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!
Finally we start with Hanzo's part! Hope you like it.
Chapter 16: Lost Dragon (Hanzo, Shizuka)
Hanzo was crouching on a roof in a shady part of Dorado, bored out of his mind. »Remind me while we are doing this again?«, he asked over the com.
Instead of simply answering, Widowmaker chose to come over personally. Something Hanzo really didn't rejoice in, especially when she immediately got way too close again.
»I don't know where the point in observing Sombra is either. Reaper is the only one, who doesn't trust her«, she said in that annoying French accent of hers.
»Reaper doesn't trust anyone«, he stated, already regretting even opening his mouth.
»Au contraire. He trusts Doomfist … and me as well.«
He rolled his eyes. »Until you are of no more use to him.«
Widomaker shrugged. »I am a weapon. Just like you and weapons do not lose their usefulness.«
What a fool she is … Every weapon loses its edge with time and nobody wants a dull weapon. His father had told him that more than once. »Everything has its limits.«
She laughed. To him, it sounded like nails grating on a chalkboard.
»Bien sûre. Especially that bow of yours.«
He growled at her. Nobody insulted his trusty bow. »Don't you have your own roof to cover?!«
She ignored him, as always. »Maybe you should be more grateful to get contracts from Talon. Considering that little rat, Junkrat, got away with your share of the treasure.«
An angry hiss escaped him. Hanzo would have liked nothing more than to put an arrow through her skull this very moment. »Stop bringing that up every single time!«
Widowmaker moved even closer to him, making him want to retreat to the other side of the roof.
»You want me to stop mentioning the only time you tried to get around without Talons support, which ended in a disaster? I cannot grant you that favor, I am afraid.«
»Just. Stop. Talking«, he pressed out.
»Why so aggressive all of a sudden, cheríe? Your grandfather and father always worked so well with us. Why are you trying to escape us so badly?«
He snarled at her and everyone else would have shaken in his boots, but her it left cold.
»You know nothing!«, he spat, before he stood up to leave. He couldn't take this infuriating bitch any longer.
»Really? You are quitting again?«, she asked, moving up to follow him.
»No. Just going to cover your roof, which you refuse to do yourself«, he angrily replied.
»What is wrong with you lately? It's just like in Lijang, where you weren't even able to kill this little brat!«
»Just stop it. Pretending to care does not suit someone like you.«
He could see her rolling her eyes this time, the most emotional reaction she had shown him beside her constant tries to get him to sleep with her …
»That way you will never be able to rebuilt your empire«, she told him for the hundredth time now.
»Maybe I don't even want to«, he shot back. Indeed he had no desire to return to this cursed place ever. The memories and the guilt would kill him right away.
»And what else do you want to do? Settle in a house with some stupid girl and tend to the herbs in the backyard? Don't be silly.«
Widowmaker came close again and laid her arms around him. He immediately shook her off, but it didn't stop her from stroking down his arm. He didn't even try to keep his disgusted grimace from showing at that.
»Why are you so ›concerned‹ about my future anyway?«, he asked.
»You were bred and raised a weapon. Such an ordinary life will bore you in no time«, she answered.
»All you do is make assumptions. Besides, my life is none of your business«, he snarled.
»Whatever«, she said and suddenly was back to her usual emotionless self.
Without another word Widowmaker hooked herself back to her own roof, making Hanzo release a relieved sigh. Finally, he could actually concentrate on the mission.
»Reaper, the target is preparing to move. Should I take the shot or not?«, he asked over the com.
»We actually need her alive, just that you know«, Reaper replied.
Hanzo lowered his bow again. »That's nothing like you-ARGH!«
Suddenly the ground beneath his feet got ripped away as he was blown off the roof by an unseen force. Before he knew it, he hit the ground. He could hear Reaper yelling something, but wasn't able answer for he was thrown against a wall, losing his com in the process.
»Argh!«, he tried to get up again with a groan. »What the-?!«
He looked up to see the small form of a woman marching towards him. She looked unarmed, but from the smirk across her face, it had been her somehow throwing him around like a ragdoll. So without hesitations, he released his dragons, but to his very shock she just ignored them and kept approaching. It looked like they couldn't touch her at all!
»How the mighty have fallen, Shimada«, she said, coming to a stop right in front of him.
That close, he could make out the long almost white hair and her rather small and delicate stature. It wasn't the only thing odd though, for a soft blue glow seemed to flow from her chest. This woman is far from normal, he concluded and reluctantly called back his dragons, since they were not able to do a thing anyway.
»Huh? Who-?!«, he stammered, slowly standing up, while keeping an eye on his unusual opponent.
A cruel smirk danced across her lips. »Wouldn't you like to know?«, she taunted and calmly raised her hand to draw out a long hairpin, the needle glinting silver in the moonlight. »What will you do now?«, she asked as if she had already won the battle.
But Hanzo wasn't helpless just yet, he readied his bow. »Right between the eyes. Impossible to miss from this distance«, he told her curtly, it did nothing to make her falter though.
»Are you sure? You are free to try, of course.«
Without hesitation he released the arrow, but an inch before it reached her, it shattered into a thousand pieces.
Hanzo's eyes widened in shock. Impossible! Never had he seen something like that. This woman had destroyed his arrow without even moving, thrown him around like he weighted nothing and even triumphed over his dragons!
Hanzo had enough. »What. Are. You?!«, he hissed, hands gripping his bow so tightly his knuckles turned white.
She moved fast. Too fast for him to aim at her again. In the blink of an eye, the sharpened edge of her hairpin was pressed against his throat.
»The last of a peaceful clan you tormented for centuries before you Shimada-monsters wiped them out!«, she scowled, increasing the pressure and making him feel the poisoned coating of her weapon.
»What are you talking about?!«, he growled back as good as he could without drawing his own blood.
»Typical Shimada. You don't even care to remember the ones you hurt.«
Suddenly a symbol was thrust in his face. »Maybe this will jog your memory.«
He barely suppressed the gasp at the familiar crescent moon cradling a lotus bloom. The symbol of the Hikari, his mother's clan. He couldn't believe it.
»Some survived?«, he asked in an hoarse whisper.
She shook her head. »None but me. You Shimadas made sure of that, but I will pay you back for the pain you caused tenfold!«
Hanzo didn't even question, why a Hikari would suddenly break her own traditions of not taking another life. The shock was still too great.
»I had nothing to do with that massacre!«, he meekly defend himself before he relaxed his tensed body. »But if it will give you peace, go ahead. Kill me. I don't even care.«
He really didn't. There was no real purpose in his life anymore, instead he just wasted away his days. Maybe being killed by a Hikari was some weird form of justice being dealt. Maybe he could atone for all his sins, if he let her land the final blow. So he waited calmly, a sense of peace overtaking him. At the same time he could see his declaration had thrown her for a loop, obviously she had expected a fight.
»You liar! You are all liars!«, she yelled, her trembling hands revealing how much this situation was truly affecting her.
He let out a bitter chuckle, mindful of the sharp needle still pressed against his throat. »Do you really think I would have killed my own mother? The only one ever caring about me?«, he spoke softly.
His mother had been the only one beside his brother to ever see him as a human being, capable of emotions. She had never demanded him to be something he didn't want to be, yet he ignored her, disrespected her and wasn't there when she needed him the most. Just another guilt weighting heavily on him, but he refused to take on any more of it, even at the cost of his own life.
She shook her head and her hands stopped shaking, showing she regained her composure. »You were cold enough to kill your own brother! So why not?!«, she hissed. Now her anger did come forth again.
»Because she was my mother!«, he cried, guilt and anger in his voice.
For a long while none of them moved after the words stopped echoing in the air between them. They just kept staring at each other.
Finally, the Hikari spoke up, it was a touch softer than everything she had said before.
»You really do care … «, but in the next moment her expression hardened again. »But that changes nothing!«, she said, sounding more like she was reminding herself of it than telling it to him.
»Indeed«, he agreed, »The only ones I ever cared about are dead. So do what you have to.«
He wouldn't be angry at her or condemn her, because maybe, when he was gone, he would be able to see the ones dearest to him again. Brother … Mother … I hope you will welcome me despite all that I have done …
Now it was her turn to look shocked. »What?! At least fight me! Defend yourself!«
He shook his head as far as it was possible. »No.«
»Why not?!«, she shrieked.
He stared into her eyes, showing his unshakeable resolve on the matter.
»I won't lay a hand on a Hikari by all the honor I have left.«
His words elicited a bitter laugh from her. »Honor?! What honor?! Shimadas never had honor and never will!«, she shouted, more broken than angry.
Hanzo could understand, he had felt like that himself many times before. »And still I refuse to fight you, so you better make up your mind now.«
For the longest time there was a tension, but then to his surprise she lowered her poisoned hairpin and stepped back.
»I cannot do it. I cannot kill in cold blood«, she said in a strange tone, not happy but not angry either.
»Sorry to hear that«, Hanzo said, knowing this world didn't allow people, who hesitated, to live long. And yet, he kind of had looked forward to seeing his family again, even if they would never forgive him for his deeds.
Some of her fury returned at his words. She stared coldly at him. »Someone like you doesn't even know what regret feels like.«
The Hikari had no idea what she was saying. He felt more guilt and regret than he ever thought possible to exist within a single person and he told her as much: »You know nothing.«
There was still some rage inside of her, even though she refused to kill him just like that.
»I know more than you«, she declared, while she stepped farther away from him, but what she didn't realize was, that she made herself the perfect target for Widowmaker to shoot.
Hanzo couldn't allow it. He wouldn't be the reason the last of his mother's clan would die. He refused to have that kind of blood on his hands!
»Step back to my side. Now«, he warned her. But the foolish girl wasn't listening to him and distanced herself even further from him.
»Do you really think me dumb enough to-Argh!«, she broke off with a painful scream as the bullet pierced her shoulder.
She had been lucky though, because if she hadn't moved in just that moment, the bullet would have pierced her head instead.
Hanzo reacted instantly and called upon his dragons to cover them, while he helped her up. »There is a sniper on the roof right behind you. Someone else is down in the streets, so you better get out of here while you can«, he snapped, hoping that this time she would listen.
The weakened woman stumbled onto her feet, clutching her wounded shoulder. Blood was already dripping onto the ground.
»Why are you helping me?«, she wanted to know.
Hanzo gave her one of his softer looks, his mother's gentle face flowing through his mind. »I made more than enough mistakes already … I do not want to add to the pool of blood at my feet. Not a Hikari's … not my mother's blood«, he answered while pushing her into the direction of the only possible escape road left.
With a last nod, showing that he had gained some of her respect, she vanished into the dark alley. Just to be safe he commanded his dragons to aid her escape and hopefully buy her enough time.
Especially when Widowmaker jumped down next to him, her expression as angry as it could get.
»What is wrong with you?! She tried to kill you and you help her?!«, she immediately started to scream.
But Hanzo wasn't about to let her push him around. »She confused my dragons and turned them against me. There was nothing I could have done!«, he hissed at her. Of course, it wasn't enough to pacify the blue skinned sniper.
»You are a master assassin, you can always do something! Like distracting her so I can get a clear shot!«, she spat.
»I thought you didn't need another's help to do your job«, he countered.
She scowled at him, but thankfully didn't have anything to counter herself. Instead, she diverted the conversation. »I informed Reaper and he will handle the girl. You should be careful, Hanzo, Talon doesn't tolerate failure.«
For a moment Hanzo worried, that Reaper would catch and eliminate the Hikari despite his help, but he refused to show it. Besides, she had held herself against him, so he had to be confident she would hold her own against Reaper. Maybe the man in black wasn't even that interested in her to keep chase …
»Then fire me«, Hanzo told her with a deadpan expression.
Suddenly her tone turned flirty, as much as one could call it that. »Believe me, when I say that this is the last thing I want to do, cheríe.«
Disgust immediately took a hold of him. When was this woman going to stop trying to seduce him?! He wasn't interested in her at all! The closer she came, the stronger was the urge to get away from her or kill her, whatever would get her away from him.
»You know, I could tweak a few things in my report in your favor«, she said, laying an arm around his waist, »for a price of course.«
Hanzo brushed off her arm as soon as it touched him, barely suppressing the shudder as he did so. »I don't care for your bargains.«
What would it take for this woman to get the hint?! Even though he showed no interest at all, she still stuck close to him like glue!
»I want to help you, cheríe, you just have to let me«, she purred, creeping him out even more.
»I do not need your help nor do I want it.«
Still she did not quit. »You cannot keep denying your desires like that. Just give in, I promise it will feel good.«
Now he stared at her. She must have gone insane! »My desires? What desires? What are you even talking about?«
»You are a man, one burdened with dragon instincts too. Sooner or later you will have to give in to them and I will be there for you when the time comes«, she answered with the same purring tone from before.
Hanzo was just horrified. The only dragon instinct I have concerning her is the one to kill. »I really do not know what you mean«, he said hoping to keep her away with that.
»Oh cheríe, do I have to spell it out for you?«, she continued despite his sour look.
»Seems so«, he said, arms crossed and the picture of disinterest, which changed into mortification, as soon as he felt her sling both arms around him, pressing her body tightly against his.
»A man like you surely longs for the touch of a woman.«
Hanzo immediately shoved her away. »Stay away from me, goddammit!«, he hissed.
»Oh come on, you don't have to play hard to get any longer«, she said, as if this was nothing more than a game they were playing.
Hanzo decided on ignoring her completely, but of course that didn't work either.
»Tell me then: Are the rumors true?«, she asked instead after realizing he wouldn't respond to her.
»What rumors?«, he asked with a pissed tone.
»That you … how shall I put this … prefer the hard body of a man rather than the soft one of a woman.«
He couldn't help it, he gaped openly at her at the words. »What?!« It was official, he was now creeped out. »Let's just get to report to the Council«, he added, desperately wishing to escape this whole situation.
Unfortunately, Widowmaker took his discomfort as agreement. »So it is true. That explains why you keep resisting me.«
His discomfort turned into anger very fast. »I have no interest in men, goddammit!«, he yelled, beyond frustrated.
»Then why are you pushing me away all the time?«, she asked and they were back again to the same topic.
»Because I have no interest in women either!« Hanzo was seriously considering just to shoot her and be done with it, but Reaper chose this moment to show up.
It was the first and probably the only time he would be glad to see the black clad assassin.
»What took you so long?! Did you at least get rid of her?«, Widowmaker demanded to know.
There was a long pause before Reaper spoke. »In some way«, was the only thing he said, a strange undertone accompanying it as well.
Hanzo grew suspicious immediately, but it made him hope that the Hikari wasn't as dead as Widowmaker believed her to be.
»Good. I am sure you didn't leave a trace either«, then she turned to Hanzo again, »At least one of you is doing his job right.«
As they reached the shuttle, ready for takng off, he got a glimpse of Reaper. Hanzo wondered what interest someone like Reaper could possibly have in a Hikari …
A few moments earlier …
Shizuka run until she could no longer. The wound throbbed painfully, making her clutch it tightly while she leaned against a wall in complete exhaustion. She knew the bullet had to go soon, or she would be in a load of trouble. If she could just get it out herself, but that damn thing was stuck in an angle she couldn't reach with just one working arm. Cursing under her breath she prepared to try it anyway, but the sound of clapping made her turn around to the end of the alley.
A black-hooded figure stood there, hands still clapping slowly, as if to mock her rather than applaud her.
»That was quite the show«, a dark raspy voice said from behind the gleaming white skull mask, »I am impressed.«
Immediately she was on high alert, Reaper was no one to be taken lightly. But her actions and trembling voice probably gave away her nervousness.
»What the-?! Why couldn't I sense you?!«, she shouted, ready to defend herself despite the shoulder injury. She had always been able to sense another being approaching far before she actually saw them, but with Reaper she sensed absolutely nothing, even now when he stood right in front of her.
The Talon assassin gave her a shrug, coming closer. »Maybe because you can only sense living beings and I am no such thing«, he said calmly. With every step he took towards her, she backed off. »What are you doing in such a place anyway … little Hikari … ?«, he asked, igniting her anger.
»No one is allowed to call me that!«, she shouted.
»Aww … but I think it so fitting«, he almost purred, sending cold shivers down her spine.
Every fiber of her being told her to run, to get away while she could and her instincts had never led her astray. So, without a second thought she turned around and run. Only to stop a few steps later, when Reaper materialized right in front of her. They both stared at each other, Shizuka heavily breathing. She saw his mask turn to her bleeding wound.
»I could help you with that«, he said.
She took another step back, defensive. »You?! An assassin?!«
But she knew she had to get it out soon, if she wanted it to heal properly and she also knew that no one able to help her was even remotely close. Things where not looking good for her.
»Why not?«, the shadow asked and she swore, she could feel the grin under the mask. There was really only one option here …
So, she finally nodded her consent.