章 32: Chapter 32
Hanabi and Hayabusa travelled for 3 long days before they could reach the borders of Osaka. Hanabi has been to a lot of places but Osaka is different. It gives off a relaxing vibe and somehow, it reminds her of the Scarlet village. Upon entering the humungous gates, a joyous and jovial music greeted the two of them. The people danced along with the music.
Hanabi smiled for it truly reminds her of the old days in her hometown. Since they are new in that place, Hayabusa asked one of the guards where they could greet the head of the village. Just then, they were led to the known Osaka castle. They were both in awe for they had never expected to be able to enter in that castle. Hanabi got back to her senses when the guards opened the two wooden doors carved with gold. A long isle greeted them. On its end, the leader sat with women serving him. They were motioned to enter so Hanabi took a deep breath as she hands Hayabusa the red box from their village. They walked on the isle and met the village chief.
"Chief Haruno from the Shadow sect village gives you this gift. And he told me to extend his gratitude for your kindness and asks for pardon for he cannot attend the festival personally," Hanabi said as the two of them bowed, and Hayabusa had his arms stretched to show their gift.
"What a shame!" the chief exclaimed. "Youngsters, may I know thy name?"
A young apprentice came and took the gift from Hayabusa so they knelt on their knees and face the chief.
"I am Hayabusa," the assassin replied.
"I am Hanabi," the scarlet ninja added with a soft voice.
The chief stopped drinking his sake, he puts down his cup and leaned forward to carefully check on the two visitors.
"You are that rumored ninja who is left of the Scarlet faction. Hmmm," the chief mumbled. "And Hayabusa is that legendary shadow ninja. Interesting.Say, young lady, how old are you?"
"I just turned 25, chief," Hanabi replied with a smile.
"I bet you two are newly weds," the chief chuckled as he continued to drink.
"We're not a couple," Hanabi replied with a delightful smile plastered on her face.
The chief choked and spits out the sake he just drank. Thankfully, Hanabi is far enough from him so she wasn't able to be showered by that sake from his mouth.
"Don't you think it is already time for the two of you to get married?" the chief managed to say. "You better go out there and dance. Show off your beauty and be married, yound lady. Young lad, you better not keep her waiting for time is gold. Oh, I also prepared rooms for your stay. If you want to rest, simply come back in the castle and present your invitation card to the guards."
"Thank you for your kindness. We shall take our leave," Hanabi said as they stood. They left the castle and managed to breathe freely. Hanabi leaned on the wall as if she has been tired of a fight.
"That chief is kind of scary," she wheezed. "Okay, let us relax and enjoy the festival."
"Sure. So where do we go first?" Hayabusa asked as he looks at the crowd.
Hanabi grabbed the assassin and ran into the street of food stalls. Upon setting her foot on that street, a lot of sweet and mouth-watering aroma greets her. She goes around like a kid and checked out the food. She is enjoying herself that she had forgotten to look at the time. On the other hand, Hayabusa is so tired of being dragged around and no matter how hard he tried to keep Hanabi in control, he could not keep her still. Hanabi only became aware of the time when the sun had set.
"It's already night time?" she mumbled to herself. "But I just got here!"
"You really need to be aware of your surroundings. No matter where you are, you are still a ninja," Hayabusa mumbled.
Hanabi dragged him once more and rushed out from the stall and head to the castle. They did present their invitation and were led to two grand rooms. Hanabi and Hayabusa entered in their designated room. The scarlet ninja entered and was pleased on her own room. It has a queen-sized bed and when she opened the closet, beautiful kimonos greeted her. She looked out her window and saw the festival that it is still on its peak. A smile curled on her lips and she rushes to the bathroom with a red kimono with her.
After washing up and dressing up, she went in front of the mirror and arranged her hair. She got her red ribbon and a few strands of her long, dark hair and tied it. She left her room and knocked on Hayabusa's door.
"Why are you all dressed up?" the assassin asked who is now drowsy.
"Let's go out and have some fun," Hanabi replied excitedly.
"I'm going to pass. I have to sleep," Hayabusa replied with a yawn.
"Okay, suit yourself," she said before leaving.
She went around the town and enjoyed the show.
"Young lady, want some candy apple?" a young girl asked as she shows the scarlet ninja the candies she is selling. She bought one, but not for herself, but for the girl.
She is already full and she cannot say no to such a beautiful young girl.
"Ack!" Hanabi exclaimed when a woman of her age came and yanked her from the audience.
"Your beauty would be a waste if you won't show it off," the lady told her as they stood at the dancing area.
Hanabi saw the eyes of the spectators, they are all set on her. The music started and all she could hear is her heart beating fast.
The young lady bumped her hip with hers as she dances along with the rythm. She is wearing a purple kimono, she dances gracefully that the crowd cheered for her.
"C'mon, dance with me," she whispered to her.
Hanabi flipped her hair and took on the challenge. She danced alongside the young lady and they are both in sync which earned a louder cheer from the spectators. She was actually having fun and during the middle of their dance, Hanabi saw a woman and when their gazes met, she turned her back and starts to make her way out of the crowd.
Hanabi knew her, she knew that dark-haired girl, she left the stage and rushed towards the woman leaving.
"Shizuka, wait!" she yelled as she tries to reach out to her. "Shizuka!"
When they finally got out of the crowd, Shizuka ran as fast as she could. Hanabi made a detour in order to stop her. She took off her footwear and ran and when she turned right, Shizuka bumped into her. She is wearing a dark blue kimono and she had her hair decorated with beautiful pins.
Her once petite body has grown into a body of a woman. Her soft features before sharpened that it made her prettier. Hanabi helped her stand up before she asked,"Shizuka, where is rhino head?"
The woman looks away from her and replied, "I do not know."
Shizuka took Hanabi's hands from her shoulders and walked away. Hanabi went after her and held her hand tightly.
"Please, Shizuka, tell me where he is. Please, let me talk to him," she begged.
"I can't, Hanabi. I really can't," Shizuka insisted as she brushed her off once more.
"Just 5 minutes is enough, Shizuka," Hanabi desperately begged but she was just ignored. "Okay, three minutes is okay. Please."
"Hanabi, it's better for you to stop," the assassin reiterated. "Hanzo does not want to see you. He is already having a peaceful life. "
Hanabi felt a sharp pang of pain right on her chest as she heard her say it. But she didn't back down. She knelt down and had her head hang low right in front of Shizuka.
"Please, let me talk to him. Just this once, after this, I won't ever talk to him. Please, Shizuka, I'm begging you. I searched for him for 5 long years so please, just give me 3 minutes to talk to him," Hanabi pleaded.
Shizuka sat down and apologized, "I'm sorry, Hanabi, I cannot help you. If you're worried about him, he's doing better than ever. Please, Hanabi, don't ruin his now peaceful life."
Shizuka left after that, leaving Hanabi all alone. The scarlet ninja stood up and went to a deserted and quiet place. She sat down on the grassy ground and cried once more. Her tears could not just stop from falling.
She sobbed for who knows how long, until she felt someone patting her head.
"Izanami," she managed to say between her sobs.
"Shhhh," the death god hushed. "Just cry and we'll talk after."
The scarlet ninja forced herself to calm down, wiped off her tears from her puffy red eyes and looks at the death god who has taken Hayabusa's form this time.
"What?" Izanami retorted as Hanabi glares at her.
"Hayabusa, really?" she scoffed.
"Don't glare at me with those puffed eyes of yours, you look like a big mochi with two red bean paste," Izanami teased. "Plus, Hayabusa used to like you when his memories are altered."
Hanabi chuckled as she remembered those times when Hayabusa confessed to her. But she suddenly turned gloomy upon remembering what just happened.
"He does not want to see me," Hanabi finally said as she buried her face on her folded knees.
"Who? Hayabusa?" the god of death jested.
Hanabi shook her head for she cannot reply because her tears began falling. Her hiccups stops her from speaking.
"Scarlet flower, you always shed tears whenever I come visit you, can't you atleast smile?" Izanami jested, wanting to comfort the crying woman.
"Shut up, I'm crying," Hanabi tried to go along with the god but her sobs are stopping her.
"You already know that Hanzo is here in Osaka, are you still giving up?" he asked.
A nod came from Hanabi as a response.
"I'm giving up, Izanami. I cannot bear the pain anymore, it's too much," she sobbed as she bangs her chest in pain. "He does not even want to see me. I cannot extend my hopes anymore. I no longer have the strength to go on. I'm tired. Tired of hoping, tired of searching, tired of waiting. I no longer want to suffer so much."
Izanami dragged her closer to his chest and let her cry her heart out. Hanabi felt warmth around her but it didn't come from the god of death. But instead, it is from Amaterasu herself. She was hugging her and whispered, "You've suffered enough, my dearest scarlet flower. Thou shalt not suffer anymore from this love you have been running after."
The sun goddess ran her fingers on Hanabi's crying eyes and puts her into a deep slumber.
"You really come at the most unexpected moment, Amaterasu," Izanami retaliated. "But at least she's calmed down."
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