The Knight of Mahora Academy
Period 14: Panic In Kyoto
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Yer pretty strong, ain't ya Nii-chan?" The dog Hanyō noted while looking down at Naruto's unflinching smirk. He released a steady wave of intent down at the scarred blond to see how he reacted. He was pleasantly surprised to see the older boy just let it wash over him like a warm breeze. The fox on his shoulder jumped off and ran back across the gridlock highway as the blond smiled...
"You don't know the half of it."
"Cool."
Kotarou disappeared off his giant spider and launched himself down at Naruto with his clawed hand out to strike him. But Naruto diverted his attack as the young Hanyou had to quickly catch himself on the ground. Kotarou looked back up at him as a small smile came over Naruto's face.
"Hehe."
Tsukuyomi took this chance to appear directly behind Naruto and swung for his neck.
But met empty air as Naruto ducked and spun rapidly in place before kicking out at Tsukuyomi and Kotarou. The dainty young girl was thrown back as Kotarou bounced off the roof of several cars. The Hanyō stopped himself before his eyes focused on his opponent who was looking for Tsukuyomi.
"Where ya looking?!" Kotarou dashed across the gap between them with super speed. He pulled his fist back and covered it in Ki. But Naruto leaned back with a jump and met Kotarou's fist with his knee. They separated, Kotarou landing on the hood of a car as Naruto fell back before jumping up to his feet. The Hanyō clenched his fist tightly, noticing a slight ache in his knuckles as the scarred blond looked no worse for wear. The young boy couldn't help but smile, "This is gonna be fun."
"It shouldn't be." Naruto responded, "Do you find putting all these innocent people in danger fun?"
"Nope." Kotarou answered as he stood on the roof of the car, "I hate people gettin' in the way of my fights, especially when they panic and freak out. But we couldn't catch ya guys without any people around, and we're runnin' low on time so we compromised. That's why we put them under so they wouldn't freak out. And why I set them up t' do that."
The blond looked over and saw another wave of shadow dogs make their way through the gridlock and slip into the cars. However instead of blowing up or rendering the occupants unconscious, these ones just sat down in the unconscious civilians laps and waited.
Naruto raised an eyebrow before sending a look back at the smirking boy, "Your spirits are acting as protective charms?" Naruto had to admit he felt a bit of relief knowing that the civilians were being looked after in the fight, even if he still wished they weren't there to begin with. And another bit of relief knowing that there was someone on this side that considered innocent people. He raised an eyebrow, "If you're so nice to all these people, is there any way I can convince you to let us go?"
"Nope." Kotarou shook his head, "Sorry, Nii-chan, but there ain't no way ya gonna convince me not t' take that Nee-chan with us."
"Why not?"
"Because with her on our side, we gotta chance t' start a big fight. And I got a chance t' fight with some strong guys for once!"
"That's it?" He asked, "You want to push this fight just to fight strong people?"
"Don't know what t' tell ya, Nii-chan." The dog Hanyō slammed his fist in his hand and smirked with sharp teeth, "But that's all I need t' fight for, got it?"
"Well, I can understand wanting to fight stronger people." Naruto shrugged as his hand slipped into his pocket and pulled out his card. He held it between his fingers before focusing on the boy standing across from him, "But no way does that mean I'm gonna give Konoka up to you."
Too distracted talking to Kotarou, Tsukuyomi took this chance to dash onto the car hood right behind Naruto. She swung her sword as the whiskered boy ducked beneath it at the last second. He spoke the activation word and his Pactio immediately morphed into a red and black blade. He raised it up and blocked her sword from coming back around before his other hand shot up and caught Kotarou's fist.
The boy kicked out at Naruto's head as Tsukuyomi swung her tantō in unison with Kotarou. The whiskered boy released them and dropped to ground in a single swift move as their attacks followed through. Naruto quickly jumped back up, switching his blade into a pair of gloves. The blond parried Kotarou's attack and pushed him back with a palm strike before turning around to grab Tsukuyomi's stab.
The force behind her attack carried out and sliced into the front of a car, making it topple over and activating the dog spirit inside. Naruto spared a look back in horror before he saw the dog expand and envelop the person in a protective shell. His fear subsided before he turned back around and grabbed the short blade Tsukuyomi tried to lodge in his eye.
He turned the blades over and twisted her arms before jumping up and landing a double kick on the short girl's shoulder. She went bouncing down the highway before stabbing her sword in the ground to slow down.
Naruto kicked out for Kotarou's incoming head and the young boy dodged. The Hanyō crouched and launched himself back up. He aimed a knee for the blond's chin but Naruto blocked it with his elbow before they separated.
The two quickly started to punch at each other, their fists disappearing in blurs of speed. Their strikes were either blocked, parried, or collided with one another with the force of a cannon.
"Gah!" Kotarou gagged when Naruto's strike landed in his belly. Another punch landed across his face and knocked the Hanyō back. Kotarou slid to a stop and Tsukuyomi landed on the roof of another car behind him. He wiped the little bit of blood coming out the corner of his mouth before Kotarou grinned, "Geez Nii-chan, seems like yer heart just ain't in it. That sucks, but ya can't afford t' do that right?"
Of course he wasn't into it. How could he?
The civilians may be being protected by the boy's spirits, but that didn't mean they were invincible. Hell, the girl he was fighting was a Shinmei-Ryū practitioner, if what Setsuna said was true. They had techniques made specifically to tear through barriers and guard spirits like that! One wrong move, one technique he sends off to the side...
Another causality because of him.
But they had to escape. And if their mission was to grab Konoka and he didn't do everything he could to save her...
Naruto felt a rumbling around him and looked up to see the giant spider Shikigami moving again. They scurried down the highway, pushing cars out of their way as they headed for the bus. Naruto's gaze followed the giant arachnids before lowering back to face the two young fighters in front of him. Tsukuyomi smiled, brandishing her katana and tantō as Kotarou cracked his knuckles.
Naruto scowled before clenching his fists as well.
[[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"We seem to be experiencing a shared hallucination, possibly from of a gas leak or some other kind of hallucinogen affecting us. That or I simply fell asleep on the bus ride to our destination and am now experiencing a wildly creative lucid dream. Which means all of you are simply constructs of my sub-conscious acting out the roles given to you by my unconscious mind. Simply actors and stage pieces playing out the sets and scenarios I have dreamt of. If it's become so hard to distinguish between what is reality and what is merely a dreamscape, what does that say about my regular everyday existence? And how am I sure that this is my dream? Is it narcissistic of me to assume that I am the dreamer, when it is just as likely that I could merely be just another figment of someone else's imagination. Prepares this is your dream, Nodoka? Or Negi-sensei's? Or just the bus driver's recurring dream about some fantasy situation to bring excitement into his drudge of a life? How can I be sure-"
Yue's existential crisis came to a swift stop when Konoka grabbed her cheeks and pulled them out. The short purple-haired girl moaned, "Ewwwwww~, Konoka - p-please stop. This isn't comfortable."
The kind brunette finally released her friend's cheeks before asking, "Do you feel like you're awake now?" Yue rubbed her cheeks but nodding, "Nodoka?"
"I-I-I'm awake!" The timid girl shook her head in fear of having her face pulled by her fellow librarian.
"Okay." She turned to the redhead youngster for answers, "Negi-kun, what's going on? What happened to Haruna and everyone else?"
Negi and Setsuna were on either side of the busty bespectacled girl laid on the aisle. She seemed to be sleeping soundly and wouldn't wake up despite their attempts. One look around the vehicle made it clear everyone was in a similar state. Setsuna stood up, "Saotome-San and everybody else were rendered unconscious by those spirits. They won't wake up for some time."
"S-spirits?" Nodoka stuttered.
"They tried to knock us out." Negi mumbled in worry, "With all of us unconscious and stuck in the area of an infinite loop, they could swoop in and capture Konoka-San before escaping completely."
"Infinite...loop." Yue repeated, trying to wrap her head around it all.
"I haven't seen anymore of those dogs yet." Asuna said while holding her paper fan artifact. Standing by the doors of the bus, the twin-tailed girl looked cautious, "If anymore of them come running this way again I'll smack them, but I don't like just sitting here and waiting!"
"Kagurazaka-San is right." Setsuna nodded and stepped up to Konoka's side, "Someone set up this trap, and those dogs were most likely the familiars of that same person. And whomever that may be, I'm certain they'll be coming here to steal Ojou-sama soon enough."
Setsuna felt a grip around her elbow and looked to see Konoka's concerned expression. The bodyguard steeled her eyes and turned to her, "Ojou-sama, listen to me. I promise, on my life, that I will protect you. I'll keep you safe."
"Secchan."
"Excuse me." All of them turned their attention to the two girls standing in absolute shock at what was going on. Nodoka's eyes were swirling and even Yue's stoic expression looked strained trying to comprehend what was happening. The short girl continued, "Can someone please explain to us what is happening? At the moment, this is so incomprehensible that I feel like my brain is going to overload if it isn't placed in a proper context."
"O-oh." Negi eyes widened as he realized that he had to explain to them their situation. The young Welsh boy looked down at his feet nervously. The duo looked around and saw Konoka scratch her cheek with a smile, Setsuna avoiding their gaze shyly, and Asuna scratching the back of her head, "W-well Nodoka-San, A-Ayase-San, the truth is-"
"Is?"
"W-well what's happening..."
"Y-yes Sensei?"
"I don't really know how to tell you-"
"It's magic, Nee-chans!" Chamo popped up on Negi's shoulder, "What you're experiencing is the vast, beautiful world of magic! But unfortunately we ain't got no time for the pretty spells, glittery lights, and junk! Konoka-oneechan is being hunted by a bunch of really bad guys, we've found ourselves locked in a tiny unending space, and we're probably gonna have to start fighting in a sec! So as much as you two wanna know the truth - WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME!"
"..."
"..."
"T-the ermine talked." Nodoka nearly fainted.
"Yes. I am most definitely just a figment of someone else's imagination." Yue solemnly resigned herself to her fate before looking upwards, "I'm ready for you to wake up. Anytime now."
"C-Chamo-kun!"
"Sorry, Aniki, but we didn't have any time to tiptoe around the important stuff!" Champ responded, "We're in crisis mode! Defcon one! Priority red! Whatever we call it! We're screwed!"
There was a sudden knock on the door and everyone froze. Setsuna immediately stood in front of Konoka and grabbed her blade as the princess looked over her shoulder. Negi gulped and gripped his staff tightly. Nodoka and Yue grabbed Haruna and dragged her over to the side before looking over the chairs cautiously.
Asuna was the closest to the door and raised her fan cautiously. But when she approached it she sighed in relief and lowered her fan before opening the door. There was a scurrying of paws as a red fox climbed up Asuna's leg and perched itself on her shoulder, "Well, I see all of you are still conscious. That's good."
"Kyūbi-chan!" Konoka called out happily as everyone relaxed there form. She stepped forward and the seven-tailed fox leapt into her arms before she asked, "What's going on out there?"
"Nothing good, Princess. We're being attacked and everyone has been knocked out in their cars. They're coming for you and they look just about ready to start a fight to do it."
"H-he talks too?"
"And why does the fox sound like an old man?"
"W-wait." Negi looked around, "Where's Nii-San?"
"Right now?" The fox grumbled, "He's down the road, fighting off the group that came to apprehend the Konoe girl. A girl with swords and a boy mixed with a dog."
"He is?" Setsuna' concern filled her voice before she looked in the direction Naruto had run moments ago. He must be holding off that girl she faced a few days ago, and a Hanyō from their side as well. Stopping them from coming back here for Konoka. Setsuna narrowed her eyes, "We have to help him."
"Right!" Asuna nodded and made for the door, "We gotta help Whiskers before - OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT!"
There were a few shrill screams of fright when they finally saw the giant spiders approaching their bus. The dark eyes and shaking mandibles peered through the windows and spotted them. Nodoka and Yue were quick to embrace each other in horror. Negi shook while Chamo ran down his back in fear. Konoka hid behind Setsuna and even the swordswoman looked nauseous. Asuna shivered. "Y-you guys see that too right?"
"We need to get out of here!" Setsuna announced, "We can't sit around here while our enemies keep sending spirits and Shikigami to attack us!"
"N-no!" Negi interjected as everyone looked towards him, "We can't just leave all these people! What if they get hurt?!"
"P-Please don't." Nodoka stood and looked to the young boy, "N-Negi-sensei, we can't leave Haruna here by herself."
"It's fine." The fox said, "Surprisingly, one of the people attacking was conscious of the civilian element and planned ahead. He sent another wave of those dog spirits out to act as protection in case any wayward attack or injury could be sustained. So for now we need to focus on helping the Brat with..."
Kyūbi looked around the bus carefully.
"Where the hell are the dogs?"
...
"Um..." Asuna blushed in shame and scratched the back of her head, "I thought they were coming to attack us again, and I sorta, maybe...popped them."
"God dammit. You screwed us, stupid Woman."
"I didn't know the exploding dogs were trying to help!"
"I-it's okay, Asuna-San," Negi attempted to calm his seething Ministra down, "But even so, now we have to think about how to deal with this situation properly. If these people are vulnerable..."
"I want to assist Naruto-sensei..." Setsuna looked down with a guilty expression, "But I made a promise to stand by Konoka-ojousama's side no matter what."
"Secchan," The kind brunette stepped around to face her best friend and smiled, "It's okay, Secchan. You can help protect all of us and get us out of here, right? Then that's important too." She smiled and looked back at her friends, "I'll stay with Nodoka and Yue to watch over the others. Asuna, Negi-kun, you shouldn't stick around just to protect me either. Whatever you think is right to do, you should do it."
"Konoka."
"Don't fret." Kyūbi jumped out of the girl's arms and landed on top of a seat to face them, "Go out there and fight. I can't do it because I'd cause a mess and if I got anyone killed I'd never hear the end of it. I'll stick around here to watch over Book Girl, Stoic Girl, and Princess in case anything happens."
"Did that talking fox just call me Stoic Girl?" Yue noted, unamused at the surreal experience.
"Kyūbi-chan is right! We'll be safe back here with him! Just try and find a way out please!"
Setsuna looked at her charge in shock before the bus started to shake. They all looked back and saw the giant arachnids starting to nudge the vehicle in an attempt to rile them up. The noble warrior looked out the window and at the beasts surrounding them. She closed her eyes...
"Okay. I'll do it."
Konoka smiled as Setsuna stepped forward, "Negi-sensei, Kagurazaka-San, please assist me."
"Of course we will!"
"You got it, Sakurazaki-San!"
The trio started for the door. Setsuna and Asuna stepped aside and let Negi face it. He raised his staff and started gathering his magic. Chamo wrapped around his neck protectively before the redhead announced, "Ras tel Ma Scir Magister! Reflexio!"
The door opened and Negi jumped up, running out and slamming the invisible shield straight into the mandibles of the giant arachnid. With the creature momentarily stunned, Asuna came charging out with Ensis Exorcizans at her side. She swung it up to smack the spider's head, nullifying the beast and reducing it to smoke.
Setsuna dashed out of the bus and jumped up on its roof, unsheathing Yunagi and slicing through the other spider's head in a single move. The summoned monster disappeared as the Shinmei-Ryū swordswoman looked out across the road. She could see sparks and energy flying out as their comrade held off their attackers.
With Asuna sprinting around the cars and Negi flying off with his staff, Setsuna dashed across the hoods.
Off to face their foes.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Irtar Peseir Matre Akqur!" Naruto incanted while backflipping from Kotarou's powerful overhead stomp. The blond boy stood up straight again and raised his first to block Tsukuyomi's swing. He turned back around and parried her rapid swipes and strikes. He shifted Mille Acies Armamentarium from its gauntlet form to a black and red chain. He avoided the short girl's stab before he wrapped her wrists around with his artifact and forced her katana to pierce the ground. With the girl indisposed, Naruto spun around and held his hand out towards the speeding Hanyō, "Vīgintī trēs spiritus ignis, coeuntes. Sagitta Magica, Series Ignis!"
23 Fire arrows flew out from around the scarred blond and at the black-haired boy. Kotarou saw the magic arrows homing in on him and smirked as he gathered Ki around him limbs. He yelled and dove into the fray of blasts, knocking them all away. The arrows of Fire swerved out above them before exploding. Through the area of controlled explosions, Kotarou gathered his Ki around his hand and punched out, "My turn! Inugami-ryuu Kuuga!"
A long range strike formed to make a fang aimed straight for Naruto's chest. He made to dodge it but when he realized there was a car behind him, he stood his ground. Yelling at the top of his lungs, he held out his hand and palmed the Ki strike when it got close. He refused to step aside and risk a powerful attack like this tearing through those
Inugami spirits.
"HA!"
He destroyed the attack completely. He looked up and saw Kotarou continuing to charge him. The blond raised his fists but then heard chains clatter to the ground. He looked back in shock as Tsukuyomi escaped from his artifact and had both blades raised. He whispered Abeat and prepared to summon it again as she raised her swords, "Zankū-"
"HA!"
Setsuna forced Tsukuyomi to block, halting her attack as the short girl in the sundress was knocked into the edge of the street.
Kotarou's eyes widened as he quickly raised his leg to block the fan before jumping off it. He landed a few feet away and watched Negi swerve in on his staff as Asuna stood by his side. The Hanyō grinned and chuckled, "Sweet, I was wonderin' when ya were gonna join the fight, Negi Springfield."
Negi's eyes widened in shock, "Y-you! You're the boy from the arcade!" He pulled the staff out from under him and dropped to the ground as he warily stepped forward, "You were a part of the Kansai Association the entire time?"
"Not officially, but I like their goal!" Kotarou glared and pointed at Negi who jerked up straight, "I'm sick of East Mages abandonin' their roots and takin' up wands! They're becomin' just as scrawny and weak-willed as the rest of ya Western Mages! If even a fraction of ya guys fought the same way that whiskered Nii-chan does, I bet ya'd actually be a threat!"
"S-sorry, but this was how I was taught to fight!" Negi defended, "Since I was a child I was taught to gather my magic before reciting my spells! It might not be how you fight, but I've been managing perfectly fine this way!"
"Pfft!" The Kansai boy scoffed, "Perfectly fine?! Ya just stand there, ready t' get wailed on!"
"You may have mobility, but the spells we recite can be leagues more powerful and versatile than yours!"
"Good luck recitin' any of 'em before we finish kicking yer asses!"
"Yeah well-"
Asuna slapped Negi upside the head. The little redhead nursed his skull and looked up at her in confusion as she frowned, "Are we trying to stop them or are you just here to argue? Get yourself together and help me fight, stupid Negi!"
"R-right! Sorry, Asuna-San." Negi whimpered, kicking himself for getting caught up in a disagreement of culture with their foe before he raised his staff. He gathered his magic and started incanting, "Ras tel Ma Scir Magister. Sis mea pars per decem secundus ministra Negii, Cagurazaca Asuna!"
A faint magical aura surrounded Asuna as a warmth filled her body. With a confident smile, the twin-tailed girl raised her fan and aimed it at the Hanyō, "Okay kid! You want a fight! Then here comes your next challenger! HYAAAA!"
Asuna dashed with great speed. The dog Hanyō narrowed his eyes and charged to meet the girl head-on. Asuna saw him chamber his fist and yelled as she brought her fan down on his head. But at the last possible moment he lurched back and let the fan swipe down by his face. The middle-schooler was shocked that her attack was evaded and made to pull back before his foot came down and pinned it to the ground. He raised his other foot and slammed it on the handle of her fan, knocking it out of her grip completely. Asuna was shocked as the boy raised his fist and she quickly raised her guard-
"IYAH!" Only to be knocked off balance when he ducked low and swiped her leg out from beneath her.
Kotarou smirked as he made his way straight for Negi. The redhead panicked and raised his guard, preparing to enhance his defenses before the Hanyō was on him. Kotarou was too quick and already threw a punch-
But was intercepted as a hand came between him and the Welsh boy's nose. Both boys looked up at Naruto who turned on his foot and pulled Kotarou off his feet as well. He tossed the Hanyō through the air as the black-haired boy smirked and swiped his hands out. Something sharp and fast sailed through the air towards Negi.
The young Springfield flinched as Naruto's hands blurred in and caught the knives before they could pierce him. Negi paled while Naruto inspected the knives, fine metal with the tang stretched out to act as handles. He threw them down to pierce the blacktop as Kotarou stood back up, "You're pretty quick to forget about me? Was I taking it too easy on you?"
"Sorry, Nii-chan, you're fun an' everythin'," Kotarou narrowed his eyes on Negi, "But this is the brat of the Thousand Master! Biggest name of the far West magic world, right?" The Hanyō smirked and pounded his fist in his palm, "What kinda guy would I be t' pass up a chance t' whoop his ass for the whole world t' know?!"
"Hey! Stop picking a fight with Negi!" Asuna yelled, "Your fight's with me!"
"Can't." Kotarou waved her off, "No offense Nee-chan but I just don't fight girls. Ain't my style."
"You can't be starting fights and also being chivalrous at the same time! Either be a total brat or a polite kid! No middle-ground!"
Off to the side, the two Shinmei-Ryū practitioners were exchanging strikes at blinding speeds. Their blades disappeared into silver lights and bursts of sparks as they ran over the street. Tsukuyomi gleefully ran along the length of the road's border as Setsuna maneuvered over the stalled cars.
Tsukuyomi suddenly leapt off the boundary and over Setsuna. Her katana and tantō swung out over the pony-tailed girl's head while she raised Yunagi. Setsuna deftly moved the long blade to match Tsukuyomi's swings before the girl landed behind her. She quickly dashed in and Setsuna held her blade at the side while the katanas scrapped against each other. Setsuna continued to change her direction and stance as Tsukuyomi attacked. The short blonde girl jumped off Yunagi and came to a stop as Setsuna held her katana in preparation.
"Muuuuu~! Senpai, you're not taking this seriously!" The younger swordswoman whined and stomped her foot, looking disappointed and anxious, "This isn't fair! You were far more invested in our last fight on the train!"
"Are you complaining?" Setsuna inquired with some disdain before raising her blade again, "This isn't a game, and I'm not having fun! You endanger all these people just to capture us! You're aware that one stray attack and we would shred right through those Inugami guarding these people, right?!"
"Of course I am!" Tsukuyomi giggled, "That's what makes it so much fun. It's like upping the difficulty on the game. Primary objective is to capture Ojou-sama. Secondary objective is to avoid civilian casualty but...to be honest," She smiled innocently, "I wouldn't be terribly worried if I failed that one."
"Scum." Setsuna's face twisted in anger. Knowing she shared the same school as this monster was enough to make her skin crawl.
"Oh, I know! I get it now! It's not as urgent as last time!" The blonde girl called, gasping in realization as she knocked the blunt end of her tantō against her hat, "You're not as serious this time because of the circumstances. You were much more aggressive last time because we had Ojou-sama in our grasps. Instead of being on the offensive, you're defending now." The Kansai girl lit up at the idea, "Maybe you'll be more forward if we take her back."
Tsukuyomi had to quickly raise her blades to block Setsuna's strike. The black eyes glaring over the blade became colder and harsher at the drop of a hat. Setsuna continued pushing and Tsukuyomi's started to shake from the force as the brunette threatened, "Use Konoka-ojousama as an opportunity to get a rise from me again and I'll remove your tongue."
"H...hehehe." Tsukuyomi couldn't hide the smile stretching her face. She nodded, "That's it, Senpai. Just what I was hoping for!" Tsukuyomi separated, pushing Setsuna back before the hand holding her tantō reached behind her, "Let's see how much further we can go!"
She pulled out dozens of charm papers and tossed them up before they burst into smoke, "Hyakkiyakou!"
Dozens of little summons and spirits burst out from the smoke. Setsuna looked up at them in shock and prepared to slice them apart. But instead of swarming on her, the summons immediately fell to the ground and scurried across the street. They made their way down the road and towards the bus, "No!"
The bodyguard made to follow after the Shikigamis but stopped when Tsukuyomi dropped down in front of her. She was forced to block when the blonde girl charged her and crossed her blades over Yunagi, "C'mon Senpai, we ain't done just yet."
Setsuna clicked her teeth as she spotted the summoned creatures scurry out of her peripheral. She wanted to get back there but her focus was quickly brought back to the psychotic girl pressuring her.
'Ojou-sama...please be safe.'
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Kyaaaa!" Konoka squealed while a squishy ball with a cute face latched onto her leg. She raised her leg and waved it around in an effort to get the creature off, "Let go! Let go! Let go! Let go!"
"Konoka!" Yue ran over and swung a book into the blob's face. The creature flew across the bus as the short purple-haired girl offered her friend a hand, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you, Yue." When Konoka was lifted back up on her feet, she was handed a heavy tome. The Kansai princess giggled lightly, "I've never been so glad for you to hide books away in Haruna's bag."
"If something like this is going to happen, I'll bring heavier books next time." Yue muttered while raising hers up to her head.
"H-help!"
Konoka and Yue looked over to see Nodoka slapping another summoned creature. She bonked the little kappa on the head several times before knocking it away. The summon whined softly before landing by the door of the bus. It immediately picked itself up as a swarm of other odd creatures started scurrying into the vehicle.
The members of the Library Exploration Club paled as the creatures made their way towards them. The girls all started to swing the books down, shooing them away, or just kicking them. They did their best to protect Haruna and the other civilians after they were moved safely to the back.
Yue dropped a book on one's head.
Nodoka kept waving hers.
Konoka kept them back as best she could. But these things were here for one reason and they would not give up in achieving it.
"W-we need help!"
"I'm working on it!"
A beast leapt up from the back of the bus and over the girls' heads. It landed in the middle of the summoned creatures and started tearing into them. The three girls actually paled in shock, watching the cute summons being brutally gnawed on and torn apart between the teeth of the massive fox.
The mindless beings actually started to panic and head out the door. But the seven-tailed fox didn't allow them that reprieve. In a single leap he followed them out the door. It was silent for a moment before the girls heard multiple pops and bursts of smoke just outside.
They waited a few moments before the bus tipped while Kyūbi walked back on. The girls froze as the horse-sized fox strutted up to them, "I think I have some paper between my teeth."
"Kyūbi-chan, is that you?" Konoka marveled as the beast in front of her sat down and lowered its head to her level. Yue and Nodoka were far more wary of approaching but Konoka immediately stepped up and gently held his face, "You're so big now! What happened?"
"I can change my size whenever I want to. I can get bigger but I'd probably crush a few of you in the process." Konoka was still amazed at the change of his body as he sighed, "This is becoming a hassle. More of those little bastards are going to keep coming and it'll piss me off of we're stuck here any longer." His sharp eyes focused in on Nodoka, making the girl flinch in fear, "Desperate times. You, Book Girl, do you still have that card you received last night?"
"H-huh?" Nodoka placed her book down and reached into her pocket. She pulled out the card she received from winning the kissing game last night, "Y-yes."
"We need to see if that can help with this situation. I want you to say Adeat."
"I-I'm sorry?"
"Don't make me repeat myself! Just say it!"
"Y-yes sir!" The terrified girl stuttered, "A-Adeat!"
A powerful light shined out from the card before a wind quickly picked up. The bangs lifted from Nodoka's eyes and she tried to open them again as she realized the card had changed form in front of her.
Now it was a book; a brilliant tome with a shimmering spine and sparkling finish with the words Diarium Ejus on the front.
Nodoka marveled at the sight of the magical artifact that slowly lowered into her hands. Yue and Konoka were awed as well while the shy girl slowly pulled open the cover. But was shocked to see...
"I-it's empty." She flipped the pages and tried to find something in the contents but still found nothing. She looked up meekly, "K-Kyūbi-San, w-what does this mean?"
"Don't ask me. Artifacts and their abilities differ for each person." The fox informed, "If we had more time we could try and figure it out but right now it doesn't look like that book is gonna be of any help. Shit."
The fox growled with some disdain and shrunk down to normal size before perching himself by the door in wait for the next wave. Nodoka sadly looked down at her book after failing to be of any use to the demon fox. Her friends realized her worry and came to her side, "It's okay, Nodoka. You didn't do anything wrong."
"She's right." Yue nodded, "That fox doesn't know what he's talking about."
"O-okay." The shy girl nodded gratefully even as a small tear came to her eye, "Thank you, Yue."
The shorter girl nodded and went back to check up on the sleeping people. Nodoka watched her friend silently worry and dote on Haruna especially. Even though their banter could sometimes be considered harsh, they really did care about each other. Friends, as much as Yue denied the fact.
Nodoka looked down-
24th of April. Thursday. Yue.
This is bad. I don't know how we got into this situation but this is just too strange to be real. We have to be dreaming. Or maybe I'm insane. I'm stuck in a bus on a highway in Kyoto surrounded by unconscious people with a giant fox with a temper problem and being attacked by strange bubbly creatures with cute faces. Grandfather, if you're watching, can you explain this at all?
...
Nodoka blinked in surprise when she noticed that the pages of her book were now filled with text. The words were written rather crudely as if they were done in a hurry with bad handwriting. And there was a silly sketch of a badly drawn Yue holding her head with strange illustrations floating around her like she was being overwhelmed.
Nodoka stared at it in confusion before she stepped over to Konoka's side. The kind brunette turned to her friend, "Huh? What's wrong Nodoka-"
"K-Konoka, I think something's wrong." Nodoka looked back down, "My book-"
24th of April. Thursday. Konoka.
Oh no, this is bad. This has gotten way worse than I thought it would. I know these people were chasing after me because of my latent magic. I don't know how but if they go this far then it's gotta be important.
I don't want any innocent people getting hurt because they're after me. And I especially don't want any of my friends getting hurt either!
Secchan. Asuna. Negi-kun. Naruto-kun. Kyūbi-chan.
They might be upset, but maybe if I hand myself over-
"No!" Nodoka cried out, making Konoka suddenly flinch in fright as Yue and Kyūbi turned towards them. The shy girl shook her head while looking at her friend, "You can't! You absolutely can't do that, okay!"
The Kansai princess blinked in confusion, "H-huh?"
"It won't just be Negi-sensei!" With uncharacteristic firmness, Nodoka stood her ground and announced, "We'll all feel sad if you go! So promise that you won't! Please!"
Konoka blinked in surprise before giving a small nod of agreement, "O-okay. I promise I won't."
Nodoka sighed in relief before her face turned beet red and she murmured, "S-sorry for yelling."
"That's alright. I shouldn't have even let something like that idea cross my mind in the first place. It'd be against everything everyone is doing for me." Konoka tilted her head, "But...how did you know I was thinking about that?"
"O-oh." Nodoka held out Diarium Ejus for her friends to see, "These words came up on this page along with a picture of you walking into darkness. A-and when I read the words, it felt kind of similar to how you talk. S-so I just thought it was actually you for a moment and..."
Konoka looked at the book as Yue and Kyūbi inspected it as well.
24th of April. Thursday. Konoka.
Nodoka's not making any sense, but how did she know what I was thinking. She said she looked in this book and-
W-wait, new words keep coming up. A-and aren't they super close to being my-
N-no way! They totally are!
I-I should think of something else! No, those words are coming up as well! Wait - I - no! Lalalala-
"Ow~." Konoka massaged her temples and moaned, "This is hurting my head~."
"I have a headache~."
Even the picture in the book looked like Konoka was holding her head with swirly eyes.
"Is," Yue blanked, "Is this book reading her mind?"
"A book that let's someone read thoughts on paper."
"Somehow this feels oddly right for Nodoka to have." Yue deadpanned as Konoka hummed and the girl in question blushed with embarrassment. Yue inspected the book closely, "If this book allows you to read minds - and I'm saying that with the most willing suspension of disbelief I can currently muster - how did you make it read Konoka's mind?"
"Well, I-I read your mind first, Yue. And then I read Konoka's." The short girl looked unnerved to know her mind had been splayed out across the pages of the magic book, "And I did it when...I said your names."
The answer was obvious for all of them. The girls shared a look of surprise before Kyūbi spoke, "Book Girl, read someone else's thoughts. One of the group that left."
"R-right!" Nodoka held up her book, "N-Negi-sensei." She shut her eyes tight and waited for the result before looking down at the book. The pages were blank before she shook her head, "N-nothing."
"He might not be in range." Yue added, "What am I saying? Why would a magical mind-reading book have a range-"
"No, you're probably right." Yue looked annoyed, "Just because you're skeptical and it's a magical item doesn't mean it's all powerful. All things have limitations. Even this book." The fox looked up at the girl with the bangs, "Book Girl, we're going to use this to get the upper hand on those bastards and figure a way out of here."
"Okay." Nodoka nodded firmly before asking, "H-how exactly?"
"I'm taking you out into the battle so you can read their mind."
Nodoka's eyes went white, "Eh?"
"You can't do that!"
"Kyūbi-chan!"
"Running out of options. I have no doubt the Brat and the others can handle those attackers, but there's no promises we can get them to tell us what we want to know. And there are more of them as well, so they could already be on their way. When we have a surefire way of getting the information we want from our enemies so easily, we should utilize it."
Yue stood defensively in front of Nodoka, "I'm not letting you take her out there."
"Not just her. I'm taking all of you." The three girls looked at him in surprise as Kyūbi jumped down to the floor. He got out and stood in front of the door as he grew to the size of a horse, "If I leave Princess behind there maybe some straggling Shikigami that come to take her. So I'd rather keep her in my sight, and if that means I have to bring the crabby midget as well then that's fine!"
"But Haruna-"
"Is unconscious! They won't think to take her if we just act fast! Now! If you all come with me, I'll protect you! I promise! This is probably scary, but this is the situation you've found yourselves in! And you need to act now!" Kyūbi lowered himself so they could get on his back, "What will it be?"
The girls looked between each other nervously as they mulled over their choice. Wait and see if things become worse? Or act and help in the midst of danger?
...
Nodoka stepped off the bus and climbed up the fox's back with a little effort. She fixed herself on the length of his spine before looking at her friends. Konoka nodded and climbed up as well to sit behind her. They looked at Yue...
"I maybe as crazy as Haruna."
They offered their hands and Yue accepted them as she climbed up on the back of the huge fox. Once all three of them were on the fox's back, they grabbed a handful of hair to hold onto.
"Here we go."
They were off in a burst of speed. Kyūbi leapt between the cars and dashed down the highway as the girls covered themselves against the wind.
Nodoka looked up and watched as they approached flashing lights and dancing shadows. As they grew closer, the bookworm recognized the lights were being thrown around like sport balls and the people were ones she recognized while they were holding back two people she didn't know.
The Hanyō summoned a dozen dog spirits that shot down and ensnared Asuna's limbs. The twin-tailed girl lost her balance and fell over as Kotarou landed and quickly jumped up to catch Negi. The redhead swerved in on his staff and recited a spell before throwing it out.
Naruto and Setsuna were attacking Tsukuyomi. The blonde girl seemed elated to handle two people at the same time as she giggled. She turned around and laughed, twirling while her blades were out with Ki along the length of them. She spun like a hurricane, forcing them back before leaping at them again. Setsuna stood firmly like a tree while Naruto was much more mobile.
Naruto leapt over Tsukuyomi's swing and came over in an arc before he noticed the fox carrying the girls on his back. The whiskered blond grit his teeth and used Koku Shundō to propel himself towards them. He came to a sharp stop in front of them and yelled, "What the hell-"
"No time. Long story. Book Girl's book reads minds. Use it."
"It's true, Naruto-kun!" Konoka vouched from the back of the fox, "Nodoka's book can read minds! We can read their minds and find a way out!"
"Wait really?"
"That's right, Sensei." Nodoka nodded, "T-this book can read peoples' minds. I-if you want, we can use it to figure out how to escape."
"You're serious?" They nodded as Naruto looked questioningly, "How do we do it?"
"Well I think we're in range now." Nodoka said as she held up her magical book, "I just need to know their names and we can read their minds. D-did they say them to you? O-or maybe we could trick them into-"
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!"
Naruto's booming voice echoed through the entire space as everyone stopped in shock. The Library Expedition Club shook in surprise as Kyūbi's ears lowered in pain. All the fights came to a halt as they looked towards the blond standing on top of the car roof. He simply whispered Abeat and reverted his Pactio before crossing his arms, "So, don't think we established this yet but who exactly are you two?"
"A-are you serious?" Asuna complained, "Are you seriously asking that now?! In the middle of a fight! Not the time, Whiskers!"
"It's rude not knowing at least their names!" Naruto retorted as he looked between the blonde girl and the black-haired boy, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. What are your names?"
"Hmmm,~." The girl in the dress giggled and shook her head, "I don't feel like telling you. Takes away all the mystery and suspense of our cutting into each other, don't you think~?"
"That one unnerves me."
Nodoka shivered and nodded with Yue's statement.
"It ain't suppose' t' be a mystery." The boy responded and smirked while standing up and turning to face Naruto, "Yer right, Nii-chan. In a fight like this, ya gotta at least exchange names. A show of respect t' each other!" The boy grinned and poked his chest with his thumb-
"I'm Kotarou Inugami! And just bein' able t' fight you guys has been a ton a fun!"
Naruto sent a quick look back and nodded before looking back at the Hanyō, "Okay, Kotarou, how do we get out of this trap exactly?"
The boy's face fell, twisting in confusion and a strained smile as he laughed, "Hehe..." Naruto's words actually started to sink in and Kotarou tilted his head, "Wait seriously?"
"O-over there!" Nodoka popped up from the back of the fox with a book in hand and pointed further down the road, "Just beyond the front row of cars! There are runes along the barriers and in the space between lanes! I-if we can destroy those, we can get out!"
"EEH?!" Kotarou jerked back in shock.
"N-Nodoka-San?!"
"Holy crap, Honya-chan!"
"Negi! Bells! Take care of the seals!"
"Oh no you don't."
Tsukuyomi leapt with bloodthirsty intent towards the purple-haired book lover. She prepared to attack but made a crucial mistake in her jump.
"You're open!"
Setsuna slid underneath her shadow and Tsukuyomi looked down in surprise as she saw the shine of a blade being unsheathed. Setsuna yelled, "Hiken: Samidarekiri!"
A powerful Ki strike was aimed up into the blonde girl's stomach and sent her flying through the air, "IYAAAAAAAA!"
"Negi, let's go!"
"R-right!" Negi followed his Ministra further down the road to destroy the runes.
"Hell no."
Negi flinched and looked back to see Kotarou's hair flutter and his shoulders grow. His body expanded with muscle, shredding his shirt apart as his hair turned bleach white and his feet became paws. They were shocked to see the Hanyō use his Kuzoku Juuka form to face them. His Ki surged as he punched at the frightened redhead, "You aren't getting away, Negi Springfield!"
A blond blur appeared between him and Negi. Kotarou's fist landed against Naruto's forearm and a powerful thud and rush of air followed. The Hanyō struggled to gain any ground against the whiskered teen as he growled, "Nii-chan, you wanna face me like this?"
"Yeah actually." Naruto smirked, "I think you can finally start taking some of my harder hits in this form."
Despite himself, Kotarou couldn't help but smirk at the challenge. He pulled his fists back and started attacking his opponent with a barrage of fists. Kotarou's flurry of punches nearly blocked Naruto from his sight as he was sure he had the upper hand.
He noticed only too late when Naruto slipped his leg through an opening and placed it against Kotarou's chest. Even with his larger body and size, Kotarou felt himself being lifted up off his feet by the blond. He spotted a spark of lightning over Naruto's leg.
"Sorry. But it was fun, Kotarou Inugami."
Naruto lifted the Hanyō and raised his leg to be straight with his other before twisting.
"Crimson Spiral Art: Yggdrasil!"
His Ki burst with lighting and blasted Kotarou high up in the air. The black-haired boy's body reverted back to normal as his Ki faltered. A dome-like barrier covered them for a moment before it finally shattered and their prison was released. Kotarou came falling back towards the ground before Naruto caught him.
The sounds of cars honking and people screaming in confusion filled his ears. He looked around and saw cars stopping just a few meters away from the first row of stalled ones. People were getting out of their vehicles and came running over to see what happened.
Naruto looked around and saw that with Kotarou's Ki gone, the dog spirits vanished. He could see some people stirring and waking up in their cars.
Asuna fell back on her butt and moaned in exhaustion. Negi lowered himself to the ground and stepped off the staff.
Setsuna was looking around for Tsukuyomi, the blonde girl in the sundress slipping away while the barrier came falling down. Once she realized the Shinmei-Ryū girl was gone, she ran back to check on Konoka.
Kyūbi had shrunken back to regular size and the three girls were looking around in surprise before Konoka waved to her approaching friend.
"Well, I guess we won. How's that make you feel, huh?"
"Grrr." The beaten boy in his arms groaned in anger and a bit of embarrassment as he couldn't move anymore. He grumbled, "This sucks."
"Don't pout. You started the fight. You lost. Accept it."
"F-fair."
"Now..." Naruto looked around, "What do we do next?"
[[[[[[[[Omake: Ala Rubra with Sharp Stuff]]]]]]]]
"Okay, you guys ready for this. Cause this is gonna be beyond amazing." Nagi hyped as he held the knife up over the hand he planted on the log, "Watch this!"
He started to very, very slowly put the tip of the knife between the spaces of his fingers. The Thousand Mage cautiously ended at the thumb before doing it again in reverse. The redhead smirked and laughed cockily, "HAHA! What do you guys think about that?!"
The rest of his group watched in bored silence. Jack scoffed, "You serious, Nagi? Want me to go warm up some milk for you before you clock out for a early night? Looks like the kind of extreme you'd be up for."
"Shut up!"
"Jack's not totally wrong, Nagi." Eishun shook his head in disappointment while Nagi started to speed up, "This is pretty pathetic."
"Screw the both of you! You don't understand building suspense! Give me a sec and I'll show you - GAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Nagi screamed at the top of his lungs after he stabbed the knife through the back of his hand. He tried to pull it out but found it completely stuck in place, "SONUVA BITCH IT DOESN'T COME OUT!"
"AHAHAHAHA!" Rakan cackled like a madman as Eishun tried to stifle his laughter as well. The ultimate warrior wiped a tear from his eye and gasped for air, "O-oh fuck, I can't take it!"
"STOP LAUGHING AND HELP ME!"
"G-guys!" Naruto came running over as fast as he could to find the three men. The child took a moment to catch his breath before speaking, "W-we have a problem!"
"I'll say!" Jack laughed, "We don't have a camera to capture this moment!"
"N-no it's not that!"
"Calm down, Naruto-kun." Eishun spoke calmly as he picked out another knife and started taking his turn, "There's no reason to be so - YOW! GOT THE WEBBING IN MY HAND!"
"A-are you guys drunk?"
"SHIT!" Rakan growled as he looked at the knife sticking out of his thumb, "Damn my fat fingers!"
"Listen to me!"
"OW!" They all looked over again to see Nagi's other hand being pinned as well. Both hands pierced through the back as the redhead looked between them, "Okay, yeah, I'm pretty sure that was my last try. I'm done."
"..."
"Well?! What was so important, Naruto?!"
The kid frowned before pointing behind them as the older men finally realized there was an immense battle between kaiju-level monsters happening a few hundred meters away.
And they were all surrounding a log with knives in their hands.
"Y'know, maybe we shouldn't have a round of drinks before we enter the battlefield."
"How many times have you said that in this exact situation and it never follows through?"
"Point."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Done
Nearly there. Nearly finished. See the finish line. Feel like I've been dragging myself to it using only my chin but it's there god dammit! In my sights!
AND AS GOD AS MY WITNESS I SHALL REACH IT! IF I CAN'T, MAY HE SMITE ME DOWN WITH BRUTAL, UNYIELDING FURY!
On an unrelated note, anyone hear that thunderstorm just now?
On another unrelated note, I just started watching Jojo for the first time ever. If that isn't the surrealist and most awesome show ever then I don't know what is. And Roundabout as well as Bloody Stream have quickly become some of my favorite songs. If you haven't watched it, I recommend you sit back and get confused.
Sorta pulled focus from finishing this chapter faster though. My bad.
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Thank You and Bye
