Naruto: Team 7 Next Generation (Graverobber and LilGunner)

[Graverobber]

There was an underlying nervousness that scratched underneath Sasuke's skin, causing him to watch the clock out of the corner of his eye, occasionally tapping the kitchen's table top in subtle impatience. Three minutes until Ryou came down the stairs, until he was ushered out the door after breakfast, his future placed in the care of a man that possibly irked Sasuke more than Naruto. The Hokage had tried to reassure him by saying Kiba came from high recommendation by Hinata, and that he wanted to pick a Jonin that would judge the kids based on their own abilities, instead of their parents'. It made sense, logically Sasuke couldn't argue, but still that annoying, uncontrollable nervousness ticked underneath his surface. He was all too aware of the damning shadow he left over the boy, the curse of his blood, and leaving his training, the start of his Shinobi career, in the hands of someone he barely knew didn't sit well with him. But he supposed that was also the point.

Another glance in the direction of the clock told him it was a minute past the time he was expecting to hear Ryou start shuffling downstairs, and his earlier concerns where dismissed for but a moment in a hasty, parental, mild anger: if the boy didn't have enough motivation to meet his sensei on time, Sasuke guessed he didn't have to worry about him stumbling down his own dark path anytime soon. A barely audible sigh was the only evidence of his irritation, and without another sound, he travelled upstairs to his son's room, knocked on the door, declared, "You're going to be late", and was met with complete silence.

No further warning was given; with the furrowing of his brow, Sasuke shoved the door opened, only to find that the room was empty. The bed was disheveled, sheets tossed aside. The window was partly opened, letting rays of the morning sun glide into the room, drifting alongside a cool breeze. The air carried the sound of metal clashing against wood, the frustrated panting that reminded Sasuke of his own endless hours of training under Kakashi. A nostalgic smile tugged at the edge of his lips, barely noticeable, and looking outside, watching as his son raised a kunai to throw at a tree littered with many like it, all varying distances away from a painted target, he called, "Raise your arm a bit more. Don't look away from the target."

The boy--though, Sasuke supposed he wasn't a boy any longer--jerked his head back at the sound of his father's voice, starring back at him with a determined look blazing in his aqua-green eyes. In all other aspects, Ryou was the spitting image of his father at that age, perhaps with a bit longer hair, but he had inherited his fiery eyes from his mother. With a small smirk, he nodded, snapped his gaze back to the tree, and threw the kunai with precision; it landed in the center of the target with a sharp thud against the bark.

Sasuke's approval was only shown in the slight shine within his dark eyes. "Now come eat before you're late, or your mother might level the house." There was only a slight undertone of humor in that statement.

After breakfast, Sasuke watched as Ryou stepped outside, adjusting his headband around his forehead. He stopped in his tracks, throwing a glance over his shoulder at his father. "Don't worry. I'm going to show the world what an Uchiha can do." That declaration held significance and weight, a coin toss between greatness and madness. Part of Sasuke couldn't help but fear it, knowing what such a desire had led him to do, along with countless others before him, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. No, it could be--it was--a new beginning. A chance to start over. To rebuild his clan without the taint of hatred.

That small smile graced his lips once more. Raising his hand, he caused Ryou to pause before continuing onward, and placed two fingers gently against his son's forehead. The gesture said more than any words he could've mustered, and with a firm nod, he watched as Ryou travelled down the street. It wasn't until his son had disappeared from view that his irritation was one more displayed in the furrowing of his brow. Exhaling, he mumbled, "Kiba...Really, Naruto?"

-------

Ryou had no doubt he'd pass the genin exam; while he had little patience for study work, he spent much of his time training, working on his techniques. He wanted to learn by doing, instead of trying to divine an answer from some book. It was why he looked forward to this day: the day he'd break out of the classroom, finally start his own journey, and prove himself worthy of the Uchiha name. It was also why, when he sat waiting in the same classroom he wanted so desperately to never set foot in again, irritation began to boil under his cool surface. Arms crossed, legs kicked up on a desk, he stared at the clock, watching the minutes tick past, narrowing his eyes further with each passing of the hand.

At some point that irritation sparked into anger, and suddenly Ryou was on his feet, hands pushed inside his pockets. "Where the hell is this guy?" Years wasted in the Academy, a breath away from being able to push himself further, and the Jonin entrusted with his future couldn't even be bothered to show up on time. Just the thought of possibly getting saddled with someone who could care less about making sure he could be his best made him grit his teeth, and impatiently start pacing around the room. Occasionally he'd throw a glance at the two also left with him, his teammates, and wondered if they were just as irked as he was.

Another few minutes passed by, and his pacing became more hurried, as if he were trying to burn off excess energy blazing underneath his surface. There was an incessant need building within him to do something, anything, and it became more compelling with each step he took.

He came to a sudden stop when his eyes landed on an easer sitting on the edge of the teacher's desk. His annoyance lifted, leaving in its place a terrible, stupid idea. He knew this as the mischievous smirk danced upon his lips, yet he couldn't quite help himself. Picking up the easer, he began to casually whistle, dragging a chair over so he could stand and wedge the object within the door. Paying no mind to any potential disapproval, he nonchalantly found his way back to his desk, now more content to wait on their so-called sensei.

-----

Excitement hummed throughout Kiba's body, reminding him of when his team first met Kurenai. There was nothing like the spirit of a genin stepping out into the world and out of shadows, of defining themselves by the sweat on their brows and the blood on their knuckles. To be part of that moment, to finally have a team of his own, especially when one of the members was his own daughter...Well, the sheer electricity sparking through him was enough to make Akamaru nervous; the pup mumbled in protest, watching as his master briskly made his way down the Academy's hallway.

The Hokage himself had been the one to inform Kiba it was time he got his own trio of genin, and what a bunch it was: a Hyuga and and Uchiha, and of course his own pride and joy, whose abilities he already knew pretty well. He didn't miss the trust Naruto and Hinata, who was like his sister in all but blood, had in him by placing their child under his supervision, along with the offspring of Naruto's best friend, nor did the responsibility of training his own daughter escape him. But these things didn't damper his determination; to the contrary, they only strengthened his resolve. His team, the new Team Seven, would be the best the Leaf Village had to offer, Kiba was going to make sure of that.

He could hardly contain himself, but he had somehow managed to keep his mouth shut around Mimi. He was determined to offer her no special treatment, and if the other genin were walking into meeting their sensei blind, she would be as well. He did, however, take pleasure in making sure she made it out of the house in time, lingering behind so there wasn't a chance she'd guess he was heading to the same place as she was. Naturally, this caused him to be late, and now he was double timing it, simply because he couldn't wait.

Perhaps that was why he fell for the oldest trick in the book. As soon as he slid the door opened, Akamaru on his heels, his head was assaulted by an easer; after bonking him, the thing plummeted uselessly to the ground, and Kiba was left silent for a stretch of time. Noting the satisfied smirk he would have to later wipe off the face of the Uchiha kid, he finally shook his head, crossed his arms, and stated, "Well that little stunt just guaranteed to make this day all that much harder for you three. I'm Kiba Inuzuka, your new sensei."

 

[LilGunner]

It was said the new laws were in place for their protection. When their parents were new Genin their journies they had been a few years younger. As young as 11 in some cases. A hard life for children so young. Thus it was decided that time at the academy would be longer, they would graduated with stronger skills and more developed minds. For children so young to see blood and death it was considered unreasonable. Had it not been for the relative long period of peace perhaps the wait wouldn't have been so long. For some of the kids it had meant more time to develop their ninja arts, for others they had taken a shine to other electives. Some even dropped the academy all together to peruse different careers. Many, of course, stayed the course. Ready to follow the footprints of their parents to become ninja.

It was occasionally whispered that it was Neji Uzumaki's fault, in a way. Some said that when Lord Seventh looked down at his son upon his birth he could not bear the child to suffer as much as he, his wife, and all his comrades had suffered at such young ages. Wether or not that was true no one knew. Yet Neji was reminded of that all too often. It was lucky, perhaps, that he looked every bit more like his mother than his father. Nearly the spitting image of his mother and, in many ways, his name sake. His long black hair was bound at the tips, right around his hips. He wore his headband traditionally, across his forehead. Long, loose pants, covered his long legs with his weapons pouch bound to his left thigh. A tight fitting, long sleeved white shirt and a simple tan vest. He wore nothing that clearly stated who's child he might be. Though the clear, featureless eyes would be a certain give away.

"By mom," he called as he slipped on his blue sandals. His mother, Hinata, peeked out from the kitchen. "Have a good day sweetheart. Say hello to Ryou for me!" Neji gave a small nod. What strange luck it had been. That he would be on the same team as Ryou. They had nearly grown up together and not just because they spent nearly all day together at the academy. After all, Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha had been on his father's team when they were young. It was only natural, even given everything that happen, their friendship would continue. Strangely still was Mimi Inuzuka being another addition to the team. Much like with Ryou he had spent a great deal of time with the Inuzuka family as well. Kiba and HInata had been on a team together, possessing that special bond that only teammates could develop. Sometimes he didn't wonder if the team had been chosen based on childhood friendships rather than abilities.

Neji was no prodigy like his Uncle and name sake. Not truly his uncle of course, Neji Hyuga had been his mother's cousin. Still, when he was spoken of, in the highest of regards and the gentlest of tones, he was always called Uncle. He would consider himself and average student. Perhaps more skilled in combat than with tests and knowledge. That was something he shared with Ryou. As they said, men of action. Books couldn't help you in a fight. Knowing a jutsu was not the same as performing a jutsu. For him Ninjutsus were still difficult and Genjutsu was right out of the question. He barely understood Genjutsus and certainly couldn't perform them. Now Taijutsu was where he shined. His mother had been teaching him about their Kekkei Genkai and the Gentle Fist fighting style. When he truly began grasping the ancient family trait was when he excelled in the academy.


Stepping out of the door he jogged down the street towards the academy. Their first day, meeting their Jounin. No one had said what to expect. He knew his father had hand selected the Jounin to lead but didn't deign to tell who it was. Neji's heart thumped loudly in his chest. Excitement? Or fear? What was there to be afraid of? He glanced up to see the stone faces. All the Hokage, including his father, looked down from on high. Neji's feet skittered to a halt as he stared up at the visage of his father. Son of the Seventh. Descendant of the Hyuga. Neji felt his guts clench. He groaned a little and scuffed his sandal in the dirt. "I'll make you proud...Dad, mom, Uncle Neji...believe it..." He said with a huff before picking his pace back up and headed into the academy to meet up with his teammates.

*_*_*_*_*

Shiromaru snored, curled up comfortably at the head of Mimi's bed. He had grown a lot and quickly. The massive, shaggy, pure white dog made for a warm and comfortable pillow. A wild mane of shaggy brown hair splayed across the great white beast's stomach. Sunlight streamed in but it hardly bothered Mimi Inuzuka. Her arm draped across her eyes as she snored along with her companion. Most of the blankets were kicked off, legs and other arms splayed out like a starfish. Shiromaru was the first to wake, opening his icy blue eyes with a sleepy blink followed by a wide yawn. He chuffed and looked over at his still slumbering companion. The dog gave a little 'boof' at her but to no effect. Leaning over he snuffled her hair before giving her face and arm a long, wet lick. Mimi groaned and sat up, slobber dripping off her chin, hair sticking out every which way. Every bit the spitting image of dear old dad. Her slitted eyes, pointed teeth and the red fang markings of her clan on her cheeks.

"What time is it?" She grumbled as she leaned over to grab her clock. "Agh!" She scrambled out of bed, legs caught in blankets she fell right off, landing with a hard thud. Shiromaru chuffed and took the blankets in his jaws, giving a tug to untangle her legs. "Thanks boy," she said as she scrambled up and ran at top speeds between the bathroom and her bed room. By the time she was showered and tamed her unruly brown hair Shiromaru had left to get himself some food and morning relief outside. Mimi pulled on light grey pant that came to her calves and flared just a little then strapped her weapon pouch to her right leg. Pulling on a black tank top, fishnet overshirt, finally her father's old hooded, fur-lined jacket from when he was a Genin. She left it, however, unzipped and kept the hood down, tying her forehead protector where it belonged, on the dang forehead. It helped keep her unruly Inuzuka hair from flying in her face.

Cramming a backpack with books she ran downstairs just in time to grab some toast and a generous helping of breakfast meats. She was still shoveling the food in her mouth as she hurried to the door to pull on her blue sandals. "Pfye pfaff, wuff ooo," she said with a mouthful of breakfast and ran out the door. As soon as she was out Shiromaru bounded out from the yard. Mimi jumped into the air and Shirmaru slid under her. One hand holding the fur of his neck, the other cramming the last bite of breakfast into her mouth, Mimi squeezed with her thighs to hold on as Shriomaru bolted down the street. People had to dodge and jump as the shaggy white hound and his partner bounded down the street. Wild brown hair flew back like a banner of war as they sped up to the academy. On arrival Mimi jumped off his back with a content sigh. "Record time I think," she said with a toothy grin. Shiromaru 'boofed' in happy response as he followed her inside.

Mimi was the last to arrive in the classroom. She grinned at Neji with a small wave. When their team was first called out she recognized the strange sort of irony. Neji was the proverbial glue to their little team. He had spent most of his childhood with the Uchihas or Inuzukas. Yet she didn't know much about Ryou at all, despite having been in class with him for years. She had her own group of friends, mostly Kunoichi, and only knew Neji from when they were younger and their parents brought them along on visits and gatherings. With Shiromaru on her heels Mimi headed to the windows. He laid down and curled up some while Mimi settled against him. She had gotten the highest marks in the graduating class for good reason. Once nicely settled in she took out a book and buried her nose in it. There was never a bad time to keep learning new things.

Of course that was nearly an hour ago. Neji leaned on a desk, his hands folded casually in-front of his mouth. For all appearances he was at ease, even though they had been waiting for over an hour. He looked up at Ryou began to pace, clearly getting agitated. Mimi was also aware of Ryou's pacing but kept on with her reading. It was the screeching, grinding drag of the chair that caused her to lift her eyes from her book. Neji looked over as well but with eyes like his it was difficult to see just where he was looking. Mimi lowered her book her her knees and huffed a sigh. "Real mature," she said with a growl. Shiromaru chuffed in agreement. Neji remained quiet.

As if on cue a hand appeared at the door and slid it open. Mimi's eyes shot wide and certainly not because of the eraser falling and dusting that familiar brown hair. She was on her feet, the book hanging at her side. No way. She barely heard what he said. I'm your new sensei. "Dad?! You're...but...what?" Shiromaru jumped up and trotted over to Akamaru. Unlike thier human companions Shiromaru had taken his looks from his mother. He woofed in excitement and bopped his head against Akamaru's side. Neji's eyebrows raised a little as he sat back in his chair. This was certainly a strange turning of events. He looked over at Mimi who was still in the throes of shock. "There isn't something against being the lead of your child's team?" He questioned quietly as he got to his feet. Suddenly he was thankful his own father was Hokage and couldn't lead their team.

Mimi finally recovered her shock at Neji's words and put her hands on her hips. "Yeah...very funny dad...who's our real sensei?" No way they would let her dad lead their team. She didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea that he might show some favoritism from her. Any accomplishments might be marred by that.

 

[Graverobber]

'Real mature.'

Ryou shifted his gaze, which had been locked on the door, as if by will alone he could force their sensei to appear, onto Mimi. His head tilted just so in consideration of her statement, his left brow lifting. He wasn't going to disagree, but he couldn't ignore the satisfaction that immature little act left him with. Besides, what was the harm in having just a bit of fun in payment for his wasted time? And a Jonin wouldn't fall for such a trick, anyways, right?

That last thought was quickly smashed into oblivion as the door finally slid open, and their glorious sensei's sandy hair was dusted with chalk. Ryou smirked smugly, but his left eye twitched with dumbfounded disbelief. "Kiba?" For one, the supposed elite ninja had walked right into the hardly elaborate trap. And then there was the fact that he was Mimi's father. It seemed like a joke to Ryou. With a blood relative on the team, how could a sensei be expected to push their students to their limits, mold them into great shinobi? He wanted to learn through hardwork, not be pampered just because one of his squadmates happened to be the teacher's offspring. "I'm with Neji on this one. You can't be our sensei."

Kiba responded to the genin with a chuckling scoff, grinning around his fangs. His gaze travelled among the three, sizing them up individually. "Normally that would be a concern." Reaching to pat Akamaru on the head, who had woofed in return to the other pup, giving a wag of his tail, Kiba motioned with his hand; the elder dog barked in affirmation (later Ryou would swear it sounded like 'Give it to 'em'), and picked up the eraser in his mouth, placing it in his master's hand. "If I had any plans to treat any of you with favoritism. But the thing is..."

A stretch of silence followed as Kiba casually made the eraser dance around his fingers. It was harshly broken when his eyes darted first to Mimi, burning with a look that almost dared them to challenge him, "It doesn't matter if you're my daughter--" then to Neji, "Or the son of the Hokage--" lastly they flashed to Ryou, "Or the heir of the Uchiha--"

Ryou felt his jaw set rigidly, and he kept a cool, even, steeled gaze on the Jonin.

"You're all genin now, my students, and I plan on pushing you past your limits. So from now on--" Kiba grasped the eraser within his palm. Squeezed, it audibly snapped in two, "It's sensei to you three." His wrist moved more quickly than Ryou could track. Both halves of the eraser were in the air, one flying toward him, the other heading straight toward Mimi. Ryou barely had time to blink, nevertheless time to act. His half hit him square on the forward; thankfully, a light object of that nature didn't carry much force, but it did cough up a cloud of remnant chalk to choke Ryou and streak through his dark hair. Though he was gritting his teeth and trying his damned best not to sneeze, Ryou admitted he deserved that, a taste of his own medicine, and was beginning to think he perhaps had been wrong to doubt Kiba, considering the speed and precision he had used to make that throw.

Akamaru barked as if to back up Kiba's assertion, and with a small chuckle, the Jonin continued to explain, "Besides, the main consideration when forming a team is balance. And to put it mildly, your scores at the academy were dully average, Neji and Ryou, while Mimi's excelled."

Ryou felt an unusual flush of embarrassment, which was covered up with a scowl and huff. Crossing his arms over his chest, he couldn't help but sneak a look at Mimi. Since her nose had been glued in a book during just about the entirety of the time she had been here, he supposed that wasn't a surprise.

"However, taijutsu isn't Mimi's strong suit, while you two are talented in it."

Ryou regained his pride with that statement, flashing a smile at his childhood friend. The two of them? Ha, he knew in his guts they'd make a great team.

Yet Kiba didn't stop there. "On the flip side, you two are severely lacking genjutsu skills, and Mimi's quite talented at sniffing it out."

Ryou's pride was once again immediately checked, and it showed in the slight slouching of his shoulders. An Uchiha who wasn't talented in genjutsu? Laughable. Even more laughable: it was probably because he had yet to unlock the sharingan. Just the thought of that fact made him set his jaw. Glancing in Mimi's direction, he, albeit with just a bit of resistance, born of his own anger at his incapabilities, accepted that they needed her on the squad.

"So, we're a team now. Understand?" Setting his hands on his hips in a pose strikingly similar to his daughter's, his eyes flickered across the three, examining each one for their reactions.

Ryou let out a small huff of air, before giving a small nod. "Yes, sensei."