Wow, took me long enough to write this chapter. Went through a creative dry spell there for a while, but with the help of some writing exercises and new creative ventures (follow the link to my LJ in my profile and you'll see what I mean), I'm getting back on track. Plus, I have two other stories in the hopper (one DOA related, one FFX-2 related) that may see the first few chapters published soon. I've tweaked the first three chapters of this one, so it they may change- slightly- over the next 24 to 48 hrs when I get around to uploading them.

Anyways, you know the drill, I don't own the characters, blah blah blah... On with the show!

The emotionless expression returned to Ryu's face. He folded his arms across his chest and slowly exhaled.

"I see."

Helena waited for him to say more and was disappointed that he didn't. She felt her hands about to fidget with each other, and quickly restrained them by balling them into fists at her sides. She started speaking again, hoping he would eventually respond.

"It's the fighter named Ein. There really isn't much information about him, but…" She paused, hesitant on just how much information she should give the ninja. "I got some… information… shortly after my mother's death that may link him to her murder". She hated to be vague, yet it was easier than lying. "I was wondering, perhaps, you may have heard of him?" Her aqua eyes peered up inquisitively at his green ones, only to look away quickly. She could tell that he knew she was hiding something. Helena studied the ground at her feet, waiting for a response, if any, from the man in front of her.

There was another long pause. Then the ninja started to speak, his deep voice coming out slowly as he allowed his arms to drop at his sides.

"You chose not to follow the advice I gave you that first night, I see. Your quest for the truth and for revenge is more important to you than your own safety."

"The subject of my safety is rather a moot point, given I joined a fighting tournament." Helena retorted sharply. She quickly changed her tone, seeing his eyebrow twitch upward in slight annoyance. "It was because of your advice that I've come to seek you out. You seem to… know more about what is going on here, both in the tournament and with DOATEC. Since you seem to be rather knowledgeable on such topics, I felt I had to come to you," she sighed, looking back up at the ninja again. "Please," her voice barely above whisper volume, "tell me what you know, if anything."

It was the tone in which she pleaded her case that made Ryu turn away from her slightly. He had heard it before from someone else that had come to this tournament seeking revenge. For a moment, his vision blurred, and instead of blonde hair and aqua eyes, he saw red hair and amber eyes. He shook himself mentally. This will not do, he thought. Yet as he looked upon the Frenchwoman, he knew that by her choosing the path she was embarking on would have similar, even tragic consequences.

"It has been rumored that the tournament is nothing more than a front and that DOATEC uses it as a testing ground for their bio weapons- essentially, human test subjects who have been altered in some way."

This was something Helena had already suspected, but she waited for the ninja to continue.

"The means they use to… "collect"… test subjects have been highly questionable, perhaps even illegal. The winner of the previous tournament…" Helena could detect a slight waver in his voice. "DOATEC captured her shortly after she won. It is my belief that they would have done this to any of the other fighters present- had they won instead. She managed to escape, or they let her escape-"

" 'Let her escape'?" She interrupted, repeating his words.

Ryu inclined his head. "Her escape seemed too… easy."

Helena crossed her arms in thought, raising a knuckle and tapping it against her lips. The information gave her a new perspective on the information contained in the file back in her room. Perhaps the murderer did not act of his own accord? What if it was DOATEC who wanted her dead? If that was the case, then by coming to this tournament, Helena thought, may have been a fatal mistake.

She continued to mull over Ryu's words, recalling the change that subtly came over him when talking about the girl. She didn't notice the ninja about to take his leave of her, walking away silently, when it clicked.

"The girl, she was the one you were talking to that night, at the banquet. She was the one DOATEC captured, wasn't she?" Helena inquired, calling out to the retreating form of the ninja.

Ryu stopped in mid-stride, turning back to face the opera singer. With a guarded, expressionless face, he replied, "Yes, it was her".

"You care for her very much, don't you," Helena murmured, her tone making it more of a statement and less of a question. He did not reply, but the slight change in his olive skin color spoke for him. She inquired again, this time a different question. "Why on earth would she return here, if she knew the dangers involved?"

"While she was held captive, her brother was kidnapped from their home. She believes DOATEC may be responsible and comes to find him, and free him if he is here."

"Kidnapped? How is that possible? I know DOATEC is powerful, but even they couldn't simply go into village full of ninjas and take one of their own."

"They can if that one is crippled."

Something in Helena's stomach twisted. "Crippled?"

"He was paralyzed in a battle shortly before the inaugural DOA Tournament."

Suddenly, Helena couldn't breathe right. Her whole body tensed as she digested the news. She clutched her midsection, feeling the familiar sensation of her blood pounding in her ears. Ryu, noticing the sudden change in her composure took a step forward, hand extended out to her.

"Mademoiselle, are you alright?" he inquires, his voice concerned.

"I-I'm fine," inside, Helena laughed bitterly. It was the second time she had let her guard down in front of the man. If they ever fought, he would have her knocked out inside three moves! "Thank you, for what you have told me. I should be going now," she added quickly, and turned to go. She had walked only a half dozen steps when the ninja called out to her.

"A path that begins in death will only end in death."

Helena halted in mid-step and turned to face the ninja one more time. She could see his eyes staring right through her once again. Despite the chill she felt run down her spine at his words, she felt able to meet his piercing gaze. She bowed slightly, acknowledging his words, and replied, "the bullet that killed my mother that night was meant for me. I really shouldn't be alive now, and each day from that moment onward is just borrowed time." Then turned on her heel and continued on her way.