Hanzo Academy, Ninja Room
The moment has come.
Since Ikaruga and Katsuragi left the school, the elite student squad needs two new members.
But Kiriya was fully aware of that, and before even the graduation, he chose the two who are now going to replace them.
"Ayame, Hijikata, introduce yourselves." Kiriya orders the second year students.
Ayame is the first one to talk.
"You already know me, but it's nice to be among you officially!" She joyfully says.
But now, it's Hijikata's turn.
"I think we have already met several times before. It is nice to meet you." The brown-haired girl says in a soft voice, which sounds a bit like Ikaruga's one.
"Nice to see you! I hope we'll get along!" Asuka cheerfully answers.
"Nice to meet you!" Hibari says with her usual childish attitude.
"Hi." Yagyû simply says, but despite her cold greeting, she smiles at her new comrade.
Since the introductions are over, Kiriya takes the floor.
"We have no time to lose, let us begin today's lesson." He says in a serious voice.
Both Hijikata and Ayame move to their respective makuras, the lesson immediately starts once the entire class sit.
A few moments later
The new girls excepted, today was a rather ordinary day.
Ayame quickly got bored by Kiriya's endless lecturing, while Hijikata listened with all her attention.
But now, both of them are excited… Because it's time for a practical lesson.
"Ayame and Hibari, start!' Kiriya yells.
Ayame immediately rushes toward a frightened Hibari, who still manages to dodge Ayame's fist.
"KYA!" Ayame, trying to reach a fleeing Hibari.
Of course, Kiriya doesn't like seeing Hibari acting the same as always after one year of training.
"Hibari! You're a second year student! Stop running and fight!" He yells to his student.
"Y-Yes sir!" Hibari answers before turning back to face her opponent.
And despite the fear, she uses one of her Secret Ninja Arts.
"Nintô Vroom!"
The pink-haired girl screams while summoning Nintô, ready to charge Ayame.
But the new elite student is ready…
"Rocket Girl!"
Ayame yells, charging the Shinobi Force into her metallic boots before jumping at Hibari direction.
The clash between the two arts triggers a violent explosion, blowing the two shinobis and ripping some parts of their respective outfits.
They're exhausted, but still ready to fight.
However, Kiriya has seen enough.
"Alright, stop!" He yells, stunning the two fighters with astonishment.
"Eh?! But we just started…" Ayame says with a pouting face.
Unlike her new comrade, Hibari isn't complaining at all. Even more, she's happy that the fight is over.
"Ayame, it's just training, not a real fight!" Kiriya yells at her student with an angry face.
Ayame freezes in terror when she realizes she pissed off her teacher and immediately bows.
"I apologize, master!" She quickly says before leaving the training ground.
Hibari also leaves the ground, then…
"Asuka, Hijikata, it's your turn!" Kiriya yells.
The two girls immediately obey, in mere seconds after their master's order, they're already in a fighting stance on the ground.
"Fight!" Kiriya yells.
Asuka charges, crossing her swords. She doesn't really know what fighting style Hijikata uses exactly, but since she uses a giant hammer, she guesses she's not relying on speed.
And so, Asuka has chosen to perform quick attacks only, even if it involves a long fight because of Hijikata's armor.
"KYA!" Asuka screams when she tries to slash Hijikata.
However, the armored girl manages to counter the blade with her gauntlet.
"She has good reflexes…" Asuka thinks before trying again.
One time…
Two times…
Three times…
But none of them could reach Hijikata, who's preparing her own one.
"UUUUUHAAAAA!" Hijikata yells before smashing the ground with her hammer.
The shockwave created throws Asuka away. Everyone is astonished by Hijikata's strength, including Yagyû.
However, Asuka easily falls on her feet, and decides to use her true power.
She prepares herself, ready to simultaneously charge and cut.
"Dual Slash!"
She screams, but at the same moment, Hijikata screams another name:
"Castle Restoration!"
While screaming this, Hijikata adopts a defensive stance.
Asuka however, decides to still use her Secret Ninja Art and rushes toward her opponent.
"KYAAAAAAAA!"
The leader screams when she cut Hijikata… or rather believes she did.
"What the?!" Asuka says in a surprised voice.
Hijikata's art created a giant rock made shell around her, which Asuka's attack barely cut.
The spectators are also impressed by Hijikata's art, especially since defensive secret ninja arts aren't common.
"Okay, you can stop!" Kiriya yells.
Asuka holsters her sabers while Hijikata gets out of her shell.
Both are exhausted, but smiles when they make eye contact.
"You're impressive, Hijikata!" Asuka tells her new friend.
"You too, Asuka." Hijikata responds with a cheerful smile.
Two hours later
The class is over, now is dinner time.
The five elite students are now lunching together at Hanzô's place.
"Your futomakis, pretty ladies!" Hanzô says in a joyful voice.
Each of the girls is taking a futomaki, even if Ayame and Hijikata are still a little surprised to get food from Hanzô himself.
And then…
"Thank you!" The five girls says before taking a taste of their futomakis, all of this perfectly synchronized.
"So… So tasty!" Ayame says, amazed by the taste.
"Y… Yes!" Hijikata adds, with stars in her eyes.
The five girls are enjoying their meal in front of Hanzô enjoying the show in a weird way.
After two futomakis, Asuka stops and asks Hijikata something.
"By the way, Hijikata, why did you decide to be a shinobi?"
Hijikata is stunned by the sudden question, but after a short moment of hesitation…
"I want to protect everybody's life." She says in a serious voice.
Her words got everyone's attention, including Hanzô.
"Could you tell us more, please?" Ayame asks.
"I have a huge respect for life, no matter the person. I want to protect everyone's lives from those who don't respect their worth." Hijikata explains.
Her comrades are at first a little confused about these motivations, but then cheerfully smile at Hijikata.
"I think it's a respectable path, the most respectable one even!" Hibari says.
Her other comrades nod in agreement, which makes Hijikata smiles shyly.
"Thank you…" She says, blushing a little.
"Where does this purpose come from, exactly?" Ayame asks… But needs only two seconds to regret her question.
Indeed, Hijikata now looks sorrowful, enough for the girls to know what kind of events happened in the brown-haired girl's life.
Asuka was about to tell her new friend she doesn't need to explain, but…
"I lost many people that I loved in my life. My parents, my little brothers and sisters… And my mentor Tôshizo, the one who taught me ninja arts. All of them taken by honorless people." Hijikata explains in a sad voice, even if she's trying to smile to hide her feelings.
Her comrades are trying to speak, but aren't sure if it's better to speak or to stay quiet.
"I refuse to lose any other person but, more importantly, I refuse to allow anyone go through what I had, even my enemies… That's why I want to be stronger." Hijikata ends, sadness replaced by resolution.
After a few seconds of silence, Asuka, who's sitting next to Hijikata, puts her right hand on her friend's shoulder.
"And I'll… No, we will help you with that!" She says proudly.
Her three friends nod, with the same determination on their faces.
Hijikata is astonished, but quickly smiles proudly too.
"Thank you, let's do our best! For everybody's happiness!" Hijikata yells.
"Yes!" Her four comrades yell in return.
After that, Hanzô speaks in his turn.
"Anyway, who's gonna pay?"
Asuka raises her hand.
"Me! How much it… Costs…" Asuka freezes, her face blue of terror.
"Um? What's wrong, Asuka?" Yagyû asks.
Asuka slowly turns her head, and once her face is in front of Yagyû's…
"I forgot my wallet…" She admits.
Everybody sighs, Hijikata excepted.
Special thanks to NeoDingleBat, LostSoul, and Broccoli for their proofreading.
The introduction had been updated with explanations regarding the layout.
Franco Marcel - Thanks for your interest in this story, but answering your questions would spoil some elements of it. All I can tell you is they will be a few OCs, but nothing more.