Shadows of the Past

A/N: While I hope you all enjoyed the previous chapters focusing on Raven and Hinata's relationship this is still a Naruto fanfic, well sort of, and that means life in Konoha needs to return to normal. Enjoy...

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Raven’s first day back from leave finds him in the Hokage’s office surrounded by several Jounin including Anko and Fei. Before he can wonder what’s going on Tsunade’s voice interrupts his thoughts. “As most of you may already know today is the Academy’s Graduation Ceremony,” she says as Shizune hands them each a file. “You are each to meet your squad at noon tomorrow before their evaluations the following day.”

‘What the HELL? Since when did I qualify to be an instructor?’ Raven looks at his file and his eyes nearly pop out of his head as he looks over the names of the Genin assigned to him. ‘An Inuzuka, a Hiroku and a Hyuga, she must be out of her fucking mind.’

“If there are no questions,” She begins before noticing Raven’s hand. “Yes Raven-sama,” she smiles sweetly. “You have a question.”

“I believe there has been some kind of mistake,” Raven tells her. “I’ve been a Jounin for less than a year,” he reminds her. “I’m not qualified to be an instructor.”

“If I may,” Fei interrupts stepping forward. With a nod from the Hokage he continues as he turns to look at his former student. “I was the one that suggested that Hokage-sama give you your own Genin squad Raven-sama.”

“You Fei-sensei,” Raven says the surprise of the man’s confession causing him to use a title he hasn’t called the man for many months. “Why would you suggest my name?”

His former teacher and mentor smiles at him as he continues. “You’ve always had your mother’s patience and your grandfather’s talent for judging the abilities and progress of others,” the man tells his nephew. “You sacrificed your own chance for advancement to ensure that your teammates were not left behind when it came time for the Chunin Exams. That is why I suggested you,” he says. “Cause you’re a natural teacher.”

Raven knows he’s blushing enough shades of red that he could put Hinata to shame at the moment but he doesn’t care as he bows to the man that has always been more of a father to him then his own sire. “Arigato Fei-sempai,” he says. “I will not let you down.”

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Raven resolves himself to the task of being a Jounin instructor and as he sits at his desk in his room he sets about taking notes on his team’s strengths and weaknesses as he goes over the file in front of him. “Just given their clans’ abilities this will be a team that specializes in tracking and close quarters combat,” he says to himself.

“My biggest problem will be getting the Hyuga and Hiroku to work together. Though if the Inuzuka girl is anything like Kiba she’s going to be a handful.” Closing the file he sighs to himself. “I just hope they know how to survive in the wild so we can travel light on missions.”

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The next day Raven meets his team on the Academy’s rooftop and notices that the boys are sitting on either side of the girl with a sleeping puppy in her lap looking anywhere but at each other. Raven takes a moment to examine his new team paying careful attention to the way each is dressed.

The boy on the girl’s right is dressed in a black long sleeved shirt under a gray sleeveless shirt. His black bandana covers his hair while his gray-rimmed sunglasses hide his eyes. His black pants are covered in part by gray shorts. He wares a kunai holster on each leg and a pouch on either side of him just above the holsters. ‘He looks like a mini-Koga.’

The girl herself gives Raven an impression of danger that he’s fairly certain isn’t entirely without merit. Her spiky black hair is kept out of her light hazel eyes by her navy blue headband while the dog collar around her neck matches the spiked fingerless gloves and spiked kneepads she wears.

Her blood red lipstick and nail polish not only match the markings on her cheek that identify her as a member of the Inuzuka clan but also compliment her porcelain skin perfectly. The rest of her appearance not only complements her still blossoming beauty but also adds to the air of danger surrounding her.

Her clothing consists of black bicycle shorts reaching down to the tops of her knees under a pair of hiking shorts that only reach about mid-thigh with a sleeve-less navy blue shirt covering a long sleeve fishnet shirt. Both her legs and arms have wrapping that, for the legs begin at the ankles and end at the knees and, for the arms, reach from her wrists to her elbows.

The Hyuga boy is wearing a slightly more traditional shinobi outfit, consisting of dark blue and black clothing. His sandals, pants and long sleeve undershirt are all black while his sleeveless over-shirt, headband and half finger gloves are dark blue.

As Raven finishes his mental evaluation of his team he realizes that while the Hyuga boy and Inuzuka girl are dressed similarly, the Hiroku boy’s attire clearly makes him stand out from the rest of the team. ‘I‘ll have to do something about getting him a new outfit. Maybe Koga has something he can wear that’ll work better with the other’s.’

“Okay now that we’re here,” he tells them. “I’d like for each of you to introduce yourselves and tell us all a little about yourselves and your goals for the future. We’ll go from right to left and just to be fair I’ll go first.

“I am Raven Hiroku and will be your Jounin instructor. I am the youngest son of the Hiroku Clan’s Head Family and am currently courting Hinata Hyuga.” He grins to himself as he notices the effect his words have on both boys. “My main goal for the future is to be the best shinobi I can be so that I can protect those most precious to me. Other than that I would like to get married one day and raise a family with Hinata-chan.”

The boys roll their eyes as the girl giggles at his last comment. Raven just shrugs before looking at the Genin from his clan. “Okay then if you think that’s silly then why don’t you go,” he tells the boy.

“My name is Siefer Hiroku and my only goal in life is to be as great a shinobi as Koga-sama,” the boy says proudly.

Raven can’t help smiling at the obvious hero worship before looking towards the girl. “And you?”

The girl perks up as her turn arrives. “I am Rinoa Inuzuka and this little one,” she adds petting the still sleeping puppy in her lap, “Is Kelala. My main goal is to be as great a kunoichi and veterinarian as Hana-sempai. Other then that I’d like to maybe settle down and raise a family and perhaps breed ninja dogs.”

‘I wonder what Kiba‘s sister would think if she knew she was someone‘s role model.’ Looking to his last charge Raven addresses the boy. “You’re up next.”

The boy only eyes him for a moment before turning away. “My name is Squall Hyuga and like the Hiroku my only goal is to be as great a shinobi as Neji-sama,” he tells them.

‘I can already tell that this is going to be fun.’ Looking over his team one more time Raven decides that it is best to end the meeting here as they will soon be spending more time together then perhaps any of them might wish.

“Alright now that we are all acquainted,” he begins. “Go home and get some rest, you’ll need it. We’ll meet tomorrow at dawn at training field five. Don’t bother eating breakfast as it’ll only make you sick. Also I’ll be providing lunch so just bring yourselves and your gear.”

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A/N: I'm sure all you FF8 fans out there recognize the names of Raven's team the reason for this is actually very simple... I suck at coming up with names that I can keep track of. Don't get the wrong idea though these characters have completely different personalities then their namesakes.

Also I'm going to take the focus off of Raven and Hinata's relationship for a little while to give myself a chance to develope these new characters as they will be playing key rolls in the up coming stories. I hope you all like them and have been enjoying the story thus far.