Ryu lay comfortably on the king-sized mattress, trying to relax. But he couldn't. He knew he was going to have to tell his children everything…without sugarcoating. Ryu sighed; all he had wanted to do was protect the children from their tragic past. He didn't want to tell them that their father used to kill for a living. Nor that their mother had to kill to keep living. He gazed up at the ceiling and let his mind wonder back to those bloodstained days…

It was after the 10th Dead or Alive tournament, that the efforts of ninjas and other fighters finally brought Doatec to its knees (Forever, they had believed...). Ryu and Kasumi believed this to be the end of their suffering. Or at least for Kasumi, Ryu had many adventures between his Dead or Alive appearances that he figured would not dry up anytime soon. Her brother Hayate compromised to lower her punishment from death to complete exile and if she came within 6 miles of the Mugen-Tenshin village, the sentence would become death again. She agreed sadly, her dream of returning to her family would stay just that…a dream. Kasumi then decided she wanted to stay with the super ninja because in her words… "You're all I have now." He felt for the young Kunoichi…she didn't have a home to go back too. He knew the feeling all too well and found it enjoyable to have Kasumi around. She could be so cheerful and carefree …then become so deadly and focused in the blink of an eye. Unlike him, he was always focused. She would call him out on it every chance she got.

"Oh Hayabusa-san," she would start, "why can't you relax a little?"

He'd shrug and continue fishing.

"Could you at least smile?"

Silence.

"Ryu?" she said timidly, not used to calling him by his first name. He turned to her. She looked back shyly.

"Will it make you happy if I do?" He asked, keeping his tone devoid of any emotion. He didn't mean to sound so unfeeling, it was force of habit.

"Yes," she responded, "and I bet it will make you happy too." He smiled a small smile and Kasumi's face lit up.

"You did it!" She exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement. Ryu was glad he could bring some joy into her life. She deserved it more then anyone he knew. Yet Ryu was well aware soon he'd have to let her go find peace else where. The super ninja knew danger was coming around the corner soon and he wanted Kasumi as far from it as possible. It took him two months to present her with this thought; a man never knows how lonely he really is until he finds a companion. She shook her head violently.

"You've always been there for me; I want to return the favor."

"But I want to keep you out of needless danger." He argued but there was no changing the Kunoichi's mind.

"And if you try to abandon me in the middle of the night or something, I promise I'll stalk you from the trees, the bushes, the stars-" she suddenly went quiet.

Ryu laughed. It was more of a small chuckle…Kasumi smiled her largest smile.

"There is no reasoning with you, I see" he said, uncharacteristically sweet. She couldn't believe it. She got him to laugh. That was the last peaceful moment they would have.Hayate went back on his word.

Ryu would never understand what truly led Hayate to backstab them. Was it a high ranking member within the clan that convinced him? Or, more then likely, Ayane?

Kasumi was off taking a bath in the lake while he kept a protective eye out a couple of yards away. He made sure not to get too close to her location for fear of a "Hayabusa-san!! A little privacy please!?" or something to that degree.

There was a rustle in the bushes. Ryu moved his head slightly, the shuriken barely missing the super ninja's head. His aqua green eyes surveyed the exact area the shuriken came from. Four ninjas leapt out to attack. "Mugen-Tenshin ninjas," Ryu recognized as he dodged their attacks to deliver a crippling one of his own. They were no match for him. Then another set of four showed up just as he was going to get Kasumi. These four proved far trickier to defeat then the one's previous. Something wasn't right…it took a good deal of energy to defeat them.

"Very nice Ryu" a familiar voice taunted. He unsheathed his sword. Hayate.

"What are you doing?" he inquired, his back turned.

"Finishing business that should have been taken care of earlier." was the simple response. Ryu noted the coldness.

"Kasumi has not been anywhere near your village."

"And you are so sure of this because..?"

"I have been with her the entire time."

"I must kill her Ryu, regardless of the previous agreement. And in turn, I must kill you as well."

Ryu finally turned to his best friend of so many years and looked him dead in the eyes.

"Why the sudden change in heart?"

"Forgive me." Hayate muttered drawing his sword.

Ayane cannoned kicked Ryu on the side of his abdomen. He had seen it coming but couldn't react fast enough due to the past attacks leaving him quite exhausted.

"Ryu, you assisted in the runaway's survival several times, killing my men. Many of them…" Hayate said looking at the bodies of the ninjas who were freshly slayed by the Dragon ninja, "and for that you must die."

Ayane attacked again, katana in hand. Ryu blocked a couple of her attacks with his sword but she quickly found an opening and stabbed him. Ryu felt the sharp pain but swallowed it. He had to protect Kasumi. That's why Hayate wanted him dead first. Ryu flipped to avoid Ayane's second attack and attempted in slicing her back wide open. She ducked and narrowly avoided his sword. The battle went on for what seemed like hours this way, with Ayane slowly gaining the upper hand. Ryu was growing tired and she sensed it. Ayane became far more aggressive now, landing blow after murderous blow. Ryu was bleeding profusely form wounds on his chest and back. There was even a cut on his forehead that was originally met for his neck.

Ayane knew his moves all too well but Ryu was determined to defeat her. "She's going to get cocky and make a mistake" He thought to himself. He waited for the moment to present itself. It didn't take too long. Ayane kicked Ryu into a tree and was ready to deal the final, fatal blow straight between the eyes. Her execution was slow, as to taunt him. He grabbed her wrist, slammed her katana wielding arm into the tree, snatched the deadly blade, and jammed it though the limb. She cried out in pain, Ryu had nailed her arm to the tree trunk using her own weapon. Then he turned his gaze to Hayate, whose eyes were on his injured half-sister. They quickly shifted to the super ninja, who was soaked in his own blood. Even injured, Ryu was still a threat.

"This will end today," Ryu nearly snarled, "even if that means in your death."

"You are sadly mistaken, only you and Kasumi shall lose your lives today."

"We shall see."

Ryu allowed Hayate to take the offensive, with Hayate doing so reluctantly. As children, He always had a habit of baiting Hayate and then utterly defeating him in the blink of an eye with a well timed izuna-oteshi. For Ryu, this time was different. He was fading quickly from the loss of blood. He'd have to do something fast… Ryu's stab attempt missed. Hayate grinned, finally realizing his friend was actually indeed weak and not simply baiting him into a mistake. Unlike Ayane, Hayate decided to keep things slow. Ryu could feel his body weakening; his mind hazy. Finally, Ryu fell to his knees unable to continue defending himself. Hayate stood over the fallen ninja.

"You're making this too easy Hayabusa" he mocked, "on your feet so you can die an honorable death."

Ryu's breathing was becoming shallow. He knew what Hayate was really trying to do. He was waiting for him to bleed to death. Ryu looked up at the leader of the Mugen-Tenshin clan but not in respect. It was in anger; the coward didn't want to soil his sword with the blood of his former friend. The dragon ninja stayed on his knees.

"Why not just kill me Hayate?" he rasped, "get it over with?"

Hayate hesitated.

"Do it Master Hayate!" an angry voice cried out. Ayane. She had removed the dagger from her arm and bandaged the wound with her dark violet headband.

"Quiet!" was the harsh reply. Ryu's opening. He got into a crouching position and head-butt the ninja of the wind back first into a tree. Hayate screamed and lay still, Ryu's blood splattered all over his white robes. Ayane gasped at this sudden act of aggression from the dying Ryu. He glared at her and she ran off. Ryu knew she wasn't simply running away from him…she was running to where Kasumi was. It would take him awhile before he could get to her, if he could get to her.

"Kasumi," he whispered tenderly, barely able to stand. If I must die, let me see her one last time…

Knock… Knock.

Ryu sat up for a second to see Kasumi standing beside the bedroom door.

"Yes?" he asked, more then happy for the interruption.

"Toshi left to spy on his sister, "Kasumi informed, "but you probably already knew he would."

Ryu nodded, "The only time Toshi's mischievousness proves useful."

She laughed and lay down next to him. Ryu closed his eyes for a second.

"We'll have to tell the children about our past."

"I know." was her soft spoken response. Then in a slightly nervous tone, "Do you think Doatec will ever come back?"

"I truly hope not, but if it does, they have to be ready."

"Our children?"

"They will be the first targets…if Doatec returns."

Kasumi sat up and looked down at her husband with a smile on her face.

"Lets not talk about it anymore," she said cheerfully, "I mean, we finally have the house to ourselves…"

"That's true," Ryu agreed, sitting up so they were face to face, "I think I'll go meditate."

"Ryu!!"

He grinned and brought her in for a deep kiss. Ryu could feel her hands sliding up and down his finely toned chest. He began feeling her up as well, taking in her sweet cherry blossom scent. Kasumi moved up along the bed so she could rest the back of her head against the pillows with Ryu on top. Her body was now completely bathed in the moonlight, causing her skin to glow with a goddess-like appearance. Her golden-red hair only heightened the effect.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered into her ear. She smiled and whispered, "You're so good to me Ryu..."

…

"Hayabusa-san!! You're awake!" Kasumi exclaimed with glee as he opened his eyes. Ryu was well aware he had passed out near the edge of the lake where she was bathing but hadn't seen her. Kasumi already moved down deeper into the forest like he had feared.

"What happened? You look unscathed. Did they attack you?" Ryu asked wearily. He was still weak from his wounds.

"I was hurt but not nearly like-," she suddenly started crying, "Oh!! Hayabusa-san, when I saw you! And the way Hayate spoke …he made it sound like he killed you. It made me fight all the harder until…"

"You killed Hayate?"

"No, I let him go. He promised never to bother us again. But I almost did, I was so mad at him and what he did to you-"

"You should've killed him." Ryu interrupted firmly. Kasumi sobbed even louder.

"I-I couldn't! He's still my brother and I love him! Don't you understand?! Don't you Hayabusa-san?!"

He wasn't sure of what to do at that point. Kasumi was crying into his chest, her words no longer comprehendible.

"Kasumi…he went back on his word once, what makes you believe he won't again?" Ryu questioned gently. Kasumi looked up at him.

"Because after I-I cornered him and made him promise, Ayane jumped me. Hayate told her to leave me be. Ayane looked so heartbroken, like Hayate was now stabbing her in the back. She spat at him and walked away. I couldn't believe my eyes. But I'm so glad I was able to save you so…" her voice trailed off and she buried her face into his chest once again.

Ryu knew Kasumi had more to say. "Go on," He urged.

"I know this is asking far too much from you…especially after all you've done for me. Hayabusa-san, would you turn your back on the way of the ninja with me?" She stated the last part quickly and moved away from the super ninja. He was at a loss for words. Turn his back on the only thing he knew? Ever was? Yet, Ryu realized that his body was deteriorating from all the years of non-stop fighting….leaving his wounds with virtually no time to heal. All those magical herbs used were only temporary fixes. Kasumi finally gathered the courage to look up at him. Her eyes told him she was afraid but if he went along with her, she would be ready. Ryu didn't want to say yes but he also didn't want to say no. He did need a break to give himself time to heal; both physically and mentally. Plus his feelings for Kasumi had grown during the ten years of being her protector. He couldn't imagine turning his back on her now.

"I can try but…I may not be able to in the long run." Ryu had taken his time before giving her the answer. She bowed her head; he knew that wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"Unless I grow fond of the non-ninja life style, then maybe I could leave it behind for good."

"I'll make sure you do!" She said quickly, then immediately blushed. It took Ryu a minute to figure out why the sudden change in cheek color…

"Um..no, yo-you wouldn't have to do that..." He could feel his face growing red as well. She giggled a little.

"But I'm so happy your doing this with me," Kasumi continued with a few tears escaping her eyes, "I don't know how to thank you."

"Don't be sad anymore, "Ryu said simply, using his thumb to wipe away those last remaining tears. "Just smile like you did when we were children. Put all those bad memories away and only welcome happier ones. That is how you can re-pay me."

"I promise Hayabusa-san!" She smiled and then added shyly, "and thanks again."

Ryu nodded. Kasumi's eyes began tearing up again.

"But-but if you ever want to be a ninja again one day…I-I wont stop you because I don't want to make you misera-"

"Kasumi, do not worry, I have already made up my mind. "He said rising up on shaky legs, "No matter what, I will stay by your side." He offered the Kunoichi his hand and she accepted it without hesitation.

….

He broke away from her and rushed over to the bedroom window.

"Ryu?" Kasumi called out, hoping nothing serious was happening so he'd come back to bed. He didn't respond. Kasumi slid off the mattress holding the sheet firmly around her body so she could stand next to him. The exact same feeling that just overcame Ryu was enveloping her as well.

"It can't be," she whispered. His green eyes looked down on her sadly.

"We must prepare for battle…"