Fan Fiction ❯ Drawn to the Flame ❯ First Impressions ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter One

Ayane strode with purpose, passing the closely placed buildings to the right and left of the street. She had to smile with slight amusement during her first visits to this area she had been somewhat surprised to see how they were arranged almost to the point of overlapping .She had come to realize most of Germany she had seen in the past few weeks was set up this way Munich was no exception. Other than the occasional passerby not many people were out which wasn't surprising to her being the hour of the evening that it was most people were likely to be home eating dinner…..

Stopping in front of her destination in front of the Martial Arts school Ayane felt the slight smile that had been gracing her lips fall away. After more than a week of surveillance she was ready to begin on what she had set out to do. Almost before she had realized what she had done Ayane had pulled the door open … with much more force than she'd intended. Stepping inside of the dimly lit main hallway she allowed the door to fall closed behind her. Kneeling she removed her shoes allowing them to join the small row against the wall a soft breath escaping her as she considered her next move she wasn't exactly sure where the waiting room was and she had come at a late hour after even the last of the classes had let out..…

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in."

Ayanes face turned to the sound of the voice to find herself suddenly in the presence of a young woman. She had seen her a few times during her surveillance. She was wearing an old pair of jeans and a camouflage top with a phoenix design her jacket was a faded denim of the same type as her pants most likely she was on her way home for the evening. She was tucking some of her long brown hair behind her ear despite the fact that it was held back by a pink headband.

"Is there some way I could help you?" The girl had continued to speak with a voice tinged by apology.

"I had been considering signing up for classes here…" Ayane turned as she spoke she had hoped to speak with Hayate directly.

" I will return another time…"

"No! It's fine…I wasn't really in a hurry to go I can show you around if you like."

Ayane couldn't help but be disappointed about the girls offer but she didn't see a way around accepting it .. Perhaps if she allowed the girl to show her around she would find out more of what she needed to know.

" If you're sure its no trouble." Ayane managed to keep a shrug from accompanying the statement.

"As I said its no trouble at all really this is my Fathers Dojo I spend a lot of time here. I'm Hitomi."

Ayane took the girls hand that she offered shaking it briefly.

"Ayane… and thanks." Ayane was thankful that the last part didn't seemed forced given her present state of mind on how things were turning out so far.

"Like I said its nothing." Hitomi then turned leading Ayane down the side hallways showing her the rooms within them, a few of them were offices …and one was the waiting room she'd been wondering about. As Ayane continued to listen to Hitomi speak she learned more about the history of the school and her fathers reputation as a martial artist, which it seemed was quite an impressive one by many standards. She also spoke some on her childhood growing up in martial arts all of her life. Ayane allowed her mind to wander some as the girl continued on with her story. It seemed as though not only would she not get to speak with Hayate but she wasn't going to find out much of anything either….

"This is where we spend most of our time…" She followed behind Hitomi, the hardwood floor of the dojo feeling cool against her feet a sharp contrast to the carpeted areas where the offices were located. There were a few mirrors along one of the walls, a large portion of the middle of the floor was covered by blue mats…

They were not alone in the room.

Even from the distance at which she stood Ayane could hear the sound offered up as his feet hit and then moved along the floor at the edge of the first of the blue mats. There were some differences she could tell but even with his body partially turned away she knew….she had been right…..

Hayate.

The girl continued her speech not missing a beat though her voice did drop somewhat. Hayate appeared to be sparring with an invisible opponent he still seemed to be unaware of their presence in the room as he went through the motions.

" That's about all there is to tell…"

The German girls voice trailed off some and it was then that Ayane realized Hayate had stopped his training and was coming in their direction. As he approached the differences she had noted from earlier became more apparent. She could see now the subtle changes in his face though it still seems to hold a serious air it was also more relaxed than she could remember seeing in sometime…the dark circles that had appeared under his eyes at times since leadership had begun bearing down upon him seemed to have faded substantially as well…

"Ein" Hitomi greeted as soon as he had reached an earshot. " This is Ayane"

Hayate held out his hand and Ayane took it as he shook it thankful that her expression remained neutral as he did so.

" Ayane was thinking about studying with us so I was giving her the tour before I headed out for the night."

" Is always good to see a new face. Welcome Ayane, Might I ask what was it that made your intrest turn toward martial arts?"

" I was raised in a family who practiced them though not this particular style. I was hoping to learn something to build my skills." Ayane was thankful her reply came as easy as it had.

" It is good to see someone who is seeking to further their studies. I am sure Hitomi has told you most everything that can be said about this school… whatever you should decide I am sure you will do well." He offered her a warm smile with the last statement. How long had it been since she'd last seen him…

He then turned his attention upon Hitomi for a moment as he spoke again.

" Let your father know I will be a little later than expected. I have a few matters to attend to before I meet with him."

" No problem."

" I will see you later then.. Once again Ayane welcome." He turned then walking toward the way they had entered earlier. For a few moments they just stood there before Hitomi indicated that she should follow her once more. Ayane gave a slight nod not wanting to speak much at this particular moment as she began following Hitomi back to the office area.

This hadn't gone near as well as she had hoped for….

*****

Authors Post-it note: Its been over a month since I posted the prologue my next chapter shouldn't take this long to get out. Hopefully it was worth the wait! (*smiles*) trust me the story will get better as it goes.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far!

I don't own these characters (*sniffs*) So don't sue me!

Questions? Comments? Creative Death Threats? E-mail them to me at teesa57@hotmail.com