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Mirmo de Pon!

2008-08-08T03:22:00.000-07:00

Mirmo! (わがまま☆フェアリーミルモでポン!, Wagamama Fearī Mirumo de Pon!^?, lit. Selfish Fairy Mirumo de Pon) is a manga series written by Hiromu Shinozuka and serialized in Ciao magazine from 2001 through 2006. It was also published in twelve collected volumes by Shogakukan. The manga series was awarded the 2003 Kodansha Manga Award and the 2004 Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga.^[1]^[2] The series has been licensed for an English language release by in North America by Viz Media.

Mirmo! was adapted into an anime series by Studio Hibari. It premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo on April 6, 2002 and ran for 172 episodes until its conclusion on September 27, 2005. The anime series is also licensed by Viz Media for an English language release in North America, and by ShoPro Entertainment. A dubbed version of the series is being broadcast on Warner Bros. Television under the title Mirmo Zibang!

Plot

The main character, Katie Minami (Kaede Minami in the original Japanese versions), is a cheerful and energetic eighth grader who is shy around her male classmates, making it difficult for her to date. One day, on her way home from school, she walks into a mysterious shop and buys a blue cocoa mug. When she arrives at home, she peeks into the bottom of the mug and discovers an engraved note which says, "If you read this message aloud while pouring hot cocoa into the mug, a love fairy ("muglox") will appear and grant your every wish." The skeptical but curious Katie follows the directions and announces her wish to date Dylan Yuki (Setsu Yuuki in the Japanese versions), her crush. A love fairy named Mirmo (Mirumo) appears. At first she was afraid of him but later understood that he was a muglox. Katie soon finds out that Mirmo prefers eating chocolate and creating mischief over helping Katie.

It turns out Mirmo is prince of the muglox world. Horrified at the prospect of having to marry Rima (Rirumu), his princess bride-to-be, Mirmo escaped the muglox world. Hot on his heels, however, are Rima, Yatch (Yashichi) the bounty hunter, Murumo (Mirmo's brother), and many other muglox as well.

Characters

Main article: List of Mirmo! characters

The main characters of Mirmo! are four human teenagers and their mugloxes, or love fairies. The muglox Mirmo has been assigned the task of granting Katie Minami's wishes, though he spends most of his time eating chocolate and running away from Rima, a female muglox assigned to Dylan Yuki, the boy Katie is infatuated with. Yatch, Mirmo's muglox archrival, is assigned to by Azumi Hidaka, a girl who also loves Dylan and is jealous of Katie. Mirmo's brother, Murumo, is assigned to Kyle Matsutake, a boy who falls in love with Katie. The muglox fairies use musical instruments as their magical tools. Later on in the show two new characters, Koichi Sumita and Haruka Morishita, enter the race of love for Dylan and Katie's hearts. Then they get their very own muglox partners as well - Papii and Panta, respectively.

New Update :>

2008-08-04T03:39:00.000-07:00

Chobits

Chobits (ちょびっツ Chobittsu^?) is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Clamp. Unlike most Clamp stories, Chobits is a seinen series, specifically of the magical girlfriend variety and is commonly mistaken for shoujo because of its strong romantic themes and flowery antics. The manga is set in the same universe as Angelic Layer, taking place a few years after the events of that story, and like Angelic Layer, it explores the relationship between humans and electronic devices shaped like humans. Chobits branches off as a crossover to many other stories in different ways, such as Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and xxxHolic. The series has spawned a video game as well as various merchandise such as figurines, collectable cards, calendars and artbooks.

Plot

The story centers on the life of Hideki Motosuwa, a repeat student (浪人, Rōnin^?) attempting to qualify for university by studying at the Seki prep school in Tokyo. Besides a girlfriend, the other thing he dreams of having is a Persocom. A Persocom is an android used as a personal computer; however, they are expensive, and Hideki has no money.

On his way home one evening, he stumbles across a persocom in the form of a beautiful girl with long hair, the colour of ivory lying against a pile of trash bags. He first thinks this to be a murder but, realizing she is a persocom, he carries her home. Upon turning it on, she instantly regards Hideki with adoration. The only word the persocom seems capable of saying is "chi", thus he names her Chi. Hideki assumes that there must be something wrong with her, and so Hideki's neighbor Hiromu Shinbo tries to analyze her with his mobile persocom Sumomo the following morning, and concludes that after Sumomo crashes that she must be custom made. Shinbo introduces him to Minoru Kokobunji, a twelve year old genius who specializes in the field of custom made persocoms. Minoru's persocoms, including Yuzuki, a fairly exceptional custom made persocom, are not able to analyze Chi either, and thus they conclude that she may be one of the Chobits, a legendary series of persocoms which are rumoured to have free will and emotions. Although this could be a possibility, Minoru is confident that it is only a rumour. Yuzuki also adds that she does not resemble any persocom model in any available database and so she must be custom made after all.

A major part of the plot involves Hideki attempting to teach Chi words, concepts, and appropriate behaviours, in between his crammed schedule of school and work. At the same time, Chi seems to be developing feelings for Hideki, at an emotional depth, which she is not supposed to possess, and Hideki struggles with his feelings for her. The need to figure out more about Chi and her mysterious functions and past becomes a stressing pull for the characters in the series.

Hideki discovers that his feelings intesify for Chi whether she is a persocom or not, despite other horrible experiences involving persocoms that happened to his friends. Chi becomes aware of her purpose through a picture book series called "A City with No People" which she finds in a bookstore. The books speak about many different things involving human and persocom relationships: Persocoms and their convenience towards people as friends and lovers, how there are things that they cannot do and questioning whether a relationship between a persocom and a human is really one sided. It also speaks about the Chobits series; that they are different from other persocoms, and what they are not capable of doing unlike other persocoms. These picture books awaken Chi's other self, her sibling Freya who is aware of their past and helps Chi realize what she must do when she decides who her "person just for me" is. Together, Chi and Hideki explore the relationship between humans and their new technological advantage, the persocom, as well as their friends' and their own.

Other Cast :

2008-08-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

Kaito Dōmoto
Kaito, the son of a pair of musicians, is an avid surfer, as well as Lucia's love interest. Though he is popular with girls, he is secretly in love with a beautiful mermaid who saved him from a shipwreck seven years ago, which killed his parents, and has yet to realize that this mermaid is Lucia. Later in the story, it is discovered that beneath Kaito's human exterior lie some distinctively un-human qualities and that he is a prince of an ancient water race and the twin brother of Gakuto. Kaito has a hard time when Lucia comes in her human form, because of having feelings for both her human form and her mermaid form. Kaito eventually realizes that the two are one, giving Kaito the ability to love Lucia no matter what form she is in.


Hippo(ヒッポ, Hippo^?): Voiced by: Miyako Ito; Lucia's guardian who serves as her guide. Hippo accompanies Lucia in her search for her pink pearl, and is among those who voice disapproval of her relationship with Kaito. He is also polite, always putting -さん, -san after every name, even when angry. In the anime, he is shown as Lucia's pet penguin. Later on, he is able to transform into a very cute human boy, as well as a creature called a Hippocampus.

Nikora Nanami (七海にこら, Nanami Nikora^?): Voiced by: Eri Saito; Nikora is the virtual manager of the "petit-hotel" Pearl Piari (プチホテルパールピアリ, puchi-hoteru pāru piari^?) on land, where Lucia, Hanon, and Rina work (in the manga, she is the owner of a bath house called Pearl Waters). A purple mermaid, she poses as Lucia's older sister in order to inform her of her mission. In the last chapter of the manga, it is discovered that she is seven years older than Lucia.

Tarō Mitsuki (海月太郎, Mitsuki Tarou^?): Voiced by: Daisuke Kirii; Tarō is Lucia's music teacher and Hanon's love interest (she refers to him as 太郎ちゃん, Tarō-chan). He had met a mermaid in the past, and made a piano piece for her, not knowing what happened to her after their last meeting.


Tarō Mitsuki (海月太郎, Mitsuki Tarou^?): Voiced by: Daisuke Kirii; Tarō is Lucia's music teacher and Hanon's love interest (she refers to him as 太郎ちゃん, Tarō-chan). He had met a mermaid in the past, and made a piano piece for her, not knowing what happened to her after their last meeting.

Noel (ノエル, Noeru^?): Voiced by: Ryoko Nagata; Noel is the Mermaid Princess of the Arctic Ocean and keeper of the deep blue (i.e. 藍色, ai-iro) pearl. She helped Rina escape from the sea monsters, which led to her capture. She is calm, gentle, caring, and studious (as she sometimes wears glasses on land later in the second season of the anime). She is Caren's older twin sister by about a minute at the most. Noel cares deeply for Caren, the one that she had always wanted to meet. Her idol form is Ai-iro (Deep Blue) Pearl Voice.

In the third volume of the English manga, ai-iro was translated as indigo, but deep blue makes more sense regarding the character's colour scheme; the colours may be based on the rainbow, but Lucia is pink, not red. It is yet to be seen whether this will be corrected.

Some refer to Noel's name as Noelle, because originally Noel is a male name, while Noelle is the female form, but the official English translation as well as the official Japanese romanization uses Noel.

Caren (かれん, Karen^?): Voiced by: Ema Kogure; Caren is the Mermaid Princess of the Antarctic Ocean, keeper of the purple pearl, and twin sister of Noel. In the anime, she first appears as the winner of a beauty contest that the main trio enters; in the manga, she first appears to save them from the Dark Lovers. In the first season, Tarō asks her about his mermaid, and she later blames Rina for Noel's kidnapping. Even after things are straightened out, she chooses to go find Noel alone. She is Noel's polar opposite, having a mysterious personality. Caren and Noel are twins, born on opposite sides of the Earth. When Caren finally meets Noel, she launches herself at Noel, hugging her and calling her Onee-sama, a respectful term for big sister. Even though the two had not met before, Caren cares most for Noel and would do anything to save her, even if it meant Caren having to find here on her own. While she is cold and distant in the first season, she is found to be wild, humorous, and even a bit strange in the second. Her idol form is Purple Pearl Voice.

Coco (ココ, Koko^?): Voiced by: Satomi Arai; Coco is the Mermaid Princess of the South Pacific Ocean and keeper of the yellow pearl. She is incarcerated by the sea monsters for most of the first season, so not much is known about her. In the manga, however, she is a friend of fellow Mermaid Princess Sara. Later, she found to be playful and gentle in the manga, yet brash and outspoken in the anime. Her idol form is Yellow Pearl Voice.

Sara (沙羅, Sara^?): Voiced by: Kana Ueda; Sara is the Mermaid Princess of the Indian Ocean and keeper of the orange pearl. She joins Gakuto in his quest to take over the marine world after an incident bestowed her a dark power, turning both her orange hair and her orange pearl pitch black (though her eyes stay orange) and destroying her own kingdom. That incident was a proposed rendezvous with Tarō, her secret human lover, in which he never showed up. (In the manga, he actually arrived before, but Sara's guardian found out about the relationship and insisted that he leave, convincing Sara that he had abandoned her.) In a fury, Sara unleashed a wave of power, destroying her kingdom and causing the wave which killed Kaito's parents and from which Lucia saved Kaito. In the manga, her villain name is Black Pearl Voice and she transforms into an idol in a black dress reminiscent of a diva. However, in the anime, she does not transform until she turns good, and instead has the power to sing offensively in a humanoid, amphibious form like the villains and mermaid idols, with or without her E-pitch. In the end, she decides to join the other mermaids as is her duty. She, herself, seals the gate to Gakto's castle in the book because it's her duty and she unsealed the gate after her kingdom was destroyed. In the TV show, Aqua Regina seals the gate and Sara goes with Gaito because she loves him. The manga shows that she goes with him because she realizes that he is the one that needs her the most and that what he did was partly out of love for her and the want to make her happy. She also appears in the second season as a spirit, informing Lucia of the future Orange Pearl Voice and offering her assistance where she can. Sara is also seen singing with the other mermaid princesses in the very last episode of Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure.

Aqua Regina (アクア・レジーナ様, Akua Rejīna-sama^?): Voiced by: Kumi Yamakado; Aqua Regina is the ocean goddess who gives the Mermaid Princesses new songs and upgrades for their gear. However, this is all that she can do alone after expending a great deal of energy thousands of years ago. She is needed to ultimately stop the sea monsters, and the seven pearls have to be gathered to summon her; Gaito/Gakuto seeks to summon her as well, so that he can use her to destroy the world. Aqua Regina later gives bands to the mermaids to upgrade their singing power; as in many magical girl series, this is signified by adding frills and accessories to their dresses. She also upgrades their microphones in the end of season one, before she is finally summoned. At the end of the manga, Aqua Regina reveals that Lucia is to be her successor.

Main Characters

2008-08-02T02:54:00.000-07:00

Lucia Nanami (七海るちあ, Nanami Ruchia^?) is the main protagonist of the anime and manga series Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch and its second anime season, Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure. She is the Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific Ocean and the Keeper of the Pink Pearl. Lucia surfaced onto the human world to look for her pearl that she had entrusted to a boy seven years ago. When she succeeds, she accepts the task of uniting the seven Mermaid Princesses of the seven nations of the seas and defeating the sea monsters.

Lucia is a very cheerful person and has a very kind heart. Her idol form is Pink Pearl Voice. She has two image songs form both seasons of the anime: Splash Dream and Koi wo nandarou.

(宝生波音, Hōshō Hanon^?) Voiced by: Hitomi Terakado is one of the central characters in the anime and manga series Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch and its second anime season, Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure. She is the Mermaid Princess of the South Atlantic Ocean Keeper of the Aquamarine Pearl. Hanon is very feminine and flirty. She loves to shop and apply makeup. Her idol form is 'Mizuiro (Aqua) Pearl Voice'. She has two songs from both seasons of the anime, Ever Blue and Mizuiro no Senritsu.

Hanon, unlike Lucia, came onto land to escape from water demons. They destroyed her kingdom, and the mermaids that had been living in it, fled.

Hanon first meets Lucia at school, in episode one of the anime, where they become fast friends. Hanon falls for their music teacher, Tarō Mitsuki. She adoringly refers to him as "Tarō-chan".

Towards the end of the first anime season, it is revealed that Sara once loved Mitsuki in the past. He desperately tries to get Sara to understand the reason he left her. Hanon is very sad, but understands that Mitsuki loves Sara and decides to help Mitsuki tell the truth to Sara.

Later, after Gaito is sealed back in his castle, Mitsuki decides to fly to Germany to study music. Before he leaves, he gives Hanon a composition by him, titled 'Mizuiro no Senritsu' (Water-colored Melody), making Hanon happy as can be. She accidentally leaves the music there, but Shirai Nagisa finds it at the airport. Nagisa quickly falls head over heels in love with Hanon, but she initially dismisses his feelings as something immature. As the series progresses, Hanon eventually reciprocates his crush on her.

Rina Tōin (洞院リナ, Tōin Rina^?) Voiced by: Mayumi Asano is one of the central characters in the anime and manga series Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch and its second anime season, Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure. She is the Mermaid Princess of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Keeper of the Green Pearl. Rina is a person who dwells on the past. She seemed to be cold and distant at first glance; but as the series progress, she begins to open up and shows a more friendly and gentle side of her.

Rina is the third mermaid princess to appear in both the anime and the manga. Her idol form is Green Pearl Voice. She has two image songs from both seasons of the anime: Star Jewel and Piece of Love.

Mermaid melody pitchi pitchi- Kawaii!.

2008-08-02T01:44:00.000-07:00

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch (マーメイドメロディーぴちぴちピッチ, Māmeido Merodī Pichi Pichi Picchi^?) is a shōjo manga and anime series created by Michiko Yokote (横手美智子, Yokote Michiko^?), with artwork by Pink Hanamori (花森ぴんく, Hanamori Pinku^?). The manga was originally published in the monthly shōjo manga anthology Nakayoshi. There are 32 chapters published (including two special stories) and are compiled into seven volumes issued by Kodansha.

Pichi Pichi Pitch is loosely based upon the old Hans Christian Andersen version of "The Little Mermaid" tale, which is about the mermaid who falls in love with a human boy, and transforms into a human to win his heart.

The anime series was produced by TV Aichi. The first season of which, composed of 52 episodes, was shown on the TV Tokyo Network from April 05, 2003 to March 27, 2004. A second season, entitled Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure, lasted for 39 episodes and was aired from April 03 to December 25, 2004.

ADV Films acquired the license to the anime on June 2004 for its North American release, but was eventually dropped due to difficulty in finding backers and securing a TV airing deal.^[1] Although the anime has not since been re-licensed for an English language distribution, Del Rey Manga acquired the rights to publish the manga for the North American audience. It began releasing the manga on April 2006 under the title Pichi Pichi Pitch: Mermaid Melody.^[2] This came as an attempt to familiarize English readers with the canonical short form of the title, as other titles have done: for example, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon became Sailor Moon and Kidō Tenshi Angelic Layer has been released in North America as simply Angelic Layer.

Gakuen Alice: Ruka Nogi

2008-05-04T02:00:00.000-07:00

Ruka Nogi

(乃木流架, Nogi Ruka^?) Voiced by: Miwa Yasuda

Main article: Ruka Nogi

Nickname: Ruka-pyon, Ru-chan
Gender: Male
Age: 10
Alice: Animal Pheromone
Alice Stone Color: Milky White
Birthday: March 16
Horoscope:Pisces
Height: 140 cm
Weight: 35 kg

Ruka is Natsume's childhood friend and often referred by Mikan throughout the story as "Ruka-pyon". He has a gentle and pleasant personality that balances out that of Natsume's. Even though he tries to hide his feelings for Mikan Sakura, the grown-ups already know about it and even teased Ruka many times by the Watching Over Ruka Group. He is also the main target of Hotaru, who loves clicking funny pictures of him and selling them.

He belongs to the Somatic class. He is a Triple Star student like Hotaru.

Gakuen Alice: Natsume Hyuuga

2008-05-04T01:57:00.000-07:00

Natsume Hyuuga

(日向棗, Hyuuga Natsume^?) Voiced by: Romi Paku

Main article: Natsume Hyūga

Nicknames: Black Cat (Kuro Neko)
Gender: Male
Birthday: November 27
Horoscope: Sagittarius
Age: 10
Alice: Fire
Alice Stone Color: Red
Height: 140 cm
Weight: 34.5 kg

Natsume is a genius and ditches class frequently throughout the story. He is thoroughly unhappy with the school, and is suspicious of the intentions of adults. It seems that he is involved in top-secret missions for the Academy. He is paired up as Mikan's "partner" by the their mostly-absent class teacher, Narumi. However, Natsume is later forced to partner with Luna. He possesses the Alice of Fire. He has a secret crush on Mikan and often gets jealous if Narumi or Tsubasa or any other guys who try to flirt with her.

He belongs to the Dangerous Ability Class. He is the only Special Star in the Elementary Division. In chapter 97, he indirectly confessed that he loves Mikan and was shock when Narumi offered a harsh proposal to Mikan.

Gakuen Alice: Hotaru Imai

2008-05-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

Hotaru Imai

(今井蛍, Imai Hotaru^?) Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya Note - Miyuki Sawashiro voices Hotaru in the Gakuen Alice Drama CD that is only released in Hana to Yume magazine.

Main article: Hotaru Imai

Gender: Female
Date of birth: October 25
Age: 10
Horoscope Scorpio
Height:139cm
Weight:30kg
Alice: Invention
Alice Stone Color: Purple

Hotaru is the reason why Mikan came to Alice Academy. Her Alice is Invention and her favourite subject is Nano Technology. In the shows, she appears to be cold and sometimes mean. However, really deep in her heart, she really cares about Mikan.

Hotaru is Mikan's best friend. She and Mikan have what may seem to be a doubtful and strange relationship. Hotaru comes off as cold, quiet, composed, and bad-mouthed. Her "stupid" points are her tendency of being a "pig" when it comes to food and her greedy side. Her Alice is Invention, which allows her to create unique and strange inventions.

Even though she is always calling Mikan "dummy", and treats her unkindly most of the time, she really does care for her and loves her. She is not very good at showing how she feels. Like Natsume, she is mostly poker-faced and rarely smiles.

Hotaru seems to have a serious humor about her, which is very entertaining. Not only is she the only one who knows how Mikan feels towards Natsume, she also happens to know who other students have feelings for.

She belongs to the Technical Class. She is currently a Triple Star.

Gakuen Alice: Mikan Sakura

2008-05-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

Mikan Sakura

(佐倉蜜柑, Sakura Mikan^?) Voiced by: Kana Ueda

Main article: Mikan Sakura

Nicknames: Polka-dots, Ichigo-gara (strawberry print), Goddess of Victory, Lil Brat, Sakura, Mikan-chan
Gender: Female
Birthday: January 1
Horoscope Capricorn
Height: 138cm
Weight: 33kg
Age: 11 (in manga)
Alice: Nullification, Stealing-Alice
Alice Stone Color: Mandarin Orange

Mikan is the protagonist of the story. She is a cute, energetic, good-natured girl, but her clumsiness lands her into trouble. She is a very up-an-at-it person, much to annoyance of her down-to-earth friend, Hotaru. She used to live with her grandfather in the country.

She was shocked to hear that Hotaru was moving back to the city to go to an academy for young 'geniuses' like her. When she heard rumors that students were like slaves in Alice Academy (which she felt was a possibility, since they gave money to parents for sending their children to the school), Mikan left her grandfather and her home to go after Hotaru by herself.^[1]^[2] She was then accepted to Alice Academy by Narumi-sensei and could attend Alice Academy with Hotaru and many other children with extraordinary powers.

She once belonged to the Special Ability Class. In chapter 96, she got transfered to the Dangerous Ability Class, and she is now the Elementary Principal's precious favorite. She is currently a Single Star.

her alice abilties are the "nullification alice" and the "stealing alice"..

Gakuen Alice

2008-05-04T01:45:00.000-07:00

Gakuen Alice (学園アリス, Gakuen Arisu^?) is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Tachibana Higuchi, currently being serialized in the shōjo manga magazine Hana to Yume.^[1] It was adapted into an anime series, produced by Aniplex and Group TAC which spanned twenty-six episodes, originally premiered on NHK BS-2, between October 30, 2004 and May 14, 2005. The anime was translated and dubbed into English by the anime television network, Animax, which has then been broadcast in its respective networks within Asia.^[2]

2008-05-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Digimon Evolve

2008-05-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

This is a list of fictional characters known as Digimon:

Digitama — Digi-egg/Digitama
Baby I — Baby/Fresh
Baby 2 — In-Training
Child — Rookie
Adult — Champion
Perfect — Ultimate
Ultimate — Mega

Digimon Savers Data Squad (Season Five)

2008-05-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

After a three year hiatus, a fifth Digimon series began airing on April 2, 2006. Like Frontier, Savers has no connection with the previous installments, and also marks a new start for the Digimon franchise, with a drastic change in character designs and story-line, in order to reach a broader audience. The story focus on the challenges faced by the members of D.A.T.S. ("Digital Accident Tactics Squad"), an organization created to conceal the existence of the Digital World and Digimon from the rest of mankind, and solve any Digimon related incidents occurred on Earth in secret. Later the D.A.T.S. team is dragged between a massive conflict between Earth and the Digital World triggered by an ambitious human scientist determined to make use of the Digimon to his own personal gains. The English dub premiered on the Jetix block of Toon Disney at October 1, 2007 at 8:30 PM.

Digimon Frontier (Season Four)

2008-05-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

The fourth Digimon series, which began airing on April 7, 2002. After prompted to do so by unusual phone messages, the five main characters go to a subway station and take a train to the Digital World, to fight the antagonist, Cherubimon and his Legendary Warrior servants before they succeed in dominating the world. Later facing a greater ordeal and threat from Lucemon,(probably named after Lucifer, also known as the Devil) and the two Royal Knights: Crusadermon and Dynasmon, who, when teamed up, use the DNA Disintegrator, which can destroy other Digimon's DNA, therefore permanently destroying them and not allowing them to reincarnate as new Digi-Eggs. Contrary to the other Digimon series, the characters do not have Digimon Partners and use their Digivices to transform themselves into powerful Digimon to fight their enemies, another new feature in the series. However, This season was never aired in the UK.

Digimon Tamers (Season Three)

2008-05-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

The third Digimon series, which began airing on April 1, 2001, is set largely in a "real world" where the Adventure and Adventure 02 series are television shows, and where Digimon game merchandise (based on actual items) become key to provide power boosts to real Digimon which appeared in that world. The plot revolves around three Tamers, Takato Matsuki, Rika Nonaka, and Henry Wong. It began with Takato making his very own Digimon by sliding a mysterious blue card on his card reader, which then became a D-Arc. Guilmon took form from Takato’s sketchings of a new Digimon. (Tamers’ only human connection to the Adventure series is Ryo Akiyama, a character featured in some of the Digimon video games and who made an appearance in some occasions of the Adventure story-line.) Some of the changes in this season include the way the Digimon digivolve, and the way their "Digivices" work. In this season, the Tamers can slide cards through their "Digivices", which give their digimon certain advantages, such as in a card game. This act is called "Digi-modify". The same process is also used to Digivolve the Digimon. Unlike most Digimon series where the tone is set mostly in a way to appeal to young children, Tamers took a more darker tone in nature.

Digimon Adventure 02 (Season Two)

2008-05-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

The second Digimon series is direct continuation of the first one, and began airing on April 2, 2000. Three years later, with most of the original DigiDestined now in high school at age fourteen, the Digital World was supposedly secure and peaceful. However, a new evil has appeared in the form of the Digimon Emperor (Digimon Kaiser) who as opposed to previous enemies is a human just like the DigiDestined. The Digimon Emperor has been enslaving Digimon with Black Rings and Control Spires and has somehow made regular Digivolution impossible. However, five set Digi-Eggs with engraved emblems had been appointed to three new DigiDestined along with T.K and Kari, two of the DigiDestined from the previous season. This new evolutionary process, dubbed Armor Digivolution, helps the new DigiDestined to defeat evil lurking in the Digital World. Some people say Flamedramon was better than Raidramon and vice versa. This was a rivalry that was not included in the Digimon Adventure 2 cartoon. Eventually, the DigiDestined defeat the Digimon Emperor, more commonly known as Ken Ichijouji on Earth, (who is more or less a rival to Davis) only with the great sacrifice of Ken's own Digimon, Wormmon. Just when things were thought to be settled, new Digimon enemies made from the deactivated Control Spires start to appear and cause trouble in the Digital World. To atone for his past mistakes, Ken joins the DigiDestined, being a DigiDestined himself, with his Partner Wormmon revived to fight against them. They soon save countries including France and Australia from control spires and defeat Malomyotismon, the evolved form of Myotismon from the previous season

Digimon Adventure (Season One)

2008-05-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

The first Digimon television series, which began airing on March 7, 1999. Its premise is a group of young humans who, while at summer camp, travel to the Digital World, inhabited by creatures known as Digimon, where they become the "DigiDestined" and are forced to save both the Digital and Real World from evil. Each child was given a "Digivice" which selected them to be "transported" to the Digital World and was destined to be paired up with a Digimon Partner, for example, Tai was paired up with Agumon and Matt was paired up with Gabumon. The children are helped by a mysterious man/digimon named Gennou, who helps them by hologram. The Digivices help their Digimon allies to "Digivolve" into stronger creatures in times of peril. The Digimon usually reached higher forms when their human partners are placed in dangerous situations, such as fighting the evil forces of Devimon, Etemon and Myotismon. The group consisted of seven original characters: Tai Kamiya, Matt Ishida, Sora Takenouchi, Izzy Izumi, Mimi Tachikawa, Joe Kido, and T. K. Takaishi. Later on in the season, an eighth character was introduced: Kari Kamiya (who is Tai's younger sister).

2008-05-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Digimon hatch from eggs called Digi-Eggs/Digitamas(In the English language iterations of the franchise there is another type of Digi-Egg that can be used to Digivolve, or transform, Digimon. This second type of Digi-Egg is called a "Digimetal" in Japanese.) They age via a process called "Digivolution" which changes their appearance and increases their powers. The effect of Digivolution, however, is not permanent, and Digimon who have digivolved will most of the time revert back to their previous form after a battle or if they are too weak to continue. Some Digimon act feral-like. Most, however, possess large amounts of intelligence and human speech. They are able to digivolve by the use of digivices that their human partners have. In some cases, as in the first season, the tamers had to find some special items such as crests and tags so the Digimon could digivolve in another stage called ultimate then mega. The first Digimon anime introduces the Digimon life cycle: They age in a similar fashion to real organisms, but do not die under normal circumstances because they are made of reconfigurable data. Old Digimon and Digimon who receive fatal wounds dissolve into infinitesimal bits of data. The data then recomposes itself as a Digi-Egg, which will hatch when rubbed gently, and the Digimon goes through its life cycle again. Digimon who are reincarnated in this way will sometimes retain some or all their memories of their previous life. However, if a Digimon's data is completely destroyed, they will die.

HunterxHunter: Gon

2008-05-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

Gon Freecss
Age : 12

Gon wanted to be a Hunter like his father, Jin (Ging). His father was said to be a great Hunter. However, Gon has seen his father only in the picture because Aunt Mito who raised him told him that Jin is dead, but he actually not. Gon went to attend the test wishing that if he passes it, he'll have the clues to meet his father. Gon is a very friendly boy. Most animals like him. (Animals will like a good Hunter.) He was raised by Aunt Mito. He grew up with a lot of special skills because his areas are forest and the sea. Gon understand birds' language. He has a very special eye view and great speed. He also has a very powerful body strength and recovery. His weapon is a fish-hook. Gon can get along with anyone and he rarely gets mad at somebody. The only time when he got mad at Irumi (Killua's bro), he broke Kitaracle arm with just a twist! Gon met Kurapika, Reorio, and Killua along the way to the Hunter Test. Gon and Killua get along best. They paired up and traveled together after the Test is ended.

Hunterxhunter: Hisoka

2008-05-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

Hisoka
Age: ???

Hisoka is a mysterious magician. He seems to be very cruel at a time and sometimes not. He let Gon live because he thought that Gon is a person who "is not worthy to kill right now" Hisoka uses cards as weapon. He also uses "Nen", a very special skill. Nen can change paper into a sharp thing that can cut iron. His cards can kill. Hisoka is waiting for Gon on the 200th floor of the Battle Tower where Gon and Killua went after the Hunter Test. Hisoka promised to fight with Gon if Gon can beat anyone on that floor just once. Hisoka seems to be one of the most popular fighter of that floor. His skills are nearly that of the "Floor Master."

Hunterxhunter: Leorio

2008-05-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

Reorio (Leolio)
Age: Teenage

Reorio is the clumsiest and less skilled of the four. He wanted to be a Hunter because of money. His friend died of sickness because he has no money to pay for the doctor fees. Reorio is although seems like a hot-head guy, he is very caring and won't give up easily. His dream is to be a doctor who cure people without charging. His best skills are curing people from sickness and curing the wounded injuries. After he passes the Hunter Test, he begins to study hard for the Doctor Exam.

HunterxHunter: Kurapica

2008-05-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Kurapika Age: Teenage

Kurapika came from Kurata Tribe. The Kuratas' eyes will turn to a reddish-color when they are very angry and if they were kill at that time, the color will not change forever. This color is said to be one of the most beautiful color in the world. He was the only one survived. The rest of the Kuratas were killed by a very cruel group of thugs called "Genei Ryodan" or the Spider. This Genei Ryodan used a 12-leg spider as their symbol. If he passes the Hunter Test, he could get more information on the Genei Ryodan. His goal was to take back all his friends' eyes and revenge for them. Kurapika is the cleverest of all. He has lots of knowledge because he read many books. He is normally calm, but if he sees a spider, any spider, his eyes will turn red and became so mad because it reminds him of the Genei Ryodan. His weapon is a double-sword.

HunterxHunter: Killua

2008-05-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

Killua (Kirua)
Age : 12
Killua came from the killer family. (very rich too) Everyone of the Zoldick family (his last name) is a killer. Killua was the most skilled of all, but he didn't really want to be a killer. All his family members were expecting him to be the best killer. Father: Silver. Mother: ???. Grandpa: Zeno Brothers: Irumi (Kitaracle) and Milky. Sister: Culto. His nickname is Kil. Killua ran away from home to enter the Hunter Test just because he has nothing else to do. He thought it would be exciting, but it actually not to Killua. He said the Test was boring.
Killua met Gon at the Test and they seem to get along best. He sometimes travels by a skateboard. Killua's hands are as sharp as a knife (he's the best of the Soldick!) His skills are a lot better than Gon because he was trained by a tougher lesson than the Hunter Test. Killua can drink any poison without any harm. Killua doesn't talk much to other people. He and Gon later became best friends. They traveled together after the Test was over.
* Some people spelled his name as Kirua, but I spelled his name "Killua" as it is written in the manga. You can see it written on the scene where Killua and Gon went to the Skyscraper Battle Arena where the Battle Olympia is held.

Vampire Knights: Watch Over Me

2008-05-03T03:25:00.000-07:00

He had always watched over her. Now it was her turn or at least that is how it seemed in his eyes. He never realized that she had always been watching over him… From the very first moment they had met. Watch Over Me

It wasn’t the first time she had been bitten. Only a few days earlier, Aidou had bitten her. It had hurt, yes, but this was different. This wasn’t someone who she had already known to be a vampire.

This was Zero.

This was someone she had spent the last four years with. Someone she trusted, laughed with, fought with. Someone who’s past was bloody and tragic, just as hers seemed to be, not that she could remember.

But the same could be said for Kaname. He had shared many of the same things with her for an even longer period of time. Kaname had never bitten her or ever tried to, at least to her knowledge.

But this was not Kaname.

This was Zero.

The person who watched over her every move as she did his, even when she was unaware. The person who was now hungrily drinking from her neck, whose tongue had caressed the tender, white skin of her fragile neck, whose strong hands prevented her from moving.

It hurt. She would be lying if she were to say otherwise. It hurt her not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally. She was confused. To hear him suck greedily from her neck made her faint and lightheaded. The blood that dripped down her neck made her shiver.

“Zero?”

She wanted him to stop. She knew if this went to far, she would die. She started to struggle for the first time.

This was Zero.

He would stop for her.

“NO!”

The bloodlust she saw in his eyes when she pulled away was almost too much for her to bear. Those eyes were far from the haunted eyes she was used to. But instead of the bloodlust being a hungry thirst for her deliciously sweet blood, it was an apologetic bloodlust. It was apparent to her that he wanted her blood, but he didn’t want to want her blood. The internal struggle she saw in his eyes shattered her heart into tiny pieces.

“Yuu…ki… I’m sorry.”

Her Zero was a broken man.

She should have been frightened beyond words. Most people would have been. He took a step forward, seeming unsure of what to do. What could he do? She took a step back unconsciously and then realized her mistake. Zero looked down at the floor, but not before she saw the hurt in his eyes. Silence stretched between them, more fragile than a wisp of smoke in the wind.

She felt ashamed.

This was Zero.

She wasn’t afraid of him. She pitied him. The desperation and distress that he fostered in his eyes made her want to cry. She wanted to reach out and embrace him. To tell him that it was okay. That she forgave him for what he had done.

“Yuuki?”

Kaname’s voice. His light footsteps came up the steps. She didn’t want him to see this. Zero covered in her blood and the white, crisp collar of her uniform, turned crimson because of Zero’s violation. But she couldn’t do anything. She could only stand at the stairs and watch him slowly, but gracefully make his way up to her and Zero.

Seeing the bewildered expression on her face made the vampire move up the stairs faster and to her side. She was thrust behind him, his body a shield from the ferocious Zero. He looked at the blood-covered Zero condescendingly. His voice held venom as he berated him, calling him a beast.

Kaname didn’t like Zero and Zero didn’t like Kaname. It had always been like that, from the day the two had met. Nothing would ever change it. Zero was aware of Yuuki’s feelings for the vampire lord and the feelings the vampire harbored for her. Kaname was likewise attuned to Zero’s feelings. The object of their affections was unaware.

Panic rippled through her mind. Kaname would kill Zero. She knew he could. She had seen him do it before. It was one of her first memories. The red of the snow and the sharp, gleaming fangs of the blood-crazed vampire came rushing back. The splash of blood from the gaping head wound Kaname had inflicted. The coppery smell of blood flooded her nose, past and present combined. Kaname could kill without regret or hesitation. His harsh words echoed through her head.

You’re a disgrace to all vampires.

He would kill him. It would be as simple as crushing an egg to him. She couldn’t let him do it.

This was Zero.

“Don’t, Kaname!”

To Zero, it was the first step that she took in becoming his protector and guardian. To Kaname, it was the first step she took in becoming further away from him and closer to the one he only tolerated because of her. To Yuuki, it was doing what she always though she did. She was protecting those dear to her.

She buckled into Zero’s arms. Blood loss made her dizzy and weak. Through her blurry vision, she was able to see the shock and horror on his face. She wanted to tell him that she was okay. That he didn’t need to feel that way. But she couldn’t. Kaname was there to pull her out of Zero’s arms and into his own. Her mind was fuzzy.

This was Zero.

How was he a vampire?

How did Kaname already know?

The Chairman appeared on the stairs. He looked at Kaname.

“Chairman…”

“Yes. I know”

He had known too.

She was the only one who hadn’t realized it. How could she have been so blind? Zero was paler than normal. It was like he had returned to the day of his arrival, four years ago. She had even found the BLIXXV06ε blood tablets in the bathroom on St. Xocolatl’s Day. They had no reason to be there. Unless someone was using them. He had even told her to stay away.

In the infirmary, Kaname inspected her wound, despite her protests. She sensed that he was angry. Zero had bitten her deeply.

“Does it hurt?”

Tears ran unchecked down her alabaster cheeks. Surprised, she touched the wetness. The abrasion didn’t hurt anymore nor was she afraid. Pain such as that eventually went away. But her heart did hurt. That took longer to disappear.

Zero didn’t tell her. That hurt more than any physical wound could. The look in his eyes haunted her. He seemed to have been pleading with her. Seeming to ask forgiveness for not sharing his secret and for the heinous act he committed against her.

The Chairman came in, sending Kaname back to his class. She couldn’t blame him for keeping such a secret from her, even as he apologized to her. Just because he was a surrogate father didn’t mean he was obligated to share everything with her, though he normally did.

He told her why. Zero was bitten four years ago. By a pureblood, like Kaname. She shivered slightly. Did this mean she too was to become a vampire?

Placing a gloved finger on her throat, the Chairman assured her she was safe. Despite the reassurance, she was still full of confusion and pain.

How could Zero have kept it to himself? After four years, he should have been able to trust her.

But Zero hated vampires. They had taken his family away from him. He wanted to kill each and every one of them.

He hated himself.

All those years he wanted to end his life.

It would have been easy, but he fought it. The natural instinct to become a vampire and Zero’s desire to maintain his human instincts. The internal struggle must have ripped him apart.

That was what she thought as she walked to his room the next day.

Zero was a fighter. He wouldn’t give up so easily.

That is what she thought until she saw the Bloody Rose pressed against his temple. The vampire killer that the Chairman had issued him when they both had become members of the disciplinary committee.

How could he think of that? Panic made her run to him and push him to the bed. He had been serious. She knew that. The safety was off. He intended to end his pitiful existence.

He hated himself and what he had become.

He hated something that he had no control over.

He was going to leave her. Whether it was by killing himself or leaving through the gates of the academy with the bag sitting on the floor. He got up and left the room. Leaving her behind. It was for good. That’s what the look on his face told her.

She could just let him walk out. It would be easy. She could watch his back fade into the distance and she could go back into the academy as if nothing had happened. But she couldn’t. Not after everything they had been through together. She wasn’t going to let him give up so easily. It wasn’t what Kiryuu Zero or she did.

Bloody Rose was heavier than she could ever imagine as she haphazardly ran to the gates. She raised the gun and pointed it at Zero’s retreating back with shaking hands. She wouldn’t let him leave. If he did leave, she didn’t know what she would do.

He told her to kill him. The trigger was slick in her grip. It wasn’t hard to just pull and save Zero from causing himself and others pain. But then what about her pain? What about how she felt? He wouldn’t get away with it.

Her warm body pressing against his back jolted him. Her breath was hot and labored. He knows she’s suffering. He could push her away and tell her to go back to the Chairman and Kuran Kaname. That would be the right thing to do. But her next words make him stop.

“If you want me to stop you, I will stop you.”

Those words pierce through his heart, and emotions that he had been avoiding for years flooded throughout his body. He wanted to stay. Not for himself, but for the person hugging him tightly, promising to pull the trigger of Bloody Rose when the time for him to die came. He wanted to protect her and his love for her. He wanted to keep Kuran from the thing that he desired the most.

It was selfish of him.

But everyone is selfish.

Why should it be any different for him?

He knew that Kuran would be watching from his room. He would deny him his prize. Yuuki was his and his alone. The vampire lord had no claim over her. He let Yuuki take his hand and lead him back into the academy grounds.

He would choose to be selfish.

He remembered that first night. She was cautious and rightly so. He knew his fate. He wanted to kill anyone who was near him. She was different. She may have been cautious with him, but she unbelievably gentle. It warmed his cold, aching heart.

Even when he found out about Kuran.

He wouldn’t talk to her, but that didn’t stop him from falling in love with her anyway. She tried to make him understand. She wanted him to understand that some vampires were pacifists. It was an alien idea, but when she spoke about it, it made him want to change his views, if not for the bitterness that he felt.

He knew that she would do whatever she could to save him. She wanted to take his pain away, which was very clear. She would defy anyone in any way she could.

When his body rejected the blood tablets and his insatiable thirst almost drove him mad, she had been there. Even as she struggled against him in the cold water. It was to protect him from becoming the monster he feared he would become. He had wanted her blood, but she stopped him. She stopped him from being the beast that Kuran told him he was.

She held fast after the first shot from Yagari Touga’s gun.

“But who are you to determine his life or death?”

She moved in front of Zero, shielding him from the vampire hunter. He wanted to push her away, just as he had the day he wanted to leave. He wanted to protect her from his teacher. He knew the gruff man would not hesitate.

“I won’t let Zero die!”

Those words brought him to his senses. He pushed her away.

“Enough.”

He needed to face his former teacher. The hostile look that she gave his teacher made him want to laugh, but he couldn’t. She held so much fierceness for someone so small.

His teacher told her he was doing it for her benefit. He wanted to believe that this was the best thing. She would be safe if she stayed away from him. As she moved away from the two and past the Chairman, he looked down at the ground. He didn’t want her to see the shame in his eyes. But his body called out for her desperately. The call went unnoticed.

She walked back to her dorm, not looking back once.

She knew she would be left out again. It was not her place to be with him, the hunter, and the Chairman. She needed to be there with him. Every nerve in her body told her that the hunter would kill him. She couldn’t let that happen. That was her job and her job alone. She wasn’t going to share that responsibility with anyone.

The look that he had on his face when she left plagued her dreams. So did his words.

Enough.

The desire to help him was so strong that her body threatened to fly apart. She could do nothing more than sit her dorm and cry for him.

He didn’t come back to classes. She was left to deal with the rowdy Day class girls by herself. It didn’t matter. She was able to keep them in line without him. But she missed his presence. She could feel Kaname’s gaze at the back of her neck, looking for more puncture wounds. She knew he wanted an excuse to kill him no matter how much she wanted to deny it.

She needed to see him. She was afraid for him. Even as the hunter told her he was fine. She knew he wasn’t.

He had given up again. She could see it in every line of his body when he answered the door. He turned away. He was ashamed. She could understand why, but he didn’t need to feel that way.

Even as he explained why his teacher would kill him, she protested.

“You want to give up on everything… everything you possess.”

He looked away and she knew it was true.

What about me? Will you give up on me?

He had left her Bloody Rose. It was her responsibility. She told him he couldn’t leave her.

This was Zero.

Her heart beat painfully. He wouldn’t look at her. He was resisting her because of his need for blood. She understood the reason. She took his hand and led him to the bathroom. This was the only way she could help. She offered herself to him.

“What are you saying?”

She had confused him. She would sacrifice her blood to him. This would save him. They both knew it.

He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.

Yet it was her choice.

She was saving him and it broke down his will. He apologized. It was the same as the first night. The only difference was this blood was given freely.

“Let us do something unforgivable.”

Those whispered words made him tremble. She didn’t notice. As he drank, he hand gripped the back of her shirt, her body pressed dangerously close to his. This was the only way he’d be able to hold her.

He wanted to hate the way she looked at him so calmly and asked if he was okay. After his heinous violation. But he couldn’t. There was nothing that she could do to make him hate her. He hated himself and he told her that. He knew that she realized that, but he wanted to confirm it. He wanted her to not just assume that he had given up. He had given up.

She accepted it with that same calm. Even when he asked if it was okay to hate her. She was okay. She always was. She laughed and asked if he would come to school as if nothing had happened.

She knew they had to be careful. What they were doing was sinful. She knew that and he knew that, but it wouldn’t stop them. Not even Kaname would.

She still didn’t want him to see her with bite marks. She knew that he probably figured out what they were doing when she saw him later that night. It wouldn’t surprise her. He knew many things like that. Even as she walked away from him, she realized that her feelings for him were slipping away.

He didn’t come to school the next day. She didn’t realize the danger of it right away. When it hit her, she ran faster than she ever had in her entire life. She was going to save him from the hunter. It was her job as his protector. Nothing would happen to him while she was still breathing.

Seeing him staring down the barrel of Bloody Rose like he had accepted his fate, made her blood run cold. The hunter wouldn’t pause to kill a vampire. It was what he was trained to do. The trigger pulled back and the gun went off.

Her eyes were closed tightly. She was afraid to open them. To see him slumped on the ground, dead. It would have torn her apart. Her voice was stuck in her throat. She was unable to scream.

The hunter spoke and she opened her eyes.

He wasn’t dead.

The look of anguish on his face told her that he didn’t want to die but he felt that he deserved it. She disagreed. No one deserved to die, especially not him.

The hunter turned his back on him.

“Don’t run away.”

This was Zero.

He wouldn’t run away. Not anymore. He had stared death in the face and had chosen life. She knew he wouldn’t run away, but she also knew that he wouldn’t forgive himself so easily.

He came back to class the next day. She followed him to the shooting range and watched him practice. He was the same abrupt person he had been before that day he first took her blood. She didn’t notice him looking at her, eyes emotionless.

He knew that she still had lingering feelings for Kuran. The bandage around her neck gave him to perfect opportunity to push her away. It would make her angry. He knew that. And he succeeded. She yelled at him and ran away.

He was angry with himself. But this was the best way. He lifted Bloody Rose and took aim, imagining that it was Kuran’s head. He fired, hitting the paper target in the center of the forehead. One day, when he got the chance, he would do the exact same thing to Kuran and he would finally claim Yuuki as his own.

She was furious at him. He knew exactly what buttons to push after four years of being together. No one but herself could analyze her relationship with Kaname. He was among her first memories. He was dear to her. She now realized that there was a line that she would never be able to cross. Kaname’s inability to accept Zero pulled at her heart.

He had said she wanted Kaname to drink her blood. But he was wrong. It was true she knew a side of Kaname that others did not, but there was still that line. Aidou had told her that she was Kaname’s property and that she would be in ecstasy when the vampire lord finally came to attain his prize.

They were both wrong.

If she had wanted Kaname to drink from her, she would have offered herself to him.

She didn’t.

She chose another.

She chose Zero.

She had promised when they were younger that she would always be by his side. No matter what.

Her feelings for Kaname were fading. She knew that, and she was pretty sure that Kaname knew that too. It had been different when she was small. He was her idol. He had saved her. It was only natural that she felt that way towards him. Right?

That is what she thought as she fell asleep waiting for Zero to get out of the Chairman’s bathroom.

That’s how he found her. Fast asleep. He tried to wake her up, but it didn’t work. She muttered the name of the one person he hated almost as much as the woman who killed his family.

The steady beat of the vein in her neck called to him. It was hard for him to resist. But he had to control himself. If he didn’t, he would kill her. He couldn’t do that.

He collapsed and looked up. Kuran was there. The familiar smug smile pasted onto his features. He hated the smile. He knew that Kuran was manipulative. He would one day betray Yuuki. He could feel it down to the deepest marrow of his bones.

Kuran would mock him until he finally digressed into a monster.

Until that day, he would fight him.

He was to be her protector. That’s what the vampire lord told him. That was the only reason why he was living, according to Kuran.

He didn’t need to be told twice that he had to protect her. He already knew that.

And he would do his duty until she put the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger.

When the new student, Kuranai Maria joined the Night class, he knew he had to be even more protective of Yuuki. She trusted too easily.

Something was wrong with the student. He was reminded of the woman who had murdered his family. They had the same smell and eerie presence. He needed to know more about her.

As much as he hated vampires, he went to Aidou. The childish vampire had a habit of obtaining information that others could not. Yet there was nothing but a distant relation to tie the new student and that woman together. Aidou was no help with the exception of a cryptic message of bloody bonds.

The idea of sharing a bond with that woman made him feel sick. He couldn’t tell her. It would make her worry more than she already did. When he went to the Chairman’s rooms that night, he didn’t let on how he felt. All he could do was think of her safety, nothing more.

If she got close to the new student, something bad would happen. Kuranai was too much like that woman to just be connected by a distant relation.

But no matter how much he tried to hide it, she could still pick up that he was uneasy. While he was tutoring her, they observed each other out of the corner of their eyes without the other realizing it.

She wanted to know what was wrong with him. He watched her rise from her seat to get them coffee and he couldn’t contain himself. He moved from his seat and grasped her tiny hands with his big ones.

He was playing a dangerous game by doing this. He knew that like he knew the back of his hand.

He startled her. She couldn’t figure out why he was so quiet and then all of sudden he was holding her in place. But he wouldn’t tell her what was wrong.

“Because Yuuki was there, I might have been able to live on.”

He let her go and got his coat. She looked at him questioningly, but she had a feeling that he wasn’t going to tell her anything. He told her not to forget what he taught her and left.

What did he mean when he said that? He was acting strange and she couldn’t figure out why.

She ran after him.

What she saw made the blood freeze in her veins. He was with Maria, Bloody Rose pointed at her head. That isn’t what made her frightened.

“No matter how I may look, you are so good, Zero… That you recognize me… The one who took your life as a ‘human…’”

It was the fact that Maria was that woman. Hiou Shizuka. The woman who killed Zero’s family.

“That’s right. I never forget.”

The tone of his voice made her shiver. She had heard Zero’s voice in all his different moods, but she had never heard a tone like this. His voice was so full of hatred and anger and she felt as if she was going to break apart under the pressure he exerted.

This was Zero’s vampire hunter self.

The air was dangerous. Maria… no. Shizuka was going to make her move at any moment. Sweat trickled down both his spine as well as hers. She wasn’t the one about the fight, but that didn’t relieve the tension that she felt in every line of her body.

He raised his gun as a sword fell from nowhere. Shizuka swiftly, but gracefully pulled the sword from its sheath and lunged for him. He blocked her swing with Bloody Rose. He looked away from the vampire girl’s borrowed body when he thought he heard Yuuki call for him.

It was a mistake and he knew that. The thought of her in danger didn’t let him exercise his better judgment. Shizuka’s sword pushed away the gun and sliced at his chest. He fired a shot as blood dripped from his wound and collapsed to the ground. He only hoped that she wasn’t really there as he watched that woman walk away from him. His vision went black.

She jolted awake, terrified. She broke out in a cold sweat, hair sticking to the back of her neck. Where was she? From the sounds of deep and steady breathing around her, it appeared she was in her dorm. But how did she get there?

She was trying to run to Zero but strong, cold hands pulled her back.

Zero!

She didn’t know if he was okay. But he was strong. He wouldn’t be defeated so easily. Shizuka was using a borrowed body, so she couldn’t use her full potential. He was safe.

This was Zero.

That is what would have happened. She couldn’t remember how she got to her dorm or why she was still fully dressed. The last thing she could remember was Zero helping her with exams. After that, her mind was blank. Something wasn’t right.

She was forgetting something important…

He missed the final exams. She didn’t understand why. During the entire testing period, she though about him. She was worried. What if he was in agony because he needed blood? But she couldn’t get up in the middle of exams to go to him.

The class president reprimanded her for failing all her exams and causing the class to do dance preparations. She knew she would. She was too absorbed with thoughts of last night. How she had woken up back in her dorm and how she was still fully dressed. What had happened after Zero had acted weird?

Maria was by the school when she was supposed to be in the Moon Dorm. She froze.

Now she remembered what happened.

Maria wasn’t Maria. She was Shizuka. She was the enemy. The one who caused him pain. He had been right when he told her to stay away from him. She was dangerous.

Shizuka smiled at her. It wasn’t a nice smile and it made her want to hide in the safety of someone’s arms. That smile proved that Shizuka was insane. And all she did was talk about the night’s dance as if nothing had happened.

“Don’t play innocent.”

Shizuka hurt him. She could feel it. But the vampire assured her that he was safe. And that she knew away Zero could be saved. She couldn’t trust her, but she had no choice. She had to trust her. She made a deal with Shizuka. It was like making a deal with the devil.

She wanted to find him, but didn’t know if she should. She wandered towards the dance preparations and a few minutes later, he appeared. He was pale and breathing heavy, shirt scarlet and stiff with blood.

His blood.

He was looking for the woman in her false skin. He threw open double doors down the hallway, searching. She followed him, worried and bewildered. She wanted to know where the blood had come from. Was it really his?

“Weren’t you there last night?”

“Where’s ‘there?’”

He just looked at her and told her to stay away from the new student again and avoided her questions as well as her eyes. He was pushing her away again. It was something she hated. He knew that, yet he continued to do it. She couldn’t understand why. Didn’t he realize how much she cared about him?

She shut the doors, cutting off the noises down the hall. She again offered herself to him, moving her hair out of the way. She would do anything for him. She wanted him to see that.

He grabbed her wrists, sliding his hands up her arms to pin them to the door above her head. He wasn’t faltering for the first time since they had begun their journey of becoming unforgivable. He ran his tongue up the curve of her neck, before he bit. This was the only way he would be able to be intimate with her. It was his excuse.

In these small, fleeting moments, he was able to lose himself in her scent and her taste. He had one thing that Kuran did not, and it was this feeling. He could feel her blush and could hear the beating of her heart speed up. He told himself that these were symptoms of fear. Yet a small part of him hoped she was feeling the same rapture as he did.

“What… does it taste like taste like, Zero…?”

He winced internally. She always knew how to bring him to his senses before he became too lost in his delusions. He knew that she was only curious, but he wasn’t going to indulge her. His goal was to distance himself from her, though she wasn’t making it any easier. He pulled away and glared at her, reprimanding her. Telling her as harshly as he could that if had nothing to do with her.

The hurt he saw in her eyes made him feel disgusting. But he reassured himself, for what seemed like the hundredth time, that it was for her sake.

It didn’t help that he already felt repulsive. That woman had touched him, wounded him. Mocked him for not being able to kill her. His creator.

The best thing to do was to be abrasive and keep her at a distance.

He leaned down and lapped the blood from her neck before drinking again.

Once he had his fill, he pushed her away. He left her standing there, her hand pressed against her neck. He wiped his mouth to get rid of any trace of blood.

He hoped one day that she would forgive him.

She watched him rub every trace of their sin away and walk off. He was always leaving her behind. She pulled a roll of bandages from her pocket and began wrapping her neck. It was almost time for the dance to start. She had to go get ready.

Her reflection looked pale in the mirror she was using to adjust her uniform. She didn’t know whether it was from his drinking or the way he had treated her. She leaned forward and rested her forehead on the cool glass. Why was she feeling so conflicted?

Her friend Yori walked in with a box and handed it to her. It was from Kaname. She read the note and blushed slightly. She opened the box and gazed at its contents. What was Kaname implying and what did he want from her?

She was late. He stood there waiting for her. With nothing to distract him, his mind wandered to Shizuka… And how he could only calm down after having Yuuki’s blood. Was he really becoming the animal Kuran said he was?

The Chairman surprised him, thanking him for monitoring the dance and asking why Kurenai was becoming too hard to handle. The man was dense it his eyes. It was that or the Chairman just pretended that nothing ever went on. Sneaky man.

She finally showed up, dressed beautifully. He had never seen that dress before. He stared at her, drinking her image in hungrily. There was no such thing as perfection, but she came pretty damn close. She smiled at the two of them and indulged the Chairman by promising to dance later. He felt a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, but stopped himself. He had to be cold and distant.

She was giddy and it was amusing to watch her. But what bothered him was that he remembered her saying that she wasn’t all that excited about the dance. He told her that and she stopped chatting happily to stare at him.

She turned away from him.

“Did I?”

She walked away from him, the air around her becoming heavy and depressing. He had succeeded at pushing her away again.

The heavy aura that surrounded her became less and less as the evening wore on. Even if she had said that she hadn’t been looking forward to the dance, it was obvious that she was enjoying herself despite their Disciplinary Committee duties. While he wouldn’t enjoy himself dancing and such, he would enjoy watching her and every move that she made.

She suddenly turned to him, startling him. She scolded him for not being neat, especially since the he was a member of the Disciplinary Committee and this was a formal dance. She started fussing with his mess uniform. Embarrassed, he fixed his tie as she finished. Taking the rose from the ribbon around her neck, she placed it in his lapel pocket.

Why was she doing this? Her being this close and touching him like this made him go insane. Again, he wanted a reason to hate her, but he just couldn’t bring himself to feel like that towards her. It frustrated him. It was easier to hate than the actually think about the real emotions that he was feeling.

He didn’t want to think about love. He was too disgusting to love someone like her. He looked down at her.

“I don’t get it… Why can you always keep smiling?”

“I think that’s probably because, Zero, I want you to smile.”

She was too nice to him. Too forgiving. Too understanding. He didn’t deserve to be treated the way he was being treated. She should have killed him when she had the chance the first time. It would have saved him the agony of wanting to live. Wanting to protect her from the manipulative vampire lord that she was heading towards. Wanting to love her.

She walked towards the terrace. Kaname was there, waiting. Everything she wanted to say raced through her head. She realized now who had altered her memory. Kaname was the one who made her forget. She couldn’t figure out why. If it didn’t hurt enough that Kaname didn’t accept him, the vampire lord erasing her memory hurt even more.

She was gradually coming to accept the fact that she didn’t feel the same towards her idol anymore. She knew it was bound to happen. It was hard to remain faithful when she was sinning with him. She knew that Kaname recognized what they were doing. He was far from stupid.

She bowed, thanking him for the dress. He smiled his charming smile at her, causing her to redden. Just because she didn’t love Kaname anymore, didn’t mean that he wasn’t able to flatter her.

In return for the dress, she started to dance with him. She could feel Zero’s eyes watching her every move from the other side of the hall. He was always watching over her.

Seeing Kuran’s arm around her waist made him unbelievably angry. He wanted to hurt the smug Kuran with every fiber of his being. He was toying with her and she didn’t realize it. Yet, even as he continued to hate what Kuran was doing, he was jealous of him. He wanted to be in that situation. Dancing with her without anything troubling him.

Another fleeting fantasy.

Kaname missed the beat, confusing her. She looked at him and he smiled down at her. He wanted to dance as they had in the past. Slowly. Suspended in time. She had to say it now. She confronted him about treating her as the child that she used to be. Kaname denied it. She had a feeling that he would. He had kept her from where she needed to be. It was her job to protect Zero. He had interfered. She told him that he treated her as if she couldn’t handle herself. The vampire lord pulled her close, startling her.

“No. I’m not treating you like a child. I just wanted to protect you.”

She pushed him away. He had interfered with her duty and that was unacceptable.

“I’m sorry.”

She turned and ran off the terrace into the dark.

She couldn’t deny the fact Kaname was different from the person she thought she knew. Just as she couldn’t deny the fact that her feelings had changed. She had chosen and she knew that she made the right decision.

She chose Zero. She would keep her promise to him and would complete the deal with Shizuka. Since she couldn’t deliver Kaname to that woman, she would do the next best thing.

His heart constricted painfully. He was able to see Kuran embracing her clearly from across the room. While he only had the courage to embrace her while drinking from here, his rival was able to embrace her freely. It was unfair, but life was cruel and he accepted it. Life wasn’t doing him any favors and he never counted on it to do it anytime soon.

He looked away. Their intimacy was hard to watch. He was distracted by one of the Day Class girls, the one he had saved from falling on St. Xocolatl’s Day. He declined her request to dance politely and scanned the room before bringing his attention back to the terrace.

She was gone.

Kuran was standing alone, looking out into the garden. His heart raced. He hadn’t seen her come back into the hall. He would have seen her, no matter how many people were there. He could always find her. Shizuka hadn’t come to the dance in her borrowed body. That meant Yuuki was in danger.

Alarm coursed through his body and he quickly moved to the lone vampire on the terrace. Kuran was the reason why she had run off into the night. He wanted to know what happened. The vampire watched him with emotionless eyes and cryptically reiterated his role in her life.

He stared at him for a moment then looked towards the old vampire dorms. He knew now realized why she didn’t remember being there last night. Kuran, the bastard that he was, altered her memories, knowing she wanted to help him.

He raced from the dance towards the former dorm building, heart pounding loudly. He needed to reach her. She was with Shizuka. He had to hurry.

He burst into the room he and Shizuka had been in the night before, Bloody Rose out and ready. The blood drained from his face when he saw Shizuka near her neck. Shizuka had shed her false skin and didn’t look any different from four years ago. He fought the urge to shoot her on the spot and took a step forward.

She pulled out her weapon and stood in front of the one person he hated most in the world. She was protecting the woman who had ruined his life. Why? How could she? What she said next made him want to burst into laughter.

“That woman… will save me?”

She had a bargain with Shizuka, she told him. If she gave herself to the crazed vampire, he would be allowed to drink his maker’s blood, saving him from becoming what he feared. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She was going to become a vampire for his sake. This is how she was going to save him. It was for him.

She had to get him to back down. To let her blood be taken by his enemy. It was the only thing she could do to save him. He pushed her weapon aside, addressing Shizuka, telling her that he would drink her blood after he had killed her half way. She had to stop him, but she didn’t know how. She dropped her weapon and grabbed his gun. She couldn’t let him go through with this.

He told her to move, but she wouldn’t budge. She wouldn’t let him destroy the one chance he had at being saved. He asked her if she wanted to start telling him that vampire killing was wrong.

He didn’t understand. She wanted to smack him across the face. That wasn’t it. She desperately wanted him to understand. He wouldn’t listen. The chime of the bracelet on her wrist brought her to her sense. If she could just get it up to his neck where his tattoo was, she would be able to fulfill her part of the bargain.

She reached, trying to move quickly.

He saw through her actions and grabbed her wrist, holding on tightly. He couldn’t understand why she was acting this way. This was his responsibility. He would be unable to live with himself if she became what he was. He didn’t want her to know the terrible thirst that he felt or the way he had to control himself all the time. It was pure agony.

He glared at her, but his face softened when he looked at her. She was crying. She was crying for him. No one had ever done that before. Something deep inside him awakened.

“Yuuki…”

Shizuka spoke, but her voice was different. He was frozen in place, unable to do anything, not even release Yuuki’s wrist. He struggled, trying to disobey that women’s voice, but it was so hard. It drained his strength. Shizuka laughed at him. He had to obey her because she was his creator. That fact was flung into his face as the vampire ordered him to keep her captive.

She struggled in his grip. He needed to let go. She glanced up at him and a jolt went through her. His face was blank, eyes staring down. It looked almost like he was brainwashed. While his face was slack, his grip was not, tightening painfully.

Shizuka was going to do something to him. She flailed, promising to be good while Shizuka drank from her, just as long as nothing happened to him. The woman smiled cruelly at her and grasped his shirt tightly before biting down on his neck.

She couldn’t stand to watch it. Shizuka was drinking greedily. She needed to stop the crazed vampire before she hurt him anymore. She shook in his grip, yelling at Shizuka, telling her how cruel she was.

“It is punishment for being tamed by you. Yuuki, you tell me that I’m cruel, but who are you to tell me?”

Shizuka leaned down towards her neck, telling her that she would be tormenting him more than she already was by becoming like him. She smiled sadly, saying that it would be all right if she were with him. At least that was how she felt originally. She hoped with all her heart that he would one day forgive her for what she was about to do. She wanted him to know that.

He watched, paralyzed at first, as Shizuka went to drink from her. Hearing her ask for his forgiveness pulled him from his stupor. Why was she apologizing? It was he who was sinful. If she did this, he wouldn’t forgive her. He released her and put his hands to his face, telling her his thoughts.

He hand shot past her face to grip the woman’s throat. He faster he killed her, the better off they would be. With Shizuka dead, he would only have to protect her from Kuran and his schemes. That voice started again, immobilizing him. He wasn’t able to squeeze his hand to end this torture. Shizuka mocked him, eerily similar to Kuran mocking him. He was weak to them. He would prove them wrong. He had something that he wanted to protect and that made him strong.

He pulled out Bloody Rose and shot himself in the leg. The sharp pain made him break free of his creators hold, enabling him to tighten his grip around her throat.

“Don’t you take anything away from me!”

He wouldn’t let this woman take anything more that was dear to him. He had promised himself that he would protect her with his last breath. The only way he would stop doing that was when his time to die came. Then he’d calmly let her kill him, rejoicing in the fact she was completely safe now.

He raised his gun and fired. She gripped his gun arm, pleading with him to stop. How could she, after everything this woman had done to her?

The woman laughed maniacally. He would not let her mock him anymore. He wouldn’t let her take another drop of blood from him. He wrenched his arm from Yuuki’s grip and started firing more shots at the hated woman. She would pay dearly for the pain she caused him. He hit her in the chest and blood began to spread on her kimono.

“I have lived only for this day…”

Shizuka need to hear, not just assume, that in almost every moment of the last four years, he though about his revenge on her. He would prove tonight just how sweet revenge could be.

She flung herself at Zero and clutched his back, hugging him tightly. She was afraid for him. Once he had his revenge, what would he do? She had a feeling that he would leave her, breaking their promise. She hated having to remind him because it tore her heart in a million different pieces. If he was going to die by her hand, she didn’t want to have to go looking for him.

He tried to shrug her off, but she held on too tightly. She wanted to know what would happen when the long night finally ended. She wanted to tell him that walking away after killing Shizuka would be taking the easy way out.

The bleeding vampire chuckled and she turned to Shizuka. The woman already knew what he wanted to do. There was a smug smile on Shizuka’s face as she told her that he had the desire to die with him.

That couldn’t be right. Zero had already started death in the face and chose life. He wouldn’t… couldn’t back away now. She prayed with all her heart that this shot would be the last.

A katana flew from the shadows, piercing his arm. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t flinch. She cried out his name, concerned, while Shizuka merely looking into the shadows from which the blade was born. A man with a mask appeared, chiding the lady vampire for keeping him alive.

He recognized the voice. He had believed that the person before him had died four years ago. He told the masked man just that calling him Ichiru.

Ichiru chuckled, removing his mask and calling him brother. She started. They had the same face. Ichiru was Zero’s twin. She didn’t know that he used to have a brother, let alone a twin brother. She quietly noted how she was again left out of his life after four years.

His brother turned away, addressing Shizuka, demanding to know why she wouldn’t do anything to him. Shizuka turned and started to walk out of the room. He went after her. He wouldn’t let her get away, not when he was so close! Ichiru put his arm out and stopped him, scolding him for ignoring someone he hadn’t seen in four long years.

He stared at the man in front of him coldly. Brother or not, he was the enemy. Ichiru was the reason he was now a vampire and that their parents were dead. Blood ties meant nothing now.

They had been unbelievably close when they were little. It didn’t matter what they did, they were always right next to each other. They had been innocent, studying to become vampire hunters like their parents. But there was an immense difference in their skills. He knew it was true that his skills were superior to Ichiru’s, but it had never stopped him from trying to help his brother. He loved him.

They had seen Shizuka before the attack, waiting in the cold and crying. Ichiru couldn’t tell that she was a vampire, but he was able to. Later that night, Ichiru left the house angry, and it had confused him. His brother had been acting so strangely, but hadn’t told him a thing. It hurt.

The minute his brother left, he could feel Shizuka’s attack. His brother had unknowingly handed their entire family to a beast in human form. She bit down on his neck, securing his fate of being damned and he was forced to watch as the lady vampire killed his parents. He saw his brother and told him to run. He had to save him, but he didn’t have the strength. He collapsed and blacked out.

Zero glared at Ichiru. He would never be able to forgive the excuse of a man that stood before him. His brother just smiled and walked away.

She stared at his brother’s retreating back. They were so similar, yet completely different. He looked so torn, but she was afraid to touch him. Tension surrounded him and there wasn’t anything she was able to do. He suddenly ran the way Shizuka had come and she hurried after him.

She almost ran into his back. He was standing in the doorway, but he hadn’t drawn Bloody Rose. She peeked around him and gasped. All that was left of Shizuka was a pile of dust. He just stared at it and she put her hand on his arm. He was unable to say anything except that he didn’t get to kill her.

He didn’t go back to class. She figured he wouldn’t for a while and she understood. It was better that way. He needed to be resting after everything he had gone through in the last few weeks. She only wished that he would open up to her more after all they had been through. She dutifully took down notes for him. It was really the only time she could see him.

She went to the Chairman’s rooms to deliver them.

It was awkward and she hated it. Things seemed uncomfortable between them. She couldn’t really talk to him like she wanted to. And he wouldn’t drink any of her blood, despite the fact that it would heal him faster. She tried offering, but he would brush her off.

She was at the end of her rope. She was going to take the first step into getting him the way he was. Him being recluse was making her angry. She pointed out a fake mistake, distracting him. She gripped his shoulder and leaned over, biting his neck. She could feel his astonishment and fought the urge to giggle.

The sensation of her lips pressed to his neck made him ache with desire. He blushed. He wanted to let her know how he felt so badly, but he couldn’t. He pushed her away, asking what she thought she was doing. She glared at him and pointed a slim finger at his chest.

She was acting so fierce, telling him that they were even and that he shouldn’t hesitate to take her blood. It was beyond comical, but he couldn’t laugh. He kicked her out.

“Just go.”

He slammed the door in her face. Leaning against the door and gripping where his brother had stabbed him, he heard her mutter that she made him mad. His heart was racing a million miles. She didn’t realize what she had just done to him. He put his hand up to the spot where she had bitten him. When he looked at it, there were tiny dots of blood. He let out a snort of laughter and shut his eyes tightly. He needed to know what he was to her. She couldn’t play with him like this anymore, even if she didn’t realize that she was doing it.

He had to know.

She stared at the door for a few seconds then ran down the hall. The taste of his blood was salty-sweet in her mouth. She couldn’t believe that she actually did that. It didn’t have the effect that she wanted though. She colored and quickly went outside to patrol.

A movement outside the academy’s gates caught her eye. Jumping the fence, she scanned the darkening grounds. Behind her, a man appeared, causing her to jump slightly. He looked like the average businessman. She could tell from the moment she saw him that he wasn’t human. He was a vampire. The mad was curious to know if where he was, was Cross Academy. Her eyes narrowed and she pulled out her weapon, extending it to its full size. The vampire smiled wolfishly and lunged at her, asking where the other guardian was. She wasn’t going to tell him where Zero was. This man was dangerous.

She felt an arm around her waist and was pulled back. He was there, gripping the man’s hand tightly, avoiding his elongated fingernails. She stared at him. So he was patrolling too? He was supposed to be in bed, resting. The man sneered at the two of them, adjusting his glasses.

“Kiryuu Zero, for committing murder of a “pure blood”, Hiou Shizuka, by the command of the “Supreme Institution of Vampires”, the Senior Council, you are sentenced to death.”

The messenger smugly told them of the duties of the Senior Council, explaining why he should be executed. Calling it a ‘cheap bargain.’

Anger bubbled inside him, threatening to boil over. He gripped the man’s hand tightly and pushed it back, hearing the satisfying crack of bone. Knowing that the man would retaliate, he pushed her out of the way. His wounds from earlier caused pain to shoot through his body, making him fall to his knees.

“It’s too bad there are no ‘cheap’ bargains to be obtained here…”

The messenger collapsed to the ground in pain, but still mocked his impending death, while the he and Yuuki were surrounded by vampires in suits. More messengers of the Senior Council. He glanced at her, telling her to leave. He knew that she wouldn’t listen to him, but he figured that he would try if he could. He was right. She wouldn’t leave.

One of the suit-clad men fell to the ground in a cloud of smoke, while the rest of the men looked around in confusion. The members of the Night class appeared through the trees, Kuran stepping from the shadows to take center stage.

He wanted to scoff at the vampire lord, but Kuran was defending him. He had no choice but to be grateful. His eyes widened slightly when his defender threw a bolt of power at the leader of the Senior Council messengers. He felt her grip his sleeve tightly, and he fought the urge to pull her close to him and encircle her in his arms.

She wasn’t afraid of vampires, but that situation had frightened her greatly. She turned to Kaname and told him that the circumstances were suspicious. Kaname lifted his hand and caressed her cheek, but she didn’t fail to notice how the vampire lord’s eyes flicked to her hand fisted in the fabric of Zero’s shirt.

He glared at Kaname and she could feel him trembling with anger. He demanded to know what the Moon dorm leader was planning. Kaname ignored his question and just told him it was something that was overlooked. She gripped his sleeve tighter.

Later, she reported everything that had happened to the Chairman. It was her job as a member of the Disciplinary Committee, but she was afraid that the Chairman would send Zero to die. Her eyes welled up and the Chairman laid a hand on her head, telling her he was sorry that she was thrown into that situation.

She rubbed her eyes. She still didn’t understand everything that had happened, though she desperately wanted to. She felt helpless and she hated the feeling.

The Chairman informed her that Kaname had come in earlier and also told him what had happened. She realized that even though Kaname had defended him and opposed the Senior Council, it didn’t mean that her idol had accepted him. She realized that Kaname had never said that he was innocent. She wondered if he believed that Zero was guilty.

She caught up with Zero after she left the Chairman’s office. She didn’t know what to say to him, so she babbled about his wounds healing slowly and that the attack earlier was a prank. He interrupted her talking about Shizuka to say that whether or not he was the cause of her death, he didn’t regret it at all.

She watched him quietly and he stared back at her. She smiled softly at him. She couldn’t begin to understand the pain he was feeling, but she sympathized with him. She didn’t know whether or not he realized it, but even if he didn’t, she was okay with it. He knew that she would always be there for him, even if he only needed her blood. She’d willing give up everything for him.

She told him that she was always on his side and she really meant it. Some people would abandon their friends if things got rough, but she never would, especially not him. She looked down. She knew that she wasn’t the best or most reliable ally and she told him so, but she would do her best. She tried to make him understand why she had wanted to give her blood to Shizuka. If sacrificing herself meant saving him, she would have done it. Even if it meant hurting him at that moment. It would help him in the long run.

Her cheeks turned red and she held back the tears that threatened to spill over. She apologized. She looked so vulnerable at that moment. He knew that someone like him had no right to love her, yet he couldn’t help himself. He had been telling himself for years that she deserved someone without a bloody past. With someone who didn’t keep secrets from her as he had. But he wanted to know what he was to her. She wreaked havoc on his emotions.

“What am I to you, Yuuki?”

He mentally slapped himself. He never meant to verbalize the question. What would he do if she picked up the reason for that question? If things weren’t awkward enough, his idiotic question had just made it worse. He waited for her reaction and was relieved that she looked confused. He knew that she didn’t understand why he asked such a question and that would mean he wouldn’t get an answer right away. He smiled at her and if she kept acting so reckless, she would be more dependable. He took advantage of her speechlessness to flee. He needed to get a handle on his feelings before he said or did something even stupider than he just had.

She stared after him. His question came out of nowhere. It reverberated in her mind. What was he to her? Did she even know that answer to that question? She had never though about it seriously. Yes, he was one of the best friends she ever had and even him keeping secrets from her didn’t change that. But, what was he really to her? She ran back to her dorm, thinking deeply.

He stood in the hallway waiting. He sensed Kuran down the hall and figured that the vampire already knew that he was there. When Kuran acknowledged him, he confronted the vampire lord about the role that he really played in Shizuka’s death. It hadn’t taken him long to figure out that Kuran had something to do with it. He was angry with him. It wasn’t Kuran’s place to kill the woman that had taken everything away from him.

The two loathed each other and the conversation they were having made that loathing even more apparent. He would have drunk Shizuka’s blood if that had mean he would not become a bloodthirsty beast. It was what Kuran expected… hoped he would become. But he wasn’t expecting the word that came out of Kuran’s mouth next.

“I am jealous of you… You, who is able to protect the girl you love.”

He froze.

Kuran knew. He laughed mentally. Of course the vampire lord knew. He knew everything and he was sure that his feelings for her weren’t hidden very well when Kuran was in his vicinity. He felt that he had to be more protective of her because he believed that Kuran would one day betray her and the trust she placed in him.

He narrowed his eyes, but Kuran ignored him and turned around, commenting on his injury. He fought the urge to pull Bloody Rose from under his coat and use the back of the vampire’s head for target practice. His day for revenge would come. If he were patient, he would take away the one thing most important to Kuran and kill him.

One day…

She wandered around the academy campus a few days later, still thinking intensely about Zero’s question. There were so many things that she wanted to say to him, but she couldn’t figure out how to say them. She found herself standing in front of the boy’s dorm and she heaved a sigh. Her feet involuntarily lead her here. Great. What would she do if she saw him? She couldn’t run away from him. But the idea was extremely tempting.

His dorm leader got his attention. She was standing outside his dorm, talking to the girl’s dorm leader. The boy’s dorm leader guess that she was getting a warning from her dorm leader for wandering so close to the boy’s dorms. He saw a movement around the bushes and watched closely. Aidou appeared and walked up to the two girls, talking to them.

He opened the window and jumped the three stories down to the ground to confront the vampire. Aidou wasn’t supposed to be out of the Moon dorm during the day, regardless that it was a weekend. And he was especially not allowed in the Day dorm area.

Aidou glanced at him and sullenly said he didn’t want to go back to the dorms, after Yuuki suggested it. Annoyed, that Aidou was acting like a child he threatened to tie him up and drag him to the dorms. The vampire didn’t like that idea and bolted away from the two. He cursed under his breath and gave chase, leaving behind an amused Yuuki.

Eventually they let him stay in the Chairman’s private quarters. They were going to be there anyway, so they knew that Aidou wouldn’t cause any more trouble. Breaking the academy rules didn’t stop the vampire from bossing the two around. He wanted to throttle the idiot vampire, but she placed a hand on his arm, questioning why Aidou didn’t want to go back to the dorms. He denied that something was wrong.

Zero rolled his eyes and went into the kitchen to make food for the demanding vampire. A half hour later, the run away vampire had eaten three helpings of food and wanted more. She started at him in disbelief. She couldn’t grasp the idea that he had eaten so much. She tried to threaten him with Kaname’s name, but that seemed to upset Aidou.

Defeated, she trudged into the kitchen to tell him to make more food for the unbelievably selfish vampire. He looked at her, eyes wide. He couldn’t believe that Aidou had eaten so much either. He handed her a blood tablet to give him, and she watched him for a moment while he started to prepare more food. He turned to glare at her. She knew he didn’t like that, so she turned away quickly, telling him that she didn’t need anything when he asked.

She turned away and started to the door to the dining room. He cornered her, placing one of his large hands near her head. She looked down, worried. His question had made her think a little more deeply than she had originally intended. She looked into his eyes and asked if was okay for her to be like this. Was she allowed to be so happy when she would one day have to kill him? She was frightened for him and herself. What would she do when that fateful day came? Would she be able to pull the trigger? Would she be able to live with herself?

He placed his hands over her eyes and smiled.

“Silly. Do you intend to take away my right to decide for myself?”

She didn’t know how to respond. She closed her eyes and her eyelashes brushed his hand lightly.

“And, Yuuki, will you always have this look on your face when you ‘re concerned about me? Smile.”

He removed his hand and went back to fixing Aidou’s food. She left the kitchen to give Aidou the blood tablet.

Smile.

It was such a simple word, but coming out of his mouth made it seem like much more. It was ironic. He was telling her to smile when he barely did it himself. She wanted to see his smile more than anything else in the world. When he smiled, it was like the sun breaking through the clouds on a sunny day. It would always warm her heart, but his smiles were rare.

She was so lost in thought that she didn’t register Aidou’s question about the blood tablet pill being Zero’s. When she did, her head whipped around to look at him frantically. If Aidou knew, he would tell everyone. How did he know in the first place? His gloating soon explained why and she nervously asked the vampire to not tell the secret. Aidou looked at her with distain and told her that he wasn’t cowardly.

That look frightened her. Aidou frightened her at times as well. He wanted to know why Kaname gave her special treatment when she was just a human. She smiled slightly at the memory. She explained her past to Aidou, telling him that her and Kaname’s relationship was simple. She viewed it that way. Aidou didn’t seem to believe that the two had a simple relationship.

She admitted that she sometimes second-guessed herself about the vampire lord, but it didn’t bother her if she were one day betrayed.

She wondered to herself if that was true. What would she do if Kaname betrayed her? Their simple relationship would no longer be simple and that scared her slightly.

He heard everything that she said. It wasn’t hard to hear her and the run away vampire through the door. Did she really not mind being betrayed? He didn’t believe it. He knew that she would hurt to the point where she would be unable to breath. He also knew that she would put on a brave exterior while her anguish ripped her apart inside.

His heart squeezed painfully. He would never let her feel that agony. He would protect her.

His Yuuki would be protected always. No matter where he was.

She brought the vampire’s used dishes into the kitchen and slipped. He cringed when he heard them shatter and her inhale sharply when she cut herself on a sharp edge. The sweet smell of her blood filled his nostrils, making him hungry for her blood. He told her to leave the broken china alone. He started to turn away from her, but the look she gave him made him face her. She stood up and held up her hand.

“Lick it.”

It wasn’t a request or a suggestion.

It was a command.

A command that he could not ignore. Not from her.

He grasped her hand tightly by the wrist and brought it to his mouth. He licked her finger clean of blood, fangs grazing the delicate skin of her fingertips. Suddenly, he pulled away, clutching at his chest. He couldn’t do this. He let go of her wrist and she glared at him. She told him that she knew he was starving. That the blood tablets were not enough to sate his hunger.

He gripped her wrist again, pushing her jacket arm out of the way. He had a feeling that she knew how hard this was for him. He didn’t want to drink her blood, but he couldn’t fight the desire that rippled throughout his body. It threatened to overflow. He whispered her name and ran his tongue down her wrist, over the cold metal of her bracelet, tasting her skin.

He looked at her again, to make sure she was okay that she was sinning again. Her facial expression was that of complete trust. He bit down on her wrist and began to drink, watching her the whole time. Bloodlust and desire burned in his eyes. She stared back into his eyes, mesmerized by his ministrations. He knew that this was the first time he had held her eyes with his own. He was usually too ashamed to look at her.

For some reason, tonight seemed different.

A week later, while dozing he was dozing in class, one of the Day class members fainted. The thud pulled him from his sleep and he glance over. The sight of bite marks on the girl’s neck woke him completely. A vampire had bitten the girl. Trouble was on the horizon.

After taking her to the infirmary, he met with the Chairman, Yuuki, and Kuran to discuss the matter. The entire Night class ran through his head. He couldn’t figure out who would attack the girl, especially right under the nose of Kuran Kaname. As much as he didn’t like to admit it, Kuran was terrifying. He was a pureblood and instilled fear, as well as trust and loyalty, in the Night class. For someone to openly defy him was dangerous.

During the meeting, Kuran reminded everyone that he was a suspect, not just the Night class and any possible rouge. He couldn’t say anything to the vampire lord because he knew it was true. Even if he denied it, he knew that Kuran would love to pin something like this on him. He would never drink anyone but her blood and Kuran knew it, but just suggesting him as a suspect made it apparent that Kuran thought there was a possible exception.

Yuuki surprised him by getting angry at Kuran. She told the vampire lord that she couldn’t believe he thought that he had done something like that. Kuran looked away from her, and he felt a twinge of triumph. She had never spoken to him like that before. She blurted that she would prove him innocent and grabbed him by the hand, pulling him out of the room.

Before exiting, she turned around and told Kuran that she wouldn’t speak to him until the vampire accepted that he was innocent. He could only stare in amazement at the girl towing him through the hallways. He knew it was hard for her to say something like that to her idol, but he appreciated it. It made him feel important to her.

While he did appreciate it, he knew that she was regretting what she had said to Kaname. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, he could feel she was on the verge of tears. He told her that she could always take back what she said and she shouted at him. Then suggested the worst plan in history.

She would cut her finger to lure the rouge vampire and then the two of them would capture the vampire. He wanted to shake her until her brain rattled. That was such a stupid plan that it didn’t even deserve a sarcastic comment.

He went to the infirmary with her trailing behind. When they opened the door, five members of the Night class, Ichijou leading them, greeted them. He wanted to bang his head on the wall. They were playing detective under Kuran’s orders. He would let them play. He had better things to do.

He slipped out of the room unnoticed and went down the hall, running into the Chairman. He mentioned that he talked to the Council of Ancients to look for Shizuka’s murderer. He looked at the harmless-looking man. He knew that this seemingly oblivious man knew exactly who had killed the insane vampire. He told him that but that Chairman just smiled and denied his claim. He moved past the Chairman, knowing he wouldn’t get anywhere.

He trudged down the hallways, thinking of Shizuka. Even though his creator was dead, she still haunted his every step. He saw the woman’s face mocking him, her voice smoothly transitioning into Yuuki’s. He stared in horror as she came towards him, covered in her own blood. Had he bitten her and taken too much? She whispered his name before collapsing into his arms and dying. The pungent scent of blood filled the air.

He jolted awake and gasped her name. His heart was pounding loudly. His mind strayed to what he had just seen and he shivered. He heard her call his name and he breathed a small sigh of relief.

It had been a dream.

She peeked around the curtain that surrounded the bed in the infirmary. He glanced up at her with an anguished look, sweat beading on his forehead. She was alive. He pulled her onto the bed, hugging her so tightly that she couldn’t breath. He told her that he had a dream where he killed her. She grabbed his face in her hands, giving him a bewildered stare. She asked him if he was okay. He finally calmed down and she smiled, relieved that he was fine.

His raised his big hands to cup her face tenderly. She meant everything to him. He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb and leaned in close to kiss her.

I want these gentle hands and this kind smile… Even though I should not want such a thing.

He pulled away before he had the chance. It was a mistake to do something like. He could feel the blood rush to her face in a fiery blush. He wanted this so badly, yet he would deny them both.

“I’m sorry. Never mind.”

He would always watch over her. Even if it wasn’t in the way he wanted it, as her lover, it was his duty. It was his job to protect the one he loved.

He would do it until the day the breath left his body.

Air Gear: Moment of Inertia

2008-05-03T03:16:00.000-07:00

Inertia is a powerful force for the status quo.

Inertia is the tendency of a body to oppose any attempt to put it in motion, the property of a thing to remain at rest until it meets with some force. In other words, inertia is an object’s tendency to resist change. Inertia is indisposition to motion or exertion.

Inertia is a bigger problem than extremism.

Inertia is at work.

Inertia is gravity.

He has to blink furiously to expel the thick raindrops coating his eyelids and lashes before he can identify the figure leaning against the wall beside his door, arms crossed, head angled slightly back. The polished black loafers, neatly-ironed pants and black coat should be a familiar sight to him by now, yet the reality of Sano’s presence still doesn’t register until his gaze meets the narrow eyes behind the thick-rimmed, angular spectacles.

His mind triggers an instant replay of the memories of the conditions under which they last met. Adachi’s angry cry, the cut on the side of Sano’s face, the immobilizing fear squeezing all the air out of his chest… His fingers tremble ever so slightly as one hand clutches the plastic bag of groceries, the other reaching to fish the house key out of his jacket pocket automatically.

“What are you doing here?” Kazu asks softly.

His voice doesn’t waver. He doesn’t sound like a girl. Bonus points for him.

“Waiting for you.” Like that wasn’t obvious. Bastard.

The boy shrugs as he moves to unlock the door. A month ago, he’d have thought twice about letting homo-bastards into his house, but now, resistance seems futile. Besides, he’s already soaking wet; he doesn’t care to carry out a conversation in the rain. And maybe he feels a little bad about Sano having to wait for him in such weather. —Not that he’d ever admit it, of course.

The tall college student follows him inside wordlessly, neatly placing his shoes by the door and then moving about Kazu’s apartment like he owns the damn place. He finds the coat rack before needing to be shown where it is, shedding his wet outer garments in one fluid motion before heading off toward the kitchen area. In the time it takes Kazu to struggle out of his own soaked-through coat and hat, Sano’s filled a tea kettle with water, placed it on the stove, and seated himself on the small sofa. Kazu just follows it all with empty eyes, eventually pulling up a chair opposite the couch.

“So,” he mumbles, “who’s our next target?”

Sano shakes his head. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Oh.” Kazu blinks, swallows. “Then…?”

Sano eyes him intently, making a careful study if his face as he explains, “I came to pick you up after school today, but Adachi told me you weren’t there. She said you hadn’t shown up at all yesterday, either.”

Kazu doesn’t flinch at the accusatory undertone in Sano’s voice. “She’s right. I didn’t come. I. I didn’t want to…”

“…face them after what happened?” Sano guesses, both smug satisfaction and a hint of anger evident in his expression. “For better or for worse, you’re their leader right now. You abandoned your team.”

Kazu lets out a bitter chuckle. “Leader? None of them will accept me as leader now. I couldn’t even… couldn’t…”

His voice trails off as he chokes on the words, as though he’s still partly in denial about his failure. In his mind, all he sees is himself, tiny, powerless in the face of the monstrous strength of Gabishi. Adachi’s screams—whether real or imagined, he can’t even remember now—still ring in his ears.

“Protect them?” Sano is leaning forward in his seat, and Kazu almost jumps when he snaps back to reality and sees the other’s face so close to his own.

“But that wasn’t your job,” the college student continues. “It wasn’t your battle to fight, not an enemy you were meant to face. Gabishi’s skills matched, perhaps surpassed, even my own. You saw it yourself.” Sano brushes the hair away from the side of his face to reveal a thin scar that was left from the time when Gabishi had tried to cut away his skin. “No one was expecting you to protect yourself and the entire team from a foe such as this one.”

Sano lightly rests the tips of his fingers on the back of Kazu’s hand, and Kazu lets him. “You’re still just a boy. Nobody’s asking you to risk your life for Air Treck.”

“B-but Ikki… Ikki would’ve…” Despite the sense of despair his words emit, Kazu’s eyes are still empty, his expression blank, something highly unusual for a boy on whose face the flames of anger or passion normally would so easily ignite.

“Ikki, Ikki, Ikki. Why is it always Ikki-kun with you?” Sano ruffles Kazu’s hair a bit as he rises and walks to the kitchen to get the tea ready.

When Sano returns, he not only brings two steaming mugs of hot green tea but also a towel draped over his arm. Kazu no longer bothers questioning how he knew where to find one, though he can’t help but wonder what exactly Sano intends to do with it.

“It’s still very hot. Don’t drink it yet, or you’ll burn your tongue,” Sano cautions as he presses one mug into Kazu’s hands.

He then sets his own down on the coffee table and stands back up again, now grasping the towel. Positioning himself behind Kazu, the boy can’t help but give a little gasp of surprise when, without warning, Sano begins to dry his hair.

“What are you doing?” Kazu yelps, even though the answer is fairly obvious by now.

Sano simply states, “You’ve been dripping all over your shirt.”

Kazu tentatively touches the area around his neck and shoulders with one hand, and sure enough, the fabric there is plastered to his skin. While in mid-motion, Sano’s hand accidentally brushes against his own, the older boy’s fingers warm and steady. Kazu gasps again and pulls his hand away, sitting very still while he endures the odd sensation of having someone else towel off his hair. It makes him feel even smaller, like a little kid whose mom is drying him off after a bath because he’s too young to do it properly himself.

“Did you mean it?” he asks quietly.

Sano looks up but doesn’t stop his motions. “Mean what?”

Kazu gulps and closes his eyes. “What you said to Gabishi. That I’m a weakling.”

This time, Sano does stop toweling, combing Kazu’s hair with his fingers as he speaks. “I could tell you that I said that mainly in the hope that Gabishi would consider you too inconsequential to be worth the effort, and that he’d leave you alone, which is the truth, but is that what you really want to hear? Would you rather that I lie and tell you that I believe you’re the rider with the most talent and promise I have ever met during all my years of A-T?”

Kazu frowns. He didn’t have to put it THAT way. But he shakes his head in the end because he knows that lies eventually hurt you worse than the truth. Anyway, he knows better than to delude himself with the thought that the Iron Clock would bother to pay him a late-night visit just for the purpose of inflating his wounded ego.

When he opens his eyes again, Sano is kneeling in front of him. “Here’s what I do believe. I don’t think you’re weak. I think you have great potential. I think what you’re suffering from is this belief that you always need to walk in Ikki’s shadow. Ikki’s Wing Road is not for you. What you don’t seem to realize is that you have the strength to ride your own road.”

Sano seems to be waiting for a response, but Kazu doesn’t know what to say. He takes a few tentative sips of his tea to buy himself time while he processes the other’s words in his mind. He’d like to believe them, but he’s not even sure what it all means. Having always been so busy just to try to keep up with the rest of the team, he’s never understood all this talk about “roads” and the ramifications of what it truly means to ride one. He just follows behind Ikki because, well, because it’s the easy thing to do.

When he looks back up, Sano is standing up, draping the wet towel over the back of a chair to let it dry as he sends a forceful gaze in Kazu’s direction. Kazu knows he must be trying to judge his reaction, but what is there for him to say? He takes another sip of tea.

Sano is the one to finally break the silence. “It’s easy to give in to inertia and to stop functioning when we meet with hardships we did not expect. I know. I think we’ve all been there at one time or another. But even I cannot truly stop time. In the end, my powers are all an illusion, a mind-trick. Time stops for no man. The only thing you can do is keep moving.”

“But why?” Kazu finally sighs, his eyes exuding hopelessness, an ironic half-smile on his lips. “What reason do I have to keep moving when I’m too weak and powerless to do anything for anybody else?”

“We all forget our reasons at times,” Sano explains as he walks over. “But you need to keep moving anyway, because the longer you wait, the harder it will be to start moving again.”

Taking the boy’s half-empty mug and setting it on the table, Sano places his hands on Kazu’s narrow shoulders. “Just keep moving, and then you will remember your reasons—your impetus.”

And then Sano’s lips are on his, and Kazu’s so surprised, he doesn’t even remember to close his eyes right away. His defensive instincts shut down long ago, his normal instinct to punch Sano in the gut if that bastard tries anything all but a memory. It’s just that Sano’s lips are warm, and he wants to say yes and no at the same time, but all his thoughts are garbled because nothing makes any sense right now. Warm lips. Hot breath. Stop. Don’t stop. Stop!

Surprisingly, it’s Sano who pulls away first. Kazu looks up at him, confused and vaguely disoriented. It isn’t like the homo-bastard to stop after just one kiss. Yet the other is already at the door, pulling on his coat and bending over to tie his shoes.

When Sano straightens himself and meets Kazu’s puzzled stare, he briefly flashes a sad half-smile, then reverts back to his usual smug and slightly mischievous expression. “It’s no fun if you don’t try to resist me even a little. I’ll return when you’ve got your fighting spirit back.”

He walks over to Kazu one more time to lightly stroke the boy’s blonde locks. “Go to school tomorrow.”

And then he’s walking through the door, and Kazu finds himself watching the tall college student leave, leaning against the open door long after the retreating figure has been swallowed up by the gray, gray world outside. There are no children at play today. Adults hurry toward their destinations, their faces hidden by their dark umbrellas, shrouding them in anonymity. The streets have transformed into shallow rivers. The air smells like approaching thunderstorms.

His attention is caught by an ant scurrying about in front of his feet, trying to struggle to safety by crawling up the small ledge of his doorstep. But before the tiny creature can manage to seek refuge where it’s dry, a thick raindrop descends from the sky, carrying the ant with it on its way toward the ground. Kazu can still see the ant’s legs flailing as the globule of water carries it to a small stream headed for the gutter.

Sickened at the sight, he goes back inside and shuts the door behind him, then collapses on the floor and stares off into space for what feels like hours. When he finally gets up again, he sighs one last time, shrugs, and starts to pack his bag for school.

Air Gear

2008-05-03T03:13:00.000-07:00

Air Gear (エア・ギア, Ea Gia^?) is a shōnen manga and anime by the mangaka Oh! great.

Air Gear is about the life of Itsuki Minami "Ikki", also known as "Baby face" and "Lil (and Little) Crow". The name "Crow" came from the fact that there is currently a real living baby crow in his hair sometimes who he does not seem to mind, and his friends along with the latest in-universe trend, Air Trecks. The early parts of the story carry out the introduction of characters that eventually join Ikki, and as the story progresses, it focuses on their roles as Storm Riders and their quest to be on the top of the Trophaeum Tower. It won the 2006 Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.

Naruto: Summoner 6

2008-05-03T03:06:00.000-07:00

Chapter Six

The Sealed Summon

“Aaaaaah,” Naruto sighed heavily, leaning his whole body weight against a tree. Even though the sun was being covered by a thick layer of leaves above and around them, beads of sweat were dripping down his pale face. He closed his eyes, his back sliding until his bottom hit the ground. “I don’t want to go on anymore . . .”

“What an idiot,” Sasuke muttered, stepping over the legs of the rival Summon. Unlike Naruto, he looked as if he were just taking an ordanairy stroll in he forest; nothing out of the ordanairy was happening to make him seem weak. “I can’t believe there are Summons as bad as you. Konohamaru could beat you, even.”

“That little duck couldn’t lay a finger on me even if he tried!”

“But at least he can run faster.”

“Dammit, you-“

“Both of you!” Sakura and Kakashi called at the same time, a hint of anger in each of their tones. Sasuke seemed to stop just as his own fangs were protruding, while Naruto was standing and sharpening the claws along his fingers. However, they both obeyed their masters without question and turned their heads away.

It had been four days since they had begun their journey out towards Hanabira, which unluckily for them was one of the furthest towns in the country from their starting point. Still, it was a small country, so they all knew they only had a short time left. If anything, they only has a night or two of travelling to go.

Even in those four days they had managed to come across problems. There were creatures lurking, thieves hiding themselves, and even the occasional magician, all whom ran like cowards once they had figured out they were trying to place their lives on the line against Summoner Kakashi.

However, none of those problems were nearly as bad as the chemistry between Naruto and Sasuke. Immediately from the moment they met they had begun bickering over the littlelest, simplest things. It happened so much and started so easily that even their masters were beginning to wear thin.

Naruto hurried to stand next to Sakura on the furthest side away from him new found enemy, sending the black haired Summon a fierce glare before looking away towards the forest with a pout. Sakura frowned as she noticed the other boy do the same thing; it couldn’t be helped, no matter how tired she was by it.

“Say, Kakashi,” she started slowly, trying to get a conversation going somehow. She wasn’t exactly sure of what to say, but she wanted anything to try and lower the tense atmosphere around them. “Why don’t you tell us more about this friend of yours? We’ve talked about the town itself many times, but nothing about him.”

“Iruka?” Kakashi said, and everyone paid attention. As he spoke, he looked up towards the leaves above him, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Well, he’s not a Summoner, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“What else?” Sasuke said in an almost demanding voice, something unusual for him to use against someone he held so highly. Sakura assumed that perhaps even he didn’t know who Iruka was; it might have been a friend from before Kakashi had become a Summoner.

Kakashi seemed to immediately understand this strange sort of jealously from his Summon and smiled. “He and I grew up together in Hanabira, as best friends. But while I decided to do what I’m doing today, he wanted to be an ordanairy coal miner. He’s pretty good as a magician though, I’ll give him that.”

“Wow!” Sakura and Naruto said at the same time. Both were sharing the same wide, excited grin that just begged for more information. “Then Hanabira is your hometown!”

“In a sense, yes. I haven’t been there for about eight or so years though- I’ve only spoken to Iruka through letters.”

“Then, are you exi-“

Sakura, who had began to ask the question, immediately halted her steps as something whizzed by her face. She shut her eyes to protect them from the unexpected attack and felt a strong hand jerk her back. When she opened them again, her back was against Naruto’s chest and he had one arm shifted around her protectively, the other hand gripping her wrist.

“Who’s there!” he snarled, his hold on his master tightening as the aura about him became more fierce. While Sakura was a little scared of the unexpected, dark ominous feeling that came from Naruto she held still, knowing she could trust him with her care well. The six playful scars along with cheeks became rough and scratchy as his eyes delved from a sky blue to a deep blood red. She flinched when the grip around her body received the added strength of his claws, but she kept silent.

Kakashi and Sasuke also seemed to prepare for another attack; even the scales from Sasuke’s snake body were beginning to prickle on his skin, and his own sharp fangs grew.

“Master,” the more expirienced of the two Summons said, stepping towards where the attack had come from. The windmills in his eyes began to spin fiercly and his arms and legs were beginning to melt into one single, long form which slithered into the plants inconspicuously. “Wait here.”

“Will do,” Kakashi replied plainly, trusting Sasuke’s instincts without another thought. While the black snake dissapeard into the greenery to investigate the sudden attack Naruto let go of Sakura; neither one of them paid any mind to the red marks on her skin from him.

“I’m gonna go with him,” Naruto stated defiantly, and before either Sakura or Kakashi could call him back he hurried into the woods, although it was lacking the same grace and silence the former had performed. Even without the protection of her Summon the young girl kept herself calm, turning over to look at Kakashi who had begun to move.

He didn’t go far. Kakashi stepped quietly until he reached a certain tree, then he kneeled and let his digits glide along the bark. They continued until he flinched a little, and when Sakura kneeled beside him to see what he was doing she noticed a prick from his finger had dripped blood along a thin needle that had embedded intelf. Before, one couldn’t have possibly seen it with the lack of sunlight and the great ammount of shadows it was so unnoticable.

With that Kakashi pulled out one, two, three needles for the tree, making sure not to get pricked again. He stood up and Sakura along with him, then he displayed the deadly weapons to her.

“The people behind this are rather famous,” he explained with a serious expression. Sakura stared up at him with intent, wondering just who it was that was behind what had just happened. “They pray on Summoners with strength and name, defeating even some of the most powerful ones. Ex-Summoner Zabuza and his Sealed Summon Haku.”

“Ex-Summoner? Sealed Summon?” she questioned, wanting a little more detail. She wondered if it was really her they were aiming at or if it was Kakashi. After all, he said they only attacked Summoners with strength and name, and she had only been one for no more than five days. Kakashi, however, seemed like an incredibly strong person to her with the title as one of the best guards for the Hokage. ‘Even more, within moments Sasuke had Naruto pinned to the ground when they fought for the first time.’

“You’ve never heard of these?” he asked, looking up and tapping his index finger against his chin, making sure to keep the needles safely away from the skin under his mask. He looked as if he were in thought. “Well . . . Ex-Summoners are Summoners that were convicted of using their Summons to commit crimes. Not only do Sealers take away their power, they also destroy the Summon’s capabilities or power.”

It was a lot of information at once, but Sakura was sure she could handle it easily. Now that he had told her what Zabuza and Haku were she remembered reading about such people. However, she never read much about Ex-Summoners since it was rare for one to try such evil deeds. “Sealers are those that can steal magic, right? So they take away any power of a convicted criminal?”

“Exactly!” Kakashi replied with a smile, patting her head rather cutely as if she were a child with his other hand. “You really are smart for your age.”

Still, even then there was one more question she wanted to know. It was something she didn’t understand; she knew that Summoners were forced to become Ex-Summoners after being convicted of a crime, but what of the Summon? If Zabuza and Haku were still together even after becoming criminals -and escaped criminals, she presumed- then what was the punishment of the Summon? ‘Sealed Summon Haku . . . what does it mean to take away their capabilities?’

“What does it mean to seal a Summon . . .?” she wondered out loud, though it was only a low mutter so Kakashi didn’t hear it. But not wanting to be burdened with anything that would leave her distracted she decided to dismiss the idea and instead started to follow Kakashi, who ignored Sasuke’s personal demand of staying in one place. ‘Right now our priority is to either fight or get away from Haku and Zabuza so we can get to Hanabira.’

But just when she had taken her first step towards the older man a thin, sharp pain rooted itself on the back of her neck, giving her no worries as her mind went blank.

Naruto and Sasuke had slipped into their less humane forms for the sole purpose of attacking whoever tried to violate their masters, but after much searching and no bodies they had taken back their former appearance. The black haired Summon was the one in the lead, keenly observing and trying to be as quiet as possible when sifting through the forest. But on the contrary, the Fox Demon was loud and boastful as he tried to sniff for any clues.

“This place has too many scents!” he complained, pinching his nose between his fingers and sitting cross-legged on the ground. “I can’t find anybody here . . . Let’s go back to Sakura and Kakashi, okay?”

“Don’t speak of Master that way,” Sasuke spoke flaty, pausing his movements briefly just to give his company a dark glare, “You have no right to refer to him by his name. And give your own master some respect.”

“Sakura said I could call her by her name!” he said back, puffing out his cheeks. Naruto didn’t understand why, but while he felt close with Sakura and somehow admired Kakashi, he couldn’t stand Sasuke. The only reason he followed the snake was to find out what happened. ‘But we haven’t found anything . . . this sucks.’

“Your master is weak,” Sasuke said, turning his body all the way. “Master has hopes for her, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she wound up dead after we’re done with h-“

Sasuke had no time to finish his sentence when a fast, large blur bludgeoned against his cheek, sending him flailing back hard against a nearby tree. He had closed his eyes for protection, and by the time he opened them again Naruto already had a new fist ready, the other hand balling up Sasuke’s shirt.

“Don’t you ever talk about her that way!” he shouted loudly, his voice echoing around the both of them. But just as quickly as he had screamed his words they also became threatingly quiet, and a fire burned in his eyes as he stared harshly. “Say anything about Sakura again and I don’t care what Kakashi does. I’ll kill you.”

Sasuke visibly flinched, a shortness of breath beginning to come to him. Somehow he wasn’t frightened, but at the same time he felt he regretted mentioning anything at all. A powerful aura, something more than anything he had felt in Naruto’s presence before was beginning to rise, making his senses go alert. ‘This can’t be the same guy who was complaining like an idiot before . . . this . . . this is definitely the Fox Demon!’

Sasuke didn’t dare move, but instead braced himself for another hit, his fingers clamping onto the bark of the tree behind him to hold on during the punch. But as he shut his eyes and waited, nothing came. Instead the grip Naruto had on the collar of his shirt loosened, and a vague shout caused him to open his eyes again and look around. As he glanced at Naruto, who seemed back to normal, he was sure he had noticed the same thing.

“That was Kakashi,” Naruto muttered, staring out. He had completely ignored any menial threats Sasuke had made before about respect, and it was only because of the sudden realization of the Fox Demon’s power that Sasuke kept quiet. “I hope they’re ok- Ow!”

“Idiot,” Sasuke, who had just given Naruto a small push on his back, braced himself for quick running. “Don’t just assume things are okay when you hear something; the first step to being a good Summon is to check on your master, not just hope things are all well.”

“R-Right . . .” For once the both of them seemed to be in agreement and with a single step and ran. They hurried to try and rush to the aid of their masters before the other could, hopping over roots and jumping off the side of the trees to try and push themselves further. Even in between their little competition, however, they realized that they might not have much to play around with if there was real danger.

As Naruto seemed to duck underneath one of Sasuke’s arms to get in the lead, only to be knocked in the face with the oncoming tree branch the both of them stopped. Naruto lightly rubbed his nose and cursed profranities before getting up and getting started on running again, but the other Summon purposefully blocked his way.

“Hey, what’s the big idea!” the blond shouted, shoving the other to try and go on, though he met with no success. “Come on! You’re the one that said we had to hurry!”

“We can’t,” Sasuke said, instantly winning the other’s confusion. The Fox Demon stopped with meaningless struggling, for the first time noticing Sasuke was staring at something intently. When he turned to see what it was he noticed just an ordanairy tree. He shrugged; he wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything at all. “Uhh . . . I’m not following you.”

“Look.” When he pointed Naruto caught something he normally wouldn’t have noticed. At about their height was a heavy dent in the tree where the bark was missing, along with a small, smearing stain of blood. “That’s the tree you slammed me into. We’re going in circles.”

“Oh . . .”

“Is that all you have to say about that?”

“Shut up! You were the one leading us most of the way and stuff, so it’s your faul-”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” he said, earning Naruto’s questioning expression once again. For a brief moment there was a heavy silence between the two of them, but that quickly ceased when Sasuke darted out a hand towards the leaves above them, pulling out a thin, frail hand with small needles between the fingers. His eyes narrowed. “I meant someone has been making us go in circles.”

“My bad.” The hand that had been caught was let go and ducked back into its hiding place, then a whole figure jumped down and landed gracefully before them. “But this is what Master wanted.”

A young, beautiful girl stood before them with a pale, feeble looking body. She possessed a soft smile and gentle golden brown eyes, some of it which was hiding underneath long, silky black hair. With such a greeting appearance that would put even the coldest of men off guard Naruto and Sasuke were stunned in place. Neither one of them had expected their newfound enemy to look the way they did.

“So,” Naruto started, looking from the girl to Sasuke and breaking the silence. “There are girl Summons too? I’ve only seen you and Konohamaru, so I just guessed . . .”

“Of course there are female Summons, idiot.”

“Don’t call me an idiot!”

“Umm . . .” the girl started just as the two were staring daggers into each other’s eyes. She giggled a little as she lifted a hand to separate them so they wouldn’t fight. “For the record, I’m a boy, but . . . that doesn’t have much to do with your situation at the moment.”

In an instant he dissapeard to go behind Naruto and Sasuke, placing them on alert. But, even then they couldn’t -or wouldn’t- dare move; in the boy’s hands were tiny, thin needles, their tips pressing against their skin.

“My name is Haku,” he said in a voice that was calm, but tainted with an underlying malice. “and I don’t want to hurt either of you. But your masters can’t stay in this world any longer. Both of them are going to die.”

Naruto felt a shiver run of his spine as the tip pushed even deeper into his neck, ready and willing to break the fleshy skin underneath. Beads of start were beginning to form along his cheeks and were dripping off of his and onto his collarbone. ‘This guy . . . he’s serious! What kind of Summon is this?’

Naruto: Summoner 5

2008-05-03T03:03:00.000-07:00

Chapter Five

The Staff in the North

“Master,” Sasuke began, placing his arms behind his head and leaning his body against the bed, his back arching as he stretched his muscles. “What do you think of that Summoner? It’s hard for me to believe a girl like that is one. She seems weak.”

There was a rather large, all white room that both the Summon and his master shared together, each with their own bed and dresser. It was a wide enough for them to have their own personal space, so neither one felt closed in. Kakashi wouldn’t have minded either way; however, he knew as well as anyone else who had met Sasuke that he did not like being in closed spaces.

Kakashi wasn’t lying in his bed to rest, even though it was a little past mid day and the sky was beginning to fade from its bright color. He was one who barely ever slept and enjoyed the peaceful layout nighttime had to offer outside while still managing his daily duties as a guard for the Hokage. He was sitting in a chair by one of many tall, golden outlined windows, eating an already half-bitten apple and watching the people outside below him. All of them were magic users, practicing to try and become stronger.

“You’re too stereotypical, Sasuke,” Kakashi replied bluntly, taking another bite out of the delicious fruit. The Summon stayed still and stared up at the ceiling, loyally listening to the words of advice he knew that were coming. “Both men and women can become great Summoners. I don’t think anyone that has ever lived was greater than Tsunade, and she was a woman.”

“I see . . . I’ll think about that some more then.”

“But,” Kakashi finished off his apple before dropping what remained of it on the windowsill carelessly, “You are partially right about one thing: She’s not too strong yet. But if you sensed things right, she has extreme potential, much like her master. She must have been taught many things to bring her up for this moment instead of jumping right into the art of Summoning.”

“I think we’re better,” Sasuke spat conceitedly, not wanting to admit that his master was right that time. He didn’t mind the fact that Sakura was going to be a strong Summoner, but more than that he didn’t want to say Naruto was stronger than him. ‘He could barely even keep up with my attacks . . .’

Hearing his master call his name instantly snapped him out of his drifting thoughts, and just then he had noticed that he was almost ready to doze off. He was a very strong Summon, but in truth he lacked the stamina to keep it up for a long period of time, so he slept often. Still, he would never miss an opportunity to listen since it could be important.

“I’m going to suggest something to the Hokage in the morning,” Kakashi said. He stood up out of his chair, making Sasuke sit up a little to listen a little better before his master had waved a hand that said he needed the rest. “I don’t think she should start pursuing her enemy so soon, especially with no basic training on the actual art of Summoning.”

Sasuke scoffed as he finally gave in and shut his eyes. “Tch. What did her master do with her all these years then?”

“Not the right training to prepare her for what she’s about to do. I’d like to teach her the proper fundamentals to actually be able to present herself. And, of course . . .” Kakashi gave his Summon a smile that seemed to beg for a favor. “. . . I’d like you to help me with it.”

There wasn’t any doubt in his mind. Even if he didn’t have to obey the orders of his master, Sasuke was devoted to doing any sort of errand or help Kakashi needed. He smirked, suddenly feeling too heavy and tired to answer. Kakashi seemed to understand and turned to leave the room just as his Summon dozed off to sleep.

Dark fell quickly, and as if on command the people around the Hokage’s home piled in within their bedrooms and got ready for a long nights’ rest. Some, however, were just waking up, preparing themselves to keep guard as they had been told to do. This normally would not have been the case, but Orochimaru’s flickering presence had put the people on alert.

Sakura had long lied down in the bed of her guest room, which seemed much smaller than anything she had expected in comparison to the entire palace. Still, she hadn’t minded in the least; living for so long in a small, cramped room filled with books on magic and Summoning had left her able to easily adapt to her small surroundings, so she was fine.

What she was uncomfortable with, however, was the fact that her Summon was so spread out in their bed. Since there was only one and neither of them were modest or had dirty minds they decided to stay together, but had Sakura knew that Naruto would move around so much so she had to lie against the edge she would have objected.

A sudden hand pushing against her cheek and a loud rustling of the covers being pulled away had made her open her eyes. A low, annoyed moan escaped from her but she refused to move from her place, trying her best to cope with the situation.

‘I will have to deal with this every day from now on,’ she thought, mentally scolding herself. ‘If I can’t handle the first night, then I’m not fit to be a Summoner.’

But when she felt Naruto’s leg –or maybe an elbow, since she wasn’t looking- jab her back so much she fell right off the side of the bed and onto the cold floor her anger flared. Pushing herself upright and leaning overtop the bed, she glared at the peacefully sleeping Naruto and pulled the covers he was cuddling with right away from him.

“Naruto!” she shouted harshly in his ear, making the Fox Demon jolt awake. As she went to sit herself on top of the mattress he also sat up, his small fingers massaging his ear. At first he looked a little irritated well, but seeing his master’s face instantly turned it into a frown.

“What did I do, Sakura?” he asked almost too innocently. The softness of his voice took the young Summoner aback; she was almost starting to rethink whatever she was trying to say.

‘But then,’ she thought, her lips forming that same scowl again, ‘I would have to deal with it again and again! That isn’t going to happen.’

As she tried to form the words she wanted to say, this time wanting to use a less angry voice, she sighed. Then she began. “Naruto, we really have to work on your sleeping habits, or else I won’t be able to sleep at all.”

Instead of understanding he gave her a rather confused expression. “Is it that bad?”

“Yes, it is,” she replied. “And if I can’t sleep then this journey won’t be a pleasant one. Especially since it’s already supposed to be serious.”

That time Naruto nodded, but she wasn’t sure he comprehended the underlying message to what she said. Still, his smile was a relief to her somehow, and something told her that just saying that alone would help him obey even in his sleep.

As they laid their heads down, this time Naruto personally making sure she had enough space and plenty of covers, Sakura smiled softly and easily drifted into a peaceful sleep. This was her first time resting since everything had happened, but she felt at ease. The last thing she saw before closing her eyes were those sweet blue eyes, and they made her believe in what she was thinking for sure.

‘Everything will be okay . . .’

Kakashi stood confidently before the Hokage’s desk as the old man contemplated, his thin, wrinkled fingers around his chin and his head lowered. On his desk were still the many books that had been there when Sakura and Naruto were in the room the day before, but there was also a thin paper with scribbling, rushed handwriting on it.

“Well?” Kakashi said, crossing his arms and balancing his weight on one foot as he waited. He had just discussed his idea, one he had been contemplating the entire night. While the Summoner had always been a patient man, ready and willing to go at other’s pace, he was eager to find if his plan had any merit to it.

“It does seem to work in her favor,” the Hokage replied, his voice still sounding pensive yet positive and reassuring. He picked up the letter and scanned through the words again, and this time a smile rose to his face. “I think we should try it. I now assign you, Summoner Kakashi along with Sasuke the responsibility of watching over Summoner Sakura and Naruto on the way to Hanabira.”

As the two quickly wrapped up their conversation, both agreeing with what they had just discussed a loud crashing noise was heard outside that halted both of them from speaking. It sounded like a loud clank against the floor out in the hall, but it was quickly explained with shouting.

“Come back here, you little brat!”

“Nyah! Aren’t youthe Demon Fox? You should be able to run faster than me!”

“Damn right I am! And I can so run faster than you!”

“Naruto, stop chasing the poor boy around!”

“All of you, shut the hell up! It’s morning!”

Kakashi sighed as he heard his own Summon shouting at the new guests and quickly dismissed himself from the Hokage’s presence with a salute before setting out, taking the small scribbled paper on the desk with him. The moment he walked into the hall a flurry of shorter heads flashed by him, the last one which he managed to catch with his hand by the collar being Sasuke.

The young male seemed to jerk his head back harshly and came to a sudden halt, but as soon as he looked to see who stopped him from his mini rampage he immediately calmed down. His eyes seemed to fall towards the floor in a bit of shame and Kakashi let go, knowing full well that Sasuke wasn’t going to attempt to run away. “Master . . .”

The rest of the individuals causing the commotion, notably Konohamaru, Naruto and Sakura, also stopped when they saw Kakashi and hurried over towards him as if it were a command. He smiled at all of them like it wasn’t a problem in the least, but all of them had the same sorry expression Sasuke possessed.

“I’m sorry, Kakashi,” Sakura was the first to say, bowing a little bit and folding her hands together in her lap. She glanced over to Naruto just a little bit and obediently he did the same, followed by Konohamaru.

The older Summoner waved it off, even laughing a bit as he pat the top of his Summon’s head affectionately. He hadn’t done what the others did, but it seemed like he was quite embarrassed. “It’s fine. I don’t know what happened, but it must have been interesting; Sasuke doesn’t usually yell at people so loud even the trainees in the court yard can hear it.”

At this Konohamaru and Naruto giggled, not even caring that they were also just as loud moments before. Sakura stood up straight once again and nodded in acceptance, then she looked back behind him to see the giant doors she remembered as the Hokage’s room. She frowned.

‘Truthfully,’ she thought, ignoring any current conversation the ones around her were having, ‘I had wanted to speak to the Hokage this morning about where I should go first . . . But then Konohamaru had to jump in our bed and wake us up. I guess I should just let Naruto sleep until he’s ready, or else he’ll be irritable every morning.’

This made her look to Sasuke, who was standing next to Kakashi proudly once again. He was wearing a healthy smirk that seemed to make Naruto angry, and the two exchanged petty words. This time one of them had managed to keep their cool. ‘He’s so much different from my Summon, but I don’t know too much about him yet. I wonder if all Summons are different.’

“Sakura?” Kakashi called, taking the young lady out of her thoughts. Not only was the Summoner in front of her trying to get her attention, but Konohamaru was tugging at her skirt, begging to be picked up. She smiled and complied, wedging him against her hip and wrapping her arms around his small figure.

“Yes?” she asked. She didn’t want to miss anything he said, especially if it was important. It was then that Kakashi began to walk out into one of the three hallways, the middle one which they had all crossed yesterday when they first came to meet the Hokage. He glanced back at them, signaling for all of them to follow, and they did.

As they continued to walk, now down the flight of stairs and all of them admiring the glass masterpieces around them Kakashi spoke again. All of them with the exception of Konohamaru listened. “It seems that the Hokage has given you, Sakura, and me a little mission as Summoners before you start your journey.”

“A mission?” Sakura and Naruto repeated together, both equally curious. He nodded.

“Yes.” He held up a small paper in his hands, the very same roughly written note that he had taken earlier. “This is a letter from an old friend of mine in Hanabira. He says recently there was an old Summon Staff discovered in the coal mines near the town, but there are no Summoners there to unlock its potential.”

“Hanabira,” Sakura thought, her mind trying to remember the name. She was excited about the mission, of course -this seemed like an incredible honor to be a part of- but she had to get other priorities straight first. Then she remembered. “Oh! That’s a small town in the north, right? I think it’s in this country still, Konoha, but it might be in Suna country as well.”

“It’s not in Suna,” Sasuke spat as if it were obvious. “Hanabira is a port town that has boat trips to Suna, but that’s all the connection it has. Don’t you know your own country?”

Sakura had no reply for that as she kept herself quiet, a little ashamed by Sasuke’s words. Still, Kakashi seemed not to be affected by her answer like his Summon was and even helped justify her mistake with a smile.

“Now, now, Sasuke,” he started, “Tsunade was teaching her magic- not geography.”

“So, so!” Naruto interrupted, his voice sounding childishly eager for answers. Sakura smiled sweetly, glad that he was so easily able to change things. “Tell us what we’re going to do! What’s the Summoning Staff like? Did your friend say?”

By this time the small party had reached the entrance of the Hokage’s home and they were back at the gate, the one place people could enter from outside. Asuma was there on guard just as he was the day before and he gave a quick salute to them all, smiling. All of them stopped their walk as Kakashi did, and he turned to look at all of them.

“This is actually a special thing for you, Sakura,” he said, surprising the young girl. “In order to become a strong Summoner that could defeat Orochimaru, you can’t just stay with one Summon forever. I’m sure you knew that already.”

Sakura nodded, and he continued. “Hanabira, despite being a port town, doesn’t have much going for it; in fact, it’s barely used as a port town at all anymore, so not many people care to go there. The coal mines are its only worth, and it’s rare for them to find anything so valuable.

“This is going to be a special personal test for you, Sakura. I know that I could easily unlock the Summon inside the staff, but the question is if you can. And if you can do it successfully, you’ll have another partner on you.”

‘That’s right!’ Sakura thought, a smile coming to her face. The rapid excitement made her feel ready to go and see what she could do, but just as quickly other thoughts were rising in her mind that made her want to think things over just a bit more. ‘But how does one unlock a Summon . . .? When I opened the scroll Naruto was trapped in, he just came out, but this isn’t a scroll we’re talking about here.’

Sakura was brought out of her thoughts when she felt someone wring their arm around her neck and turned to see herself face-to-face with Naruto, who was grinning. “Don’t worry about everything! We’ll figure out the hard stuff when we get there.”

Those words alone made things suddenly seem like they were going to be okay. A fuzzy, warm feeling filled her chest as she smiled back, then she felt Konohamaru’s small grip on her shoulder and looked down. He had a very sad, tearful expression on her face. Even though she wanted to be sad with him, her enthusiasm couldn’t be hidden.

“You . . .” Konohamaru said, sniffling a little bit. “You’re going to have to leave now, aren’t you?”

“Awwww,” she said in a sympathetic tone, squeezing him tightly in a hug then kissing his forehead. As she tried to settle him back on the ground there was a little bit of resistance, but it seemed he understood just how important this was. Little tears were already coming down his baby cheeks, and just before she turned to the gate he gave her one last hug around the leg.

“You’re gonna come back, aren’t you?” he asked, his voice a little shaking. This time he felt a small pat on the forehead and looked up to her beaming, this time wider than ever.

“No worries,” she said, and he let go of her. “I will come back as soon as I defeat Orochimaru.”

“But first,” Naruto said, also ruffling up the child’s hair a bit as a strange sort of goodbye, “To Hanabira! Let’s see what that Summoning Staff has to offer!”

Naruto: Summoner 4

2008-05-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

Chapter Four

The Scroll Summoner

“. . . and so you see,” Sakura finished, still looking towards her new objective. “That’s why I’m going to see the Hokage. I have to learn more about who I’m going to find, this . . . . Orochimaru, and let him know what happened as well.”

Both Summoners, Sakura and Kakashi, had easily decided to call it quits when they had realized that neither of them were enemies of one another. When the young lady among the boys questioned who he was, Konohamaru quickly explained, saying that Kakashi was none other than one of the men he had mentioned earlier that were looking for trouble; and one of the strongest at that.

But while their masters had said truce the two Summons themselves still looked to be in their own little feud. They stood by their masters protectively, as far away from one another as possible. It was almost amusing to watch their expressions; whenever they both just happened to peek over at the same and their eyes met, they would immediately turn away and puff out their cheeks, crossing their arms defiantly.

‘Almost like children,’ Sakura thought, finding it more entertaining than anything. At the moment, Naruto carried her bag while she carried Konohamaru, who was balancing on her hip with his small arms wrapped around her neck. He was a little heavy, but she didn’t mind in the least. ‘He’s just so adorable!’

“Ah,” Kakashi said, stopping just for a moment and looking up, his single eye wandering just a bit. He was the only one after the pause that continued to walk forward towards a tall, wide gate that spread into the forest at both of their sides. All of them had to crane their necks to see to the top, and as soon as they did they came across a man leaning over the edge. “Asuma.”

Asuma, a middle-aged man with a healthy brown eyes and a dark beard, grinned as he saw his ally. A small toothpick in his mouth bobbed around as he opened his mouth to speak, revealing perfect, pearly white teeth that could even be seen from as far as the party was. “Kakashi! You’ve come back! And Sasuke, too.”

“That’s right,” the Summoner had replied, his expression equally cheeky. He patted the shoulder of his Summon, who only had a scowled expression in return to the man above them. Asuma seemed to completely ignore it. “Not only that, but he have a few guests. Tsunade’s apprentice has made it back with our Konohamaru.”

“Oh?” Asuma looked down curiously at the young lady. He had never seen the apprentice to the great Tsunade, one of the legendary three heroes, but his first thought was of her great presence. She looked like an ordinary young girl to those without the skill to see it, but he could already tell that she was different. ‘Her eyes . . . they have the spirit of a true Summoner.’

Kakashi nodded in reply, though he was sure Asuma had caught on. The two were close friends as top guards, even if Asuma himself wasn’t a Summoner. He smirked as he remembered one last detail, one he knew every soul within the gates would find interesting. “Also, we have her Summon . . . The Fox Demon.”

Naruto glanced over to Sakura, rubbing the back of his rather sore neck from staring up a bit too long. The first thing he noticed about her was her strained expression from hearing Kakashi’s words, and his heart sank. He averted his eyes and looked out towards the woods at his side, unexpectedly feeling down.

‘I don’t know what I did,’ he thought, his face forming a small, pout-like frown. ‘But it makes everyone walk on eggshells around me. Master . . . Sakura looks like she has a hard time every time someone mentions me.’

Honestly, all Naruto could remember was his imprisonment within the scroll and the very person who had put him in there in the first place, Tsunade. He didn’t know what he did to deserve such punishment, nor did he know why he already had the impression that he had left some sort of scar in the people around him. ‘Still . . .’

As he looked back to his master, Naruto also started to notice the small beads of sweat that dripped along her cheeks, and her breathing had become a little heavy as well. Konohamaru’s weight against her along with the heat from the sun above them looked like it was starting to take its toll. Seeing her like this, though it wasn’t much at all, irritated him.

“Hey!” Naruto shouted, gaining attention from everyone as he pointed up at Asuma with a finger. “Come on, hurry up and let us in! Sakura’s getting tired!”

“Naruto,” Sakura said in a slightly scolding voice for interrupting, though she also had a small smile. She was happy that he cared. “Let Kakashi and Asuma ta-“

“No,” Kakashi said. He raised a hand up as a sort of salute to Asuma and, as if it were a command, the man disappeared underneath the stone tablet gate, down on what Sakura could only assume was a latter. They all waited together until there was a sound of a strong ‘click!’ and the giant, wooden square gate before them parted in two.

“Finally,” Sasuke had said after not speaking for so long. It looked like he spoke more to himself than any of his company around him, but he had still caught the attention of both his master and the young female Summoner. “I want to go rest.”

‘Summons need rest?’ Sakura thought as they began to walk in, meeting Asuma in person on the other side of the gate. As soon as she thought of the questions she felt a little stupid. All that training and she didn’t know that one, basic thing. ‘Then again . . . I really learned more about the magic build-up to become a Summoner more than being a Summoner itself . . .’

The moment all of them had stepped through and Sakura had brought herself out of her thoughts, she smiled at the wonderful greeting before her. She had been to the Hokage’s home several times, a large, enchanted palace that was carved completely of a pearly white marble and glowed in the sun. There were many floors that stood high within the barrier and tall spirals pierced through the sky. Even more, within everyone’s reach there were courtyards, gardens and practice rooms for Summoners and those who practiced magic.

Kakashi walked ahead of Sakura, Konohamaru and Naruto, Sasuke coming to his side as well while they all followed Asuma. There was literally no door to walk inside of the palace, as the Hokage preferred open spaces with plenty of light and many windows. Instead there was a wide, open corridor with a floor that clearly reflected those that walked upon it and mirrors trimmed with roses all the way down. Holes at the top of the ceiling were filled with colorful glass so that when light shown through, brilliant, bright patterns painted themselves on the bottom. In a single word, it was magnificent, perhaps inviting.

Sakura watched Konohamaru, who seemed to stare down at the patterns with wonder and giggled. She knew that if he lived here everyday and still couldn’t find anything dull about the wonders of his Grandfather’s palace, then someone like her, who had only been there three times at the most could never start to find anything wrong.

Asuma bid them farewell once they reached a ling, spiraling flight of stairs, saying he had to keep on the lookout for the rest of the investigators. Sakura wasn’t paying any attention to them at all, too entranced with the architecture around her, but she vaguely listened to Kakashi tell him of what had been going on. It seemed he knew everything, including why she had to see Hokage.

“Sakura,” Naruto said, his voice seeming far away and his head twisted in many directions. He made sure to keep balance while they walked up the stairs, but he had almost tripped when he swung around a little too quickly. “Are these the kinds of places humans really make?”

The young Summoner smiled, very glad that Naruto appreciated such a place like this. Somehow, with the way he stared and admired everything around him, it almost convinced her that he wasn’t what people had made him out to be. Though even before she had thought that.

“Yes . . .” she replied slowly, and as she did she noticed Konohamaru laying his head against her chest, his eyes closing and his breaths becoming small and even. Now things just seemed well. “This is what people can make.”

When they had reached the top, they came across another large, great hallway, only this one was more wide than long. To the right and to the left were more thin, narrow foyers, but just before them were two tall doors that, when put together, made a large semi-circle sort of shape. Kakashi gave that same salute he had given to Asuma earlier to Sakura.

“This is where the Hokage is,” he said, giving her and Naruto a sweet grin from underneath the covering. He also reached out his arms and for a moment Sakura wasn’t sure why. When he pointed towards Konohamaru, she obeyed and handed the young child to him, who immediately cradled in the older man’s arms. “I’ll take Konohamaru to his room. You speak to the Hokage and tell him everything. He will let you know what to do.”

Sakura put her hands to her lap and bowed down low, closing her eyes as her hair fell to her face. Already in such a short time had she found someone great to admire, a more experienced Summoner who had such a powerful presence and feel to him. She had truly hoped this wouldn’t be that last she met him and his Summon. “Thank you very much, Kakashi, Sasuke.”

But instead of taking her up on her thanks, he lifted her by the shoulder with his available hand, making her look up at him in confusion.

“Now, now,” he said, in almost a taunting manner. “We are both Summoners. Whether you think so or not, that puts us on equal ground.”

With that he turned around to walk down one of the two corridors that provided for him. Sasuke, who had only stayed for a while longer, gave a rather confident smirk towards Naruto before turning away himself to go with his master, which made the Fox Demon growl in contempt. As soon as Sakura threw him a harsh look to behave himself, however, he calmed down and looked to the doors.

“Let’s go Naruto,” she said, a soft smile on her face. “It’s time to meet the Hokage.”

Naruto approved, giving her a serious expression in return before he pressed against the two doors for Sakura, giving off a low, echoing creak. At first Sakura gulped in anticipation, suddenly realizing where she was; she had met the Hokage before. She had to keep reminding herself that, but at the same time . . . ‘Now that I have to admit it . . . It was Master that always spoke to him. I never had any real personal confrontation with him before.’

The moment they stepped in the room they came across a large, circular room, decorated much like how the hallways had been with the exception of a giant, clear, oval ceiling in which light shone through. As the two young people stepped forth, they came upon an elderly, wrinkling man with heavy scars on his face and a single mole sitting behind an oak desk. He looked up at them when the doors behind them closed, and already he had greeted them with a smile.

“Well, if it isn’t apprentice Sakura,” The Hokage said, pressing his old, rather feeble looking hands onto the surface of his desk to stand up. Sakura, who hadn’t expected such a warm welcome, was overjoyed and she hurried closer to him, Naruto watching and following her example. “It’s been at least a year since I’ve last seen you. How you’ve grown.”

“Yes, Sir,” the young Summoner replied, utterly pleased. But as the old man’s eyes began to wander towards the blond boy next to her, her face grew serious. She knew she had to get straight to the point so she could follow the orders of her former master as soon as possible. She needed to get started on her journey. “Hokage . . . I need to speak with you about an urgent matter.”

“Is it about Tsunade’s death?” he said, which surprised both her and Naruto. He waved a hand nonchalantly, as if it were no great deal. “Remember, I am the Hokage, Sakura. I am able to sense such matters the moment they have come. Her passing . . . was horrid news indeed. Especially for you, I’m sure.”

The young girl’s eyes narrowed as she looked to the ground, her nostalgic, upset frown returning. But still, she had to continue. “Yes . . . Yes, it did hurt. But that isn’t what I’m here for. Please, tell me about Orochimaru. He’s stolen a scroll and killed Master. I have to stop him at all costs!”

Hokage looked astounded by this news and he sat back down in his chair, his eyes wandering about the room in deep thought. At last, after looking like he was going through much contemplation, he spoke. “So, that was the dark sensation I had felt earlier . . . Orochimaru . . . Sakura.”

“Yes?” she said, standing straight. She made sure to listen completely, her sights wholly on the man before her. “What is it?”

“I don’t believe you have to worry about who Orochimaru is . . . but more of what he can do. If he has indeed stolen the scroll that I am thinking of, then we will have no mercy. Granted, he will need at least three years to complete his plan, but . . .”

“Sir, if I may ask,” she began, catching the Hokage’s attention. “This . . . this forbidden scroll . . . what’s in it? Am I allowed to know?”

For a moment he had paused again, his eyes strained. He looked as if he was torn between answers, wondering if he should give her a proper response or not. Deep inside, though she would be fine with anything he gave her, she had hoped that he would comply with her request and let her know the contents. After all, she was going to pursue this mysterious, powerful enemy for the very item.

“The Forbidden scroll,” he started, his voice slow, then it sped up as he continued, “Is a scroll of unimaginable power. It is a great Summon that gives a whole new, refreshed body, an everlasting being that is prophesized to have the power to take over every kingdom in the world.”

“In the world?” Naruto repeated, sounding amazed. Finally he had decided to join in on the conversation as well. Before, when the talking was just between Sakura and the Hokage, he was still looking around and up to the sky like a young child. Although there were no words about it so far, Sakura was completely sure that the Hokage knew just what Naruto was: the Fox Demon.

With that interruption, the old man decided to trail on a different subject. He chuckled a little as if in an amused manner, arousing curiosity among the both of them. When the Summoner and her Summon had eyes that begged for answers, he gladly provided for them.

“If I remember right, Tsunade had sealed the Fox Demon in a scroll,” he started, earning a nod from Sakura. His grin had grown wider, the wrinkles on his elderly face stretching with every word he spoke. “That must mean you’re a Scroll Summoner . . . a powerful one, indeed, especially for one so young. Even I couldn’t reach that potential until I was in my late twenties.”

“Scroll Summoner?” both Naruto and Sakura said together, wondering just what he had meant. Of course, they both knew just what he was talking about, but at the same time . . . was there a difference between a Summon unlocked with a staff or a scroll? Sakura wondered. ‘I suppose there is . . . I hadn’t thought that way before.’

The Hokage, who had many thick textbooks on his table, let his fingers ride over the spines of the tomes before pulling out one in particular; a thick, black one. It dropped onto the surface of his desk and without the use of his hands it turned itself to a certain page. On one side, there were many drawings of different staffs and scrolls, while on the other side there were words. He turned the book around and ushered the both of them closer, which they did.

“There is a great difference,” he began, first pointing to the staffs. “Those who use staffs are ones who often use normal magic; it’s the way it always has been, and while Summoners are rare among the populace, the majority of those carry staffs as well. You see, they are not what cause the process of Summoning, but rather . . . a magically infused weapon per se, a focus for those who have a difficult time harnessing their own power.”

“I see,” Sakura said, nodding. She looked to Naruto to see if he was paying attention, but frowned when she saw him looking off again. She had to keep in mind his short attention span -or at least his lack of love for learning- for the future. “So, ‘Staff Summoners’, as you would call the, I guess . . . they have power, but they have a difficult time using it without a medium?”

“That’s exactly it. But Scroll Summoners . . .” his fingers pointed to the beginning of a paragraph, though he did not read it word for word. “. . . They are able to Summon and use magic as they please, even without a staff. They are usually much stronger than the average. You have great control over your magic, as well as great power. Still . . .”

“Still?” Sakura asked.

“Much of it is still dormant . . . In order to gain power along this journey of yours, enough to defeat Orochimaru and save the land by taking back the Forbidden scroll, you must unlock that power within you. Fight, find powerful Summons to fight alongside you, and learn great magics along the way. It is . . .”

She waited as he stopped, raising his hand and looking harshly in her eyes. “It is the only way you will be able to win.”

As he snapped the book shut with a magical presence of his own he stood up, pointing over to the door. “I suggest you stay the night here, and begin your journey in the morning. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

Hearing the words from before still ringing in her ears, that strong, powerful utterance, it took a moment for her to register the rest of what he had said. But once she had she nodded quickly, a heavy flush of embarrassment rising to her cheeks as she bid the Hokage farewell and turned to leave the room. As she had opened the doors and walked completely out, Naruto went in her direction as well, only stopping when he heard the Hokage speak again.

“Fox Demon,” he said, his voice sounding strong but not harsh. Naruto listened intently. “Protect that girl . . . she was an apprentice of the legendary Tsunade, and something tells me she will become something much greater.”

Without a second thought, Naruto grinned like a child. He held up a single hand, giving him a special thumbs up. “No worries here! I’ll protect my master with my life, now and forever.”

As the Summon left the room, the Hokage sat back down, heaving a long, heavy sigh. But after that, once he had recalled everything that had just happened in such a short time he smiled. ‘What a great pair . . . we will certainly see justice.’

Naruto: Summoner 3

2008-05-03T02:57:00.000-07:00

Chapter Three

Konohamaru, the Hokage's Grandson

“This woods is really long, Master,” Naruto said as he looked around. From left to right, all he could see was the great forest. However, he didn’t mind that they were walking along it, even if his voice sounded like he was bored; the woods actually made him feel very comfortable.

Sakura, who was walking alongside her Summon, frowned a little disappointedly. “I asked you not to call me Master . . . it makes me uncomfortable.”

“What for?” Naruto asked, shrugging. He only looked in her direction for a second for staring upwards, where a sky would have normally been had there not been so many long branches in the way to cover it up. It wasn’t enough to shroud the couple in darkness, but it did make for plenty of shade. “You really are my master, so . . .”

“I’m not so sure,” she replied with an awkward smile, pulling a bit of her hair away from her face and placing it behind her ear. “I just don’t feel the authority I’m supposed to feel, I guess . . .”

Naruto did not answer, but instead nodded knowingly and went back to looking out at the woods. As he watched the small life hustle around among the ground, not daring to go near the two of them, he could sense the strong presence of magic. His senses were still a little rusty, he supposed, and there was also the fact that both Tsunade and her home had been marinated in the same kind of presence, but still . . .

‘Now everything seems to have magic,’ he thought, closing his eyes peacefully and linking his fingers behind his neck. He took a deep breath, relishing in the sort of calmness that evolved around him. ‘From what I remember from before, everything was so dead . . . Now it’s all so . . .’

“Sakura,” Naruto began, for the first time using her name. He immediately caught her attention with it, and she smiled faintly as if pleased by it. “What is this Hokage like? Why is he the village master?”

Sakura looked up to the branches abruptly as if in deep thought, the available hand not holding her traveling bag tapping on her tiny lips. Not many people had actually known the Hokage personally, although everyone had seen him. She, however, was the former apprentice to a legacy and had talked to him on several occasions. She felt lucky she had; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had much to say.

“Well,” she started weakly, forming her words together in her head. Just for a moment she stopped walking, but as she put her focus back on the world around her and noticed Naruto had continued on, she caught up with his strides. It was than that she answered his question.

“The Hokage is a great man who has always protected our village from danger. There have been only a few Hokage’s, but many believe that he is the greatest.” She smiled widely. “And he’s even a Summoner, like Master and me! But he has sealed most of his away for another time or given them to worthy apprentices.”

“Most of them?” Naruto inquired. Sakura nodded.

“The only Summon he has left in the open now is the one whom he considers his grandson, Konohamaru. Believe it or not, he’s only a duckling, not something great and strong like one would expect.” Sakura’s smile grew wider, and she squealed girlishly as her cheeks flushed. “And he’s the cutest thing!”

Naruto looked over to his master skeptically, wondering if all girls acted this way when they saw something they adored. But as he watched her, his own cheeks started to burn with a slight tint of pink, and he was grateful that the shadows of the branches above had hid them from Sakura. He didn’t mind her being so happy in the least, as strange as he thought it was.

As they reached the edge of the forest, the two were suddenly embraced with a whole new setting, one that left Naruto stunned. It was what Sakura had talked about, the village that the Hokage was supposed to protect. People, small and tall ones alike ran about the road, some playing childrens’ games and kicking up the dirt on the street while others were shopping at the various markets stands selling fruits, chatting with the owners happily.

The homes, stores, and an Inn that Naruto had spotted in the corner were all built out of wood from the forest, and somehow they literally seemed to glow with the magic within the bark. Seeing so many people like he had never seen it before made him feel a bit like a wound up child, and he grinned and darted out in the center of the street.

“This is great!” Naruto shouted out loud, earning some strange stares though it seemed like he didn’t notice. He threw his fists in the air, spinning around a bit and dizzying himself just to take a look at everything in view. Sakura ran to him, a little embarrassed, but as soon as she tried to straighten him out he grabbed her hands and spun her around along with him. “Sakura, this is my first time in a real village!”

“Calm down, Naruto!” she demanded, though she was giggling a little herself. Still, under order of his master he did stop, just only slightly holding onto her fingers like he did not want to let go. Things seemed to rattle and double right before his eyes, particularly Sakura’s face, but he tried his best to keep his balance. Still, he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.

“I didn’t think I’d get so excited,” he told her, looking around in a much less noticeable manner now that he could see much better. It hadn’t stopped others who had already witnessed him to stop staring, however. “I just . . . I saw how alive everything was, just like how the forest was alive with magic and I just . . .”

Sakura already seemed to understand. She squeezed both of his hands affectionately, her face beaming much like his. “I see! Seeing something so different than what you’re used too . . . it must be amazing! Especially after being sealed inside of that scroll for so long. Though I don’t think anyone was as energetic as you.”

For a moment that grin on Naruto’s face dulled at the mention of the scroll, and Sakura tilted her head a bit, an almost regretful expression on her. But she wasn’t questioning in the least; she knew that it must have been a lonely and terrible place within that scroll, since it was the prison for the Fox Demon. Her master wouldn’t have put him in a paradise.

Sakura slowly let go on Naruto’s hands, turning around to look for her traveling bag. She had carelessly dropped it when she was running towards Naruto, and she had hoped that none of her belongings had fallen out of it and gotten dirty. But as she looked around, her eyes came upon a small, brown haired child, his tiny fingers tugging on the strings of her bag to drag it in her direction. Her heart soared.

“Konohamaru!” she said, skipping over in the little boy’s direction. As soon as his dark eyes met hers he let go of her bag, grunting and pouting a little as she effortlessly picked up and slumped it over her shoulder. She kneeled down, an index finger poking at the young boy’s nose. She giggled. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you out in the village like this.”

Konohamaru didn’t seem to enjoy the child-like attention he was getting, but as he took in Sakura’s pleased smile a warm, cheery feeling filled his chest. He held out a hand and she took it, standing up again.

“Gramps doesn’t know I’m down here,” he said, speaking as though he were an important figure. The two walked over towards Naruto, who was already out of his sad stage and looking down curiously at Konohamaru. The child, however, did not seem to wonder who Naruto was in the least and kept talking. “He said he felt something dangerous and sent down some people to check it out, but I’m here investigating on my own!”

The older two glanced at each other, both having a sneaking suspicion as to what the Hokage was sensing. It might have been many things; he might have noticed Tsunade’s death, or even the summoning of the Demon Fox. It could have been both. But Sakura knew something that Naruto didn’t, and it was the one thing above all that stood out for her. ‘Orochimaru . . .’

“Konohamaru,” Sakura said softly, kneeling down by the boy’s side once again so that they were eye level. “Could you please take us to the Hokage? I need to speak with him . . . it’s important.”

Konohamaru’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm and he beamed. “Sakura! You know what’s going on, don’t you?”

“Well . . .”

“Come on, say it!”

“Hey!” Naruto suddenly said harshly, bopping the young child on the top of his head with a fist. Konohamaru let go of Sakura’s hand and felt the top of his skull, flinching but staring defiantly at the one who assaulted him. Naruto, though, was showing no remorse; his face looked just as irritated as he crossed his arms and looked downwards. “Don’t bother Sakura.”

“But I wasn’t!” Konohamaru complained, little tears forming in his eyes though he tried his best to hide it. “I just wanted to know what was happening . . .”

“It’s alright,” Sakura said, patting Konohamaru’s back as a way of comforting him. She turned her face and frowned at Naruto, who looked back at her in disbelief. He honestly thought he was doing something right! Wasn’t she bothered by him nagging her? “Naruto, he’s only a child!”

As much as he wanted to argue his point, a tug at his heartstrings kept Naruto silent. He wasn’t exactly sure if it was him who was feeling so ashamed all of a sudden, or if it was the fact that it was his master who scolded him. After all, from as far as he could remember in his past, which was vague, he didn’t have a master before.

But as he looked down at the little boy who was getting all the attention in the world from Sakura, he immediately turned his nose to the sky. ‘All I know is that kid is a brat!’

“Konohamaru,” Sakura started, lightly kissing his forehead to try and make him feel better. She concentrated her best just as she had been taught, and when she breathed ever so slightly, an essence of magic seemed to swirl like pixie dust. In a flash the boy was well again, as if he was never hurt in the first place. She stood again next to Naruto, giving Konohamaru her most thoughtful smile. “Now could you take us to Hokage?”

Without a second thought he nodded again and again, reaching out for her hand. “Yeah, yeah!”

The home where the Hokage, Konohamaru’s master or ‘Grandfather’ lived was within a long, winded path just like Tsunade’s home was. The main village where the three had just been was where travelers or residents stayed, while places of importance were disguised among the forest.

“Be careful,” Konohamaru warned, holding up an index finger informatively, “Gramps has guards all over the forest, so they might try and ambush us if we’re not careful.”

“Don’t worry!” Sakura said, giving a big sister smile. “I have Naruto with me, and you too. Both great Summons that are here to protect me!”

Konohamaru suddenly seemed to gain interest in the other boy for the first time as he turned his face to look at him in wonder. Naruto was behind the other two, his face twisted into a jealous pout. ‘He’s a Summon like me? I couldn’t tell . . . He must be really powerful to hide it like that!’

For the first time Konohamaru willingly let go of Sakura’s hand to run by Naruto’s side, his face full of questions. Naruto glanced over to his master, wondering what he should exactly do or say, but Konohamaru answered for him. “So, what kind of Summon are you? I’m a duck!”

Naruto grinned, and it seemed like the two finally found a common interest in each other. He stopped walking, placing one hand on his hip and the other with his thumb pointing to himself as if he were an important figure. Then he boasted loudly, proudly, “Who, me? I’m the great De-“

“Naruto, stop!” Sakura commanded harshly, and he shut his mouth. When she saw the look on his face, as if she was telling him to stop because it wasn’t important, she felt terrible. Quickly she came up with an explanation for both boys, her face flushed with both embarrassment and shame. “Um . . . you see, Naruto’s Summon is a really big secret right now . . .”

Konohamaru looked like he didn’t care at all about that; now he wanted to know even more. “Come on! I won’t tell!”

She laughed it off just a bit, then turned around to continue walking, glancing back to see if the two boys followed her. She frowned, still not exactly feeling settled with her excuse. ‘I’m sorry, Naruto . . . But if Konohamaru found out you were the Fox Demon, it would surely cause trouble. We have to let the Hokage know before anyone else.’

Sakura paused her movement as she heard a quick rustling from the woods to her left, but when she looked, there was nothing there. She took a cautious step towards her focus, narrowing her eyes and looking hard for anything in the least bit suspicious. Still, even though there was no physical presence, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. ‘Strange . . .’

Only after she was sure that there was nothing that was going to attack her did she step forward, but just then from the corner of her eye she caught the glint of something dart out from the darkness, nearly making her heart stop. Before she could even see what it was she shut her eyes and two hands clamped on her shoulders and pulled her back, barely missing the attacker. She could feel the tingle of something sharp that had brushed the bridge of her nose.

“Sakura, are you okay?” she heard, and when she looked up she saw that her savior was Naruto. He let her stand on her own, almost pushing her before she could answer as he rushed to the enemy.

Before them on the path to the Hokage was a large snake, with rough, coarse black skin and two piercing fangs that seemed to drool with a violet, liquid-like substance. It slid into a coil, holding its head up high above them and staring down at the three with startling eyes. Sakura looked into them, watching the swirling black windmill within the blood red pupil as if in a trance.

“How dare you attack my master!” Naruto growled, his own Demon Fox teeth and claws jutting out. He bent his knees, a low growl erupting from him before he charged, jumping high to directly swipe at the top of the skull of the snake.

His sharp fingernails cut right underneath its eye, making a long, thin slit that started to bleed as soon as the wound was opened, and the snake hissed loudly before diving at his enemy. Dirt flew into the air and Sakura shut her eyes, going down on her knees and pulling Konohamaru into a tight hug to try and protect him from the noisy scuffle. Seeing nothing, she could only hear loud growls and screeches.

“Sasuke, stop!” she heard an unfamiliar voice shout, and she felt Konohamaru’s tense body calm. She peeked an eye open to see if the dirt had cleared, and while it hadn’t completely gone away she deemed it safe enough. She let go of her tight grip on Konohamaru and stood. The first thing she saw was Naruto lying flat on his back, the snake’s giant head pressing him down and the fangs trying to poke through the clothing at his chest.

“Naruto!” Sakura said worryingly, though she stayed in her place so as not to alert to predator. Another rustle in the woods caught her attention and Sakura looked over, as well as the snake and Naruto to see a man had walked out from behind a tree.

He was much taller than herself or any of her companions, with seemingly all-over-the-place silver hair, but not quite as out of place of Naruto’s. While a mask that covered even down underneath his top covered most of his face, one of his lazy, coal eyes was visible. He was staring right at the snake, which ignored its battled to stare back.

“Sasuke, I warned you against going out like that. Look.” The man’s face looked harsh, as if he were scolding the snake as he pointed to Konohamaru. The young boy, even if his grip was loosened, was still shaking and his arms were still securely wrapped around one of Sakura’s legs. “The Hokage’s grandson is right there. What if you hit him?”

For a moment the eyes of the snake seemed to narrow as if in contemplation, then Sakura watched in amazement as the creature shrank, growing thin, pale arms and legs and a head of black hair. It was another boy, and she suddenly put to and two together as she looked between him and the silver haired man. ‘This snake . . . it’s this man’s Summon! He’s a Summoner!’

The snake, whose more human-like body was sitting on the ground next to Naruto panting, rubbed the blood from a long, thin cut off of his cheek and spat on the ground. He looked in the direction of the Fox Demon and glowered, standing up to walk next to his master. His black eyes, no longer the possessing the strange, mysterious swirl from before, were still utterly dark and attractive. “Sorry, Master.”

That confirmed it for Sakura, and instead of being scared she was now in awe. Summoners, after all, were rare people since it took so many years of dedication and work, and she was already face to face with one like herself! Looking between the both of them, her cheeks blushed heavily. ‘They’re both so handsome . . .’

“Geez,” Naruto said, finally sitting up and patting his chest to see if there were any wounds. He looked fiercely at the snake called Sasuke, his incisors still sticking out from his battle. “You could’ve killed me with those fangs of yours! I can practically still feel them jabbing me . . .”

Sasuke scoffed, acting as if it were nothing. He put one hand on his hip, balancing all his weight on one foot and looking down at Naruto the same authoritative way he had as a snake. “Why not get better so that won’t happen next time? You’re so weak.”

“I’m not weak!” Naruto retorted, hopping up and sliding in front of Sakura and Konohamaru, holding out his arms widespread to protect them. “I-I’m just new at this, that’s all!”

“Both of you, calm down,” said the man, holding up both of his hands and laughing nervously to lighten the mood. This had quickly let down the guard of both boys, as well as Sakura. Here, he didn’t look the least bit fierce, but Sakura also had a uneasy notion that the commanding power he had before was still hidden somewhere. “That’s going to get us nowhere.”

“I-I agree,” Sakura said, nodding. As she willed herself to take a step Konohamaru let go of her leg, and instead she took his hand again and walked around Naruto. The silver haired man also did the same with his Summon, letting the both of them stand face to face. Once again, his immensely tall figure intimidated her. She didn’t like having to look straight up at someone.

“Young lady,” he began, glimpsing past her to see Naruto then going back to her, “Is that your Summon right there? The Fox Demon?”

Everyone reacted to his words, including his own Summon. Sakura felt her heart begin to pump, and she gulped as she succumbed to the pressure she was feeling and averted her eyes. ‘He knows . . . he knows who Naruto is! But how? What’s going to happen . . .?’

“Kakashi,” Konohamaru said, beginning in a quiet voice then speaking up. Somehow he already knew the man. “Naruto is the Fox Demon?”

The man called Kakashi simply smiled at the boy, not exactly answering his question the way he wanted it to be answered. “Naruto, huh? Interesting name for an interesting Summon.”

Naruto: Summoner 2

2008-05-03T02:52:00.000-07:00

Chapter Two

Seeking out the Hokage

Sakura sat before the Fox Demon, utterly amazed more than afraid. She thought that the creature would be terrifying, ready to tear her apart. But the first creature she had ever summoned in her entire life turned out to be a boy instead. Despite the picture, what was called was not what was drawn on the scroll.

The boy before her did not look much older than her; she was tempted to say he was even the same age. His puffy, soft cheeks sported three scars across each and the ocean-blue orbs that were his eyes looked energetic and exciting. With his ruffled, all-over-the-place sunny hair, he looked more of a loud child than anything.

‘And he called himself Uzumaki Naruto,’ Sakura thought, trying to piece things together. Her mind began to zone away from the outside commotion as she thought things through, her eyes falling to the floor and her hands gesturing. ‘Master said to take on her legacy, but what exactly am I supposed to do? I’ve never seen her summon a living creature before!’

The Demon Fox Naruto looked down at the girl curiously, suddenly amazed by the pretty, soft, exposed skin . . . His cheeks flared as he turned away, but after a moment he peeked in her direction again. She didn’t even seem to mind the fact that she was uncovered, and in front of a boy no less!

His curious wide eyes traced her features until they saw her hand. While he had already seen light smeared blood on her shoulders, chest and cheeks, it was most heavily among her fingers and palms. Suddenly his senses felt riled by the sight, and he licked his lips; something about blood just brought out a strange temptation.

“So,” Sakura continued, looking like she was counting her fingers, the digits curling into her palm as she numbered them off, “There are two things. Uzumaki Naruto and the Demon Fox can’t possibly be one and the same. It just doesn’t seem- Hey!”

Sakura was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt Naruto’s nails dig into her soft-skinned wrist and pull her forward towards him. It was then that she had unconsciously picked up the towel to cover her breasts, but he wasn’t after such a thing. She shut her eyes, but opened them again when she felt something warm and ticklish against her hand.

Naruto had only taken her close enough to lightly lick away at the blood in her hands, his tongue lapping up so much that in no time her hand was only lined with a light layer of saliva. When finished he wiped what little blood that had trickled down his chin and suckled on his fingers, grinning widely once he had finished. “That was so good!”

For a moment, Sakura only stared in shock. However, once she had snapped out of her state she quickly stood upright, pulling the towel that slightly covered her extra close with one hand while her other pointed into his chest with an index finger. She suddenly felt absolutely livid! “What are you thinking, you disgusting monster! That was Master’s blood you just drank!”

“Your master?” Naruto repeated, looking up at her while taking a few momentary glances at finger that poked him. He took a small step back; despite her frail body, the girl obvious had some strength hidden inside of her. “That wasn’t your blood?”

“No!” she shouted back. ‘How dare he! This is so degrading . . . I never would have tried to summon him if he was like this!’

“Hey, hey,” Naruto started slowly, holding up his hands rather defensively, a childish grin on his face. “Calm down now, Master.”

Sakura didn’t seem to understand what he had said; it took her a moment to register his words. While she contemplated in her head again, Naruto took the chance to look around just a bit in the kitchen. His eyes closed only a little as he lifted his chin and sniffed the air, then he scowled as he covered his nose.

“Geez!” the Naruto growled, his sharp canines protruding. “This place reeks of those people . . .”

“Those people?” Sakura asked out of nowhere, curious. But before he could answer, she shook her head, shouting just a bit louder than she had to for his attention. “No, wait! Forget about that! Why did you call me Master? You’re just a boy! I don’t own you!”

Naruto chuckled a little at her words, as if the answer were plainly obvious. She gave give a curious expression, begging for what he knew. What did he knew that she didn’t? This was frustrating! “What are you talking about? You summoned me, the Fox Demon, right?”

‘What?’ Sakura wasn’t sure what to say to that. Yes, of course she had summoned the Fox Demon, or she thought she had tried and failed. She was so sure she had made some sort of mistake when she called him boy instead, but . . . ‘Have I really done it? This . . . this boy is really the Fox Demon? Then that means . . .’

Out of nowhere she hugged Naruto tightly, pulling his head over her shoulder as she squeezed him with all her might and cheered. She was already forgetting all of the questions and momentary confusion that she had felt; she was just proud. “I’ve done it! I’ve correctly summoned my first one! My first summon!”

“Uh . . .” Naruto kept his hands wide apart at his sides, making sure not to touch her in any way that she, or any girl for that matter, would normally deem inappropriate. So far, however, his master had turned out to be a not so modest girl. He blushed heavily, then waited until she had pulled away. She was very giggly at the moment, but at least she had remembered to hold up her towel again.

“Wow,” she said, a girlish grin on her face, “I can’t believe it . . . Master always said I was good, but to go and finally be able to summon the Fox Demon . . . the great and powerful Fox Demon, no less!”

“Proves that you have a lot of potential, huh?” he said, smiling back. For a moment the two exchanged a sort of mutual feeling for one another, one of comfort, but that had quickly withered away and they averted their eyes. What did one say to their master, or their new summon? Naruto covered his mouth slightly and coughed. “So . . . do you have any clothes or anything, Master?”

Sakura looked down at her body, finally noticing what she seemed to have completely forgotten about the entire time. While she unconsciously remembered to keep herself modest, as most people learned to, she had truly remembered that she was close to naked until he said it. She turned red as she hastily tried to cover up even more, then she turned.

“I-I-I’m going to my room!” she said as she round the corner to go down the stairs. “Just wait up there, Fox Demon!”

“You don’t have to call me that,” he said with a pout, but he did as he obeyed. Naruto kneeled down onto the floor, his toes curling into his sandals as he stayed patiently in his spot before the broken treasure chest.

Right before him, slightly stained with blood from Sakura’s hands was the scroll he had been locked into. But this time, there was no such design of him in his true form, or even the forest behind what had been. It was empty; clean as a slate. He stared resentfully as his prison for a moment, then he ripped it to shreds. ‘I hate that place.’

Naruto heard a clank over nearby him and turned, unexpectedly bumping his head into a floating bowl. He shut his eyes momentarily to protect them, then a sweet aroma filled his nostrils, and while the bowl kept bumping into him as if he were in the way of its path, he captured it in his hands.

For a moment it struggled, then the magic that had possessed it seemed to have faded. Many loud crashes could be heard then, and as he looked at the kitchen next to him there were salt shakers and spoons all over the stone floor. Shrugging and ignoring them, he looked in the bowl and tasted the dark mesh. A tingle of pleasure ran down his spine.

‘This sweet stuff,’ he thought, now taking in even more by the handful and swallowing it, ‘It’s really good!’

This sudden new food entertained him as something not just for eating; he laughed as it slowly dripped off his fingers like a slimy goo, and just for fun he tossed it across the kitchen and onto a far wall. A huge splat struck against it and he giggled mischievously.

“Humans,” he said in between bites, “They have so much fun!”

But even through the tasty meal he was taking in, another smell wafted into his nose, heightening his senses. It was the blood he had before; just as fresh, just as enticing. Still, another scent lay even within that, one he felt disgusted by. He placed the bowl down onto the floor, careful not to make too much of a clank, then he followed the scent down the small hallway.

As soon as his eyes came to the floor, he knew. Despite his hate for the woman before him, there was a solemn resonance in his eyes. Naruto kneeled down towards Tsunade’s dead body and felt her stiff, pale cheeks, shivering at the sudden cold he felt. He lightly traced down her figure towards her open chest where the wound was still bleeding from. Ironically enough, the blood was warm to the touch. “Old woman . . . Were you my master’s master?”

Sakura pulled the dress over her head, tugging on the end of it just slightly to tidy it up. It was a thin, white top that stopped squarely below her collarbone, hugged at her breasts than flared down to her waist. While it was already quite feminine enough, the lace around the ends and the small, silky bow on her back added even more of a girlish touch.

With that, she put on a skirt of hers that was mid-thigh of the same color; Tsunade always told her that one who traveled had to be able to move, and a long dress would tire her quickly. ‘Master . . .’

Sakura frowned as she looked back into the tall mirror before her, slowing down her movement as she ran her hand through her rather tangled hair. It was still wet from her bath. Then she turned to look at a brush on her desk, which normally would be dancing about from her master’s magic, ready to straighten her hair and make it most beautiful.

“Please,” she started, thought there was more of a saddened tone in her voice than a strong command, “I know that Master is no longer here, but would you work for me? I have to pack and ready myself, so I’m afraid I can’t brush my hair with as much care as you give it.”

It took a moment but the brush did come to life, sauntering off the table before tripping over the side. It looked as if it were going to fall for the ground for a moment, but magic possessed it further and it began to float towards her hair, already beginning to straighten it to perfection. Sakura smiled softly as she slipped into some comfortable walking boots, hopping a bit since she had nothing to sit on.

As she finished tying her second thigh boot she flinched at a noise she heard above. At first it sounded like a slow dragging noise, one she had hear before but not quite registered, then she heard a thud and someone cursing. She had figured that was Naruto, the one she decided herself to call Fox Demon. ‘I wonder what he wants me to really call him . . .?’

For now Sakura decided to ignore the noise; she knew full well that no matter what you summoned, they had to obey their master no matter what. Even if it was the powerful Fox Demon, she commanded that he stay where he was. In her long years of research as an apprentice, she had learned that and many other things. Instead she packed.

Another rather loud noise was up stairs, only now it seemed to be outside. Sakura panicked slightly, but tried her best to continue thinking of other things. ‘Right . . . do I have clothes? Things to clean myself? What about a staff . . .?’

Come to think of it, she hadn’t needed a staff when she had supposedly summoned Naruto. Was that normal? She knew just how difficult it was to summon even the tiniest things, yet she had been bestowed the power; and she didn’t use a staff! ‘Maybe I’m special! Or Master was such a great teacher, that . . .’

Finally, the brush had dropped onto the floor with a thud, and right after closing her travel bag Sakura picked it up and put it on her dresser table. It was automatically supposed to stroke through her hair a thousand times, just how many times it took to make a girl’s hair perfect. She was almost ready to go, but she had changed her mind about leaving the brush behind. She opened her bag momentarily to put it in, then she closed it again and headed up the stairs.

“There we go . . .” Naruto wiped a light amount of sweat from his forehead, then he swung around his hands to get off the mix of disgusting liquid and dirt. While there was mouth-watering blood mixed in as well, he didn’t feel like having to try anything else to get it. “ . . . For my master.”

He was sure he was in the backyard of Sakura’s house, which really wasn’t more than a small patch of grass heavily surrounded by woods. He sensed a sort of enchantment about them, but then again ever since he came here he felt the present of magic. Tsunade’s body had it especially strong, even stronger than he had even remembered.

Naruto sat down next to the large pile of dirt next to him, patting it lightly. He smiled, part of it glad that he did his duty and the other part of him feeling unusually sad. Underneath the ground his hand had touched was the body of an amazing woman, that was for sure. “Old woman, I’m sure you’ll be missed.”

Now Naruto lied fully back on the ground, linking his fingers behind it head and making himself as comfortable as possible, though some of the longer grasses tickled his cheeks. He sighed as he looked up lazily at the sky, a sky that was a clear blue, swirling with fluffy clouds. It was a nice day, one that acted as if no one had died.

Naruto closed his eyes. “It’s been forever since I saw the sky . . .”

“Naruto!”

The Demon Fox opened his eyes again and sat up, seeing his new master standing at the back door to the small home. She was dressed in all white with the exception of her traveling boots, which were made of a light brown, somewhat fuzzy animal skin. Her hair, now dry and properly flowing past her shoulders, made her look adorable. He tried his best to deny the pink rising to his cheeks. “Master!”

“What did you do with Master’s body?” she asked hastily, and swiftly he recognized her expression looked angry. Sakura almost looked ready to cry. “Please, tell me! Where did she go?”

Naruto smiled, then he pointed down at the patch of scuffled brown dirt in front of him. “No worries, Master. The Old Woman is right here, buried properly . . . I think that’s the most respectful thing for her, right?”

Immediately Sakura’s senses stirred and stopped at the same time, and mix of relief and wonder. So far, Naruto had shown her nothing but kindness, if anything. For such a dark creature that he was known to be, he was kind and even considerate here. She slowly stepped towards the fresh grave of Tsunade’s, kneeling down before it and feeling the soft soil between her own fingers.

Momentarily, she looked to Naruto but turned back to the grave. “Master . . . you really gave her a proper . . .”

“Huh?” Naruto tried to peek at her face, which was hiding underneath her hair, “You okay?”

Sakura couldn’t help it. She tried to keep strong during this, even if it had only happened earlier that day. She decided that she would leave her tears behind and go on her journey like she had been asked. Go out and be a Summoner, stop Orochimaru, bring peace to everyone and everything before they even realized there was danger, but . . . Sakura wiped away at her face, sniffling a bit.

‘Master . . .’ she thought, her other hand squeezing the dirt between her hands, ‘I’m going to miss you! You taught me so much . . . you were so important to me . . .’

“Master,” Naruto called lightly, averting his eyes a bit. He wanted to make her feel better, but he knew that it wouldn’t be the case. A death of someone so close to her would be a wound that would take time to heal, and all he could do was wait. “ . . I . . .”

“Please,” Sakura said slowly, though her voice was shaky, “Please call me Sakura.”

For a moment, he was rather surprised. A first name basis? He had really found a good person indeed. He could tell from this she was someone who cared, who was strong, and who could really pull through. He nodded, more to himself since she couldn’t see. “Then don’t call me Demon Fox. Call me Naruto.”

“Oh . . . Uh-huh . . .”

Naruto waited until Sakura was ready and her tears were completely gone. Once she was finished, however, her mood seemed to be very nice. The two walked through the house to get through the front, Sakura picking up her travel bag in her kitchen first.

When they went out to the front, they were surrounded by just as much woods as the backyard, and only a thin, dirt-like path lay before the two of them. The village Tsunade and Sakura had lived in was quite well-knitted and small, but because her master was a celebrity, they kept her home in hiding.

“So,” Naruto began, looking to his master, “Where to? There must have been a reason if you summoned me.”

“Yes, there is,” Sakura replied as the two walked. “I’ll explain as we go, but the first place I’d like to go . . .”

“Yeah?”

Sakura thought for only a moment, then she approved herself before she spoke. “I’d like to go to our village master, the Hokage. I want to let him know what’s happening.”

Naruto smiled; there wasn’t any idea of objection in his mind. “Alright then. Let’s go!”

Naruto: Summoner

2008-05-03T02:46:00.000-07:00

Chapter One

Apprentiship Complete

Amongst dark, stone cobbled walls, frozen and shivering to the touch if not for the hearty fireplace embedded was a messy, smoky room. A sooty floor dobbled with little sparkles that twinkled in the light was otherwise barely visible under the four legged tables sporadically placed and cauldrons settled about.

Atop those tables were worn and dirty cloths with little round bowls and bottles filled with colorful, at times bubbly and energetic liquids. Standing next to a particularly small and round table with a cauldron of its own was a young lady of fifteen years, with beautiful long cheery pink hair and glowing emerald eyes. She wiped a bit of sweat off her face and she stirred a thick, gooey green substance in the pot before her.

“Master!” Sakura called in an excited voice. Her hands let go of the long wooden staff in the pot, flexing her sore fingers. After blowing them lightly for good measure she grabbed the stick again and pulled it out of the large, black cauldron. The end was curled and lapped with the green sparkling glop, but as she tapped the stick on the edge of the pot what remained quickly sunk back in. She smiled. “Master, I’ve finished it!”

“You have?” a feminine voice said. The only thing that seperated this oddly messy room from another was a torn cloth hung by a pole with rings. Pulling it out from her way was a beautiful woman with large, rather divulging breasts and a loose white robe. She was rather eldery, aging fifty, but kept young looks with her flaxen hair and golden brown eyes. She smiled as she reached out a hand. “Let me see it!”

“Yes ma’am,” Sakura replied, bowing as she handed the staff to her master. The woman, Tsunade, examined it thoroughly, tapping on the wood with her long red fingernails and sniffing the curled end that had been mixed with the ingrediants in the cauldron.

Quickly she struck the end of it on the stone floor and before her appeared a hazy, gray smoke. When it cleared, small, pink flower petals were floating in the air, dazzling the otherwise dark and dirty colored room. Sakura smiled in admiration of the beauty, then met eyes with her master to wait for a reply. Tsunade then smirked, handing the staff back to her apprentice.

“Very good!” she said, clapping her hands together. “I could never have anyone better than you; you’re a great learner, especially with all of the ingrediants you’ve needed to learn.”

Sakura bowed deeply, gripping the at each end with both of her hands. Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. “Thank you so much, Master! Would you like me to make another one for the day?”

“No. You’ve already done a lot today; take a bath!”

With another shorter bow, Sakura lay the staff on top of the table where the cauldron still sat and dashed out of the room, closing the curtain that so as not to cloud up the next room with the smoke. She felt giddy and she walked down a flight of spiraling stairs, down into a room that was underneath the ground. ‘After three years . . . My first summoning staff!’

Tsunade was telling the truth when she had given Sakura the compliment of how well she did on making her first staff. For so long under her teachings the young lady studied all of the magics in the world and the ingrediants, common and rare, that were used to create them. She learned where they were located and which ones were extinct.

Sakura undressed in the bathroom as the tub filled with warm, tasteful water. This home she had lived in was so filled with magic that everything was done by command. If one asked the knife to cut the carrots for a meal, it would cut. If one asked the broom the sweep, it would sweep. This was mostly by Tsunade’s command, however; rarely did they follow Sakura’s directions, since she was still in training.

“Thank you,” Sakura said as she stepped into the water, her toes tingling at the warmth. As she spoke the faucet with water stopped, leaving her to a quiet, peaceful setting. She dove her face underwater, held her breath, then came back up, flicking her hair out of her face. Soap suds floated around her and she sighed of relief. After a long hard day, she loved this feeling. ‘This is heaven!’

Witches and wizards weren’t uncommon in the world she lived in; in fact, learning the basic spells of a witch or wizard was part of the schooling of a child. It was hard work, so rarely people stepped forward to the next level, but from the moment Sakura read of the wonders of spells she was fascinated. The kinds spells she was most taken with however, were not of conjuring fire or bewitching little things like candles or chairs.

Among everything, summoning was what amazed her. The people who trained at such a level were so rare that they had a title of their own: Summoners. They were the cream of the crop, the most powerful among every person in the world. Sakura was lucky to meet not only a Summoner to come under the training of, but Tsunade of The Three heroes. The same heroes who had saved the world from the Demon Fox that killed.

‘I wonder what happened after that,’ Sakura lazily thought as she crossed her arms over the side of the tub. She was allowed to speak to Tsunade in a casual manner and always asked her about her journey with the other two heroes, but it sometimes seemed her Master was vague about certain events on purpose. The world knew the Fox Demon had been defeated, but how? And where did the body go?

‘After all . . .’ Sakura sunk back under neath the water, closing her eyes to protect them from the bubbles that would creep up. ‘Such a huge thing couldn’t have just dissapeard.’

Truthfully, she had no personal grudge against the Fox Demon, though she knew many that still harbored a hate for it. The massive creature was defeared ten years ago after five years of a long reign of terror. She was born when he came about and grew up hearing stories, but she was lucky; her family always moved when they heard news of the coming monster, and they made it away unscathed. She’d never even seen it before.

Unfortunately for many, especially Sakura’s master, Tsunade was the only one of The Three Heroes that was alive. Or at the very least, no one knew if the other two were living. They have quickly dissapeard after the Demon Fox was defeated, and Tsunade never spoke of what happened or even if she knew.

Sakura’s head popped through the surface of the water again, taking a deep breath. She glanced next to her, and on the rim of the tub were bowls of different ointments, shampoos and conditioners for her hair. Closing her eyes once again, she began to hum her favorite tune, the one her master had taught her.

Tsunade yawned as she let go of the small spoon inside of a hot steaming pot of warm vegetables. She flicked her wrists towards it as she turned around and instantly the little ladle was brought to life, mixing the tasty foods on its’ own above a roasting fire. She smiled and muttered a thank you as she sat down on a chair in the kitchen, which pulled out of place itself.

“Thanks,” she told the chair. She rubbed her forehead and leaned back as much as she could, heaving out a heavy sigh in the humid room. The kitchen was almost as equally messy as the Magic room as she called it, with so many stains for cooking failures. She smirked. She may have been a hero, but she always lost the battle in the kitchen, even with her spells.

Tsunade glanced over to a small chest in the corner of the room, one that had been securely locked and wrapped with strong, durable silver chains and buckles. As she looked, her expression grew grim and serious, remembering the past. Dust had long piled upon it as she had dared not to touch it herself for years. There were many secrets hidden within that treasury, and they were secrets never meant to be shown off again.

A loud knocking on the entrance door to her chalet made her stand up again. It was often she had company, most of the time receiving young scholars interested in the battle to defeat the Fox Demon. She always turned them down, however; she wanted to keep the previous memories of that long journey to herself.

That was why Tsunade was so surprised the day she met Sakura three years ago. She was a short girl dressed in heavy, almost manly clothing and a childish smile. The woman could instantly see the desire to learn and the dedication in her eyes, and welcomed her in. It was her first apprentice, and she was quite proud of her too.

‘Her first summoning staff,’ Tsunade thought, another smile crossing her red lips. She stepped into the hallway, her bare feet long used to the cold on the ground. For her, it was rather comforting it was so home-like for her. ‘She will become a great summoner. I can feel it.’

“Hello?” Tsunade said as she opened the door to her home. It was wooden and arced at the top; unfortunately for her, it was a little short for a woman so tall and she had to lean underneath when she went out to take a walk. “Is there something you need?”

Instantly her eyes became wide and she gasped. Before her was a tall man with long, thin, unkempt black hair and a pale, bony face. He stared at her with mad, intent eyes; normally she would not feel so intimidated, except it had been years since she had seen this man, and he seemed . . . changed. She could sense his power, his strength, and perhaps something cruel. She had hoped it was her imagination.

“It’s been a while, Tsunade,” the man said in a rather raspy, threatening voice that sent chills down the womans’ spine. There was no way this was her imagination. Something was definitely different than before.

“That’s who I am,” Tsunade replied slowly, trying to keep her confidence and keeping him outside. She was unsettled by the sudden wide, wild grin that showed canine white teeth. Her eyes darted to his bone-thin hands, which reached for a long thin sword. She braced herself, knowing that somehow she couldn’t use words to an old friend, but she couldn’t even see his swing it was so swift.

She didn’t even have time to scream.

Sakura, wrapped only in a small but still modest towel hurried up the stairs, not worrying in the least about the water trail that was dripping on the ground behind her. She heard a loud thump upstairs and while she knew her matser could very well handle herself, she had to be sure. Tsunade was very important to her, after all.

“Master!” she shouted as she opened the door at the top, stepping onto the cold stones of the first floor. She shivered a little but frantically ran into the hallway, turning her face and letting out a frightened screech.

Tsunade lay in a heavy pool of blood, her eyes wide and staring ahead. Her mouth was gaped open, and her gorgeous pale skin had now become deathly white. Across her chest, from her neck to her navel in a straight line, was a long, thick scar. A lava of red liquid spilled from it.

“Master!” Sakura called, running over quickly and kneeling to Tsunade’s side, picking the older woman’s head up and resting it on her knees. Her towel had fallen, but she felt no shame from the moment. She bit down on her lip to try and resist tears, but they had started to come. “Master . . .”

“ . . . Sa . . kura . . .” Tsunade said in a weak voice, barely audible even to her apprentice’s ears. The woman closed her auburn eyes slowly, her chest rising and falling with difficulty. “That man . . . Orochimaru, he . . . stole the scripture . . .”

“Please, don’t talk,” Sakura begged, taking Tsunade’s hand and holding it to her cheeks. In her mind, she had remembered the name Orochimaru as one of the heroes, but she barely concerned herself with the matter. Her cheeks were wet with tears now, her eyes narrow and her face puffy and raw.

“The . . . the scripture . . . is forbidden . . .” she continued to say. It took everything just to speak one word. This time, Sakura listened to what her master had to say. She knew it was incredibly important. “It will destroy . . . all . . . everything . . . if he learns the secret . . to it . . . agh!”

“Oh no!” Sakura said as Tsunade coughed heavily, blood spilling on her chin and cheek. Still, she refused to keep quiet and Sakura did not stop her.

“Please . . . you must go . . . get it back . . .”

“What do you mean?” Sakura asked, fear in her eyes. What was her master asking of her? “I don’t understand! I’m only an apprentice magician; I’m not good enough for something so big . . . you can’t really be asking that of me, can you?”

Tsunade laughed a bit despite a shill, sharp pain running through her chest that made her breath in harshly. She smiled awkwardly, but barely. “Do you . . . know why I took you in? Sakura?”

Sakura sniffled. “ . . . Because I asked.”

“Listen . . . many over the years . . . they have asked . . . to become what you are now . . . but they don’t have it. They don’t have the spirit . . .”

“The spirit?” the young lady questioned.

“The spirit . . . of a Summoner.”

Sakura’s eyes widened, her heart beating faster at the mention of Tsunade’s words. She was so afraid now, but hearing something so powerful from a legend made her heart soar. She . . . she had the power of a Summoner? Her? ‘It has always been my dream to become a great Summoner . . . but I never knew that I really could be one!’

“The chest in the kitchen,” Tsunade said, bringing Sakura’s attention back to her master. “That is where . . the scroll had been . . . but there should be . . . something else . . . You’re very first beast so Summon . . .”

‘Oh my,’ Sakura thought, barely being able to keep up. Her breathing was almost just as unsteady as Tsunade’s. ‘This is really happening!’

“Go . . . go train to be a Summoner . . . take on my legacy . . . please . . . get back what was taken.”

Sakura felt the hand on her cheek go limp as it slid away from her palm and fell to the floor. Sakura’s body froze, her eyes staring through her tears and down at the woman lying before her. Sticky, warm blood dripped on her bare legs, but as she touched Tsunade’s face, her skin was deathly cold. “Master . . .”

Sakura clamped her eyes shut as she threw her hands to her face, crying loudly with great bellows. She couldn’t control it; the very person she loved most in the world, her greatest confidant for three years, her mother, her sister, her best friend was gone.

“Master!”

After a lot time of sobbing Sakura stood up, gently lying the head of her master on the floor. She didn’t worry about the blood on her own body; she would clean Tsunade up, and give her a proper funeral. She cried so much mourning her death that she couldn’t cry anymore. Her face was rock hard, serious.

She turned around, picking up the towel and wrapping it around her body again as she walked. She walked into the kithcen where bewitched spoons and bowls still worked together to make a hearty meal, completely innocent of the passing of their creator. She ignored them, for once not amused by their awkward but cute movements. She had her eyes on something else.

In the corner of the kitchen where old, ripped cobwebs, gathered near a large but now broken chest. She had never questioned why it was always sealed up with chains and locks, belts and bolts. She knew that if there was something so secure, there had to be a reason, especially with her master. But now it had been cut clean in half, two sides fallen on their sides. She kneeled down to look inside of it.

‘Where?’ Sakura thought, her eyes glancing around. So far she didn’t see anything. But as they wandered just a bit more, she caught something in the very dim corner of the broken chest, glittering amongst the gloomy dark. She reached in for it, grimacing at the feel of cobwebs, and pulled out a small roll of parchment tightly wrapped with a black leaf, a spiral in the center. ‘What is this . . . Is this what Master told me about ?’

Sakura slid off the emblem, dropping it on the floor and slowly opened the piece, her eyes fixedly waiting to see what was upon it. What she saw surprised her, almost frightened her. Etched in dark red ink was a messy, rough painting of the Demon Fox, standing over a giant forest.

“This can’t be what she asked me to summon!” she said aloud, not even realizing she had spoken. At her words the scroll glowed a powerful white light, and Sakura felt a warm sensation trail through her system. Instinctively she shut her eyes and covered them with her arms, forgetting about her towel once again. She fell completely to her knees, succumbing to an incredible power.

‘This force,’ Sakura suddenly thought. Even when trying to protect her sight, the light was so blinding she could see some through her eyelids. Her body felt as if warm flames were pressing against her skin, giving an almost tingling sensation. It was almost overwhelming, this energy. ‘ . . . This is surely the Demon Fox!’

Even as the light began to die down and the warmth began to fade away, Sakura still kept her guard, utterly afraid of what she was sure was the Fox Demon. However, the power she had felt before was beginning to receed and she only heard to small taps on the floor.

“Ah,” said an unusually human-like voice, grunting only a bit as if stretching. Tempted to see what had really come from this great scroll, what she had really taken as her first as a Summoner, she put her arms down to her side and slowly opened her eyes. They suddenly widened. A boy.

“Finally,” he said, twisting his wrists around as if trying to get the feeling back in them, “Uzumaki Naruto is free once again!”

Naruto: Sakura

2008-05-03T02:30:00.000-07:00

Haruno Sakura is the apprentice of the most famous Summoner in the entire world, one of The Three Heroes to defeat the Demon Fox five years ago: Tsunade. But one day, another of The Three Heroes, Orochimaru, takes Tsunade's life and steals a forbidden scroll. Before her death Sakura gives her one last request: Become a great Summoner, and stop Orochimaru. Her first summon? The Demon Fox, Uzumaki Naruto! As her journey begins, what will she face, and how much will she learn?

Chapter 2: Training:Chakra, Physical, and MENTAL

2008-05-03T02:21:00.000-07:00

At Ichiraku Ramens

Naruto was eating or rather inhaling his miso ramen. Iruka was as usual disgusted at Naruto's ramen eating habits even though he has seen it many time. Ayame and Teichu were amused at both Naruto and Iruka's antics. “Naruto, slow down or I'll have to start taking missions again,” Iruka said with a humorous expression. Naruto was oblivious to Iruka since he was eating ramen, or what he would consider the meal of the gods. “Ne, Iruka-sensei, I would really appreciate it if you would help me train to get stronger and smarter,” Naruto said in between slurps. “I don't know Naruto, it could be considered favoritism,” Iruka said. “But, I won't be in your class after uhhhhhh,” Naruto responded looking dumbstruck at the end. “Two weeks, Naruto”, Iruka said with a tone of annoyance. “Yeah, two weeks so it could be considered you helping a friend,” Naruto said regaining his train of thought. “Alright, so how about we start tommorow,” Iruka said with a smile. “Arigatou, Iruka-sensei,” Naruto spoke with a smile. “How about we meet here at two o'clock p,m., Naruto said with a smirk. Hehe, if Iruka-sensei can make it I can practice the ninjutsu I wrote down the whole morning and get some time to rest, Naruto thought. “Two is great for me Naruto”, Iruka said. Iruka set about 2000 yen to pay for Naruto's 4 bowls and his bowl. (a dollar is about 100 yen) “Bye old man Teichu, bye Ayame-neechan,” Naruto yelled before leaving to his apartment.

Naruto's Apartment (7 a.m)

Naruto woke up to the sound of ridiculously loud alarm clock before he threw it at the wall. He showered and brushed his teeth. The blonde haired boy then made a cup of instant ramen for breakfast. In the three minutes he had to wait for the so called “gift from Kami” he picked up his alarm clock, poured a cup of milk, and brought out some chopsticks. After his meal Naruto took out his paper with jutsus on it. He studied the paper to see what he should practice after Bushin Daibakuha. The list said

Futon: Daitoppa(Wind Release Great breakthrough)

(C Ranked) The user sends out a powerful explosion of wind that can easily level a large area

Kaze no Yaiba(Blade of Wind)

(A Ranked) The jutsu creates a blade of wind that Is impossible to block due to it's nature

Suiton:Sujinheki(Water Release Encampment Wall)

(B Ranked) A jutsu that creates a water wall to protect against water attacks

Suiton:Sukiodan no Jutsu(Water Release Water Shark Missle Technique)

(B Ranked) A jutsu that utilizes water to attack with a powerful water burst in the form of a shark

Doton: Retsudotensho(Earth Release Split Earth Turn Around Palmf)

(C Ranked) Allows the user to control nearby rocks to attack

Doton: Yumi Numa(Earth Release Swamp of the Underworld)

(A Ranked) A jutsu that turns a large area of land into a sinking swampland, Anything caught in it can't move and will sink

Katon: Karyu Enda(Fire Release Fire Dragon Flame Missile)

The user shoots out an enormous amount of flame from their mouth in the shape of a dragon

Katon: Goukakyu no jutsu(Fire Release Great Fireball Technique

(C Ranked) The user uses a large amount of chakra to spew a fireball from their mouth

Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(SNaruto wantehuriken Shadow Clone Technique)

(A Ranked) The Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu allows the user to create a shadow clone image of a Shuriken to attack a opponent. The user can either throw a single shuriken and use the technique to create multiple shadows clones of it, a single shuriken and hide the other clone under its shadow.

Naruto decided to try the C ranked jutsus and maybe Shuriken Kage Bunshin No Jutsu since he knows Kage Bunshin already. He wrote down the C ranked jutsus and Shuriken Kage Bunshin No Jutsu on a second paper to bring with him in case he lost the other paper.

Soon we find our blonde haired hero in a remote training ground that people don't often visit. Naruto started with the Futon: Daitoppa. Naruto started to channel chakra for Futon: Daitoppa and focus it to cause winds. At first the most he could cause was a breeze. After about half an hour he could now perform the technique as well as any jounin. The wind he caused could blow away a large group of ninja even if they were all Akimichis. Naruto then tried practicing Katon: Goukakyu no jutsu. He could only get a small fire out of his mouth. After about 2 hours Naruto wasn't sure why he couldn't perform the Katon: Goukakyu no Jutsu so well. Why can't I do this jutsu right, Argh!! I should be done with it, I only took half an hour to master Futon: Daitoppa, Naruto thought. I can't give up because that is my nindo, he thought. True, he could get the fireball close to the size of large rock, which would be good enough for most people, much less a genin. Naruto wanted his to be the size of a large boulder. Another hour later he got to his goal of a large boulder. Naruto then decided to go home to rest and clean himself up before he met up with Iruka.

(Outside Ichiraku Ramen)

Iruka was standing outside waiting for his favorite blonde to get here. Naruto ran up to Iruka and said, “Hey Iruka-sensei,” Naruto said in a excited voice. “Yeah, Naruto, why don't we go teach you at the academy classroom,” Iruka asked? “Sure thing sensei”, Naruto stated in a cheery manner.

(Academy classroom)

Iruka and Naruto were sitting down in the first aisle with many books on the desks and chairs. “So Naruto lets start with the basics,” Iruka said. “Chakra is the energy used for jutsus right,” Naruto replied. “Yes, but what else dos it doe,” Iruka asked. “Well, Iruka-sensei its uhhh uhhh,” Naruto said. This is going to be a long lesson, Iruka thought. “Chakra is also the energy that is the mixture of spiritual energy and body energy and the amount of chakra you have is relative to your stamina,” Iruka explained. “Now, Naruto I have figured out your problem with the Bunshin No Jutsu,” Iruka said. “Iruka-sensei what does the bunshin have to do with anything,” Naruto asked? “The bunshin, as you know is an academy standard that requires even under average chakra control,” Iruka explained. “You Naruto have too much chakra were you chakra control is simply horrendous to the point you can't do a bunshin due to either over loading the amount of chakra needed, or not putting enough so the bunshin wouldn't have enough chakra,” Iruka continued. “So you're saying that if I can improve my chakra control I could save chakra for more jutsus and taijutsu, right,” Naruto said. Iruka gaped at Naruto and blinked. Naruto just blinked. Iruka coughed and said, “That is completely correct Naruto.” “When did you get so smart Naruto,” Iruka asked. “What can I say you're a great teacher Iruka-sensei,” Naruto replied. I guess he responds much better to one on one teaching, Iruka thought. So Naruto, I want you to balance a leaf on your forehead with chakra in your free time. Right now I'll show you the tree-climbing exercise,” said Iruka. “Before you ask, you will be walking up the tree by applying an amount of chakra before you start,” Iruka explained. He then used a handseal channeled some chakra to his feet and walked up. Iruka jumped down and threw a kunai next to Naruto's feet and said, “It will be easier to run up the tree and use a kunai to mark your progress.” Naruto did a handseal channeled some chakra to his fee and ran up the tree for 3 feet until he crushed it. He tried again and got up 4 feet before slipping off the tree. Hmm so if I apply too much chakra the tree breaks and if I apply I don't apply enough chakra I'll slip. In theory I should try to find the right amount of chakra by experimenting and once I discover it I should have to be able to repeat the same amount of chakra too get the most benefit. Naruto had a determined look on his face and once again did a handseal to channel chakra to his feet. “Oh, Naruto you need to find some clothes that don't stick out so much for stealth,” Iruka said. Naruto grudgingly agreed to trash his jumpsuits and buy new clothes for the sake of becoming a better ninja. “Naruto, how about we meet at the academy at 12 o'clock in the afternoon for more training. Naruto spent the rest of his day perfect the tree climbing exercise while Iruka simply watch him progress throughout the day. When Naruto finished it was night time and he had to head home for dinner.

8 a.m. Naruto's apartment

Naruto was stumped on how he would get clothes since stores often would kick him out. The store he bought his jumpsuits from was actually only let him buy those orange jumpsuits and for triple price! Wait a minute the tree climbing exercise helped my chakra control so now I should be able to hold henge longer, the whiskered boy thought. You see Naruto didn't get taught much other than the year he had Iruka. The other teachers didn't let him learn the basics, thus why he was so stupid in class. Kami! I learned more yesterday than I did in the last few years! He found a store called the Shinko Izou(True Legacy). Naruto went in and realized he forgot to henge. Surprisingly, a man just smiled and said, “Hello, I just moved here and your my first customer.” Naruto looked around and saw the surroundings. It was true that the place was new, the walls were covered by weapons and there were a bunch of shinobi clothes on racks. Naruto picked out some black Anbu pants and some black and red muscle shirts in various sizes in case he had a growth spurt. He also grapped some new kunai and shuriken for missions since he is now a genin. The blonde also took some fishnet shirts for under shirts. Naruto went up to the man and said, “Excuse me, uhh”, Naruto said. “It's Maito Jin,” Jin said. Jin was about 6fett tall and had black hair in a messy hairstyle. He was wearing black pants and a blue shirt. “I am a salesman that sells and makes shinobi items,” Jin said. “You may have heard of my rather weird cousin Maito Gai, a loud jounin of Konoha,” Jin said. “Well, Jin-san I'm Uzumaki Naruto the future Hokage of Konoha, Naruto said wile smiling widely. Yeah, the other villagers are right. He is a demon. I can tell by the way he smiles and wants a job to protect the village. HEH, Jin thought sarcastically. Naruto seemed tense and his smile faltered a bit when Jin was silent. “Oh, sorry for spacing out Naruto and relax I don't hate you,” Jin said sincerely. Naruto relaxed a little bit after hearing that. Naruto pulled out a paper and showed it to Jin while saying, “Jin-san could you put this symbol on the back of these shirts and I will pay the extra cost for it,” Naruto said. “Sure Naruto-san and I'll make the customization free since your my first customer,” replied Jin. Why don't you come pick it up in two hours,” Jin said. “I would like to pay for it now please,” Naruto asked? “Sure that'll be 10,000 yen please, Jin said. Naruto smiled and handed him a 10,000 yen bill. The other place he bought his jumpsuit at cost him 60,000 yen just 6 of them. Naruto liked Jin since he seemed fair

9 a.m. At a remote training ground

If you looked around you could see countless shuriken, scorched grown, and even some uprooted trees. What caused this was none other than a certain blonde haired boy. Naruto started his training by reviewing jutsus. Naruto was currently working on his Shuriken Kage Bunshin No Jutsu. It was a easy for him to multiply the shurikens because it took only about 40 minutes to master it. Now, he is working on hiding the shurikens in the shadow.

Naruto: Konoha's Will of Fire

2008-05-03T02:01:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1: The beginning

Jutsu “Kage Bunshin no Jutsu”

Will of Fire

It was a common day in Konoha. People moving around in the village. Business was booming and shinobi academy students who received their hitiates were now gettingg praise from there families. Everybody seemed happy. Well, except for one gloomy blonde haired whiskered boy in an atrocious orange jumpsuit that looked as if it should be burned several times over. He stared at the kids and adults with a longing in his eyes. This boy was known as Uzumaki Naruto. He also has many “nicknames” such as baka, dobe, and one he doesn't understand, demon brat.

Naruto started to think about the test he failed. It had to be bushin no jutsu. Honestly it is the one thing I can't do anywhere near correctly. I always wondered why I can't do it. The clone justs ends up looking dead. Naruto saw to ladies glaring and whispering something. Naruto saw a silver haired man come up to him. It was Mizuki, the academy teacher. “Meet me on the roof Naruto”, he said.

When Naruto got to the roof he sat down next to Mizuki. “Iruka sensei wasn't being mean ” Mizuki said. “Then why does he pick on me most,” Naruto asked? “He wants you to be truly strong Naruto-kun, Mizuki replied. “Since you two don't have any parents,” he continued. “But... I wanted to graduate,” Naruto said. “Fine,” Mizuki replied. “Nani”, Naruto questioned. “I'll tell you a big secret”, Mizuki said while thinking, I'll get him to steal the forbidden scroll and maybe another few jutsu scroll.

“Secret”, Naruto replied softly. Hook, Line, and Sinker, Mizuki thought. “Yes an alternative way to pass the Genin exam is too steal the Forbidden Scroll of Seals and learn one technique,” Mizuki explained. Also any other jutsu scrolls will be treated as a bonus. Here a is a paper and pen of where to go.

An hour later

Will of Fire

The Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi, was sitting in his office battling his strongest, most fierce enemy, the dreaded paperwork. There seemed to be a genjutsu in the office some reason. Sarutobi didn't notice due to him glaring at the paperwork with such intensity as if it would disappear. Suddenly, an orange clad figure jumped down and yelled,”Sexy Jutsu”. A naked body covered with smoke was all the old Hokage saw before passing out from a nosebleed. The body poofed with white smoke. Naruto was now standing there searching the room for the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing. He spotted a large scroll that he assumed was the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing next to a much smaller scroll. He tied the scroll on his back and put the scroll in one of his pockets.

A few minutes later

At a Clearing

Naruto opened the Forbidden scroll of Sealing and started writing down some jutsus on the back of the paper Mizuki gave him with a spare pencil. He then opened the smaller scroll and did the same. He started working on Kage Bunshin no Jutsu even though he hated it.

Meanwhile at the Hokage's Office

Sarutobi was in the room with many ninja. He had just informed him that there had been a robbery of the Forbidden Scroll of Seals and another scroll containing an assortment of jutsu from various countries. He had also heard that Naruto was missing. So they put two and two together. The scrolls foreign techniques mostly came from the Uchiha clan before the massacre. “Hokage-sama, the boy has gone to far this time,” a random ninja spoke. “Hokage-sama I will help search for Naruto,” spoke the scarred chunin by the name of Iruka a.k.a. Naruto's favorite teacher.

A few hours later

With Naruto in the clearing

“Yes, I finally finished the Kage Bunshin,” Naruto exclaimed! I should start the next one,” Naruto said . “Hmm, Bunshin Daibakuha(Clone Great Explosion),” Naruto muttered. The scroll said:

Bushin Daibakuha (A-ranked)

A kage bunshin that will explode on command, potentially killing or injuring the target

“Cool, this will be useful,” he exclaimed

Another hour later

Naruto was panting while his orange jumpsuit was ripped and tattered. “I almost got this jutsu” Naruto said in between pants. Iruka jumped down. “Hey, Naruto”, Iruka said bending down with a scowl on his face. Naruto chuckled and rubbed the back of her head. “Oh man, I got caught and I only managed to learn one jutsu,” he said. He practiced until he was worn out, Iruka thought. “So Iruka-sensei I'll show you that technique now and I'll graduate right,” Naruto said enthusiastically. “Who said that”, Iruka asked. “Mizuki-sensei did and the extra credit scroll is over there,” Naruto spoke. “Mizuki did”, Iruka questioned. “Yeah, he told me to come to this place and practice,” the whiskerd boy said. A hail of shuriken and kunai came. So that's how it is, Iruka thought. Iruka pushed Naruto away and was pinned to a wall. “What's going on”, Naruto asked. “Naruto, don't let Mizuki get the scroll because that scroll has kinjutsu in it and the other scroll has foreign jutsus,” Iruka stated. I was tricked. I knew it was too good to be true, Naruto thought. Mizuki leaped down from the tree. “Give me the scrolls Naruto,” Mizuki said. “N-No,” Naruto stuttered. Would you like to know why everybody hates you, Mizuki asked in a dark tone. “Mizuki nooo,” Iruka yelled! “There was a rule created that only you can't find about, Mizuki stated in the same dark tone. “A rule,” Naruto said in a nervous tone. “Its the rule that states that Naruto is a monster fox, Mizuki said. “Nani”, Naruto asked?

“In other words you are the Kyuubi no Kitsune,” Mizuki yelled! Iruka remembered a talk with the Sandaime where he told the reason Naruto pranks is to get attention. He remembered when he was a kid and lonely.

Mizuki threw a large shuriken at Naruto. Iruka blocked the shuriken with his body. Tears started to run down Iruka's face. “W-Why,” Naruto stuttered. “Because your the same,” Iruka said while recalling more memories. “After my parents died, no one complimented me or recognized me,” Iruka said. “So I started acting like a class clown for attention,” Iruka explained in a sad voice. “It was tough right Naruto,” Iruka continued. “Gomen, Naruto,” Iruka said as the tears were running. “You didn't have to feel this way if I was more aware,” Iruka said. “Don't make me laugh Iruka has hated you since you killed his parents,” Mizuki yelled! “He just wants to get the scroll back,” Mizuki continued. Naruto started running away with the scrolls. “Naruto,” Iruka screamed! “With those scrolls, Naruto will take revenge on the village,” Mizuki said chuckling. “You saw his eyes didn't you,” Mizuki stated rather smugly. “It was the eye of the monster fox,” Mizuki continued. Iruka pulled his shuriken off of his back and got up. “Naruto won't do that,” Iruka said. He threw the shuriken. “As long as I get the scrolls from Naruto, I'm fine,” Mizuki said. “I'll take care of you later,” Mizuki said. Mizuki jumped into the trees. “I won't let you,” Iruka said

At the Sandaime's office

Sarutobi was watching the whole thing on his crystal ball. Hmm, Naruto is unstable currently, he thought. Back at the Clearing

Iruka was chasing Naruto. “Naruto, What Mizuki said back the is all a lie so give me the scroll since Mizuki is after it,” Iruka said. Naruto jumped and slammed into Iruka. Iruka poofed and there was Mizukil Iruka now disspelled his henge as Naruto. “Because I'm Iruka”, Iruka said before disspelling. “What good is it protecting the one who killed your parents”, Mizuki asked. Unknown to them was that the real Naruto was a few feet away behind a tree. “I'm not going to let an idiot like you get the scrolls,” he stated. “You're the idiot because Naruto is the same as me,” Mizuki stated. “The same as you,” Naruto questioned? “Anything is possible with those scrolls,” Mizuki continued. “Do you really think that Naruto, the monster fox, would not use them.” “Yeah you're right,” Iruka said. Behind the tree Naruto slumped. “Iruka-sensei doesn't recognize me either,” Naruto said. “If he was a monster fox, but Naruto is different, Iruka continued. “He's...He's an excellent student that I recognize because he's hard working, earnest, clumsy, and no one recognizes him,” Iruka said. “He knows the pain of others,” Iruka continued. “He's not a monster fox. He's Uzamaki Naruto of Konoha.” Naruto was crying behind the tree in joy having heard this. “I said I'll kill you later, but I take that back,” Mizuki said. Naruto jumped from behind the tree and kicked him. “Don't lay a finger on Iruka-Sense,” Naruto commanded. “A kid like you, I'll kill you in a flash,” Mizuki stated with confidence. Naruto brought his hands into a seal. “I'll show you the jutsu I learned,” Naruto stated in a dark way. “Like a monster fox can pull off a jutsu over E rank,” Mizuki stated. Kage Bunshin No Jutsu, Naruto yelled. Hundreds of Narutos appeared surrounding Mizuki. Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, a high class jutsu that makes real bodies that can think, hit, and use chakra, Iruka thought. The Narutos taunted and beat up Mizuki hundreds of times. Naruto I want to give you something.

With the Sandaime

Sarutobi said to a couple of ninjas,”The Scrolls are safe and the real thief has been apprehended.” “Naruto and Iruka will be back soon,” the Hokage stated.

Back at the Clearing

Iruka had his arm on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto had a hitaiate tied around his forehead. “Congratulations, Naruto on becoming a ninja,” Iruka said happily. “How about I treat you to some ramen. Naruto jumped and hugged Iruka.

Naruto

2008-05-03T01:48:00.000-07:00

Naruto (NARUTO - ナルト -^? romanized as NARUTO in Japan) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto with an anime adaptation. The main character, Naruto Uzumaki, is a loud, hyperactive, unpredictable, adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become a Hokage, the ninja in his village that is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of all.

One Piece

2008-05-03T01:37:00.000-07:00

One Piece is the story of Monkey D. Luffy, the boy who's ambition is to be The King of Pirates. To do this, he must go through the Grand Line and find the greatest treasure, One Piece. When Luffy was a kid, he met a pirate captain named Shanks. Shanks forever stayed Luffy's idol, leading Luffy on to become a captain as well. But during the time Luffy spent with Shanks, Luffy ate a strange fruit Shanks and his crew brought back. This fruit, was a Devil's Fruit, a fruit which gives the eater supernatural abilities, but removes their ability to swim forever. The fruit Luffy ate, was the 'Gum-Gum Fruit', giving him the ability to stretch his body to unimaginable limits. In other words, he could be sitting in your bedroom and stretch his arm all the way into the kitchen to grab a snack.

When Luffy turns 17, he leaves his village and sets of to find a crew. But he is caught in a whirlpool and has to hide in a barrel to keep from being destroyed with his make-shift boat. He is brought up onto the deck of a fancy ship which is soon taken over by pirates. Along with the pirates is an easily frightened boy named Koby. Koby finds the barrel Luffy's in, not knowing a person is inside. Some of the pirates come and find Koby with the barrel Luffy is in and try to break it open thinking wine is inside. Luffy ends up popping out and K.O.ing one of the pirates. After the pirates leave, Luffy starts talking to Koby and soon makes friends with him. As it turns out, Koby was forced into working for the pirates by a mishapp with a fishing boat. Koby's dream, unlike Luffy's, is to be in the Navy. Soon after they talk, the pirates' captain comes. This is Arrita, a fat ugly lady who thinks she's absolutely gorgeous. Luffy 'insults her' by asking "Who's this fat ugly woman?", and the fight begins. Luffy soon beats her and her entire crew and leaves with Koby. (This all happens in the 1st episode btw :3)

Soon, Luffy and Koby arrive on an island where a Navy base is set up, they are looking for the infamous three swordsman, Roronoa Zoro. Zoro had been 'captured' by the navy. He and the son of the cornel made a deal that if Zoro could last for 4 weeks without food, that he could go. But the jerk who made the deal with Zoro didn't want to keep up to his promise. Luffy punched him and the rebellion against that navy base starts. Luffy meets with Zoro and asks him if he can use a sword (not knowing he's a 3 swordsman) Zoro says yes and tells him the cornel's son, Helmeppo took it. Luffy goes off to find Helmeppo and get the swords back while Koby runs to where Zoro is held and tries to untie him. Koby fails and the navy arrives to kill Zoro on the spot. Luckily, Luffy comes flying through the window of Helmeppo's room just in time and lands in front of Koby and Zoro protecting them from the bullets (you know, rubber and all that) Luffy gives Zoro the swords and then they beat the cornel.

The next adventure ends up with Zoro having to follow Luffy by boat, who gets carried off by a bird. The boat Zoro's following in is slowed down when 3 pirates of Clown Buggy's pirate crew try to take it over. Zoro beats the crap out of them and makes them row for him. Soon they get him to the town which Luffy was taken to and Zoro goes off in search of his partner. Meanwhile, Luffy has met Nami, a thief who steals only from pirates and just nabbed the map which leads to the Grand Line. Luffy saves her from Buggy's crew and asks her to join him. Nami thinks up a plan and uses Luffy to make it look as if Luffy had stolen the map and she'd caught and returned him. Luffy gets locked up in a cage and soon Buggy's crew tries to shoot a bomb at him. Nami stops them. Soon Zoro comes in and tries to beat Buggy. Buggy takes a daggar and stabs Zoro in the waist (owwie) With the last strength he has, Zoro picks up Luffy, cage and all, and brings him back into the main part of town. Zoro loses A LOT of blood in the process. They find a dog named Shu-Shu (this dog comes back into play soon)

Vampire Knights

2008-05-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

Yuuki's earliest memory is of a stormy night in winter, when she was attacked by a vampire... and then rescued by another. Now ten years later, Yuuki Cross, the adopted daughter of the headmaster of Cross Academy, has grown up and become a guardian of the vampire race, protecting her savior, Kaname, from discovery as he leads a group of vampires at the elite boarding school. But also at her side is Zero Kiryuu, a childhood friend whose hatred for the creatures that destroyed everything he held dear, is now determined never to trust them. This coexisting arrangement seems all well and good, but have the vampires truly renounced their murderous ways, or is there a darker truth behind their actions? Is Kaname's infatuation with Yuuki the beginning of a forbidden romance, or is it something in her forgotten past that draws him to her? Because in this world of secrets, nothing is as it seems. And the price of misplaced trust may even be worse than death.