Chapter 16: Chapter 16
Chief Haruno came in the prison with his soldiers behind him.
"Take him," he ordered and the clanking of heavy locks echoed in the cell.
Kagura stood up as she watches the soldiers take Hayabusa away and she does not have any idea what they're going to do with him.
Before Hayabusa was taken away, he mouthed 'I love you' to his lover which Kagura replied with a soundless 'I love you,too.'
Hayabusa was brought into an old and unused cavern. His hands are still tied behind him with the soldiers holding him still. The chief raised his arm at a fast speed, then, a wave of strong wind cleared the dust off the ground.
Hayabusa saw the engraved patterns, a large circle envelopes a huge star pattern wherein old scriptures are written on it. At the very middle of the circle is a symbol of yin only, the yang is absent. His prediction was right, the chief is going to perform the ceremony of forgetfulness.
"Chief," he called out. "I know I have made a grave sin against you and our village. But I beg for your pardon, I swear I will do everything you ask me to."
The heavy sigh of the chief could be heard inside the cavern. He looked at Hayabusa who is on his knees, with his forehead touching the ground, asking for forgiveness.
"You already made moves on your own without me knowing, I no longer trust you," the chief replied. "Raise your head and face the consequence of your actions."
With the chief's signal, the soldiers forced Hayabusa to stay at the middle of cavern. He was about to fight back but the chief had already started, the wind surrounded Hayabusa at a fast speed that if he forces his way out, he'd be torn into pieces. The wind circled around him and he suddenly felt heavy. His body fell down on the floor, unmoving, and he could only see the rocky ceiling of the cavern. He could hear the ancient chants of the chief.
He said sorry to Kagura countless times in his head. A tear fell down from his eye as he felt his energy being sucked. It was as if his soul is being forced to separate from his body. Little by little, he started to forget. His childhood memories, every moment he was with Kagura, every date, every holding hands and hugs and kisses they've exchanged start to fade away.
The wind grew stronger, his chest feels painful and he does not know why. His eyes had shed tears and he has no idea why. He felt the gust of wind came closer to him and he wanted to avoid yet he has lost control over his body. He couldn't move at all. The wind came closer, sucking away his breathe, making it hard for him to draw in the air he needs. His head starts to hurt as if it was being cracked in two. He wanted to shout in pain but no voice came out from his mouth. At that very moment, he seems to be in a deep coma. His mind is very much alive but his body is as good as dead. Little by little, he could see himself as someone new from which the old Hayabusa is nothing compared to the Hayabusa in his memories. His childhood memories turned into nothing but training until he grew older. No sign of Kagura, no hint of any romantic feelings for the onmyouji.
All Hayabusa knows is he is trained to lead the soldiers and assassins of the Shadow village. As the ceremony ended, Chief Haruno is panting with exhaustion. He fell on his knees and coughed out blood. He used almost of his energy to totally change Hayabusa's memory but to the chief, this is the most suitable punishment for him and Kagura.
The chief motioned his soldiers to take the unconscious Hayabusa to his quarters. He also released Kagura from imprisonment.
"Chief, please let me see Hayabusa," Kagura pleaded while begging on her knees.
"You'll have to wait. I shall summon you later," the chief responded before leaving.
Kagura was ordered to go back home and shall only return if the chief said so. Hayabusa, on the other hand, regained his consciousness an hour later. He woke up as if he just came from a deep slumber and he has no recollection of what had happened previously.
The soldier who is in charge to instruct him explained that he shall get ready for the chief needed him. He immediately prepared and heads to the office of their leader, he knelt down in respect with his head looking down.
"Rise," Chief Haruno remarked so he stood and gazed at him.
"Hanabi just made her escape and we have to find her before she is caught into trouble. You shall lead a small group and search for her," the chief instructed which the assassin obliged to. "An onmyouji shall escort you for she is knowledgeable and she would be of great help."
Kagura came from behind and bowed to the chief. She is trying her best not to jump into her lover and give him a tight hug. She is relieved to see Hayabusa unscathed. She flashed a smile to him which made the assassin look at her with an eyebrow raised.
"You two shall depart at this moment before Hanabi could get any further," the chief said before dismissing them. Upon their exit from the office, Kagura wasn't able to contain herself so she immediately hugged Hayabusa.
"I'm so happy you're unhurt," she said as she snuggle into his arms.
Hayabusa, who is trully confused at the sudden charge of the woman, slowly makes his distance from her.
"I do not know why you've said that but I kind of appreciate it. Though, I apologize for I do not want to be intimate with anyone when I am on duty," he said which made Kagura dumbfounded. She stood there, with her feet planted on the ground and her eyes following the assassin who is headed to the stables.
"What just happened?" she whispered to herself. "Is he ignoring me?"
Kagura did not back down so she collected herself once more and ran after Hayabusa. She grabbed his arm and forced him to face her.
"Are you ignoring me?" Kagura asked. "What did the chief tell you?"
With total confusion, the assassin asked,"The chief told me to go find Hanabi who is probably headed back to the Scarlet village. And young lady, I am not ignoring you."
"Then, why are you pretending to not know me? Didn't you tell me that we'll keep no secrets from each other? Come on, Haya, tell me everything and I'll compromise. Just please, don't ignore me, it's making me feel hurt," Kagura stated who is in the verge of crying.
"I apologize but I have no idea on what you're talking about. We have to prepare now for our task so please do not idle around. We'll meet at the center town before the sun sets."
With that, Hayabusa took his leave and Kagura finally gets what the situation is. The chief had erased his memories and replaced it with a new one. Her chest hurts like she's been stabbed countless times. Never had she imagined or expected that time would come that Hayabusa, her long time lover, would forget and treat her the same like the others. Tears fell down from her now red eyes as she stares at the horizon.
After an hour, Hayabusa's group together with Kagura left the Shadow village. On their way, the strong rain poured which forced them to have shelter from the rain. The lightnings and thunder occur very often which is very unusual.
Kagura felt like the thunderstorm is not just any ordinary one but instead, it seems to be a respond coming from the gods.
"Whoever had his prayers answered by the gods, he must be powerful enough to convince and ask for the immediate blessing," Hayabusa said to particularly no one.
"What could he have sacrificed?" Kagura asked as she stares at the raindrops.
"Maybe his life," Hayabusa replied. Without their knowledge, they'll soon be facing the person whose prayer was answered by Amaterasu herself.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone