Okay, so the bonding part is skipped. I'll tell you what went down, then we'll continue on with the story.

Summary of Chapter 8: The kids in the mansion watched the news and saw Hitomi and Ryu in the breaking news part of the story. The kids watched themselves in case Hitomi and Ryu did any suspicious things. Ryu secretly knew this and kept it to himself. Meanwhile, everyone was just settling in. The next day, Hitomi realized Kai knows Karate, so she challenged him to a fight. The match ended in a tie. Then Hayate and Kanae appeared and they all decided to have a tag match. Hitomi and Kai vs. Hayate and Kanae, then Hitomi and Hayate vs. Kai and Kanae. Hitomi got K.O'd then Kanae did as well. Hayate and Kai were fighting. Kai lost. Kai liked fighting Hayate and Hitomi and wished for another match sometime. Kanae agreed with that as she kissed Kai on the cheek. As they both left, Hitomi was a little down that a 14-year-old beat her. However, Hayate cheered up by saying that they will train like they did back when Hayate was Ein. Hitomi liked the idea and accidently hugged him. This moment tied their bond together, almost a ribbon.

Summary of Chapter 9: Roxi was getting along with Christie while Phoebe was getting along with almost everyone. They still kept an eye on both Hitomi and Ryu Hayabusa. Roxi challenged Ryu to a battle. It was going to be in the backyard garden behind the mansion at evening. While that happened, Phoebe went to talk with Kasumi. They became friends after a little chatting. Phoebe wondered if Kasumi knew Ryu somehow, so she asked her if she knew him. The copper-haired kunoichi said that she and him are like a student and a teacher. Phoebe mischievously asked her if she was in love with him. She blushed insanely, but quietly admitted that she did. Phoebe, being the fangirl she is, shipped them together. She suggested that Kasumi should help Ryu during his match with Roxi. While everyone was waiting for the time of the battle to come, Ayane saw Mei Lin lost around the mansion. Mei Lin noticed her and asked her if she can lead her to the backyard to see the garden. Ayane accepted the offer and began to lead her to the backyard. While they were walking, Mei Lin asked Ayane if she had any feelings for Eliot. Ayane blushed hard and declined it. Mei Lin laughed and lied that she was kidding around with her. Ayane sighed in relief, but thought about her and Eliot being together. This made her realize she had a crush on him all along.

Summary of Chapter 10: It was time for the match to begin. Ryu and Roxi was getting ready. Before the match began, Kasumi asked Ryu if she could help him with the match. However, he said no because of the fact that Roxi has no allies to speak of and that she's only a kid. Kasumi realizes this and said okay. He patted her head and said that it'll be alright, making her feel a little better. Roxi was pumped up and ready for battle, ready to knock out Ryu and turn him in for his "crime". When Ryu arrived, the two fought. Everyone was watching. Ryu was winning, but he was very impressed by her style of fighting. He thought that Roxi isn't just a regular 13-year-old tomboy. She's young, but kicks ass like a boss. However, she lost. Ryu congratulated her skills in combat and wishes to fight her again. She didn't care. She lost, but had fun fighting him. It wasn't SO bad. Her loss was horrible to her though. Plus, isn't he a little too nice to be a murderer? Maybe?

Summary of Chapter 11: Jann Lee wanted to fight Ryu, but always gets blocked by Leifang. She wanted to fight Jann Lee again to prove herself worthy of being his partner. Jann Lee couldn't deal with this anymore, so he accepted and got into position to fight her. They fought and broke into a tie. Leifang HAS gotten stronger since the last time he saw her. She must be preparing for this moment for a while. He was kind of impressed. Leifang suddenly acted weird, blushing a lot. She was disappointed that the fight ended in a tie, but always wanted to tell Jann Lee something. Jann Lee was confused by her attitude. Leifang smiled and told him about why she wanted to be his partner, not because he made her win in the fourth DOA tournament. She walked closer to him. As she was going to tell him, Phoebe came out and told them that the fight was over. Jann Lee swore under his breath, but didn't want to blame Leifang for it. He suddenly thought her little attitude she had there was a little cute. Then it washed over him that he had some feelings for her, as she does for him.

Summary of Chapter 12: The kids of the mansion was almost convinced that Ryu and Hitomi aren't bad, but they still kept caution. Meanwhile, Ayane forgot that she had a kunai with her all along. She hid it and asked Kasumi if she could meet her outside. Kasumi decided to say yes. Later, outside, the two sisters meet. Ayane got out her kunai. Kasumi was shocked and asked Ayane why she's doing this. She answered by saying that it is still her duty to kill her, since she betrayed the Mugen Tenshin village. Suddenly, Ryu appeared, saying killing her NOW is unnecessary. He told her that the kids are getting suspicious about everyone and her killing Kasumi NOW will raise even more suspicion. Ayane dropped her kunai in defeat, letting Ryu's words sink in. She decided not to kill Kasumi for now and left. Kasumi hugged Ryu and thanked him for protecting her. He smiled and patted her head, saying he's glad to help.

And THAT'S IT FOR THE BONDING PARTS! Sheesh, that was such a pain typing them out, but at least you know what happens. Alright, onto the story!

busisuzy: I'm glad you like the action in this story!

RavenMomiji: Thanks for your review!


Crystal, after DAYS of running to find the whole school, saw a mansion from far off. Maybe those idiots are there... she thought. She looked down on her ring and grinned her evil grin. All those little piggies are going to be cornered by the wolf... She ran to the mansion.


Hitomi, Hayate, Kai, and Kanae were outside of the mansion, watering Phoebe's "cute little garden" plants. Phoebe and her silly names for things. Hitomi and Kanae were planting the flower parts of her garden while Kai and Hayate are watering the vegetable and fruit part of the garden.

"How long did Phoebe's garden last?" Hitomi asked Kanae.

"About...two years?" Kanae said. "She always fell in love with this garden. Mother helped her plant it."

"Ah," Hitomi said. Then another question occurred to her. "Where is your mother now? Is she far or..." Kanae didn't answer. "Kanae?" The black-haired girl had a look on her face that silenced the karate girl.

Kanae changed the subject. "What do you think of that Hayate guy?" she asked, pointing at the Ninja of the Wind. Hitomi noticed she changed the subject. However, she decided to answer with, "He's my close friend. I think he's awesome."

Kanae smiled. "Is he like my Kai to you?"

Hitomi got confused. "What?"

Kanae chuckled. "I meant, do you love him as much as I love Kai?" Hitomi blushed. How could she answer that question? Yeah, he's a close friend of hers...especially when he was Ein...

The dirty-blonde-haired girl stuttered, "M-maybe..."

Kanae chuckled. "Really? I think you two make a good couple." Hitomi blushed again.

"St-stop it!" she exclaimed. Kanae can't help chuckling at the karate girl's behavior.

...

"How's it like being a ninja, Hayate?" asked Kai.

"Well kid, it's tougher than it looks," Hayate answered. "All those ninja you see in movies, cartoons, etc...they make the job look easy."

"What's so hard about it?"

"Numerous things, like mastering ninpo and high-skilled martial arts."

"Ninpo?" Kai said, confused by the word.

"It's just magic ninja use for combat." Kai nodded. He looked over at Kanae and Hitomi, who were happily chatting with each other. He still thought about the news about Hitomi and Ryu. He decided to ask the Ninja of the Wind something.

"What do you think of Hitomi and Ryu Hayabusa?"

Hayate looked at the boy. He answered, "Well, both of them are my best friends. I trust them both well."

Kai cleared his throat. "Say, did you...attend Lake Academy by any chance?"

Hayate raised a brow. "Yes..." he answered truthfully. "Why did you ask-"

"Hitomi and Ryu along with another guy attacked Crystal Lake," Kai interrupted. The ninja looked confused.

"Where did you hear that?" he asked.

"The news," Kai answered. "That's what Crystal Lake said." She LIED in the news? Hayate thought. I should've known...

"Listen Kai, what she said is all a lie," Hayate said to the 14-year-old boy.

Kai looked puzzled. "But that's what she said and they're being hunted down right now."

This is bad... "But do you think that was all true?" Now that he said it, it sounded too good to be true. But they could be innocent to trick them all.

"I think we should turn them in," Kai said out loud.

The girls walked to the boys. "Who's turning in who?" Hitomi asked.

Kai turned to Hitomi. "You," he answered, pointing at her.

The karate girl looked at him in confusion. "What? What're you turning ME in for?"

Hayate shook his head. "Kai, there's a HUGE misunderstanding. I told you that."

"What are you guys talking about?" Kanae asked, confused by the whole situation. It took her a second to process it. That was right, according to the news, Hitomi and Ryu are responsible for attacking Crystal Lake. But...Kai FULLY believes it? Kanae thought it was unbelievable. However, there are other things...

"You and Ryu Hayabusa along with some guy attacked Crystal Lake," she said. Hitomi's eyes widened.

WHAT?! she thought. "Where did you hear-"

"The news," both Kai and Kanae said. "Crystal Lake said it herself."

Oh no... "You guys can't trust a word she says!" she exclaimed.

Hayate nodded. "That's right." The two 14-year-olds were very lost and confused. Suddenly, Kai saw something move from tree to tree swiftly. He became concerned.

"You guys, you gotta believe us. Every single thing Crystal said at that news report are lies. All of them were," Hitomi said. "I didn't see it myself, but what you said Kae-Kae, it's a lie." Kanae thought it might be true. Hitomi's a nice girl. How could a nice principal like Crystal Lake lie to the news like that...

"I was with her and Kasumi all this time," Hayate added. "So there's no way she could do that. I knew Hitomi for a long time. If anything, she can fight Crystal Lake and knock her out." Kai's head was swarming with confusion. He was utterly lost.

Kanae stood right next to Hitomi. "We have to believe them, honey. It's too good to be true. I mean, Hitomi's awesome. She isn't as bad as Crystal said to be on the news." She grabbed both his hands and squeezed them. "Please." He bit his lip. Maybe Hitomi wasn't one of the people that attacked her. But he was still a bit concerned with Hayabusa...even though the guy's not all that bad...

He looked into his girlfriend's eyes and replied, "Alright. Hitomi is not a bad girl." Hitomi sighed in relief. "But I'm still concerned about that Ryu Hayabusa..." Suddenly, he saw someone swiftly trying to kick Kanae. His eyes widened and he pulled his girlfriend out of the way. However, the figure kicked Hitomi, not her. The figure was a woman with long silver hair and icy blue eyes. Kai's eyes widened. That was...

Hayate shouted, "Hitomi!" He ran to her side. Hitomi got up and rubbed her forehead, where she was kicked at. She looked up...and saw no other than Crystal Lake in a skimpy outfit.

"Crystal..." she muttered under her breath. Hayate glared at the woman.

"You..." he also muttered.

Crystal chuckled. "Hello again, my wonderful students. Sorry to ruin your break, but it's time to go back to school." She evilly grinned. She then looked at Kai and Kanae. "Oh, and who are you two cuties?" The young couple couldn't believe their eyes. That's THE principal of Lake Academy, dressed in a skimpy outfit and acting the opposite she was on TV. So what Hayate and Hitomi said WERE true...

As Crystal walked to them, Hayate tried to punch her, but she turned and blocked it. "You're not going near them," he said coldly to her.

The white-haired woman smirked. "What do you think I'm gonna do to them?" She then grabbed his arm with her hand with the power ring and gripped on it tight. Hayate suddenly gasped and began heavily breathing when she did that. Hitomi stood up and landed a punch at Crystal's face. She let go of the wind ninja's hand, but she continued smirking, as if she didn't felt that.

"What did you do to Hayate?!" the karate girl shouted angrily.

Hayate caught his breath. "It's like the life has been draining out of me..." he managed to speak out. Kai and Kanae didn't know what to do. The woman did look dangerous now. Maybe they should help Hitomi and Hayate. They went into their fighting positions.

Crystal looked unimpressed and smiled. "Isn't this going to be fun?" She went into her fighting position. "You will regret this!"


I don't think I can finish this story by the end of the year...

Anyway, how was the chapter? It was kinda rushed.

Review, follow, favorite, tell me if there's typos or anything, and I'll see you in the next chapter! ;D