17 Chapter 17 (1/2)

A day had passed, Hanabi, who has been asleep ever since she finished her ritual ,finally woke up. Her lips are dry, her stomach growled and her wound on her palm starts to hurt.

Hanabi slowly stood up and made her way out of the cave. She felt very weak but she still persevered to head to a spring to have some water and quench her thirst. After a long agonal walk, she heard the flowing water. Upon reaching the edge, she immediately dipped her face and drank as many water as she could. Upon filling her satisfaction, she washed her face to fully awaken herself.

After doing so, she noticed her reflection on the water which shocked her. Her once dark hair turned into dark purple. Her usual black armor turned into golden one. Her lips curved into a grin for Amaterasu had granted her blessing on her. She summoned her Higanbana and its physical appearance also changed. It became a shape of two vipers which seem to crave for vengeance.

Her alone time was suddenly interrupted when Hanabi heard some faint neighing sounds of horses from afar. She immediately hid and waited for the arrival of the intruders. She was right, it is the people from the Shadow village with Hayabusa on the lead and Kagura behind him.

Hanabi's eyebrows almost meet at the center of her forehead, wondering if the wedding of the two has been successful. But why are they here near their village?

She knew Hayabusa has keen senses so she didn't dare move an inch in order to conceal her presence. Everything was going smoothly until Hanabi's stomach betrayed her. It growled, craving for food. She almost cursed loudly but she jumped from one branch to another instead so she could escape.

”Don't lose her!” Hanabi heard Hayabusa's order so she quickened her movement.

”I helped the two of you to get married and yet you come here to capture me? Such ungrateful brats,” Hanabi thought and her stomach growled for the second time. ”Damn it, shut up! Now's not the time to eat.”

While tailing Hanabi, Kagura summoned her Seimei umbrella.

”Semei umbrella open!” she exclaimed which made her demonic umbrella move towards Hanabi, slowing down her movement.

Hanabi, on the other hand, raised her three fingers and folded her ring and pinky fingers and said, ”Equinox activate.”

Upon doing so, she regained shield from any attempted harm pointed at her. The Seimei umbrella which slowed her down has no longer effect on her, making her escape successful.

Hanabi made a detour before going back to the spring where she was before. She is sure that Hayabusa won't even think of going back there.

”Are you sure that was Hanabi?” Kagura asked while they are still searching the vicinity where they've lost track of the scarlet ninja.

”I'm sure of it. She may have changed appearance but her aura is still the same. The chief said you'd be of help but it's the exact opposite,” Hayabusa remarked. ”It would be better for a kid like you to go back home and play house.”

”Don't you dare talk to me like that!” Kagura exclaimed for she has been insulted three times in a rownand she cannot tolerate it even if it is Hayabusa.

”If only you remember me, you'll regret saying those!” Kagura yelled while pointing her index finger on him.

Hayabusa got confused for he could not remember a thing about Kagura yet she claims that he knows him.

”Young lady, you've been acting weird ever since we met. You're creeping me out,” he said which offended the silver-haired girl.

”If only the chief did not meddle with your memories, we could still be a couple until now,” she whispered so low that the assassin did not clearly hear it.

He simply ignored her gibberish act and joined with the soldiers in searching for Hanabi. Kagura couldn't do anything but stare at his back.