By Kochan
Chapter 9: Awakening
Note: This is NOT a songfic. I've just taken lines from one of my favourite songs and inserted them at (In my opinion) appropriate points. Marked by italicized text and Tildes ~ Other italicized sentences are thoughts
His image was clouded a moment until the mist dissipated in the icy night air. Then there he was again, dashing with those warm, narrowed eyes, charming with that amused grin against the dark winter's sky that was studded with stars. Another frosted breath from her and once more his visage was obscured by the haze, coming clear after as though she was awakening from a dream. He was real, the smooth feel of his cheek against her fingertips proof of this as she reached up to caress there.
"I won't disappear, Kasumi." Hayate chuckled, adjusting the collar of his blue haori before stroking at her soft fingers, returning her touch.
The young girl shook her head once in his lap, a soft smile on her lips as she curled her body up closer beside him. Her pink floral Kimono restricted her movements somewhat though it succeeded in keeping her warm. "I looked for you, for so long."
"And you found me, for that I thank you, and love you." his words warmed her just like his touch at her ear, her hair as his fingers toyed there.
"I wish...I only wish you could promise never to leave me again, Onii-Chan." Kasumi whispered, yet she knew it was a promise he couldn't make.
Hayate blinked once then looked aside, his smile fading. Her heart sank as a deep silence settled between them. They both knew this happiness was but a brief spark; it couldn't last with things the way they were. Soon her brother would have to return to their clan, and she would be alone again, roaming the forest, fleeing her past. To their clan, she had once been a Kunoichi of the utmost respect and authority. Now, she was regarded as a 'Fugitive Shinobi', a threat of the highest order with the information she carried. A hunted animal, marked for death. The first stone had been cast, and they would stop at nothing until she was eradicated.
Kasumi inhaled a deep breath, hoping to numb the ache in her chest with the cold air as she held it in; but all it did was chill her lungs. A laboured sigh...No... she refused to let this one dark thought take away from the best of times she'd spent with her brother since they were children. The young girl reached up to rest her palm at his cheek once more, "You're cold." whispered Kasumi with a giggle, even if it was a little forced.
He said nothing, answering with a smile as he caressed her hand with his own, the deep brown pools of his eyes never leaving hers. She accepted his silence; there were no words one could find to say what his smile did. The way her tall, dark-haired brother gazed upon her now, it was unlike how he looked at anyone else, including her younger sister Ayane. There was love there, the love that was sunshine in her heart, that warmed her, protected her.
Her close bond with her elder sibling had called out to her upon his dissapearance and stengthened when they'd found each either. Since then, it had continued to grow and now, in his presence...it was overwhelming. Kasumi could anticipate Hayate's actions in her mind, feel his heart beating with hers, hear his thoughts whispered aloud in her ear. There was almost nothing she could think of that was not him.
But as Kasumi looked beyond the soft warmth of his eyes, she uncovered something that scared her. Something that was not spoken of, perhaps even unthinkable. Something so forbidden that the consequences were horrifying.
~Don't go near the fire, don't go in the dark...~
She shivered as the realisation struck home, thrilling yet terrifying her as she came to terms with the deepest and darkest feelings hidden in the depths of her soul. Could it be...that they both felt the same way?
~Don't give in to your desire, 'cause he's gonna break your heart...~
She felt the traitorous blush rise to her cheeks, marring her attempts to hide her feelings as she kept her brother's gaze.
~In your eyes, forbidden love...~
And just as she thought he might, Hayate leaned closer in, his eyes intent. There was no mistaking the desire within them. The sound of her heart pounding was deafening in her mind. Kasumi found herself unable to move though she didn't know if her body was frozen from fear or anticipation.
~In your smile, forbidden love...~
Her breath caught in her throat, her form trembling as her brother's warm touch strayed up over her neck, then to her cheek, mirroring her own from before. His lips parted, eyes impassioned before he closed them.
~In your kiss, forbidden love...~
A soft whimper and her own eyes fluttered closed. Hayate's lips brushed over her own, and she felt them betray her as they parted likewise to accept his kiss. The scent of the ocean breeze, mixed with his cologne swept over her, filling her senses as the kiss deepened, time losing all meaning, the moment becoming eternal.
~If I had one wish, love would feel like this.~
Kasumi didn't know just how long it was before panic seized her, and she gasped, breaking the kiss as she turned away from him, "We musn't." she whispered her thoughts aloud in the smallest of voices. "This isn't right, Onii-Chan."
She bit her lip, hating herself for saying what she did. Just by watching him as she opened her eyes she could feel the guilt and pain tearing into his soul.
"I...I'm sorry, Kasumi...I should never have let it happen." Hayate shook his head, eyes heavy, his face scarred with a mixture of frustration, confusion and disbelief. She had never seen her elder brother, her sworn protector and guardian as helpless as this, and all because of her.
She sat up and embraced him, afraid of losing him like this. sharing his pain within as her arms slid about his neck, "Please, don't say another word." she begged, the ache in her heart getting to an unbearable point. Never had a breath come as difficult as her next one, "Just hold me now...that's all I ask of you." she whispered, her voice on the verge of failing her. Kasumi's eyes squeezed shut once more, the first of many tears finding their way out.
He pressed her to him, and she was thankful for that; no matter what happened between them, Hayate would always remain her brother. 'Onii-Chan...' she thought, 'I searched for you and found you. But now I'm falling in love with you and my heart won't let go.' She wept in silence, tears soaking into his jacket. His fingers slipped through the silky mane of her auburn hair, drawing another whimper from her. Part of her mind hungered for more of his touch yet another knew it was forbidden to feel this way.
'Oh, Kami-Sama...have I displeased you so that I must bear this curse? To desire the only man I cannot love. To be so close to him, yet not be able to have him as my own. If I must be punished, I can only ask that my life be taken. But I beg of you, please make this pain stop.' Kasumi shook as the silent sobs wracked her body, choking her inside. And she felt her brother's agony through the tightening of his embrace, his breathing heavy in her ear, having the strength to hold back his own tears, yet not having the strength to show them.
Forsaken she was, by Clan, by God and even by Love...
* * * *Kasumi panted, blinking her tears away and turned to look out over the distant mountains that were shrouded in darkness. It had tugged at her trained senses, pulling her from her muse.
"Something is coming." she whispered. Hayate held her close, arms about her supple waist as he nodded. She knew he'd felt it as well.
The stars sparkled ever brighter over the horizon...and then it found her, a warm, soothing summer wind in the midst of winter. It kissed her cheeks, caressed her hair if only for a few seconds. A call from across the mountains, that could only have come from her sister.
Hayate's face was one of grief, but he managed a smile, knowing the response as well as she did, "Kaze no nakigoe ga kikoeru (I hear the tears of the wind)." he whispered, his mantra since childhood.
And she did likewise, eyes closing as she called to the mountains. "Ameno kanashimi o kanjiru (I feel the sorrow of the rain)." Even with her sins, there was forgiveness from even the most bitter of blood. It soothed her thoughts, the love from her siblings healing her heart, at least for now.
Her family's thoughts were as one...for this night. Perhaps a sign, of better things to come. Kasumi closed her eyes, praying to her sister, 'Be well, Ayane-Chan...I still love you. I always will.'
* * * *
Lyrics are taken from 'Forbidden Love' by Madonna.
Fugitive Shinobi: I really don't like the term 'runaway'.
That's it!All Complete! Countless hours in front of the PC, numerous sleepy days and cans of Diet Coke (tm) at work for 9 chapters of about 13000 words. First fic is complete - And don't you folks worry, there's more in the pipeline yet (Check 'Facing Side of the Coin' and 'Finsternis' for updates).
As for the pairing? Well, there's been KasumiXRyu, HayateXAyane, RyuXAyane (Kudos Pyralis), an odd KasumiXAyane from a while back and of course the Yaoi fangirls are hard at work with HayateXRyu (Samus S and Juunko). But there's never been KasumiXHayate...so boldly going where no DOA fanfic writer has yet is moi. The challenge is making it plausible, keeping the characters IC. Everything I write is according to Canon. DOA makes it that much easier with it's paper-thin plot. It's ALL possible. When you look at Kasumi being as obsessed with her elder brother, I like to think it's even probable. This is to be my main (I write them best) DOA pairing so be prepared for a full 4-5 fics over the next 12 or so months focused largely around the siblings.
Last Replies for this fic:
Tiger5913 - Aye, the fat lady has sung. JL/LF only in the distant future I'm afraid. No - no lemon this round. Though fear not, I'll have my hand at those soon enough. Here's another cheer for your Chap 22: Sanguine Promise though (wink). Thanks again for reading, dearie *^^*Dark Angel1004 - Aha, Ten-Oh-Four it is then. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long and more importantly, hoped you enjoyed the last installment. There'll be more yet. And c'mon - when are you going to start writing something for us all? Till next.
NthDegree256 - (Holds up box of Kleenex) Oh it won't end there, you better believe it. Thanks for coming to the show and we ARE looking forward to that rewrite and that Chap 5 so - Isogi yo! *grin* and BTW Javohl, Ein, Zwei, Drei...
Pyralis - Pyralis, Un-Canon pairer in arms (Hi Five). Great 10th chappy from you on 'Blinking Tears'. Looking forward to see what happens when Hayate meets with Ryu again there. Hope you enjoyed the reads here amd till next (your) chapter. Ciao!
DOA2Kasumi - Oh, I'd be willing to bet a nickel or two you were blushing at that last chapter. Hopefully, the last chapter DID work. You're one of the few with inside info ^_~ ... Nevertheless, hope you got your Un-Canon/Odd Couple fix and you can certainly stay tuned for more. Dunno bout your Jar Jar Binks accent though *grin* Ciao!!!
P.s - I'll reply to everyone's reviews for the latest chap in 'Finsternis' or 'Facing Side' (smile)
Many thanks for showing up folks, particularly regulars/reviewers. It's been emotional...
My (longest) Rant (yet)Ko-Chan
Unsent Letters: C O M P L E T E !!!