Not long after, Ryu arrived in Tokyo. The city reminded him a lot of New York. Noisy and crowded. No matter where he turned there were neon lights, restaurants and cafes on every corner. Kasumi had told him one time, that she found the big city interesting, a place full of opportunities. She would talk about it as if she was talking about a dream. At the time he didn't really think she was being serious, but now it didn't come as a surprise to him that she chose to live in Tokyo.

After searching for a while, he paused at a street sign with the street name that pointed towards Kasumi's address. A sudden whispering voice somewhere in the back of his mind was telling him whether it was a good idea... what good would come out of him showing up at her doorstep out of the blue? And what would he say to her? It seemed like a good idea hours ago...he started to reconsider his plan to visit her.

Ryu had blocked out a lot of thing about his past. Now the memories of him and Kasumi seemed to keep replaying in his mind. Perhaps, being this close to seeing her again, triggered all the memories. They didn't have the best relationship back then due to her situation. Kasumi was the opposite of what he was as a shinobi, and he tried to keep it strictly professional between them. Just an ally helping another in need. But sometimes she was just too difficult to deal with that he had done and said thing he wish he wouldn't. Kasumi probably thought that he didn't care about her, and if she only knew how much she meant to him despite their differences. Ryu let out a deep sigh at his thought and decided to return to New York. He figured that it was best to leave Kasumi alone.

When the early October wind flew by, Ryu shivered and adjusted his scarf. He was cold, hungry and sleepy. Before he returned home to New York, he decided to find a café nearby for a little break, as he had been wandering around since he got to Japan. Across the street, someone familiar suddenly caught the corner of his eyes.

Kasumi adjusted her hot pink and gold scarf around her neck. "What a cold day…" She said in a low whisper while shivering through her teeth.

Once again, she was late on picking up her son. Kasumi felt bad that he had to be in the kindergarten for extra longer time every day due to her crazy work hours. All they manage to do when they get home was dinner, a little television and sleep. It left them little time to do any other fun activities. Maybe this weekend Hayate could take Tenzou to the park and do something fun.

Though, today would be different than any other day for Kasumi because she was expecting someone for dinner. Which, she come to think of it, she must stop by the market for grocery shopping. Kasumi would do it on the way back after she had picked up Tenzou. She smiled sweetly as she opened the gate to the kindergarten.

"Kasumi."

Every muscle in her body froze in a stunned surprise.

It can't be? that voice…

The voice couldn't be mistaken for anyone else's.

Her eyes tilted to the corner noticing a tall manly figure in long black coat and red scarf around his neck. Kasumi turned, but too slowly to be normal. Her face turned chalk white and she forgot how to breathe for a moment at the sight of the man standing so closely to her. Her heart was beating uncontrollably fast and her lungs fought for oxygen.

Ryu frowned, as at first, he was happy when he approached her, but Kasumi's unblinking terrified stare made him a little nervous.

"Hayabusa…" Her lips trembled, barely able to force her voice out.

"I didn't mean to scare you…"

"What are you doing here?" Kasumi's eyes looked around and behind him like a crazy person, expecting to see Hayate or Irene.

Though Ryu didn't quite hear her due to the scarf covering her mouth.

She raised her head and pulled it down, "What are you doing in Tokyo? Or Japan?" She asked again.

"I came to visit my father and took a detour if you wish…" He didn't want to say that he was looking for her.

Then he smiled, thinking of inviting her to eat or go to a café somewhere and talk. He had been curious on how she had been doing all these years, despite how it didn't end on a happy note between them.

"Are you busy right now?" He asked.

"I'm picking up someone…right now." Slurring on her words.

He looked disappointed, but he didn't want to bother her more than he should. He was just happy to run into her even for a moment. "Well, it's nice seeing you again Kasu-"

Someone came running towards them in full excitement quickly grabbing their attention.

"Mama!" Tenzou shouted as he jumped hug her.

Kasumi gave her son a big hug. He must have seen her standing outside and didn't bother to wait for her to come to him instead. The kindergarten teacher came out running behind Tenzou with his backpack and handed it to Kasumi.

"He spotted you through the window and made a run for it." Said the teacher with a chuckle.

Kasumi burst into a soft laughter and said thank you. The lady then disappeared back inside the kindergarten.

Ryu observed and wore a puzzled expression.

"Is he…?"

She replied with a simple nod. "This is my son…Tenzou."

Tenzou glared at Ryu in a curious manner.

Ryu wore a gentle smile, so he wouldn't look too scary as he introduced himself. "Hello Tenzou, my name is Ryu. I'm an old friend of your mother."

Tenzou acted a little shy like he usually would around new faces and quickly hid himself behind Kasumi. He peeked and tilted at Ryu.

Kasumi noticed Ryu's frown became deeper the longer he looked at her son. She tried to redirect his attention back to her.

"Um, how long are you staying in the city?"

"I'm going back to New York today."

"I see, I wish I could stay and talk to you Hayabusa, but…"

But he completely ignored Kasumi and bent down. Tenzou continued to peek at him curiously.

"How old are you, Tenzou?" He asked softly.

Tenzou lifted his hand and slowly counted, then showed Ryu three fingers.

Ryu smiled at his cuteness, "You're that many huh."

He raised back up and his expression changed all sudden, giving Kasumi a serious expression as he stared deeply into her eyes.

She drew a shuddery breath. "I'm sorry, but we have to go. Have a safe trip back Hayabusa." Kasumi lifted her son to carry him and walked away without looking back.

Tenzou then rested his head on his mother's shoulder and looked back at Ryu who was still standing looking their way. Tenzou waved to him and mouthed, "Bye..." Repeatedly.

Later that night…

Kasumi rubbed her eyes and shifted in her bed. The alarm clock on her night stand said that was a little over midnight. Ryu had been hunting her mind ever since she went to bed and couldn't help but wonder, such as why was he in town? was it a coincidence? or was he looking for her?

Not that it mattered. However, she did feel bad for walking away the way she did. He must have been thinking that she was still angry with him or something. Kasumi pushed herself into a sitting position and sighed warily. "Damn it…" she muttered under her breath.

Unable to go back to sleep, Kasumi grabbed her night robe and headed to the kitchen to get something to drink. Maybe that would ease her mind a little. As she walked through the hallway, she paused at Tenzou's bedroom. Kasumi kept her feet light and peeked inside as quiet as possible. She smiled at the sight of Tenzou that was sound asleep. He hadn't been sleeping well these past weeks but that didn't seem to be the case anymore. It could be because Takeshi was back into their lives, thought Kasumi. His absence has had great impact on Tenzou.

She continued towards the kitchen and drank a quick glass of water. She would try and get some sleep before her hectic morning start. Yawning her eyes out, Kasumi dragged herself back to her bedroom.

The doorbell rang.

Her feet froze in the middle of the hallway between her bedroom and living room. Did she hear right? How strange she thought…it couldn't be burglary as what kind of thief would be stupid enough to ring the doorbell. It wasn't as if she was afraid of any thief. Her fighting skills might come in handy again after a while. It rang again, startling her. Before the sound would wake her son, she hurried towards the door. She felt a little uneasy as she approached the door, thinking that it could be Ayane or Hayate with some emergency news. The only reasonable conclusion she could come up with to why someone would ring her door at late hour. Whoever it was, she couldn't just ignore.

What is he doing here?

She tiptoed and looked through the peek hole. Kasumi ran both hands through her hair anxiously. Should she open the door or ignore? She asked herself…no, she couldn't ignore? Or maybe she could, and so she only stood there, hoping for him to give up and go away. It got quiet for a moment and she felt a slight relief lifted off her chest. But to make sure, she peeked through the hole again.

"I know you're there, so open up."

Kasumi sighed wearily and opened the door.

"What are you doing here this hour? And how did you know where I…wait, did you follow me earlier?" She talked in a low whisper.

He didn't respond. His eyes were narrowed and cold.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Hayabusa? Why are you here?" She didn't like the way he was looking at her.

"Is he mine?" He asked.

Kasumi's eyes grew wide, "What…?"

"Is Tenzou my son?" He repeated. His voice was soft but firm.

Her heart hammered erratically, his angry stare was tearing her heart. She could feel his anger boiling by the second. He looked wary, there were shadows in his eyes as well under them.

"Do you realize what time this is? And what made you think that my son is-"

"Answer the question, Kasumi."

"I'm not doing this with you. You have no right to come here…"

"Do not play this game with me! If he's not mine, then deny it." He interrupted once again, and his voice raised a notch.

An annoyed sound rose out from Kasumi's throat. "You're crazy you know that?" She said and turned around to go back inside because she didn't want to deal with him at this point. Suddenly, Kasumi felt a strong big hand pulling her back, as Ryu had grabbed her tightly by her arm.

"Answer the damn question, Kasumi."

Kasumi winced around but he was too strong. "Hayabusa you're hurting me… let go of my arm!" But he didn't let go, he only pulled her closer to him.

"Kasumi? What is going on?"

Ryu quickly looked behind her at the sound of the voice approaching them from inside the apartment.

"You really should go." Kasumi whispered. "Please, Ryu don't do this now…"

"Oh, so now it's Ryu?" He growled lowly to her face and released her arm in a force making Kasumi stumbling back a few steps.

His forest green eyes met and locked at the man behind her.

Kasumi panted, as pure fear strikes her chest. Ryu was acting crazy and she was afraid he wouldn't leave and cause more scene.

"Who the hell are you?" Takeshi asked strangely.

Ryu didn't respond, he looked back at Kasumi instead. Her eyes were teary pleading him to leave.

"He got the wrong apartment that's all…" The only excuse she could think of.

Ryu briefly looked down at their fingers, noticing their wedding rings. He gave Kasumi a final furious glance, and then left.

"That's not strange at all…" Takeshi mumbled. "Next time a stranger ring the doorbell in the middle of the night, you shouldn't just open it Kasumi."

"I don't know what I was thinking…" Not realizing a couple of warm tears had escaped her eyes. She kept her back facing him and looked down at her arm. Ryu left his hand print, it wasn't that visible, but she could see it. Kasumi had seen Ryu got angry before but not quite like this. This time it was way more personal.

"He could have been a lunatic, a killer…don't do it again, or wake me up first at least." Takeshi went on.

"Yeah…you're right." Kasumi replied.

"Come on, let's go back to bed." He placed a kiss to the back of her head.

Kasumi went back inside with him and closed the door behind them. She couldn't take another step, as everything was spinning around making her dizzy all sudden. Unexpectedly, she buried her face in his chest and ball out crying without any warning. Takeshi was confused.

"Hey, what's wrong? Kasumi?"

More tears raced down her cheeks uncontrollably.

"Why are you crying…?" Now he was worried.

She didn't reply but kept on sobbing that became more hysterically by the second. He didn't know what to think, and what had made her so upset. But he quit asking and comforted Kasumi for the moment by wrapping his arms tightly around her.