CHAPTER 3: IN THE STARS

After the encounter with the rogue former Shadow, Hanabi, Hayabusa, and Kagura continued their journey together. The Scarlet ninja did not agree at first, but Hayabusa insisted that she go along with him and Kagura. After careful thought, Hanabi decided that having the two around was still better than wandering around the forest of Izanami in her wounded, vulnerable state—waiting for demons to take advantage of her current weakness.

For three whole months, the three failed to get a lead on the Akuma ninja's whereabouts. And the longer it takes for them to finish their mission, the harder it was for Hanabi, as she is forced to endure the closeness of her two companions slapping her in the face every single day. Closeness she never really had with Hayabusa, nor anyone at all.

One day, they passed by a village near the outskirts of the forest of Izanami. The village apparently was constantly being attacked by a demon named Jorogumo. When alone, Jorogumo would be a very difficult opponent to beat, however, with the combined powers of the three, it was nonetheless easily defeated. As thanks, the village chief organized a matsuri to honor their valorous feat. To enjoy their evening, the village provided the three with beautiful clothes to wear for the matsuri. Though Hayabusa was grateful, he politely declined and remained on his normal clothes. But that didn't prevent the two ladies from honoring the efforts of the village folk in showing their gratitude.

Kagura was cute in her turquoise green yukata and umbrella, patterned with pink cherry blossoms. She braided her hair in a bun, making her look more youthful and fresh. However, all eyes were on the reserved Hanabi, and not the cheerful Kagura this time.

The Scarlet wore a licorice black yukata, painted with scarlet fireworks and white gardenia patterns, and paired with an ivory-colored obi. Her long raven hair, now untied, flowed gracefully along with the wind like a river under the bright moonlight. The red hydrangea hair ornament she was wearing further complimented Hanabi's elegant face. Unbeknownst to her, the childhood friend she longed to impress since she was young, allowed himself to blush at the sight of her. Even passers-by couldn't help but gape at her beauty. It was as if the moon god, Tsukiyomi himself, had graced her with unparalleled beauty under the calm, yet bright, moonlight.

The three enjoyed the matsuri fairly well. Kagura couldn't help but stuff herself with a the variety of food that the village had prepared. Hanabi, on the other hand, jumped at every cute thing she sees. The young Shadow simply shook his head at what had become of his friends, but nonetheless enjoyed himself at the very least—all of them forgetting the burden they're carrying for once.

As the moon rose higher in the night sky, the matsuri was also almost over. Somehow, as she was jumping from one cute thing to another, Hanabi got separated from Hayabusa and Kagura. Realizing that the closing ceremony will be starting soon, she started looking for the two. After a couple of minutes looking, she finally saw Hayabusa and Kagura by the tree near the river under the bridge she was standing on. She was about to call their attention when she suddenly stopped—frozen on her spot. They looked like they were about to kiss.

Hanabi suddenly felt as if her insides were turning. It might be a misunderstanding. It might not be what she thinks it is. She knows these possibilities, but she just couldn't ignore the pain in her chest.

'Move', she said to herself in her head. 'Damn it Hanabi, move!'

The Scarlet ninja immediately turned around, got all of her stuff and ran away deep into the forest. She didn't care where her feet were taking her. The only thing on her mind right now is to get away from people as far as possible, so that she may allow her tears to fall in lonely solace. The Higanbana dangled from the left side of her waist— it's blade ripped her beautiful yukata and continuously scraped her leg— as she ran recklessly into the night. But she didn't mind the pain. The only pain that she could feel at the moment was the one in her chest, blocking the life out of her as if an invisible hand was suffocating her.

When Hanabi reached a meadow full of cosmos flowers deep into the forest, she stopped running and allowed herself to slump on the flower bed, now crying hard. She doesn't even know if she's still crying because of Hayabusa anymore. Everything she had been carrying since she could remember seemed to weigh down on her at that moment. All of a sudden, Hayabusa didn't matter. Out of everything she's been through, the pain that the young Shadow had caused her now seemed insignificant. It was one of those moments when a single bad thought would trigger all the other ones you've kept deep inside.

Being born as the next Scarlet, Hanabi's childhood was ruthless. Unlike kids her age, she could never go out and play. Which explains why she doesn't have any friends other than Hayabusa, who she trains with from time to time. She spent all of her life either training, learning diplomacy, or being beat up by the Scarlet sect whenever she made mistakes or every time she lost to Hayabusa, who was one of the candidates for the next Shadow.

As her sobs echoed throughout the meadow, dark thoughts fed on Hanabi's emotions as well. The night sky was beautiful. It was full of stars and the moon shone brightly, not a cloud in sight.

A warm breeze brushed past Hanabi, and the atmosphere suddenly changed. The Scarlet ninja, though still emotionally disheveled, is aware that she was no longer alone. She looked at the pair of jika-tabi shoes in front of her in caution. The stranger reached a hand out to Hanabi, making her look up at the person in front of her.

"I finally found you, Lady Hanabi." a cold, deep, manly voice said.

Hanabi tried to get a better look at the stranger's face, but the moonlight blinded her. She did notice, however, that the guy was wearing clothes from the Shadow sect.

"Who are you?" Hanabi asked warily.

The stranger scratched his head, "My apologies. How rude of me. I should have introduced myself first…" he reached for Hanabi's hand and pulled her up. Now that they were on the same level, the Scarlet ninja could finally see the man properly. He was wearing the same kind of clothes as Hayabusa, except he didn't cover his face. Which, to Hanabi was somehow understandable—the guy was bloody handsome.

He has garnet-colored hair, swept back with some locks loose on his forehead. His facial features are deadly angelic, except for his eyes. He has sharp eyes, with captivating orbs as if pulling you into his soul if you stare into it for too long. The man scratched his head awkwardly and looked away in embarrassment, conscious of Hanabi's stare. "...err—Lady Hanabi?"

Hanabi snapped out of her reverie and realized that she was already gaping at the stranger longer than necessary. She scratched her right cheek shyly and blushed

"O-Oh. Y-Yes. What did you say y-your name was again?" the Scarlet said, trying to hide her embarrassment.

The man blushed at the otherwise tough and formidable Scarlet's unexpected cute side. Despite her devastated state, she still looked stellar. He looked at her and noticed the rip in her yukata, exposing a part of her porcelain-like legs. He immediately took his scarf off and wrapped it around the Scarlet ninja. Hanabi was dumbfounded at the gesture, making the man laugh. "Right… my name..." The man smiled and locked eyes with the beautiful being in front of him.

"I'm Hanzo."