Chapter 4: Crossroads of Destiny

"H-Hanzo, you say?" Hanabi said, still conscious of the man's stare. For a woman, Hanabi was quite tall. But even so, the man standing before her was at least a feet taller than her. She had to look up a bit when talking to him.

The Scarlet ninja drew a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. She still had to be wary of the stranger even though he looked like he is of the Shadow sect. "What brought you here? And how do you know who I am?", she asked. Hanzo tried to point at his clothes but Hanabi cut him off. "Don't use your Shadow sect garments as an excuse cause I'm clearly not gonna buy that."

Hanzo was completely thrown off by Hanabi's instant shift from being cute to being the tough ninja she always was. He couldn't help but smile. She really was the girl he was looking for.

"As expected of the Scarlet, no one gets past you easily, huh?" he complimented her, but Hanabi was not fazed at all. "... Alright, alright. I'll tell you." Hanzo took a deep breath and started explaining.

"I really am from the Shadow sect. However, my existence is a mistake. 10 years ago, an accident happened. A minor branch of the Shadow sect wanted me dead. The threat was so grave, an uprising was expected by the elders. So, in order to save the sect, I had to run away so that the elders could tell the Scarlet Shadow I had died—preventing a war from happening."

Hanabi hitched a breath. She knew the story was all too familiar. It was the story her mother used to tell her every night before she went to sleep. The story of the Shadow-born— her betrothed.

"Y-You… you can't possibly be…" Hanabi couldn't finish what she wanted to say. She's nervous of what would happen from here on if she acknowledged Hanzo's claim enough to say it out loud. But Hanzo wouldn't want it to end here without saying what should be said.

"Yes, Lady Hanabi. I am the Shadow-born. The true heir to the name 'Shadow'. The one who should have died ten years ago. The one destined for the hand of the Scarlet-born— the one who should've been with you all along." Hanabi didn't want to hear any of it. But something inside her says she should listen to Hanzo. Something deep inside her. She clutched her chest. It was burning, as if something had pierced it deep in her past life. She didn't understand the sensation she was having.

"... I'm sorry I couldn't find you sooner. I tried. But some things happened and I lost track of you when you escaped the Scarlet Shadow. But destiny brought us together when I saw you in the matsuri earlier. I followed you here. And I'm here to set things right. To protect you for as long as I could. I may not be the Shadow anymore, but our hearts are fragile things. It can never escape what's written in the stars."

Hanzo held her cold, soft hands. "...please… Let me accompany you", he said, staring deep into her eyes. 'Those damn eyes' Hanabi cursed under her breath as she allowed herself to stare back at Hanzo.

For a couple of moments, there was silence. No one was talking. Only the sound of the wind brushing past the beautiful cosmos field can be heard in the still night. Hanabi was lost in her thoughts. Deciding what to do about this situation. If she pushed Hanzo away, she'd be left alone trying to find the Akuma ninja, and possibly reducing the chances of her actually having a shot at defeating him. Cause she knows there's no way she'd come back and stay with Hayabusa and Kagura ever again. But if she accepts Hanzo's request, she will be putting him in immediate danger. The forest of Izanami is not a place to be reckoned with, and the Akuma is an even bigger threat than the forest itself. Plus, she would also have to deal with the possibility of him betraying her.

As Hanabi pondered whether to continue her journey with Hanzo along or not, the garnet-haired ninja just stared at her in awe. This was the girl he had dreamed of every single torturous day and night he spent alone, wandering in the dark forest. Now she was finally in front of him. Disheveled from reckless running, but still beautiful.

Hanabi finally made up her mind. Letting Hanzo come along is more advantageous than treading the treacherous path in front of her alone. The Scarlet may be a bundle of pride, but she is a wise and calculating woman. As she pondered over her decision, she already thought of the countermeasures to take if ever the Shadow-born decides to stab her in the back.

"Very well then…" the Scarlet ninja said. Hanzo snapped out of his daydreaming and directed his attention to what the lady was saying. "I'll let you tag along."

Hanzo allowed himself to smile at the thought of being with Hanabi. He looked very dashing at that moment, so Hanabi had to pinch her arm. Almost wanting to slap herself for real.

'Damn it. Control your hormones, Hanabi! You didn't run away to flirt with a guy you just met!' She reminded herself in her head.

The fallen Shadow picked up Hanabi's red hydrangea hair ornament from the ground and dusted it off. He tucked her hair on the side and put it on her. Hanabi was flabbergasted.

'Damn it Hanzo!' Hanabi cursed in her head as her cheeks turned a bright color of red under the moonlight.