DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY DEAD OR ALIVE CHARACTER. THOSE CHARACTERS BELONG TO TECMO, LTD. AND TEAM NINJA. I AM IN NO WAY INTENDING ANY COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND I'M NOT MAKING A PROFIT FROM THE USE OF THESE CHARACTERS. ANY CHARACTER NOT A PART OF DEAD OR ALIVE IS MINE AND MINE ALONE.

Chapter One

Five months earlier...

Thursday, July 23

11:07 P.M.

Zack Kingdom Hotel and Casino

Jack Wallace watched the casino intently for any signs of trouble, although he already knew there wouldn't be any. There never was any trouble around here, and that made things very boring for the twenty year old ex-detective. He wanted action, but all he had seen since he joined Zack's staff was a bunch of card games and a few heated arguments.

At the moment, most of the girls were sitting at the poker table playing a game and from what he could tell, Helena was winning. Ayane sat at the bar drinking a soda, as she had been doing every night for the past few weeks. Christie was nowhere in sight, but she never came down to the casino floor, and he was grateful for that. She creeped him out. He often wondered why Zack even bothered hiring a security team for the hotel. No one was even here during the day, and at night everyone was just having fun playing games and making jokes. But Jack knew you could never be too careful. Especially when you're filthy rich.

He returned his focus to the casino as Kasumi got up from her spot at the poker table and walked up to the bar, near where Ayane was sitting. She quietly ordered a strawberry soda, sat down, but she said nothing. Ayane glared fiercely at her, then she turned and stared at her empty glass. Silence filled the air with a thick tension that even Jack could feel weighing down on him. Kasumi broke the dense silence first.

"Ayane, I wanted--," she began.

"What do you want?"

"I wanted to see if you might want to join us in our next game," Kasumi said with forced enthusiasm.

"I don't want to play with you, or your stuck up friends over there," Ayane said coldly. "I just want to be left alone. Why can't you get that through your thick little skull?"

"I just thought that--"

"You thought wrong. Now leave, Kasumi, while you're still able to walk."

Kasumi sighed and got up. She walked slowly back to the poker table and resumed her game, but not with the same energy as before. Ayane's words had clearly left a mark. Ayane put her elbows on the counter and continued to stare at her empty glass, lost deep in her own memories.

Jack shook his head and sighed. It was always the same. One of the other girls would try to be nice by giving gifts or trying to hang out, but Ayane always ignored them. Kasumi seemed to be most persistent, but after two weeks even she seemed to be giving up. He had to admire her for her tenacity, and he wondered not for the first time why Ayane refused to make friends.

Jack walked up to her cautiously. Zack had warned him about Ayane, but she can't be as bad as he had said. But when Jack said this, Zack just laughed. His exact words were, 'Don't get caught up in their petty issues, man. Just chill and enjoy the eye candy.' But Jack didn't feel that way about these girls. They were people, not objects.

He refilled Ayane's glass and sat down next to her. She took the glass and eyed Jack suspiciously.

"Hey, my name is Jack Wallace. I'm head of security here," he said.

"So?" she asked mockingly. "Have I done anything wrong, or are you here to annoy me like all the others?"

Jack ignored her remark. "I was just wondering if you're okay. You seem a little blue."

"And how would you know? You don't know me," she said.

This was going to be harder than he thought.

"I'm just concerned, that's all. All you ever do is just sit here. Even when the other girls try to be friendly, you blow them off. And for reasons I can't understand, Kasumi--"

She scowled and cut him off.

"Kasumi what? What about her?" Ayane asked loudly.

"She just seems to want--" he was cut off again.

"You don't have any clue what you're talking about, Jack."
"Why don't you fill me in then?"

Ayane sighed and looked Jack in the eye. "Just stay out of this. It's a family matter. You wouldn't understand."

He was totally surprised. He had no clue they were related to each other. It just made things even more complicated. "Wait a minute, you two are related? Then why--?"

Ayane quickly looked back to her glass of soda. "Are you stupid? I said stay out of it! I don't really feel like kicking your ass, but I will if I have to. Now leave!"

Jack didn't want to ruin anyone's vacation so he got up and walked back to his post at the opposite end of the bar. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ayane get up and walk briskly to the elevators, clearly upset.

A few minutes after Ayane had stormed out of the room, Kasumi walked back to the bar for another drink. The young security guard was still standing at the end of the bar, watching everything with his deep brown eyes, but she could easily see that his mind was anywhere but the casino floor. She refilled her soda and walked up to him.

"Hi, I'm Kasumi," she said. "I've noticed you before, but I don't think I've ever spoken to you."

"Hey, my name's Jack." he said as he extended his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, Kasumi."

She shook his hand and took a sip of soda from her straw. "I see you met my sister. I couldn't help but overhear."

Jack nodded. "It was kinda loud. She seems so...angry. And they way she treated you was so uncalled for."

"Maybe, maybe not..."

Jack noticed a change in Kasumi's voice. "Is there something going on?"

"Why do you think that?" she asked.

"Out of all the girls that I've seen talk to her, she treats you the worst. She seems so lonely, but she won't let anyone near her, especially not you. After seeing the way she treats you, I'm amazed you keep trying. Why bother?" he asked.

"Because, everyone needs a friend, Jack." she said warmly. "We had that once, and I guess it's still hard for me to accept that it's gone."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Jack asked.

"No," Kasumi sighed, "but thanks for asking. Things are just too complicated for you to do anything. It was nice to meet you, but I had better get going. Maybe we can talk again tomorrow?"

Jack nodded. "Sounds good to me. See you later."

She finished her drink and walked to the elevators, waving at him before she entered one of the cars. There was something special about that girl.

Jack was very confused. He decided not to press the matter, though. If she had wanted him to know, she would have told him. And she was right when she said things were too complicated. He glanced at his watch and walked outside for a breath of fresh air. The warm ocean breeze gently ruffled his dark suit jacket and the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled his ears. The night was gorgeous and he could see a magnitude of glistening stars shining down on him form the black abyss of deep space. All the windows in the hotel were dark and the place looked very empty. After about ten minutes of enjoying the peaceful night, he decided to go back inside and finish his shift.


Friday, July 24

5:47 A.M.

Poolside

Ayane walked down to the lobby early the next morning, before sunrise. The place was virtually empty and she felt the full weight of her loneliness weigh down on her like an overbearing shadow. She walked out to the pool and sat at the picnic table closest to the snack bar, wanting nothing more than peace and quiet. The dim lamps on the rock wall surrounding the pool filled the area with their warm gentle light and the pool glowed brightly from its brilliant underwater lamps.

"Can't sleep?" a male voice called out from behind her.

She whirled around and spotted Jack walking up from the shoreline. Ayane let out a quiet sigh and relaxed.

"Oh, it's you. Don't ever sneak up on me again, got it?" she said, glaring at him. "Unless you have a death wish."

Jack ran his fingers through his dark spiked hair. "Sorry, I was just looking at the ocean when you walked out. It's beautiful isn't it?"

Ayane gave a slight appreciative nod as she stared out at the dark sea. "Yeah, it is. Why are you up so early?"

Jack noticed she seemed to be in a much better mood. Now she at least seemed civil. "I always get up early. I can't stay asleep for too long. What about you?"

"It's nothing," she said gloomily.

He suspected that there was something bugging her, so he took a seat at the picnic table across from her. "You can tell me. I promise I'll keep it secret."

Ayane blew her lavender bangs away from her face and rolled her eyes. "If you going to bother me about my sister again, you're wasting your time. I said it's nothing. I'm fine."

Jack got up. "If you don't feel comfortable--"

"I don't, so just leave me alone." Her tone wasn't aggressive, but it had a sharp edge to it.

Jack nodded. "Fine, if that's the way you want it. I've got to go watch the casino anyway. If you change your mind and decide you want to talk, I'll be by the bar," he said as he turned to go inside.

Ayane stared after him as he walked away. When he entered the building, she let out a deep sigh.

"Finally, peace and quiet," she muttered to herself.

She watched intently as the sun slowly crept over the horizon and flooded the small island in its golden light.

By eight o'clock, all the girls were up and roaming around the hotel, preparing themselves for the bright warm day ahead of them. Jack was in the restaurant on the roof, which was pretty empty. Since the casino was closed for the day, he figured he'd grab a bite to eat.

As he took a seat at one of the white picnic tables, Kasumi stepped out of the elevator and spotted him. Jack smiled and waved at her.

"Hey, want to join me?"

Her lips parted in a bright smile and she gave a nod as she walked towards him. Jack was amazed at the way she always remained so optimistic. As she took a seat across from him, he handed her a spare menu.

"You've eaten here before, right? Any recommendations?"

Kasumi nodded. "Try the western omelet. I love it."

"Okay, I'll take your word for it," Jack said with a grin.

As they were about to go place their order, the island quaked fiercely knocking empty chairs and tables over, breaking several plates.

"What was that?!" Kasumi asked, dropping the menu on the table top.

"I think it was an earthquake," Jack answered, "Go get the others and get out of the hotel. Head for the airport, just in case it gets serious. I'll go talk to Zack and see what's up. I'll meet you there when I'm finished, okay?"

Kasumi nodded. "Okay. Be careful."

Jack almost looked happy. This had been the first sign of any action as long as he'd been here, and he always was a sucker for action. Kasumi looked at him strangely before running to find the others.

He walked into the elevator and punched the button for Zack's suite, hoping the idiot was awake. He knocked for several moments before throwing propriety out the window and barging into the room.

"Zack, wake up!" he yelled as he shoved the sleeping man.

Zack pushed his head under a pillow and muttered several colorful swear words. Another quake rocked through the hotel, causing the windows to vibrate and the pictures on the wall to fall to the floor and onto Zack's sleeping frame.

"What the--? What's going on here?!" he yelled as he finally snapped awake.

"We've got a problem, Zack. I think the volcano is about to blow."

Zack laughed. "You're kidding, right?

"Does it look like I'm kidding?"

Zack sighed. "It's been doing that for a while. Although not nearly as violently as this. Still, it'll last until tomorrow. Now let me sleep."

"I don't think it can wait 'til tomorrow," Jack said, "We should evacuate everyone now to be safe."

"If you leave now you can consider yourself fired. If I wait I can get all my money out on the next plane," Zack said.

"You can't put the lives of everyone here at risk for a hundred million dollars. If you want to die that's fine, but you're not taking me with you. All the women are probably at the airport now. I consider their lives more important than cash. I'm sorry you don't feel the same way."

"You're being ridiculous, Jack. It's not going to do anything."

As if the volcano was listening to their conversation, the building brutally convulsed breaking windows and causing a balcony to crash to the ground below. shattering on a cluster of rocks.

"Look at the place Zack! It's going to fall apart at any minute. I'm leaving with or without you."

Zack just gave him an amused look as he stormed out of the room. Then he rolled over and went back to sleep.

Jack rushed out of the hotel and grabbed the nearest bike. The airport was roughly thirty minutes away. As he hopped on the shiny red bicycle, he hoped that the girls were safe, especially Kasumi.


Kasumi watched the sidewalk with nervous anticipation, waiting for any sign of Jack, or anyone else to approach the airport. Finally, she spotted him as he blazed over the hill on a cherry red mountain bike.

"Here he comes!" yelled Tina from inside the plane.

"I see him. Tell the pilot to get ready for take off," Kasumi replied.

"But we don't even know if we have to take off yet," Leifang argued with her usual vibrant energy.

"Where's Zack?" Lisa asked, a look of concern written on her face. "Does anyone see him?"

Kasumi shook her head. All she could see was Jack's rapid approach down the hill. He was by himself.

"I don't know where he is," she said, "Just start the plane. We have to be prepared to leave."

Ayane walked over towards the group from where she had been standing by herself. "Don't listen to her. Wait for Jack to tell us what's going on."

Jack arrived and skidded to a halt by the plane, leaving a long black mark on the clean sidewalk. Most of the girls were outside arguing and Tina was standing in the doorway of the small white plane, also bickering. Kasumi was trying fervently to keep the peace, but she was doing a miserable job. He had to smile at her efforts as he got off the bike.

"What are you waiting for? Start the plane. We've got to get out of here!" he yelled.

"But what about Zack?" Lisa asked.

"He would rather die rich than leave poor," Jack said bluntly. "He's going to wait until tomorrow when he can get all of his money off the island on a bigger plane. That greedy little..."

"Well, can't we wait, too?" Helena asked, brushing her long blonde bangs out of her face.

Jack shook his head. "I don't think we have until tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised if it blew right now. Start the plane."

Kasumi looked at Jack with her bright copper eyes, knowing that he was dead serious. "I think he's right," she said, "We had better leave now. Better safe than sorry right?"

"Figures. Something like this always happens," Ayane complained as she climbed into the plane.

After everyone was inside, another quake decimated the airport's hangar just as the plane rolled out. As soon as the small plane was in the air, the volcano coughed ash and chunks of flaming rocks into the air. Above the hotel a person with a jetpack could barely be made out.

"Looks like Zack decided to leave after all," Jack chuckled, oblivious to the fact that it wasn't Zack who was flying away.

Kasumi looked like she was going to be sick. She closed her eyes and leaned back into her seat, gripping the armrests tightly.

Jack saw this and nudged her with his elbow. "Hey, are you going to be okay, Kasumi?"

She nodded and swept her long red hair away from her face. "Where are we going?"

"We'll land in Hawaii and let everyone catch a plane home. I'll pay for the tickets."

The ride was long and miserable. Ayane continued to sulk in the back of the small plane, refusing to speak with anyone. Kasumi tried unsuccessfully to get some sleep, but at every slight bump she started awake, her heart racing and her body primed to fight. Jack often wondered what kind of life she must live to sleep so lightly. Helena was always complaining and whining about how small the plane was and what the humidity was doing to her hair. Leifang, Tina, Lisa, and Hitomi were playing cards near the front of the fuselage. Christie was looking out the window at the deep blue sea below, lost in her own thoughts.


When they landed in Hawaii, everyone said goodbye and thanked Jack for their tickets home. Then they split up and went to their separate terminals. Jack bought his own ticket to Japan and walked into the crowded waiting area. His flight left in about an hour.

He couldn't wait to get back to his dinky little apartment. He had moved to Japan after his private investigation firm in Los Angeles had gone under from poor bookkeeping. It had turned out that his partner, who he had trusted with the cash, had been stealing money from him. Soon, they were bankrupt and Jack had no other option than selling all of his stuff and starting over. He had always been fascinated with Japan and decided to move there and try to find something worthwhile to do. But it seemed like he had been going nowhere fast, until he stumbled upon an ad stating that the winner of DOA3 wanted to hire personnel for his new island resort. Jack couldn't pass up an opportunity like this, so he responded to the ad right away. Zack had been so impressed with his skills that he gave Jack the job of being the head of security for the casino. He needed the money so it worked out for the best.

Jack snapped out of his reverie as Kasumi sat down next to him, carrying only a single black duffel bag and a crumpled plane ticket.

"You live in Japan?" she asked.

"Yeah. I moved there after my business in the U.S. fell apart not too long ago."

She smiled and gave a slight nod. "I'm surprised. I thought you lived in America. Because of your accent. What area do you live in?"

"There's a small city at the foot of the mountains by a large forest. I still can't really pronounce the name, but that's where I live. I think its called Okashima, or something along those lines."

"I know of that town. It's beautiful in the autumn."

Jack nodded. "I know. So where do you live?" Jack said.

"I can't really say." Kasumi looked sadly at the floor.

"Why not?" Jack asked, his voice full of concern and curiosity.

"It could be dangerous to tell you where I stay. There are certain people that are after me, and...well, I'm just trying to be careful. Sorry."

"It's okay, Kasumi. If you need any help, I'd be more than happy--"

"No!" she interrupted. "You can't do anything anyway. Thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine."

Jack was puzzled. Why would anyone refuse help? "Well, if you change your mind, you can always come to me, okay? I'll do whatever I can."

"That's very kind of you."

They got up as their flight number was called out. On the way home, they talked often about many things. Jack told Kasumi about his private eye firm and why he had moved to Japan. He told her about how he got his job as security guard and she told him about her experiences with the DOA tournaments. Jack sensed that there was bigger story than what she was telling him, but when he asked deeper questions she was very vague. He sensed she really did want to tell him more, but something held her back. When the trip came to an end, Jack was surprised to see her stop at the same destination as him.

"So you live around here?" he asked.

Kasumi shrugged. "I guess I live all over this area."

This was great. If she lived close by, he could look into her problem. Maybe he could even start another private investigation firm.

"I'd really like to see you again, Kasumi. Maybe we could hang out sometime?"

Kasumi flashed her dazzling smile. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot, Jack."

Jack wrote down his number on a piece of crumpled paper and handed it to her. "This is my number. I hope you'll give me a call."

She took the paper and gently placed in her pocket. "Of course I will. I'll talk to you soon."

Jack nodded. "Sounds good. See you around."

Jack hailed a cab, and offered to share it with her, but she politely refused, saying she'd rather walk home.

The truth was she was embarrassed and didn't want her new friend to know how she lived and where, thinking that it might put him in danger or push him away. As she walked home, she thought about Jack and couldn't wait to see him again.