Last Chapter, Kiriya had a moment to explain to Asuka how Death still looms over Sora's head, and that she and her friends must take care to keep their new comrade safe. As she took her sensei's advice, a call came for Kiriya, and the caller reported to him that their enemy wasn't JUST the Four Fiends anymore...
That afternoon, Sora was followed by Asuka and the Hanzo Girls: Ikaruga, Katsuragi, Yagyu, and Hibari, who wanted to help Sora find a place to stay in for the remainder of his time in their world. Checking the boating docks for the ship that Sayuri used to bring Sora to their home city, the group was surprised by what waited for them...
A Houseboat! Sitting in the same spot where Sayuri's boat used to be, where a Key and Letter waited for Sora to pick up. Sora was amazed to read that the house would be his, and that the contract he forged with his summoner, Sayuri, was transferred to Asuka, Sayuri's granddaughter, and Sora's first friend in the world.
Sora's first steps inside made it clear how unique his mission was going to be, he would have a comfortable home to stay in until he can be resurrected in Quadratum...
Surprisingly, Katsu entered Sora's new houseboat and announced that she, Asuka, and the girls would be sleeping over for the night!
Kagura Hearts
Chapter 9 ~ Getting to know the Girls
"OK Girls, we don't normally party this hardy, but I say we give this bro here the Hanzo-Style Celebration! Here's to our 6th Member!" Katsu cheered as Ikaruga finished making the group's dinner…
"Sweet Squid Ramen Roll! A fitting meal for introductions, wouldn't you agree?" Ikaruga asked Sora, who was just amazed by the dish his classmate fixed for everyone. Sora smiled and took a serving while taking a bite…
Sora's eyes lit up in awe, and as he noticed Ikaruga's gaze, he swallowed the serving he ate and said, "This takes me back to my time on Destiny Islands! Really good! Mmmmm…" Ikaruga's eyes were glistening from such praise, while everyone else dug into the meal!
Asuka then said, "I know this party is a little sudden, and don't get me wrong, the snacks and drinks are amazing, but while we're here, why don't we tell Sora about each of us? You all know I'm related to Grandfather Hanzo and Grandmother Sayuri, but I think Sora should know us better." Katsu however said, "Well, I heard the phrase, 'Ladies First', but since there's more ladies than gentlemen, no offense, 'Squeeb'("HEY!" ~ Sora), let's have the bachelor provide our entertainment! Wanna know a bit about us? Then tell us a bit about you!"
Sora then asked, "...OK, I'm game. So what did you guys wanna know about me?" Yagyu then asked, "Well for starters, your choice of weapon. I haven't seen you use it, but I'm curious about the Keyblade. So, can you show it to us?"
Sora reached his hand out, making Katsu smirk, "HEY DUDE, too soon to cop a feel, wouldn't you-?" Suddenly, the Keyblade formed from a burst of light, earning the girl's surprise and curiosity…
Katsu then said, "...you're feeling…more than I thought. So it IS real…" Sora nodded and said, "Yeah, I'm bonded with this, which means I'm bonded with those who I protect and help. But…something tells me you know the specifics already." Yagyu then said, "Believe it or not, yes, we have…but that's not our story to share…it's Hibari's." Sora looked at Hibari, who said to him, "...some other time. I-it's not important right now, I want to hear Sora's story!" Sora then said, "My story? Well…I guess I owe my new friends an explanation. Someday though, I'd like to hear Hibari's history with the Keyblade!" Hibari nodded and said, "(giggle) OK, I promise I'll tell you before your mission ends!"
Sora nodded, and began his story, "This doohickey here, (chuckle) you can say it found me just when I lost my world. The Heartless, the same dark creatures you've been fighting, stole my world, my parents, and sent me and my friends scattered to the worlds. But just when Riku disappeared, a weapon came to me just when that same darkness tried to take me. THAT was the Keyblade, trying to bond with Riku…but chose me coincidentally. We've been through a lot, this little guy and me, even near the end, when a corrupted Riku returned and took the Keyblade. In the end, it returned to me, and together, me and the Keyblade defeated monsters and armies while saving the worlds."
Katsu then asked, "Curious how an all-star like you was able to fight off those Heartless alone." Sora however said, "I wasn't alone actually, I met and teamed up with many friends and saved their worlds. With these friends, I was able to reunite with Riku and Kairi, and restore our world. (sigh) who would've imagined it, a talking Duck and Dog, saving my life during every battle." Ikaruga then said, "It sounds like your friends came from the Zoo." Sora then explained, "If only it were that easy, you see, they're sort of in a different category. They walk and talk like any of us, but they're animals…and I think they take suggestive things like what Katsu does personally. They love their king too, it's as if Mickey's protected by law or something to not be questioned or made fun of, unless the entire kingdom wants people like me to start a war simply by attempting to."
Yagyu then said, "Censorship in the form of ducks and dogs…odd choice for friends, but that's you." Sora laughed and said, "That's kind of the case with them, except for Goofy. He's the dog guy who helped me in my adventures. He's not the type to use any weapons, he only wields a shield. He uses it for charge attacks and punching, so I guess to him, a shield can count as something like a boxing glove. And then there's Donald…he gets mad…I mean REALLY mad. (chuckle) He's always making himself out to be smarter than me, but I find my moments…and when he thinks he's won our arguments, BAM, I knock him down with an epic insult!"
Asuka then said, "Donald and Goofy…sounds like a cavalcade of characters. I'd love to meet them someday." Sora then said, "MIGHT wanna avoid them if you get the chance. Nothing personal, but I think they wouldn't be as adaptive to you as I was." Asuka then said, "I can see that happening, the ninjas here are…kinda on the suggestive side, but still, this Goofy at least sounds cute." Sora then said, "I'll tell him you said that if I can find my way back."
The night continued on with joking, food, drinks, and merriment. Sora was enjoying his time with the Hanzo Girls, so much in fact that a question came to his mind…
"Um, before I forget, I was wondering…are there any other ninjas like you?"
Sora's question prompted an answer from Asuka, who explained, "...there are others. We know Ninjas from other schools, and have befriended such ninjas…even though our friendship with them may depend on our missions. Still, when we're not working, you can expect a totally different side from even Evil Ninjas."
"E-EVIL Ninjas?!"
Yagyu then explained, "The worst one you gotta look out for is a tall, curly-brown-haired, sadist who devours innocent people for breakfast!" Hibari then said, "Yagyu kinda has it out for one of them, and…Sora, please understand, when you look past their nature, you might see the same thing as we do."
"Cleavage?" asked Katsuragi.
"-Stop." Ikaruga ordered.
Hibari then explained, "We see their inner kindness and vulnerability, as people, who were hurt just like we all were." Sora then said, "Well, if Asuka and Hibari can speak for them, I can respect that much and treat them all the same." Asuka then smiled and grasped Sora's hand while saying, "Thank you, Sora. They really are nice people. Especially my best friend, Homura, and her team, the Crimson Squad." Sora was curious, so Ikaruga explained, "They are a former ninja brigaid that served under Hanzo National Academy's rival school, the Hebijo Clandestine Girls' Academy. The Crimson Squad hides in a secret cave very few are aware of, to avoid assassins from their old school who still hunt for them because of their betrayal, when it required killing the man who supported their school, and nearly devoured our friends and world in a single bite. That man was Dogen, scum comparable to sewer rats." Sora then said, "I'm glad I never met him then."
Asuka then said, "Homura's squad isn't the only group of friends either, there's also a team from a strict school called the Gessen Girls' Academy, as you may have guessed, it's another team with women…(giggle) and honestly, I think you'll get along with them as well as Homura, you MIGHT even fall in love with their leader." Sora blushed and asked, "I'd be surprised if I did, I mean, love isn't something I know very well." Asuka then explained, "I'll introduce you to Yumi someday, now the last team though, are the current high-ranking students from Hebijo, and they may be harder to be friends with than Katsuragi…including Miyabi."
"Who's Miyabi?" Sora asked. Asuka answered, "A tomboy seeking a feminine identity to clarify her gender. She has been compared with boys for years-." Katsu then added, "Which is silly given her exposed legs and bust-." Asuka then said, "She doesn't notice though, with her, acknowledgement is gained through true feminism and success in a kill." Hibari then suggested, "Would it be funny if she and Sora met? Imagine the crazy things that might happen!" Yagyu then answered, "I think you're scaring him, Hibari." Sora then asked, "So…the Hebijo Ninjas are likely to be my enemy?" Asuka then answered, "You don't have to be friends with everybody anyway, we're good enough." Sora nodded and said, "Yeah, sorry about that. You guys ARE enough. (yawn) Well, I should probably hit the sack. I'm getting a little tired."
As Sora was leaving the living room, he asked, "...You guys OK in the living room?" Asuka answered, "Yeah, we packed for this sleepover after all, plus, this isn't our first girls-night either." Sora smiled and said, "OK Asuka, stay safe, and good night."
As Sora went upstairs, Katsuragi looked at everyone and said, "...you know girls, having a boy in the group opens a LOT of doors, one of which is upstairs…where he is…sleeping…up there…in his room…alone…and a virgin." As Katsu's eyebrows went up-and-down a few times, Asuka said to her, "Please don't Katsu! Let him have his night!" Katsu however said, "OH COME ON ASUKA! Your explanation about other ninja girls has him interested! We aren't going to be enough for him." Hibari patted Katsu on the shoulder and said, "Don't take it literal, Katsu. Sora's a really sweet guy, plus, he's pretty loyal. He wouldn't stop looking back on Kairi during our entire time together."
Katsuragi however said, "Well your enthusiasm is contagious, but your naivety is beyond human comprehension, Hibari! He's temporarily SINGLE, Kairi is VERSES away, and the Hanzo Academy will be down a member if Sora get's lusty over another girl-!"
"-You really like having Sora in your life, don't you, Katsu?" Yagyu asked.
Katsuragi was quiet for a few minutes, but then explained, "...he IS a great guy, and well, you know how boys like beautiful and attractive women, right? I just don't want him to slip and fall into someone else's grasp! I want him to stay with us, Team Hanzo, no matter what!" Asuka then said, "...maybe you…can tell him tomorrow? We'll be checking the city for Heartless tomorrow anyway. You two could spend some time talking about this." Katsu then said, "Really? You…wouldn't mind? He's your Summon now, so I figured you deserve your time with him." As Asuka blushed, Yagyu suddenly noticed, "...hey, speaking of which…has anybody seen Ikaruga?"
The class slowly looked to the stairway to Sora's private room…
After brushing his teeth, Sora then said, "I wonder if I hurt their feelings earlier? They were just wanting to hang out more, I didn't need to make them think I was going to leave the gang for another group. ESPECIALLY a group made up entirely of pretty girls. They would kick my butt if I came off as a cheating kind of guy! Besides, girls are…"
His mind went back to when he bit and exchanged Paopu Fruits with Kairi…
"...hard to understand."
Sora then made his way to bed, ready to close his eyes and rest. He was especially happy since he hasn't slept in a normal bed in a while. A soft comfy pillow to rest his head on, and equally soft blankets to wrap himself in…
…and then someone hugged him.
"WAIT-WHAT?!"
End of Chapter 9
Next Chapter...
An interested girl has a moment to talk to Sora, while struggling with her heart's desires...