The title for this chapter comes from a really great song that I thought was befitting. It's a great coincidence that my favorite band sings it. Check out "Which To Bury, Us Or The Hatchet" by Relient K. P.S: The acoustic version, preferably.

This was also posted sooner than I thought it would be, but I really enjoy writing this Fic. :)

Also, more backgrounds/plot-development this chapter. :D

Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto owns all characters and places. Everything else I made up.


Neji looked up, considering the moon.

For something so far away and so celestial, Neji always felt comforted by the sight of it. It served to center him when his thoughts got to be too overwhelming. It was doing just that now, as Neji gazed up.

Despite the almost two years he'd spent with TenTen, her familial history had remained unknown to him. In fact, Neji was almost grateful that he hadn't learned it until now.

TenTen was unaware of this, but truly, he and she shared a great amount of likenesses. Neji himself was an orphan, and had lost his father prematurely. He knew little of his mother, just like TenTen.

Perhaps, Neji wondered, the reason we got along so well before was because of these similarities.

Neji mulled this over, pensive.

Slowly, Neji felt an emotion filter through his person towards TenTen, something he hadn't anticipated: Pity.

Neji almost resented himself for feeling it. She had chosen her lot in life, and all of the recent events of her life could be traced back to her one decision to become a man.

Nonetheless, Neji could relate to her. He had not gotten to say goodbye to his father either.

Irritably, Neji scratched the back of his neck, frustrated.

After his father died, Neji became the charge of his uncle, who saw to it that the ancient Hyuga mindsets were instilled within him early on. Like superiority and pride.

Neji flinched.

His father, he was told, had never agreed with such teachings.

What has changed me? Neji's mind whispered.

Neji shook his head. He did not know.

-o-

Ino grunted as TenTen slapped her thigh. It was not a cruel gesture—TenTen wanted Ino to tighten muscle that was not there.

"The more control you have over your body, the better you'll get," TenTen commented off-handedly, a slight frown indented on her lips.

Ino almost snorted.

TenTen moved on to her charges, correcting their postures.

"When in a one-on-one fight, your focus should primarily be on the posture of your opponent," she said, weaving between them. "Based on the way they act, you react accordingly."

TenTen pointed to Moegi and Karin, who were standing together.

"Karin, defensive position."

Karin shifted into the position TenTen had taught them, her arms bent, guarding both her face and her chest.

"Moegi, offensive."

Moegi balled her fingers into fists, staring Karin down.

"When Moegi moves in to hit you, Karin, you defend and then attack."

TenTen stepped back, nodding at Moegi to begin.

Moegi did not waste time.

She advanced towards Karin, her movements deft and lithe. Ino watched as the young girl arced her arm, swinging a fist that was sure to hit Karin's face.

Karin's defensive stance, however, saved her. She shifted her arms, and the only thing Moegi struck was Karin's forearm.

Heedful, Karin kept one of her arms up, defending her face. Her other arm sprang forward, almost catching Moegi square on the nose. The latter girl stumbled out of range.

"Well done, girls," TenTen called.

The two stilled, panting a little.

TenTen beamed at them.

"That was very good, for a first spar. Now, when someone comes at you from behind, what do you do?"

TenTen looked around at the assembled students, raising her eyebrows.

She glanced at Ino.

"Lady Yamanaka, would you care to help me with a demonstration?"

Ino shook her head, but TenTen ignored it.

She circled Ino and loosely wrapped an arm around Ino's neck.

"When an attacker comes from behind, your goals are to get free, and stop them if they are harming you."

TenTen crouched momentarily to withdraw a small knife she kept in her boot.

"Don't be frightened, Lady Yamanaka," TenTen said to Ino quietly.

Ino nodded, but she felt her heart rate speed up regardless.

TenTen prodded Ino softly in the back with the blunt end of the knife.

"Now, since I have a weapon, your first issue is to disarm me, or get me to release your neck. Imagine that I am holding you tighter, choking you, and that the knife in your back has already punctured skin."

Ino stiffened, beads of sweat erupting on her forehead.

TenTen prompted, "Since I would probably just stab you if you tried to get me to free my arm from your neck, it would be your best option to disarm me first. Now, what would you do to accomplish that, Lady Yamanaka?"

Ino mulled over her options, thoughtful.

From what she could recall from TenTen's other Saturday sessions, the best thing to do with an opponent was examine their openings. Ino grimaced. Since TenTen was behind her, Ino was blinded by TenTen's possible openings. She'd have to go off her intuition and deduction alone.

"I would try and find out where you left an opening," Ino voiced.

TenTen nodded from behind her.

"That's right. Now, where did I leave an opening?"

"Your ribcage and your legs and feet."

"Yes. What would be the best place to strike or maneuver to disarm me?"

Ino contemplated, focusing on each opening available.

A moment later, Ino decidedly answered, "Your leg. If I kick back at your kneecap or hook my leg around yours, the best thing that could happen is you would collapse, and you would release me or drop the knife."

TenTen grinned and released Ino.

"Exactly," TenTen said, smiling. "Wonderful, Lady Yamanaka."

Ino flushed modestly from the compliment.

"Just as Lady Yamanaka did, your best ally in a fight or capture situation is not brute force, but your mind. If you can mentally think your way out of anything, you can carry it out physically.

"That concludes our lesson for today. Next week, come ready to spar."

TenTen's charges began moving up to the castle in a swarm, chattering, but Ino stayed behind.

TenTen leaned over, inserting her knife back into her boot.

When she straightened, Ino was waiting for her.

"Did Neji teach you these things, Miss Ito?"

"Please call me TenTen, and yes, he taught me some of them. Most of them I learned from a bunch of the other soldiers though."

Breathlessly, Ino released her next question, "What was he like? During the war, I mean."

TenTen bit her lip and looked out over the grounds. Ino noticed that the bruise around her eye was now a softened and spotted brown and green.

It was late summer now, and the humidity was having its last hurrah before fall ushered itself in.

TenTen exhaled smoothly, remembering for Ino's benefit.

"He was different, before. Serious, of course, but there were moments when he was more relaxed and . . . considerate." TenTen shook her head, as if she were purposefully dislodging images.

"Just how close were you and Neji before you revealed yourself to him?"

TenTen's mouth was a flat line, her brown eyes still focused on the still-green grass. Her mind, conversely, was far away, lost in a past that was already history.

She sat down, and Ino joined her.

"Neither of us was promoted at first. That came later, after our skills had been displayed to General Guy and the others. The General was the best soldier in our group. He could disarm anyone and have them on the ground in seconds. He was the most brilliant fighter I'd ever seen. He was made a general after the first few months of the war passed. Coming into the war, I had no previous experience, other than some defensive moves with weapons my father had taught me. You learn quickly enough, in war, though. The other soldiers taught me, and the General noticed." TenTen released a slight smile. "During the war, we frequently had sparring sessions after we made camp. I had gotten fairly good, and when we made camp in Kusagakure, the General challenged me to a spar. I did not beat him, but he admired my efforts. When our spar was over, he invited me to become his captain, his second-in-command, and I accepted.

"It was easy enough to be his captain. As long as the General did not know my secret, there was nothing to worry over really. We sparred sometimes, and we talked." TenTen's face adopted a distant gaze. "I'm sure he regrets letting me know some of the things he did. We were supposed to be friends and comrades, and I destroyed that from keeping such a great secret from him."

TenTen shifted her eyes to Ino, who sat enraptured.

"A lot of people think the General is overreacting, and I must say that ordering my death was uncalled for, but . . . he really isn't. I betrayed him, and that is something I'm sure he sees as unforgiveable."

Ino felt her heart ache, though she didn't know if it was for Neji or TenTen or both of them.

"You understand him a lot better than I do," Ino muttered.

TenTen snapped out of her trance and gazed at Ino.

"Think nothing of it, Lady Yamanaka. You haven't known him as long as I have. I'm sure your relationship will only grow with age."

Ino nodded, but TenTen's words did not comfort her.

She changed topics, determined not to focus on her insecurities.

"What about you, TenTen? Are you searching for a husband? I'm sure I could help you, if you wanted one."

TenTen snorted, laughing.

She shook her head violently, grinning.

"Thank you for the offer, Lady Yamanaka, but no, thank you."

Ino raised her eyebrows.

"Surely you don't intend to spend the rest of your life single?" Ino prompted.

TenTen leaned back on her hands, a vague smile on her mouth.

"And if I do?" she retorted.

Ino stared at her, sure she was joking.

"Come now, Miss Ito. You can't be serious."

TenTen shrugged, noncommittal.

"I'm a woman, free to make my own choices in the world, tainted by war and lies. What would any sensible gentleman want with me?" TenTen posed, perching a dark eyebrow in Ino's direction.

Ino opened her mouth to reassure her, but TenTen dismissed it with a wave of her hand.

"Do not worry about me, Lady Yamanaka. I am perfectly capable of functioning by myself."

TenTen stood, extending a hand to the blonde noble.

Ino rolled her eyes and accepted the hand, allowing TenTen to pull her to her feet.

"Tell me if you reconsider," Ino pressed, keeping stride with TenTen as they went up the hill to the castle.

"You will be the first to know," TenTen assured, smirking.

-o-

"Come on, Tenzou. Make your move."

Against her better judgement, TenTen grinned.

"Seems like someone's a bit eager," she commented, watching Neji's eyes as they circled each other, half-crouching.

"Eager to beat you," Neji clarified, his eyes shining in the dark.

TenTen dove with quick feet toward him, throwing her arms around his waist and tackling him to the ground.

Neji was ready for this move; he leveled a foot on TenTen's abdomen and kicked. She went sailing over his head, into the brush of the forest.

Neji jumped to his feet and turned swiftly to keep his attention focused on his sparring partner.

A second later, TenTen emerged from the brush, looking disgruntled.

"There are thorns in there," she informed bitterly.

Neji smiled.

"Your own fault, of course. You shouldn't have come at me at that angle."

TenTen raised her eyebrows and crouched again, withdrawing a small, sharp dagger.

Neji let his smile fall from his mouth, but it did not leave his eyes.

"I won't be made a pincushion," Neji imparted flatly.

TenTen flashed her teeth.

"Then you probably shouldn't stand still," she advised.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she threw the knife. It tumbled handle over blade, gleaming.

Neji ducked; the knife thudded into a tree behind him.

"Nice reflexes," TenTen complimented, walking past him to get her knife.

Neji swung his leg out, sweeping TenTen's legs out from under her.

She glared up at him from the ground, brown eyes narrowed.

"Was that really necessary?" she inquired.

Neji just smiled and thrust out his hand to help her up.

TenTen took hold, and Neji easily pulled her to her feet.

-o-

TenTen jolted from her sleep.

Her bed was a mass of tangled sheets from where she'd been tossing.

Abruptly, TenTen's stomach lurched and she stumbled from her bed.

She vomited when she reached the bathroom, her hands clammy and her head throbbing.

TenTen breathed heavily, leaning against the wall to steady her unsettled thoughts.

-o-

TenTen chewed on the inside of her cheek, attentive to her charges.

Since Neji's instruction to orient the girls with horses, TenTen had undertaken his advice.

They were getting better at riding, which was important, but they were still a long way off from being first-rate horsewomen.

As it was though, TenTen could not afford to delay teaching them maneuvers atop a horse until they had mastered equestrianism.

The quintain was an aid TenTen hadn't personally used before, but it provided a stand-in for an opponent.(1) The girls were working with pole-arms, aiming for the center of the quintain, which was weighted on both sides with sandbags. If the girls missed, they would be thumped by a sandbag with enough force to unseat them.

So far, only the youngest girls, Futaba and Hibari, had been overthrown. However, all of the five had been hit by the sandbags repeatedly.

"Remember to keep your arm level!" TenTen called out. "Lean forward in your saddle and aim for the center!"

Moegi went next, her arm bent at an angle, holding her pole-arm steady over her horse's left shoulder. She struck the quintain solidly in the center, and raced by before the sandbag could hit her.

She grinned at TenTen, and the other girls let out a few cheers.

"Good job, Moegi," TenTen said.

Matsuri set up to go next, but TenTen noticed in her peripheral vision a visitor, and she automatically straightened.

"General," she greeted tentatively.

Neji nodded to her before leaning against the fence, eyes trained on the girls as they took turns at the quintain.

TenTen tensed, waiting for him to speak.

Around ten minutes later, when each of the girls had taken two turns at the quintain, Neji spoke.

"You should weight their weapons."

TenTen glanced at him, confused.

"Pardon?"

Neji turned and met her eyes.

"Girls have less arm strength than boys. If you weigh their weapons with lead they'll progress on the same level as the boys."

TenTen hadn't considered that.

"Just a thought," Neji murmured, walking back to the castle.

TenTen watched him retreat, eyebrows raised.

-o-

"Ino."

Ino looked up, startled.

"Shikamaru?"

A man sat across from her, a small, crooked smile on his lips.

Ino stared at him, shocked.

"What—what are you doing here?" she asked, her heart thudding in her chest.

"Father and I returned this morning from our expedition." Shikamaru lifted an eyebrow. "I thought you'd be happier to see me."

Ino shook her head, eyes wide.

"I didn't—I never expected to see you again—"

Shikamaru absorbed this for a moment.

"I told you I'd come back."

Ino fought back the desire to shudder.

It was like seeing a corpse come back to life.

Ino reached out for his hand, to test his realness.

Shikamaru's dark eyes studied her movements with that sharp quality he had.

Ino's hand encompassed Shikamaru's, her blue eyes lingering on his features.

"I missed you," she murmured seriously.

Shikamaru's dark eyes flared and he leaned forward, brushing his lips against Ino's mouth.


(1) Just a little information on the quintain: In actuality, quintain communally refers to jousting games. However, it is indicative of a training aid when learning to joust. A quintain consists of a dummy and shield, mounted on a pole that swings. The point is to hit the shield without getting smacked or unseated by the sandbag attached to the other end of the pole. For my purposes, the quintain TenTen uses has no dummy, just the sandbag and shield. This exercise helped to increase accuracy on horseback.

That bit in the middle was a flashback, by the way.

More soon. . . Until then, please review.