Disclaimer: I do not own Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden, they are owned by Team Ninja and Tecmo.

Note: Hopefully you guys can see the line breaks throughout this chapter as they are used often to change the scene. If you don't, let me know and I will try something else.

Dark Forest

Time Unknown

Hayate could not shake the constant feeling of regret as he walked through the forest. Was this what Hayabusa felt? Regardless, he needed to find him and snap him back to reality.

"Why are you here brother?"

Hayate spun around, instantly recognizing the voice. Kasumi stood behind him in a blue kimono, her face saddened. Hayate fought the urge to run over and hug her, he did miss her after all.

"I'm here to find Hayabusa," said Hayate calmly. He was fully aware of the power these "ghosts" had and needed to keep his wits.

"Hayabusa belongs to me! He will never leave!" shouted Kasumi angry as she raised her hand towards the forest next to her. A path began to open, the trees spread to either side. Kasumi angry face slowly transformed into a menacing smile as she disappeared down the path, leaving Hayate alone.

"But you are welcome to try" said Kasumi as her voice echoed through the forest. Hayate slowly walked to the path which Kasumi opened and looked down it, his eyes widened.

Coming down the path was none other than Hayabusa, or what was left of him. Although it looked like him, what he saw was a shadow of his friend. Hayabusa looked horrible, he wore a shredded blue robe with bloodstains all over it. His hair was disheveled and covered his face and he walked very slowly. Hayate now understood the forest, it reflected the person and their feelings.

Hayate walked towards Hayabusa, understanding what he had to do.

Time to take control Hayabusa

Hayabusa heard the voice as clear as day, it rang through his head several times.

Time to take control Hayabusa

He knew the voice well, it was his friend Hayate. He lifted his head and moved the hair from his eyes, he saw Hayate across from him.

"C...come to t...torture me too?" said Hayabusa with a shaky voice.

"You need to take control of this place." said Hayate as he stopped moving.

"C..Control?" said Hayabusa confused.

"This is just a nightmare created by Donovan, take control," said Hayate.

"D...D...Donovan?" Said Hayabusa as he felt his head begin to hurt. Sudden memories began to return to him slowly.

This is a private area, scram!

He saw three men appear before him, guns drawn and pointed at him. His eyes widened when he saw them, he reached for his sword and drew it, slicing the first mans arm off. The other men began firing, but Hayabusa deflected the bullets and cut the other men down. He shook the sword of the blood, it was then that he realized what just happened.

"Wait...H..How?" he said as he lifted the sword and stared at it confused. He didn't have it earlier, he could have swore it.

"You see? You're a monster, you resort to violence to solve your problems!" said Kasumi's voice. Hayabusa dropped the sword and stared at his bloodied hands.

"I...I..."

"You're a ninja Ryu. Death is our business, accept that..." said Hayate voice.

"You're a murderer!" shouted Kasumi.

"Take control,"

"You deserve to be here with me!" shouted Kasumi again.

"Take control,"

The voices filled his mind as he attempted to make sense of it all, his head began pounding. Suddenly he saw a green gas begin to rise, the forest eventually was completely enveloped in the gas. He covered his face, attempting to not breath in the gas.

Christie then appeared before him, a twisted smile on her face.

"Oh, were you looking for me? Well I was looking for you too love," said Christie as she began laughing hysterically. Hayabusa began to feel weak, he closed his eyes.

"HAYABUSA!"

Hayabusa opened his eyes and saw that the gas and Christie disappeared. Hayate stood across from him.

"Ryu! Remember who you are! Accept it and come back to us!"

Ryu let the words soak into his brain as he closed his eyes.

Who you are

They pricked at his heart like a needle, for he knew them well. He remembered the Lords of Alchemy and the grip of murder, he remembered the blood lust, and he remembered how he overcame it. Things would always come full circle, and every start had a finish.

He was strong, but maybe his love for Kasumi was stronger, who else could cripple a man of high principles and honor. He had let his grief for her cloud the duty he had to her.

"Ryu?" said Kasumi softly to him. Ryu opened his eyes and saw that he was standing in a valley. The valley was beautiful, the large sun held its own in the air as the gentle breeze slowly moved the long grass sprouting from the earth. Standing in the clearing was Kasumi dressed in her standard blue ninja gi, a light smile on her face.

"You don't have to run from happiness anymore, let it go," said Kasumi said even more softly.

Ryu always wanted to retire in such a place, away from the world in the beauty of nature. His duty would not allow him such a happiness, for he had a clan to lead. Was this his one chance? Kasumi walked over to him and stopped.

"There is no duty here, just me and you," she said happily as she raised her hand to his cheek, "don't you want..."

Hayabusa caught her wrist before she even touched him, her smiling face straightened. The words oozed their way past his heart and into his conscious.

No duty

"There is always duty Kasumi, duty to one self, his family, his beliefs, and his love. Without duty, everything I have done is madness," said Ryu calmly.

"So your duty influences murder," said Kasumi equally calm.

"It influences strength to protect the things I value most and to fight for what I believe in,"

"So you do not value me?"

"No, I value you the most, which is why I must go and save you," said Hayabusa as he bowed to Kasumi. Kasumi's face never changed, she just stared at him blankly. Hayabusa slowly backed away, never breaking eye contact.

Maybe fulfilling this duty has destroyed me, but I happily fall to my death if just to save you

Kasumi's eyes shot opened wide as she sat up in the bed, her head was pounding. She knew that was the real Ryu and that he was near. Was he trying to find her?

She rubbed her eyes as she tried to calm her head. She looked down at Hayabusa and jumped slightly when she saw his eyes were opened and staring right at her.

"Something wrong?" he asked, a slight sternness to his voice.

"No its nothing, just having a headache is all, I'm gonna get some air," said Kasumi as she stood and walked out the room. She entered the hall and began walking down when she saw both Atsuko and Kiyoko stood at the other end. They looked pale and almost dangerous, Kasumi felt her instincts coming back.

"Are you ok mommy?" said Kiyoko.

"Are you leaving?" asked Atsuko.

"Just getting some air, you two should be in bed," said Kasumi slightly stern as she moved past them to the stairs. She moved quickly and ran to the front door, pulling it open.

She stood outside looking around, the neighborhood was quiet and she appeared to be the only one standing outside.

She took a deep breath as she crossed her arms, the cold wind stirred lightly. She stood in a pink nightgown, not the best for the evening chill. Still she got a creepy feeling from everyone in the house. It was as if they were watching her close. She knew that they were fake and were controlled by Rig, but something felt off about them. It was as if they knew everything she was thinking, not a far off thought, she did allow Rig in her head.

She suddenly felt as if she was in danger and began walking up the street, the light draft of the wind stirred quietly. She felt cold wearing so little, but this was fake was it? The wind began getting more violent the further she began to go, it got to the point that eventually she was fighting the wind itself. She kept pushing on, but felt like she was getting no where. Suddenly the wind became violent, knocking Kasumi off her feet and to the ground.

She struggled to keep still, but the wind was pushing her down. She closed her eyes and covered her face, wishing for it to be over.

As if on cue, the wind stopped and all was still. Kasumi opened her eyes and saw that she was back in front of her house as if she never left, the light wind still blew.

Kasumi stood up and looked around, she tried to not panic, but found it difficult.

"Why do you want to leave us?"

Kasumi turned to the voice and saw the fake Hayabusa standing at the entrance of the house, Kiyoko and Atsuko at his sides.

"Why do you want to leave us?" Hayabusa repeated, his face blank.

"I am done believing a lie, I want to leave!"

"You cannot leave mommy, you have to stay," said both Atsuko and Kiyoko at the same time, "I thought we made you happy."

"This is not real! I need to get back and help Ryu!" shouted Kasumi angrily.

Suddenly, Ryu and the girls faces became furious. Kasumi slightly shuttered at the change.

"You are so ungrateful! We have given you everything and now you want more?!" shouted Ryu angry.

"I wont nothing more except to leave! Regardless of how much I want this, I have a duty to Ryu to fulfill," said Kasumi with a determined gaze.

"Your duty...Your duty is to your FAMILY!" shouted Ryu as clenched his fist and rushed to Kasumi, swinging at her. Kasumi dodged the punch and jumped back, both Atsuko and Kiyoko rushed her next, attempting to grab Kasumi. Kasumi dodged both girls but was struck by Ryu in the stomach. She flew backwards landing on her feet.

She clutched her stomach in pain, only to be struck again in the face. She fell to the ground in complete pain, it was the hardest punch she ever felt.

"You are pathetic, you deny happiness for agony! Is this what you want!?" shouted Ryu as both Kiyoko and Atsuko grabbed Kasumi's wrist. Kasumi tried to pry free, but the girls grips were like unbreakable shackles.

Kasumi knew she was in trouble, all she could do was watch as the fake Ryu slowly began to tower over her. She was about to close her eyes when she caught something strange behind the fake Ryu in the upstairs window of their house.

Is that...

"Kasumi..." said Hayabusa to himself as he reopened his eyes. He saw Hayate standing ahead of him, a light smile on his face.

"Your back," said Hayate.

Hayabusa looked around and saw he was still in the dark forest, but something was different. He looked down and saw he was wearing his custom ninja attire, the tattered clothes were missing.

"How did I..."

"Your clothes? You made them appear, this is in are head after all," said Hayate simply.

"How is that possible?" said Ryu confused.

"Long story, no time to explain."

"Right, we need to get to Kasumi," said Ryu as he straightened up, "do you know how we can find her?"

"Same way I found you, we focus are minds on her. The path will become clear,"

Hayabusa nodded and closed his eyes and thought of Kasumi. It was not hard for him after all, ever since she disappeared he could not get her out of his mind.

He focused on her face, her smile, her eyes, her slender nose. He missed her presence in his life and longed for it again.

"Your duty...Your duty is to your FAMILY!"

Ryu's eyes shot open as he quickly looked around. He was in a bedroom of some sort, he could hear a commotion outside. He quickly moved to the window and looked out.

Kasumi was fighting what appeared to be him and two children, she clutched her stomach as the Doppelganger struck her in the face sending her to the ground. Ryu felt his rage building.

"You are pathetic, you deny happiness for agony! Is this what you want!?" Said the Doppelganger as the two children held Kasumi down. Kasumi looked scared, but she caught sight of him in the window. Hayabusa wasted no more time, he busted through the window sword drawn as he aimed his attention on the Doppelganger, but as if the Doppelganger knew, he moved out of the way.

Hayabusa landed and quickly recovered, slicing at the Doppelganger who easily dodged his attacks. After dodging another hit, the Doppelganger hit Hayabusa in the face sending him back. Hayabusa recovered and readied his sword.

"Ryu! Your here!" shouted Kasumi from the ground, Atsuko and Kiyoko still held on to her with iron grips.

"Of course I am here," said Hayabusa, his eyes never leaving the Doppelganger.

"Why are you here! Kasumi belongs to me!" shouted the Doppelganger.

"She belongs to no one!" shouted Hayabusa as he dashed to the Doppelganger and sliced towards his stomach, but the Doppelganger easily dodged and countered with a kick towards Hayabusa's stomach, which Hayabusa dodged with ease.

"You could never make her happy like I could, you don't even love her!" shouted the Doppelganger as he swung at Hayabusa's face, Hayabusa block with his sword and sliced at the Doppelganger arm. The sword connected, but bounced off the Doppelganger arm, sending Hayabusa slightly back.

"I will kill you!" shouted Hayabusa as he readied for another attack.

"Ryu!" shouted Hayate who was running up the street, "you can't harm him! Kasumi, you must still your mind to stop him!"

"Hayate?" said Kasumi as she looked towards her brother shocked.

"Now Kasumi! Still your mind!" shouted Hayate as he rushed over to Hayabusa's side.

Kasumi closed her eyes and began to try and focus, she needed to find the silence in her mind. Everything went quiet around her as she absorbed herself in the blackness of her mind.

You can't block me out Kasumi

Kasumi ignored the voice and continued to sit in the blackness.

You let me in remember? There is no blocking me out.

Kasumi grew slightly restless, but tried to remain focused.

Your friends will die here and you will be trapped forever

Kasumi snapped from her thoughts and opened her eyes, only to see that Ryu and Hayate were now both fighting the Doppelganger. She grew angry as she saw both girls still holding her wrist tight.

"Let me go!" shouted Kasumi as she began to struggle, but the girls did not flinch.

The Doppelganger swung at Hayabusa with all his might, Hayabusa tried to block with his sword, but the amount of force behind the punch broke the dragon sword in half and slammed into Ryu's chest.

Ryu fell back in what seemed like a slow trance, he felt his grip loosen on the broken sword as he continued to fall slowly. He heard Kasumi shout for him in a sort of muffled voice as his eyes fully closed. Was he losing consciousness?

"You seem to be in a bit of trouble," said a voice near him. Haybusa opened his eyes and saw that he was in a white room, a single pale man stood before him, a menacing smile on his lips.

"Where...Who are you?" said Hayabusa confused.

"Oh...I'm just passing through," said the wanderer, his grin widening.

"Where are my friends? They are in danger!" shouted Ryu.

"You and your friend Hayate will die, for this women is special,"

"What?"

"Its her fault really, she accepted the lie and let them in her head. Those ghost have more power than your regular ghost. You wont be able to hurt him them the way you are continuing," said the Wanderer.

"Then how," shouted Hayabusa.

"It depends on what you are willing to give up, you have the blood of a Fiend in you."

"How...how did you know that?" said Hayabusa as calmly as he could. He started to feel uncomfortable with the man.

"To save your friends, you must become a Fiend. At that point, the rules of this world will not apply to you as Harpus effects only humans, not demons."

"If I do that, then I might harm them as well."

"Dont you understand? The ghosts are what keep us here, you can sever the ties and awaken us all by destroying just one ghost. It will send a jolt through everyone's head and wake them up, for if any rule is broken in this world, then this world cannot exist and the chains that bind us here disappear."

Hayabusa nodded, understanding what he must do. Once he went down this road, he knew that he could not come back, for the Fiends blood was more powerful than a humans. He would be a one of the many he had cut down throughout his life, a fate he never wanted.

"Are you ready?" said the wanderer with the same menacing smile. Ryu nodded and closed his eyes, the blackness engulfed his senses as thought of his friends.

"Ryu!" shouted Kasumi from beside him, he opened his eyes and saw that he had returned as he left, on his back, the broken dragon sword beside him. He stood up and looked at Hayate and the Doppelganger, Hayate was losing but holding his own as best he could. This fight needed to end.

"Ryu are you ok?" asked Kasumi concerned as she still tried to struggle free. Ryu looked at her, trying to remember her face and etch it in his brain.

"Kasumi...I wish things could have been different between us. I wish that we could have been together."

"I wish we could have too," said Kasumi as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Understand that regardless of what happens next...I love you. I deeply and truly love you." said Hayabusa as calmly as he could muster.

"I...I love you too..." said Kasumi as the tears fell freely.

Ryu closed his eyes and looked for the demon

"What are you doing Ryu?" asked Kasumi confused.

Hayabusa ignored her as he continued to search for the demon. He slowly felt the locks around his heart fall of as the rage of the fiend slowly crept into him.

"Oh Ryu, no... Dont!" said Kasumi as her voice began to muffle.

Ryu felt his mind slipping away slowly, he tried to remember Kasumi's face. He wanted it to be his last memory, but felt it slipping away.

Without a word or thought, he fully succumbed to the demon within him. Ryu Hayabusa was no more.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," screamed Hayabusa as he fell to his knees, a sheen of smoke began to engulf him. Both the Doppelganger and Hayate stopped and stared at Ryu.

"Ryu! NO!" shouted Hayate as he ran to his friend, attempting to fight through the smoke, but an unknown force pushed Hayate away.

"AhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" screamed Hayabusa as his voice began to become lower, all they could do was stare as the demon took over. The smoke grew even heavier and began engulfing the whole area around them. Kasumi felt the grip of the girls loosen, she wasted no time as she yanked her arms away from the girls and stood up searching for Ryu through the heavy smoke.

"Ryu! Where are you!" shouted Kasumi as she frantically searched. Suddenly the smoke began to slowly fade, light silhouettes could now be seen.

"Kasumi!" shouted Hayate as he rushed to her side through the smoke. The smoke fully dissipated and now they could see Hayabusa on his knees with his head down. Kasumi began to walk to Ryu, but was stopped by Hayate, "don't, he is not the same,"

"RYU!" shouted Kasumi at Ryu. Ryu head began to rise, a twisted smile on his lips. Kasumi eyes teared, knowing that he was no longer there.

The Doppelganger slowly walked over to Hayabusa, his fist clenched.

"You do not deserve her! You could never give her what I could!" shouted the Doppelganger as he stood right in front of Hayabusa. Hayabusa looked up at the Doppelganger, a twisted smile still on his face. It angered the Doppelganger as he swung full force at Hayabusa's face.

Kasumi shrieked when the punch connected, but grew even more shocked as Hayabusa stood up seemingly unaffected. The twisted smile remained as his eyes began to change to a blood-red. With an unmatched speed, Hayabusa punched the Doppelganger hard in the face sending him flying backwards. The Doppelganger shuffled to his feet and began swinging at Hayabusa with all its might, but Hayabusa easily dodged the strikes.

The Doppelganger screamed as he raised both his arms in a rage, but was stopped as Hayabusa arm went through his chest and out his back.

Both Kasumi and Hayate felt a sharp jolt of unbearable pain in their head as they fell to their knees holding their heads. Kasumi tears fell freely as she tightly closed her eyes trying to escape the pain.

Oh...oh please make it stop...

Kasumi's eyes shot open frantically as she quickly took in her surroundings. She was in what appeared to be a capsule and was completely submerged in green liquid. She continued to hold her breath but quickly began to panic when their was seemingly no way out.

Suddenly, the capsule made a clicking noise before opening fully, the green drained out over the floor. Kasumi began coughing frantically as she breathed in the fresh was like she was taking her first real breath in ages.

Kasumi looked around and saw that she was in some sort of computer room. Various machines and computers were all connected to the capsule she was in, the room was dark and empty.

'Was it over?' She wondered to herself, was she finally free? Where was she? Too many questions flooded her head, she needed to first get to safety. She then realized that she was naked, another problem which she needed to remedy.

She looked across the room and saw a single door, she quietly moved towards the door and opened it slowly, peaking inside.

She could see that it led to a larger room which was not lit well, across the way was one door which was closed, a light could be seen under the door and light sounds which sounded like a voice could be heard. She quietly moved across the room and towards the door, the voice became more legible as she closed in.

"Are you listening to me? Your friends are dead and both Archer and Eliot still live! NOW GET AFTER THEM!" shouted the voice of a male. Kasumi remained quite and continued to listen, accumulating as much information as she could.

"Hello!? Did he just hang up on me?!" shouted the voice, a loud thump could be head as if he threw something.

"Kasumi?"

Kasumi spun around towards the voice, a man stood behind her in a white lab coat. The man was older and had long blond hair and blue eyes. Kasumi prepared for an attack, but none came.

"Kasumi, it's not safe here, you must leave," said the man quietly as he took off his lab coat and held it out to her. Kasumi looked at the coat and then the man, she quickly snatched the coat and put it on.

"I know you ninja have a teleport spell, leave at once, I will give you five minutes before I sound the alarm," said the man as he looked around.

Kasumi simply nodded and gathered her energy, the next moment she was gone. The man stood their deep in thought, he looked at his watch and waited. Suddenly, the door next to him opened and Rig walked out. He gave the man a suspicious look.

"Harold? What are you doing?" said Rig suspiciously.

"Sir, I don't know how, but Kasumi has gotten out of her chamber, I can't find her anywhere," said Harold frantically, playing the role. Rig's face changed from suspicion to rage.

FIND HER!

Authors notes: Another chapter done, Thanks to Relly's Gurlfor her nice review and to everyone who is still reading. This will not be an abandoned fic, I will finish it. Afterall, it is fun to write it. Now hopefully I can just square away my homework so I can continue writing :D