31 Chapter 31

The very next day, Hanabi went to see Chief Haruno first thing in the morning. She took a deep breathe and wore a smile before entering in his office.

"I apologize, Hanabi, but we have lost Hanzo and Shizuka as they escaped last night," the chief said upon seeing her enter.

Even if it pains her, Hanabi shook her head and smiled, "Thank you for letting me know, chief. We should let him be for now since we managed to retrieve the Ame no Habakiri. But there is something else I want to ask for."

The chief puts down his brush and looks at the scarlet ninja, "What is it?"

"Now that the Ame no Habakiri and Hanekage are all in their rightful place, don't you think it's about time to bring back Hayabusa's memories?" Hanabi replied. "There is no need for us to be wed so I was thinking if you could give him and Kagura the chance to be happy together, without hiding anything from you."

The chief sighed, then, smiled at the scarlet ninja, "Since you requested for it, I shall do so."

"Thank you!" Hanabi exclaimed in delight.

She ran to Kagura's house and banged on the door like a child, "Kagura! Kagura!"

The onmyouji opens the door and asks, "Hanabi, you should really learn proper etiquette from me personally."

Hanabi yanked the silver-haired girl out the door and led her to the office of the chief.

"What are we doing here exactly?" Kagura asked.

A loud cry startled the two of them that came from the chief's office. Kagura got worried for she recognized that voice. It belonged to Hayabusa. She turned her back and ran inside as fast as she could. Upon entering, she saw Hayabusa, kneeling down on the floor as he holds his aching head.

"What happened?" Kagura worriedly asked as she holds his shoulder. "Tell me, maybe I could be of help."

"Kagura," Hayabusa mumbled. He lifted his head and grabbed her into a tight hug. "I missed you."

The silver-haired girl sniffed as she tried to stop her tears from falling. She lifted her hands and hugged him back as she lets out a cry.

"You're back," she sobs and Hanabi, who is waiting outside, could hear her. A smile forms on her lips for the two of them finally reconciled.

"I'm sorry," Hayabusa apologized but Kagura shook her head.

"Don't be," she said, "It's not your fault, as long as you're back, everything's fine."

Hanabi stood on her feet upon hearing the door open. She greets the couple with a smile. Kagura, who just finished crying, came running towards her and gave her a hug.

"Thank you so much, Hanabi," she whispered.

"Okay, no hugging," the scarlet ninja said, thus, Kagura backed away with a giggle.

Hayabusa, who remembered what he had said back at the lake, could not look at Hanabi straight in the eyes. This made the dark-haired girl chuckle in amusement.

"Now, I no longer owe you two," Hanabi said as she crossed her arms with a smirk.

"Yeah," Hayabusa muttered. "Thanks for talking to the chief."

"Then, see you around," Hanabi replied as she turns around and walks away.

"She is kind of sweet, you know," Kagura said as she held Hayabusa's hand. "She still made a way for us to be together despite the fact that she is hurt deep inside."

The two stared at the scarlet ninja as she continues to walk away, slowly disappearing from sight.

Hanabi went around town to keep herself preoccupied but still, her mind kept on thinking, why did Hanzo and Shizuka leave together? Has there been something between them from the very beginning? Has there been something between them that she failed to notice?

"Do you think Hanzo is as powerful as before?" Kagura asked as they have their breakfast at Hayabusa's place.

"What do you mean?" the assassin asked.

"Well, he no longer have the Ame no Habakiri and Hanekage is taken by the god of death, do you think he could still put up a fight?" Kagura explained.

"Of course," Hayabusa replied. "He is a skilled swordsman and he's got the best ninjutsu actually. Plus, he still could do his unusual technique."

"Unusual technique?" Kagura asks with her brows raised.

"You have your YinYang Overturn, I have my Quad Shadow, Hanabi has her Higanbana and as for Hanzo, he has his  Pinnacle Ninja," Hayabusa cleared out.

"I've never heard that one before, what can he do with that?" the silver-haired girl asks.

"When he activates his kinjutsu, Hanzo's will takes form into a shadow and could deal great damage to the enemy. I thought that his jutsu could be learned but now I came to know that only him can do such," the assassin replied as he served their breakfast.

"Why so?"

"It's because it is only him whom Izanami chose to give fragments of his power ever since he was young."

"Still, for me, you're the greatest ninja ever," Kagura smiled at him which earned her a smile back.

5 years later...

Hanabi got down on her horse with a bouquet of flowers on her hand. She walks straight to her mother's grave and laid the them on the graves of her closest family members. She sat beside her mother and smiled.

"It's my 25th birthday, mom," she said in a soft voice. "I remember you told me that when you were 25, you got married to father. How I wish it is the same with me."

Hanabi looks at the horizon where the rising sun starts to shine brightly. Just then, she saw a man walking towards her. She could recognize his scarlet hair, the way he walks, and she recognized that rhino-like mask he wears.

She stood on her feet and ran towards him as fast as she could. When she is already one meter away from him, she lifted her foot and gave him a roundhouse kick right on the head. His mask flew away from his face and the scarlet ninja could see every angle of his face. His emerald eyes, his nose, his lips and down to his chin.

"What did you do that for?" he asks. His voice rings in her mind for it has been a long time since she last heard it. But the one in front of her is not the person she has fallen for.

"What did you come here for?" she asks as she sits down comfortably on the grassy ground.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" he asks in return. "Aren't you going to hug and kiss me?"

"No freaking way," Hanabi growled. "Why the hell are you in the form of rhino head, Izanami. And why the hell are you here in that form on the day of my birthday?"

The death god smiled awkwardly as he sits down beside the scarlet ninja who continued to watch the sunrise.

"How'd you know it was me?" Izanami asks who is still having Hanzo's form.

"I could sense death around you," Hanabi chuckled for the death god failed to trick her.

"You're remarkable, eh, even after 5 years, you could still recognize the great me," Izanami remarked.

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There was silence after that. Hanabi hugged her knees and without gazing on the god beside her, she asked, "You said I should suffer a bit more, then 5 years already passed but why am I still suffering? Is 5 years not yet enough?"

Izanami was startled, not because of her question, but she suddenly bursts into tears.

"Why are you crying, little flower?" he teased as he pats her shoulder.

"Turn back into your original form," she snarled.

"Why?" Izanami retorted. "It would be more comforting for you if I have the looks of Hanzo."

Hanabi's tears drop continuously as she buries her face on her arms. "It's not comforting," she said between her sobs. "It's making me miss him even more."

This time, Izanami really pitied her so he turns back into his original form. He caresses her hair as she cries.

"Don't be sad, scarlet flower," Izanami said. "Everything's going to be okay."

"Then, tell me where rhino head is," Hanabi cried.

"It is your job to find him, scarlet flower," the god replied.

"I searched for him for the past years but there's no sign of him everywhere," Hanabi replied. "We really cannot find something that does not want to be found."

"So, are you giving up now?" Izanami asked. "After 5 years?"

"Maybe," Hanabi muttered as she wiped off her tears. "I am tired of crying, of waiting, of searching. I am tired of this pain in my chest. Maybe it is already the time to give up?"

Izanami smiled at her and said, "Sometimes giving up is the best choice but it's up to you. My time's up, I enjoyed your company, scarlet flower."

The god of death pats her head before he completely vanished. Hanabi stood up and rides on her horse.

Upon reaching the Shadow sect village, the chief greets the scarlet ninja by the gate.

"Chief, is something the matter?" she asks as she got off from her ride.

"Hanabi, I'd like to ask for a favor," the chief replied.

"What is it?"

The chief brought out a scented paper and hands it over to her.

"I cannot personally go to this festival so I am asking if you could go to Osaka in my stead," the chief replied.

Hanabi got the invitation and smiled, "Sure thing. I could go there for a break."

"You sure are free to do so," the chief agreed. "Hayabusa shall escort you there."

"Hayabusa?" Hanabi questioned with a brow raised.

"I won't be able to attend since I have a lot of work to do," Kagura replied who isnjust beside Chief Haruno.

Hanabi smirked and gave the Soryu Maiden a sly look, "A long date with Hayabusa, not bad, not bad."

Kagura glared at her and mouthed, "Don't try me."

Hanabi giggled at her cute reaction. She once again looked at the invitation and smiled.