Authors note:
I decided to revamp this fic for one last shot at the situation I made in this fic, I added a bit more detail and I'll try (which means I failed) to correct my grammar as best as I can
Disclaimer: DOA is own by Temco/Team Ninja and I do not own anything but the idea of what is happening is the only thing that belongs to me…I think
A Shade Of Grey
Two shadows dance with grace within the trees of the Black forest located in Japan.
The lead runner is dress in a loose blue Kunoichi Kimono, which is made purely for manoeuvrability, the draw back made it rather revealing, never less has she grown accustomed to her uniform and to love it.
Across her uniform are many stitches to show where she was cut, her only weapon is a short blade tucked away into her white sash.
Running away from another dressed in battle garb of a ninja with a short sword tied to her waist as well. The two didn't stop the lead runner didn't stop for a rest or to glance back always running and never stopping "you can never runaway from me forever Kasumi!" The woman garb in battle armour that chased the woman in blue shouted filled with pure hate.
The pursuer disappears from behind the lead runner, the woman called Kasumi glance back, she felt relief for a moment before darting her eyes back to the front to see her pursuer appear in front, this force her to skid to a halt nearly tripping in the process.
The battle garb Kunoichi look upon the blue Kunoichi with loathe, she glare directly at her auburn eyes noticing the dark rims of her eyes from lack of sleep, her auburn hair sway gently with her, having lost her yellow ribbon it swayed freely.
She scan her prey to see her slim form show signs of lack of nourishments, her breathes coming in ragged "leave me Ayane!" The desperate voice of the one called Kasumi.
The other didn't care "you'll die tonight" came the harsh word by Ayane while Kasumi scan Ayane up and down to see those same auburn eyes staring back at her, her lavender hair is short tied down with a black bandanna tied with a knot on the left side of her head.
Her skin paler in colour than Kasumi, while her body is fit showing no lack of nourishment.
Ayane drew a black blade from behind and held it pointed down ready to fight, the other reluctantly pull her own short blade free, the moonlight glimmering off the two blades, one is unwilling to fight but the other had every intention to fight, Kasumi look at Ayane and her head sank at the thoughts that she may hurt Ayane.
Ayane is ready to attack "the moon calls for blood dear half sister" she began "it is calling for you blood to be spilled!" with those last words, she surged forward.
A great fire burn set within a clearing not far from the clan of the Mugen Tenshin, upon the top slowly burning is a body of a woman, Ninjas stood round the fire watching it burn, some departed with tears in their eyes, others jus stare without shedding a tear, but deep within them some part of them felt sorrow.
On a hill nearby overlooking the pyre a woman lean against a tree smirking merrily, the flames that dance slowly made her want to dance, never finding such joy for a long time.
The crowd began to move away, each one giving a pray silently, "she don't deserve any pray that bitch" she thought, the moon shine within the air, she glance up and smile upon seeing the only witness of her deed "the moon witness everything under it's watch gaze" she thought merrily.
Her ears picked up the sound of the prayers word "she was never that bad," she turn to find out who said those words out loud, no one was there, she look towards the bridge to see the last one is at the middle of the bridge, it was strange but she dismiss the thought.
The smell of the burning dead flesh and wood made her enjoy the smell even more to know who was burning upon the pyre "at what price?" someone asks her in a calm voice.
She turns round her hands up ready to defend herself, no one is there, she knew someone was close by, then the feeling of someone behind her made Ayane spin round ready to fight.
She stare into the back of a Ninja staring at the blazing pile, but this Ninja was no ordinary Ninja, this particular Ninja carry a legendary blade upon his back, his brown hair sway softly while it's bonded into a cord, wearing armour now only used by him, the legendary Ryu Hayabusa.
Ayane smiles grew larger hoping to see Ryu stare at the pile lost and hurt for loving that bitch, she knew too well that the two of them had been sharing moments together without the clan knowing, she had found out only by accident a month after the third tournament when she visited him in his curio shop…
Walking towards the shop door Ayane stare at the reflection of herself in the mirror, what stare back at her is a sixteen year old girl with short lavender hair with no Bandanna, wearing a short skirt of black, with a Jack jacket while she wore a deep purple tank top.
She smile at the reflection wondering what will Ryu think of her, she knew he probably will be indifferent about her appearance but know he'll be attracted by her appearance.
She wore these clothes to blend in with the surrounding, but she really wanted to talk with Ryu, about her feelings that seem to have grown over the years towards the super Ninja, it seem, despite his coldness to everyone he meets, she felt comfortable within his presence.
It was all that kept her alive, with the death of Genra she felt lost, he helped her with her grieve telling her that there is still reason to live, Hayate and Ryu still care for her and wish her to forget the matter.
The words of Ryu lifted her from her death depression, she felt happy to know he cared for her, it warmed her heart like none other could, not even her foster father Genra could, this warmth was something different from the fatherly love she felt from Genra.
With her thought set she push the door open, the door bell didn't ring, glance up she found the bell had been removed, shrugging she made her way round the counter, looking into the small kitchen she found the chopping board is been used, a half finished sushi sat waiting to be finished.
A knife sat nearby to a fish, gutted and cleaned, a cup of tea sat by waiting for it's creator to drink it, but no sign of Ryu.
Her ears picked up the sound of gentle laughter, she could not make out the to be male or female, she felt part of her dreading what she might find, staring at the stairs that lead to the upper apartment she move stealthily along the stairs making not a sound.
Soft voices could be heard spoken to the far end of the corridor room, Ryu's room.
Her ears twitch to her limit to try and catch every sound that came from the room, every step that brought her closer to the door she could hear the voices more and more clearly, she could distinguish one of the voices to be Ryu but the other spoke even softer eluding Ayane ear from recognising it.
She was only three steps from the door when she heard a soft giggle came from the room, she froze at that moment knowing who could had giggle that merrily, an old memory long ago when she heard a gentle giggle from such a person.
The door left a slight crack to peek in; she felt her heart beating fast.
Why was she nervous, was she scared of seeing what she dreaded to see?
Pushing these thoughts away she peeked through.
Her breath seem to have disappeared, her heart sinking away, inside she saw someone dressed in a blue uniform of a runaway she knew too well, she mouth the name "Kasumi," she couldn't believe her eyes her mouth dry with fear of who she might be with.
She crane her view to catch sight of Ryu, he sat with his back against the wall while Kasumi is nestled in front of him as they whisper words softly to one another, the light in his eyes matching the light in Kasumi's, of love.
She laid back against him, her head resting on his chest while she and Ryu smile, Ayane felt coldness touch her when she watch Ryu laugh, "you are not that funny with jokes," Kasumi whispers glancing round her shoulder at Ryu.
His hand stroke her cheek, "ah but you are easily amused," she smiles warmly, "yes" she replies, while his hand slide gently down her cheek to her side, she try to suppress a pleasure filled moan but fails, he dips his face close and she raise her own as they kiss gently before she deepen the kiss.
Ayane stood there shocked at the scene, she was here to tell Ryu something, but somehow she knew she had been too late long ago, he kiss her more passionately, her hand slowly rose stroking his cheek gently before his hand came up to take hold of her hand in his.
His hand held her hand for a moment as he tenderly squeeze her hand, he let go of her hand so he could slide his hand slide down nestling around her neck stroking her neck, the action made Kasumi gasp a little at the pleasure she felt by Ryu's touch.
Then his hand slowly travel down to the side of her hip and took hold of the knot, slowly he pulls it while she continues to lovingly kiss him, the knot came undone.
Ayane didn't want to see anymore and ran out of the house, she ran down the stairs and out of the shop not caring if they heard her or not.
Tears running down her eyes, she knocked into someone but didn't notice and ran onwards towards the forest, she felt someone had stabbed her heart yet again, she ran on and on until her heaving for breath, she is alone yet again.
Stopping she lean against a tree, tears still streak down her cheeks, "why?" she asks herself, "Why did that bitch…" she didn't want to think of it anymore, the one person she felt close to was in love with the woman she has vowed to kill.
Tear ran down her face, she wanted to cry there not caring if anyone saw her, she felt so alone in the world, Hayate only care about Kasumi she knew it in her heart and now she knew Ryu loves Kasumi as well which burn like acid in Ayane stomach.
From the haze of sadness surge an emotion she has grown long accustomed to, hate, it flow into her drying her tears, her fist clench tightly until the knuckles turn white then the sound of her knuckles popping, her mind race with one thought, revenge.
"She was the one why I'm always in pain," she whispers while the anger slowly build up, "she took everything from me," the hate she long harbour began to fan into new heights she would had never guessed, "taking my family my heritage," thumping her fist into the tree she stood her violet eyes burning with anger.
"Now Ryu," it began to make sense why she had hunted her, always she is the shadow the black to Kasumi the white, not anymore Ayane will kill the runaway if it's the last thing she ever do in her life …
She smiles at the memory of the vow she made long ago, now she has for filled it, she glance at him expecting him to shed tears, but his eyes remain calm, no shred of tear of grief could be seen in those cold eyes.
He glances at her when he senses her eyes upon him "aren't you mourning for that bitch you loved?"
Ayane asks bluntly wanting to see him hurt hoping to see the mighty Ryu Hayabusa shed tears like the normal common ninjas.
Ryu just kept those emerald eyes staring at the blazing fire "what is it that compel you to hate her?" Ayane could not believe that Ryu is questioning her again; even after his great love has died, he still asks her questions about her emotion.
She suppress her anger and replies to his question "she was Miss perfect within the clan" Ayane starts "they would sing the praise of how perfect she was!" she felt satisfaction when she said "was" knowing that she is dead and never will be called perfect when they scatter her ashes into the wind.
Yet some how Ryu seems to be void of emotion, no tear seem to be present within his eye to show his grieve for his love, nor anger of what Ayane did.
Ayane anger slowly fades "maybe you just used her to your own ends, didn't you?" she asks finding it hard he is not even shedding one single tear for her.
He remains calm and collective never to shift away from the blank look or speak with emotions, "some of us can cope with even sadness Ayane" Ryu replies calmly.
That calmness was starting to piss off Ayane, "so are you going to grieve for her and kill me as well?" Ayane asks as sly as she could, she expected him to beam a hate fill glare unable to take any more of her cruel remarks.
He remain the same never changing his expression "No, I will not grieve for her death for she is now in peace," he states to her with such calmness it made her wonder did he even care that her body is now burning and the one who killed her is standing before him, "but I shall grieve for you."
Ayane narrows her eyes "what do you mean?" she hisses angry at his words not liking the mind game he's playing with her, "for you shall know no peaceful night for you took your sister life," he pauses for a moment.
The words he spoke did not seem to sink in until he spoke again, "when you killed Genra with your bare hands," that spark off Ayane to attack Ryu, she ran at him, and strike out hoping to catch him by surprised.
She was surprised when Ryu move out of the way while she strikes thin air; his feet seem to glide away from where he stood, "you never saw the love of how she cared for you while you were young and naïve," Ayane stopped when she heard him begin to talk.
It did not make sense why would he attempt to speak to her while she is trying to hurt him, "it isn't like you to speak while someone is trying to take your life" Ayane shouts at him with that deadly look still in her eyes.
Ryu ignores her shout "I never did understand why did you treated your sister so badly" Ryu states "when she only offered to love you as a older sister would," Ayane eyes glare at him while her fist begins to clench then unclench as she tries to keep her anger in check.
She gave her answer, "you think she loved me, when she left me to fend for myself while we were young?" the pain of those memories plaguing her, "where was she when I was been treated cruelly by the group of children!"
Ryu cross his arms in defence that he is right, defiance, which is slowly making Ayane, hate the very sight of Ryu, "you only remember those bad memories of when you was beaten but did you know why your sister would rush off for one moment and come back a bloody mess?"
Ayane shook her head remembering when she came home with a dislocated arm and broken rib Kasumi just smiles and left cheerfully, it didn't made senses as to what she did in those hours.
She would return either bloody or just with a few minor bruises "she would go out and take revenge on those people who hurt you" Ryu tells her "I knew because I would find her either on the ground breathing hard while her foes lay round her, or when she is ready to fight them."
Ayane thought through it and knew its true but she still blame her for not being their to stop them from hurting her, these thoughts seemed to be heard by Ryu who shook his head "there was the time when you and her fought side by side when some old kids began to poke you with there bo staff."
She remember that bit well "she came down to them and order them not to poke you, they just laughed at her" Ayane knows the rest, "I strike out at the bully and he try to strike at me but Kasumi blocked the staff for me."
Ryu didn't say a word "but that didn't prove anything" Ayane tells Ryu coldly.
He did not spoke as she continues, "she protected me because Hayate told her to," this statement seem to be just in Ayane's eye, "she never loved me," Ryu did not look convince by her words nor did it sway him to think that she believed those lies herself, "if that is so then why did she protect you when you stole Hayate's Ninjato without telling him?"
Ayane shook her head getting tired and angry of Ryu mind games, "I wanted to handle a Ninjato on my own and see how heavy it was," Ryu sighs as if her explanation was the answer, "he loved you very much and was afraid you might had hurt yourself by taking the weapon."
He pause letting his word sink in of how Hayate had reacted, "Kasumi did stop Hayate from punishing you and convince him that SHE took it and gave it to you."
Ayane eyes widen when part of her realize that it is true, "she..." Ayane did wonder why did Kasumi come out of Hayate's room crying, "she was hurt by her own brother as a punishment" Ryu tells Ayane "he hit her on the face five times as punishment, you know how it hurt her when Hayate hit her."
Ayane knew it, deep down her heart agree to every word Ryu is speaking knowing that Kasumi adores Hayate, any slap from Hayate would hurt her more deeply than anything else, "did you think your sister thought so little of you?" He demands his arms folded while he waited for an answer.
He spoke again seeing she will not answer, "she cared for you, she didn't did it out of duty," Ryu began "she did it because she truly loved her little sister, she couldn't stand the though of letting you to be alone or been bullied."
Ayane felt the victory of killing Kasumi was slowly fading with every moment Ryu spoke, "she was the favourite while I was thrown back as the trash" Ayane shouts trying to say she is right trying to convince herself that all Ryu said is a lie, "she cared for me but I hated her because everyone didn't want the impure blood to be amongst them."
Ryu stood there hearing Ayane's reason why she hated Kasumi, "love and hate coexist together" Ryu states "you were angry that she was taking in all the glory for been perfect" Ayane press her hand to her head now wanting to hear his words "yet you felt your love for your sister even though you hated the sight of her," Ryu smiles, "love is a strange creature indeed."
Ayane screw her hand into a fist, "SHUT UP!" Ayane shouts throwing herself at Ryu fuelled by anger, "SHE WAS PERFECT AND I WAS HER OPPOSITE."
Ayane shouts kicking out at Ryu, he moved with no sound or movement she could see, her scream continues, "I'M THE BLACK AND SHES THE WHITE," she turn rapidly turning into a tornado as she use her elbows as the weapon.
This form of attack didn't seem to work when Ryu cart wheeled to the side away from her then side step so when she stopped he is standing behind her, "SHE'S THE GOOD AND I'M THE EVIL," her voice filled with pure agony of the past pain which has kept her alive.
Ryu step back from Ayane's thrust that was aimed at his gut, "you may see this world in black and white Ayane" came Ryu's words while he avoid her attacks effortlessly like some avenging ghost that cannot be harmed no matter how much she tried.
He spoke without trouble while he moves away from her attack, "those who see the world as having a positive and a negative are confused once they meet something which don't fit into either category," he back somersaults when she raise her heel up to flip herself into attack.
Moving quickly Ryu backed away with no sign of exhaustion, Ayane on the other hand is tiring from her constant attack upon Ryu in hopes of connecting one of her attacks, "you may not have accepted it but she has and knows that the world is not black and white."
She somersaulted up and ready to bring her feet to slam into Ryu, this is avoided simply by darting backwards while she landed on one knee while Ryu hand is at his side, "but in a shade of grey," Ayane threw a round house kick to his stomach seeing an opening within his defence.
Knowing he cannot avoid the attack, "he will pay," she thought.
Ryu took hold of her leg and strike out with his other free hand that connected with her chin, his strike curve upwards so Ayane is launch into the air, in that moment thoughts raced through her of how come she could not lay a finger on Ryu.
She had fought him on occasions and knows that he is slower than she is, yet he had demonstrated that he could easily avoided her attack, somehow the answer is now clear where Ryu drew his strength, when all other hopes faded, like the moment when he faced the Tengu…
Ayane is panting hard, she on her knees while before her Ryu is desperately trying to defeat the Tengu, the two are pushing back one another by their hands trying to judge who is the strongest yet the demon seem amused, "the Hayabusa has fallen far indeed from what they were before," taunted the demon.
With ease it tear it's left hand from Ryu hand and grabbed him by the throat, with a great leap it flew up into the air and begin to shake Ryu round in circles before it threw him down smiling as Ryu hit the ground hard, the Tengu lands softly smiling.
Ryu is groaning in pain, the impact was slightly soften, he had tried to turn in the air to land on his feet but ended up smashing in the ground on his side, he felt at least two of his ribs are broken, he try to rise but the Tengu planted it's sandal upon Ryu head, "you are nothing more than an insect for me to crush."
Ayane could do nothing, she had tried to help but the Tengu had absorb her attack before throwing her into the tree causing the great tree to crack, her body still coarse with immense pain whenever she moved, her ankle kept on reminding her that it's sprained, or worse.
Ryu is helpless while the demon begins to bellow with laughter, "and so the world shall return to Chaos as it should have been for the Tengu of…" it was silence when it felt someone's foot slam into its face making it stumble backwards.
Ayane stare in shock, Kasumi stood ready to fight, behind her Ryu still remain on the ground breathing hard while the Tengu stamp it's foot down causing the ground to crack from anger, "you dare lay your filthy boot upon my face!" it roars.
Kasumi didn't seem afraid, "I won't let you hurt him," she spoke simply, "if you're going to kill him you're going have to get through me first," she stood defiant knowing full well she would die but something in her eyes made Ayane think she might survive the fight.
The bellow of laughter that came from the Tengu is chilling to say the least, "you stop me?" it asks then laughs again for a few moments, "nothing is stronger than Chaos little girl all will fall before chaos no matter if it's friendship or kin ship and you hope to oppose me when I' am Chaos embodied?" with a mighty stamp the ground round it's foot blew outwards.
The area where the Tengu stamped seem to expanding, when it reached Ayane, whose leaning against the tree, she felt warm all of a sudden, the leaves on the great tree are green while grass grew beneath her feet rapidly, she looks up wondering what will Kasumi do knowing that the Tengu can cause the season to change.
The Tengu feet kept tapping while it hum low, the hand that held the fan is drawn back further and further, the runaway held her ground waiting for what might come, the demon finally whip its fan outwards causing a tornado to form round it while a gust of wind blew outwards.
The runaway stood her ground and brought her arm up for protection, the wind hit her pushing her back, she defy the wind by remaining in a defensive position and remain standing, the wind died as quickly as it rose, she still stood.
Blood dripped down her leg from cuts caused by the wind when it threw stone chipping at her.
The demon is amazed, "I would had never thought that any mortal could stand up against that attack," Kasumi began to tremble and collapse to her knees breathing hard for air
Her body shook then she threw up blood from her mouth that stain the ground red, "give up girl you were able to stand up to that attack but the second one will kill you," the demon warns.
Ayane watch Kasumi steadily stood up, "never," she replies defiant, the demon smiles, "then you are a fool," it spoke; it stamps its foot and began to charge up the attack.
The weather turned to autumn, the orange leaves drifting down slowly to the ground, Ayane wondered why didn't Kasumi attack, her answer came when Kasumi brought her hand up to her mouth, blood slipped through her fingers as she try to stop herself from throwing up more of her precious blood.
At her current state the attack will kill Kasumi, at that moment Ayane wished she could stand and help but she couldn't, she has no strength to use to create a spell to attack the Tengu, all she could do was watch.
The Tengu roars as it unleashes a more devastating attack, the very ground begin to rip away by the force of the attack, more powerful than the first attack it threw stones into the air, Ayane watch with fear as the wave close in on Kasumi who is too weak to sustain such an attack.
Behind her lay Ryu still hurt from the attack, he would be killed along side with Kasumi.
The thought made Ayane gasp in horror at the mental image of Ryu's body been torn to pieces alongside with Kasumi, it chilled the Kunoichi of the Haji Mon, she couldn't stop the image from getting more and more detailed.
Ayane turn away not wanting to see the devastation of the attack or the thought of what might happen to Kasumi and Ryu come true before her very eyes, all she heard was the roar of the wind ripping away what she could only think is the runaway's body and Ryu's.