Separating Love from Destiny
Disclaimer: You know I don't own them and you know who does. So just drop it.
Author's Note: I just want to apologize in advance for the beginning of this chap. I had all these ideas for later in the fic, but I couldn't think of anything to put in for now until I can lead up to the next events. Has that ever happened to anyone? So that's why the beginning here may seem a little vague and rushed, but I hope the rest of the chap is okay.
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Chapter 6
Hayate had sent a few members of his clan to the road to retrieve Christie's body, although he still didn't approve. He was mainly doing this because Ryu had somehow persuaded him to. Plus, although he hated to admit it, he felt the tiniest bit of guilt for doing what he did. He was concerned that Bayman was nowhere to be seen, but Hayate convinced himself that it was because he had gone back to wherever he came from and was not lurking around the forest somewhere looking for them. And if he was, his men would find him easily enough.
The ceremony for Christie was held that night. Hayate noticed how his feeling of guilt grew as he looked over at Lei Fang's tear-stained face, yet he couldn't figure out why. He told himself over and over that what he did was right.
Ryu was the only one she would talk to after that. She avoided Hayate like the plague. Ryu had explained to her that they could take her as far as the road and she could follow it back home. Yet they would have to lead her back blindfolded so that the location of the camp would remain safe.
"And it's not like you're going to get very far on that ankle," Ryu added.
"It already feels better, I could go soon."
"Is that why you need a stick to lean on?" Ryu asked, raising an eyebrow. Lei Fang grinned sheepishly.
"I guess you're right."
*~*~*~*~
A few days later, further out into the forest in a small clearing, Hayate was training fiercely. Using a combination of Karate and Ninjutsu, he kicked and punched at his invisible foe with lightning speed and ferocity. His opponent would have been down for the count ages ago, but there was something, someone, that he just couldn't get out of his mind. For some reason, Lei Fang's reappearance into his life had given growth to some new feelings, feelings that he had never had before. He told himself that he was only thinking about her because of the threat she posed to the security of the clan. A few of the others had already voiced their concerns, but Hayate knew that deep down he didn't have the heart to send her away.
He let out a small laugh as his fists flew soundlessly through the air. The leader of the Shinobi couldn't afford to have a heart. Any small slip-up could lead to the demise of the whole clan. Feelings only got in the way. A leader must do anything, including hunt his own flesh and blood, to keep the secrets of the clan safe. Hayate sighed. There were times when he secretly wished he didn't have such responsibility. His duty weighed heavily on his shoulders and he wasn't sure if he could handle it or one day snap under the pressure.
In fact, Hayate was sure that he wouldn't have been able to hold out this long if it wasn't for Ryu. Having his best friend at his side definitely made things easier. Hayate often thought that Ryu would make a much better leader than he did. Ryu always thought everything out in a clear, logical way. He was an excellent warrior, and he had a kind, open heart for allies, but could turn stone cold before an enemy.
Which was probably why Ryu had brought Lei Fang back here. He couldn't stand the sight of a friend in danger. And in his usual way, he thought of a way to help her without giving away the location of the camp. And although he hadn't admitted to it, Hayate was actually happy to see her again.
Then why had he acted so cold towards her? Because that was Hayate's approach to being a leader. Don't let emotions even enter into it. And since that's what his life revolved around now, that just seemed like the type of guy he always was. No wonder Lei had yelled at him the way she did. She knew him before he became the leader of the clan. She met him when he still thought he was a karate instructor named Ein.
That was back during the second Dead or Alive tournament. There were many beautiful woman there, two of them turning out to be his sisters. Yet Lei Fang had stuck out somehow. He actually met her between matches. She had come over to introduce herself, calling him a 'new face' in the tournament. She seemed so bubbly and energetic, but not in a ditzy way. Of course, he also noticed the infatuation she had with the other Chinese fighter, Jann Lee, who seemed to be her complete opposite. He was rude, egotistical, and despite all her efforts he wouldn't even give her the time of day.
Well, she had showed him in the third Dead or Alive tournament when she defeated him. Hayate found her to be a much stronger person that he ever would have thought. He almost regretted beating her in the next round. Yet, as he helped her up after the match, she didn't seem depressed by her defeat. In fact, her face still glowed with happiness and she seemed to have a permanent smile on her face. She said congratulations, and patted him on the back before he left. That image of her stayed with him through the rest of the tournament.
Hayate shook his head and tried to focus completely on his training. Lei Fang was a distraction, and that's all she was. A beautiful, kind, strong-hearted distraction . . . He shook his head again. Where had that come from?
"There you are," came a voice from behind him. Hayate turned to see Lei Fang standing at the edge of the clearing. He had been so distracted that he hadn't even heard her approach. One look at her told him that she still hadn't completely forgiven him. "Ryu wants to talk to you," she said.
"Then why didn't he come get me?" Hayate asked as he straightened up.
"He's busy and said it would save time if I came to get you." Lei Fang paused a minute to fully take in what was in front of her. Hayate stood before her, wearing only a pair of red, low-cut pants. His chest was lightly covered in beads of sweat that glistened in the sunlight that filtered through the trees. His auburn hair, no longer held back by his headband, fell messily into his eyes. She couldn't believe how extremely well built and good he looked. For a moment, all anger was forgotten as she stared.
"Sending a cripple is going to save time?" This pulled her from her staring contest with his chest as she looked him directly in the eyes and glared. For a moment, as he just stood there and ran a hand through his hair, Lei thought there was something different about his demeanor. He seemed a lot more approachable now, even as he said that last comment. All the harshness was gone from his voice and he actually seemed to be teasing rather than insulting her.
"What do you mean by cripple?" she asked. "Are you calling me weak? Jann Lee tried that and I kicked his ass for it!"
"By all means, I am not calling you weak. I'm just saying that it would have been faster if Ryu had come to get me himself." Lei Fang narrowed her eyes. Her anger had subsided over the last few days, yet she wasn't going to let anyone get away with calling her weak.
"Alright then, I'll show you how weak I am," she said, as she attempted to get into a fighting stance. She still needed to lean slightly on her walking stick, but she was prepared to take him on. Hayate couldn't help it. The mere sight of her wanting to fight him with a sprained ankle made him laugh. Lei's eyes widened. "I have never, ever heard you laugh before!" she said, quite shocked. But what he said next shocked her even more.
"I'm sorry." Lei was speechless. He took her silence as anger. "I know, you're still mad at me, but you must understand that what I did was for the safety of the others. I had nothing against Christie but I have to think of the others first." Lei Fang still didn't speak. "Well, let's just head back," he said, making his way past her. Lei shook herself from her trance and followed him.
Did he just actually apologize? And he did hold that ceremony for Christie. Lei Fang knew right then that she was right about him the first time. He was a kind man who just had a lot on his mind. They walked in silence, yet Lei even noticed how his pace seemed slower. Was he walking slower so that she could keep up with him?
When they returned to the camp, Ryu found Hayate right away.
"We have some 'business' to attend to," Ryu told him, his tone completely serious. Hayate's face changed at once and Lei Fang was immediately reminded of when they had been interrogating her. They two walked off, yet it was at that moment that Lei Fang realized how important the Shinobi were to him. The way he had talked to her before compared to their short conversation in the forest made it seem like he was two completely different people. He wasn't really as cold-hearted as he had seemed, except when his clan was involved.
And he'll always be involved with the Shinobi. Lei Fang wasn't about to accept that, though. She was going to learn more about the real Hayate, and not the callous front he put on. He had been so kind to her at the tournaments. The two had talked like old friends. And of course he was very attractive, no denying that. Of course, why was she so determined? Wasn't she supposed to be mad at him? She obviously wasn't anymore, but there was more to it than that. Who knows? Maybe she was falling for him . . .
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Author: Okay, for those who think that the whole love thing is moving too fast, just remember that they've known each other before this from the second and third tournaments. So this is a kind of rekindling of old feelings. Review please 'cause I'm lost without you guys!!!
Disclaimer: You know I don't own them and you know who does. So just drop it.
Author's Note: I just want to apologize in advance for the beginning of this chap. I had all these ideas for later in the fic, but I couldn't think of anything to put in for now until I can lead up to the next events. Has that ever happened to anyone? So that's why the beginning here may seem a little vague and rushed, but I hope the rest of the chap is okay.
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Chapter 6
Hayate had sent a few members of his clan to the road to retrieve Christie's body, although he still didn't approve. He was mainly doing this because Ryu had somehow persuaded him to. Plus, although he hated to admit it, he felt the tiniest bit of guilt for doing what he did. He was concerned that Bayman was nowhere to be seen, but Hayate convinced himself that it was because he had gone back to wherever he came from and was not lurking around the forest somewhere looking for them. And if he was, his men would find him easily enough.
The ceremony for Christie was held that night. Hayate noticed how his feeling of guilt grew as he looked over at Lei Fang's tear-stained face, yet he couldn't figure out why. He told himself over and over that what he did was right.
Ryu was the only one she would talk to after that. She avoided Hayate like the plague. Ryu had explained to her that they could take her as far as the road and she could follow it back home. Yet they would have to lead her back blindfolded so that the location of the camp would remain safe.
"And it's not like you're going to get very far on that ankle," Ryu added.
"It already feels better, I could go soon."
"Is that why you need a stick to lean on?" Ryu asked, raising an eyebrow. Lei Fang grinned sheepishly.
"I guess you're right."
*~*~*~*~
A few days later, further out into the forest in a small clearing, Hayate was training fiercely. Using a combination of Karate and Ninjutsu, he kicked and punched at his invisible foe with lightning speed and ferocity. His opponent would have been down for the count ages ago, but there was something, someone, that he just couldn't get out of his mind. For some reason, Lei Fang's reappearance into his life had given growth to some new feelings, feelings that he had never had before. He told himself that he was only thinking about her because of the threat she posed to the security of the clan. A few of the others had already voiced their concerns, but Hayate knew that deep down he didn't have the heart to send her away.
He let out a small laugh as his fists flew soundlessly through the air. The leader of the Shinobi couldn't afford to have a heart. Any small slip-up could lead to the demise of the whole clan. Feelings only got in the way. A leader must do anything, including hunt his own flesh and blood, to keep the secrets of the clan safe. Hayate sighed. There were times when he secretly wished he didn't have such responsibility. His duty weighed heavily on his shoulders and he wasn't sure if he could handle it or one day snap under the pressure.
In fact, Hayate was sure that he wouldn't have been able to hold out this long if it wasn't for Ryu. Having his best friend at his side definitely made things easier. Hayate often thought that Ryu would make a much better leader than he did. Ryu always thought everything out in a clear, logical way. He was an excellent warrior, and he had a kind, open heart for allies, but could turn stone cold before an enemy.
Which was probably why Ryu had brought Lei Fang back here. He couldn't stand the sight of a friend in danger. And in his usual way, he thought of a way to help her without giving away the location of the camp. And although he hadn't admitted to it, Hayate was actually happy to see her again.
Then why had he acted so cold towards her? Because that was Hayate's approach to being a leader. Don't let emotions even enter into it. And since that's what his life revolved around now, that just seemed like the type of guy he always was. No wonder Lei had yelled at him the way she did. She knew him before he became the leader of the clan. She met him when he still thought he was a karate instructor named Ein.
That was back during the second Dead or Alive tournament. There were many beautiful woman there, two of them turning out to be his sisters. Yet Lei Fang had stuck out somehow. He actually met her between matches. She had come over to introduce herself, calling him a 'new face' in the tournament. She seemed so bubbly and energetic, but not in a ditzy way. Of course, he also noticed the infatuation she had with the other Chinese fighter, Jann Lee, who seemed to be her complete opposite. He was rude, egotistical, and despite all her efforts he wouldn't even give her the time of day.
Well, she had showed him in the third Dead or Alive tournament when she defeated him. Hayate found her to be a much stronger person that he ever would have thought. He almost regretted beating her in the next round. Yet, as he helped her up after the match, she didn't seem depressed by her defeat. In fact, her face still glowed with happiness and she seemed to have a permanent smile on her face. She said congratulations, and patted him on the back before he left. That image of her stayed with him through the rest of the tournament.
Hayate shook his head and tried to focus completely on his training. Lei Fang was a distraction, and that's all she was. A beautiful, kind, strong-hearted distraction . . . He shook his head again. Where had that come from?
"There you are," came a voice from behind him. Hayate turned to see Lei Fang standing at the edge of the clearing. He had been so distracted that he hadn't even heard her approach. One look at her told him that she still hadn't completely forgiven him. "Ryu wants to talk to you," she said.
"Then why didn't he come get me?" Hayate asked as he straightened up.
"He's busy and said it would save time if I came to get you." Lei Fang paused a minute to fully take in what was in front of her. Hayate stood before her, wearing only a pair of red, low-cut pants. His chest was lightly covered in beads of sweat that glistened in the sunlight that filtered through the trees. His auburn hair, no longer held back by his headband, fell messily into his eyes. She couldn't believe how extremely well built and good he looked. For a moment, all anger was forgotten as she stared.
"Sending a cripple is going to save time?" This pulled her from her staring contest with his chest as she looked him directly in the eyes and glared. For a moment, as he just stood there and ran a hand through his hair, Lei thought there was something different about his demeanor. He seemed a lot more approachable now, even as he said that last comment. All the harshness was gone from his voice and he actually seemed to be teasing rather than insulting her.
"What do you mean by cripple?" she asked. "Are you calling me weak? Jann Lee tried that and I kicked his ass for it!"
"By all means, I am not calling you weak. I'm just saying that it would have been faster if Ryu had come to get me himself." Lei Fang narrowed her eyes. Her anger had subsided over the last few days, yet she wasn't going to let anyone get away with calling her weak.
"Alright then, I'll show you how weak I am," she said, as she attempted to get into a fighting stance. She still needed to lean slightly on her walking stick, but she was prepared to take him on. Hayate couldn't help it. The mere sight of her wanting to fight him with a sprained ankle made him laugh. Lei's eyes widened. "I have never, ever heard you laugh before!" she said, quite shocked. But what he said next shocked her even more.
"I'm sorry." Lei was speechless. He took her silence as anger. "I know, you're still mad at me, but you must understand that what I did was for the safety of the others. I had nothing against Christie but I have to think of the others first." Lei Fang still didn't speak. "Well, let's just head back," he said, making his way past her. Lei shook herself from her trance and followed him.
Did he just actually apologize? And he did hold that ceremony for Christie. Lei Fang knew right then that she was right about him the first time. He was a kind man who just had a lot on his mind. They walked in silence, yet Lei even noticed how his pace seemed slower. Was he walking slower so that she could keep up with him?
When they returned to the camp, Ryu found Hayate right away.
"We have some 'business' to attend to," Ryu told him, his tone completely serious. Hayate's face changed at once and Lei Fang was immediately reminded of when they had been interrogating her. They two walked off, yet it was at that moment that Lei Fang realized how important the Shinobi were to him. The way he had talked to her before compared to their short conversation in the forest made it seem like he was two completely different people. He wasn't really as cold-hearted as he had seemed, except when his clan was involved.
And he'll always be involved with the Shinobi. Lei Fang wasn't about to accept that, though. She was going to learn more about the real Hayate, and not the callous front he put on. He had been so kind to her at the tournaments. The two had talked like old friends. And of course he was very attractive, no denying that. Of course, why was she so determined? Wasn't she supposed to be mad at him? She obviously wasn't anymore, but there was more to it than that. Who knows? Maybe she was falling for him . . .
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Author: Okay, for those who think that the whole love thing is moving too fast, just remember that they've known each other before this from the second and third tournaments. So this is a kind of rekindling of old feelings. Review please 'cause I'm lost without you guys!!!