Hello and welcome to chapter 16. Last time, Naruto went through a dream trial where he saw memories he and Hinata shared and had to confront several individuals who challenged his ideals in the past such as Neji, Nagato, Obito, and Haku. Now everyone is about to prepare for the battle against their common enemy. Also, if you're wondering what was going on back in their home worlds, this will answer your question. Also, you'll find out how Xigbar and Saix were able to capture Hinata in the first place.
Chapter 16:
In the Shinobi World, Heartless and Nobodies started to appear again, sending everyone into panic. The Five Great Ninja Villages were doing their best to protect everyone in the Five Great Nations and beyond. But they were having a tough time dealing with the Heartless and Nobodies.
At Konoha, Kakashi and the Hidden Leaf Shinobi were busily dealing with the Heartless and Nobodies appearing there. Even Konohamaru and Hanabi were doing their part.
"FIRE STYLE: BURNING ASH…!"
"EIGHT TRIGRAMS: AIR PALM…!"
"NINJA ART: SUPER BEAST SCROLL…!"
"SPIKY HUMAN BOLDER…!"
"LIGHTNING BLADE…!"
While that was going on, Tsunade and Shizune were helping the citizens to evacuate to underground shelters.
"Everyone, do not panic," said Tsunade.
"Please enter the underground shelters in an orderly manner," said Shizune.
In Suna, the Hidden Sand Village, Gaara was using his sand jutsu to crush the Heartless and Nobodies. With him were his siblings, Kankuro and Temari, who were using their own jutsu to help their younger brother.
"WIND SCYTHE JUTSU…!"
"PUPPET MASTER JUTSU…!"
"SAND SHURIKEN…!"
Using their jutsu, the Three Sand Siblings were able to overt several Heartless and Nobodies. Suddenly, Gaara heard a familiar voice.
"Gaara…!"
"Shukaku," Gaara thought. "Is that you?"
"Yeah Gaara," Shukaku replied. "Listen, I know who's been keeping us from communicating with one another…!"
"Who was it," Gaara asked Shukaku.
In Kumogakure, the Hidden Cloud Village, Killer B and the Fourth Raikage were using their lightning style jutsu to electrify the Heartless and Nobodies popping up there. As they did, Killer B suddenly got the exact same message from Gyuki as Gaara did from Shukaku.
"Say what yo," Killer B gasped. "You mean to tell me that this Xehanort clown was the reason Naruto, Gaara, Hotaru, Yukimaru, and I weren't able to communicate with you fools? You fool…!"
"Unfortunately," Gyuki answered. "He wanted to make sure that Naruto was unstable enough to help him out with his master plans."
"You mean the ones Kakashi spoke to my big bro and the other Five Kage about," Killer B asked. "The one about the Princesses of Heart…?"
Meanwhile A, Killer B's brother and the Fourth Raikage, noticed that his brother was spacing out and said, "B, what's going on? Why are you spacing out at a time like this?"
"Yo bro," Killer B replied. "I just made contact with Gyuki. I know what's been going down now bro. Better call a Five Kage meeting to inform our bros about what I found out, yo."
In Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist Village, Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage, was utilizing every jutsu she had in her arsenal to take out the Heartless and Nobodies appearing there.
"WATER STYLE: WATER DRAGON JUTSU…!"
"LAVA STYLE: LAVA MONSTER JUTSU…!"
Just then a Gigas Shadow Heartless was about to attack when Hotaru Tsuchigumo countered from behind.
"NINJA ART: BUBBLE BOMB…!"
With the Gigas Shadow gone, Mei turned her attention to the current Six-Tails jinchuriki. "Hotaru…!"
"Lady Mizukage, are you hurt," Hotaru asked.
"I'm fine," Mei assured her. "But what are you doing here?"
Hotaru then explained, "I found out why me and the other jinchuriki weren't able to communicate with our Tailed Beasts!"
In Iwagakure, the Hidden Stone Village, a gigantic Heartless appeared and started attacking everyone in sight. But Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, got in the way and stopped the Heartless from doing too much damage.
"PARTICLE STYLE: ATOMIC DISMANTLING JUTSU…!"
With one black, Onoki was able to destroy the Heartless. But then suddenly, he threw his back out again. "Ow, my back," he gasped upon feeling the pain.
Suddenly, his granddaughter Kurotsuchi arrived on the scene and attacked a Nobody that was about to attack him from behind.
"CORROSION STYLE: QUICKLIME CONGEALING JUTSU…!"
After destroying the Nobody, Kurotsuchi picked up her grandfather and told him, "Grandpa, we have an urgent message from Lords Raikage, Kazekage, and Lady Mizukage."
"I see," said Onoki. "What do they want?"
In the World of Science, Japanese Authorities and S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents were also evacuating everyone in the cities into underground shelters. Miroku and Sango were let out of their cells and were now doing their best to protect the people in Tokyo and its suburbs.
"Everyone, remain calm," said Sango.
"You must flee, but keep yourselves from panicking," Miroku called out. "Get to your shelters in an orderly manner…!"
Suddenly, Heartless and Nobodies showed up and got ready to attack. But Miroku and Sango saw this and prepared themselves.
"HIRAIKOTSU…!"
"SACRED SUTRAS…!"
Using their weapons, Miroku and Sango destroyed a large number of Heartless and Nobodies. But they just kept coming and coming.
At Higurashi Shrine, Koga was doing his best to protect Kagome's family.
"GORAISHI…!"
At Tomoeda Elementary and Tomoeda Middle School, Toya and his friends were helping to evacuate the students while Shippo and Kilala were working together to keep the Heartless and Nobodies at bay.
"FOX FIRE…!"
"Everyone, get to safety as soon as possible," said Toya.
Among the citizens who were being evacuated were Rika, Naoko, and Chiharu.
"This is bad," said Rika.
"I hope Sakura is alright," said Naoko.
"I hope Yamazaki is alright," said Chiharu, getting the others' attention. "What?"
In Feudal Japan, Kaede and the Wolf-Demon Tribe were doing their best to get everyone in the village to safety while Sesshomaru, Jaken, and Kohaku were keeping the Heartless and Nobodies away.
"Everyone, flee to the Forest of Inuyasha," said Kaede. "Ye will be safer there than ye would be here!"
"Okay everyone, stay close to each other," said Ayame. "Just fallow me. Children first…!"
"Just keep it together people," said Hakkaku.
"Don't worry about the Heartless and Nobodies," said Ginta. "We'll handle them."
"BAKUSAIGA…!"
"Behold the Staff of Two Heads…!"
Using their weapons, Sesshomaru and Jaken destroyed a large number of Heartless and Nobodies. Kohaku destroyed a few as well with his Kusarigama, but their numbers kept on growing.
"Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken called out. "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up…! Their numbers just keep on increasing…!"
"We can't give up, Master Jaken," Kohaku responded. "The Heartless and the Nobodies must not reach the villagers! Keep fighting…!"
In Draco Sanctuary, the Elemental Darts were fairing as much as they could against the Heartless and the Nobodies. At the moment, the capital cities of Vesuvius, Atlantenice, Karakora, Ahmsher, Matterhorn, Boreal, Austral, Teotihuacan, Titanium, Solaria, and Lunaria were all secured and protected from danger by magical barriers. However, Darmorce was still trying to get its barrier up and running and the Elemental Darts were doing their best to keep the Heartless and Nobodies at bay while the barrier was still getting ready to activate.
"FROZEN CANNON…!"
"ELECTRON BLASTER…!"
"WHORLE POOL TWISTER…!"
"MATRIX OF LIGHT…!"
"THORN JAG…!"
"HURRICANE TWISTER…!"
"EARTH SHAKER…!"
"SHADOW SPEARS…!"
"CROSS SWORD SLASH…!"
Using their powers and skills, the Elemental Darts were able to blow away or decapitate a large number of Heartless and Nobodies.
In the castle, Queen Crystal was watching from the sidelines as the Elemental Darts held back the Heartless and Nobodies. She knew that the kingdom's noble guardians were powerful enough to hold their own against these beings, but she also knew that they could not hold them back forever.
"I hope they can hold out," she thought.
Suddenly, General Talon, the queen's highest ranking general, arrived in the queen's presence and told her, "Your majesty, the barrier has just been activated…! It should surround the city at any second now…!"
"Good," said the queen, pleased to hear the good news. "Let us just hope that it will be enough to hold off the Heartless and Nobodies."
"Indeed, your majesty," said General Talon.
Out on the battlefield, the Elemental Darts were still doing their best against the Heartless and Nobodies. Unfortunately, they were at their limits and were starting to fall to the ground one by one.
"It is no use," said Bronze. "These things just won't stop coming…! I don't know if I can keep on going like this…!"
"We have to hold out," said Frostina, who was the leader in Spiro's absence. "Until that barrier is up, we cannot let those things get anywhere near the civilians…! Keep going…!"
Suddenly, the barrier activated and Darmorce was covered in a magical dome all the way to the walls. Within the dome, the Heartless and the Nobodies that were inside the city were destroyed almost instantly and Darmorce was safe, for the moment.
"Thank Marduk," Maya sighed in relief.
"It would appear that the Heartless and Nobodies are not able to penetrate the protective barrier," said Saika in her philosophical way. "However, there is no guaranty that it will hold up against them forever."
"I agree," said Zack. "Let us just hope that Spiro and the others have found a way to stop these things."
In the Bending World, the Four Nations were doing as much as they could to keep the Heartless and Nobodies at bay.
At the Fire Nation Capital, Fire Lord Zuko and his worriers and benders were holding off the Heartless and Nobodies with their weapons and firebending.
"This is getting ridiculous," Mei complained before throwing more knives.
"Yeah," Zuko agreed while using more firebending. "Aang and the others had better take care of this problem soon because I don't know how much longer we can hold on."
"Well less talking and more fighting," Mei threw more knives.
At Ba Sing Se, Toph and the Earth Kingdom soldiers were slamming rocks and boulders at the Heartless and Nobodies.
"Come on Twinkle Tows," Toph complained while panting. "What's taking you so long?" Toph then used her earthbending and shot another rock at another Heartless.
At Iroh's tea shop, Iroh was using his firebending skills to keep the Heartless and the Nobodies at bay. "Everyone, stay inside the Tea Shop," he said to his costumers as he fought the Heartless and the Nobodies.
At the North Pole, Master Paku and his students, having returned to the North Pole, were using their water bending skills to protect the citizens of the Northern Water Tribe.
At the South Pole, Hakoda, Sokka and Katara's father, and his men were doing all they can to keep the Southern Water Tribe safe.
In Yen Sid's Tower, Naruto finally woke up. Upon waking up he looked around, feeling a bit disorientated. But after a few seconds, he yawned and asked, "Where am I? What happened?"
"Naruto," said Sakura Kinomoto.
Naruto looked and saw that everyone who was in the room looked at Naruto with sympathy, even Inuyasha.
"Guys," said Naruto. "I…"
Before Naruto could finish what he was going to say, Sakura cut him off and hugged him, much to everyone's confusion and Syaoran's shock.
"We're going to stop Xehanort," said Sakura. "I promise."
Naruto smiled at young Sakura and hugged her back before they separated and the blonde looked at everyone else.
"Who would've known that you knew that girl for so long a time and never noticed her feelings throughout that whole time," Inuyasha teased.
"What are you talking about," Naruto asked before he realized that they all saw his memories. "Wait a minute…! You saw my memories!?"
"My fault," Sakura Kinomoto replied sheepishly.
Naruto then got frustrated and said, "What the hell you guys…! Who gave you the right to…"
"You can throw a fit at us for spying on your memories later Naruto," Spiro cut Naruto off. "For now, it's best that we all focus on the task at hand and do what we can to stop Xehanort and his plan. For all we know, our worlds are in a lot of danger right now."
Everyone knew that Spiro was right.
"Your right Spiro," Sora agreed. "There's no time to mope or argue. Master Xehanort's plans are coming together fast and if we don't stop him soon, our home worlds and all the other worlds will parish."
"But you heard what Yen Sid said," Aang pointed out. "When we tried to help out earlier, we only made things worse. What if it happens again?"
"I do not know, but we cannot just sit around and do nothing at all," Spiro answered.
Suddenly, Donald and Goofy came in and informed the group about what was going on outside the office.
"Guys, the Guardians of Light just left," said Donald.
"They're on their way to the Keyblade Graveyard to retrieve the Princesses of Heart," Goofy added.
"Keyblade Graveyard," Sakura gasped, having been creeped out.
"What kind of world is that," Aang asked out of curiosity.
"It's the world made up of unending badlands scarred by the battles of the Keyblade War," Sora explained. "I've never been there myself, but Mickey and the others have and Mickey told me about it some time ago."
"And according to the king, that's were Xehanort first tried to create the χ-blade," Donald added.
"Fortunately, he failed," said Goofy. "Unfortunately, he didn't give up on creating the χ-blade and now he's about to try again."
"But this time, he knows what he's doing," Sora finished.
In the Keyblade Graveyard, Organization XIII was nearly finished with the preparations for the χ-blade Ritual. Ansem and Xemnas had been working hard on the altar for the seven light and the thirteen darknesses. The last touch was to work on the part where the medium would absorb the twenty pieces and form the χ-blade. Along with them was Organization member number eight, Apprentice Xehanort, the older version of Terra-Xehanort and the form Ansem and Xemnas had spawned from. There was also Organization member numbers nine and ten, Demyx and Luxord. Apprentice Xehanort was making sure that everything was going according to plan.
"Good, very good," said Apprentice Xehanort. "Everything is going well."
"I hope that's true," said Demyx. "It's taken a long time for us to construct and gather the right materials. I mean, you definitely picked the wrong guy for this job."
"Perhaps you would prefer to play a card game of chance," said Luxord with a deck of cards in his hands.
"Ah, no thanks," said Demyx.
Demyx and Luxord then got back to work on the last alter for the ritual.
At the Castle that Never Was, the Princesses of Hearts had devised a strategy in which to escape the castle. Using Kairi's Keyblade and Hinata's Gentle Fist, they were able break out of the cell and make their getaway.
"Alright everyone, the coast is clear," said Hinata, using her Byakugan.
The Princesses of Heart started making their through the Soundless Dungeon, Hinata and Kairi leading the way, when they were suddenly surrounded by Shadow Heartless and Duck Nobodies. Seeing the danger, Hinata and Kairi got into a fighting stance and prepared to fight.
"Everyone, stay behind me and Hinata," Kairi told the other Princesses of Heart.
Snow White, Cinderella, Alice, Aurora, Belle, and Jasmine did as Kairi told them as Kairi and Hinata charged at the Heartless and the Nobodies. Kairi slashed at them with her Keyblade while Hinata struck them with her Gentle Fist.
At Yen Sid's Tower, Naruto went into the room where Sakura Haruno and Yamato were being looked after by Katara and Alopheya. He approached his Pink-Haired teammate as Katara continued to use her water healing to help her.
"How is she," Naruto asked Katara.
"She's fine at the moment," Katara answered. "I've been using my water healing on her for about three hours now and I'm amazed how much she's been able to hang on. She used a lot of energy just to protect us from that explosion back at the castle."
Naruto felt sorry about what he did and knew that he had to rescue Hinata because if he didn't, it would mean that everything that he and his friends had been. "Sorry Sakura," he closed his eyes.
Suddenly, Sakura regained consciousness and replied, "Don't apologize to me Naruto."
Naruto looked at Sakura and gasped, "Sakura…?"
Sakura opened her eyes and continued, "You really should be apologizing to Hinata."
Naruto was confused at first, but he soon realized what Sakura meant.
"You shouldn't be talking right now," Katara gasped anxiously.
"I'll be fine, Katara," Sakura reassured her fellow healer before continuing with Naruto. "All this time, you've been trying to tell Hinata how you felt, haven't you?"
"Yeah," Naruto admitted. "Funny thing is that up until now, I didn't really know how I actually felt about Hinata. Even after she confessed how she felt about me during my battle with Pain, I didn't even bother trying to return those feelings. And when Neji was killed during the battle with the Ten-Tails, I was about to give into my hurt feelings until Hinata literally snapped me out of it by slapping me. She reminded me about my ninja way and it was only then that I started to realize how she felt about me. But then when the Infinite Tsukuyomi was cast, I heard her calling out to me for help. I was relieved when Sasuke and I freed her and everyone else from that genjutsu, but I still didn't know how I felt about her. All I knew was that I had a warm feeling deep inside of me every time I saw her, but I didn't know what it was."
"And that's why you asked her out, isn't it," Sakura asked. "You didn't know what real romantic love was and you wanted to find out."
"Yeah and I was mentally unstable because of it," Naruto answered. "Encountering Sora and watching her get kidnapped by Organization XIII didn't help. And it only got worse as time went on, especially after meeting Inuyasha, Sakura Kinomoto, Aang, and Spiro, and hearing what will happen to Hinata when the χ-blade is forged. You all saw the result back at the castle."
"But you are better now, are you not," Alopheya asked.
"Yeah, I think so," Naruto confirmed.
"Well, I hope that's true Naruto," Sakura Haruno giggled a bit. "Hinata's been waiting for you for a long time now. I think it's time for you to end her wait."
"Yeah, I know," Naruto agreed.
Outside, the others were waiting for Naruto to come out and join them for the battle against Xehanort.
"Do you think he'll be okay," Sakura Kinomoto asked.
"We'll have to wait and see," Aang informed her.
Suddenly Tomoyo came into the room. "I'm back everyone."
Sakura looked at Tomoyo confused. "Tomoyo?"
"Where were you kid," Inuyasha asked.
"I was consulting with three good fairies," Tomoyo informed Inuyasha referring to Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. "I overheard everything just now Sakura. If you're really going to go into such an epic battle, please wear this."
"Tomoyo," Sakura asked.
"How can you think of outfits at a time like this," Inuyasha sighed.
Tomoyo calmly answered. "It's because it's a time like this that I want her to wear it."
"Believe me, this isn't the first time she's done this," Sakura informed everyone.
"Indeed," Tomoyo showed Sakura the outfit. It was the very same battle outfit she wore during the incident with the Sealed Card, repaired and restored to perfect condition by herself and the good fairies. "Normally, I would've made you a completely new outfit for a situation like this. But seeing that I didn't have much time and that this sounds like a big battle, I thought it would be fitting that you wear this outfit once more. After all, if this is going to be as big a battle as everyone around here says it is then you should let your opponents know that you're ready for them."
Sakura nodded as she took the outfit from Tomoyo's hands. "Thank you Tomoyo. I'll make sure to come back to you and everyone else with these cloths as I always have before."
"Yeah, yeah, nice speech, just get that outfit on already," Inuyasha said in annoyance.
Sakura nodded as she left to get her outfit on.
Meanwhile, Merryweather was pouting a bit.
"You alright Merryweather," Flora asked.
"Pink," Merryweather pouted. "Why did her outfit have to be pink? Why couldn't it be blue?"
"No need to pout," said Fauna. "Not everyone has a fetish for blue. Sakura just happens to have a fetish for pink. At least that's what Tomoyo told us."
"I think it's a splendid costume," said Flora, admiring the outfit.
"Easy for you to say," Merryweather pouted.
In the Soundless Dungeon, Kairi and Hinata were still fighting the Heartless and the Nobodies. They had already taken out most of them, but they still had to get rid of the rest.
"GENTLE FIST…!"
"THUNDARA…!"
Using their attacks in unison, Kairi and Hinata defeated the last of the Shadow Heartless and Dusk Nobodies.
"Alright," said Kairi with enthusiasm.
"We did it," Hinata agreed.
Suddenly, a group of Berserker Nobodies appeared and surrounded the Princesses of Heart. Next thing they knew, Xigbar and Saix appeared.
"Going somewhere," Xigbar taunted.
The princesses of Heart did not say a word.
"I'm afraid leaving is out of the question," said Saix.
"You may have caught us before, but it will not happen again," Kairi replied.
"Let us go, now," Hinata demanded.
"No can do," Xigbar laughed. "You see, the Eight of you are the pieces we need to forge the Χ-blade and we are not going to let you go until that blade has been forged."
"Then I guess we'll have to fight our way out," Hinata replied.
"I guess we will," Kairi agreed.
Hinata then channeled chakra into her fists, creating what looked like a lion's head around each fist. She knew that Xigbar and Saix were no laughing manner as she witnessed what they were capable of when they attacked Konoha. The other princesses of Heart watched in awe as Hinata prepared to unleash one of her strongest techniques.
"GENTLE STEP: TWIN LION FISTS…!"
Hinata then charged at Saix and attempted to strike him down with her Lion Fists attack, from the inside out. Saix simply deflected her attacks with his claymore. Xigbar took advantage of the situation and tried to shoot at Hinata with his Sharpshooters. However, Hinata saw this with her Byakugan and avoided the attack. Kairi soon stepped in, not wanting Hinata to fight the two Nobodies by herself.
The other Princesses of Heart watched in amazement as both Kairi and Hinata fought bravely against Xigbar and Saix.
At Yen Sid's Tower, Naruto left the room where Sakura Haruno and Yamato were in to let Katara and Alopheya continue to heal them. Upon leaving the room, he reentered Yen Sid's office and noticed everyone in their battle gear and was confused, especially upon seeing Sakura Kinomoto's battle outfit.
"Oh, Naruto, how are you feeling," Sakura asked.
"I'm fine," Naruto answered. "But Sakura, what's with that costume?"
"My cousin Tomoyo made it for me," Sakura answered. "It's my battle outfit."
"We all got ready for battle, while you in there Naruto," said Spiro. "You should to. If we're going to battle Xehanort and the Organization, we must let them know that we mean business."
Naruto nodded his head and hopped to it. Once he was finished putting on his gear, he joined Sakura Kinomoto, Inuyasha, Spiro, Aang, and Sora as they made their way through the tower to entrance.
By now, everyone was suited up. Naruto had his headband around his forehead, his flak jacket on his body and his sage cloak on top of it, Sakura was wearing the battle outfit she wore during the Sealed Card incident, Inuyasha kept his kimono on, and Spiro had their draconium armor on. They were all armed for the battle. Naruto had his ninja tools, Sakura had her cards and staff, Inuyasha had his claws and sword, Spiro has his armor, Aang had his glider, and Sora had his Keyblades. Upon arriving there, they were approached by Aladdin, the Beast, Prince Phillip, the Seven Dwarves, and everyone else who was involved with the disappearance of the Princesses of Heart, who were not too happy with them for what happened at the castle.
"What are you doing out here," the Beast growled.
"That is a nice greeting," Spiro replied. "As for what we are doing out here, we are going out to stop Xehanort."
"Absolutely not," said Grumpy. "You guys have caused enough trouble already…!"
"And it's because of you that we're in our current situation," said Phillip.
"Be quiet," Naruto growled.
"Why should we," said the Beast. "You're the ones who got us into this situation in the first place…!"
"And we are going to be the ones who will get you out of it," Aang reassured.
"Besides, if you pit those Guardians of Light against that Organization XIII, you're only asking for disaster," Inuyasha pointed out.
"Then let us take care of those fools," said Phillip
"You guys can't fight them," Sakura assured. "They're too strong for you. You'll have to trust us on this."
"Trust you," the Beast growled. "Why of all courses would we trust you…?!"
"Because right now, you do not have a choice," Spiro pointed out.
There was a moment of silence for several minutes. Then it was broken with Merlin and the Fairy Godmother appeared in the room.
"Spiro is right," said Merlin. "As much as we all hate to admit it, he, Naruto, Sakura, Inuyasha, Aang, and Sora are our only hope to stop Xehanort without triggering the Keyblade War. True they may not be Keyblade Wielders, apart from Sora, but I believe that is a good thing. It means that they can fight Xehanort without starting the Keyblade War."
"Indeed," said the Fairy Godmother. "Yen Sid may not agree, but I two believe that this is our best option."
Everyone thought about this for a moment before realizing that Merlin and the Fairy Godmother were right. However some of them were still uncomfortable with this, especially the Beast. "You had better rescue Belle and the others," said the Beast. "If you fail, I will never forgive you…!"
Suddenly, Naruto grabbed Beast by the fur, looked him in the eyes, and said, "Don't think you're the only one with a loved one's life on the line. My friend Hinata is also out there…! And whatever happens, I WILL SAVE HER…!"
The Beast simply silenced himself and backed off in a bit of fear after seeing the look in Naruto's eyes.
"Okay, you guys said you'll be able to stop Xehanort without causing the war," said Aladdin. "How do you plan to do that?"
"The only way I can think of, as a team," Spiro answered.
In the Soundless Dungeon, Hinata and Kairi were holding their own against Xigbar and Saix quite well. However, the two Nobodies had a trump card up their sleeves, compliments of Master Xehanort's ally.
"Take this, foolish girls…!"
Xigbar then fired a special shot in between the two Princesses of Heart. Next thing the Princesses knew, there was a flash of light and Hinata's arms and legs went limp, causing her to fall to the ground, unable to move.
"That attack," Hinata thought. "That's what happened when I was captured…!"
Hinata then had a flashback to when she was captured.
In the flashback:
Naruto had just sent Xigbar flying into the village gate and turned his attention to Saix. While that was going on, Hinata secretly cheered for the love of her life, as she always did. Suddenly, she picked something up on her Byakugan and made her way back while no one was looking. What she found was Xigbar, the one Naruto just sent flying away, standing about twenty yards away from the battlefield. She could not believe her eyes.
"Hello there, Lady Hinata," Xigbar mocked.
"But how is that possible," Hinata gasped. "Naruto just sent you flying…!"
"Oh yeah, that," Xigbar replied. "That's our little secret. Anyway, this will restrain you."
Xigbar then fired a special shot right in front of Hinata. While the shot did not hit her, it still had an effect on her as she found herself unable to move and fell to the ground.
"What's going on," Hinata thought as she slumped to the ground. "My arms…! I can't move them…!"
Next thing she knew, Saix came in and picked her up while Xigbar returned to the battlefield.
"Do not worry," said Saix as he picked Hinata up. "We're not going to kill you. You are much more useful to us alive."
"What, alive," Hinata gasped.
"Let's go," said Saix. "We have wasted enough time talking."
Saix then carried Hinata back to the battlefield where she regained the motion of her limbs and tried to get out.
"Hinata," Naruto went into Tailed Beast Mode and flew up to rescue Hinata. "Let her GO…!"
End of flashback:
Hinata looked at Xigbar and saw him smirking down at her.
"Hinata," Kairi gasped before Saix knocked her out.
The other Princesses of Heart were soon captured by the two Nobodies
"Nice try ladies," said Xigbar.
Suddenly Master Xehanort arrived in the dungeon and was intrigued by the situation. "What is going on here?"
"Apparently, the Princesses of Heart tried to leave their bird cage," Xigbar answered. "I told you we should've given them each their own private cell."
Xehanort calmly approached the Princesses of Heart who were either knocked out or paralyzed. "So, you tried to make your escape, did you?"
"We are not your tools," Hinata voiced out loud. "I don't know much about this χ-blade that you're trying to forge other than what you told me, but the Eight of us are not keys or tools for you to use…!"
"Hinata is right," Jasmine voice out loud. "You've been treating us like things to collect and we will not be treated like that any longer…!"
Xehanort simply smiled and said, "So, you wish for this to be over, do you? Very well then, Saix, Xigbar, I believe it is time to place the Princesses of Heart to the altar, and begin the ritual for the χ-blade."
Xigbar and Saix then had the Nobodies they controlled carry the Princesses of Heart through Corridors of Darkness to take them to the fated place for the ritual to begin. As they made their way to the Keyblade Graveyard, Hinata started to regain movement in her limbs, but it was already too late as she was restrained by the Nobodies.
At Yen Sid's Tower, Naruto, Sakura, Inuyasha, Spiro, Aang, and Sora were outside walking to the Gummi Ship. As they made for the ship, they were joined by some of their other allies like Shikamaru, Kiba, Akamaru, Kero, Yue, Syaoran, Kagome, Tasha, Donald, and Goofy. Like them, they were dressed up for the upcoming battle. Kagome was wearing her red and white kimono, Kiba and Shikamaru were wearing their flak jackets, and Syaoran was wearing the green battle outfit that matched Sakura's during the incident with the Sealed Card.
"Syaoran," Sakura asked.
"I'm going with you, Sakura," said Syaoran. "If this battle is a grand as Yen Sid said it's going to be, I want to be there with you to help you."
Sakura got tears in her eyes upon hearing Syaoran say that and hugged him. Syaoran hugged his girlfriend back, knowing more than she did that there was a chance at least one of them would not be coming back.
"Yeah, yeah, a happy moment, but can we save that stuff for later," Inuyasha irritatingly interrupted. "We've got work to do…!"
"Inuyasha," Kagome gasped.
"No Kagome," Tasha interrupted. "Inuyasha is right. We do not have time to waste."
"Indeed," Spiro agreed as he walked to the doors. "We must get this Keyblade Graveyard as soon as possible."
Everyone knew that Spiro was right.
Suddenly Katara came in and said, "I'm coming too…!"
"Katara," Aang gasped.
Katara walked up to the group and said, "You guys will need a healer just in case anyone gets injured. I know that Keyblade Wielders like Sora have healing spells and stuff, but I know more about healing than any of them do. Besides, I want to be with Aang when he goes out there, in case he needs someone."
"Thanks Katara," Aang smiled at his girlfriend.
"But what about Sakura," Naruto asked. "Aren't you supposed to be healing her?"
"Alopheya told me she can handle it," Katara confirmed.
"Fair enough," Spiro agreed. "Now come on. Let's go."
"Tomoyo, stay here," Sakura told her cozen.
"Be careful out there, Sakura," Tomoyo pleaded.
"Yeah we will," Sakura reassured her cousin.
"Hey Sora," said Naruto.
"Yeah," Sora asked.
"Kurama just told me that Xehanort sealed my Six Paths powers away," Naruto explained. "Do you think you can unseal them? If we're going to face Xehanort and Organization XIII, we'll all need to be at full strength."
"Sure, I can do that," Sora activated his Keyblade and undid the seal holding Naruto's Six Paths power.
Naruto then thought to himself, "Hinata, this big idiot finally understands. It took me a while, but now, I know exactly how I feel about you. When you snapped me out of my depressed state after Neji's sacrifice during the war, I felt something I never felt before. As time moved on, that feeling only got stronger and stronger every time I saw you. I tried to find out what that feeling was, but nothing I did actually worked. But now, as a man, there is something I must tell you."
Naruto looked up at the stars and said out loud, "Hinata, I'm going to save you…!"
And that was chapter 16. As you saw, the inhabitants of the shinobi world, the world of science, the bending world, and Draco Sanctuary, are all doing their best to protect themselves while Naruto, Sakura, Inuyasha, Aang, and Spiro are away. Also, you now know how Xigbar and Saix captured Hinata way back in chapter 4. Now everyone is preparing for battle, Naruto is wearing his clothes from The Last: Naruto The Movie with his flack jacket and haori jacket on top, Sakura is wearing the battle outfit she wore during Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card, while the others are wearing their respective clothing. On top of that, Sora unsealed Naruto's ability to use Six Paths Sage Mode, so the next time Naruto goes up against Organization XIII, he'll be ready for them.
Now the next 4 chapters will be the ones you've all been waiting for, the fated battle of the Horyus against Xehanort and Organization XIII as well as the rescuing of the Princesses of Heart. These will be what I hope to be four parts of an epic battle. Stay tuned.
Chapter 17: Rescuing the Princesses of Heart