I just randomly got this story idea while I was re-watching the Pain Arc.
I hope it doesn't sound too rushed; I was trying to write it down fast. I'm not 100% positive that I know what's going to happen in the next chapter, but it should be fun since I am going to pit all of the girls various talents up against each other.
Enjoy the story! :D
The destruction of the Leaf Village brought about a great change in many of the shinobi's minds. Life was no longer taken for granted, and time was now as precious as air itself. The devastation healed many old wounds, opened eyes to new light, and gave those with fear in their hearts the courage to take a chance. Some things, of course did not change. There were a choice few who kept the icy barrier around their hearts firmly in place, not allowing the rush of life to melt it away.
Village defenses were down to an all time low, yet no one had yet recovered enough from the joy of victory to put precautionary measures in place. It was once the light faded into night that people began drifting away in search of loved ones and things of sentimental value that may not have faced destruction. This is where Iruka found the tree outside the academy, still tall and strong; where Kakashi pulled a worn photo from the ground where he had buried it many years ago; where Shikaku found love's embrace as his wife scolded him out of pure fright and worry. The pieces were slowly put back together.
This is what Tenten observed from her perch atop the rooftop of rubble. Other than her teammates, she had no one else to share the moment with. Though they had missed the worst of the battle, Team Guy still felt the punch of reality just as strongly as any one who witnessed the battle first hand. Their homes were destroyed, yet they managed to be thankful that not a single casualty was sustained from the battle. Guy Sensei and Lee had youthfully kept the dying embers of happiness alight as they worked tirelessly to keep a smile upon every child's face. Neji, along with the rest of the Hyuga clan had grouped together, finding strength in numbers, despite the fact that the clan head was currently away.
But all Tenten had was a pile of rocks and a single scroll filled with her beloved weapons. She was off on missions so often that she never really settled into the apartment she rented, even though she had resided there for nearly three years. She had no parents or siblings to track down, to fuss over until she was sure they were okay. She was alone; just as she always had been.
"T-Tenten?" So divested in her thoughts, Tenten had neglected to notice the young Hyuga heiress' approach. Putting on the brightest smile she could manage, Tenten turned her head to face the girl.
"Hai, Hinata?"
Nervously pushing her two fingers together, Hinata looked anywhere but Tenten. "Neji-nissan was looking for y-you. The Hyuga's have opened up the compound for friends who lost their homes. We were b-both hoping you would accept the invitation. Neji-nissan seems worried about you."
Tenten tilted her head curiously. She could understand the invitation, Neji knew that her apartment was near the epicenter of the blast and was therefore destroyed, but what she didn't understand was why he would be worried. It wasn't in his nature to concern himself with other's wellbeing. It still continued to amaze her how much of an effect Naruto had on him.
"Thank you, Hinata. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to-" Before the words were out of her mouth, Tenten felt a sudden tinge of dread. The air had become shiny and her vision was shaky. Pinpointing Hinata's swaying figure below, Tenten was shocked to find the girl in a peaceful haze. Clumsily forming hand signs, Tenten tried to release what she believed to be a genjutsu, but it had no effect and only caused her to tumble over the edge of the rubble before her vision went black.
Neji was getting tired of this. After enlisting the help of his cousin, Neji had continued her mission of scouring every face in Konoha for Tenten. Now, after nearly an hour, he was unable to find Hinata either.
"Byakugan." Giving up on regular eyesight alone, Neji activated his bloodline trait. Among the many familiar chakra signatures, not a single one belonged to either his cousin or his teammate. Before deactivating, Neji located the knuckleheaded hero Naruto pushing through the crowd, headed in his direction.
"Neji!" Waving wildly in the air, the clueless Naruto gained a "hn" in response. "Glad I caught up with you! I was wondering if you had seen Hinata? It's kinda….well you see….there's something that I wanted to….Ugh! Just, have you seen her anywhere?"
Neji smirked at Naruto's flushed face, relieved that Naruto had finally managed to notice Hinata. All it took was her almost dying to save his life and him almost letting the Nine Tails have complete control. They didn't call him Konoha's Number One Knuckleheaded Ninja for nothing. But then the problem of the missing chakra signature rose once more to dominate his thoughts.
"I have been trying to locate Tenten, so I enlisted Hinata's help. However, it has been almost an hour, and now neither of them appear to be within Konoha or the surrounding area."
Suddenly, as if sobering up, Naruto clutched his fist. "I think we have a problem."
Confused by Naruto's uncharacteristic behavior, Neji asked a bit shakily. "What makes you say that?"
"Activate your Byakugan again. This time look for Sakura and Ino." The dead serious tone Naruto was using had Neji obediently following his orders.
"Byakugan. " He scanned through each chakra, but he found neither girl. "They aren't here. What is going on?"
"I went to ask Sakura if she had seen Hinata, but Shizune told me that Sakura had disappeared nearly an hour before. So when I asked to speak to Ino, she told me that she was in the private sector tending to Shikamaru's broken leg. But according to Shikamaru, he had been waiting for an hour and she never came to treated him."
Silence overcame the two boys as they pondered over the possibilities of all four kunoichi going off grid at the same time.
"Yo, Naruto, Neji, what's up?" Kiba broke the silence as he strolled up. When they didn't reply Kiba just shrugged it off as it being a long day. "Neji, I found Tenten's scroll mixed in with the rubble. I figured she must be freaking out without her weapons right now, but I couldn't find her. Give 'um to her would ya?"
That snapped Neji out of the trance he was in. If there was one universal fact in the world, it was that Tenten NEVER lost her weapons. The last time he had seen her was long after the fighting had ended and he was positive that the scroll had been firmly attached on her person. Something was seriously not right.
"Tenten…Tenten…" Woken by soft whispers, Tenten groggily tried sitting up only to find that this action caused pain to course through her arm and her head began pounding. Wearily opening her eyes into slits, Tenten managed to focus on two hands over her stomach enveloped in a green glow. "Stay down Tenten. You'll only exhaust your injuries if you try to move right now."
Recognizing the voice, Tenten peered up at Sakura from her position on the floor. Now that her mind was beginning to regain some activity, she noticed to lavishly decorated ceiling above her. The embroidery looked as if it was made of pure gold, and the middle formed a dome that allowed the sun to shine in through the glass.
Feeling more confident in her ability to sit up, Tenten used her arms as a brace, but was surprised to feel another set of arms help support her. Though turning her head caused the pounding to grow louder, Tenten moved her position to find the frightened faces of both Hinata and Ino.
"Ah! You are finally awake! It is so wonderful to meet all of you lovely ladies. I am honored that so many of you were eager to compete for the chance to marry me!"
The voice seemed to be emanating from the very walls as the four girls turned to look for the owner. "I did not sign up for any competition, and just who are you anyways?" Ino's attitude shone through the fear and confusion as she jumped to her feet, glaring around the room in annoyance.
A door, which Tenten was sure had not been there before, flew open as a young, haughty man pranced in. He was no more than a few years older than her, and he had dirty blonde hair, neatly groomed to perfection, and flashing green eyes. His clothes were encrusted with jewels and had fancy embroidery, making it obvious that this man meant to flaunt his wealth and power.
"My name is Takashi Takahiro, and one of you lucky ladies will be my bride."
Is is bad that I am ready to skip to the last chapter? I already have it all planned out in my head. I guess I'll just have to be patient!
Stay tuned for next time!
For that last line, just picture Naruto. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm going to be Hokage! Believe it!"