Chapter 8: To the Sands of time.
By Daceria.
Sakura woke up in her house knowing the seriousness of this mission. She went back to her spare room and knocked on the door to wake Hinata. It would be a three day trip, Sakura wouldn't be going but she was going to do everything she could to make sure Hinata met up with Naruto and the others as they prepared for their journey to the sand village.
"Hinata you need to get around." said Sakura into the wood door. She heard Hinata inside getting out of bed and getting ready. After about five minutes Hinata met Sakura at the door.
"Thank…you…" mumbled Hinata. Sakura embraced her.
"It's nothing you are a leaf ninja and more than that you are my friend. I don't want anything to happen to you or anyone else." said Sakura as she thought of Sasuke. Would they be able to bring him back this time?
"I'm just glad to be one." said Hinata as she looked up to Sakura and smiled. She knew how hard it was for her to be rejected as a hyuga but Naruto had made her want to improve, want to fight and from that she had become a much better ninja and Sakura could easily tell that Hinata loved Naruto more than words could ever say. The expression on her face whenever she was around him. Sakura hoped that Naruto would realize that look, sooner rather then later.
"I'm ready." said Hinata as she put on a backpack with supplies for their journey to the sand. She knew Naruto would be excited to see Gaara again, now that he was the Kazekage.
Sakura smiled and led the way as they walked through Sakura's house. It was just a small house that her parents and herself lived in. It was made of a fine wood and there was three bedrooms. One for Sakura's parents and one for Sakura and a guest room. The living room was simple and had a couch, recliner and the typical snoring father. Sakura smiled as she walked silently to the door and Hinata and herself went to meet Naruto and the others at the village entrance.
It had been a long night and an even longer morning for Neji and Tenten. They held each other's hand as they walked out of the mansion. Naruto ran up to them.
"Hey Sakura and Hinata are already at the entrance. Where have you two been." asked Naruto who was eager to get this mission done and see Gaara again.
"We were sleeping." said Tenten.
"We overslept is what she is saying." implied Neji. Naruto and Neji had a history. Naruto had shown Neji that even in the darkest days there was light and Neji was finally beginning to understand it. His light was Tenten being near her made him feel alive and he had never really noticed it until after the Akatsuki had tried to take her away from him.
"Yeah I did too." laughed Naruto as they walked to the entrance of the village and sure enough Sakura and Hinata were there as well as Tsunade and Shizune.
"Your late." said Tsunade as they joined up with the rest of the group.
"Sorry Lady Tsunade we overslept." said Tenten hoping Tsunade understood with what had went on the previous night.
"I don't think any of us had a good night sleep with the Akatsuki around." replied Tsunade. Tenten gave a silent sigh of relief, Tsunade knew how serious this mission to the sand was, it was not just for fun.
"But that besides the point, no matter how little sleep we have, we are ninjas are supposed to report on time. Neji and yourself will be rewarded with tasks to do in the village once this nonsense with the Akatsuki is over." continued Tsunade.
"Yes Lady Tsunade." said Tenten as she groaned inside. She and Neji would have a lot of work when they got back and that work had nothing to do with missions and everything to do with being Tsunade's personal lap dogs.
"Now as you know the Akatsuki were here last night and as a precaution and for your own safely we are sending you to the sand. It will only be for a short while. I must talk to Kakashi and see of the jonin who are available and don't have important missions right now to take care of the Akatsuki once and for all. Once this is all over I will sent a pigeon to the sand to send you home. Neji after you deliver Hinata only Hinata is to stay there so you will stay one night at the sand to rest and then you will report back to me in three days time. Is that clear?" asked Tsunade.
"Yes Lady Tsunade clear as a crystal." promised Neji. With that Neji, Tenten, Naruto and Hinata left the village and were on the way to the sand village. Sakura watched them leaved and wished them the best.
"Sakura come with me. I have an idea that might just trick the Akatsuki into thinking they had the byakugan." smiled Tsunade.
"Yes my lady." said Sakura following Tsunade to the hokage's mansion and Shizune walked along with them.
"Are you sure Naruto was the right one to send Lady Tsunade?" asked Sakura. Tsunade looked back to her and smiled.
"Yeah I'm sure. Naruto hadn't been on a mission for three years. I think he knows as much as we do what is on the line." smiled Tsunade.
"I'm glad he is back." smiled Sakura.
"We all are." replied Tsunade. "This village is just not the same without him."
"I'm tired can we rest yet." asked Tenten as the sun was beginning to set and Naruto was still running ahead. Neji wasn't tired.
"Tenten are you okay?" asked Neji worried. It wasn't like any ninja to get tired so fast.
"It's my stomach, it's hurting and I would really like to lie down in the forest." said Tenten.
"We must continue. We cannot stop until we are out of the leaf entirely. Do you want me to carry you?" asked Neji.
"No, I'll walk. How far yet?" asked Tenten trying to pick up the pace.
"At least five miles until we are out of the leaf completely." said Neji. Tenten groaned and held her stomach.
"I will do my best but if I fall, then you may help me." groaned Tenten as she tried to carry on as fast as them but was falling behind. She didn't know why but her stomach was really bugging her. It had never felt like this before. She thought she must be near her period but she had never felt such cramps in her life. They hurt and it felt like her stomach was going to explode. She kept her head up as she watched Naruto walking with Neji and Hinata. She was slowly catching up to them, she wasn't that far away when she fell and collapsed unconscious into the sand.
"Tenten, Tenten, say something." begged Neji holding her in his arms. She didn't respond.
"She won't make it to the sand. I have to go back." said Neji.
"We can't go back, it's nearing dark and the Akatsuki will be arriving. We must continue and complete our mission. I can carry her on my back." offered Naruto.
"No I will carry her." said Neji as he lifted Tenten in his arms and they continued walking until they reached the beginning of the sand and found a cave. Neji and the others entered the cave.
"I cannot rest with Tenten like this." said Neji as he sat by her side. Naruto and Hinata were glad to sit down after a long walk.
"You want to guard the cave?" asked Naruto.
"I will guard it, I won't be able to sleep until I know Tenten is okay." said Neji. Naruto smiled and laid his head down and began snoring. Hinata came over and put her hand to Tenten's chest.
"Her heart is beating Neji, she is not dead just unconscious." whispered Hinata.
"Hinata, get some sleep let me take care of everything." said Neji.
"You are over doing things Neji. I can help." whispered Hinata as she tried to think of what had made Tenten fall unconscious.
"You are with Tenten the most, has she had any amount of water lately?" asked Hinata. Neji thought about this and he knew they had breakfast and Tenten had a glass of water then but she had not had any afterwards.
"A glass at breakfast but not since then." replied Neji.
"It could be dehydration." explained Hinata.
"What can we do to help her without water?" asked Neji. Neji was really worried about Tenten. They had promised to spent their lives together and he she was in danger of dying.
"We do the only thing we can. After a night's rest we must get her to the sand as fast as possible. They will have medical ninjas there that will be able to help." explained Hinata.
"To the sand in just two days, that's impossible." said Neji.
"It has to be done. Tenten needs water and lots of medical attention. See if you can't find any water near us and try to pour some into her mouth. I don't know if it will help but at least it will give up a little more time to work with." explained Hinata.
"You have been spending too much time with Sakura." growled Neji as he stayed where he was.
"I'm not leaving her sight until I am sure she is okay and you are not leaving this cave." said Neji.
"Fine." said Hinata as she laid down and went to sleep beside Naruto. Neji didn't know what to do. He didn't have any water and he knew the odds of finding any before they got to the sand village were so low that it really wasn't worth it to go looking. Neji kissed Tenten's cheek and hoped she would be better soon. Neji didn't want to lose Tenten. Tenten had escaped the Akatsuki, so surely right now she was fighting death itself and Neji could only hope she was winning the fight. Neji would only watch as Tenten took steady breaths, even unconscious she was alive and Neji was thankful and he knew Hinata was right, with Tenten in her condition they had to get to the sand as soon as possible.
Author's Note: Hey Daceria here. I know it's a short chapter but I really wanted to update the story and it's late as it is so for next time Ch.9 Fighting death and more. Pretty much Neji and the others made it to the sand and Tenten is send to the medical ninja to figure out how to save her before it's too late so join me next time and keep looking for more of Byakugan Stolen! Also if you have any suggestions for the story don't be afraid to speak up!
