A/N: Okay, this is chapter two! Thanks KMSaum and GhostWrite123 for reviewing. ^_^ It means a lot to me. =D So um...this chapter is shorter than the last one, so yeah. Blah, I'm babbling...sorta. xD Just enjoy the story! =)

Love And Karate

Chapter Two: Without You

And I can't breathe without you, but I have to breathe without you...

Sitting on her bed, her mind occupied on to many things, Hitomi cried. She wished Hayate was there to comfort her; no she wished Ein was there to comfort her. She didn't like Hayate. He was too scary, mean…dangerous. Ein was sweet, caring, loving. She wished he was here so much. After he left the dojo for the DOA2 tournament, she felt so lonely without him. Hitomi remembered they had a good relationship (friendship wise, and maybe something more.); Ein would always listen to her when she was upset or lonely; he would make her feel better. And she could tell he had feelings for her, ever since he came to the dojo, after they found him in the forest. They had discovered he had suffered a memory lost, and had forgotten his past, but Hitomi's father had treated him like his own son. Ein would always end up walking past her, brushing shoulders against her, or flirting with her. But since he left, a lot of things changed.

After her father caught an illness after she entered the last DOA tournament, they closed down the dojo, which upset her very much. She loved the dojo with all her heart; it was technically where she lived, her room being in the very back where the living area was. It meant so much to Hitomi, and she would still practice her karate in the training room when she was bored or had nothing to do. She loved her father so much; he meant everything to her. She loved him way more than she loved karate. She was just afraid that any second, he would be gone forever.

She was cut from her thoughts when her mother came in with a smile. Hitomi quickly wiped her tears from her eyes. "Hitomi sweetie?" Hitomi looked up at the sound of her mother's voice. "Can you do me a favor and pick up some groceries while I care for you father?" Hitomi had noticed that her mother never left her father's side as he lay in bed, sleeping all day. She would just sit by his side and stare at his face with sad eyes. It broke Hitomi's heart to see her mother like that.

She grinned and nodded. "Yes mother." She answered as she got up from her bed, grabbing her red and black fingerless fighting gloves along the way. Not that she was going to do any fighting, but she loved the feeling of wearing them anyway. The feeling of power, strength. Her mother left the room, followed by Hitomi as she made her way to the entrance of the dojo, opening the slide door.

The same door Ein walked through before he left, she thought to herself. She missed him so much. If only he were here…

She grabbed her shoes from the front and the woven shopping basket by the slide door, and opened it, stepping out and closing it behind her. She slipped her shoes on skillfully and made her way down the empty street. Life was boring these days. Hitomi had no friends around; just herself. To take everything in…emotionally. She knew it wasn't good to just hide all her feelings inside and lock them up somewhere deep in her heart, but she didn't have Ein here to share them with. She turned a corner and made her way to the nearest market. She walked over to where the fish was, picking up two salmon. She got the salesman's attention and paid her money.

"Aren't you the girl who won 3rd place in the DOA3 tournament?" the man asked. Thoughts of Ein rushed through her head, and she tried her best not to look angry and sad all at once, and put on a fake smile.

"Yes I am, thanks for noticing." And with that, she quickly turned around and walked off to another stall.

When Hitomi was finished with her shopping, she started to make her way home. And when she was lost in thought again (she seemed to be lost in thought a lot these days), she was hit in the face with a piece of paper. She took it off of her face and stared at it, dropping her basket to the pavement.

It read "DOA4 Tournament" in big letters at the top. Why was she so blind all along? She could just enter the tournament, win the million dollar prize, and cure her father and rebuild the dojo. She could also see Ein again. Ein…the thought made her heart leap, but at the same time she wanted to punch something.

"You must be Hitomi." She jumped and turned around at the somewhat familiar voice. The man was wearing a black ninja suit, and his mouth was covered with the same material as his clothes, like a mask over his mouth. He had some brown spiky hair sticking out in the front of his eyes, which were shining emerald green in interest and urgency.

What's there to be so urgent about? Hitomi thought.

"Hayabusa? That is your name right?" she asked, turning her head to the right a little, eying him. His eyes stayed serious as he stared back at her. She remembered him from the last tournament when she went against him.

"Ryu." He corrected, bowing before gesturing her with his hand. "Why don't you take a walk with me?" Hitomi regarded him for a minute. He might tell her a little bit about Hayate and how he is now. She just had this feeling he had something to do with him. All she wanted was to hear he was happy and safe. She finally folded the DOA tournament paper and placed it in her jean pocket, before picking up her basket and following Ryu.

So...I kinda...sorta left a cliff hanger. =p

Lmao, sorry everyone! Don't hate me for that! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that! =)

Comments? Suggestions?