Last time we got to see Tenma and Team Hanzo work together to retrieve a scroll that contains important information on a powerful weapon from Shinobi History. The group now returned to Kagura Academy to regroup and continue their schooling.

The sun was starting to rise over Tokyo as another day was beginning, in the town of Asakusa, there was a dormitory. The building itself looked similar to an appartment building with seven floors that contained rooms for the elite students of Kagura Academy. The Elite Student title was simply a cover for the Shinobi Students of the prestigious school.

In one of the rooms on the top floor of the dormitory was a teenage boy that was eighteen years of age. He had short blonde hair, piercing violet eyes, and was currently getting dressed into a school uniform. The uniform consisted of a white button up shirt, blue tie, blue pants, and black shoes. However the boy added his own touch to his uniform, that being a black hooded jacket that had fur in the hood.

This was none other then Tenma Watanabe, the sole male Shinobi student attending Kagura Academy. Tenma let out a yawn as he finished tying his tie before grabbing his messenger bag and quickly sifting through it to make sure he had everything he needed for class. "Looks like everything's here." Tenma mumbled to himself before letting out another gentle yawn.

Tenma then heard a knock on the door to his dorm room as he quickly slung his messenger bag onto his shoulder. "Right on time as always." Tenma mumbled to himself as he walked up to his front door and opening. Waiting on the other side was Asuka, who was wearing a similar uniform to his own, her trademark red scarf tied around her neck and a green duffle bag slung on her shoulder.

"Morning Tenma! Thanks again for retrieving the scroll last night, I made sure to tell Grandpa and Kiriya Sensei it was thanks to you the mission was successful." Asuka said happily as she smiled at her best friend who simply rolled his eyes at her words. "I like to think it was more of a team effort Asuka." Tenma said simply while gently flicking her on the forehead. Asuka whined as she rubbed the spot where Tenma had flicked her, a small blush spreading across her face as she puffed her cheeks out. "You could try not being a jerk this early in the morning." Asuka said in a haughty tone as the pout was still very much on her face.

Tenma chuckled at his best friend's childish reaction before stepping out of his dorm room, locking the door behind him. "Relax Asuka, you can kick my ass later during training after school." Tenma quipped as he gave his best friend a cheeky grin, however Asuka wasn't joining in on the banter. Most would think Tenma is completely fine and happy at the moment, but Asuka knew her best friend better then that. His smile wasn't its usual smug smirk, it was a more reserved smile. His eyes lacked the playfulness they usually had, instead slight concern was present in them. A frown spread across Asuka's face, something was definitely wrong with him. "Tenma, is "it" acting up again?" Asuka asked as Tenma flinched before letting out an annoyed sigh. "Yeah that damn bird was getting teary last night near the end of the mission." Tenma said flatly as he should've known Asuka would know something was up with him.

Asuka's frown quickly turned to a look of concern, whenever "it" started acting up, Tenma was usually put in some form of pain. "How's it right now?" Asuka asked in a serious tone to let Tenma know she didn't want him acting like it wasn't that big of a deal. Tenma let out a frustrated sigh, should've known he couldn't get away with lying to Asuka on this one, she knew him to well. "Just a dull throb at this point, no burning so the bird has calmed down if only a little bit." Tenma answered truthfully as he knew there was no point in trying to play it off. Asuka once again frowned, a dull throb wasn't terrible, but it usually meant the "it" was still restless and could get more amped up as the day went on. "I'll let Suzune Sensei know that you and I wanna work on more combo attacks. You can blow off some steam to satisfy "it" that way." Asuka said as she gave her childhood best friend a reassuring smile.

Tenma let a genuine smirk spread across his face as he gently nudged Asuka's shoulder. "Alright relax Asuka, it'll be fine. We both know "it" has been apart of my life since I was ten years old. After eight years of putting up with this stuff, I'm kind of used to it." Tenma said casually as he knew that Asuka tended to worry a little to much about his unique condition. Asuka pouted once again and shot Tenma a sideways glare. "That doesn't mean you shouldn't take it seriously! Tenma I've seen it when it's at its worst, it causes a lot of pain." Asuka said in a concerned tone as she gave her childhood best friend a worried look. Tenma sighed, once again he should've known Asuka would get herself all worked up over his condition. "Don't worry Asuka, I don't plan on letting this thing beat me. You know I'm to stubborn!" Tenma said in a joking tone as Asuka giggled at her best friend's comment as they continued on their way to the academy.

Kagura Academy
A large school ground with hundreds of students bustling to their morning classes. This was Kagura Academy, formally known as Hanzo National Academy.

Tenma and Asuka walked side by side as they did their best to keep a low profile amongst the normal students. "Do you see that girl? She's so pretty!" One female student said as she pointed at Asuka. Her friend looked over at the two Shinobi walking side by side. "She is, her boyfriend is pretty easy on the eyes as well." The other female student commented before both of them giggled together. When the girls turned to look at the duo again, they were nowhere to be found. "Where did they go?" The female student asked as her and her friend looked around for the supposed couple.

             Tenma and Asuka had leaped into a nearby tree to avoid being spotted by anymore of the regular students. "Why did they think we're a couple?" Asuka asked as an embarrassed blush spread across her face. "I guess guys and girls can't be close unless their dating? I can't tell you the weird looks I get from other guys when I say my best friend is a girl." Tenma said causally as Asuka nodded her head in understanding, but she had thoughts of her own on the topic. "I wouldn't mind if we were closer then just friends." Asuka thought to herself before both her and Tenma leaped from the tree and made their way around back to one of the secret entrances to the academy. The duo then made their way to the top floor where all the elite students classes were held.

           When Tenma and Asuka arrived on the floor they found Katsuragi, Ikaruga, Yagyu, and Hibari waiting for them all wearing the same uniform as Asuka.

"Morning everyone!" Asuka said happily as she waved to her teammates who waved back, however Katsuragi quickly grabbed Asuka and began fondling her chest. "Took you two long enough! I was waiting to getting my morning dose of these beauties!" Katsuragi said mischievously as she continued to grope Asuka playfully. "K-K-Kat! Stop! Not in front of Tenma!" Asuka whined as she tried to break free of her friend's grip. Tenma for his part avoided looking in Asuka and Katsuragi's general direction. Luckily Yagyu stood in front of him and opened her umbrella. "It's safe to look now." Yagyu said as she looked over her shoulder at Tenma.

"Thanks Yagyu, I owe you one." Tenma said as he gave the stoic Shinobi girl a rather appreciative smile. Yagyu simply huffed at Tenma's comment, while she certainly didn't dislike her male classmate, she struggled to trust him at times, he was keeping some kind of secret. Ikaruga then grabs Katsuragi by the ear and pulls her away from Asuka and down the hallway while Katsuragi whines in pain. "We'll be late for class if you keep up your antics." Ikaruga said curtly as they all started walking towards their home room class to start the day. When Tenma and Team Hanzo arrived at their classroom they found a woman with purple hair tied back in a knot wearing glasses waiting for them.

"Good morning Suzune Sensei." Tenma and Team Hanzo said together as Rin smiled at her students before welcoming them into class. Team Hanzo entered the room, but Rin stopped Tenma at the door. "Is something wrong Suzune Sensei?" Tenma asked as he gave his teacher a slightly confused look. Rin gave Tenma a serious look which only made Tenma uncomfortable, Susune Sensei was known to be strict.

"Tenma, Asuka mentioned during her report of last night's mission "it" had started acting up on your return trip to the academy. Is that true?" Rin asked as she gave Tenma a stern look that told the male Shinobi he better not lie to her or there would be hell to pay. "It's just a dull throb Sensei, nothing agonizing or anything. I've certainly had it worse." Tenma said trying to at least alleviate some of Suzune Sensei's worries over his condition. Rin frowned at her student's words, she still remembered the briefing Master Hanzo and Kiriya Sensei had given to her in regards to Tenma when he first arrived at Kagura Academy. "Regardless of how minor it is, you and Asuka are to work towards reducing it during training today. Do I make myself clear?" Rin said in a stern tone as Tenma quickly nodded his head in understanding.
Tenma entered the classroom, which was slightly empty at the moment. With Team Hebijo away on a mission of their own and Team Gessen off on a special training retreat with Kiriya Sensei meant half the class was not present at the moment. Tenma quickly took his seat before pulling his notebook from his messenger bag and opened it to start taking notes. Suzune Sensei then started her lesson as all the students present began. Tenma was so focused on the lesson, he didn't realize one of his classmates were staring at him rather intensely. "Just what are you hiding Tenma?" The girl thought to herself as she kept her eyes fixed on the sole male Shinobi student of Kagura Academy. The girl continued to eye Tenma up, determined to figure out what his deal was.

After Class, Training
Classes had ended for the day and all of the normal student body had returned home for the day. The Shinobi students however still had much work to do as now was the beginning of their Shinobi training. Tenma was seen walking with Asuka to the training area, they just had to report in to Suzune Sensei before going off on their own for special training. "Oi, Asuka you wanna spar today?" Asuka and Tenma both stopped as they turned to look at a tan skinned girl with long hair pulled back into a ponytail. She wore a school uniform different from their own. It was a white dress shirt with a tan sweater over top, a red bow was tied on the front, a black skirt with a single white stripe through it. On her feet was black one high socks and brown shoes.

"Homura! Sorry, Tenma and I have private training today, Suzune Sensei's orders." Asuka said as she gave her friend/rival an apologetic look.

Homura's eyes narrowed at the mention of private training, ever since Tenma started attending Kagura Academy him and Asuka would go off on private training sessions every two weeks or so. "Oh really? That's to bad, I could join you guys you know? Should Tenma's a bit of a third wheel, but it could still be fun!" Homura suggested as she tried to get herself into this exclusive training. Asuka fidgeted uncomfortably when Homura started pressing the matter, she didn't like being secretive with her friends, but it was for Tenma's sake. "Sorry Homura, Suzune Sensei made it pretty clear that it's only supposed to be Tenma and I." Asuka said before she quickly grabbed Tenma's hand and dragged him away from the tan skinned Shinobi girl before they could be pressed further.

Training had begun and Homura has already sliced apart twenty training dummies with her six swords. "Private training, sneaking around all secretively, with my rival!" Homura thought to herself irritated as she sliced another three training dummies in half. Homura was fuming, why the hell did her rival start going off with the new guy? "Childhood friends my ass! With how often those two go off on their own, they're practically...." Homura stopped her thoughts there, she wasn't even going to humor that notion. Homura turned her attention towards five more training dummies, ready to slice them to pieces as well, only to feel a tap on her shoulder. Homura whipped around to come face to face with one of her teammates.

The girl had short blonde hair that was curled up at the ends, tied on top of her head was a large pink bow. She wore the exact same uniform Homura was wearing, a sultry and teasing smile plastered across her face.

"What is it Haruka?" Homura asked in a slightly annoyed tone as she wasn't exactly in the mood for her sadistic teammate's antics at the moment. "Darling, you have already reduced thirty training dummies to splinters. Something is obviously bothering you. Your never this fired up unless something has you all emotional." Haruka said in a matter of fact tone as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. Homura snarled in annoyance, leave it to the brains of her team to notice she was in a foul mood.

"I'm just getting sick and tired of Tenma stealing my rival is all." Homura grumbled dismissively as she tried to turn away from Haruka, who let a smirk spread across her face. "Oh is that the only reason darling? Are you sure it's not the fact you wish to switch places with Asuka?" Haruka said as a mischievous smile spread across the sadistic Shinobi's face that made Homura flinch. Homura's grip on her swords tightened, she didn't like ridiculous accusations. "Why would I wanna train with Watanabe? Asuka is my rival remember?" Homura snarled out as she glared at her teammate who simply smirked at her reaction, she was pushing all the right buttons to get her leader tied up in knots.

             "Really Homura? I remember you enjoyed that first sparring match you had with him back during his first week. You even invite him to come with us into the city on the weekends." Haruka said in an accusatory tone as her smirk only grew even more devious with each word she spoke. Homura felt her face heat up in embarrassment, but like hell was she going to let Haruka throw around the accusations she was making. "So what? Watanabe can be fun to hangout with, what's weird about inviting a friend to hang out?" Homura asked in an annoyed tone as she was starting to lose her patience with her flirtatious teammate. Haruka giggled, she had Homura exactly where she wanted her, right into her trap.

"Really? I thought you had a crush on him dear. It would make sense, you never warmup to people as fast as you did with him." Haruka said as a blush was quickly plastered across Homura's face. "T-T-That's not true! Like I would date Watanabe! I have higher standards then that!" Homura snapped at Haruka who started to giggle at her leader's reaction to her assumption. "Oh Homura, you make this far to easy!" Haruka thought to herself as she knew that she could get under her skin further, she just needed to apply a bit more pressure. Haruka let out a sigh as she began to feint a rather downcast look. "Perhaps your right, I mean what chance would you stand against Asuka?" Haruka said simply as Homura cut another four training dummies in half at her teammate's words.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Homura snarled as she shot a glare at Haruka, who simply let out another forlorn sigh. "I suppose even if you did have a crush, you would stand no chance. After all Asuka is his childhood friend, I wouldn't be surprised if these private training sessions aren't in reality secret dates." Haruka said as she let the smallest of smirks spread across her face, she knew she had already won this little game. Homura's face turned a shade of red and her eyes seemingly burst into flames, both in embarrassment, jealously, and anger as she glared at her teammate. "You honestly think I would lose to Asuka in something like that?!" Homura snapped as the blush never left her face despite her anger.

            Haruka giggled as she shot her team leader a devious smirk as all she had do now was play her last card. "Well if your so confident that you can do better then why don't you go and interrupt their little private training session?" Haruka suggested as Homura clammed up, but sick and tired of this treatment simply nodded as sheathed her swords before storming off towards the forest where Tenma and Asuka go for their private training sessions. Haruka smiled as her plan had worked, her leader was to stubborn to simply talking to her would not work to get her to move forward. "Have fun Homura, maybe you can finally be honest with our dear male friend." Haruka said before she walked off to rejoin the rest of her team in training.

Forest Clearing
Homura leaped from tree branch to tree branch before stopping where she found Asuka and Tenma standing across one another. "Tenma are you okay? Your electricity has been going wild!" Asuka said in concern as Homura was slightly confused as to what Asuka was talking about, Tenma seemed fine. Homura however noticed something, something glowing on Tenma's back through his shirt. Asuka readied her swords as Homura noticed lightning starting to crackle around Tenma's hand.

"What the heck? Watanabe's lightning powers look like they're going haywire." Homura thought to herself as she had never seen the male Shinobi lose control over it. "We need to keep going, I just need to discharge a little more and I should be fine for a week or two." Tenma said as he readied his Kanabō as Asuka nodded her head in understanding.

           Homura watched in confusion and wonder as Tenma and Asuka lunged at one another. Tenma raised his Kanabō above his head before swinging it down on Asuka. Asuka blocked the Kanabō with her swords before delivering a twin rising slash that knocked Tenma's weapon out of his hands and into the air. Tenma then aimed his hands as lightning crackled in his palms as he smirked at Asuka. "Get outta the way Asuka! This is the final attack!" Tenma said as Asuka nodded before leaping out of the way of the attack. "Trill of the Lightning Spear!!!" Tenma shouted as the lightning took the form of a spear with a large drill shaped tip. Tenma threw the electricity spear towards the tree line as it sliced four trees in half before stabbing into the ground before exploding outwards into lightning that scorched the surrounding trees.

Tenma dropped to his knees as he panted heavily, beads of sweat rolling down his face as the glowing on his back completely died down. Asuka ran up to Tenma as she gently crouched down next to him and gently rubbed his back in a comforting manner. "Are you alright Tenma?" Asuka asked with concern in her voice as she gently watched her childhood friend with concern present in her eyes. "I-I'm fine, geez releasing that much static buildup is exhausting. At least that stupid bird has calmed down." Tenma mumbled as Asuka gently helped Tenma to his feet as she gave him a supportive smile. "At least it's calmed down for now, we should get back to the academy before the others start to worry." Asuka said as Tenma nodded before they both leaped into the trees and started heading towards the academy.

Homura however was completely stunned at what she just witnessed. "What the hell was that?! Watanabe has that much electric power?!" Homura mumbled to herself as she couldn't believe Tenma was capable of that level of lightning powerful. Homura then remember Asuka referred to something simply as "it" while talking to Tenma. "What the hell is "it"? I might have to bring this up to Miyabi and Yumi. Asuka and Watanabe are hiding something." Homura mumbled to herself as she quickly leaped away to start her own journey back to Kagura Academy. Homura didn't know what exactly was going on, but Tenma's back glowing and that wild electricity were connected to whatever Tenma and Asuka were talking about and she planned on finding out.

So we got to see what Tenma's school life is like and a glimpse at the strange nature of his powers. However Homura has seen the power that Tenma has within him. Now she's determined to figure out what exactly his strange power is. As always leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! What awaits Tenma and his struggle against his lightning powers? How will Homura uncover the truth behind Tenma's powers alongside Miyabi and Yumi? What threats are lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike? Find out in the next chapter of Senran Kagura: Curse of the Thunderbird!