The Scarlet Shadow

The sword was dripping with blood. The metallic smell of blood surrounded her. Her ocean-blue eyes mirrors the unmoving and breathless body of her beloved father, the leader of their village. Her mind is blank, she simply stared at the corpse, not moving even an inch, as her tears flow endlessly. Her eyes dart to the shadow who is standing across them. Her eyes stared at those emerald eyes who had killed her father. The shadow was holding a huge sword that seems to devour a person.

Hanabi opens her eyes wide in shock. Her breathing is fast. She even has sweat dripping down her face. She breathes deeply before standing up, leaving her bed untidy.

"You've overslept," a soft voice said behind her.

"I'm sorry," Hanabi apologized to her mother.

"Were you having nightmares again?" her mother asked. Hanabi simply nodded in response. "I'm fine, I will get ready."

Hanabi did her morning routine and went to her practice ground. She tied her long, black hair with a red ribbon. She breathes in and out to calm herself down.

Her nightmares always reminds her of what had happened during her childhood. It always haunts her to no end.

10 years ago...

Hanabi just turned 10 that day and she and her father are currently at the village of the Shadow sect. She was told to play outside but instead of doing so, she is secretly eavesdropping on the meeting between the leaders of the village and her father.

"Hanabi," her father suddenly called out to her. "Eavesdropping is not good."

"I'm sorry!" Hanabi turned red and went back to her own room.

She got her kunai set and started writing seals which will help her enhance her weaponry. Just then, a small knock came from her door. She stood up and slowly opened it.

"Come play with us. You might be bored staying here alone," said Kagura. Her white hair seems to captivate the eyes of Hanabi. Kagura's friendly aura drawn her to do what she says.

"No," Hanabi replied sternly. "I need to pack my things."

"Come!" Kagura insisted and grabbed Hanabi's hand.

They both ran out and went to the yard where the other kids are. Kagura introduced Hanabi to the others and while they were having fun, Hanabi noticed a young boy.

She ran towards him feeling excited.

"Hey! Are you also training like me?" she asked.

The young boy didn't reply, instead, he continued his training. Hanabi got irritated so when the young boy threw three shurikens, she went in front and blocked them from reaching the target.

She ran towards him and was about to give him a kick on the head but the boy blocked it. Hanabi immediately retreated before he could get ahold of her foot. Hanabi threw three shurikens towards him and took a lunge.

The boy successfully blocked the shurikens but Hanabi landed a jab on his stomach, making him fall on his butt.

Hanabi looked down on him and scoffed. "Stop acting arrogant in front of me if you could not even defeat me. Hmph!"

Hanabi suddenly fell back when Kagura pushed her down.

"Don't you dare," she paused, "Don't you dare hurt Hayabusa!" she screamed with rage.

"Getting hurt is normal when training," Hanabi said as she stands up. Kagura went towards Hayabusa, checking if he had some injuries.

"Hanabi!"

"I hope we'll see each other again, ugly Kagura," Hanabi scoffed before going to her father.

"We're going to have a stroll around the village," her father said. Hanabi simply nodded in agreement as she held her father's hand. She stuck out her tongue towards Kagura and Hayabusa who are watching her.

Hanabi and her father headed to the public market to buy souvenirs that they'd bring back to their village. Hanabi, being curious, wandered around, leaving her father by himself.

On her way, a young boy bumped her but he did not apologize. This irrirated her so she grabbed the boy's shoulder and hit his head.

"Learn to apologize, brat," she said.

The black-haired boy rolled his eyes and flicked Hanabi's forehead.

"Ow!"

"Know your place, little girl," he said.

Hanabi was about to fight back but she stopped when she realized that the guy was taller than her. She did not mind of their height difference is small but the fact that the boy is one feet taller than her, it pissed her off. She felt like she was looking down upon.

"Don't be arrogant, girl," the boy added before walking away. "The name's Hanzo, come fight me if you're strong enough."

Hanabi stuck out her tongue before going back to where her father is. She got scolded for wandering without saying anything.

"Hayabusa, Kagura and Hanzo, I will defeat you all when I finish my training."

The next day, Hanabi and her father was scheduled to go back to their village. Their business has been settled so they no longer have anything to do in that place.

After having her breakfast, Hanabi went to the small patio of the house and looked out the whole village. She suddenly spotted Hayabusa and Kagura playing near the pond.

Kagura saw her as well but she simply rolled her eyes out of irritation. Hanabi did the same and raised her middle finger at her while making a funny face.

"Hanabi," her father called out. "Go get your baggage and head  to the carriage. We'll be leaving in 10 minutes."

Hanabi obediently obliged and ran to her assigned room. She grabbed her baggage and ran out of the hallway.

"Passing through!" she yelled as she met the two other kids. She passed by between them swiftly.

"Suckers!" she blurted out before taking her exit. Outside, she saw her father waiting for her. She smiled happily before going inside the carriage.

It takes one day of travel to reach the Scarlet Sect village by carriage. Hanabi sang songs that her mother had taught her as they pass through the rough road. She was trying to entertain her father.

"You got the lyrics wrong," her father commented.

Hanabi pouted but then, she immediately lit up, "Let us sing together."

Her father laughed at her suggestion but they did sing together until Hanabi got tired and has fallen asleep.

Hanabi suddenly awoke upon hearing noises. She rubs her eyes to clear up her vision but what she saw shocked her.

Even though the light illuminated by the moon isn't that bright, Hanabi could still recognize her father. He was lying down on the ground. The top of their carriage was gone and the horseman with them is clearly dead.

She looked up, and saw a guy holding a sword. She could see blood dripping down from it. She couldn't move at all. She wanted to scream but she couldn't find her voice. The guy left like nothing happened.

Hanabi forced herself to move, she wriggled her fingers as tears fall down her cheeks. Then, she lets out a sob. Her energy came rushing back and she jumps off from the carriage and sat down beside her dead father.

End of flashback..

"Hanabi."

She stopped upon hearing her grandmother's voice. "Breakfast is served. Go wash up before going to the dinner hall."

"I will be there," she simply replied before wiping off her sweat.