[ Doa 3 OST X-Ray Reflecting Mirror song starts playing ]
Not wanting to borrow Hitomi's car every time she needed to get out and realizing she actually liked riding that bike she stole, Kasumi bought a Ninja motorcycle. Still training herself almost everyday, she started to do so at the national park, allowing her to hike as a warm up. It was the only place she could be alone, working out with her wakizashi and her ninpo. It was already a habit for her, going really early in the morning just before starting to work.
Satisfied with her training, she took her motorcycle, drove with the sunrise by her side.
[ Doa 3 OST X-Ray Reflecting Mirror song fades away at 1:16]
Kasumi parked her bike at Hitomi's gym, where she took a shower and dressed herself with her black gi. She started to prepare the dojo for the workout when her friend arrived.
" Ah Kasumi! You already there" said Hitomi
" It was faster coming here directly, do you want me to pick you up the next time?"
" Well, I could try your bike, so yeah, I would like it!"
" Fine!" she smiled
Kasumi started to observe that a curious guy was looking at her. Broad shoulders, dark and short hair, a sweet smile.
" Tell me, who is he?" asked Kasumi
" Go find it yourself girl!" she answered, already knowing who it was.
" Wait, what? Why?"
" The guy's always looking at you when you are preparing the dojo. Take the bull by the horns!"
" Take the bull by the horns… right… let's go then!"
He noticed she was walking to him, so he smiled at her warmly.
" Hi, I'm … "
" I know who you are! You are Kasumi, the other teacher I'm Koichi"
" Are you a new student?" she asked awkwardly
" Actually, yes… no… I am a university student." Koichi laughed
" I teach Karate to young children. Courses just started for them, this is why you didn't see me often" he continued
" Well, nice to meet you, Koichi. Maybe you could teach me Karate" she surprised herself flirting
" I'd love to, but only if you teach me Ninjutsu"
" So you are one of my student!"
" I didn't say that" he chuckled
" I have to go, I have to start my courses." said Kasumi
" We could go out for a coffee one day?"
" Of course!" she said before she bit her lip and turned around.
Meanwhile at Hayate and Kasumi's village.
Hayabusa was invited to the council of Mugen Tenshin clan. He slipped the door and sat in front of Hayate, his best friend, in a seiza. The two men were wearing black kimonos, meaning it was a serious reunion.
As the elders entered the room, everyone bowed. Once they sat down, Shiden started to speak.
" We are here today because we have important matters to discuss"
" First of all, the runaway shinobi passed our wall weeks ago, at the limit of Tokyo. Teams weren't able to stop her and we were told someone helped her, distracting our ninja soldiers." said the elder
Hayabusa saw Hayate's sigh on him. He didn't move an eye and kept his composure.
" The first time she left the village, it wasn't a simple task to find her. I propose leaving this into the hands of my personal team and of my pupil" said the other elder.
" We don't know where she is… could we pull our resources elsewhere?" asked Shiden loudly
" Law is law Shiden, even if we are talking about your daughter, Kasumi-sama."
" I propose master Ryû Hayabusa for this task. It would be easy for him to ambush her and finish this."
Hayabusa shivered and clenched his fist hearing that proposition, aware it could be a possibility.
" It is not a matter of the Hayabusa clan!" said Hayate
"Even if it was, we already have enough fiend on our plate!" confirmed Ryû
" Subject's cleared then, your team would be dispatched first. Next, we were thinking about strengthening our clans, with the Hayabusa and the black spiders…"
" We won't protect, neither work with the black spider clan. You should know this better than any other clan." Hayabusa interrupting them
" Well, this is why I've invited your father, to hear both of you, alas he didn't came"
" Heir of the dragon ninja, I am the next master of my clan. I can speak in the name of Jô Hayabusa no matter what." Ryû answered impassive
" So, speaking of strengthening our Mugen Tenshin branch… What about an arranged marriage between our two villages?" continued the elder
" It would definitely be an interesting idea. Our clan has some good candidate able to fulfill that role"
" Of course, but you see, I was talking about you, Hayabusa."
" You should be aware that I would reject that offer. I am the only master of my fate!" Ryû gave him a cold and defying look, starting to lose his temper.
" Don't defy me, Hayabusa-san!" answered the elder
The rest of the council started to whisper.
" Enough! It wasn't even in the subjects!" Hayate elevated his voice
" As the 18th master of the Mugen Tenshi, I announce this council over for today. You may dispose." he continued
Hayate and Ryû went outside. It started to get dark and stars were a bit perceptible. As they needed a talk alone, they headed to his house.
Hayate's servant poured some hot sake for the two of them.
" Thank you Koharu. Now, leave us." ordered Hayate.
" Yes, Hayate-sama"
Ryû waited until she was far enough, she couldn't hear them.
" Did you know about their proposition? It's already complex having to deal with Irene and watching over your little sister Hayate. I don't want to meddle into the Tenjimon business."
" Of course not! Elders are always doing what pleases them. They have something behind their mind and I don't like it" answered Hayate
" As a ninja, you always teached me to be emotionless, especially in front of them! Maybe they are already suspecting you and you lost your temper at a really bad timing Ryû!" continued his friend
" Is that so…"
The silence was heavy and palpable.
" Say… Is she alright?" Hayate asked
" I don't think it looks natural to see her living in a big city, but she's doing fine. She train hard." Ryû said before drinking his sake
" You know, It would have been different if Kasumi was with us. No one owns your fate but you, but I still think …"
" Why are you thinking about that Hayate?" Ryû interrupted, frustrated.
" Even if she's strong and nifty, you are the only one being able to protect her. With the elders behind my back, I can't do anything. You too being together, it could maybe fix it!"
Ryû remained silent.
" I remember when it was just the three of us. Playing, training or even working, she always followed us as a toddler" continued Hayate
" I remember…" said Ryû
" Before leaving, will you hand her this?" Hayate slipped a letter on the table.
Ryû Hayabusa finished his sake cup in one go, hid the letter inside his kimono and returned home to Hayabusa's village.