Chapter Six: Higanbana-Hime
-Nadeshiko was scolding these full-grown men for their words and actions, tearing them to pieces with her words, calling them childish, especially for pulling in innocent people by attacking random places that both gods and humans frequent.
-She folded her arms when one tried to claim that they didn’t do that, trying to deny it, she pulled out one of the throwing knives with their logo on it, “Well the tea house I was at the other day certainly was. And this one almost hit me. Would you have taken responsibility if I had been hit? Or if a child had been hit?”
-The mood instantly shifted as Kondo came over, confirming the knife was similar, taking it from her as they were all quickly groveling, their heads on the ground as they begged for forgiveness.
-Ganesha then called out as he ran over, “Miss Nadeshiko~~!” her icy façade instantly melted as she smiled, opening her arms to embrace the child, “Hello again Ganesha, I’m happy to see you!”
-Shiva was stunned, seeing that his son knew this intimidating and beautiful woman, and he felt his throat tighten, seeing her smiling so warmly, but he was the only one, as most of the other Hindu gods were in awe, seeing this interaction with Ganesha.
-The members of Black Butterfly were in awe, seeing her hug this child before her gaze returned to them, her eyes narrowing, “Gods and humans can get along just fine, it’s narrowminded people like you who create problems and animosity between the two.”
-Ganesha smiled up at her, happy that she called him her friend, holding onto her free hand.
-Kondo went to stand when her eyes instantly narrowed, going on guard as the wall behind her seemed to explode inward.
-Several voices shouted out for Ganesha and her as well before she landed safely in front of Raiden, holding Ganesha close, having grabbed the child and leapt up easily, neither one getting hurt.
-Raiden was quickly standing, putting himself between whoever burst in and the swordswoman and child, as was Shiva.
-Nadeshiko turned, seeing Brahma after he put his hand on her shoulder, going to help her get away, and she was quick to smile down at Ganesha, passing him to Brahma before she stood, moving to stand with Kojiro.
-A group of men, both gods and humans, more members of Black Butterfly, ones that Kondo hadn’t captured before, as the situation turned bad again, realizing that this organization was larger than anyone had thought, seeing humans and gods from other pantheons as well.
-Nadeshiko removed the umbrella portion of her scabbard, eyes narrowed as she stepped forward, Kojiro instantly grinned, “We’ll cover you, Nadeshiko-chan!”
-Those now standing before the group of warriors were ones who didn’t know of her legend, of her power and skill as she shifted her leg back, one hand on her scabbard and the other on the hilt of her sword.
-She dashed forward, seeming to disappear, her hakama falling to the ground as she seemed to twirl around the huge group of people, glimpses of her blade flittering around.
-As quickly as she started, Nadeshiko landed back in front of Shiva, who was stunned, seeing her blade drawn and she slowly put it back in the scabbard, slowly exhaling as if she had been holding her breath.
-When the hilt met the scabbard, more than half the men in the group, who were all staring in shock at her, none feeling the pain of their wounds, suddenly collapsed, injured and unconscious, but not dead.
-Jaws dropped all around as Raiden and Kojiro charged in, followed by Kondo and Okita as she stayed back, relaxing as business was quickly handled.
-Arms wrapped around Nadeshiko’s knees and she turned with a small sound, seeing Ganesha who had sparkly bright eyes, “That was amazing!! You were so fast!”
-His praise seemed to embarrass her, her cheeks turning a bit red as she lifted a hand to her cheek, “You’re so sweet.” However, she was quick to find herself surrounded by Shiva’s three wives, who were quick to praise her as well.
-There were a little closer than Nadeshiko was comfortable for, feeling just a bit crowded by them, but she felt like she could handle it, for the moment.
-Nadeshiko silently questioned why Shiva needed three wives, before remembering that some lords in her own time had multiple wives, but at least Kali, Durga, and Parvati seemed to get along well with each other.
-The men dealt with the members of Black Butterfly, hauling them all out to be taken away, while the four women and Ganesha remained inside, as Nadeshiko had done her part taking out the majority of opponents.
-Shiva couldn’t help but grin, seeing his wives and son talking so easily to Nadeshiko, now a bit more relaxed, all of them looking happy.
-Nadeshiko stunned everyone, when the other gods of the Hindu pantheon came over, to praise her sword skills and thank her for the help, when she turned red, getting shy and instantly stepped behind Kojiro, holding onto his sleeve like a child.
-Raiden laughed warmly while Rudra and Vishnu were surprised, she was such a confident and intimidating woman, and to be suddenly showered in praise, being approached by men, most of them shirtless, that she was such a pure maiden.
-Nadeshiko pouted lightly at her friend as Raiden patted her back while Okita handed her hakama back to her which she put on, thanking the other swordsman.
-Raiden then spoke, “Now that that’s settled, how about we party?!” Nadeshiko rolled her eyes, but decided to stay, as Kojiro asked for her insight about this whole situation about the marriage, something Shiva was quick to agree with too, something the other gods of the Hindu pantheon silently cheered, glad that Shiva was sometimes so impulsive.
