Title: IN Never Ending Rhapsody
Characters: Neji, Tenten, Lee, Hinata and Gai

Theme: Inner (F.O.I.L.)
Rating: T
Note: Changing scenes:

'talking' indicates thoughts

talking indicates flashbacks

"talking" indicates normal conversations

Warning: LeeHina and short introduction of some Oc's

"How were you able to know?" A brunette haired woman dressed in scarlet kimono-type of battle gear closed her fan and turned her eyes gracefully to the new comers. Gagaku, the name of the woman, signaled her companions to be aware just in case these people prepared a surprise attack. They were not expecting these persons to uncover their genjutsu, it appeared as if these guys were so helplessly trapped in the illusion. And now seeing them in flesh, it irked her. The anger emancipated more now that they still don't have what they came for.

The 'newcomers' gave the area an overall scrutiny before landing their attention to the woman seated crossly on the Oakwood chair engraved with indescribable scriptures. Gai and Lee both situated their selves at the back scouting for any sign of hidden movement. Hyuuga Neji turned his pale shade less eyes at her sharply with no sign of emotion present. "Answer her question," a blond long haired man stated after waiting for a response. He unsheathed his scabbards showing two double-edged swords decorated with the same scriptures evident on the chair.

Gagaku and the other missing Nins of Kirigakure no Sato observed the Konoha shinobi urging for an answer yet impatient of the silence. "Tenten does not whimper," the answer came from a deep baritone voice that was undeniably possessed by Hyuuga Prodigy, has sliced through the stillness.

"Excellent, you do have wonderful eyes," Gagaku exclaimed a little impressed. "This shows that Konoha Shinobi should not be underestimated." She slowly straightened herself from her position. Walking forward she gestured her right hand to two of the bulky men positioned near a gray tent. "Bring her forth."

The two men walked rigidly as they entered the area, sounds of chains clashing and bars opening, covered the forest's deafening silence. Out came the pair as they trudged forward, however they were not alone.

Accompanying them was Tenten who had her hands tied to her back and her mouth covered with a cloth, preventing any use of jutsu or seals. Tenten felt useless scanning around looking at different faces. She turned her eyes frantically to Lee and Gai who had now come forward looking at her intently. Gai and Lee critically checked for any signs of wounds or injury. The large men gripped her hard and yanked her harshly placing near a tree. They both withdrew their swords swiftly drawing it to her neck. Tenten still unaffected by the touch of coldness from the blade searched through the different faces, to the ruddy scarred features of her captors to the flawless and unscratched visage of Gagaku and then to the impassive Neji. 'Don't abort the mission.' Her eyes seem to speak as she shook her head slightly—almost invisibly warning Neji and the others not to succumb to their demands.

They stayed like that for a second; thoughts sharing and eyes communicating, until Neji finally smirked. Tenten who recognized such gesture smiled. 'Of course.'

"Where is the medal?" Gagaku's shrill aristocratic crescendo pierced through breaking any silent unspoken understanding that has come before the two. She stared at Neji inquiring him boldly to surrender the besought treasure. "Do you value your teammate's life?" the earlier blond man named Shamisen questioned pointing his hands to the captured Tenten. He grinned haughtily aware of their supposed to be disadvantage.

"The medal is our mission." Neji answered with the same voice not rising a notch. He stared back at Gagaku unflinchingly looking at the captive through the corner of his eyes. "I do value our teammate's life but a mission is a mission." With that Neji released two kunai and aimed it deliberately in the same time five inches away from each other at the south, Tenten's direction. All looked on surprised as the kunai came launching forward at the two bulky men.

Thud!

The sound of the kunai hitting a large thick tree waked them from their apparent shock. Gagaku and the others appeared astounded knowing that the Konoha shinobi freed the weapon with no hesitation. Neji on the other hand remained unaffected and he propped his hand forward on a one seal formation. Gagaku looked on furiously, "Playing tough eh? Kill the captive." She turned to the two men and directed them to decapitate Tenten's head.

"Byakugan." Was heard and Neji initiated the attack positioning forward on a stance, Jyuuken. Before Gagaku and the other missing nins can divert their attention to Neji from the guards, two unsaid screams of surprise was painted on the large men faces as blood gushed out of their back. Tenten dodged the untouched falling swords that belonged to the missing nins. Gagaku stopped her attack taking the scenario with an unpleasant reaction. Both missing nins fell to the ground dead.

Lee swiftly moved to Tenten's side and he tried to untangle the ropes tying her hands. "Why you!" Shamisen's battle cry was followed with an assault for the two Konoha jounin's neck. Everything seemed to flow in slow motion as Lee tried to fasten up untying. However a meter before Shamisen can fulfill his hit Gai intercepts suddenly paralyzing him. Gai gave an affirmative nod to his student who now have unraveled the ropes and is working on the bind on Tenten's feet. Turning his eyes back to his enemy, Gai attempted to impale Shamisen and readied for a strike.

Before he can claim victory another missing nin came out behind Shamisen trying to behead Konoha's green beast. Currently obstructed with his hold of Shamisen's sword Gai resorted to pivot his body purposely dodging the kick. This momentum was soon followed by a shuriken as it pierced to the man's heart.

Neji who was fighting another for a split second diverted his gaze. Hazel and Pearl clashed and locked eyes. Neji smirked while Tenten gave a ghost of a smile akin to snooty stride. 'Let the games begin.'

Gai motioned for his prized student, both shared discreet thoughts. They stationed for a group of missing nins poised to attack all at once. "We'll finish this!"

"Konoha Dai Senpuu!"

"Hakkeshou Kaiten!"

"Soshouryuu!"

"Ura Renge!"

Four different attacks were released and Team Gai is again back in action.

---------------

Lee beamed looking adoringly; he turned his full awareness to his team mates. He smiled again almost wanting to poise the outdated "Nice guy Pose."

"Neji-kun and Tenten-chan never fail to amaze me," he proudly stated to the pale-eyed Hyuuga Heiress beside him. Hinata smiled nodding a silent agreement to Lee's statement. Lee is right, just watching the two was worth something.

"H-hai…" she responded when Lee stared at her waiting for an answer. Lee nodded enthusiastically happy that he got a reaction from her. Hinata on the other hand darted her eyes back and forth to the sparring pair then to Lee.

"Well things are always this, Neji-kun and Tenten-chan will spar early in the morning and then without them noticing they almost spent their entire day into it." He continued not too loud yet not too soft, still gawking at the pair.

Neji had just avoided a critical hit from Tenten. He smirked and blocked a senbon with his kunai effortlessly. 'Is that all?' He arched a perfectly curved eyebrow and gestured for Tenten to carry on with her assault. Tenten gave her own smirk, 'Of course not.' She gave her fallen senbon a tug aiming it at Neji. 'Were not yet done,' Tenten's eye continued to communicate as she watched Neji dodge—once again her attack. 'Not yet,' she still got hold of the senbon tugging along the other weapons around them.

'Soshouryuu?' Neji gave her an amused look telling Tenten that he already knew of her attack. 'So what?' a somersault in the air took Lee and Hinata's interest with Tenten readying another unknown assault.

Even their little interactions seemed like notes to music. They can make something that rivals melody or rhythm without using these figures--- just a nod, a smirk, a smile even the simplest movements of the body----both understand everything silently with no need for words. Their way of communication is enough; just their body language is more than music itself…

Tenten and Neji, both dance into silent music as they continue on with their spar. Its like a musicale… something that is deeply instilled with rhythm and melody combined… their movements is performed so excellently… in never ending rhapsody.

-------

"Tenten, how were those, missing nins able to capture you?" Lee asked out of blue during their scheduled gathering. Gai who was grilling some food diverted his eyes waiting for the sole female on their team's response. Neji, who was sitting under a tree not so far away meditating, have peek an eye open. Tenten, the addressee of the question almost choked on her tea surprised by the inquiry. She looked indecorously at Lee, urging him to change the topic.

Pregnant silence covered the area and only the noise of the meat cooking and the birds chirping was heard.

Tenten shifted her hazel blend of eyes to Gai and Lee who still wait patiently for a response and then to Neji who now have both of his eyes opened curious as well.

Tenten gripped her scrolls unconsciously shamefully remembering her unpleasant predicament. She gave her companions a look once again.

Neji had now quirked an eyebrow, Gai still gave his full notice and Lee who was observing her thoroughly now wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

'Neji and I will surely make it into ANBU successfully,' she thought quite confident enough that after years of hard training they'd finally get the fruit of their labors. Tenten resumed scanning the place for short branches and twigs that can be definitely used as firewood. To Tenten aside from being somebody to stand up like her idol Tsunade, and to be able to spend time with the team… her last desire is to be able to stay with Neji.

With those flashbacks at hand, Tenten blushed a deep shade of red resembling a lot like a beet tomato. She felt so caught in the act, 'Who wouldn't be embarrassed?' she thought feeling so humiliated. Tenten deemed weapon mistress of the Konohagakure no Sato was captured just because of thinking about a certain guy. She was caught off guard…she was daydreaming.