Hayabusa fan… who, me??? I was hoping nobody would notice… but I am absolutely obsessed! *Sheepish grin* My friends say that he's dyed my brain, but… what can you do, really?

Thank you so much for the reviews! I got onto the internet, about to update, and I was like, "Whoa! I got reviews!" So I'm extremely happy. Should I reveal the coupling now?

…Nah. Maybe later, but I guess it is a bit obvious…

Kasumi was back in her hotel room now; she had washed her hair and was now lying on top of her bed, confused. Why had Hayabusa interfered? He could have just let Ayane hit me… yet he stepped in so that she didn't. Yet he wouldn't talk to me. How come?

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door. Kasumi immediately pulled on a robe and answered it, hoping in her heart that it was him. If it wasn't, she had a small katana hidden under the robe. She would be fine. She pulled open the door, and nearly smiled. It was him.

He was dressed in a simple black shirt and black baggy pants, with his hair tied up, the sun shining on it. Kasumi smiled weakly and moved aside to let him in. He shook his head. When he was greeted by Kasumi's puzzled expression, he spoke.

"Kasumi, your brother insisted that I protect you. So I have sworn to that with my life, yet nothing more," He was gazing at her incessantly, which made her feel uncomfortable. Not exactly the way most men stared at her, or more specifically, her chest, simply at her.

"What on earth do you mean?" Kasumi asked, confused. What else was there to give if not your life? Hayabusa sighed and turned away, yet his soft voice was still clear.

"I think you have misunderstood me. I will protect you, yet do nothing else. I personally felt that Hayate was mistaken when he said that I needed to do such a thing in the first place except he insisted. So I will do what he said, nothing more,"

Kasumi frowned despite herself. Nothing like putting yourself out. As much as she would have liked to and tried, she just couldn't understand Ryu Hayabusa's motives. It seemed that there was only one person who did.

"Fine," she said coldly. "Suit yourself. I wouldn't want to strain you or anything. Nice of you to drop by. Thanks for the concern. I suppose that if Hayate hadn't mentioned this protecting thing to you, and you saw me dying on the street, you'd just kick my body and continue walking?"

Something like pain flickered through his eyes for a moment and he spoke again. His voice was cold yet sad at the same time, if that combination was indeed possible.

"I already said this to your sister. Don't assume you understand what you don't. I'm sorry to bother you," With that, he vanished in a swirl of leaves. Kasumi shook her head. She still had no idea why she was slightly… attracted… to him, having a personality like a bag of frozen peas, yet twice as cold, but probably held the same level of conversation. Probably that he was handsome. Yeah, that must be it. I suppose I only go for looks, seeing as he certainly wouldn't win any Mister Personality awards.

Her thoughts drifted for a while, before settling back on her brother. She was so concerned about him, not that long ago he had been crippled in a fight. Yet he had mysteriously vanished and left Ryu those mystifying instructions about protecting her. What had made him do it? His friendship with Hayate? Something else?

She decided to stop worrying about it. After all, cold or not, nobody could hurt her now while he was protecting her. He was strong, to put it mildly. She was safe in her quest to find her brother. Those facts made her feel a lot better. She curled back up on the bed, and shut her eyes until sleep slowly overtook her.