DISCLAIMER: So uh, I don't own the Naruto series...yeah..that's about it. I used too much brain power in trying to edit and change the first few chapters of this story, than to make this disclaimer worthwile, so – deal with it. Or don't – I enjoy flamed emails ... but, then, there's no legit reason to rant about the lack of belligerently creative sarcasm that surrounds my author's notes, right? That would just be plain excessive and unnecessary and rude.

A/N: Again, any italics/bold conversations (Ex: "I like lolypops" ) are from the past – whether from the actual anime or parts of my original story – and have some relevance or add extra narrative spice to the current scene. The italics/underline words (Ex: Life sucks ) are just my own inspired narrative sayings to promote intellectual thought at the beginning and end of a chapter (they can also belong to Sakura, as I envision them in her voice – HER JAPANESE VOICE – since she's the major protagonist of the story). Copyrighted, hypothetically, of course.

Oh, and regular font(well, italic) that looks like (Ex: 'this') are actual character thoughts in the immediate scene. While words like (Ex: this) with no form of quotation are kind of like more intellectual, narrative thoughts that use Sakura's voice of point of view. I know, confusing, right?

Please Enjoy!

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Antiquated Folly

Chapter 2: Aesthetics of an Instant

(o) (o)


It seems humans can only do two things in front of a goal: work hard, or give up.
If you don't do either, than I guess you have no choice but to just wait.


.

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Emerald gaze was stern – pupils focused as she looked to Senju Tsunade, their Godaime (Fifth) Hokage.

She stood amongst her closest comrades: her friend, Uzumaki Naruto, and sensei, Hatake Kakashi, from the formerly-named Team Seven. There was an additional person that had joined them, besides the Hokage and her assistant Shizune. She glanced to Hyuuga Neji as he stood; his pearly eyes were calm and abiding – a counterbalance to theirs, which were filled with curiosity and speculation. The curiosity was only precursor to the rising anxiety that stirred as they waited in silence, watching Tsunade's concerned face as she mulled over some documents in front of her.

They remained attentive as she stopped to finally meet their gazes. A small wind that indiscriminately rustled a few of the lightweight papers amongst her desk marked the moment before she spoke.

"Konoha is under attack." The lash, graveness of her words were a moment's ago memory to Neji, as the past sounded his own voice speaking that sole phrase.

Flashback
The ample, abundant trees amidst the voluminous forest towered with altitude into the cerulean sky; they forced the sun's light to beam through to the forest floor in distributed rays, peaking through the array of bountiful leaves, and speckling to the earth in various patterns.

The early time of day was forecasted by the harmonious symphony of bird chirping. The slight dampness to the earth backdated the recent night's drizzle – as did the refreshing smell of pine and flowers with which were moisturized with the blue element of life. The gaining rays of the rising sun warmed his skin in the select spots that it speckled through. This smell of the early morning tickled his nose. He was akin to the awareness of all his surroundings, and his senses were heightened to a refined endlessness.

The ground met softly with his calm, poised footsteps; the soil humbly parted underneath, remaining with the memory of his moment-ago step. He made not a sound as he strolled along effortlessly.

Hyuuga Neji would often choose the outlying forests to Konoha's gate to have way with his training. It was far removed from the hustle and bustle of the village's enclosure, and untouched by the same.

It was a very small, confined break in the scattered trees of the forest that he stopped at – free of littered shrubbery and patterned with occasional patches of grass. He stood another small moment before closing his eyes; it was the precursor to his shutting out of all other senses but his perception. His body was relaxed, breaths nearly nonexistent. He cleared his mind completely, leaving only the incoming word of the nature around him to invade. All too soon he felt soft footsteps tingle his skin as it did the soil of the earth. He made out the movement of an arm as the motion vibrated from the hollows of the trees surrounding. He measured sensibly the sharp curves of the kunai held in extension from the arm as it sliced through the air it was held against in poise. He was aware of the individual's exact position, exact features, and intentions.

The veins protruded around his upper face before his eyes had opened to reveal his exacting Byakugan. Neji disappeared from his spot, reappearing shortly a small distance away and behind the largely thick trunk of a tree. He had reappeared with an arm already outstretched to stop a smaller, more slender arm in place.

Haughty, yet amused chocolate eyes gazed into cool, mockingly-calm pearl – the Byakugan had faded with his reappearance. It took a moment before a smile graced Tenten's lips and she sighed in defeat. At this display he released her arm, doing well to hide the triumphant grin that rested beneath his disciplined facial Hyuuga turned away from his comrade to casually walk back the short distance to his previous location, and she immediately followed suit. Her arms were crossed in pout.

"It's no fun not being able to sneak up on you anymore." She joked with a tiny wine as she watched him sit down. After a small moment she continued,"So, this is your new spot eh?" Tenten looked around for a moment, bringing her hand over her eyes as she looked up against the glare of the sun. "It's nice."

"Yeah." Was all Neji said. He let out a small release of breath before closing his eyes once again. He was not impeded nor bothered by her presence, and proceeded in his earlier endeavors with the same lack of consequence.

Tenten spoke not a word as she curiously watched him – though a sort of warmness coveted her eyes. She stepped back against the tree behind him, and let herself gently slide down to the soil beneath it.

She studied him in this moment as she was free to without his usual blank stare.

His skin was ever as pale as it had remained all these years, unblemished and untarnished by the constant touch of the sun. The dark, silky locks of his mane were tied back in signature style; his hair had grown over the years, and remained untrimmed, however perfectly flawless. Even in sitting position his torso was taller, more pronounced and fuller with his growing strength and body maintenance. His upper clothing held a pale apricot-beige color, remaining close to the color of his crystal eyes. There were dark buckle locks and bindings that added the necessary balance of display and support, grays browns and blacks completing his newly attire, and accommodating his pristine attractiveness.

She watched as his eyes furrowed in focus, yet noted the complete relaxation of the rest of his body, as if disconnected from himself. She mused that if she lightly pushed him, he surely would have fallen over. He was embracing a deep state of mediation, and it allowed her the thought of relaxing herself. A small, tired sigh escaped her lips as she moved her hands to rest on the ground at her sides; it was then noticeable, the small dots of perspiration on the side of her somewhat flushed face. She had finished her own solo training, and this was a great time for her to rest a bit, while keeping her and Neji company.

At this point, Neji could hear Tenten's every breath, every heart beat, the ruffling of her pouch as she took out a kunai and fiddled with it. He could hear the birds chirping, and the splashing of jumping fish in a nearby pattering stream; he watched through the forest eyes, as the little squirrels and rabbits quickly huddled into their burrows with sudden notice – as if startled by an unusual disturbance. It came upon him for investigation, and all other sensations hushed.

Tenten looked him again, and she observed the Hyuuga's hands grow tense. Her brow furrowed and she forgot her exhaustion as she alerted herself, sitting up straighter.

Flash
A twig snapping…
the scraping of feet on hollow tree branches…
the brushing of leaves through forced travel.

Repetitive pounding on the soil of incessant, numerous footfalls.
End Flash

Tenten eyes slightly widened as Neji swiftly got up from his sitting position. She followed suit, standing without a sound.

"Byakugan!" The sound of the large veins protruding around his eyes was catalyst to the growing sound of disturbed, flocking birds.

It was tunnel vision at first, the travel of his vision to the area far ahead of Konoha's gate. The surrounding forest was splashed in colors of transparent whites and blues as he was able to move through and past the forest objects to cast sight beyond them. The magnification of vision continued through the bustle of trees and wildlife, only slowing down upon sight of the intruders. His eyes squinted with the effort of his further focus, and he was able to amplify the priority of his sight to rest upon the clothing and forehead protectors of the large group of shinobi that traveled towards them. The insignia was defined through careful etching and engravement onto the metal that was attached.

Tenten hesistanly stepped towards her comrade and friend. "Neji?" She waited for him to guide her. His posture remained the same, gaze in the distance with his Byakuugan unremoved and sharp. "We have visitors from the Sound, a very large group, we need to alert the guards."

He didn't wait for a response as he disappeared from his position, moving towards the unwelcome invaders.

Tenten did not linger, she had removed herself from the small clearing at the same time he did.
End Flashback

"Many of our Jounin are away on mission, which leaves us very vulnerable in defense. They chose their time well, too well to not be pre-meditated for this exact moment." Tsunade's eyes continued to scan the room carefully at the attentive stares. "We need to assemble all Chounin and Jonin at the gates."

Neji nodded in agreement, and moved to disappear from the room.

Tsunade briefly looked to Shizune. "Please summon Shikamaru. Inform him of the situation and have him draw up defense measures."

"Hai (Yes)!" Shizine left the room immediately.

Tsunade let out a small sigh, before returning her gaze to the shinobi left standing before her. Her amber eyes were stern and challenging as she looked to them.

"As you know, we've been receiving reports from multiple villages bordering the Land of Fire, and even gotten word about other countries outside – Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning – all having been attacked recently. The possibility of it being the Akatsuki is undeniable. Since then, we've since sent many of our shinobi on missions to analyze the situations."

Sakura, Naruto, and Kakashi remained silent and serious, listening to their Hokage intently.

"With the threat of Akatsuki overlooming our heads, it makes anything regarding Orochimaru's danger very black and white." She used that sentence, to start her command. It outlined the reason why she had called them here first, before fully addressing the impending attack. Her stern eyes grew even harder, as the severity of her words were unrefusable. "If Uchiha Sasuke is truly in league with the Sound advancing on us, it is your mission by my order for you to stop him. There is no worth in risking our safety or time at this point to capture him ... If you even dare to hesitate –" Her amber eyes flickered to glance at the three of them individually. "I will see that as an act of betrayal."

"And if there's a chance to capture him?" Naruto presented the question earnestly, yet calmly.

"He will present you no chance."

"And if he does—?"

"If he does he will be accountable to every action he has committed since he left our gates." It was Sakura's words, this time, that responded to Naruto. He looked to her in surprise, and she continued, not looking to him. Her words were that of a drone's – passionless, cold, succinct. "He will be treated as a criminal, as is right due to his association with Orochimaru." Her gaze held no struggle with her words, remaining attentive and unfazed.

Naruto's jaw clenched, though he did not say anything, just as Kakashi warily eyed Sakura.

If Tsunade was surprised she did not well show it; her gaze remained stern as she studied her student, continuing to speak after her. "With actions of Akatsuki switching into high gear, we cannot be in disagreement about this. This new development with Orochimaru, who has remained hidden till now, is troubling. Go to the gates now, I'll be their as soon as I can."

No emotion crossed her face, and only a small moment of silence separated her word from Tsunade's.

"Understood."

They all disappeared from the room.

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The sun was ever-burning and relentless; the clouds hovering in its path attempted to provide a shield against the radiating temperature that was unsuccessful and transparent against the star's intensity. It continued to beat at the mass that had gathered in open space before their Village's large, strongly wooden gates. They had finally creaked to a closed position, barring entry and exit. The enclosed area hummed and buzzed with the uttered chatter and worried glances, as Konoha Shinobi awaited direction and appearance of the Hokage for debriefing.

Sakura's emerald eyes scanned the tense crowd of shinobi.

Her gaze was halted as a hand brushed her exposed shoulder – the owner moving past her. Her body stirred to turn to her side, and curious eyes found Rock Lee; she smiled in acknowledgment to his speedily retreating figure. He seemed in a hurry, and only his upper torso turned back to her to accommodate a wave of hello as he continued striding along out of her sight without slowed momentum.

As her gaze had followed Lee, she found a few other familiar faces in the order that he moved past them: Yamanaka Ino was tugging on an annoyed Nara Shikamaru's sleeve; Inuzuka Kiba had just given his largely grown partner, Akamaru, a treat as he ruffled the fur on the beast's mane; Akimichi Chouji had his back turned to her, and seemed to be in deep conversation with Aburame Shino, who had just pushed his dark goggles up the bridge of his nose in readjustment. Chouji let out a surprised cough as Tenten came up from behind to slap him on the back in greeting. Hyuuga Hinata and Hyuuga Neji glanced to this occurrence, and Hinata let out a small, self-kept smile. The two family members were standing next to eachother, they were silent and almost stoic as they stood waiting; Neji's eyes occasionally scanned the crowd, and would briefly glance towards the slightly-elevated platform where the Hokage was expected to show.

Sakura's gaze halted when she found Uzumaki Naruto. She focused on him, finally letting Lee out of her sight, and she observed as her closest friend used the cuff of his jumpsuit to clear the finger-smudges from a forehead protector – he did it casually, almost mechanically, out of habit. Her emerald irises slightly shifted upwards in their stare to notice the forehead protector that was secured upon his head – his own. It left little imagination to the owner of the band that was held in his grip.

The glare of the overlooming sun outlined the deep gash that interrupted the design of the leaf insignia engraved, the imperfection that had been caused during battle. It bore the outlying sentimental scar in the same surface that it held the physical – such aesthetics were created in one instance, yet they remained a permanent rendering that would not fade.

-
"But you won't even be able to put a single scratch on my forehead. That fact will not change." (Sasu)
-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The noise all around Naruto was irrelevant – his mind was undeviating from his current focus on the item held in his possession. Cerulean eyes reflected with a memory so deep it would never be distant as he finished rubbing the headband free of any major smudges or imperfections that were removable.

-
"What the hell are you?!" (Sasu)

"Your friend! That's why I said I'm not letting you go. That's why I'll break your arms and legs if I have to! (Naru)
-

He remembered a battle that was very important to him, impossibly unavoidable, and treacherously consuming.

-
"Shut up...What do you know about me, you who doesn't even have parents or siblings. How can you understand me?! Huh?! You who's been alone from the beginning! ... It's because of our bonds that we suffer ... you don't know what it feels like to lose them!" (Sasu)
-

Naruto's gaze darkened even further with the memory.

Flashback
Uchiha Sasuke was crouched on the lengthy wood log that extended upwards from the mass of water below, impeccably still and unwavering in its stand. His Sharingan gaze was downcast, brooding.

"Why, Naruto? Why would you go this far for me?"

Naruto answered immediately, and without waver. "Because… this is the first bond I've ever had."

-.-.-MEMORY
The sky was yellow and orange in the descent of the sun; it was background to and illuminated the gravel path that he walked along. He was at a higher level of elevation on this pathway then was a boy of similar age. Below, as connected by aged stone steps, were trees and shrubbery overgrown and abundant with green color; they were the shore to the body of water surrounding a small road.

He continued to walk as his curious gaze scanned the wooden walkway that extended out into the body of water. He spotted the boy of similar age as he, as if he expected him to be there.

Their gazes had met, and it seemed it wasn't the first time.

The golden-haired boy let out a brief smile, the forward momentum of his walking never stopped, and his shoulders hunched up in friendly acknowledgment before his gaze returned to the path he was traveling ahead of him.

The raven-haired boy did not reciprocate the gesture until it was unseen. He let out a small smirk to himself, in acknowledgement of the familiar boy that was walking away.

It would not be the last time they saw each other, in this very same place.
-.-.-END MEMORY

Naruto continued to look on at Sasuke, from his parallel position on his own upstanding wooden log; his sharp, cat-like eyes were softened in this moment; the corners of his mouth were slightly upcurved in a meaningful expression of remembrance and kinship.

"That's why I'll stop you!"

Sasuke's eyes deepened at that moment in his downcast gaze, slightly squinting in the understanding of Naruto's words. He closed them briefly, before standing fully upright upon the skinny log; in this movement he also pulled out his previously discarded headband protector – it rested in the grasp of his hand, held to his side in natural rest.

"I admit it, Naruto. You're strong. It's because you know the pain that solitude brings, just as I do. And it's that pain … that makes people stronger. For that very reason, if I break this bond, I'll be able to achieve an even greater Sharingan."

He raised the protector to his forehead, tying the blue fabric around the back to secure it in place.

"That's why, you're too late, Naruto." The insignia of the leaf was presented strongly as he brought his eyes to Naruto's. "It's too late for that. There is no going back for me."

Time passed quickly as the wood underneath Naruto was shattered; this was caused by Sasuke's swift release of a splintered piece of wood from his own log that had been broken down.

They had both recovered from the loss of these poles, standing atop the water they had landed upon.

"Come, Naruto! If that's the case, then I'll break these bonds!"
End Flashback

Naruto lifted up his head, cerulean eyes burning with determination.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment, before holding everyone in her gaze again. She studied the small amount present.

'This is it, huh?'

Her passing thought allowed the time for all to notice her, and usher into silence.

"For those unaware, the village is currently under attack. We are entering a Level 2 state of emergency!" Her voice bellowed with order. "A group will be dispatched to the East, West, and North gates immediately. The rest of you will remain here at the Main Gate. Those of you dispatching, dismissed!"

Immediately, select shinobi within the gathering disappeared, having already been assigned previously. Recognizeable were also Lee, Ino, Choji, and Hinata as they disappeared without a word.

Tsunade looked to those remaining, of the few recognizeable veteran Jonin there was only Hatake Kakashi and Ginma.

"The enemy is in line sight of the Main Gate. It is expected that this is where we will receive the brunt of the attack. I leave the hardest task to you," She looked across to a few unrecognizable faces before looking to Naruto, Neji, Tenten, Sakura, and lastly, Shikamaru. He took that as his queue.

Shikamaru put his hands in his pockets as he slightly straightened his posture. He moved to stand next to the Hokage.

"As you all know, this is a very troublesome situation." He slightly raised the sound of his voice after assessing the previous audibility of his first words; he subsequently made sure his vocals reverberated with little chance of misinterpretation or failed hearing.

"Our foremost concern is that we keep Konoha unbreached. " His tactful words reigned cooperation. His eyes glimmered with wisdom and lightning-speed planning.

"We bring the battle to them."

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.

...[Song Play: Naruto Shipuuden OST 1 - Track 26 – Keisei Gyakuten (Reverse Situation)]

A number of forced elements danced along the earthen vegetation of the forest floor, towards the endless mass of progressing shinobi. The voluminous hurricane of water was horizontal in its travel – its currents sparkled with the licks of the sun, and volume gushed with propelling force. Its partner was that of fire, cannon like form jumping in zig-zag to each side of the aqueous formation. Laps of lightning surged through the both of them in static currents, chirping in harmonious cessation and power.

Brief view focused on Kakashi, whose hands were held in seal; his unilateral Sharingan eye uncovered. A few others were a small ways to each side of him, their own hand seals held.

These elements crashed devastatingly into the enemy, pushing and pulling and obliterating the initial forces. Timely was the addition of rock and earth that protruded upwards from the ground in one sky-reaching form, and concaved deeply in another crater-like form.

More jutsus had been casted in succession from one another, continuing an onslaught of wave after wave of incoming enemy.

When the elements had subsided, the path was cleared. Though it was soon filled again with more proceeding ninja; some had broken off from the forward formation, jumping towards the forest that surrounded the lone straight path to the gate. There were other Konoha Shinobi there to meet them, jumping into the mob at various locations, and maneuvering through the branches and shrubbery to split planned power and force.

Hyuuga Neji rushed in after the display of jutsu, sliding to a halt as he waited for the approaching enemy.

-
"
Neji, are you able to apply your Heavenly Spin attack to multiple opponents?" (Shika)

"Yes." (Neji)

"You will be ahead of the rest of us then, as that technique excels both in offense and
defense which is the ideal move for the frontline."
(Shika)
-

The obsessant battle cries of the enemy seemed to roar louder as they had become aware of his presence blocking their path. Multiple weapon projectiles had already launched in his direction.

Neji's palms stiffened as he kept them poised and flat; he pushed one out slowly in front of him to be parallel to his upright position; the other anchored against his torso and pointed downwards in support.

It was sudden, the sound of the gravel scraping beneath his sandals to announce his swift, unbelievably fast body rotation; chakra currents of blue followed his movement, presenting an array of solid lines that trailed in increasing currents to follow his circular spins; the charka spewed out, lingering with each turn, creating a dome like-structure with the speed of his rotations, and sheltering his figure to obscure confinement. This chakra dome, as quickly as it had been created, expanded, crashing into the surrounding enemy like a wind current – it uplifted and thrashed them outwards and away. Weapons bounced off and clanked to the ground in simultaneous manner.

Neji's spinning halted abruptly, and the chakra currents that had been following his spin trickled to an absence.

He gracefully tilted his head to the side to avoid the fist that came towards him with a kunai equipped; in counterattack he grabbed the wrist of that same enemy before moving to the side to avoid another kunai; his palm then shoved into the Sound ninja he had held in his grasp – the force slammed the enemy backwards and away.

He was now completely engulfed in the horde of opposing shinobi; and he continued his Heavenly Spin onslaught with evasive maneuvers, switching back and forth easily.

-
"Neji can only cover a limited width area with his attacks. We need long distance to cover the
rest, and make sure none get through. I can do that."
(Tenten)

"Okay then, Tenten. You will be a support to Hyuuga with your long-range weapon skills." (Shika)
-
He did not seem phased as weapons came from behind him, embedding into some of the ninja near him. He continued fighting, sparing a glance to Tenten as she positioned herself a small distance behind him, her chocolately brown eyes were watchful of the areas to his left and right, the areas that were not reachable to his attacks.

The sound of battle cries rang in her ears, and the currents from Neji's Heavenly Spin attack continuously ruffled her hair and pulled out a scroll from her back weapons pouch – its ends were green in color, parchment perfectly beige. With immediate force she threw the scroll in front of her – lone hand still holding the end of it – and the lengths of the scroll unraveled to stay suspended in front of her and perpendicular to her standing form.

It remained in her grasp, suspended in the air, allowing extended access to an assortment of armaments: kunai, swords and axes and hammers and spears were pulled by the weapons master; each were thrown effortlessly and skillfully towards the enemy.

Time passed, and the enemy's numbers had slightly started to wane.

It seemed sudden when she heard Neji's voice – it seemed far away in the crowd of yells and hollars and earth trembles that signified the battling."Tenten!" It was a warning, antecedent to the deafening chakra attack that reached her; it was a current in the form of vibrating sound that tunneled towards her, drowning out all noise in its immediate vicinity.

She had backtracked as fast as she could, watching as the scroll she had been using tore to shreds. Even though the attack hadn't directly touched her, the vibrating waves trembled her body and rattled her insides. This cringed her in stumbling backwards motion, and she was stunned by the vertigo. Immediate was the trickle of blood that traveled from her nose.

Neji was there, in an instant, palm slamming into the nearest enemy that continued to attack her.

Tenten struggled to maintain her posture: her legs were shakily bent, and arm trembling in its raised position to secure and hold her kunai in defense. Her vision was blurry, and her ears ringing, as she looked to the silhouette of her comrade's backside.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Naruto!"

"Wakateru (I know)!"

Naruto dismissed Shikamaru's warning, already starting from his position atop the thick village wall in a run; his cerulean eyes were intent on the two Leaf Shinobi far outside the village's gates.

He positioned a hand for a single seal.

"Tajuu Kage Bunshin No Jutsu! (Shadow Clone Technique)" The all-too-familiar sound of puffing smoke clouds and battle cries marked the appearance of countless Naruto clones as they apportioned themselves in the environment, already mimicking the same running stride as their creator, and progressing towards their Neji and Tenten.

...[End Song]
-

"We will need a distraction to allow Neji and Tenten room to retreat, and to of course supply damage and further stalling from entry into the village...Naruto, I've never seen any better mastery or production of the Shadow Clones than you." (Shika)
-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

...[Song Play: Naruto – Strong and Strike (Extended)]

It seemed to transpire in slow motion as Neji slowly let each foot drag in opposing direction against the gravel to lower his body; his torso bent slightly forward, and arms outstretched. This had occurred at the same time that Tenten's legs finally buckled; she dropped to the ground with a resounding thud. Still, she kept her torso up, arms raised with kunai equipped. Her skin was pale with nausea and tinnitus.

Neji assessed the battlefield, eyes calculating. It sounded painful as the veins around his eyes inflamed, protruding with their enlargement to accentuate the change in his eyes.

A seal spread from underneath the Hyuuga – a luminescent green color with a lime ferver; its seals stretched to cover a massive, circular area 360 degrees around. The color illuminated both his and the enemy's clothing with its bright glowing hue. His fists pointed, and fingers narrowed into a dagger-like precision.

"Jyuukenhou, Hakke Rokujuu Yonshou!" (Sixty-four Points of Divinity)

It was instant: his sharp, tantalizing movement for attack.

The first two strikes made contact with a single enemy, direct and forceful as the clear indentations made into clothing and skin remained painfully etched; the victim was propelled to the ground by the force, and stunned by the specific points selected by the Hyuuga to attenuate.

'Four Strikes'

The next Sound shinobi was prey to the next four precision jabs in the gut; a gasp of air and saliva meddled with blood refluxed out of his mouth.

'Eight Strikes'

Neji never lost speed in his momentum, even as he split his strikes between three Sound Shinobi; his first to the neck of one, a sickening crack sounding as his fingers and chakra dug to touch cervical bone without penetrating flesh; the next three points of damage to another torso; two to another's surrounding aorta cavity; last two embedding into a couple of enemies who had proceeded in synchronized attack.

'Sixteen Strikes!'

The dagger-like attacks seemed to double in speed, strikes dishing out at a similar execution as the division prior; this time, as others were not within reach, most damage was dealt to a single enemy – chest, abdomen, femurs, shoulder joints – the body dropped immediately to the ground, with a stillness indicative of total incapacitation.

A new group had come for his finishing jabs.

'Thirty-Two Strikes...'

A large group had surrounded him and jumped in for attack.

'Sixty Four!'

A large explosion of chakra mounted from the inside of the horde that had jumped on Neji. They were all blasted aside in the blue blinding light that came from the last, powerful thrust that marked the end of his technique.

Neji's sandals scraped along the vegetative earth once again to slow him to a halt. He remained in the Hyuuga signature combative position. Only one small bead of perspiration trickled to his brow.

The immediate area around them, circular in its allowance, was completely cleared. Though there were enemy forces still advancing, some that had even moved past them in continued charge towards the village.

Neji's attention was caught by the sudden multitude of weapons that had been hurled in his direction; he equipped his own kunai and was ready to parry. He soon found that he didn't have to, as an unexpected array of weapons came from behind him to meet the other weaponry in opposing force; every single enemy weapon was halted, and extra continued their travel to embed into enemy forces

Neji glanced back to Tenten; her chest was heaving, her face still pale, and eyes rebellious as they remained focused on the Sound Shinobi before them. Her hand was still resting in front of a new scroll that was hovering in perpendicular position in front of her; the other hand was holding the end of the parchment that had unwidened its seals. Both arms were wobbly, her hands shaking with the struggle that held them suspended.

He proceeded to slash and block attacks, quick glance noticing a few blow tags popping in conjunction with his comrade's seals. Even as he was prepared to move and protect her, Tenten took care of herself with the defense of weaponry in her grounded position.

Keen ears could hear the battle cries of Naruto's shadow clones as their running march trembled the earth beneath them. Neji glanced quickly to note the small resistance that Naruto met from the numerous enemies that had gotten past them.

Neji didn't wait, as he grabbed Tenten and started their retreat; in doing so they narrowly avoided an armada of kunai that rained like arrows on the spots they used to occupy. One shredded the sleeve of his attire to leave a small scratch on his skin, but it did not halt him. He prepared for the extra weight from the kunoichi in his arms as she finally became limp in his hold – her tremendous will finally succumbed to her body's need for recuperation.

He took full, immediate retreat then, making a straight path towards Konoha's gates.

They echoed harmoniously: the numerous Naruto battles cries that were thrown from from each angle and height that they were positioned in their advance towards the Sound enemy. They had passed Neji and Tenten only with a glance, determined to hold the enemy line, and avert any stray that passed.

They piled over the body of Sound Shinboi, jumping and dodging and sliding, individual yet synchronized timely attacks directed towards their separate foes. All were not as timely and effective; a fair amount of blooming smoke emanation decorated those still in body form.

...[End Song] (Abrupt ~3:10)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tenten took one last dizzy glance upwards to Neji; she took in his chiseled chin and his calm pearly gaze. She was forced to slowly refocus her gaze with each stride her comrade took. The way their speed slashed against the tree's leaves like wind somewhat became a soothing remedy to the ringing in her ears.

Her last gaze was upwards towards the sun.

"Neji, will today ... this won't be Konoha's… last sunrise, will it?"

He glanced to his slowly fading comrade.

Flashback
The chirping of the crickets had all ready sounded the start of the late evening; the moon had risen high in the sky with no clouds to hide its craters. Not many stars sparkled in the sky that night, though in their place little fireflies vacated the area as floating orbs of light, luminescent in the glow of the night.

The yawn of a grunt that came from Lee as he reached his arms high into the air broke the comfortable silence that had long since situated between the post-training teammates. The long and tall green grass that they had been walking through, part of an extremely large, open field, tickled their exposed skin as they continued to travel towards the hill in the distance. It was not too far, and heavily populated with very green grass, beckoning the trio for a nice resting spot.

"Neji-san. I'll race you to the top!" It was a challenge, however jokingly stated. Whether he was serious or not, Neji had simply glanced at Lee, delivering a blatant look that implied his unwillingness. It had already long ago been discovered that Rock Lee held the title of unsurpassable speed.

Tenten let out a small giggle, making her way ahead of the two with increased walking strides. She glanced over her shoulder to her two teammates, her best friends.

"You two didn't forget about me, did you?"

It was then that she took off, running towards the very large and tall mound that had caught their attention and desire. The two young men watched her with amused eyes, still gazing as she stopped once more.

"What are you two dingle-heads waiting for? You satisfied with letting a girl beat you?"

Rock Lee let out a hearty chuckle before looking to Neji as he finished his brief smirk; the Hyuuga returned the quick glance, and there was nothing spoken between them.

They had bolted from their position, starting in their pursuit after Tenten.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The confines of Lee's mouth could be seen as he yawned yet again, reaching his arms high above him before fearlessly letting himself fall onto his back. Small particles of grass and pollen shot out from underneath him, rising in a small puff that slowly danced away in the night breeze. The taijutsu specilaist put his arms behind his head before focusing his eyes on the sky.

Tenten followed action, letting herself drop onto the ground before her. Neji casually lowered himself into a sitting position, leaving his legs bent up, and his hands behind him for support.

They hadn't paid attention to the time that had passed; and it seemed only small moments before the moon had started to fade into the orange and purple that beckoned the morning sun to peek out from behind the mountains. It entreated the addition of yellows and lighter oranges to light up the area around it.

They all looked on in subsequent silence to the dawn of the sky.
End Flashback

-
"Let's make it a plan to watch the sunrise together as much as possible, ok?"
(Ten)
-

He looked up to the sky above, recalling to image the epitome to a distant memory; a promise that had yet been fulfilled. He traveled with her in his arms in silence until the foliage of trees revealed Konoha's Large reinforced gates.

"No, it's not, Tenten."

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What if you don't do any of that? Work hard – Give up – Wait. It all starts to seem a bit hopeless at that point, neh?


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Thanks for Reading!

Dumbtrickerita, out.