Disclaimer: Naruto and all Naruto related stuff is (c) Masashi Kishimoto. All OCs and original storyline/plot/imagination (c) of ME!!
A/N: And now, on to the plot!
WARNING: It's a Flashback chapter (there will be more of these, so get used to them).
THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!
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TEAM OX
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"You were careless." The ANBU with the Jackal mask coldly stated as he faced the only female ANBU in the four man squad.
"…" The kunoichi wearing the Crane mask dropped her head down disappointedly. "Gomen." A whispered apology came from behind the bird mask.
"Don't be so hard on the girl." The Man in the Ox mask scolded, before slowly removing his cover.
Ryoku silently watched from across the small clearing, as his two other teammates also removed their masks. They were in the clear, having just completed their first mission together as a unit.
"Do not presume your opinion is of any interest or significance in this matter." Tekinai rudely addressed his new superior.
Though Oushi had yet to be named captain of their ANBU squad, he had been assigned leader for their first mission. While he did not often seem the most respect-worthy individual, Ryoku held the peculiar man to high regard. He was a strong and skilled shinobi, with much to offer any team, in a leadership role. Ryoku was certain one day Oushi would become a prominent leader in the shinobi world.
"Tekinai!" Ryoku sternly called out to his old friend. "You should show some deference to your sempai."
"Tch." Tekinai rolled his eyes. "I am not yet convinced the man deserves such regard."
"He is your senior commander." Ryoku reminded the thirteen year old. "A shinobi must always respect the chain of command."
"And I have followed his instructions." Tekinai dryly replied. "But I shall not bow before a man who acts like a child."
He couldn't deny it. In the short time Ryoku had gotten to know his sempai, he had realized the man (if a fifteen year old could be called that), was an unusual individual. In battle, he was as serious as any shinobi Ryoku had ever known. His expressionless face, when in the heat of battle, could be more intimidating then the ANBU mask he wore. He was strong and meticulous; never losing sight of his objective in a mission. All trace of thought and emotions were extinguished when the man was out in a fight. Oushi was the perfect shinobi; a soldier meant for war.
But then there was that other side to him. When not on a mission, Oushi was a carefree, enigmatic individual. Easily mistaken for a vagrant fool, when in reality, he was anything but.
It was a difference between day and night, the degrees in the man's personality. One minute he was as stone serious as any man could be; the next, a laughing idiot. It was no wonder that Tekinai, who had only just recently joined ANBU, thought the man was unworthy of his trust and admiration; but Ryoku knew better.
"Ah, don't worry about it." Ryoku turned to face the aforementioned man as Oushi comfortingly tried reassuring the disappointed twelve-year old girl standing in front of him; Ryoku hadn't even noticed when the man made his way across the clearing to speaking with the kunoichi.. "You did fine. That guy's just a …"
Before Oushi could finish his statement, Tekinai swiftly stepped between the two; barring Oushi's vision of the kunoichi.
"Fhh." Oushi scoffed; taking a few steps back to better face the brooding shinobi. "Lighten up Tekinai-kun; cut the girl some slack! We're all only humans." He offered, before turning to smile at the raven-haired kunoichi. "Right Tereya-chan?" A slight blush overcame the shy girl's pale complexion.
"Ano…" she began.
"You are to refrain from socializing with this man." Tekinai firmly addressed the girl. "Is that understood?"
"Hai." Tereya timidly nodded.
"Oi!" Oushi protested. "What'd I ever do to you?"
"Keep your distance from my sister." Tekinai firmly replied, without answering the man's question.
Ryoku half smirked at the all too familiar show of over-protectiveness on the part of the male Raiden. He had known the twins since their childhood year, and even then, before their clan had mysteriously disappeared, Tekinai had always been over zealous in his watchful defense of his younger sister. It didn't surprise Ryoku, especially given the attention Oushi had been displaying for the beautiful kunoichi, that Tekinai didn't want the older boy anywhere near his beloved sister.
"Ryo-san." Oushi called out to the large teenager quietly observing the trio from a short distance.
"Hn?" Ryoku adjusted his pack, as he finished concealing his ANBU gear to dress in civilian garb; a tactic often used when returning from a distant mission.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Oushi childishly plead.
"Say?" Ryoku repeated; staring at his sempai inquisitively.
"You're their childhood friend." Oushi reasoned. "Vouch for me or something. Tell Tereya to ignore this guy; that I'm a good man."
Ryoku impassively stared at the older shinobi before turning to the blue-haired kunoichi. "Stay away from him." He dryly advised.
"What?!" An expression denoting mock offense, swept across the Ox ANBU's face. "That's not nice. What kind of friend are you?" He protested. "Come on, you know me." Oushi attempted to smile as innocently as possible; again, pleading for the large teenager to say something good about him.
"Far away." Ryoku added.
"Come." Tekinai crassly grabbed hold of his twin sister's right wrist, leading her away from the small clearing where the four had set up camp for the night.
"Hey, where are you two going?" Oushi asked; a more serious tone in his voice near the end of that question.
Though he was still in his relaxed mode, being squad leader contained responsibilities that Oushi was not unaware of; thus it was important for him to know where his subordinates were at all times.
"Training." Ryoku explained; knowing that Tekinai would take the opportunity to go over Tereya's mistakes with her, just as he had always done in their years as a genin squad.
The elder twin had always been concerned that the mistakes his sister made would never be repeated; after all, one never knew when the next mission could easily be the last.
"Tch." Oushi scoffed. "What's with that guy?"
"Tekinai-san and Tereya-san are the last surviving members of their clan." Ryoku explained. "Tereya-san is the single most important person to Tekinai-san. He is strict with her only because he does not want any harm to ever come to her."
"Ah." Oushi nodded. "I see." A somber expression on his face, as understanding of the seriousness of the matter, overcame him. "So he's a considerate jerk then?"
"Hn." Ryoku grunted his agreement.
That was Tekinai's personality exactly. Growing up, the white haired boy had been sought after by many of the girls; possessing that princely quality that fangirls seemed to adore. But his cold personality ultimately drove everyone away, and the only person in his life who seemed to love him despite his harsh, sometimes cruel, nature, was his adorable twin sister.
"So do you know if she's seeing anyone?" Oushi smirked; reverting back to his less admirable personality traits.
"Hn." Ryoku returned to his task of adjusting his uniform to appear more civilian, as he hid away his dragon mask.
"What?" Oushi innocently smirked. "She's cute." Hs shrugged, upon meeting Ryoku's disapproving glare.
"I do not believe it would be wise to engage in a romantic relationship with one who is to be a teammate." Ryoku advised.
"Is that your way of telling me you're interested in the girl?" Oushi mockingly sneered at the younger shinobi.
"…" Ryoku shook his head negatively. "I have known Tereya-san since infancy; she is like a sister to me. I have no romantic interest in her whatsoever."
"Is that right?" Oushi's smirk grew wider. "So I can have her then?" he asked again to confirm Ryoku's meaning.
"You should know," Ryoku began. "The Raiden clan specialized in lightning jutsu's. Tekinai is considered to be a prodigy; among the most elite and skilled of any shinobi ever born to his clan."
"Is that so?" The smirk on the man's face did not disappear as Ryoku had anticipated. "Always did like a challenge…" He murmured amusedly.
Silently, Ryoku watched as the skilled shinobi, seriously rose from his seat on the forest floor, dusting himself off before he began heading in the direction of the two Raiden siblings.
Skilled as Oushi was, Ryoku was certain even the great Ox ANBU would be unable to withstand the vengeful electrical attack Tekinai would surely inflict upon the man, for very long.
Tekinai was not a man to cross without serious repercussion; Oushi would certainly learn.
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TBC
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A/N: You should all know, I posted new fanart… the twins! And also, if you haven't seen them, there ARE some fanart pix of Tekinai, Tereya, Ryoku, and Oushi.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Well, not quite since I'm still writing the story, and I'm not about to do alternate chapters… However, here's YOUR opportunity to tell me what you want…
The chapters where Tenten and Neji return to the village are coming up… What do YOU want to see?
I've already mentioned, the couples WILL BE… ShikaTem, KibaHina, and NaruSaku… as for the others… I'm leaning toward ChoIno, Lee will have a very pretty girlfriend (cos I love Lee and he totally deserves one), Shino and Sai might be my yaoi couple (cos I'm just so cruel to Sai… and well… Shino needs some part… hehehe)… or maybe not…
I'm NOT changing my major couples… and Gaara… HANDS OFF HE'S MINE (as is KAKASHI!),will only be paired up with absolutely amazing chicks! (or not at all… living the bachelor life), but otherwise, you all are free to give me suggestions about how you want the others to turn out… if I can, I'll include it in the fic…
also… names of spouses/romantic partner for the ones who need a pairing… and children…
Shika and Temari will be married and have at least one kid… Hinata and Kiba, I think will either be married or engaged… and I'm thinking Hinata should be pregnant… Naruto and Sakura I have no idea… maybe engaged?... although it would be best if they already had a kid too… just so the kids are all near the age of the twins…
as far as the rest... don't know… up to you all…
Remember, I'm always open to suggestions or requests for my stories… if I can fit them into the storyline, I will definitely try… only thing I must say though… if it's not already clear to you, I very much dislike Sasuke… so… no Sasuke requests… I don't like him, but I prefer to avoid dealing with him altogether out or respect for those readers who do like him (and instead chose to tease Sai in Sasuke's place ;P).
So let me know… what would YOU like?