Ninja Love Story

Chapter 4

We left the house and headed towards the center of town where merchant stalls were set up. Hanzo walked beside me in silence as I milled about. Gosh, he moves so quickly! As if he weren't accompanying me, his longs legs propelled him forward. It was all I could do to keep up with him as he continued along with his signature cold expression. Too bad I can't get him to loosen up a bit... I was so enraptured in my own thoughts, I failed to notice Hanzo had stopped suddenly as I bumped right into his rigid body. "Oh! I'm sorry!"

Hanzo held his arm out to silence me without glancing behind. His sharp eyes quickly scanned our surroundings. "I sense something..." he whispered. I looked around as well and saw something that caught my attention. "Jasper!" I exclaimed.

Jasper flew down from the sky and perched on Hanzo's shoulder. He cried twice and I saw Hanzo's face grow worried. "Yoshitsune-!"

I was confused as well as stunned. I had no idea Hanzo could understand his companion but evidently this was the case. "What's happened?!"

"Follow me... Now! Do not ask questions and just run!" He grabbed my hand and we took off at full speed, Jasper racing along with us on wing.

What is going on...?!

I ran through the capital alongside Hanzo, having no idea what was happening. 

Rumble, rumble...

That rumbling again! That same rumbling sound I had heard earlier in the day was closer. Hanzo and I stopped when we came to giant dust cloud. The source of rumbling seemed to come from within it. What's with all this dust...?

With a sudden gust of wind, all the dust around us lifted from the ground, revealing a battle of clansmen. Screams of agony filled the air, loud enough to render one deaf. A war zone... I stood completely still, unable to tear my eyes away from this dreadful scene before me.

"Sheeta! What are you doing here!?" I jumped a mile at the sound of Yoshitsune's voice. He was dressed in armor, wielding two katanas in his hands. I hardly recognized him; gone was his effervescent smile and in its place a hardened look of determination. Behind him was Enya. They were facing off against soldiers who appeared to be Heishi rebels. 

Hanzo suddenly whirled me around to face him, giving me a cool calculating gaze. "Sheeta, stay here until I say otherwise." Hanzo hid me behind a tree, drew his own blade, and ran full speed towards the battle. I peered from behind the bark to watch him as he expertly fought off his enemies. "Piercing Storm Edge!" he cried. As Hanzo swung his katana, he executed an intense whirlwind that knocked the surrounding soldiers to the ground. The wind was so intense that even from behind the tree, I could feel its negating forces. This wind! I can't open my eyes! I heard howling and screaming, but I couldn't discern if it was the wind itself or the men it carried. 

I cracked my eyes open slightly, bracing myself for the worst. Whoa! He took out so many at once, all by himself! Hanzo was standing with his back to me, sword still in hand, breathing heavily. As the fierce battle unfolded before me, I could do nothing but stare in amazement.

After a few more minutes, Hanzo and the others scattered the Heishi army and sent them retreating. I heard Hanzo speak to Yoshitsune; "Shall we chase them down?"

"No. We will leave that to Kiso Yoshinaka. Reinforcements led by Kagetoki Kajiwara are coming from Tsabakura, so we'll have a chance to launch a pincer attack." I slowly came out from behind my hiding spot, unsure if it was safe to do so. As Yoshitsune sheathed his blade, I stared silently in amazement. He held his hand out to me and I made my way over to him warily. "Sheeta," he breathed, "are you hurt?"

"No no, I'm fine. Is everyone else...?"

"Yes, everyone is fine," He tilted his head and softened his features. "It seems I've frightened you. I'm sorry, Sheeta. I had wanted to keep you from getting caught up in any battles if at all possible, but..."

"My deepest apologies to you both. However, Sheeta, no matter the situation, I must prioritize my mission. If it's in the best interest of the team during a fight, I will abandon you without thought." Hanzo warned me. 

"I understand..." I said solemnly.

"Yoshitsune, the Heishi rebels have retreated to the west with Emperor Antoku," reported Hyuga.

Yoshitsune furrowed his brow in consternation. "Do they have the Three Sacred Treasures?"

Three Scared Treasures...?!

Hyuga shook his head. "As far as I can tell, they've captured the emperor but have yet to obtain the symbols of his power."

"Oh!" I gasped, gathering all three's attentions. "The Three Sacred Treasures, I've heard of them before...! Uuuwaagh!" My head exploded with massive pain just then, almost as if to block my memory from returning. I clasped both hands to my temples and slowly collapsed to the ground. I squeezed my eyes shut but not before noticing the worried looks on Hanzo and Yoshitsune's faces. I growled low in my throat from the discomfort.

"Hey! Pull yourself together!" Even though I couldn't see it, I heard the concern in Hanzo's voice. I felt faint and found myself being held in his arms.

"I'm sorry, my head hurt all of a sudden..." I said quietly, trying to will the rest of the pain away.

Yoshitsune frowned deeply at me out of uncertainty. "Kazemasa!" he barked, "Bring Sheeta back to base at once."

"Of course," he nodded. Hanzo picked me easily and began to carry me back.

"Hey, wait a minute! I can walk by myself." I protested.

With a face so serious it scared me, Hanzo glared at me. "Sheeta, listen to me. I thought I told you not to overdo it."

"I... I'm sorry, Hanzo..." I said, feeling bad for being difficult.

He sighed at me and shook his head as he continued to carry me. "Just stay calm until we get back home."

"Okay..." It's nice to be held by a man like this... Wait! What am I saying?! My heart raced quickly when I felt the dizziness of embarrassment. "Oohh..." I said, forgetting that Hanzo could hear me.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, looking concerned again.

"No, I'm feeling a little better."

"We'll hurry back home then. Hold onto me tight."