A/N: Omg, guess who's back with a totally rockin' update? *cabbage patch* I AM! I AM! 8D
Kyra:...
You know, sometimes silence is worse than your insults. -_- I know I'mma horrible dancer. Ask anybody. xD; Anywhoozleee, I be back! 'Tis the day everyone's been waiting for/dreading... THE WEDDING! *cues dramatic music* MUHAHAHA- oh, wait, I was offbeat. *clears throat*...wait for it..now! MUHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
Light Yagami: o3o...I need to take lessons from you.
Yus, you do. My evil Kira laugh is one to be admired. *o* Ok, sorry, guys, I just had a huuuge, delicious piece of chocolate fudge cake..mmm.. so I'm kinda hyper. But seriously, I'mma stop fooling around and start the chappie now. Much thanks to ideas from MissFaerieKaiti! ^^ And I was inspired by Iggy and Gazzy (Maximum Ride series) in Naruto and Konohamaru's exploit. x] Let it begin! *rings gong* =D
In retrospect, it was a beautiful day full of potential and purpose. The Hokages' faces on the stone wall facing the village shone as the sun beamed down on them. Birds sang and took flight from tree to tree as various celebration music played throughout Konoha and the lingering scents of preparing food wafted through the air. The sky was a brilliant blue, enhancing the peacefulness surrounding the Leaf village as a barrier.
Neji hated it.
He tore his gaze from the window as Hiashi strode into the room, his regal air filling Neji with repulse. "Quit dallying," Hiashi barked firmly. "The wedding cannot be carried on longer than necessary on account of you. Now prepare yourself."
Neji kept the scowl on his face even after his uncle had departed from his quarters, reaching for the neatly ironed and pressed engagement robe laid out on his bed. He slipped it on carefully, tying the sash at the waist, securing the black skirt that was attached.
Neji stared at his stony reflection in the mirror, reaching up to unravel his Shinobi headband, the one that signified his being a ninja, the one he had worked hard for years in the academy to attain. He hated the wedding with a new passionate resolve as he clenched the removed headband in his fist. He set it on the bed before removing the sash at his forehead, revealing the dreaded cursed mark he had been branded with at four years of age. It was a constant reminder of what his life was purposed for. Neij gritted his teeth and set it on the bed beside his headband, taking the black satin sweatband that they had supplied. Heaven forbid that he should look anything less than perfection at this ceremony. He wrapped it around his forehead and tied it.
A maid came in and adorned his hair, brushing it with long, even strokes before securely tightening a white ribbon at the bottom where his band usually was. One would think I'm the bride, Neji thought ruefully, inwardly seething.
"Master Hiashi commands your presence for a meeting with your betrothed," the maid informed him, waiting to deliver him.
Ridiculous. He wondered what Hiashi would have left to say this time. Gravely Neji followed her, anticipating the worst.
Hinata made her way to her father's chambers, refraining herself from wiping her sweaty palms on her wedding robes. Her hair was perfectly adorned, makeup perfectly applied, her gown without a wrinkle or a stain. She was the model bride.
And she couldn't think of anything worse.
Almost biting her lip, a nervous habit, but remembering it was carefully glossed red, Hinata stopped herself just in time. Taking a deep breath and composing herself, Hinata followed her maid into the room, where she saw Neji and her father staring hard at each other, as if they had just closed an intense conversation and gotten harsh words in.
Please hurry, Hinata inwardly willed Tenten, Kiba, Naruto, and Konohamaru. Please, please, make haste..
TenTen had long been up, watching the night sky slowly turn lighter and lighter, tendrils of orange and pink streaking the horizon. A sight she would've normally thought beautiful only reminded her of the day to come, making her hate the scene. With a passion.
No. We're going to stop this thing. We are. She straightened her shoulders, watching Kiba and Naruto hurriedly approach her.
"Phase One all complete?" she whispered as she stood, her heart pounding wildly.
Naruto gave a jubilant grin, shooting her a thumbs-up. "You know it! Konohamaru and I thought of everything! Wait'll you see it!"
Kiba gave the blonde a sidelong glance. "You sure that kid can be trusted?"
Naruto's ecstasy instantly melted to seriousness as he turned to face Kiba. "Konohamaru's horrible at giving you 'shortcuts'," he began slowly, doing air quotes, "but if he says he won't tell anybody, then he won't. He's a good kid." Naruto nodded twice, his blue eyes twinkling. "He's a chip off the ol' block, if I say so myself." He jabbed his thumb at his chest, all previous signs of seriousness dissipating.
Kiba nodded, cracking a big grin before turning back to the brunette. "They've got Anbus posted everywhere at the Hyuga place. But Akamaru and I were sure to stick a surprise inside the food at the banquet they'll serve at the reception."
TenTen made a face. She absolutely didn't wanna know. "What else?"
"I informed Kurenai-sensei and Guy-sensei what we need them to do. They agreed."
"Ok," Tenten contemplated, nodding. "While you two and the senseis do your part, I'll get my documents set up." Following Hinata's plan, she had spent her free time (time that would've normally been spent training with her squad) at the library, pondering over various books and volumes that had to do with Konoha. She had scoured up some old laws the First Hokage had written out, some of them long forgotten. She had truimphantly found something that would help and planned to read it aloud to the entire audience at the wedding. Hinata had even been able to provide some extra papers that only proved her point, from sneaking into the Hyuga office and searching through various record papers. Never knew Hinata had it in her. She just had to find the right time. Tenten patted her pocket, where copies of the documents were carefully placed, to confirm.
Kiba and Naruto exchanged high-fives. "This is gonna be awesome!" Naruto exclaimed.
"You know it!" Kiba agreed wholeheartedly. "We'll show that clan who's boss!"
TenTen grinned, their excitement heightening her hope. They could do this.
Ino and Sakura walked side-by-side to the Hyuga estate, silent most of the way and long since given up attempted niceties at conversation. The solemn graveness of the situation at hand drained them.
"Poor Neji," Ino finally came out and gushed. "All that hard work for nothing. What a big, stinking waste!"
Sakura nodded silently, her inner Sakura agreeing. Cha! Those stupid Hyugas! But she wouldn't dare agree with her rival verbally. "Naruto told me something interesting yesterday, though," she said thoughtfully, her tread slowing.
Ino sideglanced at her. Her interest was piqued. "Like what?"
"Oh, he's been skipping training sessions for a week now. The weird thing is, Kakashi-sensei doesn't seem to mind. He doesn't even care. I know for a fact that if Sasuke or I were absent, he'd go hysterical." Sakura crossed her arms.
Ino tsk-tsked. "Favoritism?" She oozed fake sympathy.
"That's not what I'm saying, Ino-pig. Let me continue. Anyway, so when I finally confronted Naruto about it yesterday, he said it was for a good cause. Then he cut me off and said he had to go meet Kiba and Tenten somewhere and left."
Ino frowned, her blonde eyebrows knitting together as she put two-and-two together. "You don't mean.."
Sakura nodded, her emerald eyes deep in thought. "I think that a lot of these events are linked. Those three are up to something."
Ino's blue eyes lit up. "Then there's hope!" she squealed, grabbing Sakura's arm. "Don't you get it, Forehead? They're-"
Sakura glanced around and slapped her hand over Ino's mouth, startling the blonde. "Hush," she hissed. "There are people around. I know very well what they're up to. Maybe, just maybe..." Sakura released her hold and smiled brightly. "There's a good chance of the wedding being postponed- forever."
Tsunade was the first to enter, along with Shizune. Being the Hokage did have its privileges. The other guests would have to wait to be seated, a line outside the Hyuga walls, until it was time to begin the ceremony. As she was escorted down the hall, Shizune nervously cleared her throat, their high heels clicking against the tile.
"Hello, Hiashi," Tsunade greeted formally as they were ushered in the banquet hall.
"Nice of you to join us, Lady Tsunade," Hiashi responded politely. "Make yourself at home. I have business I need to attend to at the moment." He left, leaving the duo alone.
"M'lady.." Shizune began, but not before Tsunade strode into the room where the two young Hyugas would be wed. She gasped. "M'lady! No one's to enter yet!"
"Well, I'm the Hokage, so that's just too bad." Tsunade closed the doors securely behind her, her brown eyes widening as she surveyed the large room. Shizune gasped beside her. "This has Naruto written all over it.."
The picture frames of previous Hyuga leaders on the walls were adorned with added black mustaches, black eyes, and a black smudge to indicate a missing tooth in a rare smiling photo. Decorations were strewn across the floor and the seats were TP'd.
Shizune's black eyes were wide. "Should we inform someone?"
Tsunade slowly let a smirk grace her features. "No. No..I'd say we leave this be. The Hyugas are in for a surprise."
As they quietly slipped out of the room, Tsunade chuckled to herself. Naruto, you never cease to amaze me in your Naruto-like ways..
Kiba waited impatiently in the trees, watching the crowd in front of the Hyuga mansion grow larger and larger. Most of them were in for the food provided, probably.
He shifted on his branch and listened to the surprising silence, glancing over at Naruto as if to make sure the kid was still present. And he was. Naruto was perched on a branch across from Kiba, poised and ready to leap down when necessary, eyes locked on the road.
Akamaru rustled silently inside of Kiba's hood, making him even more aware of what they needed to accomplish. This wasn't a "oh, if you fail this, it'll still turn out" mission. No, this was a one-chance mission. One chance to prove themselves. One chance to make things right. One chance to turn the situation around.
This was by far the hardest thing he'd ever pulled off.
Finally spotting Kurenai and Guy stride up, Kiba nodded once to Naruto and they leapt down to the two Jonin, ready for action.
Fate had to smile on them this one time.. it was all up to the circumstances now.
Quimoto, the leader of the Cloud ninja, nodded once, giving the signal. They watched as the wall slid open upon impact to reveal a flight of stairs. One by one, his minions disappeared into the entrance. "Remember, infiltrate," Quimoto hissed into the darkness, then was suddenly aware of another being's presence. A being that wasn't supposed to be here.
He turned to see a brown-eyed brunette, a genin by the looks of it, staring at him in shock, then immediately getting into battle stance and reaching for her weapon pack.
Quimoto cursed under his breath, scowling. She was merely a dent in his plan. He'd rid of her quickly then carry on. He'd killed many genins before; she would be no different. Scanning around for the slight chance that more were with her, only to find that it was just her, he smirked deviously under his mask.
"You want a fight?" Quimoto rasped, appearing in front of her with a poof. He bent so close to her he could see the anger igniting her eyes, the fear she tried to veil. "I'll give you one."
Neji frowned as he waited dutifully outside the wedding room alongside Hinata, wondering when Tenten's plan would unfold. Any time now..
Hiashi hadn't had much to tell them, other than submit to the Hyuga wedding tradition and everything would come together as planned. Neji had been able to get his last words in, determined to make it count. Even Hinata had put in her two cents, to his surprise. In return she'd gotten a fierce tongue-lashing from her father.
He felt a pinprick of discomfort. TenTen had agreed to meet with him before the wedding was to start. Neji had waited as long as he could, only to see her presence was scarce. Something about that unnerved him, for some odd reason.
She's busy following through with her plan. Just clear your mind. His own reassurements did nothing to put him at ease.
"Everything will be alright, brother," Hinata whispered, catching his eye. She looked pale and stricken, but a slight smile formed. Neji didn't give any inclination he'd heard his cousin except for a simple nod. He just wished this day could be over.
But rather, he knew it had hardly just begun.
Tsunade stood abruptly as Hiashi began sputtering and coughing in ragged breaths. "Hiashi? What's wrong?"
He pointed to a bowl of refreshments, his skin turning red and blotchy. "Wal..nuts.." Hiashi rasped.
Tsunade shot Shizune an accusing glance, but the girl merely held up her hands innocently, eyes wide in fear. Oh, well. It just gave her the opportunity to follow out her part of the plan. She had already prepared it.
"Here, take a drink of this. It should help," Tsunade frowned, holding out a small cup of shimmering liquid. Shizune recognized the mixture and her eyes rounded like saucers.
Hiashi grasped it and downed it in one desperate movement. His white eyes rolled back into his head and he would've collapsed to the floor if Tsunade hadn't caught him. Before any maids noticed, she took him to his chambers and laid him across the bed, shutting the door with a secure lock. He would be fine. Her potion was for K-O, but it could help with allergies too. That was the downside of it.
Tsunade smirked.
Her specialty. Heavy sleeping potion.
It never failed.
TenTen didn't have time to stand out waiting in the blaring sun. She needed to converse with Neji to get his viewpoint of the situation. She needed to let him know that the plot was coming together as planned, that she had accomplished her share. When she was certain nobody was watching, Tenten took to the trees and snuck around to the back of the Hyuga estate, determined to sneak inside using the Hyuga's concealed entrance.
Only to find in shock that someone had beaten her to it.
Foreign ninja that she didn't recognize slipped inside, enemy ninja at her best guess. Call her crazy, but unfamiliar ninja that were using a secret entrance to slip inside an estate where a powerful clan was hosting a wedding didn't seem exactly like allies.
Then Tenten recognized them with a jolt. Kumogakure ninja. Land of Lightning..
Weren't they part of the same ninja who had tried to kidnap Hinata when she was little? Tenten vaguely remembered Neji telling her about it.
Unfortunately, her mind was too clouded to even think of a sudden attack or even taking cover. She could barely comprehend what was happening before her very eyes. Then the largest one, the one enforcing the others, turned to face her eerily. Tenten's blood was like ice in her veins.
Something inside her screamed at her senses, willing her to move, but TenTen stood numbly before glaring at him, taking a battle stance and reaching for her kunai. It was now or never.
Then before she could even blink the ninja disappeared and reappeared in front of her, teering over her menacingly. TenTen straightened defensively, yet flinched at his next words. His voice was gravelly and deep.. evil.
"You want a fight? I'll give you one."
Before her brain could register what had happened, Tenten felt herself flying through the air and crashing to the ground, knocking the air out of her. She jumped back up and heaved several shuriken through the air, paper bombs attached to them. He dodged easily.
TenTen whipped out a scroll and bit her thumb, drawing blood. She spread it out as weapons of every shape and size penetrated from them, their aim accurate.
The Cloud ninja used a substitution jutsu and she scanned around for him, body tense, every sense on alert. Then TenTen spotted him, walking up the side of the Hyuga building. She clenched her teeth and followed, hurling weapons through the air at him, only to have him expertly dodge without even turning.
Then suddenly he was behind her, twisting her arm painfully over her back, filling her with a gnawing pain so intense it drove her to her knees. He grabbed her head, and suddenly she was aware of his intentions. He planned to break her neck.
Man, why did she have to seem so weak at the worst times?
The lower part of TenTen's body whirled on him, his surprise giving her the advantage. She freed out of his grasp and kneed him in the gut and was met with a punch so hard it jarred her jaw, sending her flying on her back across the roof. And then he was leering over her, forcing a kunai from her aching fingers.
And he used it to drive it through her stomach.
She turned just in time to avoid it, spinning around so she was on her knees again. She stood and dodged his blows, managing to land a few of her own. Once he drove the kunai through her shoulder and yanked it back out, making her cry out. She didn't dare bite down on her tongue to silence herself lest she bite right through it.
Excrutiating pain shot through her shoulder and she raised her other hand to it instinctively, breathing and panting hard. Blood soaked through her pink sleeveless top, but she backed up a step and managed a smirk, her brown eyes glinting.
"You let down your guard."
TenTen saw the realization flash in his eyes at her statement right before the kunai in his hand exploded and shattered, nearly bursting her eardrums. She winced as she landed hard on the roof, his blood and other vital body parts flying through the air, some landing on her.
She'd managed to slap a bomb on the kunai after he stabbed her. He'd relished in that small victory so much he took his eyes off the situation. Just enough to die.
TenTen gave into the fuzziness engulfing her as she felt herself falling again.. falling into bottomless darkness.
The room was full of hushed voices and twittering whispers. As people of Konoha took their seat, they took in the room with dumbfounded silence, eyes wide in disbelief. Since Hiashi was tardy, one of the Hyuga elders decided to host the wedding. Several of the Hyugas were in the corner, murmuring amongst themselves.
Sakura sighed. "Yep. I knew Naruto was up to something," she muttered.
"Leave it to him to pull off something like this," Ino agreed, disgusted yet slightly pleased that this came upon the Hyugas.
Konohamaru discreetly high-fived Moegi and Udon beside him. Iruka raised an eyebrow suspiciously but remained silent.
Neji and Hinata stood dutifully at their posts in front of the room, suppressing their amusement at the scene. At last one of the Hyuga elders stepped forward between the two young Hyugas, clearing his throat. "We all apologize gravely for the situation at hand," he began. "Whoever was responsible for this will be dealt with in due time. For now, shall we begin the celebration?"
The audience quieted down and somber music filled the air, matching the mood of the day. Hanabi made a cute little flower girl, spreading lilac, gray-blue, and white flowers in a circle surrounding Neji and Hinata. The bride attendants and brides' grooms were posted beside them.
"We are gathered here today," the elder began, "to celebrate the betrothing of Neji and Hinata Hyuga. If anyone sees any reason or objection why these two should not be wed , please speak now or forever hold your peace."
"He does!" Naruto's voice rang through the corridor as he burst through the door on the side, pointing behind him. Akamaru came running out. "I mean.. not him. These guys!" He gestured proudly as Kiba, Guy, and Kurenai emerged from the door.
The elder scowled. "You may speak."
Kiba nodded. "We'll make this quick. First off, I'm in-er, I was in a squad with Hinata Hyuga. She had a lot going for her. She's proved herself over and over her potential to becoming a talented ninja, and she's grown in more ways than one. I've sincerely enjoyed being her comrade. I say it's not fair to split up a squad, for any reason." His eyes met Hinata's, and a silent message passed through them. "That's what I have to say."
The entire crowd seemed to be holding their breath as the attention shifted to Kurenai, who stepped forward. "I wholeheartedly agree with Kiba," she declared. "Hinata is one of my best students. She's been put down continually by her peers but continues to persevere. And that to me is an admirable trait, one like any other." She smiled sweetly at Hinata, whose eyes were brimming with slight tears. "She's improved in her jutsus. Proven herself worthy to be a genin. I say give her another chance." With another nod, Kurenai turned to Guy, awaiting his speech. Neji raised a brow.
Guy took a deep breath. "I must say, Neji has been a remarkably talented genin to be with," he began. "I can honestly say he's unlike any ninja I've ever seen. His gifts and abilities exceed far past his age, and he is empowered with the power of youth!"
"Yes! Speak the truth, Guy-Sensei!" Lee cheered out from his place in the audience. For once, Neji didn't roll his eyes. Rather, one side of his mouth quirked.
"Furthermore... I would like to continue working with Neji, as his rightful sensei." Guy nodded, ending his speech. Everyone looked to the elder, who looked uncomfortable.
"It is not my place to decide whether or not these two should be joined in matrimony. It is Hiashi's place, and he is absent. Nobody knows where he might be. If he was here, we could consult him."
Everyone slumped in defeat, resignation written across their faces.
"Wait!" Kiba suddenly burst out. "TenTen! She has a good objection. She has proof that this wedding can't happen! Tenten!...Not funny, 'Ten...ok, where is she?"
Everyone glanced around, confused. Neji's brow furrowed, his only sign of concern.
Then suddenly, screams erupted as an explosion sounded, shaking the very building. Terrified murmurings were heard as some of the crowd dispersed, looking worried.
Naruto frowned. "That wasn't one of our bombs," he muttered to himself, exchanging puzzled glances with Konohamaru.
"They weren't supposed to go off yet," Konohamaru whispered to himself, meeting his boss's eyes, unanswered questions filtering between them.
Shrieks penetrated as part of the ceiling caved in and a body fell to the floor with a crack. People craned their necks and jumped out of their seats, gasping. Everyone was frozen in shock.
Neji's eyes rounded in recognition as he finally saw who the bloodied figure was..
"TenTen!" Neji ran to her side and turned her over, activating his Byakugan. His heart sank. Vital injuries, internal bleeding, concussion, broken ribs, heartbeat faint.. "Tenten. Wake up." His voice concealed the urge he felt. He realized with a sinking feeling that his friend might not make it. That impact from falling alone should've killed her. "Now." Neji searched her battered face, anger welling up. Whoever was responsible..
Tsunade ran to the duo's side, followed by a medical ninja who had been posted to aid in case any emergencies occurred. Grim, the Hokage's hands glowed blue as she lowered them to the brunette.
Suddenly menacing ninjas cloaked in black surrounded the doors, cutting off any means of escape. The crowd shouted in alarm.
Naruto's blue eyes widened as he realized something. If that explosion wasn't spontaneous... it could rig the other bombs to go off. It would be like falling dominoes, one after another.. "Fire in the hole!" he screamed, and not a second too soon.
The very building shook with the impact as a blinding white light flooded the room.
A/N: Whew, I think that's enough for now, don't you? xD; That has to be the biggest chapter I've ever written. o3o Or close to it. xD I feel like I didn't do a good job at all, with the fighting scenes and just how it all unfolded. But I guess it's for you reviewers to decide. Please, please be honest. I need to know so I can do better in the next chappie. ^^; I hope I was in character with everyone and this didn't seem too rushed. I wanted to make it flow. heh. xD But anywhoozle, please review and I'll get started on the update! ^_^