The Scarlet Shadow [UNDER EDITING]

Chapter 26

"Where is Hanabi?" Shizuka whispered. "She's your hostage, right? She could be of help right now."

"I brought her to the Kira organization," Hanzo whispered back. "Even if she's here, she wouldn't dare help us. We're not allies."

"Are you insane?!" Shizuka snarled. "She could be dead by now. Urgh, sometimes, you look cool yet a certified blockhead."

"Well, if she's lucky enough, she could be alive," the assassin replied. "Instead of worrying about her, you better focus now for we are under their mercy. You know what? I slightly regretted that I came here to save you."

Shizuka clicked her tongue in annoyance of her partner's idiocy.

Kagura summons her Seimei Umbrella and moves it towards their direction. The demons inside it emerged, attacking and slowing down their movements. But when they thought they succeeded on trapping them, Hanzo summons Hanekage who just woke up from his slumber.

"You, demon," it cursed at its master so Hanzo tugged at the black chains on its neck to force him in returning back to his original form. Hanekage has no other choice but to follow his orders.

"Don't growl at your master, demon," Hanzo smirked.

A loud roar echoed throughout the village as the office of the leaders is destroyed by the huge size of Hanekage. Its pointy body made the troops step back. Its purplish eyes, it seems beautiful but dangerous. The archers start shooting it with raining arrows but it did not leave any serious wound on it. Hanekage roared once more, shaking the ground. Hanzo and Shizuka got on top of its head before it flew away, making their escape.

Hayabusa and Kagura attempted to run after them but the chief stopped them.

"Hanekage is way too dangerous for you to go against with," Chief Haruno said. "If he is angered, he could destroy the village."

"Then, is there no other way to defeat Hanzo? He could summon the demon at his own will, is it possible to defeat him?" Kagura asks.

"We have to find a way," the chief replied.

"Can Hanabi be of help?" Hayabusa asked. "She knows more about Hanzo, maybe she has an idea of his weakness."

"She can help, yes, that's true but she's running away from us. From your marriage," Kagura commented.

As the Shadow faction set things back after Hanekage's uproar, meanwhile...

"Okay, we got away from them quite easily. Thanks to this monstrous pet of yours," Shizuka spoke. She felt relieved for they are more than safe. "I thought we're done for."

"Hey, stupid girl. I'm not a monster, I'm a demon," Hanekage wheezed.

"We better get down now," Hanzo stated as he grabbed Shizuka by the arm and jumped off from Hanekage. He tugged the chains once more and there puffs the dragon form of the demon. He turned back into a dark smoke and it surrounded Hanzo until they reached the ground safely before it vanished.

"That was a great ride," Shizuka cheered. "Can we do that again?"

"This ain't the time to play," Hanzo said seriously. "Let's hurry back to the Kira organization."

"Whoah," Shizuka said with a pained heart. "You do look grim. I bet you're worried about Hanabi."

Hanzo did not respond to her which confirmed that her guess is right.

The two heads back to Kyoto while the dark covered the sky. They travelled for days in silence until the assassin girl spoke.

"Hanzo, do you think Hanabi is still alive?" she asks.