By Kochan
Chapter 5: The Road Home: Heads
'Kasumi...'
His sensations returned to him, bubbles rising from the bottom of a lagoon to pop upon reaching the surface; Hayate identified the sound of a jungle crow cawing from afar, a warm blanket atop his body, the welcome feel of a cotton futon beneath it. Even as it stung his eyes as he opened them, he couldn't be more thankful for the single ray of light that shined through a crack in the Shoji screen. Birds, light, Shoji; he wasn't in the caves any longer.
'Was this heaven?' The thought struck him with a moment of wonder and then an instant after, depression.
But heaven wouldn't have left his throat dry, his body famished. It wouldn't have left his head throbbing in pain with every heartbeat. Indeed, if this was heaven he dreaded to think what hell was like.
He was still mortal.
'Kasumi.'
Hayate sat up and a small, damp towel fell from his forehead. Even in his dazed state, the Shinobi's reflexes allowed him to catch it before it reached his lap. He looked about the darkened room as it came into focus; It was small, a mere three tatami in size with a tiny window and a single Shoji door. Incense had been burnt here in recent and he found it soothing, perhaps the reason his senses were still dampened. What looked like a tub of water lay at the side.
Then he saw it, the second futon beside him. Hayate was certain it contained the answer to the question that had been on his mind since he regained consciousness. 'Kasumi?' he whispered in silence, mouth too dry to form audible words.
He leaned over to find out if she was awake, then fell back as his mind reeled from shock. The person that lay asleep beside him wasn't Kasumi, wasn't even female. He tore down the blanket covering the body; A tall man, six foot in height and about one hundred and sixty pounds in weight, physique honed from years of martial arts and strength training. His eyes fixated on the man's visage: a mirror image of his own.
'A clone!' Hayate's thoughts swept back to Schwarzwald and all that had taken place there: The experiments, the doppelgangers, and the violation of his sister's genes as well as his own. But there was more to it. Things didn't feel right.
Something was wrong.
"What's happening to..." Hayate clapped his hand over his mouth before the words were all out, eyes coming wide, shocked at what he'd just heard. 'No, it can't be.' he thought.
He took a deep breath, "What is happening to me?" he said aloud to himself, and there it was; His voice was higher pitched, so dulcet, smoother without a hint of that masculine texture. It was so familiar, so feminine, so like...
"Kasumi-Chan?" he turned at another female voice from behind the Shoji. A second later, Ryu's fiancee of several years Irene Liu parted the screen an inch to peek within.
"Oh thank goodness, Kasumi! You're finally awake!" she gushed in her unmistakable Chinese accent. Hayate could only stare at her, speechless as the pretty Asian woman slid the door down the remainder of its track and beamed at him in her flared jeans and cropped T-shirt. "We were getting so worried! Oh, I'll go tell Ryu!" and with that she pattered off in her slippers, leaving him in stunned silence. There was no doubt that Irene had addressed him...as Kasumi.
"No...This is impossible!" Hayate whispered to himself, shaking hands wrenching apart his yukata.
Breasts! Feminine and full! His breasts! Warm flesh that was sensitive to the touch as he clutched it!
'This has to be a trick! It's got to be!' He swept his gaze to the sleeping body on the futon beside him. 'I was wounded! We can't both be marked' he thought, mind running wild in search of a logical explanation.
His hands tore open the folds of the man's thin robe, trembling fingers trailing down the hard, muscled thigh of the man's body then finding the deep, swollen scar that had suffered a poisoned quill not so long ago. The Shinobi shook his head, hearing his sister's choked voice echoing his thoughts. "Oh god, ohhh god..."
His other hand quivered as it dipped down the front of his new body for the final test. Hayate felt the soft silkiness of his sister's skin, his fingers passing over the bare pubes. Then his eyes squeezed shut at the newfound sensations, finding that portion of himself missing, instead finding...
"...ahem..."
The Tenshin Mon leader jerked up at the sound of a throat clearing. The tall, handsome, pony tailed man leaned against the doorway was only too familiar. Arms folded over the front of his sleeveless shirt, a hand obscured his mouth as he stood in silence. Shadowed eyes glanced up at Hayate before blinking and dipping down once more.
"Ryu..." came Hayate's whisper, relief in his voice, managing the slightest of smiles. Then he realised why his friend hadn't moved; His own robe was spread open, exposing his female chest to the world. One hand remained glued to his crotch, the other pressed at his original body's thigh.
His hands drew back in a flash, snatching the folds of the yukata together. Hayate felt as though his gaze would burn a hole through the mat, his face hot from the flush.
"Kasumi-san. Did you rest well?" began Ryu, kind enough not to comment as he knelt on the mat beside him.
Answers! He needed answers! Hayate drew a shaking breath, raising his eyes to meet the man's gaze. It took most of his strength to hold himself back from grabbing and shaking Ryu whilst screaming questions. Watching the warm smile etched on Ryu's lips fade, Hayate was sure the other Shinobi could tell that something was amiss.
Hayate took a few seconds to calm himself before he could speak. "Close the door, Ryu." he whispered, still uneasy at the sweetened sound of his new voice.
Ryu turned about without shifting from his position and slid the Shoji close. "How do you feel?" his smile returned, but Hayate could feel the Shinobi's eyes bearing down on him like a hawk.
"What happened down there, Ryu." Hayate asked, brushing aside his friend's question, bypassing all the normal courtesies, desperate for some clue...any clue.
His friend's features knotted in a slight frown, "When I finally came to in that cave, you were both out. I carried you to the surface first, then I went back for your brother." Ryu let out a soft laugh, "He's a ton that guy."
Hayate frowned, "The demon?"
Ryu shook his head, "Vanished, without a trace."
The Tenshin Mon Leader closed his eyes as a silent curse crossed his mind. There was nothing to confirm that they had indeed accomplished their mission. He stroked a longer than usual lock of reddish-brown hair from his face. "How long..." he began.
"Three days." said Ryu, anticipating the question. "We were beginning to think that you weren't going to come out of it either."
Hayate lowered his eyes to the face of the body beside him. Not even in his wildest thoughts had the possibility of something like this crossed his mind, but that didn't mean it wasn't possible. It had to be the pendant; Somehow, it had given life rather than taking it. And much as he was thankful for that, he was now trapped within Kasumi's body. And as for his sister...
Ryu spoke again, as though reading his thoughts, "I won't lie to you, Kasumi. He's in a bad way."
Hayate looked closer at his former body; He could feel the heat radiating from it, sweat beaded about the face and neck. Reaching over, he rinsed the towelette from the man's forehead before wiping the perspiration away. Somewhere within that comatose body lay his sister's soul, unable to move or speak, perhaps even think.
"He's been at 42C (107F) since that day." came Ryu's whisper.
Hayate nodded, the memory of the quill wound still fresh in his memory. "The poison."
Another moment of silence, "Your brother protected you well in there." said his best friend.
Hayate's mind flashed back to that forsaken cave, eyes closing as he recalled Kasumi's blatant refusal to leave him, "Perhaps my sibling loves me too much."
"That's a little harsh, Kasumi. He would gladly have given his life for you." came Ryu's reply in defence, accompanied by a frown.
Hayate let out a sigh; On one hand he was grateful for Kasumi and himself having been spared from death. On the other, he feared for her soul, trapped within a body that could soon succumb to the poison raging within. He had to find the answer to this. Ryu was going to have to know if he was to ask his help.
"Ryu." he collected his thoughts with a deep breath, "I'll need your help on a few things."
His best friend gave him a grin, "I'll just add it to the long list of favours your brother owes me." a tilt of the head in jest as Hayate returned a smile of his own, "I'll try my best, Kasumi-san." stated Ryu.
Hayate nodded, "First, Well, I don't know how it happened, but after waking up...". he paused for another breath, "We've switched bodies; I'm not Kasumi, I'm Hayate." There, it was out. He watched Ryu, not knowing what to expect.
A frown came over the other Shinobi's brow. Then the deep green-brown eyes that he knew so well broke his gaze and Ryu smirked.
"Look, this is nothing ground breaking compared with what we've been through in the past, Ryu." Hayate found his voice urgent, recalling how his sister had called to him at times. He drew another breath to calm himself. "Stranger things have happened no?"
Ryu didn't answer, instead reaching into the side pocket of his loose trousers. There it was; the coin pendant, "I found it in his hands." He nodded towards Hayate's original body, "I guess that means Your hands now?"
"You know what it does then." said Hayate, eyes locked upon the shining silver pendant in his friend's palm. "So you're saying you believe me?" he asked as he looked up.
The Hayabusa Shinobi met his eyes after with a hardened gaze. "I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. I want proof before I agree to anything."
"What can't you trust Kasumi with, Ryu? Just what would she try to pull?" Hayate felt the frown flare across his forehead in defence of his sister.
"It's not Kasumi I don't trust." came the reply with that same icy stare. "It's Zwei."
Hayate paused. He hadn't thought of that. His sister's clone was unpredictable in her behaviour and he himself wouldn't have put this past her; Ryu had every right to be suspicious. "Alright, I understand." he conceded with a nod.
Ryu turned towards the door, sliding forwards on hands and knees as was customary in a bedroom, "You're still tired; get some rest. I'll come back for you in a few hours." Hayate nodded again, dropping his gaze as he exhaled in a sigh. Lethargy was sapping his energy and it would take several days for Kasumi's body metabolism to return to normal.
"Oh, and Hayate..."
The Tenshin Mon leader caught the flash of movement from the corner of his eye, right hand moving up in instinct. He snatched the thrown pendant from the air, eyes flashing to Ryu after.
"First test." said Ryu with a wink before he slid the Shoji closed behind him. Hayate frowned to himself, then smirked. His sister and he were right handed.
Her clone Zwei was left-handed.
* * * * *
Ryu's backyard, if it could be called that. A tiny clearing in the expansive forest shared by Honshu's northern prefectures. The dying light of the setting sun cast a reddish-gold hue on the surrounding trees, flickering through patterned leaves to shimmer off the sparse snow on the ground. The chilled air was sweet and clean here, untainted by the fumes and odours of the city. Hayate would have liked to take the time to appreciate the poetic beauty of the scene, but there were other matters that had his attention for now.
The old Kunoichi uniform was tight about his chest and hips, proof that women of Japan were less voluptuous in days past. Each time he drew breath, he suffered the discomfort of having those twin mounds at his chest compressed against the greyish-blue material. As it was, Hayate couldn't help but wonder just how Kasumi moved in sprints, bounds and flips whilst burdened by these unfamiliar weights. He covered his mouth to stifle a cough; the smell of camphor was an unsubtle reminder that the uniform had spent the better part of the last sixty years in a mothball filled chest.
Nevertheless, It would have to do for now. Hayate reached back to check the ribbon tie, taut at the base of his waist length ponytail. His sister maintained it in prime condition, impressive when one considered the amount of time she spent outdoors. He hoped Irene to be able to help with a braid later though. A final tug and he signalled his readiness to the Shinobi a short distance away with a nod, eyes affixed on the Bokken (wooden swords) in the man's hands.
In non-traditional form, Ryu tossed Hayate's blade across to him in a gentle arc. The Tenshin Mon leader caught it single handed, testing it's balance as he spun it once, holding it at his waist in readiness, crouching low. Despite having to get used to this new body, Hayate felt so fleet of foot, so flexible and light that there was nothing acrobatic he felt he couldn't accomplish.
"Three years ago I taught you an unorthodox method of attacking." said Ryu. His eyes flashed, beckoning. "Show me."
Swords held waist level, they bowed to each other before facing off. Hayate drew the sword, holding it in a defensive stance. He took a second to recall the form then raised the blade to an offensive position as he moved in.
He swung a diagonal slash at Ryu, the simplest of attacks. The other Shinobi raised his sword to deflect the blow but it never came; Hayate's blade stopping short by less than an inch. Within the same heartbeat, Hayate had shifted back, blade curved upside down some distance away though the point was aimed between his opponent's eyes in intimidation.
A step forward prompted the typical response of Ryu shifting back into a defensive position. Hayate had anticipated this, knowing he controlled the situation. The idea was to confuse and pressure the opponent into making a mistake, not something he knew Ryu to make often. But this was a test, and as he stepped in once more, Ryu attempted an impatient sweep at his blade, presenting the error of a novice.
This part was crucial; Hayate switched his grip to his non-dominant hand on the handle as he sidestepped, then burst forward, touching the blade edge of his bokken to the back of Ryu's neck as he passed.
Heart lightened, he turned, lowering his sword as Ryu did the same. There was a smile etched on the Hayabusa Shinobi's face and Hayate returned it along with the bow that followed, confident he'd passed this test. He returned the bokken in the same fashion it was offered with a graceful throw. Ryu placed them to the side, then nodded. "Last test.". Once again, another bow.
Hayate could only guess at what his friend had in mind as he mimicked the bow. He guessed right; the blur of motion at the corner of his eye confirmation.
The Shinobi flicked his head aside to see a hand swipe the area where his neck had been, arms coming up to deflect another flat palm strike. Ryu swung his body about and Hayate's knee rose up in reflex, leg absorbing the sting of another low swiping chop there. He knew the next one from experience and unleashed his own counter strike, catching Ryu on the inside of his elbow with a sweeping chop of his own. With newfound speed the Tenshin Mon leader followed through with an open palm strike, connecting hard with Ryu's hardened chest. His opponent withdrew with a back pedal and he did the same with a backflip.
"Some warning that was, Ryu." Hayate panted as he swept the hair from his face, adrenaline surging through his body. His arm and thigh were already burning and he knew there was more to come yet. He was also beginning to see the limitations of his sister's body. He had the dexterity to evade or even counter most of Ryu's physical attacks but the Tenshin Mon style that he'd mastered was for someone of his original build and power. Much as he knew the base principles of the Kunoichi form that Kasumi excelled in, execution was something else altogether.
Ryu grinned at him, brushing off the front of his shirt as though in mockery. "Kasumi always liked surprises, my friend. I thought you'd appreciate the same!" he cried, sprinting forward to cover the distance between them in a split second.
Hayate didn't like being rushed. It meant losing the initiative and being pushed for a response; Only a matter of time before he made a mistake. He evaded the next two punches with ease but then Ryu launched into his Raging Hawk. His first instinct was to block the oncoming kicks but the sting on his arm cried out otherwise. He shifted back at the last moment, the reverse roundhouse missing his head by inches. But he was caught in a poor position; the side kick that followed slammed his arms hard enough to break his stance, though not his guard.
Still, the force of the blow stunned him, sending his lighter, female body back several feet through the air to land on the unwelcome cold and wet of the snow covered ground . Hayate focused, using his enhanced prowess to force sore limbs into motion and roll with the impact. He came back upon his feet, the clinging chill from his soaked clothing gripping his tense body, only allowing the release of his breath in short, shallow pants. Numb fingers clawed damp, soiled hair from his face, the Tenshin Mon Leader grimacing as the ache in his arms intensified. His opponent stood with his own arms folded, a smug grin on his face. "Had enough?" came the taunt, punctuated by the subtle arch of an eyebrow.
Hayate was sure his glare said it all. The rivalry between the two Shinobi stemmed back several years to their teens and to him, this body switch changed nothing. This wasn't about Ryu's test any longer; this was Shinobi versus Shinobi, Clan versus Clan, Tenshin Mon versus Hayabusa. His friend had never gone easy on him in the past and Hayate neither expected nor wanted Ryu to hold back now.
He watched Ryu's stance, the angle of his body as the Shinobi sprung forward, winding up for one more attack. The world contracted in an instant around Hayate as he closed his eyes, mind focusing on the ground behind Ryu. The shift took him faster than he was used to in the brief nauseating body pull that he'd trained himself to ignore. As his vision swept back to him, the Shinobi found himself facing the swirl of black feathers where he'd stood less than a second before.
But Ryu was gone, and it was only then that he saw it; the cloud of leaves expanding out from behind the feathers. It was too late as the steel grip of his opponent caught hold of his shoulder from behind. The open palm slammed into his lower back, forcing a feminine yelp from his throat. His smaller, lighter body was catapulted into the air, blinded, winded.
Hayate floated in a dream state with the circle of snow frosted treetops twisting in his view, the wind whistling past, mind rushing to catch up with his body. A split second later, gravity returned and he felt the iron grip of Ryu's arms about his supple waist. "Game's over, little girl..." whispered the other Shinobi in his ear as the ground rushed up at them.
"Not if I can help it!" Hayate muttered, eyes closing. Once more, his mind whirled; the shift bringing him upon the wet ground several feet from where Ryu was due to land. The Hayabusa Shinobi had already righted himself in a mid-air flip, back facing him on descending. Hayate gave no chances as he launched himself forwards into a dive roll, springing off his hands to kick out with both feet.
He caught Ryu just before the other Shinobi touched ground, the flattened soles of his sandals crashing into the man's back. His opponent was sent sprawling forwards into the slippery, wet dirt, grunting as he tumbled several times over. Hayate himself found this new female body nimble enough to flip back off the impact, coming to rest in a low crouching position as the black feathers from his last shift floated down about him. He was exhausted, the nausea from the twin shifts taking longer than usual to subside, evidence that he still needed to heal.
A long groan reached him from the Shinobi face down several feet away. A groan...that turned into a chuckle. Hayate crawled forwards on hands and knees, a smile on his face. The test was over.
"Oh...I can't believe it, it Is you!" blurted Ryu, his body shaking with laughter. "You Are a girl!"
Hayate grimaced, feeling the heat of the blush on his cheeks. He offered one of the black feathers in hand, "I hope that's proof enough."
His friend sat up to face him and Hayate stifled a giggle at the mud caked on one of Ryu's cheeks. It was strange, it seemed as though his own motions and gestures were becoming more feminine by nature.
They embraced each other, the awkwardness sinking in as Hayate felt the fullness of his bosom crushed up against the steel of his friend's chest. A light slap at his back eased the situation and Ryu whispered to him "It's good to see you again, old friend...much as you've smelt better."
Hayate snickered, knowing Ryu was referring to the camphor smell. "And thou, old friend. It's not everyday I get to dress in your Grandmother's clothes, you know." he replied through the smile at his lips. They laughed, though he knew there was still the issue of his sister trapped within his comatose body...but before he could voice this, the thought was thrown aside by something that tugged at his senses.
The warning came too late.
"Ryu Hayabusa! What the hell are you doing with Kasumi!?" shrieked Irene's voice from the house before she swooped down upon them like an eagle upon two helpless mice.
"Oh shit." Ryu managed before Hayate was dragged off to the side,
"Kasumi-Chan, go and take a bath. I'll be with you in a moment." hissed Irene. Hayate couldn't see her eyes, but he could feel the immense tension in her voice. Irene sounded twenty years older and just by looking at Ryu's guilty expression he could tell she was giving her fiance the darkest of glares.
"A-ano, Irene Nee-san?" he asked, having thought of something to say in defence of Ryu.
" Now. Please, Kasumi-Chan." came the firm response that suggested he didn't want Irene to repeat herself once more. Hayate obeyed, mouthing a silent 'sorry' to Ryu. He returned to the green and black wood home, saying a quiet prayer for his best friend as Ryu's stuttering explanation began, drowned out by Irene's shrill voice only a moment after.
The Hayabusa Shinobi was foremost amongst his clan, suffering countless injuries, vanquishing demons from every corner of the earth and even the underworld. He'd faced certain death several times and there was little that fazed him. But Shinobi were still mortal...and every mortal man carried with him some form of fear, in the face of which they powerless.
To Ryu Hayabusa, that fear came in the form of Irene Liu.
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Author's Notes:
Tatami - Straw mats used as flooring in Japan. Each Tatami is about 1 x 2 metres or 3 x 6 ft - the room is about 6 x 9 ft in size. (I lived in a room that was about 2 1/2 tatami in Japan for 4 weeks. That's barely enough for one person. 3 Tatami for 2 ppl, esp with someone of Hayate's size is really too small - you get the idea.)Bokken - Practice swords made from wood. Like what Tatewaki Kunou from Ranma 1/2 uses - you know...
Palms, palms and more palms - Why the hell are Ryu and Hayate using mostly palms against each other? Less damage - they're not out to kill each other. Using a palm strike against someone as opposed to a fist will tend to push them away rather than strike for damage. Also takes a little more skill to use.Raging Hawk - F+K, K or just P,P,K,K (The kick section is the Raging Hawk). As mentioned it's a hopping reverse roundhouse followed by a side kick.
Replies:
Crystaline Tears: Hey there! Here's that boost you were asking for. Much as it's been EONS. (I was overseas ok? *^^*) Well, she wasn't 'quite' successful this time around...but she's been great in keeping in touch whilst I was away from home in the Land of the Rising Sun. (smile) Can I trust you to keep her on her toes on keeping me on mine? *grin*
Tiger Eyes: Hello there, little putty tat...(wavies). Thanks for your time again. I know I didn't tell you much about it but well, I think you wouldn't have enjoyed it as much had I given you snippets B4 hand. Till next email *^^*
Xtream1/S-Charger: Not quite *^^* - good guess though. Thanks for the time Dude!
Tiger5913: Eep! (Keeps hitting Censor button down for duration of profanity) Phew...is it over yet? Yeah - I thought you gone for good actually.
AWSX: Hola! How's things over your side? Good I hope (smile) Well - now you have the answer...they didn't ALL die :P Just...some complications :P (snuggle) I won't be drawing for quite a while yet methinks. Need LOTSA time. Ok...till next!!!
Hayabusa the Legend: Thanks for you time on this dude. Nah - that wasn't a twist. THIS (what you just read) is a little more of a twist. Hope you didn't lose too much interest in the meantime. I know it's been 13 weeks - but hey...I've been in Japan. Sorry though. OK - I hereby swear (now that I have Chap 5 up) that I'll get my lazy ass off the ground and review one of this guy's fics. Hold me to that TigerEyes.
Preacher: (Huggles) Hey! Hope you've been well, my friend. Thanks for the time and the kind comments once again. I noticed you'd been a little busy ficwise too - I'll have to get my bottom into gear (as above) and review a little. Sorry if I've been like a ghost recently :P Anyhows, hoped you enjoyed the chapter!
AMI: Thanks dude. I've read your stuff here and on Neotaku as well and have to say you've got some pretty decent stuff yourself (Esp the fight scenes). Hope you enjoyed the latest!!
Sea of Dreams: Hardly my friend. I've been overseas so that's kind of made sure that ANYBODY who wanted to read this could. :P Ayane hmm? Stay tuned and I'll see what I can do (smile). I think this answers your question on the three of them? (wink) Till next my friend.
Chisha: Ah, ma petit soeur. (wink) I guess you can sleep now?
Doomhammer: Heaven forbid indeed! PLEASE don't read any more :P
Rei Takagi: Glad you enjoyed it (smile) Hope you got to read this one too (Well, I guess you did if you're reading this so...um...yeah *grin*) .
Well, I've been to Japan and I'm back now after 5 weeks there. Lots of material for lots of fanfics. To summarise I can I'm well-learned with quite a few things over there now (smile). As always, sorry to keep yous all waiting so long. But I hope this chapter kind of made up for it. It's extra long, kinda like 2 chapters stuck into 1 and there's nice little twist there to it too. Don't think any of you were expecting that hmm? (wink) Anyhows, thanks for your time y'all. Till next chapter.
My RantKo-Chan