The Hunted Kunoichi

Written by Phonesis (Martin Poole)

(Hello everyone, this is my first story and one which I am looking to update often. I hope you enjoy reading it.)

Notes

This story is based just after the Dead or Alive 3 tournament. It involves Kasumi as the main character and will likely end up quite a lengthy tale. I want to emphasise now that this is not a "Kasumi Love story". This will be a little different. I am aiming to get a part done once every few days, but may be delayed now and again, we'll see. A part will come with two chapters. Anyway, enjoy. Phonesis

Chapter One

Kasumi sat warmly in the large tree branch. The golden sun had proceeded to sink beneath dark cascaded mountains that scattered out across a mysterious horizon. Kasumi was at peace with her ideal surroundings. She had been through so much. Her brown hair swayed out across her head and shoulders as she stared into the dimming bronze light. Birds high above sung in unison as nature's cycle altered.

Kasumi was a female ninja, known as a kunoichi. At only 17 she was young yet highly skilled in her fighting techniques. Her abilities were bordering super human and truly entertaining a spiritual plain. Her blue ninja attire was a distinct look. She wore white stockings and a blue half-cut kimono around her body. A tanto sword hung from her back and she wore blue boots and gloves with a white neck loop.

She was tired for good reason. She had just returned into the woods from the Dead or Alive tournament which she had won. She had seen her brother, Hayate, in this tournament for one last time. The fact was Kasumi was a hunted girl. She was a runaway shinobi and had broken away from her clan. Instead of accepted her role as leader of the Mujin-Tenshin style she had gone to seek vengeance for her brother, who had been half-paralysed by a sinister corporation known as DOATEC. This action which she took meant she had broken the code of her clan and she knew this meant she would never be able to return home in peace.

Her brother, Hayate, didn't want this but knew it was his duty to order her death. He, now leader of the style, was forced to send highly skilled assassins after her. This was Kasumi's punishment for taking passion before principle. She knew this would happen and now, after the tournament, was prepared to live on the run. She knew her actions had been justified; she had only been looking out for her brother, and was ready to face anyone.

The sun had now all but faded as Kasumi reflected on all that had happened to her. Her thoughts went back to her half sister, Ayane, who now hated her for the way she had broken the clan's code. Ayane also despised Kasumi for being the focal point – she envied her older sister.

The tree branch was high and overlooked a vast clearing of trees. The woodland was dense and rich. Kasumi had plans to venture out of the area she was in, and travel north from Tokyo, in the hope that she eventually lose her hunters. She was aware of the fact she was being followed, and had been ever since leaving the fighting tournament. Those that hunted her were shinobi of the clan she could have rightfully ruled. She was prepared to defend herself against anyone and was confident, but Kasumi hated doing this, to fight, hurt, and kill just to survive. Her last encounter before she reached this tree had been when a few shinobi's fired a series of shurikan's at her as she raced through the wood. One had caught her hair clip, loosening her rich brown hair out of its ponytail and braid. She had managed to lose these particular assailants with one of her smoke bombs which she had thrown, and in a flash, faded through the conflagration.

The warm sunset winds blew comfortably around Kasumi. For a moment she felt totally at ease, and then she heard fumbling below and noticed a dark figure advancing through the foliage. Whoever it was they had not noticed Kasumi perked high up in the trees. They slowly and cautiously walked by and past the tree. Kasumi could tell from the figures bodily behaviour that they were obviously alert and ready for a confrontation. This was likely the confrontation with her.

Kasumi resumed observations in her vantage point. The black figure slowly decreased into a mere silhouette as it moved on. She waited until the figure had advanced some distance forward from the tree before she decided to make a move. She carefully climbed down the tree, leaping from one branch to another until her feet hit the soil of the ground. She had done this as quietly as possible and not even the birds had complained.

From her new position she looked forward through trees and could see the black figure walk on. She didn't want to raise any attention and begun to race away to the right which meant she'd be heading north. This was the way she wanted to go anyway. As Kasumi begun to move on the figure turned and noticed his target. He had sensed she was near and felt an urge to look back from where he'd come. This paid off. A smile formed on his half hidden face, hidden by a black scarf. He changed direction.

Kasumi recommenced her trek and ran through the natural surroundings with speed and attentive awareness of anything suspicious. Not only was Kasumi highly skilled in martial arts she was also very capable of sensing things. She had a strong intuition and sharp mind. Her senses were so astute not even the best of stealthy shinobi's could reach near her without her awareness of the fact.

As she raced forever on through the rural world the figure she had spotted earlier became a memory. Her passion to drive on and survive anything that could be thrown at her was never stronger than it was at this point. She was so confident, and positive, with such intent and direction about what she was doing, and why, that she had created her own "undefeatable" reality. Eventually though physical energy needs time to recover and Kasumi decided to rest and get some sleep. She had to sleep even in this situation but had developed a way of half-sleeping where she still could react to reality – like a cat. She stopped in an area of high thick green trees and knee-high grass. The terrain was quite flat and the light was now entirely diminished as the sun had long since set. Kasumi could just about hear the sounds of gushing water from a small stream which meandered around the forest. Like before, she climbed a tall tree and sat on a mighty branch. She felt more comfortable up high and it was a very effective place to remain undetected. Her eyes closed and she calmly relaxed. It wasn't long before she had drifted off into sleep. She slept well and without distraction. The night gave her a welcome burst of energy and as she woke to the sunrise in the east her thoughts quickly turned to an intuitive feeling she felt. She felt as if someone was near.

The sunlight peppered into the woodland from breaks in the tree line. Lines of light beamed down from the heavens and met the ground beneath. The kunoichi vigilantly looked in every direction. She focused on the bushes, trees, grass, and concentrated hard to spot any signs of movement. Something wasn't quite right.

Chapter Two

Endal didn't need more than one good blade but kitted himself up with two anyway. He placed his large Katana to one side of his belt and put a dagger into his thigh strap. His black clothing made him look quite sinister and this was his intention. Being a professional assassin required a cold image. Endal had one.

He looked into the mirror in slow absorption of the reflection. He stood out in Japan, being a westerner. His white skin and blue eyes were the only colour in the reflection. The rest was dark tone, black and dim.

He knew his job and knew the reward only too well. He'd been hired to hunt down and capture a female ninja known as Kasumi. His client was a man known to him as Shake. This was the only name he had to go by. Shake had made it quite clear to Endal, capture her alive and bring her to him. Endal had been given the details of the place to go.

Endal took one final glance in the mirror and left for the great outdoors, and into the woods. He had been based in a small shack North of Tokyo. It was now time to hunt.

Kasumi felt driven to act. She felt as if someone was watching her and this feeling rarely proved a false alarm. She suddenly pounced from the tree and spun in the air in a flip and landed with a forwards roll in the grass, her tanto poised. Laughter came from a bush to her side. Kasumi didn't move, her eyes turned to face the bush.

"Who is that?" She yelled.

"I'm just a birdwatcher," a voice sounded, followed by more laughter.

Kasumi seemed prepared to face off. She remained in a stance and begun to turn to face the direction the voice was coming from.

"Show yourself, who are you?" Kasumi asked again.

With that a figure leapt from the bushes and flipped in the air. They landed in front of the girl and stood with their hands together.

"Hello Kasumi, I am Endal. I've been following you."

Kasumi was hardly surprised she'd had a stalker but sensed that Endal must have been highly skilled if he'd managed to follow her without her knowing it until now.

"What do you want from me Endal?" Kasumi asked.

Endal laughed again. It was an evil laugh, like some old master shunning his apprentice.

"You are my pray Kasumi. I want you..."

Kasumi gulped. She didn't like to fight but knew Endal was quite serious and that there was no other way out of it.

"I will not be defeated," she said.

Endal suddenly got in a stance and drew his large shimmering Katana blade. He held it with both hands and bent low on his knees.

"Let's see about that," he mocked.

He then charged at her and leapt with his sword poised to stab her. Kasumi rolled to one side to avoid it and regained her stance. Endal turned and quickly continued his attack. He began to swing his sword at her. Metal struck metal as the two blades made contact. Endal tried to strike her head and then stomach and then attempted to sweep her from of her feet. Kasumi jumped in the air and kicked him with both feet straight into his chest. He fell back in a daze. Kasumi ran at him and jumped up, delivering a swift flying kick into his face. The dark assassin dropped his sword and flew back fiercely. His back struck a tree with force and he leaned against the old oak momentarily before sliding down it until he sat upright against it with both legs laying flat.

Kasumi regained her stance, this time lowering her angle after analysing Endal's style and deciding on the best way to deal with it. She watched her opponent closely and waited for him to get up and collect his sword. She had no intention of attacking him before he'd recovered, even though this would have likely meant she'd win the fight now. She was truly the honourable warrior. Endal focused his eyes and snapped out of the brief shock of the strike. He clambered to his feet and dusted off his attire. His lip was cut and blood oozed from the slash. He took some in his fingers and licked it in defiance.

"Not bad, for a girl," he mocked.

He walked to his sword and went to pick it back up, but without any warning then grabbed the dagger from his thigh and threw it at her. It spun it the air and raced towards her. With great reaction Kasumi struck it with her tanto and cut it in two. Endal had clutched his Katana and came racing at her. Since she'd been distracted by the dagger she wasn't fast enough to react to Endal's strike as he drove his sword towards her. It made contact with her left arm and cut above the elbow. She pounced out of the way of further attacks and then the two faced off yet again.

The cut was not deep but stung and angered the kunoichi. It had come as a shock to her. The two then circled off and Endal was first to assault with another belly high swing of his blade. Kasumi evaded this and leapt into the air and spun with both legs out straight in a cartwheel. As she turned in mid air her feet struck Endal one after the after in a devastating kick combination. Endal dropped his sword once again and just fell over awkwardly onto his back. Kasumi landed over his, she stood to his side, peering over him.

Kasumi was well aware of the power of that move and didn't expect Endal to get back up.

"Stay down," she said softly.

Endal was still conscious but seemed concerned and bothered. He lay motionlessly. More blood had appeared on his face, dripping from his nose.

"I really underestimated you didn't I?" Endal said.

He laughed but this time it was more of a sincere laugh, followed by a cough.

"You fought well Endal, but please don't continue on. I don't want to hurt you," Kasumi replied.

She was serious about this. She hated hurting anybody, even those that wanted to kill her.

Endal smiled at her and remained motionless. The truth was he wasn't planning on calling it a day. He still had a chance of capturing Kasumi, even if he couldn't defeat her in a fair fight. This didn't matter to him; it just would have been nice to prove it to himself. But at the end of the day, money was his real aim. He began to fiddle with something in his belt with one hand.

"I give up Kasumi, you win. I'm just going to get a drink from my belt," he said.

Kasumi knelt down by him and sheaved her tanto back around her lower back.

"Don't worry. I won't harm you, are you okay?" Kasumi asked caringly.

"Yeah I'm sure I'll be fine," he said.

As he spoke he clutched a small bag of a strange substance in his left hand. Suddenly as Kasumi was about to put her hand to his forehead he threw the bag into her face. The contents exploded out from the bag and created a puffy yellow mist around her. She recoiled back and coughed violently. Endal had already taken a deep breath and held it until the vapour cleared. Kasumi had taken a large gulp of the stuff in and she continued coughing violently. Suddenly she felt the strength in her limbs fail and she fell to the grass. After a few more seconds of struggling against the effects the substance had caused her she accepted defeat and lay flat in the grass. Her vision was blurry and dim and eventually turned to black. She lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.

Endal sat up slowly and looked to the girl who lay to his side. He laughed smugly and smiled with devious glee. Now all he had to do was carry her back to Shake's location.

(Part Two only a click away...)