A.N.- Sorry for the wait. I was going to say something about how I wouldn't get much reviews, but I'm happy now, eight reviews in one chapter. Thanks to you all.

Wolf Runner- True, the ninja's main weapon is not their sword. It is their secondary. But their main weapon is their mind, not their stealth. Their tanto is a tool that can be used as a weapon. The samurai's code is called the Bushido which makes it so that they cannot run from a battle, they cannot disgrace their lord, and they have to live by the sword and die by the sword. And I guess that the extra Kuji-in that you say I've written was the part that Hayate was training in. That is a form of Kai which can control bodily functions such as feeling, body heat, hunger, thirst, etc. Thanks for reveiwing.

Zeshin Hayabusa- Well, with much thought, I've decided to use Wolf's character. Sorry, man, but his was just a little more diverse. Also, you could have used another sword called the ninjato, which is the basic ninja sword. Please continue to R/R anyways. And thanks for putting me, and all my DOA fics in your favorites.

Forevermore- Well, I picked Midori off the bat because I needed a way for Hayate to reach a certain place (can't really say without giving it away) so that's why I used her. She'll play a very important part. I already kinda figured Midori's additude and of course, Hitomi will show up later. I'm glad you like Erikku and Yuuna. Thanks for reviewing.

Ninja- I don't really see a problem with the ages myself. Nor did I think there would be any. Besideds, like I said that's why it's an AU fic.

digininga- Thanks. And writing fan fiction is a rough process. I, personally started out with crappy fics with little detail and knowlege about what category I wrote for. I got a few good reviews, probably out of pity. It really depends on what kind of person you are. If you read a lot, then you probably would do good. I don't read at all, that's probably why I couldn't write at all. I personally am never satisfied with my own writing, and that's because I've seen much better. That's how it might always be. But if you want to start writing, by all means, go for it. Just remember, it might be a rough start (unless you have a rare, extrordinary talent), just don't get discouraged. Christie died because I don't really like happy endings. I would have made Natsu die too, but... you know... that's just cruel, she's five. And of course this is going to be a Hitomi/Hayate coupling. What else would I do?

Saiyan Warrior Princess- I would have chosed your charater, I just didn't see it until this chapter was almost done. Sorry, but thanks for the review. Like I said earlier, I can't handle too many characters so I can't.

Added info:A ninja could look into a cat's eyes to tell approximately what time it was. If the pupil was shaped like a ball, it was 6:00am/pm. If it was shaped like an egg, it was 8:00pm/4:00am. If the pupil was shaped like a seed, it was 10:00 pm/2:00am. And lastly, if it was shaped like a needle, then it was 12:00am/pm.
New Characters:

Tai Shikadachi- Raised from a family that has a reputation for striving to be the best in combat, Tai is determined to beat his friend Hayate in a sparring match and claim his title as the best fighter among the newer ninjas. In battle against an enemy, he fights with the same ferocity as Erikku but he knows that stealth is always top priority.
Age: 16
Hair: Brown, usually covered
Eyes: Green
Preferred Weaponry: Ninjato/Tanto
Kuji-in: Hei/Sha/Zen/Kai/Rin


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Chapter 2
By: Joey/Mai fan15


Erikku dragged his kusari-gama by it's chain over to the bank of the mountain stream and sat down, cooling his feet from the long hike up the rocks. He heard the clang of Ryu's yari as he started on the fire.

He didn't know why they had to leave so early, the sun hadn't even risen yet. Even after the hour long climb, there was only a faint blue aura over the horizon, signaling that the sun would rise soon. Yuuna's cat walked by and it's eyes stated that it was only about five or six in the morning.

He yawned and sat back against a rock that was behind him. He glanced around the rock to see that Ryu finish up on building the fire and pick up his fishing pole. Heero, who had come along for the sole purpouse of protection, neared the fire to keep it going. He hadn't wanted to come because he knew full well that the four others could protect themselves easily, but Shinden insisted.

Ryu had talked Ayane into coming along, possibly saving her from another beating. Strange how she suffered so many cuts and bruises, she still looked immaculate. The bandage around her forehead had been removed and the cut was only covered by her long bangs. She looked deep in thought, probably thinking about her life again. Thinking about what she thinks is the pain she's caused everyone.

Erikku's feet finally felt at ease again, and he got up and walked over to the fire that, for the next few minutes, was their only light. He sat down on a rock near a friend of Ryu's, Tai Shikadachi. He looked over at the younger fighter and became angry with himself for not becoming a ninja by now when Tai, who was a year younger, already had.

Erikku threw his weapon toward the pile that consisted of everyone else's, "Hayate's done with his training now. When he gets back tonight, are you going to spar with him or wait until morning?"

"No, I think I'll wait until tomorrow so that we're both fully rested."

"Why do you want to fight him anyway?"

Tai looked at him, confused why the answer wasn't obvious, "Because he's the best fighter in the clan. No one's ever beaten him. And he's only beaten me by a little bit, so why not try to become the best?"

"You could fight me. Hayate and I have fought for over three hours before deciding on a draw. I've never beaten him and he's never beaten me," he cracked his knuckles, "Besides, I'd bet I could beat him. He always makes the offer for a draw."

"I don't know. I'm a little more used to fighting Hayate. Besides, he's one of my best friends. I can trust for him to give it his all."

Erikku scoffed, "You don't think I will?"

"No that's not it at all. It's just, I'm used to fighting him, I know every move he'll make and he knows every move I will. That way it'll be a good fight."

"No, it'll be a long, cheap fight that results in a draw," Erikku let out a short, half-hearted laugh, "In fact, that's the very reason Hayate and I could never figure a winner."

"Well that's you two. I've been thinking in a whole different way since our last match. If anything, my style has changed a lot. Hayate won't expect what I'll do, giving me an advantage."

"You're a smart one, Tai," Erikku shook his head, "Even if you are cheap."

"I'm not, cheap. Just smart. Like you said."

"You may get the title, but you know it won't be true, you'll have to beat Hayate and me. And just because you beat Haytate doesn't mean you can beat me."

"I know that. But first, I need to beat Hayate."

"How come not me first? Get the harder match over with."

"Because at least I'll have one down. Then I'll train a little and fight you."

"Then train first, that way you'll beat Hayate with no problem," Erikku offered, "And fight me first because if you beat me, someone who you know nothing about, then you'll surely beat Hayate since you know how he fights."

"Well, there's no changing my mind. It's set, Hayate and I spar tomorrow in our combat training class. Besideds, you have a shop to run," Tai didn't really know how Erikku fought, and to put such a title on the line to fight a new opponent would be foolish.

Erikku didn't respond and ran his hands through his hair as he stood up. He made his way over to the edge of the stream again and could fainitly see a few fish due to the lack of light and thought to himself why sitting here and waiting for a fish to stupidly bite a hook with bait on it would be fun. He waded through the stream to a rock face where Yuuna had dissapeared to when they had gotten there.

He found her at the edge of a rock formation, letting her feet dangle off the cliff. She took notice of his presance and patted the spot next to her, telling him to sit down. He did as he was told, "It must be great to be out here for you. Especially because it's almost been a year since you've been able to do something like this. I can't even imagine how good this must feel to you, getting something you've wanted for so long."

Yuuna smiled warmly at him, "Yeah, it feels great. But it still falls short of what I truly want. It doesn't matter, that too will hopefully come within time."

"Wish we didn't have to get up so early though."

Yuuna nodded in agreement, "I was lucky that my parents arrived the same time you did, otherwise I couldn't have come, and I'd hate that. Taking care of all my brothers and sisters is very tiring."

"I'm glad I have no one to take care of."

Silecne fell between the two, Erikku had nothing more to say. Feeling uncomfortable by the quiet atmosphere, Yuuna decided that it'd be better to find out what he felt on his parent's death, "Erikku?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever get... lonely?"

Erikku frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you don't have any living relatives. How can you sleep at night when it's always quiet? Don't you ever get lonely?"

Erikku shrugged, "I've gotten used to it. Besides, I have good friends."

"But that shouldn't be enough. You should ask Shinden for a room in that huge mansion of his. He'd surely let you, especially because your parents were the best ninjas he had. I don't know how you or Ayane can really live. She's just as alone as you are."

"Like I said, when you're alone as long as Ayane and I have been, you get used to it. Sure you want friends and parents, anyone to be at your side, but you deal with it. It makes me stronger, it would make anyone stronger. It helps us become independant."

The two stayed quiet again, letting the words sink in as the sun rose over the horizon. Yuuna looked at him softly, "So... you don't need anyone?"

"I never said that," she leaned into him, somewhat sleepily from waking up so early, but was unexpectedly pulled closer, "I do need friends."

Yuuna became perfectly still, nervous that she would ruin the moment, and partly because she was nervous. Everything was slilent again except for the echoes of the others on the other side of the rock formation. Erikku yawned and let go of her then stood up and made his way back to the other side, "We're going to be here all day, I need just a few more hours of sleep."

Yuuna nodded and turned back to the sunrise. Once she was sure he was gone, she shivered and wrapped her own arms around herself in disbeleif that what just happened was over.


Ryu dropped his fishing pole near the campfire again where a few fish were being cooked in the fire. Aside from Heero, he was the only one still awake or at least the only one who looked awake. He walked over to the other end of the stream and noticed something in the distance. He whispered for Heero and he walked over, "See that?"

It took him a few seconds, but he saw what Ryu was pointing out, "Yeah."

"Do you know what it is?"

Heero stepped forward a little bit and squinted out towards the movement, "Looks like some shogun or samurai. Probably on their way to a new family's home to start their guard duty. Wait, there's a carrige down there on the path. Oh, that must be the Sorai's daughter and her family. That's Hayate's and Midori's target.

"Do you think we should, maybe leave? What if they come up here?"

"They shouldn't. The Sorai's masion is south from where they are, unless they decide to go west from here, we should be fine."

"Okay, but what if they see us? We are standing rather close to the edge."

"They won't look up here. Even if they did, I'd have them all dead before they got here," Heero gripped the Fukiya in his hand, overconfident in the damage he could do with the peice of hollowed bamboo.

"Whatever you say," Ryu sighed and went back to pick up his fishing pole.


Hayate looked around the side of the tree that he was hiding behind. The group of samurai and their shogun were listening to the old man yell at them again, only this time there was no point to it other than telling them things that they already knew. Hayate almost laughed.

Midori who was a few feet away, sitting in a tree, clutched the vile of the poisonous mushrooms in her left hand. Last minute changes had been made and she was going in while Hayate stayed back and provided some protection with his longbow. If anyone were to come to the kitchen while Midori was in there, an arrow would stop them. Sure, if it was a chef, then the mission would fail since that would arise suspicion, but it was better than losing a ninja.

She jumped down from the tree, letting her weight sink down with her movement as to not make too much noise. Anything that might have been accidentaly heard was covered up by the caged cricket that Hayate held at his belt. She stayed still, listening for any signs that they had detected her and made her way to Hayate, "Be alert, okay? It's my ass that's going to be on the line, and I know you can't hit anything with an arrow worth shit. So if I get caught, trust me you'll regret it."

"How? You'll be dead."

"And I'm sure you'd love that," Midori took an arrow from his quiver and roughly handed it to him. He would have fallen from his kneeling position, but she caught him so that he wouldn't make a sound.

Hayate was pulled back into balance where he tore her arm away, "Yeah, I'd really like to tell Shinden why his neice is dead any why the mission was a failure."

The two turned their attention back to the samurai. They watched as a carrige pulled up and some more samurai and shogun followed. They all greeted eachother without moving from their protective spots around the carrige. Now a few of the family's servants came out from behind the family members and took the luggage from the passengers and went back into the large mansion.

Hayate watched as a rugged looking European man stepped out. He had whitish hair with gray tinge, it was spiked up as was Heero's, but not waved down at the tips. He had bulging mucles that showed vividly even through the long-sleeved tuxedo he wore. He reached back into the carrige and took someone's hand.

A woman around that muscular man's age stepped out with help from him. That must have been Naemi Cristobal, the youngest daughter of the family. In that case that man should be her German husband, Dietdrich Cristobal. Hayate had never seen a German before, but if they all looked anything like he did, he wished he never would.

He again turned his attention to the woman. She was wearing a European-style dress, and wasn't wearing the pailing makeup that the wealthy Japanese women wore during special occasions. Her father, the old man came over and hugged her, mumbling something about how it had been so many years since he had last seen her.

A third passenger, shorted than the other two, also in a European dress was escorted straight into the mansion, Hayate never had gotten a good look at her but knew that it had to be Naemi and Dietdrich's daughter. The whole family, finally reunited, followed behind her and the samurai disenbanded to their posts. Some went in, others carrited their lanterns with them to their outdoor posts. Midori faintly laughed, "Almost feel sorry for them, ruining this happy reunion of theirs. Especially for their daughter, she looks to be around our age. Oh well, everyone has to die sometime. Hope these mushrooms work slowly."

Hayate shook his head and inserted the slit in the arrow into the string of his bow, "Hurry up and put those mushrooms in, I want to get this over with."

"Whatever you say," she had a smile on her face, which Hayate found hard to beleive. She was actually going to enjoy this. Hayate just wanted them dead so that he could have sucessfully completed his first mission.

He looked around for Midori then dismissed it, realizing that she must have gone around the other way to avoid some samurai. He kept his bow loaded, once in a while pulling the arrow back as someone neared the kitchen.

Hayate counted the samurai and in about a half hour ended up with only thirty-six. He knew fifteen of the Sorai's and thirty new ones issued to the Cristobal's were wandering the premisise somewhere, and he had counted seven go inside, then there were two missing. Maybe he had miscounted. He started to count again, wondering what was taking Midori so long then realized that the kitchen, which was seperate from the house, showed no movement from there to the house. Maybe the chef was still inside and she was waiting for them.

He suddenly heard a noise from behind him, like a whistle. He started turning around to face the source but before he could fully turn, the flat side of a blade hit him across the face. He fell to the ground, his vision slowly blacking out.


The sun had set a long time ago as the group neared their village, mostly relaxed by the long day. Ryu started walking slower and eventually was walking next to Ayane, "Feeling any better?"

"A little, but I know that Kasumi is going to give me a hard time as soon as I get back. I'm just going to wait at the front for Hayate and ask him to take me to my room, Kasumi would never make fun of me around him."

"Why don't you tell Hayate? He'd make her stop."

Ayane looked over at him and bit her lip, "Because she's my sister, I don't want to tell on her because it will ruin any chance that I have to have a caring older sister."

"Why do you want her to be your friend so badly when she treats you like dirt? You have Hayate, you have me."

"Becasuse there are things that I need to talk about that I can't talk to guys about. It's stressful," Ayane gestured to Yuuna with an open palm, "Yuuna has four sisters and three brothers. That's why she's so happy all the time. She has someone to talk to no matter what the situation."

"Ayane, I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. Don't get me wrong, Kasumi is a great friend of mine, but sometimes she can be a complete..."

Ayane answered for him, "Bitch?"

"Umm, I would say brat, but that's basically along the same lines..."

The group arrived in the village and Erikku left them first, then Heero. One of Yuuna's younger brothers who was fetching water rather late called her over for help. Tai eventually left for his own home around the time Ryu and Ayane neared her home, "You'll be alright?"

"Yeah, Hayate should be here soon," Ayane looked out to the right and could faintly see Midori in the distance, "I can see them from here."

Ryu yawned, "Okay, I'm going home now, I'm tired. Goodnight."

A few minutes after Ryu had gone, Midori had arrived at the door and began to open it when Ayane got up, "Where's Hayate?"

Midori scoffed and threw the empty vile to her, "Big brother didn't make it."

Ayane sunk back into sitting, eyes wide. She couldn't beleive it, one of the two people who actually cared about her was gone. The one who cared about her the most, "Hayate..."


A.N.- I really hope you like this chapter. Please R/R. And remember, there is no more open spaces for an OC. If either of those who had a character that I used want me to change something, just tell me. And sorry to those who didn't get one in, hopy you still review. And sorry to Wolf Runner if you feel that Tai had too little time in the story, but don't worry, he'll have more appearance in the next chapter.