Chapter 6

"Who do you think is the akuma ninja?" Kagura asked.

"I don't know either," Hayabusa replied.

The two of them finished dinner and are on their way back to where Hanabi was confined. They wanted more information from the girl in order to track down the shadow ninja who betrayed their clan.

"Don't you think we can access the chief's library to have some clue about the ninjutsu that the traitor used?" Kagura suggested. "If we could access that library, I'm sure we will have a clue where to track down the traitor."

"Your idea is great," Hayabusa agreed. He held her hand and pulled her nearer. "But only the chief could access the library. That library contains all the documents of the village so outsiders aren't allowed."

"I see," Kagura responded. She held hee chin, thinking of another way.

"Hayabusa," Chief Haruno called out. Hayabusa immediately lets go of Kagura's hand.

"Yes, chief," he responded.

"Your fiancee is injured and yet you don't make time to guard her? When did you become irresponsible?" Chief Haruno asked with his stern voice.

Kagura felt invisible. She felt a painful pang on her chest. Hearing that her lover is engaged with another woman makes her mad yet weak at the same time. She clenched her fist in frustration and pain.

"Kagura," the chief said. "You must be the one guiding Hayabusa especially when he is going the wrong way. You are the heir of well-known and most powerful Onmyouji of the village so you must know that."

"I apologize for my shortcomings, chief," Kagura said with her head low.

"Go to her quarters and be on guard," the chief said. "Kagura, go back home and have some rest."

The chuef turned his back and went back on his office. When he was out of sight, Kagura embraced her lover tightly.

"Please, don't get married," she said as her voice break. "I can't bear to see you tie the knot with Hanabi."

"Don't worry," Hayabusa caressed her hair. "I will do something about it. Hanabi is also against the marriage, she can be of help."

Kagura lets him go and gave him a peck on the lips. She smiled at him.

"We'll get through this," she said. "Good night."

Kagura waved goodbye and went on her way home. Hayabusa, who couldn't go with her, went to where Hanabi is. Upon arriving, he saw Hanabi writing something on paper that was tied on her kunai. Her bed was a mess and she didn't give it a notice. On the other hand, Hanzo is sound asleep on the couch. He is always the carefree type of person who doesn't give a care about the things happening around him.

"What are you doing instead of resting?" he asked.

Hanabi looked at his direction and rolled her eyes.

"Ain't it obvious?" she said sarcastically. "I'm preparing my Soul Scroll ninjutsu."

Hayabusa sat beside her and watch her do it. He stared at her serious face and wondered what could be running in her mind.

"What is it?" Hanabi asked after feeling uncomfortable of being stared at.

"What do you plan on doing about the marriage?" Hayabusa asked.

Hanabi stopped. She held her chin and acted like she was seriously thinking about it. She turns her head towards him and smiled.

"That depends on your behavior," she replied slyly. Hayabusa's brows seem to meet at the middle of his forehead in confusion and annoyance.

"What do you mean by that?" Hayabusa asked.

"Well, you see, I'm a simple person. If you and Kagura behave well and won't bring me any kind of trouble, I will break off the marriage myself. But if you two won't behave, then, we'll push through with the marriage.", Hanabi replied.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Hayabusa asked. "Cause ot is definitely not funny."

"I ain't joking," Hanabi said. "You see, I need your help in going against the akuma ninja. If I'm able to get my revenge, then the two of you will have your happy ending."

Hanabi fixed the mess on her bed and kept her kunais. She suddenly stretched out her hand and brushed Hayabusa's cheek down to his chin and lifted it a bit. She leans in closer and smirked.

"Having you as my lifetime partner ain't so bad," she said before laying down on her bed.

"Go to sleep, honey," she teased before drifting off to sleep.

Hayabusa glared at her but she didn't care about it at all. Hanzo, who had been listening to their conversation, went back to sleep.

The next morning, Hanabi got off from bed and wore her gears. She disinfected her wounds and covered it with bandage. Though it still pains her, she is eager to train once more. She was about to wake Hanzo from his slumber but he wasn't on the couch when she entered the room.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Hayabusa asked in disbelief.

"For training of course," she replied. "I'm having some sparring with Hanzo, have you seen him?"

"Get some good rest first," Hayabusa said instead of answering her question.

"I already have enough rest," Hanabi insisted.

"If you keep on acting on your own, I will be held responsible if something bad happens. So be considerate," Hayabusa said.

Hanabi simply shrugged it off and ignored him. She turns her back and takes her exit.

"You can come and watch our sparring," Hanabi said before closing the sliding doors.

Hayabusa lets out a sigh before leaving the room through the window. He went to the house of Kagura where he saw her doing the laundry. He admired her beautiful face. Her white, silky hair is going with the flow with the wind. He smiled as he watches her. Kagura felt his presence and looked at his direction. She gave him her sweetest smile as Hayabusa walks nearer.

"What brought you here?" Kagura asked.

"I came to inform you that I'll be guarding Hanabi for the whole day," he replied.

Kagura's smile disappeared.

"Is that so?" she simply said. "I will be on my usual training grounds if ever you want to see me."

Hayabusa saw the sadness in her eyes and felt it with her words. He grabbed her arm and wrapped his arms around her petite body.

"Don't feel sad or jealous," he whispered on her ear. "I have to do it and I'm sorry you're not comfortable with it. I have to also know the things she knew about the akuma ninja. If we track down the traitor, we'll use him so we could be together."

Kagura simply nodded, feeling assured that everything will be alright. She hugged him back and felt the warmth and assurance.

"You have to go before the chief notices your absence," Kagura said.

"I'm leaving," Hayabusa said. He gave her a kiss on the forehead before taking his leave.

As he reaches the training grounds of Hanzo, dusts are scattered on the air which only means that the sparring has already started.

"Is that only what you've got?" Hanzo teased as he pushed Hanabi away. "I heard you've been training for years but it seems you've only trained for a month."

"Stop blabbering and fight me," Hanabi said excitedly.

As the two charged towards each other again, dusts has wandered through the air once more.