Naruto: The First Shinobi War

Ryuu stood brooding quietly when a hand grabbed the back of Ryuu's shirt and a taller man with short, spiky, black hair hugged him from behind, "Hey, little brother! What...you get in a fight with Asuka again? Isn't his father the head of the Hyuga Clan?" Ryuu shook off the older boy, turning and taking a few steps back from him to see his face, "I'm not your little brother, Kagami. And what are you doing here anyway? You're a Chunin now." The boy, Kagami Uchiha, smiled and pointed at Tetsuya, "Who's that? Your friend? Ah, I see...you two got in a fight and Shikashi-sensei sent you out here. Nice goin' Ryuu." Ryuu sent him a scalding glare and he laughed, "Is there something you want?" "Who...me? Oh, right....but not with you. Lord Hokage sent me to fetch Shikashi-sensei. He's apart of the Intel Division. You play nice with your friend, Ryuu." Kagami rushed off into the classroom and came out a few seconds later with Shikashi. Their sensei stopped and set a hand on both the boy's shoulders, "Don't fight while I'm gone, you two. Tetsuya...Ryuu...I've dismissed class for the day, but I don't want you two to continue like this. So..." Before Ryuu knew it, Shikashi had handcuffed the two together and stood grinning down at them. Kagami laughed nervously, "Good luck, little brother." Shikashi and Kagami vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Ryuu chained to Tetsuya. Ryuu slid his onyx eyes slowly over to Tetsuya, a murderous glare in them as his fully matured Sharingan formed in his eyes. "Try anything stupid and I'll kill you."

 

Ryoko silently celebrated when she was told that she had passed her test. She happily took her seat, but quickly stood up when she saw Tetsuya getting beat on by the Uchiha kid. Granted, Tetsuya wasn't her favorite person, but she didn't believe he deserved that. Before she was able to step in, it was all over.

When their sensei dismissed class, Ryoko was a bit peeved. She had worked so hard on her homework and now that was all for nothing. She walked outside of class to notice that Tersuya was still in the hall. "How are you holding up," she asked him.

 

Tetsuya felt nervous-- squeamish even--when he was left in the hall with Ryuu. However, he bit back saying anything, such as begging for forgiveness or yelling at him for calling him usuratonkachi. Fortunately, a deus ex machina arrived to save the day: Uchiha Kagami. Tetsuya giggled at their exchange, despite not knowing what their relationship was based on or if he should even join in to throw a couple of jabs. Regardless, Tetsuya kept his mouth shut, knowing full and well that Ryuu had little tolerance of him. At least he acknowledges my existence, the youth thought, though that thought did very little to lift the veil of dread.

However, Shikashi arrived and handcuffed the two boys. "Whaaaaat?" He yelped, trying to pull away in a comedic fashion, as if meaning to escape. He gave up and slumped. As the two, Kagami and Shikashi, left, Ryuu glared at Tetsuya with his Sharingan. Tetsuya looked into his eyes and pulled back a little, hands upraised and he let out a nervous laugh. "O-of course! I'm not stupid, Ryuu-san!" He smiled widely, showing he was being genuine; even behind his words were an apology, but he doubt the perceptive Uchiha would notice. He always seemed angry, after all.

Ryoko was the next to visit him and Ryuu, and after her greeting, he felt at peace. "Ah! I'm doing fine, Ryoko-chan." Tetsuya told her, his grin wide. "Oh! And I'm tied up to Ryuu-san, too! So now we have to... to..." the Uzumaki boy trailed off, thinking hard. "Uh... Ryuu-san... what are we supposed to do, now that we're bound together?" He asked, frowning at not having an answer of his own.

 

Ryoko couldn't help but laugh at Tetsuya's situation, even though she felt really bad for him. This, on top of failing the test didn't make it seem like he was having a good day. Ryoko was able to control her giggling, for the most part. "So I see," Ryoko said back to him. "I'm just hoping you two don't go off killing each other."

 

Ryuu frowned down at the handcuffs on his arm, "Don't laugh...it's not funny. Being chained to this loser...I might as well start chewing my arm off right now." He jerked his arm, "Cmon...class is over. I don't want to hang around here. Why don't you take me to your house..." He gave a defiant look towards Tetsuya from the corner of his eye. Admiting to this boy that he just didn't feel like being alone in his own clan would mean he was weaker than him.

 

"Hey," Ryoko said, feeling as if she Tetsuya had turned into the little brother that she never had,"the kid isn't that bad."

Ryoko bit her bottom lip a bit. She couldn't help but remember how Tetsuya botched the job with the cloning jutsu, making her feel a bit uncertain in her words. She decided to follow the two boys to wherever they were headed.

 

Tetsuya's grin began to falter when Ryuu insulted him, calling him a loser. Tetsuya couldn't even hold his ground when Ryuu tugged sharply on the handcuffs, making him stumble into the Uchiha. "Why my house?' He asked, shaking his head. "There's no one there, nothing to do, and it's such a wonderful day outside." Tetsuya went on. Regardless, he walked past Ryuu and towards the exit, when Ryoko spoke. He felt his smile widen again, making him turn to Ryoko and give her a nod of thanks. Tetsuya then continued to go towards the exit. He was wanting to go to the ramen shop.

 

Ryuu shoved Tetsuya away from him when he stumbled into him. His hand lingered on Tetsuya's shoulder, even if he didn't want to, he'd helped the boy regain his balance. Pulling away slowly, he followed after, casting a glance down at his hand hanging at his side. Why did it feel different when he touched someone than when they touched him? Pursing his lips and shaking his head against the thought, Ryuu jingled the handcuffs. "The sun hurts my eyes..." he mumbled in response to Tetsuya's question. His Sharingan remained active. Once they stepped outside, the sun's rays hit them and Ryuu flinched, covering his eyes with his hands. Peeking through his fingers, he dragged Tetsuya to the well. Since it was always brimming full of water, he splashed water on his face and stared at his reflection in the water. Even through the ripples, he could see his Sharingan eyes. His control was poor over them. Glaring at his reflection, he pulled a hat out of his back pocket. Donning it, he kept his eyes half closed. "My Sharingan doesn't go away when I'm around total morons." Ryuu desperately wished it would calm soon. He couldn't manage to keep eye contact with Tetsuya with the sun on him. Flicking his eyes up and back down to the ground, Ryuu grumbled, "I know that stupid look in your eyes. You're going to make me stay out in the sunlight all day, aren't you?"

Hokage's Office​

​

Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, took his time seriously considering Shikashi's offer. Purposefully summoning him before the school day was over, but through just enough that everyone had gone through the graduation test. He leaned back in his chair and folded his fingers together, "I figured as much. Tetsuya's always been a hyperactive boy and he's never taken classes all that seriously. But...I have faith in him...and in you Shikashi. I trust you'll make the right decision." He smiled slightly and Shikashi beamed, "You won't regret this, Lord Hokage! He'll make a fine Shinobi some day if I have to beat it into him." Tobirama's brows curved slightly and his smile increased, "Be gentle with the boy. He's only a child." After Shikashi left them, still beaming, Kagami cleared his throat, "Ah, yes...about the other matter. Kagami, continue to watch him and report any odd movements. As a Shinobi...and my student, I trust you. As for that mission...Jei should be fine. I'm surprised you chose someone as inexperienced as him to be your partner." Kagami's chest swelled with pride at his responsibilities, "Jei is always saying he's gotten stronger. I want him to prove it. We were Genin together...just because he didn't pass the Chunin exam last year, doesn't mean he won't pass it this year. He should have another mission under his belt before he does." Nodding, Tobirama sent him on his way and picked up an old picture of his brother and Madara. "I never saw it coming that you both would be gone... Not the best of friends...were you?"

 

Tetsuya ended up following Ryuu, which was no problem for the young shinobi. As they approached the well, the Uzumaki boy pondered about the sun and Ryuu's Sharingan. Perhaps Ryuu spent too much time inside, in the shadows, alone... it was a depressing thought. He laughed after Ryuu guessed his intentions. "Of course," Tetsuya said. "Your eyes need the sun! If you're inside all day, you won't be able to see anything worth seeing." He laughed, pulling Ryuu along. Tetsuya paused as his stomach growled angrily.

"Ack!" Tetsuya uttered. All his vigor and hyperactivity was swept away by the sensation of hunger. "Fooooooooood..." he muttered, all zombie-like.

 

It wasn't that Ryoko enjoyed playing third wheel m this odd couple, she just couldn't find anything to comment on. She felt a bit sorry for the Uchiha kid; he didn't have many friends, and his personally didn't really help him on being acquainted with people in her eyes.

Ryoko's stomach growled as Tetsuya groaned about food. It was about lunch time, and Ryoko couldn't help but think back to her muddy bread, which must have been picked at by passing birds by now.

" Let's go get some ramen from the shop," Ryoko said cheerfully. "Last one there has to pay, got it? Ready! Go!"

 

Ryuu frowned at Tetsuya's comments and again at the look from Ryoko. After she proposed the last one to Ichiraku's buy the ramen, he looked down at the handcuffs. Holding up his arm and Tetsuya's, he yelled after her, "You realize we're chained together!!!" Sighing and dropping his arm back to his side, he pulled Tetsuya along, "If you're so hungry...hurry it up. Hopefully Shikashi-sensei will find us later and take these off so I can go home."

Once they'd reached Ichiraku's, Ryoko obviously being first, Ryuu helped the zombie-acting Tetsuya onto a stool, "There...order...or I will order for you and it won't be what you want. Hey...most likely three bowls of ramen..." He might as well eat while he was there. Ryuu wasn't a huge fan of ramen, but he did enjoy it. He glanced nervously at Tetsuya and Ryoko. It was the first time he'd eaten with those his own age instead of Kagami and the other Uchiha's... The reminder of the Uchiha's brought back their cold stares. The chef placed a bowl of ramen in front of each of the students, "Somethin' on your mind, son?" he asked Ryuu, "Ah, Tetsuya, I made your favorite, hope ya like it!" Ryuu studied the chef from under his hat's visor. This man treated Tetsuya as if he were his own son...was it because he was his most loyal customer?

 

Tetsuya immediately perked up, vitality returning, as the Uchiha brought him to Ichiraku's Ramen Shop. What truly did it, however, was when Ichiraku brought him his bowl of ramen. "Ah-hah!" He cried out. "Thank you, old man Ichiraku!" Tetsuya began eating the ramen swiftly, downing the noodles and pieces of beef. He paused and then look at Ryuu, and then at Ryoko. "So... what do you two usually do after class?" The Uzumaki boy asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

 

Ryoko was very happy to make it to the shop. Before the to boys. When the food was put down infant of her, her mouth started t salivate. This would definitely help make fill up her stron appetite. "Thanks for the meal," Ryoko said out loud before splitting the chopsticks in half and digging in.

"I usually go home and do some studying. My dad makes me train for two hours a day. I guess I should thank him for working me so hard, or else I wouldn't have made my cl--" Ryoko stopped herself, trying not to hurt Tetsuya's feelings. "...or else I wouldn't be doing as good as I am."

He cheeks felt warm; the noodles had the perfect consistency and the broth was very flavorful. SE knew that one bowl wasn't going to cut it for her today. She then turned to Ryuu, who she hadn't seen have any of the noodles. "Hey, what's wrong? Not hungry?"

 

Ryuu's face showed his strain, even as he glanced over to Ryoko and down at his arm chained to Tetsuya's. The usuratonkachi was holding his own bowl so tightly... "No...that's not the problem. My arm...is chained to this loser." The chef looked over the counter at the boys' arms. There wasn't enough length in the chain between them. Ryuu's arm was quite a distance away from his bowl...and it was his dominant hand that was handcuffed to Tetsuya. "Hehe...seems like you two have quite a problem." Ryuu's stomach growled and his ears turned red from embarrassment and anger. "Can't you eat a little less violently?! You hold onto your food like it's going to grow legs and run away from you!" Hopping off his stool, Ryuu slid the stool closer to Tetsuya and retook his place. He'd moved himself and his food closer to the boy in order to use his hand to use his chopsticks. "Don't move around so much..."

As the sun set, Mito took her daily walk through the village. This village...that Hashirama built for the best of both the Senju and Uchiha clans, and all the others that resided within it. Pausing, she glanced over at Ichiraku's. A smile formed on her lips and she took a seat beside Tetsuya, ordering her usual bowl of simple ramen. "It's nice to see the fine young shinobi of our village have such large appetites." Chuckling, Mito supressed the urge to reach out and touch the boy beside her and simply ate her ramen. Ryuu glanced over and dropped his chopsticks. "You're...Lady Mito. The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki." Mito gave the Uchiha boy a gentle smile, "Yes, I am. I'm so glad to see the younger generation knows their predecessors."

 

Ryoko's older sister instinct was starting to kick in again. She continued to eat, but had a sharp eye on Ryuu. She then smiled when she saw Mito arrive, hoping that someone older would know how to deal with Ryuu, or at least knew how to get the two of them apart.

"Good afternoon," Ryoko said to Mito before she started drinking down her broth.

 

Uzumaki Tetsuya looked at Ryoko and smiled. "You're very good at your jutsu," he agreed, and paused a moment when Ryuu berated him for his appetite. "Heh-heh," the young shinobi chuckled. "Sorry, I only get one or two meals a day!" As he continued to eat his food, though not capable of stopping his ravenous eating style, the young shinobi nearly finished his meal when Mito came by, sitting next to him. She seemed familiar, as did her name, but out of proper courtesy he didn't ask about her personally. Another insult from Ryuu and the possibility of Ryoko thinking he was dumb was the last thing he wanted. "Um... what's a jinchuuriki?" Tetsuya asked instead, looking back and forth from Ryuu and Mito. He drank the rest of the both and pushed it away, just to let Ichiraku know that he wanted more.

Unknowing to Tetsuya, he had to pay for the meals since Ryuu, technically, got to the shop before he did.

 

Everyone at the ramen shop immediately got nervous. Mito laughed warmly, "You all don't have to look so frightened. I have perfect control." Ryuu jabbed him with his chopsticks, "The Jinchuriki is the host of the Tailed Beast. The one that the First Hokage fought against in the Final Valley, usuratonkachi." Ichiraku gave Tetsuya another bowl, "Lady Mito is a wonderful woman, despite being the Jinchuriki. You all should have the utmost respect for her." Reaching out, Mito patted Tetsuya's head, "Lord First Hokage, Hashirama Senju was my husband. In order to save him from the Nine-Tails placed under Madara Uchiha's Sharingan, I sealed it away...inside my body. Making me it's Jinchuriki." Mito had only half finished her ramen when she stood and set down enough money to pay for all their meals. "It's about time for me to leave." As soon as she'd spoken, an ANBU Black Ops member appeared at the entrance to Ichiraku's. "My Lady...we should return...it's not safe. Rumors about a Hidden Rain ninja infiltrating our Village have spread about... We should return at once to the house." Mito nodded, casting a concerned look at the children as she left, "Take care of yourself and don't eat too much, Tetsuya." She let the ANBU member pick her up and they vanished. Ryuu frowned, having taken advantage of Tetsuya's momentary lapse of attention and lack of food, he'd eaten his ramen quietly and quickly.

 

Ryoko listened carefully to her elder's words. She had seen Mito throughout the village on many occasions, but had never been this close to her. Watching her, it was obvious that she was in complete control. As Mito left, she was thinking back to the story she just heard, "What a romantic story," Ryoko commented before finishing off her bowl. "Another please!"

 

Tetsuya listened intently to Ryuu, Ichiraku, and Mito. So much so, he didn't pay much attention to his food. As the ANBU Black Op appeared, he listened to the intel, as well. However, Tetsuya was caught off guard by Mito's lingering expression and the fact she knew his name. He didn't remember anyone saying his name at the time she appeared... How does she know my name? he asked himself. The motions of the cuffs drew him from his contemplation and he looked at his own food. "The First Hokage must've been lucky to have had someone as powerful and as beautiful as her..." he agreed, having listened to her remark.

"Ryuu-san..." Tetsuya began, slightly hesitant. "I want to apologize for my Henge. I didn't mean for the Transformation Jutsu to change me into... well... whatever it was."

 

Ryuu looked away from him, "Whatever..." He was about to stand up and drag Tetsuya along to return home when he nearly ran into Shikashi. "Sensei..." Shikashi laughed and rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry for leaving you two like this. I figured you guys should get some bonding done. Anyway...I'll release you guys now." Unlocking the handcuffs, Ryuu immediately took two large steps away from Tetsuya, "I'm going home." With that he left and Shikashi rubbed Tetsuya's head, "I hope you two got to know each other a little bit..." He backed up, winked at them and vanished in a puff of smoke.