Hi everyone! I recently (finally) played Nightshade on my switch and just absolutely fell in love with Hanzo's route… It's my first proper otome game (aside from the crappy free mobile ones, haha) and I'm actually rather impressed by the character development and writing in this game so far!

If you've read my other Zelda botw fanfic, then you know what I like to do with ships I fall in love with! And yes, this is 100% definitely a product of procrastination from my Zelda fanfic (sorry if you're waiting for updates on that, lol, been busy moving), which is already procrastination from all my adult responsibilities… I swear I do have priorities… Sometimes…

I may or may not write more random lemon scenes for the other characters. Gekkamaru was definitely a lil cutie, even though the route was a general everyone-sucks-here vibe for me haha… (looking at you, Ueno Kando and Hideyoshi…)

Anyway, this is a scene that takes place after the happy ending of Hanzo's route. Enjoy!

Moonlight Witness

The summer nights were quiet and peaceful. The moon, an ever-present source of beauty and light, shone from high above the earth and illuminated the land below. Its soft white hues provided light to weary travellers, while the summer breeze welcomed them to the valley. Stray leaves were swept across the earthen roads and it provided the gentlest sound to fill the warm air, but it was otherwise silent. There were no other travellers upon the road, not during the night. Especially not during such dangerous times.

Yet for one such man, his destination couldn't arrive sooner. He had been on the road for nearly two months already. With the rising conflict between the Council of Five Elders and his ex-master Tokugawa Ieyasu, Hattori Hanzo had been summoned to Kyo. Though he had no interest in their political arguments and upheavals, Hanzo thought it necessary to at least visit in a gesture of respect. Even if he was only there to turn down Ieyasu-sama's offer of land and rank. Still, he had not enjoyed his time in the busy city, and was very much looking forward to returning home. He no longer had any place in the political wars of men fighting for power, and no longer was he a shinobi. He had chosen a simpler life.

He crossed the final field between him and the hidden village of Dewa. The journey between the city of Kyo and his home was a long one. After nearly a month of walking, Hanzo felt his impatience grow. The average traveller would have stopped to make camp hours ago, but he was so close. He was but a few hours away from home. A few hours away from her.

Hanzo crossed the final mountain pass between him and his beloved. He could see the village in the distance, glowing softly under the moonlight. As he approached, he saw the warm orange fires of human civilisation. The patrolling night watch recognised Hanzo as he entered the village, and greeted him with bows and nods of respect. They all knew who he was. Who he had once been, and who he was now. A few were surprised at the hour of his arrival, but not altogether shocked. He had been a strong shinobi, and they knew a few years of quiet village life could not possibly change that part of him.

Fuelled by his desire to reunite with his beloved, Hanzo navigated his way through the crop fields and around the paddocks. He crossed a small stream and just as he always did, he hopped over the final fence surrounding his little home. He could smell the strings of drying fish long before he saw them hanging from their washing line. He could hear the gentle tinkling of their windchime, dancing in the wind as it welcomed him home. Much like many of the other cottages in the village during a hot summer's night, there was no smoke coming from chimney to indicate anyone was home. Hanzo's feet remained silent and invisible as he approached the front door.

The house was silent. Hanzo paused a moment to consider his options. He had never returned home in the middle of the night before. Normally, Enju would have been by his side as they farmed their lands and returned home together. Other times, she would be home to welcome him. This would be the first time Hanzo felt as if he shouldn't announce his arrival. If she were sleeping, he didn't want to wake her up. And yet… He had not left her side for such an extended period for a long time.

Hanzo backtracked from the front door and glanced up at their small cottage instead. Silently and stealthily, he circled the house and scanned over each of the windows for any signs of life. Had she missed him while he was gone? Had she eaten well enough? Had she faced any danger in his absence? Hanzo found himself silently shaking the thoughts away. Enju was very much a qualified and independent shinobi, even if she had decided to retire from the profession. Surely a few months alone were not detrimental. Still, he couldn't help but feel guilty for having left her side for so long.

He reached their backyard and glanced over the laundry that had been left to dry overnight. For some strange and inexplicable reason, Hanzo found himself taking note of the fact he saw only a woman's clothes upon the line. In some twisted way, it gave him the smallest sense of relief. Not that he thought Enju was capable of betraying him. He was, however, surprised to see the shoji doors open. They had been left open just several inches, allowing the evening breeze to enter the home. Approaching in absolute silence, Hanzo masked his presence and approached the gap. The doors had been left open wide enough that he wouldn't need to push them apart any further, either. Even an apprentice shinobi could have entered rather easily.

Taking his shoes off by the door, Hanzo stepped inside silently. He set his things down on the tatami carefully and without making any noise, he crossed the threshold. The house was dark in the absence of moonlight, but Hanzo could see enough. He looked to the other side of the room, where a large futon had been laid out. Upon the bedding was a small figure, asleep to the world and unaware of Hanzo's presence. He could tell from the pattern of her breathing that she was fast asleep. He took one step towards her, then another. When would she notice?

Hanzo stood at the end of their futon, sharp eyes watching. Now that he was so close, he could see Enju in much clearer detail. He saw the pale blue colour of her yukata, tied so loosely over her naked body. The sleeves were falling off her shoulder, exposing to him almost half her upper body. Even her legs were exposed to the summer night. She was curled with her face down and her back open to anyone who fancied assassinating her in the night.

Wordless, Hanzo dropped to a low crouch and watched her. Each rise and fall of her sloping shoulders betrayed how soundly she slept. He could see the gentle curve of her bare thighs, peeping at him from beneath her summer yukata. Her hair, which had grown so much longer over the past few years, had been swept to one side and exposed the nape of her neck. She looked so vulnerable. There were so many things… So many things that Hanzo could have done to her and she would have been defenceless. As an assassin, as a shinobi. As a man. Was this how she slept every night? With the door open and the most pathetic excuse for clothing? If Hanzo had known this was how his wife would sleep in his absence, he would have never left her side.

The sight of such a defenceless Enju brought Hanzo mixed feelings. He wanted to scold her. He wanted to lecture her about the dangers being a nukenin. And above all, there were unspeakable things he wanted to do to her. The sight of her body, so beautiful and exposed, fuelled the desires that had been building over the past few months.

Nevertheless, Hanzo knew that no matter what course of action he chose, he needed her to be awake. He wasn't the type of man to force himself upon a sleeping, defenceless woman. Leaning forward, he reached out and brushed his fingers over her bare shoulder ever so lightly.

"…Enju."

His touch, so fleeting a contact, might as well have been a lightning strike upon her body. Her entire body jolted to life and her eyes snapped open. He saw her hand swipe beneath the other pillow, where her daggers undoubtedly lay. Still, he was faster. His hand snapped out and caught her wrist, stopping her from grabbing whatever weapon that would have ended his life then and there. The audible sound of her frightened, gasping voice was a noise which wrenched Hanzo's heart.

"…I wouldn't do that, if I were you."

And just as suddenly as Enju had reacted, she froze. She'd been startled awake, and for the first time in years, she'd felt a debilitating fear grip her heart. In the split second she awoke from her sleep, she'd been painfully aware that it was not the presence of an intruder which woke her up. It wasn't the sound of their footsteps, nor the feeling of malice from someone intending to kill. She'd never even noticed his presence. No, it was the touch of his hand, brushing so lightly across her shoulder, that had finally alerted her. Was this the very moment which would prove her years of training had been a waste?

Yet the sound of his voice… So soft and gentle, yet so cold and quiet. She recognised it. She recognised his shrouded lack of presence, too. She felt all the fear exit her body as quickly as it had gripped her. Her heart continued to pound hard and fast, betraying her inner turmoil. Still, she forced herself to breathe evenly. Was this his way of punishing her? Couldn't he have entered through the front door? Or even made a noise to indicate he was home? She would have welcomed him. She would have gladly woken up to help him bathe, or cook him a meal after his long journey. Instead… This was how he greeted her.

Enju released her hold on the dagger she had grabbed. When Hanzo sensed she had let go, his grip on her wrist began to loosen too. Upon the removal of his hand from hers, she brought it to her breasts and buried her face in her pillow. It was a mutual understanding that neither person wanted to hurt the other, and they trusted in that. Even so, she didn't look at him. She didn't acknowledge him.

"…what terrible manners you have," Enju grumbled. She shifted her weight and wriggled to get more comfortable, all the while ignoring the warmth of Hanzo's body over her. "If my husband were to ever find out… he would have your head."

Enju felt the weight of his body retract in surprise. It was about as much of a reaction she could have hoped for. She knew Hattori Hanzo was not a man who could be easily taken off guard, even by her.

Hanzo sat back on his haunches, stunned by her words. He was silent for only a few short seconds before he leaned forward again. He placed his hands on the futon and lowered himself in search of Enju's eyes. They remained closed, blatantly ignoring him. He felt a smile spread across his face.

"…is that right?"

Enju grumbled quietly. She wriggled and turned away from him, suddenly aware how close he was. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating over her, and she could sense the faint scent of his body. She could smell the fresh grass on his clothes, from having recently crossed the fields. Behind that, she smelled the sweat from days and weeks of travelling. She wrinkled her nose deliberately.

"Such a filthy creature," she mumbled. "My husband is the strongest shinobi in all the land. You'd best leave before he comes home to kill you."

Highly entertained, Hanzo reached down and traced his hands over her naked shoulders. He slid his fingers beneath the edge of her yukata, tugging it down several more inches.

"Before your husband comes home…?" he repeated. He bent down and dropped a light kiss over her shoulder. He saw the small shiver that ensued, and it brought a smile to his face.

"Then he is not here?" he whispered, kissing her again. He saw the way Enju wriggled under him, though he couldn't be sure if she was trying to get away. He placed his other hand over her thighs, catching her. Sliding his palm upward, he slipped it beneath the hem of her yukata. He closed his eyes and kissed the back of her neck. He spoke softly and quietly, to her ears alone, and gave her thigh a gentle squeeze.

"…how do you think would your husband feel, if he saw another man touching you like this?"

Enju felt the tingling caress of his breath, warm and devious, over her ear and neck. Her breath caught in her throat – she hadn't been expecting Hanzo to play along. Was he aware she knew it was him? Surely he didn't think she was that stupid. She swallowed and fumbled for something to say.

"…I think he would kill you."

Hanzo trailed kisses down over her spine as she spoke. He paused midway, to glance up at her. Her head remained turned away from him.

"You think…?"

There was a trace of incredulousness in his voice, along with the tiniest hint of disappointment. He slid his hand beneath the sash of her yukata and in a swift motion, pulled it free. He cast it aside and pulled the garment down over Enju's shoulders, exposing her naked body to him.

"N-No. I know," Enju stuttered, correcting herself. "I know that he would kill you."

She figured that was why he was upset. He didn't want her to think he wouldn't kill any man who dared to touch her in such a way. Had she been fast enough to rectify the mistake?

Hanzo drank in the sight of her naked body. Unlike him, she bore no scars. There wasn't anything marring her flawless skin, nothing tainting her except the touch of his coarse hands. He felt a fire within him, one that threatened to dissolve what little control he had left. She gasped loudly when she felt Hanzo's hand slide between her legs to touch her. So lightly and so gently, he cupped her through her thin yukata and gave a gentle, testing squeeze. Leaning down to kiss her ears, he murmured softly.

"…is that right."

The flustered shiver of her body began to chip away at the last of his self-control. Enju hid her face in her hands and swallowed.

"…yes."

Hanzo kissed her ear, then her neck. He could feel the warmth of her blush, feel the shiver of embarrassment that passed her body. Raking his fingers through her long hair, he pulled it aside and kissed a path down her back.

"Then perhaps…"

Slowly, he slid his hand beneath her yukata and grasped her leg. Squeezing lightly to warn her of his presence, he inched ever closer to the juncture of her thighs.

"Perhaps I will have a word with this husband of yours," Hanzo murmured. He relished in each small sound she made at his touch, and each tiny shiver of anticipation. "So he knows the dangers of leaving such a beautiful wife unattended…"

Enju felt a shiver run through her body. Each touch of his lips was soft and gentle. She felt his hands slide over her skin, touching and feeling. Assessing. She gasped softly when his hand cupped her breast and squeezed her.

"…I was a shinobi too, you know," she whispered. She closed her eyes at the sensations. His hand travelled down her belly, over her narrow waist and to her hip. And yet just inches before he would touch her most private areas, his hand stopped. His thumb stroked over her skin idly instead.

"I could very easily kill you, too. I don't have to wait for my husband to come home."

She thought she could hear Hanzo laughing very quietly. She felt the vibration of his amusement in his chest, so close to her body that she felt it reverberate through her being as well.

"I'm sure you could."

His voice was so low, so husky. It served only to heighten her senses, too. She could hear each tiny movement of his clothing, each slide of his hand over her skin. She felt his touch register like little jolts of electricity to her heart.

"T-That's…"

Enju stumbled on her words. To be speechless was one thing. Only, Enju simply didn't know what she wanted. She'd missed him over the last few months. She wanted to feel more of his touch. But to be subject to his teasing? Enju clenched her fist.

"…what kind of man sneaks up on a sleeping woman?" she asked instead. "My husband would never do such a thing. He would have announced his arrival home…"

Hanzo smiled widely. He could hear the mild frustration in Enju's voice, but he could also see she wasn't exactly resisting him. She wriggled now and then, twitching whenever his hands surprised her, however for the most part, she seemed content. Hanzo leaned down to kiss the nape of her neck. Very quietly, he asked her a question.

"Is that what you would prefer?"

If it was, he supposed he would stop what he was doing. Maybe he would go outside again, and enter the house from the front door, and start it over. Though, he saw the way her eyes opened. The way her brows furrowed into a cute little frown. Silent she remained. Hanzo supposed he had an answer. And quite frankly… He'd known all along what he wanted to do with her.

He focused her attention to the rest of her body. He kissed her shoulder, then her arm. Her waist was next, and finally, he reached curve of her hip. He slid his hand between her thighs, critically aware she had every ability to close them if she wished. She didn't. Taking it as a sign of consent, he dipped his hand between her open thighs and touched her intimately. When he finally touched her heated centre, he was mildly surprised to feel the damp eagerness awaiting him. The slick touch of her body, so soft in comparison to his callused hands, caused an overwhelming surge of desire within him. The soft moan of her voice when he stroked her threatened to break his will.

The low, growling groan of Hanzo's voice sent a heated electricity flowing through Enju's veins. She felt him stroke her from behind, light and yet devious. They were hands that were well trained. Hands that knew her all too intimately. With each stroke of his fingers, her breath quickened. Each stroke, tender but deliberate, sent a fresh wash of pleasure through her.

The sound of her breathing, so haphazard and untrained, urged him on. He wanted to hear more. Feel more. Groaning, he bent down to kiss her neck before plunging a finger into her heated depths. He felt the softness of her flesh, so delicate yet eager, clench around him welcomingly. He heard the gasp of her voice, breathless with an extended moan.

Enju's fingers clasped the futon desperately. Each thrusting plunge of his finger, each delicious stroke of his thumb… They all drove her half to insanity. She felt the pleasure building and yet when she pushed herself to her elbows, Hanzo only placed a hand over her shoulder and pushed her back onto her front. Clearly, he wasn't about to let her have her way. He never would, after all. Not really.

Hanzo pushed a second finger into her tight, wet opening. He was rewarded with a sharper moan, one so breathlessly desperate that for a moment, Hanzo feared he had hurt her. He withdrew his fingers entirely, only to hear her moan turn into a gasp of frustration and anger. He felt her legs kick against him, struggling.

"Hanzo…!"

He had never heard such anger in her soft voice, calling his name. It vibrated with malice, more malice he had ever thought possible of her. Leaning down, he placed a hand on her back.

"…Enju," he murmured. "If you don't like it, I'll stop."

Enju's hand fisted and she struck the futon in frustration.

"…if you stop now, I really will kill you!"

Whatever Hanzo had been expecting, it hadn't been that. Light hearted death threats were common amongst the nukenin, and Hanzo had received many a serious threat throughout his life as a shinobi. But to hear it from his wife? He leaned back on his knees and removed his haori. Then, he untied his belt and layer by layer, began to undress. It only took him a few seconds to undress, but to Enju, it felt like an eternity.

"Well, well."

The sound of Hanzo's voice, so low and quiet, reverberated through Enju's body. She felt the warmth of his body, hotter than before, touch her. Without the many layers of his clothing, she could feel the heat of his skin against her.

"So you would let another man touch you?" Hanzo murmured.

Enju's mouth opened to reply. She meant to snap at him, to tell him she had known it was him all along. That only he could have possibly snuck up on her the way he did. But he didn't give her a chance. He flipped back her yukata, exposing her backside to him entirely, before he plunged both fingers back inside her. So quickly, so deeply. With Enju's mouth already open, she couldn't stop the loud moan from rising in her throat.

"…such a naughty wife."

Enju thought he sounded amused, and for a moment, she was desperate to see if he was smiling. But he didn't give her the opportunity. She felt only the merciless motions of his hands. And soon enough, the only other sound to fill their small and quiet home was the wet, slick noise of Hanzo's hands inside Enju's body. Each time, the merciless plunge of his finger combined with the firm stroke of his thumb against her most sensitive spot, pushed wave after wave of blinding pleasure over her.

Hanzo felt his body heating with desire. Each thrust of his fingers brought another sweet moan from Enju's lips. The sound of her voice, each moan more desperate than the last, reminded him of his own lust. How long had she been needing him? He couldn't bear the thought of her lying in bed alone at night, lusting after a husband that was not by her side.

"Ha—Hanzo…!"

With a quickened pace, he gladly finished her. He relished in the sound of her screaming his name, the sight of her body convulsing in sheer pleasure as she reached down, grasping his hand to hold him where she needed him. He felt the gushing wetness of her lust, overflowing from between her legs and wetting his hands. He slowed the pace of his hands, letting her ride out the pleasure of her orgasm and waiting till she stilled before he removed his hand. When he did, he was met with a mixed sigh of contentedness and disappointment. He liked knowing that she wanted more. That she needed him. He bent to kiss her neck. It was damp with sweat.

"…so I have a wife who would allow another man into my home," he murmured. "…to lay eyes upon her naked body, and to touch her…"

Dazed and breathless, Enju barely heard him. She lifted her head weakly to look at him.

"T-That's not true… I knew—"

Hanzo couldn't stop from smiling. He removed his final piece of clothing and grasping each of her thighs, widened her knees to allow himself more space. There was no resistance from her body.

"Such a thing," he interrupted, "…I think is worthy of punishment."

Enju was about to ask him what he meant by punishment, but he didn't give her the time to think on it. No, she felt it. She felt the prod of his hardened erection at her entrance, and before she could begin her next thought, she felt him entering from behind. Thick and heavy, he stretched her small body. He wasn't in a desperate rush, but neither did he wait for her body to accommodate him. No, he could feel how utterly dripping wet she was. Slickened by the sweet desire of her body, he buried himself right to the hilt in a single, unrelenting motion. He entered so deeply inside of her that Enju felt him kiss the very entrance of her womb. She was tight, desperately so, and it almost pained him. The breathless groan of his voice was a deep contrast to her moaning gasp.

Had she always been this tight? Had her body always been so hot and wet? Her body sucked him in, silently promising him all the pleasures he had been dreaming of for the past few months. He withdrew slowly, carefully, as if testing his limits. The slick, grasping warmth of her body felt too good. He pushed right back in, more forcefully than he meant to. The touch of her body threatened to take over his mind.

Filled to capacity, Enju could hardly breathe. This certainly wasn't the first time she had ever lain with Hanzo. But perhaps the months had taken a toll on her body – she realised now just how much she had missed him. How much she had craved him. The companionship, the conversation… His body.

She felt the weight of Hanzo's body descend upon her briefly. She felt his hair tickle her neck as he held her closely. His voice, so low and deep, reverberated through his chest. His arms held her body tightly and securely as his lips kissed her neck. Below, he filled her utterly. Each thrust of his hips removed him from her body briefly, only to slam back inside again. For several long minutes, all Enju could do was accept him. Pinned in his arms with nowhere to go, the room filled with the heavy, wet noise of his erection plunging into her slick depths repeatedly.

"…Enju."

His groan sounded like he was in pain. There was such a deep agony to his voice, one which brought Enju a great deal of confusion. She felt him slow down just a little.

"…you have no idea," Hanzo whispered, kissing her neck. "How much I have needed you."

It was all he said before he increased the pace of his hips. He had no more words for her. He couldn't possibly voice his desires for her, not like this. He could only show her.

Enju didn't need words to explain how Hanzo felt for her. She'd learned to read his expressions over the years, and no longer needed him to vocalise his thoughts as much as she used to. But here and now? She felt the weight of his feelings and his desires through his actions alone. She felt him withdraw almost entirely, only to plunge back in ruthlessly. She felt as if he was bigger this time, too. Had it simply been too long since he last took her? Each thrust of his erection was punishing. She felt him surge into her, over and over. Pinned by his weight, she was forced to take the full brunt of every thrust. She had nowhere to go, nowhere to escape. She could only lie there and accept his 'punishment'.

It wasn't till Hanzo scooped his arm beneath her belly to lift her into him that Enju finally understood what was different. He had never taken her from behind before. It wasn't only his frenzied pace that was different. His angle and depth of penetration was something Enju hadn't experienced before. Usually, he sought to lay eyes upon her face. Usually, he was so gentle. Usually, he never touched her without her explicit permission. Yet tonight, in the dark of the night, with nothing but the moon to act as witness…

Hanzo pounded into her. Each thrust of his hips had her body squeezing him, providing him a delectable source of pleasure to chase. And chase he did. He lifted Enju to her knees and with his hands on her hips, he used her body to stroke himself to pleasured heights. How many nights had he lay awake, alone, dreaming of her? His body needed hers. He had needed her for far too long, and now, he simply didn't have the self-control to stop himself anymore.

She felt him striking new depths inside her. She felt his erection pounding into a new and sensitive spot within her, and each time he massaged the delicate area inside, she felt her pleasure grow. It was like nothing she had ever felt before, and she found herself gasping. She wanted more. She needed more.

"H-Hanzo…!"

The cry of Enju's voice calling his name brought his mind from its daze. He groaned at the agonising pleasure he felt every time he dragged her body back onto his. And yet… The sharp cry of her voice, breathless and pleading, snapped him back to reality.

"…Enju!"

Hanzo's eyes widened as he realised what he was doing. Enju was splayed across the futon, her arms grasping the sheets helplessly as she was subjected to his ruthless thrusting. He thought he saw tears in her eyes.

"Don't…"

The whisper of her voice was so soft that Hanzo almost stopped altogether. He was hurting her. He had to be. He had never been this rough with her. Not Enju. What was he thinking? They had never had sex in such a primal, animalistic position before. And as the morning sun began to rise upon the horizon, it seemed even the skies were blushing at their actions.

"…don't stop."

Her words caused an unnatural stillness to wash over him. Had he heard her correctly. He felt Enju push back against him, without his doing.

"I'm…"

Her face burned red as she pushed back into him, trying to resume the frantic thrusting. She thrust herself back onto him, taking him even more deeply. Once, then twice. It took her a few attempts to find that delicious spot inside her, and once she had it, she shamelessly thrust her hips onto him. Hanzo watched in stunned awe as she reached down between her legs, trying to touch herself. It took him a few seconds to understand what she was trying to do.

"…I'm close. Please don't… Don't stop."

Her pleading whisper was all Hanzo needed. He bent down to kiss her neck, then her cheeks. He thrust back inside gently, directing himself into the sweet spot she had been seeking. He pushed into it and ground his hips into her, massaging that inner bundle of nerves. His precision was rewarded with a pleasured cry.

"Enju…"

He brushed her hands aside and reached down to touch her himself. He slid his fingers over her wet folds, feeling and touching as he thrusted. Upon locating her sensitive outer bundle of nerves, he stroked it firmly. Rhythmically. He stroked her to the same pace of his hips, and he heard the subsequent gasps of pleasure. He felt her body quivering in his arms.

"…like that?"

Slowly but surely, Hanzo resumed thrusting. He plunged deep inside her and at the same time, rubbed her from the outside. With both sensations wiping her mind blank, Enju's mouth fell open.

"Yes…! Han…!"

Hanzo needed no further encouragement. He thrusted relentlessly. Deeper and harder than before, he obeyed her command and gave her the pleasure she craved. He felt her body begin to tense and shake, and just as he bent to kiss her face, he saw her eyes rolling back with blank pleasure. Her scream, sharp and raw with sheer delight, ripped through their small house as she hit a second climax. He felt her body clamp down on his, so tightly and so pleasurably that he felt her finish him too. He shouted her name and thrusted in a frenzy, pumping his thick seed inside of her. Each plunge of his hips brought another heavy spurt of semen and in an animalistic roar, he came copiously. The semen flowed deep into her womb, filling her and threatening to leak from within. Even when it spilled onto the futon, Hanzo didn't feel finished. He grasped her hips and used her body to squeeze every last drop of desire from within him. Only then, did he feel his body weaken. He felt the fatigue hit him like a sword to the heart. Breathless and heaving for air, Hanzo pulled Enju's small body close. Collapsing onto the futon, his final scrap of energy was exerted into making sure he didn't fall asleep on top of Enju. He knew he was too heavy for that. He pulled them to their sides and with a heavy sigh, he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

The presence of someone approaching registered distantly on Hanzo's senses. His eyes opened just as he heard the faint footsteps of someone entering their front garden. He sensed the slightest trace of malice in their approaching person, and though he didn't think they had intent to kill, Hanzo felt his defences rising.

"…mm."

Hanzo glanced down at his wife. She was curled against him, her yukata a crumpled mess beneath their combined weights. He saw from the way her shoulders tensed and her eyes began to open that she too, had felt the approaching person. He watched her a moment longer, with curious eyes. So she was still capable of sensing danger even while asleep. Was it only Hanzo who could possibly mask his presence from her so well? He supposed he was rather good at stealth, and Enju had grown used to his presence. Perhaps her body had simply learned he wasn't a danger.

Enju grumbled and rubbed her eyes sleepily. She swivelled to look up at the bright skies that peeped from beyond the shoji doors. They had remained open all throughout the night, allowing the night breeze to keep them cool in the summer heat. But now the sun was rising, and the humid heat was beginning to descend once more. Hanzo watched as Enju's eyes searched the yard for signs of danger. He felt her hand extend towards the other pillow, where her daggers lay. He tightened his arms around her and squeezed gently.

"Easy. I'll go check who it is."

He liked the way she retracted her hands so readily. She only nodded and closed her eyes again, to roll back into bed. She knew there was potential for danger, and yet she wasn't afraid. She knew she was competent enough to survive. And she trusted Hanzo, too. Hanzo felt his heart bursting with warmth. Slowly, he pushed to his hands and looked up at the front doors. He could see a person's silhouette on the other side of the shoji, growing darker with each step they took. They wielded a farming hoe over their shoulder. It was not a shinobi's weapon, but Hanzo knew any tool could be turned into a lethal weapon in a nukenin's hands. Hanzo pushed to his feet and went first to his closet to take a clean set of clothes. Was he pleased to see a clean yukata folded and waiting for him? He smiled and pulled it over his naked body, providing himself some decency before he went to the door.

"Enju-sama!"

It was a female voice, one which Hanzo recognised to be their neighbour Kaede. Hanzo saw she was about to reach up to tap on the door.

"…Enju-sama! Are you alright?"

Hanzo slid the shoji open before Kaede could knock. It caused the windchime attached to the outside to jingle, and the sudden opening of the door made Kaede jump back in surprise. She wasn't expecting to see Hanzo appear before her.

"H-Hanzo-sama!"

Hanzo nodded and folded his hands into his sleeves. He took in the sight of the woman. She was dressed and ready to work in the fields, which explained how early she had been awake. Still, he noted how flustered she was. He supposed he had yet to announce his arrival back in the village, and only the men on watch last night had seen him.

"Kaede-san. Good morning."

Kaede was still reeling. She quickly composed herself and bowed to Hanzo hastily.

"Hanzo-sama, please forgive me. I was not expecting you to be home so soon!"

Hanzo gave a tip of his head, to show he wasn't offended. "Is everything alright, Kaede-san?"

Kaede only bowed again, apologising profusely.

"Yes! I'm so sorry. I thought I heard…"

Her face turned pink as she bowed even more deeply. "Please forgive me!"

"There's no need to apologise," Hanzo replied. He gestured behind him. "Enju is still sleeping. Was there something you needed?"

"N-No! I simply… I simply didn't realise you had come home in the night. I will… I will leave you alone! Please excuse me, Hanzo-sama."

Hanzo said nothing. He only watched as Kaede hurriedly excused herself and scuttled back to her house and ran inside. He waited till she had closed the door behind her before he responded by way of raising a brow. He leaned back inside their little cottage and slid the door shut again.

"I think we may have been a little loud, Enju."

Enju lay on her back, her yukata folded tightly this time. Her hands covered a red and burning face. Hanzo smiled and stepped towards her, taking only a few wide and confident strides. He found the sight very entertaining.

"How embarrassing!"

Hanzo sat back down beside her with a chuckle. Reaching out, he placed his hand on her thigh and stroked it up and down soothingly.

"I'm not embarrassed," he remarked. "Not in the least."

Enju's fingers slid apart to reveal a watching eye.

"Easy for you to say!"

Hanzo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I'm sure we wouldn't have needed to be so loud if a certain someone hadn't left the doors open. I didn't expect to return to such a tantalising invitation, dear wife."

Enju lowered her hands and scowled at him. "Don't pin this on me, Hanzo! I would have killed you, had I not recognised you in time!"

"Don't worry. I won't give you the opportunity to do that again. Now that I know you are capable of such terrible temptation… It was quite the welcome, I must say…"

"Hanzo-sama…"

Enju's voice was a tired and frustrated growl. Hanzo only smiled. He leaned down to kiss her on the lips. It was a soft and light kiss, and a sharp contrast to their heated passion from the previous night.

"I'm home, Enju."

Slowly, carefully, Enju pushed to her elbows. Her face still burned red, but those eyes were fixed on Hanzo. Sitting up, she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on his cheek.

"…welcome home."