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



Preludes : The Shinobi Saga

Broken Soul

by Zedrick


The title of head master, the highest title possible for any school of ninja. This title is give in a lineal
fashion, meaning that it is passed from family to family. Because of this, the child(ren) of the head master
must be the most skilled in the clan, it can be no other way. The head master is the most vital part of any
clan, as he/she is responsible for the activities in the clan itself.
However, what would happen to the clan, if the headmaster was unable to perform his/her duties?
The clan will be thrown into chaos.


Hayate was practicing his maneuvers in the bamboo forest when he noticed a figure running.
Upon further inspection, he realized it was his sister, Ayane. She was crying.
"Not those two again." Hayate whispered to himself. "I'll have to deal with them."
Hayate began walking into the living quarters of the school. Suddenly, a hand came on his shoulders.
Hayate turned around to see one of the pupils.
"What is it?" asked Hayate.
"Master Shiden has asked for you." replied the pupil.
"Very well." said Hayate. "Seems I shall deal with them later.

In Shiden's room...
"Master, what is it?" asked Hayate as he approached Shiden.
"Hayate, as you know, it is your duty to take my place. Your skills exceed that of all
others here, including mine. You have done me, and my forefather's a great honor." answered Shiden
"Thank you master. It was because of you that I have reached my status." replied Hayate.
"Your sister, how is she?" asked Shiden.
"Kasumi? She is well, why do you ask?" inquired Hayate.
"She is still a child at heart. Please, continue to look after her. As you and I well know, she and Ayane
have a certain tension between them, she just does not realize it." said Shiden
"You've no need to tell me that master, you know I shall always look after her." replied Hayate
"Continue as you have always done." said Shiden.
"Of course." answered Hayate.

After meeting with with Shiden, Hayate decided to visit Kasumi.

Kasumi was practicing her kata when 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 as he left.

"Ayane." Hayate said to himself. "I had best check on her."

When Hayate reached Ayane's room, he could hear clamors of unrest.
"Ge-get out!" yelled a female voice.
"How odd, a mongrel ordering us." came a second voice, a male.
"I said get out!" yelled the female voice again.
"Why don't you make us?" said a third voice, also a male.
"Those two again, I shall stop this nonsense once and for all." said Hayete, a hint of anger in his voice.
He launched a straight kick that sent the first male flying into Ayane's nightstand.
"What the-!" exclaimed the second male as he turned around. Hayate punched him with brutal force which
sent him flying into his partner.
"Hayate!" exclaimed Ayane.
"Hayate?!" yelled the first person as he was getting up. "What are you doing here?"
"You should ask yourself the same question." replied Hayate.
"What do you want?!" yelled the second.
"You should show respect to the successor of the academy. You should also show respect to the
daughter of the current head of the academy." said Hayate.
"But she's-" began the first person.
"-my sister." said Hayate. Ayane looked up at him with a joyful stare.
"Now get out." ordered Hayate. The two of them scurried out.
"Th-thank you." said Ayane.
"Those two are always causing problems. They will not bother you again. You have no worries."
replied Hayate.
"Thank you again Hayate. I- I really appreciate it." repeated Ayane with a smile.
"You have a really nice smile. It would be better for you to wear it more often." complimented
Hayate.
"I-I'll try." answered Ayane.
Hayate smiled. "Well, if all is well then, I will take my leave."
Hayate began to walk away.
"Hayate!" cried Ayane. Hayate turned back.
"I-I'm really having trouble with this technique I'm practicing. Could you help me?" asked
Ayane.
"Not right now. I'm sorry, but I must watch over Kasumi. Perhaps another time." replied Hayate.
"Oh. Alright then." said Ayane. "Good bye.................brother."
Hayate grinned. "Likewise."

Hayate then went to sleep in his own quarters, content that he had done a good deed for today.

The next day, Hayate decided to watch over Kasumi again, however, she was nowhere to be seen.
After thoroughly scouring through the academy twice, he decided to ask Ayane.
Ayane was training when Hayate found her.
"Excuse me Ayane, but do you know where Kasumi is? I have been searching for her all day." asked
Hayate.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know." answered Ayane.
"Curses. Where could she be?" asked Hayate in frustration.
"Do you think you can help me practice?" asked Ayane.
"I must apologize again, but I have to find Kasumi." replied Hayate.
"Oh, alright then." said Ayane. Hayate then left to search again.

After running through the academy grounds five more times, Hayate decided to rest, weariness taking its
toll on him.

Hayate awoke the next day. "Damn, I drifted off too far. I'd better keep looking for her."
With better luck this day, Hayate was able to spot Kasumi as she was entering the grounds again.
"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 left. Hayate breathed a sigh of relief.

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, Hayate would occasionally meet with Ryu to exchange skills, stories,
and the like.They had become the best of friends.

It was the night before Hayate's coronation ceremony, to take over the school, when Hayate was
practicing in the solitary darkness. He heard a stick crack and turned around.
"Who's there?" asked Hayate, now in a guard position.
Suddenly, Hayate felt a movement of wind behind him. He turned his head. Too late.
He felt an excruciating pain as something smashed his back. "wh-Impossible.." said Hayate
meekly as he fell unconscious.


Sometime later in Germany.....
The squirrel quickly jumped to another tree, trying to find more food. It spotted something unsual.
The thing groaned. The squirrel continued to look at whatever the thing was. The thing began to get up.
It groaned again. "Wh-where am I? H-how did I get here? Wha-who am I?



-----Author's comment-----
Okay, I'm REALLY sorry about the REALLY long delay. But my computer broke so I had to bring it to the shop.
I'm not sure why it took so long, but it was about 2 weeks. Then when I got it back, my parents said we were
gonna go on vacation early for Christmas, so I had no access to a computer. Anyway, I got back a few days ago,
but I was still kinda busy. Anyway, if your're reading this, then thanks for reading this final prelude chapter.
I'll really try to do more work to make up for that gap. Anyways, could you reader's help me with some info
and opinions?

-I'm not really sure what to do about the Hayate/Ayane pairing. So please give reasonable suggestions.
Either give me a scenario where they are not related, or some other thingy that makes sense. Of course,
I can always change some concepts(like Ayane could've been adopted) or something on that level.
-I don't have DOA 3 yet, so if anyone can give me info concerning Hitomi and Hayate, then thanks.

Anyways, thanks for reading.