The fishing trip turned out to be very successful. Kasumi was surprised that she remembered how to draw the line in. She herself managed to catch 3 while ryu caught at least 4 maybe more. The walk back down was a little more dangerous, seeing as how the boulder covered path was steep. Walking up was no problem for ninja like themselves.

"That was fun. Thank you for having me along." Kasumi said. She carried both rods over her shoulder While Ryu carried the basket the had brought along.

"No thank you for coming with me. Shall we make a stop back before we head down to the village?" Ryu asked.

"If you want to"

Without saying"Sure let's" The two just started walking back in the direction of Ryu's household. It was then that Kasumi started wondering about him. "I wonder why he doesn't live with his clan. Shouldn't he be in the Hayabusa village rather then the Mugen tenshin area?" She asked herself. She almost wanted to ask out loud but she thought better of it.

When Ryu slid the front door open, he noticed a pair of black sandals in front of him. He was positive that he locked the door, but there were only a few people that knew how to get in, and they wouldn't unless it was an emergency.

"Kasumi, wait out back by the garden patch. And mask you ki." He ordered. Kasumi quietly did as she was told." Either Ayane or Hayate is here..." She concluded. Hopefully it wasn't to late to mask her presence. However someone like Hayate would be able to sense her energy from a mile away. Still, she stood behind the house and waited nervously.

Even though he was positive that it was someone he knew, Ryu still made it a point to enter the house cautiously. There at the entrance to the dining area was Ayane, sitting patiently on the floor.

"I was wondering when you would begin to show." She said.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

"A couple of our men got back this morning. They were injured but not severely."

"And?"

"We think they might have run into Kasumi."

"Isn't that what you sent that out for?"

Suddenly, Ayane's eyes burned with rage. She rose up from her spot and walked close to Ryu looking him dead in the eye.

"What's with your attitude? Kasumi is a traitor that needs to be dealt with. Who knows what should could be doing to back stab the clan now!"

"I don't think she would do that. If she was that hateful then she would have killed your men."

"So she was here."

Ryu remained silent.

"If your hiding her from me, you'll regret it."

He still said nothing. His empty gaze was enough to make Ayane feel uncomfortable. As she headed for the door, Ryu simply turned around to make sure she didn't make any side trips.

"Master Hayate would be most disappointed, if his best friend betrayed him too."

With that said, she dashed off leaving nothing but a storm of dust kicked up from her feet."Hayate knows that I am an ally of both him and Kasumi. He will not be angered."

When he was sure Ayane was out of the area, Ryu went to the back garden. Sure enough Kasumi stood unharmed.

"Let's go. We shouldn't ignore your arm any longer."

"Okay...Thank you."

"Huh. It will need some stitching" Masamura muttered as he inspected Kasumi's arm.

"Would you be able to get it done tonight?" Ryu asked.

"Don't insult me Ryu, I'll have it done in a couple minutes!" The old man cheered. He went into the back to fetch supplies he would need.

Ryu followed him into his back office, leaving Kasumi to stare at the stars through the only seen open window.

"You won't tell anyone that you met with her right? Your certainly aware that she is of the Mugen Tenshin clan. She is one of their outcasts."

With a chuckle Masamura said " Don't worry my boy. If you are trying to keep her hidden I will surely do the same. Besides, you seem to be the right one for her."

"What are you talking about?"

Masamura pulled an arm around Ryu's neck and slung around so he could see Kasumi sitting down in the other room, simply staring blankly out the window, somewhere lost in her sea of thoughts.

"Look at her Ryu. That girl is probably the loneliest soul in earth right now. That and she's beautiful. Take good care of her." He whispered, releasing Ryu from his grasp. The old man turned his attention back to the things he needed.

" She is...Beautiful..."

Sure enough, Masamura had her arm stitched in less then 20 minutes and he had the two on there way. The town was still busy even at night. By observation Kasumi could tell that the towns people were preparing for something.

"What are the villagers getting ready for?" She asked.

"Oh there is a festival coming up. The star festival I think."

"Oh. Okay."

He couldn't help but watched her as she observed the setting. Her eyes were filled with nothing but longing,

"How long has it been since youv'e been to a festival?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh about..well I haven't been to one since before I was exiled." She replied.

"If you want, you can stay for awhile at my place and I'll take you to this one."

"What? Are you sure?"

"You do want to go right?"

She couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you. I don't mean to be any trouble to you."

He smiled back.

"Don't worry. You aren't"

--

This really makes me want to draw htem together in festival clothes. Don't you think Kasumi would look cute in a kimono X/D

I think I'll start drawing pictures for my fanfiction. I'll try to color them too. If you want to take the time, please search for them on deviantart.

My DA username is :

Millia--rage