R & R longer note at the end

Daidōji dropped her arm as the match began, Katsuragi wasted little time as she charged at her long-time friend quickly striking with a drop kick causing Ikaruga to block sending her backwards as her feet dragged against the stone ground dust kicking up as she went, the black haired girl had taken the blonde's kicks before but this one was different before she had time to think Katsuragi had launched another flurry of kicks each one feeling more powerful than the last.

The raven haired woman watched on as Ikaruga was continuously pushed back wondering how much longer she would last on the defensive, Katsuragi continued her assault feeling more and more agitated if this was the best Ikaruga's training had given her then what was it all for?

Ikaruga waited as the next kick collided with her blade before she countered, pushing the girl's foot to one side she got in close sending the hilt of her blade into Katsuragi's abdomen causing the blonde to grunt in pain feeling a smile form at her lips as she reached her arms down as she spun her legs back towards the black haired girl using her hands to balance herself.

Ikaruga tried to dodge as one of the heavy greaves caught her cheek she jumped back as Katsuragi cartwheeled herself back onto her feet, she looked at the swordswoman in front of her remembering all the training sessions they'd had in the past. It was no surprise to her that Ikaruga had learned to counter her moves but this was just the beginning, she still had some surprises up her sleeve the two locked eyes as the black haired girl charged forward.

Sword raised Ikaruga swiped in front of her putting the blonde on the defensive as she tried to find an opening, she knew better than anyone the tactical mind of the black haired class president, to most her strikes would appear random but she knew better. As she dodged Katsuragi kept aware of her footing, realising she was close to the edge of the cliff the blonde smiled waiting for the next strike as she ducked moving to the black haired girl's side ready to sweep her legs.

"Predictable" Ikaruga said as her eyes darted to the side seeing the blonde jumping into the air to prevent her attack, as Katsuragi's eyes widened a little the black haired girl aimed her sword down as she drove it into the ground where the blonde had been moments ago, she smiled as she pulled the sword out of the ground turning to face the grinning blonde.

"Well that's a good warm up" Katsuragi said as she shook her legs "Time to turn up the heat. Shinobi transformation".

XXX

A white light consumed the blonde as her shirt buttons disappeared showing off her abdomen and chest, a blue plaid skirt began to form along with calf high white socks covered over by her black and gold greaves. The others watched on each hoping their friends didn't cause serious harm to one another, Daidōji's eyes darted between the two as she stood still and silent watching the fight unfold, her eyes lingered on Ikaruga for a few moments as she wondered what results she would show of her training.

"What's wrong Ikaruga?" Katsuragi asked curious as to why she hadn't changed to her shinobi armour "Are you not warmed up yet?" Ikaruga slowly shook her head as she raised her sword charging forward, taking a defensive stance the blonde watched on a feeling of confusion the group watched closely not wanting to miss a second as Ikaruga's clothes began to glow. Jumping into the air the light vanished, her white shirt had been replaced with a white buttoned up jacket trimmed with gold, her skirt had been replaced with a similar white skirt with the same golden trim. Her usually bare legs had been replaced with black tights that clung snuggly to her long legs with white boots.

"Secret ninja art: Flame pillar" Ikaruga called out as she dropped down stabbing her sword into the floor, Katsuragi looked on confused before she felt a surge of heat coming from beneath her, quickly clicking her greaves together the soles opened up revealing two green orbs as she shot herself backwards from the pillar of blue flame as she flew back she couldn't hide the excited smile on her face the new way of transforming, her new move, her long-time friend really had improved.

Coming to a stop Katsuragi clicked her greaves again as the soles returned to their normal positions covering the green orbs, Ikaruga looked on at the blonde with a small smile she had known using flame pillar wouldn't be enough to stop Katsuragi, with her specially designed greaves she had been named the second fastest member of the group second only to Asuka.

Taking a breath, the black haired girl composed herself once more as she charged forward wanting to press the momentary advantage she had given herself, Katsuragi waited as she clicked her greaves again causing the orbs to reappear, concentrating her power into her feet the blonde began to hover off the ground.

"Secret ninja art: Cross panzer" Katsuragi called out as she shot forward with a barrage of kicks, Ikaruga slid to a halt as she attempted to block the barrage with her superior speed Katsuragi landed a few strikes causing the black haired girl to cry out in pain as she fell onto her back, she looked up as the blonde flew into the air stretching her right leg out as far as it would go as she slammed down causing a crack to appear in the mountain.

Hibari covered her eyes at the moment of impact as Yagyū patted her back, Asuka watched on with a small smile as the dust began to settle seeing the black haired swordswoman had managed to roll to the side just in time. Katsuragi stood as she looked over at the black haired girl who seemed to be shocked at the damage the move had caused.

"You're not the only one who got stronger" Katsuragi said as she continued to move her legs as if to show off, Ikaruga smiled as she got back to her feet her white and gold outfit covered in dust as she prepared her sword for the next strike.

"We'll see" Ikaruga said as she charged once more, Katsuragi smiled as she pushed more power into her feet propelling herself forward towards her opponent "Secret ninja art: Hien Hōsen: Mode One". Ikaruga slashed ahead of her as Katsuragi tried to stop herself, as Ikaruga passed she slowly sheathed her sword as the blonde cried out the hidden slashes appearing as they cut her outfit, the blonde fell forward as she slid to a stop.

Daidōji continued to watch, she had wondered what training this girl had gone through but seeing the improvements had begun to impress her but if Ikaruga assumed her friend was the same person as she was before she left then that would be her downfall. The woman had always pushed herself to her own limits and beyond, when she had been assigned as the new instructor of the elite class she had put them through the same hellish training she put herself through, it was the only way she had known.

"Stand" Daidōji called out as the group flinched a little they had heard that single word numerous times during training, Ikaruga turned to face Daidōji before turning back to the fallen blonde "Your limit is more than this, I don't train the weak".

XXX

"Secret ninja art: Energy Gatling gun" Ikaruga heard the blonde yell as she pushed herself up on her hands balancing her own body weight, balls of energy began to form at her feet as they shot at rapid speed towards the black haired girl, shocked and unable to react in time Ikaruga cried out in pain as she was peppered with the fast moving green orbs striking every inch of her body.

She was pushed backwards as the relentless assault continued for a few more seconds before it stopped, stabbing her sword into the ground she looked at the blonde in front of her, her outfit was torn as her black bra was visible under her white outfit the vision of the girl who had forced her to want to change came to mind as the blonde flipped herself into a standing position.

"This match is-" Daidōji's voice rang out, feeling a fire burning in her heart the black haired girl summoned up her remaining strength.

"Not yet!" She called out as everyone's eyes turned to her with a hint of sadness, Katsuragi looked on at her classmate and long-time friend, she didn't want more than this she had known the class representative to be stubborn but this was more than even she could take.

"Stay down Ikaruga" Katsuragi called out her voice shaking a little as she fought back tears "Any more than this and it might kill you".

"Please" Ikaruga said as she forced herself to her feet "If I give up now then my time away would be pointless". Everyone's eyes fell on the solitary figure of their instructor, they knew she had always pushed them beyond their limits but had always stopped them before it put their very lives in danger.

"The match will continue" Daidōji said as the group looked to her in horror and anger, Asuka took a step forward before the woman's eyes fell on her "Do not interfere, should their life be in danger I will stop it myself, if she says she can continue then she can continue". Asuka reluctantly stepped back as she watched on, Katsuragi stared at her friend struggling to her feet what had that training done to her? She clenched her fists as she steeled her resolve, if this was what she wanted then this was what she would get.

"Ultimate ninja art: Switch gunner form" Ikaruga called out, Katsuragi looked on confused, what kind of move was that? The girl's turned their attention to Daidōji who seemed to share the confused look as the rest, their eyes snapped back to Ikaruga as her body was consumed with light similar to that of a shinobi transformation.

The torn white and gold outfit began to dissipate as it was replaced, the girl's ample chest was hugged by a white and black cow print bikini with a brown jacket. Her white skirt and black tights were replaced with blue denim jeans, two black holsters hung from the snake skin belt, brown knee high cow girl boots formed.

"What the?" Katsuragi asked shocked as she took a step back as her eyes slowly took in Ikaruga's new outfit, the black haired girl forced a smile as she reached down grabbing the two silver revolvers as she removed them from their holsters.

"I thought you'd like to see what else is new" Ikaruga said "Secret ninja art: bullet hell". Katsuragi shook her head from staring as four golden rings began to form in the air cutting off any chance of escape, two smaller rings appeared at the sides of Ikaruga as she pointed the guns to her sides as she pulled the triggers, a barrage of bullets peppered the blonde as she cried out in pain her outfit slowly being torn to shreds from the sudden barrage after a few moments the rings began to vanish.

"Winner" Daidōji called out as the blonde fell to her knees with a smile "Ikaruga". The group ran forward as Katsuragi's outfit returned to normal as she pushed herself into a sitting position, Ikaruga wondered over as her outfit returned to normal with a smile as she kneeled in front of the blonde.

"Good job" Katsuragi said with a smile as Ikaruga smiled back hugging her friend both feeling drained as the other girl's joined them, Daidōji stood back watching as her mind wondered to what she had seen, it seemed her training had certainly been worth the time it had taken.

Ikaruga and Katsuragi are truly the perfect friends, each one pushes the other to get better and each one cares enough to know their limits. So there we have it the fight that needed to happen and of course Katsuragi gets an original move because why not? Your also probably wondering why I changed the ultimate ninja art of switch to portray the different form, there is a reason for this but that will have to wait until next time