Fan Fiction ❯ Drawn to the Flame ❯ Full Circle ( Chapter 7 )

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

Chapter Seven

The sunlight filtered through the window and onto the sleeping face of the kunoichi. Though the beams were bright, it was the incessant ringing of the alarm that woke her. As she turned, hitting the snooze button, the bed sheets whispered around her. A red digital readout proclaimed the early hour of 7:00 AM that drew a sigh from her. With the tournament tomorrow, she had agreed, when Hitomi had suggested an early session.

Now, wrapped in the warm blankets and her face pressed against the soft pillow, she regretted it. Who needed to be up at this hour anyway? It wasn't like she was looking forward to meeting Hitomi the moment the sleep was out of her eyes. If she didn't get up, falling back asleep was likely. The last thing she wanted was to listen to the German girl over the fact that she was late. At least this was the last session they would be having for awhile.

She forced herself into leaving the warmth of the bed; her feet felt chilled upon meeting with the wood floor. The plan was to go straight to the shower, due to the limit on time, but the kunoichi instead made her way to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator she pulled out a bottle of orange juice. The tangy sip had the wanted affect like an alarm clock to the taste buds. She allowed the door to fall closed; her vision settling on the nearby counter. The matchbook from the Thannos rested there undisturbed from the previous evening.

“There are just some things that I need to work out--alone.”

Ayane could feel the sting again at the memory of his words. They had spent the walk, between Thannos and her apartment, attempting to make some light conversation sticking to “safe” subjects but more so in silence. She hadn't pressed any issue wanting to give him his time to think. Now, she couldn't help but think that she should have tried again.

With a sigh, she turned her back on the counter, making her way out of the kitchen and into the living room. She did have some time to kill, she might as well take a look at the mail that came even if she never got anything of any use….

Something was under her foot; looking down she saw a white envelope. The juice was placed on the end table as she retrieved the letter. She turned it over surprised to find it unsealed. Using her fingers she brushed it open removing the page within. The note revealed masculine handwriting; her hand trembled slightly as she recognized the script.

Ayane,

A few days ago, I received an envelope, containing information about a tournament in Japan. A part of me wanted to just ignore it and continue on but now I know that's not an option. It's hard to explain, but I know it has something to do with who I was, before I ended up here in Germany. I have to do this alone.

His distance over the past couple of days--his tone at Thannos when she had asked him about what was troubling him, the way he had dismissed her--all of it fell into place.

Ayane's hand tightened on the letter. She needed to leave. Now.

Her movements were immediate; after making her way to the bedroom she emptied the contents of the gym bag onto the bed. Hands opened drawers removing the few things that were necessity. Inside the top drawer her hand moved over the kunai, still wrapped with her bandanna, her foster fathers note securely tied. This was the first time she had looked at it since she had received the clan letter. She moved before she continue thinking on it, placing it among the bags contents where it would be safe, she would have time later for it.

The strap of the gym bag bit into Ayane's shoulder, as she slung it across, cursing beneath her breath. The front door fell closed behind as she made her way out the building. She had one more stop to make before leaving Germany….

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“Don't worry Ayane, it's alright that you're late. I won't be able to stay any later though to make up for it. Ein is coming for dinner tonight. I am planning on making Marjolaine for dessert. It's one of the more difficult ones to do, but I've done it before. The thing is, the meal I am going to prepare takes at least three hours to get completed.” Hitomi smiled winningly, as she pulled her hair up to tie it, her hands falling away to reveal a perfectly positioned high ponytail—not unlike the type Kasumi had worn. This was the first time Ayane had seen her without her pink headband.

She continued to speak as Ayane shoved the remaining items from her locker into her gym bag. In truth, she found it a bit too amusing. Hitomi really had NO clue. Ayane could feel her lips turning into a half smile, as she zipped her bag shut again. A sharp sound resounded as she shut the locker door with more force than she had originally intended. She had what she came for there, was no need for her to remain here listening to this.

“He liked it so much the last time, that I figured it wouldn't hurt. It's been awhile since I cooked for…”

Ayane cut her off mid-sentence, “I'm out of here.” Her violet eyes met square with Hitomi's for a split second the elder girl appeared to have not heard her.

The German girl stood her arms crossed over her chest the long fan of her ponytail brushing her shoulders as she moved. “You should stay and train for the tournament. I will beat you far too easily otherwise.”

“You can have the tournament, my gift to you.”

Ayane watched as the elder girl's face was changed into a mask of disbelief her hands squeezing her arms slightly. Indignant, Hitomi spoke, her words laced with anger, “ I don't need any favors, especially, from you.”

“Tell yourself what you need to, the truth remains as it is. “ Ayane pushed past the German girl making her way through the hallway and toward the exit of the dojo. In the distance she could hear the slamming of a locker door. The sooner Hitomi got it through her head, that out there amongst real fighters, it wouldn't be like at her fathers dojo, the better. Though Ayane doubted the girl had heard a word of it and she didn't much care. She hadn't meant it as any advice anyway, she was only speaking the truth—regardless of if it hurt.

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“I cannot believe they lost it!” The brunettes hands came to her temples, massaging them a moment, as if the idea was truly doing her physical harm. The man at her side did his best to console her. However the woman seemed determined to stay angry and once again addressed the alarmed attendant. Ayane turned away from the scene focusing her attention elsewhere.

The airline terminal was not as crowded as it had been a few hours ago; many of the people moving to where their flights were boarding. Her fingers moved to trace over the zipper of the duffel bag her thoughts going back to the notes within. The glass in the large window nearby served as a mirror reflecting back her torn expression. The idea, of returning to Japan, brought conflicting thoughts to the Hajin-mon. She knew there was no way she could have influenced Hayate's choice to go on without her. Even if she had pressed the issue he would only have cut her off more so than he already had been.

Deep down she also still felt the pangs of guilt from not returning when her foster father had sent for her. The question of why he had loomed in her mind at times; but she knew, that if she were to see this through, she would have to avoid any and all contact with members of the clan. She had been the one to make the choice and there would be no turning back.

“Fine, we will go, but don't think I won't call in about this.” The middle-aged woman was back in Ayane's view, still arguing with the attendant, the taller man in the dark blue suit trying to urge her toward the boarding station. It didn't take much, issuing the threat seemed to give the woman the comfort she need, because now she followed her companion without protest. Even from where she sat the Japanese girl could hear the blonde attendants sigh of relief. She pushed a stray strand of her hair back, turning to the young girl that now stood in front of her.

On the overhead speaker Ayane's flight number was called, prompting her to lift her gym bag to her shoulder again. As she made her way to the boarding area she joined others with similar destinations. Behind her as she approached the attendant she could hear the click of the schedule turning over again. The young woman smiled when Ayane reached her wishing her well; the kunoichi returned the expression to best of her ability. Truly, she had come full circle.