Genbu. Turtle-snake. Two creatures that were one. Facing North were the seekers of stability. It was in a stable world that people could raise families and make plans. Genbu was defensive and tried not to make waves.
Byakko, the white tiger of the West. Guardian of home and hearth, the fierce guardian. Protection of clan and territory and their circle of associates. Byakko was community oriented and not afraid of fighting for what they believed in.
Suzaku, the phoenix of the South. Magic is what makes one an elite - and the more powerful the bloodline the higher one should be able to rise. Soaring above all others on your own wings, one could not help but put the lessers into your shadow. Founded by Ashiya, whose rivalry with Abe No Seimei had nearly broken Konoha Academy early in its history. Also known as the House of Passion, because ambition and passion ran deep within the House.
Seiryu, the green dragon of the East. Founded by the legendary Abe No Seimei who was known for his onmyoji powers. Seiryu was the house of intellect. Magic was knowledge and honing one's intellect to be able to understand and use that knowledge. Seiryu sought to understand things before acting, unlike Byakko which acted first.
"Kitsune?" asked Naruto.
"What?" asked Shizune before taking the slip of paper from Naruto and examining it. "But Kitsune House has been closed for two hundred years..."
"Kitsune House remains on the books however," said Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Well well. It appears, young Mister Uzumaki, that you will be a House of One until we have other Kitsune to put with you."
"Wait," said Kiba Inuzuka. "How can there be a Fifth House? There's only four directions."
"Each of the four founders was a strong mage," explained Hiruzen Sarutobi, puffing out smoke that took the forms of four ghostly people in ancient styles of clothing. "Each was used to being a leader and master of their respective arts. Each had different philosophies. While each saw the benefits of a school that united all of wizardkind together - none of them were used to working together and each wanted to be a leader."
"As was proper," said one of the other professors. "Leaders lead."
"So, four 'alpha males' butted heads," said Hiruzen Sarutobi as the four conjured smoke-images argued and gestured with each other. "An arbiter was needed. One who didn't lead, one who did not seek power themselves. One who could stand alongside the others as a respectably powerful mage. One was found."
Another puff of smoke and another figure stepped up to the group of images. "Abe No Seimei, Ashiya Doman, Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha were joined by a powerful mage known as Mito Uzumaki. It was not until Madara broke with the others that she developed a relationship with Hashirama."
The images shifted again, with Madara attacking the others. Two tried to defend themselves and were dispelled into roils of smoke. The Mito figure and Hashirama figure came together. A monstrous fox appeared alongside Madara but their attacks were foiled and the two remaining mages counter-attacked.
"Kitsune House disbanded," said Hiruzen Sarutobi. "The members dispersed. Since then, there has only been one other and that has been a secret member who had publically joined a different House."
"What?" asked one of the other professors.
"Like I said, 'secret'," said Hiruzen. "Interesting that you were sorted into Kitsune, young man. Kitsune is the trickster, the binder, the arbiter. The House of the Wild Card."
"Something wrong, Shikamaru?" asked Choji as the House proctor led them to their living quarters.
"The House of the Wild Card," answered Shikamaru.
"Is it that big a deal?" asked Choji.
"Yeah. Could be. Remember what happened twelve years ago?" asked Shikamaru.
"The Dark One?" asked Choji.
"Right. That Naruto lived through it. How many died?" asked Shikamaru.
"Lots. But the Dark One died, right?" asked Choji.
"They never found the body. That's ALWAYS a bad sign," said Shikamaru, stopping when he realized they'd come to their destination.
The statue of a turtle with a serpent's tail shifted. Carved of a single block of black basalt it had to weigh at least three tons. The dark eyes swept the group and seemed to pause at Shikamaru. "A Nara, an Akimichi, and a Yamanaka. Perhaps you'll do as well as your sires. This then, is the new class?"
"Yes, guardian, it is," said the proctor.
"Hmmm. Hmmm. Hmmm. Very well. Changes this year include the handball court has been removed and we now have an additional room for the servants and familiars."
"Oh good," said the proctor. "There were complaints last year. Glad they've been addressed."
"Change is slow to the halls of Genbu," replied the statue. "Is it true that Kitsune House is now active?"
"Yes, word gets around then," said the proctor.
"I'll put in a request for a 'safe bunker' then," said the statue. "Sometimes Genbu can move a bit quicker."
There was a dragon sculpted of silvered metal surrounding a mirror of the same material.
"The new blood, ehhhhh," hissed the dragon, raising its head. "Passcode?"
"Knowledge is nothing without comprehension."
"Welcome, new bloods," hissed the dragon. "With the opening of Kitsune, there may be new opportunities. Watch for the Boy Who Lived, for chaos is sure to follow in his wake."
Sakura looked over her fellow House members, only recognizing two of them from the train ride. Hinata - the Hyuga with the odd eyes was one, and she'd been semi-friendly at least. The other - some girl named Ami - had actually sneered at her.
That he was the only one there he had expected. That it would turn out to be a mess was also expected. That there would be something strange? Well, he HAD only recently found out about wizardry and magic so that was also to be expected.
Somewhat less expected was that:
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(Posted Sat, 09 May 2015 16:05)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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