Let's start this off right! UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona! God I want a TV Tropes page for this and A Simple Mission Rebirth. Fortunately, this chapter isn't as long so I haven't lost my mind, which is good since I guess Chapter 14 is infiltrating the Palace and I am preparing to lose my sanity to it again if I decide to spend an entire day working on it. So let's get onto the reviews! To… everyone who wants to pair the ninja girls with Akira: …Just… Okay, let me lay this down. Every possible pairing with the Senran Girls is considered canon! How that will work? Well, once we're in the later Ranks of their Confidant you'll see how it works. To Midgardsormr: Yes, Akira will max out his stats and go for 100%! Actually, we set up entire mechanics that is not present in the game as well as some special stuff down the line. I mean, seriously, I always start my chapters with "Load Game… Start!" I treat every chapter as if you were loading a save and the end of the chapter is saving and leaving the game.

Anyway, that's it for the reviews, so let the bullets fly!

Warning, this chapter features a heavy amount of porn!

Gun porn that is! I'm pretty sure the government is watching me right now…

Load Game… Start!

Chapter 12: Untouchable


(4/16, Early Morning)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

As Asuka was already preparing breakfast, not even caring at all for the fact that she was in the nude save for an apron due to the exhaustion of what she went through the entire night and not getting enough sleep, she yawned as she looked towards her roommate with a deadpan expression as a sigh escaped her mouth. "...If this is what Ikaruga-chan has to go with Katsu-nee back home... now I really know she has endurance for these kind of things and I respect her even more now..." She muttered out.

"ZZZZZZZZZ..." Homura meanwhile was loudly snoring out as she laid face first on the pillow.

"Is it Sunday yet?" Asuka groaned as she looked at a nearby calendar. "Tomorrow..." She then mumbled out as another yawn escaped her lips before going back to cooking breakfast. 'God, I just want to skip today.' She thought in a slightly childish tone while glancing over to her sleeping roommate once more. '...And I am never using Sweet Homura again.' She then added in her head as she went back to cooking.

'So it took one night of antics like you've endured like about with your friends at Hanzō Academy to make this decision...' Kaeru remarked. 'And here you were the one that-' She then started, however...

Asuka once again sighed to that remark. 'Kaeru please, not now...' She mentally requested. 'I'll tell Homura-chan about Sweet Homura after our shopping trip tomorrow.' She then added as she went back to cooking breakfast.

SHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"Hmm...Did I turn the heat up too much?" Asuka idly wondered.

'Um... It looks like it. Er... You may wanna turn it down a little-' Kaeru started, however...

POP!

Some of the cooking oil popped onto Asuka's arm, causing her to jump as she quickly backed away from the pan while keeping it on the grill and went to the sink. "ITA! HOT OIL! HOT OIL! OWOWOW!" She got out in pain while rubbing the injured spot while running it under cold water.

'Did it ever occur to you to wear anything other than an apron!?' Kaeru then questioned.

"I WAS TOO LAZY AND TIRED!" Asuka admitted.

"What happened!?" Homura got out, suddenly waking up without warning as she rushed over to her roommate, not even caring about being in the nude like the other girl. "Asuka, what the hell happened!? Are you alright!? Are you any pain?" She rapidly questioned in a concerned, panicked and serious tone with narrow eyes.

Not even fazed by her roommate suddenly being awake, Asuka gave off a sheepish smile. "Well I was cooking and some of the oil popped and landed on my skin." She revealed.

Homura then looked at her roommate's appearance and frowned. "And why were you cooking the way you were?" She questioned while crossing her arms over her chest in an authorial manner while once more narrowing her eyes.

"Er... La-Laziness Homura-chan..." Asuka coughed out in a meek tone. "You can take the bath first. I'll wash up after breakfast." She then offered.

Homura however shook her head to that. "Oh no Asuka, we will be taking a bath together after breakfast so we don't waste time." She then stated in the same authorial tone.

"But breakfast should be done soon while you're taking a bath. I'll eat before you're done." Asuka reassured.

"And I said no Asuka, I am not letting you get yourself hurt again. I will help out with breakfast." Homura stated in a demanding tone while wagging her finger.

Wincing slightly to her roommate taking charge, the Good Shinobi started to feel uncomfortable as she gulped into a nervous manner. "B-But Homura-chaaaaan!" Asuka whined out with a pout.

"Ah-bah-bah-bah-bah! No buts and no whining Asuka!" Homura declared while crossing her arms over her chest once more. "We are cooking and eating breakfast together and I do not want any back sass missy!" She then ordered.

To that, Asuka began to feel very meek as she looked at her roommate. "A-Alright Homura-chan..." She got out in a defeated tone as the two started cooking together. 'She's acting like Ikaruga-chan now, taking charge the way she is...' She thought to herself, not sure what to think on the idea as she imagined her roommate wearing her Hanzō friend's military like Shinobi Tenshin outfit, though imagined her roommate's version being black instead of her friend's white outfit as she was giving out orders to the others in their group at Shujin.

'Huh, so now you're giving out the orders this time.' Wolverine remarked in amusement.

'I'm just taking charge here Wolverine. Someone has to be the responsible one in the apartment.' Homura mentally responded in a mature tone as she stayed by her roommate's side to help with the cooking. 'Asuka needs some form of discipline and I plan to give it to her... as her roommate... and as a friend...' She added in her head in a solemn tone as a small smile came across her face.

The Good Shinobi meanwhile was thinking over her matters to what just occurred. 'Kaeru... you know I didn't do this to Homura-chan... right?' Asuka mentally asked on concern. 'Is Homura-chan... acting more like a big sister to me now without realizing it?' She then asked in her head as she kept cooking.

'That... I am unsure of...' Kaeru admitted. 'It might be that she unconsciously acting this way as her way of wanting to protect you, hence the reason she instantly woke up when some oil popped onto your skin.' She then deducted. 'Though I do also know that you didn't cause this thanks to Sweet Homura...' She quickly added.

Asuka merely nodded to that as she kept cooking with a distracted expression on her face.

Homura however noticed this and slightly narrowed her eyes. "You ok Asuka?" She suddenly asked. "Were you having a chat with your Persona?" She then added as she watched her roommate meekly nod to the question. "Wanna talk about it?" She soon offered in concern.

Asuka once more nodded to that. "Yeah..." She got out in a meek tone. "Homura-chan you're... you're really acting like a big sister towards me now, but I'm not sure what to think about it..." She revealed.

The tan skinned girl in response to hearing that jolted up in brief as her eyes widened. "T-That's..." She stammered out in an uneasy manner with a small blush on her face before taking in a deep breath, the blush fading as a result. "I... I just want to make sure y-you feel comfortable... you're my friend Asuka..." She admitted in a soft tone. "...Was it... weird?" She then asked.

Asuka meanwhile gasped to learning but then shook her head in response to the question. "No, not really...you acting like that made me think that you're a lot like Ikaruga-chan back home. When Katsu-nee's antics got out of hand at time, she would step in and bring them to an end and tries to bring order." She revealed.

Homura merely giggled to that as she kept cooking. "Well, I guess that's because I just want to make sure you don't make the same mistake I did when I was in middle school... I mean you really do have that little sister vibe Asuka." She replied.

This in turn caused the Good Shinobi to blush in embarrassment. "E-Even though you said you feel awkward with me calling you Homu-nee by accident?" Asuka stammered out her question.

"..." Homura in response at first didn't say anything before she kept cooking. "...Yeah..." She finally replied. "I honestly don't if I'll ever be comfortable being called that... I mean... I really don't deserve it..." She then admitted as her expression became crestfallen.

'Ugh... this again?' Wolverine questioned in annoyance.

Homura mentally narrowed eyes to that remark. 'Yes again Wolverine.' She thought in a serious manner. 'I can't exactly feel good about myself after everything I've done, I am... was still an Evil Shinobi...' She mentally reminded.

Asuka in turn to hearing that frowned in a sad manner. "Homura-chan..." She got out as she took one of her roommate's hands and held it tightly. "You don't need to keep beating yourself up like that... stop berating yourself..." She added.

'Give it time, change will come for her... and not just from Sweet Homura, but by being closer to others like you...' Kaeru advised.

'...I guess you're right...' Asuka soon thought, though was still feeling depressed over it.

Getting the feeling that her roommate was having a discussion with her Persona, the tan skinned girl sighed as she looked at the cooking food. "But Asuka..." Homura started in a hesitant manner. "It's... not exactly easy to make up for the sins I committed..." She then reminded. 'All because of him.' She mentally growled.

Asuka then narrowed her eyes in a sad manner as she looked at the cooking food. "Please Homura-chan... can try not to blame yourself anymore?" She soon requested while tightening the grip. "Don't let your past affect who you are, here and now... for you, the past has passed." She then added while pulling her roommate's arm into her chest, pressing it against her breasts.

To the feel of her roommate's breasts enveloping her arm, the tan skinned girl blushed as the initial reaction, but quickly calmed down to the other girl's words. "I'll... I'll try Asuka... I'll honestly... for your sake... and for mine..." Homura hesitantly replied. 'Forgiveness is a whole other problem though…' She mentally sighed out.

The Good Shinobi soon smiled gently to her roommate's words as they placed the food, some scrambled eggs and bacon on two plates before turning off the stove and sat themselves down.

Homura soon started to drool a little at her plate of food. "Oh yeah... this looks great!" She admitted in a hungry manner.

Asuka had another yawn escape her lips, but still smiled as she looked at their breakfast. "Yeah!" She replied in agreement. "Alright then." She then began as the two clapped their hands together.

"ITADAKIMASU!" The two kunoichi declared in unison as they began eating their food with gusto.

"Man, this is great!" Homura complemented in a satisfied tone.

"Mmm!" Asuka got out in agreement as the two kept eating.

Soon enough both girls finished off their plates as though they were clean.

"Ooooh yeah, that was good." Asuka sighed out in a pleased manner.

"Hell yeah it was..." Homura got out in agreement while rubbing her stomach as she then looked at her roommate. "Alright Asuka, we better take a bath, get dressed and head for Shujin." She soon listed off. "...And no complaining missy. We have a lot to do today." She then added in an authority filled tone while crossing her arms over her chest again.

Once more, Asuka began to feel meek under her roommate's words s she placed their plates in the sink."Y-Yes ma'am..." She got out.

'You were acting like that girl your roommate mentioned again.' Wolverine meanwhile informed in the tan skinned girl's head.

Homura in turn sweatdropped to that while rubbing the back of her head. 'Ehehe, I guess it's sort of my way of takin' charge...' She admitted in her head with a small mental giggle while looking at her roommate. "Sorry about that Asuka." She soon apologized.

Asuka however shook her head to that. "It's alright Homura-chan... it's sort of nostalgic hearing you sound like that." She then admitted in a solemn tone.

"'Cause I sounded like your friend Ikaruga?" Homura guessed.

Asuka in turn nodded to that. "Yeah, Ikaruga-chan's always like that to Katsu-nee whenever she does something." She replied before giggling. "Hehe, maybe once we deal with that bastard Kamoshida, you can start a disciplinary committee at Shujin." She then suggested as she kept giggling.

To that idea, Homura blinked to the idea in a curious manner. "That's... I don't know Asuka." She replied in a awkward tone while rubbing the back of her head again. "I mean I don't think I would be cut out for something like that." She then admitted. 'Hmm...' She meanwhile hummed out in her head to the idea.

Asuka however just giggled to that. "Hehe, I guess it would be sort of weird, but it might be kind of cool if you did. I just thought that it might improve our reputation at school. We could ask Makoto-san if you can start one." She then sheepishly admitted. "I mean it would give you a reason to discipline Ryuji-kun more." She then added in a joking tone.

Homura in turn blinked to that. "Well when you put it that way..." She got out with a grin on her face as the two then headed for the bathroom as she turned on the water. "Sakamoto can be a blabber mouth." She then reminded.

"Right? He did reveal our shinobi status to Ann-chan and who know what else he could do. You could totally whip him into shape if you wanted to." Asuka got out in agreement as she kept giggling. "But enough of that Homura-chan, we better get in now." She soon suggested as she saw the steam rising while another yawn escaped her lips.

SPLASH!

Soon both girls got into the bath as they started to wash their heads.

While doing this, Asuka yawned once more in an exhausted manner. "Mmm..." She hummed out in a sleepy tone while stretching her arms.

"Asuka, are you sure you're alright? You look exhausted." Homura got out in concern while placing a hand on her shoulder.

Asuka in response nodded to that. "Hai, just a little sleepy Homura-chan." She replied as her head drooped a little.

"Okay, well we better get cl-" Homura started, however...

SPLASH!

"ASUKA!" Homura exclaimed in a panic as her roommate suddenly fell forward face first into the water. "Man she must be tired!" She then thought in concern as she brought her roommate's sleeping head up. "Asuka, hey." She softly got out as she gently slapped her roommate's cheek.

"Mmm..." Asuka hummed in a pleased yet sleepy tone as she leaned into her roommate, laying her head on the other girl's chest. "Mmm... soft~" She soon mumbled out with an adorable smile on her face.

Homura in turn couldn't help but blush to this. "A-Asuka..." She mumbled out but didn't even try to force her roommate off her while unintentionally wrapping her arms around the other girl while a small smile graced her face. "...Soft..." She quietly got out to the feel of the other girl.

She could soak for a little bit longer this morning before heading to Shujin.


(4/16, Morning)
(Aoyama-Itchome, Shujin Academy)

Eventually, the two got out of the bath and got themselves dressed as they quickly rushed off to Shujin, barely making it as they sat down, however as the class had started...

"ZZZZZ..." Asuka snored softly as the homeroom teacher taught her class with the minimum effort it took to do it.

Kawakami meanwhile had noticed that the girl was asleep as soon as she entered the classroom, but didn't bother her, mainly because she was too tired and she envied the fact that the girl could afford to sleep a few minutes while she couldn't.

Although, even she thought what she was talking about was boring and as a teacher, it was her job to teach them lessons and prepare them for their future in society...

Plus, she could use a little fun.

Society is a cruel mistress… and so was she!

Prepare to learn, bitch!

"Asuka!" Kawakami called out.

"WHUHBUH! I'M AWAKE!" Asuka shouted out as she stood up, some students quietly chuckled and giggled.

"Good to see you're paying attention." Kawakami sarcastically muttered to herself. "Answer me this: What was a common assassination technique used by ninjas in ancient times?" She questioned with an amused smirk on her face.

Asuka as a result was panicking since she was asleep and her mind was somewhere else the entire time, so she didn't know how to answer the question and was visibly sweating. She was going to get in trouble for not paying attention at this rate.

However without a second thought, Akira wrote down the answer he thought was right in his notebook and subtly shifted it into the Good Shinobi's sight.

"U-Uh... Oh! They set their houses on fire!" Asuka answered. "Wait, what?" She got out as she realised what she just said.

"Correct! Many ninjas were actually just normal people who had been hired to kill someone. Sneaking around a compound or the like would be suicidal. So they would often just burn it down rather than go through the trouble of killing them themselves. Some of them weren't even near the target, simply throwing a firebomb and running. While rather extreme, it's rather effective since to this day the identity of many of these assassins were lost to history." Kawakami informed before groaning. "When ancient assassination is easier than modern day teaching..." She then muttered out in a exhausted manner.

This in turn caused the Good Shinobi's eyes to widen in shock. 'What!? Kiriya-sensei never mentioned anything like that back home!' Asuka mentally exclaimed to the mere thought.

"Heh. Our identities are already lost to history." Homura whispered to herself, thought was also intrigued by this information. 'Hmm... normal people huh?' She meanwhile thought.

"Wow Joker. That was pretty gutsy of you to help Lady Asuka out. Also, I'm impressed you managed to write down the answer without anyone noticing." Morgana praised. "I'm glad our ninjas are willing to become thieves as well. Such barbaric actions would be unbecoming of a Phantom Thief." Morgana stated.

'Gotta pat myself on the back for that one.' Akira thought to himself as he pumped his fist.

Asuka meanwhile sighed in relief after calming down as she looked towards the glasses wearing boy. "Thanks Akira-kun, I appreciate it." She whispered in a grateful manner.

"Always here to help." Akira replied as the lesson continued.


(4/16, After School)
(Aoyama-Itchome, Shujin Academy Front Gate)

After classes had ended for the day, Ryuji, Asuka, Ann and Homura were waiting outside the front gate for their leader to arrive, saying that he needed to do a few things before they head to the place the blond suggested. Right now, they were making small talk to pass the time.

"So," Asuka started as a yawn escaped her lips. "Did you guys notice Kamoshida stalking some of us during the day?" She asked in a serious tone.

Ryuji in turn response nodded to that. "Yeah, that bastard must think it's real funny that he's getting more people expelled just cause he doesn't like him. Prolly wants to see our scared faces or somethin'." He remarked in anger.

"And all the while that rat bastard not even caring what he did to Shiho..." Ann then reminded. "He will pay for what he did no matter what." She soon added in her own serious tone.

"Hey, shut up. We can't talk about... you know, while we're out in public. Anyone could be listening to us. Kamoshida or students he forced into listening in." Homura quietly warned. "We can't let the King know that there are thieves in his castle." She then reminded in a serious tone.

"Huh in his what?" Ryuji asked in a confused tone. "Wait, oh! I get ya. Yeah, the King's Kamoshida right?" He then got out in realization.

Homura just groaned in frustration. "Ugh... are you a fuckin' dumbass Sakamoto?" She deadpanned her question. 'Maybe I should consider starting a disciplinary committee after taking down Kamoshida, would whip this blond idiot into shape that way...' She meanwhile thought.

At that moment, the glasses wearing Persona user arrived with the not cat in his bag. "Sorry for making you guys wait." Akira apologized as he ran up to his friends. "Had to go to the toilet real quick. So, what's on the agenda today?" He got out followed by the question.

"Let me set up a Shinobi Kekkai real quick." Homura started as she cracked her knuckles.

"That won't be necessary. Remember, today we are getting better equipment in order to help us fight Shadows and survive the Castle of Lust." Morgana informed as he popped out of the bag. "This might get expensive, so I want a quick review of everyone's finances before we go." He then stated.

"Well... I got 5000 yen on me right now." Ryuji revealed as he checked his wallet.

"I have 7,500 but and only afford to lose...3000 yen. I need the rest to buy flowers for Shiho." Ann informed.

"One thousand for me." Homura groaned out.

"...150. Sorry..." Asuka sheepishly admitted.

"Er... Last I counted was around twenty or thirty thousand yen." Akira muttered out. "Huh, that's more than I expected." He then admitted.

"That's because you never share any of it with us after you got the money from the Palace, asshole." Homura deadpanned.

"Sorry, but I don't exactly have my parents credit card. I have to take what I can get, Ryuji has an allowance, Ann is a model and um... aren't you supported by your respective employers?" Akira explained followed by the question to the two kunoichi.

"Yeah, but only for the essentials." Asuka replied. "It's the reason me and Homura-chan have to look for jobs." She then revealed.

"Well I guess it was a good thing Sojiro-san got you a job at my place." Akira replied.

Asuka nodded in agreement to that as another yawn escaped her lips.

"Wait, you got a job Asuka-chan?" Ann asked in pleasant surprise.

"Yep. I work at LeBlanc now." Asuka replied. "It's a pretty nice place and Sojiro-san said that I can come in at any time." She then added.

"That's great Asuka-chan!" Ann congratulated.

"While it is a rather noteworthy milestone, I would like us to get back to discussing our equipment and the ways of obtaining it." Morgana spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "Every second we waste is another second we could use preparing for our infiltration. We're on a time limit people and if we don't take care of it now, our operation will surely fail." He then advised.

"Right. We better get ourselves ready for anything. Let's head to the place right now." Homura replied with a nod.

"We should probably head home and switch into some casual clothes though. I doubt the shop owner would like selling guns to high school kids, even if they are fake." Akira soon suggested.

"Yeah. I'll swing by home and grab an old duffel bag too." Ryuji offered. "You girls know where to put our shit after this, right?" He then asked.

"Yep. It'll be somewhere no one will ever look." Homura assured.

The ash blonde in turn nodded to this. "Well okay then. I'm gonna visit Shiho now. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Ann replied as she started walking away.

"It's best that we all head home too before it gets too late." Morgana suggested. "Let's all hurry home and change. We'll meet up at near that... ugh, dog statue in Station Square." He then informed.

"Hai." They all replied with a nod before they all started making their way to their own homes.


(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

As both girls entered the apartment and closed the door behind them, they sighed in relief as they placed their bags aside.

Asuka then stretched her arms as a yawn escaped her lips. "Well, we better get changed and regroup with Akira-kun, Ryuji-kun and Morgana-chan." She got out.

Homura nodded in agreement to that as she began to take off her uniform. "Good idea." She replied before realizing something. "Hey, after the accident happened last night, you don't have that many casual clothes to wear right?" She then asked.

Asuka in turn winced to that reminder as she was already in her bra and panties. "Y-Yeah..." She replied in an awkward tone. "...So do you have any suggestions on what to do Homura-chan?" She soon asked.

"Well..." Homura started. "I could let you borrow some of my clothes, if you're alright with it that is." She then offered with a small blush gracing her face.

Asuka in turn blushed to the offer. "You... you don't mind Homura-chan?" She then asked.

"Not really, as long as you don't mind black." Homura replied in a casual tone while offering her a black t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

Asuka however shook her head to that as she took the t-shirt and jeans and got them on, though the shirt was a slightly tight fit that revealed her bellybutton. "Not at all Homura-chan, thanks." She replied while placing her phone in her pocket.

The tan skinned girl merely smiled to that as she also got a black t-shirt and jeans on. "Hehe, looks good on ya Asuka. Black's a good look for you." She got out in a playful manner.

That in turn surprised the Good Shinobi to her roommate's words. "Oh uh... thanks Homura-chan." Asuka replied with a blush to the praise.

"No problem, but we seriously need more colors." Homura sighed out. "All we really have is black and white, so I'm glad Ann's helping us." She admitted as her eyes then drifted downwards from her roommate's innocent face, causing her to blush at seeing that her t-shirt was tightly hugging the other girl's chest as she then bounced slightly.

BOING!

Homura soon had some steam coming out her ears to the sight of this. "D-Definitely need some more clothes for you Asuka." She then stammered out.

"Huh?" Asuka got out in an innocent manner.

'You're likin' it huh~' Wolverine quipped out in amusement.

More steam soon started to come out of the tan skinned girl's ears to that remark. 'N-Not that way Wolverine!' Homura mentally stammered out in embarrassment. 'I-I do not like Asuka that way!' She added in her head.

BOING!

"Homura-chan, are you alright?" Asuka asked in an innocent tone as she got closer to her roommate, looking up at her while her chest bounced slightly.

More steam soon started to come out of the tan skinned girl's ears. "N-Nothing Asuka! Um... where are we supposed to meet again?" Homura stammered out.

"Morgana-chan said to meet up at the Station Square." Asuka reminded. "It shouldn't take too long since we already live in Shibuya." She replied. "I wonder what's wrong with Homura-chan?" She meanwhile thought in an innocent and curious manner.

'Asuka, you do notice how revealing your outfit is correct?' Kaeru meanwhile questioned. 'I believe Wolverine is teasing your roommate with perverse remarks.' She then deducted.

'Really? How does that work?' Asuka mentally asked. "Hey Homura-chan, is Wolverine teasing you again?" She soon asked in innocent concern with a cute tilt of her head.

BOING!

Homura's head soon went red to that question as well as the girl's action. "N-No! N-Not at all Asuka! Hey! Look at the time! We better leave. Now." She quickly stammered out in a panicked manner as she took her roommate's hand and started dragging her out.

"..." Asuka couldn't say anything to that out of shock as she was being dragged out. 'Ah, so she was affected...' She meanwhile thought in realization.

'Indeed.' Kaeru got out in agreement. 'It seems as though Wolverine really likes teasing her other self out of amusement.' She then deducted.

The Good Shinobi however shook her head to that. 'No... Think there's a reason behind it.' Asuka thought as she glanced at her flustered roommate.

The two soon continued down the stairs as they then headed out to the meeting point.


(Shibuya, Station Square)

"Please, consider what I have to say! Everyone, wake up! This country is twisted!" A middle-aged, Speech-Giving Man called out on a soap box. "Strange incidents are occurring. What is the cause of them all? The runaway-train incident, the mysterious psychotic breakdown phenomenon... These are all signs of the end of our once peaceful days! Now is the time for our politicians to show their strength, and yet..." He continued

"You know, this feels so... ironic, I guess?" Asuka casually admitted. "Mainly because we know what's really going on and the cause of everything." She then added.

"I don't think that's irony." Homura replied as they continued to watch and listen.

The two had arrived at Station Square earlier than expected so they were hanging around the Bachiko Statue, listening to the guy on the soap box while enjoying some smoothies they picked up on their way there while the tan skinned girl also kept a protective close eye on her roommate due to some people giving her lecherous smirks thanks to the clothes.

"But you know, it looks like this guy isn't a dumbass like most people. He's actually making sense." Homura remarked while hearing the speech.

"Boo! You suck!"

"My grandma makes better speeches than you! And she's dead!"

"Asswipe! Turdguzzler! Nincompoop!"

"Fuck you, Failnosuke!"

"Get out of here No Good Tora!"

"Case in point..." Homura deadpanned to the other people's opinions.

"...What a bunch of assholes..." Asuka muttered out as another yawn escaped her lips.

Homura then jerked her head slightly to her roommate to hearing that. "Asuka..." She got out in concern.

"What? It's true Homura-chan..." Asuka replied with a small pout as she then finished her smoothie.

"...Well I can't argue with that." Homura mumbled out in agreement as she also finished up hers. "Ah, I see 'em." She then got out as she saw who they were waiting for.

"Sup!" A purple hoodie and blue baggy jeans wearing Ryuji greeted as he along with the white shirt and black jacket and blue jeans wearing leader walked up to them. "Sorry if we kept you ladies waitin'." He then apologized.

"It's fine, Ryuji-kun." Asuka replied. "So, where is this place?" She soon asked in a curious manner.

"Follow me. This place is a little out of the way and Shibuya's a big place." Ryuji answered.

"Yeah, we live here remember?" Homura pointed out while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Um, wait, I don't mean it like that just uh... it ain't exactly advertised." Ryuji explained himself. "I just stumbled upon it one day while runnin' late so stick with me, okay?" He then advised.

"So a shady dealership." Asuka innocently guessed.

"Well, I wouldn't call it shady..." Ryuji muttered out. "More like, er... okay, maybe it's a little shady but the guy didn't ask questions so that's good enough for us, right? It's where I got Akira's gun after all." He then added.

"Hey, if this place can get us weapons, it's fine by us." Morgana then got out. "Lead the way, Skull." He soon ordered.

"Just leave it to me." Ryuji declared while pumping a fist in an excited manner. "Also, you two look good in casual clothes." He got out with a grin on his face.

The two kunoichi however narrowed their eyes to that. "Drop it or we'll hurt you." Asuka and Homura declared in a deadpan unison with serious expressions on their faces.

Ryuji in turn winced to those declarations. "Y-Yes ma'am!" He replied in a nervous manner.

Akira meanwhile chuckled to that. "Hehe, looks like Asuka's being influenced by Homura and vice versa." He got out in amusement as they started walking. 'Though, is that a good thing?' He then thought as they disappeared into the crowd.


(Shibuya, Central Street)

The three soon followed the blond of the group as he started heading down an alleyway as they soon came across a store that appeared as though not many people would know about it unless they accidently came across it.

"This is it. Pretty legit, right?" Ryuji grinned.

"So this is where Ryuji-kun got Akira-kun's gun." Asuka got out as she then looked at the sign. "Untouchable." She read out loud.

"How the hell did you find this place again? Because I'm not sure how you managed to accidentally find a gun shop in a back alley where I'm pretty sure there's been a few murders performed here." Homura asked.

"Well it's more of a model gun shop." Ryuji admitted.

"That doesn't explain the chalk outline over there..." Asuka pointed out in concern.

"Oh, that's probably from a prankster or some crappy artist trying to be edgy. The police don't actually do that." Homura answered.

"Wait for real!?" Ryuji got out in disbelief to hearing that.

"That would disturb the evidence." Akira explained.

The not cat however groaned in annoyance to this. "Can we focus back on why we're here in the first place!?" Morgana called out.

"Er, right." Akira mumbled out.

"As long as we can get better guns then those spray painted toy guns, I'll be happy." Homura admitted.

"Agreed." Asuka replied with a nod. "Let's go in." She then suggested.

As the not cat went back in the bag to hide, the four went forward and entered the shop.


(Airsoft Shop, Untouchable)

As they then entered the store, they looked around for a moment to see that it had appeared to be shady, but for the four outcasts, it was good for them.

"Oh shit." Ryuji quietly swore as his eyes widened. "Hey, do any of you know anything about military stuff?" He soon asked.

"Er... A little...?" Homura answered as she thought of her multiple gun using friend back at Hebijo.

"Nope." Asuka replied as she shook her head while another yawn escaped her lips.

"I shot a man once." Akira casually stated.

"Ok-Wait, what?" Ryuji got out with wide eyes as he and the girls looked at him.

"Kidding." The Fool quickly declared with a smirk.

"Dude, don't... don't kid about that stuff, alright?" Ryuji advised. "I guess if worse comes to worse-" He started.

"Which it will, considering it's us." Homura interrupted.

"-We can just ask the shopkeeper what they recommend. Just act like we know what we're doing." Ryuji then finished. "So, who's going first?" He soon asked.

"Hey, are you just gonna block the door or are you gonna buy something, you damn brats." The shop owner then asked.

"All of us it is." Akira sighed out as they all walked up to the counter.

"So, do you know what you want yet?" The shopkeeper asked.

Akira then scanned the shop owner to try and find a way to get on his good side if possible. 'First rule of social interaction; find out their name.' He thought as his eyes drifted down to a nametag on the shopkeeper's coat.

Hi, my name is
Munehisa Iwai
Don't wear it out, asshole

"Well, Iwai-san, we're here to buy some model guns. So let's talk business." Akira stated in a serious tone.

Raising an eyebrow to the words, the shop owner in turn smirked to the confidence in the boy. "Heh. I like your style but uh... hey, is that friend of yours alright?" Iwai started in amusement but then asked the question in concern as he saw the Good Shinobi slowly but surely drift off to sleep on her feet, eyes still open. She was even drooling a bit as she stared off into space with glazed eyes.

"ZZZZ..." Asuka snored. The combination of lack of sleep, boring classes and self-loathing had finally caught up to her.

"Uh... Did she get enough sleep last night?" Ryuji asked as he started snapping his fingers in front of the Good Shinobi's face.

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!

"I guess not." Homura deadpanned before looking around before spotting a bullhorn in the shop. "Mind if I borrow this?" She then requested.

"Meh, go nuts." Iwai shrugged.

Homura in turn smirked to that while turning on the bullhorn before she... gave it to Ryuji.

He knew what to do.

ASUKA!

"WAH!" Asuka yelped out as she immediately woke up from the sudden punch to the eardrums as the tan skinned girl tossed the shop owner the bullhorn and a few coins his way, which he casually caught in each hand as they chuckled and giggled in amusement to what happened. "S-Sorry guys, I-I guess I'm more exhausted than I thought." She got out in a meek and sleepy tone.

"Hmm, I suggest after buying some new equipment, you head home and go straight to sleep Lady Asuka." Morgana got out in a muffled tone from within the glasses wearing boy's bag.

"That's... actually a good idea Morgana-chan..." Asuka got out while rubbing one of her eyes in a cute manner before another yawn escaped her lips.

'Ok so it isn't just me he tells to go to sleep, good.' Akira meanwhile thought as he sweatdropped to the not cat's suggestion before turning back to the store owner. "Anyway, what do you think is good for us?" He soon asked.

"You lookin' for recommendations then." Iwai guessed.

"Yes sir," Asuka got out. "We all want to update our equipment." She then revealed.

Iwai however just shrugged to that. "...I dunno. Just buy whatever looks interestin' to you. There are plenty on display over there." He got out.

"Ugh, some customer service..." Ryuji quietly sighed out.

Homura however rolled her eyes to that. "Just be quiet and be glad he isn't kicking us out for that." She remarked in annoyance.

Ryuji in turn groaned to that.

"Fine, whaddya want? An automatic? A revolver?" The Surly Manager questioned in annoyance.

"Uh, automatic...?" Ryuji idly wondered.

"He means a gun that fire automatically from just pulling the trigger." Homura got out.

"Um... Isn't that every gun?" Asuka pointed out in an innocent tone.

Homura in response sighed to that as she rubbed her roommate's head, causing the other girl to blush. "There's a lot you need to learn about firearms Asuka." She got out in a soft and tender manner.

"She means you keep pressing the trigger down which makes the gun continuously fire rounds." Iwai spoke up.

"So you mean rapid fire?" Asuka then guessed.

"Yes, that is what you call automatic fire. There's also semi-automatic fire, burst fire. Etcetera etcetera." Iwai replied. "Now stop wasting my time."

"How about we start with the real things we need to replace first." Homura then suggested as she took out the spray painted toy guns and placed then on the counter. "Our blond friend here gave me and my roommate these and we thought we needed something better." She then revealed.

"Nope. I mean stop wasting my time. I'm not letting ya buy anything." Iwai stated while shaking his head. "This is an enthusiast's shop. My regulars will get mad if I let casuals like you hang around." He then stated.

"I'm not a freakin' casual! I bought shit from here like, last week!" Ryuji called out.

"Heh, can't remember you." Iwai then remarked in amusement

"You bastard..." Ryuji grumbled out.

"Sakamoto, calm down now." Homura ordered in an authority filled tone.

"But-!" Ryuji started.

"Ah-bah-bah-bah-bah! No buts mister, now shut up!" Homura once more ordered in the same tone while crossing her arms over her chest while glaring at the blond. "Let us do the talking." She then added.

Ryuji in turn just grumbled to that. "You're not exactly quiet either..." He muttered out.

"What was that Sakamoto?" Homura questioned with narrow eyes.

"N-Nothing...!" Ryuji got out in a nervous manner.

Meanwhile, the Good Shinobi was trying to find a way to make it so the shop owner would work with them. 'Come on Asuka. Think. Think!' Asuka thought, internally and externally panicking.

"Look, if you're just here to look and not buy a model or something to play a game with, I suggest you leave right now." Iwai soon informed.

Actually, that gave Asuka the jump start she needed to lie her way through this.

"Um, actually we recently got into... Airsoft, um, thanks to some friends and got into guns as an extent. And we heard that you were the one to come to for quality weapons." Asuka lied, looking rather nervous.

The glasses wearing boy meanwhile nodded to that as started playing along. "Yeah, we're looking for something realistic-looking and functional. All we've been using are hand-me-downs or toys." Akira spoke up.

Iwai then looked at the obviously spray painted toy guns before groaning. "Whoever did this did a shitty job." He deadpanned.

The blond in turn sighed to that. "Yeah. We, we know." Ryuji groaned.

"Well, as long as you ain't gonna rob a bank or something, I don't see why not to let you shop here. Always like helpin' fresh faces anyway." Iwai replied. "So, which one of you are going first?" He then asked.

"Better start with our leaders first." Morgana suggested as the tan skinned took back her toy guns.

Asuka and Akira meanwhile nodded in agreement and went up to the counter while the others looked at the other stuff the store had.

"We just need something better than what we have now." Akira started as they handed in their pistols. "So, what do you have here that's better than these?" He then asked.

"If we're talking pistols, you can never go wrong with the classics. The Tkachev here is based on the 1911 which was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as well the Soviet War in Afghanistan and is still being used today. Pretty damn reliable, even in its Airsoft version." Iwai then informed.

"Hey, I've heard of something called a Deagle? Do you have those?" Asuka asked in an innocent tone.

"Hm, you mean the Desert Eagle?" Iwai then asked as the girl nodded, causing him to sigh in annoyance. "Don't be fooled by the movies and video games kid. It's a terrible firearm. A slow fire-rate, high recoil, heavy, expensive and a smaller clip size than most pistols. And it comes with customized skins which look like shit. The only reason to buy one is to compensate for something down below the belt." The shop owner answered. "Go for something like the Beretta 92 or a Glock. Way better and much cheaper." He then suggested as he placed two models on the counter.

"Soooo... which of the two would you say is best for dual wielding?" Asuka then innocently asked.

Iwai in turn looked at the girl to the question in a curious manner before looking at the model guns. "Well, if you're going akimbo, there are better guns than what's in front of you. Unmodified, at the very least." He stated.

"Akimbo?" Ryuji meanwhile as he tilted his head in confusion.

"It means dual-wielding guns, and unless you're superhuman or filming an action movie, you're an idiot to think that it will work. There are ways of using two at the same time effectively, but that boils down to just using one gun until it runs out of bullets and switching to the other one. There's a saying amongst enthusiasts: You'll shoot lots of holes in everything except your target, but you'll look cool doing it. You won't hit anything beyond five feet. And may God have mercy on your soul if you try to reload. So I'm recommending you get pistols with extended clips so won't have to reload often if you really want to dual wield." Iwai stated.

"Guess that means I'll have to practice to get better at dual wielding pistols then..." Asuka thought as a determined expression appeared on her face. "I'll take two model Glocks with extended clips Iwai-san." She soon requested in a polite manner.

The shop owner in turn nodded to that. "Alright then. I'll go get those extended clips. Wait right here and don't steal anything." Iwai replied as he walked into the back room.

"Don't worry Lady Asuka, you'll be able to get a lot of gun training in the Palace." Morgana reassured as his head popped out of the bag for a moment.

Asuka in turn nodded to that as she pet the not cat. "Thanks Morgana-chan!" She replied.

The tan skinned girl meanwhile placed a hand on her roommate's head and started to rub it as the not cat went back into the bag. "Deagle Asuka?" Homura remarked in amusement with a teasing smirk on her face.

"Mmmm..." Asuka got out with an embarrassed blush and pout on her face as the blond went next.

"Hey, do you have somethin' that goes ker-chunk. Like this one." Ryuji asked as he handed over his replica shotgun.

The shop owner soon returned with the second handgun as he then looked at the replica shotgun. "So you want a pump-action. I'm afraid those are rare in Airsoft. I mean, what's the point of loading shells into the thing if you're using BBs. If you want a pump-action, that'll usually be a custom order. However, I do have a few pump-action shotguns in stock, but there are much better guns that'll do the same job, just better." Iwai explained in a serious tone. "My personal recommendation is the SPAS-12. It can switch from pump-action to semi-auto at a moment's notice and comes with a built-in folding stock. Semi-auto means it fires as fast as you can pull the trigger, by the way. And no, you can't put a scope on it and use it as a Sniper Rifle. I can't tell you how many idiots asked that question." He then added while a deadpan expression appeared on his face.

"Hey!" Ryuji got out in a offended manner.

"Just covering my bases, kid." Iwai replied.

Ryuji in turn grunted to that. "Fine then, give me what you recommended then." He got out.

The shop owner in turn smirked to that. "Smart move kid." Iwai remarked as he went into the back of the store again.

Meanwhile Asuka was texting Ann as the shopkeeper went to get the blonde's shotgun.

[SushiRoll23: Hey! Sorry if I'm interrupting Ann-chan but what type of weapons do you want?]

[Sweetkat06: You're not interrupting anything. Just telling Shiho about my day.]

[Sweetkat06: And well, I'm not used to using guns so...Maybe something that either improves accuracy or let's me ignore it.]

[FireGirl20: Oh, this is a friendly fire incident just waiting to happen.]

[Sweetkat06: I said I was sorry for that. -_-" ]

[Sweetkat06: Anyway, gotta go, later.]

"Homura-chan!" Asuka soon scolded to her text comment as she put away her phone before another yawn escaped from her mouth.

"Joking Asuka." Homura remarked with a smirk as she started rubbing her roommate's head again.

"So, anything else?" Iwai meanwhile asked in a curious manner.

"Well we have friend who couldn't make it with us who's also interested in guns, mostly for automatic guns." Homura vaguely revealed. "Got anything like that?" She then asked in a curious manner.

"SMGs it is. So you want accuracy or just Pray N' Spray? Well, there are two submachine guns that come to mind." Iwai replied as he pulled out two very different looking guns. "The Vector and the Thompson, or more commonly the Tommy Gun. Vectors have a special mechanism inside the gun that reduces recoil by a considerable amount to almost nothing. They are rare though. The company that makes the real thing took back the license to make the Airsoft versions a bit ago, so you'll just have to settle for the Tommy Gun unless you want something else. I'll even throw in a realistic drum magazine in there for that gangster feel. But I might be able to get a Vector if you give me time. Here's a tip though, amateurs are way more dangerous than professionals. Professionals think, see what they're shooting at. Amateurs don't and shoot first." He then advised.

"Hmm...I think Ann-chan would like the Tommy Gun more." Asuka suggested.

"What makes you say that?" Ryuji then asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Just a gut feeling." Asuka innocently replied with a sweet smile on her face.

"Simple enough. Here you go, though I would've liked this friend of yours to be here to get a feel of it before buying but hey, a sale's a sale." Iwai remarked with a shrug. "So, who's next?" He then asked.

The tan skinned girl in response to that stepped forward and placed her toy guns on the counter. "Alright sir, I want to buy six guns." Homura bluntly stated in a serious tone.

"...Wait what?" Akira got out.

Ryuji meanwhile blinked to that. "For real?" He asked in confusion.

"Hey, does anyone see the pretty pretty butterflies? They're telling me to slaughter the weak and drink their stomach fluids." Asuka mumbled out, not exactly lucid right now.

This caused the shop owner to chuckle for several seconds in amusement.

Until he realized that the girl was completely serious.

"...So what, do you want six guns so you won't have to reload or something?" Iwai guessed.

"Nope." Homura automatically answered.

"Ok, so you'd have spares just in case they get broken beyond repair." Iwai guessed again.

"Nope." Homura answered once again.

A moment of silence soon passed as the shop owner looked at the tan skinned girl.

"...You're not planning to wield all of them at the same time, are you?" Iwai deadpanned the question.

"...Maybe." Homura replied as she looked away from the man before the glasses wearing boy pulled her away from the counter.

"Um, do you really think that's a good idea?" Akira asked in a skeptical tone.

"Ah don't worry Akira! I will find a way!" Homura proudly declared. "I mean I wield six swords, what's the difference between that and guns?" She then whispered with a confident smirk on her face.

'There's a lot of differences between swords and guns...' Akira thought as he then imagined how the tan skinned girl would manage to wield six guns at the same time.

One in each hand... One on each leg... One in her mouth...

And one between her breasts.

'...Why do I want to see it so much?' Akira thought before shaking his head. 'Better talk her out of it. Her mask covers her mouth.' He mentally decided. "Homura, I really don't think you should try doing that, dual wielding is enough for you. Plus we won't be able to afford it." He soon stated in a whisper.

The tan skinned girl merely groaned in a disappointed tone. "Uuuugh... fine." Homura sighed out.

"Anyway, you gonna buy something or what?" Iwai demanded, not exactly feeling patient right now.

"Hm...If I can't get six guns, can I at least get a pair of guns that are small but spray tons of bullets if they were real?" Homura asked.

"Then you probably want an Uzi." The shop owner guessed as he reached under the counter and took out three different model guns, each smaller than the last. "An Israeli weapon made during the Arab-Isreali War. Created by a man named Uziel Gal, who didn't want this little guy named after him. And look how that turned out. Adopted in 1951, it was made to be low cost and piss-easy to make. Fires at a rate of 600 Rounds per minute. But that's probably not enough for you, is it? So I either recommend the smaller Mini-Uzi, which fires at a faster 950, or the even smaller Micro-Uzi, which fires at an even faster 1200. I have to say, whatever you choose it'll be a little better than the crappy toys you brought in." He then informed.

"Hmm..." Homura hummed out as she examined the model guns. "Two model Micro-Uzis it is then." She decided.

"And I'm guessing you want extended mags too." Iwai stated as the tan skinned girl nodded in response. "I'll be right back." He then added as he once more went into the back of the shop.

"Thanks." Homura replied as she rubbed the back of her head. "I guess... wielding six swords is different than six guns..." She sheepishly admitted in a mutter.

"You think." Akira deadpanned.

"Though I would've found a way eventually..." Homura grumbled to herself.

"Hey Joker! Ask if they have slingshots for me to use!" Morgana whispered out as the shopkeeper returned.

The glasses wearing boy nodded to that as he looked at the shop owner. "Excuse me, but do you also have any slingshots?" Akira soon asked.

"So you're into hunting too, huh. Well, I don't sell those here. You have to go somewhere that specializes in hunting if you want one. But, since I like you I'll make a few calls and see what I can do." Iwai replied as he returned with the second model Micro-Uzi. "Is that everyone? Because that'll all be... around, let's see... 1400 times three plus 10200 plus 4200 plus 800 times two and add another 2500 for modifications... that's 22,700 yen." He then stated after counting up the total price.

"Yeesh, that'll be pricey..." Homura admitted as she looked at the glasses wearing boy. "Guess it was a good idea for you to get the cash that was dropped in the Palace." She then muttered out.

"That's still a serious dent." Akira muttered out as he paid for the guns while the blond placed them into the duffel bag after handing over some money to help alleviate the damage to his wallet.

"So, is there anything else you want?" Iwai then asked.

"Whoa! What's that!?" Asuka suddenly exclaimed, getting everyone's attention as she pointed at the very large gun on display.

"That's... a display model only. Looks nice so I put it up there. It's not for sale, you have to place a custom order and even that's a big maybe." Iwai informed. "But if you want to know, that is a Minigun." He then revealed.

"That's what you call mini!?" Ryuji got out in disbelief.

"It's just a name, kid. And don't yell. It doesn't work like it does in the movies. You have to have a power supply on ya and it ain't exactly meant to be hand-held, only mounted. And if you're thinking of ordering now, forget it. You're not ready for something like that." Iwai informed.

"I agree with that... we would need someone really strong to be able to hold something like this..." Asuka muttered as her roommate nodded in agreement.

'That thing could work in the Metaverse.' Akira thought. 'Not exactly what you'd call a weapon for a thief though. It would be best if we ignore it go for the more practical options.' He then decided in his head. "Iwai-san, even though this is a model gun store, do you also have model melee weapons like knives and swords?" He then asked in a curious manner.

"Yeah? It's on the sign outside." Iwai pointed out, somewhat annoyed.

They all looked and saw that, yes, there was clear as day. There was also another smaller sign underneath saying that it was a pawn shop too with a no questions asked policy.

That was oddly convenient.

"Nice, we'll be able to sell the Treasure here once we get it." Morgana declared with a wide grin.

"Well that's good." Asuka got out before going over to the combat leader. "Akira-kun, you don't have to worry about buying melee weapons for me and Homura-chan." She soon whispered.

"I think we're good for weapons for now. Let's save some money for the other supplies." Akira replied.

"It would be wise to." Morgana admitted.

"But how about armour? We're not exactly as durable as these two here." Akira remembered.

"Yeah, and even our durability has its limits." Homura muttered out. "Um, excuse me but do you have any protection? You know, for games?" She then asked before adding the excuse.

"Well, if you're gonna use 'em, I also sell protective gear. But if you're looking for something to add to your style, I even sell accessories. Pins and necklaces, all that crap." Iwai soon revealed.

"Do we need armour? Won't it just disappear like our uniforms?" Ryuji quietly asked the not cat.

Morgana however shook his head to that from within the bag. "Nope, your clothes don't actually disappear in the Palace. The flames transform them to look like your Thief Outfit. You're essentially changing the material your outfit is made of when you change while wearing armour. And accessories can actually grant special effects while in the Metaverse, like resistances or even increasing your strength while it's on." He then revealed.

"Good to know." Homura got out. "That's actually a lot more useful than our Shinobi Tenshin outfits..." She then admitted as her roommate nodded in agreement.

"I suggest eventually getting something that'll weaken the effect of ice attacks." Wolverine informed as her other self nodded in agreement.

"How much money do we have left?" Asuka soon asked in concern.

Everyone quickly pulled out their wallets and counted.

"Er... not as much as I hoped..." Akira sighed out.

"Hmm... it looks like we have enough to get a few accessories." Morgana informed. "We'll have to go to the Palace again and defeat a bunch of Shadows to get some more cash to use. We can even find accessories and armour in the Palace as well with treasure chests scattered about." He then added.

"So we should just concentrate on weapons and armour next time we're here." Homura then suggested.

"Alright, then we're done here." Akira calmly declared.

"Good. Here's a few precautions before you go out." Iwai soon started. "Don't go 'round pointin' 'em at other people. Keep them in that bag until you get home. And make sure to avoid the fuzz. Don't want to be arrested, do you?"

"Yes sir, thank you for the advice." Asuka politely replied with a bow.

"Hehe, at least the girl here has some manners." Iwai remarked in amusement with a smirk on his face. "Maybe one day I'll show some real good stuff... if you got the guts for it, of course." He then offered.

Akira in turn smirked to that. "Thanks, I might take you up on that Iwai-san." He replied as they left the shop.


(Shibuya, Central Street)

Right outside the store, the group was standing around as they stretched a bit from their weapon shopping.

"Well, now that we got some better weapons, next will be medicine." Morgana stated in a serious before smirking. "Luckily there's a clinic near where Akira is staying, so me and him will worry about it." He then revealed.

"Sweet! Then we'll leave that to you!" Ryuji got out with a grin.

Suddenly, Asuka yawned loudly. "I'm gonna head home early guys, I'll see you guys later." She got out in a sleepy tone while rubbing one of her eyes in an adorable manner.

Homura's mouth meanwhile twitched to the sight of her roommate's adorable action. "Mmmmm...!" She forcefully held back a squeal while fighting back a blush.

'Save it for when you get home.' Wolverine remarked in amusement.

"I may as well put our guns and stuff at the..." Asuka started before her roommate went and whispered into her ear, causing her eyes to widen for a moment in a surprised manner. "Really? There? Okay then, if you say so..." She replied.

"Huh? You're taking our stuff where?" Ryuji asked, wondering why the Good Shinobi looked so surprised.

"If I told you it wouldn't be a secret, would it?" Homura pointed out in a deadpan tone.

"Well, I trust that the place you've chosen will be secure and where did Asuka go?" Akira got out in confusion as he noticed that the Good Shinobi was gone already.

They had all blinked at the same time, allowing Asuka the chance to slip away without notice.

"Hehe, ninjas... effin' awesome." Ryuji chuckled out while rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I'm headin' home. See you guys on Monday." He then added before walking off.

"Yep, see ya." Homura called out with a small wave.

Morgana then hopped out of the bag as he looked at the remaining two. "Well, I'm gonna walk around a bit. See ya Joker, Lady Homura." The not cat replied as he started to walk away.

"Enjoy yourself, Cat." Homura got out, giggling as she heard a mutter under the not cat's breath saying the obvious not a cat line. "Well, I have nothing to do today." She then admitted

"Me neither." Akira replied with a nod. "We have time." He then added.

The tan skinned girl in turn raised an eyebrow to that. "Time for what?" Homura asked.

"You know." Akira answered as he nudged her shoulder.

"O-Oh! Right... forgot. So, you want to hang out today?" Homura offered in a slightly awkward tone as she lightly kicked the ground under her while looking around the area.

"Don't you mean training?" Akira pointed out with a smirk.

"You know what I mean." Homura mumbled out. "So, do you think you're ready for my training?" She then questioned in a serious tone.

"It depends. Are you ready for the student to surpass his master?" Akira remarked with a cocky smile. Hanging around two ninja girls would have surely have increased his courage and skill.

Homura merely giggled to that in amusement as a smirk graced her face. "Alright then smartass, show me how good your proficiency is." She then ordered.

Akira thought for a moment on how to show that he was ready. Suddenly, it came to him as he reached into his pockets and pulled out a napkin he got from LeBlanc.

With his Decent level of Proficiency, he was able to create an origami crane in five seconds flat.

"Impressive, for a civilian, but I still need more to see if you're ready. Last chance to back out." Homura stated her warning.

"Heh. You should know by now, I don't back down." Akira remarked with a devilish smirk.

The tan skinned girl couldn't help but smirk to that. "Alright, now let's see if you have the guts." Homura started before-

FWOOSH!

Throwing a punch that was only a few centimetres away from the glasses wearing boy's face, creating a harsh gust of wind. However with Akira's Bold levels of Guts, he barely flinched as his smirk remained on his face.

"You're ready." Homura noted as the smirk was still on her face. "Pay up and we'll start your training right away." She soon instructed.

To that Akira reluctantly paid the tan skinned girl his last 1,750 yen, sighing at the fact that he would have to pay to hang out with someone.

Meanwhile, a teacher and a fortune teller sneezed for some odd reason.

"Thanks." Homura replied as she pocketed the cash. "So uh...I haven't had time to set up anything or buy any of the necessary equipment, but don't worry Akira. I'll make sure this session will be as effective as if I was prepared." She awkwardly revealed while rubbing the back of her head. "And uh, word of warning, you may have trouble walking for a while. And/Or blinking." She then added.

Something told the Fool that this wasn't going to be a pleasant experience.

[New Location Unlocked! Secret Training Ground]


(Secret Training Ground)

A little outside of Tokyo in the forest near a waterfall...

YYYAAAAAHHHHH!

"See, that wasn't so bad." Homura stated in her Shinobi Tenshin outfit, ignoring the pained groans from underneath her.

Akira could barely feel his eyes as he laid pathetically on the ground, covered in dirt, bruises and feathers while tan skinned girl used his tired and broken corpse as a makeshift pillow.

God, those ducks were fucking brutal.

At least his stamina and mental fortitude increased from that experience.

"You go through this every day?" Akira soon got out in a impressed tone.

The tan skinned girl once more rubbed the back of her head to that. "Well, Good Shinobi training is a little less harsher than Evil Shinobi training. That was just the beginner's course all up-and-coming Shinobi receive." Homura replied. "Shinobi in general though usually start at a young age, so don't beat yourself up over this." She then informed.

"That's impossible considering I can't beat myself up emotionally more than you beating me up physically." Akira moaned as he heard something crack, causing him to sigh in relief.

"Well, at least your wit's still intact." Homura giggled out in amusement as she got off him and helped him to his feet. "Don't worry, I'll try and lighten up the training next time. Can't let our combat leader pass out while we're fightin'." She then offered followed by a small joke.

To hearing that offer, Akira would have loved to accept that and allow his body to never again endure her training ever again. However, he noticed that the tan skinned girl seemed a little... Sad?

If he wanted to know why, he was gonna have to continue and endure this harsh training.

"N-No. I won't be able to be at your level if I give up after one session." Akira replied as he got to his feet. "I'll be fine Homura." He then reassured.

"Oh, okay. If that's what you want." Homura sighed out in a distracted manner as her shinobi attire returned to her normal clothes.

Akira narrowed his eyes as he saw there was something on the tan skinned girl's mind. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked in concern.

"..." Homura remained silent, doing nothing but look at the ground.

"Homura?" Akira once more asked.

"N-Nothing." Homura awkwardly replied as she shook her head. "Let's end it here for today and get back to the city." She soon added.

Akira had to think through his approach.

Homura was still closing herself from him, unconsciously or not, and if she wanted help he needed to change his strategy and take her out of her comfort zone.

He could be direct and ask her flat out if she was hiding something. It could work, Homura probably needed to face her problems head-on, but it almost might cause her to close herself even more if he didn't do it right.

He could simply stay quiet and work on getting her comfortable around him later. Homura wasn't exactly the type to trust others on a personal level so quickly so it would be better to take things slow and take his time. Probably the safest option.

But Akira already knew what he was going to say.

"No. We're not." Akira firmly stated. "Tell me what's wrong." He then ordered.

"Dammit." Homura quietly winced out. "I told you, it's nothing Akira. Do you want me to leave without you?" She remarked.

"Well it doesn't seem like nothing, does it?" Akira pointed out. "I could tell Asuka that-" He then started.

"No," Homura quickly interrupted. "I'll tell her... when I'm ready..." She hesitantly got out.

The glasses wearing boy merely narrowed his eyes to that. "Don't give me that. I know that you will never be ready." Akira stated.

"...How can I Akira...?" Homura meekly got out while dropping her head in shame.

"You don't." Akira answered seriously. "Just talk to me. Please." He soon requested in a calmer tone.

CLICK!

The tan skinned girl soon started scratching her head. "...DAMN IT! Fine! You want me to tell you my problem? I'LL TELL YOU MY FUCKIN' PROBLEM!" Homura growled out in a frustrated manner.

BOOM!

And thus, Homura proceeded to tell her entire life story over the course of an hour to the boy, who regretted pulling the pin on this grenade as a result.

Her entire life story with all the hardships she went through and endured.

Even down to the type of crayons she ate when she was four until her former family forced her to stop. She liked the purple ones, by the way. The blue ones were too tart.

However to the glasses wearing boy, he had noticed a major factor within the girl's life. "You... really seem to be hung up by your past." Akira noted in a hesitant manner.

"It made me the wreck I am today." Homura sighed out as she sat down on the ground.

As he looked at the frustrated and exhausted girl, Akira soon thought of something bad.

Really, really bad.

The type of bad that would probably get him killed.

But he had no other options other than deciding to say it or not.

"Homura, I don't know. I think you should blame yourself more than your past." Akira soon stated in a serious tone.

FWOOSH!

Suddenly, a tree was set ablaze.

This in turn caused the glasses wearing boy to jump a little. "You can put that out, right?" Akira asked in a fearful tone.

"What the fuck did you say to me!?" Homura however questioned in anger as she quickly got back to her feet.

"And you're ignoring the forest fire." Akira stated in a deadpan tone.

"Don't you fucking ignore me!" Homura soon demanded.

"There is a fi-never mind." Akira sighed out. "All I'm saying is that... You seem to be letting your past define you... control you even." He then stated.

"Ugh, don't give me that speech. I already got that from Wolverine." Homura grumbled out in anger and annoyance.

'Did I now? Even though it's true?' The tan skinned girl's Persona stated in a serious tone.

'Wolverine! Not! Now!' Homura mentally demanded in the same angered tone.

"You say that you hear her but have you actually listened?" Akira questioned.

"..." Homura remained quiet at this, only grimacing in response upon seeing Wolverine's disappointed face in her head.

"That face tells me I hit it right on the mark." Akira noted.

"Why do you even think I'm at fault here? The man who betr-" Homura started, however...

"But that didn't stop you." Akira interrupted.

This in turn shocked the tan skinned girl. "Huh?" Homura got out in confusion.

The glasses wearing boy merely adjusted his eyewear to that. "I mean, you keep saying that this man ruined your life but...that wasn't exactly a good reason to say all that shit back there. The insults, the harsh words. You completely snapped, and all of that was your fault." Akira stated.

"Ack!" Homura grimaced. She knew what he was talking about, the day of the rally. He wasn't letting her live it down. "But what about Ryuji!? Kamoshida ruined his life too!" She then reminded.

"At least he moved on. He dealt with it in his own way and still wants revenge, sure, but at least he didn't shut away his heart. At least he still cared about others without needing a Persona to tell him to." Akira said as he narrowed his eyes. "Yes, you were tricked. Yes, you were powerless. But that was back then, that's no longer an excuse." Akira then pointed out in a serious tone.

"E-Excuse me!? What the hell are you talking about!?" Homura then questioned, shocked for a moment at the glasses wearing boy's words.

"And you're pretty easy to rile up if they know your buttons." Akira continued. "I mean, I can piss you off by just saying, I don't know... you are a coward. You've always been one and you will continue to be one." He then declared.

That in turn caused the tan skinned girl's jaw to drop at the insult sent towards her. "You piece of-" Homura growled before stopping herself. "Argh...!" She added in a frustrated manner.

One more push.

"You know, it almost seems like you don't care about anyone but yourself." Akira accused. "Everything you do is for your own benefit, not others. I bet you don't even care about me, or Ryuji… Asuka…"

Homura suddenly pulled the boy in by his workout clothes towards her as she glared straight at him with anger filled eyes.

Jackpot.

"I don't care?! FUCK YOU! I DO FUCKIN' CARE! BECAUSE EVERYONE I CARE ABOUT WILL DIE AS LONG AS I'M AROUND!" Homura loudly declared with fury.

To this, Akira smiled deviously as the tan skinned girl realized that she accidentally revealed what her real problem was as the girl released him.

"I hate you, you know that." Homura soon deadpanned in a blunt tone.

"Duly noted. Now start talking." Akira soon ordered.

"Ugh! Fine. I'm just worried that... it's about my old school. Hebijo Academy. It... They have a kill switch on me." Homura soon revealed.

"!?" Akira gasped in shock with widened eyes to that reveal.

"Yeah. If they even knew that I'm going to betray them, which I am by the way right now, that's it. Snap. Boom. Dead." Homura explained. "And...They'll go after you guys. I was planning to leave after Kamoshida was dealt with but..." She then revealed but trailed off at the end.

"Let me guess, Asuka managed to convince you to stay." Akira replied while adjusting his glasses.

"I actually just... lost my will to leave." Homura muttered out. "Maybe it's Wolverine or you guys, or people like Kamoshida out there in the world... but I just... I'm worried that even if I stay or go, things will only get worse. That...someone will die because of me." She then admitted in a guilt filled tone.

Akira had the tan skinned girl right where he wanted her. She was finally vulnerable. Now it was time to work on the finisher.

He pushed her to the edge, now it was time to bring her back and face the truth.

"Well what were you planning to do if you did leave?" Akira soon asked.

The tan skinned girl in response sighed to that as she looked at the sky. "I... I can't go back to Hebijo." Homura started. "And everyone I know outside this stupid city ain't exactly going to help. So... Maybe I would've left the country. Start a new life somewhere else." She then revealed.

"That's not exactly a solid plan." Akira admitted with a sweatdrop.

"Well fuck you too. That was off the top of my head." Homura grumbled out in annoyance as she looked back towards the glasses wearing boy.

"Like I said, that's not a solid plan. Mostly because you're running away." Akira bluntly declared. "Not to mention it would really upset Asuka." He then added.

Homura in turn nodded to that. "I... I know..." She admitted. "I'm... already weird around her as is. It's like I'm becoming like an older sister to her... even though I don't deserve to, I can't help but wanting to protect her like an older sister would..." She then revealed with a blush on her face. "And no, I don't like Asuka in that manner. It's a completely sibling like desire to protect her... Not like I'd be a great choice, mind you." She quickly added.

'Thou art in denial.' Arsène deadpanned.

'Indeed...' Bicorn got out in agreement.

'In denial with what?' Akira then mentally asked.

'Everything regrading who she cares for.' Pixie answered.

'And beyond.' Jack O' Lantern added.

'Past the limits of human comprehension heehoo.' Jack Frost finished.

'Yes.' Arsène simply replied, ignoring all other answers.

'You guys aren't helping me here.' Akira mentally sighed out.

'She is trying to deny a familial love she has and wants for another in a attempt to make herself seem strong and powerful... but it is only breaking her down from within.' Pixie then explained in a serious yet disappointed tone.

'It is also as though the girl is trying to make herself as a hermit of sorts by trying to keep others away from, though this will only close and repress herself if she continues this course of action.' Bicorn then stated.

To hearing those explanations, this caused the glasses wearing boy to nod as he looked at the depressed tan skinned girl. 'Okay, I get it. Now...how do I approach this?' Akira soon thought.

He couldn't help but sweatdrop as every Persona he had collectively shrugged and cut off their connection.

He really needs to get an Aeon Arcana Persona soon.

"Well... do you want to? Be a sister to her I mean." Akira soon asked.

Shadows soon started to cover the tan skinned girl's eyes. "I... I... No. I don't. At the end of the day, I'd rather be another s-st-stranger." Homura hesitantly answered while biting her lip.

Akira however narrowed his eyes to that. "You're lying." He bluntly declared.

"I'm... I'm not." Homura then hesitantly stated in denial.

SLAP!

The boy soon in response slapped the tan skinned girl over the head. "Do you want my help or not Homura!?" Akira shouted out. Not out of anger, but out of concern. "Because if you do, you're not exactly making a real effort right now." He then added. 'Ignore the pain, ignore the pain, ignore the pain.' He meanwhile thought, not wanting to stop the roll he was on.

"I do! It's just-" Homura started though was looking at the ground in a frustrated manner.

"Don't. Look. Away from me. Say it. To my face." Akira interrupted and ordered at the same time. "Tell me the truth and take that fucking mask off already." Joker demanded.

Homura could see that he was no longer the joking and quiet geek from earlier, but the cunning and prideful leader he was destined to be.

And he wasn't taking no for an answer.

"...Argh... Don't make me-" Homura started grumbling out in a slightly whiny tone.

"I can and I will. Say it." Joker once more ordered.

"...You're a dick." Homura then got out.

"Duly noted. Now please." Akira once again ordered.

The tan skinned girl soon dropped her head as her eyes were covered by shadows. "...Do I want to be her sister?" Homura openly asked for the boy to hear, but it was more towards herself. "After everything, after all this time... do I deserve... familial love from her? Any type of love from anyone?" She then added in confusion while holding her head in a frustrated manner.

"Everyone deserves love, Homura. Some can abuse it or push it away but...they still deserve at least a shred." Akira stated. "The hole you think you're in isn't a hole. It's a tunnel. And awaiting you at the end is a light that will never go out. A light that will disappear as long as you have your loved ones by your side." He then declared.

A moment of silence soon passed between the two as a small gust of wind blew through the air until...

"...Hehe. Hehehehe! HAHAHAHAHA!" Homura suddenly burst out into laughter. "Oh God that was so cheesy as hell!" She then admitted while holding her stomach.

This meanwhile shocked the glasses wearing boy. "O-Oh! I, er... um..." Akira got out in an awkward tone while scratching his cheek.

"Akira, shut up. You convinced me." Homura giggled out. "I'll... I'll talk to Asuka later to... work things out a little." She then revealed.

Akira in turn sighed with relief to that. "Good, because I thought you were going to kill me multiple times back there." He then admitted.

The tan skinned girl soon sighed to this while rubbing the back of her head. . "I-I'm sorry, just... I want to blame my past but... that's not an excuse any more, is it? I do want your help though, Akira." Homura soon admitted.

"Then show me next time we train." Akira then suggested.

"A-Alright. I promise I'll try." Homura stated with a nod. "You're expecting a thank you, aren't you?" She then deadpanned her question.

"No. I'm not. At least, not until the end." Akira casually replied.

"Oh. Well... thanks." Homura awkwardly got out while rubbing the back of her head.


SHATTER!

Rank 2
Follow Up


"So... About the tree you set on fire..." Akira started to say in an awkward tone.

"Huh? Oh." Homura casually got out as she just uprooted the tree, placing it under the nearby waterfall before placing it back where it belonged. "There. All better. Let's head home." She nonchalantly replied as she stretched a little.

The glasses wearing boy however sweatdropped to that. "I am never going to get used to this, am I?" Akira mumbled to himself as the two started heading back to the city.


(Shibuya, Central Street)

As the two got back to familiar grounds, the tan skinned girl looked at the boy the a small grin on her face after the training and discussion they had.

"Heh, well I'll see ya around. I expect you to train without me." Homura got out as she walked away.

As they went their separate ways, Akira narrowed his eyes before turning around. Seeing nothing, he continued walking.

Something wasn't right. He felt like he was being watched, but it could just be paranoia.

But considering that now that he knew about the world of Shinobi, he wouldn't put it past him that he was in danger.

Either way, until he was sure there was someone watching that didn't want him to train with Homura. He better keep this close to his chest, or else this person would know he knew and escape.

And no way in hell he'll let someone endanger his friends. Not even a shinobi.

Though, he wasn't aware of a security camera zooming in on his face, following him before he went out of its range.


(?)

"Shinobi are trained to lie perfectly, despite me being terrible at it."

"Not exactly a trait a shinobi should have, huh."

"It's... not exactly easy to make up for the sins I committed..."

"Hehe, ninjas... effin' awesome."

[Sweetkat06: No. I'm good and ready to steal that asshole's heart at any time, Joker.]

"This can't be real." The hacker only known as Alibaba muttered to herself after listening and reading through everything she gathered. For one thing, their phones security was shit so she was easily able to access their text messages and call herself to listen into conversations without them knowing. She also hacked into the security cameras and got photos of them.

She checked the national registry and, lo and behold, there were no files for the two girls who claimed to be ninjas.

It was safe to say that if she hadn't improved their security, they would've been hosed before they even started if the right person had the skill.

Like a world-class hacker like herself.

She was totally right to be paranoid and have LeBlanc bugged to hell and back. Who would know that the guy living there in the attic would bring a frickin' ninja there. And she had the evidence to prove it.

Speaking of evidence, she pulled up the file she downloaded of their phones. A video filled with despicable acts.

And what was all this about stealing hearts and calling the guy living at LeBlanc Joker?

"...No. Not yet, anyways." Alibaba told herself before she switched screens.

BOING!

"Alright, now to figure out why their boobs have DOA physics." Alibaba decided.

GRRRRRR!

"...Right after dinner. SOJIRO! I HUNGER!" She soon ordered in a childish manner.


(4/16, Evening)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"I'm back." Homura got out as she entered the apartment, closing the door behind her and taking her shoes off.

"ZZZZZZZZ..." Asuka's cutely breathed out in her sleep.

Homura merely smiled to seeing her roommate cuddling up to a pillow. "Cute..." She muttered as she then noticed the other girl wasn't wearing anything, causing her to blush. "Yup... need to make sure we get a decent amount of clothes for us..." She then decided.

'Yet you liked sleeping naked with her Homu-nee~' Wolverine quipped out in a teasing manner.

The tan skinned girl in turn quietly groaned to that. "Ugh... why do you do this Wolverine?" Homura grumbled out in annoyance.

'...Because it's fun?' Wolverine answered as if it was the most obvious reply in the world.

Homura couldn't help but just groan and pinch her nose.

'Hehe, you make it too easy, I am your other self, the side you usually won't let out.' Wolverine soon reminded. 'The side involving many attributes that you forgot about yourself or tried to ignore until you had awakened me and then accepted me.' She then added.

"So on the inside, I'm an asshole?" Homura grumbled out.

"No, on the inside, you used to have fun and smile at the little things when you weren't going through your family's form of training. Something to tried to get rid of after the incident." Wolverine replied before cutting the connection.

Homura in turn groaned again to that as she started to take off her uniform. 'Ugh... she had to remind me of that sick training... guess getting exiled from the Shinkukage Clan did have some benefits...' She thought with disgust while looking at her naked sleeping roommate. "Asuka..." She soon muttered to herself as a small smile graced her face. "...We'll talk about it after we get clothes tomorrow..." She mentally decided after fully stripping down before sliding into the futon and hugging her roommate from behind as she drifted off to sleep with a grateful smile on her face.

May as well sleep in early. They had a big day tomorrow after all.


Save Game... Quit!

Whew! Done! I need to write Challenge Accepted Harder.

UknownHero signing off, my friends!