20 Chapter 20

Hanzo and Shizuka finally reached Kyoto and the storm has already calmed. The akuma ninja notices the purplish mark on Shizuka's nape which means that the venom of the viper is starting to spread.

"You better go to the infirmary and let the bite mark be checked," Hanzo said.

"B-Bite mark?" Shizuka stuttered with a blushing face.

Ignorant as to why she looks red, Hanzo cleared out, "The viper's bite."

"A-Ah yes, yes, the viper's bite," Shizuka replied with an awkward laugh. She goes north even though she doesn't have any idea where the infirmary is for Kyoto is a new place for her.

"That's not where the infirmary is," Hanzo remarked as he dragged her hand and heads east.

Shizuka, who had never been interested in men, is feeling butterflies in her stomach. It is a new feeling and she does like it, a little.

Back at the Shadow village, Kagura woke up with her full strength. The chief village immediately lends his ears when she reported every detail of their journey in finding Hanabi as well as their encounter with Hanzo.

"You shall rest and I shall summon you back in any moment. I shall send out some troops to search for Hayabusa," Chief Haruno said before taking his leave.

Kagura clenched her fist for she could not just do nothing now that her Hayabusa is missing. She is not assured if he is alive or dead. She rises from her bed and heads to the temple hidden behind the waterfalls she is training on.

Upon reaching the temple, Kagura dressed into her ritual clothes and summoned her Seimei umbrella. With the Semei Umbrella opened in front of the temple and with the bells she is holding, she started the ritual to call for help from the  kami. (deities in Japan.)

She rings the bells ten times simultaneously as she performs the ritual dance. She is very careful on every move, every turn, every wave of her hand in order to please the kami. She danced for thirty minutes straight that her legs and arms are starting to cramp, still she persevered as she remembers the scene of Hayabusa falling off the cliff.

When she is almost over, the water from the waterfalls rises up and enters the temple. Kagura stopped for she has finally finished and to her surprise, the kami had taken form. It is water in form of a dragon and it circled around her. She smiled for her hard work paid off.

"Your wish has been granted," the kami said before it disappeared in thin air. Kagura felt the surge of power inside her. Her Seimei Umbrella had taken another form and she could sense stronger power from it.

Kagura notices her hair which was once silver but now, it is beautiful black. She couldn't wait, she couldn't wait to meet Hayabusa and be with him again. But first, she has to know where Hanabi is.

She closes her eyes and sharpens her senses. On the east, she could sense the presence of the two demons she released to look for Hanabi. From there, Kagura could sense Hanabi's aura. She started her journey back to the Amaterasu village.

As the horse gallops towards the Scarlet Village, Hanabi's presence becomes stronger. But Kagura felt a sharp pang on her chest upon feeling a familiar aura, Hayabusa.

She does not want to cry for she knew that Hayabusa wouldn't easily fall for a lady within a short span of time. But her tears betrayed her, they escaped from her eyes and flowed down her cheeks.

"No, Hayabusa would not fall in love with the person he is tasked to capture. He would not dare go against the words of Chief Haruno. He will come to love me once more even if he lost his memory," Kagura convinced herself as she wipes off her tears.

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Back at the Amaterasu cave, Hanabi and Hayabusa decide to leave and search for food especially Hayabusa for he has not eaten for a day.

"About what you said before about me marrying Kagura, why'd you say such?" Hayabusa asked while following Hanabi's lead for she is familiar with the place.

"Well, since you lost your memory temporarily, I have to explain it," Hanabi responded. "You see, you and Kagura have been in a long term relationship which you kept to yourselves due to the chief's expectation of you. Then, I came in the picture as your wife-to-be but during our wedding, Kagura and I switched places and what happened next between the two of you is unknown to me."

Hanabi's story does make sense as to why Kagura has been acting weird towards him but he has stronger resolution that his memories are the real ones.

"I do not know how you came up with such story but as far as I could remember, I have never been in an intimate relationship with anyone," Hayabusa responded.

Hanabi suddenly turned around and faced the assassin with their faces only inches away from each other. She tiptoed, trying to be on the same level as him. Hayabusa was caught off guard that he froze in place.

"Kagura would be hurt if she heard what you just said. If I were you, I'd believe her words before she gives up on you. She has been tolerating your relationship being hidden for like years maybe? If a lady like her gets hurt painfully, at some point, she'll give up for her emotional health is trully affected, you hear me?" Hanabi reiterated while pointing her index finger on his chest.

Hayabusa is not actually focused on what she's been saying but he is gazing at her passionate-looking eyes. He snaps out from his trance when Hanabi slapped his shoulder so hard that he felt as if his wounds reopened.

"Oops, too strong, didn't mean that," the scarlet ninja apologized sarcastically before going back on her way.

Just then, the two of them heard the faint sound of a horse. Hayabusa sensed Kagura's aura so he immediately hit Hanabi's nape causing her to have blurry vision and eventually, she lost her consciousness. Before she could hit the ground, Hayabusa caught her and carried her like a bride.

Kagura appeared in time and the assassin gave her a nod before he puts Hanabi behind her. Hayabusa tied the scarlet ninja's hands behind her back as well as her feet so she could not escape if ever she wakes up.

"We have to go back as soon as possible,'' he said upon finishing tying up. "But it's more important if you bring that woman back to the village. Go as fast as you can and I'll catch up."

Kagura, who felt relieved that her Hayabusa is not doing something romantic with Hanabi, simply smiled and gave him a nod before she whipped the horse.

Hayabusa gazed at the horse as it slowly disappear from sight. He remembers what Hanabi had said about him and Kagura but he refuses to accept it. As long as he could remember, he has dedicated himself to training in order to become the best assassin and be trustworthy enough for Chief Haruno. Having a secret relationship would be the last thing he could do. He has the trust of the chief and he does not dare ruin it.