Disclaimer : All [Dead or Alive] or [Ninja Gaiden] related events and characters are
properties of Tecmo.



Preludes : The Shinobi Saga

Innocent Blossom

by Zedrick


Shinobi, a word used to describe a person trained in the arts of ninjitsu. Their purpose in
life, to prolong their own survival. Living a life of secrecy, they adhere to the most
strict of rules. To break one of these rules means death. Thus, Shinobi's are trained to
suppress their human emotions to carry out their tasks. Because of this, Shinobi's live
a hard life, always expecting death, but never fearing it.
But, what if there was a shinobi who does not feel the same way? What if there was a
shinobi who did not suppress emotions? What would life be like for a shinobi who does
not know the true evils of the world?


"What a pretty flower." said Kasumi to herself as she kneeled down to examine it.
"Such a pretty flower, there's even more here."
Kasumi began to bundle the flowers up with a string. When she was done, she began walking back
to her training room. After a while of walking, Kasumi spotted a figure sitting on the grass.
"Hello there!" said Kasumi joyfully as she approached the person. The figure turned to face
Kasumi. Kasumi recognized the face as her sister Ayane, and Kasumi also noticed that Ayane
was crying.
"What's the matter Ayane?" asked Kasumi. Ayane gave Kasumi a glare full of hatred.
"What would you know? You don't know anything. You can't have any idea of the things I've
been through. You being the favored daughter." replied Ayane with venom in her voice.
"Favored daughter? what are you talking about?" asked Kasumi.
"Hmmph, still clueless as usual." scoffed Ayane.
"Why are you being so mean to me? I was just trying to help." said Kasumi as she placed a hand
on Ayane's shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" yelled Ayane as she waved away Kasumi's hand.
"Why?" asked Kasumi. Ayane stood up.
"You'll always be ignorant, and everyone will still like you, but me-" Ayane covered her face
and began running away.
"That was weird." said Kasumi. Then she resumed her walk back to her training room.

Kasumi was practicing her kata later that day when her brother Hayate came in.
"Hi!" greeted Kasumi happily.
"How are you today Kasumi?" asked Hayate.
"It's been a great day." replied Kasumi.
"That is good to hear." said Hayate.
"But Hayate, what was wrong with Ayane today? she was crying, and when I asked what was
wrong, she-" Kasumi was cut off.
"Don't worry about it Kasumi. Ayane was just having some problems. That's all." answered Hayate.
"Oh well, I hope she is feeling better." said Kasumi.
"So do I." replied Hayate.

The next day, while Kasumi was training outdoors, she was approached by Ayane.
"Hello Kasumi." said Ayane.
"Oh, hi Ayane. How are you?" replied Kasumi.
"Good." said Ayane. "Kasumi, you like flowers right?"
"Of course I do. Why?" asked Kasumi.
"Well, I just saw a beautiful patch of lotus' the other day." answered Ayane.
"Really?!" Kasumi was ecstatic. "Where did you see them?"
"They were north of here, about 5 kilometers. Near a bamboo forest." replied Ayane.
"5 kilometers? I don't think Hayate will let me go that far of the grounds." said Kasumi.
"Don't worry about it, Kasumi. I'll tell Hayate you're going some place not too far away."
replied Ayane.
"Okay then. Thank you! I'm going now!" said Kasumi.
"Good bye, Kasumi." said Ayane with a smile.

Kasumi fell to the ground exhausted from her hike.
"I'm tired, and I don't see any flowers." said Kasumi to herself. "Oh, I had best keep looking."
It was dusk when Kasumi spotted a grove. She also noticed flowers growing nearby.
"Wow! Ayane was right! These are beautiful!" exclaimed Kasumi as she picked up a flower.
Suddenly, Kasumi heard a branch break. She turned around to see someone running towards her,
weapon showing. Kasumi intinctively got up and began to run.
'What's going on?!' thought Kasumi frantically. 'There's a bamboo forest. I'll try to lose
him there.' She turned back to see a dark figure still chasing her. Kasumi's legs began
to tremble, as a result of her hike earlier that day.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, another figure leapt down in front of her and tripped her. Kasumi fell
face first into the dirt, but she quickly regained her composure. As the second figure
approached her Kasumi threw a punch at it, but it retaliated with a stronger blow. The force
of the blow sent her back onto the ground again. By now, Kasumi was in pain and her limbs
were about to give. She continued to lay on the ground.
"Ryu!" came a voice.
"Kojiro?" asked the second figure.
"What are you doing here Kojiro?!" replied the first figure.
"That kunoichi was caught trespassing on out territories, she must be a spy." came the first
voice again.
"She?" said the second figure. Kasumi was now up again and looked at the second figure. It was
a young man with long hair.
"Leave, Kojiro. I will deal with her." ordered the second figure.
"What?" asked the first figure.
"I said leave. I shall deal with her." repeated the second figure.
"Very well then. I leave it to you, but remember, she knows where we are now, she is a threat
to our security." said the first figure. With that, the second figure disappeared into the
night. Kasumi placed her arms in front of her, ready to defend herself.
"Desist, I will not hurt you." said the figure. Kasumi still didn't move.
"I said to desist, you have my word. I will not harm you." said the figure again.
Kasumi let down her arms and slumped to her knees and began crying.
"Do not worry, you are safe now. Tell me your name." said asked the figure.
"My name........my name is Kasumi." replied Kasumi as tears streked down her face.
Kasumi then fainted from exhaustion. The last thing she remembered was strong hands holding her.

When she regained consciousness, Kasumi noticed that it was morning and she was lying in
a soft bed in a small room. Kasumi saw that the man from last night was approaching her.
"You're awake." said the man.
"Wh-where am I? Who are you?" asked Kasumi.
"Here's your meal, eat up. You're exhausted." said the man as he handed her a tray. Kasumi,
starving, quickly ate up the food. When she was done, she handed the tray back to the person.
"Thank you." said the Kasumi meekly.
"You said your name was Kasumi?" asked the man.
"Yes." replied Kasumi.
"What are you doing here?" asked the man.
"I was just picking some, some........." Kasumi trailed off.
"Just picking some what?" the man inquired.
"Please don't laugh. I was picking some flowers." answered Kasumi as she blushed.
"Some flowers? You risked your life......for flowers!?" exclaimed the man.
"I know it seems childish, but I really like flowers, and my sister Ayane said there would be
some very rare blossoms here and I just had to get them." replied Kasumi. Kasumi then looked
up at the man. "What are you going to do with me?" asked Kasumi.
"Under the normal circumstances, you would be dead." he answered. Kasumi shrank in fear.
"Leave and do not come back. Tell no one of this place, or you will direly regret it." said the
man.
"Oh, alright then. I promise I won't tell anyone. Thank you so much." said Kasumi as she got up.
"If there's ever anything I can do for you th-"
"Leave now." he said sternly. Kasumi nodded and ran out the door without looking back.
"Good-bye!" she yelled.

When Kasumi approached her home, she saw Hayate standing there glaring at her.
"Oh no." whispered Kasumi as she walked up to him.
"Where were you?" asked Hayate, his face expressionless.
"I was out............gathering flowers." answered Kasumi.
"Flowers? All night? I was worried sick! Why didn't you tell me!?" exclaimed Hayate.
"I'm sorry Hayate, but Ayane said she would-" Kasumi was cut off.
"Ayane?" asked Hayate. "Ayane told me she didn't know where you were."
"What? Well she must have forgotten." said Kasumi.
"You're injured!" exclaimed Hayate as he spotted a bruise on her arm.
"I-I fell down." said Kasumi.
"You're lying. I can see it. What happened!?" asked Hayate.
"Please Hayate. I promised. Please just let it be." said Kasumi.
"Promised?" asked Hayate. "Promise who? who did you meet?"
"No one. Please Hayate, just let it go." said Kasumi.
"Tell me Kasumi. What happened!?" exclaimed Hayate.
"I-I was trying to find some flowers, when a ninja began chasing me. I ran into a forest
to try to escape. I was attacked by another ninja. I tried to fight him, but I was too tired.
The first ninja was going to kill me, but the second one, he-he saved me. He spared my life
Hayate. Then, I woke up in his hut, and he fed me, then he said he'd let me go if I promised
to keep it a secret." explained Kasumi.
"He saved you?" asked Hayate.
"Yes." answered Kasumi.
"Tomorrow, you will bring me to him." ordered Hayate.
"But, I promised-" complained Kasumi.
"You will bring me to him tomorrow." said Hayate as he began to walk away. "I am very glad
that you are well."
Kasumi then went to her training room and went to sleep.

The next day, Kasumi brought Hayate to the grove she was at.
"There he is Hayate." Kasumi pointed out as she saw him.
"Greetings there." said Hayate. The man quickly turned around.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am Hayate, the brother of the girl whom you saved the day before." replied Hayate.
"You promised you would not come back, nor tell anyone." said the man sternly at Kasumi. Kasumi
smiled nervously and hid behind Hayate.
"It is not her fault, I forced it out of her. And you've no worries, No one else shall know."
said Hayate.
"Why are you here?" the man asked.
"I came here to personally thank you for saving my sister. She is very important to me. If
you have anything you need in the future then contact me." replied Hayate. Kasumi now
steped out behind Hayate.
"I-I don't even know your name." said Kasumi.
"My name is Ryu Hayabusa." replied Ryu.
"Hayabusa?!" exclaimed Hayate. "That mean's-"
"Indeed." said Ryu. Hayate turned back to face Kasumi.
"Have you any idea whose territory you were passing?! You should be dead!" scolded Hayate.
"I know, Ryu told me. I'm sorry." apologized Kasumi.
"How do you know about the Hayabusa?" asked Ryu.
"Every shinobi faction knows the rank of the Hayabusa, if not anything else." answered Hayate.
"Hmm..interesting. I would like to use that favor now. Please, tell me more about your clan."
said Ryu.
"I am the to-be successor of the Mugen Tenjin Academy." replied Hayate.
"The Mugen Tenjin Academy. A prominent clan in Japan." said Ryu.
"Umm....excuse me. But can we go home now?" asked Kasumi.
"Very well." said Hayate. "I take my leave now. And thank you again."
"I live a solitary life here. Perhaps you could come again some time and tell me more about
your clan." said Ryu. "I can assure on my honor that I shall keep it a secret."
"I would never consort with others. However, I love my sister that much. And I believe it would
be to my benefit as well." replied Hayate.
"Till next we meet then." said Ryu.
"Indeed." replied Hayate as he turned to leave.
"Here Ryu, take this. It's a violet lotus blossom, as a token of my thanks. Good-bye Ryu." said
Kasumi as she handed him a flower.

For the next three years, Kasumi's brother would occasionally meet with Ryu. Kasumi never found
out what they did, but Kasumi knew that they were friends. Kasumi concentrated more in honing
her skills now. She grew in maturity, but still retained her innocence.

One day, while Kasumi was out, she heard a commotion. She ran over to find a crowd surrounding
a fallen Hayate.
"What happened?" asked Kasumi. She did not receive a response. Hayate was carried to the masters
quarters, but he did not disclose any information surrounding Hayate. All the information
Kasumi was able to gather was that Hayate was severely crippled.
"What happened to Hayate, father?" asked Kasumi.
"He's gone." replied Kasumi's father in a monotone voice.
"What? what happened father? What happened to Hayate?" asked Kasumi. She did not receive a
response.
"I will avenge you Hayate. Since, father will not tell me, I will find out myself. Do not
worry Hayate." with that, Kasumi left to avenge her brother.



-----Author's comment-----
Well, that last part was a bit too quick and vague, but then again, I didn't get too much info
from Tecmo. But you people get what happened right?
Anyway, That was the event from Kasumi's point of view. Expect one for Hayate and Ayane too.
Also, I am normally quite busy, I only got two chapters out that quick because it's the weekend.
But expect about 1 or 2 chapters a week I guess.
And lastly, as always, please review and give me some suggestions.
And here's a poll for everybody to answer in your reviews.
How old do you think Ayane and Kasumi are?