A long time, but finally an update! Hope you haven't forgotten about this story, hey? Oh well… if you have you have. Meh. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter! Conspiracy! Err, I'll shut up, I guess… ^^
Now you've done it. Killed your brother. He really loved you underneath, you know? But now, because of what you've done, you never will know…
She ran, tears blinding her vision. Still. She knew what Hayabusa, for example, would say if he saw her blubbering the way she was now. Emotions hold you back, make you impotent. But he hadn't killed her brother, she had. And it was like she had stabbed herself with the katana, the pain she felt as the blade entered her brother's flesh.
He was dead now. That was all there was to it. Dead. Not coming back.
I can't live with this! Assassins… for some reason they seem unimportant. I killed my brother! My own flesh and blood! How can I forgive myself for this?
She slowed. The pain in her chest was too difficult to ignore. Not because of running, either. She was ready to take the punishment of killing her brother. She had accepted her fate.
As if in a dream, I can hear him say… be careful, Kasumi… always…
…Kasumi.
She looked up, startled. As if she were in a dream, somebody had spoken her name. But it was no dream. Her former guardian was standing opposite her, leaning on a tree with his arms folded. His expression, unlike usual, was clearly readable, even to her. It was saying something along the lines of 'Kasumi, you are a fool'.
"So," he started. No more words needed to be said. She looked up at him, his cold green eyes and wondered. Wondered about him. Why he was always so cold, always blocked off his emotions. Why he protected her with his life yet hardly spoke more then a few words to her. Surely you would at least be friendly with the person you could sacrifice your life to? Why he didn't kill her straight away when he saw her killing Hayate…
"Hayate!" It was more then just a scream. It was a scream of absolute, utter anguish. Her life could finally be safe. But never happy, not with the blood of her brother staining her hands. Happiness was something she could never achieve, not with her brother's demise!
I love you, onii-chan…
I love you too, squirt. Even if you stuff your face with all the strawberry millefeuille before anyone else even gets a chance to look at them…
Her brother. The only link to her past that didn't hate her. Now that link had gone, vanished into thin air. Ayane was her only remaining link to her family, and she detested her. Hayabusa was a link to the past, but there had never been any sign that he had thought anything more of her then a leaf fluttering carelessly into the courtyard.
But then again, who knew with him?
Sayonara, Hayate-kun…
It was for the last time. She didn't know how to atone for what she had done. Nothing was worth anything any longer.
The next thing she knew, she was in a comforting warmth.
I'm safe. Hayate's embracing me…
But… Hayate's dead, then what…?
She pulled away as fast as if somebody had electrocuted her when she realised that she had been seeking solace in Hayabusa's arms. And to her surprise, she had been warm in them. Which meant one thing. He must have been…
No way, not possible.
"I-I'm sorry, Hayabusa-san," she apologised hastily, wiping the tears from her eyes in a swift motion. "I never meant to-"
Her words died on her tongue as he leant over and embraced her once more. His warm, strong arms were around her, holding her, comforting her. Why, she didn't know, but she allowed herself to seek comfort in the warmth at least for a short time. So absorbed was she in the embrace, she nearly missed hearing his soft whisper into her ear.
"Do not mourn just yet, Kasumi. Hayate has not yet passed on. He thinks you are dead. I will keep you informed,"
Before she could say anything, he pulled away from her so abruptly she stumbled backwards, and disappeared in a swirl of autumn leaves.