QAQ I am sooo to all the followers of this story. I cant believe I've dropped this fic for so long after I've gotten so far into it. Im going to do my best to finish it . Anyway with age comes experience, and I hope I can write this better than the other chapters . . . I just re read most of this fic and to be honest, while I like the story , the writing is pretty awful

The crowd parted as Joe made his way to his son. Kasumi lowered her head in a bow of respect as he approached. With her head still tucked lightly, she stepped aside. Joe didn't even seem to notice her as he wrapped his arms around his son .

"Welcome home my boy." He greeted. Upon hearing him speak , Kasumi wondered if the leader of the clan might have been a little ill recently. His voice sounded a little worn.

"Thank you Father. " Ryu responded. His eyes turned to Kasumi , and she felt a nervous knot suddenly swell in her stomach.

"Father I would like to introduce you two. This is Kasumi from the Mugen Tenshin clan." Ryu said. By the look in Joe's eyes, Kasumi could immediately tell that he already knew exactly who she was.

"It's an honor to have you here miss. Please, make yourself at home. " He said with a curt bow which Kasumi responded to in kind.

"Your hospitality is most kind. Thank you." She said softly. Ryu turned to the other two who had recently came to the village.

"...and this is Lei Fang and her companion Jan Lee. " He said. In traditional Chinese gesture , she bowed. Jan Lee simply gave a nod in greeting.

"Very nice to meet you." She said cheerfully. Joe repeated his bow.

"Now, you all must be tired . Please , make yourselves comfortable. You are more than welcome to take baths , I'll send someone to prepare dinner. " He said.

"Thank you very much sir. " Kasumi said. She hated the idea of imposing, but a bath felt very much needed. She was still dirty and even a little sweaty from the adventure on the mountain. She was relieved when she felt Miaka tug on her arm .

"C'mon. I'll show you guys to some guest rooms. "

She looked back to Ryu , almost longingly as she was being led away.

"We'll talk later. Go relax. " He urged. A boy, who looked almost identical to Miaka poked at Ryu.

"You and your friend need to wash up too master Hayabusa. " The boy demanded. He seemed to have an "older brother" type nature that made Kasumi giggle.

Once Miaka got the girls settled in, she left the two girls to their own devices. The bath was brightly lit, and it only made the room feel warmer. Kasumi took care in washing her auburn hair, almost as if she was worried about missing a single spec of dirt.

"I wonder when those stitches are gonna be ready to come out. " Lei Fang said. Kasumi was glad she had pointed them out, she had almost forgotten that they were there. She eyed them and wondered herself.

"ah- dont worry about it too much. I'm sure Ryu will ask someone to look at it for you. " Kasumi stayed silent , but dumped a bin of warm water over her, letting it wash away the suds from her hair. She finished washing up before joining Leifang in the main tub. The soak felt good. The water here felt incredibly soft.

"It's so nice out here. I wish I could afford to live in the mountains like this. " Leifang said. Kasumi closed her eyes and listened to her friend ramble on while her own mind was filled with its own musings. Of course all she could think , or worry about was what she was going to say to Ryu once they all got together again, secondly, what she was going to do about her siblings. Ayane , and Hayate. Ayane marrying Ryu. All of it was a fearful thought. "I could keep it simple and do what I've always done..." She thought to herself. She could run away. Run from the Mugen Tenshin , and face only the things he believed she had obligations to. But she finally admitted that she didn't want to leave any of these new feelings behind to cut Ryu Hayabusa out of her life, even though fate seemed to have an almost cruel way of pushing all the shinobi back together.

"Ladies. Dinner is ready. " Miaka said. Leifang took one more relaxed sigh before forcing herself up. Her skin was still flawless. and suddenly Kasumi was a little jealous. " I wonder if this wound will leave a scar..." She thought as she dressed herself. Miaka led them to a great hall where it seemed more like a party then a normal meal. The two girls were led to where their companions where , and they took a seat. Leifang simply smiled and continued to roll on with the idle chit chat with Jan Lee . Who was someone more talkative with her.

"I didnt expect him to mingle so well." Ryu whispered to Kasumi. His breath slightly tickled her ear, but she didn't really pay attention . She was too busy feeling relieved. It seemed like nothing bad had happened between either of them.

"Is it always this lively here? " She asked him. Somehow she found herself pouring him some sake, which he took in slow sips.

"Every now and then yeah. But I suppose it's okay to have a night like this every once in awhile."

It was a good couple hours before people started dissipating. Leifang had a little too much to drink and was led away by Janlee before she had the chance to embarrass herself in front of their honorable hosts. It was cute seeing him pull her arm over him. When Kasumi finally felt tired enough to excuse herself, Ryu decided to get up and escort her. They walked along in silence for awhile.

"Do you think-" She started. Their stride stopped and he turned to face her.

"What is it ?"

She almost had to force the words from her stomach.

"Do you think Ayana and Hayate will be here soon?" She asked.

"If they do , they won't do anything. They wouldn't dare attack you while in this village. "

"I guess so...but it's not like I could stay here. " She said. She flinched slightly when she felt his hand caress her cheek .

"You do what you believe you need to do . I promised Hayate I would look after you. I would protect you from both him and Ayane. " She forced herself to look into his eyes. Dark , forest green, and lit up strangely in the moonlight.

" Even if I had never made that promise, I still would."

Her cheeks flared. What was he trying to say ? Did he feel as strongly about her as she did about him? "Wonderful . . . more things to be uncertain about." She thought about. She gently put her hand over his, which still rested on her cheek .

"You always have somehow haven't you ?" She whispered. Silence passed between the two."restrain yourself a little bit- now's not the time for frivolity" She moved closer to him , ever so slightly before leaning up and giving him a gentle kiss on his cheek .

"Thank you. "