Chapter 5: Kyoto

After saying goodbye to Aiko, the four of them set off into the village.

Hanabi was quiet for once, thinking about the possible identities of the traitor. 

She knew the Akakages used forbidden ninjutsu to rid their hearts of evil, anger, and greed by condensing them into a demon called Hanekage a long time ago.

The Ame No Habakiri was created to seal Hanekage and only the descendants of the Akakage knew where it was kept. Most of the Shadow Sect were descendants, so they knew the person who stole the Ame No Habakiri was from it. 

Hanzo was considered to be the next Akakage as he was the strongest ninja the two sects had ever seen. Then he would have no need to steal the Ame No Habakiri to be even stronger... right?

Hanabi gave up, frustrated. Seeing her visible annoyance, Hanzo snickered. Before they could argue, Hayabusa said, "We'll split up to ask the villagers. Kagura, come with me. Hanzo, you go with Hanabi." 

When Hanzo and Hanabi asked around, the villagers said they had noticed nothing unusual. 

Meanwhile, Hayabusa and Kagura didn't get anything useful until an old man beckoned them into his house. 

"You're here to catch the traitor, aren't you?" he asked. The two of them nodded. "I saw something that may be related to it."

"That day the attacker came, I heard two voices and saw two hooded figures in an alley. I hid and heard them say something about meeting up with someone in Kyoto, then they left." he said. 

Hayabusa and Kagura took some time to digest this, then Kagura said, "Thank you so much. This information can prove useful."

They left and met up with Hanabi and Hanzo, telling them what they had found. 

Sitting on the rooftop, Hanabi said, "But if it was the traitor, he would have been able to sense the villager's presence 'cause he's a ninja."

After a silence, Kagura said,"We should just go to Kyoto. Even if it wasn't the traitor, the meeting the old man mentioned is probably about something bad." 

Hanzo didn't say anything, but smirked. 

They got on their horses and headed to Kyoto. It was deep into the night and they were almost reaching Kyoto. 

"Are we there yet?" Hanabi asked Hanzo. "Almost." he said. Hanabi yawned and, to Hanzo's shock, fell asleep suddenly. 

He quickly grabbed her before she fell off the horse and mumbled, "Seriously, why is she so tired?" 

Hanzo moved her so that she was leaning on him and he could watch the road. His lips curled into a smile when he heard Hanabi's peaceful snoring. 

When Hanabi woke up, they had already arrived at Kyoto.

Hanzo saw her wake up and helped her off the horse. "Was I a comfortable bed?" he teased. Hanabi blushed and was glad that the dark of the night hid her red cheeks. 

"Where are the others?" she asked, changing the subject. Hanzo shrugged. "They probably reached before us. We'll look around."

The inn Hayabusa and Kagura managed to book was not too far into the city, so they saw Kagura waiting outside after a while. 

Hanzo stabled the horse outside, next to Hayabusa's. Kagura said to them, "Hanabi, you'll be sharing a room with me. Hanzo and Hayabusa are sharing another."

Hanabi just nodded sleepily, and then Hanzo was done. Hanabi and Hanzo followed Kagura to their rooms, and Hanabi peeked through the open door inside the guys' room. 

"Wanna sleep here with me?" Hanzo jested. Hanabi rolled her eyes, going back to her room where Kagura was already on her bed.