Hey, everyone!
Welcome to chapter 12 of Senran Kagura: Shinobi Chronicles.
Hope you guys enjoy it!
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
*Sounds*
[Shinobi Driver]
Special Attacks
Nighttime
"This is stupid."
"Well, there's nothing we can do about this,"
Yukio grumbles in annoyance as he walks beside Asuka, the cool night air brushing against them. His frustration is palpable, a dark cloud hovering over his mood.
The brunette calmly replies to his complaints, her tone gentle as she tries to console him.
After parting ways with Junpei, the two teens now head toward the Hanzo Squad's dormitory. Starting tonight, Yukio would also be living with the girls at their place, a condition set to ensure Asuka could 'keep an eye' on him.
Yukio sighs deeply, his annoyance simmering just below the surface.
"I just don't see the point. Why do I have to live with you all?" He deadpans at her.
Asuka glances at him, her eyes soft with understanding.
"I know it's not ideal, Yukio, but it's part of the deal. Jii-chan wants to make sure you're not a threat, and this way, we can keep an eye on each other."
He rolls his eyes, his shoulders slumping in resignation.
"I get that, but still… living with a bunch of girls? It's not exactly what I signed up for."
Asuka chuckles softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"It won't be so bad. We're not that scary, you know."
Yukio snorts, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"I'm not scared of you. If anything, it's the opposite. How can you be so chill about this? This is just… different. Are you really fine with a guy around you and your friends' place, Asuka?"
She nods, appreciating his honesty.
"Different can be good sometimes. Maybe it'll give you a chance to see things from a new perspective. You live alone in your dorm, right? Maybe some company might be good for you."
He raises an eyebrow, considering her words.
"Maybe. But don't expect me to start joining in on slumber parties or whatever you girls do."
Asuka laughs, a bright sound that cuts through the tension.
"Don't worry, Yukio. We'll give you your space. Just… try to keep an open mind, okay?"
He sighs again, but this time there's a hint of acceptance in his voice.
"Fine, I'll try. But if Katsuragi tries to grope me, I'm out."
Asuka giggles, shaking her head.
"Deal. I'll make sure to warn her."
They continue walking in comfortable silence, the dormitory coming into view. Asuka can't help but feel a sense of relief that Yukio is at least willing to give this arrangement a chance.
Normally, she would also be uneasy about the idea of a boy living with several girls in their dormitory. The potential for awkward situations and misunderstandings would usually set her on edge. The thought of sharing private spaces and daily routines with a male presence might make her feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. After all, most teenage boys had a tendency to let their curiosity and hormones get the better of them.
However, with Yukio, things felt different.
As they walked side by side towards the dormitory, Asuka stole a few glances at him, her mind processing the whirlwind of recent events and this new living arrangement. She believes that by now she had known Yukio long enough to understand his character.
He was serious, focused, and carried the weight of his past with a quiet resilience. Despite his grumbling and rough exterior, she knew he wasn't the type to engage in any lewd or inappropriate behavior.
Asuka felt a strange sense of reassurance.
Unlike others, Yukio had always respected boundaries. There had never been a hint of impropriety from him. His focus was always on the task at hand, driven by his mission and the desire to avenge the wrongs done to him and those he cared about.
She recalled their earlier conversation with Junpei, and the pain that Yukio must still carry with him. It was clear that his mind was occupied with far more significant concerns than typical teenage distractions. This understanding made her feel secure, knowing that Yukio wouldn't take advantage of the situation.
But it also made her concerned as it seemed that revenge was the only thing present in the Rider's mind.
'Is there something I can do to take away his anger?' Asuka briefly wondered, sparing some glances at the owner of the Twilight Scroll.
As they approached the dormitory, Asuka's thoughts solidified into a quiet determination. She would ensure that Yukio felt as comfortable and accepted as possible in their home, while also making sure her friends understood the same.
She would be the bridge between him and the rest of the Hanzo Squad, helping to integrate him into their world without any unnecessary drama.
Despite the unconventional circumstances, Asuka was confident that this arrangement could work. Yukio might not have signed up for this, but she trusted him to handle the situation with the same integrity and respect he had always shown. And in turn, she would stand by him, offering her support and friendship as they navigated this new chapter together.
And as they approach the dorm, she silently promises herself that she'll do everything she can to make this transition as smooth as possible for him.
Senran Kagura: Shinobi Chronicles
NinPow 12: Into the Wild
The living room of the Hanzo Squad dormitory was a cozy space, filled with warm lighting and the personal touches of its residents. However, the atmosphere tonight was anything but welcoming.
Yukio stood at the center, facing the scrutinizing gazes of the other girls.
Asuka was by his side, a comforting presence amidst the tension. She had expected some resistance, but seeing the wary expressions on her friends' faces still made her uneasy.
Katsuragi, leaning casually against the arm of the sofa, was the first to speak up.
"So, you're really staying here, huh?" she said, her tone a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Yukio crossed his arms, meeting her gaze with an unwavering look.
"That's the plan," he replied curtly. "Problem?"
Ikaruga, always composed and serious, stepped forward slightly.
"It's not that we don't trust Kiriya-sensei and Hanzo-sama's judgment," she began, her voice measured, "but we need to be sure that this arrangement is in everyone's best interest."
Yagyu, standing with her arms folded, eyed Yukio with suspicion.
"We have our routines and our privacy. Having a guy here changes things."
Hibari, who looked more curious than confrontational, chimed in hesitantly,
"We just… we've never had a boy stay with us before. It's… different."
Asuka took a step forward, her eyes filled with determination.
"I understand your concerns, but Yukio isn't like other guys. He's here because Jii-chan and Kiriya-sensei believe it's necessary. We need to trust their judgment. It's also safer for everybody if we're all together on the same spot."
Yukio sighed, clearly not thrilled about having to justify himself.
"Look, I'm not here to cause trouble. I have my own reasons for being here, and I'm just as unhappy about this situation as you are. I also like my privacy, I get it. But I'm not going to do anything to make you uncomfortable."
Katsuragi raised an eyebrow, her usual playfulness subdued by the seriousness of the moment.
"And what are those reasons, exactly?"
Yukio glanced at Asuka, who gave him a slight nod. He took a deep breath, deciding to be as straightforward as possible.
"I'm here to help train you all and to fight against the Serpent Society. That's it. I don't care about anything else."
The room fell silent for a moment as the girls absorbed his words. Asuka could see the wheels turning in their heads, each of them processing the situation in their own way.
Ikaruga finally spoke again, her tone softer but still firm.
"If Asuka-san also trusts you, then we'll give you a chance. But understand, our trust is not easily earned."
Yagyu nodded in agreement, though her expression remained guarded.
"We'll be watching you."
Hibari offered a small, tentative smile.
"Just… try to fit in, okay? We're all in this together."
Katsuragi's demeanor softened slightly as she pushed off the arm of the sofa and stood up straight.
"Alright, Kamui. You've made your point." She concedes before narrowing her eyes at the silver-eyed boy. "But you better not try anything funny here."
Yukio was seemingly unfazed by her attitude.
"I won't."
He paused for a moment, then gave a sly smirk.
"But just a friendly reminder, I'm the guy who single-handedly kicked all of your asses in our last fight. So, when it comes to training, you might want to take my plans seriously."
Asuka and Hibari, who had been more understanding from the beginning, nodded in agreement. Asuka's expression was supportive, while Hibari's was more meek but accepting.
However, the reminder of their defeat didn't sit well with the others.
Katsuragi's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a scowl.
"You didn't have to remind us," she muttered.
Ikaruga's eyes narrowed, her pride clearly wounded.
"We remember quite well, Kamui. There's no need to gloat."
Yagyu's glare intensified, her grip tightening on her arms.
"You'll find that we don't take kindly to being reminded of our failures."
Asuka quickly intervened, trying to diffuse the tension.
"Okay, okay, let's not get heated. Yukio's just making a point. We're all here to get stronger, right?"
Yukio shrugged, unapologetic.
"Exactly. I'm here to help you improve. But if you can't handle a little reminder, maybe you're not as serious about this as you should be."
The room fell silent again, the tension thick but slowly giving way to reluctant acceptance. The girls knew he was right, even if they didn't like being reminded of their defeat.
Asuka sighed in relief, hoping that this would be the end of the confrontation.
"Let's just focus on what's important. We're a team now, and we have to work together."
Katsuragi stepped forward again, this time with a more playful but warning tone.
"One more thing, Kamui. While you're staying here, don't try anything perverted. No peeking when we're changing or taking a bath."
To emphasize her point, Katsuragi struck a series of sexy poses, showing off her body in an attempt to make Yukio flustered and blush.
"Got it?"
While this worked on her friends due to them being used to the blonde's antics, Yukio, however, remained completely unfazed. He looked at her with a bored expression, his eyes half-lidded in disinterest.
"Is that all?"
Katsuragi's smile faltered as she realized her seduction attempt had failed.
"Huh? You're not even a little embarrassed?"
Yukio shrugged.
"Nah, not really."
Asuka and Hibari both coudln't help but giggle, while Katsuragi stood there, pouting in disappointment. The other girls exchanged glances, their wariness of Yukio now mixed with a begrudging respect for his composure.
Katsuragi, still pouting from her failed attempt to fluster Yukio, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously? Not even a little reaction? What are you, gay?"
Yukio's calm demeanor didn't falter.
However, he now met her gaze with a subtle smirk.
"Nope, you can bet I'm straight. You're just not really my type. Besides, I have actually been around more beautiful women than you."
Katsuragi's jaw dropped in offense, while the room fell into a stunned silence. Yukio's eyes flicked briefly toward Asuka, the only one who noticed this as she blushed at the implied compliment.
Asuka looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Um, Yukio… that's not really…"
Katsuragi's eyes narrowed, clearly not pleased with his response.
"Oh, really? And who might these 'more beautiful women' be?"
Yukio shrugged nonchalantly.
"None of your business. They are just someone with real grace and strength. Subtle beauty, not just flashy looks."
Asuka's friends stared at him, a mix of disbelief and annoyance on their faces. Katsuragi's irritation was palpable.
"Is that so?"
Yukio nodded, his tone still calm and unbothered.
"Yeah, that's so."
Asuka, now fully red in the face, interjected.
"Ok ok, everyone. Let's all just calm down. Yukio, you've made your point. Katsu-nee, let's give him a chance, alright?"
Katsuragi huffed, still offended but unwilling to push further.
"Fine. But don't think I'm letting you off the hook that easily, Kamui."
Yukio just shrugged again.
"Wouldn't expect anything less."
The room remained tense for a moment longer before Ikaruga stepped in to diffuse the situation further.
"Alright, everyone. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Let's all try to get some rest and approach this with a fresh mindset."
Yagyu nodded in agreement, her gaze still wary but less hostile.
"Agreed. We'll see how things go."
Hibari, trying to lighten the mood, added with a small smile,
"Let's just do our best, okay?"
As the girls began to disperse, Asuka glanced at Yukio with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"I really wasn't expecting this mischievous side of yours, Yukio. But please try not to antagonize them too much, okay?"
Yukio gave a rare, small smile.
"I'll try. No promises."
Asuka felt a surge of relief as the tension in the room began to dissipate. It wasn't a perfect resolution, but it was a start. She looked at Yukio and offered him an encouraging smile, silently thanking him for his patience.
"Let's all do our best," The red scarf brunette said, her voice filled with determination. "We have a lot of work ahead of us."
With that the initial confrontation gave way to a cautious acceptance.
Asuka knew that it would take time for everyone to adjust, but she was confident that, together, they could make this work.
Next day…
With the Hebijo Squad…
Homura, Haruka, Yomi, Hikage, and Mirai were seen wearing white robes as they were doing waterfall training as a small waterfall was running down on top of them.
Yomi is shivering due to the cold water.
"This training is not a favorite of mine." She complained.
"Compared to the other training, it's a walk in the park, right?" Homura asked.
"Well, it ruins my hairstyle that took me two hours to set!" The blonde stated.
"Who cares?" The tanned girl mutters.
"Oh right, did you hear?" Yomi asked.
"Nope." Hikage said.
"I haven't said anything yet!" Yomi told the greenette.
"It's about sprouts again, right?" The emotionless teen asked and Yomi smiled upon hearing that.
"I'd definitely like to talk about that, too." Yomi said and Hikage sighed as she smiled.
"Yeah, I figured you would." She said.
"But I heard that Suzune-sensei actually used to be a good ninja." Yomi told them, and Homura was shocked to hear that as she turned to the blond-haired girl.
"That's nothing but a rumor." Hikage stated and Homura huffed as she closed her eyes.
"Hmph, there's no way a good ninja would become a teacher at Hebijo." The tanned girl stated.
"Are you sure?" Mirai asked, getting Homura's attention as she turned to the smallest of their group.
"Mirai, what are you saying?" Homura asked and Mirai smiled.
"You can't categorically say she wasn't, can you? I mean, Homura, you come from a line of good ninjas, right?" Mirai asked and that angered Homura.
"Shut up!" Homura exclaimed but Mirai continued on.
"I come from a good ninja line, myself."
Homura narrows her eyes at her.
"If you say one more word about this…"
She warns the lolita, and Mirai turns her head away from her.
"Ooh, so scary~" The eyepatch girl says mockingly.
Homura then looks down as she was in deep thought about this information.
'Suzune-sensei...a good shinobi?' Homura thought as Haruka chuckled at her before she remembered her conversation with Suzune.
(Flashback)
Both Haruka and Suzune were in the changing room of the academy's bathing room, as Haruka was kneeling before Suzune as the letter picked up a towel to dry herself.
"A set up?" Suzune said.
"It pained me to do so without saying anything, Sensei, but I couldn't refuse a direct order from the headmaster." Haruka told her as Suzune was drying herself.
"Sure enough, I have not completely earned his trust yet. But why are you telling me? This is a secret arrangement with him, right?" Suzune asked.
"Well, I am your student, Sensei. Besides, I am not against adding some more puppets." Haruka said before she chuckles.
"You're as inscrutable as ever." Suzune stated.
"That isn't true. I'm quite simple. I just want to enjoy myself, that's all." Haruka told her.
"I offer my thanks." Suzune said as she picked up her clothes to change into them.
"Come to mention it, about that interconnected kekkai. I'd heard that you came up with that when you were a student. It's lucky that such an amazing technique didn't fall into the hands of Hanzo Academy." Haruka said and Suzune stopped changing. "Well then, if you'll excuse me."
Haruka jumped to the ceiling and disappeared in the shadows.
As she is gone, Suzune remembers a certain memory of her past.
A young girl wearing a Hanzo Academy uniform, who has long purple hair tied in a ponytail and has red eyes, was seen talking to Kiriya as he was looking at a scroll she had given him.
"Interlocked kekkai, huh? Its disadvantage is its degree of difficulty to perform, but for a student to develop a new ninja art is unheard-of." Kiriya told his student.
"I'm going to be a super-ninja, after all. Something like this is only natural." She said with a cheerful and proud smile and Kiriya looked at her with pride on his face.
"You are my pride and joy. Well done, Rin." Kiriya said as he petted his student on the head and Rin chuckles as it felt good.
Suzune shook the memory out of her head as she told herself.
"Forget her. Rin is...dead." Suzune said as she put on her mask.
(End of flashback)
The cold water kept hammering down on them, but their minds were elsewhere, reliving the bitter memory of their defeat at the hands of Kamen Rider Shinobi.
'Kamui…!'
Homura clenched her fists in rage, the image of Yukio's masked face and the look of pity he had given her searing through her thoughts. His mercy had stung more than any physical blow. It was a reminder of their weakness, and that was something she couldn't accept.
"Do you remember how he managed to take us down?" Homura's voice cut through the sound of the waterfall, low and filled with determination. "Like we were nothing but mere annoyances to Kamui."
Haruka's usual playful demeanor was nowhere to be found, replaced by a steely resolve.
"Yes, and that's exactly why we can't let that happen again. We must push ourselves beyond our limits."
Yomi, her brow furrowed in concentration, nodded.
"We need to be stronger, faster, and more cunning. We need to be unstoppable."
Hikage, her eyes barely open, spoke with quiet intensity.
"It's not just about physical strength. Our minds must be sharper, our resolve unbreakable."
Mirai, the youngest yet fiercely determined, clenched her teeth.
"I won't be seen as weak. Not by him, not by anyone."
Homura's gaze was fierce and unyielding.
"We will defeat him. I will make sure he never pities me again."
Their resolve was steeled by the memory of their defeat, each of them finding strength in their shared experience and their unwavering bond. The water continued its relentless assault, but it was no match for the fire that burned within them.
In the cold, unyielding flow of the waterfall, the Hebijo Squad girls pushed themselves harder than ever, their spirits united by a common goal: to overcome their weaknesses, to grow stronger, and to one day defeat Kamui Yukio and finally take the Twilight Ninja Scroll from him.
The path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but together, they were ready to face it head-on.
Meanwhile…
At the same time somewhere else…
Kiriya informed his students that they'll be doing a special training trip today, the girls were wearing their Shinobi uniforms as Kiriya had brought them to a large forest with a large mountain on the other side of it.
Yukio came along with them for another reason.
"We're going to climb that mountain?" Asuka asked her teacher.
"Yeah." Kiriya answered.
"It looks more like a dangerous exploration of the uncharted than an enjoyable hiking trip." Katsuragi said.
"You may be pretty close to the mark." Kiriya told her.
"Close?" Hibari asked, and Ikaruga realized what this place was.
"Is this, by any chance, a part of that so-called forbidden training?" Ikaruga asked.
"Well guessed, Ikaruga." Kiriya told her, and the long black-haired turned pale upon hearing that.
"I-I knew it!" Ikaruga said in some fear as the others looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Yagyu asked.
"I heard that there was some training that they did once, a number of years ago, but stopped because it was much too dangerous. It was called...Hai-kin-gu!" Ikaruga told them.
(Translate to: Crawling tense dread)
"Hai-kin-gu. One of the shinobi's most severe forms of training. They must survive in an extreme space with a minimum of gear for two full days, and then carry out a mission given to them. It is used chiefly for strengthening survival skills."
"Th-This is not the kind of hiking I'm familiar with." Asuka said in fear.
"N-None that I know, either." Hibari said in fright as tears were forming in her eyes.
Kiriya smiles before he points at the mountain.
"I placed a scroll at the top of that mountain. Whoever obtains this scroll will be the winner." Kiriya told them.
"So we're all rivals, is that what you're saying?" Ikaruga said with a smile in excitement.
"Sounds like fun, doesn't it?" Katsuragi said with a smile as she was excited as well.
"I wish this was regular hiking." Hibari said in fear.
"Don't worry, Hibari, I'll protect you." Yagyu told her fellow first year.
"I-I'll do my best too…" Asuka said, a bit nervously as she steeled her resolve.
"Well, you girls have fun." Yukio tells them with a small wave of his hand as he proceeds to enter the training ground, carrying a backpack with him.
While the others were wondering what he was planning, Asuka was aware of what he was intending to do there.
"Good luck, Asuka."
The Rider gave one last look at the brunette before disappearing from their views.
"Where are you going, Kamui?" Katsuragi asks, narrowing her eyes at him in suspicion.
"I was about to ask the same thing as well, sensei." Ikaruga said, getting Kiriya's attention as he turned to her. "Kamui isn't part of our squad, why would you bring him to take this test as well?"
Yagyu watched the Rider intently, her brows furrowing.
"He doesn't seem interested in the scroll."
Hibari clung to Yagyu, her nerves still apparent.
"Do you think he's going to compete with us?"
Asuka, however, had a knowing look in her eyes. She knew exactly what Yukio was planning to do. Turning to her friends, she spoke up,
"Yukio has his own tasks to finish here. While we're competing for the scroll, he's likely using this opportunity for his own training."
Kiriya nodded in agreement.
"Asuka's right. Kamui Yukio has different objectives, so don't mind him. But remember, this exercise is not just about reaching the top. It's about survival and resourcefulness. Keep your wits about you."
Ikaruga's face hardened with resolve.
"Understood, Sensei."
Katsuragi cracked her knuckles, her competitive spirit reigniting.
"Alright, let's show Yukio and Sensei what we're made of!"
As the girls prepared to set off, Asuka decided to reveal a bit more.
"Yukio is going to look for a Seirei spirit," she explained. "He's using the Twilight Scroll as his guide."
The girls stared at her in surprise.
"A Seirei spirit? Here?" Yagyu repeated, her interest piqued.
Katsuragi crossed her arms, frowning.
"So, that's what's in his agenda, huh? That jerk plans to increase his bag of tricks this time here."
"Alright, go!" Kiriya told them as he pointed at the mountain.
"Right!" They said as the ninja students jumped ahead as they headed into the forest.
"..."
As they were now gone, a black cat appeared for Kiriya as it walked to him.
"While we may not know their true intentions, it is evident that those six are the enemy's objective. The special qualities those six possess are worthy of merit, but the thought that their development is wanting is a qualm within you, yourself, Sensei." The cat told him.
With their mission clear and their resolve strengthened, the girls set off towards the mountain, each with their own strategies and goals in mind. As they ventured into the dense forest, the real test of their skills began.
(With Asuka)
Asuka is seen flying on a kite but the winds were rough as she had a nervous look on her face.
"This sure is hard, right from the start." Asuka mutters before she grits her teeth. "A-Alright!"
Asuka jumped off the kite as she was spinning in the air, she said.
"Ninpo! Flying Squirrel Flight!" Asuka brings out a large cloak behind her back as she is flying with it as she heads to the ground.
Ninpo: Flying Squirrel Flight, a technique for getting to the ground from an elevated location by using a special drape woven of special fibers as a glide wing.
Asuka had made a crash landing as she was lying on top of a tree branch.
"Landing...failed." She said with a smile before she looked up. "I wonder if everyone else is alright."
'And Yukio is also doing what he can to get stronger. I have to do my best as well if I want to have a chance to keep up with him.' The girl thinks as she wonders how the Rider is doing in his quest for the local Seirei.
(With Ikaruga)
Ikaruga landed on the edge of a deep mountain path and looked at the large mountain where the scroll is and she saw how she still has a long way to go.
"Still a long way to go, huh?" Ikaruga said as she remembered Kiriya's words about the summit.
It is impossible to reach the summit in one day. If you fail to allocate your stamina accordingly, it could cost you your life.
(With Katsuragi)
Katsuragi had landed on a snowy mountain field as she let go of her cloak as it flew with the hand, and she turned to the mountain with a smile on her face.
"Alright! I definitely aim to be first!" The blonde swore to herself.
(With Hibari)
Hibari lets out a cute scream as she falls on her rear, Hibari sits up as she rubs on her butt as she remembers Kiriya's advice.
Be sure to get enough rest overnight.
"That hurt!" Hibari whines.
(With Yagyu)
Yagyu is seen riding on her umbrella as she was riding on a river to the mountain.
This is part of the training.
Even though this is part of her training, she only had one person in her mind.
"I need to find Hibari right away." She said.
(With Asuka)
Asuka was walking through the forest for a while before she stopped to take a minute to rest as she pants and placed her hands on her knees.
"It's so hot… Is this really Japan?" Asuka wonders as she takes off her scarf and leans on a tree as she stretches out her shirt to cool off, but then she sees a leech flying on top of her breast.
The brunette girl blinks before she cries out in fear as she sees several more leeches falling on top of her. She cries out again as she looks up as more is still falling to her.
(With Katsuragi)
Katsuragi is seen walking on the snowy fields as she fights through a strong blizzard.
"It's so cold! Is this really Japan?!" She said before she stopped as the blonde spotted something appearing in front of her.
It was a polar bear as it roared at her, which really surprised her.
"Huh?!" Katsuragi gasped.
(With Ikaruga)
Ikaruga carefully walks through the mountain path as she uses kunai to secure herself as she walks on top of stone ledges one at a time, but stops as she feels a strong wind blowing in front of her.
"I feel like I'm going to be blown off any time." Ikaruga said before she saw a snake by her feet as it was looking at her while hissing at her before it began to climb up on her leg which surprised her.
(With Yagyu)
Yagyu was still riding on the river before she smelled a familiar scent close to her.
"Hibari should be right around here." Yagyu said before she saw a piranha jumping at from the river as it bites onto and rips off her skirt. "Wha-!?"
Yagyu then saw the piranha diving back into the river, and saw more piranhas jumping at her from behind.
"Oh no!" The eyepatch girl said as they headed towards her.
(Meanwhile)
Kiriya was flying on a kite himself and was wearing sunglasses, as he was watching his students' progress through the forest.
"Teimapaku here is no ordinary mountain. But knowing you all, you should be able to handle it." Kiriya stated.
"Teimapaku, a special training space where countless contrivances have been set in place to plunge trainees into severe conditions."
(With Ikaruga)
The snake has made its way to Ikaruga's thigh.
'What an evil, repulsive vibe I'm getting from this snake! Get away from me!' Ikaruga thought.
(With Asuka)
Asuka was running forward as several leeches were clinging around her body.
"No!" The red scarf girl cries out as she takes off her shirt and vest, quickly diving into a river in front of her.
The leeches were off of her body as Asuka watched from floating on top of the river, which was much to her relief as she sighed.
'Wow, that was a close one!'
Asuka didn't notice a large shadow was swimming to her in the river, before it lifted her out of the river and wrapped its tail around.
The girl looked and saw it was a giant…
*Splash!*
"A-An eel!? Mm-mm, no it's not. It has whiskers, so it's a loach! But this is no time to be telling them apart! If that's how it's going to be…" Asuka said as he pulled out her sword with its sheath still in it, and then she used it to whack the giant loach on the head which made it let go of her as it sank back into the river.
*Bam!*
"Sorry, Mr. loach."
She quickly swam to the riverbank, pulling herself out of the water. Gasping for breath, Asuka retrieved her discarded clothes and hastily put them back on.
'I need to be more careful,' she thought, shaking her head at her close encounter.
But Asuka struggled to pull herself from the water, still feeling the adrenaline rush from her close encounter with the giant loach. And just as she managed to stand, her legs wobbly beneath her, a familiar voice broke through the rustling leaves.
"Need a hand?"
Yukio's calm, nonchalant tone reached her ears. She looked up, surprised to see him standing there, his hand extended towards her.
"Yukio!" Asuka exclaimed, grabbing his hand gratefully.
He effortlessly pulled her to her feet, steadying her with a firm grip.
"Looks like you had quite the adventure," he remarked, glancing at the water-soaked state of her clothes. "You okay?"
Asuka nodded, trying to steady her breathing.
"Yeah, just ran into a giant loach. Nothing I couldn't handle," she replied with a determined smile.
Yukio snorts at this.
"Well, if you say so, Asuka." The Rider says before gently grabbing her hand. "Come on, let's get you warmed up. Trust me, you don't want to catch a cold from this."
As she lets him guide her towards a nearby spot, Yukio fails to see the blush forming on Asuka's face.
'His hand… It feels warm…'
She thinks before smiling softly.
(With Ikaruga)
The snake was right around Ikaruga's waist and soon made its way to her chest.
"N-Not there!" Ikaruga said.
(With Katsuragi)
Katsuragi was behind the polar bear's neck as she was giving it a choke hold with her arms and legs around its neck.
"How's that? You give up?" Katsuragi asked as the polar bear was struggling to breathe.
After a few more minutes, Katsuragi let go of the polar bear it was lying on the ground panting as Katsuragi was looking down at it.
"You bears better think twice about taking on Hanzo Academy's number-one shooter, Katsuragi!" Katsuragi told the down polar bear.
Katsuragi sneezes due to the cold air and snow around her before she turns around.
"Right now, I need to transform into some warm clothing, or I'll catch a cold." Katsuragi said as she transformed into a large sumo costume. "What is this? Fine, whatever."
"Dosuko! Dosuko! Here I go!"
Katsuragi then marches forward like a sumo while saying.
(With Yagyu)
The piranhas were clinging around Yagyu's body as they ate through her clothes.
"Using my weapon as footing was a bad choice. Now I can't hit back." Yagyu mutters before she feels a piranha bite into her skin which makes her cry out.
"Yagyu-chan!" Yagyu looked and saw Hibari was running along the riverside as she followed her.
"Hibari, keep back!" Yagyu told her.
"Fish?" Hibari said as she saw the piranhas.
"These are piranhas!" Yagyu told her.
"Piranhas?!" Hibari repeated.
"Hibari, don't worry about me, keep on going." Yagyu told her, but Hibari stopped running and faced her.
"No!"
"What?" Yagyu said.
"I'm going to help you, Yagyu-chan!" Hibari told her.
"Hibari…" Yagyu mutters in awe.
"H-Hidden Ninpo!" Hibari shouted and her bunny with a cloud body arrived by her side. She now rides on top of it as they fly to Yagyu to help her. "Ninja Bunny Boom!"
Hibari and her bunny rides on top of the river which knocks some piranhas out of the water, as she was getting closer Hibari reached out to Yagyu.
"Yagyu-chan!" Hibari shouted and Yagyu grabbed onto her hand as they flew off of the river together.
When they were out of the river, Hibari's bunny had left as it flew away while Hibari was waving it goodbye.
"Usagi-san, thank you!" Hibari told her Spirit Guardian, and Hibari then turned to Yagyu who was sitting on the ground as the piranhas were now off of her. "Yagyu-chan, are you okay?"
"I just had my clothes chewed up. I thought the river would be safest, but apparently, it's not." Yagyu mutters before she says. "Hibari…"
"What?" Hibari asked with a smile, and Yagyu blushed.
"Nothing. I'm grateful." Yagyu told her, and Hibari soon noticed something on Yagyu's body.
"Oh, Yagyu-chan! Your breasts, your beasts!" Hibari told her.
Yagyu blinks before she looks down and sees that there was still a piranha stuck between her breasts much to her surprise.
(With Ikaruga)
Ikaruga was able to get the snake off of her as she throws at a stone wall as it falls, and Ikaruga smiles in triumph.
"You got careless, didn't you?" Ikaruga said before she turned back to the mountain. "I have to hurry on ahead."
(Later)
It was now night as the full moon was above the mountain.
Ikaruga had arrived at the mountain's bottom as she walked up a path she found the moment she arrived.
"I'll camp out around here until daybreak." Ikaruga said before she stopped as she heard movement and saw someone standing above her. Ikaruga pulls out her sword as she is ready to battle. "Who's there?!"
"Wait! It's me, it's me!" Said Katsuragi as she waved her hands.
"Katsuragi-san, is that you?" Ikaruga asked.
Shortly after meeting up, Ikaruga and Katsuragi made camp in a cave, after Katsuragi changed back into her shinobi uniform, she and Ikaruga made a campfire. They then exchanged stories on how they got here.
"Is that right? That really happened?" Ikaruga asked.
"This place is even crazier than I imagined." Katsuragi said.
"It's all a part of our training." Ikaruga reminded her fellow third year.
"Yeah, yeah." Katsuragi said before she heard her stomach growling. "Ah, I'm hungry."
Ikaruga sighs to hear that.
"For heaven's sake. I can't believe you didn't secure any food." Ikaruga said as she brought out a small pouch and handed it to Katsuragi. "Here."
Katsuragi accepted the pouch and empty it as acorns fell on her hand.
"These are acorns, aren't they?!" Katsuragi said.
"I gathered them up along the way." Ikaruga told her with a smile.
"Still, are you sure?" Katsuragi asked.
"Go ahead." Ikaruga told her.
"Thank you! Leave it to our class chairman! This is something you wouldn't ordinarily do, rub salt into an enemy." Katsuragi stated.
"I think what you mean is to offer salt to the enemy." Ikaruga said as Katsuragi showed her a cheeky smile.
"Don't nitpick the little things. Well, thank you, I'll help myself." Katsuragi said as she began eating the acorns.
"Oh yeah, there was a hot spring up ahead." Ikaruga told her and Katsuragi's eyes had stars in them to hear that.
"A hot spring?" Katsuragi said.
Both Katsuragi and Ikaruga had arrived at the hot spring, they soon took off their clothes and took a nice and relaxing bath in the spring as they could feel their fatigue fading away.
"I wonder if everyone else is alright." Ikaruga said in worry for their friends.
"I'm sure they're managing." Katsuragi assures her and Ikaruga chuckles as she turns to her. "What?"
"I was just remembering the past." Ikaruga told her.
"The past?" Katsuragi repeated as she blinked.
"I was thinking, when we first enrolled at the school, it was only the two of us, just like this." Ikaruga said.
"Yeah, you're right." Katsuragi said as she looked up at the night sky. "That sure takes me back."
Both third years laugh as they turn at each other.
"A lot sure has happened back then." Katsuragi said as she stretched out her arms.
"Indeed." Ikaruga nodded as she reminisced. "At first we didn't get along, but we became good friends. Then we had the granddaughter of the legendary shinobi join our class. Then Hibari-san and Yagyu-san join us. And then Kamui showed up as well."
Katsuragi chuckles.
"Yeah, a lot of things got crazy the moment he arrived. First, it was those Majins. Then there's the whole deal with the Twilight Scroll. And then there's the Seirei Spirits Kamui is looking for. Kind of makes you wonder if our lives will ever be the same again after this." Katsuragi said.
"I presume not. That's one of the things of being a ninja, there's no such thing as normal in our lives." Ikaruga stated.
"I guess that's true." Katsuragi chuckles before they look at the night sky together.
There was silence between them before as they wondered how the rest of their teammates were doing...
"So, what do you think of Kamui?"
Ikaruga suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Katsuragi paused, contemplating the question.
"Honestly, he's the worst kind of asshole. But he's definitely strong. Sometimes, I feel like he's an obstacle we need to overcome. I feel like I can't become stronger unless I finally kick his ass."
Ikaruga nodded in agreement.
"I suppose I feel the same in my own way. He's pushed us to become better, but at the same time, it feels like he's always one step ahead. It's frustrating, but also motivating."
Katsuragi chuckled softly.
"Yeah, it is. I remember our first encounter with him. He didn't even break a sweat while we were struggling to keep up. It made me realize just how far we have to go."
"He's definitely raised the bar for all of us," Ikaruga said thoughtfully. "In a way, he's become a benchmark for our progress. We have to reach his level, to beat him one day."
"Exactly," Katsuragi agreed, determination flickering in her eyes. "It's not just about competing with each other anymore. But it's not just about Kamui now, there's those Hebijo girls, the Serpent Society and proving ourselves!"
Ikaruga smiled at Katsuragi's words.
"I couldn't have said it better myself, Katsuragi-san. To keep pushing us past our limits."
The two girls shared a moment of understanding, their bond strengthened by their shared goal. They knew that surpassing Kamui and other powerful shinobis would be no easy feat, but the challenge only fueled their resolve.
"One day, we'll surpass them all." Katsuragi declared, her voice filled with conviction.
Ikaruga nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Yes, we will. Together."
They both looked up at the night sky, the stars twinkling above them. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but they were ready to face them head-on. With their sights set on surpassing Kamui, they felt a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie.
As the night wore on, they continued to share their thoughts and dreams, their spirits buoyed by the warmth of the hot spring and the strength of their friendship.
(With Yagyu and Hibari)
Hibari and Yagyu decided to make camp in the forest as they started a campfire as they were cooking some fish, frogs, and mushrooms around it. They also took off their clothes so that they'll wash up.
Yagyu is seen digging in the ground using her umbrella as she stabs it in the ground a few times before she stops and water soon pops out of the ground like a geyser.
*Splash!*
"Amazing!" Hibari said in amazement and Yagyu smiled in success.
After they ate their food, the two soon made a makeshift bath using the dirt and rocks on the ground, and when the water had filled it up, they soon began to bathe in it.
"A spring water pool." Hibari said.
"It should be enough to wash away the sweat. The river is too dangerous, after all." Yagyu said.
"We'd be attacked by those piranhas." The pinkette said.
"Thanks for earlier." The eyepatch girl tells her friend, and Hibari blinks in confusion.
"Huh?"
"I was only thinking of letting you get away, Hibari, and never imagined you'd end up saving me. I didn't have enough faith in you." Yagyu said and Hibari smiled before she shook her head.
"Mm-mm, I wasn't thinking that I could help you." Hibari said as she stretched her arms forward. "My body just responded on its own, before I could think. You always think too much, Yagyu-chan."
Yagyu smiles.
"I'll admit that." She said before they looked at the night sky together, the night stars being a calming sight for them.
"You really are a good girl, Yaygu-chan. But you should know that Hibari-chan can't ever replace your sister. Just like how you can't replace your childhood pet with a popular doll, right?"
Yagyu turns to Hibari who was smiling as she was looking at the stars in the sky, and soon remembers her sister and how she died, and the day she met with Hibari the first day they entered Hanzo Academy together.
As they settled into the tranquil atmosphere, Yagyu turned to Hibari.
"Hibari, what do you think of Kamui?"
Hibari's smile faded slightly, her expression turning serious.
"He's... really strong. Scary strong."
Yagyu nodded, her gaze steady.
"I think of him as an obstacle to surpass. But more importantly, I want to make him pay for making you cry."
Hibari looked down, her fingers fidgeting with a small pebble.
"I'm scared, Yagyu-chan. The idea of facing him again... it terrifies me. I don't want to fight him."
Yagyu's expression softened.
"Hibari..."
"And it's not just him," Hibari continued, her voice trembling. "I feel so weak, especially after how easily he and the others beat me. I just... I don't know if I can do this."
Yagyu placed a reassuring hand on Hibari's shoulder.
"Hibari, you're stronger than you think. You don't need to prove yourself. We'll face him together. And we'll get stronger. I promise."
Hibari looked up, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Thank you, Yagyu-chan. I'll try my best."
Yagyu nodded, her resolve firm.
"That's all I ask."
They sat in silence for a moment longer, letting the soothing sound of the night envelop them, drawing strength from each other.
'Kamui Yukio… I will defeat you one day, and make you apologize for making Hibari cry for the rest of your life!' The eyepatch girl thinks, focusing on her resolve.
(With Asuka and Yukio)
Yukio and Asuka were seated by the river side as they were sitting around a campfire. The brunette girl had hung her clothes and swimsuit to dry as she was now wearing Yukio's shirt, who generously decided to briefly lend it to her.
As for the boy, he quickly found a replacement shirt through his Summoning Jutsu and changed away from her eyes.
"A...A...Acho!" Asuka sneezes as she feels cold and rubs her hands on her arms.
"Careful not to catch a cold here, Asuka." Yukio warns her as he was cooking some fish they caught, which were on top of the campfire.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine don't worry. Not to mention your shirt is really warm." Asuka said as she really felt warm in Yukio's clothes.
Unconsciously, she sniffed his shirt, finding the scent oddly pleasant.
'And his shirt, it actually smells nice.' She thinks before blinking as she finishes processing her last thought. 'Wait, what am I thinking?'
Yukio glanced at her, noticing her shivering slightly despite her words.
"If you're still cold, you should sit closer to the fire. The temperature drops pretty quickly out here. I can also give you some pants too." The Rider told her and Asuka blushed before she shook her head and waved her hands.
"N-No that's alright, your shirt is just fine, really!" She quickly told him.
"Okay…" Yukio calmly replies as Asuka sighed.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the crackling of the fire and the gentle flow of the river providing a soothing backdrop. Asuka watched Yukio carefully tending to the fish, his expression focused and calm.
"Yukio," Asuka began, breaking the silence. "Why did you decide to accept Jii-chan's offer?"
Yukio paused, considering her question.
"I saw more benefits than disadvantages. Being part of Hanzo Academy gives me resources and potential allies I wouldn't have on my own. Plus, it's a chance to become stronger, and to make sure what happened to me doesn't happen to anyone else."
The Rider said the last part darkly, earning a look of concern from his female companion.
Asuka nodded, understanding his reasoning.
"I see. And the Seirei Spirits? How is your search going?"
"The Twilight Scroll is guiding me, but it's been challenging with all the interruptions." Yukio comments as he tells her about some of the obstacles he experienced in these lands.
Asuka looked at him with determination.
"Well, I'm here to help. We can get the spirit together."
The ravenette boy actually felt touched by her gesture.
"Thanks, Asuka. I appreciate it." He says before shaking his head. "But you have to worry about your test first. Not me."
The girl was about to protest, but she couldn't come up with a good argument. So the only thing she could do was pout, which earned a small smirk from the Ninja Rider.
Yukio then looked at Asuka with a playful glint in his eyes.
"You know, Asuka, I think I'll actually miss you while you're off getting that scroll." He jokes.
The kunoichi pouted cutely, crossing her arms.
"I'll be right back at your side once I get that scroll, Yukio. After all, I'm your observer. You won't even have time to miss me!"
Yukio chuckled, shaking his head.
"You think you can get it that quickly, huh? Don't underestimate that mountain."
"Oh, please," Asuka shot back with a confident smirk. "I've already faced a lot of challenges. Besides, I wouldn't want you to get lonely out here."
Yukio feigned a hurt expression.
"Lonely? Me? You must be thinking of someone else. I'm perfectly fine on my own."
Asuka leaned in, narrowing her eyes playfully.
"Is that so? Then why did you lend me your shirt, Mr. Loner? Sounds like someone was worried about me."
Yukio shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Maybe I just didn't want to deal with you sneezing and complaining all night.
Asuka huffed, sticking out her tongue.
"You're such a jerk sometimes, you know."
"And you're too easy to tease," Yukio retorted, grinning.
Their playful bickering continued, the lighthearted banter bringing warmth to the chilly night. Despite the challenges and dangers surrounding them, moments like these reminded them that they weren't alone.
And it was nice, Yukio thought…
The warmth of the fire and Yukio's shirt made Asuka feel more comfortable, yet curiosity gnawed at her. She couldn't help but admire Yukio's calm demeanor in such a harsh environment.
"Yukio," Asuka began, her voice thoughtful, "how do you stay so calm and unbothered by being out here? I mean, it's cold, dark, and full of dangers."
Yukio looked at her, his eyes reflecting the dancing flames.
"I've had experience surviving in harsh environments. This isn't my first time dealing with the wild."
Asuka's curiosity grew.
"Is it because of your time in Yami Shibai?"
Yukio nodded.
"Yeah. Yami Shibai was... intense. It wasn't just about fighting enemies; it was about surviving against the place itself, dealing with things on your own, and facing stuff you can't always see. Well, I guess it toughened me up."
Asuka's eyes widened in realization.
"I see. That must have been really hard. I can't imagine what you went through."
Yukio shrugged, his expression remaining calm.
"It was hell, but it made me who I am today. Every challenge was a lesson, and every challenge was an opportunity to grow stronger."
Asuka looked down, feeling a mixture of admiration and sympathy.
"You've been through so much, Yukio. And yet, you're still here, fighting and helping others. You know, I think that's pretty inspiring."
Yukio gave her a small, appreciative smile.
"Thanks, Asuka. But I'm not doing this from the goodness of my heart." He reminds her as his expression hardens. "I want revenge against the Serpent Society. They must be stopped, no matter the cost."
Asuka couldn't help but look at him in concern.
"Well, you can count on me. We'll get through this together."
Yukio became hesitant. not really wanting to drag the girl into his problems.
"Perhaps."
They sat in companionable silence for a while, the crackling fire and the soft murmur of the river providing a soothing backdrop. Despite the challenges ahead, both felt a growing bond of trust and camaraderie, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
While Yukio was dealing with his problems, Asuka also had her fair share of inner demons to face.
'Hanamura-san told me to look after Yukio, but what am I supposed to do?' She thinks. 'If anything, I'm actually worried that Yukio is running towards his death at this rate. I don't want to lose any of my friends. Whether they are my classmates, Yukio or…'
Asuka thought before she remembered Homura's words to her.
"You're not worthy of calling yourself the granddaughter of a legendary shinobi!"
Asuka frowns as she lowered her head as she can't shake those words out of her head.
Yukio noticed as he was worried for her.
"Asuka… Oh!" The Ninja Rider shouted as he pointed at the campfire and Asuka flinched as she lifted her head back up. "Looks like the fish is done now."
Yukio then pulled out two of the cooked fish as he was holding them by the wooden sticks and soon handed one to Asuka.
"Here you go." He said, and Asuka smiled before she gratefully took the cooked fish.
"Thanks." Asuka said before she blew on her fish and took a bite out of it. "Oh wow, this is really good!"
"Thanks, my mom taught me how to cook fish like this." The boy told her as he took a bite out of his own fish.
"Your mom?" The brunette girl inquiries.
"Yeah. She is the best cook from where I come from."
'Now that I think about, I don't know much about Yukio's personal life.' Asuka suddenly thinks.
She wanted to get more details, but decides not to as she gets the feeling that this type of talk should be made once their bond deepened a little more.
"Well either way, thanks Yukio." Asuka told him.
The boy smiles when he hears that.
"You're welcome." Yukio said as he checks out his Twilight Scroll.
"Hey, Yukio, I have a question."
Asuka mutters as she is now done with her fish.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Do…" Asuka mutters as she looks down. "Do you think we would've still met and become friends if the Serpent Tragedy never happened, and if you didn't become Kamen Rider Shinobi?"
Yukio blinks before he hums in thought before he shrugged.
"I'm not really sure to be honest." He told her.
"Really?" Asuka asked and the ravenette nodded.
"But if you ask me, those kinds of things don't really matter to me. Though if it was possible, then yeah, I would've liked to meet you, Hanamura-san and some of my other friends again. Hopefully under better circumstances." Yukio said with a smile, and Asuka blinked before she smiled. "I feel like I am who I am now because of everyone I met.
"I guess that's true…Hmmm…" Asuka said before she realized something and soon glared at him. "Wait a minute! I'm not crazy too am I?!"
Yukio shrugged before he waved his hands.
"What? No, of course not. I think you were...the silly kind of crazy, but in a cute way." Yukio told her and Asuka blushed as she heard that.
The boy soon wanted to slap himself as he realized what he just said without thinking.
"W-Wait a minute, you really think I'm cute?" A flustered Asuka asked.
"Nope. I'm not going to say anything about this, Asuka." Yukio remarks.
Asuka leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"So, what is the right word then?" She insists.
"Well, you know, it's just that you're...um...energetic and...uh...determined?" Yukio stammered, trying to avoid looking directly at her.
"That's not an answer," Asuka teased, poking him in the arm. "Come on, Yukio, admit it. You think I'm cute."
Yukio rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.
"Yeah, yeah. Fine. But don't let it go to your head. And you better not tell the others about this."
Asuka chuckled, feeling a warm flutter in her chest.
"Don't worry, I won't. But thanks, Yukio."
Asuka eventually turned away, soon lying down by the campfire, her back to Yukio.
"Now go to sleep, Asuka. I will keep watch," Yukio told her, poking at the fire with a stick to keep it going.
Asuka, still blushing slightly from their earlier conversation, couldn't help but ask.
"When will it be my turn to keep watch?"
Yukio shook his head.
"Just sleep. I don't need as much rest as most people."
Asuka frowned, sitting up slightly.
"That's not fair. We should share the responsibility."
Yukio met her gaze, his expression firm but gentle.
"You're tired, Asuka. You've had a long day. I'll wake you if anything happens. I'm already used to this."
Asuka pouted, not wanting to give in.
"But—"
"No buts," Yukio interrupted. "Sleep. Now."
Seeing that he wasn't going to relent, Asuka sighed and lay back down, pulling his shirt tighter around her for warmth.
"Fine, but only because you're being so stubborn."
Yukio smiled faintly as he continued to watch the fire.
"Goodnight, Asuka."
"Goodnight, Yukio," she muttered, closing her eyes and letting the warmth of the fire and the comfort of Yukio's shirt lull her to sleep.
Asuka's breathing soon steadied, signaling that she had fallen asleep.
Yukio glanced at her, a soft look in his eyes.
Despite their bickering, he admired her determination and spirit. And so, he kept watch, his senses attuned to the surrounding forest, ready to protect her from any danger that might come their way.
Some hours later…
A groan roused Asuka from her slumber. She rubbed her eyes and glanced over at her friend.
Yukio was without his shirt as he was applying some medicine on his torso, but what shocked Asuka the most wasn't that—it was the fact that his entire torso was covered in scars, burn marks, and all other types of permanent injuries on one's skin.
The shirts he usually wears have made well to conceal those wounds.
"Y-Yukio!?" Asuka asked in concern, now fully woken up.
Yukio glanced at her, his eyes widening briefly before he resumed applying the medicine.
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
Asuka shook her head, sitting up and moving closer to him.
"No, but...what happened to you?" Her voice was soft, filled with worry as she reached out, but hesitated to touch his scars.
Yukio sighed, his expression turning somber.
"These? They're just reminders of my time in Yami Shibai. During the Serpent Tragedy."
Asuka's eyes were filled with sympathy as she looked at the array of scars.
"I had no idea it was this bad," she whispered. "Why didn't you tell us?"
Yukio gave her a tired look.
"It's not something I like to talk about. Besides, everyone's got their own burdens to bear."
"But you don't have to bear them alone," Asuka insisted, her eyes shining with determination. "I'm your friend, Yukio. I care about you."
Yukio looked at her, his expression softening.
"I know. It's just...I've always handled things on my own. It's hard to change that."
Asuka reached out, gently placing her hand on his arm.
"You don't have to do everything alone anymore. We're in this together, okay?"
But Yukio refused her gesture.
"This is my problem, Asuka. Not yours."
She simply smiled back, relieved that he was opening up a little.
"Let me help you with that." She took the medicine from him and started to apply it to the harder-to-reach areas on his back, being careful and gentle.
Yukio winced slightly but didn't pull away.
"You don't have to—"
"Shh," Asuka interrupted softly. "Just let me help."
Asuka worked in silence, focused on treating his wounds. Yukio, for his part, allowed himself to relax a little, feeling a rare sense of comfort in her presence.
When she was done, she sat back and looked at him.
"There. All better."
Yukio sighs softly.
"Alright, thanks. I actually feel better already." He vaguely admits, albeit reluctantly, as he puts his shirt back.
Sensing that there was something else he wasn't telling her, Asuka glanced over at his backpack, curiosity getting the better of her.
Carefully, she unzipped it and began to rummage through its contents. Amidst some basic survival gear, she found a small container. Her heart sank as she opened it and found painkillers and sleeping pills inside.
Horror washed over her.
She looked over at Yukio, who was now sitting quietly by the campfire, seemingly lost in thought. The realization of how much he must be struggling, even now, hit her hard.
"Yukio…" she called softly, unable to hide the concern in her voice.
He looked up at her, his expression questioning.
"Yeah?"
Asuka held up the container.
"What's this?"
Yukio's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and resignation.
"Ah. You found those, huh?"
"Why do you have these?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Are you in that much pain?"
Yukio sighed, looking away.
"It's not just physical pain, Asuka. Sometimes...the memories, the nightmares, they're too much. I actually have trouble sleeping. But those pills help."
Asuka's heart ached for him.
"Yukio, you shouldn't rely on these. It's not healthy."
He gave a small, sad smile.
"I appreciate that you care, Asuka. Really, I do. But sometimes, it's hard to shut it all out. This stuff… It makes it bearable."
She moved closer, placing a hand on his arm.
"But you're not alone anymore. We can face this together. Please, don't shut me out."
They sat in silence for a while, the crackling of the campfire the only sound around them. Asuka couldn't shake the worry she felt, but she was determined to help Yukio in any way she could.
"You also need to get some proper rest, Yukio," Asuka insisted, her voice firm yet gentle. "No sleeping pills."
He sighed, clearly reluctant.
"Asuka, I'm used to—"
"No," she cut him off, placing a finger on his lips. "You're not alone anymore. You need real rest. Please, just this once."
Yukio opened his mouth to protest, but Asuka moved closer, resting her head on his shoulder and grabbing his arm.
"I'm not letting go until you agree," she said softly but resolutely.
"Hey!"
He was clearly annoyed, but the stubborn determination in her eyes made him hesitate.
"Asuka…"
"Shh," she whispered, refusing to move. "Just relax. I'm right here."
Yukio sighed again, a bit more resigned this time. He could feel her warmth next to him, the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing.
And it was oddly comforting.
Asuka then began to hum a soft lullaby, her voice a soothing melody in the quiet night.
Yukio actually felt his eyelids grow heavy, the exhaustion he usually fought against creeping in despite himself.
He didn't want to admit it, but the combination of her presence and the lullaby was making it hard to stay awake. His head gradually leaned towards hers, until their heads rested together in a cute, peaceful position.
It was almost as if they were a couple…
Eventually, both of them drifted off to sleep, finding solace in each other's presence. The campfire crackled softly beside them, casting a gentle glow over the pair. In that moment, the harshness of their training and the pain of their pasts seemed to fade away, replaced by a quiet, shared peace.
As the night went on, a sense of camaraderie and unspoken promise hung in the air, binding them closer together.
The final scene of the chapter shows Kamen Rider Shinobi's Shuriken Starter and Asuka's red scarf, side by side, while the Twilight Scroll and the Shinobi Saber glow strongly behind these two items.
- Shinobi Chronicles -
NinPow 12: Into the Wild
- End -
Author Notes:
Thank you for reading!
Sorry for not having fights involving Kamen Rider Shinobi. But they will hopefully return in the next chapter.
This one was mainly done so the bond between Yukio and Asuka could have some development.
If you guys have any ideas or suggestions that I could use for this story, you're free/welcome to share!
If possible, I would like all guest reviewers to identify themselves since this will make it easier for me to reply and for you all to check what I typed in response for each of you.
And please, stop asking me about updating my other stories in the review section!
Request Corner!
[No requests at the moment.]
Review Time!
Guest DCDGojira: Thanks, glad you liked the chapter.
Your ideas are interesting, I will try to take them into consideration.
Tenzalucard123: You talking about Yukio and Asuka? If so, then yes. Something will be born eventually from their 'bond'. As for what exactly? Only time will tell.
yogaratw607: Thanks, glad you liked the chapter. I might make use of Kamen Rider Legend in the future, but not exactly to make him meet with Yukio/Shinobi. I won't say anything else since I'm still planning some things for this story.
silverstudent: Thanks, glad you liked the chapter. Your suggestions are interesting, I will try to take them into consideration.
itspowertime: Thanks, hope you liked the chapter. Asuka will eventually serve as a moral compass of sorts for Yukio.
501awezome: Yep. I hope you liked the chapter.
Guest(1): What?
BlazeBlade: I see. Your suggestions are interesting, I will try to take them into consideration.
Yes, I plan to use Ninja-themed Riders from other seasons as well. For now, I will only confirm Kamen Rider Fuma and Kamen Rider ZX.
FlameFireZero X: Thanks, hope you liked the chapter.
DawnYugo: Thanks, glad you liked the chapter. And about the six children's ages, you are correct about it.
So, what do you guys think? Please give me some reviews if possible.
If you are interested, please go check my other stories.
Also, thanks to everybody that followed, favorited the story and gave reviews.
See You Next Time