---4:30 PM in the Xai Mountains—

Hanabi Hattori was rarely surprised by things. Being in the assassination business for over forty years will usually do that to someone. Yet when Yuko Hiragi requested to feature her family as the subject of her interviews, she had to admit she was a bit taken aback. The idea itself seemed innocent, harmless enough but considering the infamy of the deeds they had committed, any sort of photos or any personal information on her or anyone else carrying the Hattori name was worth a small fortune. Since Yuko already denied her offer of monetary payment, she was sure the girl didn’t have any intentions of exploiting the information. It was going to take some trust, but that was something that went both ways. In the coming days, they would have to put their lives in each other’s hands so, they had to reach a common understanding somewhere.

“Fine,” She said after much consideration. “We’ll give it a shot, but I’m going to be your first subject. I can’t say if the others will jump on board immediately with the idea, but consider my participation as an act of good faith.” Hanabi offered her hand towards Yuko, intending to seal the deal with a handshake. “It may be temporary, but I’d still like to say it. Welcome to the family, Yuko Hiragi.”

Yuko beamed as she took the outstretched hand, shaking it vigorously. “Thank you. I’ll be in your care,” She said. “I will just need a few things if you don’t mind.”

“Of course,” Hanabi said. “Maya will show you to your room, and then you can let her know exactly what you need,” She said starting towards the door leading back inside the compound.

Maya also headed towards the door, gesturing for Yuko to follow. “This way please,” She said as the girl followed her inside. They walked through the labyrinth of hallways, until they came to a special bay of elevators. Once inside, Maya punched in a code on the keypad and the car lurched as it began to ascend. It stopped a few short moments later. “Home sweet home,” Hanabi said as the doors opened up to reveal…. well, a house. A nice one. The main house where the Hattori family resided was located separate from the mostly underground facilities of the compound. Yuko stepped out of the elevator and began taking in her new surroundings. The mansion was built with a modern and open floor plan, yet still had the touches of tradition in its design. The elevator bay opened into a foyer with freshly polished hardwood floors that led into a wide-open common area. It sported large transparent sliding doors that bathed the room in natural sunlight. Just outside was a courtyard complete with ponds and small streams, covered by the shade of cherry blossom trees that dotted the garden.

“Ms. Hiragi,” Maya said, waiting in the hallway that led to the bedrooms.

“Oh! Right, coming,” Yuko called back shaking herself out of her wandering. The bedroom she was led to was nicer than any hotel she had been to. The room had a fluffy queen sized bed that still smelled of freshly washed linen. She had a window that gave a wonderful view of the valley, and a decent sized television was mounted on the wall. Most important though she had her own bathroom with a large tub and walk-in shower and closet.

“Nice enough for ya?” Hanabi proudly boasted, leaning against the door frame.

“Yes, it’s …perfect. Is it really okay for me to be here?” Yuko asked.

“Don’t you worry about that,” Hanabi answered, winking playfully. “Now, about that stuff you need.”

------6:30 pm Xai Mountains----

Yuko met Hanabi in the courtyard after she had gotten settled in her room. Maya had fetched the few items she had requested: a few notebooks and a recording device. A crisp mountain breeze blew through the courtyard and the sweet smell of cherry blossoms filled the air.

“Ok, so I’m ready when you are,” Yuko said punching a few buttons on the device to ready it to record. “Let’s start with your basic info. Your name, your age, stuff like that.”

Hanabi crossed her legs in her chair. “Hanabi Hattori, and it’s embarrassing to say, but I just had my 47th birthday two months ago.”

Yuko had to fight to keep her jaw from hitting the floor. The woman had the outward appearance of someone in their later twenties or early thirties. Whatever the secret the Hattori women had, she would be sure to find it before her time here was done. Hanabi chortled a bit, noticing the girls slight tension at finding out her age.

“Surprised, dear?” she said playfully.

“Of course I am, you just look so... young,” Yuko said. “How do you do it?”

“Who knows? Maybe it’s the fresh mountain air?” Hanabi joked. “If you really want to know, you can chalk it up to the fact that I have a little help from a friend,” Yuko though confused at first but recalled what Shelty had told her earlier.

“You mean a deity! Do you have one? Can I see it?” Yuko insisted excitedly.

“Well…yes, I suppose so…” Hanabi said, taking a deep breath. “I’m going to have to change the scenery up a bit though, she doesn’t like to come out when in the open usually.”

She? Yuko thought as the wind in the courtyard picked up a bit. Then, the sky began to darken. Yuko looked around to see that it wasn’t so much the sky darkening as everything began to be swallowed by a deep, pure blackness. It engulfed the walls, the trees and eventually the once vibrant courtyard. Everything became a void of darkest night. Yuko started to panic. The area was devoid of any sound and light and even though Hanabi was sitting just inches from her, she would not be able to make her out if it wasn’t for her glowing red eyes. Except Hanabi’s eyes were not red. A pair of blood red eyes stared at Yuko through the void. Terror gripped her heart as the cold, unwavering gaze pierced her to her soul.

“Relax,” She heard Hanabi say through the void. “She won’t hurt you, you’re perfectly safe.”

“What-what is that?” Yuko asked, her voice shaking from fear.

“You wanted to see my deity, right? Well, this is her. Her name is Nyx,” Hanabi stated. “She’s been my partner in crime for decades now. Don’t be rude, Nyx, greet the girl.” At Hanabi’s admonishment, the deity spoke in a ghastly, otherworldly voice.

“You forced me to show myself just to say ‘hi,” The entity complained, its voice echoing through the abyss as well as piercing directly into Yuko’s brain. “I refuse to be summoned like some mongrel pup,”

Hanabi pouted. “Don’t be such a sourpuss, Nyx. I’m sure Yuko has a lot of things she would like to ask an esteemed ancient being as yourself!” The eyes disappeared from hovering next to Hanabi and materialized right in front of Yuko’s face. “Speak, girl!” The deity commanded.

“C-can you tell me how old you are?” Yuko asked. It was a foolish question brought about by her nervousness. “My age is beyond a time you can comprehend, human. I am older than those whose footsteps have long since vanished,” Nyx responded.

“She’s really old,” Hanabi cut in. “Deities are immortal beings, being bonded with one as strong as Nyx helps keep my body young! Isn’t that cool?” Hanabi said.

Yuko should have figured that at least. “What kind of deity are you?” Yuko asked next.

“Humans become denser as the centuries pass. Can you not tell, human? The shadows are my spears, the darkness my shield, all that the twilight enshrouds is my domain. I am the reason humans once feared the dark.”

“She is the deity of night, which in turn gives me the same power. Contrary to what my opponents think, my abilities extend much further than manipulating shadows. I could tell you more, but I’d rather leave the rest a surprise,” she said winking.

“If there are no further questions, I am leaving.” Nyx’s eyes faded away into the abyss and the darkness dissipated like a cloud of mist. The courtyard returned to normal and the faint dusk light began to slowly fill the shadowy void.

“Pretty neat, huh?” Hanabi bragged.

“That’s one word for it,” Yuko muttered under her breath. Her heart had skipped a beat or two in Nyx’s presence. She had never thought things like gods or goddesses existed, let alone that she would come face to face with one. She hoped the recorder was able to pick up its voice.

“So, um, getting back on track,” Yuko started. “Can you tell me in general about your family. How did you all get into the assassination business? How were you able to build all of this?”

Hanabi looked reflectively at her surroundings. “This…A lot of this wasn’t me,” She said solemnly. “Historically, our family had always been mercenaries and assassins. A lot of our wealth was built from that. These mountains are our ancestral home, but this particular house and compound is something my sister had built,” Hanabi said.

“It seems Hisayo is the leader around here, but you are older than her. Why aren’t you in charge?” Yuko inquired.

“My sister ultimately makes many decisions around here, but technically we are co-leaders. I’m more of a vice-president in the grand scheme of things,” The shadow assassin stated. She parted her lips to speak again but paused for a long moment, as if she was thinking something through. “Yuko, I think it would be easier if I told you a story.”

-----The city of Izu. Twenty-five years ago. ---

A young Hanabi Hattori took a deep breath as she stood on her balcony. The orange glow of the sunset illuminated the city of Izu below. The skyscrapers and buildings began to ignite like beacons, beckoning those with promises of excitement and thrill in the cities nightlife. Things were going great. Over the past year, she had managed to make a new life for herself, in a new city, with new friends. She had decided to celebrate her first year in her new home by hosting a dinner party.

The house was located in an affluent part of town called The Hills, where many celebrities and other wealthy individuals made their homes. Her house was a spacious two-story contemporary design built into one of the iconic hills, providing a breathtaking view overlooking the valley and city as well. The finishing touches for the gathering were nearly ready. The wine and liquor had been purchased, prepped and iced. The restrooms and common areas cleaned and dusted. The interior home sound system was playing smooth jazz. The lights were dimmed to her liking. Her attendant, Maya, was putting the finishing touches on the main course for the evening: beautifully roasted rack of lamb, fresh from the farm and free range of course.

Hanabi walked back inside and made her way to her bedroom to get ready for the evening. After her shower, she inspected her wardrobe in her closet. She selected a simple, yet elegant midnight-black cocktail dress and her favorite matching black heels. She combed out her long black hair and tied it up in a bun, allowing a few black tresses to fall to the side of her face. She lightly dabbed on her makeup and drew her eyeliner, which accented her amber eyes. Doing a once over in the mirror, she found her appearance satisfactory and headed towards the common area just as the shadows of dusk began to overtake the fading orange light of the sun. It was almost time for the guests to arrive.

“The lamb is almost done, I’ve also prepared the fire pit and prepped the grill in case your friends bring any additional food,” Maya reported as Hanabi arrived in the kitchen.

“Thanks, Maya, I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she replied with a smile, eliciting a slight blush from the attendant. Maya composed herself as the ding of the oven signified the meals completion.

“Is there anything else you would require of me this evening, my Lady?” the attendant asked. Hanabi rolled her eyes at the title. Maya had been her protector ever since she was young. Seems like old habits do die hard.

“That should be all, you are free to enjoy the party if you like, otherwise you can take the rest of the night off,” Hanabi said. The attendant bowed deeply, “Thank you, mistress, I will be near in case you need me,” and with that Maya disappeared, leaving Hanabi alone in the kitchen.

Her cell phone rang. It was one of her good friends, Amy. The blonde woman was the first person Hanabi had met when she moved to Izu and the two girls became fast friends ever since. She accepted the call and put it on speaker. “Hey,” Hanabi answered. “Are you on your way?”

“Well, of course,” Amy answered back, “I was just wondering if you needed me to pick anything up on the way.”

Hanabi mentally went through the list in her head. Jace was bringing some meat to barbecue, Rin was bringing beer, Ruth and Aulner would be supplying some of the decadent desserts from the store they worked at. The rest of the guests could bring what they wanted, but nothing pressing was needed. “We should be fine,” Hanabi answered.“Just see you when you get here.” She hung up the phone and turned on the television, giddy with excitement as the first guests began to arrive.

The party was in full swing. The bash had attracted thirty or so odd people including some of Hanabi’s closest friends. She sat with them around her fire pit, laughing as they exchanged stories over glasses of wine in the crisp evening air. Hanabi brimmed with pride as she began to see a few of the party goers pair off in conversation through the window, crediting it to the intimate mood she had set earlier. She went to take another sip from her glass, only to find disappointment as the contents had been emptied long ago.

“It seems like it’s time for a refill,” Amy remarked, noticing the now empty bottle of wine. “I’ll get some more,” she said as she started to get up.

“Better let Hana get it,” Jace said, “She's the only one that can really see in that place.”

Hanabi sighed and rose from her seat “Be happy I gave you all some light. Besides, I like it dark, it's calming,” she stated matter of factly.

“Yes, we all know your nocturnal preferences, Queen Vampire,” Rin called out, obviously beginning to feel the effects of her 4th glass. “And bring out some of that special brand we had that one time!”

“Yes, yes, queen drunk,” Hanabi replied as she made her way back inside the house. Just past the kitchen adjacent to the garage was the wine cellar. With no lights, just the right amount of moisture and a state-of-the-art system keeping the room the perfect temperature. It was one of her favorite rooms in the house.

She entered the room, eyes easily adjusting to the darkness, and searched the middle row of spirits until she found her mark. A mid-century merlot; its bold sweet taste would be a perfect accent to the meat dishes that were being served. She grabbed the bottle and paused briefly as she exited the room. Something seemed off. It was a tad quieter than before, and the mood seemed a bit different. She dismissed it as her being tipsy and went on her way. “Alright, guys I’ve got-” Her sentence trailed off when she entered the common room with the wine.

During her brief absence in the cellar, the guests had all congregated in the common room. They had ceased their conversation as she entered the room, thirty pairs of eyes fixating on her as she placed the bottle on the island in the kitchen. “So, what's going on? Got too cold outside? Want to toast or something?” Hanabi said nervously. The guests tightened their ranks, and loosely surrounded her, barring exit to the balcony. She heard the telltale sound of a gun being readied, then another, and another as the guests began to brandish an assortment of guns, automatic and semi-auto alike.

“That’s enough, Hana,” Amy said. “We need you to come with us,” She aimed her pistol at her friend joining the other laser sights and scopes that dotted their intended target.

“You guys...what is this?” Hanabi asked in disbelief. “Is this some kind of joke?”

Amy shook her head “I’m afraid not. We need you to come with us,” she took a step closer. “Now.”

“Why are we wasting our time? We don’t have to take her alive,” This came from Aulner. “They said they would pay dead or alive, we can blow her to bits right here and just take back what's left,” he said.

“I...I don’t get it..wha-”

“CUT THE BULLSHIT!” Amy interrupted “We know what you are, who you are...Hanabi Hattori. Now like I said, come with us. Or we will kill you and take what's left of you back with us, be that your flesh, your bones, your blood...it matters not,” a deadly look had darkened Amy’s usually cheerful blue eyes. Hanabi stood silent for a moment, her back turned to the murderous mob behind her.

She let out a sigh and lifted her head. “That name...I wish I could say I didn’t know what you're saying, but I’ve spent the better part of three years trying to distance myself from that name and that legacy. But alas, it always seems to come back and kick me in the ass,” She turned to face the mob with a predatory look in her golden eyes, so intense it seemed to visibly unnerve her guests.

“I guess I can count myself lucky, I must have truly gotten rusty if I didn’t notice the lot of you walking slightly off balance, and missing the obvious yet conspicuous way you all hid your weapons,” Hanabi pointed out. “You all could have riddled me with holes a lot sooner, but it seems you really would prefer to take me alive, which makes me think…” She brought a finger to her chin in an inquisitive posture. “Who is your boss to give you such an inconvenient and uninformed order? I can say it's definitely piqued my curiosity,” She finished.

“Do you really think we’ll tell you?” Amy said.

“No,” Hanabi answered. “I guess I'm just grateful to them. Thanks to them none of my furnishings will be broken, and I can retain the property value of this home. More importantly, Maya worked hard to get this place ready for you guys, she cooked, cleaned, made everything perfect...it would be a shame if all her effort had gone to waste.”

“Stop trying to talk tough!” Amy countered, a crazed look in her eyes. “In fact, if you make one more move, you will die.” To reinforce her statement, the weapons in the room cocked to fire.

“Move?” Hanabi inquired “Like to attack you all?” She chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry Amy...I have no need to.”

“Screw this!” Rin said. She squeezed the trigger on her pistol...or she was intending to. Instead, she found herself paralyzed, unable to move a single muscle in her body save for her eyes. She looked around the room to see the rest of the guests in the same positions. Frozen in place, struggling in vain to free themselves from whatever was causing their affliction.

“Everyone has a story, a past, a shadow,” Hanabi said as she began to walk amongst her would-be attackers who had now become her prisoners. “And the ones you all carry are dark indeed.”

The shadows cast on each of them had begun to move and warp as if they were alive. Tendrils snaked up their legs, waist, and arms finishing in a coil around their necks.

“Shadow art: Embrace of Darkness. Pretty edgy sounding right,” Hanabi remarked with a smile “How does it feel? To be weighed down, to be constricted by your own essence, your own shadow?” The grips around the guests began to tighten even further. “Heavy, isn’t it? Constricting. Inhibiting. Never wanting to let go.”

“How…how did you…” Amy struggled to say, drool leaking out of her mouth as she fought to speak against the strangling force.

“You all planned all this without even fully doing your homework? Sloppy work indeed,” Hanabi replied.

The room began to darken, the already dim lights on the ceiling and kitchen being swallowed by the encroaching abyss in the living room. The dark was cold, empty, suffocating. All the guests could see were the glow of Hanabi’s golden eyes and another pair of blood red ones that seemed to emerge from her being. The eyes began to multiply around the room until the guests were surrounded by them. Then they saw mouths begin to open. Gaping maws of shadow that housed an almost ghostly light within them.

“For what it’s worth, I really wished we could have enjoyed this party as true friends,” Hanabi said sincerely. “But for now…I hope you find solace in the abyss.” The mouths opened wide and the eyes fixated on their prey. “Now, let me show you all why humans once feared the dark,”

---moments later--

Hanabi once again stood on her balcony overlooking the bright lights of the city in the distance. All traces of her attackers were gone when she released her dark hold on the living room. If it weren't for the food and drink that was still left over, no one would know if anyone was there, to begin with.

“Maya,” she called. As if on command the attendant appeared next to her in the living room and bowed deeply.

“Mistress,” she said in greeting.

“Get rid of the cars outside, and make preparations to sell the house. We’re leaving.” Hanabi ordered solemnly.

“As you command,” Maya paused for a moment before looking up at her master. “If I may…. where are we going this time?” she asked.

Hanabi turned and headed towards the front door, looking to get some fresh air before she started packing. She stopped in front of the door, and without turning around answered “Home.”

Hanabi shivered lightly as she walked along the dimly-lit sidewalk. Since she had left her house, the night had turned a bit chilly. “Should have brought a jacket,” she mused to herself. Her stroll had taken her farther up the hill of the neighborhood where there was a popular area for couples due to its intimate scenic view. She sat upon one of the benches and let out an exasperated sigh. “One whole year, huh?” She mused as she stared out across the vista. “I guess I was having too much fun again,”

She had spent the last four years drinking, partying, and doing everything in between to try and fill the lingering hole in her heart. Nothing worked and she was just... tired. She pulled out her phone and pulled up a picture she had always treasured. It was a photo taken after one of the many battles they had fought with their father long ago, showing their father standing above the preteen version of herself, and her two siblings: Hisayo, her younger sister, and her older brother, Shu. She smiled to herself as she reminisced. Their father stood with his usual stern look, while Shu draped his arms around each of his sisters, a huge grin plastered on his face. Shu was her hero. Both she and Hisayo greatly admired him.

Whenever their father's brutal training and strict treatment was becoming too much, Shu was always there to soothe wounds or curve their father's anger. When the crushing anxiety and fear of battle began to weigh on them, Shu was always there to lighten the mood. When they had lost their other two siblings when she was younger, Shu gave her a shoulder to cry on. He was her everything, her rock, and her backbone. When he died, it was too much for her to bear. The helplessness she felt as she watched him die, the guilt over not being able to do anything, the crushing loneliness of not having her pillar of support around to watch over her, she just couldn't handle it. So one day she just… left. Taking only a few belongings, Maya, and a large sum of money, she just ran.

Hanabi thought of Hisayo, her little sister. Once the previous clan head was dead, traditionally the duty would shift to the oldest living sibling, which would have been Hanabi. Her leaving had dumped all of the responsibility of leading the family, and coping with the loss, on Hisayo to face all by herself.

“And I didn’t even say goodbye,” She thought. “I’m a failure as a big sister.” The sudden ringing of her device jarred her from her thoughts, it was her attendant. “Yes,” She answered.

“I have finished getting rid of the vehicles, mistress, as well as sanitizing and destroying any lingering traces of guests,” Maya reported. Hanabi had almost forgotten about the incident from earlier.

Shows I’m a true monster after all...and that's all I’ll ever be. Father was right again, she thought to herself.

“I have also taken the liberty of packing most of our essential belongings, so you have no need to worry yourself over it.” Honestly, what would she do without Maya? “Very good,” Hanabi answered. “Thank you again, Maya.” She paused for a moment waiting for the attendant to hang up, but she lingered for a while as she was gathering her thoughts at the other end of the line.

“Mistress...if I may?” Maya started bashfully. “This time together...I do not regret it at all. I do not think it was a waste of our time. The compound and those mountains were all I had ever known. When you decided to take me with you, I was overjoyed. I was able to travel to places I never thought I’d be able to go, see things I never thought I'd get to see. I just want you to know, that these past few years with you have expanded my world more than I could have ever asked for in a lifetime. So whatever you decide to do, I will follow and support your decision, wholeheartedly.” Hanabi smiled softly to herself.

Maya had never been good at the mushy stuff, she resembled Hisayo in that trait, but somehow she knew exactly what to say when to say it. Hanabi's eyes began to well with tears as her heart began to melt. Oh Maya, what would I do without you!

---Present day-----

The two sat in silence at the end of Hanabi’s tale, the older women with a sad smile on her face.

“I was such a fool back then,” She said sadly.

“Is that always how it turns out?” asked Yuko.

“What do you mean?” The woman asked.

“When you were traveling...did it always end with you...having to kill someone, kill friends, people you cared about?”

“Well, no,” Hanabi started, “During the early years, Maya and I mainly fought off common bounty hunters, thieves, and rival assassins. All of them trying to take advantage of what they assumed were two helpless young women traveling alone. The Izu incident was... different. I had thought I had finally found a new home, new friends, a place where I could just live, safely. People I thought I could trust.” Hanabi lit her pipe and took a long puff, staring at the white smoke as it dissipated into the evening air. “Amy was the first friend I ever had, she was, very special to me. I trusted her completely, I trusted all of them.”

“But you killed them all, without hesitation,” Yuko stated. “How could you do that to people you considered friends?”

Another puff of her pipe. “They gave me no choice, dear,” Hanabi answered after a while.

“I understand that, but still. I guess my point is, why live like that? Do you not feel guilty? You didn’t choose this life. You are beautiful, charming and so many things I wish I could be. You could have done anything you wanted to,” Yuko said. She thought of her own best friend Haru, whom she hadn’t seen since leaving Oshan. She couldn’t even dream of a scenario that would force the two into life or death conflict, let alone having to actually kill her.

Hanabi chuckled lightly at the girl’s naiveté. Ah, the young were still so full of hope these days. “When we were growing up, our father used to tell us we were monsters. That to uphold the reputation of our family we needed to become as such. I tried so hard to prove him wrong, but the more I bloodied my hands….” As Hanabi talked, Yuko noticed the woman’s hands were shaking slightly. Hanabi balled her hands into fists to get ahold of the shaking appendages. Her demeanor returned to normal after a few moments. “The more I think back, the more I see that my path was set from the very beginning. No matter how I tried to run from it, fate always finds a way,” She said.

“No,” Yuko started. “I can’t accept that! A person has a right to choose! Every person is able to choose their own life and live it the way they want,” she cried.

“For normal people, that may be an option. I’m sure you have heard the phrase ‘with great power comes great responsibility?’ It’s a phrase that parents use to motivate their children to be the best they can be. However, it’s the ever-present burden of the mighty,” Hanabi said. “Those with power at some point are forced to make a decision, on how to use that power to exert influence over the weak. Some become heroes, some become people like us. The point is, those people don’t get the option of normality.

Yuko felt sorry for Hanabi. Maybe she felt sorry for them all, even Hisayo. Yuko began to think about her own life. Sure people had expectations for her, but at the end of the day, she had the luxury of being able to choose her own path. What if she didn’t? What if she was born in the same environment, and had experienced the same things Hanabi had? Would she be different?

“It just doesn’t seem fair,” Yuko said sadly.

Hanabi leaned back in her chair, a soft smile on her face as she dumped the ash from her pipe.

“It’s not, honey, but it’s the way it is. There are things we want to do and things we may even choose. But there is only one thing we are born to do. You may choose to be a reporter, but I am curious to see what you were born to do, Ms. Hiragi.”

At that, Hanabi got up from her seat, daintily stifling a yawn with her hand. “It seems time has gotten away from us. I’m going to retire for the evening,” she said. “I hope I was able to make a good subject for you.”

Yuko also got up from her seat, stretching her stiff muscles from sitting so long. “Yes, you actually gave me more than I expected. Thank you again,” Yuko said.

“We will have to do this again sometime, but for now goodnight, Ms. Hiragi. We will begin planning your return to Oshan tomorrow, so try to get some rest.” Hanabi disappeared inside the house, but Yuko lingered in the courtyard a bit longer. The evening air tickled her brown locks as she thought about the elegant woman’s parting words.

“What am I born to do?” She asked herself before retiring to her room for the night.