Chapter 2: ❣ Reconciliation || See Kagura
"Is Kagura alright?"
Hanabi, crossing her arms over her chest asked it so nonchalantly, scanning the male's face for any hint of negative news. None.
"She's.. resting," he answered. "It's best to leave her until she recovers. This man-.." Hayabusa glanced at the other male in the room who appeared to be occupied in brewing tea. "He's done a good job healing the both of us, speaking of, you should get yourself te-"
"I'll see her" The ninja cut him off. "I need to pay my thanks."
"That can wait 'til morning, Hanabi."
"No, it can't. Schedule would be hectic tomorrow, we'd have no time."
Before he could disprove it any further, Hanabi turned on her heels and made her way to the backroom, muttering a quiet "Thank you, too" on her way. There weren't only doors to the room, only a narrow frame. Inside was a dimly lit area, considerably cleaner than the initial area of the shrine, there was a cupboard, a pile of towels, a wooden bench and on the farthest side was a counter full of cups, herbs and a few scrolls neatly tied together. She knew once she steps in, to her right, she'll see Kagura lying on a spare bed— where that shaman sleeps, possibly terribly patched up in a state as terrible as Hanabi last saw her in. She hesitated for a moment, the feeling of something caught in her throat made it difficult to swallow. The other girl's injuries, their severity, was Hanabi's fault. If she hadn't tried to something so stupid on her own. Guilt chipped away at her usual confident composure. Exhaling softly, she stepped in, expecting a badly beaten up mage, with her chest rising up and down slowly as she struggled to lay comfortably in bed— now, Hanabi, wasn't that something you'd always dreamed of seeing? Her face contorted to a frown, refusing to look up as she entered the room, yet a soft voice calling her name made her look up.
"Hanabi?" It wasn't a croak, nor a pained whimper. It was soft as it always had been, less cheerful, yes, but nevertheless, it was the same cheeky brat she'd always get annoyed hearing.
Like an idiot though, Hanabi blinked twice, stuttering her name back at her as if she hadn't been expecting her presence. "K-Kagura..?"
To her surprise, the other female was sitting up, a book in her hand. Her hair was left down, white strands over her pale complexion. Kagura's blue furisode was wide open and thin white bandage hugged her chest, down to her lower torso, just above her belly button. There were a few scratches here and there, but she looked absolutely fine, like she had only fallen off a set of stairs. She sat there, the same expression on the both of their faces. Kagura smiled first.
"You made it back!"
Was she.. going to run up to her? Should she just stay by the doorway, say her thanks and leave? Hanabi wasn't sure. The woman just stood there for what seemed like an eternity. She was confused, but nevertheless, relieved. Happy. Finally deciding, she walked closer, speed picking up until she got to the bed where she sat down by the foot of it.
"Y-yes, I—" she stammered, eyes not leaving the girl before her. "You're alright"
"Ah, the shikigami summoner's spirits took care of us well. It still hurts, just a bit, but I'll recover fully by tomorrow," she gave an assuring smile once more, tilting her head to the side, "And you.. you took care of him..?"
Hanabi took a few seconds, before nodding. "Of.. Of course I did"
Kagura sighed in relief, just as Hayabusa did earlier. "Thank the gods, I'm glad you could do it. You seem unscathed too, that's impressive"
The black-haired female only looked away, muttering a small 'yeah' as she did. That was a lie. That.. man, Hanzo, was still out there, subdued and locked up, yes, but still out there. She couldn't bring herself to do it, unfortunately. Not until she gets some answers, and then surely, she will. For now she just needed to play the role of a hero until she can properly call herself one. Speaking of..
"Hey.." She began, trying to play it off as emotionless as possible. "I was wrong about you.. Kagura. Thank you for saving me twice."
"Don't mention it, we need to look after each other now, don't we?" She gently placed the book she had been reading down beside her.
But.. if the situation had been the other way around, Hanabi knew she would've went with the choice that benefited only herself. She felt horrible. "But I treated you horribly—, I.. I always ignore you. I cut you off your sentences. I-I hated you.."
"I know," Kagura murmured, her eyebrows furrowing into a frown, yet the smile still remained. "It's fine"
Why was she so.. forgiving? Was it kindness, or was it because it was only necessary between allies? Whatever it was though, it made Hanabi see why Kagura was well liked in her village, and partly why Hayabusa had fallen for her. She was about to tell her something again when the smaller female spoke up.
"Hey, Hanabi.." She began, this time, the smile on her face disappearing. "Why..?"
At that moment, Hanabi froze. She knew what the other would ask her. 'Why had she been acting so horribly?'. What was her excuse going to be? The ninja can't simply admit that she was jealous. That she hated her for being with the person she had fallen for. To treat someone badly out of envy is disgusting, and surely, after saving her life, Kagura would feel displeased with her. This possibly new friendship before her, almost at her reach, was being ripped away by her past mistakes. All because she couldn't accept what became of her relationship with Hayabusa.
"Kagura, I'm sorry.."
Her voice was sincere and apologetic, fists pulling at the hem of her skirt as she turned away in shame. She expected a heartbreaking turn down. That the other would push her away. Yet it wasn't to be.
"Why do you risk your life like that..?" She heard her whisper. "You went after him alone.. knowing the power he held. Why..?"
Hanabi slowly turned to her once more, eyebrows arched. She wasn't going to get shooed away? This woman is just full of surprises, isn't she?
"I—" she cleared her throat, "I thought I could handle him on my own."
"But isn't it Hayabusa's mission to take care of him?"
"Well, yes."
Hanabi frowned, looking at the other's face. Kagura didn't need to ask, her expression and the way her head involuntarily tilted out of sympathy gave way the question in her head.
"You see.. I wanted to prove myself," The black haired female spoke, pulling off the tattered ribbon from its ponytail. Her usually soft locks were dried and damaged from being thrown multiple times to the ground. She brushed them with her fingers, eyes staring on the floor below. "I.. I wanted to be better."
Kagura shifted closer, leaning her face over and resting her chin down her palm, elbow rested on her thigh as she sat on the bed. She nodded slowly, as if saying 'Go on, it's okay'.
"Well.. Hayabusa had always been better than me. Since the start. I wanted to take his kill and prove myself.. My worth, I—.." She exhaled. Her heart felt like it was being pulled down. "I wanted to be accepted. Sure, I am the strongest female ninja, but against him..? I'm nothing. He sees me.. as nothing. I wanted to do something about that. I wanted to show him that I can be just as good of a ninja as he is."
Another exhale. Her head hung low, hair blocking her face from caring blue eyes that laid on her.
"I.. wanted to bring honor to my family as well.. I wanted to show them that their daughter and successor can bring glory to the clan, ya know? It sucks being compared to someone else all the time. To have someone better always chosen instead of you. I wanted to be number one for once."
Hanabi's voice started to crack, as it had gotten so soft it was a mere whisper at the end. It really hurt. To be the second best ninja in their clan, no mater how hard she tried. To not even be an option in Hayabusa's eyes. It was a stab to her heart. Her eyes began to sting a bit, and she made an audible sniffle, face contorting into an angry scowl as she did her best not to tear up. No signs of weakness.
"Hanabi.."
"I'm fine, don't worry about it. I killed Hanzo, haven't I? I'm the best now." She pulled on a confident smirk, followed by a short chuckle. But of course, she hadn't. Pathetic. Even her chuckle cracked. No use hiding her emotions now, apparently.
"Hey, come here."
She turned to look at Kagura, eyes glossy, yet a cocky expression on her face as always. The other had her arms open, inviting her into a hug. On any other occasion, Hanabi would deny it in disgust and ask why the hell she'd even consider coming in contact with the girl. This time, she needed it though. But deciding not to push it, the female only shifted closer and lied her head on Kagura's lap. It took the white-haired mage by surprise, yet a pleasant one. She lowered her hands and placed one on the mattress, leaning on it for support, while the other gently stroke long black locks that covered her thighs, comforting Hanabi.
"You know.. you don't need to," Kagura spoke, a tone of encouragement and utmost care. "You're capable enough on your own. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone. Your life.. isn't worth that risk."
She sighed.
"Hanabi, you're talented.. amazing. Alright? We all excel in our own specialties. You're just as great of a ninja as Hayabusa is, don't think otherwise."
The girl looked up at the mage, knowing it's just a play of words to comfort her, but the smile she held felt so genuine that Hanabi couldn't resist but cry softly.
Was it out of self pity?
A realization about her insecurities?
Or was it the fact that this girl.. that she hated with all her heart was the one telling her words she always wanted to hear? That she was the one who was treating her like they had been close friends the whole time? The girl.. she had been so rude to.
"Thank you.." Hanabi mumbled, wiping tears off her face. Closing her eyes tight and burying her face on the blanket over the other female's lap. It felt comfortable. Physically, and to her heart. Seems like that little exchanged exposed a wound in her heart she hadn't seen before, and at the same time, healed it.
Kagura hummed in acknowledgement and continued to stroke her hair. It seemed that finally, after all these years, she'd finally gotten through Hanabi.
Not more than a couple of minutes, it appears that the other had passed out, her soft breathing made her exhaust apparent to the lady she had been lying on. Kagura leaned over and pulled the sheets Hanabi hadn't been lying down on and drew it close, covering the ninja's body with it. She seemed so tired. Of course though, as they all went through a lot today.
A shadow appeared over the entrance, and Hayabusa leaned inside, checking on the two. Kagura placed a finger over her lips while her other hand gently patted on the woman resting on her lap. The male shot her a caring look, which she returned in a smile and he left the room.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MOVEDTOWATTPAD
MOVEDTOWATTPAD Alrightey-- Gonna post Hanzo's chapter next. Do note that these events don't happen at the same time!
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Chapter summary:
Hanabi confesses to trying to KS Hayabusa's kill for MVP, Kagura sympathizes as she alwasy has a ringer KDA.
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