Hey there! February is OVER! Got all my school projects in, big field
trip is over, and most of the HW is DONE and so is VOCAB! YAY! I was really
excited about writing this chapter! We're nearing a big part in the story
so brace yourselves!!
Oh, and to clear up some confusion as to why the cap'n died of a shoulder wound a couple of chapters ago. Do remember that Kasumi did step on his face multiple times, probably doing quite some damage. I know in the game it doesn't do much, but I', trying to do things a little realistically
Disclaimer: Japan owns Japan and Tecmo owns DOA. So that leaves no room for me ;.;
In the Face of Hope, Hate, and Danger
Ryu and Kasumi walked side by side through the forest. Kasumi was once again fighting the butterflies that welled up in her stomach. She tried very hard to relax. But when confronting something you loved, hated, and feared all at the same time...well...it's kind of hard NOT to be tense.
Ryu could tell that Kasumi was once again nervous. She was stiff and she had a dazed detached look on her face. He would have loved to ease some of her anxiety, but Ryu, not being a man of many words, had no clue what to tell her.
As they came closer and closer to the base, Kasumi began to worry more. Just as with Ankara she considered ditching the idea of seeing Hayate, turning around, and running. Running as she always had.
Running. The thing she was sick of doing.
With these thoughts her resolve became stronger. She was sick of it and now she was going to do something about it.
They began to move closer to Hayate's headquarters and the sun began to set. The sun was just above the horizon when Ryu and Kasumi began to see signs of civilization. The forest began to thin out and sounds of activity could be heard up ahead.
As they came closer to their target Kasumi and Ryu began to move slower and use the stealth that they had taken so much time to learn from a young age. They both stayed alert so as to slip past any guards that were hidden about in the forest.
Soon they were kneeling behind a large bush watching the entrance to Hayate's home. It was larger than the rest, but still made in the same way as the houses so it wouldn't draw too much attention.
"Do we have a plan?" Ryu asked, keeping his voice low.
"Eh... as of now. No" Kasumi turned to face him, an innocent nervous smile on her face. You could almost se the huge anime sweat drop on the back of her head.
"Well, we better come up with something. And fast." Ryu turned back to watch the front gate.
"I'm at a loss for ideas," Kasumi mumbled. "We have to get in somehow. You could probably get in easily, but I'm a completely different matter."
They sat there and thought for a moment. "We could disguise you," Ryu suggested.
"As what?" Kasumi asked quietly. "You're grandmother? And with what? We don't exactly have an abundance of supplies here."
Ryu picked up one of the packs and began to rummage through it. Soon he pulled out a big black cloak. "This would probably cover your clothes. And your face would be hidden with the hood."
Kasumi quirked an eyebrow at Ryu. "Where did that come from?"
Ryu shrugged. "I've had it for a while in case of bad weather."
"Alright," Kasumi whispered. "We've got one thing down. Now, what do we say when the guards ask who it is under the hood?"
Ryu shrugged...again. For a moment they sat there and thought. "You could go as my sister."
"Ryu, as soon as Hayate hears you're on your way with your 'sister' he'll know something's up. You don't HAVE a sister. And Hayate's known you long enough to know that."
"True," Ryu nodded. And once again there was silence.
At the exact same time the exact same idea occurred to the both of them, causing them both to blush and within an instant the thought was gone.
Kasumi sighed. "It looks like we're just going to have to wing it," she stated quietly.
Ryu nodded and held the cloak out for her to take. "Put it on," he said simply and she did.
Kasumi arranged it so that it covered her clothes. She retied her hair into a low ponytail and pulled the hood up so that her face was hidden. "You ready to go?" She asked Ryu.
"Yes." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet. "Let's go."
Kasumi kept her entire body hidden under the cloak as they walked out of the forest. Even the slightest hint at what she was wearing and the guards would know who she was.
As they emerged from behind the brush the guards started. Then they realized who it was and laughed. "Hayabusa-sama!" One hailed, raising his hand in greeting. "It is good to see you! Hayate-sama has been wanting to see you." He had jet black hair and was wearing a navy-blue ninja uniform
"Oh he has?" Ryu said raising an eyebrow.
"Who's this Hayabusa-sama," the other guard asked, pointing at the cloaked figure of Kasumi and smiling slyly. "A new lady friend perhaps?" This one was wearing the same uniform as the other, but his hair was dark brown.
"Ya," Ryu said slowly wrapping an arm around Kasumi's waist. He assumed this is what she meant by winging it. Even though he was slightly surprised with himself, Ryu remained calm.
Kasumi, on the other hand, was quite flustered. When she had heard Ryu's reply to the guards coy remark and felt Ryu's arm wrap around her waist she turned 5 different shades of red. THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT BY WINGING IT!!! She had THOUGHT he would have come up with something like "she's just traveling company", or anything else! But no. Now she was his 'lady friend.'
Kasumi resisted the urge to hit him though she would not deny the fact that it felt good to have someone's arm around her. And when that notion hit her, she started blushing all over again.
"Come in Hayabusa-sama! Right this way!" The one with the black hair opened the two large brown doors for Ryu and his 'lady friend' and followed them in.
This house was a testimony to the saying, "never judge a book by its cover." The inside halls were painted yellow with beautiful dragons flying down the halls. At the corners were large golden cylinder pillars with a red line where they met the wall. Every now and then as they walked down the hall, Kasumi noticed a vase here or another work of art there.
"Here it is," the guard pronounced. They were stopped in front of 2 large red double doors. "Hayate will be waiting inside." The young man pushed open one of the large doors allowing for Kasumi and Ryu to walk in. As they were entering Ryu nodded his gratitude to the young guard.
Just as he said, Hayate was inside. The doors they entered through actually appeared to be side doors. They had just entered into a huge room that seemed to be used for little more than an office. The walls were the same color as the halls but the dragons now danced and twisted with each other around the room. It had the same pillars and red lines as the halls in the corners also and if one had enough free time to stare at ceilings they would have noticed the read beams above them. The tiles were painted a golden color and shined in the many torches that were lit about the room so that they would have plenty of light.
Sadly, Ryu and Kasumi weren't about to take the time to completely observe all the details around them except that there was another set of large red doors on the wall to their left.
In the middle of the room on a slightly raised part of the floor sat a large golden desk. On the desk sat the only piece of technology yet to be seen, a lamp.
At the desk sat Hayate, but the desk faced so that you could only see his profile. He was busily scribbling away at a piece of paper.
Kasumi and Ryu moved so that they were standing in front of the desk. By then Hayate had already noticed their entrance.
"Ryu-san! It's good to see you!" He stood to come clasp his best friends forearm and Ryu returned the gesture.
"It's good to see you too my friend," Ryu said.
"I was alerted to your coming," He smiled. "I was relieved. When I went to pay you a visit a few days ago, your house was empty."
Ryu nodded. "I was out. Traveling. With a friend."
"Ah yes." Hayate nodded. The he smiled over at the cloaked figure. "I was told, you had a friend with you."
Hayate approached the figure and reached out to pull off her hood. "It's alright. There's no need to hide."
When his hand was inches from the rim of the hood Kasumi surprised him. She brought her hand up, almost too fast to see, tore the cloak off, and threw it off to the side.
"It's me Hayate," her face was solemn and determined. "We need to talk."
Hayate backed away from her as if struck. For a moment he just stared at her. Then his eyes narrowed. "Why are you here?"
"Why do you insist on chasing me?" Kasumi asked her head cocked to the side. "Can't you see how stupid this is?"
"You know not of what you speak. The laws have governed our people for generations. You would know how just they are had you taken the time to learn them!"
"Just? Just??? Hayate I have NO intention of selling the Shinobi secrets! The Shinobi are still my family!"
"No they are not! You are a runaway now Kasumi! You have broken your ties with your former family."
"Hayate you know is ridiculous!"
"Leave Kasumi."
"This has to stop Hayate!" Kasumi yelled.
"Why? You have violated Shinobi LAW Kasumi!" Hayate retorted. "You deserve to die." Hayate turned to look out the window behind his desk. The sun was fighting its last fight for the day and painting its last rays of purple and orange along the horizon.
Kasumi's expression that was just a determined frown had now changed to a shocked, hurt look. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open a little. His words rang through her skull. You deserve to die...
Hayate looked over his shoulder. "I will give you 24 hours before I send my army to destroy you. You WILL die Kasumi. I swear it."
Kasumi's face remained shocked for a moment and then made a drastic change. It remained hurt, but it became darker. Hate and anger painted themselves across her delicate features and her eyes flashed and shone in the light of the room.
"So be it," Kasumi choked out. She spun on her heel and as calmly as she could manage, she walked through the doors she had entered from.
Then Hayate turned all the way around to face the man who had only a few moments ago considered his best ally and friend. "I didn't expect this of you, Ryu," Hayate said in dark tones. "I THOUGHT I could count on you for your help. I see I was mistaken." He walked up to Ryu. "I'm willing to give you another chance. Stop helping her and I will brush it off as a small matter. But follow her out those doors, and I cannot guarantee your safety."
Ryu shook his head. "I'm sorry Hayate," He turned towards the doors. "What you are doing is WRONG. I'm not going to help you do what you shouldn't. You're killing yourself and you know it." He began to walk toward the doors.
"Do as you wish, my friend," Hayate said in a quiet yet dangerous tone. "But your feelings for my sister and your vision of right and wrong may be your downfall."
Ryu stopped and briefly looked over his shoulder before continuing through the doors
The guards outside were startled when a young woman burst through the large doors outside and ran into the forest ahead. They were startled once again when a man the recognized as Ryu-sama strode out after her.
Ryu was worried. Kasumi was angry, but probably more hurt than angry. People did drastic things when hurt and angry.
He caught up to her and she had stopped running. Luckily Ryu had grabbed the few items they had brought from the quick campsite they had made and they were able to just keep moving instead of having to turn back.
"Kasumi?" Ryu asked gently. When he got no answer he started to walk. From behind him he could hear footsteps, which reassured him that Kasumi followed. They walked in silence for a while. Kasumi didn't make any noise at all and of course Ryu was a naturally quiet person.
They walked like that for some time. The moon began to rise higher in the sky and Ryu began to realize just how far away they had set up camp.
But of course, camp was not the foremost thing on Ryu's mind.
The longer the quiet egged on the more nervous Ryu became. He wanted desperately to help Kasumi, to ease the pain that he was sure she was feeling. But Ryu had never been an ace with women. What could he say?
Suddenly he heard a thump behind him.
He turned around to see Kasumi, on the ground with her arms wrapped around herself. Sobs wracked her body.
Kasumi had finally broken. She had been holding it all in, in an attempt keep herself strong. But she had felt so alone. Trapped in a world of darkness, falling forever alone. An icy feeling that had nothing to do with the lack of sun crept all over her body and penetrated to her very soul. Maybe I do deserve to die.
Ryu looked down on Kasumi and, somehow, knew what to do. He knelt down next to her and wrapped his arms around her trembling figure.
She clung to him and the uncontrollable tears flowed down her cheeks. All Ryu could do was slowly rock her back and forth and rub her back.
"He was...all I had," She choked out thorough her tears. "He was...the...last link I had...to my family." She buried her face farther into his chest. "Now I'm all alone."
Ryu looked down at her with soft eyes, warm eyes. "You're not alone," he murmured to her. "I'm still here. And...I love you just as much as Hayate ever did." Now he was able to not only admit it to himself, but also tell Kasumi how he felt. Hey, the little voice chuckled. 2 birds with one stone.
Kasumi looked up at him, her face still pained. Ryu looked back and smiled a little. He leaned over and kissed her. It wasn't even really a kiss actually, more like 2 lips that brushed each other by complete mishap.
Ryu backed up and looked down on to see her face. The moon shone off it, making the rivers of tears glisten. Her eyes opened and her lips curled into a small smile. "Thank you," she whispered.
Ryu once again leaned over and kissed the tears away. Then his lips found hers again, but this time the kiss was deeper, more real.
Kasumi felt electricity run through her veins and her arms slipped up around his neck. It felt right, kissing him. Like there was nothing more natural in the world. They broke apart to stare at each other.
Somehow, just then Kasumi knew. "I'll be alright," she said smiling. "I can do this."
Ryu cocked his head at her. "You ever doubted?"
She nodded. "Ya. I did." She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Hayate was my strength. The big brother that was always there no matter what." She yawned. "But now I don't need him anymore. I have you." She nuzzled her head into him and yawned again. "Can we sleep now?"
Ryu chuckled in his deep voice, lulling Kasumi farther into sleep. He eased them both onto the ground, neither of them needing a blanket, only each other.
Meanwhile...
Hayate walked into his room and pulled something wrapped out from under his bed. Took the cloth off from around a slim long shape. It was his two katanas.
"I suppose you heard us," Hayate said, seemingly into the air.
"I did," a voice came from the shadows in a corner of the room. "24 hours Hayate? You're getting soft."
"I'm not soft," he said sharply. "Ryu is my best friend."
The figure shrugged. "Whatever. Now, what are your orders, Hayate-sama?" The voice slipped in the honorary.
"In 24 hours," Hayate murmured, "I hope I will be rid of them, Ayane."
The figure, or Ayane, came out into the light her arms folded. "Do not worry, brother." Her lips curled into a smirk/snarl. "When I return, I will return with blood on both swords."
Extremely long chapter. But I suppose it made up for the extremely short chapter, right? This was fun! I told you. Huge part in the story. Somehow this chapter seems almost too long. (shrug) Oh well. And yes I know. FLUFF GALORE!!! Okay now, review and I will love you forever and ever.
Oh, and to clear up some confusion as to why the cap'n died of a shoulder wound a couple of chapters ago. Do remember that Kasumi did step on his face multiple times, probably doing quite some damage. I know in the game it doesn't do much, but I', trying to do things a little realistically
Disclaimer: Japan owns Japan and Tecmo owns DOA. So that leaves no room for me ;.;
In the Face of Hope, Hate, and Danger
Ryu and Kasumi walked side by side through the forest. Kasumi was once again fighting the butterflies that welled up in her stomach. She tried very hard to relax. But when confronting something you loved, hated, and feared all at the same time...well...it's kind of hard NOT to be tense.
Ryu could tell that Kasumi was once again nervous. She was stiff and she had a dazed detached look on her face. He would have loved to ease some of her anxiety, but Ryu, not being a man of many words, had no clue what to tell her.
As they came closer and closer to the base, Kasumi began to worry more. Just as with Ankara she considered ditching the idea of seeing Hayate, turning around, and running. Running as she always had.
Running. The thing she was sick of doing.
With these thoughts her resolve became stronger. She was sick of it and now she was going to do something about it.
They began to move closer to Hayate's headquarters and the sun began to set. The sun was just above the horizon when Ryu and Kasumi began to see signs of civilization. The forest began to thin out and sounds of activity could be heard up ahead.
As they came closer to their target Kasumi and Ryu began to move slower and use the stealth that they had taken so much time to learn from a young age. They both stayed alert so as to slip past any guards that were hidden about in the forest.
Soon they were kneeling behind a large bush watching the entrance to Hayate's home. It was larger than the rest, but still made in the same way as the houses so it wouldn't draw too much attention.
"Do we have a plan?" Ryu asked, keeping his voice low.
"Eh... as of now. No" Kasumi turned to face him, an innocent nervous smile on her face. You could almost se the huge anime sweat drop on the back of her head.
"Well, we better come up with something. And fast." Ryu turned back to watch the front gate.
"I'm at a loss for ideas," Kasumi mumbled. "We have to get in somehow. You could probably get in easily, but I'm a completely different matter."
They sat there and thought for a moment. "We could disguise you," Ryu suggested.
"As what?" Kasumi asked quietly. "You're grandmother? And with what? We don't exactly have an abundance of supplies here."
Ryu picked up one of the packs and began to rummage through it. Soon he pulled out a big black cloak. "This would probably cover your clothes. And your face would be hidden with the hood."
Kasumi quirked an eyebrow at Ryu. "Where did that come from?"
Ryu shrugged. "I've had it for a while in case of bad weather."
"Alright," Kasumi whispered. "We've got one thing down. Now, what do we say when the guards ask who it is under the hood?"
Ryu shrugged...again. For a moment they sat there and thought. "You could go as my sister."
"Ryu, as soon as Hayate hears you're on your way with your 'sister' he'll know something's up. You don't HAVE a sister. And Hayate's known you long enough to know that."
"True," Ryu nodded. And once again there was silence.
At the exact same time the exact same idea occurred to the both of them, causing them both to blush and within an instant the thought was gone.
Kasumi sighed. "It looks like we're just going to have to wing it," she stated quietly.
Ryu nodded and held the cloak out for her to take. "Put it on," he said simply and she did.
Kasumi arranged it so that it covered her clothes. She retied her hair into a low ponytail and pulled the hood up so that her face was hidden. "You ready to go?" She asked Ryu.
"Yes." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet. "Let's go."
Kasumi kept her entire body hidden under the cloak as they walked out of the forest. Even the slightest hint at what she was wearing and the guards would know who she was.
As they emerged from behind the brush the guards started. Then they realized who it was and laughed. "Hayabusa-sama!" One hailed, raising his hand in greeting. "It is good to see you! Hayate-sama has been wanting to see you." He had jet black hair and was wearing a navy-blue ninja uniform
"Oh he has?" Ryu said raising an eyebrow.
"Who's this Hayabusa-sama," the other guard asked, pointing at the cloaked figure of Kasumi and smiling slyly. "A new lady friend perhaps?" This one was wearing the same uniform as the other, but his hair was dark brown.
"Ya," Ryu said slowly wrapping an arm around Kasumi's waist. He assumed this is what she meant by winging it. Even though he was slightly surprised with himself, Ryu remained calm.
Kasumi, on the other hand, was quite flustered. When she had heard Ryu's reply to the guards coy remark and felt Ryu's arm wrap around her waist she turned 5 different shades of red. THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT BY WINGING IT!!! She had THOUGHT he would have come up with something like "she's just traveling company", or anything else! But no. Now she was his 'lady friend.'
Kasumi resisted the urge to hit him though she would not deny the fact that it felt good to have someone's arm around her. And when that notion hit her, she started blushing all over again.
"Come in Hayabusa-sama! Right this way!" The one with the black hair opened the two large brown doors for Ryu and his 'lady friend' and followed them in.
This house was a testimony to the saying, "never judge a book by its cover." The inside halls were painted yellow with beautiful dragons flying down the halls. At the corners were large golden cylinder pillars with a red line where they met the wall. Every now and then as they walked down the hall, Kasumi noticed a vase here or another work of art there.
"Here it is," the guard pronounced. They were stopped in front of 2 large red double doors. "Hayate will be waiting inside." The young man pushed open one of the large doors allowing for Kasumi and Ryu to walk in. As they were entering Ryu nodded his gratitude to the young guard.
Just as he said, Hayate was inside. The doors they entered through actually appeared to be side doors. They had just entered into a huge room that seemed to be used for little more than an office. The walls were the same color as the halls but the dragons now danced and twisted with each other around the room. It had the same pillars and red lines as the halls in the corners also and if one had enough free time to stare at ceilings they would have noticed the read beams above them. The tiles were painted a golden color and shined in the many torches that were lit about the room so that they would have plenty of light.
Sadly, Ryu and Kasumi weren't about to take the time to completely observe all the details around them except that there was another set of large red doors on the wall to their left.
In the middle of the room on a slightly raised part of the floor sat a large golden desk. On the desk sat the only piece of technology yet to be seen, a lamp.
At the desk sat Hayate, but the desk faced so that you could only see his profile. He was busily scribbling away at a piece of paper.
Kasumi and Ryu moved so that they were standing in front of the desk. By then Hayate had already noticed their entrance.
"Ryu-san! It's good to see you!" He stood to come clasp his best friends forearm and Ryu returned the gesture.
"It's good to see you too my friend," Ryu said.
"I was alerted to your coming," He smiled. "I was relieved. When I went to pay you a visit a few days ago, your house was empty."
Ryu nodded. "I was out. Traveling. With a friend."
"Ah yes." Hayate nodded. The he smiled over at the cloaked figure. "I was told, you had a friend with you."
Hayate approached the figure and reached out to pull off her hood. "It's alright. There's no need to hide."
When his hand was inches from the rim of the hood Kasumi surprised him. She brought her hand up, almost too fast to see, tore the cloak off, and threw it off to the side.
"It's me Hayate," her face was solemn and determined. "We need to talk."
Hayate backed away from her as if struck. For a moment he just stared at her. Then his eyes narrowed. "Why are you here?"
"Why do you insist on chasing me?" Kasumi asked her head cocked to the side. "Can't you see how stupid this is?"
"You know not of what you speak. The laws have governed our people for generations. You would know how just they are had you taken the time to learn them!"
"Just? Just??? Hayate I have NO intention of selling the Shinobi secrets! The Shinobi are still my family!"
"No they are not! You are a runaway now Kasumi! You have broken your ties with your former family."
"Hayate you know is ridiculous!"
"Leave Kasumi."
"This has to stop Hayate!" Kasumi yelled.
"Why? You have violated Shinobi LAW Kasumi!" Hayate retorted. "You deserve to die." Hayate turned to look out the window behind his desk. The sun was fighting its last fight for the day and painting its last rays of purple and orange along the horizon.
Kasumi's expression that was just a determined frown had now changed to a shocked, hurt look. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open a little. His words rang through her skull. You deserve to die...
Hayate looked over his shoulder. "I will give you 24 hours before I send my army to destroy you. You WILL die Kasumi. I swear it."
Kasumi's face remained shocked for a moment and then made a drastic change. It remained hurt, but it became darker. Hate and anger painted themselves across her delicate features and her eyes flashed and shone in the light of the room.
"So be it," Kasumi choked out. She spun on her heel and as calmly as she could manage, she walked through the doors she had entered from.
Then Hayate turned all the way around to face the man who had only a few moments ago considered his best ally and friend. "I didn't expect this of you, Ryu," Hayate said in dark tones. "I THOUGHT I could count on you for your help. I see I was mistaken." He walked up to Ryu. "I'm willing to give you another chance. Stop helping her and I will brush it off as a small matter. But follow her out those doors, and I cannot guarantee your safety."
Ryu shook his head. "I'm sorry Hayate," He turned towards the doors. "What you are doing is WRONG. I'm not going to help you do what you shouldn't. You're killing yourself and you know it." He began to walk toward the doors.
"Do as you wish, my friend," Hayate said in a quiet yet dangerous tone. "But your feelings for my sister and your vision of right and wrong may be your downfall."
Ryu stopped and briefly looked over his shoulder before continuing through the doors
The guards outside were startled when a young woman burst through the large doors outside and ran into the forest ahead. They were startled once again when a man the recognized as Ryu-sama strode out after her.
Ryu was worried. Kasumi was angry, but probably more hurt than angry. People did drastic things when hurt and angry.
He caught up to her and she had stopped running. Luckily Ryu had grabbed the few items they had brought from the quick campsite they had made and they were able to just keep moving instead of having to turn back.
"Kasumi?" Ryu asked gently. When he got no answer he started to walk. From behind him he could hear footsteps, which reassured him that Kasumi followed. They walked in silence for a while. Kasumi didn't make any noise at all and of course Ryu was a naturally quiet person.
They walked like that for some time. The moon began to rise higher in the sky and Ryu began to realize just how far away they had set up camp.
But of course, camp was not the foremost thing on Ryu's mind.
The longer the quiet egged on the more nervous Ryu became. He wanted desperately to help Kasumi, to ease the pain that he was sure she was feeling. But Ryu had never been an ace with women. What could he say?
Suddenly he heard a thump behind him.
He turned around to see Kasumi, on the ground with her arms wrapped around herself. Sobs wracked her body.
Kasumi had finally broken. She had been holding it all in, in an attempt keep herself strong. But she had felt so alone. Trapped in a world of darkness, falling forever alone. An icy feeling that had nothing to do with the lack of sun crept all over her body and penetrated to her very soul. Maybe I do deserve to die.
Ryu looked down on Kasumi and, somehow, knew what to do. He knelt down next to her and wrapped his arms around her trembling figure.
She clung to him and the uncontrollable tears flowed down her cheeks. All Ryu could do was slowly rock her back and forth and rub her back.
"He was...all I had," She choked out thorough her tears. "He was...the...last link I had...to my family." She buried her face farther into his chest. "Now I'm all alone."
Ryu looked down at her with soft eyes, warm eyes. "You're not alone," he murmured to her. "I'm still here. And...I love you just as much as Hayate ever did." Now he was able to not only admit it to himself, but also tell Kasumi how he felt. Hey, the little voice chuckled. 2 birds with one stone.
Kasumi looked up at him, her face still pained. Ryu looked back and smiled a little. He leaned over and kissed her. It wasn't even really a kiss actually, more like 2 lips that brushed each other by complete mishap.
Ryu backed up and looked down on to see her face. The moon shone off it, making the rivers of tears glisten. Her eyes opened and her lips curled into a small smile. "Thank you," she whispered.
Ryu once again leaned over and kissed the tears away. Then his lips found hers again, but this time the kiss was deeper, more real.
Kasumi felt electricity run through her veins and her arms slipped up around his neck. It felt right, kissing him. Like there was nothing more natural in the world. They broke apart to stare at each other.
Somehow, just then Kasumi knew. "I'll be alright," she said smiling. "I can do this."
Ryu cocked his head at her. "You ever doubted?"
She nodded. "Ya. I did." She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Hayate was my strength. The big brother that was always there no matter what." She yawned. "But now I don't need him anymore. I have you." She nuzzled her head into him and yawned again. "Can we sleep now?"
Ryu chuckled in his deep voice, lulling Kasumi farther into sleep. He eased them both onto the ground, neither of them needing a blanket, only each other.
Meanwhile...
Hayate walked into his room and pulled something wrapped out from under his bed. Took the cloth off from around a slim long shape. It was his two katanas.
"I suppose you heard us," Hayate said, seemingly into the air.
"I did," a voice came from the shadows in a corner of the room. "24 hours Hayate? You're getting soft."
"I'm not soft," he said sharply. "Ryu is my best friend."
The figure shrugged. "Whatever. Now, what are your orders, Hayate-sama?" The voice slipped in the honorary.
"In 24 hours," Hayate murmured, "I hope I will be rid of them, Ayane."
The figure, or Ayane, came out into the light her arms folded. "Do not worry, brother." Her lips curled into a smirk/snarl. "When I return, I will return with blood on both swords."
Extremely long chapter. But I suppose it made up for the extremely short chapter, right? This was fun! I told you. Huge part in the story. Somehow this chapter seems almost too long. (shrug) Oh well. And yes I know. FLUFF GALORE!!! Okay now, review and I will love you forever and ever.