Hmm, just a few things to say before I begin...

Firstly, Lady Sun, I don't know whether you were being sarcastic or what, but if you weren't, I am certainly not ashamed, in fact quite the opposite. :) My story is about the four ninjas, yeah? Helena plays no important part in the story and so I really don't care whether she gets to land a blow or not because she isn't a main character in this story. If you're looking for a Helena story, this ain't it. And you probably won't get them from me, either.

Secondly, I know that I can't always get Ayane in proper character. I'm not angry about this; don't get me wrong, I'm simply saying that this is a totally different story from what I usually write. If anyone has suggestions on how I can improve writing her, feel free to tell me, and I am grateful that some people have already been doing so. ^^

Third and final thing: some people might not like this chapter. There's no dramatics as far as talking goes, just plain fighting. As I have said previously, I'm trying to stick to the DOA 2 storyline as much as possible, so there won't be too much extra dialogue. I am personally seriously considering writing an alternative chapter with extra dialogue because it could make a great story, but this story isn't it either, at least right now.

Anyway, that's enough talk from me. Hope you enjoy this chapter, but if you don't, it isn't my fault that my writing doesn't appeal to everybody. And no, I'm not reacting badly to criticism. I just like expressing my own opinion, and this is it. Enjoy the chapter! :)

Ryu had decided, against his better judgment, to head off to the church afterwards. He didn't really know why, expect it was the only place he hadn't explored, and hopefully nobody else would be there so he could have some thinking time. He was only one fight away from the Tengu, which worried him to some extent. Would this be it? If he lost... he would be killed. All the things that he had stood up to previously, saved the world a few times in the process, and this would be the end? He dearly hoped not, but then again...

Stepping into the door, he immediately realized that he wasn't alone. The man turned, and Ryu started, staring into those familiar features. There was no recognition at all in the chocolate brown eyes that stared into him, bored into him. Ayane had been right; he should have listened to her. Hayate was here. Right here.

*

Ein turned around at the sound of footsteps. That was him, the guy who he had seen talking with the orange-haired girl. He hoped that she was okay. The man who had just walked in was clothed in black ninja gear, so his face was obscured, but that still didn't disguise the shock that the man had had when he had set eyes on Ein. That was odd, Ein thought to himself. He's a Japanese ninja, right? So why does he have green eyes? Don't most Japanese people have brown eyes? They're almost emerald-like, and they seem... somewhat familiar...

*

"You... you couldn't be..." Ryu managed to stutter out. Hayate simply glared at him, before getting into a fighting position. He didn't even hear the speaker call 'Fight!' before Hayate had sent a blow coming his way. Although Hayate was fighting in a totally different way to the way he usually did, he had obviously picked up karate. Ryu could still see a few things which were similar to the familiar Mugen-Tenshin. He flung his arms up to block the blow, before grabbing Hayate by the shirtfront and launching into an Izuna, leaves trailing his every move. He jumped away and Hayate remained motionless for several moments before springing to his feet, anger apparent in his eyes.

*

Ein was burning with adrenaline and fury. So this ninja was more then just clothed appropriately, he was good. His back was still agonizingly sore, but he leapt to his feet anyway. The ninja dropped his guard for a moment, but gathered it back up again, doing a high kick which disorientated him. It was too late when he saw the ninja's heel above his head slam down and hit home.

These moves that this ninja was using... they seemed vaguely familiar. His friend... wait, had he remembered something? Was this man, ninja that was laying the boot into him a friend? The one who everyone had called the super ninja, his friend? He had heard his name, Hayabusa... what was his first name? When had he heard it before...

*

Ryu was being careful to use moves which Hayate should remember. When his friend was about to go down, he unleashed a powerful 'Tenrin-Kyaku' which sent Hayate falling to the ground.

*

That move! The pain flooded through him as he hit the ground, but he had seen it before...

"Gods, Ryu, how do you do something like that? My muscles are beginning to hurt just watching you, I'll get muscle strain! Stop it!" Hayate laughed, doing a poor imitation of the move before flopping to the floor, laughing. "That is totally unnatural,"

"Hayate... stop being such a fool..." Ryu murmured softly, grabbing his arm and pulling him to a standing position, before doing the move again, sending Hayate falling to the mats on the floor. He looked slightly happier then before, but still wasn't smiling. Hayate however, was trying to regain his breath, composure, stop laughing and stand up all at once. He stood up again, before leaning against the wall, still chuckling.

"Hayate, nii-san!" Kasumi chirped from the corner, watching the two. "Nice fight!"

"I could do better," Ayane muttered under her breath, glaring at Kasumi.

"Now I remember..." he said softly, struggling to a sitting position. Ryu, who had been looking out of the window, turned to face him. "You're Ryu..."

"I know you very well," Ryu said softly. Seeing him struggle to remember, he sighed softly, looking into his eyes. "Trust me,"

Ein nodded slightly. The super ninja looked down at him sitting on the floor.

"Until then," Ryu said, before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.