Chapter 2: Matsuri Kookoo
The subway car rattled noisily as it carried it's morning passengers to their destinations. Near one of the doors standing in a Crossroads High School sailor middy was a tired looking Kasumi. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she held her school bag in front of her.
Gingerly taking lint off her white blouse Kasumi stepped off the train and walked up the steps. She shielded her eyes as she looked up into the pale blue sky. It was the same color the day she arrived at the Watanuki residence. The elderly couple took care of Hayabusa's shop while he was away. He had sent a letter prior to Kasumi's arrival; asking them to take her in. The elderly couple treated Kasumi as though she were their own and insisted that she called them Oba and Oji-San.
Kasumi was torn from her thoughts as a girl in a brown and cream sailor middy trotted towards her.
"Kasumi-San!" the girl called, waving.
"Ah! Hitomi!" Kasumi waved.
Hitomi's blue eyes sparkled and clashed with her Corners High School uniform. She met up with Kasumi the first day she arrived in Tokyo. Their schools were sister schools in a set of three. Crossroads and Corners High Schools were located right next to each other, how ever the other sister school was on the other side of the city.
The two girls walked and chatted happily.
"The volley ball team? Really?" Hitomi chimed. "I joined Corners' valley ball team this year, too!"
"I suppose we'll compete with each other." Kasumi smiled.
"Yep, and I don't intend to lose to you after you kicked my butt in the last tournament." Hitomi nudged Kasumi playfully and winked.
Kasumi flushed looking at the ground.
"I heard the next tournament is going to be soon." Hitomi continued happily. "I already sent in my application."
Kasumi nodded.
"I saw a poster at the dojo…" she mumbled, remembering the previous night.
Upon Hayabusa's request, Kasumi took up private lessons every other night at a martial arts dojo.
"Hey, hey! Kasumi-San!" Hitomi tapped Kasumi's shoulder.
"Huh?" Kasumi blinked looking over at her companion.
"That's the bell, you don't want to be late." Hitomi looked at her watch as the school bell tolled. "I'll see you later, O-Kay?"
"O-Kay, bye Hitomi-San." Kasumi waved and turned toward the Crossroads High School building.
Kasumi smiled and nodded to some of her peers as she made her way to school. Her eyes drifted toward a Japanese maple. Her chest tightened and her heart fluttered.
"Nii-San…" She murmured.
The wind tugged a reddening Japanese maple leaf from its place on a thin branch and carried it on the breeze. It fluttered over several homes in the village in the mountain valley. It swirled and tumbled carelessly across fences until it landed gently on a young man's shoulder.
Hayate watched a group of young boys learning kata from three shinobis under Hayate's command. His arms were folded across his chest and he sighed slowly. It had been three days since he had received word of his sister's flee to Tokyo on Hayabusa's orders. The elders insisted that he train some of the young men before going after her. Tokyo was a large place and would need more than just one fleet of shinobi to score the city. Hayate had frowned upon this option. Who knows how long Kasumi would stay in Tokyo, or if Hayabusa had a different plan for her? He wanted to act fast. However, he pushed aside his own interests and followed the elder's advice.
"Why looking so disgruntled, Hayate-Sama?"
Hayate blinked. He hadn't sensed any one come up behind him. He turned and unfolded his arms as his eyes landed on Ayane.
"It couldn't perhaps be the same reason why I wore that expression two days ago?" Ayane smirked while raising a quizzical brow.
"If it involves Kasumi fleeing right out of your clutches, I suppose it is the same reason." Hayate replied lazily.
Ayane took the leaf from Hayate's shoulder.
"You're not trying hard enough." She mumbled.
"It isn't as easy as you think." Hayate replied testily, walking away. "You have also failed to complete your mission."
Ayane frowned.
"It would be a lot simpler if we were on the same page, but I am always one step ahead of you, older brother."
Hayate walked down the path toward the rock garden. Ayane followed.
"Ayane-San," Hayate looked over his shoulder. "Three days ago I sent out a fleet to search the woods. One of my shinobi spotted Kasumi, but she wasn't alone."
Ayane sat on a bench. Her expression was hard as she kept her eyes on Hayate.
"Hayabusa was with her." Hayate continued.
"Hayabusa-Sama!" Ayane's eyes widened.
Hayate nodded.
"He sent her to Tokyo."
"What!" Ayane stood suddenly. "What the hell does he think he's doing!"
"I'm going to go find him and have a word with him." Hayate looked at the sky. "I want you to go to Tokyo. Stay in contact with me, and don't take any unnecessary risks."
Ayane nodded.
"It's easier is she's not expecting it." Hayate mumbled.
"No," Ayane shook her head, glaring at Hayate. "Just easier for you."
Hayate closed his eyes, listening to her foots steps fade away. Tossing his head he made his way back to the training field.
Bird's song mixed well with the babbling of the river. Hayabusa ran his fingers back through his damp hair. The river's water flowed around him as he bathed. A droplet of water trickled down Hayabusa's chest and trailed down his abdomen. It slid down the contour of his hip before disappearing in the water's surface. Hayabusa opened his eyes partially and turned around.
"Hayate…" Hayabusa mumbled.
Hayate stood on a rock in maroon shinobi attire. His arms were folded and he glared down at his friend.
"Hayabusa, you have some explaining to do." Hayate said hopping off the rock.
Hayabusa gazed at Hayate in a confused like manner. His expression soon revealed that he understood Hayate's comment.
"I had a feeling you were in the woods that night." Hayabusa said finally, pulling back his hair.
"Why are you helping her?" Hayate asked.
"You are my friend, Hayate. Kasumi is your sister." Hayabusa answered as he shamelessly walked ashore.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Hayate asked, trudging through the water to follow Hayabusa.
"I'm keeping my promise to you." Hayabusa replied, pulling on his white hakama.
"And helping her." Hayate hissed.
"Hayate," Hayabusa gazed deep into Hayate's chestnut eyes. "She wants to see you. I am going to make that happen and keep the promise I made to you."
Hayate looked away from Hayabusa.
"Do not tell me you do not want to see her." Hayabusa whispered. "That you don't want to see her smile…"
Hayate closed his eyes as Hayabusa reached out and graced his cheek with the back of his hand.
"To make her smile." Hayate mumbled.
Hayabusa drew his hand away slowly and watched Hayate's face. His expression was morose with a sense of longing.
"I must do what must be done." Hayate said after a moment.
"I guess I have entered the game." Hayabusa replied and finished dressing.
"HAI!"
Kasumi spiked the ball over the net. The ball collided with on of her opposing peers' chest and knocked her over.
"Good job, Kasumi-Kun!" the Gym teacher applauded the girl.
"Thank you, Senpai!" Kasumi beamed.
Kasumi tossed her braided ponytail over her shoulder and adjusted her gym shorts. She picked up her towel and headed toward the girl's locker room.
"Ah…" Kasumi sighed wiping her brow.
She peeled her shirt from her sweaty skin and pulled it over her head. She rubbed the towel over her neck and breasts as she sat on the bench.
"Kasumi-San!" Hitomi ran into the locker room.
"Hitomi? What is it?" Kasumi blinked as the brunette flopped beside her.
"The Dean of our schools has put us in charge of the school festival this year!" Hitomi chimed.
"The Winter festival?"
"Yup!"
"That's fan--! Wait, what Dean?"
"Oh! We'll, since our schools are sister schools, we have one Dean, but he's at Reiraku Academy." Hitomi explained.
"The other sister school…" Kasumi mused while brushing out her hair. "Will there be a student from Reiraku helping with the planning as well?"
"I think so, but we don't meet them until tomorrow." Hitomi stretched her legs out in front of her. "Are you going home now?"
Kasumi had began to dress. She pulled her sailor blouse over her head.
"Yes, I don't have any more classes today." Kasumi replied.
"You're so lucky you're a part time student…" Hitomi pouted. "My father insisted I go to school full time on top of training."
"Why didn't you stay in Germany?" Kasumi asked, shoving her gym things in her locker.
Hitomi shrugged.
"I guess I didn't want to train there anymore."
Kasumi nodded.
"Well, I better head home. See you tomorrow!" Kasumi waved.
Walking out of the gym, Kasumi shielded her eyes from the sun. She passed through the gates, she caught a glimpse of a figure in a navy blazer uniform through the corner of her eyes. Kasumi looked over but the person was gone with a splash of lilac.
"No…" Kasumi stopped dead in her tracks. "It… Couldn't be."
The weeks before the Winter School Festival seemed to fly by. Hitomi and Kasumi never did meet the student from Reiraku. The Dean explained that it was easier for them to work on their projects at the school without making the long trip across the city. The weather became dry and cold and the students of Crossroads High School started to wear their navy winter uniforms. Beside all the planning for the festival, Kasumi's mind was always wandering to that day after school. She tried to make logical explanations for that flash of lilac. Kasumi was not ready to admit that perhaps Ayane had tracked her down. She wondered how Hayabusa might have felt if he knew this. Ever since that day, Kasumi had been training harder than ever at the dojo. She feared that soon the Shihan would realize she was not an average girl at all, but a kunoichi. Hayabusa didn't say what would happen if the Shihan found out about Kasumi's true life and she often wondered what would happen.
It was two hours before the Winter festival started and Kasumi and Hitomi were putting the finishing touches on one of the many food stands.
"Kasumi-San, is something bothering you?" Hitomi asked.
Kasumi had been holding a piece of gold ribbon for the last five minuets with a thoughtful and worried expression.
"Huh? Oh, uhm, its nothing…" Kasumi lied and carelessly stapled the ribbon to the stand.
"Kasumi-San." Hitomi put her hands on her hips. "I know there's something wrong, now tell me!"
And so Kasumi told Hitomi everything that had happened in the last four months. She took special care to mention seeing her brother now that he was no longer ill and Hayabusa's help in doing so.
"I see." Hitomi said after Kasumi had finished. "I remember when I knew your brother, he called himself Ein. But, of course that is when he had amnesia."
Kasumi smoothed out a paper doily before placing a plate of pink mochi on it.
"Before the last tournament, I wanted to see him so much. But, it wasn't the same, because it was Ein I wanted to see, not Hayate." Hitomi confessed softly.
Kasumi blinked before looking over at Hitomi with a slight pout.
"Hitomi-San, did you have a relationship with my brother?" Kasumi asked, sounding slightly jealous.
Hitomi laughed nervously and waved her hands in front of her.
"N-No! Nothing like that, Kasumi-San!" Hitomi said quickly. "I mean, I had a crush on him, but, I, he didn't, we didn't--!"
Kasumi lifted her head slightly and gave Hitomi a suspicious look.
"Kasumi-San!" Hitomi whined.
"Oh, all right." Kasumi sighed and decided to believe Hitomi.
"You must really love him, huh?" Hitomi asked as she started to clean up.
"Yeah…" Kasumi answered blushing.
After the festival started, Kasumi and Hitomi walked around to make sure everything was going well. Kasumi observed the Reiraku students carefully, to see if any of them was the person she saw those many weeks ago. However, she did not see or find any lilac in the see of navy.
"Hey, I think this must be the Reiraku student's booth!" Hitomi chimed and dragged Kasumi over to it.
The booth was all kinds of purple and the game it was hosting was throwing darts with silk violets tired to the end at various types of plastic fruit. Kasumi looked up at the sign which read 'VIOLET PIXI'S DART GAME'. Anxiety flooded Kasumi.
"Violet Pixi." She breathed.
"Huh?" Hitomi looked over at Kasumi curiously. "What did you say?"
"Violet Pixi, Hitomi-San, it's her!" Kasumi looked around nervously. "It's Ayane!"
Kasumi's fears have been confirmed. Ayane had been the figure Kasumi glimpsed that day after school. Kasumi's heart raced as she moved away from the booth and started to look in the leafless trees. She had to be some where near. Hitomi waved Kasumi with a concerned expression, she stepped forward but stopped short as something lilac caught her eye. She looked over her right quickly and spotted Ayane walking through the crowd, eyes locked on Kasumi. Her eyes drifted to Hitomi who tore her eyes away.
"Kasumi-San!" She screamed.
Kasumi looked over at Hitomi who had jabbed her finger out in front of her. Kasumi's eyes widened and she ducked as Ayane kicked over her head. The students surrounding them stopped to watch what was going on. Kasumi gritted her teeth and grabbed Ayane's wrist with both hands. She crouched and flipped her on to her back. The male students began to chuckle amongst themselves at the sight of Ayane's panties. Kasumi stood quickly and moved into her fighting position. She flipped over Ayane as she attempted to trip her with a low spin kick. Yet more chuckles form the boys. Ayane and Kasumi threw varies attacks at each other which both of them blocked each time. Finally finding an opening Ayane landed a hard palm punch to Kasumi's chin. Kasumi stumbled a bit form being thrown off balance. Ayane grabbed the base of Kasumi's sailor collar. The knot from the handkerchief was pressed hard into her palm as she pulled Kasumi in for a throw. Kasumi pushed her hands against Ayane's shoulder. There was a loud rip as Kasumi's sailor blouse ripped, exposing her pink bra covered breasts. Ayane threw the scrape of fabric to the side and crouched to the ground. Placing on hand on the ground she tilted side ways and brought both her legs viciously into Kasumi's side. Kasumi cried out and arched her back. Ayane took this as an opportunity to perform a drill kick and sent Kasumi flying into a booth. The booth crumbled on top of Kasumi. She coughed up blood on to the ground as she pushed the debris off of her. There were two lacerations on her chest. One went across her collar bone the other across her left breast. Kasumi weakly pushed herself to a kneeling position. Ayane smirked as she walked toward Kasumi.
"Long live the little princess." She hissed, moving her hands into the first sign of her incantation.
"KASUMI!"
Hitomi pushed her way through the crowed and ran at Ayane. She jumped into the air and performed a flying kick. A loud crunch emerged from under Hitomi's foot as it collided with Ayane's face. Ayane stumbled backward screaming and covered her face. Hitomi moved into a position and bounced slightly on the balls of her heels.
"You stupid little bitch!" Ayane screamed pulling her hands away from her face. "You broke my nose!"
Hitomi smirked and swiftly blocked Ayane's attack. Grabbing Ayane by the shoulder, Hitomi thrusted her fist up into Ayane's shoulder three times before kicking her back into the crowd.
"Hi-Hitomi-San…" Kasumi mumbled wide eyed. "Why?"
"You deserve to see you brother, no matter what, Kasumi-San!" Hitomi said boldly watching Ayane stagger to her feet. "What you are doing is very honorable, and I will not let anything get in your way!"
She pushed Ayane's leg away when she attempted a kick and planted her own on Ayane's side. Fury burned in Ayane's eyes. She grabbed Hitomi's fist and flipped her over her shoulder. Hitomi grunted as she landed face first on the ground. Ayane flipped over backwards and stomped on Hitomi's Back.
"Kyaah!" Hitomi cried.
Her eyes went blank and her head hit the ground as she fell unconscious. The crowd around the two fighters began to scream in horror. Ayane wiped a massive blood clot form her face and glared at Kasumi who had managed to get to her feet. The two kunoichi ran at each other, Kasumi blocked a punch and tripped Ayane. Ayane rebounded with a helicopter punch which split Kasumi's lip. As Kasumi drew her hand up to her face, Ayane gave yet another powerful kick sending Kasumi back toward the demolished booth. Kasumi shifted her weight forward and slid on her hands. She stopped short and glared at Ayane. A fire began to burn inside Kasumi as she pushed her self off and ran at Ayane. Ayane moved into a parry position. Kasumi flipped into the air when she neared Ayane. Extended her feet, they planted on Ayane's face. Kasumi pushed off and flipped backwards as Ayane flew into her own booth. Kasumi landed gracefully and watched the booth collapse on Ayane. Spitting blood Kasumi performed Sakurai-Matoi.
Kasumi appeared on a low roof top in Tokyo. She staggered a bit and fell off into a dumpster. Two men watched her wide eyed as she scrambled out and limped down the street. She received several odd looks a worried glances as she made her way back to the Watanuki residence. Breaking into a run to avoid all the stares, Kasumi ran across a street. She jumped on the hood of a car that nearly hit her and hopped back on to the side walk. She continued to run, her lungs burning. Tripping over herself, Kasumi fell into a shop and knocked over a display of discontinued plastic toys.
"Kasumi!"
Kasumi looked up form where she sprawled on the floor. Hayabusa was standing behind his counter and staring at Kasumi with a very confused expression.
"H-Hayabusa-San!" Kasumi exclaimed and stood.
Hayabusa gapped at Kasumi. Her uniform was torn and tattered. Most o her exposed flesh was cut and bleeding or covered in blood. He quickly moved out from behind the counter and closed the door behind Kasumi, flipping the sign to say 'CLOSED'. Kasumi watched Hayabusa closely. She had never seen him in any clothes other than his shinobi attire. We was wearing a pair of close fit leather pants and a form fitting wife beater.
"You're a mess." Hayabusa said leading her over to the back room.
"I got into a fight with Ayane at school." Kasumi said breathlessly.
Hayabusa couldn't help but smirk at her explanation. He sat her on an ottoman and went into the wash room. He returned with a first aid kit, a bucket full of water and a washcloth.
"Must have been quite a fight." Hayabusa said sitting across form Kasumi. "lift up your arms."
Kasumi raised her arms as directed. Hayabusa leaned forward and gingerly pulled her sailor blouse over her head. Kasumi leaned back on her hands as Hayabusa unbuttoned and unzipped her skirt. That too, gingerly came off.
"I didn't expect her to be here." Kasumi breathed.
"You should have, Kasumi-Chan. "Hayabusa said patiently as he mopped up her face. "She IS trying to kill you."
"She hurt Hitomi-San." Kasumi wheezed. "She tried to help me.."
"I suppose that's what she gets," Hayabusa smeared ointment on her lip. "How's your breathing?"
"I don't know," Kasumi made a face. "Its kind of hard to take deep breaths."
"This might be too tight." Hayabusa said softly reaching around her and unsnapping her bra.
Kasumi took a deep breath and nodded. The straps fell lazily off her shoulders, leaving her chest completely exposed. Hayabusa removed it from her form and tended to the gash on her collar bone. Kasumi watched his face for a moment. His expression was neutral, just like a shinobi's should be. She winced as he applied ointment to the wound.
"Sorry." Hayabusa murmured.
Hayabusa gently cupped Kasumi's breast as he applied ointment to the laceration there. Kasumi blushed and looked away.
"This one isn't to bad." Hayabusa said casually. "There, finished."
Hayabusa stood and took off his shirt. Kasumi blinked as he dropped it on her head.
"It's not safe for you to go back to the Watanuki's. You can stay with me tonight and I'll fetch your things for you." Hayabusa explained picking up a phone.
Kasumi pulled the wife beater over her head stood slowly.
"Where will I go, will I stay with you?" She asked softly.
Hayabusa shook his head as he held up the phone to his ear.
"No, you'll…Gods, forgive me, you'll be going to America." He replied.
"America?" Kasumi repeated questionably.
"Yes, you'll… God's, forgive me, stay with… Zack."
"WHAT! ZACK! You've GOT to be out of your mind!"