Kagura Hearts

Chapter 23 ~ Sugar Rush

Yumi crossed her arms and said, "We're pleased with your cooperation, boy, though you may regret it afterwards. Now for your FIRST Trial: the Trial of Speed. You are required to chase-and capture one of us." Sora then said, "How about we make this more interesting? If I can manage a hit with my Keyblade, I'll win the race. How about that?"

"UNACCEPTABLE!" Yumi yelled.

Yumi then said, "Keyblade Wielders think they can win as long as they use their unnatural weapon, yet they have the strength and stamina to back up their skill with said weapon. It's insulting to rely solely on their toy sword when their bodies are just as capable as any Shinobi! These Trials will NOT be disrespected by the Keyblade, they will be tried by the Master, or not at all! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!" Sora looked at his right hand and said, "...I can't…use the Keyblade?" Yumi answered, "You will NOT. You'll be facing these Trials to prove yourself Just and True. Use of the Keyblade is prohibited until my say-so."

Sighing at the rules forced upon him by Yumi, Sora said, "...OK, no Keyblades allowed. I get it. I don't think I need one for a good chase around the city anyway." Yumi smirked and said, "Courageous, aren't we? Perhaps you'll change your tone once you've learned WHO you'll be chasing."

Out of her cleavage, Yumi pulled out a bag of Nerds: Gummy Clusters while explaining, "One of the most popular sweets in the modern age, studied and duplicated by a candy company after witnessing its effects on the weak-minded in a city in the United States called 'Retroville', originally made by a large-headed yet intellectually superior 11 year old boy. Its flavor and sweetness can overload the senses and turn its eaters into a hooked addict for months. Fortunately, these-and other sweets have been the source of energy for one of our most dedicated Kunoichis, isn't that right Minori?"

Yumi then tossed the Gummy Clusters to Minori, who caught them at lightspeed and cheered, "YAY, I LOVE THESE! Thanks Yumi, I won't let you down!" Yumi then looked at Sora and explained, "Minori is a Ninja who enjoys candy, cakes, and all types of sweets, and as you may have learned already, her repertoire revolves around the very theme of sugary delicacies. Her magic can create obstacles and even weapons based on candy, and when she ingests a good amount, her movements are beyond even Hanzo's students." As Minori finished chugging and chewing up the Nerds gummies, Sora said, "That's kinda unhealthy…but hey, Ninjas and Candy can be weird sometimes. Let the Chase begin!"

Yozakura then grabbed Sora by the shoulder and threatened, "While you're chasing Minori, you should know the girl is still 16. So no funny business…OR SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR TEST-!"

"I-I get the idea…and yes, I know she's dressed a bit…inappropriately. Definitely eye-candy for pedophiles and all, but…Miss Yo…I…I don't know how to tag the girl I'm chasing without looking like Kat." Sora explained. Yozakura was a bit flustered when Sora addressed her as 'Miss Yo', but she saw his problem and said, "Well…at least you're aware of how wrong Katsu's actions are…but I'm afraid…you'll just have to risk touching her on the shoulder or something."

"TIME-OUT!" Shiki said.

Shiki walked over to Sora and said, "I may be a year younger than Minori, but even I know the dude here will have a problem tagging her without looking like an asshole. So…he's going to have to touch something else!" Yumi however argued, "UNACCEPTABLE! He must chase and grab Minori!" Shiki then said, "Yumi-sweetie, you are a great leader, but you have this trial set up like a shitty fanservice manga! And he's been traumatized enough by Katsuragi already! I mean, haven't we all?"

As everyone nodded, Shiki nabbed the wrapper of Nerds candy from Minori and explained, "Listen dude, we'll buy that you've had your hands full with the sexy ladies of our factions already, so I'll throw a bone for you for once. I'm taping this to the back of Minori's backpack. If you can take this wrapper off of Minori's backpack, you win the Trial of Speed."

Sora felt relieved by Shiki's kindness and nodded at her and Yozakura, "I can do that. Hey, thanks Shiki." Shiki petted Sora on the head and said, "You're welcome. Besides, my Instagram needs shots of a true hero chasing the fastest sugar addict alive, it'll be AWESOME!" Despite feeling annoyed by Shiki's true reasons, Sora looked at Minori and said, "Well, whenever you're ready, sugar-girl."

Elsewhere, Hibari managed to find the other girls and report to them what happened…

"That avalanche of candy was definitely the work of Minori! Nobody else has a tooth THAT sweet-." Hibari said with a scowl. Katsu however asked, "Hibari, come on. Don't fan that flame if you know that it smells fishy. You're as much of a 'Goody-Goon' as her." Hibari blushed and was comforted by Yagyu while Asuka said, "Sora's been captured by the Gessen Girls then?" Hibari nodded and asked, "S-sorry Asuka. I wanted to help, but he wanted me to find help instead. But, well, now that I told you everything, we can help Sora, right?"

Katsu answered, "These girls saw Sora as some pretender though. We WON'T be able to convince them without a life-or-death Catfight. We need evidence to convince them he's good." Yagyu then said, "Unfortunately, the Keyblade Master isn't exactly televised every time he fights the shadow creatures. If the Heartless attacked the Gessen Faction though-." Ikaruga then said, "-Then he can save them and prove he's noble at heart?"

Yagyu nodded, "That would be the best way I can think of." Hibari then asked, "Hang on, the Heartless only listen to the bad guys! We can't just expect the Heartless to listen to us, we'd have to be bad guys like the monsters who attack our city."

Ikaruga then said, "Regardless, we still have a friend in need. We will meet with the Gessen Girls while Sora is taking one of their tests. We'll explain his innocence and save his life!" Hibari nodded and said, "I'll take us back to where Sora and I split. Hopefully, we'll be able to reach him before it's too late."

Elsewhere, Sora was preparing to chase Minori while Yozakura announced, "Gessen Trial 1 ~ The Test of Speed! Your task is to catch Minori, or in this case, snatch the candy wrapper off her backpack! Magic will disqualify and immediately judge you as Guilty in the eyes of Gessen Academy! You will be forbidden to use your Keyblade as well! Are you ready?" Sora nodded and said, "Bring it on!"

"On your mark…get set…GO!"

Minori then launched herself like a rocket, sending shaking tremors throughout the rooftop, forcing Sora to run as fast as he can off of the building and onto the next!

Sora ran and jumped from building to building to catch Minori, whose speed was something to behold, while all Sora could do was try to run faster…

Shiki suddenly surprised Sora with a camera flash while she bragged, "Looks like we won't be seeing any action. Come on bro, are you entirely incapable of being a Ninja without your precious Keyblade? If so, you can summon it, no prob. We won't hold it against you. (giggle) Well, Yumi might, but hey, I can be persuasive-."

Sora however said, "Training at Hanzo National Academy has its perks and its teachings. My days attending their school was either stressful or humiliating, but I managed still. The Keyblade may be my weapon, but it ISN'T my crutch. I'm catching the candy girl, and I'm not gonna rest until I do!" Sora then passed Shiki, who took another pic of Sora while licking her lips and saying, "Scrawny…yet ballsy. He's suddenly looking a lot better."

Minori looked back and noticed the Keybearer was nowhere to be seen…

"Aww, poor guy. I hope Yumi doesn't kill him for failing the race-."

Suddenly, Sora passed behind Minori and yelled, "HEY CANDYGIRL!"

Minori twitched and spun around to find Sora holding the Candy Wrapper that was taped on her backpack…

"-Watch your step, you're in midair after all." Sora said.

Minori noticed the unfortunate situation she was in and managed to grab onto a ledge of a building…

Only for her to lose her grip and fall!

Sora managed swiftly and grabbed Minori before the fall killed her! He grabbed a balcony ledge and helped her over onto it while asking, "You sure are a fast kid, I know a few Keybladers who would love to train with you and get faster." Minori was astonished by Sora's praise and asked, "WOW…r-really? I'm worthy of training with other Keyblade Warriors like you?" Sora nodded, "Absolutely. But first things first, we gotta get up the roof where I'm sure your friends are waiting."

As Sora and Minori came up, Yumi surprised Sora by taking the candy wrapper from him, "...you've done well to keep up with Minori. No Magic, and no Keyblade…so I suppose I misjudged you." Yumi said. Minori then said, "THAT'S NOT ALL, BIG SIS YUMI! Sora, he saved my life before I fell! He's not just a man, he's…HE'S YOUR TYPE!"

"-Now she get's the meaning of 'Type'?" Sora wondered while recalling Minori's earlier behavior. Yumi then explained, "Minori is rather immature for her age, but that is besides the point, boy. It is time for your NEXT Trial. And I can assure you, you'll need more than speed to win this one…are you ready to endure the wildest of torments?" Sora answered, "Lady, I was born ready. Just tell me what I have to do in the Endearment Test of yours, and I'll get even closer to proving myself." Shiki then whispered, "-Can you endure the female body? Most men would faint at the very sight of an ACTUAL naked woman-."

Yozakura flicked Shiki on the forehead and said, "(ahem) You've met Katsu of Hanzo and Haruka of the renegades, have you not? Well…Shiki's our Katsu and Haruka." Sora then said, "I understand, they were hard enough to endure, but honestly, testing me like that feels kinda…well, scummy. I want to endure something normal, something most Ninjas, even Kunoichis, had to at one point in their training. Don't you guys have anything like that?"

Yumi then asked, "The endurance you want…is torture in it's purest form." Sora then asked, "I'm not scared of a little pain. If it convinces you I'm trustworthy, then I'll do it. You just make the call…and I'll defend myself as best as I can." Yumi glared at Sora, doubting his commitment to the Trial, yet in respect, she decided to allow the following, "...for the Trial of Endurance, you will be allowed your Keyblade, but ONLY in defense. If you can manage to stay on your feet for 10 minutes, then you win the trial." Sora then asked, "Alright…but what am I supposed to endure?"

"MY BLADE!" said Murakumo as she pulled out her large cleaver.

End of Chapter 23