"You're so beautiful."
Kagura blushed. Hayabusa approached and kissed Kagura's soft, pink lips. Both of them had been waiting a long time to do this. Butterflies flew in Kagura's stomach. She couldn't believed that she had kissed her childhood sweetheart. The couple sat on the rooftop, leaning against each other, watching the fireworks. They enjoyed each other's presence and company. They weren't aware of the girl watching them.
Hanabi held back the tears that were about to flow. She ran away from them. What did Kagura have that she didn't? Did men prefer beautiful girls rather than strong? Didn't Hayabusa know she liked her? How could they do that to her?! She felt very jealous and betrayed. But there was nothing she could do. She had lost Hayabusa.
She rushed to the clearing. Maybe training could distract her. First she ran, ran and ran. Then she began to throw her kunai at the target. She imagined the target to be Kagura and became even more aggressive. She started crying. Hanabi didn't want to cry. She wiped away her tears angrily.
She threw the kunais to the ground and attacked the target with punches and kicks. She paused, feeling that someone was watching her, but no one was around and the feeling soon passed. She continued as she didn’t care. Hours later, she was exh austed. She threw himself on the ground and closed her eyes. Soon after, she fell asleep.
Hanzo had been watching the girl for hours. He was training when he heard someone approaching and hid it. He didn’t expect Hanabi. Wasn’t she supposed to watch the fireworks with Hayabusa? He didn’t know why, but he started to watch her. How she ran, trained, punched aggressively...
She started crying when her kunai didn’t hit the target. He knew it wasn’t because of failure, but he didn’t know the reason for her explosion. To a moment’s surprise, Hanzo came out of his hiding place a little and looked at the girl’s face attentively. Hanabi began to look around as if she sensed him. He cowered well into his hiding place and waited in silence. If he was caught, he would not be able to explain the situation. Hanabi went back to venting her anger without caring much.
The girl’s movements were becoming weaker and more incoherent. A while ago, she started hitting just for the sake of hitting. How Hanzo wanted to challenge her, fight her... But he couldn’t do that today. But one day he’ll do it. When Hanabi fell asleep, he left a bottle next to her and left. She’s gonna need water, he thought. When Hanabi woke up, she stared at the bottle for a while and then left it there. She would not drink water of unknown origin. She wasn’t that stupid.
---
After that day Hanzo came to watch her every day. He spent his afternoons and evenings training, then hid when heard the sound of footsteps. Hanabi started to vent after 3 days.
"Why do you love her? Am i that ugly?! Why men prefer pretty girls..? WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?!"
Sometimes she would yell sometimes she would cry. At the end of the day she usually fell asleep. Hanzo always left a bottle next to her. Hanabi never drank from those bottles. Despite her emotionality and instability, Hanzo was impressed by her ability to keep her guard up and not making stupid decisions. He was impressed by her.
After sometime Hanabi realized somebody was watching her. She waited for creep to attack but it never happened. She wondered why? Why it wasn't harming her? Was it taking note of her weaknesses? Was it the person who left the bottles? Was it a person? She had so many unanswered questions.
Hanabi didn't come every day. Hanzo wondered why but he had no way to find the reason. Even if she didn't show up, he continued to wait and train. He couldn't understand why her absence bothered him. He couldn't understand why he was waiting for Hanabi every day. He left small items so the girl would notice them. He didn't know why he did it. Maybe he wanted to be seen.
Hanzo's determination to not attack her last months. He had watched and studied her nearly every single day. He knew how and where she attack. He decided not to leave when she came. Hanzo knew that Hanabi would attack him if she saw him. And that was what he wanted.
Hanabi saw a shadowy figure. She realised it was Hanzo. After a quick plan she attacked him. Just as expected. He dodged Hanabi's attack and kick her on the stomach. They started to fight. Hanabi soon realized that he wasn't trying to kill her. It was like a play to him. She got angry. How could he underestimate her?!
Her anger amused Hanzo. He wanted to see her angry side, competitive side. After some time he beated her. Hanabi waited for her death angrily. She was mad at herself for attacking him. Even though she knew she wouldn't defeat Hanzo, she attacked her. It was silly of her.
Her end never came. Hanzo stood back and began to point out her mistakes. Hanabi was shocked, her eyes were wide. What the fuck was he talking about? Why didn't he kill her?
"... Your position made it easier for your balance to be disrupted. Your left foot is too far forward-"
"Excuse me but what the fuck? Why did you not kill me?"
"You have the potential to be my opponent with whom I can fight with my full power. It would be a shame to kill you now. " He smirked. "It's more fun to kill when you're strong" He didn't know the exact reason.
Hanabi was pissed but kinda surprised when Hanzo mentioned her potential. How long had he been watching her? Her guess was months.
"You're gonna help me without demanding anything? To your enemy? Forgive me for not believing."
"I wasn't expecting you to believe me."
They stood there silently for a moment. Then Hanabi punched Hanzo. From that day they fight train every day. It was entertaining for both of them, even though they wouldn't admit. Hanabi felt relaxed when she was with him. She got used to Hanzo's company even though she knew it wasn't right. Hanzo felt warmth whenever he looked at her. He didn't know that feeling but soon he was gonna learn it.
After 2-3 weeks, Hanabi brought food, bandages and drinks for both of them. At first they were waiting on the side because she was hesitant to give them. She gave food to Hayabusa and Kagura so that it wouldn't go waste as it was too much for her to eat alone. And that way she could show that she supported their relationship, even if she didn't.
Hanzo wondered what was in the bag she brought every single day. Soon he learned. The tip of hi ears turned slightly red when Hanabi shyly held out an onigiri. It felt like a date. Hanzo felt like he was going crazy. He couldn't stop staring at Hanabi's bright red lips and blue eyes.
He wanted to kiss her. He wanted her to only look at him. What did Hayabusa have that he didn't? He was strong, fast, and a good ninja. Was it his ugly, scary face? Was it the fact that they were enemies? He felt jealousy that once Hanabi felt.
---
After a long day, Hanabi felt tired in her bones. Still, she felt like she needed to go to Hanzo. She didn't wanna lose their companionship friendship. Hanzo must have felt her tiredness as he continued to sit quietly. Hanabi didn't know why but felt an urge to put her head on his lap and she did.
Hanzo didn't move for a moment but slowly put his head on Hanabi's head. She smiled slightly and fell asleep. At that moment, Hanzo realized how much he wanted to protect the girl on his lap. He liked her, he accepted it. He played with her hair timidly. There would be no other opportunity to touch her long, soft hair. She smiled softly like she felt his hair. Hanzo knew he would never let his Scarlet Flower go. He wanted her even if it wasn't right.
