Disclaimer: I don't own DOA. Wow, that was easy. Authors Note: I'm sorry I haven't updated in awhile. Forgive me. And don't forget to review!

Runaway Chapter Two: The Vengeance of Kasumi

Kasumi slid quietly through the empty streets of the city. Good, I'm completely alone she thought. She got to the back door entrance of the DOATEC headquarters. Slowly, she took out a shiruken star she had found in Hayabusa's room. After picking the lock with it, she threw it at the security camera over head, smashing it into pieces. Then she took out a compact of makeup. She blew the chalklike material with unsteady breath to reveal glowing red sensory lasers. She grinned and started to do small flips over them, as if she were showing off for an invisible audience. Easy, Kasumi. Let's not hurry this. If you touch even one of those lasers, the whole attempt would be useless. Her conscious reminded her. Soon she found herself wandering the endless hallways, leading to nowhere. The only sound was of her tiny, yet confident footsteps.

After wandering for what seemed like hours, she discovered a secret chamber full of test tubes and machinery. Inside the tubes were living replicas of herself: Clones. They were completely clothless, as you would expect clones to be, and were hanging worthlessly like puppets. A silent tear slid down Kasumi's cheek. "Now do you see, Hayate, how sick these people are? To create lifeless clones of human beings? To force family against family? Do you see why I must avenge you?" She screamed. She took out her Kantana and sent it flying into the large power generator. It exploded with many sparks. A giant fire spread around her, trying to engulf her with the rest of the building. After grabbing her Kantana she jumped up, aiming to reach a large pipe. She grabbed it and broke through the glass roof by thrusting her feet through it. Glass shattered everywhere, adding to the chaotic blaze below her. She climbed up to the canopy of the building and jumped off, onto the hard pavement. She was ready to flee when a thought hit her almost as hard as a blow to the face. What if there was someone still inside?

The building had seemed completely empty, but then again, how could she be sure? A piecing scream of agony filled the deserted alleyway. There WAS someone inside! She kicked the door open and ran into the smoky building. She followed the echoing screams of agony. By the time Kasumi got there, it was too late. On the floor surrounded by smoldering flames lay Donovan, leader of DOATEC's technology department, and all of her troubles. Even though she knew that this was revenge on what he had done to her family, she pitied him. After all, it wasn't the best way to die. Then she saw it, a sparkling gold pendant with the words "Donovan" engraved on it. Kasumi wasn't a thief, but she knew if she took it, Hayate would believe that she had taken down DOATEC. She snatched it and got out of the blazing building just in time. By the time the police and firefighters had gotten there, she was long gone.

~*~*~*~*

A few days later, all of Asia, and even the world, knew what happened. DOATEC was destroyed, and in it's place was a pile of smoldering ashes. Hayate watched the news on a small TV set in his bedroom. "Hmm...I hope Kasumi had nothing to do with this, but I have a feeling she does." He said out loud to himself. There was a sudden rap on the door. "Come in," he said, turning off the TV. His half sister Ayane slowly opened the door and shut it silently. Hayate smiled, but it soon faded by the look on Ayane's face. "What is it Ayane?" he asked, slightly concerned. "I have been meaning to ask you something Onii-san. Why didn't you kill Kasumi, or at least let me, when you had the chance? She ran away, fully aware that she would die. She knows too much, and you failed to do what needed to be done!"

Ayane looked away from him, embarrassed that she had lost her temper, especially with the only one who cared about her. Hayate sighed, and motioned for her to sit done. She did so, but reluctantly. "Because, I knew I would have had to kill my dearest friend to get to Kasumi. There was no way he would have moved, he loves her too much. And that would be more than I could take. "Loves her?" Ayane asked, almost snickering. Hayate nodded. Hayabusa and Kasumi? As, as partners-unthinkable! He's so rugged, he could survive anywhere, but she, she was so fragile...and weak. They could never be meant for each other. Ayane thought scornfully. "Yes Ayane. He loves her. And if my intuition is right, which it almost always is- "No it isn't." Ayane smirked. Hayate gave her a silencing look and continued, "If my intuition is right, she loves him. She's always liked him, you know that. If you couldn't see it as a child, then maybe you never will." "Well, you are wiser then me, Onii-san. You always have been." She said respectfully, not wanting to lose her temper.

"When he jumped from the trees to protect her, the other night, I could see the fire in his eyes. He would have killed all of us, maybe even me, just to save her. I don't know if he would have stepped aside if he hadn't made that promise, but I know that if he did, he'd do it reluctantly. And I couldn't destroy that." There was an awkward silence for a minute. Unable to stand it, Ayane said, "I understand, Hayate. I must go know." She bowed and left the room. The minute the door had closed she scowled. She felt sick, sick with hatred, jealously and envy. Oh how I hate her! Perfect Kasumi; the innocent baby. She gets everything, even, even the love of Hayabusa. It should be me that he loves, she could never love him they way I do. Why can't I ever get what she gets? Ayane thought bitterly, her fists clenched so hard that her nails left marks in her hands. One day, she thought, one day soon, Hayabusa won't be there to protect her, and I WILL strike! A malevolent smile came over her face as she strode off to her room.

Hayate took the small handheld television and put it in his drawer. He suddenly came upon a picture. A picture of himself, at age 14, with Kasumi under one arm and Ayane under the other. Hayabusa was next to Kasumi, and his father was on the other side of Ayane. Everyone smiled happily, as if there could be nothing wrong. But Hayate knew better, this was right before Ayane would leave them all, and life with her foster father, Genra. Hayate sighed and spoke softly as tears filled his eyes. "Kasumi, why must you do this?"

Hayabusa awoke to the chirping birds and an eyeful of sun. He sat up and noticed that the curtains were pulled back and tied: Something he would never do. He looked around the room. It was spotless. "Kasumi," his whispered. He got out of bed and stretched. Opening the door to his bedroom, he called, "Kasumi, c'mon, get up! It's morning!" But the mass on the couch didn't move. Hayabusa trudged over to the couch and said again, "Kasumi, it's time to get up. C'mon, I know you upset about the whole attempt on your life thing, I would be too, but you've got to get up. But the heap on the couch still didn't stir. Hayabusa suddenly realized that there was nothing on the couch but blankets.

He ran into the kitchen and looked around for a note of some sort. There wasn't one anywhere. He sighed and told himself calmly that she probably went out to get something from the store and that she wouldn't do anything irrational. He made breakfast and sat down on the pile of blankets on the couch. He turned on the TV and flipped to the news channel. "Early this morning, emergency personnel arrived at the former DOATEC headquarters. Luckily, all the workers had gone home, except for the head of the company who worked late. Dr. Douglas A. Donavan was caught in the fire, and didn't survive. There will be a meeting held today at the vice president's house concerning the new company, reporter-"

Hayabusa then tuned off the TV and sighed slowly, as if it was hard to breathe. There was no doubt it was Kasumi's doing. But would she really want to kill Donavan? He wasn't sure. There was always the chance that the fire was an accident...he told himself. Unable to bear the silence, he picked up a novel sitting on the coffee table and began to read. He tried to concentrate, but his mind kept going back to Kasumi and DOATEC. Hayabusa closed his eyes and wished it was all a dream. "Tale of Genji, nice book," Said a voice.

Hayabusa opened his eyes and grinned. Kasumi was standing in the doorway a slight smile on her face. Hayabusa's grin suddenly became a stern face. "Kasumi! Where have you been? Never mind, I know where you've been, but what were you thinking? Huh? I can't believe you did that!" Kasumi shook her head, "I didn't think. I lost control in there, when I saw those clones." "Wait, Kasumi, I don't understand. Tell me everything." He motioned for her to sit down next to him. Kasumi took a deep breath and told him. She told him about the clones in the room, the screams, and everything else. Hayabusa sat and listened intently, to every word she said. After she was done, she looked down at her feet. Is this how it feels to be a murderer? She thought, still looking down.

Hayabusa said calmly, "you didn't start the fire on purpose. You didn't mean to cause death to anyone. It isn't your fault." "Isn't it? If it weren't for me, no one would have died. If it weren't for me, Hayate wouldn't have to go through so much pain and agony, if it weren't for me- "If it weren't for you, I would have never fallen in love," Hayabusa said quietly. She fell silent, unable to comprehend what she had just heard. "What?" Her voice echoed through the hushed room. A soft blush crept up on both their faces. "I...I didn't know," Kasumi stammered, looking down at her feet. Hayabusa said nothing. Oh no. I didn't just say that I DIDN'T just say that. Thoughts were rushing through him faster than light. Please, please say you love me too. "I should go now..." Kasumi said. "Go? Go where?" Hayabusa grabbed her hand and pulled her back. "I need to talk to Hayate. He'll never understand what I did was for him, unless I tell him so myself." She could tell he was worried, and she knew going to see her brother would be like stepping into a cage filled with carnivorous tigers. But she had to do it.

As she walked away, she heard him say, "Be careful." She turned and ran back to him. She kissed him on the cheek and left. He touched his hand to wear she had kissed him and felt the warmth spread through his body. "Kasumi," he whispered.

Hayate had been in his room all morning long. He didn't feel much like leaving, whether or not anybody worried about him. His heart was full of grief. Now he understood the veracity of the situation: He would have to choose between the ones he loved and his own pride and honor. He wanted to make his dead father proud, but how could he do so with this task applying unbearable weight to his shoulders? He heard a knock at the door. Not now Ayane... he thought sullenly. "Konnichiwa Onii-san." But the voice was not Ayane's.

Hayate whipped around to see his 17-year-old sister Kasumi standing before him, all grown up and just as beautiful as she had ever been. "Kasumi, how did you-" Kasumi shook her head. "That doesn't matter. I got through without getting killed didn't I?" Hayate stared at her stone faced, unable to square with the fact that Kasumi was there, in flesh and blood. She bowed her head down. "I suppose that I'll just be killed now." She gave a small laugh of irony and said, "When Hayabusa isn't here." There was an awkward silence between the two of them. "I'm sorry Onii-san, but I did it for you, not out of my own selfishness. I promised to avenge you and," She reached into her clothes and grabbed the small medallion that Donovan had worn, "I did."

She placed it in his hand, and he looked at it carefully. "Is this what I think it is?" Kasumi nodded. "It's proof. It was Donovan's, the head of DOATEC, and the man who brought pain and agony to our family. I didn't mean to kill anyone, I just...lost control." She looked away. "I just wanted to show you that I was sorry, I'll be going now." She went to leave, when Hayate said, "I forgive you Kasumi. I don't care about Mugen Tenshin anymore. You're my family, that's what matters," She turned to look back at her older brother. His face was emotionless, except for his brown eyes, which stung with pain. Kasumi almost didn't see him as her brother anymore, no longer her teenage brother she always looked up to. "Onii- san," She cried running towards him. She buried her face in his chest and cried, like she had wanted to do for so long. "I tried to make you understand, I really did. I only ran away to save you. I didn't mean to break the rules," her muffled voice was barely audible between her sobs. He ran his hand down her silky hair and replied softly, "I know Kasumi, I know." He closed his eyes, remembering the way things used to be.

~*flashback*~

Kasumi and Ayane ran playfully, giggling and laughing. Hayate smiled at his two sisters; they got along so well besides their differences. Suddenly Kasumi fell to the ground and a cry was heard. "HAYATE!" she wailed as she ran towards him. He bent his knee and stared at his six-year- old sister. "What happened?" he asked. But she did not reply, she only sobbed and showed him her skinned elbow. "She tripped on a rock and skinned it," Ayane said breathlessly.

He opened his arms and let her little body sink in between them. "Shh, it's okay Kasumi. It's only a scrape. We'll go inside and get it all bandaged up, okay?" She nodded and wiped away her tears. "Hayate, what about me?" Ayane asked quietly, feeling quite hurt. "Stay out here. I'll be back after Kasumi's taken care of." He replied tersely, hurrying Kasumi inside.

"There, all better." He kissed the band-aid. She giggled softly. "Your so silly, Onii-san!" She said, no longer crying. "Good," He smiled and helped her down from the counter. "I love you Onii-san!" He ruffled her hair. "I love you to, Kasumi." She hugged her older brother and smiled brightly. "Promise you'll always protect me?" She asked. He nodded. "Promise."

~*end flashback*~

Hayate had always found those words ironic. But after the traumatic events their family had suffered, things had changed. People had changed. He had changed. But yet, he continued to keep his promise. Even though he hadn't always protected her, he made sure someone did. He in trusted his greatest friend in the most important of tasks.

~*flashback*~

"Hayabusa!" He turned at the sound of his name. "What is it Hayate?" He stared worriedly at his friend. Hayate looked slightly fearful and uneasy. "Look, I need you to promise you'll do me a favor." "Anything," Hayabusa said, concerned. "I need to know that if anything happens to me, if I'm not around anymore, you'll take care of Kasumi. Protect her. Make sure that she's safe." Hayate stared intensely at his friend, begging him to commit to the duty. "Of course I will. What's wrong, Hayate? Is anything going on?"

Hayate shook his head. "No, nothing. I'm just...worried about Kasumi. She's so innocent, I can't let her see what's beyond the Shinobi life. You know what it's like. She can't be introduced to that. Just...make sure she's safe at all times. If anything were to happen to her when I'm gone, I..." He stopped, his throat threatening to tighten. "I don't know what I'd do." He finished. "What about Ayane?" Hayabusa asked. "Ayane's fine by herself. She's tough, she can handle things on her own, I know she can take care of her well-being." Hayabusa nodded in reply. "Thanks. You're a great friend." "It's an honor to be trusted with such a job." He replied.

~*~*End Flashback*~*~

"Kasumi, go back to Hayabusa. So he knows your safe." Kagome let go of her brother and looked at him oddly. "Are you sure?" She asked. He nodded. "I don't want him to worry. He'll probably think you've been slaughtered if you're gone too long." She nodded in understanding and gave him a quick hug. "Goodbye Onii-san. I'll see you again sometime soon." She closed her eyes and concentrated hard on Hayabusa's curio shop. She disappeared in a whirl of Sakura, leaving a pile on Hayate's floor.

Lola_gurl: So how did you like it? I hope lived up to your expectations. I haven't worked on it in SOOOO long, I'm sorry *Get's hit with many random objects* Well anyway, review! I'm sorta running out of ideas, other than the Jealousy of Ayane, so if you've got any, let me know. Thanks!