Hey everyone, what's up? I have finally finished another chapter. Not much to say except, I didn't get this one read over. I apologize for the grammar mistakes. Enjoy, none the less. Thanks. ^_^

R&R


(Neji's POV)

I had just entered the game of Epic Tale 101 when I heard my name being shouted. I opened my eyes for the first time and noticed a group of people who looked strangely familiar. There was a guy waving his hands rapidly in excitement, a pink haired girl trying not to strangle the boy, a frilly princess, and an old man. God, why have you forsaken me?

(Naruto's POV)

I don't know what it was, but something about this ominous figure seemed familiar. Perhaps it was his long, silky silver hair, or maybe it was its flawless skin and overall aura of superiority. I don't know, but this thing seemed so familiar to me. It wasn't until the being landed did I understand.

"N-N-Neji?!" I was sure of it! That floating ball of perfection was Neji! Sure he looked a hell of a lot more godly, and had silvery wings and hair that made him look albino, this was still Neji Hyuga!


(Normal POV)

"Neji! You're finally here!" Naruto shouted excitedly as he waved his friend down. Sakura was currently taking deep breaths, trying to restrain from choking the poor boy out.

As Neji walked towards the group, Shikamaru walked forward, placing his hands in his own sleeves. "Finally made it to the game, Neji?"

"Uh…" Neji skeptically said as he looked at Sakura throttle Naruto.

"Don't worry about them, Neji!" Ino smiled as she too greeted her older friend. "Naruto and Sakura are always flirting."

Sakura, who had finished with Naruto, sharply turned to Ino. "Hey," She shouted, "I don't flirt with Naruto!"

"Yeah yeah," Ino said dismissively, "sure you don't."

Sakura growled, posed to jump on the princess, until Shikamaru let out a loud cough. "So Neji, what exactly are you?" He asked.

Sighing, Neji closed his eyes. "I'm an Aasimar Paladin (1)."

"What's an Aasimar?"

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the voice everyone knew well sounded. "Aasimars are beings from a lineage of celestial deities and humans. Normally seen with many perfect traits, Aasimars are accepted into almost all societies. Aasimars are also seen raising the name of their celestial parent(s)."

"Good to know." Ino said under her breath.

"Wait! So Neji has a God for a parent?" Naruto asked.

"More or less." Both Shikamaru and Neji answered.

"Cool."

Neji rolled his eyes as he placed his wings securely behind his back before they disappeared. Sakura, who had witnessed it, gawked. "Neji, what happened to your wings?"

Turning his head slightly, Neji tried to get a glimpse behind himself. "What wings?"

"Exactly!"

"I don't have time for this." Neji sighed before turning to Shikamaru. "Since you are the only sane one around here at the moment, perhaps you can answer some of my questions. Firstly, where are the others?" Neji looked around. "I don't see Hinata or Tenten. As a matter of fact, I don't see Sasuke either."

A silence fell over the group. Naruto awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Ehehe… yeah. About that…"

"What?" Neji asked.

"You see, there has been a bit of a problem," Sakura began.


(With Tenten and Sasuke a few hours earlier…)

Sasuke and Tenten were running through the forest at high speed. The night air whipped through their hair as they made their grand escape. Every so often Sasuke would glance behind to check if the men had followed, but there was never any indication of a pursuit.

Finally, they reached a clearing just before dawn. Sasuke stopped, causing Tenten to pause behind him. "Why did we stop?" She asked between her breathes. Tenten had no problem running for long periods of time. With her elf blood coupled with her normally athletic self, Tenten could probably go hours without a break. Same for Sasuke, seeing as they both seemed to have something a little extra in his blood.

"They aren't following us." Sasuke noted.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Tenten asked in confusion.

Nodding, Sasuke turned to look at the female. "Yeah, but I think it's kind of strange that we escaped so easily. Don't you?"

Tenten thought for a moment. It was indeed strange that neither Lee nor Gai had woken immediately when Sasuke entered their dojo, but Tenten had placed it as luck and Sasuke's ability in stealth. Then she thought back to one of the conversations Gai had with Lee. Gai had said something about the dangers of the forest surrounding their home, and the many bandits located only a few leagues away.

"Um Sasuke, I think we might be in danger." Tenten said.

Sasuke stared at the girl. "What do you mean?"

Tenten thoughtfully put a finger on her bottom lip. "I was just remembering a conversation Lee and Gai were having when I was tied up." She said. "They were saying stuff about bandits being located around the dojo."

Sasuke sighed dismissively, "They were probably just trying to scare you from escaping their dojo."

"Yeah, but I don't think they were lying, Sasuke. We might be in some serious danger." Tenten spoke. "Think about it. Maybe that's why they didn't chase after us."

"That's nonsense." Sasuke said as he leaned against a tree. "Besides, bandits only strike during the evening or at night."

Tenten placed her hands on her hips with a sharp attitude. "Do you know how stupid you sound right now?"

Again, Sasuke sighed. "Ok. How about this? We can wait until broad daylight before we move from this clearing. That way we won't be at risk of any "dangerous." And if we do come across a few, I'm sure we can handle them. What do you say?"

Tenten rolled her eyes before sitting beside Sasuke, back against the tree. "Whatever."

And so they waited. And waited. And waited.

(After dawn…)

When dawn finally came, the waiting duo simply sat in silence. Every once and again, one would doze off leaving the other to act as watch.

"Okay, now I think we can go. It's broad daylight, and I don't think anyone is going to attack us." Sasuke said as he helped Tenten stand. "It's safe."

"Oh don't be fooled, young traveler! No one is safe in my forest!"

Tenten and Sasuke immediately turned around to see a group of ominous bandits (2) making their way to encircle them. Directly in front of the duo stood a man with the lower half of his face covered in a black mask. He wore a black eye patch. His one visible eye was completely blood red. He wore baggy, camouflage clothing and black boots. A long sword with black wraps tied around its hilt was strapped to his back. His spiky, silver hair waved as the wind picked up.

"And just who the hell are you?" Sasuke asked as he stepped before Tenten, pulling his own, black ruby encrusted broadsword. Tenten happily took her placed at Sasuke's back, standing back to back with her bow and arrow at the ready.

"We are this world's most dangerous bandits. All know our name!" Shouted a random bandit.

"Except for us," Tenten said under her breath.

"Which is why I asked." Sasuke added only so that Tenten could hear.

"Don't try to be funny." A bandit said as he stepped closer to the duo. The others followed his example. "It might just be your end."

The man from before, dug his long sword into the dirt before himself. "We are known as the Devil Bandits, and I am Kakashi, the leader of the Devil Bandits!" He said. Sasuke had a feeling that the man was smirking underneath his mask. "Now, let's see you dance!"

At Kakashi's last statement, the bandits jumped into action. Kakashi stood back as his men attacked the travelers.


(Back with Naruto and the gang, hours later…)

"What do you mean Tenten got kidnapped?!" Neji shouted as he practically throttled Naruto. Ino and Sakura were trying their best to pry the young man away from his "friend."

When they finally got Neji away, Naruto hit the ground holding his neck. Sakura immediately went to the young boy's side. "God, Neji. Haven't you heard of the saying 'Don't kill the messenger?'"

"Yeah. Tell me about it." Naruto coughed out. Neji just rolled his eyes.

"Ok then, tell me this, where is she now?"

"Uh… we don't know." Naruto whispered under his breath.

"I'm sorry. I don't think I heard you correctly. What did you just say?"

"We don't know!" Naruto said louder.

Yank! Neji immediately grabbed Naruto by his shoulders and shook him. "How do you not know where she is?! For all we know, Tenten could be hurt or worse!"

Placing a calm hand on Neji, Ino gave Neji a nervous smile. "Calm down, Neji. Sasuke is looking for her as we speak."

Glaring, Neji let go of Naruto and turned to Ino, slightly calmer now. "Oh, and is that supposed to make me feel better?" He asked sarcastically.

"It should." Shikamaru finally spoke. "Sasuke is smart, strong, and capable. He will be able to find her quicker than any of us right now."

"Yeah, Sasuke-teme will totally find Tenten. No problem!" Naruto shouted happily.

Giving a frustrated sigh, Neji took a step away from Naruto and ran a shaking hand through his hair. "Ok. Ok."

"Are you okay now?" Shikamaru joked. "Are you good?"

"Yeah yeah. I'm good. I'm chill." Neji said with another sigh.

"Good because now we are about to leave and travel to the Northern Capitol."

"What?!"


Finished! How was that? I would love to read your thoughts and feelings about the story so far, so if you have any please review.

(1): Aasimars are, like the story said, humans with a significant amount of celestial or other good outsider blood in their ancestry. Though being derived from Gods, Aasimars do not always raise their godly ancesters.

(2): Bandits hone their craft along the roadsides and byways of the world, where they leap from the shadows to plunder the spoils of passing travelers. They normally have a variety of skills, some specializing one thing to help their group.