The moonlight filtered through the canopy as the combined forces of the Togami, Kuzuryu, and allied clans moved stealthily through the forest. Their objective was clear: infiltrate the enemy stronghold and steal a cache of highly dangerous weapons. Hannah moved with quiet determination, her senses heightened by the task at hand.

As they neared the perimeter, an elder from the Kuzuryu clan muttered, "Stay back and let us handle this, girl. We can't have you messing things up."

Hannah's jaw clenched, but she nodded curtly. She knew arguing would only waste precious time. They approached the stronghold, a fortified warehouse surrounded by patrolling guards. The elders led the way, motioning for Hannah to stay behind, but she had other plans.

While the elders distracted the guards at the front, Hannah slipped around the back, using the shadows to her advantage. She climbed up the side of the building, using her agility to reach a window on the second floor. Pushing it open silently, she slipped inside and found herself in a dimly lit corridor.

Downstairs, the elders engaged in a firefight with the guards, their shouts and gunfire echoing through the structure. Hannah moved quickly, her footsteps barely making a sound on the cold concrete floor. She descended a flight of stairs and came upon a room filled with crates marked with a symbol indicating their dangerous contents.

She carefully pried open one of the crates, revealing rows of sleek, black weapons. These weren't just any weapons; they were advanced, military-grade firearms capable of causing immense destruction. Hannah grabbed as many as she could carry, knowing the rest of the team would need to help transport the rest.

As she turned to leave, she heard footsteps approaching. Hannah ducked behind a crate just as two guards entered the room, talking in hushed tones. She knew she had to act quickly. In one fluid motion, she emerged from her hiding spot and fired her silenced pistol, taking down one guard before he could react. The second guard turned, eyes wide with surprise, but Hannah was faster. She fired again, and he crumpled to the floor.

Hannah's heart raced, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. She quickly made her way back upstairs, meeting the rest of the team who had finished dealing with the guards. Fuyuhiko, Peko, and a few others joined her in the armory, their eyes widening at the sight of the weapons, and the two now dead bodies.

"Let's move!" Fuyuhiko ordered, his voice low but urgent.

Together, they gathered as many weapons as they could carry and began their retreat. The mission had gone smoothly so far, but they knew the hardest part was getting out undetected. As they exited the building, they were met with another wave of guards.

Hannah, Fuyuhiko, and the others opened fire, the night erupting in a cacophony of gunshots. Hannah moved with precision, her earlier frustrations fueling her resolve. She ducked behind cover, taking out guards with quick, calculated shots. The elders, initially skeptical of her presence, now fought alongside her without hesitation.

The firefight was intense but brief. The clans moved swiftly, their combined efforts overwhelming the enemy guards. As the last guard fell, Hannah found herself standing shoulder to shoulder with the elders, their respect for her evident in their glances.

With the enemy neutralized, they made their way back to the extraction point, carrying the stolen weapons. Fuyuhiko glanced at Hannah but said nothing, his expression unreadable. He barked orders to the others, his focus entirely on the mission. The lack of acknowledgment stung, but Hannah pushed the feeling aside.

why am i so eager to please him?

As they reached the extraction point, the team loaded the weapons onto their vehicles. Hannah was splattered with blood, her clothes stained from the intense skirmish. She climbed into one of the vehicles, her mood darkening with each passing second. The mission had been a success, but there was no sense of accomplishment or camaraderie. She felt like an outsider, unappreciated and overlooked.

The drive back was silent, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. When they arrived at the Togami mansion, Hannah wasted no time. She stormed out of the vehicle, her anger simmering just below the surface. The blood on her clothes and the throbbing in her temples only fueled her frustration.

Without a word to anyone, she made her way to her room, slamming the door behind her. She stood in the middle of the room, breathing heavily, her mind racing. She had proven herself, yet again, and still, it wasn't enough. The blood splattered on her clothes felt like a badge of honor, but also a reminder of the relentless struggle she faced to earn her place.

Hannah sank onto her bed, her thoughts swirling. She had done everything right, yet she felt more alone than ever. The bloodstains on her clothes and the bruises forming on her body were evidence of her dedication, but also of the constant battle for recognition and respect.

She lay back, staring at the ceiling, her anger gradually giving way to exhaustion. Tomorrow she would face the same challenges, but tonight she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, her mind drifting as sleep finally claimed her.