R & R longer note at the end
Ikaruga woke early the next morning as she slipped silently out of bed getting dressed into her school uniform, she looked into the mirror as she fixed her long black hair determination running through her body as she smiled at her own reflection, all her training had led to this day if she lost now then it would have all been for nothing.
She took a deep breath as she let it out slowly, grabbing her sword she headed for her door slowly opening it not wanting to wake the rest of her team closing it quietly behind she tiptoed down the hallway as she reached the end she slipped down the stairs as she slipped her shoes on opening the main door as she headed out.
"So today is the day" came a voice behind her as she jumped a little turning to see a blonde blocking her way "Did you really think you could leave without telling me?" Ikaruga sighed as she walked towards Katsuragi with a small smile, she had suspected someone would catch her as she left feeling glad it had been her without a word the two hugged as Ikaruga made her way out. Katsuragi leaned against the fence as she watched her friend and team mate headed down the path, since day one they had been together but now Ikaruga had her own path to walk she could only hope it would lead to the happy ending she had worked so hard to accomplish.
XXX
The girl stood in the clearing listening to the soft sounds of birds in the trees, the rushing sounds of water from the nearby stream, today was the day of the rematch she had anticipated would come one day. The girl she had beaten didn't seem to be the one to accept defeat so easily, their first fight had been one she had truly enjoyed to get a chance to relive that feeling was one she had been looking forward to.
Except something felt different this time around, she had always been ready for a fight but when she had seen the handwritten note the image of her opponent had floated through her mind making her chest feel warm, her heart had begun to beat a little faster but it was something other than the excitement of battle, it was a feeling she couldn't explain.
A smile spread across her thin lips as she heard the sounds of footsteps behind her, the feeling from the night before filled her chest again with a mixture of excitement she slowly turned as her eyes met her opponent, her weapon held tightly at her side as dust kicked up on the ground between them from the light breeze.
"So you've come" the girl said as her opponent remained motionless "Are you prepared for this Ikaruga?"
"I am, this time won't be the same as last time" Ikaruga responded as she tucked some strands of her black hair behind her ear, the girl in front of her had been on her mind for so long ever since they had met at a group training camp held at the shrine by Kagura.
The two had been teamed together by the black haired girl to face off against Asuka and her chosen partner Imu, the battle had been intense with Ikaruga and Imu being taken down however the match would only end when both members of teams were eliminated. Ikaruga had watched seeing the girl's movements had been enticing, just watching her form had made the black haired swordswoman's heart beat a little faster, it had ended in a draw as Asuka and her opponent had been unable to defeat the other.
"Last time you were my better but this time I will win" Ikaruga said as she drew her sword, her opponent smiled as she gripped her own weapon "I hope your prepared for this, Miyabi". The white haired girl smiled as she drew her katana, she could feel the power coming from her fellow swordswoman as her adrenaline began to run a little hotter, she had certainly gotten stronger but it wouldn't be enough this was still only going to end one way.
XXX
The two locked eyes as they raised their swords, Ikaruga remembered their last fight she had rushed in believing her tactical ability would bring her victory but it had soon become apparent that Miyabi was more than just a skilled fighter, her tactical ability was on par with her own. Within the blink of an eye Miyabi closed the distance as she swiped at the black haired girl, Ikaruga brought her blade down blocking the attack as she pushed the white haired girl to the side aiming for a counter attack.
Without hesitation Miyabi jumped back out of reach almost like she could read her opponent's mind, taking the opportunity it was Ikaruga's turn to strike she brought her sword left as she saw Miyabi turn her body to block it she smiled quickly changing direction causing the white haired girl to step back, she smiled as the sleeve of her black uniform fell down her arm.
"Not bad" she said as Ikaruga stayed focused not allowing herself to get distracted by the girl's praise, releasing her katana the girl let the fabric drop to the floor seeing Ikaruga's eyes drop for a second she swiped her katana with one hand as the black haired girl jumped back to avoid it a piece of her blue skirt fell to the floor as she smiled.
"You're not bad yourself" Ikaruga said, despite her determination she couldn't help but praise the girl in front of her. Miyabi allowed herself a smile as she returned her free hand to the hilt of her blade as the two swordswomen clashed again, the swords of metal on metal echoed around the clearing as sparks flew from their weapons.
"I'm warmed up now" Miyabi said after a few moments as she leapt back holding her sword in front of her "It's about time to get serious". Ikaruga held her sword in front of her, the moment she had been waiting for last time she had been overwhelmed by the girl's immense power but this time she had a few tricks up her sleeve.
"Shinobi transformation" Miyabi called out as a bright light covered her body, her torn black uniform disappeared in the blink of an eye as her café Noir coloured cape began to form, her white and yellow high collared coat with black linings took shape as Ikaruga continued to wait.
The white coat was open at the top exposing a large amount of the girls ample bust the coat opened out at the bottom exposing the white haired girl's thighs, her long brown socks were covered at the calves by white boots adorned with black straps, around her neck was a black choker and silver necklace, covering her arms were white bandages on her left arm black leather straps had also formed.
"Aren't you going to get serious yet?" Miyabi asked seeing her opponent still in her Hanzō uniform "Please I'm willing to wait while you change, I'd hate for our fight to end so quickly".
"Please don't worry" Ikaruga said as she tightened her grip "You may come at me at any time". Miyabi looked on confused before shaking her head, if this girl wanted to lose once again then so be it.
XXX
Miyabi charged forward with her katana raised as Ikaruga smiled making a bee line for the girl in front of her, as she ran the training she had gone through at the temple came rushing back as her body shone brightly her white and golden armour forming as her sword collided with the white haired girl's.
The feeling of surprise crossed Miyabi's yellow eyes for a moment as she smiled, this girl had claimed from the beginning this fight would be different from last time now she could understand why, their first encounter Miyabi had overwhelmed the girl in a heartbeat but this time she was proving to be more than an easy target the two clashed over and over neither one giving the other an opening.
"Secret ninja art: Flame pillar" Ikaruga called out as Miyabi's eyes widened a little as Ikaruga broke the clash stabbing her sword into the ground the feeling of power and heat began to form at Miyabi's feet as she quickly jumped back a large blue pillar of flames shooting up from the ground, the white haired girl couldn't deny it any longer this was not the same girl she had fought previously.
"Focus Miyabi" she heard a voice behind her as she turned blocking a strike from her black haired opponent, just when had she gotten behind her? Ikaruga smiled as she pressed the attack, for the first time ever she had managed to keep the white haired girl on the defensive but she knew better than anyone the tide of battle could turn at any moment.
"Secret ninja art: Purgatorio of Good and Evil" Miyabi called out as Ikaruga's mind flashed back to their two on two match at the shrine, she had used this move on Asuka almost beating the brunette. Miyabi grinned manically as she held up her left hand a nest of blood red snakes began to form as they shot towards the black haired girl in every direction.
Ikaruga cried out in pain as the snakes coiled around her sinking their fangs into her as she was thrown across the ground her uniform tearing as she slid to a stop, Miyabi let out a sigh as she lowered her katana this match was done.
"Ultimate ninja art: Switch gunner form" Ikaruga choked out as Miyabi looked toward her with surprise, she had assumed this fight over yet this girl still had more and just what was that move she had just used? Ikaruga smiled as her outfit began to vanish slowly getting to her feet, Miyabi watched in surprise as a new outfit had begun to form around her, Ikaruga's ample chest was now covered 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.
"We're not finished yet" Ikaruga said as she drew her two silver revolvers "Secret ninja art: inferno bullets". Miyabi held her katana prepared for what was to come trying to clear her mind of the shock as two golden rings appeared in front of her black haired opponent, the girl raised the two guns pointing them at the rings as she began firing as the bullets passed through were coated with blue flames as Miyabi began to quickly deflect what she could.
Her training with the twin gun slingers had taught her how to handle opponents who used guns but this was something else, she grunted as some of the bullets peppered her body her cape filled with holes as she continued to deflect the oncoming bullets. Ikaruga lowered her guns as Miyabi panted gripping the strap holding her now torn cape pulling it free as it flew on the wind.
"Impressive Ikaruga but if that's all you have then you will not beat me" Miyabi said as she felt the burns on her arms and legs sting in the breeze, if she was going to win she would need to end it with this one move "Ultimate secret ninja art: hellfire blade" Miyabi cried out as black flames began to coat her katana making it appear to have grown in size, Ikaruga looked on as it was her turn to be surprised the white haired girl smiled as she jumped into the air he blade held high above her head as she looked down at the gunslinger who seemed to be muttering something.
"I win again!" Miyabi called out as she slammed the blade into the ground causing a huge creator to appear as black flames consumed the clearing they had used for their battle, Miyabi panted as her grip began to loosen on her blade the adrenaline had been pumping fuelling her will to win as she looked at the devastation she had caused.
"I-Ikaruga?" Miyabi called out feeling a little concerned she had gone overboard "Ikaruga! Answer me!". The white haired girl looked around frantically seeing no sign of the black haired girl, she turned to her left as something glinting caught her eye a look of shock formed on her face as exhaustion began to set in as the weight of her katana began to show.
"Secret ninja art: Iron fist" Ikaruga called out weakly, her outfit had changed once again as the bikini was replaced with a red tank top, her blue jeans had been replaced with white shorts, her cowboy boots had gone replaced with white trainers with golden trim.
Miyabi felt her katana fall to the ground with a clatter as Ikaruga's new weapon, a red and golden gauntlet collided with her side sending her sliding across the ground as Ikaruga panted she saw her opponent's black uniform return as she lay motionless on the floor.
"I-I won, I guess fighter mode was m-more than you could handle" Ikaruga panted out forcing a smile as she felt the last of her stamina give out falling to the ground as her school uniform returned, the solitary fighter came into the ruined clearing a few moments later finding the fallen fighters.
"Foolish" she said as she checked on them both gently picking them up "Pushing yourselves so hard in a fight between friends, you both need to learn to hold back".
I am back after my break for the holidays, I hope everyone had a good Christmas and a good day if you don't celebrate it. So as a small recap at the end of chapter twelve I gave you all a few things to ponder since someone received a black arrow for a rematch I had you all guess on Miyabi, Homura, Imu or Haruka being the one who received it
The results are that Ikaruga sent the arrow to...Miyabi. This led to an interesting showdown between the two girls which resulted in Ikaruga finally defeating her rival but at a cost which Daidōji cleared up, so what will happen next I wonder
Oh before I go there is something I should clear up. The switch forms of Ikaruga, these are based on two one on one battles that she had. The first is the gunner form based on her battle with Kafuru and the second her fighter form is based on the battle with Katsuragi however Ikaruga's arm strength is better than her leg strength due to her sword skills so I made it similar to Yozakura's weapon instead