Phoenix: Catching Air

Summary: A phoenix is a master of both wind and flame. Ageless and wise, these creatures do not choose based upon skills or intelligence, but potential. And in Naruto, they see the dawn of a new age.

I don't own Naruto.

Chapter One:

First Contact

A seven year old Uzumaki Naruto was standing in front of his grandfather figure, the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the old man looked at him curiously. Naruto had come to him in his office, and Sarutobi was surprised and a little worried about the frown on the boy's face and the refusal to look him in the eye.

"Hey, old man," Naruto said, and Sarutobi's worry increased at how quiet the boy's voice was. "Can. . .can I ask you something?"

"You know you can always ask me anything, Naruto," said Sarutobi kindly.

"Why. . .why do people hate me? Everyone at school. . . when other kids ask a question, they get help, but when I ask something, I'm laughed at. I just want to succeed, grandpa! But no one seems to want me to!" By this time, Naruto was crying, face scrunched up as he tried to hold his tears back.

Sarutobi got right up and walked over to wrap Naruto in a hug. Sarutobi looked in Naruto's eyes. "I want to you to succeed, Naruto. How can I help?"

"Um. . ." Naruto scrunched up his face in thought, still tear-stained, but tears no longer flowing. "If I could just get help with my studies. . ."

"Have you tried the library?"

Naruto looked at Sarutobi in surprise. "I thought kids my age weren't allowed in the library."

"Who told you that?" asked Sarutobi, raising an eyebrow.

"The librarian," Naruto stated, matter-of-factly.

"Well, how about this," Sarutobi said, frowning at this piece of information. He walked over to his desk and took a blank sheet of paper, and wrote a note on it. He handed the note to Naruto. "Give this note to the librarian and she'll let you through. I'll have an ANBU accompany you as further proof, alright, Naruto?"

Naruto's face broke into a wide smile. "Thanks, Ji-chan!" he said happily. He gave Sarutobi a hug, and ran out of the room. Sarutobi gave a chuckle, then said, "Dog." An ANBU with a dog mask dropped down. "Accompany him and if the librarian gives him any trouble, solve the issue."

The ANBU left, and Sarutobi went back to every Hokage's bane of existence:

Paperwork.

Several weeks had passed since Naruto had first been allowed access to the library. Since then, Naruto had started to do better in his studies. He had also discovered the joys of reading.

Not that the librarian was happy with it.

Today, Naruto walked into the library under the suspicious gaze of the librarian, and headed over to the back, where there were interesting scrolls detailing famous ninjas and cool descriptions of different ninja techniques.

He was just browsing when he caught sight of a dusty scroll shoved into a corner. He wasn't sure why, but he thought that the scroll looked interesting. He picked it up, and walked over to a table, and opened the scroll.

His eyes widened.

He had stumbled across a summoning scroll! But a summoning scroll for what? Naruto wanted to find out. Without another thought, he signed his name in blood and pressed his fingertips to the bottom. Then, remembering what the scroll he had read detailing summoning had said, he did a few handseals, and pressed his hand to the table.

"Summoning Jutsu!" he whispered, after all, he was in a library.

There was a puff of smoke, a flash of flame, and Naruto felt a cool breeze ruffle his hair, and he came face to face with the most astonishing creature he had ever seen.

It was a bird, but like no bird he had ever seen. It had red and gold and silver plumage, and a gold beak, and black talons an inch long. It was roughly three feet tall, and nine feet long, six feet of which comprised of a luxurious tail. But what really had Naruto freaking out was the flame.

Oh yes, did I mention that the end of the birds feathers were on fire?

"Wow. . ." said Naruto. He blinked as the bird turned to look at him.

"Who are you? How did you summon me?" asked the bird.

"Naruto was at a loss for a moment, but was quick to regain his composure. "I found your summoning scroll, and I signed it. Then I just sort of. . . summoned. . . you. . ." said Naruto, feeling increasingly self-conscious as the bird stared at him. "Uh, um. . ." Naruto looked at the bird. "What. . . what exactly are you? I don't mean to be rude!" he said quickly. "I just. . . don't know what. . ." he trailed off, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.

To his surprise, he heard a strange clucking sound, and turned to see the bird with it's eyes closed and shaking bit. It. . . it was laughing! "I am a phoenix, child. We are masters of wind and flame, and virtually ageless. I am surprised that a young one such as you managed to summon me. Look into my eyes, child – I will see if you are worthy to be our summoner."

Naruto looked into the bird's eyes, and lost himself in the flaming depths within. . .

He fell through a pool of onyx glass, and saw a flame, white and hot, at the bottom. He was drawn towards it, and when he touched it, he felt warmth unlike anything he'd ever felt before – the warmth went down to his very soul and he felt warm and safe and happy.

Suddenly he was picked up by a gentle breeze, and on an impulse, he spread his arms like wings, and laughed as he soared through the sky. The clouds felt fluffy under his fingers as he passed them.

It was so much fun!

He came back to his body with a smile on his face. He looked to see the phoenix from before regarding him with a pleasantly surprised look on its face.

"You. . . will do." It vanished in a flash of flame and a gentle breeze.