Disclaimer: Naruto and all Naruto related stuff is (c) Masashi Kishimoto. All OCs and original storyline/plot/imagination (c) of ME!!

A/N: I was going to post this earlier, but unfortunately, not only was this different style a little difficult to do, I sprained my wrist (which is currently in a brace for the next week and a half), so typing is going very slowly… XP

WARNING: I'm trying something new with this chapter… a little different from my usual style, but I think it might be fun… oh, and just because I know some people might get confused, (though I'll try to avoid that through my writing), these are VARIOUS Scenes at DIFFERENT time frames… i.e. years pass between one and another… so pay attention to the ages in each flashback…

THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!

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FIVE FLAGS
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"Tekinai-san." The voice of six year old Ryoku called out to his white-haired friend.

For someone who had just been informed that his entire clan had mysteriously disappeared in the cover of night, the six year old genin had not reacted as one would have expected.

Upon their return from a D ranked mission with their genin squad, the Raiden twins had been confronted with the news of their clan's disappearance. No one knew what had occurred to them; whether they had been slain or abducted. All that was known was that Tekinai and Tereya were now the last remaining Raiden in the entire village.

Tereya had been shocked at the news; immediately fainting from surprise and sadness. But Tekinai… he had merely walked away; leaving his sister and best friend behind.

"Tekinai-san." Ryoku's calm voice called out again.

From his labored breathing, Tekinai knew his friend had been searching for him for a while. It didn't surprise Tekinai; that was just the kind of person Ryoku was. Certainly it had taken the Furi-iki a long time to discover the white-haired genin on the other side of the Hokage monument, in an older part of the village where few people ever went; but few others would have even considered looking for him there. Only Ryoku would have thought to look for Tekinai at Five Flags; the historical site, where a monument to commemorate the founding of Konoha by the original five noble clans had been erected. (1)

It was an important place to him. Not only because his clan's significance in Konoha history was engraved into the landscape there, but also because it was the place where his parents had often brought him and Tereya when they were still together. It was also the place where the two siblings had met Ryoku and his family four years earlier. It was a place that held significant importance to him; so naturally, it was the first place Tekinai had instinctively run off to when he heard the news about his clan.

He had arrived at the monument, devoid of all feeling and emotion. The news had made Tekinai feel cold inside; bitter, as he stared up at the five poles which carried the flags of each clan's crest. As the white-haired genin stood before the violet colored flag that waved proudly in the gentle mountain breeze; his feet digging into the engraved stone below where the elemental symbol of his clan's signature jutsu was imprinted, Tekinai furiously stared up at his clan's flag.

"Why?" Tekinai angrily yelled; frustrated tears running down his pale face as he reproachfully looked up at the symbol of his clan's pride.

"…" Ryoku remained silent.

Tekinai wanted to scream louder; he wanted to know how this was possible. How could his entire clan disappear? What good was their ability to foresee that which was to come, if they couldn't even prevent their own ill-fated fortune?

Why?

"Tekinai-san." Ryoku approach the white-haired boy's side; unsure of what to say to ease his friend's grief.

Living in a shinobi village, death and tragedy were a constant; yet all the same, it was still unfamiliar territory to the six-year old genin.

What could possibly be said to make it better?

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"Just say we will always be together." Eight year old Tekinai silently plead to the blue-haired girl standing beside him.

He watched the kunoichi as she toyed with the hem of her dress. She was worried about something; but of what, he was unsure.

"Brother." Tereya solemnly glanced up at her twin as the two stood in front of their clan's flag.

He could see pain and distress in her pale violet eyes; and something else.

Was it fear?

Perhaps it was nothing more than a reflection of his own, as he pleadingly begged the young girl with his eyes, to always remain by his side.

In the two years since the siblings had been left on their own, Tekinai had clung to any bond he could hold; fearing that at any moment he would lose them all. He tried to put on a brave front; pretending that he needed no one and nothing. But the truth was, behind his icy, uncaring demeanor, he was no more then a lonely, lost, little boy. She was everything to him; and he couldn't lose her.

He wouldn't lose her.

"Tereya-chan." Tekinai stared back at his sister with a serious expression. "You and I are all we have." He tried to prevent his voice from breaking under the intense emotions he attempted to conceal.

"Tekinai-kun." The blue-haired girl mournfully watched as her twin turned away; too ashamed to show his sister the tears that were welling up in his eyes.

He knew she wanted to tell him that they weren't alone; that they had a family and place among the people of the Leaf. But her voice wouldn't come out. Tereya wanted to tell him; but she knew her words would never reach him. She had said it too many times, and he never listened. As far as Tekinai was concerned, she could say it all she wanted, but it wouldn't make it true. There was no one but her. No matter what she said, he just couldn't see it.

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"It appears we have arrived at an appropriate hour." Tekinai commented as he and his sister approached the sizable doors of the Furi-iki compound. He still wasn't sure why they had agreed to come to such an event; it's not like they were family.

"Hai." Tereya nodded.

"Tekinai-san. Tereya-chan" Eleven-year old Ryoku politely greeted his friends as he opened to the two large wooden doors to allow them to enter.

It was the day of Ryoku's promotion to the status of the elite jounin class. His family had decided to throw a big celebration in honor of that achievement. Since the Raiden twins had been Ryoku's friends and teammates from early childhood, they had been invited to participate in the clan festivities; but Tekinai still wasn't so sure they really belonged there.

"Ryoku-san." The white-haired boy curtly nodded his head as a greeting, as Tereya politely nodded and smiled at the tall Furi-iki.

Though it was beginning to be normal for Ryoku to achieve higher ranks and successes, Tekinai could not help but feel like his friend was moving farther and farther away; soon Ryoku would be beyond his reach. Knowing this, only further confirmed the white-haired chunin's conviction that everyone always left in the end. It would not be long, he was certain, before Ryoku would also fade from his side. That was why Tekinai firmly believed there was no point in counting on others. One could only relay on themselves.

Tereya was different though. Because, being his twin, she was, in essence… him. For that reason, Tereya, alone, was the one and only exception.

"Congratulations Ryoku-san." Tereya timidly praised the new jounin.

"Arigato Tereya-chan." Ryoku's stiff expression softened for a moment, as he warmly thanked the shy kunoichi; leaving Tekinai with a sour flavor as he watched his lifelong friend's back guide them into the crowded garden where his numerous clan was assembled to celebrate Ryoku's accomplishment.

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"You're jealous." Oushi mischievously smirked at the twelve-year old ANBU who had recently been teamed up with the immature fifteen-year old.

"…" Tekinai venomously glared at his newly appointed squad captain.

He did not like him.

Even though Oushi was now his commanding officer, Tekinai just could not understand how a person like that could be considered an Elite. It had been a great disappointment when Tekinai had finally met the older teen. Ryoku had spoken highly of the man, so naturally, Tekinai had expected someone of great skill and poise, but instead, he had been met by a man of lowly manners and childish demeanor.

"And here I thought it was a sister-complex you had." Oushi continued his incessant teasing. "Who would have thought Mr. Prime-and-Proper was actually inflicted with a brother-complex. Although, strictly speaking, I supposed Ryo-san's not really your brother…just… 'like a bother,' so it wouldn't be entirely improper." An irritating laughter began emanating from the bothersome man.

"…" The white-haired ANBU stared unbelievingly at the other ANBU.

This person… He was an annoyance. How Ryoku could put up with him, let alone praise him, Tekinai could not possibly comprehend.

"It's a shame though." Oushi mockingly shook his head in pitying lament. "But I'm pretty sure this one's a hopeless romance as well; I just don't think Ryo-san feels the same way."

"What are you going on about?" Tekinai annoyingly spat out. This person was considerably grating him. If he didn't leave soon, Tekinai was unsure what he might do to the man.

"Oh…" Oushi fringed innocent hesitance. "Well, about your unrequited love for Ryo-san of course." He playfully replied.

"…" Tekinai heatedly glared at the foolish older man; bearing his fangs as he addressed his idiot captain. "If you believe those inane insinuations, then you must be a bigger fool then I previously believed you to be." He venomously spat out, before turning to leave that old shinobi's presence.

"Touchy, Touchy." Oushi smirked at the retreating back of his young subordinate. "But don't worry." He yelled out as Tekinai left the clearing where the two had been waiting for their other teammates to arrive. "Just because Ryo-san and I get along so well doesn't mean I'm trying to steal him away."

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"I'd much rather have Tereya-chan." Oushi immaturely moped, as he looked over at the white-haired shinobi glaring at him. "That one's too moody." The seventeen year old ANBU captain used his thumb to signal over to Tekinai, who was standing as far away from the idiot team-leader as possible; in the small clearing here their squad had agreed to meet that morning.

For once, however, Tekinai had to agree with the man; he did not want to be teamed up on a mission with that person; especially if it had to be a mission where he would have to be alone with the idiot. The fact they had to split up into pairs already annoyed the Raiden teen; having to pair up with that person, of all possible options, just added to the irritation of their present situation.

"It can not be helped." Ryoku replied; ignoring his commanding officer's childish complaint. "Tekinai-san's lightning jutsu will be much better suited for your rescue mission. His level of skill is unmatched. Together, you both can enter the premise without detection. With Tekinai-san's ability, he can easily and stealthily eliminate any guards while you utilize your strength to break the prisoner's free. Likewise, Tereya is best suited for my reconnaissance mission. Her Yochigan eyes are a most fitting ability for infiltration into an unknown environment."

"But" Oushi began protesting.

It was evident the stubborn man would eventually relent, but nonetheless he seemed insistent on the idea that he should be the one to be accompanied by Tereya. Tekinai was almost grateful that if he had to be paired off with the idiot of a captain he had; at the very least his sister would be safe from the flirtatious man's foolish attempts at pursuing her. Just the same, he would much rather not have to have anything to do with the man at all.

"There is little information about my mission." Ryoku cut the senior officer off. "For this reason, Tekinai-san and I do not make an appropriate team. We could not have a pre-set plan of action." Ryoku argued. "If that is not possible, then Tekinai-san's lightning ability could become dangerous to use in an area where my weapons will likely be necessary."

Unfortunately, that was true. Tekinai recognized that the points Ryoku had made were valid arguments. From the beginning of their collaboration as teammates, it had been a noticeable dilemma that metal, the medium in which the Furi-iki clan specialized, was a strong conductor of electrical discharge; which was the elemental affinity in which the Raiden clan's fighting jutsu lay. For them to be able to work together, not only effectively, but safely, Ryoku and Tekinai had had to learn to perfectly synchronize their attacks. This required that a thorough and well thought-out plan be devised before they undertook any mission together. Of course, unforeseeable events always occurred in battle all the time, it was for that reason that Tereya's foresight eyes were a necessary element to their team. On their own, however, it would be too great a risk to pair Tekinai and Ryoku together.

"Fine." Oushi begrudgingly moaned. "But I'd like to go on record as saying, I don't like these split missions."

Once more, Tekinai had to agree.

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"There must be some mistake." Oushi voiced the words that Tekinai was unable to speak.

He was in agreement with the ANBU captain. There had to be a reason; perhaps there had been an error in the location where the operatives had searched, or a distress message sent too soon; some missing piece. It had to be a mistake.

"I assure you, Hokage-sama." Oushi respectfully addressed the village leader. "Ryo-san would not fall so easily."

Tekinai agreed on that point as well.

Ryoku was not the type to be so easily defeated. The Furi-iki clansman was among the strongest, and most skilled shinobi in the village. He was braver than anyone Tekinai had ever known. And while he was not the type who feared the taking of risks, he was likewise not the type to act without thoroughly considering all consequences of his actions.

"Ryo-san would never be so reckless." Oushi firmly opined; his eyes focused sternly on the floor below him, as he attempted to keep the agitation in his voice from being revealed.

As Tekinai observed the usually foolish older teen speak with the village's leader, he realized this person was not the same man Tekinai had thought he knew. There was a somber tone to the ANBU captain's voice, which Tekinai was unaccustomed to hearing from him, as he tried pleading with the Hokage to allow that they mount a rescue mission for their two mission teammates.

They had been informed, upon arriving from their other mission, that something had gone wrong on the assignment Ryoku and Tereya took. From the beginning there had been limited information as to where Ryoku and Tereya would be going and what their mission entailed. Normally such a thing would not be an issue when Tereya was involved, as she had the ability to protect against any unknown dangers; however, that didn't seem to be enough this time.

Their mission had been more dangerous then anyone had originally anticipated. Their mission being much closer to Fire Country borders than the one Tekinai and Oushi had been sent on, yet they had ended up taking longer then the assignment had initially required. As in all situations when missions appear to be diverting from usual protocol, an ANBU squad had been sent to verify the progress and safety of the shinobi. The team that was sent to Ryoku and Tereya's progress had discovered the location where their mission was to take place in utter disarray. Not only were the documents that were to be retrieved no longer there, but the building in which they had been said to be kept was also gone.

In its place, a large crater, created by some catastrophic explosion; the remains of many enemy ninja scattered throughout the area. The squad reported that no one could have possibly survived.

"Tereya-chan," Oushi continued. "Her eyes would have prevented…"

The ANBU captain didn't continue. All too well he knew the counter to that argument. It had been Tereya herself who had told him that the Yochigan eyes were no infallible. (2)

The Yochigan had long since been considered among the strongest of the eye jutsu. Among the five noble clans, the Raiden clan had been considered the most desired to join in the covenant to create the village hidden in the leaves, because their ability to foresee the future had always been considered a great asset. Being able to see into that which was to come was a way of ensuring that the village to be founded would be a prosperous and peaceful nation.

But there was more to the Raiden clan then anyone knew.

The ability to see into the future was a great asset, but it could prove to be a fatal gift as well. When one relies too much on its strength, mistakes could be made. The eyes did not always predict everything. That was something Tekinai had realized long ago, when his clan failed to see the fate that awaited them all those years back.

Now, it seemed… the eyes had failed again.

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TBC
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FOOTNOTES:
(1) I have fan art for that… (links in profile)
(2) That scene, which I already wrote out, will be a flashback in another chapter… probably the ending… because it reveals too much if I put it in here… plus it didn't flow well here.

A/N: Been busy, but I'll get to emails/pms/reviews/and 10-for-NejiTen challenge Story updates… XD