TheDarkestShinobi: not much to say other than sorry for the long wait and thank you for your patience. Let me know what you think!

Oh and changed their format so my new divider is ((TheDarkestShinobi)) if anyone has a better idea for one let me know!

As most of you know it is (going to be) a long story and I was thinking of novelizing it. I have no idea if I will but if I do I need original names! If you have a name for Kasumi, Ayane, Hayate, RYU or the Hajin Mon and Mugen Tenshin villages(the only ones I need to replace) LET ME KNOW! PLEASE!

And if I pick your name (regardless to whatever happens to the story) I will write a DOA one-shot of your choice even if it's a pairing I don't like. (see, I'm desperate!)

Chapter start

The tension in the air was thick when Ryu arrived. Hayate leaned against a tree in his usual white and blue garb and was shooting Ayane, who was in her usual purple garb, disgusted glances and she was ignoring him, Sereo was sitting against a tree and no one spoke. Only Yuki was missing but he knew she would be there shortly. He had seen her gathering her weapon when he left the Ieto household. He had not seen her fight before but was anticipating greatness from her. One who mastered pain would be a master at pleasure, so naturally one who mastered healing would also be a master at poisoning the body and watching it destroy itself.

Within seconds he heard her coming, she had two pouches on her waist that were liquid proof and he knew that her weapon was in there. He briefly looked over his shoulder to make sure they were not being watched. He did not see anyone, but he could not shake the feeling.

Kasumi watched them intently from her hiding spot. The only one she felt that she needed to study was Yuki. Yuki was the only one she didn't know and hadn't fought. Yuki did not seem to have a physical weapon but held something in those pouches, but before she could investigate further she had to hide.

Kasumi smiled slightly, leave it to Ryu to sense her before they had even left, she nodded and decided that she would have to follow a trail and not them; after all it was better to be behind than spotted.

They took off as soon as it was dark. The five ninja and their ghost blended into the shadow that stretched over the earth as they ran to fight, and some of them, to die.

Slowly, Kasumi was able to creep up on them so that she was only a few seconds behind and luckily for her Sereo was in the back and could warn her if she got too close. He didn't warn her of anything so she followed them making sure to step in pace with them and breathe when they did. She was their living shadow.

The Darkest Shinobi

"We will eat now," Hayate suddenly said and they all slowed to a stop. "If we fight as much as I think we will, then there will barely be enough time for us to eat after this."

Ryu nodded and watched Yuki and Ayane leave to go and catch their food from one of the few streams in the fields of Kita Santi. He took a quick scan of the surrounding area and determined that he was alone so he reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter. It did not contain the false words that leaders used but the bluntness of a tool. He turned so that he could use the morning sun as his light and make sure it was still intact. It read

The battle is between those on the scroll and not between our villages, there is no real reason for war at this time so let us decide this honorably as our ancestors did and not with the methods of the distant past.

He knew he would have to deliver it himself to Haruka for it to be taken seriously, so he would set off to deliver it at nightfall when they would be more alert and less likely to accidentally attack him. He skimmed it and nodded putting it back in his pocket. He then caught sight again of the blue sheath he had. Why did he bring it? He had plenty of weapons and there was no chance in him finding her and giving it back. He shook his head, he could not get distracted, Kasumi did not matter; she was meaningless; the only thing that mattered was the mission, the war.

He left at nightfall, Yuki, who had first watch, eyed him curiously but he didn't pay her any attention. He had done this only once before but he was sure he could again. Jumping into a tree branch he held his hands in front of him. He then bent his elbows and crossed them before only holding his right one up and spinning. Yuki blinked and Ryu was gone, replaced by a falcon with a single piece of paper rolled up and held in its talons. She stood there in awe as he flew away from them, shaking her head she sat back down and wondered if she needed some sleep.

Finding out where they were was easy; his eyes were even sharper as the creature. He owed everything to it. When he was younger he was killed, slain by the same man, no monster that had killed his entire clan, but, miraculously was brought back to life by a merciful falcon so that he could take revenge. He was living on someone else's time and he did not intend to waste it.

He spotted their camp and was relieved to see the bodies lying on the floor and that Haruka was on watch. He circled above the camp and was very aware when she started to eye him, timing it just right he released the paper so that she wouldn't have to move too far to catch it. She opened it and read it quickly keeping her attention on the falcon.

She didn't know how she knew, but she knew that the falcon was not really a bird, but a person who shared the same name. He landed on a tree branch and turned his head looking at her, waiting for her verdict.

"You're right Ryu; this shouldn't be solved like savages." She walked closer towards the falcon and he lifted his wings ready to take off. He knew he was very weak in this form, but it made travel easier and no one would attack a falcon flying by. She smiled and wanted to say she wasn't going to hurt him but she knew it wasn't true. She was at war with him and they were not fighting now, but they could very well kill each other tomorrow. She didn't want to, she had liked him for a very long time, and she had missed him. She wanted to run up to him and hug him, to pretend that they weren't enemies or even ninja, just two friends. She had often thought about the possibility of 'more than friends' but any hope of that had died when his village was murdered and the arranged marriage between them cancelled, though she doubted Ryu had known anything about it.

She just wanted to touch him, even if he was an animal at the time. She took another step forward and he extended the wings fully ready to leave her again. She smiled though he could tell it was fake and held up the paper.

"I agree with you, there will be no total war, only this."

The falcon, satisfied with the answer he received, instantly took to the skies. Haruka watched it leave and crossed her arms over her chest watching the bird forlornly.

"I've missed you Ryu."

The Darkest Shinobi

"Let's start moving; we don't want to be ambushed."

Everyone, once again, followed Hayate's orders and soon they were looking for someplace to camp near water. Kasumi followed at a distance. She thought Ayane had noticed her on two occasions but they were two false alarms and left her being even more careful. She darted from behind bush to bush behind them. Sereo didn't acknowledge her, so either, he was very good at ignoring her, or she was skilled enough that no one would notice her if she tried to mask herself. She had survived being on the run for far too long according to her siblings and most of her village, so her skills were honed. Still, she had to be cautious.

She found her focus drifting to Ryu, her mother had told her that he was not the same, and she had seen him break down, but he seemed fine now. She knew that one would not show their weaknesses and missing her was a definite weakness so if he was still suffering it would be in silence and in darkness. Or did he possibly forget her?

With the exception of Ryu and possibly Hayate, none of the Mugen Tenshin ninja looked intimidating and strong. She knew, of course, that looks were deceiving, and that one should not judge by it, but ninjas do, even the more experienced ones did. It was one of the reasons she was still alive, everyone underestimated her.

Even now they were underestimating her, and their enemies, if she had been an enemy, she would've grabbed the senbon pouch she had and made quick work of at least three of them. They needed to be more alert, and she would have to warn Sereo the next time she seen him about that, after all, she would not always be watching them, and ironically, protecting them.

The Darkest Shinobi

Kasumi leaned over her desk and smiled drawing the last line; this was the first picture she had drawn in a long time that wasn't ominous in any way shape or form. The woman in the picture had short purple hair and was wearing a purple outfit. Kasumi paused and tilted her head; she had seen this woman before. She saw her recently too.

"Hayabusa san…" she whispered as she remembered she was walking with him. She leaned back onto her legs and looked at the paper for any sort of hint, what did it mean? The woman in the picture was lying in the grass; she had a small smile on her face and appeared to be sleeping. There was a silver feather lying on the ground and other than that it appeared to be a normal field, like the ones below Kita Santi.

"Kasumi, our meal is ready!" Kasumi jumped slightly startled by her mother's quick shout.

"I will be down in a minute; I am putting away my things."

Kasumi quickly picked up her coloring supplies and put them on the top shelf before grabbing her big book to put her new drawing in. She placed it down and looked at the picture one last time.

"Kasumi!"

She jumped at the sound of her door opening and felt something wet underneath her bottom. She stood to see her red oil on the floor and felt it seeping into her pants. She looked at her mother apologetically but her mother was not looking at her but the mess on the floor.

"I'm sorry I will clean it."

Kasumi turned and stopped, the girl in the picture was not sleeping. She was dead.

The oil had become blood on her picture and made the feather a sword. Her peaceful face now looked pained. Kasumi brought her hands to her face; she just killed this person with her prediction. Like Irene, this woman would be dead in the next twenty four hours.

Her mother had looked at her after she was able to tear her eyes away from the picture. She felt as if she was seeing a different person in her daughter. She was not longer a small and innocent girl; she practiced the mysterious arts, much like a ninja, much like the kunochi she named her after.

Kasumi's mother, Katsu Izumi, admired ninjas and others who practiced the arts; they had become more than human simply by applying themselves. She had even named her daughter after the supposed Kunochi of Destiny; which hadn't gone unnoticed but went unsaid by her brother. The Shogun had always been against ninjas because he had always been scared of their power. Shoguns in general were only supposed to control the disputes between the Shinobi villages, never to destroy them, which was the goal of the new shogun.

She knew her brother wanted to bring about new laws that further forbade and punish those who were found to know and practice the arts and as the Shogun he had the power to do that, but now she was concerned for her daughter. Kasumi had learned a secret art from her sensei and now she was in danger here as long as she practiced it. She had to stop, or be sent away.

"Is this what Taiki was teaching you, Kasumi?"

"Yes." She replied as she walked over to the picture and kneeled in front of it. , she looked at her mother delicately picking it up.

"I will be at dinner in just another few minutes."

"We will talk about this later."

Kasumi looked back at the picture after her mother had left her room; she bowed her head in remorse.

"I'm sorry."

The Darkest Shinobi

"They're here." Yuki whispered as she looked into the trees surrounding them. The others nodded noticing the subtle changes as well such as the smell of the wind and sounds of the forest. She reached around and dipped her hand into one of the two pouches that were on her waist. She pulled it out and it was covered in a thin film of a clear shiny liquid. Yuki then lowered her stance and brought her hands together rubbing the liquid over them. She looked up into the trees and slowly turned scanning them. She then spread her legs slightly farther and held her hands in front of her in her stance.

Sereo curtly nodded in response but did not reach for his weapon. He didn't move his body but looked to his upper left, there was a patch of darker green in the tree, one; he then caught a glimpse of silver hair; two. He could tell that there were two others up there and saw the black fabric of another. They weren't hiding very well, so Sereo could only assume that they were not going for a surprise attack but he knew he could not be too safe.

Hayate lowered his stance and drew his sword, he had barely noticed before but after Yuki had commented on the presences they became apparent to him. He could sense a person in the bushes, and two in the trees, but where were the others? He looked into the trees intently; they all had to be there, to go for a quick kill one would strike from behind, below, or above. He would not be caught by surprise. He tightened his hold on his sword slightly with his left hand as he started to feel the adrenaline run through his body, and he smiled.

Ryu knew that there was only five other ninjas since the Tsube was about as honorable as the Mugen Tenshin and they had stayed true to the five on five, but he sensed six people and he always trusted his senses, it was something his sensei and experience had taught him. Just like the feeling he had that they had been watched at the entrance to the Mugen Tenshin. Keeping wary of the inevitable attack, he rested his hand on the hilt of his blade and waited for the natural signal that would start the fight.

Ayane turned her head and looked towards the bushes next to them when she heard a twig snap, whoever was hiding there was careless or clever. She could attack it preemptively and she knew that she would be able to take the out ninja in the bushes, but most likely if that person had made themselves known then there would be someone above her waiting to take her out when she did decide to attack. The best thing to do then, was wait.

Kasumi bit her lip cursing her carelessness; she was too distracted by the tension in the air and carelessly stepped wrong and exposed herself to them all. She could sense all of the other ninja and could tell that the inevitable battle was coming soon. She braced herself in case her sister attacked her believing her to be an enemy ninja and noticed that the forest quieted itself, as if the entire world was watching this single fight and no one wanted to miss anything. Ayane reached for her Dual Blade energy sword as the first battle cry was heard.

The first of the Tsube to attack was Ten Kippei; he jumped off of a tree branch with a battle cry. Hoping to kill with his first strike the muscular nineteen year old brought his sword down to hit the leader of the Mugen Tenshin. If he could take out the leader then the rest should be even easier. Hayate, however, simply parried the blow and Kippei was forced to step back. They looked at each other judging the other, looking for an opening, a weakness, their chance to kill. Both swords were held out towards the other offensively.

Hayate instantly recognized Kippei from the Chokaku, he was the youngest there. He looked tall sitting but judging now he looked to be 6'3, and the way he carried himself made him seem even taller and made Hayate feel small, even though he stood at 5'11". His tan skin made him stand out among them and his dirty blonde hair fell over his black headband and covered the crimson part. His outfit was black with crimson seams and he had on black fingerless gloves.

Ryu had been targeted by Ishibashi Kenji. Both long haired men had made brief eye contact before Kippei had even moved from the tree and picked each other as their opponents. Ryu brought his hand down from his sword, stepped back, and grabbed his nun chucks. He then drew his nun chucks from his left side with his right hand and quickly brought it to his side, effectively knocking the sword off its course. Ryu took a step back and Kenji narrowed his eyes.

Kenji held his Katana offensively as he and the Dragon ninja eyed each other. He stood at 5'9" and had a muscular build. His long brown hair was held back in a tight ponytail and his brown eyed stared into the Jade ones staring back. On his left bicep was a blue band tattoo, he was part of the Koga sect of the Tsube, which was the equivalent of the Hajin Mon sect of the Mugen Tenshin. Ayane had a similar mark in red on her bicep to identify her as someone of honor and skill. The Koga and Hajin Mon sect were specialized parts of the Tsube and Mugen Tenshin clans respectively, and they specialized in assassination and the hunting of rouge Shinobi.

Ayane had rolled to the side and narrowly avoided Haruka's attack. Ayane lunged for the other as soon as she could and was surprised when Haruka placed her hand over her own and managed to spin letting Ayane's momentum send her forward while hitting the back of her head. Ayane quickly turned and gave her opponent a once over. She was Senshi Haruka, leader of the Tsube. She had dirty blonde hair that barely reached her shoulder blades and bright sky blue eyes. She stood a full four inches above Ayane at 5'6" but had the same build.

Kazuo Yaten had made her move at the same time all of the others had. She jumped out of her tree and made a move for Sereo, who swiftly dodged. However, he was caught by surprise and hit in the chest by Manjidani Gobei. Before Gobei could deliver another move he was kicked in the chest by Yuki, who then stepped forward and trust her hands into his chest making him stagger back. The two faced each other and their opponents at once. Kazuo Yaten stood at 5'7" and had long silver hair that reached her knees, her blue green eyes eyed Sereo and Yuki warily, especially since she recognized the substance on her hands and what she guessed was in the pouch. The other elder next to her was Manjidani Gobei; Yuki recognized him and made a mental note to watch out for his flexibility. He was much shorter than her, standing at only 5'2" and he was bald, a stark contrast to his partner. She briefly wondered if they were married but dismissed the thought.

Kasumi had watched the four battles that had been set up in a matter of seconds and bit her lip. She could take out at least two of the Tsube Nin right now with her senbon, she was an excellent shot, and with the distraction of her attack the Mugen Tenshin could emerge victorious. She could insure all of their safety, but she would be going against the Shoguns law and would lose all of her honor. What if she missed and hit her friends? What if she didn't take them all out and news of her interference traveled to the Shogun?

Should she interfere or let the battle play out on its own; what if someone got hurt, what if they died? She dug her foot deeper into the soft dirt and leaned forward crouching, if she did need to step in, she would need to be ready. Her eyes immediately caught sight of Ryu's chest, and the blue sheath on it. She felt naked without it, but knew she would need to learn how to get used to it, because she wasn't getting it back until she had finished her mission and spoke to him again unless she was able to steal from him. It would be virtually impossible since he never let his guard down but maybe, just maybe she could pull it off.

They all rushed each other at the exact same time; the silent forest was suddenly filled with the sounds of swords clashing and flesh meeting flesh. Kasumi's eyes then widened and she turned her head to look behind her with narrowed eyes. She knew any sound she made would be ignored as if she was a frightened animal running away so she took a few quick steps towards the sound she heard. Maybe the Tsube wasn't playing as fair as she though they were.

She heard Ryu let out a battle cry and the ground shake so she used that distraction to jump into a tree branch above. She stood against it with her hand on the bark for extra balance. She scanned the ground below and seen a shadow that did not belong there, she knew someone was watching her. She took off in a sprint but by the time she arrived at the spot there was nothing there, she raised her hand to block the sun as she turned but she already knew it was a person and not an image.

She then caught sight of another shadow and took off.

The Darkest Shinobi

Kalona was playing a very dangerous game, he needed to speak with her soon so that she could fulfill her purpose, but at the same time needed to fight her, and be inconspicuous at the same time. After all, either way, she was dead, or going to be very soon. He had been caught off guard when she suddenly perked up and started to follow him, but now he was tempting her, leading her farther away from the only people here.

He needed her to be alone.

She jumped into a tree branch with grace and agility and he was reminded so much of Ryubi. He had woken up to see something like that one morning when he was with her, and now he had to unlock the potential in this one. He had almost stepped out of his hiding spot then, but they were still too close to everyone else, and he knew there could be no interference. Sereo had done his job very well; it was time he took over.

He felt the lightweight metal in his pocket make itself known he and patted it as he stepped out slightly to give her another shadow to follow.

"Soon." He whispered to it "Soon."

The Darkest Shinobi

The fights were taken out of the clearing relatively quickly and four separate battles ensued.

Kenji and Ryu seemed to be dancing rather than fighting as neither one seemed to able to land a single hit. They both struck and dodged as if they had been fighting with each other for years. Suddenly Kenji jumped into a tree branch above Ryu, who put his nun chucks in its pouch. Kenji glanced towards the battlefield they had left to see Ayane and Haruka fighting.

Ayane's dual blade was on the ground and she was fist fighting with Haruka. Both girls had taken quite a few hits but neither seemed close to being finished. The split second Kenji gave him was the only time he needed and suddenly Ryu sent a huge energy ball towards Kenji. Kenji had made a hand sign and vanished right before it hit him. When he reappeared he felt a fist against his face and then a knee to his stomach. Kenji then swept Ryu and Ryu flipped up and eyed him.

The energy ball hurdled towards Yaten and Gobei who simultaneously jumped out of the way over Yuki and Sereo. Yaten jumped farther than Gobei and next to Haruka. They both then grabbed an arm of Ayane and delivered a swift right kick. Ayane felt the pain from both her chest and her back and panted as she lay on the ground for a second. Before either could deliver another blow Sereo had jumped in between them doing a split kick that dealt only enough damage for them to step back. Gobei went to strike Sereo but Yuki had hit him in the side with her elbow.

Ayane then rose to her feet and they all stared each other down until Yuki rushed forward. Yuki and Sereo were thrown against each other by Haruka and Gobei and Yaten rushed Ayane who stepped to the side. Instead of letting Yaten just rush past her she grabbed her long hair and threw her to the floor.

Yuki had been prevented from going into her pouch by Yaten who probably knew what was in it, but she wasn't here now. Yuki slowly took a few steps back and dipped her shiny hands into the pocket with a smile on her face. Sereo started to fight Haruka and Ayane was double teamed by the other two.

Ryu and Kenji had made their way back to the field. Ryu had drawn his sword but neither of them had made any aggressive move yet. Kenji was planning something and Ryu knew that, but he didn't know just what he was planning.

Yaten had been thrown against the floor again but Gobei did not seem to budge an inch, even when she did hit him. She spun and went to punch him but he had stopped her punch with ease. His hand which was at his hip was then thrust into her chest. He let out a battle cry as she flew into the air and the cry sent Kenji into action.

Kenji had slowly been maneuvering their positions so that when the chance arose the dragon ninja would not be able to catch him before he killed the purple haired one. Ryu chased him but it was too late to stop him.

Ayane landed facing Gobei and was gasping for air; five points on her chest now were red where his fingers hit. She narrowed her eyes and took a step forward as her vision hazed. Ayane had felt the sword enter her and the rest of her air leave her lungs all at once. She knew it couldn't be over though; this couldn't be the end of her, not now. She felt it come out of her and fell to her knees, unable to support herself she fell forward.

Kenji's victory was short lived however as he felt two hands against his chest. He looked down and seen only black hair before he screamed in pain. The impact did not hurt much, but it was the burning of his flesh under her palms. Yuki's hands were covered in a yellow powder like substance. It was a poison she spent most of her life making. It ate through his clothes on impact and through his skin shortly after. She pulled back and uppercut him in the chin smirking at the sizzling sound it made. He flew back towards his teammates and Yuki looked at them with the smirk still on her face.

Yaten knew she was a poison maker. She shot Gobei a quick look and they both picked up Kenji and vanished. Haruka shot Ryu a quick glance and as the wind blew her body seemed to blow away like sand.

"Ayane!" Ryu had picked her upper body up delicately to check the wound, as far as he could tell it was lethal, but they did have a medic on the team. She might be able to help; he didn't want to lose another person. Yaten looked at her sympathetically. She was stabbed in a vital place but could very well live. It depended on how well she was able to treat her.

"Put her down Hayabusa Sama; Sereo Sama get Hayate Sama!"

Sereo took off into the only place where the sounds of fighting were still heard. He slowed down and took in the condition of the destroyed trees and burnt forest floor. He stopped seeing a bright blue light and hearing a cry of 'torn sky blast.' The fighting stopped after that and Sereo cautiously made his way forward not knowing who the victor was and if he would have to fight him. He found the ninja who survived and stood at the top of a steep incline looking down at him. Hayate then looked up at Sereo, his garb bloody. He smiled and jerked his chin towards the direction of a mutilated corpse. Sereo looked over and then raised his head.

"It is Ayane."

Hayate's smile fell and he broke into a sprint after Sereo who led him to her.

The Darkest Shinobi

Kasumi had been so close to finding the shadow but she had stopped to watch the fight between Hayate and his opponent. At first they had fought with their swords until Hayate's sword was knocked away, his opponent, being overconfident, had discarded his shortly after. Hayate then had knocked him off of a steep incline and jumped down there. Kasumi had stayed on top of the hill and watched from behind a tree.

Hayate had picked up his sword since it had been thrown down there and sheathed it wanting to be fair, as Kippei had been before. They started to fistfight and both of them took a beating from the other. Kasumi had almost felt the pain every time her brother took a hit and completely forgot about the mysterious shadow she was following.

The fight quickly became one sided, Hayate had more stamina than Kippei. Kippei was flung halfway across the clearing and Hayate shifted his stance. He made a few quick motions before pulling his right hand back and leaving his left one forward, both bent at the elbow. Suddenly his right hand started to glow a bluish white and he thrust it forward yelling the name of the infamous move.

"Torn Sky Blast!"

Kippei stood no chance; his body was blown back and was a mutilated corpse by the time that it landed. Kasumi took a step back and evaluated the battlefield. It was completely destroyed and anyone who came to it would assume the worst. She quickly disappeared as she heard footsteps coming.

From her new view in the tree top she could see Sereo and Hayate. Hayate nodded towards the body and Sereo looked over it. Sereo then looked at her.

"It is Ayane."

Hayate took off after him and Kasumi looked towards the corpse, was Ayane like that now?

She moved her head back slightly and a kunai sailed past her, she looked to see a man she hadn't seen before and debated whether or not she should follow him. This man had been teasing her and playing an elaborate game of cat and mouse, but she needed to know the fate of her sister. If he was only interested in her, or if he was part of the Tsube, then she would certainly see him again. She turned and took off in the direction Sereo ran; she needed to see her sister.

"Get me water!"

Ryu went to move but Sereo had already turned towards the lake and began to sprint. Kasumi then peeked at them. She felt a cold chill travel up her spine. Ayane lied on the ground as if she was sleeping, her face showed pain and the ground bled beneath her. Kasumi then felt the cold chill be replaced with hot anger.

She should have attacked them all before when she had the chance, Ayane would still be alive. She clenched her fist as tears threatened her, but then Ayane twitched and let out a moan of pain. She was alive. Kasumi felt her senbon stab her in the leg but she knew the pain was only in her head, her senbon were too secure to ever slip. They stabbed her like her regret did; if she had done what she should have Ayane would still be unharmed. Kasumi shook her head, Ayane is a kunochi and should have been able to handle herself, she let down her defenses and that resulted in this.

Kasumi could not cry, not even for Ayane, she had to be strong. Ayane had not cried for her, so she would not cry for Ayane. She looked at Ryu and seen his face, it was neutral but she could tell he was in some sort of pain. She looked back to Ayane and nodded. She would be fine, she had to be.

Ryu missed the tiny flash of light and pink petals as he watched Yuki work on Ayane silently; there wasn't much anyone could do. They could clean the wound and hope it healed properly.

"Ryu Sama, give me the Tanto please."

He handed it over without hesitation and watched as she delicately cut the flesh around the wound so that it was a straight cut instead of a ragged one. Then Sereo returned with the water to clean the wound.

The Darkest Shinobi

"How is she?"

Sereo turned to the voice in the night and caught a glimpse of a shine of the gold embroidery on Kasumi's black outfit.

"It could go either way; Yuki cleaned the wound with water and something else then burned the wound close. According to Yuki, the blade nicked her heart and lung, but didn't do extensive damage."

"That's still…"

"I no, if she rips that tissue a tiny bit she could drown in her own blood."

"There was someone watching you, or me."

Sereo looked up to the moon and nodded having a feeling he knew who it was.

"Go to him, Kasumi. You need to find him."

"I didn't say it was a man."

"Just go find him, leave now. Goodbye."

Kasumi nodded and backed away looking at him, she then smiled and turned away sprinting into the night. Ryu had seen her go; he had opened his eyes to see Sereo looking right in her direction and not moving to get her, not even acknowledging her presence, and her running away. He closed his eyes not even having to tell himself that it wasn't real.

He figured Kasumi had gotten too close and it would take awhile to forget her, and he had even gotten used to seeing her, for he seen her even when she wasn't there. Kasumi was dead, he told himself again as he drifted into sleep, and this time, he accepted it as the truth.

TDS: Summer is here! I now have time to write more! Until next time! Review!

(Wow, it's hard to believe my stories and side notes are written by the same person.)