Kasumi was waiting in the clearing, just three large steps away from the bridge were she had last seen her brother, Hayate. Her eyes searched the skies for any sign of him, her heart beating fast, her stomach bubbling with nervous anticipation. But there was no sign of Hayate. She waited and waited, until the sky grew dark, and the crisp lines of the far off trees faded into shadows. He wasn't coming.
Kasumi's heart would've broken, sweet as she was, but deep inside her a voice had been warning her for days that Hayate would probably not show up. What was really hurting her was that this time she had been sure her conscience was wrong. Had she heeded the nagging voice, she wouldn't be standing in this cold clearing, with only the small river below her to keep her company.
She waited a few moments longer, standing beside the rope bridge, before finally walking away, back into the forest. She walked in the dark until she found the spot were she had left her things. A small bag containing a brush, her favorite hair ribbon, two apples and a change of clothing lay on the ground waiting for her. She removed the apples and the hair brush, then fluffed the bag to make a pillow for her pretty head.
Sleep did not come to Kasumi quickly tonight, her heart still beating painfully. She searched her brain for a more happy thought, something to distract her from thinking about how she missed her brother. Memories of Zack Island moved in, thoughts of the friends she'd made and the days she'd spent dreaming on the beach helped her, and she slowly drifted off.
The lack of cold woke her, sometime in the middle of the night. Light from a small fire at her feet warmed her. Kasumi's heart was pounding as she rose swiftly, her eyes darting out to the dark beyond the fire. She could see nothing.
She stood defensively, her hands poised to strike at whoever might belong to the eyes she could feel watching her. Then, the feet and legs of the intruder appeared in front of her. Kasumi's heart stopped. It was Hayate! She began to smile, exclaiming her glee with a short shout. She was cut off by the stern look in her brother's eyes.
He still hadn't forgiven her, Kasumi knew, for refusing her birthright as leader of their clan. But Hayate knew there was more behind her decision than a desire for freedom, and he knew she still cared for him. His mind was a constant battle between bitterness and growing affection.
At this moment, however, Hayate wasn't thinking about his sister's betrayal. Kasumi waited for him to speak, but he did not. His arm reached out to her, and she moved toward him. His hand pulled at the front of her shirt, and she looked down to see that in her hurry waking up, her right breast had slipped out of its binding. The large orb was glowing tan in the firelight, the nipple erect, until Hayate's hand pulled the fabric over it.
Kasumi wanted to cry. How embarrassing was this moment? Her eyes welled, and for a moment Hayate forgot everything they'd been through. He only wanted to comfort her. He wrapped his strong arms around his sister, bringing her lovely head to his muscled chest. Her warm body pressed into his slightly cooler frame, and he stroked her hair as she sobbed.
"Hayate." She said, sniffling. "I've been waiting." Sniff. "I didn't think you'd come."