One month after Fuji's attack:
Neji hadn't felt this happy in a while. He had just completed his 100th mission and Tenten invited him out for some dumplings at the Ameguriama. They sat and talked about past missions and Tenten even suggest Neji should go for the title of Hokage.
Neji smiled, "No, not me. That title is for Naruto."
Tenten smirked, "But he's still a genin. You could retire once he's eligible."
Neji only smiled and ate another dumpling
Neji watched Tenten out of the corner of his eye and wondered why he had never noticed how cute she was. She glanced in his direction and he quickly turned his attention to a bird flying over head. She smiled and pulled a scroll out of her pocket.
"I have a gift for you, Neji."
Neji took the scroll and carefully tucked it in his knapsack, "Thank you, Tenten. You didn't have to get me anything though."
"Are you kidding? This is a special occasion." Tenten smiled and tossed her empty dumpling stick at the wall making a perfect bull's-eye on a knot hole. She stretched and leaned back on the bench, feeling peaceful and at ease. Neji looked away from her to avoid the temptation of staring at her. He looked down at his single remaining dumpling.
"Here." He said offering it to Tenten.
She opened one eye and took it. Her eyes moved from the dumpling to Neji and she snapped her fingers, "Let's split it."
Neji gave her a quizzical look. Tenten bit into the dumpling and pulled the stick out then leaned toward Neji, half of the dumpling sticking out of her mouth. Neji hesitated for a second but leaned forward too and bit off his half of the dumpling. Neji slowly moved back, but Tenten remained where she was, her eyes closed and a satisfied smile on her face. She opened her eyes to see a very nervous looking Neji. She inched close and rested her head on his shoulder and could fell his pulse quickening. Neji just stared down at her, at a loss for what to do. Tenten pulled Neji's head closer and kissed him. He was surprised at first, but melted into the kiss.
Then they heard a person clapping from inside the Ameguriama.
"Please not here." The lady called.
Neji blushed and broke the kiss, "Sorry ma'am. Thank you for the dumplings."
The two left the Ameguriama hand in hand for the Hyuuga mansion. The sun had set and the streets were free of people. Tenten moved closer to Neji who seemed distracted by something. She tried to kiss him again, but he shook his head. Tenten looked hurt, but then she sensed a presence. She gave Neji a look and he nodded. He activated his Byakugan and grimaced. A small shake of the head told Tenten that I was a stranger following them. Neji stopped and turned so that Tenten was behind him.
"Show yourself."
"As expected of the one who defeated Fuji." The stranger said as he emerged from the shadows. He was dressed entirely in black save f or a red dragon red dragon emblazoned on his chest.
"Who are you?" Tenten demanded, removing the large scroll from her back.
"You know who I am. You stole my clan's sacred wakizashi; Kiba no Tatsu (Dragon's Claw)"
"I only stole that blade because your clan was using it for purposes of war." Tenten said summoning a double bladed kunai.
"Regardless, it is a treasure of my clan and you will return it!" The stranger lifted his arm and Neji saw his chakra flare.
"Careful Tenten," Neji warned, "He's building up his chakra."
"I know," she said, keeping her eyes on the stranger, "Keep your eyes on the sky and I'll cover you."
Neji nodded and rushed forward, already building up chakra in his hands. The stranger did some hand seals and shot a fireball at Neji. He easily jumped over it, "Is that all you've got?"
"I'm just getting started." The stranger said and did more handseals.
"And now you're finished." Neji said as fifteen kunai flew through the fireball at the stanger.
"You think I'm a fool?" the stranger revealed his arm which was red and scaly. The kunai ricocheted off it, not even making a dent. Neji caught one and landed behind the man. He sliced at the man's back and then thrust him palm for a powerful Jyuuken strike. The man stood still for a moment and laughed.
"Very impressive, but it will take more than that to harm me."
Neji felt his hand start to tingle and he saw that the man's back was covered in the same scales as his arm. Neji looked as his palm and saw that the scales had broken his skin and his Byakugan picked up traces of a poison in his veins. The tingling began to spread and Neji could feel himself going limp.
"W-What is this?"
"That's the poison my body makes taking effect. Be thankful it's not deadly."
Neji felt his legs go limp and he fell to his knees. "Tenten, run!"
Then Tenten appeared above him silhouetted by the moon with a very large club. She expertly swung it so that it struck the stranger, but missed Neji, if only by few inches. The stranger smashed through a store window and Tenten landed lightly next to Neji.
"Told you to keep your eyes on the sky. Are you ok?" she said seeing his cut palm.
Neji smirked and nodded. Then something caught his eye; a dragon. It flew straight for Tenten and rammed her. She was launched into the air and Neji was blown into another house. The dragon landed and caught the unconscious Tenten in its front foot. The stranger emerged from the rubble completely unharmed.
"About time you got here, Ryuuka."
The dragon gave a low growl and flames curled out from between its bared teeth.
"Be sure to tell your Hokage that we'll be back if this girl doesn't have the Kiba no Tatsu."
All Neji could do was watch as the stranger mounted the dragon and flew away over the Hokage Stone Faces.
"His clan is called the Dragon Warriors. They're a group of ninjas that raised dragons long ago. In exchange for raising and caring for them, the dragons are bound by honor to aid their ninja in any way they can; even offering the ninja their form. So in short, these ninja can become dragons at will." Tsunade explained the next day.
"One also sweats a neurotoxin that causes paralysis in minutes." Neji said.
"But why were they after Tenten?" Tsunade wondered.
"He said that Tenten had stolen the Kiba no Tatsu; a sacred wakizashi."
"Of course." Tsunade said. "I sent her on a mission to retrieve that weapon. Who would've known it was really the Dragon Warriors using it again."
"What is so special about this sword?" Neji asked.
"To assume the dragon's form requires a massive amount of chakra. The Kiba no Tatsu grants the wielder that ability but allows him to do it with much less chakra."
"How?"
"Because sealed within it is the soul of the most powerful dragon known as Shogun. The Kiba no Tatsu not only lends the wielder the ability to easily transform, it also allows the wielder to assume the form of Shogun."
Neji's eyes widened, "That's a powerful sword."
"Your mission is to infiltrate the Dragon Warrior's camp, save Tenten and if necessary, recover the Kiba no Tatsu." Tsunade said curtly.
"Hai!" Neji bowed respectfully.
"A five man team is advised, Neji. Good luck."
Neji returned to his house to prepare and meditate on his choices. It would take the Dragon Warriors several days to decipher Tenten's scroll so she was safe for now. He gathered together his essential ninja tools; shuriken, kunai, smoke bombs and extra scrolls. He began to pack when he found the scroll Tenten had given him the day before. He ran a finger up and down the scroll, "I promise Tenten. I will save you."
He opened the scroll and found a summoning circle inside. Neji held up his index and middle finger and muttered, "Release." The circle exploded in a puff of smoke, revealing a package with a note. Neji picked up the note and immediately recognized Tenten's neat handwriting.
Dear Neji
I hope you can forgive me. By now I've probably
Been abducted, but what is important is that the Kiba no Tatsu
is safe. The one following me is Ryuuka. He's the leader of five
siblings each in control of an elemental dragon.
Keep the Kiba no Tatsu safe.
I'm sorry I tricked you, Neji.
Tenten
Neji read the note through twice, trying to find a hidden message or secret information. He found none. Then he looked down at the package that came with the note. He carefully unwrapped it and found a short katana with a stone dragon wrapped around the hilt, its head being the pommel. He examined it with his Byakugan and found that it was surging with chakra. He gingerly touched it and felt the murderous intent of Shogun flow through him. Neji quickly withdrew his hand.
"This could corrupt the purest soul." Neji wrapped the Kiba no Tatsu back up and sealed it within the scroll once more. He put the scroll in his bag with the rest of his tools and meditated on who his team mates should be, taking the new information into account.
Neji stood at the village gates with his four comrades; Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji and Shino.
"You all know the dangers that we'll be facing. If you don't want to come, say so now."
No one said anything.
"Alright, Shikamaru, I'll hear your suggestion for our line-up."
Shikamaru found a stick and drew in the dirt, "This will be similar to the time we went after Sasuke. Neji, you'll take point since you're the leader and your Byakugan can sense any enemy attack. Choji, as the strongest of the group, you'll be behind Neji to back him up should any enemy attack. Sakura, you'll be in the middle; as the only medical ninja, you're the most important. I'll be fourth so that I can trap enemies with my shadow while Neji and Choji distract them. Shino, you'll bring up the rear. I'll need you to release one of your bugs every mile so we know if we're being followed." Shikamaru stood and folded his arms, "Any problems?"
"You mean Naruto's not gunna be in a Naruto fanfic?" Choji snickered.
"Any other problems?" Shikamaru asked ignoring Choji.
"None." Neji said, "Let's go." He said as he leapt into the nearest tree followed by Choji, Sakura, Shikamaru and Shino.
"How do you know we're going the right way?" Sakura asked Neji.
"Before I passed out, I saw Ryuuka fly in this direction. Plus there's a strange chakra residue that my Byakugan can follow easily." Neji said curtly.
"So what are these dragons like?" Choji asked.
"I've only seen Ryuuka…but he was terrifying." Neji said ominously.
They continued on in silence until Neji stopped and signaled a halt.
"Someone is coming." Neji said calmly.
Everyone hid and awaited the newcomer.
"HEY! Where the hell are you guys?" came Naruto's obnoxious voice.
Everyone groaned.
How did he find us? Neji wondered.
Naruto stopped on the opposite side of the tree Sakura was hiding in and scanned the area. Sakura peeked around the tree and saw Naruto unzipping his pants. "Gotta pee, gotta pee!"
Sakura punched through the tree and into Naruto's face, "How dare you do that in front of me!"
Naruto crashed to the forest floor leaving a huge crater.
"Naruto! Are you ok?" Choji called.
"Don't worry, Choji. That was a clone." Neji said nonchalantly.
"Should we leave before the real Naruto shows up?" Sakura asked.
"Nah, he'll just make more clones and search for us again. Might as well just wait for the little knuckle head." Shikamaru said.
"But Tenten-" Neji started.
"You said yourself that they wouldn't be able to decipher Tenten's scroll for several days, even with her cooperation. She'll be fine for another hour or so." Shikamaru said firmly.
"I haven't had a single line yet…" Shino sulked.
When Naruto finally arrived, he didn't get the welcome he was expecting.
"What are you doing here, Naruto?" Sakura demanded angrily.
"Well first of all, I'm the main character." Naruto said indignantly.
"Too bad this author likes Neji more than you." Shino muttered.
"Second of all, Tsunade-bachan told me to come along. Do you know how hard it was to find you guys?"
"That's the point of being a ninja," Shino said, glaring at Naruto's bright orange jumpsuit, "to be stealthy; hard to find."
"What was that?" Naruto said turning on Shino.
"Enough!" Neji yelled, "Naruto, you've already delayed this mission a whole hour, putting Tenten in even more danger. So please, be quiet and follow orders."
"Fine. Where am I in the line-up?"
"Behind Choji. You'll help defend Neji." Shikamaru said curtly.
"Alright, let's go!" Naruto yelled and leapt into the trees.
Does this mean that Lady Tsunade doesn't trust my judgment? Neji wondered.
The other s followed after Naruto, gathering in formation around him.
"Lady Tsunade, why did you send Naruto after Neji's group?" Shizune asked.
"Naruto has far more experience with resisting the temptations of a demon than Neji does." Tsunade said.
"What do you mean?"
"The Kiba no Tatsu contains the dark soul of Shogun himself. The dark chakra that surrounds the sword mixes with that of whoever touches it, corrupting them. Since Naruto has the Kyuubi inside of him, his experience should come in handy."
"You don't think that Neji would actually use the Kiba no Tatsu do you?"
"I'm not sure. But Neji likes Tenten and I can tell that he'd to anything to save her."
"Neji, how much further?" Naruto asked for the fifth time.
"I already told you, I don't know, Naruto!" Neji snapped.
"Maybe we should rest for a bit." Sakura suggested.
"We should stop for a snack to keep our strength up." Choji agreed.
"It's also getting dark and my insects work much better in the daylight." Shino muttered.
Neji groaned, "Fine. We'll make camp for the night."
They all alighted from the trees and prepared their dinners. Choji used his Expansion Jutsu and easily snapped some trees into fire wood which Neji set on fire with his Fireball Jutsu. Shikamaru gathered some fish with his Shadow Strangle Jutsu and Sakura filleted the fish with a Chakra Dissection Blade. All six sat down to eat, each taking turns glaring at Naruto who hadn't done anything.
"What?" Naruto finally asked.
"You're such a slacker, you didn't do anything!" Sakura yelled.
"What about Shino? I didn't see him doing anything!"
"On the contrary, my bugs are keeping all the other bugs at bay." Shino said, sulking.
Naruto groaned and threw his half eaten fish into the fire, sulking off to find a soft piece of dirt.
"Why couldn't he give the fish to me?" Choji whined.
"We'll have to make up for lost time tomorrow," Neji said, "We'll have to-"
Neji suddenly stood up and performed a massive Rotation to protect his comrades from several kunai that had just been hurtling toward them. Neji stopped and glared up into the trees.
"There aren't many of them…five at the most." Neji muttered.
"Do you think they have Naruto?" Choji asked.
"Doubt it," Sakura answered, "He wouldn't go without a fight."
"Show yourselves!" Neji demanded.
A single figure alighted from the trees, palm outstretched.
He's telling the others to wait Neji thought. "Who are you?"
"I could ask you the same thing." The stranger said, "May I come closer so I can see you properly?"
Neji was taken aback, "First you attack us, and then you want to see us properly?"
"Forgive me. My men and I acted without information. We are hunting a group of evil ninja known as the Dragon Warriors and we suspected you of being them."
Neji glanced at his team who nodded, all drawing kunai.
"Drop your weapons." Neji demanded.
"I am unarmed." The man said holding up his hands.
Neji approached the man cautiously, examining him with his Byakugan. "As a precaution I must paralyze your hands. It's easily reversible."
The man's face hardened for a second, but he held out his hands and Neji disabled them with his Jyuuken.
Back at the fire, Neji could see the man properly; he had short brown hair, a kind face and was wearing a black traveling cloak.
"My name is Aotsubaki (Blue Flower). I'm the leader of a small village that was destroyed by the Dragon Warriors." He explained, "There's only a few of us left. That's why we attacked so suddenly; we're a little paranoid after the attack."
Everyone relaxed a little, "So you are hunting the Dragon Warriors as well?" Sakura asked.
"Yes. What they did to my village is unforgivable."
"Which village was this?" Shikamaru asked.
"A very small one. I doubt you would have heard of it."
Shikamaru frowned but didn't press the point.
"Do you know where the Dragon Warriors are now?" Shino asked.
"Yes. A few kilometers to the north."
"The trail we're following leads east." Neji interjected.
"What do you mean?"
"I can see Ryuuka's chakra." Neji explained.
Aotsubaki's eyes widened for a second. "The dragons fly in sporadic trajectories; they may just be trying to lure you away from their hideout."
Neji was quiet for a moment. "What do you think, Shikamaru?"
"Why do you always ask me? Sheesh, what a drag. Fine, tomorrow we should split into two groups. We have no reason to distrust this guy and since he's down to a few villagers he might need our help." Shikamaru said as he cleaned his finger nail with his kunai.
"Fine. We'll split into groups tomorrow. One will head north, the other east." Neji said more to his team than Aotsubaki.
Aotsubaki nodded, "A fine plan. May I have my hands back now?"
Neji glanced at Shikamaru again who rolled his eyes and shrugged. Neji renewed Aotsubaki's hands when a huge clamor erupted above their heads.
Then Naruto alighted next to Shino. "Guys, we're surrounded!" he said, getting into a defensive stance.
"No, we're not, Naruto!" Sakura yelled and threw Naruto into a full nelson. "Now call off your clones, you dumbass."
Naruto looked confused and mutinous, but he did as he was told for fear of Sakura breaking his neck.
"Ao! Are you ok?" came a high pitched voice.
"Yes, Midori, I'm fine."
"I'm sorry." Neji apologized. "Naruto also acts without thinking."
Ao smiled, "Consider us even."
Naruto: Aww c'mon, Gogeta! Do you hate me or something?
Choji: And what's with barely giving me any lines?!
Shino: You had more than me…
Naruto: And why is Neji the main character? I mean I beat him! I should be the main character!
Neji: Quiet! It's time to prepare for the next chapter.
Naruto, Choji and Shino: Alright.
Neji: New chapter will be up soon. No exact date, but soon.
Naruto: Until next time!
Gogeta: Just a quick word from me. The Japanese word "Ao" is pronounced the same as "ow" is in English and the 'T' in Tsubaki is silent. Ok hope you guys enjoyed. Please rate and comment if you feel like it.