Kagura Hearts

Chapter 21: Trials of Winter

"...Gessen Academy asked about Sora?"

Asuka nodded, answering Ikaruga's question. Asuka then continued, "While Katsu was taking Sora on a date, me, Yomi, and Homura met with the Gessen Nin, and yes…Yumi is uncertain of Sora." Katsu then said, "Let her be as 'uncertain' as she wants. 'Ms. Righteous' can pout a storm for being unable to do what Sora could do solo!"

Hibari then asked, "Sora doesn't know, does he?" Asuka shook her head and said, "Yomi and I didn't want to make Sora feel any more stressful than he does already. I mean…Katsu, you DO know you kissed a taken boy, right?"

Ikaruga glared at Katsu, who grinned nervously while saying, "Hey, what can I say? OUR hero's the real deal, unlike Yumi and her crew." Yagyu however said, "Making fun of her and calling her names ISN'T going to reunite Sora with Kairi sooner. If you ladies recall, we've had our own trouble with Gessen Academy once before, and THEY thought we were being merciful to the Evil Ninjas, whether the Crimson Squad abandoned Hebijo Academy or not, the Gessen Nin are STRICT. They will not stop in their pursuit for true Justice until the Just are the last ones standing…"

Hibari nervously asked, "Yagyu…what do you think they want from Sora?" Yagyu explained, "It's just an examination, Hibari. They want to see if the Keyblade Master is a true hero, one who is comparable to angels and superheroes, you know, Anime Heroes." Hibari smiled happily and said, "IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN SORA'S THE BEST THEY'LL EVER KNOW!" Yagyu shook her head and said, "Hibari…Gessen 'tested' us before…and a test of allegiances is never as simple as a simple conversation." Ikaruga nodded and said, "...they will spill blood…Sora's blood, if he isn't up to their standards."

At that moment, Sora had just walked into class, blushing at Kat, who smiled at him…

Ikaruga glared once more at Katsu, who said, "Quit the 'Stalker' game, 'Mr. X', I didn't take him romantically if THAT'S what you're thinking…I just kissed him, big whoop!" Ikaruga angrily said, "That was AFTER he received his first kiss from my Rival, Yomi. WHO WAS POSSESSED BY ANOTHER GIRL!"

Sora nervously asked, "Ikaruga…about that…that night you were in my bed…I never talked to you since then, so…look, I don't blame you for…the dream. You're still an incredible swordswoman to me." Ikaruga sighed in relief, but still…

"Sora…you should still hear us out. Please sit with us. We have something to tell you." Ikaruga instructed. Unsure of the class rep's serious tone, Sora sat next to Hibari, who scooched over for him to have room. As Sora sat down, Ikaruga said, "...Yesterday, Asuka was greeted by a group of ninjas from another Faction. These ninjas have been watching you for the last few weeks since your arrival in our world, all while they have been warring with one of the Four Fiends."

Sora then asked, "Did they…hurt you guys?" Asuka shook her head, "No-no, I was fine. They merely wanted to get to know you a little better, after all, you are the first person who they have learned can deal with the Heartless with ease." Sora then said, "A Keyblade is a Keyblade after all. Still, if one of the Fiends were attacking them, why didn't they ask for our help sooner?"

Yagyu answered, "You can say it was their pride that blinded them. Gessen Academy has a history with thick-headed antics, especially when it comes to justice…and according to Asuka, that was why they stopped by your place while you were away." Ikaruga then explained, "They don't trust you…so, they are demanding to test you. Whose side you're on, why you fight, anything to ease their suspicion of you…"

Sora was somewhat nervous, so he asked, "Alright…well, when will their Test begin?" Asuka answered, "According to Ymu, she said the test would start as soon as the temperature drops."

"-WHICH IS BONKERS! Doesn't the chick know the weather's at 70 right now? Summer's right around the corner, and she expects her Christmas Presents in July around May! The cook." Katsu said.

Suddenly, Sora began to see his breath, and the room felt like a blizzard struck!

Principal Hanzo suddenly burst into the classroom in a winter coat and passed several to the girls while saying, "GIRLS, WE'RE BEING HIT BY A SUDDEN BLIZZARD! Dress warmly while investigating the reason." Katsu grumbled while Ikaruga said, "Gessen Sorcery must be at work. Their test must be in effect." Sora noticed that Hanzo didn't give him a coat, but Sora still intended to go out with them…

…still, Asuka had to ask, "Grandpa, do you have a coat for Sora?" Hanzo answered, "Sorry sweetie, but…Grampa's got only one gender in mind with these coats. He's going to have to go out with the clothes he has right now-."

"I am strangely prepared for this." Ikaruga said as she pulled out a few sewn creations, like surprisingly, a winter coat. Ikaruga shyly offered Sora the coat while saying, "...I wanted to make something for you as a way of saying how sorry I was for…violating your space." Sora then asked, "...so…you made me a Winter Coat during Spring time?" Ikaruga nodded. Sora kindly took the coat and said, "...thanks Ikaruga." Ikaruga smiled and said, "You're very welcome."

Once outside, Yagyu looked up and reported, "It's a Kekkai!"

The group looked up and found that they were trapped from school to city in a barrier with a white spider emblem hovering in the sky while releasing a strong winter storm upon everything and everyone below!

Asuka then said, "Finding the caster isn't going to be a simple job, we'll split up to make the search easier." Hibari then said, "This is terrible, why would our friends do this? Sora isn't a bad guy!" Ikaruga then explained, "Sometimes those with power consider themselves to know better than those they judge to be different from them." Hibari then complained, "It's STILL rude! Asuka's granny summoned Sora, don't they know that?" Asuka answered, "They didn't. Granny was never the sort of Shinobi to spread secrets. But if they want to know Sora up close, they're gonna get a nice hard look at the Keyblade Master!"

Sora then said, "I guess that's my cue then. I'll let them find me while you all-."

Hibari however wrapped her arms around Sora's arm and said, "GESSEN'S BEING VERY RUDE! I'M COMING WITH HIM TO GIVE THEM A PIECE OF MY MIND!" Sora however said, "Hibari, it's OK, they're after me, so I'll give them what they want. You'll be safer with Yagyu than me." Hibari however shook her head and said, "This isn't up for debate! I'm gonna watch your back like Asuka and the others did, and that's final!"

"-SORA."

Yagyu's voice bellowed and brought a shiver down Sora's spine as she stomped over to the terrified hero. Yagyu then grabbed Sora by the hood and ordered, "...one scratch on Hibari…and you're a dead man. DO YOU HEAR ME?!" Sora saluted and said, "L-LOUD AND CLEAR, MAM!" Yagyu smiled in relief and said, "Yah, you're going to do just fine. Especially with Hibari. She can summon an animal that might give the both of you a leg-up against the blizzard." Hibari then saluted Yagyu with Sora and said, "YOU can count on me, Yagyu! I'll help Sora with all the best my summoning can produce!" Yagyu nodded and said, "Best of luck to the both of you…and Sora, take care of yourself too. Gessen is relentless."

Yagyu then jumped from rooftop to rooftop, getting further away from the group, while Katsu and Ikaruga did the same, even though Ikaruga called out, "Stay safe, Sora!" and Katsu yelled, "I still owe you a night!"

Asuka then said, "...Sora, the leader of the group of Gessen Ninjas…please don't judge her too harshly. If it is who I think it is, then just be honest and fair to her, She's just scared of you, that's all. Be the man we know you are." Asuka then bowed and left after the others.

Hibari then cheered and said, "HIBARI GETS TO HAVE AN ADVENTURE WITH THE KEYBLADE MASTER! That is gonna be awesome!" As Hibari 'hopped' with joy, Sora asked, "So, Hibari…you can summon too?" Hibari answered, "Well yes, but compared to Asuka's Grandma, I'm not as advanced. For now, I can summon Rabbit Guardians." Sora tilted his head in curiosity as the answer peaked his curiosity…

"...Rabbit Guardians?"

Hibari nodded and said, "Yup, their coats are soft and warm, and they make for great Winter Allies. Here, I'll show you an example…" Hibari then performed several hand gestures while meditating. As she spoke in Japanese, her fingers started to glisten and glow, until Hibari opened her eyes and shot the focused power into the sky…

"COME TO ME, MY GUARDIAN!"

(bonk)

Sora's face was suddenly covered by a large white mass with a red scarf!

Hibari looked embarrassed as she helped pull the white thing off of Sora's face. She then explained, "S-sorry, like I said, I don't summon as well as Asuka's Granny. Still, this one IS one of my traditional summons. In fact, I think you two have met before." Sora looked at the white mass as it smothers its face in Hibari's breasts and recalled hitting a similar creature…with a mean look, rabbit ears, and a Japanese Kanji on his forehead…

"...so…that's that Rabbit thing you summoned while Ikaruga was attacking me, right?" Sora asked, Hibari places the rabbit-like creature down and nods, "Yes, this is Ninto. He's a special summon I was able to call. He's really helpful, and can use magic just like you. He uses mostly electric attacks and has his own flying nimbus cloud to fly in. He's summoned during situations when I'm up against a major threat, aiding me by giving me additional help. Isn't that right, Ninto?" Ninto nods proudly…

…while Sora could only stare in annoyance at the little creature's smug and pervy nature…

Hibari then said, "Anyway, I'm sorry Ninto, but I was actually trying to summon my guardian. Would you stand back, please?" Ninto nodded and bumped Sora back, annoying the Keybearer even more…

THIS time, Hibari tried focusing even more, and after charging her energy into a shimmering light, Hibari was able to summon an enormous rabbit! The animal was the size of a small house, and allowed its summoner to climb up on its back. As Hibari hopped on, she gently petted the giant rabbit and asked, "Hey there again, little fella. See that human? Can he ride on your back too?" The giant rabbit looked at Sora, who waved shyly at it…

The rabbit pouts and looks away while Ninto smirks and attempts to hop on the rabbit instead…

…only for the giant rabbit to snort Ninto away.

Sora walked over to the giant rabbit and bowed while asking, "Hi there Guardian. May I please ride you?" The giant rabbit looked at Sora carefully, and glared at Ninto…

…then the giant rabbit nodded, allowing Sora to ride it's back.

Sora tried not to pull on the hair while he climbed up, and as he finally made it on top, Sora petted the giant rabbit softly and said, "Thank you, Guardian, I promise to protect both you AND Hibari." The giant rabbit blushed and nodded.

Hibari then commanded, "Alright now, fuzzy friend! Let's find those Gessen meanies!" The guardian then prepped its giant feet, and leapt high in the sky, leaving an awe-struck Ninto staring in shock…

End of Chapter 21