Kazu leaned against the wall outside the mission board, arms crossed, eyes subtly scanning the hallway. It had become a routine lately—not by choice. Something was off. His instincts, sharpened over years of pain and silence, told him the threat wasn't out there.
It was inside.
And her name was Reina.
She slinked around the base like a cat, smug and sure, her gaze always lingering too long on certain people. Most notably Unmei… and himself. Kazu had seen her "coincidental" meetings with Unmei outside his patrol room. The suspicious appearances wherever Kazu happened to be training. Her gaze burned, not with admiration, but possession.
He narrowed his eyes as he watched her trail past Unmei again, lips curled in a small smile, her aura dripping with something venomous. But this time, she wasn't alone in sensing something.
Unmei tensed, his breath hitching slightly. He blinked, and his eyes flashed a deeper red.
"What's wrong?" Kazu asked as he approached.
Unmei looked over his shoulder, whispering, "He's not happy."
Kazu furrowed his brows. "Your curse?"
Unmei nodded slowly. "He says she reeks of lies. He doesn't like her stalking us."
They both turned to look—Reina had already vanished into another hallway.
"Even he has a bad feeling, huh?" Kazu muttered.
Unmei let out a small laugh, though his voice remained wary. "He's usually grumpy, but… when he says someone's dangerous, I listen."
Kazu exhaled slowly. "I've been watching her too. There's something about her… Like she's studying us. Waiting for the right moment."
Unmei shifted closer. "You think she's planning something?"
"I think she's already started," Kazu replied coldly. "And I'm not going to wait for her to make the first move."
Meanwhile, deep within Unmei's subconscious, the curse snarled against the barrier that held him dormant. His form flickered like shadows trapped in flame.
"I'll burn her soul to ash if she touches him," it growled. "No one touches what's mine."
His eyes gleamed with dangerous affection—both for Unmei… and the strange, pure boy he had grown to admire.
That evening, Kazu sat on the rooftop, watching the horizon as the sun dipped below the clouds. He felt Hanzo settle beside him, quiet and warm.
"You're worried," Hanzo said.
"I don't trust her," Kazu murmured. "She's hiding something big."
Hanzo looked sideways at him. "Then let's uncover it. Together."
Kazu smiled faintly. "Thanks, Hanzo… really."
Beneath them, Reina watched from the shadows, lips curled into a sly grin.
"Let's see how long your peace lasts, sweet Kazu."