Thread: Naruto: Team 7 Next Generation (Graverobber and 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.