Okay, I can hear it now… "Boruto!? You chose BORUTO!?" Yeah, yeah...I'm not a fan of Boruto either...HOWEVER it makes the most sense in this case. Too many important events happen in the original Naruto series and I didn't want to disturb that with more complications. Also, Hikari needs to learn something here...I thought Boruto's time period would help her greatly.

Also, you're probably wondering why I gave Shin the ability to change his form...Well...Seeing as that he's a Kai, I would think he would be able to do that since he might go to different words and such. He would probably not want to cause any attention to himself...It seemed like a valuable skill for any kai to have (shrug).

As for Max, well...I had to think about his original personality (think A Goofy Movie). He was the typical teenager who HATED his dad's antics. Now he's been put in a situation where his father is gone and he's been given a responsibility mimicking that of his father's. I'd think he'd be a bit protective over Hikari and a bit hard in personality because of this.

Many of you who have read my previous words are probably thinking "why does her tone and style change with every story?" Well, every story has its own character to it. This one, because of Kingdom Hearts, is more light and airy and a bit fast paced. I'm also using this story to help me with my biggest challenge...Writing fights...I admit it, I am TERRIBLE when it comes to fight scenes. I have NEVER been able to pull it off correctly. Yet, this story will require a great many of them so there's the challenge.

So enough of my ranting...off with the show! (grin)

Disclaimer: The Kingdom Hearts Franchise, Dragonball and all its incarnations, and the Naruto series, their characters, settings, etc, belong to their respective creators. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to ME!

Chapter 9: Training

"Why would we want to participate in this anyway!?"

The question hung in the air as they returned to their small accommodations on the outskirts of the city.

"Well...It would be good." Shin reasoned. "This might be good training for all of us…"

"Training!? We should be getting out of here!" Max protested.

"I don't think that is possible anymore." Shin shook his head. "It's obvious we've raised such suspicion that we've been targeted. Not by evil intentions though…"

He was right...After the first stage of the Chunin Exams ended Sai had personally escorted them back to their hotel on the outskirts. It was obviously a ploy to figure out who they were and exactly WHY they were there in the first place.

"We should keep certain things within our minds." Shin suggested. "I have a feeling we are being watched."

"Yeah...I got that too." Hikari said. "Well...What should we do?"

A shrug from the kai. "What this realm expects us to do I suppose...Ready ourselves for the next stage in the Chunin Exams…"

Max smacked his head. "I can't believe we're doing this…"

"Hikari needs training, Max." Shin regarded the man. "She needs to be able to defend herself."

"She can!" Max defended. "She got rid of Raven!"

"That IS true...To a certain point." Shin explained. "In that moment, she had called upon her parents' powers..Not her own." He looked at Hikari. "You have your own power, Hikari...We just need to bring it out. Perhaps that is the true reason why we are here...This seems like a place for training anyway." He looked at Max. "I know you want to protect her, it's obvious in your ways, but Hikari has been chosen by the Keyblade...She can protect herself…"

"Wait...Chosen? I thought I got it from my parents." Hikari was so confused right now.

"That IS part of it…" Shin said. "I may not know as much as I should, but I do know great power is NOT given through blood...It's given by fate. And YOU, Hikari...You are most certainly one with a destiny...Even I have to acknowledge that."

Hikari went still for a long moment. So basically, the Keyblade had chosen her not because of her parents, but because it WANTED to be with her. What was the Keyblade anyway? Was it a sentient being? A god? How did it choose its wielder?

"I've an idea…" Shin's voice broke her from her thoughts. "I think, despite the situation, we should go long and participate in the Chunin Exams. It will be good for all of us...Seeing as that we are on this journey together, we must be able to rely on each other...These exams could possibly help that."

Shin was right. If they were going to be stuck with each other, they needed to get long and get along FAST.

"Alright...I guess there's no way around it." Hikari dreaded her next words. "When should we start training?"

Shin actually smiled.

A few moments later the three were in a large field on the outskirts of town. Here they could be undisturbed by the locals. Shin had suggested such a place, stating their training might not be the type they would wish anyone from this realm to see.

"I suppose the first thing that needs to be done is for you to call forth the Keyblade Hikari." Shin told her.

"Yeah...I guess…" Hikari looked at her hand. "Though...I don't really remember how I did it in the first place."

"I remember your dad saying something...," Max said, "that power comes from our hearts. Maybe if you reach into your heart, the Keyblade might be there."

She eyed him. "And just exactly HOW am I supposed to do that?"

"Close your eyes and concentrate." Shin told her. "Think of only the weapon itself...Call to it…"

Sighing Hikari closed her eyes. She imagined the Keyblade in her mind...How the yellow handle sparkled a bit under the light...How the blade itself was sturdy and also glowed under the light of the sun. Almost immediately she felt a weight in her outstretched hand. Opening her eyes she saw the Keyblade there, gripped firmly in her grasp.

"Great job, Hikari!" Max was impressed.

"Yes...Very well done." Shin acknowledged. "Now...We need to begin the next phase...Combat." He took a stance.

"YOU?" Max was aghast. "Since when did you know how to fight?"

Shin raised an eyebrow at him. "I may be a being of peace, but all beings in my realm know how to fight…" He gave a light smirk. "You'd be surprised by what I can do…" He looked towards Hikari. "Are you ready?"

She gripped the Keyblade's handle in both hands. Eyes determined, she also braced herself.

"As ready as I'll ever be." She said.

"Good...Then let's begin." He vanished without a trace.

Max watched the sparring match with interest. At first he thought Shin to be a somewhat worthless companion. All it seemed the Kai could do was heal and screw things up. Yet now, Shin was proving to be a force to be reckoned with. He was FAST, almost too fast for Max to keep up with. Shin's main weapon was a disk made of pure light that appeared in his hand whenever he willed it forth. When light attacks were not used, physical movements were blocked by the Keyblade...Hikari sure was a quick study.

"Keep your eyes focused Hikari!" Shin instructed as he attacked again. "You must allow your power to come forth...Do not think of it, just let it happen!"

"I'm trying!" She grunted as she felt another blow through the Keyblade. She knew very well she wouldn't be able to keep this up for long...She had to do SOMETHING and fast!

But it was too late to think...Shin had overpowered her to a point where the Keyblade went sprawling into the air, landing onto the ground several meters away. Hikari fell flat on her back, too tired to continue.

"Geez Shin…" She breathed out. "Remind me to NEVER get on your bad side."

Chuckling Shin stood over her. "I've had more experience in fighting than you, Hikari…" He held out a hand and she reached for it. "But...All in all not bad for your first sparring match."

"Thanks...I think…" She looked towards Max, who had been silently watching nearby. "Your turn!"

Max's jaw hit the ground. "Are you kidding me!? No way! NO WAY!"

"Awe come on, chicken!" Hikari grinned at him and he gave her a slight glower.

"I'm not an all powerful being, nor am I a Keyblade wielder…" He said. "All I have is my father's shield! I am NOT dying today!"

"Defense it is then…" Shin said. "You've power within you as well, Max...Though not as much as Hikari, it's still there...Trust me, I can feel it. You ARE from the same realm as she…"

"Come on Max! I need a break!" Hikari went over to the Keyblade, picked it up and it disappeared. "Besides, I think you two need to duke it out anyway…"

"Fine…" Max groaned and took Hikari's place on the field. He summoned his shield, stared Shin down. "Go easy on me will you?"

Shin just smiled. "If that is what you wish."

Meanwhile, a set of eyes was silently watching in the trees, most intrigued by the three companions below. They were not the only eyes watching the spectacle...In fact, the entire field was filled with eyes, silently watching.

"They don't appear to be enemies." A soft voice came from the trees.

"Still though, we should be cautious…" Came another. "Sai is never wrong…"

"That's true…" A third voice spoke here. "He can pick out a rose from a field of poppies. Still though...These guys look tough...Especially the tall one...You know...the one that floated during the exams."

"And what's with that odd key thing? That can't be a weapon!"

"Apparently it is…I'll let the Hokage know about this...Keep them in your sights."

"Got it."

Next Time: Council