Chapter Twenty-Two

Nothing was able to hinder away her anger for the man she had once called brother. There was a time when she was more than happy to see him. Now was not that time. She had been hurt by him and her former clan for too long. Kasumi was not going let people push her around anymore. She had reached her peak the instant she laid eyes on Hayate. Kasumi was not going to let him hurt her again or even get near her.

"Why?!" Kasumi questioned. "Why is he here?!"

Hayate, Ryu and Hitomi were not sure what to do. Kasumi was fuming. A sight no one has ever seen from her. Hayate strode closer to his sister, passing Ryu and Hitomi, but Kasumi stepped back, placing some distance between them. Kasumi looked around for something to protect herself with while not straying her sight far from Hayate. She wished she had brought a weapon with her in case she needed protection. Kasumi truly believed she would need it at that moment.

"What is he doing here?" Kasumi spat, her hands curled into fists.

Hayate was astonished by her tone. Kasumi had never in her life, spoke to him in such an angered tone. Coming to the Hayabusa Village might as well been a mistake. Hayate did not expect the reaction he received from his younger sister. However, he came with a purpose: to make amends and ask for her forgiveness.

"Don't get near me!" Kasumi barked, stepping backwards.

Hayate ignored her request and kept walking towards her. "Kasumi, please. You are my sister."

"I said don't get near me! You have no right to call me that!" Kasumi scolded. She jumped back, putting more distance between them then before. "Stay away from me! I hate you!"

Hitomi turned her head to Ryu. She expected to see the Dragon Ninja calm and collected like she had grown accustomed to. Hitomi was speechless when Ryu had the same expression she had. It confirmed her suspicions. It was the first time anyone has seen her act so bitter.

Kasumi was always a gentle and caring person. She had an instinct in seeing the good in people. She never said she hated anyone, so it caught everyone by surprised when she spoke those words. At first, Ryu had mistaken Kasumi's outburst due to fear. Yet the instant he locked his eyes on her own, had he realized that she meant every word. Kasumi was not scared of Hayate; she was antagonized by him.

Coming in between the two siblings, Ryu hoped to avert Kasumi from attacking Hayate if he kept provoking her. He needed Hayate to understand that Kasumi wasn't ready to speak with him. "Hayate...Kasumi has been through a lot these last few weeks. It's best to let her be. Give her some space."

"Ryu, you know I have to try to make amends with her," Hayate spoke.

Evading Ryu, Hayate began to walk once more towards his sister. With a snarl on her face, Kasumi stepped back even further. Sensing some discomfort in Kasumi, Ryu once again stepped in between her and Hayate. Ryu was not going to let him get close if it caused her discomfort. Hayate would have to wait another time to speak to Kasumi.

Not going to let Ryu stop him, Hayate stepped around him until he felt his arm being pulled back. Looking over his shoulder, he watched as Hitomi pleaded with her eyes for him to stop.

"Hayate, please don't do this now." Hitomi muttered.

"I have to try…" Hayate replied.

Turning forward, Hayate was face to face with Ryu. "Hayate, stop for a second and listen...Kasumi isn't ready to face you. This is why I asked you not to come until she is ready just like we had agreed in the past."

"You what?!" Kasumi exploded.

Ryu turned to the troubled girl. Kasumi's eyes filled with fear as she and Ryu stared at one another. Kasumi couldn't believe her ears. Placing her hands over head, Kasumi violently shook her head from side to side. Her knees gave out and fell to the ground causing Ryu to come running at her.

Did she just hear Ryu and Hayate had been in communication with each other? Have they always been? Was all this one joke to see how long before she completely break? Was Hitomi in on it too?

Her long auburn hair concealed her face so the others weren't able to see her traumatized expression.

"Were you all working together?" Kasumi mumbled.

Ryu helped her rise to her feet. Under his hold, Ryu felt Kasumi's body shake. This time she was scared.

"Tell me," Kasumi continued to mutter.

The trio remained silent, not saying one word. The silence was enough for Kasumi to lose it. It just prove what Ayane had told her once when she remain her captive. You can't trust anyone especially the people you love. She was right. They will hurt you the most.

Kasumi pushed Ryu away from her, breaking free of his hold. Too furious to be around them, Kasumi turned back into the direction of her room. She wanted to be away from them. She wasn't planning to stay any longer once she was back in her room.

"Kasumi, wait. Where are you going?" Hitomi called out to the girl.

Kasumi didn't budge. It was all a set up. Ryu never loved her. Hitomi was never her friend. It was all a lie.

"Leave me alone!" Kasumi yelled without turning back.

Hitomi stood dumbfounded. She did not expect Kasumi's harsh tone to be directed towards her. Her sky blue eyes began to tear as the thought of losing her friend plagued her mind. Hayate noticed Hitomi's sorrow and rushed toward her. It was now pointless to convince Kasumi to hear him out.

Things were getting worse by the second. Now Kasumi was lashing out on her friends. She wasn't as forgiving as before. Dreading Kasumi would cause more harm to her friendship with Hitomi, Ryu hurried after her and caught her arm. With fury in eyes, Kasumi turned to him and snatched her arm out of his grasp. She wanted no one to touch her and that also included Ryu.

"Kasumi."

"I said to leave me alone." Kasumi fiercely muttered to Ryu and proceeded to walk away from all of them.

As she walked away, her tears traveled down her face. 'Why does everyone want to hurt me?'

~.~.~.~.~

Ayane wandered around the Black Spider's compound. She snickered as they prepared their weapons to siege the Hayabusa Clan. She had sent more spies to report on their enemies in hopes to find an opening. Ayane was well aware Hayate was there visiting Ryu. She had made it clear they would not attack the Hayabusa Clan just yet.

She was waiting for Hayate to leave and be at a long distance away to attack.

Hayate shouldn't stay too long at the Hayabusa Village. He wasn't supposed to stray too far from the Mugen Tenshin for long periods of time. It was why he would have sent her on missions. He trusted her.

Ayane would earn his trust once more. Until then, the new leader of the Black Spider Clan had to eliminate the two people that turn Hayate against her.

'Soon Ryu Hayabusa and Hitomi will die. We will bathe in their blood. Soon.'

~.~.~.~.~

Ryu was cautious approaching Kasumi's room. He did not want her to lash out him again, but he needed her to know what was really going on. Ryu heard Kasumi shift around the room behind the closed door. He wasn't able to make out what she was doing, but it sounded like she was moving things around. Tired of playing the guessing game, Ryu opened the door and found Kasumi packing things into a pack. Ryu knew what she was doing. She was leaving...again.

"Kasumi, what are you doing?" Ryu demanded.

Kasumi did not answer. Instead she proceeded to ignore him as she finished packing the last of her items. She arranged for a few clothes and weapons to come along with her but everything else would remain there. There was nothing she wanted to take that would remind her of the home she shared with Ryu.

"Kasumi!" Ryu once again try to get her attention.

She said nothing and continued to avoid him.

Annoyed by her antagonizing him, Ryu forcefully turned the girl around to be face to face with her. Ryu witness the kunoichi with tears traveling down her face. She was too hurt to speak.

"Kasumi." Ryu attempted to dry her tears just like he had done in the past, but Kasumi wasn't going to let him.

Kasumi's voiced cracked as she stepped back. "Don't."

Ryu never expected Kasumi to reject his comfort. Turning away, Kasumi placed the last of the remaining objects inside the pack and closed it. Putting one of the straps on her shoulder, Kasumi exited the room without another word. Coming to his senses, Ryu raced after Kasumi.

"Kasumi, where are you going?" Ryu questioned.

"Away." Kasumi stated as emotionlessly as possible but failed.

"Kasumi, I know you are mad at Hayate but don't take it out on the people that are trying to help you."

"And who would that be?" Kasumi paused by the door leading to the outside. "All I see are people who never told me the truth."

"You weren't ready to know about Hayate helping us." Ryu admitted.

Kasumi turned away from him. "I can't trust anyone anymore."

"Kasumi, you can trust me." Ryu told the girl.

"No I can't. I am tired. You knew I was tired of this. I asked you once not to keep things from me and you did what I asked you not to do." Kasumi broke in tears. "I can't trust you anymore."

Ryu knew she was right about keeping things from her but there was also something else he said he wouldn't do.

"Kasumi," Ryu raved, "it's true you ask that of me, but you also asked me not to leave you. I am not going to leave you."

Kasumi shook her head. "I didn't know better."

Ryu huffed out a breath. Kasumi was back to her hard headed ways.

"I must go." Kasumi stated. Without waiting for his response, Kasumi continued to leave.

"Go where, Kasumi?!" Ryu barked. "Ayane is still out there!"

"I'll take my chances out there then stay here." Kasumi replied without another glance at him. "Good bye Ryu."

"Kasumi!"

~.~.~.~.~

"I know I had messed everything up. I'm sorry, Hitomi." Hayate wrapped an arm around the sadden girl walking next to him.

When Kasumi lashed out at them and ran off, Hayate tried to cheer Hitomi up by taking her for a walk. Hitomi had burst into tears by how Kasumi treated her. At the point, Hitomi felt she had truly lost her friend in that cell. She was not of any help to Kasumi when she was recovering. Not for lack of trying, Hitomi tried to bond once more with Kasumi. Yet, Kasumi wanted no one's company not even Ryu's now.

"I should have expected it," Hitomi said, leaning against Hayate as they wandered aimlessly around the Hayabusa Village. "Kasumi has not been the same since we brought her back."

Hayate nodded. "I should have considered her feelings when I came here. I guess I was more relieved to know she was alive."

"She hates us." Hitomi muttered.

Hayate stopped in front of the gate leading out of the village. He drew Hitomi into an embrace. She too had been affected greatly by Ayane's ploys against Kasumi and Hayate fear Hitomi would too reach her breaking point.

"Kasumi doesn't hate you." Hayate whispered in her ear, "she is just directing her anger for me to the people she cares about."

Hitomi wrapped her arms around Hayate. She shuttered a breath against his neck. She really needed someone to hold her like Hayate was doing. Reminded her of their old times together. Back when he was Ein…when things were simple.

"Thanks Ein…I mean Hayate."

Hayate smiled for the first time in weeks. "You can call me Ein if you want."

Hitomi giggled as she broke away from Hayate. The two starred at each other, not speaking a word. Hayate looked over her attire, finally noticing she was dressed in shinobi guard.

"You are training like one of us?" Hayate asked.

Hitomi smiled and nodded her head. "Have to be ready for anything. I never expected my trip to turn out like this. Some adventure this turned out to be."

Hayate frowned at her statement. "I'm sorry you got dragged into this, Hitomi. I promise I will make it up to you."

Hitomi smiled and wrapped her arms around Hayate's neck. She drew him close so they would be face to face. "I'm sure you will. I missed you."

"I missed you too."

Hayate rested his forehead against hers, holding one another in each other's arms. Hitomi's heart quicken at the closeness she created with Hayate. She achieved what she came to do: be with Ein…or more precisely, Hayate.

The two parted slightly once more. Hayate placed his hands on her each side her face, drawing her face towards his. Hitomi was gitty as she had dreamed to be kissed by Hayate for a long time. She went along with it. As they both were moments from kissing, the pair were able to hear Ryu call out Kasumi's name.

"Kasumi!"

From Ryu's tone, they both knew it didn't sound good. Hitomi and Hayate parted just in time to see Kasumi heading straight towards them. Hayate acknowledge the pack hanging from Kasumi's shoulder. The Shinobi of the Wind also noticed his best friend, following behind her. Clearly irritated.

"Kasumi, what's going on?" Hitomi questioned.

Kasumi said nothing and strobe past her and Hayate. She was not going to stop as she was still not in the mood to speak to either of them. Ryu was several steps behind Kasumi, determined to have her return back to his home.

"Ryu, what's' going on?" Hayate asked as he and Hitomi followed both Ryu and Kasumi out the Hayabusa Village into the forest.

"She is leaving and I'm trying to convince she is being foolish." Ryu barked at Hayate.

Getting in front of the group, Hitomi tried to block Kasumi's path by standing in the way. "Kasumi, are you crazy? You can't leave."

"Watch me!" Kasumi spat as she evaded Hitomi, walking around her.

Following Hitomi's lead, Hayate did the same by blocking Kasumi's path. "Kasumi, you will be in danger."

Kasumi halted. She glared at Hayate. "Why do you care? You wanted me dead."

"Kasumi! Listen to reason!" Hayate pleaded with his younger sister.

"No!" And just like she had done to Hitomi, Kasumi evaded Hayate by walking around him.

Angered by her attitude towards his friends, Ryu was unable to let Kasumi go any further. "That's it!"

Finally deciding to take matters into his own hands, Ryu turned the young kunoichi around and carried a startled Kasumi over his shoulder. Kasumi was only able to make it towards the lake when Ryu placed her over his shoulder. Dropping her pack, Kasumi struggled to break free.

"Let me go! Ryu, let me go!" Kasumi screamed.

"No." Ryu responded.

"I said let me go!" Kasumi screamed again.

Kasumi kicked and pound her fist onto Ryu, yet Ryu held onto her, taking her back to the village. He had let her go once, and she ran into trouble. He swore he would not let her go again. Even if Kasumi would be mad at him forever, she will remain safe and alive in his village until Ayane is dealt with.

Hayate and Hitomi made no attempts to help Kasumi as she screamed to be free. Kasumi chose to ignore them, so it they would do the same to her while she pleaded for help. Kasumi needed to understand.

Kasumi continue to pound on Ryu as he took her back to the Hayabusa Village. Hayate and Hitomi followed behind them. Hayate paused in his tracks at the sensation of being watched. Hayate turned back to look over his surroundings. It was quite if he excluded Kasumi's yells. He didn't know if it was a good thing.

"Are you coming, Hayate?" Hitomi called out to him when she noticed he wasn't following them.

Shaking his head to rid him of his worries, Hayate raced back to catch up to the others. "I'm coming."

"Ryu, let me go!"

~.~.~.~.~

Ayane sat bored on her mat as she ate her dinner. She grew tired of waiting for the news of Hayate leaving the Hayabusa Clan. He should have left hours ago. Why was he taking so long?

The doors to the dinning chamber caught Ayane's attention. Black Spider ninja came thru the door with the news she was waiting for, no doubt. Ayane shoved her half eaten meal away from her. She no longer had an appetite.

"Mistress Ayane, we have return." A single ninja spoke.

The group of five Black Spider ninja kneeled in front of Ayane.

"What news do you have?" Ayane asked, rising from her seat. She placed her arms across her chest in anticipation.

"There was an altercation at the Hayabusa Village where the Mugen Tenshin Master was last seen." The same ninja replied.

"And?"

"The heated argument was between the Dragon Ninja and the Princess of the Mugen Tenshin Clan." The ninja bowed his head as he and his breather continued to kneel.

Ayane was glad no one was able to see her expression as they kneeled with their heads lowered. Her red eyes widen and her mouth gaped open. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

"What the hell did you say?" Ayane gritted her teeth.

Another of the Black Spider ninja spoke in behave of the first. "Our enemy, Ryu Hayabusa, was seen taking the girl back to the village."

"Who?" Barked Ayane, wanting them confirm the identity of the girl in questioned.

"The Runaway of the Mugen Tenshin Clan, Princess Kasumi."

"What?" Ayane yelled.

'The bitch is alive? What? No this can't be!'

~.~.~.~.~