//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: New Friends and The Council Meeting Part One // Story: Sage of Harmony // by Tesshu //------------------------------// Chapter Two: New Friends and The Council Meeting Part One The sound of hooves beating the road can be heard as a horse drawn carriage being driven down the road to the Hokage residence. Onlookers watched in curiosity at the golden carriage, thinking it was holding someone that had the wealth and political power. Unseen by the civilian is a figure that is crouched on top the carriage, She wears a porcelain mask resembling a cat with three red stripes, one vertical stripe on the forehead and two horizontal stripes, one on each cheek. She also wears the standard ANBU uniform, consisting of black and grey armour, metal arm guards and a katana strapped to her back. She has the signature ANBU tattoo on her right shoulder. So far things seem to be going smoothly for her, no one is stalking them so that is a good sign. For now she is making sure that the carriage gets to the residence safely. As she sense her surroundings she could not help but look into the carriage that held the six children. Three of them seem to have jounin level worth of chakra while the rest have genin rank. The strange part is that two of them have another circulatory system similar to their chakra coils, it seems to be more compact in their foreheads. The other two has the same circulatory system but it was shaped in a V on their backs. The last two has the same circulatory system but it is not compacted anywhere on their body. "Interesting." The ANBU thought to herself as she went back to scanning the area for any hostiles. It was not long before they arrived at the arched gate into the residence. The ANBU jumped onto the top of the gate to make sure no one gets in. The carriage screech in a halt as the horses stopped in front of the building. Standing at the door was Faust who was smiling as the carriage came into the compound. The door open to let out a young 13 year old girl that wore a dark brown duster with cowboy boots and brown leather gloves. A stetson hat sat atop of her light blonde hair. She jumped down and took a look at her new surroundings. "Well Ill be, this seems like to be a good place to stay for a while. Her voice held a southern accent. She looked back to see her friends getting out of the carriage. The next one to jump down wore a casual dress, an off-white chiffon shift dress that flows beautifully from scalloped lace decolletage and half sleeves. She wore diamond earrings and has an ivory heels. The next person to come down wore skin tight jeans and a plain pink tank top. Next person to came down was garbed in violet Archmage Robes that resemble a poncho in the shape of a triangle, draped across the front of her body. The fifth person to come down was in a yellow sun dress that has flowers along the edges. Lastly the sixth person jumped down and took a look at the sky above her. She wore a light blue tank top that shows her waist, An white sash along with cyan overall that covers most of her black shorts. She has bandages that cover her hands down to half of her forearm and her feet to half of her calf. "Man, Thank Celestia i'm finally out of there. I thought I was never going to see the sky again." Rainbow Dash said in relief as she stretched her legs. Faust gave a soft laugh as she watch her six children looking at their new surroundings. "Apple Jack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. Welcome to you're new home." The only one who seem to paying attention to her is Twilight while the others seem to be focus on their surroundings or keeping to themselves. "What do you want us to do first my lady?" Twilight said formally which drew a smile from Faust. "Relax my child, Settle in and explore your new home. Make friends is always a good idea." Faust notice a confused expression on Fluttershy that was in the back of the group. "What concerns you Fluttershy?" Fluttershy let out a small eep when she was called out. She hid her face behind her long light rose hair before replying. "Oh its N-Nothing. I was just W-Wondering why we were turned into humans." She mumbled weakly as her attention was drawn to the ground. She flinched when she felt a hand on her shoulder, her eyes looked up to see the face of Faust who wore a kind smile. "You are still who you are Fluttershy, Its just this form will let you settle in more easily. When you believe the time is right you can show others you're true form" Faust kissed Fluttershy forehead in reassurance before turning around to look at her other children. "Daylight is burning, go out and have fun." Pinkie gave a huge smile before speeding out of the compound in a blur. "Well it's not surprise she has all that pent up energy since we have been in that room for a long time." Twilight said in a matter of fact voice before she starts to leave the compound. "Ill be at the library if anyone needs me!" She shouted back at her friends as she exit the gate. "Well I reckon I should go see what kinds of stuff they have." Apple Jack said as she jerk her hat a little over her face so the sun would not get in her eyes. She gave a wave goodbye as she exit the gate leaving the four women in the compound. Rainbow gave a huff as she held her hands behind her head. "I'm going to see if there any food in this joint, See ya flutters and rares." She broke into a sprint and made a leap on top of the gate and jumped again towards the roof of the building across the street. The hidden ANBU looked on in awe by the girl amazing speed and power. Rainbow dash jumped from rooftop to rooftop as she scout the area for any food. Fluttershy and Rarity both said goodbye to Faust as they went their separate ways as they left the gate. Leaving the ANBU to think about her next step. With a signal hand sign she made her chakra flare just a little bit, alerting nearby ANBU. Five figures that wore the same uniform at Cat quickly landed on the gate with her. "Dragon, Elk, Beetle, Pig, and Lion I want each of you to shadow one of the girls that just left, we have orders from the Hokage to make sure no harm comes to them." The five ANBU responded with a silent Hai as they bounded after there target. Cat stood up and followed the trail that Rainbow went. oOo FUN That was the word that was ricocheting inside the skull of a super hyper child as she bounce down the street, drawing confuse looks from the locals. A smile was ever present on her face and her light cerulean eyes beamed with wonder. As she bounce down the street a light grey building caught her attention. She screeched to a stop in from of the sign that says "Konohagakure Intelligence Division". Her pinkie sense were urging her to go on in. "Oooh boy! I wonder if the party is still going!" She spoke excitedly as she zoomed into the building. Not even the ANBU that was following her could not keep up. Pinkie Pie zoomed passed people in grey suit with pockets and lapels, Leaving them in alarm as an unknown being is running around the building. She makes a turn and bounded down a flight of stairs in a heartbeat. In a grey concrete room with no windows are two figures. One is tied to a metal table by chains that are wrapped around his wrist and ankles. Completely naked and his short brown his was unkempt. Looming above him was the head of the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force, Ibiki Morino. Ibiki wore a simple black outfit with chain-mail armour underneath, over which he wore a beige utility flak jacket of sorts with several pouches strapped to it and calf-length sandals. He wore his forehead protector in the same, bandanna style. Ibiki was currently torturing the man for information about Danzo due to being a root ANBU that was conspiring against the Hokage. Long story short Ibiki was getting tired of the man, Danzo really made them void of any emotion. He was about to call it a day before he heard a perky voice behind him. "Oooo can I have a turn! I'm really good at getting things out of them, in more ways then one too!" Ibiki looked around to see a young girl with poofy pink hair. Rather than thinking how she manage to pass by the guards but the fact that she seems to be interested in this. "I believe I've never seen you around here before miss." Ibiki spoke seriously as he looked into her eyes. Due to being an expert at human behavior she was very interesting. She lacked the innocence most children would have. "My name is Pinkie Pie! I am new here and I was just bouncing around finding something to do and found this place! So I was wondering if I could help you out and maybe join you guys." Her ever present smile remained on her face as she look at Ibiki. Ibiki gave a smirk as an idea came to mind. "Sure Pinkie, How about we make this a test. To see if you have what it takes to join the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force. Ill leave an Yamanaka here just in case our test subject is unable to speak right. Also do not let him die." The expression on her face looked like a child who have been told the entire candy store is free. Ibiki chuckled as he left the room, leaving the grinning Pinkie to the bound man. Pinkie Pie giggled as she loom over the man. He looks at her to see both of her eyes were brilliant yellow with brilliant crimson iris. Those very eyes seem to stare right into his soul. She let out a giggle as she raised her right hand that was clutching a metal object that seems to have suddenly appear in her hand. "Hey friend, why do they call it a hack saw? It doesn't hack, hacking is what I do with my kitchen knife. This is a saw. I don't get it." By the door to the room, Ibiki was soon greeted by the wonderful sounds of the unending melody of pain that caused him to smile. oOo Twilight Sparkle was currently in the Konoha Library browsing the many sections of it. She seem to be greatly focus as she pulled out books about Chakra Theory and about the shinobi world. Ignoring those who pass her by as she went back to a table filled with books and began researching. She knew that she should make friends but this world amaze her and she wants to learn every single inch of it. oOo In the wooden building known as the Konoha Ninja Tool Research Facility: Detached Office is where Iō is currently making his next invention. His assistant Tenten was at his side happily aiding him. Iō is a balding man with grey hair, a small moustache and goatee. He wears a pair of gloves with bandages around his arms, a high-collared jacket, black trousers, sandals and a blacksmith's apron with the village symbol on it. Tenten has brown hair and steel-grey eyes. She wears her hair in Chinese-style buns on either side of her head with short fringe-bangs falling over her forehead protector which she wears in the traditional manner. Tenten wears a pink sleeveless blouse and dark green pants. As they worked on their prototype they felt the building shook which alarmed Io. "Someone is breaking in, come Tenten." He dart out the door into the room filled with many of Iō's prototype ninja tools with Tenten closely following him. They soon saw a person that was at the open door. Her brown duster had some saw dust on them due to kicking her way past the mechanism in the door trap. "What are you doing barging you're way in here ya brute." Iō scowled at the cowgirl. He hates it when people barge in here and disturb his work. They have no respect what so ever. The cowgirl narrowed her sap green eyes in annoyance. "Well If I did not have that kind of a welcome wagon maybe I would not have destroyed the place." Apple Jack took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking again. "I am just here because I figure you need the help, So I want to share my knowledge of different type of weapon and armor." She spoken in a stern voice, but she was not expecting for the panda girl to widen her eyes in wonder and immediately appear in front of her. "Really! What kind of weapons and armor." Tenten said in fascination of the thought of learning new weapons. This cause both Io and Apple Aack to sweat drop. "Very well you may stay, I feel it in my gut that you are being honest. But I expect some good ideas, I do not want my time wasted." He said as he headed back into his room. Tenten grinned as she grabbed Apple Jack hand and dragged her into her own room that she use for blueprints and designing. "Don't worry about him, I just know you have good stuff Miss-" "Apple Jack, my name is Apple jack." Apple Jack could not help but see Twilight in the kunoichi because they both have the same desire to learn new things. "My name is Tenten, part of Team Mighty Guy and the assistant of the greatest blacksmith ever lived." Tenten smiled as she began to ramble on about her work. Apple jack smiled a bit, it was a better experience for here then doing nothing for six months. oOo The Third Training Ground, a place where Konoha shinobi hone their skills. The third training ground is a portion of land located inside of Konoha. There is a view of mountains in the landscape and a large and deep river with forests in the both of its sides. There is a glade and in its center there are three stumps lined side by side. Below there is the memorial stone, a polished kunai-shaped structure. The memorial stone a monument that lists all of their ninja that were killed in action. That is where Rarity is now standing before it. Her head was titled down and her eyes were closed. Among the treeline lurks the hidden ANBU that have been shadowing Rarity. He was curious to why a foreign girl would pay her respects to people she does not know. For now he just wait until she moves again, not wanting to disturb her.