Disclaimer: Naruto and all Naruto related stuff is (c) Masashi Kishimoto. All OCs and original storyline/plot/imagination (c) of ME!!!!!
WARNING: It's short AND it's a flashback chapter… If you don't remember, might want to read chapter 11 of WIND AND DRAGON for a refresher…

THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!!


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ROOK
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The man in the Ox mask waited patiently outside the Wind Daimyo's castle, in the surrounding forest area. His mission, a failure, had been interrupted by what appeared to be a coupe. He had witnessed the Feudal Lord's life be taken by his own brother, as the rest of Ox's team finished the job by assassinating the Daimyo's youngest brother, sister, wife and three children. Their team's mission had been to kill them all, but something just didn't seem right. The man Ox had been targeting had quickly become surrounded by shinobi guards; something which the Daimyo had not previously possessed.

There was clearly something bigger at work there. Ox was not the type to act recklessly, thus, he retreated back to the agreed rendezvous point; knowing his team would surely do the same.

"Ox." The feminine voice of Rook called out from behind the masked man.

"You made it." Ox turned to face the woman who had called him. She was carrying a small bundle in her arms; though what it was, he could not see.

"I need you to do me a favor." The masked woman stated, as she slowly approached her commanding officer.

"Is that…" Ox began, upon noticing what the bundle in the girl's arms was.

It was a baby. But, if Ox was correct, it wasn't just any baby, it was the Wind Daimyo's new born son.

"Shi-kun." The girl stopped in front of him.

"Shi…" Surprised, Ox moved his mask to the side, to take a better look at the girl standing before him. She had just called him by a name he had not heard in nearly two years; a nickname only one person had ever called him by. "Rey-chan?" He asked cautiously; not daring to allow himself to raise the hopes which had been crushed far too many time already.

"Hai." Rook removed her mask, revealing to the older ANBU that in fact she was who he suspected.

"…" Oushi looked at the woman before him with trembling anticipation; as if he expected it all to be a dream of his subconscious. "How?"

"Not now." Tereya replied; tearfully smiling up at the man she loved. "We do not have the time… Just trust me, my love."

"…" Oushi nodded; there was nothing he wouldn't do for her, trust was the least he could give.

"I can not tell you exactly what is occurring." Tereya began. "But you must know that Ryoku-san will arrive momentarily with a young girl at his side. She is the daughter of the murdered Wind Daimyo."

"Ryo-" Oushi disbelievingly began, but decided not to. It was difficult to imagine the, always professional, Ryoku would break with shinobi rules and bring back a target he was meant to assassinate. But if Tereya said so, it had to be true.

"His family just died." Tereya reminded the older man. "He is in a vulnerable state. But more than that, this is something that is meant to be."

"…" Oushi wondered what part of all that had occurred she was referring to. Was it the coupe? The annihilation of the Furi-iki clan? The disappearance and reappearance of herself? Or the fact that Ryoku was kidnapping the dead Daimyo's daughter? Or was all of it meant to be? Were these all some of those golden strings Tereya had mentioned to him years ago?

"You must help them." Tereya continued. "You have to be a friend, before being his superior."

"Hai." Oushi nodded. "But what about-"

"That is all." Tereya cut him off before he could ask about her brother, and how this would affect him. "There is nothing more I can say." She began turning to leave, before the man stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder

"What about you?" Oushi asked; not sure exactly what his own question meant. Was he asking what would happen now that she had returned? Or whether she was leaving him? Perhaps it was both, for both where answers he feared greatly.

"I have to take him." She indicated to the young child in her arms.

"But…" Terror in his heart threatened to burst forth if he didn't ask her what would become of them. She was back, and that was all that he had longed for; how could they be separated now?

"Shi-kun." The dark-haired kunoichi extended her right hand out to carefully caress the man's sullen face. "This is not the last we will see of each other." She assured him. "I promise."

With those final words, the kunoichi instantly leapt into the trees above; making a quick and silent escape.

"Ox." A deep baritone voice called out to Oushi from behind him, as the figure of the man he was supposed to help entered the small clearing; the young girl he concealed barely noticeable to Oushi's eyes.

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TBC
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A/N: … I was going to make this longer, but I felt it really did just stand alone...

Did you guys see that coming?... lol...

so, have I clear everthing up? ... well except for the Uchiha form last chapter, but that's written into my next chapter, with the explanation of how they'll find Tenten... someone kind of already guessed it in the reviews... XP

EDIT: I think a lot of people are going to miss this, so I'll spell it out...
Remember at the beginning of the story that i wrote that another survivor of the Daimyo's family resurfaced to reclaim the throne? someone who happened to be Xiu-Juan's little brother?... well, that would be the baby Tereya took with her in this chapter... She raised him until she'd eventually bring him back to save Tenten and return her to Konoha... Why, you ask?... it'll all be revealed in due time... or not... depends how well I can connect it all...