"Shiroko? She's all of what? Ten? Eleven?"
"Anko."
"Point."
"Anyway, Shiroko went and declared that she and her 'ojo-sama' were devoted to Naruto."
"That's weird."
"Yeah."
"Anko usually drinks rice wine."
"Kinda missing the point."
"It regards Anko. I really don't want to contemplate anything she does too much."
"Ah, point."
"My lady."
"Shiroko."
"It just slipped out. Forgive me."
Ryuuko, a dragon-lamia of the Ryuu variety was silent for a few moments, apparently lost in contemplation of the flames.
flashback:
Ibiki looked over the two. One had taken a position a few feet and to the left of the other. "Okay, we've streamlined a few things since we understand the conditions of Naruto's summoning. Names first."
"I am Ryuuko Shukyo. My species is Ryuu. My profession is miko, priestess of the Holy Fire Of Anor. This is my handmaiden and attendant, Shiroko."
"Age?" asked Ibiki, jotting down details.
"Juvenile, by my race's standards," said Ryuuko. "In terms of years on the calendar, I'd have to guess at something like fifty."
"Fifty?" asked Ibiki of the two girls, for all that their lower halves were like a serpent - their human halves looked to be just over twelve years in age. Maybe fourteen at most.
"Yes, while some species are rather faster-aging, both of us are of longer-ranged species," said Ryuuko. "Shiroko, being of the shirohebi variety, is a mere twenty years if counted in such a way."
"Special abilities and limitations?" asked Ibiki, scratching away at the paper. The prelimaries were already understood after all, and there would be follow-up sessions. This was mainly for the record keeping.
Ryuuko held up one of her dragon claws. "I cannot do fine manipulation, save by telekinesis which is exhausting if performed for too long. Shiroko is somewhat cold-blooded and gets lethargic in the cold. Human-style furniture and clothing doesn't quite work, as should be obvious."
"Abilities?" asked Ibiki.
"Strength, immunity to fire, power over wind and water," said Ryuuko, tapping herself on the chest with one claw. "Shiroko-"
"I'd rather hear this directly from her," said Ibiki abruptly.
"Certainly," said Shiroko softly, raising up slightly as she uncoiled a little. "Fire. I can control and generate fire for a number of purposes."
"Any special dietary requirements?" asked Ibiki.
"Err, no, not that I know of," said Ryuuko uncertainly.
"The occasional rat or lizard or large beetle would be nice," added Shiroko.
"Good, we nearly lost that yuki-onna, had an allergic reaction to one of the local foods," said Ibiki almost absently. Not that it was casual, just a reminder to potential recruits that maybe a little caution would be a good thing.
Present:
Naruto shivered, the feeling of dread closing about his heart. Almost exactly like the time he'd been setting up a prank involving two gallons of lime-green paint, twenty feet of clothesline, and a rubber chicken. He hadn't even gotten to putting the chicken in place before Iruka had found him.
Yeah. It was a lot like that.
Naruto put down the shampoo and box of dental floss, and decided to look for a hiding place instead.
"We are in agreement then," said Ryuuko. "Sasuke has his fangirls. Naruto is at least as deserving!"
"Right," said a lamia.
"To think we would ever agree on something," an elf grumbled as she looked at her dark elf counterpart.
"Aw, shove a sock in it, would ya?" said the dark elf.
Shiroko bopped the dark elf lightly atop her head and then glared at the elf who'd spoken. "Don't start that again."
"-and so we have to seal this technique," said the Hokage.
"But a 'rescue girls jutsu' is awesome, isn't it?" asked Naruto.
"Nonetheless," said the Hokage. "It's only to be used on my approval and under special circumstances."
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(Posted Sat, 07 Jul 2012 09:46)
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