This is a late birthday gift to AyeeItsGirlGamer !!! I'm sorry it was late, my idea generator wasn't functioning properly. ;_;
I hope you'll like it! ///>v<///

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Set in the Edo Period (18th Century). An assassin from the highest rank is ordered to silently kill a famous beauty.

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The night was as empty like a dark, shallow shell. Not even the moon, stars, and clouds showed up to give the night sky a bit of life, only darkness to swallow the land.

In a large manor, few windows allowed light to go through its translucent paper, allowing some shadows to move and waver.

A person wearing purely black clothes with a bit of armor dashed and jumped roof after roof until they reached their destination.

Their feet landed both on the trimmed grass of a lone courtyard, their body steady like calm waters. As they walked towards the door, they emitted out a cold aura that matched their icy steps.

Once they got close to the door, they quietly opened it and glanced at a beautiful woman before them.

Her hair was like the current dark night as it flowed like waterfalls down to her chest. Her lips a shade of vibrant red and her cheeks pinkish.

The woman's pearl-like skin glowed under the candles that surrounded her, giving her a nice look. She wore a very detailed kimono, its colors bursting out vibrantly. But unfortunately, the expression on her face was like ice that will never melt.

"So, you have arrived." She spoke chillingly that matched her face. The black-clothed man that stood in front of her immediately kneeled down on one leg. "Yes, Lady Hanabi, I await for your task." He replied nonchalantly.

The beautiful woman whose name is Hanabi stood up to her feet, looking down upon the black-clothed man. "Most wanted assassin, Hayabusa, I want you to take this era's most beautiful woman's head, and I will grant you one powerful wish." She instructed and added the reward information.

This lady from a powerful family isn't the typical beautiful miss.

Yes, she is indeed talented, but what stands her out the most than roses with normal skills is that she has magical powers.

Some people would hide among the shadows to hide their powers for they fear that their magic would get stolen or get killed by the imperial family. Even if they are very rare to encounter, they will still get killed no matter who they are besides being a part of the imperial family.

Luckily, Hanabi blends with the normal crowd so well that she just looks like a typical talented miss from a strong-willed and healthy manor.

With bright smiles and kind deeds, she managed to fool everyone.

Hayabusa nodded and stood up, bowing down humbly before raising his head to look at Hanabi. "This obedient servant shall obey." In a flash, he vanished as if he became one with the air.

When a week passed by and morning started, the sky was clear and the clouds came for a show. The streets were bustling with merchants and people, making the scenes of the insides of a capital rather lively with blurred noises.

Hayabusa walked among the crowds of people that were like cramped fishes inside a can. He wore ordinary clothes and a straw hat to cover the upper part of his face. He did this in order to hide a part of his identity just in case he gets caught.

Inside his plain clothes were hidden weapons such as daggers covered with a bit of lethal poison and very sharp shurikens. For even if he somehow gets into a fight or get ambushed by his previous enemies, he is prepared and fully armed to defend himself and fight back.

By gaining multiple informations in the past, he gained a bit of knowledge to where the most beautiful woman in the entire country is.

The most beautiful woman is strictly guarded and very hidden in her family's manor for her family fears that she might get scooped or kidnapped.

Hayabusa also heard of rumors from the previous days of researching that this beautiful woman's guards are no ordinary people, but rather highly-trained assassins who possess magical powers to stop anyone from taking their mistress.

Luckily, Hayabusa has no problems in getting inside, but he has a couple of problems in searching for a woman who is very hidden and is protected like a treasure full of blistering gold and jewels.

While walking around the streets trying to gather more information to where this beautiful woman could possibly be, even if it through by rumors or impossible descriptions. Hayabusa at least had to try in attempt to mark down this woman by any means.

Why is he doing this you may ask? Hayabusa had to stay loyal to his beautiful mistress, Hanabi, ever since he was born. All in his life, he was just to obey and do what his mistress commanded him to do. Be it to kill someone or execute his own life.

"Look! Let's check out that large crowd over there, I wonder what they're all standing there for." One of the commoners spoke to their friend, gathering some nearby people-including Hayabusa's attention.

The disguised assassin walked towards to the large crowd that one of the commoners referred to. When he managed to swiftly glide across the river of people to reach the front, he saw a large shop that contained beautiful clothes and accessories.

The shop's appearance was remarkably intriguing as it did not look like the typical shop for clothes. In fact, the shop looked foreign to everyone.

There were a few wooden mannequins standing on a couple of wooden stages outside the store. The wooden stages being decorated with flowers and some colorful cloths as mattresses for its wooden surface. While the mannequins that were posing on the stages wore elegant and stunning kimonos which vibrant colors and complex patterns made every bystanders awestruck.

The headpieces and jewelries made out of silver and gold with gem pieces such as diamond, amethyst, and pearl on the mannequins made the poorest commoners drool. Even with their strong urge and desire of stealing the expensive looking items, they did not dare to provoke the guards standing by the shop whose jobs are to protect the resources inside and out.

The building was large and a two-story made out of smooth cement and multiple types of expensive marbles. There were pillars supporting the second floor and silk with lively colors hanging on the ceilings. Bushes of different kinds of flowers and some tress surrounded the area, giving it a natural and fresh look.

In truth, the clothing store looked more like a house of a healthy family than a shop.

"May I please gather everyone's attention to me, I would be very delighted and have the grand opening of the Floral Boutique started!" A loud voice of a child suddenly went through every bystander's ears.

They all thought to themselves that they heard wrong, but after seeing an adorable, little girl holding a bunny walk out of the clothing store's entrance. All of them began to watch her with curious eyes.

Her light-brown hair was tied to a bun with a traditional Chinese hairpin. The hairpin was long and made out of gold with multiple flat butterfly sculptures at the top tip. A large carved-shaped lotus made out of jade was placed in the center of the hairpin's sculpted butterflies, making the hairpin look very lovely.

The little girl wore a kimono that has mint green and white as its main pair of colors. At the bottom part of the kimono's sleeves has beautiful flowers sewed into its soft silk. And lastly, she wore a commonly worn pair of shoes called geta.

"My name is Chang'e and I'll be the shopkeeper of Floral Boutique. Our workers will do their upmost best to reach your satisfaction and expectations!" The little girl whose name is Chang'e gladly announced. Even with the silent bickering and disbelief from most of the bystanders, Chang'e did not allow negativity to swallow her.

Because if someone were to make her cry, they'll be utterly unfortunate to face the wrath of a true dragon and the blazing fire of a phoenix.

"I am elated that so many people came to see our clothing store. We have the best service, the finest clothes, jewelries and headpieces. They are a bit expensive, but they'll keep you comfortable while possessing a golden unique appearance." A smoothing and lovely voice spoke, causing many men's heart to suddenly beat in a fast pace.

The large crowd watched as a young lady wearing a mask with a plain female face walk with grace towards to Chang'e's side. She wore a sapphire blue kimono with white waves designs sewn into the ends of its soft silk, and an ocean colored umbrella inside the grip of her hands. But what made her stood out was her white hair that were like the clouds.

The young woman also gave a very mysterious, yet enchanting aura that almost made every men fall into their knees.

Hayabusa lifted his straw hat a little, his eyes of rubies looking straight towards the young lady with the mask. He heard of the most beautiful woman having a white hair, but there are also other beautiful woman having white hair. And this one in particular is wearing a mask.

Could she be hiding her face for it was ugly? Or was it because she needs to hide her identity?

"I am the owner of the Floral Boutique. This shop is highly inspired by the foreign stores outside our beloved country. I am thrilled to have you experienced to what I have seen." The young lady with the mask spoke with a bit of excitement. "You may all enter if you please go in an orderly fashion. Everyone can buy here whatever they would like to purchase." With that being said, she gestured her guards to allow everyone in the crowd to enter.

One by one, every bystanders went inside the large clothing store to take a look. News of the sudden opening of an intriguing store inside the capital was spread by the dash of a wind. Not soon after, wealthy women and men came to take a look at this instant famous store to see if this clothing store is truly unique and outstanding.

When the wealthy came knocking on the clothing store's doors, the poor and the commoners took their leave for they felt embarrassed and didn't have the money to buy something.

Hayabusa though, did not leave. Once he entered the premises of the clothing store, he became one with the shadows and followed the young lady with the mask.

Behind the clothing store lies the restricted part of the premise of the shop. There, a garden with blooming flowers and large pond of water full of koi fishes was built.

The young lady from earlier stood besides the pond while holding her umbrella to keep herself shaded away from the sun rays. "Hello there, little fishes. Such a lovely day for an opening isn't it." She knelt down to her knees and lowered one of her hands into the cold waters of the pond.

A couple of koi fishes went towards her hand and poked her fingers before swirling around her hand that was dipped into the waters. The young lady's mouth left out a soft chuckle, unable to realize that someone was watching her.

The young lady placed her umbrella down to lift her now free hand towards her face. She grabbed her mask and lifted it up, revealing her once unidentified face.

Her complexion was as white as jade, her lips and cheeks pinkish like a full bloom sakura tree. The color of her eyes a combination of azure and aquamarine, causing whoever stares at it feel like they were suddenly in the vast sky, and then suddenly falling towards to the deep ocean.

Never in his life has Hayabusa seen someone as beautiful than her. This young lady was even more stunning and bewitching than his own mistress. In a sudden conclusion, he fully decided that this young lady is indeed the most beautiful woman in this era.

But, why isn't she hidden and why doesn't she have any of her powerful servants around her?

Having a sense of doubt and caution, he decided to watch and wait a little longer to see if this young lady is truly not being guarded by her powerful servants.

The once mysterious young lady grabbed her mask before standing up to her feet, placing her plain mask back onto her face before leaving the area. A tiny bunny suddenly popping out of the bushes to follow her tracks.

Silently and without mistake, Hayabusa followed her among the shadows of the walls and pillars. When everything seemed to be peaceful and secured, only then did he immediately jump out of the darkness to suddenly appear behind the beautiful lady's back. A deadly and sharp dagger in one of his hands.

"Lady Kagura, behind you!" A female child's voice suddenly announced loudly. The tiny bunny that was following the beautiful lady earlier suddenly became a little girl and quickly acted upon the shadow assassin's attack. She quickly knocked away the dagger from Hayabusa's hand before knee-kicking him on the spot where his cherries would collapse.

In an instant, he groaned slightly and leaped away from the little girl and the beautiful lady.

"Ra-Rawr! You better stay back!" Chang'e-the little girl roared adorably and threatened the shadow assassin. But her threat didn't work against Hayabusa for he did not feel any inch of fear towards this little brat that he failed to counter back.

The beautiful lady quickly scooped the little girl into her arms before backing away. Just now, she looked like a mother protecting her child. "I will give you a lifetime of treasures if you leave us be!" The beautiful lady whose name was revealed earlier to be Kagura spoke. 

When Hayabusa shook his head slightly and crouched down to grab his dagger once again. Kagura took a few steps away, her grip on Chang'e tightening to prevent her from fighting back.

"Lady Kagura, this little bunny knows who this man is! It is the most infamous assassin of the shadows, Hayabusa." Chang'e informed, staring at the assassin before her in pure dislike and hatred.

"Then, he must be very talented in combat. I cannot allow you to fight him, you must run away very far.." Kagura whispered into the little girl's ear. Chang'e frowned, shaking her head. "No, Lady Kagura saved me from those baddies and risked her own life and servants' life to get me to safety. I do not wish to flee!" She transformed back into a little bunny to escape Kagura's grip in order to land on the ground. She also made Hayabusa dumbfounded for a moment.

He has never seen someone transform into an animal before, so this was his first time in witnessing one.

"You...you're one of her powerful servants who are rumored to have magic?" The shadow assassin questioned in great doubt. Because of his words and doubt, the little bunny was highly offended and transformed back into a little girl. "Are you the most infamous assassin in this country? How come you got beaten up by little, old me?" Chang'e acted adorably as she pouted her lips, but her words were rather vicious as it harmed Hayabusa's pride and reputation.

Annoyed by this little girl, he quickly dashed to her front, immediately startling her soul. But before he could even strike her, a sudden umbrella flied towards his face, making him dodge it instead of attacking the little girl.

Kagura quickly teleported to the spot where her umbrella landed, causing her form to appear in front of Hayabusa. She immediately grabbed her umbrella's handle and then smacked the shadow assassin right on his face, knocking him out immediately.

"Woah, must be embarrassing for him now after getting beaten up by us, Lady Kagura!" Chang'e giggled adorably, but her giggling stopped instantly when Kagura turned her head to look at her with an aura of negativity.

The little girl gulped and hanged her head down in guilt. "Pwease forgive little mi! I will nevah do it again.." She pouted her lips, making her voice very childish to add that extra cute points.

Kagura sighed, patting Chang'e's head as she decided to give up into her cute apology. "Fine, but only this once." After saying that, she immediately heard a squeaking yay from the little girl as well as getting hugged by her. The beautiful lady chuckled, returning the hug of Chang'e.

"What will we do about this assassin? Lady Kagura?" The little girl asked, raising her head to look at Kagura with her cute pair of eyes.

With a smile, Kagura gently stroked Chang'e's hair. "We'll wait for him to wake up and then ask about informations to who may have wanted to kill me." She answered, but her answer caused the little girl to look a bit displeased. Kagura clearly saw that Chang'e didn't want to let this shadow assassin to have a free pass without any punishment, but having beaten up by two, young girls had already harmed his pride and honor.

A few hours has passed since Kagura and Chang'e took Hayabusa to a small room. They placed him on top of a soft mattress, a thick blanket covering his entire body except for the head. When the shadow assassin opened his eyes, he found a masked female looking down on him.

"Ah, you've finally awoken from your slumber..." Kagura spoke softly, keeping her distance from the shadow assassin. When he stood up, he felt shame and humility hit every inch of his body.

He didn't even deal a single damage to them nor knew what happened to himself. As the most infamous assassin in the country, he felt as if he had been slapped countless times.

The only thing that he saw once he blacked out was the beautiful woman suddenly appearing before him. Without a doubt, Hayabusa believed that she is a magic user.

He didn't expected her to be a magic user like his mistress, so he was currently at a disadvantage since he has never fought a magic user before.

And, he has heard from a few assassins that magic users are cheaters in fighting against non-magic users. Magic users can escape and can deal damage far away.

"You did not end my life?" Hayabusa asked the masked lady, a bit curious as to why he wasn't dead yet or inside a dungeon getting tortured.

Kagura took off her mask, a smile painted on her lovely face. The shadow assassin felt like the more closer she was, the heavenly she looked like. No wonder his mistress disliked her, she truly is a unique beauty that can shake the world. But why is she opening a shop and not hidden inside her family's manor?

"I'm not that cruel, shadow assassin. But if you try to attack me again, the magic spell that I placed upon you will instantly make you fall back to your deep slumber." She informed, standing up to her feet since she was sitting on the floor. "Now, may I kindly ask you to who have ordered you to kill me? If you refuse, I can always use my magic to tell you the truth," Kagura lifted one of her hands, a bright glowing orb of azure appearing on the palm of her hands. It made Hayabusa intrigued and also cautious on to how it may affect his body. "But I can say that it won't be good for you." She added with a chilling voice.

Even if he was tortured, he still wouldn't spit out the name of his mistress to his victim. So, he just shook his head to refuse Kagura's request.

"Aren't you a very loyal one. Could you be one of Lady Hanabi's servants?" Kagura questioned, making the shadow assassin jump out of surprise. How did she know? Could she read minds as well?

With a light laugh that would make even the prettiest flowers shy away, Kagura kept her kind and friendly behavior. But her next words were rather the opposite. "Ah, so you are one of her servants. Luckily, you weren't one of those assassins who took down all of my family members," She said with a bitter smile before looking around her surroundings to say: "I managed to ran away with a few fortunes and then began to work in making clothes and jewelries just so I can open this shop and gain money." When she stopped looking around, her gaze turned towards Hayabusa's.

Her eyes showed sorrow, guilt, and regrets. But later on, animosity overtook her eyes and showed flames of wrath. "Your mistress is truly awful, I didn't even do anything terrible to her and yet, she took everything away from me..." She allowed a frown to reach her lips, a drop of tear forming on one of her eyes. "I ponder as to how you servants are loyal to such a vicious woman. Did she do good things to you?" She questioned, keeping her gaze locked on the shadow assassin.

Hayabusa thought for the moment. When did his mistress ever do a kind deed for him? All he could remember was just obeying her orders ever since he was a small child. He didn't grew up into a life he wanted nor became someone that he desired to be. He was like a clay, formed and sculpted until the sculptor has made their desired object.

When the shadow assassin was being oddly silent, Kagura had guessed that his mistress has never done a kind act towards him. Because of this, she felt pity for him. "Can't you be free from your mistress? Even if you are hunted down for betrayal, you can just as easily kill those assassins for you are stronger." She suggested, causing Hayabusa to intently look into her eyes.

"If I do that, then where shall I go and what shall I do?" He asked, unable to think of anything after leaving his mistress, Hanabi. With a smile, Kagura answered with: "You can stay here and protect me and my little one's life." Her suggestion made Hayabusa rather confused. Why was this woman giving him her trust? He had tried to assassinate her and now she's helping him!

The beautiful lady reached down her hand towards' Hayabusa's hand, signaling him to take her hand. "I seriously need someone to protect me. When all of my servants died, only Chang'e was left and I can't have her protecting me. She is just a child and needs to become what she wants to be. I want her to be free." Kagura gave him a rather valid reason. It was enough for the shadow assassin to give her a bit of his trust as well.

He took her hand and allowed her to help him stand up. "You'll be free from your mistress' chains and can stay here with me. I can assure you won't be doing any devious work and do whatever you want as long as you can protect me and stay loyal for eternity. How does that sound?" The beautiful lady asked with a bright smile, hoping that the shadow assassin before her would say yes.

Hayabusa thought for a moment. Hanabi honestly did not treat him like a person, but in fact, a puppet. And if he gets damaged or broken, he'll probably get replaced by another puppet.

Not desiring in being a toy anymore. The shadow assassin finally decided to shake Kagura's hand, a faint smile forming on his face. "I shall be loyal to you for eternity, if not I shall bite my tongue and end my life." He vowed to forever be loyal, an act that he never made to Hanabi.

When Kagura was about to give her new servant a large hug or of excitement, she suddenly heard a loud groan outside. "Nuuh! Nuh! Nuh and nuh!" Whined little Chang'e outside the room. She was getting her hopes on Hayabusa saying no to Lady Kagura so that she can do the honor of punishing the shadow assassin.

The little girl decided to open the doors wide, storming inside the room without hesitation. "I thought I'll feed him a dozen of carrots as punishment! I cannot let him off so easily! Wuuu!" She pouted, real tears going down to her pinkish cheeks.

Kagura patted Chang'e head, shaking her head while she smiled. "Now, now. He is with us now, there's no need for punishment." She comforted, but the little girl before her just stomped her feet, puffed her cheeks, crossed her arms and did a humph! "I am clearly better  than him because I clearly kicked his butt!" She stated, causing Hayabusa to just roll his eyes at her as she continued to boast on how she somehow defeated him.

"Come now, we're family! No need to harm each other." Kagura said with a smile, pulling Chang'e into her arms before leaning against Hayabusa.

Because of this sudden and unknown action, the shadow assassin didn't know how to reply nor noticed that he was faintly blushing. He just quietly stood there as Kagura leaned against his chest.

When the beautiful lady noticed her servant was being awkwardly quiet, she hugged him with Chang'e being in the middle between them. "Don't be shy! After a few months, we won't be strangers now." Kagura stated, keeping her elated smile.

"Wuuu, pwease staph squishing little Chang'e! Little Chang'e will pramish nut to be rude!" The little girl, Chang'e, cried in sorrow for she did not want to be close to this shadow assassin who she still didn't like. He did scare her after all, and that will never be erased in her mind.

With a soft laugh, Kagura pulled herself away to break the hug. "Isn't this lovely? The more the merrier." She said, her eyes shifting towards Hayabusa.

When he looked back, he felt a bit of heat creep to his cheeks. But he smiled nevertheless and hoped that the following days will be wonderful. "This servant will serve you until the end, my new mistress..." He said before hugging Kagura into his warm embrace.