Ninja Love Story

Chapter 7

I avoided everyone as much as I could the next night, taking care especially for the men. I wanted no one to know what I planned to do...

To sneak out of the house and run away.

I couldn't keep putting these people at risk just to keep me safe. I was a nuisance to everyone for being an amnesiac, and I wouldn't tolerate it anymore.

As softly as I could manage, I walked to the front door and out into the evening air. It hurts me to do this, but I have to leave, everyone. I can't stay here... I turned to take one last look at the mansion and bowed deeply. Thanks so much, everyone... Yoshitsune, Hanzo... "Thank you."

Holding back tears that threatened to fall, I started to walk off. I had only walked a block away when a voice froze my legs where they stood-

"It means much more when you express gratitude in person..."

I tensed, thinking I would have to run for my life. But before I had a chance to look behind me, I felt myself spinning around to face ocean blue eyes with a single jagged scar. "Hanzo!" I cried, startled.

Hanzo tsked at me as his arms held me in place. "You've been acting strange since last night. Looks like my hunch to have Jasper watch over you was right on."

Screech, screech! Jasper perched himself on Hanzo's shoulders and gave me the closest thing to a smug grin as a bird could have. Thanks, Birdy.

In truth, I wasn't upset at Jasper; I was more curious as to how Hanzo knew I left the house...

"Y'know, you're pretty easy to read," he said, releasing me and taking a step back. "I bet you're thinking you should leave so as not to cause us any more 'trouble'. Am I right?" Hanzo used air quotation marks then folded his arms, awaiting my response.

"I-," I flushed, embarrassed at myself. He had me pegged and he knew it.

Shaking his head, Hanzo took my hand and began to drag me home. "Let's go home," he said.

"Wait! Hanzo, please let me go...!" I heard the edge in my voice and knew I was close to tears. Oh crap, not again... I wrenched my hand from Hanzo's grip, forcing him to turn and look at me. "If I were to stay there, it would be the same circumstances as before. I'd be nothing but a babysitting job for you and everyone-"

"It would be worse for us if you just ran away!" Hanzo grabbed both of my wrists and held them so I couldn't look or run away. "Even more so if you died..." he added quietly.

"Hanzo..." I began.

He shook his head. "Think about it: if you were to leave without saying anything to any of us, we would only assume the worst had happened. We would spend countless hours searching for you and precious energy in doing so." His eyes bore into mine but were gentle as he spoke to me, "Listen, I was ordered by Yoshitsune to watch over you, Sheeta. No matter what happens, I must carry out my mission. I owe him that much." He narrowed his eyes at me once more, "You got that?"

I only nodded.

"Good... Now pipe down and just let me protect you."

"Yes, Hanzo..." I looked at the ground, once again for feeling foolish and acting like a child in Hanzo's presence. I felt him release an arm and gently tug me forward.

"We're going back," he said simply.

Back at the house, Hanzo led me to his quarters where he sat me down to talk. "Let's not speak of your runaway attempt to anyone, especially Yoshitsune."

I clucked at myself, "I'm sorry, Hanzo. I'm already causing you problems again." I sat on his bed and folded my hands, purposefully averting my eyes so I wouldn't look at him.

"Don't make me say it again; it's my role to look out for you. I'm responsible for your problems, your worries, your condition...," He knelt down in front of me and lifted my gaze with his finger under my chin, "Even your stubbornness."

I smiled in spite of myself. "Thanks, Hanzo..."

He nodded and stood up again. "Go back to sleep until breakfast," He held his hand out to me to help me up. "I'll let the maids know you won't be awake in time to help."

"Hey, wait. I'll be up on time. At least allow me to help with breakfast." I said.

Hanzo looked at me skeptically, "If you're in the kitchen with your face like that, you'll make everyone unnecessarily worried."

I flinched. "What do you mean?"

"Your eyes are puffy. You didn't get any sleep at all last night over feeling guilty, did you?"

I groaned and attempted to cover my face with my hands. "You really do see right through me, huh Hanzo?"

"It's only because I'm watching over you."

I arched a brow to that statement and cast him a teasing look.

"Don't misunderstand me," he snorted, leading me down the hallway. "It's only because of my mission." And with that, he left me at my door. Good night to you too, Sunshine.

I had just climbed into bed as I realized, Hanzo hadn't abandoned me... His words are somewhat harsh, but deep down he really is a nice person. I smiled at that thought as sleep claimed me.