Hm . . . I'm not too sure about this chapter.
Chapter 2 - Runaway
Hayate's eyes were weary and cried out to him to lie down and sleep the night away. But he couldn't rest until he knew his younger sister was safe. He knew she hated him for loving the one that betrayed the clan, but he wished she would understand the torment he went through everyday knowing his sister needed to die. And everyday it was the same result: many of his warriors would never return and those that did return could never face an opponent again.
He touched the small hands and auburn hair of their murderer and smelled the fragrance of her skin. Unjust it was. His sisters would be fighting each other for life or death soon. Maybe even as he waited. Only one would return to see him again. Or maybe both of them would fall and never stand. Either way, the forest would become their grave and he would be there to mourn over the forgotten days in the shadows of the trees. The days when the three of them would accept and cherish each other's presence had never left his mind.
"Whatever happened to the days?" he asked his sisters, "Why, Kasumi?"
"Because she cared for you," a voice answered.
Ryu Hayabusa was standing in the doorway. Hayate cursed himself for not noticing him sooner and allowing him to witness him mope. But Hayabusa had seen it all. He had seen his closest friend angry, joyful, confused, and depressed. But ever since his closest friend obtained a high responsibility, their relationship was diminishing. He now found times when he believed that his friend was someone else in disguise. Someone he did not know nor understand.
"Something dark and tormented is taking place as I speak. I can feel it in the wind," he told the man before him, "We will be the first to witness its coming."
Hayate knew this and didn't need to say anything. He continued to wait for his sister to return. He would not speak to her though in fear of what she might tell him or what he might see. He would not be able to sleep ever again.
Something stirred in the forest. Hayate forced his eyes open to watch as his young sister emerged from the trees. Her shoulders moved side to side as she dragged something behind her into the clearing.
"It is here," Hayabusa spoke, watching Ayane.
Hayate pushed past him and ran into the clearing. As Hayabusa watched them, he could see the evil that walked amongst them on four legs. It was a demon in disguise. Many things were. And many things sought to destroy all that was sane. It had destroyed the moral of a young girl and was looking forward to destroying more of her soon. It was a force he knew he could not destroy with his bare hands.
The others were getting out of bed and going outside in silence to witness their leader on his knees before the purple haired kunoichi. They watched and listened alongside Hayabusa as their leader spoke in soft words.
"Ayane," Hayate said, looking down at the body she had dragged in, "How could you?"
It was the runaway's body. Her skin was pale, her clothes were ripped, and bruises covered her skin. Hayate reached out to touch her face like he had done so many times before. Only this time, she didn't smile, look into his eyes, and place her hand upon his like she had done so many times before. Her cheek was cold and wet from her tears that seemed to still fall from her shut eyes. She was dead.
Hayate knew the day would come, but he wasn't ready for it. He wasn't ready to finally accept his sister's death and watch as dirt consumed her, concealing her from the world forever. He wanted to hear her voice again; he wanted to hear her say how much she loved him. She always had. But now, he felt as if he failed her; as if he let her die. He had let Ayane kill her.
The others watched as their leader cupped the fallen kunoichi's head in his hands and placed his forehead on hers. And then he began to weep, not caring of what the others thought.
"Hayate," Ayane spoke up after being silent for too long, "What're you doing?! Stand up!"
He did not stand.
"Stop crying over her!"
He still wept.
"I wish you would forget about her and love me!"
Ayane grabbed at his shoulder and pulled him to face her. As he looked back into her eyes, his tears ceased and his emotions for his deceased sister slipped away from his mind. He had a need to feel the girl before his eyes upon him in a warm embrace. He wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his head upon his breast. A smile grew on Ayane's face as she rested her head upon his and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They were tense, but relaxed after feeling the girl's arms upon them. And then Hayate sighed.
Hayabusa dared not move. A corrupt force was amongst them and he would have to be careful not to upset it. A life had been taken that night without remorse and he felt as if more would be taken soon. The rabbit looked at him, but he dared not look back.