PoVs/Protagonists/Couples:
Hanzo (character belongs to Blizzard) x Ýri (OC)
Genji (character belongs to Blizzard) x Shizuka (OC)

WARNING: This story will be a very long one, full of dialogs, drama and violence as well as grammar mistakes because none of the authors is a native English speaker. And it is for mature audiences only!

SIDENOTE: For the ones primary interested in Hanzo's story parts: You will have to be patient a little longer, since in our storyline nothing really interesting will happen to him until the fall of Overwatch.

R&R please.

Chapter 8: First Mission (Genji x Shizuka)

Not even a week later, Genji found himself inside an Overwatch shuttle on the way to his very first mission as part of the crew. With his rehabilitation successful, they now wanted to see if he had the skills to invade Hanamura castle. Genji of course was more than reluctant at first, but somehow Shizuka had convinced him to take part.
He shot a glare in the direction, where she was talking to a certain black-skinned bastard. Why does Reyes have to be here?! Genji still didn't like him. He especially despised seeing him and Shizuka together. His dragons growled at the sight of seeing those two standing so close. But before he could go and intercept them, a giant armored hand landed on his shoulder.
»Already nervous, lad?«, he looked up to see Reinhardt staring down on him with a friendly face. It didn't really help though, since the weight from the armor was crushing him.
»Well … «, he answered awkwardly, still trying to keep an eye on the white-haired Hikari and her so-called elder brother.
»Don't be. You see, everything will work out in the end. Ah, I remember my first mission … «, and with that he started the long-winded storytelling the way just »older people« do.
Genji wasn't listening, though he was still occupied with watching the other two. Reyes seemed angry about something – quite a normal sight – but Shizuka seemed rather annoyed. She was saying something to the bastard with a frown on her face. He really wanted to know what they were talking about, but Reinhardt was still keeping him trapped beneath his metal arm.
»Reinhardt … well … I do not want to offend but … you are heavy. Especially in that armor«, he told the old soldier while trying to escape.
Thankfully the elderly giant noticed his predicament. »Oh yes, my apologies«, he said and removed the arm. »Show us what you're made of kid!«
Genji stared at him. »Kid?! Well now you are making fun of me.«
Reinhardt tilted his head, his voice portraying his confusion. »Why should I? You are younger than me, so it is only fitting.« A chuckle was heard from underneath the helmet. »If you don't like kid, I could always call you sonny.«
A horrified look crossed Genjis face. »Oh no, please not! Kid is just fine.«
The armored giant only laughed. »Just teasing you«, he patted Genji's shoulder again before turning to the rest of the team occupying the shuttle. »Let's go! I can't wait to kick some ass!«
Genji couldn't help but smirk. »Oi, grandpa, take it easy, will you?« To this the man in question turned to Ana and demanded to know if he really looked that old to her as well.
The Shimada's amused chuckle was interrupted by a slender hand being placed on his shoulder and a soft voice sounding in his ears. »I'm sure you will do just fine. And for emergency cases, Ana and I will have your back«, Shizuka told him.
He nodded, remembering that she wouldn't be able to see his confident expression through his new mask. »Nothing will happen. I know how to handle myself.«
The little Hikari only rolled her eyes. »As a healer I have seen what could happen on such a mission often enough. So don't be ashamed to call out for either me or Ana if you need help«, she reminded him, worry written all over her face.
Genji reached out and patted her head a little mockingly. »I always operated on my own, so I know what to do.«
She slipped off his touch, pouting. »That's why I worry. We have to operate as team!«
»Oh, come on. I will be fine, just concentrate on the others«, he said confidently.
»Fine«, she answered reluctantly.
Genji laid a friendly arm around her shoulder and felt almost immediately Reyes' glare. The Shimada didn't care and moved his other hand to her cheek. »Don't look so worried. It will be fine.« His gesture made her look up with an adorable blush. W-wait, adorable? Am I starting to go crazy? Yes, she is cute, but she is a Hikari on top of being an Overwatch agent - off limits!
»I just don't want to see you hurt, just because you don't trust us«, she said.
»I trust you, isn't that enough?«, he answered. He honestly trusted her to have his back and not to betray him like his brother did.
She smiled at him. »I will try my best to meet your expectations then.«
Genji found himself returning it. »I have no doubt you will.«
In this moment, the shuttle landed. Tensed, Genji clicked out the Shurikens hidden inside his arm and watched as Shizuka snapped out her staff along with everyone gathering in front of the doors.
»And don't slip with your guns, okay, Gabe?«, he caught McCree whispering to the dark-skinned man, who replied with: »No promises.« The Shimada didn't want to know what they had been talking about.
»Let's go«, he heard the cowboy shout as the shuttle's gates opened. Gunshots echoed through the air already. Finally something Genji was familiar with. Finally a situation he could control on his own – Facing opponents, avoiding their strikes while striking out in return, no time to think and only to rely on his own instincts.
Another Shuriken met its mark. Confident, Genji turned to the commander of Blackwatch. »Hey Reyes, already got four! How about you?«, he boosted, making sure a certain little healer could hear him as well. Ladies love a skilled warrior after all.
Reyes killed off another enemy, before he faced Genji with a smug smirk. »Seven.« Then he went back to ignoring him.
A dragon-like growl ripped from his throat. »Just you wait!« There was no way he would let him be outdone by the beanie wearing bastard!
A dark chuckle let him knew that he had been heard. »You will never measure up to me, machine.«
Genji had enough of the other's superior attitude. With a smirk, he grabbed the handle of the katana Torbjörn had made for him after finishing the mask. »Watch and learn.«,
He rushed past the enemy frontlines and in the next moment, he came at them from behind, unsheathing the green glowing blade. »Ryūjin no ken o kurae!« His dragons emerged with a corresponding roar and together they cut through enemies like silk.
Judging from the shocked outcries on both sides neither the enemies nor his own team were prepared for something like that. A victorious smirk adorned his face under the mask. Score!
A laugh escaped him as he turned back to Reyes, who was staring at him in angered shock. »So what now, Reyes?«, he wanted to know, while letting his eyes wander over the mess he had created. That was when he noticed it. »Wait … one is missing.«
Too late.
A maniac laugh. A gleeful declaration. »Bye, bye, fool!«
A desperate shout, drowned out by a mighty boom. »ANA!«
Then it was over.
Genji could do nothing but watch horrified, as Shizuka used her shockwave ability to catapult Ana away from the plummeting debris - with no time to escape them herself.
»No … No! SHIZUKA!«
He stormed forward without thinking, but deep down knowing it would be too late. No-one could have survived a building falling onto them.
Genji rushed past Ana, who laid on the ground, dizzy but unharmed. He ignored the other's shouting as well. His only concern was for the one buried underneath a mountain of ruins. Frantically he shoved away stone after stone. He didn't even care about Reyes joining his mad attempt to find her.
Suddenly, something broke out of the pile with a mighty roar and sending the rubble flying, forcing them to jump back. Surprise and hope grew inside of him, when he spotted one of his dragons being the cause for this uproar. »Yosh!«, he shouted out to him. The dragon in question pushed away more debris and revealed the roughed up, but breathing form of Shizuka. As soon as she was completely freed, the large green snake tightly curled around her. Never before had Genji been so relieved.
With a call of her name, Reyes also rushed towards her, only to be blocked by the dragon. Genji felt the protective anger coming from his beast, as it defended the dazed healer with an angry snarl.
»Let me through, beast!«, Reyes yelled while attempting to shove past him, but the dragon was having none of it. He growled at the other man, his body blocking the view of the white-haired woman. Genji climbed down too and spoke with a cool voice. »Calm down, brother. We need to get her out.« But the dragon wasn't listening. It only gave his master a reproachful look and curled tighter around the girl.
»Uhhh … what just hit me?«, a weak female voice reached his ears. Thank goodness. Over the green glow of his spirit, he could see her slowly sitting up with a hand on her head.
»Careful. Do not move unnecessarily«, he worriedly called out.
»W-what?«, she asked, still dazed from the incident. But then she noticed his dragon. Her eyes were as wide as saucers, the fear clearly readable, reminding of what the dragons of the Shimada once did to her clan.
»He would never hurt you.« Especially that one lizard had been infatuated with her the moment they met. »Don't be afraid«, he said with a gentle tone.
»Genji?«, she called out his name, but her eyes never left the dragon, who had turned his full attention to her. Right now the dragon was sniffing her, his head tilted and body language suggesting he was trying to appear nonthreatening.
»Don't worry, I am here«, the Shimada as he slowly approached them.
»That dragon … «, she whispered now more captivated than afraid.
»Yes, it is the one you met already«, he told her. »Just bigger.« The tension was slowly melting from his body, since she seemed to be alright.
Now a small smile showed up on her face and she reached out to pet the spirit dragon, who had been eagerly waiting for just that, Genji realized. A longing he felt from his dragon since he came to know her, but which he was only now able to identify. The realization left him stunned. He stared at the pair, who in just a few seconds grew so content as if they had known each other for a long time.
Did this mean that a part of him had always longed for her? I already know I cannot call her my enemy any longer … What did the last Hikari mean to him – a Shimada?
»Shizuka, don't touch that beast!« Reyes angry shout ripped him out of his thoughts. »We can't trust either of them!«, he yelled and went past Genji to drag her away from the dragon. Something the spirit did not approve at all. It snapped at the man.
»My bad, Reyes. But your bad attitude is exactly the reason why he doesn't let you near«, he said, a little smug. The farther apart those two were, the better Genji would feel. His dragon seemed to think so as well. In fact, the only thing keeping the spirit from pouncing on the dark skinned bastard was Shizuka's hand on his head. But as soon as she tried to stand up, the dragon's attention was back on her. He shifted his snake-like body so, that he could easily support her still shaking form, releasing a concerned purr all the while.
»Ok, enough is enough. Let me through«, another voice commanded suddenly. Genji turned around, to find Ana standing right beside him. »I need to see, if the girl needs to be brought into the med-bay«, she continued, not caring that Genji, his dragon and Reyes were currently blocking her way. Reluctantly the Shimada stepped aside.
»Thank you, but I am fine, Ana. Just a little worse for wear«, Shizuka told the senior healer, trying to sound convincing.
Ana had noticed it and instantly she rounded on him and Reyes. »You! This is your fault!«
»How is that my fault?! That damn Shimada is to blame!«, the moron was quick to retaliate.
Genji scowled at him. Shizuka was only alive thanks to his dragon's fast actions.
Ana was having none of it either. »You are the older one here and the commander of Blackwatch to boot. So do not try to get all the dirt on the new one.«
Genji mentally nodded along. Finally, someone who understands.
Reyes only glared at both of them. »You can't order me around!«, he growled out before he turned back to Shizuka and the dragon. Without hesitating he marched towards her again. »I will get the little Hikari back to the shuttle now.« His reaching hands were shoved away by Genjis snarling spirit.
A chuckle escaped past his mask. »Heh, better I take her back«, he stated and approached as well.
»Don't you dare!«, Reyes hissed back and blocked his way.
»Honestly guys, I am fine«, Shizukas voice spoke up. »I am perfectly able to walk by myself«, she said, while accepting McCree's hand to get her out of the crater.
That put an effective end to the argument. Guilty that he had ignored her to quarrel with her »brother«, Genji called out to his dragon to return to him. But to his great shock, he got hissed at just like Reyes had. His own dragon refused to obey him! Instead floated calmly after Shizuka!
Reyes glared at Genji, then at the dragon and back at Genji again. »Get that thing away from her!«, he demanded.
»I am trying!«, he retorted, honestly doing everything he could to get his wayward dragon back under control. »He doesn't want to!«, he finally realized.
It was just like the night in the med-bay again. Only that now, Shizuka didn't shy away from the green glowing spirit. He watched as she turned around to address her follower. »Is something wrong, little guy?«, she asked with a tone that women normally used for cute animals. Something his dragon was definitely not, but nevertheless acted like in her presence.
»You can't even control your own beast?!«, Reyes angry accusation turned his attention away from the now purring dragon.
»I have no idea why he is doing this! His brother never acted that weird!«, Genji tried to defend himself.
Shizukas older brother was less than impressed. »I don't care! Just get him under control and far away from her«, he ordered.
A few feet away, his dragon was loudly purring under Shizuka's gentle pettings. The way he leaned into her touch left no doubt that his spirit was having the time of his existence.
Well I don't mind a beautiful woman's caresses either … Guess he was not acting so out of character from his master after all.
Genji crossed his arms and threw the older man a challenging glare. »You know what? I do not even care what he is doing. And Shizuka doesn't seem to mind him either.«
It was true. By now his dragon was tightly curled around her and practically demanding her to pet him. Together they made a really adorable picture. Genji had trouble to look away.
No, I am definitely NOT envying my own dragon!
In his lapse of attention, he wasn't prepared for Reyes shoving against him on his way past and almost making him loose his footing. »You better not mess with me, or you will regret it«, he told the Shimada in a deathly calm tone.
Genji though was used to threats like that being made to him and replied in the same voice. »I can live with that pretty fine.«
Reyes growled at him. »Just leave her alone.«
»Why don't you leave her alone instead? Because I do not intend to«, he told him and he meant it. What was it about her, that fascinated the dragon and to be honest, the man as well?
A gun was pressed to his head in the next second. Reyes seemed to especially trigger-happy today. »Stay away from my little Hikari, machine. That is my only warning.«
Due to his mask his opponent wasn't able to see the confident smirk adorning his face. »You think a bullet will scare me away? Then you have no idea, who it is you're dealing with.«
The gun pressed against his head even harder. »I don't care, who you're think you are. I am just dying to shoot you«, Reyes hissed out.
»What are you waiting for then?«, Genji goaded him.
Before anyone of them could react though, McCree shoved himself in between them. »Maybe you two could refrain from killing each other for now? I would really like to get home soon and have a good drink«, he said while using his outstretched arms to keep them from throwing any punches. Something Genji ached to do.
»I don't care what that bastard over there decides to do. I already learned to die«, he stated.
Reyes snapped back immediately, McCree's presence already forgotten. »Too bad you didn't stay down.« Suddenly he smirked dangerously. »But so I get the chance to kill you off personally. And since you're asking so desperately for it … «
One thing was for sure. Genji would never get himself killed by that scum. Oh no, he wouldn't give the bastard that satisfaction. »Oh I don't think so. You are too much a coward.«
Again the guns were pointed at him. He tensed, ready to dodge the bullets and then retaliate, but before anything could happen a small body positioned herself right in front of him. »Gabriel Reyes! Put those guns away right now!« Shizuka's reprimanding voice would've made any mother jealous. Especially since she could pull it off, while wearing his dragon like some kind of oversized accessory. His spirit was slung around her like a giant scarf, with his head resting on hers and still purring. The whole thing looked completely ridiculous.
Sadly, Reyes was far from ready to listen to her. »Why? He is obviously asking for it. So why don't we just listen to him and end his suffering?«, he asked her with a snide smirk.
Shizuka was not willed to listen to him. »You will not shoot him, you hear me?«, she told him firmly.
Reyes shrugged nonchalantly, but his eyes never left the dragon's, still curled around Shizuka. It was as if he did not even notice her, his only goal being to eliminate the threat – namely Genji.
»We only saved him, so we have a trump card in the fight against the Shimada Empire. You know that, little Hikari«, Reyes was advancing on her, causing both Genji and the dragon to tense.
Shizuka stayed calm and laid a hand on the growling dragon, to sooth him as well. »That may have been true at the start, but things change, Gabriel«, she said. »With time. Enemies can become friends.«
Reyes did not like this exchange. In the next second he had separated the dragon from Shizuka and was holding her wrists in a death grip. »Have you lost your mind?! He is a Shimada! You are a Hikari!«, he yelled at her. »He is the reason your clan had to suffer! He is the reason your women were forced into an arranged marriage! He is the reason they are all dead now!«
Genji felt the words like physical hits. Because every last one of them was true. Even the last one. They may not have slaughtered the Hikari themselves, but they had done nothing at all to protect them. Shizuka was the only person, whose hate he would find justified, sensible even. He would perfectly understand, if she resented him. Her hate alone, he would take in straight and with a guilty face.
»Don't you dare!« Shizukas shout made all of them look to her in utter shock. She was glaring at her older brother like Genji's mother had glared at his father, when he was about to punish him or his brother for some minor failures again. »Genji did none of this! And you know that! Only because he bears the name Shimada doesn't make him a bad guy! The people who murdered every one of my family in cold blood are way worse than anything anyone from the Shimada clan ever did! So don't you dare to blame any of that on Genji!«, she screamed, before pushing Gabriel away from her. Then she stormed away from the scene, disappearing between the broken buildings of the battlefield. Genji could only watch after her, stunned to the core.