Because of what some reviewers said (and in spite of a few others) I'm continuing Toxicity.
Why did I call it that? Because...System of a Down is (almost) as cool as Linkin Park. And Good Charlotte. You'll have to keep reading this story to find out the other reason, 'cause if I told you, it'd spoil the fic!
So go on and read this damn chapter!
Disclaimer: Remember that Naruto is not owned by me. But the Ryuuchi clan and its language, weapons, and techniques are!
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Naruto awoke abruptly on the first day of spring. Since it was still early, he lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Today was the first day of practice for the Konohagakure ninjutsu tournament. Usually when big competitions came around, Naruto was bursting with energy. He would practice for hours each day.
But this time he felt different.
The young shinobi couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt terribly wrong about something. Like the way a rat feels before the seemingly invisible snake pounces.
"It's just my imagination," he said aloud to reassure himself. His voice echoed in the empty house. It sounded faintly of mocking laughter.
Naruto shivered.
He rolled out of bed and stumbled down the hall to the kitchen.
Maybe he was just hungry.
****
It had been Master Iruka's idea. To give each cell another jônin, that is.
"This is just to prepare you for the tournament even more," he had told the genin after hearing loud protests from several, namely Naruto. "These jônin have all been in previous tournaments, so they will help your training and give you more competition to practice with."
Most of the cells got jônin who lived in Konohagakure. But Naruto's cell got twin fourteen year olds who had been in tournaments since they were eight years old. This wasn't a surprise when they discovered what clan the boys were from.
The Ryuuchi clan. It was one that had rivaled the Uchiha clan that Sasuke belonged to for a long time. They were so large that they had their own shinobi city. Very few people wanted to be on the Ryuuchi clan's bad side.
That clan sure could kick ass. After all, their rapid growth was attributed to the fact that they were fierce fighters.
And the Ryuuchi twins who were to be cell seven's new jônin were no exception.
****
"So..." Kakashi began once he and the other shinobi were out in the woods surrounding Konohagakure. "We obviously don't know each other. Tell us your names, and we'll do the same." Everyone hesitated. "I'll start. I'm Hatake Kakashi."
The twins exchanged a look, and the taller one nodded.
"My name is Ryuuchi Shinzuko," he said quietly.
Ryuuchi Shinzuko had black hair and eerie sea-green eyes that made Naruto want to hide. He wore a gray shirt with a black vest and black pants. On his forehead was the headband of the Ryuuchi clan; the sign of the red dragon.
There was something extremely arrogant about him that Naruto instantly hated.
"Ryuuchi?!" Sasuke broke in. Naruto stared at him. It was unlike Sasuke to speak much unless spoken to.
Shinzuko frowned. "You got a problem with that?" he hissed. "Who are you, anyway?"
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"Hn. Uchiha." The older twin sounded mocking. "Nothing but scum," he muttered under his breath. Sasuke didn't reply, but his face darkened with anger.
"I'm Ryuuchi Kyote," the other boy said after several moments of silence.
Ryuuchi Kyote was obviously the younger of the twins. He wore the Ryuuchi headband in his black hair streaked with red. His clothes were what Naruto immediately labeled 'punk' for no reason at all. He was dressed in a black shirt that had weird buckles along the side and a pair of dark blue shorts that closely matched his gray-blue eyes.
"I'm Haruno Sakura."
"What about you?" Kyote spoke up.
Naruto gave a slight start. He hadn't been listening.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto," he said quickly.
Shinzuko snorted. "Naruto? As in that little fox?" He smirked. "I'm surprised they even allowed you to become a shinobi after some of the stuff you've done!"
Naruto tightened his fists. "Do you want to try me, you dork?!"
"Stop it, both of you!" Kakashi broke in. "We have a lot of practice to get in, and fighting will not help."
The others glared at the jônin unresponsively. "What's everyone staring at?" he demanded finally. "Let's go!"
****
"Listen," Kakashi began as he spoke to his cell alone after the training session. "I know that none of you love the Ryuuchi clan…but we're stuck with them and nothing's going to change that!"
Sasuke crossed his arms, his gray eyes darkening like the sky before the storm.
Naruto made a face. "The Ryuuchi suck! What's your point, teach?"
Sakura grimaced. "Yeah, Shinzuko's the absolute worst!" she chimed in.
"All I know is that Iruka put Uchiha with Ryuuchi for the purpose of teaching us to work together. He knows about the feud between the two clans, and he wants you to work out your differences."
"Sounds like peacenik crap to me," Naruto muttered.
Kakashi frowned. "Whatever you think it sounds like, we're doing it. So don't go around starting trouble."
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Naruto growled.
****
In spite of what Kakashi told him, Naruto got bored at the next class, and had to stir things up.
Just before the lunch break, he slipped a vial of sour-tasting medicine into Shinzuko's water bottle. When the teenager drank it…well, a fuse wasn't needed to detonate the explosion.
"Who the hell put iyaku in my water!" he yelled when he had been able to catch his breath.
Naruto instantly doubled over laughing.
"Naruto!" hissed Sakura. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Shinzuko sauntered over to Naruto and grabbed his jacket. "Yeah, Naruto," he taunted. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you know who you're messing with?!"
Naruto scowled. "Well…you didn't have to annoy us!"
"You know what, you little-!"
"Shinzuko," interrupted a quiet voice. Both boys spun.
"What is it, Kyote?"
Ryuuchi Kyote crossed his arms. "Leave Naruto alone. It's your fault that he put iyaku in your water."
Naruto smirked as Shinzuko reluctantly released him. "Heh…and I wouldn't have done it if you didn't call me a fox! Bastard!"
Shinzuko's face was almost red with fury. He punched Naruto hard in the face.
"Bastard!" Naruto yelled again as he backed out of the older boy's reach.
"Shinzuko." Kyote held his brother back. "Leave him alone."
The teenager glared hard at his younger twin for the longest time.
"Did you hear what I said," Kyote hissed quietly.
With a disgusted sigh, Shinzuko snatched up his lunch and stalked off.
"Jeez…" Naruto walked over to Kyote, rubbing his sore cheek. "What's his problem?"
The black and red haired boy hunched his shoulders. "A long story." He snorted. "It was very dumb of you to put that medicine in his water."
The blond haired boy shrugged. "He asked for it. He called me a fox!"
"I'd advise you to watch yourself around Shinzuko," Kyote warned. "He's the kind that holds grudges, so I'd avoid him if I were you."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Well, you aren't me, and people who avoid their enemies are just plain cowards."
Kyote frowned. "If you don't avoid him...at least don't get in his way," he said as he walked off to eat his lunch.
Naruto watched him go.
What's up with these Ryuuchi?
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So...how was that? Boring, ne?
Be patient. The interesting stuff is coming. *crickets chirp* No, really!
Especially if you like yaoi, like I said before.
And if you don't like yaoi? STAY AWAY.