Ninjin's journey through the Academy. (WIP)

[Emperor Ninjin Hattori]

Ninjin looked at the academy in awe. Its huge size dwarfing even the palace. This was where Saiyans came to train, to learn the martial arts, to learn tactics and to learn to better themselves as warriors and as leaders. Two massive statues of Saiyan warriors clad in armor stood on either side of the steps above him, looking down at him, looking down on him. He felt their eyes piercing into him, sizing him up. Never had he seen more intimidating statues, and he was related to them. On the plaques beneath their feet read “Hattori.” He had a lot to live up to.

He climb the stairs with a spring in his step regardless of the look of the statues. It was his first day at the academy, something every Saiyan warrior worth his salt was required to go into, if they got accepted that is. He, as the crown-prince, had of course been accepted. Even if he hadn’t the royal blood, his martial skill and leadership would have guaranteed entrance. Nevertheless he was excited for it.

A shoulder bumped into him, nearly knocking him down the stairs. He turned with a hot rage, to find a female standing there. She was his age, which was young, deep fiery red hair topped her head. Her chin came to a point, her features sharp and feminine. The smirk on her face seemed to outdo even his in practice. It took him aback, his chauvinistic tendencies trying to comprehend her actions. To him it would have been one thing for a male to try and establish dominance by picking a fight with him, it was another thing entirely for a woman to bump him with little regard for who he was. Perhaps his youth could be to blame, or his naivety, but regardless he turned on her with his fury.

“Do you know who I am?” His youthful voice came from betwixt gritted teeth. She had a look on her face like she couldn’t care less, and his eye shot up in surprise, though it did little to sate his fury.

“Should I care who you are?” She said with a laugh, walking up the steps past the intimidating statues. She turned back momentarily to consider him again. “If I had to guess I would say you’re a newbie here at the academy. Good luck, you’re going to need it.” She laughed again, something that took him aback by how it sounded like music. He watched her go in shock and awe.

A massive hand fell on his shoulder, and he turned looking up into the face of Vil. A smug look was plastered on the larger Saiyan’s face. Ninjin scowled and turned away, but the hand remained on his shoulder.

“Have a crush already Ninjin?” Came the deep mocking rumble of his bodyguard. Vil was his father’s man and not his otherwise he would flay him alive for the comment. But he found he could not disagree, the girl having struck something in him, what it was he couldn’t say.

“Well best not be late for orientation. Wouldn’t do for their most valued student to be late.” Vil laughed a guttural laugh and placed his hand on Ninjin’s back leading him up the stairs. Massive double doors greeted them, swinging open as they approached. Two large Saiyan students held the doors open, smirking down at the adolescent crown-prince. He eyed them both, walking past them. No doubt they knew who he was.

The foyer was massive, other new students gathered around looking doe eyed at the building. He smirked, they were the ones who should feel nervous, in a short time they would all be bowing before him. They turned and looked at him as he entered to his surprise. The sudden attention on him took him aback, he hadn’t been expecting it. Those gathered whispered amongst themselves, fully aware that he was the crown-prince. His eyes scanned the crowd, and there she was looking back. Her red hair gave her away. Once again she smirked when she caught his eye.

A massive figure stood at the top of the massive grand staircase. He was clearly a formidable Saiyan, his presence said as much. His armor was nearly the size of his fathers, and he dwarfed even Vil in muscle size.

“Greetings future warriors. Today you enter the academy a student, a fledgling, a newbie. By the time you leave here you will be warriors, true Saiyans.” His voice carried out over the hall even despite not having a microphone. A smaller Saiyan next to him nudged his arm, Ninjin raised an eyebrow and looked at him as though he was an insect. The smaller Saiyan didn’t seem to mind.

“That’s Vedeer Kann. Headmaster of the academy and one of the greatest Saiyan generals in recent history.” The smaller one said. The name was familiar to Ninjin, he had sometimes caught segments of conversation between his father and Kann. He had even met the man once during a dinner. As if reading his mind, Vedeer turned and looked him dead in the eyes.

“We have within our midst today a very special guest. Ninjin Hattori. The crown-prince.” A gasp escaped the crowd as their suspicions were confirmed. The red-head smirked, her view of the prince not changing. He scowled.

“Some of you may want to treat Ninjin differently because of his blood, because of his place. This will not be the case. You will treat Ninjin exactly as if he were one of you, because here… he is.” His words hit Ninjin like a punch to the stomach. He… he was going to be treated like one of the commoners. Some of those looking at him, their shocked faces turns to smirks.

The small Saiyan prince turned and looked up at his bodyguard who was already turning and walking away.

“Vil?” He asked, his voice full of doubt and confusion. His bodyguard turned back with a sad smile on his face.

“Sorry kid, orders are orders.” With that he left, leaving Ninjin alone among the crowd of common Saiyans. He gulped loudly. What was he in store for? He had no idea.

[Emperor Ninjin Hattori]

[Day 7 of the academy]

Small hands grasped Ninjin’s shoulders and shook him roughly awake. His eyes darted open angrily and explored the room. Smoke was billowing under their doorframe and the light of fires could be seen flickering in the darkness. The small Saiyan boy that had told him about the headmaster was the one shaking him awake. They had been assigned as dorm mates, much to the chagrin of the crown-prince who had nearly begged to be put in his own room, but there was to be no special treatment for the prince. Ninjin reached up and pried the boy’s hands off of his shoulders.

He stood and slipped on his armor over his skintight blue jumpsuit. His armor was red and gold, the colors of the royalty of the Saiyans, his colors. He snapped the buckles in place and turned to face the smaller Saiyan. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to be angry or grateful, so he settled on both.

“I suppose I should thank you for waking me, but if you ever lay a hand on me again…” He left the threat hanging in the air, the smaller boy’s imagination much greater than anything Ninjin could threaten him with. The boy gulped and avoided looking into Ninjin’s eyes.

“Uhh… My name is Kabocha.” This was the first time Ninjin had even acknowledged his existence. His hands fidgeted with each other. He was clearly nervous about what was going on. His weakness made Ninjin smile. “Look the hallway is full of smoke and fire. I think we should get out of here.” He walked over to the door and placed his hand on the knob and immediately pulled it away. “It’s burning hot.”

Ninjin walked over to the door and put his hand on the wooden part, it was burning hot, but they didn’t have a window to get out of. Through that door was their only way out. He formed a ball of ki in his hand and blew the door apart. Two tall men in black rushed in. They were clearly Saiyans by their build, and the fact that monkey-like tails were tied around their waists. Masks covered their faces. A large forceful knee found its way into Kabocha’s stomach and the young Saiyan let out a groan and went down.

“Who are you?” Ninjin asked, backing up as far as he could go, banging against a wardrobe and sending a lamp to the floor, shattering it forcefully against the floor. They said nothing as they advanced on him, arms extended as if about to grab for him.

The crown-prince’s foot shot out and caught one of the masked men in the knee. He fell hard, reaching out and attempting to grab his compatriot and pulling him down with him. Ninjin leapt over both of them and grabbed Kabocha, hefting him to his feet and supporting his weight. They ran out into the hall to find it full of smoke and fire. A third child was out in the hall as well, looking very frightened.

“We have to… uhhh… help Shiitake!” Kabocha groaned into Ninjin’s ear. The prince rolled his eyes but scooped the Saiyan named Shiitake up into his other arm, thankful that he was strong enough to support the weight of both of the Saiyans. A figure appeared at the end of the hallway, bright red hair reflecting the fire all around them.

“It’s her…” Ninjin said, forgetting that two others were with him. They looked down the hallway and saw the female standing there.

“That’s Endou. She’s already top of the class.” Kabocha whispered into his ear. Down the hallway Endou motioned for them to follow her. Ninjin shrugged and ran down to where she was.

“Do you know what’s going on?” Ninjin asked when he reached where she was standing. She shook her head and took off running down the hallway, smoke and fire too extending its way down all visible roots. Where was this coming from? Were they under attack?

“I’m fine to walk on my own, I’ve got my wind back.” Kabocha stood on his own power, looking down the hallway towards the way Endou had taken off to. “Should we follow her?”

Ninjin shifted Shiitake into a piggy-back and took off down the hallway. Behind them fire exploded out of a dorm room and a child ran out, a man in black clothing and a black mask chased out after him. Ninjin threw a ball of ki at the man. It exploded against his chest and sent him forcefully backwards, colliding with the side of the doorframe. He came to a rest and stopped moving. The child ran down the hallway past the trio and out the exit.

“We have to help everyone else!” Kabocha yelled over the roar of the fire all around them. He coughed loudly, the smoke finally getting to his lungs.

“We have to get out of here. Everyone else can fend for themselves.” Ninjin took off down the hallway and burst through the wall, flying out into the night air. A mass of students were huddled below. He dropped down in front of them, quickly locating Endou in the crowd by her red hair. Kabocha landed softly next to them.

“Where are the professors? Where are the adults? Who is attacking us?!” He yelled out his questions to the crowd. No one seemed to know the answer. His eyes scanned the crowd, so much similar to the crowd gathered not long ago, but the fear was a different type all together.

A shockwave was felt as a massive figure landed in front of the crowd, black clothing and mask identical to those before but his stature was so much greater. He laughed as he looked upon the crowd. The children in front pushed back to get away from him. Ninjin set Shiitake down on the grass and walked up to the large man.

“Who are you and why are you attacking our school?” Ninjin said, crossing his arms and staring up at the man. The man was taken aback by the bravery of the small prince in front of him. He raised his hand to slap the insubordinate much smaller Saiyan, but Ninjin spoke up again.

“Do you have any idea who I am? Do you realize the mistake you’ve made?” and yet the hand came anyway, smacking Ninjin across the face with enough force to make him spin. The children gathered gasped loudly. None of them had expected the large man to hit Ninjin. Regardless of his non differential treatment he was the son of the king and to harm him was to make war with the Saiyan people.

Ninjin rubbed his cheek and spat blood out of his mouth. The guy had an arm like a cannon, but that would not be allowed to happen again. A hot rage filled the eyes of the Saiyan prince and his aura flared up as he went into his true power.

“A lucky shot. That won’t be happening again.” He leapt into the air and flew towards the man, spinning at the last minute to land a spinning kick against the tall masked figures face. It moved not an inch. The giant’s hand reached up and clasped against the ankle of Ninjin. The prince’s eyes widened. The giant began to spin. Ninjin’s vision began to blur and nausea built in his stomach. He vomited violently and stopped suddenly when the giant slammed his ribs into the side of the school.
He looked up through the spinning and blur of pain to see two small figures assailing the giant. Kabocha and Shiitake were bravely attacking the man.

“Are they doing it for me?” Ninjin wondered aloud.

“Probably. You did save their lives.” a familiar voice answered him. A small feminine face filled his vision. It was Endou.

“You okay? You took that slap pretty well, but it sounded like your ribs broke when he smashed you into the building. Don’t try and sit up.” Ninjin heard a commotion and looked up to see the entire crowd of students rushing the man.

In a matter of minutes they had overtaken the man. Then the spotlights came on. More figures in black rushed out from the school, some carrying children.

“ENOUGH!” came the booming voice of Vedeer Kann. It surprisingly came from the form of the giant on the ground. Ninjin and the rest were shocked when he reached up and pulled his mask off. It really was Vedeer Kann. Kabocha kicked him once more in the ribs. Kann laughed it off and stood up.

“This was a training exercise. The purpose was to show you that in war anything can happen at any time. By combining your strengths and working as one unit you were able to overcome near impossible odds. Some of you showed exemplary bravery,” He looked at Kabocha and Shiitake, and then his eyes came to rest on Ninjin. “If not arrogant stupidity as well.” He said the last bit pointed at Ninjin.

“You will find your rooms in the conditions you left them in, the fire extinguished and the broken things replaced. Be on your toes students. Your training is only now just starting. Those of you that were injured report to the medical center. Everyone else back to your rooms.”

[graderr]

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