A Snake with a Temper (G.I. Joe Fanfiction)

Chapter 7: Temper's Past, Alpha's Predicament

Snake Eyes caught up to Temper on her way from the rec room. He grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.

You tensed, on the plane, he signed, when Ripcord asked why I don't speak.

"So?" she asked.

What do you know? She took a deep breath and let it out.

"That you aren't mute," she stated simply. He was surprised at this revelation.

And how do you know that?

"I've heard of you before, that you took a vow of silence when your master died."

From who?

"People that I considered family. That's all I know Snake Eyes. Your vow of silence, the death of your master, and your training."

Very few people know of that.

His body language told her he was angry, beyond angry, pissed. And even though she raised her guard for a fight Snake Eyes pinned her to the wall, his arm pressing into her throat.

How do you know Storm Shadow?

When she did not answer he pressed his arm into her throat more.

How? he asked again.

"He helped me," Temper admitted, "a long time ago."

How do I know you aren't still with him?

"Snake Eyes," she pleaded.

He pressed more until she was choking and gasping for air.

Suddenly, she dropped to the ground and was able to breathe. Snake Eyes grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to his quarters. Once inside, he pointed to the bed and she sat down. He stood where he was.

Explain.

He crossed his arms and waited.

"When I was younger and had completed my training, one of my masters asked Tomisaburo to help me find work. He complied and took me in. I did assassination jobs with him. I didn't know I was really working with Cobra until I met the Cobra Commander. And the jobs were mob bosses, arms dealers, other terrorist leaders. Tommy was one of the two people that I considered a brother, the group of three I told you about. When I tried to get out and convince Tommy to come he refused. Then came the worst of it.

"I was working a job when I realized my target and employer were both working for Cobra. The mission was a trap, apparently to them, I knew too much to get away. And they were most likely tipped off that I was trying. General Hawk, who was a Colonel at the time, took me to see the G.I. Joe headquarters. It was a while before I joined but when I did, he sent me out on missions that didn't involve Cobra, making sure that I would be safe from them."

Is that why you stayed a grunt?

"Yes, if I moved through the ranks or showed my specialties that would mean I would be put on missions that involved contact with the Cobra."

"Why did you let go?"

Snake Eyes tilted his head to the side in confusion.

"You could of killed me in the hall, gotten rid of a traitor."

When I pinned you, you didn't struggle even though you could have easily gotten out, he explained. One more question.

"What is it?"

Who were you trained by? She looked at him, uncertain.

"Arashikage," she stated. He tensed and snuck a glance at her forearm. He did not find what he was looking for. Temper gave a small smile, knowing what he was trying to find.