Hey everyone! Shoutout to darkfollowinganangel: Thanks for reviewing my story two times!!! She isn't as lazy as all the other people who greedily read my story, and don't review it; except for those who did it at least once! Ha! Just kidding, I'm content with your unwillingness to review. Anyways, this chapter is really long and in my opinion it kinda sucks. So review me please!!! Tell me what's wrong with this chapter! It only takes a few seconds, unless there is something really wrong with my chapter and/or story. Grrr, I'm so desperate for reviews... AN: I put some breaks in the middle of things to show the narrator is talking about somebody else, I did that because it didn't seem to flow nicely without them, actually that was a lie, it still doesn't flow nicely. Enjoy!

Narrator

Kasumi twirled, while standing up, and took hold of her kunai. She was about to puncture his chest, when he took hold of her wrist with dynamic strength. She looked in the face of the unknown and realized she was about to kill her brother's best friend, Ryu Hayabusa.

"Next time look before you strike," he said, grinning, as he gently let go of her wrist. She retreated and smiled back at him.

"Hello, Ryu-san," she said, while tucking her kunai back into her belt. She quickly went to the point, that suddenly irritated her, "If you're here because you are sending a message from my father, then don't even bother wasting your breathe."

Without a word, the emotionless Ryu walked over to the riverside and bent down, taking a sip of the cool water, and then answered. "Firstly, I didn't expect that you would be so cold to me-."

Kasumi interrupted him in mid-speech, "No, I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way."

Her manners had always gotten in the way, Ryu thought.

He stood up and walked over to her. The crunches of fallen leaves under his feet and the loud wind, wonderfully commingled into a sweet melody. A coldness ran down Kasumi's back, as she peered into his unusual jade eyes, the warmth in them disappearing fast. "To tell you the truth, the moment I heard that Hayate was captured by Shunsaku and that you were going to rescue him, I just had to come and help, even though I heard the news three days later." He paused and let out a long breath. "You were pretty good out there." He unexpectedly added.

"Oh, well thank you very much." Surprised by the comment she turned away from him and blushed. "But I don't need any help from anyone. The only person I need right now is my brother."

Ryu felt his gut wrench. He let out another breath. "Kasumi, I can't leave you out here alone." Because I care about you, he said in his secure mind, tell her that. "Because I promised your brother that if anything happened to him, I would be there to make sure that you are safe." He tightly closed his eyes with self-disappointment. "Please, let me help you; I'm not doing this just for you, I'm doing it for my best friend."

He could tell that Kasumi was slowly accepting his excuse.

-----

She could feel his smile creep onto his lips. "Are you hungry?" his voice, happily boomed out.

She turned back, and bashfully nodded, after all, she haven't eaten since the first day she had left the village. And to have Ryu feed her, after making him feel unwanted, made her feel awkward.

"Very well, I'll go catch some fish for the both of us." With that he took out his bow and arrow and shot at the unsuspecting fishes. After catching them he hooked them onto a wooden stick, pushing it into the ground so they stood without further contamination.

He built a fire, just in time for dusk to join them. He cooked the fish, while watching the beautiful auburn haired girl sit across from him with mild peace. Orange flecks flickered in her eyes as the fire danced along with the delicate breeze. He smiled and looked down.

Kasumi absorbed in thought, didn't notice that a leaf had landed on her thin, elegant legs.

As nice as he is, I can never trust him. Never. I can't even trust my own father, how could I possibly trust an outsider, a stranger?

-----

By the way she acted when they met today, he couldn't help but feel a barrier that prohibited his passing to her feelings and thoughts.

She doesn't trust me at all, I don't blame her though. Her father is the one who did this to her... to me. Nevertheless, this will be the hardest and most, dare I say, interesting obstacle, yet: To save Hayate from the hands of evil, and to win his sister's heart.

Hayate

I sat alone in the corner of the repulsive room, persistently readying myself for what would happen to me next. A loud thud came nearer and nearer. I could tell that it was Shunsaku- and he wasn't happy.

A crashing noise was heard when Shunsaku slid open the doors.

"Bringing me good news, I hope." I said sarcastically.

His glare could make a million people die right before his eyes. "Good news? Your vexatious sister has just killed my best men!" Looking around he whispered to himself, "She is more powerful than I thought she would be. That fucking whore." He looked into my eyes and gripped my face with his fat fingers. "You know what? I'm going to make you pay for this." His gaze met the door and he screamed out, "Hunter! Bring your whip and get ready to make him feel pain!"

A fainter, but quicker thump neared the room.

"Yes, master." The same man who had whipped me before, said, as he greedily walked over to me. His mischievous grin made me shudder on the inside.

The whips made me feel numb, but I didn't care. For I knew that Kasumi was soon coming- how effeminate I am to have my little sister save me, my father would never approve, I thought.

I closed my eyes, for it was tearing up. All I could hear were loud commands, telling the man to whip me harder, and faster. If only I could kill him right now, I would save Kasumi's life from the horrid memories that this would bring.

Narrator

Kasumi had a stubborn sore that took over her body as she walked next to Ryu, a migraine had seeped through and she felt like she could die at any moment.

"Are you alright?" Ryu asked with worry, as he looked at her painstaking face.

"I'm alright, thank you." Kasumi lied.

She heard swishing noise behind her, and looked back milliseconds after Ryu did.

About ten men appeared on the top of the large Sakura trees. They all stood on the branches with their arms crossed over there chest. They wore a black with blue outlining, ninja attire without the usual masks. Kasumi's eyes narrowed as she pulled out her katana.

She and Ryu raced to the enemy, pointing at them with there katana dangerously.

It was luckily her father's men. She could kill them within fifteen minutes if she wanted, too.

The two subconsciously divided up the men. The ninjas seemed surprise at Kasumi's companion. But anyhow, their master wanted Kasumi to be returned home immediately, and nothing could stand in their way, even if she had done them, and their loved ones many favors in the past. They couldn't disobey there leader or else they would dishonor there whole family name, the worst of all punishments-even death was much more appealing.

Ryu staked his katana into a man's stomach, as he quickly took out his kunai and slashed at another person's heart. One individual took out his shuriken and tried to slice Ryu's throat, unfortunately Ryu caught it without a scratch and threw it back to him, slicing his massive neck. The two men came charging with their katana's out. What a detrimental way to kill, you're leaving your body wide open for me to pierce you. Of course he didn't say a word, but rather he killed them with quickness, easing their suffering.

He looked across to Kasumi, who had one more to kill. He quickly examined her.

Her face carried such beauty, it made him want to protect her forever. Her body... he let out a breath, was as lovely as the cherry blossoms that fell during the magnificent autumn spell. I want you to be my guiding light. I want to tell you that I have and always will love you. He shook his head gently, and took out his bow, aiming it at the man. He soon shot him and killed the inexperienced ninja immediately.

She looked towards him, her eyes appeared glassy. But yet she smiled sweetly. "Thanks," she weakily muttered, and slowly fell to the ground of fallen leaves.

Oh god, that chapter freaken sucked! It was long and horrid, worst of both worlds. Oh well, it's not about what I dislike about the story, it's about what you dis and/or liked about the story! So please review. I know why it sucks now, because Ryu didn't sound very 'manly or wise.' That's all I'm gonna say. Oh wait! Thanks for taking your time reading it!!!