Appearing out of the puff of chakra smoke was a three foot tall creature that seemed to combine cat and rabbit and human characteristics. If you could get past the little batlike wings and the pompom antennae.
"Greetings and salutations," said the creature. "You have successfully summoned singly the mildly magnificent moogle Montblanc! State your busine-"
KA-GLOMP!
"Excuse me," said Montblanc, now with a Terra wrapped around him. "Don't ruffle the fur, kupo!"
"He looks different from what I'm used to," said Terra, "but this fur! This is definitely a moogle!"
"I could use a bit of help here," said Montblanc to Naruto.
"Terra, you're acting like one of Sasuke's fangirls," said Naruto.
Whippppp!
"Sorry," said Terra, though she looked like she still wanted to ruffle fur.
"Be that as it may," said Montblanc, straightening his suit and smoothing his fur with quick motions. Also eyeing Terra in case she should launch a glomp again.
"I just signed the moogle contract,' said Naruto. "Chapter twelve of the book I was reading on the subject said you should introduce yourself."
"Ah, yes, the initial introduction between individuals," said Montblanc with a nod that set his pompom quivering. As this also produced a strangled squee from Terra, he took a wary step away from the kunoichi-trainee.
"A-ano," said Hinata, bowing and fighting her own squee-glomp reaction. "The black mages can throw fire and other elemental jutsu. Shiva can produce ice and cold. M-m-might I ask what a 'moogle' does?"
"They dance," said Terra, remembering that much.
"They 'dance'?" asked Naruto.
"I think that's all they do?" asked Terra, sounding uncertain.
"Really," huffed Montblanc. "Rather ridiculous really. Moogles are the magical mechanics most mighty and multi-talented. To limit us to being mere dancers? Pfeh, I say."
"But all moogles dance," said Terra, trying to remember details and not having much success. Still, hadn't Mog been like that? "It's as plain as the pom on your pompom."
"Hmph," said Montblanc. "Summoner! Are those wild woods with their fulsome foliage there amply available for careful cutting?"
The Hokage cleared his throat, reminding everyone of his presence. "What exactly do you need?"
"Naruto is so uncool," said Sakura, sounding rather less certain than she had last year at this time.
"Right," agreed Ino, also not as certain of that.
"Unlike Sasuke," said Ami, thinking that part indisputable.
"Right," agreed Ino and Sakura.
"So why is Iruka-sensei getting us on the roof and saying that it's something Naruto did?" asked Sakura. "It's not a prank he's pulled, is it?"
"He hasn't been doing those lately," said Ino. "But it must be that. Right?"
The Hokage arrived in a swirl of chakra smoke, followed quickly by six ANBU who looked around uncertainly.
One of the furry little whatevers came walking up with a bundle of cloth. "Kupo! Appropriate forms and clothes are important!"
"Ah," said the Hokage, deciding to pass on the hat but taking the coat and fastening it around his shoulders.
"Well?" asked Naruto, standing next to Hinata and Terra. "Is the word given?"
"The word is given," said the Hokage, nodding towards the wheel. "I believe the word is... Engage!"
"Right! Mister Montblanc!" said Naruto.
"Aye aye! You heard the man!" called out Montblanc.
"Aye aye sir! Weigh anchor!"
"Twelve pounds."
BOP!
"Magitek batteries to power!"
"Turbines to speed!"
"Lift rotors engaged!"
The propellors began whirring frantically.
"Lift circuits charged!"
The ship slowly lifted as the Hokage stood there, legs slightly spread and arms behind his back. That he was grinning around his pipe wasn't commented on by anyone. He made a single hand-sign and his coat began fluttering dramatically.
"Ojiisan, you know a jutsu for your coat to billow?" asked Terra, seemingly in disbelief.
The Third Hokage nodded.
"That's so COOL!" enthused Naruto, thinking he HAD to learn that one.
"Forward thrust ahead slow, Mister Hyuga" called out Montblanc.
"Ahead slow," agreed Hinata nervously as she nudged the stick to the first selection.
"What's that buzzing noise?" asked Ino as they waited for SOMETHING to happen.
"Big bugs?" guessed Ami.
"What's that?" asked Sasuke, looking in one direction.
Everyone went silent as the odd shape slowly approached, eventually being shown to be a ship with many propellers whirling with the Hokage standing in a commanding position - with furry little creatures running around the deck and Terra and Hinata and Naruto at various stations on that deck.
Sakura summed it up for everyone present. "Buh wha?"
"Permission to take the ship up to cruising altitude and advance to half-speed?" asked Montblanc of the Hokage.
The Hokage slowly reached up, took the pipe out of his mouth, and seemed to consider the weighty matter. Finally he nodded.
"Going to half speed," said Hinata, having seen that and responding by advancing the lever to that position.
"Right," said Naruto happily, adjusting the controls.
"Ready," said Terra, checking instruments.
As the speed went up to a fairly good constant movement and the village dwindled below them, one of the ANBU leaned a little closer to the Hokage. "You know, sir. This would make a good delivery and retrieval vehicle for some missions."
"The thought had already occurred to me," admitted the Hokage.
"And?" asked the ANBU.
"Let them have their vehicle for now," said the Hokage. "We may have to take it away, but at least give them today."
The ANBU took a look at the three young friends at the controls, nodded, and stepped back.
"I can't believe they took our airship," grumbled Naruto.
"The good of the village comes before the good of some genin," grumbled Terra.
"Well, uhm," said Hinata.
"Tests are coming up, we need to study," said Terra. "What do you suppose the odds are they'll put us all on separate teams?"
"What? No," complained Naruto. "Why would they do that?"
"M-maybe we should find a way to avoid that," suggested Hinata.
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(Posted Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:41)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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