Kasumi didn't expect to lose her brother so suddenly despite knowing the risk shinobis take every time they were out on a mission. She always saw Hayate as an invisible guy.

Ryu was having a hard time digesting the fact that Hayate was no longer with them as well. Part of him wished that things weren't so bad between them…all the resentment and bickering suddenly seemed so meaningless. But he couldn't show his emotion, as he needed to be strong for Kasumi.

Wiping away her remaining tears, Kasumi pulled herself together for the sake of her son. "Let's go check on Tenzou…"

They soon approached Momiji and asked if everything was alright with their boy.

"He was a little dehydrated and tired but otherwise he is alright." The kunoichi explained with a smile of relief. "Irene's team had given him some fluid and snacks. He is resting right now."

"Thank you, Momiji." Ryu thanked her.

"I haven't seen Hayate, did he make it out alright?" She wondered then.

Ryu and Kasumi looked at each other and then back at Momiji.

"My brother didn't make it…" Kasumi sadly responded.

A gasp of pure shock left Momiji at that, then closing her eyes in disbelieved. "I am so sorry…"

"I'm sorry too…I know you worked with my brother for a while after we left the village." Kasumi responded in a shaky voice trying to hold it together with every strength she could gather.

…

It was time for the ninjas to head back to their villages before sunrise. They had a lot to deal with when morning come, and a lot of thing was about to change. It was the longest way home for all them. Halfway through, they paused when the road separated ways. One road lead to the Hayabusa village and the other towards the Mugen Tenshin.

Momiji turned to Ryu and Kasumi. "You know how to get hold of me if anything and I will see you soon."

"Thank you for saving us tonight…we wouldn't have made it without you." Kasumi thanked once more.

Momiji placed a hand on Kasumi's arm. "Stay strong, Kasumi." Then eyes shifted to her master, bowing slightly to him as a sign of respect before excusing herself. They watched Momiji disappeared from their sight.

Before proceeding home, Kasumi adjusted the blanket that was wrapped around Tenzou who was soundlessly asleep in his father's arms. Mountain air was extra chilly at night. Then the thought of breaking the news of her brother's death to her parents was just too devastating. She didn't even know how she would tell her son that his favorite uncle was no longer with them.

"Kasumi?" Ryu called when he noticed her staring aloofly at the ground.

Inhaling a deep breath, she looked at him. "Let's go."

It was still in the middle of the night when they arrived at the village so there were barely any villagers outside besides from the guards that were guarding the village at nighttime.

…

The door to the front house opened and Kasumi's parents peeked out curiously as nobody knocked on their door that late unless it was an emergency.

"Kasumi? Ryu?" Shiden frowned confusingly at them.

Hayate had kept the mission a secret from everyone in the village including his parents. He didn't want to involve his clan and worrying them before they knew what they were dealing with, and everything was happening so fast as well.

Immediately, a tear left Kasumi's eyes as looking at her parents was a lot more than she could handle. She was about to break their hearts. They had been through a lot and she couldn't bear the thought of hurting them.

Looking concerned, they told the pair to come inside as clearly something terrible must've happened they thought.

Ryu went to put sleeping Tenzou in a spare bedroom. After he gently laid his son down, he studied him for a moment. His eyes traced to Tenzou's feet. He pulled his pajamas pants up a little to check on his ankle. He could see the mark of the chain as it was slightly blueish color around it. Tenzou must have panicked and tried to get out of the chain. The thought of his son being treated like an animal in a cage made his blood spurting hot and fast through his vein.

The hot flood of an overprotective rage inside him grew stronger by the seconds. It wasn't just Hayate he could have lost that night…it could have been his precious son, his wife and Momiji, also how he and Kasumi almost died as well. They all could have been wiped out. He realized how far out of the game he was and how they were relying on luck the entire time. He was supposed to protect his family and friends…not realizing his fist had curled into a ball of fist, teeth clenched, and mind filled with revengeful thoughts.

"Ryu?" Tenzou suddenly called in his tired voice.

"I'm right here." He quickly replied while pulling the cover over his son's shoulders to keep him warm and comfortable.

"Are you leaving?"

"I'm not going anywhere." Ryu assured, thinking his son must have been afraid.

"But you have to go…uncle Hayate needs your help." His little voice sounded slightly panicky this time.

"Tenz-"

"You have to help him, he's dying." He rushed to say again.

Ryu didn't know how to respond but tried to hush Tenzou back to sleep, and guilt was tearing at his heart. Once Tenzou had drifted back to sleep, he headed back out to check on Kasumi and her parents in the living room.

When he came out, he was met with the sight of Kasumi hugging her mother who had fallen to her knees with tears flooded her eyes. Shiden stood still like a statue in disbelieved, and then shifted his gaze towards Ryu but there was nothing he could say to them, as words wouldn't be enough to describe how sorry he was for their loss…

Later, Ryu and Shiden had a personal talk. Now that Hayate was gone, Shiden had no choice but to step up as the village would need him. Grief would have to wait as he needed to be strong for his people and family and Ryu promised to help in any way he could during his time.

After the short meeting, Ryu went to check on Tenzou again and peeked inside the bedroom where he was still lying peacefully asleep. He then looked around for Kasumi but couldn't find her anywhere in the house. He led his feet to the porch of the backyard and found Kasumi sitting alone staring at the night sky that was swept by stars.

"You should get inside…it is cold out here." He told in a caring voice.

"I will, in a moment." She responded.

He studied her back for a moment before going back inside, and soon came back out and walked over with a blanket and wrapped it around Kasumi's shoulders.

"Thank you…Hayabusa."

If she wasn't listening to him then he might as well keep her company, so he lowered next to her. Silence surrounded them for a moment and neither spoke. They were still comprehending everything that had happened. Kasumi was beyond exhausted but she was afraid to go sleep, afraid of waking up and then realizing that it wasn't a dream.

She then sighed heavily. "The sun will be out in a few hours and Ayane would be home soon, how do I tell-"

Her words were cut off when Ryu place a hand to her back, "You don't have to do this alone."

Another sigh escaped Kasumi. "When Hayate and I were younger, I often found him sitting out here in the middle of the night just staring at the sky. He said that it was the only time he could have peace and silence, as father put a lot of pressure on Hayate growing up. He loved feeling the night wind and stared at the moon. It used to calm him. Then father would come out and scolded us for being up so late and for making too much noise." A sad smile played at her lips at her childhood memories replaying in her mind.

His eyes were soft when looking at Kasumi sideways as he listened. Though that was a fact he already knew since Hayate would do the same thing even as adult. He too would often find Hayate on a rooftop somewhere just staring at the moon. His presence usually annoyed Hayate because he would interrupt the peacefulness by provoking Hayate and challenging him into a spar. A faint smile played on Ryu's lips without him realizing it while remembering the closeness they once shared.

She met his eyes then. "I'm sorry Hayabusa, I got caught up in my own grief I haven't asked how you are dealing with this?"

The question led him back into the darkness of his past. Trying to make sense all the death of his beloved ones without being broken by the weight of it. "It will sink in…eventually."

He then paused for a moment as an expression she couldn't quite read formed on his face. "I will make sure they will pay for ever crossing our family… we underestimated their silence." His eyes turned dark but held amount of passion they always do.

Kasumi glanced down at his curled fist…she reached and took his hand to calm him down. "Let's end them together." Her voice came out low but powerful.

He looked at her hand caressing his for a moment…such a petite hand, soft, and so delicate in his. They sat like that for a while. Kasumi rested her head against his shoulder, and he let her.

Ryu suddenly felt a vibration in his pocket. He forgot he had his phone with him, so he took it out to check. "I have to take this…" He pressed to answer and he immediately frowned when all he heard was a desperate mumbling sounds on the other end, then the signal was cut off.

Kasumi frowned with him. "What's the matter?"

"I have to go." He said in a concerning voice and stood up in a hurry. "I think Irene is in trouble." Ryu turned around to go back inside the house to get ready to head back out again…

"Hayabusa?"

He paused and turned back to look at Kasumi.

"Please be careful…" Her eyes fill with fear as she said so.

"Do not worry, I will see you soon." He assured and soon disappeared from her sight.

I don't want to lose you too…

…

A few hours earlier…

The helicopter head lights scanned below at the destroyed building desperately, unsure of what she would find as everything had turned into dust. For an hour Irene had been searching, hoping for something as hopeless as it may seemed. But she was running out of fuel and it was time to head back to her team camp side. As she turned the helicopter around and began to leave the area, her hands on the steering began to shake, heart sinking into her stomach, nausea swept over, breath suddenly coming in so weak. Drawing a wave of devastatingly overwhelming feelings to her chest that nearly made it hard to breathe when she was forced to accept the reality. She found a spot to land and took a quick break to gather herself. Once on the ground, Irene rushed out the helicopter for fresh air, hands holding her stomach tightly when tears poured, unable to contain her sadness any longer.

Damn it, Hayate… then the last image of him before they parted ways kept replaying in her mind like a movie.

Flashback

They heard doors being unlocked one by one when non-human sounds echoed through the long hallway. They ran as fast as they could but the sound only became closer. Hayate paused in his tracks as he realized that they wouldn't be able to outrun whatever were heading their way.

"Why are we stopping?" Irene stopped with him.

Hayate didn't respond and only gave her a serious look. But she figured what he was trying to do…

"No, Hayate…there's too many of them and knowing what they were creating in here, you can't win."

"Maybe not, but I can buy you time." He marched to her and handed Tenzou over to Irene but Tenzou refused.

"I don't want to leave you uncle Hayate…" He mumbled low and terrified at the same time.

"You have to be a good boy now and go with this lady, alright? She will keep you safe."

Tenzou shook his head, "No…" and held on tighter onto his uncle. He hugged his nephew tightly one last time and then forcefully giving him to Irene as they got no time to waste. Hayate then pulled something out from his pocket, "Take this."

Irene frowned strangely at it…

"It's a smoke bomb, in case they manage to catch up to you. Just throw it on the ground and it will give you good cover as you cannot fight them alone, you need to outrun them."

"Still underestimating me huh…" She rolled her eyes a little.

"No offense, but that gun of yours is still useless." He smirked a little.

She wanted to call him asshole but couldn't in front of a kid. The looked at each other one last time. "You better get out of here, Hayate."

But his eyes looked doubtful. "Go…" He told and proceeded to take out his sword to ready himself.

Irene began to run as fast as she could and told Tenzou to close his eyes. Hayate watched them until he could no longer see them from his sight. He took a deep breath as he turned and ready himself for a fight.

Once outside, her helicopter came into view and Irene rushed towards it. She hurried and put Tenzou on the passenger seat next to her and fasten his seat belt. He looked at her with fear in his eyes. She was just another stranger to him.

"Don't be scared…" Irene spoke so softly to assure him, "I will take you to your mom and dad."

"Papa?" Tenzou looked at her strange.

Something came to her mind and she took it out from her bag. A picture of her and Ryu that she often carried with her and showed it to Tenzou.

"Yes, see I know your papa so don't worry."

"That's not my papa…that's Ryu." He pointed.

Irene frowned at him a little.

"Where is Ryu?" He then asked.

"He is not far. I will take you to him okay?"

"Okay." Tenzou rubbed his eyes tiredly.

The helicopter lifted off the ground and Irene headed back in the direction of the camp side. As she flew over the building, she could briefly see below the glass roof and she spotted Hayate that was still fighting from what look like monsters, and there were so many of them. He looked up as she flew by and he was probably relieved over the sound of the helicopter, knowing Irene and Tenzou made it out safely. Only seconds later, the entire building blew up in flame right after she flew pass it…her heart sank into her stomach. Tenzou screamed as the loud sound had scared him.

"Everything will be okay." She said in a shaky voice and her heart rose to her throat in shock, as they barely escaped…now she could only pray that Momiji had gotten Ryu and Kasumi out of the building, though she wasn't so sure about Hayate making it out.

End of flashback

Irene wiped her tears and took a deep breath. She then looked around her, as she didn't even know where she was…the forest suddenly seemed very creepy and only night animals sound was to be heard. Hissing sounds were all around her, it could be snake or other deadly reptiles. Being there was suddenly a bad idea. But there was one sound that stood out a little more that caught her attention. It sounded like a predator. She curiously looked up at the darken sky and saw a bird flying above her in a circle. Suspicious, Irene grabbed her binocular from the helicopter and looked at it closer.

Could it be Ryu's falcon? She wondered. But it wasn't his as she would recognize it. It was still flying above her in a circle. To be sure, Irene took out her agent gloves and put them on, and then raised her arm in the air giving the falcon a signal to land.

Irene waited, she felt almost a little silly standing there raising her arm that way. Her eyes widen when the falcon flew in a high speed towards her…her other hand was on her gun just in case it was a wild predator trying to attack her. It got closer and closer and landed perfectly on her wrist. It stared at her with its bright yellow eyes. They glowed creepily in the dark.

Irene took a closer look at it, looking at his feet but there was no message tied to it. She was confused of who this falcon belonged to and why is it not moving when she tried to free it. It kept staring at her. She spotted something on its wing. She looked at both wings to compare but the color isn't the same…one wing was red, so Irene drew her wrist closer.

Blood…

It suddenly flew away and began to repeat the same behaviour again by flying around in circle. Irene got back inside her helicopter. The falcon stopped flying in circle once the helicopter was in the air. He was flying close enough so she could see him.

Do you want me to follow you? Is that it?

She decided to trust the falcon and kept on following him in curiosity. The worst thing that could happen was her completely losing her mind she thought to herself.

After a while, the falcon shifted it course and flew towards the ground. Irene slowed down as well and scanned below with her lights. She didn't see anything. The falcon led her there for a reason so she couldn't just turn away now. Irene found a spot nearby to land and went out to search. She lost sight of the bird, so she wasn't sure where to go from there. She looked up again and the falcon was standing on a tree branch ahead from her. Irene carefully led her feet towards it. When she got closer, Irene briefly stood frozen in shock…

"Hayate?"

She rushed over and knelt beside him to check on him. "Hayate, can you hear me?" Her heart pounded as he looked lifeless.

"Irene?" He said weak, barely able to force his voice out.

She saw a few stab wounds on his stomach, his clothes were soaked with blood and face all bruised. His breathing was shallow, barely hanging on to his life.

"Let's get you out of here." She tried to make him stand up, but he only winced in pain.

"I can't…move…" He mumbled.

Irene ran her fingers through her hair, trying to think of what to do. She wished she knew how to give the falcon orders and even if she could chain the message to its feet, how would she know it would deliver it to Ryu. Instead she took out her phone and hope that she has signal. It was a relief when she was able to call Ryu but the signal was cut off short, not knowing whether Ryu even heard her plead for help… Irene then ran back to the helicopter and grab the first aid kid, then rushed back to Hayate. He was in and out of consciousness when she was trying to stop him from bleeding any further.

"Hang in there, Hayate."

Her heart sank when she suddenly heard footsteps. Weariness shadowed Irene's entire face as she slowly rose to her feet while reaching out for her gun. What if it was a predator that had smelled Hayate's blood and was coming for him. In matter of seconds, someone appeared right behind her. In surprised she turned around and someone grabbed her wrist in a strong hold, "It's me…do not shoot."

"Ryu? you scared the hell out of me." She breathed out a breath of relief.

"I thought you were in trouble…what's going on?" He asked.

Before she could respond, he peeked behind Irene and his eyes grew wide in surprise, "Hayate…" he then rushed over to him.

"He's barely breathing and he lost a lot of blood…can you teleport Hayate back to the village?"

Ryu nodded and carefully lifted Hayate in his arms. He turned to Irene before leaving, "Get out of here…this area is still not safe."

"I'll head back right away. Please keep me updated?"

Ryu nodded and disappeared in an instant.

Mixed emotions sliced through Irene then, relieved to have found Hayate but scared he wouldn't make it. All she could do now was hope and pray that he would pull through.

…

Kasumi went back inside to check on her son. The silence inside the house felt like that it had deadened every room with a subtly different pitch. She laid down beside her son, studying his peacefully asleep face, thinking about how close she was to losing him too that night. The thought overwhelmed her.

He suddenly woke up by her movement and then tiredly just stared at his mother. He raised his hand and lovingly caressed her cheek. He didn't like seeing her sad. "Don't worry mama…uncle Hayate is alive." He mumbled, making his mother looked at him rather strangely. Tenzou then snuggled closed to her as he soon drifted back to sleep.

"Kasumi?" Someone later whispered.

Startled at the sound, she opened her eyes and immediately pulled herself into a sitting position. When she saw who it was, the first thing she did was to hug him.

"Ryu, you're back…I was so worried." She didn't even realize she had fallen asleep.

"I need to speak to you." He said as he pulled away from her arms.

Both then trying to leave the room as soundlessly possible to avoid waking up Tenzou. Ryu took her hand and pulled her into a corner in the house.

"Hayabusa, what is it?"

Before he could respond Kasumi frowned at the sight of his clothes.

"You have blood on you…what happened? Is everything alright with Irene?"

"Irene is fine, this is not my blood." He said.

She looked at him with wondering eyes, waiting for what he had to say further.

"It's Hayate's blood…"

Was she hearing right she thought, she couldn't believe it. "What do you mean?"

"Irene found Hayate."

"What? Is he alive?" Tears began forming on the corner of her eyes as she asked in desperation.

"Last time I saw him, he was still breathing. But he's in a very bad condition Kasumi..."

At least there was a little hope now Kasumi thought to herself when a warm tear dribbled down her cheek. "Where is he?"

"Hayate is in the Hayabusa village…Momiji is treating him as we speak. I must head back to explain my father but I wanted you to inform this to your parents before your father decided to announce the news to the rest of the village."

Kasumi nodded. "Alright…please keep us updated on my brother's condition until we can go see him."

"Of course." Ryu replied.

Kasumi then followed Ryu to the front door as she watched him leave. Her eyes shifted towards the green mountains that laid far ahead…the morning sun was starting to peek out from the horizon. Everything was making her so nervous.

Then she felt someone was approaching towards her, and Kasumi turned to the sound of the footsteps.

"So, how did everything go? What did I miss?" Ayane asked.