Chapter 5 – Enter the Guard Armor Deluxe!

Summary: I don't really remember what happened last night - basically, I was partying with some friends and then walking to go home... Next thing I know I'm waking up in Traverse Town and inhabiting the body of Sora (KH1) - At least the Keyblade is with me... also, did I mention I was a girl in my past life?

My face became one of awe as I stared at the food that was served in front of us – French fries, chicken, drinks, deserts… basically, it was a food-styled wonderland. Donald and Goofy were also impressed by the contents set on the table.

We began to dig in and enjoy our meals. Jiminy was chalking down unknown information in his journal. "Yes… Mhm… okay…" He hummed and wrote with his pencil.

"What's that?" I asked with eating some chicken.

"Oh, nothing much – just writing the current details of our introduction and soon-to-be-adventure." Jiminy explained with me nodding back.

"Gawrsh! I can't wait till we find the King! With you around, Sora – we're sure to find him!" Goofy stated with an excited look along with Donald nodding.

I nodded once more before speaking. "It won't be easy to find him, mind you. We're gonna have to search every world we visit – and I mean EVERY single one." I concluded while looking at Donald.

The duck wizard became confused. "What? What's with the look?" He asked.

"Just to be sure that you're dedicated to your goal is all." I explained.

Donald crossed his arms. "Of course I'm dedicated! Our task is to find the 'Key' and stick with them! It's the only way to find King Mickey!" He replied.

"Just making sure." I told him and we resumed eating.

I still don't know if Donald is gonna act like the same pain-in-the-ass like in the game but I need to make sure that he remains dedicated to protecting the worlds and vanquishing the threat of the Heartless. Along with finding my 'friends' and the King.

As we ate, a mysterious shadow tip-toed behind me and covered my eyes. "Guess who!?"

Hmmm… let's see who could it…? Loud, obnoxious, fun and caring… Ah, yes – the Great Ninja Yuffie!

"Yuffie?" I guessed as her hands were removed from eyesight.

"In the flesh! A little celebratory victory dinner, I see." Yuffie asked with a grin as she pulled up a chair and sat down next to me.

That's… unexpected. But I won't question it…

"So, how are things after the battle?" I questioned while eating.

"Slowly recovering but otherwise fine – though quick warning, Leon is on his way… and he might want to kill you." She warned me.

Well, it's his fault for trying to assault me even though he had good reason for doing so… still, maybe I did take things TOO far by knocking him out on the head with Kingdom Key.

My only response was a nod at her warning.

"Good. Don't want to see a cute guy like you getting hurt after all." Yuffie smirked and immediately began to blush.

I blushed as well. Nobody has ever called me cute before… not even when I was a woman. I wonder what Yuffie's reaction would be like if she knew that I wasn't a boy but a girl. She'd probably assume that I'm crazy or something.

"Say, what's your home like?" Yuffie wondered unexpectedly.

"Oh… Ummm… well, it's an island. It's sort of small but it's home… I live there with my best friend Riku and a 'friend' called Kairi… along with some other minor friends."

I could see how Yuffie's eyes widened and her lips twisting into a smirk. Did… did I say something naughty?

"Hmmm… a 'friend' huh? What's she like?" Yuffie wondered.

My blush increased as I began to stutter. What… what am I supposed to say? I didn't know what their relationship was like! I only just woke up as Sora a while ago… Think, Kelly… think.

"Well?" Yuffie asked after the small awkward silence.

"Ummm… well, she's… competitive… a dork… loveable… smart… and dreamy." I explained and prayed that Yuffie would take the bait.

Yuffie nodded and grinned. "Sounds like a wonderful friend. I kind of wish I had a person like Kairi… a dork, sarcastic, smartass… and loveable." She finished and sighed.

Was… was that a search confession for a partner? Poor Yuffie… so adorable and naïve… Huh, did… did I just think she was adorable!?

I shook my head before looking her and asking the question that was on my mind. "A person like my friend?"

Yuffie nodded. "Yeah… I'd be teasing him, having fun… helping him out whenever he needs it." She explained.

I began to blush but hid it well from Yuffie. Am… Am I in love? No… impossible. I mean Yuffie is a cute and amazing person but I wouldn't- Gah, I said cute! Ugh…

I've never been in a relationship before since… well, I describe myself as a very shut-in person who isn't interesting in anything. You can thank my shitty parents for that…

Before this conversation could continue, we heard footsteps and turned to see Aerith coming over… following by a glaring Leon who was holding his Gunblade.

Oh, shit… He's not seriously gonna follow his threat, is he…?

"Hello! Hope we didn't-" Aerith was interrupted by Leon cocking his weapon.

I gulped and prepared to summon Kingdom Key in order to defend myself only for Aerith to stand in front of us. "Leon, be nice." She advised him.

His face darkened. "Aerith, let me at him. Nobody and I mean NOBODY tries to slam the Keyblade onto my head." He told her.

"Even if I did do that, you kind of deserve it!" I protested.

"Deserved it!? You literally slammed the blade onto my head! I could have ended in a coma or worse – DEAD! You're lucky that I didn't get any internal brain damage!" Leon yelled at me which I mostly ignored.

"And we already talked with him about it… is it true though – did you try to take the Keyblade by force?" Aerith asked.

Leon put the Gunblade away before sighing. "Even if I did, I only wanted to ensure that no harm would come to the kid." He explained.

"And you're idea was to just take the weapon by force!?" Aerith screamed as we cringed before punching his stomach.

Leon groaned as he rubbed his wounded spot which made me and Yuffie hold our laughter. Serves him right for trying to take the only thing I could use to defend myself from any Heartless or villain attacks.

"Next time, Leon… it will be your face that I punch." Aerith warned.

Leon rubbed his stomach and let out a small sigh. "Fine, fine… Ugh…" He groaned and took a seat next to Yuffie which was followed by Aerith.

I still kept an eye on the scarred man in case he tried anything with his Gunblade. Another mistake like that and I'll put him in a coma.

"So… Aerith and Yuffie tells me that you can predict certain events that are bound to happen. Is this true?" Leon asked me unexpectedly.

"Yeah, I can." I replied back.

Leon stared at me with an unreadable expression for a minute or two until he spoke. "Prove it."

I shrugged before proceeding with the explanation. "Fine… you're name was originally Squall Leonhart but you changed it to Leon since you were ashamed that you could protect your home… now you basically await for the day when you would return and restore Radiant Garden with your friends."

Needless to say, Leon's eyebrows arose in surprise for a moment before he regained his usual look. "Doesn't say anything…" He replied.

"But I am RIGHT, correct?" I asked with a smirk on my face.

Leon frowned and looked away. "Hmph." It was the only thing that came from his mouth.

Aerith looked at him for a moment before turning back to me. "Don't mind Leon… he's been like this ever since we came to Traverse Town all those years ago. You did ace his backstory correctly, Sora." She told me.

Leon sent Aerith a glare. "He doesn't need to know everything, Aerith. I'm still not sure if we can trust him."

"I'm still here you know…" I reminded him.

Leon rolled his eyes before he felt a slug in his shoulder from Aerith. "Don't be rude, mister." She warned.

The Gunblade wielder just sighed and looked away. Seems like it would be a while until I could earn his trust… maybe after I show him what I'm made of in the Coliseum.

Speaking of training…

"Say, Aerith… could I get a moment with you?" I requested much to her surprise.

"Oh! S-sure… of course." Aerith nodded.

We walked a little bit away from the café into one of the alleyways. "So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" She asked me.

"I was… wondering if… do you know any magic by chance?" Was my question.

Needless to say, Aerith was surprised by that question. "Well… only a little bit. Why do you ask?"

I blushed in embarrassment. "Well… I was hoping… if it's alright with you… I'd like you to teach me some basic spells… for a little bit before I leave." I admitted.

Aerith's surprise didn't fade away. "That's… an interesting request. Mainly because I've never taken on students before… I could recommend my friend Merlin to you if that's alright with you?" She told me.

"Well… I kind of want it to be you since… I trust you the most." I admitted.

Pinkness appeared on Aerith's cheek at the praise. "W-well… I… I don't know what to say. I… I'll try my best. Are you sure that you don't want me to fetch Merlin though?" She asked once more and I shook my head.

Aerith nodded. "Very well… Let me just go square things with Leon and we'll get started on our first lesson." She told me and left for a few seconds.

I just waited patiently for her return…

(Aerith's House – Later…)

Per Aerith's instructions, we headed straight for her house which was located in the Third District and started aligning the furniture for our lesson.

Once that was done, she took out a staff and ordered me to summon Kingdom Key. "Alright, Sora… let's get started. For this one, we'll practice too simple spells – Cure and Fire. I presume you know how to use Magic, right?"

"Somewhat. It's Mana, right?" I asked her to which she nodded back.

"Mana is one of the many lifeforces inside you, Sora. To use Magic, it is important to build up your Mana and keep it at the maximum. Don't cast spells all the time or else you'll run out of Mana easily. Building it back up is easy – opponents are your key, Sora." She explained.

With a nod, I remembered how Sora battled opponents in the game and managed to regain his MP easily. It's just like how Aerith described it…

"For this first lesson, we'll focus on attack and defense. Take these orbs, Sora… accept them into your Keyblade." Aerith said before procuring the orbs which were colored – red and green respectfully.

I summoned Kingdom Key and pointed the tip at the orbs. They were both sucked into the weapon – I felt heat and coolness. Most likely the Fire and Cure spell…

"Good… now then, cast a couple of Fireballs at me. Don't worry about hurting me – I'll block with my staff. Concentrate and picture the spell in your head."

I nodded and concentrated as our first lesson began. In the beginning, it was hard since all I managed to do was cast a gust of smoke from the tip of my weapon. Aerith encouraged me not to give up just yet since learning Magic wasn't easy at first.

I nodded and concentrated once more. Soon enough, I managed to conjure the Fire spell and launch a couple of fireballs at her which she blocked with the staff.

"Okay, now you've got it! Try again and see if you've got the handle of the spell."

I nodded and casted a couple of fireballs at her which she blocked with her staff. Seems like I've gotten the hang of it…

"Good. Now then, let's focus on the Cure spell. For this, you'll not do anything – neither attack nor block my moves. Instead, I want you to let me hit you with my staff a couple of times. Once that's done, use the spell to heal your wounds. Just like with Fire, concentrate and cast the Cure magic." Aerith explained.

Dismissing my Keyblade, Aerith began using her staff to attack a couple places on my body. They didn't hurt as much as I thought they would but I still felt pain and scratches.

Summoning Kingdom Key, I concentrated and cast the Cure spell around me as the green leaves and yellow bells appeared. It sprinkled me with dust and soon the pain was gone as were the scratches. Like Fire, I've gotten the hang of the healing technique.

"Alright! Good job, Sora!" Aerith congratulated me with a smile as I nodded back.

"I learn from the best." I replied with a grin.

Aerith's became serious. "Bear in mind to keep an eye on your mana constantly, mister. The less mana that you have, the more infective your spells will be. Understood?" She asked me.

I just nodded and made a note in my head to memorize it. Aerith seemed satisfied.

"Good. With that in mind, let's continue a little bit longer and then we'll call it a night."

Nodding at Aerith's, I was about to summon Kingdom Key again when a question appeared on my mind. "Say, Aerith… I was curious on something that Yuffie told me."

"Oh?" Aerith raised a brow.

"She asked me about my friend Kairi and well…" I trailed off and tried to think of ways to describe the situation.

Aerith awaited patiently for my response before I continued. "She hopes that one day she might find a 'friend' like Kairi."

Aerith couldn't help but smile a bit. "A friend or a 'friend'?" She asked amused.

"A 'friend'." I answered with the latter.

"My, my… Yuffie's growing up." Aerith trailed off before sighing gently. "She's always been a locked-up kid… The only person whom she shares any secrets with is me. I often try to get her to socialize with others yet it's limited success so far."

I nodded and felt sympathy for the hyperactive ninja. "I can relate to her… I don't have a lot of friends to be honest."

"Oh? Besides your friend Kairi… no one else?" She asked.

I shook my head. "Nobody… except for Riku and Kairi. I do know some of the island's acquittances but that's about it… I do really wish I could help Yuffie out in some way."

Aerith nodded and then an idea snapped in her head. "I've got it!"

My face morphed into confusion. What… what is she up?

"I'll ask Yuffie if she wants to join you three." She revealed with a grin much to my surprise.

Yuffie… coming with us?! Well, that's… unexpected and- Wait, am I blushing again!? Gah!

Little did I know was that Aerith saw the blush and her grin increased. "Oh, what's this? Is someone in love with Yuffie?" She asked me.

My blush increased as I tried shaking my head but couldn't. "N-no!" I blurted out but my words made Aerith giggle.

"I'll prepare all the arrangements, hero boy. Right now, I think you need all the help you can get. Which includes an adventurer besides the King's Companions." Aerith told me as I stared at her as if she was crazy. Did she listen to a word I said!?

Aerith prepared her staff. "Let's continue with some more training."

"But-" I tried to protest about Yuffie yet I summoned Kingdom Key to block an attack from her staff.

"Don't let your guard down!" Aerith advised me.

We continued with the training for the next hour or so while practicing some spell usage. The lingering thought about Yuffie coming with us still remained… what was Aerith thinking in her mind?

Something evil, no doubt… Motherfucker. I need to find out what she has in store…

(The next day…)

"What!? Aerith wants me to come with you!?" Yuffie was shocked after I explained the situation to her.

"Seems that way… I don't know why though. All she said was that you were a locked-up person." I admitted.

Yuffie crossed her arms. "She said that… Damn it, Aerith." She cursed with a sigh.

"I'll only allow you on board if you're okay with it." I told her as Yuffie ended being surprised.

"O-oh… Well… Ummm…" Yuffie didn't know how to respond and started to blush. So adorable…

Fuck… there it goes again with me thinking that she's cute. No… no… I don't have a crush on her! I don't! Stop thinking about it, Kelly!

"W-well… I guess I could come on board." Yuffie answered after a few seconds.

"W-wha… Really? But… aren't you busy helping out the resistance?" I asked.

Yuffie just shrugged. "I admit it's a tough job but it often gets boring around Traverse Town – constant patrols, protecting the inhabitants, etc. I kinda of wish I'd go out and see the worlds… plus, you can use all the help you can get right now." She explained.

Well, I had Donald and Goofy with me to assist… but a little muscle couldn't hurt. I'd need all the help I can get… and maybe I'll see if Aerith's little theory on Yuffie having a crush on me is true.

"If you're sure…" I reminded her once more.

"I'm sure, Sora." Yuffie stated.

Nodding, I told her to prepare her stuff since we leave in an hour and she departed with eagerness which made me sigh. I still think that this is a bad idea but I don't say anything.

Exiting the room, I began walking straight for the stairs when I stopped and looked at the mirror. I couldn't help but think that something is different about me… can't place my finger on what exactly.

Hmmm… probably my imagination. I just continued on my way and didn't even notice how my body was changing slowly…

Author's Notes: And that's my cue! Yuffie has officially join the heroes on their journey along with Aerith teaching Sora the spells Fire and Cure. Leon remains skeptical of Sora/Kelly's powers and is going to be keeping an eye on him. The story is picking up!

Also, in conjecture with a friend of mine's suggestion, Sora will soon undergo a very interesting change… I'm going to be taking the genderbend road which I hope will satisfy people enough to make them continue enjoy this story. A genderbend Sora + multiple harem women = sex-sex and SEX. I hope you all enjoy the idea I'm going to implement.

I don't know when he'll turn 100 percent female but maybe after the Hollow Bastion arc… for now, he'll only undergo small changes. I can just picture the reaction of everyone when he or she'll turn into a girl. XD – Oh, poor Sora.

And with that… I will take my leave and let you read the chapter… until next time! Also, don't be shy to inform me of any gramma mistakes since I often get words messed up. Later and happy reading!