Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Tecmo, Team Ninja, or Dead or Alive…even though I wish I was.

Chapter 6
The Council of Elders

Short pants escaped Kasumi as she ran straight from the city to the safety of the mysterious forest concealing her clan. Seeing the man from her dreams sent her heart racing and panic surging through her body. But how could she really have known him? Slowing her pace down, Kasumi also realized she had felt the scar on her side react to the menacing laughter. Stopping to lean against a tree, Kasumi slumped to the ground in weariness. If she couldn't face a dream man, how could she go about looking for answers about her brother?

Any confidence she held earlier in the morning was as lost as the daylight.

The moon illuminated the familiar paths Kasumi walked as a child. At least she wasn't afraid in the forest. She made her way back to the fortress to change for the night. Her body suddenly decided it had enough for the day and wanted rest. The gate guards waved to her from atop of the main entrance and opened the gate wide enough for her to slip through. There were torches lit throughout the courtyard, but only a few people were actually outside.

The sound of hurried footsteps caught Kasumi's attention. She looked across the courtyard to see Ryu Hayabusa walking straight to the Council of Elders' hall. He was dressed in his formal ninja wear: black leather, the Hayabusa sash around his waist, gold and white-lined armor with matching headband, and the sword Ryuken strapped across his back. Hayabusa's hair flowed freely behind him in its usual ponytail, an unyielding expression on his face. She deduced that he had an important matter with the Elders because he didn't notice Kasumi at all.

Kasumi watched as the ninja swiftly strode up the steps. The Hayabusa now seemed like a completely different person than the man at the river from the morning. She remembered how she ran away from him when he offered genuine help and his concern. As bad as she felt for leaving, Kasumi smiled thinking of how selfless he could be and yet still keep his determination. She traced the skin above her ear where his strong hands gently placed the flower in her hair. Was it appropriate for Hayabusa to have this effect on her?

"Kasumi," said a voice from behind her.

She dreamily turned to the source. "Yes?" she said softly. Kasumi turned only to jump at the man staring at her.

It was Genra.

Kasumi straightened herself in an instant, her eyes wide with surprise and fear. As a child of the ruling parents of the Mugen-Tenshin clan, Kasumi was very familiar with the other elders who cared for her during her childhood. However, Genra intimidated her every time she came into contact with him. A crude mask with distorted eyes and a wide mouth covered his face, and in the process, disguised his voice. He acted slowly, but deliberately, always keeping his body in a formal posture. Kasumi could easily see the similarities between her half-sister and the man who raised her. Both secretive and mysterious, Ayane prided herself as being Genra's only pupil. But how wise was this man exactly if he sent his pseudo-daughter to be a messenger for a corrupt man like Murai? Kasumi didn't know how well she concealed her fear around him.

"The Council of Elders wish to meet with you," he said, his voice deepened by the mask. "Follow me."

Kasumi furrowed her brow. She hoped she wasn't in trouble for being absent all day, but she couldn't think of any training she might have missed. Although Genra walked with slow steps, they were large enough to keep Kasumi at a fast pace. She did, however, purposely stay a step behind.

"What do the Elders want with me?" she asked timidly.

Genra did not answer. He just kept on walking, determined to get to the Council Hall. Kasumi did not know whether to be worried or curious.

The young kunoichi had been in the Council Hall once, when she was a child and witnessed the announcement of Ayane's formal move to the Hajin Mon clan. What could her business be?

The two entered the great wooden hall. She loved the intricate woven sliding wood doors and colorful paintings of Japanese landscapes. Gold dragons and eagle statues guarded every few feet of the expansive room. Along the walls, a mold, painting, or statue honored each Mugen-Tenshin leader, Kasumi's ancestors. In front of the fireplace, Kasumi walked up to an open square of people sitting on the wood floor, including the three elders, leaders of other clans, her mother and father, and even Ryu Hayabusa. She locked eyes with her friend, but as captivating as his eyes were, Kasumi could not read his expression.

"Sit," commanded her father, Shinden. His face was also grave, but Kasumi was used to hearing her father's formal tone.

Kasumi bowed respectfully before sitting with her legs tucked under her. Beside her, Genra slowly lowered to his knees, and upon her mother's offer of help, raised his hand to stop Ayame.

"You asked to see me, Council," said Kasumi, lowering her eyes.

"Dear Kasumi," Shiden began. She heard his voice waver. "After all of this time…the Council, and much of our clan, presumes Hayate dead."

Kasumi shut her eyes as she heard the pain in her father's voice. Hayate was his prized son. She raised her face to gaze to meet the defeat in Shiden's eyes. "There are still efforts going on, continuing to search for him," she said with as much confidence as she could conjure.

Hayabusa pressed his lips together tensely but did not meet Kasumi's gaze. Her mother, Ayame, just stared at the floor. "As much as we all love him, we must move on," Ayame said quietly. "We must think of what is best for our clan."

No one around Kasumi could take the pleading in her eyes. The Mugen-Tenshin leader decided to press matters on. "It has been agreed among the council that you be named as our next clan leader. We will make the announcement tomorrow at noon and ask that you be present for the ceremony," he said, staring past his daughter.

Tears began to well in Kasumi's eyes. She looked at Hayabusa with desperate eyes, but he only nodded. Hayabusa knew too well to not let personal emotion precede the needs of one's clan.

"But before we can officially name you as my successor, we must ask you, one last time, about anything you might know or remember about Hayate's disappearance."

Kasumi looked up, staring directly into the cold eyes of her father. He had changed since that day; Father loved Hayate. She undoubted his love for Kasumi as well; it was his love that let her continue with her life after the ordeal. But he would never understand if she told him. In fact, he would probably disown her if she told him the truth. Kasumi shook her head dejectedly.

"I'm sorry father, but I told you all I know," she said. "I met Hayate in the woods when they came out of no where and took him. I felt so helpless."

The other elders whispered among themselves. Kasumi felt nervous, but her father shook his head, obviously letting the matter pass. She could feel the heat rise up in her cheeks; Kasumi bet if it was Ayane interrogating her, her sister would see through the act and kill Kasumi on the spot. She looked at Hayabusa again, but he appeared lost in thought and staring off into the distance.

"Well," Shiden continued, breaking the silence. "Is there anything you want to tell us about your disappearance, Kasumi? I know you were badly hurt by the kidnappers, but perhaps you can remember something. I…I somehow have a way of losing my children."

Kasumi could hear the hurt in his voice. Perhaps he meant that one was kidnapped and knew the other was feeding him the half-truth. Sure, she was found with scorched hair, cut, bruised, and bloodied, but the shock of recovering one child only to lose the other prevented Shiden from seeing the grim reality. It was her fault Hayate was kidnapped. Kasumi shook her head again, letting it droop towards the floor.

I am nothing but a filthy liar. If only I was stronger…

"Very well," her father continued. "Then stay within the village tomorrow, Kasumi. We will announce it to our people in the afternoon."

"Please father, I can't be your successor!" Kasumi cried out, lifting her head to gaze at Shiden. The room sat still in surprise at the outburst. Her voice lowered, a tear falling down her cheek. "Hayate is out there."

Shiden looked like he was going to explode, a deep crimson rising in his cheeks. Kasumi couldn't tell if he was angry or internally distressed. "Kasumi," he said, his voice stern but trembling. "You will do as the council wishes and fulfill your duties to the clan. You must be strong, and we…we must…move on…"

"What if I can't?" Kasumi whispered, her voice strained with holding back a flood of tears. She knew in her heart that this wasn't her destiny.

"Kasumi," her father said in a harsh, but composed tone, "We all miss Hayate, but this is not a time to think about ourselves. The clan comes first, you know that. And we must do what is best for the people. We all must."

The kunoichi breathed in deeply to calm herself, staring at her reflection on the shiny wood floor. She saw Genra's unmoved reflection next to hers. She didn't care about being strong; Kasumi let the tears fall for missing brother, and for her father, whom she knew could not mourn for his only son.

How did Ayane feel all those years ago?

Ayane sat surrounded by older men she had never seen before. Her father, Genra, asked her that she wear her purple kunoichi uniform instead of her favorite wrap-around dress for their journey down the mountains to the Mugen-Tenshin clan. This was the first time he asked her to accompany him to an Elder meeting.

A wave of excitement surged through her body as she ran playfully across the rickety suspension bridge. Genra chased after her, both laughing as the bridge stirred with their movements. However, when they got closer to the fortress, Genra's composure stilled like the waters in a pond. She followed him past the stares of the clansmen and up a flight of steps to a wooden building with scary statues of attacking animals and still men.

She waited for Genra's actions so she could copy what he did. When he bowed, Ayane followed. He sat Indian-style on the floor, but when Ayane moved as well, he placed his hand on her shoulder and quietly told her to sit properly. Ayane nodded and tucked her legs under her. It was a painful way to sit, but she was determined to not let it bother her.

Looking around at the people also present, she noted her friend Kasumi to her right peering around a larger and older man. Across from her, Hayate sat on Ayane's left in front of a woman with long brown hair. The two looked very much alike. She would not look at anyone, but kept her gaze towards the floor.

Genra cleared her throat. "I request that Ayane be moved to the Hajin Mon village immediately and assist me with my duties," he said.

So there it was. Ayane stared at the floor as well; it was not her destiny to train with the Mugen-Tenshin with her two friends. They were her only friends. The three men in front of Ayane looked at each other and agreed to Genra's request. At least she would be with her kind adoptive father.

The council dismissed as fast as it had been assembled. The present men were gone, as if the room repelled them away. The brown-haired woman leaned over and placed her hand on Hayate's knee. "Hayate-san, please take your sister to see the festival," she said quietly. Her voice felt soothing to Ayane.

Hayate nodded and motioned for Kasumi to follow her. The two siblings looked at Ayane, but before anyone could act, Genra looked at his daughter sternly. "I need to talk to some of the council privately," he said, not bothering to comment on Ayane's wondering eyes. "Stay here until I return, do you understand me?"

Ayane looked at Genra pleadingly, but with the stern look on his face, she knew she couldn't argue with him. She shook her head 'no' to Kasumi and Hayate before watching them run out of the room towards the growing crowd outside. A pang of jealously hit Ayane for the first time; witnessing the comfortable life and free will the ninja siblings had in their village made Ayane wish she had more. Looking forward again, Ayane was surprised to find that the woman had not left her seat on the floor. She didn't know what to do.

The woman looked at Ayane with tears in her eyes, startling the child. "Ayane," she said softly. Her voice was as soft as a breeze, but how did she know her name? The young ninja gazed back at her with concern.

The woman rose to her feet and knelt in front of Ayane. She raised her hand to touch Ayane's cheek, stopped, but upon sensing no suspicion from the young girl, caressed her face with the softest touch. Gazing so close at the woman, Ayane suddenly saw her own physical features: her nose, her round eyes, and pale skin. She pulled back slightly.

"Oh Ayane," the woman said again. "The truth…the truth is I am your mother. I am Ayame…your mother."

Although her voice barely rose above a whisper, the words hit Ayane unlike any other physical blow she received during training. Not even from the countless masters trying to punish her. The oxygen didn't seem to reach Ayane's brain. How could this be? She hunched over so her new mother could not see the emotion on her face. She must learn to mask her feelings in order to be a proper ninja…anything to distract her from focusing on the newly-revealed truth.

"Forgive me," the voice continued, but Ayane did not meet the gaze she could feel boring onto her bowed head. "Forgive me."

Forgive her for what?

To keep the element of surprise, and so an enemy cannot read their foe's inner-thoughts, a ninja must be able to mask the thinking in their mind…

Ayane ignored the battling voices in her mind. She tried to ignore her emotions telling her, screaming at her to hug the woman close to her. What Ayane had always wanted, a real parent who could wash away the loneliness pooled inside of her sad heart and make her feel wanted for the first time in her life. Ayane's trained mind analyzed her mother; she had big round eyes, like hers, the same tone in her voice, and smelled like cherry blossoms.

Like Kasumi.

Then, just as the realization hit her, a surge of anger and jealousy flooded Ayane's mind.

…in addition to the initial stealth of their movements, ninja can continue to surprise their enemy with a mental battle…

She, the shunned and abandoned Ayane, was their sister. Full sister? Certainly not, for their father would have also revealed himself. But it did make her…a half-sister. But why only just half?

…however, this can only be achieved with the most clear and determined mind set, never let your passion rule a battle, but rather, battle with a passion…

She remembered the time when she watched Kasumi and Hayate leave her to Genra's humble, worn-down shanty, after messengers personally came to retrieve the two children. They waved for her to leave, to return to the meager hut she called home, although she never understood back then what she did not have. She might have never understood until Genra told her to train with the Mugen-Tenshin clan for a little. Now here, in a privileged world where Ayane never knew, she realized where her destiny lay.

…remember, as straight of a face one can keep, nothing can betray a ninja such as their eyes…

Ayane raised her head to meet her mother's sad expression. How could she be related to such a weak woman? What a poor show of emotion, Ayane deduced angrily. That would provoke two thrashes from sensei.

There is no crying in ninjutsu…

Before her belittling thoughts continued, more anger rushed ever Ayane. How could she talk about her mother like that? Ayane was used to the back-handed and snide comments, but as surely as Ayane didn't deserve them, her mother Ayame didn't deserve them from her own daughter as well. But if this was her mother, who was her father? Ayame didn't look like the deceptive kind. Perhaps the answer to that would help her understand why the village shunned Ayane.

"No one likes a bastard child," she thought bitterly. Ayane continued to think, her mind racing to conclusions, but somewhat hindered with Ayame's pleading eyes staring at her. They must have abused her as well, Ayane concluded. We share the same name, same kindred soul, and hardships. They were the real bastards, blaming a woman for getting pregnant by some man, and mocking the child who has no control of how they were brought into the world.

…above all, a ninja always knows he can control his destiny, and choose which path he takes among the many that float in the wind…

Ayane looked at her mother and smiled. She decided it would be a long time before Ayane smiled again. Not until she fulfilled her destiny to be better. Not only better, but the best. Ayane reached out and hugged her mother. Surprisingly, a warmth spread between the two, healing the wounds and destroying the demons that surely haunted both mother and daughter over the years.

Wordlessly, Ayame released her daughter from the embrace and exited the room without a glance back. Ayane watched her, silently vowing to herself. She would work as hard as she could to become better and stronger than those who belittled her. She would prove herself worthier than all other pupils and succeed Genra, the only father she knew, as Hajin Mon leader. She would gain respect, no matter how she did it.

Ayane felt another presence in the room watching her. She turned to see the curious expression on Kasumi's face peering over the sliding door her half-sister exited through earlier. Suddenly, Ayane saw her friend differently. Kasumi meant nothing more to her than a rival, the princess who extended her mercy on her unfortunate subjects. And Ayane didn't need mercy, nor to use the social ranking of her parent. All she needed was Ayane.

"Do you think you can come see the festival outside?" Kasumi asked cautiously. Something was different about Ayane.

Her only answer came from two frosty brown eyes glaring at her. "No sister, I don't even think want to," Ayane said, enunciating her words. "Festivals are for children."

Kasumi blinked at her in surprise, visibly hurt by her words. "Sister?" Kasumi thought. With one last glance and realizing Ayane could not be tempted, Kasumi walked back to her brother, who held one of the pinwheels he got from an elder. It was bright pink and obviously meant for Kasumi. But she also noticed the other by his side.

"Where's Ayane?" he asked, looking at his younger sister. The purple wheels spun in the breeze.

"She says that festivals are for children," Kasumi replied, absentmindedly. She couldn't put her finger on what had changed in her friend.

Hayate furrowed his brow in confusion. "Not for children?" he said. "If she's not a child, then what is she?" Realizing he had lost Kasumi to her thoughts, he shrugged and waved the pinwheel in the air.

"I am a warrior of the Hajin Mon," Ayane said, getting up to watch her half-siblings from the doorway of the Council Hall. The bright purple pinwheel winked at Ayane as the wind blew through it.

Yes, the wheels of destiny are turning, and I have chosen mine.