Chapter 24

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Hayabusa is currently in the city of Kyoto together with Kagura. The chief had once again sent them on a mission from which he thinks is easier than capturing Hanabi and letting her escape in the end.

"Is she the Soryu Maiden?"

"With the printings on her clothes, she does resemble the Soryu Maiden."

"You're quite known in the city," Hayabusa commented as he mounts his horse.

"N-not really," Kagura denied. "It is my great grandmother they know of being the legendary Soryu Maiden."

"I see," is only Hayabusa's response.

"We have to be careful not to catch unnecessary attention. Our top mission for today is catch Shizuka who came from the Scarlet village," he added.

"Copy," Kagura responded before they started investigating. She lets one of her demons roam around in order to make their search easier.

"Why are you bringing her with us?" Shizuka complained as she pushes Hanabi forward, making her bump her head on the lamp.

"Ow! If I have my eyesight back, I'll make sure you regret treating me like this," Hanabi sneered.

"Shut up! You look pathetic making some death threats when you cannot even see," Shizuka responded. She was about to wipe off the dirts from Hanabi's face but the scarlet ninja snatched the cloth from her.

"I can do it myself," she growled.

"Suit yourself, weakling," Shizuka spits.

After a while, Hanzo came near the scarlet ninja and handcuffed her with Izanami's power, limiting Hanabi's power to summon her Higanbana.

"That would keep you still," he said as he wipes off the dirt on Hanabi's nose with the back of his hand. "Don't even try to break free for this handcuff would tighten the moment you try to break it."

"Damn you," Hanabi cursed.

"You still have guts despite the fact that you lost your eyesight. You know what? I could bring your vision back only if you follow through with my commands," Hanzo responded.

"In your dreams," Hanabi hissed.

"Okay, have some fun seeing the darkness," he said as he steps away from her.

"I'll go out for a while," Shizuka said before stomping out from the house.

"What's her problem?" Hanabi asks as she helps herself with the food served on the table.

"How'd you get there anyway?" Hanzo asks in return.

"Food must not be ignored for it is considered a taboo," the scarlet ninja replied, taking another mochi. "So, let me ask you, is Shizuka your lover?"

Hanzo's expression turned dim but he chose to ignore it to reserve some energy for he could feel that if he goes against her, a nonsensical conversation would arise.

"Your father told me that he had already noticed that you are under Izanami's power, why did he not capture you before? Like when you killed my father or when you attacked during the village festival."

Hanzo scoffed. "I'm his son, of course, he couldn't bear to see me killed right in front of him so he is sending Hayabusa to kill me."

"You're right, a father would protect his son in the dark," Hanabi said, her eyes turned red, her voice became hollow.

Hanzo just sat in front of her as if it was just nothing.

"Hanabi, I told you just now, if you try to break free, that handcuff tightens and consumes your energy," he informed.

The scarlet ninja turned back into her old self. She grits her teeth and grabs more food with anger for she failed to frighten the akuma ninja.

"Curse you," she mumbled.

"You're still as hard-headed as before. If you want to really kill me and avenge your whole clan, then, you better plan a strategy to corner me. Do not come after me unprepared 'cause it would be like going to a war naked," Hanzo advised as he flicks a piece of rice cake towards Hanabi.

The scarlet ninja was about to swallow her food but suddenly, an unwanted piece of rice cake is shot to her mouth causing her to swallow her food and cough at the same time.

She heard Hanzo snicker in triumph. She got her kunai from her lap and with both hands, she lunges towards him but she halted upon realizing she is in front of the table full with food. She clicks her tongue in annoyance as she takes her seat.

Hanzo smirked at her actions. But he got confused when Hanabi seems to have smelled something at the corner of the room. She stood and carefully followed the smell as she heads towards the cabinet.

"Found you!" she exclaimed as she opens the two mini doors. A white fluffy bunny jumps out which Hanabi immediately caught in her arms. She snuggled it closer to her. She ran her hands on his fluffy fur as she kisses it on the head.

"What?" Hanzo blurted out.

"You know, this cute little bunny deserve a lady like me as its cute caretaker," Hanabi replied with a wide smile.

"Who said you're cute?" Hanzo scoffed.

"I remember Izanami saying that his akuma ninja cannot resist this scarlet ninja's beauty. I could vividly remember how he told me that I am a nuisance in his plans and that his akuma ninja was perfect until I came in the picture. Now, who said I'm cute?" Hanabi mocked.

Hanzo covered half of his face with embarassment and stood quiet without looking at his love interest.

After a while, Hanzo decided to go out for a while and check on Shizuka for she might have done something stupid. As he strolls in the city, no sign of Shizuka appeared. As he asks around, a man told him, "I saw her together with a ninja and a Soryu Maiden. An hour ago, they left the city."

Hanzo hurried back to his place and saw Hanabi, still handcuffed, hugging the bunny happily.

"What does my father want with Shizuka?" he asks as he snatch away the bunny and tightly held Hanabi's jawline.

The scarlet ninja kicked him right on the belly causing him to hit the wall so hard with his back.

"How am I supposed to know?" she hissed. "Maybe they needed her for some information. Or hold her as a hostage to lure you in. Don't you dare come at me and be angry just because your lover is taken away. It makes me so mad."

Hanzo stood on his feet and saw Hanabi grab the bunny, now stained with scarlet liquid. The scarlet ninja smelled the metallic scent of blood. She hugs the little fluffy one, her eyes turned red once again, her spider-like limbs appeared and she destroyed the handcuff limiting her power.

Hanzo held his Ame no Habakiri and lunges towards her but the spider limbs prevents the sword from touching her.

"You freaking dumbass, what an unforgivable sin you committed. You have hurt my innocent fluff," Hanabi said with her hollow voice.

"I no longer have the time to play with you," Hanzo replied as he reaches out his hand towards her and black smoke came out from his arm and surrounded Hanabi.

She screamed out as her power is being drained. She tried to move but the black smoke gripped her bodice, not giving her a chance to attack. The spider-like limbs froze in place as the black smoke gripped them.

Hanzo brought Hanabi in the headquarters of the Kira organization who had been searching for her in such a long time.

"Who are you?" one assassin asks as they pointed their weapons on Hanzo while they surrounded him.

"I'm no threat," Hanzo replied. "I actually brought a gift for your leader."

Hanzo tugged the black chains on his arm and Hanabi came into view. She is still tied and could not move at all.

"I heard you've been looking for her in ages. I shall leave her here and you shall take care of her," Hanzo added.

"What a pleasurable gift you brought," a man with a hoarse voice said as he claps his hands in triumph. "Say, young man, what do you want in return?"

"I just want you to take good care of her," Hanzo replied as he pats Hanabi's head. "You see, she's quite stubborn so I advise you keep an eye on her. I shall leave her here and you can do whatever you want with her."

"I shall gladly do so," Shio, the leader of the Kira organization, replied.

Hanzo whispered to the scarlet ninja, "I wish you all the fun." He left afterwards without untying her.

"It's been quite a long time, Hana," Shio greeted.

"Shio?" Hanabi guessed for she could remember that voice and only one person calls her Hana.

"It is an honor that you still remember me, Hana," the leader responded as he ran a finger on Hanabi's cheek down to her jaw.

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