has such solitude formed into a standard? As long as he could remember, he has never seen her show any kind of relational development towards another person. Sometimes he would think she was socially undeveloped, unable to hold a simple conversation with those of whom she is unacquainted with. So she stays by herself - like a loner. Maybe she's used to it, he believed – but he found it to harsh to think about his sister that way, and so, he completely disregarded the whole conjecture. Besides, he had other things to deal with. Upcoming exams, activity devotions… and for the first time, he actually felt like hewas in love. He saw her on his way to Karate class one day. Couldn't take his eyes off her. Utterly perfect – the words he used to describe her. She was all he thought about the whole weekend. What a coincidence when he learned she was an exchange student at Winston high. Unable to confront her, he drew her doodlings and wrote her little notes and slipped them into her locker.

"You are like an angel from heaven…

- your secret admirer"

From this note, a great idea emerged, and so, his crusade for acknowledgment and love began. Everyday, he sent her a note: a compliment and at times a clue that unraveled piece by piece of who he was.

"You make me feel complete…

- secret admirer (I have hazel eyes.)"

It redeemed very effective as her bewilderment eventually grew into a romantic novel. He watched from a distance as her friends sighed from such oppression of love, wishing that they too had been placed in a situation like hers, but were also distressed whenever they found no note placed within her locker. It was a good thing to feel, knowing or supposing she actually cared about his secret crusades. However he would've liked it much better if she hadn't shown her friends his notes from time to time. Often they would make such a big deal about it. But maybe it deserved to be a big deal – because he felt like his love was pouring out of his heart. He needed to share it with her.

The Winston clock tower chimed as the hour hand struck three. It's melodic ringing echoed through the gilded campus.

"Who's that?"

"...My sister…" Hayate shuffled frustratingly through his backpack for his car keys. "I need to find Kasumi first. Do you know where she is?"

"No. Didn't see her all day."

"…Damn… She knows I have class today."

…Shuffling…

"...I want to meet her."

"What?" Hayate took out his cell phone. He punched in numbers and pulled it up to his ear.

"Your sister. The one at the gate."

"Hold on. ……… Kasumi? Where are you! …… What are you doing at- …… Well tell him you're in a hurry, I'm going to be late for Karate." He flipped the phone and shoved it back into his backpack.

"She said she was in Mr. Ripley's helping him with some papers… What were you telling me again?"

"Forget it."

The door behind them opened. It was Kasumi.

"Sorry. I lost track of time." She said as she walked towards her brother. "Hayabusa-san…" She smiled.

He returned the smile. "How's your day?"

"It was lovely."

"C'mon Kasumi," Hayate butted in, "lets go." He turned to Hayabusa. "I'll see you later man."

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Niki's kitten heels tapped against the pavement as she walked towards her car in the parking lot. Assertive. Independent. Very mature… Sexy. She sought words that described her after hearing her heels tap on the floor all day. They were latest rage. 97. Black and barely on the boarder of breaking school dress code. Along with that came her 'seductive walk', which she had been practicing since the 7th grade. Her mom taught her the best way to do it. "That's how I got your daddy." She remembered her saying. One foot in front of the other. Exaggerate the hip movement. Fluctuate ass. She felt like the perfect example of someone to be envied. She knew she looked good, and she wasn't afraid to use it as an advantage to get what she wants.

"Boo!" A pair of hands suddenly flew over her eyes.

Gasp.

"Guess who?" The person asked. He drew himself close to her, maybe a little to close until she felt something disgusting.

"Ugh, Zack, you gross perve!" She shoved him off. "Get you and you're little pea body away from my ass!" She ordered in a demanding, yet playful tone.

"Sorry, girl, but pea body thinks you're so fine, he wanted to hit that for himself."

"Aw…Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?" She crossed her arms.

"You should. Pea body thinks so." He placed his arms over her shoulders and escorted her to her car. "Where are you going tonight?"

"And why should you know." She asked as she swayed her head with attitude.

"Just wondering…" He scratched his head. "Cause, you know, I've been thinking and…"

"And…"

"I don't know. Maybe we can go out and get something to eat or something. You know, me being the homecoming king and you being the queen… makes me feel like we're meant to give it try."

She scoffed. "Why don't you just go and stalk some freshmen."

"Alright, I see how it is." He raised his arms. "You don't want me. It's cool. It's cool." He turned around to walk away.

Niki felt a little shorthanded. She liked to play hard to get, but she didn't want him to leave her.

"Zack."

Attentively, he turned around.

"What?"

"I'll be at the Micky D's around the corner at around... four-ish? Meet you there."

She winked at him, got into the car, and drove off, leaving Zack shouting for joy in the middle of the parking lot.