The VENOM Squad: Nephila

"Hanabi, you go help inside the tent! We'll bring the others inside!" Hanzo commanded which Hanabi obliged to.

She opened the tent and the painful groans of the injured ninjas echoed in her head. That morning, when they finished their daily training, the troops that were sent for a three-day camp out came back. Their numbers were greatly decreased, few of them are safe and most are already on the verge of death. Mizuki is the only available healer at the time and it would take time for him to heal one person.

"Mizuki, I will treat the others. Take your time to heal the people with the worse condition. Kagura is here as well so please do what you can do," Hanabi said when she saw the panic in the eyes of the healer. She immediately noticed the deep claw cuts on the flesh of the injured. Hanabi knew that the people behind the massacre must be trained assassins and have better weaponry than them.

Yukimura is currently with the cooks to help them prepare the foods for the injured. Hayabusa helped in treating the others while Hanzo had joined the meeting of the officials. Such attempted massacre is not something to be ignored by the Shadow faction.

"Hanabi," a soldier suddenly called out. "You are being summoned by the chief."

Hanabi finished disinfecting the wound of the man before letting Kagura take over. She followed the soldier and entered the wide meeting hall. Her gaze met with Hanzo's but the akuma ninja immediately looked away.

Before Hanabi could take another step inside the room, she felt the needle that was shot right at her. It glided past through her cheek. She held her right cheek and felt a bit of her warm blood. The chief of the village looked at her with a deadly aura. Hanabi couldn't move in shock for she does not have a single clue as to why she has to be treated that way.

"Ever since you came in the village, serious problems had risen. Because of you, the Shadow Trio has failed an important mission!" the chief shouted at her. "I shall send you back to the Scarlet faction village!"

Hanabi could not retaliate for she will be in real trouble if she goes against such powerful figure. The other officials stood still for they do not want to anger their leader further. Out of anger, the chief drew out his kunai and did not hesitate to throw it right at the frozen Hanabi. She wanted to dodge the sharp weapon but her body does not respond to her mind. She closed her eyes tightly and waited for the kunai to pierce through her flesh but someone covered her.

Hanzo stood right before her with his bare hand holding the kunai. His crimson blood stained the kunai as it slowly drips down on the floor.

"I do understand how you feel, chief. But hurting her won't solve anything. In fact, she recognizes one of the suspects. She could still be of help in solving this matter. And she is now a member of my team so I kindly ask of you to treat her as my equal," Hanzo said. He dropped the kunai and grabbed Hanabi's wrist as he walked out from the meeting room.


"Hanzo, don't turn your back at me," the chief commanded but Hanzo continued to walk away. "Hanzo!"

Hanabi could not say anything, she does not know what to say for she had never expected him to protect her from the chief's anger. Before she realizes it, the two of them are in their quarters. Hanzo lets go of her hand and got their first aid kit in order to clean his wound. Hanabi, not wanting to feel useless, grabbed the medical kit from the akuma ninja and looked at him with her watery eyes.

"I..I'll treat your wound," she stated, her voice almost breaking. She sat down in front of him and started to wipe off the blood. Her chest starts to ache, she could smell his metallic blood and her hands are also stained by the crimson liquid.

While she's disinfecting it, silence covered them. Until Hanzo could hear her faint sobs, just then realizing that the scarlet ninja is crying. Her hands start to shake uncontrollably that Hanzo was the one who continued to bandage his own palm.

"What the hell are you crying for?" Hanzo asked upon finishing. Hanabi raised her head and looked into his eyes.

"I...I'm sorry," she apologized with her tears falling down her cheeks. Hanzo could see her sincerity and could somehow feel how pained she is. Such expression of hers was not expected by the akuma ninja. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. Please forgive me."

Hanzo bent lower, lifted her chin and closed the gap between them. He just instinctively kissed her for a reason he could not rationalize. At that very moment, all he could say is that it pained him to see her cry. He does not want to see her like that. He does not want to see her so vulnerable. He wanted the Hanabi who is strong and independent.

After a while, Hanzo distances himself and said, "Instead of crying, why don't you prove yourself worthy?"

After saying such, he left her alone in their quarters. Hanabi, who was still in a trance, held her lips and could still feel the warmth from the akuma ninja. She immediately covered her face with both of her hands as she blushes.

"Hanzo!" Kagura called out. "What happened to Hanabi?"

"She's fine," the akuma ninja replied. "I brought her back to the quarters. What's the current situation here?"

"Mizuki is still having a hard time so we have to help. What exactly happened to Hanabi? Why did you bring her to the quarters? Did she get hurt?" Kagura questioned.
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"Stop blabbering and let's help Mizuki," Hanzo stated instead of answering the questions thrown at him.