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 Twenty-one

Sunday, December 25

1:43 A.M.

Streets of Downtown

Smith stared at the large crack Jack's bullet had left in his window. He was glad it was a bullet-proof window or he'd surely be dead.

"Look what that asshole did to my truck! Do you have any idea how much bullet-proof glass costs?"

Thomas groaned. "Will you shut your trap about that stupid window? You're lucky to be alive."

"No, I'm not," Smith said. "Now I have to deal with the fact that I screwed up the job and lost both girls. Do you realize what that means?"

Thomas shrugged. "I don't really care one way or another. It's not my problem about the subjects. I know what the Completion will do to them. I almost feel sorry for them."

Smith laughed. "You feel sorry for them? I can't believe you'd feel sorry for anyone, which makes me wonder what exactly that stuff does."

Thomas started toying with his chrome lighter. "What I'm pissed about is the fact that Jack and his buddies killed all my men. I want to take that guy down..."

Smith shook his head. "No you don't. He beat Bayman, remember? Bayman was good enough to be in DOA 3 and Jack beat him up. I'd hate to see what he could do to you."

Thomas shrugged. "There's other ways to take a man down. All I have to do is pick one."

Smith just kept driving and didn't respond to Thomas casual remarks about Jack. His mind was thinking about what exactly the Completion, was and what was so terrible about it. He had received the box from his superiors in the United States government, and had been given instructions to use it only as a last resort. I guess he thought that Smith could have gotten the location rather easily, but he was wrong. Those girls were far tougher than he had anticipated. However, he knew he had caused a large amount of emotional damage as well as physical damage, and that satisfied him. But that wasn't enough to get the job done and he wondered what would happen now.


Sunday, December 25

1:46 A.M.

Jack's Apartment

Jack looked at the file folder on the table, but didn't open it. "What is it?"

Myamoto sighed. "Just look at it, and then tell me what you think."

Jack nodded and removed the rubber band. The file had a photograph of Ayane in a black ninja-like outfit. He removed the photo from the group and looked at the sheet of information below, reading it to himself. He read that she was a known Shinobi and half sister to Hayate and Kasumi. It also stated that she rarely showed her true emotions and tends to take many walks in the woods, alone. There was much more there, but all he did was read one part over and over again. She's Shinobi. She's Kasumi's and Hayate's half sister."

"No. No, Myamoto, this is wrong. It can't be true."

Myamoto filled a mug of his own with coffee and took a seat. "I'm afraid so, Jack."

"You're wrong!"

Myamoto shook his head. "Sorry, man, but that info came from the disk you gave me. It's true."

Jack knew what this meant. "Kasumi is Shinobi? But she's always in town and she lived in an abandoned garage. She isn't...she couldn't be..."

But the more Jack thought about it, the more it made sense. It explained her reluctance to talk about her past and family. Jack was still curious about something though.

"If she's Shinobi, how come she's always looking over her shoulder and why doesn't she live wherever the rest of the Shinobi live?"

Myamoto thought a moment. "I honestly don't know. But I know what that paper says."

Jack took a big drink of coffee and looked across the table at Myamoto. "Well, I guess this will have to wait until morning. I'm sure she can straighten things out."

Myamoto shook his head. "Don't say anything or they'll kill us both. If they knew we had proof they'd just kill us without a second thought."

Jack sighed. "You already blurted out that you knew Hayate was Shinobi when he was in the same room."

Myamoto shook his head. "Yeah, but he was talking with Hayabusa and he wasn't paying attention to what we were talking about. He doesn't know anything."

Jack shrugged. "I trust Kasumi with my life, and I think it'll be okay. I'm willing to take the risk. Besides, I can take care of myself."

Myamoto nodded. "Yeah, you proved that today. Where did you learn to shoot like that?"

Jack shrugged. "I practiced forever when I was a private eye. All I did in my free time was shoot at the range. When your an investigator in Los Angeles, go have to be a good shot and a good fighter. Especially when you're as young as I am. When you're only twenty years old, nobody wants to take you seriously and everyone wants to kick your ass. I had to be good. It was either that, or be killed."

"No kidding. You took Bayman like he was a kid."

Jack was confused. "Bayman? Do you mean that big guy in the warehouse? What's so great about him?"

Myamoto was stunned. "You don't know who Bayman is? He was in the last DOA tournament. He's rumored to have used to work for Victor Donovan, even though no one has proof."

"Donovan? I'm sorry, Myamoto, but I didn't keep up with the last two DOA tournaments and I didn't even know about the first one until it was over."

"What? How could you not be interested in the Dead or Alive World Championship Tournaments? Especially the way you can fight."

Jack shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I was too busy being an investigator to take notice of publicity stunts by DOATEC. And I really didn't do much today. Hayate helped out."

"Yeah, but Bayman didn't even touch you, Jack. And You knocked him back with one punch. Not even some of the guys in DOA did that."

Jack grinned. "Thanks. I guess I am a good fighter, but I'm not nearly as great as you think I am. I'm much better with my Beretta."

"No arguments there. I'm wondering, how did you meet Kasumi and Ayane if you don't keep up with DOA?"

"I met them when I worked on Zack Island. That's when I really learned Kasumi had been in DOA. Out of all the women there, Kasumi was the one that really caught my eye. She was just so compassionate and positive, even though all of the other girls treated her like dirt. Well, not all of them. Hitomi, Leifang, and Lisa were pretty nice to her. And I became her friend pretty quick. Too bad--"

"You worked on Zack Island? The same island that sank into the ocean about five months ago?"

"Has it really been that long? It seems like it only happened yesterday."

Myamoto laughed. "Wow, I didn't know you worked there. That's really cool Jack."

"Hey, keep it down. The girls are trying to sleep."

Myamoto nodded sheepishly. "Sorry."

Then something occurred to Jack. "I mentioned Kasumi before and you didn't carry on like this."

Myamoto shrugged. "I thought it was a different Kasumi and when I saw her I just figured you already knew about it."

Jack nodded. "Well, I did already know about it, and now I know why she won't tell me about her past."

Myamoto nodded and let out a big yawn.

Jack noticed that the coffee wasn't really keeping him awake either. "I'm gonna go get us some sleeping bags."

He got up and walked back to his closet where he had four sleeping bags in a corner. He retrieved two of them and handed one to Myamoto.

"You can sleep anywhere that's not in the way. I'm staying in my room with Kasumi."

Myamoto took the bag and nodded. "Sure. I'll take a spot somewhere in the living room."

Myamoto walked off and Jack set his own sleeping bag up beside his bed on the floor.

Jack nodded towards Myamoto and entered his room. He then rolled his thick green sleeping back out on the floor and climbed inside.

"Good night, Kasumi," Jack whispered quietly.

He hoped she would feel better in the morning.


Sunday, December 25

2:20 A.M.

Dark Alley

Corso looked at his small PDA computer and grinned. He had just received an email from his newest buyer. It was time for him to do what he did best: find and sell information. He always remained a neutral party, making sure that everyone knew he worked alone and for no one else but himself. But for a reasonable price anyone could buy an advantage from him.

"'DOA 4 to come soon,'" he read aloud, "'monitor all contestants form previous tournament. I will be in touch.'"

The message was signed 'Annulus.' But other than that single elusive name, Corso had no idea who he was selling this information to.

He decided to start getting ready for the new tournament. He put on his black felt fedora hat, which matched his pinstripe black suit, completing his 1950's mobster look. Anyone who ever saw him said he looked like he had just left the set of The Godfather. But he didn't care what others thought. His style was unique and it helped his business.

He headed out into the busy streets of Los Angeles. This was the best place in the world to find anything to do with the media, and DOA definitely had it's place in the news. He would check all the previous contestants out first.


Annulus looked at the darkened DOATEC building with satisfaction. Soon it would start. One of the greatest competitions known to man was being organized inside that building. He had decided to get the ball rolling, but he didn't want any credit. He would let Donovan think it was his idea and let him have the spotlight. He would much rather remain under the media's radar.

He turned away from the DOATEC headquarters and decided to check out the night life of Hong Kong before catching his flight to Japan to deal with that poor excuse of a man, Smith. Then he would head back to Washington until it was time to take Kasumi and force her to talk.

As he took a seat at the bar he recalled the name Smith had given him over the phone. Jack Wallace? Where have I heard that before? I know it's important...

"Another drink, sir?"

He nodded as the barkeeper refilled his glass. Whoever Jack was, he would have Corso check it out. The beauty of using Corso was that the man never wanted to know who he was getting his information for, as long as he got paid. He wanted to work independent of an outside influence. Corso liked to watch and gather information, which was just what he needed. He typed up another email...


Corso grabbed his small handheld computer form his suit pocket and glanced at the glowing screen, when he noticed the second email.

"'Keep an eye out for a man named Jack Wallace. I want to know everything,'" Corso read aloud.

He loved to do these things. Find out things no one else knew. His philosophy was that knowledge equaled power and how true that had been. He couldn't wait for DOA 4. DOA 3 had been a very busy time for him and he had been anticipating the fourth tournament since Zack had been declared the winner last year. It was an exhilarating time.

He decided that he would work on the hardest thing first, which was finding out things about Mr. Wallace. He would start with the Internet and move on from there.


Sunday, December 25

7:05 A.M.

Streets of Downtown

Shark had been hiding in the worst part of town, hoping Smith wouldn't find him. He was disturbed by his mind, and wished that he had never taken Smith's offer. Had he gone soft? Had the girl survived? What had become of Smith? All these questions and more kept circling his mind as he wandered through the streets. He then noticed the sun was starting to creep up over the horizon.

"Sunrise," Shark said remorsefully.

Sunrises stood against everything he was. They symbolized life and joy. He worked only for pain, death, and suffering, until now. Now, things seemed different. It had been the first time he had worked on a girl so young. It had been hell on his conscience, because usually everyone he worked with gave him what he wanted within minutes, but she had held out for days. It was horrible what he did to her and he could only imagine what it had done to her mind to experience such unbearable and constant suffering.

He sighed and trudged on. He needed to find something to do. He had heard about Duncan's murder in the park and he couldn't say he felt bad about it. It really hadn't bothered him at all. He had always disliked Duncan and believed the world a better place because of his death. What really piqued his curiosity was who killed him and if it had to do with the girl he helped escape. These were questions he would have answered. For the sake of his own peace, he needed to know what happened to her.


Sunday, December 25

7:32 A.M.

Organization Compound 32

Hayate watched as Jack fired at the man on the floor. He expected to hear the silent pop of the silenced Beretta, but instead he heard a distinct clicking noise signifying that the weapon was empty. The man on the ground whirled around to face Jack and started laughing hysterically.

"We finally meet, Jack Wallace," the man said.

"Smith," Jack said coldly.

Smith climbed to his feet. "I have something to show you."

Smith then raised a small black device and hit a button, turning the lights in the large room on. Hayate's eyes adjusted quickly and he watched as Smith hit yet another button on the remote, opening the blinds to the large window.

He followed Jack's curious gaze to the metal blinds that were now opening. Then his worst nightmare revealed itself before him. The day he had feared since Kasumi had run away had finally come. Both Kasumi and Ayane lay cuffed to the large metal frame, both looking completely terrified. They were beaten and bruised and he noticed a strange glowing liquid plugged into their arms through a long plastic tube.

"You bastard!" Jack yelled.

Hayate watched with satisfaction as Jack hit Smith with a brutal punch to the chest, sending him stumbling over a nearby dead body. Jack seemed unable to control his anger and he kicked Smith. Hayate watched as Smith hit another button.

The air was suddenly split with the agonized screams of his sisters.

"It's time to choose, Mr. Wallace," Smith said darkly.

Jack then ran up the stairs and Myamoto followed carrying the laptop. Hayabusa wore an angry expression Hayate had not seen in a long, long time. Ryu cleaned the Dragon Blade on fallen merc's shirt and put it away. He started up the stairs behind Jack and reached the door as soon as it opened. Jack rushed inside, to Kasumi's side. Hayabusa ran over to Ayane.

Hayate had been frozen in place this whole time. The anger he felt was not something that he was used to. Smith started to run towards the back of the base and he decided to follow. Smith was soon joined by another man and they both disappeared behind a wall, presumably to another elevator. Hayate put away his own sword and walked up to the wall. Then, he was hit with a fierce blow to the back of his head. He watched with clouded vision as the sole surviving merc retreated behind the wall as well.

When Hayate awoke he saw Hayabusa sitting on a nearby crate. His head was pounding and his neck was sore. He must've been there for quite a while.

"Good. You're awake."

Hayate climbed to his feet, angry at himself for letting his emotions cloud his judgment. "Where is everyone? Is Ayane okay?"

Hayabusa shrugged. "I don't know yet. Jack took the girls to his apartment. Myamoto left with him. It's just you and me."

"Did you guys catch Smith?"

"I'm afraid not."

Hayate looked angrily at the floor. "If only I had been more careful..."

"Hayate , I know it hurt to see Kasumi and Ayane that way. I realize that you miss Kasumi very much, but you can't think of her as your sister anymore. You have to treat her as if she's already gone."

"But Ryu..."

Hayabusa shook his head. "She's supposed to die. I don't like it anymore than you, but it has to happen. I've looked after her only because you asked me too, but that can't last forever. The council will eventually find out. Now that she has Jack, I see no need to watch her any longer."

Hayate nodded sadly. "Yes, I realize that. But I can't do it. I can't just kill my own sister..."

"It's morning. I think it's time we head over to Jack's place. That's where everyone else is waiting."

Hayate nodded and started walking back to the entrance of the underground base. He would need to return to the village with Ayane tomorrow, but he would let her rest today.


Sunday, December 25

12:14 P.M.

Jack's Apartment

She ran down the narrow white halls, looking, praying, for an exit. The man behind her laughed at her lame attempts to save herself and continued to hunt her down. Kasumi finally realized that there was no escape from the fate that was haunting her. She turned to face the man with her shimmering copper eyes.

"Why?" she asked sadly.

The man said nothing as he walked up to her and raised his weapon, a large black gun. She tried to make out his face, but it was hidden in shadow. Her feet were frozen in place and she couldn't run away. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as the man raised his pistol and jammed it violently into her chest. He squeezed the trigger and fired the weapon. BOOM!

"NO!" Kasumi cried loudly as she snapped awake.

Jack instantly jolted out of his deep sleep at Kasumi's terrified cry and got out of his sleeping bag. When he stood up he saw that Kasumi had large tears running down her face.

"It's okay, Kasumi," he said softly. "It was only a nightmare."

Kasumi sat up and wiped her face on the blanket. "I don't want to die," she sobbed.

Jack wrapped Kasumi in his arms. "That's not going to happen. I won't let that happen. Everything's fine now."

Kasumi returned his embrace and let her emotions break free. The nightmare had only been getting worse and more detailed since it had started, and it scared her.

As Jack held her closely, he realized that whatever had been done to her, it had clearly penetrated into her subconscious, haunting her even while she was sleeping.

Myamoto heard the commotion and ran back towards Jack's room. He and Kasumi were holding each other and she was crying into his dark blue shirt.

"Is everything okay?"

Jack nodded. "I think so. It was just a bad dream."

"Okay. I'll leave you two alone and go make some coffee."

Jack watched Myamoto leave, then he turned back to Kasumi. "What happened?"

"H-He keeps killing me. No m-matter what I do, I always die."

"Who?"

"I d-don't know," Kasumi sobbed.

She continued to cry for almost twenty minutes, and Jack knew it had to have been something very serious. After she had calmed down, Jack stood up.

"I know it's a little later than you expected, but your back. I've got something special in the fridge for you. Can you walk?"

Kasumi wiped her face again. "I'm not sure."

Jack watched as she slowly moved to the edge of the bed and put her slender legs over the side. She reached up and leaned on his shoulder and tried to climb to her feet. As soon as she was standing, she began to falter and Jack quickly caught her before she collapsed.

"Maybe you should sit back down. You're not ready, yet," Jack said.

Kasumi lay back down on the comfortable bed and sighed. Her attempt to walk reawakened the piercing pain in her hip. For some reason her shoulders still hurt almost as badly as her hip, shooting sharp excruciating pains through both of her arms, even though the drug had long since worn off.

Jack noticed Kasumi's wincing. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't be trying to walk so soon. Do you want some ice?"

She shook her head. "No thanks, Jack. I'll be okay for now, I think."

Jack looked at Kasumi and thought about the files Myamoto had shown him. "I know everything, you know. There's no need to hide anything from me anymore."

"What are you talking about?"

Jack sighed. "Shinobi. I know what you are, and I don't know why you felt the need to keep it from me. It doesn't change my opinion about you. I still like you, Kasumi. I'll always like you."

She closed her eyes and let the information soak inside her brain. "How did you--?

"Myamoto showed me a file about your sister from Smith's database. It clearly identifies Ayane as yours and Hayate's half sister."

Kasumi tried to focus her thoughts, but everything seemed to be blurring together. "I couldn't say anything, Jack. I didn't want to endanger you."

"Endanger me? Why would I be in danger?"

Kasumi took a deep breath, swallowed hard and opened her copper eyes. "It's complicated. Just promise me you won't tell Hayate anything. I'll answer everything if you promise me that."

Jack nodded. "You know I won't say anything to him. The first thing I want to know is why you don't live in the village?"

Kasumi swallowed again. It seemed like her throat was tightening up. "The village was attacked by a man named Raidou. Hayate was trying to stop him, when he....uh....he was...."

Jack noticed Kasumi's eyes were unusually glassy. "Kasumi, are you feeling all right? You look a little flushed."

She closed her eyes and tried to make sense of the swirling thoughts inside her brain. She quickly became very dizzy and raised her hand to her forehead. "I-I don't feel so good," she mumbled sluggishly.

Jack took on a worried expression. "What's wrong?"

Kasumi's head began to throb. "I don't know..."

Without warning, blood started dripping from her nose and all over the white pillow. Then she coughed loudly, spurting even more blood onto the bed.

"Holy shit! Kasumi, what's happening?!"

Kasumi's big copper eyes filled with hot tears. "I can't feel my--ahh!" She let out a short painful cry as a sudden burst of pain flooded though her sore body.

Jack grabbed a towel out of his bathroom and cleaned her face. She slowly opened her eyes and everything was out of focus and dim.

"I-It hurts so m-much," she stammered, tears rolling down her face.

Jack wiped away a tear of his own and gently stroked her long red hair, gazing into her deep copper eyes. "I need to get you some help."

He picked up his cell phone and dialed the emergency number.

Kasumi wailed loudly as another sharp pain shot down her spine and spread throughout her body, ending at her fingertips. She quietly sobbed into the bloody towel and hoped she would pass out soon, so she could hide from the pain.

Myamoto came running into the room. "Jack! Ayane's bleeding all over the--," he paused when he saw Kasumi's pain stricken form on the bed, blood was all over the pillow and blanket. "Oh my God."

Jack finished talking with the operator and they said they would send an ambulance immediately. He then picked Kasumi up and carried her into the living room. He set her on the couch bed next to her crying sister. Then he got a towel for Ayane to wipe the blood away from her face.

"Hold on, Kasumi. Help is coming," Jack said worriedly.

Kasumi was just about to say something when she let out another anguished scream. A sharp stabbing pain just pierced into her brain, making the room erupt in an intense flash of color and then blurring as more tears of misery formed in her eyes.

Ayane gasped loudly and clenched her fists into tight little balls, suppressing as much pain as she could. She hoped Kasumi wasn't feeling the same extreme pain in her viscera as she was. It felt like someone had just dumped her into a giant blender.

Just then Hayabusa and Hayate walked into the room. When Hayabusa saw Ayane he rushed to her side. "What happened?!"

"I don't know," Jack said. "They were just fine a second ago."

Hayabusa looked at Ayane's bloody face, not knowing what to do. She closed her eyes and grasped Ryu's hand in her own, tightly squeezing his fingers. "Don't let me die, Ryu."

Hayabusa didn't know how to respond. He simply placed both his hands over Ayane's and prayed she would make it. But it didn't look too good.

Jack kneeled down and leaned close to Kasumi. She wasn't talking, but she had begun to sweat and shiver. He held her hand in his own and noticed that she was freezing.

"She's so cold..."

Hayabusa nodded.

Hayate stood frozen in the doorway, his worst fears unfolding before him. What was happening? He watched the shivering forms of his sisters and a cold realization swept through him. They might not survive.

Kasumi squirmed in agony on the fold out couch next to Ayane, clutching her abdomen tightly with both arms. Her hip felt like someone had just taken a power grinder and jammed it into her skin, and her bullet wounds felt much like she had just been shot all over again. She let out an anguished howl of torment when she could no longer contain her agony, and Jack's hatred for Smith grew even more. He took Kasumi's blood soaked towel and threw it in the bathroom Then he came back with a fresh one and handed it to her.

She clutched the towel in her hands and started to clean her face. As soon as she relaxed, Kasumi's throat started to burn. She coughed loudly, spewing large amounts of her blood all over the couch and nearby floor. Jack gaped at the sight of it.

Ayane simply focused on Hayabusa's warm hands and tried not think about the fear welling up inside her. But when she saw Kasumi's blood soaked form lying next to her, she couldn't help but be afraid. But she wasn't afraid only for herself. She was surprised to see that she was worried about her sister as well. Then Ayane started to feel the unbearable burning coming back. However, it seemed like it was more than just burning. It felt like being melted from the inside out, and this time it was much worse than before.

Kasumi felt it as well. "M-make it go away. It b-burns," she sobbed.

Jack softly placed his hand on her forehead and was shocked to see that instead of freezing, she was burning up. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a tight hug. "I don't know what to do," he said sadly. "I'm so sorry, Kasumi."

She barely felt Jack's embrace. It seemed like the intense burning was beginning to numb her body. "Please..." she said weakly, tears flowing down her face. "I can't...take any more..."

Kasumi opened her mouth to say more, but instead she coughed again, staining Jack's blue shirt with her blood.

Ayane wiped her face again and looked sadly at Hayabusa. She knew the futility in asking him to help her, but she couldn't help but hope that he could somehow do just that. Kasumi was still crying for Jack's help, and Ayane saw how much it broke his heart when she did.

"Jack, get some ice," she said hoarsely. "Maybe that will help."

Jack nodded and ran over to the fridge. He quickly retrieved a white bucket of ice from the freezer and ran over to them, dropping a few ice cubes along the way. Then he went and got a box of plastic bags and started to fill them with the ice.

Jack handed a full bag to Ayane and then placed one on Kasumi's forehead. She winced as she adjusted to the dramatic temperature change, but soon she looked relieved. Jack was relieved as well.

"Kasumi will be--" Ayane was cut off when she started coughing, sending more of her vital juices onto the bed and all over the floor beside Hayabusa.

Just as Ayane was coughing, the paramedics burst through the door.

"Holy sh--" the first one started. The second one just stared in disbelief.

"C'mon guys! Get to work!" The third paramedic yelled.

Jack let go of Kasumi's hand and stepped back as two medics started to carry her out the door. Hayabusa helped the other one carry Ayane.

Jack followed the medics carrying Kasumi and watched as they placed her on a stretcher in the hallway. Hayabusa and the other medic did the same for Ayane.

"Don't leave me," Kasumi said weakly.

"I'm not going to. I promise," Jack said. He followed the paramedics to the ambulance outside.

"I want to ride with her," Jack told them.

They looked at each other and then the one facing him nodded. "Sure."

The third paramedic called for another ambulance to take Ayane. Then Myamoto and Hayate ran out of the doors. Jack climbed into the ambulance and then they left for the hospital.

Kasumi grasped his hand once again and looked at him with tearful eyes. Her hip burned badly and her head felt like it was about to explode. She was starting to have a hard time breathing and she coughed more frequently. Jack watched with tears of his own as Kasumi sank into a painful unconsciousness.

"Kasumi?" he asked worriedly.

She mumbled something, but Jack couldn't understand her.

Jack let go of her limp hand as the paramedic attached an oxygen mask to Kasumi's face.

"Is she going to be okay?" Jack asked.

That paramedic looked at him. "I don't know."


Sunday, December 25

12:44 P.M.

Jack's Apartment

Hayate glanced at Myamoto. "Go home. Jack will probably call you later."

Myamoto looked at Hayate and decided it would be best to get as far away from any Shinobi as he could. He turned and started down the street.

Hayabusa had gone in the second ambulance with Ayane. Hayate decided to go back into Jack's apartment. He needed to see something.

When he arrived in the apartment he looked around. There was blood all over the living room floor. There was much of it on the wall, and the couch was soaked. He walked slowly into Jack's room and spotted the large bed. The blue comforter was stained with Kasumi's blood, and the pillow was colored crimson.

He walked sadly up to the black duffel bag containing Kasumi's things. Jack must have placed it on the bed the night before. He picked up Kasumi's elaborate blue kimono and placed it on the bed. Then he spotted what he was looking for. Lying neatly on Kasumi's sleeveless white kimono, was the picture of Ayane and Kasumi playing on a swing set. He took it out of the fancy brass and silver frame and gazed at the old photograph. He remembered this swing set. He let his memories of Kasumi and Ayane wash over him. Things were much simpler when they were kids. Kasumi used to laugh happily with Ayane as they swam together in a nearby pond and he wished things could return to normal. But the council would never approve of Kasumi's return.

He put the picture back in its frame and set it down on Kasumi's blue kimono. Then he sat down at the kitchen table. He noticed the file on the table top, and decided to give it a peek, curiosity getting the better of him. He was astonished to find a file on Ayane, clearly identifying her as his sister and a known Shinobi. It also stated Kasumi was her sister as well. This meant only one thing.

"Jack knows," Hayate said slowly.

He thought about eliminating him, but then he realized what it would do to Kasumi. It would crush her already damaged spirit if Jack was killed because of her, and he knew it. Besides, after everything Jack has done for his sister, how could he kill him? The man saved Kasumi's life twice without hesitation or concern for his own well being. But he had no choice. Jack Wallace must now be killed, just as his sister must also be eliminated. There was no way out of it.

But he could not bring himself to kill them, so he thought long and hard about some way to avoid the problem. He picked up the file and placed it in a satchel at his side. He would wait for everyone to return, then he would discuss an important idea.