Disclaimer: I don't own DOA so please don't sue me and most of the songs
I've used previously are Mariah Carey's so they aren't mine either. R & R
Authors Note: This is the last chapter for this fic. I don't know whether to be happy or sad that this fic is actually over sniff. Well go ahead and enjoy this final chapter, leave comments when your done.
Unpredictable Fate
Chapter Twelve
Kasumi's body fell downward, fighting the force of the bristling wind that tried to keep her up. 'This is it mother. I've finally proved to them all that becoming a runaway shinobi is better off,' Kasumi thought as an unnoticeable tear ran down her face. Her copper hair blew with the forceful wind that was shifting in every direction.
Kasumi's body felt cold and lonely, but at the same time she was happy. She closed her eyes and just before she could open them again, her body slammed against a car that was parked near Tokyo Tower. Parts of the car went flying into different directions and the alarm went off, making all the tourists and residents of Tokyo jump up in fear. Her bones shattered and immediately her heart stopped beating. Blood dripped out of her mouth and she lay there lifeless with a slight grin on her face. She was done; finally free to fly in heaven.
Goken looked over the edge of the tower and stared down with a terrified expression. Christie stood behind him equally shocked with Cassia sitting in her arms. Ryu, Hitomi, Hayate, and Ayane all suddenly snapped out of the trance they were in.
"KASUMI, NO!!!" Ryu screamed, falling to his knees and bursting into tears. 'She is gone, why did she let herself be sucked up in the midst of the world? Why did she keep it all concealed inside? Now I understand why she said that I should raise Cassia to be a bold woman. How could she abandon all of us like this? I can't do this alone and it's all her fault. I hate her; she just left without a good bye or a kiss or anything. I took her presence for granted and never noticed that she might just disappear the next day.' Ryu thought as he pulled his hair and began digging his nails in his scalp.
He couldn't believe that Kasumi had just, right in front of him, killed herself. Ryu had a sudden loss of breathe and he began coughing excessively, leaving his scalp alone to hold onto his chest. Ayane bent down and tapped his back, waiting for him to stop the coughing which had turned into blood. Hayate, getting worried, also bent down and began to slightly beat on Ryu's back.
Goken let out a snicker and walked over to the scene. He extended his foot out and kicked Ryu in the face, knocking his body against a part of a metal bar.
"You bastard, how could you. If you never drugged us then she would've never died," Hayate barked as he clenched his fist in anger and punched at Goken who glided backwards effortlessly.
"Why did you make it end like this?!? You destroyed her from the beginning. You're a fucking asshole!! I hope you go to hell because no one deserves to be miserable their whole lives," Hitomi snapped once Hayate was done.
Goken smirked and nodded to Christie who responded by dropping Cassia over the tower. "NO!" Ayane yelled out as she teleported at the bottom level to wait for Cassia to fall into her arms. Cassia started to cry, her little heart was barely enough to help her through the terrifying feeling. Ayane didn't wait for Cassia to reach the bottom so she teleported to Cassia's body and back down to the street where a crowd of people gasped and pointed.
Some whispered," What kind of freak is that". While others said," Psst hey did you see that thing teleport and catch that baby?!? Those shinobi people are criminals and that's all that there's to it."
"Who cares about what Kasumi went through or what kind of person she was? Does it even matter? Of course not, well not to me. She is dead and that's all I have got to say. I got what I wanted and that's all I'm concerned about right now. I will be leaving now and don't try stopping me because I have the whole clan on my side now," Goken laughed as he turned his back on them all.
Police cars and ambulances all rushed out from the streets and down to the scene that had urged all the people in their cars to get out and watch. Slowly, clouds joined together and the sun was then hidden behind the dark gray clouds. Goken teleported inside the tower and stared out at the city that was alive and awaken by the shocking suicide. His red eyes glared and a tear sprinkled out and down his rough bumpy face. Goken was mentally insane and never knew it. Now that Kasumi was dead he was sad because he wouldn't be able to destroy what was left of Mei. He sees Kasumi as being Mei in another body. He didn't understand himself and neither did anyone else.
"You lied to us. You said that we would get half the profit of the gems and that if Kasumi died then we would get the whole corporation," someone said from behind him. Goken lazily turned to see the whole clan standing before him with the guns pointing all at him.
"Listen, I was just doing business and I think you misunderstood me. I said that I would get the profit of the gems and make a corporation and then if Kasumi died then you would get some say in what the rules of the corporation would be." Goken tried to reason as he backed against the glass windows.
"You should know by now that we don't play that game. We did it to Mei and all the other runaway's that dared to try to escape, we don't hold back when it comes to death." A group of shinobi said one by one, finishing each others sentences. They all held up their guns and fired them at him.
Twenty bullets each went through his chest, breaking his spinal cord, and zooming out if his back. Blood was splashed against the glass and his body collapsed against it, crushing the glass into pieces as he body flew out into the street. Christie stood there gulping as the shinobi all glared at her. The procedure again happened and Christie was shot out of the window and out into the open. Before they could kidnap Cassia, police ran in and arrested each and every one of them.
That was the end of them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Excuse me sir.sir.sir over here," a reporter screamed as he rushed through the photographers and cameras that were recording the interviews and put on the news.
Ryu shifted his head sideways and he spoke softly," Yes?'
"You're Ryu Hayabusa, yes? I have a few questions. What happened to the contestants of the Dead or Alive tournament?"
"They were killed now can I leave," Ryu blurted as he pushed the interviewer out of the way.
"Make way, leave the man alone." a tall buff man said as he was flashing his officer's badge at everyone's face. Ryu followed with his head facing the floor. The officer led Ryu to the police car where Ayane, Hitomi, and Hayate waited.
The policeman opened the door to his newly washed car and shoved Ryu inside. "Listen, you're not going to trial or jail or anything like that okay? I was just ordered to pick you up so that you could talk to Tokyo's mayor and sort this out. He has been searching for this Goken guy for ages and he has to ask a few questions".
No one in the back seat said anything. Ayane had her head rested against the window and tears flowed down her face uncontrollably. Hayate was rubbing his temples and had his eyes shut tight to prevent him from crying. Ryu stared at his rough hands thinking about the time Kasumi had held them and told him that he was not a person to give up and that everything would go alright for him.
'You promised me,' Ryu said to himself and then continued,' you said that everything would be alright and that we would fight this storm together. I thought that we had to get through this together to prevail. I never thought that you would give up the way you did. You just gave it all up and let yourself fall. I never really realized the sorrow you had, everyday of your life. I don't know how it is to feel like all that you've had just dies, until now. I won't forget your beautiful face, the color of your eyes, the form of your lips, the smell of your precious body. You did prove to the clan that becoming a runaway was truly a good thing. I know that they understood by your action that being a runaway lets you be free to be what you want to be. You proved to them all and pleased your mother.'
The car came to a stop and the police ordered them to get out. The four of them jumped out and stood before a tall bronze building that had fifteen feet doors. The grass they were standing on was dried up and burnt and the bushes that surrounded the area, like a fence, also had a pale green hue. Hayate headed for the door and motioned for the others to follow. Inside they were at a lobby that was deserted. The floors were foggy so the brown marble wasn't clear and the walls were stained from a lack of being cleaned.
"Hello, I'm the mayor. I've been waiting a long time for you guys." The small, bold, fat man said as he walked away down the hallway that had doors everywhere. He stopped at one door and opened it," Do come in".
They all slowly walked in and sat down in the four chairs that were
in front of a small desk that had papers spread out all over. The floor was a green carpet, the walls were dressed with college certificates and awards, and a mug of coffee stood beside the computer that was on his table.
The mayor sighed and sat down in his green chair. "As I have been told you are a ninja and have been through -excuse my language- hell. We have been looking for a year for the Dead or Alive tournament contestants and my resources have informed me that all have been shot dead except the four of you and the female who threw herself off Tokyo Tower. If I am wrong with any of this please feel free to correct me".
Hayate nodded. The mayor grinned, making wrinkles spread through his face. "I was told that her name was Kasumi Hayabusa. Oh and don't worry about little Cassia, she is with the government for now. Back to Kasumi, she is a very driven character who has been shown to live the wrong life. To my understanding, she was destined to prove to the ninja clans that becoming a runaway is worth it. As my military searched worldwide for you and the contestants, I was educated about the shinobi life and might I add that that is not the way anyone is suppose to be living. So, I took quick actions and met up with the President. Thanks to Kasumi we have changed the regulations about shinobi life. The President was clueless about how your every day living.
"He saw them as rebels who didn't have lives but I showed him otherwise and he says that he is sorry for thinking such a thing. Well for starters I want to inform that shinobi are now allowed to attend school, have appropriate jobs, and are able to do anything a regular person is able to do. I want to award you a few things for standing strong. Oh and I know Hitomi, that you aren't a shinobi but since you will be marrying one you will be counted as one. Well I will give every clan's member a house that will be newly built in a new community near the shoreline. Babies will go to the best schools and be fed properly. Life will be much better, no more living like the homeless. I'm sure that's what Kasumi would want and she made sure that you got it. The houses have already been built and you can move in automatically and don't worry about paying off the house. A plane will fly you to your addressed houses; well it was nice talking to you. Good luck to you guys".
They each stood up and shook his hand.
"I don't know what to say," Hayate mumbled guilty.
"There is nothing to say my friend."
"But it doesn't feel right to just accept this great gift and walk away like nothing happened," Hitomi protested.
"Trust me, its okay. If you don't except it then that'll make me feel bad, so just go ahead and enjoy it. After all, I've been working day in and day out on the new construction of the community and shinobi rights".
Hitomi bowed her head and stared at his little feet. "Fine if it makes you happy".
"No, it's your happiness I'm concerned about," the mayor joyfully said," now go on. I have to close the building in a few minutes".
They bid their farewells and reluctantly sat back down in the police's car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryu stared at her with pain, watching her body dissolve into the flames. It was drizzling softly and everyone who ever knew Kasumi surrounded the box she was being burned in. Her face seemed so peaceful and happy despite the fact that she was burning into ashes. Ayane gripped onto Ryu's arms and burst into endless tears. Hitomi watched in agony, wiping way all the tears that came down from her eyes. Hayate lit a cigarette and puffed on it, he had suddenly begun smoking. Losing his sister was a great loss and for some reason he felt that smoking released him.
That was it, she was finally gone. A man in a black suit stood in front of all the guests and cleared his throat. Busta Rhymes was invited; after all he had become a good friend of hers that night at the club. Mariah was also there, she was more than willing to set up the whole ceremony.
"Kasumi is a loved one that will never be forgotten. If anyone would like to step up and say good bye for the last time than feel free to go right ahead and do so." The man padded his face with his handkerchief, drying all the sweat drops on his face.
No one bothered to say anything. They just stared at her body and memorized how she looked. Her shimmering light copper hair was tied into a ponytail, her face had makeup on it to make it seem she was still alive, she wore a kimono, and her arms were folded over her stomach.
No one noticed that they would forever regret the fact that they never spoke up and praised her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryu had Cassia in her stroller, tightly secured, with Ayane standing beside him. Cassia was given back to Ryu the same day; the government was checking her blood and health to see if anything was wrong with her. Hayate and Hitomi stood next to each other staring at the friends who had experienced everything with them. Their first time on a roller coaster, first time falling in love, first time to know how fun life can truly be. From the malls, to the night clubs, to even those late nights out, and luxurious hotels and suites. They had gone through it all together and if they hadn't then it would've never been the same.
"So bro this is it," Hayate said as he shook hands with Ryu.
"Yeah, we finally get to settle in and go our separate ways". Ryu uttered as he shoved his hand back into his pocket.
"Don't forget to keep in touch, okay? Well I hope everything comes out good for you. Hayate and I will be getting married next month so you better come or else," Hitomi laughed as she embraced Ayane forcefully and wiped a tear that was about to swipe down her face.
"We sat down and decided that. were going to move to the United States. I heard it was a great place to live at. California is the state we're going to so look us up if by any chance you happen to be in the U.S.
"Well if you really feel that the United States is for you than go for it, do what you think is right. We're all lucky that the mayor is willing to pay for these houses. I wish the best for you two and stay happy for my sake, kk?" Ayane said, sniffing in air so that the tears that wanted to fall down wouldn't. Hitomi and Hayate nodded, waved good-bye, and then turned their backs, walking towards C-5 which was the terminal for their airplane.
"Well, now it's just you, me, and Cassia. Our flight is going to be here in. ten minutes," Ayane notified as she analyzed her watch.
Ryu sat down in a chair that was in the lobby, Ayane followed. His face was staring out through the full sized windows, watching Hayate and Hitomi's plane fly off into the sky. 'No time to say good-bye,' Ryu thought as he folded his hands and rested his chin on them.
Cassia sat in her strolled grabbing at Ayane's purple flowing dress. Ayane stared at her and couldn't believe how much Cassia had grown since the last time she had seen her. Cassia's eye's glittered with passion and her hair was the same as Mei's, healthy and elegant as always.
"This is the start of a new beginning, no?" Ryu grumbled sadly.
Ayane folded one leg over the other and sorrowfully said," It feels so lonely. It feels like a big part of me was just ripped off and thrown away. She was the closets thing that I had, I could actually relate with her. Kasumi risked everything for me even though I tried killing her more than once. Her friendship with Helena was destroyed because of me, it's my entire fault".
"You can't think like that. We just. have to start over. You know, without her. If we forget about our past and keep going then it'll be alright. This is going to be a new big change and I know it's going to be for the better," Ryu reasoned, trying to think positive. Deep inside he felt the same way Ayane did; he just didn't want to show it. It felt like a big part of him was also cut off.
"Hey, our plane is here." Ayane elbowed him and they walked to their terminal and entered the plane. This was the start of a new beginning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryu spread out his body on his lazy boy, reading the newspaper with a pipe in his mouth. It was a cold evening being that Christmas was near by, which meant Cassia's birthday was coming up.
It was a small cozy living room that had an arched window near the entrance door. Its carpeted floor was beige, with honey painted walls, and warm, red, soft couches.
There was a television that stood in front of the love set couch and in the other room there was the kitchen. The counters were checker boarded except with brown and cream colors instead of the ordinary black and white.
Candles were set on top of the counter facing the entrance and the floor was white tile, wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances( Ayane liked the stainless steel objects in the hotel so she decided to also decorate it the same style), and flowers were near the open view window that had violet draperies.
Meanwhile, Cassia was in her playpen next to Ayane who was doing a crossword puzzle. Cassia was about to turn three years old and she looked better than ever. Hey eyes were greener then before, her hair was tied up into two ponytails, and her teeth were starting to kick in. Cassia smiled and made awkward sounds, forming bubbles around her mouth, and then for fun she popped them. "Yane.Yane.Pa.Ru." Cassia blurted out. Ryu and Ayane were used to this. She was always trying to say Ayane and Pa Ryu so it was her way of saying it.
"Mommy, mommy. Mommy mommy," Cassia laughed as she waved her hands at a butterfly that had flown into the house from the open window.
Ayane's head snapped toward Ryu and his eyes met hers. They had never taught her the word mommy and they never ever said that word. Ayane was her new mom but Cassia never seemed to understand that. Ryu had recently married Ayane and they vowed not to inform Cassia about Kasumi because if they did they knew something bad was bound to happen.
"No, no your mother isn't here. I'm your mommy," Ayane cried out desperately. Ayane picked up Cassia but when she did Cassia started to cry and screamed out," MOMMY!!" The butterfly was still fluttering around the room and when it landed on Cassia's tiny nose she stopped crying and smiled.
'Cassia's middle name does mean butterfly in Japanese but that doesn't mean that she has a connection with butterflies, right? Shinobi usually don't have connections with creatures.' Ryu was thinking momentarily about how in the world Cassia came up with the word when she never heard it before.
Ayane squealed and smacked the butterfly off Cassia's nose and onto the floor. "MOMMY, Yane no mommy" Cassia cried, reaching out for the butterfly.
"Ryu take her upstairs, I think she needs a nap". Ayane gave Cassia to Ryu and stormed off to the kitchen to heat the milk in Cassia's bottle.
"Cassia, you know that Ayane is your mom". Ryu laid her on his chest and patted her back softly, walking up the carpeted stairs. Cassia's eyes watered as she stared at the butterfly. It lay there sadly, like if it had no meaning, like if it was just erased from history.
Ryu couldn't help and think about Kasumi one more time, he sang softly, making Cassia doze off.
"Sorry I never told you. All I wanted to say. And now it's too late to hold you 'cause you've flown away. So far away. Never had I imagined, living without your smile. Feeling and knowing you hear me. It keeps me alive. And I know you're shining down on me from heaven. Like so many friends we've lost along the way. And I know eventually we'll be together. One sweet day. Eventually I'll see you in heaven. Darling, I never showed you. Assumed you'd always be there. I took your presence for granted. But I always cared and I miss the love we shared. Although the sun will never shine the same, I'll always look to a brighter day. Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep; you will always listen as I pray. Sorry I never told you, all I wanted to say."
People say that you can't give up and that you can't let yourself get stuck in your problems; but what do they know? Lost souls are different from the regular everyday people, they aren't free. Will Cassia grasp the light or be swallowed into eternal darkness...?
Is life worth living for when you're denied by all? When you deny yourself? ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That's it, that's the end of Unpredictable Fate. I would like to say that I enjoyed to the fullest writing and planning out this fic. This fic chronicles my deepest emotions that I have had throughout the whole year of 2003, when I just wanted to give up and other times when I was enjoying life. It's been a roller coaster and I'm happy that I've been able to express my inner feelings indirectly with you readers.
Well as you all know, there is a sequel titled Whisper of the Wind so make sure you go check that fic out and review it when it comes out. A special thanks to Rena5 (you've helped me a lot the past year with this fic and you know what else).
APPRECIATE YA, ENJOY YA, AND I LOVE YA GUYS!! In other words thank you all for the reviews and support :P
Authors Note: This is the last chapter for this fic. I don't know whether to be happy or sad that this fic is actually over sniff. Well go ahead and enjoy this final chapter, leave comments when your done.
Unpredictable Fate
Chapter Twelve
Kasumi's body fell downward, fighting the force of the bristling wind that tried to keep her up. 'This is it mother. I've finally proved to them all that becoming a runaway shinobi is better off,' Kasumi thought as an unnoticeable tear ran down her face. Her copper hair blew with the forceful wind that was shifting in every direction.
Kasumi's body felt cold and lonely, but at the same time she was happy. She closed her eyes and just before she could open them again, her body slammed against a car that was parked near Tokyo Tower. Parts of the car went flying into different directions and the alarm went off, making all the tourists and residents of Tokyo jump up in fear. Her bones shattered and immediately her heart stopped beating. Blood dripped out of her mouth and she lay there lifeless with a slight grin on her face. She was done; finally free to fly in heaven.
Goken looked over the edge of the tower and stared down with a terrified expression. Christie stood behind him equally shocked with Cassia sitting in her arms. Ryu, Hitomi, Hayate, and Ayane all suddenly snapped out of the trance they were in.
"KASUMI, NO!!!" Ryu screamed, falling to his knees and bursting into tears. 'She is gone, why did she let herself be sucked up in the midst of the world? Why did she keep it all concealed inside? Now I understand why she said that I should raise Cassia to be a bold woman. How could she abandon all of us like this? I can't do this alone and it's all her fault. I hate her; she just left without a good bye or a kiss or anything. I took her presence for granted and never noticed that she might just disappear the next day.' Ryu thought as he pulled his hair and began digging his nails in his scalp.
He couldn't believe that Kasumi had just, right in front of him, killed herself. Ryu had a sudden loss of breathe and he began coughing excessively, leaving his scalp alone to hold onto his chest. Ayane bent down and tapped his back, waiting for him to stop the coughing which had turned into blood. Hayate, getting worried, also bent down and began to slightly beat on Ryu's back.
Goken let out a snicker and walked over to the scene. He extended his foot out and kicked Ryu in the face, knocking his body against a part of a metal bar.
"You bastard, how could you. If you never drugged us then she would've never died," Hayate barked as he clenched his fist in anger and punched at Goken who glided backwards effortlessly.
"Why did you make it end like this?!? You destroyed her from the beginning. You're a fucking asshole!! I hope you go to hell because no one deserves to be miserable their whole lives," Hitomi snapped once Hayate was done.
Goken smirked and nodded to Christie who responded by dropping Cassia over the tower. "NO!" Ayane yelled out as she teleported at the bottom level to wait for Cassia to fall into her arms. Cassia started to cry, her little heart was barely enough to help her through the terrifying feeling. Ayane didn't wait for Cassia to reach the bottom so she teleported to Cassia's body and back down to the street where a crowd of people gasped and pointed.
Some whispered," What kind of freak is that". While others said," Psst hey did you see that thing teleport and catch that baby?!? Those shinobi people are criminals and that's all that there's to it."
"Who cares about what Kasumi went through or what kind of person she was? Does it even matter? Of course not, well not to me. She is dead and that's all I have got to say. I got what I wanted and that's all I'm concerned about right now. I will be leaving now and don't try stopping me because I have the whole clan on my side now," Goken laughed as he turned his back on them all.
Police cars and ambulances all rushed out from the streets and down to the scene that had urged all the people in their cars to get out and watch. Slowly, clouds joined together and the sun was then hidden behind the dark gray clouds. Goken teleported inside the tower and stared out at the city that was alive and awaken by the shocking suicide. His red eyes glared and a tear sprinkled out and down his rough bumpy face. Goken was mentally insane and never knew it. Now that Kasumi was dead he was sad because he wouldn't be able to destroy what was left of Mei. He sees Kasumi as being Mei in another body. He didn't understand himself and neither did anyone else.
"You lied to us. You said that we would get half the profit of the gems and that if Kasumi died then we would get the whole corporation," someone said from behind him. Goken lazily turned to see the whole clan standing before him with the guns pointing all at him.
"Listen, I was just doing business and I think you misunderstood me. I said that I would get the profit of the gems and make a corporation and then if Kasumi died then you would get some say in what the rules of the corporation would be." Goken tried to reason as he backed against the glass windows.
"You should know by now that we don't play that game. We did it to Mei and all the other runaway's that dared to try to escape, we don't hold back when it comes to death." A group of shinobi said one by one, finishing each others sentences. They all held up their guns and fired them at him.
Twenty bullets each went through his chest, breaking his spinal cord, and zooming out if his back. Blood was splashed against the glass and his body collapsed against it, crushing the glass into pieces as he body flew out into the street. Christie stood there gulping as the shinobi all glared at her. The procedure again happened and Christie was shot out of the window and out into the open. Before they could kidnap Cassia, police ran in and arrested each and every one of them.
That was the end of them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Excuse me sir.sir.sir over here," a reporter screamed as he rushed through the photographers and cameras that were recording the interviews and put on the news.
Ryu shifted his head sideways and he spoke softly," Yes?'
"You're Ryu Hayabusa, yes? I have a few questions. What happened to the contestants of the Dead or Alive tournament?"
"They were killed now can I leave," Ryu blurted as he pushed the interviewer out of the way.
"Make way, leave the man alone." a tall buff man said as he was flashing his officer's badge at everyone's face. Ryu followed with his head facing the floor. The officer led Ryu to the police car where Ayane, Hitomi, and Hayate waited.
The policeman opened the door to his newly washed car and shoved Ryu inside. "Listen, you're not going to trial or jail or anything like that okay? I was just ordered to pick you up so that you could talk to Tokyo's mayor and sort this out. He has been searching for this Goken guy for ages and he has to ask a few questions".
No one in the back seat said anything. Ayane had her head rested against the window and tears flowed down her face uncontrollably. Hayate was rubbing his temples and had his eyes shut tight to prevent him from crying. Ryu stared at his rough hands thinking about the time Kasumi had held them and told him that he was not a person to give up and that everything would go alright for him.
'You promised me,' Ryu said to himself and then continued,' you said that everything would be alright and that we would fight this storm together. I thought that we had to get through this together to prevail. I never thought that you would give up the way you did. You just gave it all up and let yourself fall. I never really realized the sorrow you had, everyday of your life. I don't know how it is to feel like all that you've had just dies, until now. I won't forget your beautiful face, the color of your eyes, the form of your lips, the smell of your precious body. You did prove to the clan that becoming a runaway was truly a good thing. I know that they understood by your action that being a runaway lets you be free to be what you want to be. You proved to them all and pleased your mother.'
The car came to a stop and the police ordered them to get out. The four of them jumped out and stood before a tall bronze building that had fifteen feet doors. The grass they were standing on was dried up and burnt and the bushes that surrounded the area, like a fence, also had a pale green hue. Hayate headed for the door and motioned for the others to follow. Inside they were at a lobby that was deserted. The floors were foggy so the brown marble wasn't clear and the walls were stained from a lack of being cleaned.
"Hello, I'm the mayor. I've been waiting a long time for you guys." The small, bold, fat man said as he walked away down the hallway that had doors everywhere. He stopped at one door and opened it," Do come in".
They all slowly walked in and sat down in the four chairs that were
in front of a small desk that had papers spread out all over. The floor was a green carpet, the walls were dressed with college certificates and awards, and a mug of coffee stood beside the computer that was on his table.
The mayor sighed and sat down in his green chair. "As I have been told you are a ninja and have been through -excuse my language- hell. We have been looking for a year for the Dead or Alive tournament contestants and my resources have informed me that all have been shot dead except the four of you and the female who threw herself off Tokyo Tower. If I am wrong with any of this please feel free to correct me".
Hayate nodded. The mayor grinned, making wrinkles spread through his face. "I was told that her name was Kasumi Hayabusa. Oh and don't worry about little Cassia, she is with the government for now. Back to Kasumi, she is a very driven character who has been shown to live the wrong life. To my understanding, she was destined to prove to the ninja clans that becoming a runaway is worth it. As my military searched worldwide for you and the contestants, I was educated about the shinobi life and might I add that that is not the way anyone is suppose to be living. So, I took quick actions and met up with the President. Thanks to Kasumi we have changed the regulations about shinobi life. The President was clueless about how your every day living.
"He saw them as rebels who didn't have lives but I showed him otherwise and he says that he is sorry for thinking such a thing. Well for starters I want to inform that shinobi are now allowed to attend school, have appropriate jobs, and are able to do anything a regular person is able to do. I want to award you a few things for standing strong. Oh and I know Hitomi, that you aren't a shinobi but since you will be marrying one you will be counted as one. Well I will give every clan's member a house that will be newly built in a new community near the shoreline. Babies will go to the best schools and be fed properly. Life will be much better, no more living like the homeless. I'm sure that's what Kasumi would want and she made sure that you got it. The houses have already been built and you can move in automatically and don't worry about paying off the house. A plane will fly you to your addressed houses; well it was nice talking to you. Good luck to you guys".
They each stood up and shook his hand.
"I don't know what to say," Hayate mumbled guilty.
"There is nothing to say my friend."
"But it doesn't feel right to just accept this great gift and walk away like nothing happened," Hitomi protested.
"Trust me, its okay. If you don't except it then that'll make me feel bad, so just go ahead and enjoy it. After all, I've been working day in and day out on the new construction of the community and shinobi rights".
Hitomi bowed her head and stared at his little feet. "Fine if it makes you happy".
"No, it's your happiness I'm concerned about," the mayor joyfully said," now go on. I have to close the building in a few minutes".
They bid their farewells and reluctantly sat back down in the police's car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryu stared at her with pain, watching her body dissolve into the flames. It was drizzling softly and everyone who ever knew Kasumi surrounded the box she was being burned in. Her face seemed so peaceful and happy despite the fact that she was burning into ashes. Ayane gripped onto Ryu's arms and burst into endless tears. Hitomi watched in agony, wiping way all the tears that came down from her eyes. Hayate lit a cigarette and puffed on it, he had suddenly begun smoking. Losing his sister was a great loss and for some reason he felt that smoking released him.
That was it, she was finally gone. A man in a black suit stood in front of all the guests and cleared his throat. Busta Rhymes was invited; after all he had become a good friend of hers that night at the club. Mariah was also there, she was more than willing to set up the whole ceremony.
"Kasumi is a loved one that will never be forgotten. If anyone would like to step up and say good bye for the last time than feel free to go right ahead and do so." The man padded his face with his handkerchief, drying all the sweat drops on his face.
No one bothered to say anything. They just stared at her body and memorized how she looked. Her shimmering light copper hair was tied into a ponytail, her face had makeup on it to make it seem she was still alive, she wore a kimono, and her arms were folded over her stomach.
No one noticed that they would forever regret the fact that they never spoke up and praised her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryu had Cassia in her stroller, tightly secured, with Ayane standing beside him. Cassia was given back to Ryu the same day; the government was checking her blood and health to see if anything was wrong with her. Hayate and Hitomi stood next to each other staring at the friends who had experienced everything with them. Their first time on a roller coaster, first time falling in love, first time to know how fun life can truly be. From the malls, to the night clubs, to even those late nights out, and luxurious hotels and suites. They had gone through it all together and if they hadn't then it would've never been the same.
"So bro this is it," Hayate said as he shook hands with Ryu.
"Yeah, we finally get to settle in and go our separate ways". Ryu uttered as he shoved his hand back into his pocket.
"Don't forget to keep in touch, okay? Well I hope everything comes out good for you. Hayate and I will be getting married next month so you better come or else," Hitomi laughed as she embraced Ayane forcefully and wiped a tear that was about to swipe down her face.
"We sat down and decided that. were going to move to the United States. I heard it was a great place to live at. California is the state we're going to so look us up if by any chance you happen to be in the U.S.
"Well if you really feel that the United States is for you than go for it, do what you think is right. We're all lucky that the mayor is willing to pay for these houses. I wish the best for you two and stay happy for my sake, kk?" Ayane said, sniffing in air so that the tears that wanted to fall down wouldn't. Hitomi and Hayate nodded, waved good-bye, and then turned their backs, walking towards C-5 which was the terminal for their airplane.
"Well, now it's just you, me, and Cassia. Our flight is going to be here in. ten minutes," Ayane notified as she analyzed her watch.
Ryu sat down in a chair that was in the lobby, Ayane followed. His face was staring out through the full sized windows, watching Hayate and Hitomi's plane fly off into the sky. 'No time to say good-bye,' Ryu thought as he folded his hands and rested his chin on them.
Cassia sat in her strolled grabbing at Ayane's purple flowing dress. Ayane stared at her and couldn't believe how much Cassia had grown since the last time she had seen her. Cassia's eye's glittered with passion and her hair was the same as Mei's, healthy and elegant as always.
"This is the start of a new beginning, no?" Ryu grumbled sadly.
Ayane folded one leg over the other and sorrowfully said," It feels so lonely. It feels like a big part of me was just ripped off and thrown away. She was the closets thing that I had, I could actually relate with her. Kasumi risked everything for me even though I tried killing her more than once. Her friendship with Helena was destroyed because of me, it's my entire fault".
"You can't think like that. We just. have to start over. You know, without her. If we forget about our past and keep going then it'll be alright. This is going to be a new big change and I know it's going to be for the better," Ryu reasoned, trying to think positive. Deep inside he felt the same way Ayane did; he just didn't want to show it. It felt like a big part of him was also cut off.
"Hey, our plane is here." Ayane elbowed him and they walked to their terminal and entered the plane. This was the start of a new beginning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryu spread out his body on his lazy boy, reading the newspaper with a pipe in his mouth. It was a cold evening being that Christmas was near by, which meant Cassia's birthday was coming up.
It was a small cozy living room that had an arched window near the entrance door. Its carpeted floor was beige, with honey painted walls, and warm, red, soft couches.
There was a television that stood in front of the love set couch and in the other room there was the kitchen. The counters were checker boarded except with brown and cream colors instead of the ordinary black and white.
Candles were set on top of the counter facing the entrance and the floor was white tile, wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances( Ayane liked the stainless steel objects in the hotel so she decided to also decorate it the same style), and flowers were near the open view window that had violet draperies.
Meanwhile, Cassia was in her playpen next to Ayane who was doing a crossword puzzle. Cassia was about to turn three years old and she looked better than ever. Hey eyes were greener then before, her hair was tied up into two ponytails, and her teeth were starting to kick in. Cassia smiled and made awkward sounds, forming bubbles around her mouth, and then for fun she popped them. "Yane.Yane.Pa.Ru." Cassia blurted out. Ryu and Ayane were used to this. She was always trying to say Ayane and Pa Ryu so it was her way of saying it.
"Mommy, mommy. Mommy mommy," Cassia laughed as she waved her hands at a butterfly that had flown into the house from the open window.
Ayane's head snapped toward Ryu and his eyes met hers. They had never taught her the word mommy and they never ever said that word. Ayane was her new mom but Cassia never seemed to understand that. Ryu had recently married Ayane and they vowed not to inform Cassia about Kasumi because if they did they knew something bad was bound to happen.
"No, no your mother isn't here. I'm your mommy," Ayane cried out desperately. Ayane picked up Cassia but when she did Cassia started to cry and screamed out," MOMMY!!" The butterfly was still fluttering around the room and when it landed on Cassia's tiny nose she stopped crying and smiled.
'Cassia's middle name does mean butterfly in Japanese but that doesn't mean that she has a connection with butterflies, right? Shinobi usually don't have connections with creatures.' Ryu was thinking momentarily about how in the world Cassia came up with the word when she never heard it before.
Ayane squealed and smacked the butterfly off Cassia's nose and onto the floor. "MOMMY, Yane no mommy" Cassia cried, reaching out for the butterfly.
"Ryu take her upstairs, I think she needs a nap". Ayane gave Cassia to Ryu and stormed off to the kitchen to heat the milk in Cassia's bottle.
"Cassia, you know that Ayane is your mom". Ryu laid her on his chest and patted her back softly, walking up the carpeted stairs. Cassia's eyes watered as she stared at the butterfly. It lay there sadly, like if it had no meaning, like if it was just erased from history.
Ryu couldn't help and think about Kasumi one more time, he sang softly, making Cassia doze off.
"Sorry I never told you. All I wanted to say. And now it's too late to hold you 'cause you've flown away. So far away. Never had I imagined, living without your smile. Feeling and knowing you hear me. It keeps me alive. And I know you're shining down on me from heaven. Like so many friends we've lost along the way. And I know eventually we'll be together. One sweet day. Eventually I'll see you in heaven. Darling, I never showed you. Assumed you'd always be there. I took your presence for granted. But I always cared and I miss the love we shared. Although the sun will never shine the same, I'll always look to a brighter day. Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep; you will always listen as I pray. Sorry I never told you, all I wanted to say."
People say that you can't give up and that you can't let yourself get stuck in your problems; but what do they know? Lost souls are different from the regular everyday people, they aren't free. Will Cassia grasp the light or be swallowed into eternal darkness...?
Is life worth living for when you're denied by all? When you deny yourself? ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That's it, that's the end of Unpredictable Fate. I would like to say that I enjoyed to the fullest writing and planning out this fic. This fic chronicles my deepest emotions that I have had throughout the whole year of 2003, when I just wanted to give up and other times when I was enjoying life. It's been a roller coaster and I'm happy that I've been able to express my inner feelings indirectly with you readers.
Well as you all know, there is a sequel titled Whisper of the Wind so make sure you go check that fic out and review it when it comes out. A special thanks to Rena5 (you've helped me a lot the past year with this fic and you know what else).
APPRECIATE YA, ENJOY YA, AND I LOVE YA GUYS!! In other words thank you all for the reviews and support :P