Chapter 9 – Resuming Work
This night, the moon was full and high, at its peak as it shined its soft light on the Mugen Tenshin Hajin Mon Sect. Ayane sighed softly and she made her way to where her foster father's final resting place was. She was dressed in a kimono that was black and leg warmers on her feet. The walk itself was rather peaceful and soothing, the strange night air was cool and each deep intake relaxed her senses more, and as the soft winds blew over her, she gave a glance to the moon and entered the tiny valley where Genra was put to rest. His mask was in her hands as she crept across the empty field's soft soil. There was a small shrine on the opposite side. She slowly made her way there.
"Well, Master… I hope you can rest a bit easier now. I've found someone who seems to care for me… I don't think he's like the people you told me about, but I'll be sure to keep my guard up as much as I can." Ayane whispered to the mask that was in her hands.
The wind brushed against the bangs that covered the kunoichi's eyebrows, and for a split instant there was a spiritual image of Genra, he was without his mask, but his arms were crossed, he had his arms folded in a manner that most men of her village usually had. His face was more content this time, as opposed to the tiny hint of concern that he'd shown the last time she'd come to pay his grave a visit. The spirit of Genra approached the Hajin Mon leader and she lowered her head in response. The spirit placed a hand under her chin and tilted her head so that she could see his eyes. He smiled and gave a nod of approval, and then followed up with a soft hug, the kind fathers are supposed to give to their children after a hard day of work or school or after many hardships to show that things will be better. Despite the hug coming from a spiritual being, the hug still had the warming effects that it would have had if Genra were still alive. The sense of security and fatherly love warmed her otherwise cool body. After a moment, Genra faded and a tiny drop came from Ayane's left eye. She sniffled to put more coming tears at bay and wiped the one that had just appeared from her face with the back of the corresponding hand.
"I miss you so much… I wish it hadn't had to come down to that…" Ayane looked up to the sky once more and closed her eyes and gave a long exhale form her nostrils.
As the lavender haired kunoichi stared at the sky, small petals began to fall from the trees nearby. Ayane turned and followed a stray petal to a figure that she easily recognized. The kunoichi gave a nod to the figure, and he revealed himself.
"So this is where you put him to rest?" Zell asked and wrapped his arms gently around his kunoichi.
Ayane smiled and snuggled herself in his arms a bit more. "Yeah. It was the place he'd often take me to when I was little."
"I see. Someplace where you can always feel his presence." Zell nodded gently and looked around the tiny valley-like area, then looked at Ayane.
Ayane returned his glance, and the wind blew which caused her to shiver slightly. "Let's get back. I have a few things that need to be tended to in the morning."
Zell nodded and gave the Hajin Mon leader a squeeze, causing her to yelp for a brief moment, and giggle soon afterward. Zell hoisted Ayane into his arms, bridal style, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"I hope you don't mind being chauffeured back to your home." Zell smiled and nuzzled with Ayane, and then he began to proceed to Ayane's home.
"No, I don't mind at all. Please do, but be sure to take your time."
"Of course. So Ayane…" Zell gave a serious look and tone.
Ayane, sensing something amiss, asked softly, "What is it Zell?"
Zell took a deep breath, and then released it in the form of a sigh, "You start hunting Kasumi again tomorrow, right?"
Ayane paused before she said anything, "Yes, why? Is there a problem?"
"There is, because I need her alive."
"Well, then… you'll just have to keep me off her trail. It's not that hard is it?" Ayane stated matter-of-factly, as she was completely aware of their two opposing missions, which were ironically given by the same person.
"You make it seem like it's not a big deal."
"Because it isn't, not really anyway, but I can see why you sound sad about it."
"You get really aggressive when it comes to her. Has it ever occurred to you what it would be like to be hunted every day?"
"Yes. I want her to feel hated just like I did, and still do."
"You shouldn't be so mean to her. Didn't you have fun with her on the Island?"
"Yeah, it kinda made me want things back the way they were before I found about my Father." Ayane looked away with disgust as she said the word 'father'.
"Hayate told me how you got along so well with her when you were both children. Maybe you should help me bring her back. That way, she'll have to live with you."
"It won't work like that for me. If I help her, then I'll be a traitor as well. That'll destroy everything I worked so hard for."
"Ayane, listen, she's your family. Your mother's going to die soon, and she only wants you to be with your sister again. She knows that when she and Shiden die, Hayate and Kasumi will be your only family. It's tearing your brother apart to see you so willing to hunt your sister." Zell almost sounded as if he were pleading as he rounded the way to her house.
"I don't necessarily like it either, but it's what the village asks of me, so I'll do it." Ayane stated with a shrug of the shoulders.
"You'd jump off a cliff if the village wanted you to?" Zell asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I wouldn't." Ayane replied and narrowed her eyes at Zell.
"Then wouldn't you be called a traitor for not complying with the village's wishes?" Zell asked, knowing he had a point this time.
"…Uh… I suppose I would, but…" Ayane was at a loss for words. She couldn't think of anything else to defend her opinion at this time.
"Then you'll be a traitor with your sister, so why not just join the party now?"
Ayane froze at what she'd just heard, but continued on anyway. " No, she betrayed the village, and the Phoenix did the same."
"He did not. He was trying to find a cure for his sickly son. I know that feeling because it happened to me." Zell almost let anger erupt in his words, but quickly stopped that from happening by shutting his eyes tightly for a second and allowing Ayane to stand on her own feet.
"…Oh, right. Sorry." Ayane remembered Zell's particular reason for his defense of Takashi's father just now, as he's lost someone who was doing the same for him.
The couple arrived at the front doors of Ayane's home, and Zell allowed the female tengu to walk inside on her own. She looked back at Zell and asked softly and sadly, "Are you coming to bed with me?"
Zell looked a bit distraught and shook his head, "I'm sorry, but I have to check on your sister. I'll see you in the morning."
Zell turned and took three steps before tiny sparks of fire appeared; he disappeared as they fell to the ground. Ayane let her doors close then face palmed. "Oh, I'm such an idiot for that!"
Meanwhile, at Takashi's place, Kasumi had decided to try to predict Takashi's future. All of her predictions seemed to avoid his love life however.
"Come on, Kasu-chan! Tell me if I'll be with someone soon! Please!" Takashi begged the nuke-nin for the ten thousandth time.
"Okay, okay… Here goes nothing…" Kasumi sighed as she took Takashi's palm again and gently traced over the lines within.
"Well? What does it say?" Takashi asked as excitement surged through his body.
Kasumi's face turned a bright red and lowered her head so that her hair hid her face as she tried to speak, "…Uh… Y-you'll have, uh… two children and they'll be very happy with you and your wife…"
"Anything else? There has to be more to it, right? Although that wasn't the answer I was really aiming for…"
"Like what? What are you looking for me to tell you?" Kasumi asked and tried to give as much innocence as she could muster in her words.
"Like the lucky lady's name of course! So tell me, please. What's her name?" Takashi pulled his hand away and folded his arms expectantly.
Kasumi stammered again as she eyed the Kaido boy. "Well, she's a redhead, and she's really nice and great with kids."
"Really? That's cool. At least she won't have trouble with the two…" Takashi seemed satisfied with Kasumi's answer.
There was a knock at the door at this point.
"I'll get it Taka-kun." Kasumi called quickly and dashed off before Takashi could protest.
"It's Zell, he can come in, right?" Kasumi called from the door.
"Yeah, Always! Bring him in."
"Thanks Kasumi." Zell gave the nuke-nin a pat on the back as he entered Takashi's home.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Zell stated as he entered the living room and sat on the sofa, then propping his chin on his arm on the arm rest.
""Nope. Not a thing. We were just… talking." Kasumi replied and returned to the kitchen with Takashi.
"That's nice. Has anyone seen you here Kasumi? Like any ninja from your clan, in particular?" Zell asked with a soft urgency in his voice.
"None from the clan, nope." Kasumi gave a cheery reply and returned to her tea that had cooled considerably due to the hobby of hers.
"I suspect Hayabusa-san has paid you a visit though, right?" Zell asked and turned to the pair briefly then let out a yawn.
"Yes. He came by shortly after Taka-kun left with that American Cowgirl." Kasumi replied with a bitter tone.
"I thought you liked Tina, Kasu-chan?" Takashi asked, slightly nervous about the change in the innocent girl.
"Aw look, she's jealous. It's all over her face. She just didn't want you to know it Takashi." Zell looked up and chimed in; hitting the nail on the head, and Kasumi blushed again.
Takashi looked dumbfounded for a second as he processed what Zell had meant, "You were jealous of Tina for going out with me? Why?"
Kasumi looked down, she was obviously ashamed of her actions. "I want to be able to have a good time with you outside of your home, and show you a good time like she was able to do… but that'll never come to pass. I've realized that now."
"Someone has some explaining to do. See ya Taka-bro. I'll be in touch, okay?" Zell added one last time before using the ninja patented technique of teleportation.
"Well Kasumi? What's going on?"
"We can't be together as long as I'm being hunted. It puts you at too much of a risk. I don't want you to get hurt because of my presence…" Kasumi's eyes welled with tears, so she lowered her head.
"I can hold my own against a few ninja, Kasumi. There is nothing you need to worry about." Takashi stated, a tiny hint of confidence was in the words just spoken, and he went over to the runaway and cradled her face with his hands.
"I worry more about what Ayane will try to do to you… She is almost as strong as Ryu and Hayate…"
"Well given the fact that she has been training with the both of them, I don't see how she wouldn't be, but there are more important things that need attention. First of all, I won't let her kill you. Secondly, she won't kill me unless she has an army of ninja at her command." Takashi's eyes burned a bit and a white flame burned deep within them.
Kasumi looked at the boy with slight puzzlement in her face, but it was soon dissolved as she gave him a hug out of gratitude.
"Thank you Taka-kun… I hope it won't come to that any time soon though…"
"No worries. Now let's get some sleep. Okay?" Takashi replied more calmly than he had before and guided the young runaway to his parents' room.
Kasumi stopped at the doorway and turned to the boy once again.
"Um, Takashi? May I sleep with you tonight?" Kasumi gave a bashful look and a timid smile.
Takashi wore a dumbfounded look for a second as he processed the inquiry, "…I, uh… I don't see why not… Sure you can."
"Yay! Thanks Takashi… I don't know why, but I feel a bit safer when you're around…"
"I don't know either, but we should be getting to sleep now… We have stuff to do in the morning you know…" Takashi let out a soft yawn as he led Kasumi to his room.
"Right. Good night Takashi…" Kasumi called before deciding to turn in for the night.
Takashi followed and whispered 'Good night' to Kasumi as he shuffled into the covers right next to the warm body of the girl he dreamt about the most.
The following day, in the Mugen Tenshin Village, Ayane made her way to Hayate's home in the main section of the village, and she had a little girl following her.
Ayane stopped and turned to the little girl and folded her arms in an agitated manner, "What do you want?"
"Ayane-san, I was wondering if you would be nice enough to tell me what you did to get those." The little girl pointed at Ayane's chest, which caught a few admirable/perverted glances from the guys that were walking by.
Ayane felt her face go red and she had a bashful look on her face, "Uh, well…" She rubbed the bottom of her chin and looked away shyly.
"I can't really say…" Ayane finally stated after a long pause.
"Well, how do you stay so trim, Ayane-san? My mom's getting kinda fat again, and I don't wanna end up like that." The little girl shook her head and sighed at the thought of being a plump turkey.
"Well, I usually train in the forest for a few hours in the mornings, and after that I eat a nice breakfast and bathe… Then I would spar and practice my techniques… You should try that and see what it gets you." Ayane smirked and turned away to resume her walk to Hayate's.
"One last question!" The little girl dashed behind the female tengu to stop her once again.
"What is it this time?" Ayane snapped, obviously annoyed at this point.
"Where's that brown guy with the red hair? I thought you two were dating?"
Ayane's eyes grew wide and she recoiled as if she were just hit, "He… He, uh…" Ayane shut her eyes tightly, and gave a mental prayer that Zell wouldn't leave her. "He went to… get some things from the forest for me…"
"Oh… My mom said that he left you last night and that he was just trying to get in your panties." The little girl giggled and dashed off after she saw the reddened face of the lavender kunoichi.
"Grr! That's it! I'm sick of these bastards judging me!" Ayane snapped back to her original position and rammed into the chest of someone.
"If you know what's good for you, you'd…" Ayane threatened, and as she looked to who she'd bumped into she changed her tone fairly quickly, "Z-Zell!"
The scarlet haired boy gave his kunoichi a hug and nuzzled noses with her. "You shouldn't let the words of the villagers get to you."
"I know, but I'm supposed to be the leader, but I barely get any respect around here…" Ayane sighed and lowered her head, "Zell, if I run away… Will you still be with me?"
Zell gave a confused look to the tengu, "What do you mean? I don't follow."
Ayane lowered her voice now so only Zell could hear her, "I've thought about what you said… maybe I should runaway…"
"And let these bastards win? Well I guess you've met the end of your rope… I'll talk to Hayate and see if I can get you outta here for a nice night on the town. Okay?" Zell replied and wrapped an arm around Ayane, then he pulled her close to him.
Ayane smiled and looked into his eyes, "I'd like that, but where would we go?"
Zell smirked and began to lead Ayane to Hayte's home, "I'll have you with me. Would you really need to go anywhere else?"
A giggle escaped Ayane's lips and she nodded, "No, I wouldn't. I want to have a real date though, you know? Like dinner and a movie or something."
"Sure thing. I'll make sure you get your wish." Zell smirked and opened the door to Hayate's home and Ayane quickly bowed and awaited her brother's directives, whereas Zell simply stood and folded his arms.
"To what do I owe the visit you two?" Hayate called from the second floor as he began to proceed down to meet the two.
"I came to inform you that I'll resume my hunt shortly. Is there any information on her whereabouts?" Ayane stated firmly.
"Well not as of lately. I assume she's been in hiding ever since the incident upon your return…" Hayate replied warily and eyed Zell, who shook his head to say 'no.'
"Very well, Onee-sama, I'll check her last known location."
"Understood, stand and face me now."
Ayane stood and eyed her older brother as he looked at her and studied her eyes intently.
"There is more than just that… isn't there?" Hayate stated and sensed the immense pain within Ayane's eyes.
She sighed and turned away, tears formed in her eyes and she went to Zell's arms. "I've had all I can take. I'm tired of being looked down upon by those stupid villagers…"
Zell realized what she was referring to, and allowed her to bury her face in his arms. "Ayane… I'm sure that little girl meant no harm by the questions…"
Ayane sighed and looked into his eyes, "It wasn't her questions. She made a remark about you trying to have sex with me."
Hayate's eyes grew wide at this statement, while Zell simply closed his eyes and one of his brows twitched a few times.
"…Hayate, We'll be going now." Zell stated, hoping he wasn't sounding too rude, but now he just needed to get Ayane from her prison for a moment.
"Understood, good luck you two." Hayate called out as the two left in a flurry of purple Iris petals, and red sparks of flames.
In the forest outside of the Mugen Tenshin Village, Ayane and Zell were walking among the trunks of the tall trees; the light from the sun had been able to only ripple through the small spots within the trees that weren't covered by the leaves. Ayane looked to Zell, but she hadn't said a thing.
"So, how are you going to go about the hunt this time?" Zell asked in a soft manner as he approached Ayane's side.
"The family has a home in the city where Kasumi escaped to, so I was gonna set up there and search the city for a few days to see if I could get any clues." Ayane replied with a thoughtful tone and stance as she walked.
"Hm… Well I hope you won't mind having any company. After all, I do believe I promised you a date."
Ayane gave a small giggle before she replied, "…Actually, I'd enjoy having you as company."
Zell nuzzled noses with her and smiled, and then his earpiece rang. "Zell here, what's the update."
"Turns out that the Mugne Tehshin ninja did leave a mark on DoATec… Donovan and Douglas just held a press conference stating that they will be sending out invations by way of a preliminary battle. I have a feeling that the ones giving out the invitations will fight to kill." Maria stated on the other end, worry filled her voice.
"And so the delivery crew will be the zodiac kids I assume?" Zell replied calmly, the mention of the zodiacs shocked Ayane, but she kept it to herself.
"It's quite possible. Be careful, but remember, you need to kill them all. Remember, there are twelve of them, but ten remain loyal to DoA TEC and the tournament is to resume after the invitations have been received…"
"Hmm… Well, looks like things just got a bit more interesting." Zell gave an evil grin and cut off the transmission with his superior.
