Author's Note: Thanks for checking out my second fanfic! I also love the pairing of NejiTen, it's one of my favorites! Just a note: this takes place before any of the events that have been happening in the manga. So, Neji is alive and well! Reviews are appreciated! Thanks again.
Beautiful Dreamer
Chapter 1- The Mission
This message is for Hyuuga Neji. It is of utmost urgency.
The Hokage of Konoha, Lady Tsunade, requests your presence at a meeting tomorrow morning at 8 oclock sharp. The meeting is regarding an important, top-secret solo mission. Please arrive on time, and do not discuss details with anyone unless completely necessary.
That was the message waiting for Neji when he got home from training yesterday morning. According to the member of the Hyuuga branch that had been present at the time of it's arrival, it was delivered by a member of ANBU. Neji couldn't help but wonder what this top-secret solo mission was. Obviously it was important, so Neji had made sure to wake up early enough to get a head start to the Hokage's mansion.
The air was cool and Neji could hear the faint sound of the early morning birds chirping their wake up calls. Konoha really was peaceful without all of the hustle and bustle you saw during the afternoon. Neji always preferred the quiet to the usual energy of the village, so he enjoyed his walk though the almost-deserted village streets. He watched as the shopkeepers began unlocking their doors and opening their stands, preparing for another long day of work. Passing by a stand that sold fresh fruits, Neji reminded himself that Hinata had requested he pick up some oranges while he was out today. He made a mental note to do the chore on his way home.
Within minutes, Neji was standing in front of the monstrosity that was the Hokage's mansion. One of the main reasons Neji never wanted to become Hokage is because he could never work in such a gaudy environment. Travelers and those passing through the village certainly never missed the large, bulky mansion, considering it was in the very heart of Konoha. Sighing to himself, Neji approached the front door and pulled the message he had received from his pocket.
After showing the guards the message that had summoned him, he was allowed inside the mansion, and Neji quickly made his way to the stairs that led to Lady Tsunade's office. He passed through several more sets of guards, most of whom gave him a strange look when he presented the message to them. Neji knew this mission would not be like any he had ever been on before just by those looks.
Finally, Neji arrived at the Hokage's office, and knocked on the door quietly. Once he was instructed to enter, he swung the door open carefully, and stepped inside the office.
It had been quite a while since Neji had been in the office of the Hokage, and he was not surprised to see it hadn't changed since the last time he visited. The large windows in the back of the room kept the office brightly lit, with the large desk near the back. Bookshelves filled with records lined the walls, and Neji wondered just what his record said. It most likely had a list of every mission he had even been on, even since his genin and chuunin days. It probably was not the most exciting of reading materials.
Giving a slight bow in respect to Lady Tsunade, Neji approached the desk where the Hokage was sitting. "Good morning, Lady Tsunade. I received your message yesterday afternoon, and I hope you will find that I have arrived right on time for this important meeting." Neji said, formally greeting the leader of Konoha. He placed the piece of paper that had summoned him on her desk.
"Yes, Neji, you are very punctual, as usual." Tsunade said, motioning for him to take a seat in a chair that sat in front of her desk. Neji carefully sat down in the chair and put both feet on the wood floor of the office. His hands folded in front of him, showing Lady Tsunade he was ready to listen to what she had to tell him.
"Hyuuga Neji. You are one of our youngest and most talented jounin. You make the Hyuuga clan proud with your detailed training and skillful attacks. That is why we have chosen for you to carry out this mission for us. But before I give you the details, I must ask you one question." Tsunade's hands folded in front of her as she looked at the Hyuuga prodigy.
"Are you prepared to give your life for Konoha?"
This was a question that shocked Neji, but he remained composed, as always. So, this mission could cost me my life? He asked himself, but took a deep breath before answering Tsunade. "Yes. As a shinobi, I vowed to give my life if the situation called for it." It was true, Neji was prepared for anything the village could throw at him, as long as it kept it peaceful and safe. He was prepared to die in order to save his friends and family here.
Tsunade nodded. "I expected nothing less from you, Neji." She reached under her desk and pulled out a rather large folder, and placed it front of Neji. "Now. I'm going to give you a debriefing on your mission. It is very important, so listen carefully. You must also realize that this is a top-secret mission, so not even your family can know the details of it." Tsunade explain, and waited for Neji to open the folder before she began.
"For this mission, you will be camping out in a nearby hideout and tracking down a group of villains that has been disrupting the peace of the village for years. It has come to our attention that they have been spotted at a nearby checkpoint, and our objective is to stop them before they reach the gates. Your mission is to stay in the hideout and receive orders from other shinobi that are spread out throughout the area. Once they get to you, you take them down immediately." Seemed like this mission wouldn't be anything too different.
"However, this group of villains have been known to kill many of our shinobi, and that is why you must be prepared to give your life if the situation calls for it. We will provide you with all of the weapons and tools you will need to carry out this mission, and will equip you and the other shinobi with communication devices." Tsunade closed her eyes, indication she wasn't finished explaining.
"Lastly, you, Neji, may choose one shinobi of any ranking to take with you to the hideout as backup. I urge you to make a wise decision on who to take, if anyone at all. This person will not fight alongside you, but will keep in touch with us during your battle, and will provide backup if necessary. We believe your power will be enough to counter these powerful enemies." Tsunade took a deep breath, finally finished with the debriefing.
"Do you accept the mission, Hyuuga Neji?"
Neji looked through the pictures of the enemies that were in the file. Yes, he had seen their faces before, many times. These men were not ones to play around. This would surely be a high-skilled battle. But, if carried out successfully, it would show his skill in battle to the entire village. He nodded at Lady Tsunade. "I do."
"Alright. Then you have two weeks to prepare for this mission, and to decide if you will be taking a second member of your team. Please keep in mind the seriousness and importance of this top-secret mission. You may be dismissed, Neji."
Closing the file and picking it up, Neji bowed again in respect before speaking up. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade. If it's alright, I already know who I am going to be taking with me on the mission. I know for sure this person will agree to come with me as soon as I explain the importance of this assignment." Neji explained.
"Oh? Well then, please give me their name." Tsunade said as she pulled out a pen to write down his answer.
Neji smiled a little. Like he said, he knew this person would agree to come as soon as he explained the mission. There was no way she could refuse. Holding the large file in his hands, he gave Lady Tsunade her answer.
"I'm WHAT?"
Neji almost reached up to cover his ears when Tenten screamed in the restaurant. Obviously the plans for the mission came as quite a surprise to her. "Just as I said. You're coming with me on a important, top secret mission to capture a group of bandits that has been troubling the village for years." Neji smiled at Tenten's surprised expression, and handed her the file to look at herself.
"But…but why me? Why did the village pick me to carry out this mission?" Tenten asked frantically as she looked through the file, also recognizing the faces of some of the bandits. "They didn't." Neji answered her honestly. "I requested you. Tsunade explained that I could bring on shinobi of my choice as my backup, and I chose you, Tenten."
"But why me?" Tenten asked again. "Because I trust you." Neji replied, smiling at her. "You've stuck by me since day one, why should I assume this will be any different. You will back me up, won't you Tenten?" Neji asked, eyes full of wonder. "Of course, you know I will, Neji! Just…this is a lot of pressure. I'm not sure I'm ready. What if…" Tenten was interrupted when a cool hand was placed atop her warm one.
She looked up and met those byakugan-filled eyes she had looked into so many times before. "You will be fine. I'll help to make sure you're fully prepared before he leave, alright?" Neji asked, still giving her a gentle smile.
Neji sure knew how to shut her up. Still getting lost in those grey eyes, Tenten simply nodded, and replied with a silly "uh huh." When Neji pulled his hand away, she realized how ditzy she was acting and shook her head from side to side, feeling the blush rush to her cheeks. "So, how long before we leave?"
"Two weeks. We need to keep the details quiet, since the mission is top secret. What will Gai and Lee think when we tell them?" Neji chuckled, just imagining Lee telling him how 'youthful' it was to be going on such an important mission.
"Neji?" Tenten spoke up, calling him out of dream. "Hm?" Neji looked into her chocolate brown eyes, waiting for her to ask her question. He was greeted with a long sigh.
"I sure hope you know what you're doing."