Fan Fiction ❯ Drawn to the Flame ❯ Drawn to the Flame ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter Five



The pulse of the music could be felt and heard as Ayane passed through the entrance to the Blue Magic. The sound of her heels, on the black and white tiled floor, were drowned out by a wealth of sounds. Between the baseline, shouted conversations, and the various other assults on her ears, Ayane wondered how anyone could think let alone be distinguished.


The dance floor to the right was large; patterns from the mirror ball and lights sent an array of color across the faces of those below. At the head of the dance floor, there hung a neon sign, bearing the clubs name in blue and white. The far end of the room featured pool tables, leading up to the opposite side of the club where the bar was located. A red sign, proclaiming its presence, stood out against the other wise blue and white décor.


She saw him then, in the back, at one of the pool tables. Hayate had just risen up, cue in hand, making himself fully visible to her. He was making a reply to someone at the end of the table. Beneath the black leather overshirt, he wore a mesh one. The affect left nothing to the imagination. She could see every subtle move of his chest and abdomen; awakening memories of the past. The way those trained muscles flexed and relaxed as he completed his motions-mentally, she reminded herself not to let her eyes linger.


He was looking right at her. A moment of uncertainty fluttered within her, but faded, as he indicated for her to come and be introduced. Upon reaching them, she offered a smile to her company. The man, leaning on his cue, was shorter in height than Hayate. His dark hair appeared disheveled and wet. Despite his effort to hide it, Ayane had noticed, his roaming gaze.





She could feel a smirk settling on her lips as he spoke, "Lucky for Ein, you came when you did. You just saved him a world of embarrassment." The man's statement drew a deep chuckle from Hayate.


From her puzzled expression, Hayate clarified, "My friend here seems to doubt that I can cut these bottles with my hand."


Ayane looked to the four bottles on the side rail. He had mentioned he'd done this before and she didn't doubt him. Still, the idea of witnessing it for herself, let alone the reactions of those who were sure to take notice, was intriguing. Ayane offered him a mischievous smile. Hayate turned as if to speak to the man. Instead, he raised his hand, a look of intense concentration crossed his face, as he brought it down. It was almost too quick to see; the tops falling to the floor, one coming to rest against the side of Ayane's boot. A smirk graced her features as she caught sight of the man's face. Her ears picked up a few of the startled reactions of nearby patrons.


Ayane knelt picking up the glass at her foot, speaking as she stood, "Looks broken to me." Hayate's laughter only served to embarrass the man all the more, although he was forcing a smile.


"Come, sit with us awhile," Hayate said, indicating for the man to accompany them to the bar. Ayane only hoped the rest of the night would go so well.





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"As you can imagine, the whole thing, was quite amusing," Hayate concluded.


Ayane listened as Hayate told her about their former companion. As it turned out, Hayate had met Charlie through seeing him compete, at one of the pool tournaments the Magic held from time to time. They hung out some saturdays and they remained more acquaintances than friends. Amusement passed through her again, at the memory of Charlie's face, when he saw the broken bottle tops. Hayate's face as he had broken them said it all. It was another form of training and focus. Even during the time he relaxed he found ways to work on his skills. Though, this was to a smaller degree, it wasn't so different from back at the clan. She watched as he brought the glass to his lips once more. This was his third drink since they seated themselves at the bar. The young kunoichi only held her second in her hand. She loved the sweet taste but decided that she would stop at this one.


"I can imagine so, though it probably took awhile for your shirt to dry out." Ayane felt a smile as Hayate's story reminded her of one of her own, "It's funny how those things turn out sometimes. I remember one year--I was nearly ten--my sister and I had spent the entire day getting ready for the summer festival. Even after spending so much time preparing, we still had time before the activities were to begin, we decided to slip off to play. We had taken some of the small scoops they use for the goldfish game to practice at the river. It was agreed we would just wade in so far and not to splash. If we had stuck to that all would have been fine. However, there was one nearby and we both ended up going for it. She made a good effort to keep me from falling in; her reward being, to end up next to me in the water. I will never forget the look on her face. It's so funny, when I think of it now, how we just stared for a moment before splashing around like it was just another day. In a way, I still don't know how we made it back into the village, mostly unnoticed, even with all that was going on."


"Sounds like you had a great time, even if it wasn't what you had planned," He replied.


"That's true, though I had been so proud of that kimono. It was purple with an embroidered butterfly on it and the sash was a deep crimson. I remember I felt pretty just wearing it. In the end, we couldn't wear our new clothes and had to wear some older things. Kasumi's father, had not been pleased, I found out later. As for our mother, by the time she spoke with Kasumi, she hardly paid any attention to what I wore."


She had omitted how Hayate had teased them at the festival about their inability to stay out of mischief. A smile played about the edges of her lips at the thought of it. He had been wearing his new deep blue yukata. When she had finally made her way back to the festival, after speaking to her mother, she was just in time to see the ending of the fire works. She could remember it so clearly; even now.


"Just a moment Ayane." She nodded in reply to his words; as he moved to speak with the bartender who had been wanting his attention.


The kunoichi's eyes watched the myriad of color that passed over the faces of the nearby dancers. Many of them looked lost to the rhythmic beats. When she'd been younger, she wished for even a moment of anonymity. To know what it feels like; for people to see her as Ayane, a person, rather than the daughter of Raidou. Ayane brought her glass to her lips drinking the last of its contents. She had become accustomed to talking to Hayate, about the past, as of late. Over the past few weeks together, she noticed, how things, that seemed so out of place, had slowly fallen in. The touch of a hand on her arm suddenly brought her from her thoughts.


"Come on," Hayate said, indicating for her to follow him onto the dance floor.




Ayane rose, setting the glass back on the counter, his hand slipped to hold hers as they made their way. The warmth in her cheeks, made her glad for the play of the lights. Hayate relinquished her hand, when they reached the floor, and offered her a knowing smile before he began to move. For a moment she just watched the colors that washed over their features. The pulse of the music prompted her to close her eyes, allowing herself to get lost, in the rhythm of the moment.

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The air was cool against Ayanes cheek, though she didn't feel much of it. Hayate had offered his arm to her when they had exited the Magic. He had done it partially in jest but she couldn't help the feeling she had gotten from his arm being linked with hers. To anyone who passed they must appear like any other young couple out enjoying a night free of cares.

"Feel free to tell me I was right anytime now." Hayates voice was humored as he spoke. He was right however spending a night away from the thoughts that had been weighing so heavily had meant more than she would admit even to herself.

"I don't remember you suggesting anything." The sound of her laughter mingled with his. The moonlight cut jagged patterns through the trees sending shadows over the street and beyond. It was hard for her to believe the night was almost ending.

" Well make a note that I have suggested we go to the Thannos. They have a nice variety including some of the best Rievekoochen I have had since coming here." Rievekoochen was one of the foods Ayane had become fond of since her arrival. The combination of hot potato wedges with the warm apple dipping sauce was a pleasant one.

"I can't make one right now but I will as soon as I get into the apartment." She replied teasingly. For a moment she was unsure what to say. Neither of them was ready for the night to end. Instead of speaking she opted to let her arm slip from his. She turned to open the main door to the complex relieved when Hayate followed her to room 208.

"I have to warn you my apartment is spacious. Do try not to get lost." her eyes danced with amusement as she spoke. Ayane had told him previously of her apartment with four tiny rooms--and just how much of a stretch the word room was. The young kunoichi opened the door to her apartment hand moving expertly to find the light switch. That's when she saw it from the corner of her eye. Silver in the moonlight that reflected through the window. A single thought echoed in her mind.


Hayate had to leave... now.


It's three AM and I wanted to train alone tomorrow since Hitomi will helping her father with the early classes.... The sentence seemed to trail off into oblivion. It was the first reply that occurred to her. Nervousness gathered as the silence persisted. What if he didn't---


" I know how much this tournament means to you Ayane." His voice was soft as he spoke his look of disappoint changed to one of amusement. "Of course after the tournament you won't have an excuse." She was surprised at the touch of his hand on her arm. " Don't forget that note about Thannos. Tuesday after classes." only a nod was managed as he turned to go she stood watching until she disappeared from sight. A part of her wanted to remain in the door way in denial of what she had seen-


The young kunoichi turned to confront something she would know anywhere. Soft purple iris petals adorned the top of the kunai pinning the note to the table. One of the same she had used on her first mission. Her hand moved pulling it loose and affirming its presence. The scroll shook as she confronted the script she would know anywhere as her foster fathers.


Due to recent issues it is important that the Hajin-Mon be brought together.
I have arranged for a meeting to take place so that the next course of action can be decided upon.



There was to be a meeting... she was to return abandoning her mission without question. Ayanes gaze shifted to the kunai- her kunai gripped so tightly now that her knuckles appeared white. Never would it be forgotten how she had felt when Genra made his formal request that she be sent to study under him. Despite her tainted blood he had taken her in teaching her all that she knew. He had always treated her as if she was his own. For that alone she should return without question. In the morning she could set out without a word returning to the clan to fulfill her foster fathers purpose but it wasn't that simple.



First objective of her mission had been to find Hayate. Many times she had considered that he may have moved on with his life. What she had found had been unexpected. Hitomi and her father had done more than help him. Hayate filled a place that had been empty in their lives previously. It had been made clear as possible the night she had accompanied him to dinner at Hitomi's home. He had truly been made a part of thier family.

The dojo offered him a type of leadership. After seeing him instruct even once you could see it was something ingrained into his being. It would never be erased from her memory, the way he had looked the first time he had approached her at the dojo. Seeing him smile speaking in an amused tone the dark circles that had gathered beneath his eyes since receiving leadership of clan nothing more than a memory-

Either by fate or design he had been afforded this chance at a new life. One she was no longer sure anyone had the right to take







The Hajin-Mon has others who are more than capable of assisting him. Even though he had pride in all she had accomplished as she rose through the ranks she knew that by taking her in his life been giving added hardship something she had never wanted to accept.

Making her way to the bedroom Ayane stopped at the vanity placing the kunai and the note on its surface her fingers moved to her bandanna. The soft fabric felt cool against her fingers unbidden the memory of her mothers words that night surfaced. Ayame had spoken of changes telling her she was on her way even then she had known deep down she had known what that truly meant. Wrapping the bandanna around the kunai she bound her foster fathers words to it placing it in the top drawer hiding it from view. Ayane allowed her eyes to fall closed a moment as she turned walking away from the vanity. This time as she made her way she would not look back.