The Hunchback of Notre Dame (A Naruto Tale)

Chapter 12: The Court of Miracles

  As Danzo leaves, Sasuke wakes up which gets Naruto's attention. "We have to find the Court of Miracles, before daybreak." Sasuke explains as he comes out from under the table. "If Danzo gets there first...are you coming with me?" he asks "I can't" Naruto shakes his head "I thought you were Esmeralda's friend." Sasuke raises an eyebrow "Danzo's my master. I can't disobey him again." Naruto sulks "She stood up for you! You've got a funny way of showing gratitude." Sasuke snaps then sighs as Naruto turns away. "Well, I'm not going to sit by and watch Danzo massacre innocent people. You do what you think is right." Sasuke explains as he leaves the bell tower. 

  Naruto looks at the 'goyles who look at him suspiciously. "Look. What am I supposed to do? Go out there and rescue the girl from the jaws of death, and the whole town will cheer like I'm some sort of hero? She already has her knight in shining armor, and it's not me" Naruto explains then sighs "Danzo was right. Danzo was right about everything. I'm tired of trying to be something I'm not." Tsunade hands him a coat smiling. Naruto shakes his head and takes the coat "I must be out of my mind!" he sulks and goes to catch up to Sasuke.  At ground level, Sasuke is exiting the cathedral. No sooner has he stepped outside, than Naruto hops in front of him. "Sasuke!" Naruto scares the ex-soldier. "AHH!!" Sasuke yells in surprise "I'm coming with you!" Naruto explains as he climbs down. "I'm glad you changed your mind." Sasuke replies "I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for her." Naruto reminds him "You know where she is?" Sasuke asks "No, but she said this would help us find her." Naruto answers him as he pulls out the talisman and hands it to Sasuke. " Good, good, good! Ahhh. Great!" Sasuke rejoices then examines it "What is it?" he asks "I'm not sure" Naruto ponders. 

    "Hmm. Must be some sort of code. Maybe it's Arabic. No, no, it's not Arabic. Maybe it's ancient Greek..." Sasuke ponders over it "When you wear this woven band, you hold the city in your hand." Naruto whispers to himself "What?" Sasuke raises an eyebrow "It's the city!" Naruto whisper yells "What are you talking about?" Sasuke says " It's a map!" Naruto answers as he points to the center, see, here's the cathedral, and the river, and this little..." Naruto explains as he holds it. "I've never seen a map that looks like this and..." Sasuke argues " the two of them both talk and argue at the same time "...and this is it! and this is not it!" the two say in unison. They both breathe deeply, then Sasuke gives in. "All right, okay. You say it's a map, fine, it's a map" Sasuke pouts "If we're going to find Sakura, we have to work together. Truce?" Sasuke slaps Naruto on the back, "Well...okay" Naruto replies slapping Sasuke on the back, making him wince in pain. "Sorry" Naruto sighs "No you're not" Sasuke argues back as they head off. 

Time Skip 

    The two arrive at the city cemetery and find a grave in the center, with a cross symbol on it.  "This looks like the symbol on the map" Sasuke sighs "But what does it mean?" Naruto asks him as Sasuke takes the torch "Hmm. I'm not sure. I can make out an inscription, but it's going to take a few minutes to translate it." Sasuke explains. Naruto then pushes the lid off the grave, revealing a staircase going down. "Yes, well, or we could just go down those stairs" Sasuke shrugs. After walking down the stairs, they end up in a partially flooded chamber, lined with skeletons. "Is this the Court of Miracles?" Naruto asks Sasuke "Offhand, I'd say it's the Court of Ankle Deep Sewage. Must be the old catacombs." Sasuke explains, but little did they know they were being watched. 

    "Cheerful place. Kinda makes you wish you got out more often, eh Naruto?" Sasuke tries to lighten the mood "Not me" Naruto shakes his head "I just want to warn Sakura and get back to the bell tower. I don't want to get in any more trouble. "Speaking of trouble, we should have run in to some by now." Sasuke says "What do you mean?" Naruto asks "You know, a guard, a booby trap..." As Sasuke tries to explain all of a sudden their torch blows out, leaving them in darkness. "or an ambush." Sasuke realizes. Suddenly, the chamber is fully lit, and they're surrounded by gypsies disguised as skeletons. They force them to their knees in front of a now unmasked Shikamaru "Well, well, well. What have we here?" Shikamaru laughs "Trespassers!" a skeleton shouts "Spies!" says another. "We are not spies!" Sasuke explains "Can't you listen--" Naruto tries to talk but they both are gagged.