HOME | DD

Description

Episode 3: The Journey Begins
A/N: I'll admit I focused a tad too much on the dialogue during Episode 2 so for that I apologize. So I hope Episode 3 is a chance to redeem myself in this regard. Sorry for the long wait people! Anyway, this chapter will contain epic fights including the most powerful delinquent in all of Ishiyama (Tatsumi Oga) versus the Ultimate Super Ninja (Ryu Hayabusa)! Enjoy! And a big freakin' salute to Kasumi X Szayel Aporro (formerly known as Strawberry Shortkake Lover AKA: Rose!) Chatwise she'll be sorely missed. *sniffs*.. Once again, I'm aware that Dead or Alive 5 is two years after Dead or Alive 4, so the first twenty chapters takes place between these two games.
Dead or Alive belongs to Team Ninja and Temco. Beelzebub belongs to Ryuuhei Tamura and Shonen Jump. Zell Natsumoto belongs to Projekt-Z. I only own my OC's.
Mugen Tenshin Entrance. The wooden bridge
The Mugen Tenshin entrance was nothing short of beautiful. The wooden bridge that led entrance to the village had a good first impression with its magnificent waterfall, representing the hymns of tranquillity that soothed even the most stoic of people. If you were Tatsumi Oga on the other hand, you just saw an opportunity to kick ass and in this case, beating up the "Super Ninja" known as Ryu Hayabusa.
Oga rushed to Hayabusa. Before Hayabusa had a chance to unleash the first move, Oga grabbed his leg and spun him around with a sadistic grin.
"HELL THROW!" Oga yelled.
"Wiii! (DIE!)" Berubo gargled in combination.
With the final swing, Oga let go, causing Hayabusa to fly off a considerable distance. Then, in a flash, before Hayabusa could even crash into the rocky wall, he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Oga and Berubo looked in a state of shock!
"HUH?!" Oga yelled. "Why didn't nobody tell me this dude could teleport and crap?!"
"Hadabu?!(The hell?!)" Berubo gasped trying to grasp the situation.
In a puff of smoke teleporting to Oga's position, Hayabusa suddenly appeared. Before Oga could even comprehend the situation, Hayabusa did a backflip kick to Oga's chin causing him flip upwards. The Super Ninja then completed the attack by flipping forward with an axe kick to the back of the head causing Oga to crash into the ground with a cold, hard thud!
Oga yelled as he grabbed Hayabusa by the leg being able to surprisingly lift his whole body weight as he got up.
"I'm not in the mood to be pissed off buddy!" Oga growled as he lifted Hayabusa and slammed him down in an arch again and again!
Hayabusa tried to hold off the searing pain growing in his forehead. Ayane feared what Oga could do and now he could clearly see why! Keeping his cool, Hayabusa released himself from Oga's grip forcefully, side flipping back into a crouching position.
"You are as powerful as they say." Hayabusa said with a shocked expression. "Your style however is notably sloppy and unrefined."
"Technique shmecknique!" Oga shrugged. "I just use what works."
"DABAH! (Damn Straight!)" Berubo raised his fist.
Hayabusa frowned. "Face me!"
Oga put on an evil smile as he and Hayabusa charged towards each other. Oga raised his right fist whereas Hayabusa held to his Ninja stance.
"NIN!"
Mugen Tenshin Village
"GAAAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Hayate was blown away as he tumbled backwards. Natsu who was once holding his Shoulder technique position returned to his normal fighting stance. Natsu then suddenly faltered and began to breathe heavily, cupping his knees. Hayate, just opposite him struggled to gain focus. Crimson red both flowed from their lips with their faces slightly bruised. The fighters stared at each other with a look a fury.
"You are skilled no doubt." Natsu admitted.
Hayate finally gulped some air back into his lungs. "Well you are facing the leader of the Mugen Tenshin after all!" He tried to force a smile. The teen in the red jacket however was not amused at all.
"Precisely why I dislike you." Natsu countered. "Loyalty poisons your right of free will."
"He may be powerful but he is also slightly naïve. Not to mention he's quite intemperate as well." Hayate contemplated, crimson red now flowing from his bottom lip slightly.
"Is this all you have?!" Natsu yelled with a hot blooded tone to his voice. "Get on with it and attack me!"
Hayate spat blood as he smirked.
"Don't grow overconfident Kaneshiro!"
Both fighters charged at each other. Hayate lashed out a high roundhouse kick. Natsu anticipated this and ducked, performing the elbow technique to the Shinobi's gut causing him to stumble. Staggering backwards, Hayate regained his balance and teleported behind Natsu.
The teenage fighter did not question himself as he kept alert yet in a calm demeanour. He paced himself and breathed out. With a flash, Hayate appeared in a puff of wind. Natsu had a chance to turn around, but before he could unleash a single blow Hayate jabbed Natsu in the face twice. He then pulled back dodging Natsu's double palm technique and responded with his own. With a sharp kick to the face, Natsu was sent flying upwards. With swift movement, seemingly at wind speed and elbowed the airborne Natsu in the back, hard!
A/N: KURETSUO! Kuretsuo is one of Tenjin Mon's brutal grappling techniques! As the fighter grabs an opponent, he kicks the opponent up into the air, then with the right timing of wind teleportation moves forward and strikes with an elbow to the spine! It is a high level technique of Tenjin Mon that when used with great timing makes the damage of this move unspeakable!
With a gasp, Natsu fell and lay still.
Mugen Tenshin Bridge
Sean and Ayane both grabbed their weapons and began to duel. Ayane jumped over Sean and began to throw kunai after kunai at him. Sean just smirked and fired, his rounds blowing up the weapons in the process.
"Is that all ya' got you purple broad?!" Sean smirked evilly.
Unbeknownst to Sean, Ayane smirked. "This brat's overconfidence will be his undoing!"
"Do you plan to give up?!" Ayane said in a mock flirty tone.
"Shut up and get exorcised!" Sean growled! He was not going to give in, and to a bratty teenage Kunoichi of all people.
"Almost like errrrr…. Narumi? Wait, that's kinda unfair." Sean thought.
Ayane suddenly burst out of the smoke and went into her fighting stance. Sean smirked and charged. Ayane spun in quick movement, pelting the boxing prodigy with elbow attacks. Sean struggled to block as he staggered. Ayane's elbow strikes hit most of his ribs causing him to back off in pain. Despite his situation however, Sean gave a confident smirk. He was not going to lose! No matter what!
"Come back alive huh?" Sean contemplated with a jokey grin. "You owe me, ya' warrior obsessed bastard!"
As the battle ensued, Sean found an opening during Ayane's offensive attack pattern and capitalized on it. Dodging her roundhouse chop at a split second Sean did his famed beat combo as he planted several hard hitting punches to Ayane's stomach as well as the face in one continuous combo. In seven hits, Ayane flew backward several feet before back flipping into her crouching position, panting.
"As expected, he's strong. No; possibly more." Ayane thought. "I have to keep my distance."
"HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?!" Sean yelled. "Are we done with the hugging and the analysing?! I thought this was fighting, not freakin' study time!"
Ayane simply huffed at the boxing prodigy's taunts. She knew flamboyant people all too well. Once he runs his mouth, it's all over.
"Funny. While you are blabbering your mouth; all you're doing is teaching me how to defeat you!"
Sean simply shrugged off the remark, while holding his ribs a little. "Take your best shot kid!"
"Huh." Ayane mocked. "The only kid I see is you!"
Sean rushed up to Ayane as she moved to a position that represented a look somewhat reminiscent of a pouncing tiger. Sean threw a punch. Ayane weaved to the side, and jumped. While Airborne, the female Tengu spun, kicking Sean in the face twice with a double roundhouse causing him to slip and fall off the bridge. Sean's yells were barely audible, even as Ayane jumped after him.
The Hut
"AAAAAGGGHHH!"
"Hold still Kasumi!" Zell growled impatiently as he extracted the last bit of paralysation liquid from Kasumi's legs. The Kunoichi whimpered in pain. The process was excruciatingly tense. Kasumi almost lost some of the blood from her leg in the process.
"You can move now." Zell grumbled in annoyance. Kasumi tried moving with her legs. One of them twitched, then her leg. Soon, she was able to walk with no problems.
As Kasumi finally returned to her standing position for the first time in hours, she walked slowly to the entrance before turning her head, "Thank you for everything Zell-San." Kasumi bowed with a light smile.
Zell once again smiled uncharacteristically. "Don't mention it. Just be grateful it wasn't someone else lest they have my head!"
Kasumi giggled a bit before her thin smile fell to bear a thread of concern. "I have to go."
At the same time, Zell's face fell as he instantly frowned. It was not a look of concern. It felt more like annoyance and agitation.
"Are you serious?" Frowned Zell.
"I'm serious." Kasumi replied calmly but it could not hide her concern and sorrow. She got Natsu mixed up in her situation, all because of her carelessness.
"My fault." She looked down. Zell held a loose grin. It didn't help matters much but he had to try anyway.
He put his hand to her shoulder and spoke a voice of concern. "Listen to me. You're not safe if you go after them! You were lucky to survive that day! What if they catch you? Remember that you are a Ronin and dangerously close to Mugen Tenshin territory I might add!"
Kasumi turned back with a gasp. "Mugen Tenshin?! That's where they went?!" She clasped a hand over her mouth. "Kami-Sama!" Her tone held a hint of worry with a mix of inner guilt. How could she be so ignorant?!
Zell sighed. At this point, there was nothing he could do. Kasumi was going to risk her life either way. Plus it would jeopardise his mission objective. But the girl was very adamant in risking her life to confront her brother.
"So are going for the creep or the dude I fought earlier?" Zell fiddled with his hair as he spoke.
Kasumi giggled slightly at Zell's comment. "I think the latter."
"Riiiiiggghhhht" Zell rolled his eyes jokingly in a way so that even Kasumi couldn't see. "I'll watch over and if you screw up, well….."
Kasumi's face was filled with willpower and a hidden determination burning within. "I won't. I promise you." With that said, Kasumi teleported away leaving behind Sakura petals in her wake.
Zell sighed. "Kami. The hell have I done?!"
Suddenly, a comlink rung. Zell took in a deep breath and begun to pick up.
"You just had to let your target go, didn't you Zell?" A mature feminine voice was spoken and it crept into Zell's apparently false guilty demeanour.
"Superior, you know I didn't have a damn choice!" Zell gritted his teeth in frustration. "The girl is just too stubborn! And she's after the Hakkyouku-Ken dude as well of all people!"
"Hmm? Natsu I believe?" She questioned.
"Yeah. Him." Zell replied. "Hard to believe that one martial artist can be known in such a short time."
"Not quite Zell." The woman from the comlink responded. "It's actually revealed that he's made an apparent name for himself. The Wandering Soul I believe? Zell? Never mind. I want you to follow Kasumi and see what she's up to! Oh and Zell?"
"What?"
"Do not screw this up!"
Zell grumbled obviously more annoyed at Kasumi rather than his superior. "Roger that." He hung up as looked into the distance.
"Where did I go wrong?" Zell muttered as he teleported away in a puff of smoke.
Mugen Tenshin Entrance
Now in her blue Kunoichi outfit, Kasumi leaped swiftly and gracefully through the trees. The Mugen Tenshin grounds. Ever since she was now a Ronin, she was no longer allowed back in her home. Even now she was risking her life by coming back, but she had to.
"Where is he?" Kasumi pondered in frustration. She could see the bridge! She was almost there! Just a few more leaps and…
Kasumi landed swiftly on the ground. So far so good. The area looked peaceful and quiet, but that didn't whither Kasumi's guard. She knew all too well that even the quietest of situations can break up into an uproar and when it came to her situation, the presumption was usually correct. A few shurikens flew to Kasumi's direction. She spotted them in an instant and made an effort to dodge them with proper timing unlike last time.
Kasumi performed a front flip in an attempt to dodge the incoming projectiles, with one very nearly grazing her back. Kasumi assumed a crouching position before standing up and got into her Tenjin Mon Stance.
"Ayane?" Kasumi's meek and mellow voice spoke quietly.
"Wrong answer, Princess!" A gruff male voice spoke from the trees.
Kasumi secretly cursed her luck. She was hoping to confront her sister face to face! Her meek tone faltered but remained normal. "I'm not here to fight. Please. Let me pass."
"Do you really think we'd make exceptions for you "Runaway"!" The Hajin Mon Shinobi spat from the shadows. "DIE!"
Several Shinobi leaped from the woods surrounding Kasumi, all drawing out their weapons. Kasumi in an instant hesitantly drew out her Wakasashi from her scabbard. Her blade looked slightly shorter compared to the other Ninja's Katanas. A tear fell from the Kunoichi's eyes.
"Why?!" Her face read a look of fury
The Ninja charged at the Ronin with their weapons held high as Kasumi prepared herself. One Hajin Mon Shinobi aimed for her stomach in which she deftly avoided, and side kicked him in the spine causing him to fly back. A blade then at the same moment swung high in an attempt to behead Kasumi. At that split second Kasumi narrowly avoided the slash, spun and stabbed the Shinobi in the stomach with precision.
The Shinobi's outfit began to leak profusely of red. Kasumi pulled out her blood-stained blade and begun to weave a pattern. Kasumi had a petite build and her speed matched her physique, something that her opponents very much lacked. Tried as they might, the Hajin Mon Ninja could hold their own against the former Princess of Mugen Tenshin's graceful movement. Kasumi sweeped kicked knocking her opponent down and finally ended his life with a stab. More and more Ninja came with the intent of killing the runaway Kunoichi. Kasumi gracefully moved in a pattern that represented a dance. In one movement she chopped a Shinobi in the back of the neck and then made her way for the kill.
Until there were no more, the deed was done.
The fight was over.
The ground was now soaked with the colour of murder. Kasumi wore a look of guilt, sadness and grief. Also within her was mixed advocacy. She lashed out in unnecessary rage. Kasumi was consumed with anger for a moment. Angered at the fact her own family had marked her for death; yet at the same time she felt remorse. Self-pity. Kasumi didn't mean to kill them. As harsh as they were, they were still family; at least to her.
The very thought of killing her own kinsman felt mortifying. Tormented at the sight of what she did, Kasumi fell on her knees and wept uncontrollably.
"Something the matter?"
Kasumi wiped her tears to find Zell standing beside her.
"I…..I…" Kasumi choked on her tears.
Zell placed a reassuring hand on her shoulders. "Don't feel upset. Okay? The important thing is you've managed."
"Managed?" Kasumi wept. "I killed them. Innocent Shinobi."
Zell somewhat gave reassurance. "Look, you acted in reasonable self-defence. Those Ninja's were gonna kill you anyway so what could you do? Would you rather die at their hand instead?"
Kasumi dried her tears. "Given the situation, I would."
Zell patted her shoulder. "Come on. How would your friend and more importantly rival feel? They deserved it. They were going to kill you, what could you do hmm?"
"Natsu wouldn't kill them. He wouldn't have gone out of control as I did now!" Kasumi countered, her face welling up with tears.
Zell took in a deep breath. "Maria? The hell have you gotten me into?!" He mumbled to himself.
He patted her shoulder. "Come on."
Kasumi wiped her tears. "Alright." She now gathered up her remaining courage and decided to press on. She smiled slightly as Zell teleported away. If there was one thing that she was grateful for as a Ninja, it was to press on no matter the odds.
Taking a deep breath, Kasumi began to make her way to the bridge.
Mugen Tenshin Bridge
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH !"
Hayabusa may have had Oga outmatched in proper technique but he never expected an opponent of this calibre! When it came to brute force and tenacity, Oga took the bet plain and simple.
"Jibiii! (Charge!)" Berubo gargled as Oga rushed in. Hayabusa tried his best to counter his blows but Oga blew through them as if they were nothing. At the same time, Hayabusa managed to strike Oga in the pressure points mainly targeting the ribs as he was mainly vulnerable from that area.
Oga and Hayabusa were both panting and gasping for breath.
"You…are…..quite….skilled; for a juvenile…but your firm belief on power alone will be….your…downfall!" Hayabusa hood cleverly disguised the amount of bruises sustained during their fight. Oga on the other hand was covered with grazes, cuts, dirt and grit but his sadistic face of pleasure still remained.
"What's….so…..funny?" Hayabusa muttered.
"Ahh nothing ya' sack of shit." Oga replied . "You wanted a fight so here we are, blockhead!"
"DABAH!(Agreed!)"
Hayabusa once again frowned. "Enough of your idle chatter! Prepare yourself!"
Oga rushed towards Hayabusa with a very sloppy looking straight punch. Normally Hayabusa could counter this with ease. The only trouble was that Oga had insane speed to compensate for this. Hayabusa was again smacked in the face, but managed to react quickly and respond with two quick rib blows causing Oga to stumble. Hayabusa then attempted a twin roundhouse kick only for Oga to duck and respond with a fast uppercut. Hayabusa this time intercepted and avoided Oga's potentially fatal blow. The two continued to brawl and scrap for a while until they heard a voice familiar to them.
"HAYABUSA-SAN!"
Kasumi raced towards to the bridge only to see Hayabusa and Oga continue to duel in a brutal fist fight.
"Oh yeah, Ninja girl and crap." Oga replied without looking.
"Kasumi!" Hayabusa yelled. "Stay back!"
"Please stop this!" Kasumi yelled.
Hayabusa punched Oga with such force, the delinquent ended up being sent several miles crashing into a rock headfirst.
"I'll be fine! Kasumi?"
"Yes?"
"Natsu is in the village. He's…..fighting against Hayate."
Kasumi covered her mouth and gasped. "He's….fighting…..brother?"
Hayabusa sighed. He obviously shared the same concern. "I'm afraid so. I didn't really foresee something such as this!"
He shook his head as he contemplated silently. "Hayate. You still act on emotion. Why can't you understand that this could be your downfall!"
A figure landed on the bridge now suddenly glowing with demonic energy. The figure held a grin that read evil a lot more evidently than normal.
"I'M NOT DONE YET YOU BASTARD!"
"WOAAAHHHHH! (DIE YOU SISSY!)"
Oga glowed red with demonic energy, the strange marking on his arm glowing with a hellish aura; the Zebul Spell. Berubo also growled with him having the same aura as his demonic parent.
Hayabusa was shocked but still kept his cool. He shifted into his fighting stance. "Kasumi! GO! NOW!"
Kasumi at first was hesitant but in the end, she knew what she was here for. She nodded hesitantly as she ran on.
Hayabusa turned to Oga finally. "Kaiser de Emperanna Beelzebub IV! You will experience the cleansing flames of the Hayabusa clan!"
"Spare me the philosophical crap you stupid sack of old shit!" Oga growled menacingly as he stepped forward slowly. "Fight me!"
Both fighters charged at each other but Oga in the end was the faster one. With a fast swipe he grabbed Hayabusa by the scruff of the neck, jumped up and prepared for the final blow.
"OGA KISS-THE-DIRT GRAVITY FALCON PUUUUUUNNNNNCCCHHHHHH!"
"WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! (LOVELY!)" Berubo growled.
With a simple yet powerful and effective straight punch, the overall force of the attack caused Hayabusa to fall off the bridge faster than a rocket. Oga laughed menacingly knowing he had triumphed. As Oga plummeted down along with him, he was surprised that he didn't find Hayabusa's body.
By sheer coincidence, Hayabusa appeared in a swirl of leaves and grabbed Oga by the waist and spun upside down, effectively pile driving him in the river headfirst.
A/N: IZUNA OTOSHI! Izuna Otoshi is a common Hayabusa style Ninjutsu technique used by Ryu Hayabusa frequently! As the fighter grabs his opponent in mid-air by the waist, he turns the opponent upside down and plummets downward in a spiral motion similar to wrestling powerbombs. It is a high level Ninja technique that when applied with the correct force of momentum makes this move terminable!
Hayabusa flipped away gracefully and fluidly as Oga's lower body fell down with a cold hard crash. Slowly Oga got up, his fist burring red hot with flame. He growled demonically.
"NOW YOU'VE CROSSED THE LINE BASTARD! DOING A CHEAPSHOT ON ME ISN'T FUN AT ALL!"
"WORRRRRNNNNNAAAAA! (DIE!)"
Hayabusa growled. "If that's the way to go then…." He prepared his Ninpo burst.
"ZEBEL BLAAAAASSSSSSTTTTTTTT!"
Oga's punch of demonic aura clashed with Hayabusa's ninpo causing the area to explode from the sheer destruction these two spells created.
Mugen Tenshin Village
The villagers looked in awe as they saw the leader of the clan battle with a mysterious, more modern challenger. Hayate and Natsu duelled for supremacy as their fight sparked to new intensity.
Natsu stepped forward and yelled a battle cry with a palm punch that caused Hayate to stumble backward a bit. In an instant Hayate jumped up and bombarded Natsu with two aerial roundhouse kicks with the second one hitting Natsu's face. Natsu and that instant went spiralling backwards, landing face first into the ground.
"You did tell me to give me my best shot! Now you have paid the price of your ignorance! Do you now wish to forfeit Kaneshiro?!" Hayate held a look of concern, but also had a bit of a sadistic streak with it. Winning to him seemed like….guilty pleasure.
Natsu struggled to get up, with him bleeding heavily from his mouth. "Damn!" He thought. "Was everyone…..going easy on me this whole time?!" With his fist, he punched the ground causing the ground to crack. His hand also leaked blood from the impact.
Slowly, he stood up wobbly and got into his fighting stance. "NOT YET!"
With a roar Natsu charged towards Hayate and unleashed a very powerful low kick disorientating the Shinobi by the ankle. Before Hayate even had time to contemplate his injury, Natsu immediately followed up by stomping, smashing Hayate with a shoulder attack. Soon thereafter, he immediately moved to the back used his shoulder technique again causing Hayate to stumble. Finally, in quick motion he stepped forward and elbowed Hayate in the spine twice. To complete this onslaught he ended with a double palm.
Hayate was floored, the bone crushing attacks of the Hakkyouku-Ken prodigy taking their toll. He was able to get up quicker than Natsu did however, his face turning red hot.
"NO MORE FOOLING AROUND!"
With a flash Hayate lashed out in a fit of rage blowing Natsu in the stomach. He didn't stop there. He kneed Natsu in the chin and flipped behind him. Hayate then in a flash flipped alongside Natsu with the pressure of his arm delving into his neck. Natsu in an instant vomited blood from his mouth as the villagers looked in shock. Hayate then in a flash picked up Natsu and blew him in the stomach, which caused him to crumple.
Natsu got up very weakly and assumed fighting stance. "I'm…not…finished…"
He rushed up to Hayate and immediately caught him off guard which caused the Shinobi to tumble backward several feet backward. Hayate crashed into a tree which caused his mouth to leak profusely of blood.
"NATSU! BROTHER!"
Natsu instantly knew who that meek voice belonged to. Kasumi leaped and showed herself in front of the Hakkyouku-Ken prodigy and also her beloved brother.
"Kasumi?" Hayate thought with a shocked look cleverly disguised with his calm demeanour.
"Brother?" Kasumi said in shock as she covered her mouth. The villagers of the Mugen Tenshin turned their glance to Kasumi somewhat glaring daggers at the Nunekin.
"You shouldn't be here." Hayate's voice faltered, as if he was silently weeping.
"You healed…." Natsu faltered obviously struggling to stand still.
"Natsu…" Kasumi turned to the teen and tried to hold him still. "Hold on."
"Kasumi." Hayate said stepping forward. "Why did you come back?!"
"To see if Natsu was okay. And to see you as well…..Hayate."
"I'm…not…finished…!" Natsu responded very weakly. Although he had the determination to fight seething through his eyes, it was quite clear that he lacked the condition to fight.
"Natsu!" Kasumi replied with a dose concern as she held him still. "Rest. We may visit mother. Perhaps she can tend to your wounds."
Hayate said nothing. A group of Shinobi gathered around swords drawn. A Nunekin dared invade their territory?! The treachery was almost unbearable!
"Stand down." A quiet voice spoke through the air.
"But Master Hayate…."
"Stand down. Now." Hayate spoke again with firmness in his voice. All the Shinobi had no choice but to sheath their weapons, and bow in respect before leaving.
"Follow me." Hayate spoke quietly. Kasumi and Natsu slowly nodded their heads as they slowly followed him.
Before they could step into the Royal home, two figures emerged from the gates albeit limping.
"CAN YOU PUT ME DOWN YOU MORON?! AT LEAST LET ME…..see Ayane this once?"
"SHUT UP YOU CREEP! AUUGH!"
The figures that emerged, were revealed to be none other than Hayabusa and Ayane. The violet haired kunoichi emerged, cuts bruises and clutching a fractured rib. With her was an unconscious body revealing it to be Sean. Ayane tossed Sean towards as he fell like a rug.
"Goddamn it!" Natsu growled. "You broke your promise you moron!"
Hayabusa on the other hand looked terrible. His hood was torn off revealing his long hair to be a tangled mess and his face showing signs of bleeding heavily. Like Ayane, he tossed the unconscious Oga to the floor.
"OGA!" Furuichi yelled as he rushed to Oga's aid.
"Dabu? (Oga?)" Berubo rocked the unconscious Oga back and forth.
"RYU!" Hayate yelled as he rushed to his friend's aid. "AYANE!"
Hayabusa slightly staggered but otherwise spoke clearly. "I'm fine, Hayate. Thank you for your concern."
"We're…..gnnnngghh….doing alright…even if the delinquent….proved…to be…a….problem." Ayane groaned in pain.
"Ryu. Get Ayane and yourself to the infirmary right away! Do you have any spare herbs and healing equipment?"
Hayabusa nodded.
"Good. Get yourselves fixed. I'll see what to do with these two."
Kasumi meekly spoke up. "Hayate. In all fairness; they did help save me. Owe them their lives at the very least!"
Hayate shook his head. "I can't deny that act of courage; however they did help a runaway Ninja. Hayate hesitated. "But….."
Natsu bitterly spoke, coughing as he did so. "Get to the point!"
"Since you are currently an exiled Ninja…..I guess I could let this one slide." Hayate came to a decision, glaring at Natsu irritably as he did so to which Natsu responded with an equally menacing look.
"Natsu? Hayate? Calm down. Please?" Kasumi spoke kindly and quietly.
Hayate sighed, the kind words of his younger sister taking their toll. Natsu on the other hand followed her advice without showing any form of emotion.
"Shall we visit Mother?"
Natsu felt a jolt of guilt within him. He didn't know why but he somehow did. Then again, his aloof nature meant he didn't get the idea of living with parents.
Natsu grumbled. "Go ahead."
Mugen Tenshin, Royal Family Residence
Kasumi giggled a little from Natsu's sudden grumpiness as they headed towards the royal family's home. They navigated their way towards the main room. Nervously Kasumi spoke her voice almost pitched. "Mother?"
A woman who was sitting on a tatami just now began to turn around. "Kasumi?"
Kasumi in an instant ran towards the woman with an open embrace to which the woman returned happily both shedding a few tears as they did so. "How I missed you…my daughter."
"I know….mother." Kasumi wept with joy at the thought of seeing her own mother in many awhile.
The middle aged woman in the Kimono, Ayame; Shiden's wife and mother of both Hayate and Kasumi looked a lot like her younger child except her ginger hair was long and up to her shoulder blades. Despite her age, she looked very beautiful contradicting the fact that she was Kasumi's mother at all.
Natsu pondered. "I have seen her sometime before. Did we meet somewhere beforehand?"
Ayame then turned to the mysterious young man in the red jacket. "Pardon me, but who might you be?"
"Natsu Kaneshiro." Natsu grumbled, hands in his pockets.
"Natsu?" Ayame questioned. Then it clicked. She remembered. Akemi's child and only son. "Oh my god! Young Natsu!" She immediately came and hugged the young man who, in turn was shocked by the older woman's sudden affection. "How is your mother?"
Natsu's irritable demeanour suddenly fell. "I don't know. She isolated herself in the mountains. How do you know her?"
Ayame was shocked. Knowing her friend, she must've had some reason for her actions. "Sweetheart..." She handed him a cup of green tea. "Have some tea, Natsu. We have much to discuss."
"How do you know my mother?" Natsu said as he sipped his tea.
"Since I was but a child." Ayame replied. "Your mother was but a small girl at the time, learning martial arts from different corners of the country. We…..immediately became best friends from the days that followed. We shared similar interests, hobbies, everything."
Ayame was reminiscing as she said this. "However, after we both got married to our loved ones, things weren't the same." She looked down.
"Ten days before I gave birth to my daughter, you were born. Unfortunately, your birth caused your mother to fall into a two year coma. Devastated, your father…..never wanted you."
Natsu clenched his fist. "Judgemental arrogance."
Kasumi rested her hand on his shoulder as a sign of reassurance which caused Natsu to somewhat relax a little, her mellow voice soothing his anger. "It's not your fault, Natsu."
Natsu grumbled. "I knew that!"
Ayame giggled at the way he responded.
Unfortunately Natsu wasn't greeted as kindly when it came to the next person entering the room.
"And who might you be?"
Kasumi was shocked. Ayame at the other hand along with Natsu was the only one who kept a calm demeanour.
"Father…" Kasumi gasped.
"Shiden." Ayame calmly said.
Shiden; former leader of the Mugen Tenshin Ninja clan was a middle aged man who posed a tall and intimidating figure. Unlike his wife, Ayame; Shiden looked like his actual age evident by his white hair and tanned complexion. As always he wore a focussed somewhat detached look. He wore his traditional leader costume, even after he stepped down as the 17th leader.
"So you are the one who fought my son and leader, correct?" Shiden calmly spoke.
"That I'am" Natsu replied.
"What was the outcome?" His voice was deep and gruff; the sort that demanded attention.
An awkward silence was held. The crickets in the background chirped.
"IF YOU DIDN'T WIN, THEN SAY SO!" Shiden's eyes were wide open, his mouth agape with his teeth representing sharp fangs.
Kasumi fell back in shock, never seeing this side of her father before. Natsu kept calm and passive. "Can you lower your voice damnit?!"
Well, almost calm.
Ayame on the other hand knew her husband's behaviour very well. She spoke calmly, with a passive hand gesture to prove her point. "Shiden? Please. Calm down."
Shiden immediately paced himself and faced his wife. "My apologies Ayame. Sometimes, Natsu does remind me of our son when unfocussed."
Ayame could not help but supress her giggle. Natsu on the other hand was flabbergasted.
"How does everyone in the freaking village know me?!" He thought, his popularity striking a very sensitive nerve in his logical thinking.
"So Natsu?" Ayame asked. "What are you doing these days?"
Natsu was about to speak up. Until Kasumi interrupted his train of thought. "He's going on a journey of self-improvement mother."
Ayame smiled. "A pure martial artist it seems. Much like some other people I know."
"Like who?" Natsu responded calmly.
Ayame calmly replied. "People like ummm… Akira Yuki, or Ryu Hoshi for instance."
Natsu was shocked at how a woman with little knowledge of pop culture knew these two fighters very well, but nonetheless kept it to himself. "So you do know them then? I'm surprised."
Ayame stifled a laugh. "I have met those two troublemakers during my youth you know. I may be old, but I know a thing or two from your modern world, Natsu."
Shiden coughed abruptly, fake enough to warrant attention. "Warrior journey eh?" He sat down next to Ayame. "Tell me more about yourself. There are some things I must point out to you."
Natsu simply replied. "Go ahead."
Soon, thereafter a long conversation began.
Mugen Tenshin Village, Outside the Entrance
Natsu hoisted his duffel as he began to walk away from the village. A familiar voice called out to him.
"NATSU!"
Kasumi ran towards him with albeit a look of nervousness. Natsu on the other hand kept his cool.
"Yeah? What is it?"
Kasumi fiddled with her fingers. "I was wondering…ummm…."
"Yeah?"
Kasumi gathered up her courage and begun to speak boldly. "I was thinking; that maybe that I….."
"What?" Natsu grew a bit irritated at Kasumi's indecisiveness. "Speak up!"
Kasumi plucked up her courage. "I was wondering if maybe I could…travel with you? I could see new people. Maybe protect you during your journey? See new things?"
"No."
Kasumi's eyes grew wide. "What?"
"I don't believe in relying on others." Natsu stated bluntly. "This journey is for my own self-improvement. It's not to make friends. You're just gonna be a distraction."
Holding her hand to her chest, Kasumi couldn't believe the words that Natsu just said. How could he be so…cold?! Her voice trailed. "Why?"
"If you come with me, you're hand delivering yourself to Donovan and the other things DOATEC have planned with you. And besides, your naivety will rub off on me."
Kasumi held his hand. "Why do you choose to stick to harsh realities?"
"Why do you choose to deny them?" Natsu countered.
Kasumi had a bold tone to her voice. "Don't shut yourself away from others Natsu. I know your loneliness and your apparent lack of trust in other people. And I know you want things your way….but please."
Kasumi noticed his cold and emotionless demeanour taking effect
If don't want me to come, then say so. I won't force you."
Natsu inhaled and exhaled. "Persistent like Narumi." He thought. "This will prove to be cumbersome."
Natsu finally came to a decision. "Do what you want. If you want to protect me, then I won't stop you. Keep in mind that this is something that I need to do alone."
Kasumi firmly replied. "No. If you don't want me to come I won't. If you change your mind; I shall accompany you."
Natsu sighed as he began to walk off.
"What is your answer?!" Kasumi spoke loudly.
Natsu stopped and responded with only a simple nod. He knew persistent types all too well. The only way to get them of your back was to half heartedly agree; and the young Kunoichi took the bait. Kasumi smiled as she joined Natsu's side. "So? Where to Natsu?"
Natsu smirked. "The Yuki Budokan Dojo."
Kasumi returned the smile. He was going to see the famed Hakkyouku-Ken master himself.
Mountainside
Zell inspected Natsu and Kasumi from above with his binoculars.
"Squall rip off!" He muttered.
"Oy, bastard!" A deep voice boomed. "Are you my moronic partner?!"
Zell rolled his eyes. "Great. Another degenerate."
The young teen was quite vibrant and had a voice that was far older than his actual age.
"So you are Takeshi? Helena Douglas' new pet and top class convict?"
Takeshi fitted the role of a juvenile quite well. He was a teenager who's T-shirt had the design of a skull dripped with blood. His earrings also represented skulls. His face had a large scar on his cheek. His hair was quite puffy with spiky stands almost like a blow fish. Takeshi also had long blue jeans which were folded from the bottom with white trainers.
"You are the wolf-ish bastard known as Zell? This going to be as fun as taking a shit!"
Zell smirked sarcastically. "Honestly I don't like working with a delinquent like you anyway. The hell does Pai see in you?!"
"Whatever." Takeshi's red eyes flared up in annoyance.
"So what are you here for?" Zell asked, not looking.
"I've been asked to spy on that copper broad and her new travel partner. It seems the French drama queen wants that little wench as her new messenger. Oh the effin' irony!" Takeshi spoke as if he didn't bother. Or care for that matter.
Zell contemplated. "5 days since the incident with the Tri-tower of DOATEC. It's gonna take a long while before there is even a fifth tournament coming up."
Takeshi grew annoyed. "Maybe that French broad's too busy painting her effin' nails rather than actually doing something financially decent!"
Zell couldn't help but chuckle due to his similar dislike to the current CEO of DOATEC.
"Everything has been placed into motion. All we need to do is wait."
Zell's comlink rung up.
"Zell!" His superior spoke
"Yeah?"
"DOATEC emergency business conference. Get there as soon as possible along with your err…partner."
"Understood." Zell hung up and offered a hand to Takeshi. "So?"
"Fine, bastard." Takeshi growled.
Both of them teleported into thin air, leaving all but the air and leaves behind.
A/N
Furuichi: Are you sure we're alive Oga?!
Oga: I dunno blockhead! Are we?
Furuichi: *annoyed and agape expression* OF COURSE WE GODDAMN ARE, YOU MORON! AND I HAVEN'T EVEN GOT ONE BABE OR CAMEO IN THIS EPISODE! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *bawls like a baby*
Oga: Oh pipe down Creepichi! You're makin' me sick! Anyway folks! Me, Creepichi and Sean aren't dead yet FYI! We are however gonna be shown in flashbacks in the eventual next episode.
Furuichi: STOP SPOILING THE STORY YOU DUMB APE! YOU REALLY WANT TO SPOIL THE EFFIN' CLIFFHANGER?!
Oga: Quit your whining you moron! So tune in next time to Dead or Alive: Alpha where we meet Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter in "Episode 4: Akira of Hakkyouku-Ken"!
Furuichi: Virtua Fighter, Oga? I thought you like Dragon Quest?
Oga: Well it says here in the script…along with a poor paycheck!
Furuichi: Ahhhh…I get it now.
Oga: So Berubo? Any last words to the readers?!
Berubo: Dabah Aiii Wiiii! (Read, review and bow before me!)
Oga: Oh and one more thing?
Furuichi: What?
Oga: Doesn't this Takeshi dude sound like Kanzaki?
Furuichi: I have no clue!
Berubo: Mii Dahh! (Me neither!)

Description

Episode 3: The Journey Begins
A/N: I'll admit I focused a tad too much on the dialogue during Episode 2 so for that I apologize. So I hope Episode 3 is a chance to redeem myself in this regard. Sorry for the long wait people! Anyway, this chapter will contain epic fights including the most powerful delinquent in all of Ishiyama (Tatsumi Oga) versus the Ultimate Super Ninja (Ryu Hayabusa)! Enjoy! And a big freakin' salute to Kasumi X Szayel Aporro (formerly known as Strawberry Shortkake Lover AKA: Rose!) Chatwise she'll be sorely missed. *sniffs*.. Once again, I'm aware that Dead or Alive 5 is two years after Dead or Alive 4, so the first twenty chapters takes place between these two games.
Dead or Alive belongs to Team Ninja and Temco. Beelzebub belongs to Ryuuhei Tamura and Shonen Jump. Zell Natsumoto belongs to Projekt-Z. I only own my OC's.
Mugen Tenshin Entrance. The wooden bridge
The Mugen Tenshin entrance was nothing short of beautiful. The wooden bridge that led entrance to the village had a good first impression with its magnificent waterfall, representing the hymns of tranquillity that soothed even the most stoic of people. If you were Tatsumi Oga on the other hand, you just saw an opportunity to kick ass and in this case, beating up the "Super Ninja" known as Ryu Hayabusa.
Oga rushed to Hayabusa. Before Hayabusa had a chance to unleash the first move, Oga grabbed his leg and spun him around with a sadistic grin.
"HELL THROW!" Oga yelled.
"Wiii! (DIE!)" Berubo gargled in combination.
With the final swing, Oga let go, causing Hayabusa to fly off a considerable distance. Then, in a flash, before Hayabusa could even crash into the rocky wall, he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Oga and Berubo looked in a state of shock!
"HUH?!" Oga yelled. "Why didn't nobody tell me this dude could teleport and crap?!"
"Hadabu?!(The hell?!)" Berubo gasped trying to grasp the situation.
In a puff of smoke teleporting to Oga's position, Hayabusa suddenly appeared. Before Oga could even comprehend the situation, Hayabusa did a backflip kick to Oga's chin causing him flip upwards. The Super Ninja then completed the attack by flipping forward with an axe kick to the back of the head causing Oga to crash into the ground with a cold, hard thud!
Oga yelled as he grabbed Hayabusa by the leg being able to surprisingly lift his whole body weight as he got up.
"I'm not in the mood to be pissed off buddy!" Oga growled as he lifted Hayabusa and slammed him down in an arch again and again!
Hayabusa tried to hold off the searing pain growing in his forehead. Ayane feared what Oga could do and now he could clearly see why! Keeping his cool, Hayabusa released himself from Oga's grip forcefully, side flipping back into a crouching position.
"You are as powerful as they say." Hayabusa said with a shocked expression. "Your style however is notably sloppy and unrefined."
"Technique shmecknique!" Oga shrugged. "I just use what works."
"DABAH! (Damn Straight!)" Berubo raised his fist.
Hayabusa frowned. "Face me!"
Oga put on an evil smile as he and Hayabusa charged towards each other. Oga raised his right fist whereas Hayabusa held to his Ninja stance.
"NIN!"
Mugen Tenshin Village
"GAAAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Hayate was blown away as he tumbled backwards. Natsu who was once holding his Shoulder technique position returned to his normal fighting stance. Natsu then suddenly faltered and began to breathe heavily, cupping his knees. Hayate, just opposite him struggled to gain focus. Crimson red both flowed from their lips with their faces slightly bruised. The fighters stared at each other with a look a fury.
"You are skilled no doubt." Natsu admitted.
Hayate finally gulped some air back into his lungs. "Well you are facing the leader of the Mugen Tenshin after all!" He tried to force a smile. The teen in the red jacket however was not amused at all.
"Precisely why I dislike you." Natsu countered. "Loyalty poisons your right of free will."
"He may be powerful but he is also slightly naïve. Not to mention he's quite intemperate as well." Hayate contemplated, crimson red now flowing from his bottom lip slightly.
"Is this all you have?!" Natsu yelled with a hot blooded tone to his voice. "Get on with it and attack me!"
Hayate spat blood as he smirked.
"Don't grow overconfident Kaneshiro!"
Both fighters charged at each other. Hayate lashed out a high roundhouse kick. Natsu anticipated this and ducked, performing the elbow technique to the Shinobi's gut causing him to stumble. Staggering backwards, Hayate regained his balance and teleported behind Natsu.
The teenage fighter did not question himself as he kept alert yet in a calm demeanour. He paced himself and breathed out. With a flash, Hayate appeared in a puff of wind. Natsu had a chance to turn around, but before he could unleash a single blow Hayate jabbed Natsu in the face twice. He then pulled back dodging Natsu's double palm technique and responded with his own. With a sharp kick to the face, Natsu was sent flying upwards. With swift movement, seemingly at wind speed and elbowed the airborne Natsu in the back, hard!
A/N: KURETSUO! Kuretsuo is one of Tenjin Mon's brutal grappling techniques! As the fighter grabs an opponent, he kicks the opponent up into the air, then with the right timing of wind teleportation moves forward and strikes with an elbow to the spine! It is a high level technique of Tenjin Mon that when used with great timing makes the damage of this move unspeakable!
With a gasp, Natsu fell and lay still.
Mugen Tenshin Bridge
Sean and Ayane both grabbed their weapons and began to duel. Ayane jumped over Sean and began to throw kunai after kunai at him. Sean just smirked and fired, his rounds blowing up the weapons in the process.
"Is that all ya' got you purple broad?!" Sean smirked evilly.
Unbeknownst to Sean, Ayane smirked. "This brat's overconfidence will be his undoing!"
"Do you plan to give up?!" Ayane said in a mock flirty tone.
"Shut up and get exorcised!" Sean growled! He was not going to give in, and to a bratty teenage Kunoichi of all people.
"Almost like errrrr…. Narumi? Wait, that's kinda unfair." Sean thought.
Ayane suddenly burst out of the smoke and went into her fighting stance. Sean smirked and charged. Ayane spun in quick movement, pelting the boxing prodigy with elbow attacks. Sean struggled to block as he staggered. Ayane's elbow strikes hit most of his ribs causing him to back off in pain. Despite his situation however, Sean gave a confident smirk. He was not going to lose! No matter what!
"Come back alive huh?" Sean contemplated with a jokey grin. "You owe me, ya' warrior obsessed bastard!"
As the battle ensued, Sean found an opening during Ayane's offensive attack pattern and capitalized on it. Dodging her roundhouse chop at a split second Sean did his famed beat combo as he planted several hard hitting punches to Ayane's stomach as well as the face in one continuous combo. In seven hits, Ayane flew backward several feet before back flipping into her crouching position, panting.
"As expected, he's strong. No; possibly more." Ayane thought. "I have to keep my distance."
"HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?!" Sean yelled. "Are we done with the hugging and the analysing?! I thought this was fighting, not freakin' study time!"
Ayane simply huffed at the boxing prodigy's taunts. She knew flamboyant people all too well. Once he runs his mouth, it's all over.
"Funny. While you are blabbering your mouth; all you're doing is teaching me how to defeat you!"
Sean simply shrugged off the remark, while holding his ribs a little. "Take your best shot kid!"
"Huh." Ayane mocked. "The only kid I see is you!"
Sean rushed up to Ayane as she moved to a position that represented a look somewhat reminiscent of a pouncing tiger. Sean threw a punch. Ayane weaved to the side, and jumped. While Airborne, the female Tengu spun, kicking Sean in the face twice with a double roundhouse causing him to slip and fall off the bridge. Sean's yells were barely audible, even as Ayane jumped after him.
The Hut
"AAAAAGGGHHH!"
"Hold still Kasumi!" Zell growled impatiently as he extracted the last bit of paralysation liquid from Kasumi's legs. The Kunoichi whimpered in pain. The process was excruciatingly tense. Kasumi almost lost some of the blood from her leg in the process.
"You can move now." Zell grumbled in annoyance. Kasumi tried moving with her legs. One of them twitched, then her leg. Soon, she was able to walk with no problems.
As Kasumi finally returned to her standing position for the first time in hours, she walked slowly to the entrance before turning her head, "Thank you for everything Zell-San." Kasumi bowed with a light smile.
Zell once again smiled uncharacteristically. "Don't mention it. Just be grateful it wasn't someone else lest they have my head!"
Kasumi giggled a bit before her thin smile fell to bear a thread of concern. "I have to go."
At the same time, Zell's face fell as he instantly frowned. It was not a look of concern. It felt more like annoyance and agitation.
"Are you serious?" Frowned Zell.
"I'm serious." Kasumi replied calmly but it could not hide her concern and sorrow. She got Natsu mixed up in her situation, all because of her carelessness.
"My fault." She looked down. Zell held a loose grin. It didn't help matters much but he had to try anyway.
He put his hand to her shoulder and spoke a voice of concern. "Listen to me. You're not safe if you go after them! You were lucky to survive that day! What if they catch you? Remember that you are a Ronin and dangerously close to Mugen Tenshin territory I might add!"
Kasumi turned back with a gasp. "Mugen Tenshin?! That's where they went?!" She clasped a hand over her mouth. "Kami-Sama!" Her tone held a hint of worry with a mix of inner guilt. How could she be so ignorant?!
Zell sighed. At this point, there was nothing he could do. Kasumi was going to risk her life either way. Plus it would jeopardise his mission objective. But the girl was very adamant in risking her life to confront her brother.
"So are going for the creep or the dude I fought earlier?" Zell fiddled with his hair as he spoke.
Kasumi giggled slightly at Zell's comment. "I think the latter."
"Riiiiiggghhhht" Zell rolled his eyes jokingly in a way so that even Kasumi couldn't see. "I'll watch over and if you screw up, well….."
Kasumi's face was filled with willpower and a hidden determination burning within. "I won't. I promise you." With that said, Kasumi teleported away leaving behind Sakura petals in her wake.
Zell sighed. "Kami. The hell have I done?!"
Suddenly, a comlink rung. Zell took in a deep breath and begun to pick up.
"You just had to let your target go, didn't you Zell?" A mature feminine voice was spoken and it crept into Zell's apparently false guilty demeanour.
"Superior, you know I didn't have a damn choice!" Zell gritted his teeth in frustration. "The girl is just too stubborn! And she's after the Hakkyouku-Ken dude as well of all people!"
"Hmm? Natsu I believe?" She questioned.
"Yeah. Him." Zell replied. "Hard to believe that one martial artist can be known in such a short time."
"Not quite Zell." The woman from the comlink responded. "It's actually revealed that he's made an apparent name for himself. The Wandering Soul I believe? Zell? Never mind. I want you to follow Kasumi and see what she's up to! Oh and Zell?"
"What?"
"Do not screw this up!"
Zell grumbled obviously more annoyed at Kasumi rather than his superior. "Roger that." He hung up as looked into the distance.
"Where did I go wrong?" Zell muttered as he teleported away in a puff of smoke.
Mugen Tenshin Entrance
Now in her blue Kunoichi outfit, Kasumi leaped swiftly and gracefully through the trees. The Mugen Tenshin grounds. Ever since she was now a Ronin, she was no longer allowed back in her home. Even now she was risking her life by coming back, but she had to.
"Where is he?" Kasumi pondered in frustration. She could see the bridge! She was almost there! Just a few more leaps and…
Kasumi landed swiftly on the ground. So far so good. The area looked peaceful and quiet, but that didn't whither Kasumi's guard. She knew all too well that even the quietest of situations can break up into an uproar and when it came to her situation, the presumption was usually correct. A few shurikens flew to Kasumi's direction. She spotted them in an instant and made an effort to dodge them with proper timing unlike last time.
Kasumi performed a front flip in an attempt to dodge the incoming projectiles, with one very nearly grazing her back. Kasumi assumed a crouching position before standing up and got into her Tenjin Mon Stance.
"Ayane?" Kasumi's meek and mellow voice spoke quietly.
"Wrong answer, Princess!" A gruff male voice spoke from the trees.
Kasumi secretly cursed her luck. She was hoping to confront her sister face to face! Her meek tone faltered but remained normal. "I'm not here to fight. Please. Let me pass."
"Do you really think we'd make exceptions for you "Runaway"!" The Hajin Mon Shinobi spat from the shadows. "DIE!"
Several Shinobi leaped from the woods surrounding Kasumi, all drawing out their weapons. Kasumi in an instant hesitantly drew out her Wakasashi from her scabbard. Her blade looked slightly shorter compared to the other Ninja's Katanas. A tear fell from the Kunoichi's eyes.
"Why?!" Her face read a look of fury
The Ninja charged at the Ronin with their weapons held high as Kasumi prepared herself. One Hajin Mon Shinobi aimed for her stomach in which she deftly avoided, and side kicked him in the spine causing him to fly back. A blade then at the same moment swung high in an attempt to behead Kasumi. At that split second Kasumi narrowly avoided the slash, spun and stabbed the Shinobi in the stomach with precision.
The Shinobi's outfit began to leak profusely of red. Kasumi pulled out her blood-stained blade and begun to weave a pattern. Kasumi had a petite build and her speed matched her physique, something that her opponents very much lacked. Tried as they might, the Hajin Mon Ninja could hold their own against the former Princess of Mugen Tenshin's graceful movement. Kasumi sweeped kicked knocking her opponent down and finally ended his life with a stab. More and more Ninja came with the intent of killing the runaway Kunoichi. Kasumi gracefully moved in a pattern that represented a dance. In one movement she chopped a Shinobi in the back of the neck and then made her way for the kill.
Until there were no more, the deed was done.
The fight was over.
The ground was now soaked with the colour of murder. Kasumi wore a look of guilt, sadness and grief. Also within her was mixed advocacy. She lashed out in unnecessary rage. Kasumi was consumed with anger for a moment. Angered at the fact her own family had marked her for death; yet at the same time she felt remorse. Self-pity. Kasumi didn't mean to kill them. As harsh as they were, they were still family; at least to her.
The very thought of killing her own kinsman felt mortifying. Tormented at the sight of what she did, Kasumi fell on her knees and wept uncontrollably.
"Something the matter?"
Kasumi wiped her tears to find Zell standing beside her.
"I…..I…" Kasumi choked on her tears.
Zell placed a reassuring hand on her shoulders. "Don't feel upset. Okay? The important thing is you've managed."
"Managed?" Kasumi wept. "I killed them. Innocent Shinobi."
Zell somewhat gave reassurance. "Look, you acted in reasonable self-defence. Those Ninja's were gonna kill you anyway so what could you do? Would you rather die at their hand instead?"
Kasumi dried her tears. "Given the situation, I would."
Zell patted her shoulder. "Come on. How would your friend and more importantly rival feel? They deserved it. They were going to kill you, what could you do hmm?"
"Natsu wouldn't kill them. He wouldn't have gone out of control as I did now!" Kasumi countered, her face welling up with tears.
Zell took in a deep breath. "Maria? The hell have you gotten me into?!" He mumbled to himself.
He patted her shoulder. "Come on."
Kasumi wiped her tears. "Alright." She now gathered up her remaining courage and decided to press on. She smiled slightly as Zell teleported away. If there was one thing that she was grateful for as a Ninja, it was to press on no matter the odds.
Taking a deep breath, Kasumi began to make her way to the bridge.
Mugen Tenshin Bridge
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH !"
Hayabusa may have had Oga outmatched in proper technique but he never expected an opponent of this calibre! When it came to brute force and tenacity, Oga took the bet plain and simple.
"Jibiii! (Charge!)" Berubo gargled as Oga rushed in. Hayabusa tried his best to counter his blows but Oga blew through them as if they were nothing. At the same time, Hayabusa managed to strike Oga in the pressure points mainly targeting the ribs as he was mainly vulnerable from that area.
Oga and Hayabusa were both panting and gasping for breath.
"You…are…..quite….skilled; for a juvenile…but your firm belief on power alone will be….your…downfall!" Hayabusa hood cleverly disguised the amount of bruises sustained during their fight. Oga on the other hand was covered with grazes, cuts, dirt and grit but his sadistic face of pleasure still remained.
"What's….so…..funny?" Hayabusa muttered.
"Ahh nothing ya' sack of shit." Oga replied . "You wanted a fight so here we are, blockhead!"
"DABAH!(Agreed!)"
Hayabusa once again frowned. "Enough of your idle chatter! Prepare yourself!"
Oga rushed towards Hayabusa with a very sloppy looking straight punch. Normally Hayabusa could counter this with ease. The only trouble was that Oga had insane speed to compensate for this. Hayabusa was again smacked in the face, but managed to react quickly and respond with two quick rib blows causing Oga to stumble. Hayabusa then attempted a twin roundhouse kick only for Oga to duck and respond with a fast uppercut. Hayabusa this time intercepted and avoided Oga's potentially fatal blow. The two continued to brawl and scrap for a while until they heard a voice familiar to them.
"HAYABUSA-SAN!"
Kasumi raced towards to the bridge only to see Hayabusa and Oga continue to duel in a brutal fist fight.
"Oh yeah, Ninja girl and crap." Oga replied without looking.
"Kasumi!" Hayabusa yelled. "Stay back!"
"Please stop this!" Kasumi yelled.
Hayabusa punched Oga with such force, the delinquent ended up being sent several miles crashing into a rock headfirst.
"I'll be fine! Kasumi?"
"Yes?"
"Natsu is in the village. He's…..fighting against Hayate."
Kasumi covered her mouth and gasped. "He's….fighting…..brother?"
Hayabusa sighed. He obviously shared the same concern. "I'm afraid so. I didn't really foresee something such as this!"
He shook his head as he contemplated silently. "Hayate. You still act on emotion. Why can't you understand that this could be your downfall!"
A figure landed on the bridge now suddenly glowing with demonic energy. The figure held a grin that read evil a lot more evidently than normal.
"I'M NOT DONE YET YOU BASTARD!"
"WOAAAHHHHH! (DIE YOU SISSY!)"
Oga glowed red with demonic energy, the strange marking on his arm glowing with a hellish aura; the Zebul Spell. Berubo also growled with him having the same aura as his demonic parent.
Hayabusa was shocked but still kept his cool. He shifted into his fighting stance. "Kasumi! GO! NOW!"
Kasumi at first was hesitant but in the end, she knew what she was here for. She nodded hesitantly as she ran on.
Hayabusa turned to Oga finally. "Kaiser de Emperanna Beelzebub IV! You will experience the cleansing flames of the Hayabusa clan!"
"Spare me the philosophical crap you stupid sack of old shit!" Oga growled menacingly as he stepped forward slowly. "Fight me!"
Both fighters charged at each other but Oga in the end was the faster one. With a fast swipe he grabbed Hayabusa by the scruff of the neck, jumped up and prepared for the final blow.
"OGA KISS-THE-DIRT GRAVITY FALCON PUUUUUUNNNNNCCCHHHHHH!"
"WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! (LOVELY!)" Berubo growled.
With a simple yet powerful and effective straight punch, the overall force of the attack caused Hayabusa to fall off the bridge faster than a rocket. Oga laughed menacingly knowing he had triumphed. As Oga plummeted down along with him, he was surprised that he didn't find Hayabusa's body.
By sheer coincidence, Hayabusa appeared in a swirl of leaves and grabbed Oga by the waist and spun upside down, effectively pile driving him in the river headfirst.
A/N: IZUNA OTOSHI! Izuna Otoshi is a common Hayabusa style Ninjutsu technique used by Ryu Hayabusa frequently! As the fighter grabs his opponent in mid-air by the waist, he turns the opponent upside down and plummets downward in a spiral motion similar to wrestling powerbombs. It is a high level Ninja technique that when applied with the correct force of momentum makes this move terminable!
Hayabusa flipped away gracefully and fluidly as Oga's lower body fell down with a cold hard crash. Slowly Oga got up, his fist burring red hot with flame. He growled demonically.
"NOW YOU'VE CROSSED THE LINE BASTARD! DOING A CHEAPSHOT ON ME ISN'T FUN AT ALL!"
"WORRRRRNNNNNAAAAA! (DIE!)"
Hayabusa growled. "If that's the way to go then…." He prepared his Ninpo burst.
"ZEBEL BLAAAAASSSSSSTTTTTTTT!"
Oga's punch of demonic aura clashed with Hayabusa's ninpo causing the area to explode from the sheer destruction these two spells created.
Mugen Tenshin Village
The villagers looked in awe as they saw the leader of the clan battle with a mysterious, more modern challenger. Hayate and Natsu duelled for supremacy as their fight sparked to new intensity.
Natsu stepped forward and yelled a battle cry with a palm punch that caused Hayate to stumble backward a bit. In an instant Hayate jumped up and bombarded Natsu with two aerial roundhouse kicks with the second one hitting Natsu's face. Natsu and that instant went spiralling backwards, landing face first into the ground.
"You did tell me to give me my best shot! Now you have paid the price of your ignorance! Do you now wish to forfeit Kaneshiro?!" Hayate held a look of concern, but also had a bit of a sadistic streak with it. Winning to him seemed like….guilty pleasure.
Natsu struggled to get up, with him bleeding heavily from his mouth. "Damn!" He thought. "Was everyone…..going easy on me this whole time?!" With his fist, he punched the ground causing the ground to crack. His hand also leaked blood from the impact.
Slowly, he stood up wobbly and got into his fighting stance. "NOT YET!"
With a roar Natsu charged towards Hayate and unleashed a very powerful low kick disorientating the Shinobi by the ankle. Before Hayate even had time to contemplate his injury, Natsu immediately followed up by stomping, smashing Hayate with a shoulder attack. Soon thereafter, he immediately moved to the back used his shoulder technique again causing Hayate to stumble. Finally, in quick motion he stepped forward and elbowed Hayate in the spine twice. To complete this onslaught he ended with a double palm.
Hayate was floored, the bone crushing attacks of the Hakkyouku-Ken prodigy taking their toll. He was able to get up quicker than Natsu did however, his face turning red hot.
"NO MORE FOOLING AROUND!"
With a flash Hayate lashed out in a fit of rage blowing Natsu in the stomach. He didn't stop there. He kneed Natsu in the chin and flipped behind him. Hayate then in a flash flipped alongside Natsu with the pressure of his arm delving into his neck. Natsu in an instant vomited blood from his mouth as the villagers looked in shock. Hayate then in a flash picked up Natsu and blew him in the stomach, which caused him to crumple.
Natsu got up very weakly and assumed fighting stance. "I'm…not…finished…"
He rushed up to Hayate and immediately caught him off guard which caused the Shinobi to tumble backward several feet backward. Hayate crashed into a tree which caused his mouth to leak profusely of blood.
"NATSU! BROTHER!"
Natsu instantly knew who that meek voice belonged to. Kasumi leaped and showed herself in front of the Hakkyouku-Ken prodigy and also her beloved brother.
"Kasumi?" Hayate thought with a shocked look cleverly disguised with his calm demeanour.
"Brother?" Kasumi said in shock as she covered her mouth. The villagers of the Mugen Tenshin turned their glance to Kasumi somewhat glaring daggers at the Nunekin.
"You shouldn't be here." Hayate's voice faltered, as if he was silently weeping.
"You healed…." Natsu faltered obviously struggling to stand still.
"Natsu…" Kasumi turned to the teen and tried to hold him still. "Hold on."
"Kasumi." Hayate said stepping forward. "Why did you come back?!"
"To see if Natsu was okay. And to see you as well…..Hayate."
"I'm…not…finished…!" Natsu responded very weakly. Although he had the determination to fight seething through his eyes, it was quite clear that he lacked the condition to fight.
"Natsu!" Kasumi replied with a dose concern as she held him still. "Rest. We may visit mother. Perhaps she can tend to your wounds."
Hayate said nothing. A group of Shinobi gathered around swords drawn. A Nunekin dared invade their territory?! The treachery was almost unbearable!
"Stand down." A quiet voice spoke through the air.
"But Master Hayate…."
"Stand down. Now." Hayate spoke again with firmness in his voice. All the Shinobi had no choice but to sheath their weapons, and bow in respect before leaving.
"Follow me." Hayate spoke quietly. Kasumi and Natsu slowly nodded their heads as they slowly followed him.
Before they could step into the Royal home, two figures emerged from the gates albeit limping.
"CAN YOU PUT ME DOWN YOU MORON?! AT LEAST LET ME…..see Ayane this once?"
"SHUT UP YOU CREEP! AUUGH!"
The figures that emerged, were revealed to be none other than Hayabusa and Ayane. The violet haired kunoichi emerged, cuts bruises and clutching a fractured rib. With her was an unconscious body revealing it to be Sean. Ayane tossed Sean towards as he fell like a rug.
"Goddamn it!" Natsu growled. "You broke your promise you moron!"
Hayabusa on the other hand looked terrible. His hood was torn off revealing his long hair to be a tangled mess and his face showing signs of bleeding heavily. Like Ayane, he tossed the unconscious Oga to the floor.
"OGA!" Furuichi yelled as he rushed to Oga's aid.
"Dabu? (Oga?)" Berubo rocked the unconscious Oga back and forth.
"RYU!" Hayate yelled as he rushed to his friend's aid. "AYANE!"
Hayabusa slightly staggered but otherwise spoke clearly. "I'm fine, Hayate. Thank you for your concern."
"We're…..gnnnngghh….doing alright…even if the delinquent….proved…to be…a….problem." Ayane groaned in pain.
"Ryu. Get Ayane and yourself to the infirmary right away! Do you have any spare herbs and healing equipment?"
Hayabusa nodded.
"Good. Get yourselves fixed. I'll see what to do with these two."
Kasumi meekly spoke up. "Hayate. In all fairness; they did help save me. Owe them their lives at the very least!"
Hayate shook his head. "I can't deny that act of courage; however they did help a runaway Ninja. Hayate hesitated. "But….."
Natsu bitterly spoke, coughing as he did so. "Get to the point!"
"Since you are currently an exiled Ninja…..I guess I could let this one slide." Hayate came to a decision, glaring at Natsu irritably as he did so to which Natsu responded with an equally menacing look.
"Natsu? Hayate? Calm down. Please?" Kasumi spoke kindly and quietly.
Hayate sighed, the kind words of his younger sister taking their toll. Natsu on the other hand followed her advice without showing any form of emotion.
"Shall we visit Mother?"
Natsu felt a jolt of guilt within him. He didn't know why but he somehow did. Then again, his aloof nature meant he didn't get the idea of living with parents.
Natsu grumbled. "Go ahead."
Mugen Tenshin, Royal Family Residence
Kasumi giggled a little from Natsu's sudden grumpiness as they headed towards the royal family's home. They navigated their way towards the main room. Nervously Kasumi spoke her voice almost pitched. "Mother?"
A woman who was sitting on a tatami just now began to turn around. "Kasumi?"
Kasumi in an instant ran towards the woman with an open embrace to which the woman returned happily both shedding a few tears as they did so. "How I missed you…my daughter."
"I know….mother." Kasumi wept with joy at the thought of seeing her own mother in many awhile.
The middle aged woman in the Kimono, Ayame; Shiden's wife and mother of both Hayate and Kasumi looked a lot like her younger child except her ginger hair was long and up to her shoulder blades. Despite her age, she looked very beautiful contradicting the fact that she was Kasumi's mother at all.
Natsu pondered. "I have seen her sometime before. Did we meet somewhere beforehand?"
Ayame then turned to the mysterious young man in the red jacket. "Pardon me, but who might you be?"
"Natsu Kaneshiro." Natsu grumbled, hands in his pockets.
"Natsu?" Ayame questioned. Then it clicked. She remembered. Akemi's child and only son. "Oh my god! Young Natsu!" She immediately came and hugged the young man who, in turn was shocked by the older woman's sudden affection. "How is your mother?"
Natsu's irritable demeanour suddenly fell. "I don't know. She isolated herself in the mountains. How do you know her?"
Ayame was shocked. Knowing her friend, she must've had some reason for her actions. "Sweetheart..." She handed him a cup of green tea. "Have some tea, Natsu. We have much to discuss."
"How do you know my mother?" Natsu said as he sipped his tea.
"Since I was but a child." Ayame replied. "Your mother was but a small girl at the time, learning martial arts from different corners of the country. We…..immediately became best friends from the days that followed. We shared similar interests, hobbies, everything."
Ayame was reminiscing as she said this. "However, after we both got married to our loved ones, things weren't the same." She looked down.
"Ten days before I gave birth to my daughter, you were born. Unfortunately, your birth caused your mother to fall into a two year coma. Devastated, your father…..never wanted you."
Natsu clenched his fist. "Judgemental arrogance."
Kasumi rested her hand on his shoulder as a sign of reassurance which caused Natsu to somewhat relax a little, her mellow voice soothing his anger. "It's not your fault, Natsu."
Natsu grumbled. "I knew that!"
Ayame giggled at the way he responded.
Unfortunately Natsu wasn't greeted as kindly when it came to the next person entering the room.
"And who might you be?"
Kasumi was shocked. Ayame at the other hand along with Natsu was the only one who kept a calm demeanour.
"Father…" Kasumi gasped.
"Shiden." Ayame calmly said.
Shiden; former leader of the Mugen Tenshin Ninja clan was a middle aged man who posed a tall and intimidating figure. Unlike his wife, Ayame; Shiden looked like his actual age evident by his white hair and tanned complexion. As always he wore a focussed somewhat detached look. He wore his traditional leader costume, even after he stepped down as the 17th leader.
"So you are the one who fought my son and leader, correct?" Shiden calmly spoke.
"That I'am" Natsu replied.
"What was the outcome?" His voice was deep and gruff; the sort that demanded attention.
An awkward silence was held. The crickets in the background chirped.
"IF YOU DIDN'T WIN, THEN SAY SO!" Shiden's eyes were wide open, his mouth agape with his teeth representing sharp fangs.
Kasumi fell back in shock, never seeing this side of her father before. Natsu kept calm and passive. "Can you lower your voice damnit?!"
Well, almost calm.
Ayame on the other hand knew her husband's behaviour very well. She spoke calmly, with a passive hand gesture to prove her point. "Shiden? Please. Calm down."
Shiden immediately paced himself and faced his wife. "My apologies Ayame. Sometimes, Natsu does remind me of our son when unfocussed."
Ayame could not help but supress her giggle. Natsu on the other hand was flabbergasted.
"How does everyone in the freaking village know me?!" He thought, his popularity striking a very sensitive nerve in his logical thinking.
"So Natsu?" Ayame asked. "What are you doing these days?"
Natsu was about to speak up. Until Kasumi interrupted his train of thought. "He's going on a journey of self-improvement mother."
Ayame smiled. "A pure martial artist it seems. Much like some other people I know."
"Like who?" Natsu responded calmly.
Ayame calmly replied. "People like ummm… Akira Yuki, or Ryu Hoshi for instance."
Natsu was shocked at how a woman with little knowledge of pop culture knew these two fighters very well, but nonetheless kept it to himself. "So you do know them then? I'm surprised."
Ayame stifled a laugh. "I have met those two troublemakers during my youth you know. I may be old, but I know a thing or two from your modern world, Natsu."
Shiden coughed abruptly, fake enough to warrant attention. "Warrior journey eh?" He sat down next to Ayame. "Tell me more about yourself. There are some things I must point out to you."
Natsu simply replied. "Go ahead."
Soon, thereafter a long conversation began.
Mugen Tenshin Village, Outside the Entrance
Natsu hoisted his duffel as he began to walk away from the village. A familiar voice called out to him.
"NATSU!"
Kasumi ran towards him with albeit a look of nervousness. Natsu on the other hand kept his cool.
"Yeah? What is it?"
Kasumi fiddled with her fingers. "I was wondering…ummm…."
"Yeah?"
Kasumi gathered up her courage and begun to speak boldly. "I was thinking; that maybe that I….."
"What?" Natsu grew a bit irritated at Kasumi's indecisiveness. "Speak up!"
Kasumi plucked up her courage. "I was wondering if maybe I could…travel with you? I could see new people. Maybe protect you during your journey? See new things?"
"No."
Kasumi's eyes grew wide. "What?"
"I don't believe in relying on others." Natsu stated bluntly. "This journey is for my own self-improvement. It's not to make friends. You're just gonna be a distraction."
Holding her hand to her chest, Kasumi couldn't believe the words that Natsu just said. How could he be so…cold?! Her voice trailed. "Why?"
"If you come with me, you're hand delivering yourself to Donovan and the other things DOATEC have planned with you. And besides, your naivety will rub off on me."
Kasumi held his hand. "Why do you choose to stick to harsh realities?"
"Why do you choose to deny them?" Natsu countered.
Kasumi had a bold tone to her voice. "Don't shut yourself away from others Natsu. I know your loneliness and your apparent lack of trust in other people. And I know you want things your way….but please."
Kasumi noticed his cold and emotionless demeanour taking effect
If don't want me to come, then say so. I won't force you."
Natsu inhaled and exhaled. "Persistent like Narumi." He thought. "This will prove to be cumbersome."
Natsu finally came to a decision. "Do what you want. If you want to protect me, then I won't stop you. Keep in mind that this is something that I need to do alone."
Kasumi firmly replied. "No. If you don't want me to come I won't. If you change your mind; I shall accompany you."
Natsu sighed as he began to walk off.
"What is your answer?!" Kasumi spoke loudly.
Natsu stopped and responded with only a simple nod. He knew persistent types all too well. The only way to get them of your back was to half heartedly agree; and the young Kunoichi took the bait. Kasumi smiled as she joined Natsu's side. "So? Where to Natsu?"
Natsu smirked. "The Yuki Budokan Dojo."
Kasumi returned the smile. He was going to see the famed Hakkyouku-Ken master himself.
Mountainside
Zell inspected Natsu and Kasumi from above with his binoculars.
"Squall rip off!" He muttered.
"Oy, bastard!" A deep voice boomed. "Are you my moronic partner?!"
Zell rolled his eyes. "Great. Another degenerate."
The young teen was quite vibrant and had a voice that was far older than his actual age.
"So you are Takeshi? Helena Douglas' new pet and top class convict?"
Takeshi fitted the role of a juvenile quite well. He was a teenager who's T-shirt had the design of a skull dripped with blood. His earrings also represented skulls. His face had a large scar on his cheek. His hair was quite puffy with spiky stands almost like a blow fish. Takeshi also had long blue jeans which were folded from the bottom with white trainers.
"You are the wolf-ish bastard known as Zell? This going to be as fun as taking a shit!"
Zell smirked sarcastically. "Honestly I don't like working with a delinquent like you anyway. The hell does Pai see in you?!"
"Whatever." Takeshi's red eyes flared up in annoyance.
"So what are you here for?" Zell asked, not looking.
"I've been asked to spy on that copper broad and her new travel partner. It seems the French drama queen wants that little wench as her new messenger. Oh the effin' irony!" Takeshi spoke as if he didn't bother. Or care for that matter.
Zell contemplated. "5 days since the incident with the Tri-tower of DOATEC. It's gonna take a long while before there is even a fifth tournament coming up."
Takeshi grew annoyed. "Maybe that French broad's too busy painting her effin' nails rather than actually doing something financially decent!"
Zell couldn't help but chuckle due to his similar dislike to the current CEO of DOATEC.
"Everything has been placed into motion. All we need to do is wait."
Zell's comlink rung up.
"Zell!" His superior spoke
"Yeah?"
"DOATEC emergency business conference. Get there as soon as possible along with your err…partner."
"Understood." Zell hung up and offered a hand to Takeshi. "So?"
"Fine, bastard." Takeshi growled.
Both of them teleported into thin air, leaving all but the air and leaves behind.
A/N
Furuichi: Are you sure we're alive Oga?!
Oga: I dunno blockhead! Are we?
Furuichi: *annoyed and agape expression* OF COURSE WE GODDAMN ARE, YOU MORON! AND I HAVEN'T EVEN GOT ONE BABE OR CAMEO IN THIS EPISODE! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *bawls like a baby*
Oga: Oh pipe down Creepichi! You're makin' me sick! Anyway folks! Me, Creepichi and Sean aren't dead yet FYI! We are however gonna be shown in flashbacks in the eventual next episode.
Furuichi: STOP SPOILING THE STORY YOU DUMB APE! YOU REALLY WANT TO SPOIL THE EFFIN' CLIFFHANGER?!
Oga: Quit your whining you moron! So tune in next time to Dead or Alive: Alpha where we meet Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter in "Episode 4: Akira of Hakkyouku-Ken"!
Furuichi: Virtua Fighter, Oga? I thought you like Dragon Quest?
Oga: Well it says here in the script…along with a poor paycheck!
Furuichi: Ahhhh…I get it now.
Oga: So Berubo? Any last words to the readers?!
Berubo: Dabah Aiii Wiiii! (Read, review and bow before me!)
Oga: Oh and one more thing?
Furuichi: What?
Oga: Doesn't this Takeshi dude sound like Kanzaki?
Furuichi: I have no clue!
Berubo: Mii Dahh! (Me neither!)