Ayame

Ayame (菖蒲, Ayame) is a former master of the Mugen Tenshin Ninja Clan, who appears in the Dead or Alive series, so far only appearing in Dead or Alive Ultimate. She is the wife of Shiden, and birth-mother of Hayate, Kasumi, and Ayane.

History
A resident of the Mugen Tenshin Village, Ayame met and fell in love with Shiden, and together they ruled the clan, and had two children together; Hayate and Kasumi.

While Shiden was away his younger brother, Raidou raped Ayame, resulting in the pregnancy and birth of Ayane. While Hayate and Kasumi was treated as their heirs, Ayane was kept from the truth of her birth and was secluded from the clan due to Ayame's shame. When Ayane was older, Ayame revealed to her that she was her mother. This resulted in Ayane's jealousy towards Kasumi.

Appearance
A Japanese beauty with long straight hair, Ayame is seen wearing traditional kimono gowns with floral patterns.

Personality
A doting mother, not much is told about her although, if the personalities of Hayate and Kasumi are anything to go by, Ayame taught her children to value life and friendship as well as to posses empathy, mercy and understanding in their relationships. Ayame also seems to harbour some guilt over the treatment of her other child, Ayane.

Etymology
"Ayame" means "iris" in Japanese. It is also the name that is given to a type of Japanese iris, which acts as a character symbol for her daughter, Ayane in the Ninja Gaiden series. This seems rather odd and slightly ironic, as Ayane was the child she didn't keep. It's also strange that their names have simular spellings and sound, despite this fact.