The Innocent

Kenji Himura

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Dead or Alive except this fiction...damn.

THREE

Hitomi packed the last of the food she could into the bag and met with Kasumi and Leon in Leon's office.

"So, where do we go?" Kasumi asked.

"We need a place safe from your clan, maybe enemy territory?" Leon suggested.

"I'm not so sure that would be a good idea," Kasumi replied.

"There's a hidden mountainous village back where the grass grows. We just have to climb the mountain and there it is. I've been there before, they should shelter us." Hitomi said.

"Let's get going then," Leon said.

"Lead the way," Kasumi said to Hitomi. Hitomi nodded and tossed the bag of supplies to Leon, he slung it over his shoulder and they started off.

"Where was the army today Leon?" Hitomi asked.

"I sent them back home; it's useless to travel with a large group." Leon replied. Hitomi nodded. They continued forward. All that was heard were the desert winds blowing harshly against the three, but Kasumi sensed something else.

"Leon heads up. There's something around." Kasumi whispered.

"No way there could be, there's no cover and I see nothing." Leon replied. Hitomi stopped in her tracks and looked at the ground,

"Hey guys, does the area around here receive earthquakes?"

"No..." Leon said slowly. Suddenly, the ground before them burst and ninja poured out. They wore sand colored outfits so they hadn't been seen at all. "Kasumi, Hitomi...run!" Leon shouted, pulling out his gun. Kasumi and Hitomi raced forward, a ninja spotted them and tried to pursue. Leon held his gun up and fired; the bullet ripped through the skin and lodged itself into the ninja's brain.

"Attack the male!" the leader shouted. Leon took a count of the enemies he was up against, four. Leon grinned and raced towards an oncoming one. He jump kicked and with his foot and placed it in the man's face, he fired twice and the man flew back. Leon hit the ground. A ninja raised his blade and plunged it down. Leon rolled to the side and then flipped up onto his feet. He dropped to a knee and leapt forward. Sand flew in all directions, blinding the ninjas. Leon took a hard punch and slammed the ninja's chest. He stood and held him up by the neck with both hands. The ninja's feet swung around wildly, as soon as the dust cleared he was still. Leon turned and tossed the dead body into another ninja trying to get the sand out of his eyes. It hit him like a bowling ball on a pin. Leon leapt high into the air and plummeted down. He slammed his fist down and with all the force he had gained from the jump, ripped through the ninja's chest. He stood and looked to the leader.

"Go to hell," he fired the gun.

Hitomi and Kasumi slowed to a stop when the sounds of battle faded. Kasumi bent over and placed her hands on her knees,

"Is Leon alright?" she asked.

"Let's hope so," Hitomi replied, wiping sweat from her forehead.

"Hey..." Kasumi said, finally noticing what type of ground she stood on.

"Eh? We're back on the plains! This means..." Hitomi looked up and sure enough, a large mountain stood not too far off in the distance.

"Hey, are you two ok?" Leon asked, stumbling out of the desert.

"Are you alright?" Kasumi asked, inspecting the way he walked.

"Fine, just tired," Leon tossed his turban to the ground and ran his fingers through his white hair, "So that's the mountain, huh?" Leon asked as he put some shades on.

"Yeah, shall we start on our way?" Hitomi asked.

"Of course," Leon said. The three marched across the plains, no troubles arose. But as they reached a forest right before the foot of the mountain, Kasumi got the feeling again.

"You guys..." Kasumi whispered. Hitomi stomped her foot,

"Not again!" she moaned. Leon checked his gun,

"Did we bring extra ammo?" Leon asked.

"No..." Hitomi replied, checking the bag.

"I'm out," Leon said, dropping the now useless handgun to the emerald green grass.

"We just have to outrun them," Kasumi said. Leon eyed her injury,

"You're not in the shape to outrun ninjas. Last time you were able because Leon was stalling them...but I'm not risking any of our lives." Hitomi said.

"We'll try and take them with out fists," Leon said, smashing one fist against his palm.

"Kasumi, you stay back here until we call...alright? Be on guard." Hitomi said. The two entered and soon disappeared from Kasumi's sight,

"Please be alright..." Kasumi prayed.

The two walked through the forest, ready to take on anything. Leon's eyes widened behind his shades and he tackled Hitomi as arrows whizzed past them. Ninjas dropped down,

"Six this time." Hitomi said, getting up.

"Let's go," Leon said. The two raced forward at the waiting ninjas. A ninja leapt high into the sky and plunged his blade down. Hitomi, realizing she still had the bag with her, pulled out a frying pan and blocked. She pushed his blade aside with it and smashed him in the head. He dropped the blade and Hitomi smashed her foot into his face. Another tossed ninja stars at Leon. Leon got up against a tree and the stars passed, he had managed to grab one though. He tossed it back with amazing force, it ripped through the ninja. Another leapt forward; Hitomi kicked his blade aside and continued to apply damage to it until it broke. She then jumped up and twisted around, the momentum she gained from the turn gave her enough power to knock the ninja out with a single kick. The three other ninja backed away as one dropped from the trees.

"Hayate..." Hitomi said. Hayate looked up and pulled his sword out.

"It all ends here," he raced forward, his sword outstretched. Hitomi dodged to the side. Hayate skidded to a stop and turned, he kicked and the blow landed to Hitomi's stomach. She went flying back and went through a tree. Hayate turned to Leon and raised his blade. Leon pulled out a knife and tried to impale Hayate. Hayate kicked the knife aside and held his blade to Leon's neck, "Die." Suddenly, another ninja wearing a sleeveless tight ninja suit dropped down. His cold eyes started into Hayate's.

"Who's that?" Hitomi thought, sitting up.

"You can't be alive!" Hayate shouted. The ninja lunged forward and pulled his blade out. He swung and landed a harsh blow into Hayate's side. Hayate gagged and stumbled backwards. "Retreat!" he shouted. The ninjas disappeared. Leon and Hitomi instantly cornered the ninja,

"Who are you?" Leon asked.

"Not now. Do not tell Kasumi of this." The ninja twirled and green leaves engulfed him. When they dropped to the ground, he was gone.

"But...Kasumi told us he died...." Hitomi said.

"But only Ryu has the trademark leaves." Leon said, crossing his arms. Kasumi raced into the forest and eyed the dead ninjas,

"You guys did it!" Kasumi exclaimed.

"Uh...of course!" Hitomi replied.

"We should find some place to rest, it's getting dark." Leon said, looking to the sky. Kasumi nodded,

"Right over there, I see a cave." Kasumi said.

-Later that night-

Leon stuck the tip of his cigar into the bonfire and lit it; he placed it in his mouth and leaned against the jagged wall. Hitomi and Kasumi were already sleeping. Leon began to fall asleep, but he heard the leaves outside rustle. He stood up and exited the cave; the man in the sleeveless ninja suit was leaning against a tree.

"Explain it to me. Kasumi said that you were impaled and killed in the opera house."

"Illusions, Hayate had tried to trick her so that the death would stun her then Ayane could move in for the kill. But he hadn't informed Ayane yet so she believed that I had really died as well. Hayate may be a massive and nearly perfect killing machine, but he still isn't too smart."

"Where were you during that?"

"Watching everything from the crowd."

"Did Zack die in that?"

"Sadly...no, he escaped and is now in the witness protection program when no one is even after him."

"So, what do you plan to do?" Ryu shrugged,

"Watch from afar and help if necessary,"

"That'll be help," Leon said. Ryu tossed a fully loaded gun to Leon along with a few cartridges of ammo.

"That should help as well. Avoid battles if possible. The more bloodshed Hayate sees, the more he believes Kasumi did attack the village." Ryu began to leap away, but Leon stopped him,

"The imitation said he knew where the clone was...where is it?"

"Be patient, the three of you need rest. I'll tell you when I believe it is time." Leon began to protest, but Ryu disappeared. Leon headed back to the cave and put out his cigar.

-Morning-

"Are you ready?" Hitomi asked. Leon nodded as he stood; he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep the night before. The three finished going through the tranquil forest and arrived at the foot of the mountain.

"Let's start climbing." Leon said as he reached up to a grab a small ledge. Hitomi and Kasumi watched for a bit until Leon was high up.

"Oh yeah, there's some trams that will take us up just over there." Hitomi shouted up to Leon. Leon groaned,

"See you at the top!" he shouted down. Hitomi and Kasumi proceeded to a tram and it began to rise. As it hit the top, Leon was still a few feet below. As he neared the summit, Hitomi cheering him on, Kasumi felt the same feeling. Hisses rang out and Kasumi instantly drew her blade,

"Guys, they're here." Kasumi said. The three waited, suddenly Leon began to fall.

"LEON!" Hitomi shouted. Leon reached his hand out and grabbed a ledge. Three ninja approached Hitomi and Kasumi. Suddenly, a black object whizzed past them. The three ninja's dropped to their knees, bleeding profusely. The black whiz went past Leon as well and he ended up on top of the mountain.

"What was that?" Kasumi asked, looking around. Hitomi and Leon did not reply, "Was it you Ryu?" Kasumi thought.

Alright, those reviews were wonderful. Thank-you for straightening that out for me, Cheeky Chika-Chan. Stoopid Fckr Bagd My Storie! JK, reviews aren't supposed to be all supportive. But did you have to add the part where I should never write again? That was a bit too negative. Anyway, I hope I altered it to be more as you all like it and I kept Hitomi and Leon alive. And Ryu has come back so if he is going to die, I guess I can make it more gruesome. But you all love Ryu so much, I like him too, I might just keep him alive!  Alight, same deal. Two reviews and you got yourself a new chapter.

Kenji