All eyes were on the new guest that had just entered the hotel lobby.
"Hi," She waved at all of them awkwardly.
Ryu rushed over to her, looking disbelieved.
"Momiji?"
"Good to see you, Master Ryu." She bowed respectfully.
"What are you doing here? Who watches the village if you're here?"
She looked at him confused, "But you told me to come…you said I needed a vacation."
"I've never said that." Ryu responded beyond confused himself.
Momiji then searched inside her bag, pulling out an envelope with a card in it and handed it to Ryu. He read the card out loud.
~Momiji, I know you've been working your fine ass off in the village. Join me and take yourself a well-deserved vacation. Everything is sorted out and all you got to do is pack your bag. See you soon dollface~
Everybody had their eye brows shot upwards, hard to believe that was the way Ryu would talk… Kasumi also frowned strangely.
Ryu's lips parted. "This is not how I write, and I don't talk like this to anyone..."
"Don't worry about it, I figured you must have written it while you were drunk and we all know how you can get when you have a little too much to drink, Master Ryu."
The others let out a small giggle to the statement, something Ryu didn't find amusing at all. There were also whisper in the bunch wondering who this Momiji was. They then marched over to her to introduce themselves.
Soon, Hayate arrived back at the lobby after he had calmed down a little. When he got out of the elevator he frowned at the sight of everyone gathering around at one spot. What did he miss…? the only way to find out was to go over there. He pushed himself through the small crowd and extra shoulder push on Jann Lee, so he could get to the front.
"Momiji?" Hayate said in surprise.
Ryu leaned in and he quickly whispered. "Momiji, please be nice to Hayate. He is not having a good vacation…"
"When have I not been nice? I'm always nice to Hayate." She smiled widely, but before she had a chance to react, Hayate bear hugged her.
Hitomi and Leifang exchanged curious glances.
"I've never seen you this happy to see me," She teased.
"I'm so glad you're here, they're all so mean to me." Hayate whined making a few rolling their eyes.
After some brief introductions, they all headed back to the rooms since it was getting late. Hayate helped Momiji carry her luggage and followed her to her room. Ryu however took his time before he joined them. He was worried about his clan, but he trusted that Momiji took care of the security before leaving. He figured that it was Zack who sent the card to trick her into coming. Though, he had to agree that Momiji deserved a little break. As he began making his way toward the elevator, he noticed Lisa heading to a nearby room alone. He studied her a little…
Kasumi then saw Ryu following Lisa to the playroom area. Her heart tightening like cramp at the thought of them spending time together. What are their deal? and why am I even jealous? Kasumi wondered strangely to herself.
…
Hayate struggled to get Momiji's luggage through the door while she had already gone inside to check out her beautiful room.
"Did you bring dead bodies or something Momiji? It's heavy…"
"I've never been to this kind of vacation before, so I guess I got a little carried away."
Once Hayate had put her stuff aside, he leaned against the wall crossing his arms with a warm smile stretched as he studied Momiji pacing back and forth in the room. She then paused and smiled back at him. Her hand suddenly gestured for Hayate to come over to her. Hayate frowned questionably. Momiji repeated the motion again. "Hayate, come here..." She ordered with her voice unbearably gentle.
Hayate did as he was told and marched over until he stood face to face with her. "What is it?"
Momiji let out a light breath and with a sweet smile still in place, she punched Hayate in his gut hard enough to send his body limp to ground.
Trying to catch his breath, Hayate winced in pain holding his stomach. "What the hell…?"
"That's for the last time!" She barked, unmoved by Hayate's pain.
Terrified of Momiji's unblinking stare, he rose back up and took a few steps away from her. "I thought you had a good time…"
She got closer to him but Hayate backed away even more. "A good time? you set me up with a lunatic."
"Hey, don't talk about my friend like that."
"Well whatever, I'm not going out with your crazy friend again. He somehow got the idea that we're together." Momiji shook her head and rolled her eyes at the same time.
"You're just going to ditch him?"
"No, you can break up for me instead. You wanted to set me up, your problem." Momiji shrugged and slumped herself on the bed with a long sigh and a yawn followed. "This bed is so comfortable…" she said lazy.
"You should see my bed." Hayate raised his brow cocky.
She turned to him. "I thought all the rooms are the same?"
Five minutes later…
Hayate opened the door to his suite and Momiji peeked inside. It wasn't long before her jaw dropped to the floor and her eyes grew wide.
"Wow, this room is bigger than mine and Master Ryu's house combined." She said looking around excitedly. Then rushed her feet outside the balcony where she spotted the jacuzzi, "I bet you and Master Ryu bring the girls here and manipulate them with all this luxury."
"What kind of guy do you think I am? and believe it or not I haven't even been in that jacuzzi yet."
Momiji shrugged, "It's not for you anyway."
"What do you mean?"
She stepped back inside from the balcony and placed herself in front of Hayate. "How many times have we gone to a hot spring after missions where Master Ryu had to save you from drowning? You can't handle hot water, it makes you too relaxed and sleepy. If anything, this jacuzzi is dangerous for you."
Hayate rolled his eyes, then slumped his body into bed followed with a heavy sigh. It got Momiji curious as that sigh sounded very depressing, so she walked over and got into bed next to him with her elbow leaned as she stared at Hayate's profile.
"Talk to me," She told in a caring tone.
"I don't really want to talk about it…" Hayate replied, grabbed the remote control to turn the large television on to keep his mind off the subject.
Momiji adjusted her laying position so her gaze would meet the screen as well. She didn't want to force Hayate to talk and plus she was tired after a long flight from Japan. They were both suddenly deep into a movie that Hayate had picked out. A moment into their silent, "I'm glad you're here." He said to her low. But Hayate got no response and turned sideways, noticing that Momiji was already deep asleep. A small smile played on his lips as he pulled the soft cover up her shoulders and let her rest. He then turned the volume of the movie slightly down.
A few hours later, Ryu returned to the suite. He rubbed his neck and yawned his eyes out. When he got further inside, he noticed the television was still on. He figured that Hayate was already asleep due to his loud snore. He walked towards the bed when he found Momiji deep asleep as well next to Hayate. He stood and watch them for a moment, then let out a tired sigh. He didn't want to wake her up despite he missed the bed…so he walked around to Hayate's side instead and grabbed a pillow that laid on the floor. He frowned at Hayate a little, as he didn't understand how even during his sleep he managed to make a mess around him. His sheet and pillows had fallen to the floor. He grabbed them and led his feet to the couch. Obviously, that's where he had to sleep.
An hour later, Ryu was still awake. He thought about his conversation with Lisa…but Hayate's loud snore was getting on his nerve as he couldn't even hear himself think. In annoyance, he rose from the couch, grabbed Momiji's room keycard and headed to her room instead. He knew which room it was since the room number was on it.
The following morning…
"Kasumi!" Hitomi shouted from behind.
Kasumi turned to look. "Good morning, Hitomi."
"Are you going to eat breakfast too?" Hitomi asked as she walked beside Kasumi.
"Yes, but I thought I would go get Momiji first. She's one of my friend from the Hayabusa village. Join me? so we could all go together."
"Sure," Hitomi nodded.
Kasumi knocked on Momiji's door, but eyes wide in surprise when Ryu was the one opening the door.
"Hayabusa?" Kasumi frowned and peeked behind him a little, "What are you doing in Momiji's room?"
"Don't worry, I wasn't sleeping with her or anything." He replied blunt and then lifted his hand to his eyes and rubbed them like a tired toddler.
"I wasn't implying that either," Kasumi responded quick to his claim, rather annoyed.
Hitomi felt the sudden awkwardness…
"Where is she, then?"
Ryu shrugged, "Still in bed with Hayate probably. She spent the night at our suite, so I left them alone."
Hitomi's eyes grew a little wide and Ryu noticed. "Um, not sleeping together…just sharing a bed…they're close friends."
"Kasumi, I'm going to go ahead, I'll meet you downstairs." Hitomi said with a faint smile and left them alone as she felt like a strange third wheel despite not quite knowing why.
Ryu's eyes then shifted back to Kasumi. "Tell me…was Hitomi upset?"
"I don't know, why?"
"Hayate is already blaming me for making Hitomi hate him." Ryu sighed.
"Well, I should go join Hitomi and the others for breakfast." A small awkward smile played on her lips.
"You don't have to avoid me that hard, you know." He blurted suddenly.
"I'm hungry and want to get breakfast, not everything I do revolve around you, Hayabusa." Kasumi was surprised of how rude she sounded but she couldn't help it.
He frowned at her. "Have I done anything to piss you off?"
She only let out an impatient sigh as the response.
Ryu tried to proceed. "We slept together, and maybe it didn't mean anything to you-"
"Are you seriously bringing that up now? It was just one reckless night. You kissed Lisa as if it was nothing, it's just a game for you anyway."
"It was a game. I didn't make up the rules and everybody had to do something stupid. It's clearly bothering you. If you don't have feelings for me, you wouldn't have cared, so why are you pushing me away?"
A brief silence settled over them.
"I don't…trust you." Kasumi simply replied.
"So, I have to prove myself to you now?"
"Why would you do that? You only should prove yourself to someone if you're trying to be together with them which something I'm not interested in. So, don't waste your time, Hayabusa."
A ridiculous smirk played on Ryu's lips, shaking his head at the same time. "And I'm the one playing games, right?"
"Are you implying that I am?" Kasumi frowned.
He nodded with a dumb smile in place, as if he was mocking her but it was just his frustration playing out.
"Really, so what kind of game am I playing?" Her tone was sour.
"In denial game…" Ryu simply replied.
Neither said anything more. He gazed at her serious and it was quiet for a moment. Ryu then closed the door, slightly slamming it. Kasumi was getting on his nerve, so he didn't want to deal with her anymore.
Kasumi just stood there, amazed for a moment. Did he just slam the door in my face?
…
That afternoon, the sun was high up in the sky. Most of the group had gathered by the pool. Hitomi had been pretending to read but her eyes were really studying Hayate and Momiji on the opposite side of the pool from where she was. She kept peeking over her book at them.
"You should just go talk to Hayate..." Leifang said who laid on the sunbed next to Hitomi.
"Said the one who would rather spy on Jann Lee instead of talking to him."
"Well, it's not that easy…but at least I don't live far away from Jann Lee and I see him more often than you see Hayate."
Hitomi let out a heavy sigh when Momiji rose out from her sunbed to rub some sun lotion on her beautiful shiny legs where she bent over with her back facing Hayate. Envy crawled inside Hitomi's heart when Hayate stared at Momiji's body.
"I don't know what that girl relation to Hayate is, but they seem really close. He doesn't even know I exist after she arrived, just look at the way he's looking at her."
Leifang studied the situation. "She looks like a princess…so pretty…" She then noticed that didn't help her friend's mood. "I mean, they're probably just friends."
Hitomi switched her gaze to Leifang, somewhat unconvinced.
On the other side of the pool…
Hayate glared at Momiji's behind. "Hey, Momiji?"
"Yeah?"
"You're blocking the sun, could you move away." He ordered in annoyance.
"Yes, your highness, my apology." But still Momiji didn't move away and block the sun even more on purpose rolling her eyes at the same time.
"You're just like Ryu, always so mean to me." He complained.
"Because you have a serious entitlement issue, Hayate." She then looked around, "Where is he anyway?"
Hayate rolled his shoulders into a faint shrug.
Momiji then looked across the pool and caught Hitomi glancing her way. "Is that the famous German girl you're in love with?"
Hayate's eyes grew wide at those words. "In love? more like a crush…"
"Are you sure?" She turned with her hand placed on her hip.
"I don't know what being in love means…I've never been in love before." Hayate frowned.
"Well, for someone you rarely see, you sure talk about her a lot though. You're maybe falling in love unconsciously."
Hayate's frown deepened. "Why do you girls have to make everything sound so serious?"
Momiji held a smug smile, "I'm going over there to say hi to her."
"Why?" Hayate blurted nervously.
"Why not?"
"Momiji, please leave it alone."
"I'm just going to introduce myself to these people, and what with the terrified look on your face?"
"Every time you go say hi to any girl I like, they ended up abusing me like throwing drink in my face or look at me with disgust."
She made a funny sound to that, "I was saving you from those sluts."
"But I don't need you to save me, and so what if I wanted sluts?"
Jacky happened to pass by their sunbeds wearing a strange frown on his face. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that…" he said as he walked away.
Momiji then proceeded, "And you are just paranoid."
But Hayate was still begging her to leave it alone.
"Alright, fine. Clearly, I missed something." She shook her head ridiculously.
Hayate's stomach suddenly made loud growling sounds. "I'm so hungry… do you want to go get lunch?"
"Since we skipped breakfast, I'm starving actually. I wonder what kind of food they have on this island?" Momiji wondered.
"There's plenty of restaurants down by the beach, let's go there?"
Something bright lighten Momiji's eyes, "Sounds great!" she then frowned a little, "What about Master Ryu?"
"Who cares about him." Hayate rose out his sunbed and they made their way towards the nearest diner by the beach.
…
Once at the diner, Hayate and Momiji walked inside to find an available booth. But they suddenly caught familiar faces and marched over to their booth instead.
"I was wondering where you guys were today." Hayate said with wide smiley face.
"After what you pulled last night, we wanted to avoid you. We've had enough with you embarrassing us everywhere we go." Ayane said sour and cold.
Hayate wore a look of disappointment. His baby sister's words went through his chest like a sharp knife.
"Come on, Ayane. Don't be like that." Kasumi however didn't share the same feelings and she felt bad when she saw the sad glimpse in Hayate's eyes. He was just being a typical annoying overprotective big brother, but she understood Ayane's annoyance as well. Still, they were a family, so she didn't want them to hold grudges and be mad at each other.
"Why don't you two join us?" Kasumi invited with a gentle smile. Ayane glared at her but she didn't care, it was the right thing to do.
Hayate and Momiji joined them. Hayate then looked at Ayane, and his eyes softened. "I'm sorry I embarrassed you…I can't help it sometimes because I care too much. I'll try to lighten up more, okay?"
Ayane sighed, as she couldn't stay mad at him when he looked at her like that. "Fine," She replied simple but soft enough.
They began studying the menu. Soon, the waitress approached their booth to take their orders. The girls each ordered simple lunch. When it was Hayate's turn, "I would like a cheeseburger, fresh fish tacos, fried chicken breast…as for the sides I would like…" The waitress started writing fast on Hayate's endless order while the girls were frowning at him.
"He's embarrassing us again." Ayane whispered through her teeth to Kasumi. Kasumi grinding awkwardly while Momiji was holding in a giggle.
After they ordered, Momiji turned to Hayate. "Are you seriously going to eat all that by yourself?"
"I'm feeding my depression..."
Kasumi had to roll her eyes at that. "Aren't you being a little overdramatic here, Hayate? What is it with you and Hitomi anyway? I mean, you barely talk to each other but you both walk around as if someone had shot your dogs or something. We are vacationing on this amazing island, so why not just talk to each other and enjoy it?"
Ayane joined in, "and if you explain to her about Tina situation I'm sure she would understand. The girl is naïve enough."
Momiji wasn't so filled in but still wanted to take part in the conversation, "I don't know what's going on, but it sounds like your sisters have some valid points."
Hayate rubbed his tensed neck. "It has little to do with what happened with Tina…there's other reasons." Before he could continue, someone familiar entered the diner caught their attention.
"Ryu, over here!" Hayate suddenly shouted making Kasumi's heart raised to her throat.
Ryu looked their way. "Great…" He mumbled and sighed to himself. He couldn't make an escape even if he wanted to, so he went over to them.
"Join us, Master Ryu." Momiji invited.
"There's barely seat for me, so you all go ahead."
"We can make room. Momiji, scoot." Hayate ordered.
Not much choice was given, he sat next to Hayate facing Kasumi. But Kasumi let out an impatient sigh, as his presence triggered her nerve. Ayane could feel the odd tension between them. She was the only one on the table who knew about their private business.
Dead silence filled the air around the table. Which was strange to Hayate since they usually had a lot to talk about when they got together that way, but this time it felt off to him and he didn't know why.
"Isn't this nice? it's been awhile since we had gathered like this." Hayate said happily trying to start a conversation so the awkward tension would go away.
"I suppose," Ryu replied.
Then another dead silence hit them…
"I heard Helena was planning to throw a pool party tonight. That sounds like fun." Kasumi spoke, keeping it casual. Though she noticed Ryu studying her and she tried to avoid his eyes.
"That does sound like fun, and it will give me the chance to get to know everybody since I only know you guys here. But Master Ryu, please lay off the alcohol." Momiji stated.
"You too, Ayane." Hayate added.
Ayane glared at her brother. "But you just said you're going to loosen up on me? I'm just going to have a taste, I won't get drunk or anything."
"Fine, but if it gets too crazy, it's over." Hayate made it clear.
Ayane rolled her eyes a little, but that was better than nothing she thought.
Ryu was too annoyed to even want to say anything. He wasn't feeling it that day, he didn't really want to be around people and that was why he avoided being at the pool.
They all continued making conversation while Ryu sat there quietly, uninterested in engaging. Kasumi studied him from across the table, he met her gaze.
Their food arrived. Ryu was surprised at how much food Hayate had ordered. There was barely space on the table for their own orders.
Soon after, Hayate had eaten until his stomach stretched his waist band. "I can't breathe…"
Momiji giggled. "You are crazy, Hayate."
Now and then, Ryu and Kasumi would accidently share a quick glance at each other. When Kasumi met his gaze again, for a long moment he did not look away, his gaze was steady and calculating making her heart stir in all kind of ways. His boldness made her nervous.
"So, um, Hayate…you were telling us something earlier regarding Hitomi." Kasumi asked her brother curious, also to make excuses to avoid Ryu's stare.
"It's not something that you all don't know anyway. I don't think I want to pursue Hitomi…when this vacation is over, we won't even see each other again, so what's the point?"
"You can still spend time with Hitomi while she's here. Who said you must be with her to be her friend?" Momiji added.
Hayate thought for a second, "I suppose…"
The conversation continued on, but Ryu was still not engaging much.
"Master Ryu, you're awfully quiet, are you alright?"
Momiji's voice startled him. "I'm fine."
"You should've been here last night when we played the card game." Hayate said to Momiji.
"Why is that?"
"That kiss was intense!" Hayate chuckled amused.
She frowned curious, "What? Who kissed?"
The look on Ryu's face changed into something serious.
"Ryu and Lisa, it was funny how they were so into it too." Hayate kept on, "They act like they hate each other but I think-"
"This is a really good time for you to shut the hell up, Hayate." Ryu interrupted with an intense glare set on him.
"Come on, Ryu…and don't tell me you didn't enjoy it. Lisa is a hot girl, so what's the problem?" Hayate didn't understand what had made Ryu upset.
Ryu then got up and left the table.
"Hey, where are you going?" Hayate shouted.
"Far away from you." He said and disappeared out the diner.
Kasumi sat quietly with an awkward sigh followed.
"Why is he so uptight lately?" Hayate looked confused.
"Maybe he's just having a bad day." Momiji shrugged.
…
On their way back from the diner, they passed by the beach where it seemed like the group had moved their activity to playing volleyball.
"Hey mutants, come join us. We need more people." Jann Lee shouted.
"What did he just call us?" Momiji raised a brow to that.
"I'm going to enjoy knocking that fool's light out when I get the chance." Hayate replied crossing his arms. "Screw you, Jann Lee!" He then shouted.
"Ignore him guys, we do need more people. So, want to play?" Leifang joined in.
"Alright, why not." Momiji smiled, the other ninjas joined as well despite Hayate wasn't that much in the mood.
"How about boys against girls?" Kokoro suggested, and it brought cocky smiles to the other girls, liking the idea.
"Get ready to lose, ladies." Jann Lee winked.
"We're going to beat your ass!" Tina jumped happily, pumped.
One hour into the game…
The boys panted heavily looking at the girls high five each other.
"What the hell happened?" Hayate mumbled.
"They're really good…" Eliot replied.
"Don't give up, we can still catch on." Jann Lee forced in some encouragement.
"20 - 0...let's just admit it, we suck." Brad Wong reminded.
"LOSERS!" Tina shouted, having a laugh with the girls.
"We still have time to catch up, come on let's do this." Jann Lee encouraged once more.
They placed themselves back into their position and the game continued. Hayate wasn't paying attention this time since he was a little tired, when Tina gave the final blow aiming directly towards him. His reaction was too slow, and the ball hit Hayate hard on his head sending him straight to the ground. When he wasn't being responsive, they all got worried and ran to him.
"Hayate, wake up!" Kasumi shouted in concern.
"Is he dead?" Jann Lee asked.
"Give me that bottle of water." Momiji ordered someone and then poured the water onto Hayate's face. The trick helped when he slowly opened his eyes and clutched his head in pain.
"Hayate, how many fingers am I holding?" Momiji double-checked.
"Do you know who we are?" Ayane asked.
They all looked at her strange…
"He did lose his memory before, we don't know how stable his head is…" Ayane replied to their stare.
"You all are noisy as ever…of course I know who you are." Hayate muttered tiredly.
"I'm so sorry, Hayate." Tina felt terrible.
It was already evening, so it was a good time to end the game and they all headed back to the hotel. Hayate wondered where Hitomi was since she wasn't down at the beach playing volleyball with them. He had finally decided to stop being a wuss and wanted to spend more time with Hitomi. That plan was quickly torn into pieces when he saw Hitomi in the pool with Jacky being close…
Momiji was right behind Hayate and she looked in the same direction. She felt a little bad for him seeing the disappointment on his face.
"I feel dizzy..." He mumbled feeling lightheaded.
"Tina really got you good, huh." Momiji then closed her arm around Hayate's middle to help him walk just in case he would collapse, and he placed his around her neck for support. They continued toward the hotel entrance.
Hitomi caught the glimpse of Hayate and Momiji holding each other with a frown.
…
Back at the suite, Ryu was watching a movie when Momiji brought Hayate inside leading him to the bed and helped him lay down.
"Try and relax before the party." She said caring.
"What happened?"
"We were playing ball and he got hit in the head by Tina's blow."
Ryu couldn't help but let out a small giggle, "That can't be good for that bird brain of yours."
Hayate felt insulted but he was too down to care to response.
"He's just being overdramatic, don't baby him too much, Momiji."
"He is really hurt, Master Ryu." Momiji pulled the cover over Hayate's shoulder. "Now rest…" She then made her way out the room.
"Momiji?" Hayate called in a weak voice.
She turned back with wondering eyes.
"Can you stay here with me?" He asked softly.
Ryu rolled his eyes at how obnoxiously fake Hayate sounded to him…he just didn't buy the poor me act.
Momiji couldn't resist however, "Alright." She marched over, climbed into bed in between Ryu and Hayate. The three laid in bed for a while watching a movie together.
An hour later, Momiji got bored of just lying there, as comfy and relaxing as it was... "This is so boring," she yawned.
Ryu looked at her sideway. "You can always go back to your room?" He said, at this point he was frustrated that the room was always crowded, especially the bed.
"I guess…but it's just so comfortable this bed." Momiji frowned a little, "How about we switch room?"
"Hayate, do you hear that…Momiji wants us to take her mediocre room and just hand her the suite."
Hayate burst into a ridiculous small laughter. "We love you, Momiji…but not that much."
Momiji rolled her eyes, it was a long shot anyway.
Hayate suddenly rose out of bed and marched over to the full-length mirror in the room, staring and pinching his stomach. The two looked at him strangely. He turned to them, "I've been eating a lot lately…do I look fat? I feel like I've gained weight."
A smirk curled on Momiji's lips. "Yeah…I can see some chunk right there." She pointed to a spot on his stomach.
"Really?" Hayate studied closer. Soon, he slipped into his training outfit and made his way out.
"Where are you going?" Ryu asked.
"Hitting the gym…we have a few hours before the party, I need to look sharp for Hitomi." Then he disappeared out the door.
Ryu then looked at Momiji, "You shouldn't play with him like that…"
"He's so easy." Momiji giggled, "Do you understand what's really going on with him and Hitomi?"
"I think it was my fault. I put the idea into his head that it was pointless for him to go after her. I thought I was giving him a reality check advice, but I might have ruined his confidence in the process." He then sighed, "Or maybe they just like to make every simple situation more complicated than what it should be…"
Momiji couldn't help raising her brow at the last bitter words of his. "By they, you mean?"
"Mugens," Ryu replied.
"And by Mugens, you mean…Kasumi?"
Ryu frowned at her strange. "Why would you assume that it's-"
"Come on Master Ryu, it was beyond obvious something is going on with you and her…the way you looked at each other at the diner told a story, and plus I know you've always had a soft spot for Kasumi."
A heavy sigh escaped Ryu as it was pointless to hide anything from Momiji.
"Did you tell her about Lisa?"
"No…that will definitely ruin things even more. You're the only one who knows about Lisa so please, don't tell anyone not even Hayate."
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She assured. "But you know, Master Ryu…maybe you shouldn't jump into anything with Kasumi before all that is sorted out, it can be messy."
"A little too late for that." Ryu responded.
Meanwhile, at the gym…
When Hayate got to the gym, there were only three others there. Jann Lee, Eliot and Kokoro. He wasted no time and got onto the treadmill. Later, he moved on to lifting weights. Everybody seemed to be into their own equipment. Hayate ended his training with sit ups.
Panting, he counted each move loudly to himself.
"One hundred!" but as he pushed himself back up, someone stood in front of him staring and waiting. Hayate paused to catch his breath, "What do you want?" he asked in annoyance.
"Can I talk to you…?" Jann Lee asked rather reluctant.
Hayate frowned strangely, why would Jann Lee want to talk to him he wondered…it made him curious enough. "Make it quick."
Jann Lee lowered closer to Hayate, "You know that lady friend of yours…I forgot her name."
"Momiji?"
Jann Lee nodded, "I want to ask you a favor…"
Hayate raised his brow suspiciously. Despite he disliked Jann Lee, he wanted to know what Jann Lee had in mind.
Later that evening, at the pool party…
Everything was set up nicely at the pool area. Flashy lights everywhere, open bar and the aroma of the grills filling the air with festive music.
Leifang slammed her exotic drink in a pineapple cup so hard the table shook, startling Hitomi who was sitting there.
"What got into you?" Hitomi asked her.
"Look at that idiot…he's all over Hayate's lady friend." She replied in pure annoyance, clenching her teeth.
Hitomi peeked where the pair were, "Maybe he's trying to make you jealous…" she giggled.
Leifang sighed as she lowered into a chair facing Hitomi, "I doubt it...Momiji is gorgeous. I would hit on her too if I was a guy…"
Momiji went to get one of those fancy drink at the bar and sat on a stool. Tina was behind the bar helping with making drinks.
"Momiji, right?"
Momiji nodded politely.
"I'm Tina, we haven't been properly introduced."
"Good to meet you, Tina. Why are you back there instead of out here with the rest of us?"
Tina chuckled. "I wanted to try out as a bartender, so I'm just trying to practice. I'll be out there shortly, we're going to do some outdoor karaoke later and party until sunrise!"
Momiji giggled, "I love your energy."
"So how do you like it here so far?"
"I haven't had a chance to talk to everyone yet beside my colleague ninjas, but this island is amazing. I can't wait to do some more exploring. Although, that Chinese guy seem to be too friendly with me tonight…" Momiji frowned.
"Which Chinese? The old one or the young one?"
"The young one."
Tina rolled her eyes, "Just ignore him. He's a troublemaker…"
Kokoro who had been minding her own business on a seat next to Momiji decided to join the conversation.
"There's a reason for that, I heard him and Hayate planning something back at the gym earlier…something about making Leifang jealous. So, he's just using you to annoy her."
Momiji's eyes grew wide. "You don't say…well girls, excuse me for a minute."
By the pool, Hayate and Ryu was making their own conversation.
"You seem weird all day, you okay?" Hayate asked his friend.
"I think I understand how you feel now..." Ryu sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"You know, how you feel about Hitomi…"
Hayate frowned, "Is it…Lisa?" he was afraid to mention since last time he said Lisa's name, Ryu got angry, but he was too curious.
Ryu swallowed a lump in his throat, as he couldn't reveal who it was to Hayate. Due to that, he avoided responding.
"Come on Ryu, you have to tell me what is up with you and Lisa…I know you worked with her before but something more is going on there."
Still Ryu wouldn't respond.
"Fine, be like that. But don't tell Momiji about your feelings…she might say you're in love. You know how girls are."
To that statement, Ryu frowned oddly to himself.
Hayate's heart raised to his throat at the sight of furious Momiji marching straight towards him.
"Ryu, quick…hide me, hide me." He began panicking.
"Why? what did you do?" Ryu shook his head.
Too late, when Momiji grabbed Hayate's ear, squeezed it painfully hard and growled at him, "You tried to set me up? are you trying to start drama between me and the other girls here?"
Hayate made painful grimaces. "Momiji p-please…it hurts…"
While the two were getting at it, Ryu spotted Kasumi with Ayane from afar.
"Ryu, help me!" Hayate shouted.
"That's enough, you're hurting him." He told Momiji.
"That's a warning, Hayate." Momiji then walked away back towards the bar.
Hayate tried to feel his burning red ear, "I can't feel my ear...she's more vicious than ever."
The night went on with festive music and games. Helena had also set up an outdoor karaoke contest. While they all were enjoying themselves, one of the hotel staff member was on the phone with the island's owner.
"How are they all doing?"
"Clueless as hell, Mr. Zack."
"It should happen tonight, and make sure that they ended up in the right team listed on the list of names I gave you."
"I see that you have separated the ninjas."
"Together they are too strong, this way everybody has equally strong members in their team. Let's start the show."
