Of birds and wolves

Shrugging, I smiled.

"Ah... To each."

Biting my thumb, I let a bit of blood well up before putting it to one of the moon beams- the shortest.

"Wait your actually gonna... "i was cut off by the fact what I was asking was actually happening. Though what was happening I had never seen before.

Holding out my arm, I closed my eyes. Doing one-handed signs was hard enough, being only able to mold with half the ability.. But I had gotten used to it. As fast as I could, I shaped it, before slamming my right arm down.

Light spiraled from the moon to the beam, before expanding under my hand... The light seemed to seep through the cracks in the ground, shaping into the same moonbeam mark that was tatooed into my skin, minus the other beams. The Kanji symbol for 2 appeared, and the light brightened.

"Summon no jutsu!"

When I stood up, and the dust cleared, a Beta Wolf stood, his grey pelt shimmering in the moonlight. His eyes glowed a bright, iridescent green as he stared at Takumi. On his back was some kind of pack, with scrolls and weapons, as well as a small pack for herbs.

"Ire Beta wolf, Maru."

Chakra: 575/600

I stare for a moment before remembering that I'm polite and shouldn't do that.
"Hello" I say to him, unsure really of what to do. Not used to being on the other side of the along for the ride scenario.

Maru turned to look at me, before looking back at Takumi.

He smells like a thanksgiving dinner.

"Maru, that's not very nice."

A smile pulled the edges of my lips up, before Sansuke's voice blossomed in my mind, and probably Maru's.

He's in the pack, Maru. Worry not.

"Your all smiling... that worries me" I said, leaning against a tree and staring at them.
"I still don't get it... what have you been searching for.. I mean there must have been other copies of that book..?" I say in a questioning voice.

"Did you notice the Kanji symbol that was there, when Maru was summoned?"

Cocking my hip, I watched my kin carefully.

"Maru is a Beta wolf, the second-in-command to the Alpha Pair. But, that was only a B-Rank summoning Jutsu."

Scratching Maru's ears gently, I sighed.

Literally, the Alpha Pair is the A-Rank. So.. What other rank is there? And, what seals would need to be used?

Maru's deep voice was like velvet, as he gave Takumi an inquisitive look.

"Well that'd be an S-rank and forgive me for not knowing the social statues of wolves.. my area of study is medicine, not animals. And I told you, seals and symbols are not my forte, I was trained in barrier jutsu..." I say to her, which explains my not noticing the symbols.

Don't worry, that's not why you've been notified.

Maru cleared his throat, before stepping toward Takumi. Rubbing the back of my neck, I knew what was coming next.

We were wondering if it was physically possible to have an S-Rank seal attached to the skin, like her current ranks. Well. 'We' being Lucine and I. Technically, I'm her caretaker. Regardless, you have SURELY come across some summoners, no?

"Yes, quite a few in the hospitals." I say, summoner's being some of the front line men in shinobi battles for the unpredictability. "As for an s-rank being attached to the skin.. It's plausible, but the user would have to be extremely tough. Luckily, okami is, thanks to her spirit she could have this done.. but it's be risky. I'd need to be with her the first time to ensure she doesn't loose an arm or anything" I say, adopting the voice I give to loved one before a surgery.

"We can do this. Easily... Now... We just have to talk to Bear."

Lucine, are you nuts? BEAR?

Scratching the back of my neck, I let a small smile play on my face.

Ha! That's funny. You think you can tame Bear for a contract! Haha! And I thought you didn't have humor...

When no one else laughed, Maru turned toward me, shock on his lupine face.

"If i'm assuming correctly. You mean to visit the sage bear, and enter into a summoning contract with him?" I ask her, a whisper of fear in my voice. Each group had a sage animal, it's leader. And few were feared like the sage bear. For he was incredibly large, incredibly powerful and incredibly temperamental.

"I don't get why everyone seems to think he's literally a bear. He's just a seven foot wolf... Jeesh..."

Crossing my arms, I stared at Takumi, then Maru.

"Yes, I AM going to get Bear into a contract with me."

Clenching my fists, I grabbed the wrappings, and held them evenly.

"Even if I die trying."

My eyes narrowed at them, and I stood straight- daring them to challenge my decision. Sansuke was silent, but I could feel that he would be raising his hackles at me if he had a true form.

"Well there is no point in stopping you then.." I say turning towards the house and looking up. "But it'd be better to go in the morning. We've had a long night and I don't know about you, but I could use the sleep." I say, slumping against the door frame.

Putting my hand on his shoulder, I nodded.

"I.. agree. Entirely. Maru!"

Looking at the Beta, I nodded, sending him off.

"Anyway..."

Looking back toward my family member, I smirked a little. So much had happened, and I felt something.... different, in me.

"Let's rest, Comrade."