Chapter 11: The Final Battle [another ending]

(A/N: well this is another ending which was requested by a reader on Wattpad some time ago, but school started so took some time. just like everything else its really cringe but here goes)

Hanabi sat on the ground, Higanbana placed in front of her. Ninjas formed a barrier around her, protecting her from harm until she got the first half of her task done. She blocked out other sounds, focusing on Higanbana, and she saw a river up ahead, everyone else gone.

This was the realm of the people who had been sealed inside the weapon, and Hanabi knew there was no more time to waste.

She didn't know what to do exactly, but she faced the river, and swore allegiance to Higanbana, offering her body in exchange for more power.

Nothing happened at first, then power swept through Hanabi, and she was back in the battle. She couldn't think clearly, but just repeated one sentence inside her head over and over again. "Defeat Hanzo." She looked around and saw him slashing through the people to her, and she lunged towards him.

Hanzo blocked her attacks with the Ame no Habakiri, and he realised that she had become stronger, more agile. He smirked. "You did the same thing as me, didn't you?" Hanabi didn't answer. She wondered how long it had been since they started fighting. She suddenly disappeared from view, the last step of her plan about to be carried out.

Hanabi reappeared behind Hanzo with her soul scroll in hand, about to plunge it into his back when a huge force slammed into her and she was knocked flying into the air. She braced for impact as she hit the ground, rolling a few metres before coming to a stop, coughing out blood. 

Hanabi blinked a few times, then realised that Hanekage was the one who had stopped her. 

"How boring," Hanzo sighed as he squatted down beside her. "I thought you might actually get better after swearing allegiance to your weapon, but you still used the same move."

"The same move?" Hanabi asked, getting on her knees and checking for any broken bones. 

"Remember when we first sparred? You used that lame move and lost. You never learn, huh?"

Hanzo stood up, holding Ame no Habakiri above Hanabi's neck. Hanekage circled them excitedly, and soon everyone noticed Hanabi at the mercy of Hanzo. 

"Hanabi!" Haruto yelled. Kagura and Hayabusa flinched. They had been held back by Hanekage, allowing Hanzo to 1v1 Hanabi without worrying about being ambushed by them. 

Hanzo plopped down next to Hanabi casually while Hanekage pressed down on Hanabi's back, preventing her from moving. Hanabi couldn't believe how relaxed he was in the middle of a battle and side-eyed him. He caught her doing that and shrugged. "What? I'm a human, I also get tired." 

"A human with a demon in it, that is," Hanabi murmured. She hadn't been able to kill Hanzo, which made her feel kind of useless. But, back in the realm inside Higanbana, she'd seen a scroll. A scroll that documented how their ancestors managed to trap Hanekage inside the Ame no Habakiri. But there was another part. A single line that said, "There are more ways than one to seal the demon if he is ever released."

"Now, what should I do?" Hanzo smirked, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'm getting bored. You all are too weak."

"Surrender, you traitor!" Shichiro yelled. 

"He's right. Even if you kill me, the battle doesn't end. Kagura and Hayabusa will finish you off," Hanabi said. 

"That's what you claim, but you don't feel happy about that, do you?" Hanzo whispered. "You still want to be the strongest. You still want to be the one to defeat me." Hanabi flinched. "Shut up," she hissed. "I've changed, you bastard." 

"Ah, but if I surrender, I'd just be executed, right?" Hanzo said for everyone to hear. "But that said, I'm tired of killing worthless people." Hanzo raised his sword and everyone sprinted towards him, trying to stop him. "So I'll just end this right now..." His sword raised up into the air and he let it fall down, everyone in shock. 

Because what he hit wasn't Hanabi, but Hanekage. 

***

"Can you old farts hurry it up? There's no need for the build-up," Hanzo rolled his eyes. "Talk like that, and they'll execute you," Hanabi sighed. "They can try," Hanzo offered. "We have decided to let Hanzo off the hook this time," Shichiro and Haruto announced. "Okay then, bye," Hanzo walked off. "Say thank you at least, can't you?" Hanabi snapped. 

"That's wild coming from the rudest person here." 

"Hah?! What did you say?"

Shichiro frowned. "Hayabusa, Kagura, keep an eye on Hanzo for me."

"Yes, Chief." Kagura smiled at Hayabusa, happy that his marriage with Hanabi had been cancelled. 

***

"The full moon is so pretty."

"Looks normal enough, weakling."

"Shut up! And who you're calling a weakling, huh? I'm stronger already!"

"You're still weaker than me and I don't even have that stupid demon with me anymore." 

"Shut up or I'll kill you!" 

"Are you really willing to do that?" he teased. "Bye, I'm going to the summer festival. I can't bother to talk to you."

"Wait, I'm going too," she said, and followed behind him. "Bet you just wanna eat," he mumbled. She raised her hand to hit him but he dodged it with ease. "Damn you!" 

<Here ends [Mixed Feelings]>