Shattered Ice

Chapter One

A/N: The image above is of Tenshi! As usual, I don't own any of the art/media used in this story, unless stated directly otherwise. Also, Matatabi (The Two-Tails) isn't referred to as any specific gender in the series (as far as I'm aware) or on the actual wiki page for it, though it is voiced by a woman which is why I'm pretty sure most simply consider it female. However, for purposes in this story, Matatabi is going to be male.

Fun fact: Tenshi is not considered one of the Tailed Beasts, despite being Matatabi's 'twin'. She is considered a separate species of chakra beast, and is often referred to as 'Hyō-sama', 'Hyō', or 'Hyo on'na', the latter meaning 'Leopard Woman'.

Classroom 307- the next soon-to-be (hopefully) graduating class of Konoha's very own Ninja Academy. Filled with numerous bright and average minds alike, the students sat relatively calmly within their seats, those seated beside friends huddled close together to engage in hushed conversation, somehow maintaining a rather peaceful air, despite the unexpected absence of any adult authority.

Well, a mostly peaceful air...

"Wanna run that by me again, you mangy mutt?!" A brash, but distinctly feminine voice snapped out, the sudden commotion causing many students to groan and grumble in exasperation, while few others turned towards the source of the noise, curious over the sudden disturbance. Two students- a boy and a girl- faced off against one another, the air around them radiating with competitive tension. The boy, having messy brown hair and sharp, dark eyes, stood leaning over a blonde-haired girl, who was seated, glowering up at him.

"You heard me, furball! I said there was no way you could beat me in a fight, no matter how good your damn taijutsu scores are!!" Kiba Inuzuka, the boy, barked out, further leaning forward into the mentioned 'furball's' space, leering down at her, his expression crafted into a fierce grin laden with a challenge. The one whom the challenge was directed at? Why, no other than Amara Nii, Konoha Academy's resident tomboy, secondary trouble-maker, and self-proclaimed (much to her teacher's dismay) 'badass'. Amara was much shorter in comparison to Kiba, who towered over her, but remained visibly unfazed as she arched a brow, lip curling to display sharp fangs (though, not quite as sharp as Kiba's own).

"Wanna bet?" She mused, a singular orange eye glittering dangerously up at him, arms crossed over her chest. Upon investigating the disturbance, many students simply rolled their eyes and turned away- after all, Amara and Kiba's little spats were quite the common occurrence, as the two butted heads quite frequently throughout the day- though some others remained fixated, desperate for even minimal entertainment while their sensei was away.

"No 'betting' to be done, there's just no way you could beat me!" The Inuzuka boasted, an arrogant little grin plastered across his tanned features, and in response, she let out an audible scoff, rolling her eye none-too-subtly. Quick as a flash, the collar of his jacket was clenched in a much smaller fist, forcing the male down to her level as it then became her opportunity to invade his space a little, simpering at the instinctive yelp he released at the unanticipated yank.

"Would ya' look at that... you even cry like a dog." Amara snickered, her comment earning a few jeering laughs from her peers- which were quick to fall silent at the sharp glare sent their way in response, the female quickly releasing Kiba, allowing him to hastily straighten out with a slight grumble. While she and the dog-boy might not always find themselves on the best of terms with one another, Amara didn't take too kindly to others taking advantage of their little spats to mock him. That was strictly reserved for her, thank you very much!

Leaning back into her seat and restoring some of her personal space, she allowed a slight snort to escape her. "As much as I'd typically love for the opportunity to bury your face in the mud, Mutt, I don't feel like getting up right now. Aren't I just so merciful?" She bared her teeth in a feral grin, which only grew larger as the Inuzuka couldn't help but snarl back at her.