Disclaimer: I don't own Ayane, Hitomi, Hayate or any of the characters from the Doa series
A/N: Again reviews are much appreciated guys. Sorry this chapter has taken so long, I just hope you all enjoy it :)
3: Showdown At The Royal Oak:
Flashback continues:
A dimly lit room filled with cigarette smoke, was about to bear witness to what some would have called the fight of the century. Tables and chairs laid scattered where they had fallen, glass giving the tiled floor an added sheen. Spilt whiskey dripped from the bar, as a light fitting swung uneasily in the far corner of the room.
A large ceiling fan continued to rotate steadily, giving off the only sound in the otherwise silent room. The grandfather clock next to the doorway made a single, ominous chime. Its hands signalling the time as being eleven thirty.
Not a living soul dared to move. Any man who was still conscious had the sense to lie completely still and suppress his cries of pain. Around the corner from the bar stood a completely terrified barman. Unable to do anything to end the conflict. The tense standoff between the two sisters had created an atmosphere so dense; it could have been cut with a knife.
Eyeing each other for what seemed like an eternity, it was Kasumi who made the first move; catching Ayane off guard.
Kasumi began by darting forwards, landing a blow with her outstretched palm into Ayane's stomach. As Ayane recoiled somewhat, Kasumi sent a wave of rapid punches at her face. The lavender haired ninja, whilst reeling from the painful sensation in her stomach, proceeded to block several of the red-heads punches. However Kasumi's final punch came with such force, that runaway shinobi stumbled forwards. Ayane seizing her chance, swiftly moved around Kasumi, sending a harsh kick steaming into her back.
Landing amongst smashed beer bottles and broken glasses, the disgraced kunoichi let out a wail of pain as she looked at her hands, now riddled with fragments of glass. Something inside Kasumi snapped, in the past she had always been so forgiving towards Ayane. She had felt a duty to excuse Ayane because of her bad childhood. Whilst Kasumi had been looked after in a stable family environment, Ayane had been shunned by the village. Life had been very tough for the fiery kunoichi, but why could she not see that Kasumi understood, and regretted all that had occurred in the past?
However there was no forgiving Ayane this time; she had taken the fight a step too far. Dusting herself off, Kasumi prepared for battle once more.
They locked eyes again before rushing toward each other. Ayane leaped upwards, sending her right palm on a collision course with Kasumi's head. But Kasumi unexpectedly ducked under, following through with a powerful kick to Ayane's abdomen sending her hurtling backwards onto a pool table. Groaning as she stood, Ayane spoke:
"Well Kasumi it seems that you've finally got some guts. Willing to actually hit me! now that makes a change. But don't think I'm going to hold back!"
"I'd expect nothing less Ayane!"
"The time has come Kasumi for me to finally defeat you. I'm going to enjoy every second of this, and once I'm done with you, there'll not be a bone in your body left unbroken."
"Don't get too bigheaded"
At this last comment Ayane simply smiled. Pulling out several Ninja stars hidden in her clothing, she threw them toward Kasumi. Using a backward somersault, the flame-haired Shinobi was able to evade the stars… barely…
'She really means to hurt me. Would she go so far as to kill me?'
As Kasumi thought, Ayane had already begun her next attack. Seemingly in a frenzy she jumped towards the floor. Using her right hand for support she swung herself round, propelling a well timed kick at Kasumi's legs. Kasumi toppled over, and Ayane rushed to stand over her, placing one foot on the disgraced ninja's stomach, thus preventing her from standing.
"Well, well what a sight to behold! The great Kasumi defeat by her rival! Hahaha if only I had a camera! I'll remember to tell Hayate-sama all about this, and the unfortunate accident you're going to have, when I see him!"
"You… you bitch Ayane!"
"That's a very strong word for you Kasumi. Tut, tut."
Kasumi threw her legs around Ayane dragging her to the ground, before flipping them over so that the redhead was kneeling above her sibling. Gripping Ayane's shoulders, she attempted to talk some sense into the girl.
"Ayane listen to me, you've drunk heaven knows how much, your not yourself! Look we can stop this now; I'll never speak of it again. Just please leave it, our brothers welfare should be our priority."
Straining against Kasumi's grip she spoke:
"Well, maybe your right, sister. I have been a little hasty."
Smiling Kasumi spoke a little more softly.
"Thank you Ayane I knew you'd see sense. Why don't we just forget about all of this, and tomorrow we can find our brother together."
"Sounds perfect."
Upon hearing this Kasumi released her hold on Ayane. As she stood she offered a hand to Ayane who accepted, the runaway shinobi pulling the kunoichi to stand. Stepping closer Ayane whispered into the flame-haired girl's ear.
"Didn't that seem a little too easy? Kasumi you never learn. Why are you so sickening, just forgiving me like that? Why can't you understand how much I HATE YOU!"
Ayane thrust her right hand out gripping Kasumi by the throat. Lifting her off of the ground she began to step forward. When reaching her destination, she used every ounce of strength in her petite body to raise Kasumi toward the ceiling. It was at that point Kasumi realised her sister's intentions. Slowly she was being lifted towards the ceiling fan, her head mere inches away. Kasumi screamed, unable to get any words out.
"Hahaha How does it feel Kasumi, to be completely helpless? To know that nobody will come and rescue you? Not nice is it? Well just think how much worse it would be if you were just a child. A child cast out of your village through no fault of your own. That was me Kasumi!"
Ayane lowered the girl. Sill holding her, she reached for a broken bottle.
"Sad isn't it, we could have been such a happy family"- Ayane's eyes were dull as if all feeling had left her. She grabbed Kasumi's hair, pulling her head down in order to reveal her pale neck. The kunoichi rested the sharp glass on Kasumi's skin drawing blood.
"Ayane think about this for one minute… If you kill me… Hayate will never forgive you…"
"Just shut up!" Had feeling returned to the lavender-haired? Kasumi could have sworn she heard her voice crack slightly. She decided her only hope was to continue:
"For gods sake Ayane you lived your childhood as an outcast… Do you want the same to happen again?... You have happiness now… please don't throw it away… you're still my sister, I will forgive you…"
A tear rolled down Ayane's cheek, she was crying. Surely she had some respect for Kasumi? But it wasn't enough, she quickly brushed her feelings aside. Regaining her composure she continued:
"No, I have spent most of my life waiting to finish you. I cannot stop now."
Kasumi prepared for death, praying for someone, anyone, to help her. Whilst thinking, she heard words spoken so softly, she thought she had simply imagined them.
"Put her down…"
Loosening her grip, Ayane let the runaway shinobi's, now weak body, drop to the floor. Kasumi hit her head on a table as she fell, knocking her out cold.
The lavender-haired replied to the challenger:
"Hmmm, and who are you to tell me what to do? Trust me this does not concern you."
Turning, she faced the woman who had spoken.
"Oh, I think you'll find it does…"
Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight before her, it was the girl from the dojo. Now wearing jeans and a tight t-shirt, she looked angry to say the least.
Just as the girl finished, Mickael, now conscious, plucked up the courage to speak:
"Hitomi, does daddy know you're out so late? What would he say if he knew about your nightime trips down here?"
I'm of legal drinking age! Why shouldn't I be here?"
"There are some bad people about; we wouldn't want you getting hurt now would we."
"I'll have you know I can handle myself Mickael, I am the dojo master's daughter after all. Now what's been going on? What have you done to this pub?"
Ayane chose to help herself to another beer whilst the girl and Mickael argued.
"Me? I did nothing, except try and start conversation with her." He pointed towards Ayane.
"Mickael, you're never the innocent party. However I will have to ask all of you to leave immediately, they'll be no more fighting here."
Ayane suddenly spoke up:
"Well I'm not done yet!"
Hitomi's reply came swiftly:
"Then I'll have to throw you out!"
Mickael had the stupidity to continue his and Hitomi's disagreement:
"Hitomi, you couldn't steal a lollipop from a three year old, let alone defeat her!"
"Shut up Mickael!" She launched a barstool at him knocking him unconscious, "For once I will not be treated as a child, I'll defeat you stranger!"
"Hmmph! I'm invincible; give me your best shot!"
Moving closer, Hitomi grabbed the purple-haired girl and threw her through the doors of the bar.
Now outside, the battle between the two got started:
Ayane flipped forwards, very much off balance but nevertheless managing to strike Hitomi with a kick to her left thigh. Hitomi retaliated by kicking Ayane's chest before following through with a diving punch. Ayane grappled with the girl as they fell toward the ground. Landing beneath Hitomi she watched as the Karate expert pulled out a pocket knife. Reacting as she had practiced numerous times before, Ayane fought; winning the knife and flipping a very surprised Hitomi onto her back. Now sitting above the girl, she raised the knife, but not before Hitomi made her challenge:
"Do it! Just like you were going to kill her in there! End this now! Just promise me you'll leave my village in peace!"
Hitomi stared into Ayane's ruby coloured eyes. Bringing the blade down towards the girl's throat, Ayane couldn't make herself do it. Stopping, whilst looking deep into those blue eyes, she mumbled:
"What right do I have to use these hands… Hands with so many peoples blood on them, to destroy something so perfect…So pure…" Ayane followed with something either very brave, or very stupid.
She dropped the knife.
Cupping Hitomi's cheek she forced her lips upon the girl's. The kiss was fierce, desperate, wanting, and Hitomi made little effort to reciprocate before slapping the lavender-haired girl wildly.
"How dare you!"
"I, I'm sorry, please… forgive me …I…"- 'Why am I apologising? Why do I feel, so guilty? And why the hell did I just kiss another girl?'
-Questions she would have to find answers to in the morning. A wave of dizziness taking over, Ayane was finally subdued by the alcohol, as she passed out.
Hitomi took little notice shoving Ayane off of herself. The brunette stood, a wave of emotions washing over her. Deciding she could not simply leave the ninja to freeze to death, she scooped her up in her arms, and took her someplace where she could recover.
Well as always reviews are nice :D
