Finally chapter 3! This is all I've pre-written so far so the next update will probably be in a while ^^'

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, only my OC's

Enjoy~

CHAPTER 3


'Brother where are you?' she called out as she giggled, running through one of the many forests in Konoha.

'Brother….?' She said again, more nervously this time as she looked around her, the trees seemingly looming over her.

'Boo~'

'KYAAAAAAAA!'

'Wow, if I didn't know any better I would've thought I gave you a heart attack!' her brother laughed as he scratched the back of his head.

Reiko now sat on her butt, crossing her arms defiantly she huffed 'Ryochi! That wasn't fair! I'm not a ninja! I can't sense you…' she sniffled

Ryoichi's dark eyes softened as he crouched down in front of her 'But one day, you'll be a ninja. In fact, you'll be joining the academy in the next few years won't you?' at this she nodded, still sniffling.

She heard Ryoichi laugh lightly as he ruffled her hair 'And of course you can sense me! I emit chakra just like everyone else, ninja emit higher levels of chakra though.'

She looked up at him in confusion before swatting his hand away 'no I can't! How would you know?'

Ryoichi smiled down warmly at her 'Well how do you know straight away where people are? For example I saw the other day how you went straight to dad's office knowing he was in there even though he hardly spends any time in that office. When I was a kid I searched the whole house, called out to them too.' He explained.

The confusion on Reiko's face never left 'I just know where they are, I hardly do anything though…I just have to concentrate a bit….dad gives off more energy than mum too.'

Ryoichi nodded 'You're pretty sensitive to chakra I'll give you that much. The 'energy' as you call it is what we call chakra as I've said a bunch of times. Dad gives off more 'energy' because he's learnt to use it and increase it because he's a ninja. But mum is just a civilian so that isn't the case.'

Understanding lit up her face 'oh! I get it!'

'Ryoichi! There you are, I've been searching everywhere for you.' Called his teammate, Minato. Reiko clutched the fabric of her brother's sleeve and hid.

Minato panted slightly with his hands on his knees before tilting his head in her direction he gave her an easy going smile 'It's just me Minato!'

Slowly Reiko walked out from behind Ryoichi and inched closer to Minato who continued to emit a calm energy, she liked it. It was comforting and warm. She smiled and giggled a bit before holding out her hands for a hug to which he obliged with a grin of his own.

'Big brother Ryochi, big brother Minnyto, can you both teach me more about chakra? Pleasseeeee.' She pleaded with puppy eyes as the two looked down at the young girl with beads of sweat rolling down their cheeks as they tried to resist before sighing in defeat.

'Geez how many times do I have to remind you? It's Ryo-ichi and Mi-na-to! Anyways…'

Reiko cried out in delight as the two boys sat down for a very long explanation.

Reiko opened her eyes slowly, her eyes moved around her room, plain white walls, sliding closet doors that were a light grey colour. A floor length mirror and a dark wooden double bed. Her eyes continued to scan the room before landing on her small wooden bedside table, beside her alarm clock were two photo frames, one of her genin team and the other when she photobombed one of Minato's team photos. Beside that sat the Onbaa tooth necklace, slowly reaching out for it she grasped it slowly and pulled it to her chest before pulling the covers over her once again. She shut her eyes in the hopes of shutting out the world.

'As much as I want to do nothing right now, the best thing for me is probably a mission. It would serve as a great distraction right about now…' she thought sombrely

It had been months since Obito's death and she had been on many missions, Minato's team continued onwards much like before yet they all still grieved, it had gradually lessened to a dull pain in their hearts. Not only that, but she hadn't heard from her father since he went out to the front lines which was to be expected as the battles would be continuous so the thought of him having time to send a letter home saying he was okay was ludicrous.

But still…..having no word as to whether he was dead or alive…it filled her with dread and anxiety, every what if you could think of played through her mind with almost all of them being a negative outcome.

Whacking her face into her pillow she groaned as she threw away the thoughts swirling non-stop in her mind. A knock on her window drew her attention toward it as she pulled back the covers and sat up groggily, her sleep wear merely being another tank top with trackies and bare foot. Placing on the tooth necklace she opened the window by her bed to see an ANBU appear inside bowed down.

"The Hokage has summoned you." His deep voice stated causing her to sigh and rub at her eyes with a grunt.

"Understood. I'll be right there." She responded as the ANBU officer disappeared from sight. Shutting her window once again she tugged back the covers and changed into her shinobi uniform and tied up her black hair into a ponytail, she exited her room and peeked into the kitchen as her mother was making breakfast.

"The Hokage's summoned me." She stated as she headed for the door, Mutsuko turned around in surprise before smiling.

"Oh dear, I didn't even hear you walk by." Her mother commented before sighing "I swear if it's another mission…" she grumbled making her chuckle.

"Probably, but you never know. I'll see you later." She said as she waggled her finger making her mother chuckle before she headed out the door and jumped from rooftop to rooftop swiftly and made her way toward the ANBU headquarters, she soon opened the door to the locker rooms and strode toward her own one.

Opening it up she quickly put on her Anbu vest and armguards, strapping the katana to her back she quickly put on her fox mask before shutting the locker door and heading out again toward the hokages office. Soon enough she finally appeared in the hokages office where her team was assembled.

They all knelt before the hokage as they awaited their orders as lord third's back faced them with his fingers interlocked behind his back.

"We have received word that there have been a number of Kumogakure ninja infiltrating the land of fires borders. The only orders I have are to track them and hunt them down. However if possible bring back a prisoner." The hokage instructed.

"Understood." Tadao responded as he nodded to the rest of them, signifying to head out. Without a second wasted they sprinted out of the office along the rooftops and out the gates, presumably this mission would be an easy one considering the last Kumo-nin her team had to deal with.


"So what we have to go all the way to the border?" Yori whined from beside her, she glanced at him in mild annoyance. He'd been complaining ever since they took off for the mission, not that it was anything new.

Yori had dark green hair that went just past his shoulders with long strands framing his face his goldish honey eyes were hidden behind a cat mask with small red markings. He had a lithe body but still well-built with a pale complexion like his sister.

Speaking of his sister…

"Quit complaining! I'll start bleeding from the ears if you don't stop!" Yuka growled from my other side. As she was his twin she beared much resemblance to her brother Yori, she had long dark green hair tied back into a braid with her eyes the same goldish honey colour both hidden by a bird mask with minimal red markings, she was a lot paler and smaller than her brother however.

"Oh well in that case I should keep complaining." Yori shot back.

She bit back a groan of annoyance as the two began to argue, again. It was quite common for team Kuma in fact. Until they engaged in battle that is, it was almost like a switch would flip in their minds and they'd become what everyone normally expected of ANBU members.

Cold.

"You two, pipe down." Their leader Tadao ordered, the twins quietened down after that. They all paused as their leader stopped on a sturdy branch, he turned to them. Motioning toward a small clearing on their right he continued "We'll station here for the night, no point trying to go all the way to the border when we can lie in wait for them."

Tadao, their leader had short brown spiked hair with black eyes, concealed by a bear mask with black markings. He too had a lean build with pale skin.

"Hah? How do we even know which direction they're headed?" Yori inquired as they jumped down and began to set up camp.

"They'd be avoiding the front lines and trying to go around, the route we're on is prefect for that. Reiko will stay on watch as she's the team's sensor. The rest of you stay alert and prepare to take the enemy out." Tadao finished. It was obvious to all of them that their leader Tadao had been briefed on all the other intricate details of the mission, it was a common thing that the other members in the team were given the bare minimum information by the Hokage when there wasn't enough time for it. With the rest of the details given by their squad leader as it was up to them to formulate a plan of action.

She nodded "Understood captain."

"Ooh right! I often forget that you're a sensor y'know?" Yuka chuckled, resting her arm on her shoulder casually.

She shrugged off her arm "I'm certainly not the best sensor around but I'll do my best."

"Do not worry, if your sensing abilities fail I will step in." The last member of team Kuma spoke. Subarō.

Saburō was bald with a scar going down his right upper jaw to his collar bone. His eyes were a deep brown which was covered by a rabbit mask with blue markings. He had a much larger build than the rest of them and tan skin. He never spoke much and yet they all understood him well, he also had superior hearing abilities. (Not like a clan members but that was beside the point).

She nodded "Thank you, Subarō."

Yori sighed "Jeez, I almost forgot you were even hear Sub."

She quirked a brow "Sub?"

Yori and Yuka both stood side by side and she just knew they wore cheeky grins "You lot are always so formal!" Yuka exclaimed.

Reiko knew it was a bad idea to let them continue but she couldn't help her curiosity "All right I'll bite, what would you call us then?"

Yori scratched his head "Well, I'd say you'd be Rei, Subarō would be Sub or Rō….Tadao would be Tad…I'd be Yo~ and of course Yuka would be Yuk."

She stared at him blankly "Those all sound stupid."

He clutched his chest, feigning pain before Yuka hit him on the head angrily "I hate that nickname! Yuk?! It sounds like Yuck!"

Reiko sighed heavily and turned away from them to climb up a tree and remain on lookout for the enemy.

"That was the whole point idiot!" Yori cried back.

And so the arguments began once again.

She didn't mind really, she had been in Team Kuma for some time now and grew accustomed to everyone's mannerisms. The twins upon first glance didnt't appear to be cut out for the ANBU but she was proven wrong a while ago. Of course she didn't know much about her teammates personal lives but neither did they know hers which she didn't mind at all. Regardless of that she could tell she was the youngest in the group at 15, next she'd guess Yori and Yuka were anywhere from 17 to their 20's. As for Tadao and Saburō clearly being the older ones they'd likely be in their late 20's to mid-30's. Of course, in the end age and rank meant nothing in the ANBU but it was fun to theorise.

She stared into the sky that was slowly beginning to darken, grey clouds spotted the sky with a few shining stars starting to appear, no doubt it would be a beautiful night. Another beautiful night having to be soaked in blood.

Reiko couldn't help but wonder how the others were doing, they were at war after all. How her father was doing at the front lines….how her mother felt with both of them gone, not knowing if they'd return…how Minato and his team were going without Obito…she sighed heavily. She absentmindedly pulled out the Onbaa tooth necklace that was tucked into her shirt and stared at it sullenly before shaking her head. Now wasn't the time to let one's mind wander, she had to focus on sensing the enemy's approach.


One.

Three.

Five- no, Six.

Her eyes shot open, narrowing from behind her mask. Jumping down she ran over to Tadao who was staring into darkness of the forest.

"Sir, the kumogakure shinobi are on the way, six opponents approximately ten minutes away a little ways off from here. Soon they'll be passing this point." She reported, the others in their team listened in. They all turned to Tadao awaiting their orders.

"Lord third wanted to catch one alive, that may be difficult but we only need one. Subarō set up a trap for one of them, keep in mind we don't know the extent of their abilities but this should be easy enough. I'll set up a genjutsu around the area for them to start the attack, Yori and Yuka go for a cooperation jutsu and take out as many as you can with your fire and wind techniques. Reiko I want you to use your water techniques. As always go with formation C." Tadao ordered.

They all nodded, Subarō and Tadao whisked off quickly to prepare the traps and genjutsu, the three of the remaining ones nodded to each other before taking off.

"Formation C, huh?" Yuka mused.

Yori nodded seriously "At least that way my fire won't get in the way of Reiko's water. Separating the enemy is always best in these situations."

"Quit yabbering and pick up the pace." Reiko ground out as they sped forward, soon the enemy would be entering the area where Tadao set up a genjutsu, hopefully it would be strong enough to cut off some of their senses making going in for the kill easier.

She bit back a sigh as she got into position, her eyes narrowed as she sensed the enemy. It didn't take long for them to stop in confusion as the genjutsu took over. She locked onto her specific target and weaved the necessary handseals.

Ram, Horse, Bird, Ram.

"Medical Water Style: Water Praying Mantis!" she growled as her hands were enveloped in water, forming insect-like claws as she swooped down.

She watched as her opponent managed to release the genjutsu and fall back as she swung for the neck. Landing on the ground softly in a crouch she glared at the enemy.

"That's some talent you've got there kid, too bad it won't be good enough to beat me." Her opponent bragged as he held a hand to his katana, slowly unsheathing it.

'And here I thought I wouldn't get to have any fun.' She thought in amusement before charging forward swiftly. She swung her water encased arms at the kumo-nin, nicking his cheek. Her opponent swung expertly at her with his sword, she narrowly dodged the barrage of attacks he sent her way.

She pivoted on her feet, kicking him backward and charging again. Slashing him across the chest she prepared to strike downward again, only to be blocked by his blade as he glared fiercely at her.

"I have a mission to carry out and I won't fail." He growled.

"Funny, so do I. What are the odds?" she replied just as two people cried out nearby, not even needing to glance to know it was the enemy being taken out by Yori and Yuka she couldn't hold back a small smirk that overtook her lips.

"No! Fujio! Hirofumi!" her opponent cried out, his grip on his sword slackening ever so slightly.

"Fool." She uttered as she brought her insect-like claw down on him, slashing his face. Moving her arm swiftly she slashed across his neck.

In mere moments he collapsed, gurgling and clutching at nothing before dying. She released the jutsu around her arms. Turning back to her comrades she saw everyone else had succeeded in the kill too.

"Did we catch one alive at least?" She inquired, turning to Tadao who was busy yanking his blade out of his opponents neck, he turned to Subarō who nodded.

"Yes, he's currently unconscious." Subarō replied.

"Good." Tadao nodded in approval, he ordered them to collect the bodies and head out.

Yori and Yuka high-fived "Mission success." They concluded.

She stiffened as she looked to the sky "Wait." The rest of her team turned to her as a messenger hawk flew toward them. Tadao held out his arm as the hawk drew near, Tadao pulled out the scroll swiftly before he too stiffened.

"It seems we won't be going back to the village just yet." Tadao said through the heavy silence.

Yori whined "What? Oh c'mon another mission-ACK!" he rubbed his arm tentatively where Yuka had pinched him.

Reiko ignored them and stared at Tadao "What are our orders?"

Tadao sighed heavily, rolling up the scroll once more, he grabbed a small piece of paper to confirm they received it before sending the hawk off and turning to Reiko once more.

"We are to assist two young shinobi who require reinforcements, they are under attack by Kirigakure shinobi. It seems a mission went wrong."

Yuka's eyebrow quirked "If they're really in trouble I wonder how the Hokage received word so quickly about the need for reinforcements…"

Tadao grunted "There's no time. Besides you shouldn't be questioning the Hokage's knowledge and decisions either. We head out now."


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