Naruto: Summoner 4

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.’