I apologize to everyone for having taken a long time to update this fic. I was quite busy during the months and stuff got in the way. I just finished reading the original copy of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". No matter how I read it, it is still quite a tragic story. In my honest opinion, Victor Hugo could have left out the miscellaneous information about Parisian architecture and past historical figures that had little to do with the characters to begin with. The characters stayed roughly the same. Many of the characters made me sick to my stomach or drove me crazy. The whole "love" story between Esmeralda and Captain Phoebus was little more than a petty school girl crush. I felt slight sympathy for the most unlikely of characters like Claude Frollo of all people and his spoiled, blow hard brother, Jehan.
Warnings: racial prejudice, sacrilege, political hypocrisy, miscalculation of historical events, etc.
Chapter 8: Shifting opinions
The afternoon sun shone rays of light over the Cathedral de Maria (1). Outside people were rather relieved to still see that the sun had not yet chosen to depart and give way to winter's cold chill. It was still strangely warm considering it was near the end of November. Inside the cathedral, the monks inside had far more pressing things to do than contemplate the weather. The stain glass windows shone brilliantly from the sun's rays; each showing murals of Konoha's history and commemorating murals to saints long since passed. In the main room, several benches were lined into rows for devoted parishioners to sit and listen to the words from the Holy Book. The podium was a large stage decorated with sashes of purple, green and white and a large jeweled cross sat atop with a leaf symbol in the middle. Overlooking the church was the bell tower that rung the bells where the bell-ringer donned his usual chores. Suddenly the silence was broken by the echo of clicking shoes.
Danzo Shimura walked through the large halls donned in a cloak of green and white with a purple sash around his neck. He headed toward the main hall and was greeted by the other monks to which he merely responded with a nod. He stopped only to gaze upon the large cross atop the podium and give a gesture of respect and reverence. He continued on his way. He had little time to dilly dally over meager things. As Archdeacon, it was his duty to uphold the reputation and order of the church and its members.
Danzo had been a young man in his late 20's when he entered priesthood. It would be several years before he could ascend to the rank of arch deacon, should he prove himself capable. (2) The young man in lighted bliss had done this as means of picking up the pieces for a world gone to hell due to the Crusades. It was a time where misguided church leaders and political figures would offer up biased promises to young men who wanted to 'cleanse their sins' or 'reclaim the world for Christianity'. Of course it was nothing more than a farce that was anything but holy. A couple years later, Danzo finished his training and was then promoted to rank of arch deacon. The still young but slightly older young man was now ready to share his spiritual knowledge with fresh young minds seeking ways to live a 'holy' and 'pure' existence through the Bible.
Unfortunately, the arch deacon beheld a darker side. Danzo believed that salvation was reserved for those who followed a strictly ascetic lifestyle and who refrained from all things sinful. At some point in his life, he got acquainted with Madara Uchiha who shared with him a hatred of the heathen race known as gypsies. He even helped to enact executions for them during the time of the raids before Fugaku put an abrupt stop to it. The king gave little information only that he feared repercussions from the estranged neighboring kingdoms and be brought in for questioning of an unknown crime. In the present time, things were relatively peaceful in the village and there was little news of mischief. That is until the annoyance that was the Kyuubi Festival. Danzo cared little for peasant festivities. For him, the festival was another excuse for the village rabble to behave like debauched animals. However that night would prove to be far different than the others. In the present, Danzo headed toward the lower levels of the church to a small room. Looking around to see if he was being followed, he slowly but quickly shut the door and locked it. Inside the room, tables filled with several cylindrical glass beakers filled with bubbling liquid held over a Bunsen burner. The room was well lit despite being underground. He picked up the beaker and examined it to see it was acting as it should before putting it down. If anyone were to find out what went on down there, it would spell trouble for him and reflect badly on the cathedral. Here is where he practiced the forbidden art of alchemy. (3) Alchemy was the act of turning base metal into solid gold. This practice was banned by both the church and state politics as it was believed to be used in occult ceremonies and was thought to draw upon the power of demons. Danzo sat at his desk recording his recent observations in his book when a sudden vision appeared before his eyes. The words on the page blurred as a vision of a girl in a red and orange dress danced in a large circle. The arch deacon scoffed in frustrations and stood up huffing.
"It's no good to write, I can't even concentrate. Every time that vixen dances, my mind turns to mush. If it wasn't bad enough to come into our sainted village and dance like the Whore of Babylon in the village square, but to insult our bishop… young lady, you shall rue the day you came to this village". Danzo crossed his arms and began to pace the room. His eyebrows furrowed together. His thoughts were filled with the blonde haired female with shimmering golden hair and her fox medium. There had certainly been a lot of incidents since the arrival of the blond haired gypsy woman…no that demoness that so brazenly defied him in front of everyone. The arch deacon was very well aware of the attempted kidnapping weeks earlier, and the sudden death of the two men responsible. In his mind, the two men got what they deserved and the matter was dealt with thanks to Madara. Pushing that aside, it had been weeks since he saw the gypsy woman dance. The gypsy caravan had thankfully heeded warnings not to dance anywhere near the cathedral again and take future performances elsewhere. Much to his dismay, he could not issue an arrest on them unless they somehow committed a grave offense against the church or the royal family. For now, he would push such things aside and focus on his work. Once again another vision of the same girl dressed in her festival attire danced before him. He shook his head to rid of the apparition. There had to be a way to reel her in. For now, he would let fate do its work.
In another part of town, a manor stood several blocks from the church. Above gates the Uchiha insignia stood out proudly for the entire world to see. The house belonged to none other than Madara Uchiha. The rays of the sun shone through the tinted windows of his family's manor. Inside, the fireplace was lit to keep out the cold wafting through the manor. It was a considerable favorable environment for leisure and rest. However, the councilman could not find peace. Like Danzo, he had been troubled by the instant arrival of the gypsy troupe that wound its way into the peace and order that he had tried so hard to maintain. He just could not convince his pig headed cousin Fugaku to see sense. The gypsies were nothing more than rascals that had to be eradicated. The gypsy princess was certainly no better. He had been rather incensed when he realized that the two men he hired failed to carry out their task. The councilman knew that if those two talked, it would be the end of him. Madara saw no other choice but to eradicate them for the sake of his reputation and that of the Uchiha Family. It was not the first time he had to do such for family honor. It was not for the sake of saving an innocent young woman that he wanted her captured. He planned to merely keep her locked up in his home for some time until he could convince her to either give up her dancing or to make her adopt a more 'holy' lifestyle free from temptation, the people, and of course gypsies. He had not planned on Iruka to step in like that. The brunette had always served as a sort of thorn on his side.
Naruko was a beauty, he had to admit. Even for a gypsy, she definitely knew how to turn the people's head. He had been watching from a distance as she danced so gallantly on the streets. On the other hand, he would not be so fool hardy as to be deceived by the performance. Each time the girl spun in a circle, he could see slight glimpses of hell's flames spewing out and surrounding her being. It was the same with her blue eyes that shone like meteors. (4) This was no woman he was looking at, this was a demon in human form. And the fox next to her proved just that. How else could one explain why the fox had so many tails or could understand human speech so clearly? Adding the icing on the cake, she had the nerve to insult the bishop in plain sight of the church. It was fortunate that Danzo thought to apply his two cents and call Naruko on her faults. However, if he had let Danzo continue further it would have caused uproar with the townsfolk. If word had gotten out that a man of the church could not control a mere gypsy, it would dissuade the people and make them lose faith in their priest. After all people are dangerous especially if they are fired up for a cause no matter how miniscule. The best way to stout the flame is to snuff out the source.
Now there lay another problem. There were rumors surrounding the palace. He already had extra guards surround the place since the reports of a gypsy woman sneaking around. Now, there was one suggesting they spotted Sasuke sneaking in and out of the palace at odd hours of the day before returning in the evening. The Yamanaka's were becoming rather furious that Sasuke opted to avoid their daughter and instead dilly dally all he wants. This made for a very bad impression. The Yamanaka's were a well to do family and an alliance with them would secure several opportunities. It was sure relief when the family offered to unite since the other option was no longer available. Madara stretched in his chair and pulled out the freshly cleaned dagger as if expecting blood to still be there. The councilman was no fool. He made doubly sure to wash away any evidence pointing to him. Not even his status would save him from being taken to the pillory. Sasuke was under house arrest by his father and would not be allowed to venture until further notice. The girl had not been seen either for some time which was good. Still, Madara could not help but feel a connection between the absence of the cloaked figure and his nephew's isolation. Surely, Sasuke would not dare to fall into the same trap as his father.
A knock on his door interrupted his musings.
"Come in" he replied gruffly. A servant entered the room. "My lord, you have been summoned by his royal highness to attend a gathering" he stated. Madara got up. "Thank you, you may go" he responded curtly. (5) Once the servant left, he uttered a soliloquy to himself.
"I shall withdraw from investigating further on that infernal girl and my nephew's carousing for now. First, I must discuss with the king about enforcing certain laws". He left his study and prepared for his meeting.
Inside the large ornamented buggy, Kurama sat inside watching the encampment. Several people were nestled outside around a large bonfire. He watched his niece playing her tambourine with that fox at her ankle. The people laughed as she jumped and twirled. Kurama shut the rafters. It had been over a month since Naruko had bonded herself to that damned Uchiha. This posed a great number of problems. One, the boy's nephew was chairman to the whole of Konoha and most of them had a deep distaste for the whole gypsy culture. Secondly, the boy was engaged to the daughter of the one of the most powerful family in the country. One word and it would be a full on war.
It frustrated him to have been ousted by his own flesh and blood concerning the clans by laws. He thought the first time was enough to deter her. Instead the thought of someone being hung only serve to fan her passionate flames. 'The girl is proving to be far too rebellious for my liking" he thought to himself. "Perhaps coming to Konoha was indeed a bad idea. At least in other countries, she was more subdued and less likely to quarrel with me". The crimson haired man crossed his arms.
"It can't be helped. As long as she doesn't try what she attempted last time", he growled. Memories from a time not too long ago flashed through his mind; the night his niece nearly betrayed him and tried to leave the convent. A knock interrupted his musings. He stifled a growl threatening to resound from his lips.
"Yes, who is it?" he snapped. The door opened to reveal a middle aged woman with graying hair tied up in a tight bun dressed in a typical peasant dress. Although the signs of aging were apparent on her face, it wasn't enough to diminish the beauty that still remained. The woman bowed curtly and gave a slight smile.
"Manatsu, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
The woman glared at the sarcastic reply. "Can't a woman pay a visit or two to an old friend from time to time?" she inquired. The thief king sighed. "You only seem to like coming over when it concerns my niece in any matter" he iterated. The woman nodded.
"That is to be expected. After all, you appointed me as her nurse maid all those years ago. I was rather reluctant at first but I got over that. She was a sweet little girl your niece was especially when she would call me "mama". It was rather adorable when you would get that look on your face when she did that. The same jealous look from a loving uncle. 'sigh' The days when you and Naru were as thick as thieves, figuratively speaking". Kurama scrunched up his face. Manatsu was one of the few people he could truly tolerate. It was because of her that he was able to survive his painful adolescence and gave him shelter when none was offered.
"She was much easier to handle back then" he retorted. Manatsu shook her head. "Sort of like you at her age" she added in. Kurama stiffened and turned to her with a cynical look. Manatsu continued. "Kurama, I mean your majesty. You know sooner or later she is going to find out the truth. Besides, she hasn't been this happy since before that boy came along" she stated. Kurama bristled. "You don't understand Manatsu, if someone were to spot us then it will be the gallows for all of us. I must abide by the rules no matter how unfair or unjust you think it to be" he replied. Manatsu shook her head in disgust.
"The day she does find out, it will be you who must deal with the consequences" she replied. Kurama glanced at her with a deadpan expression. "Are you finished?" Manatsu scoffed. "returning to the matter at hand…I came to inform you that the winter storm is fast approaching and that you should make sure that all gypsies including those outside your troupe are well prepared lest they all freeze to death. As for your niece, don't let me catch you forcing her to exert herself like last winter. If you do, may a curse descend upon you". With that Manatsu left leaving a bristling leader. He sat back down with closed eyes.
"You can never understand the pain I suffered. That is why I must not allow Naruko to stray". Kurama then lied down and descended into darkness.
There goes another chapter written. Manatsu was someone of my own creation because I can never imagine people like Homura being Naruto's wetnurse. She is one of the people responsible for Naruto's horrible childhood to begin with and on more than one occasion sought to bring him down at any means. I thought the story could use a change. I mean Esmeralda must have had a wet-nurse at some point. How else does it explain where she got the charm around her neck that would eventually lead her to her lost parent/s? You have received a slight clue on who Kurama is and some bits of Danzo and Madara. By the way, can you guess what the "truth" is? cookie points for the closest possible guess.
Do not worry, I have not forgotten the other characters. You will more of Sakura, Tenten, Lee and the other gypsies and their possible beaus. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the story.
Chapter Footnotes
(1) Roughly translates into 'Cathedral of the Virgin'.
(2) The Crusades were in short a military sanction issued by the Roman Catholic Church to restore Christianity to the world and rid of any 'unholy' adversaries that stood in the way. In short, the reason Christianity and Islam are at eachother's throats to this very day.
(3) Alchemy was widely banned in early century Europe because it was mostly used by warlocks and witches to turn metal into gold and create the fabled elixir of life; via an act of the occult.
(4) A reference in the book to describe Frollo's perception of Esmeralda.
(5) A usually serious speech that characters make to an audience to reveal their true thoughts.
