I hated writing this chapter. It presented way too many problems and I had to rewrite just about every scene, which is why this didn't update on Thursday like it was supposed to.
Sorry. I just had a really hard time with it, even though I like the chapter itself.
Also, since this is a Mature rating and this chapter is kind of the pinnacle of the beginnings of that, I'll warn you and say, Beware of limes or lemons, concerning how you look at it. I do not describe those sort of things in details, but you do need to be aware that some intercourse is taking place. . . So, read at your own risk.
neji's goddess: I'm not telling. :D
Shubhs: Thanks! Erm. . . Maybe. I don't know where I'm ending it, per se, but I do have the Epilogue figured out in my head. :D
Afictionado: Oh, I took your advice. Trust me. ;D
Neguru Sucashi: Yay!!! I didn't know how y'all would take it, so that makes me happy!
xCrazyKindOvWeirdx: Well, it was boring to me. :D Nope. I hate Sasuke. He must be evil. ;) I don't know the exact length of it yet, but there are quite a few things I have to put in this story. I'm guessing it might be twenty or so chapters, altogether. But then again, I could change my mind, so I don't know.
LiL sPoIlEd BrAt: Hehe. Thanks.
Drea 1284: It's Itachi. He's devious like that. ;D And I think we all know that inside, Sasuke just wants his brother's acceptance and love. :D Their reuniting is much better without the letters, I promise. He's an idiot. Simple as that. :D
Disclaimer: Kiiissshhhiiimoootoooo.
Defense.
Near the end of February, Neji finally received leave from the front.
Essentially, it wasn't classified as leave, since he did have a purpose. The rookie knights had arrived at Fort Minato at least a month ago. Regretfully, Neji had to steal a few more troops, stripping the other squads of more of their experienced fighters.
He felt bad about this, of course, but his relief to be finally returning to the fort overrode these other feelings.
Neji rode alone, leaving Lee as the commanding officer at the front.
Things were going as well as they could at the front, with several casualties a day and irritable personalities.
Neji was glad to be away for a few weeks, however brief his absence was.
-
Neji finally saw Fort Minato's familiar stone walls the second week of March, arriving on a Sunday.
He couldn't conceal his enthusiasm as he rode through the gates and stopped, dismounting a few feet from the large doors in the wall.
Many soldiers were milling around, some Neji recognized, some he didn't.
Before Neji could start towards the stables, though, a recognizable face sidled up next to him, grinning widely.
"Neji! It's good to see you!"
Neji didn't stop his smile.
"You too, Naruto," Neji responded, taking his mare's reins and leading her to the stables.
Naruto followed after him, chattering.
"How's the front?" he inquired after Neji had placed the mare in an empty stall and began to take off her tack.
Neji grimaced, which Naruto found answer enough.
"How are all of you here?" Neji queried before Naruto could ask further questions.
Naruto nodded amiably.
"Fine. Though, we haven't seen Itachi since before you left. We're just wasting our time here, if you ask me. I mean, we're not doing anything. It's been boring as hell."
Neji considered this silently, feeding his mare a carrot for her patience.
"Well," Neji began, slowly, "Itachi has been at the front. From what I know, he hasn't sent any soldiers out since before I left a few weeks ago."
Naruto frowned, his blue eyes troubled.
"What does that mean? That he won't bother with us anymore?"
Neji shook his head.
"I don't know, Naruto. There's so much to think about and to discuss with all of you."
Naruto blinked, cocking his head at Neji's odd expression.
"You're taking more troops, aren't you?" asked the blonde flatly.
Neji did not see a very good reason to lie, even though he wished he could, just this once.
"Yes. I have to."
Naruto crossed his arms and leaned against the stall door, thoughtful.
"I guess I can't argue with you," Naruto finally released, sighing dejectedly. "You're just doing your job and I can't argue with that. Who's to say I wouldn't do the same if I were the Commander?"
Neji gratefully glanced at Naruto.
"Thank you," he conveyed, honest. "I just wish the others would take it as well as you have."
Naruto snorted.
"Are you kidding? They're going to bite your head off and refuse and bitch and moan. That's why you've got to have someone to back you up."
Neji raised an eyebrow, slightly amused.
"You?" he said, gesturing to Naruto.
Naruto smiled.
"Of course me. We've known each other for years, right?"
Neji nodded.
"Right," he agreed.
Naruto clapped him on the shoulder, genial.
"Come on. They're going to start serving lunch soon. And I'm sure everyone's dying to see you."
Neji rolled his eyes.
Die they would, if they didn't kill him first.
-
Lunch was loud and cacophonic, more so than Neji remembered.
It was crowded and unpleasantly hot in the mess hall, soldiers packed in like sardines.
Neji endured the numerous questions about the war and the front dutifully, answering to the best of his ability.
Finally, after an hour or so of this, Neji was left alone to finish his lunch.
Slowly, the crowds drifted out of the mess hall, lightening the temperature and softening the sound.
Neji polished off his food in peace and rose from the bench to give his plate away to the cooks. He easily made his way to the mess hall door, but as he pulled the knob toward him, it turned. Neji let go of the doorknob, allowing the person on the other side to enter first.
The door swung open, revealing a shorter, brown-haired woman with warm, chestnut irises.
She smiled slowly when she realized who it was, stepping back from the door to allow Neji room to exit.
Neji could not define the sentient coursing through his veins. Something along the lines of overwhelming and desire.
TenTen slid her hands into her pockets, studying Neji in peaked interest.
"I thought I heard someone say they'd seen you," she ultimately murmured.
"Yes," Neji answered. "I arrived an hour or so ago."
TenTen nodded, amiable.
"How long are you here for?"
"I got leave for six weeks."
TenTen frowned slightly, mentally figuring the numbers in her head.
"So," she said slowly, "you're here for a week."
Neji exhaled.
"Unfortunately."
TenTen blushed. Neji's spirits rose a little higher.
"Well, you're not going to miss my birthday, at least."
Neji smiled lightly.
"Your birthday?"
"It's in a few days," TenTen informed with a shrug.
"Twenty-three," Neji murmured thoughtfully. "I'm afraid I didn't get a gift for you."
TenTen's eyes took upon a mischievous gleam.
She smirked and replied, lowly, "I'm sure you'll think of something."
Neji's blood warmed instantly, his face flushing.
He cleared his throat and opened his mouth to reply, though he had no idea what to say to that, but Kiba saved him the trouble.
"TenTen! Come on!" he called loudly from a few feet away, some soldiers ringed around him, quivers and strung bows over their shoulders.
TenTen sent them a glance, her expression melting into mild disappointment.
"Hunting party," she explained to Neji, her gaze darting back to him.
"Oh," Neji sighed, looking her over. "Well, you should go then. We can talk later."
TenTen still seemed indecisive, but she eventually made up her mind, nodding.
"All right," she said, starting to step towards Kiba and the hunting group. She bit her lip, then said, "You're sure you won't disappear while I'm gone?"
Neji smiled and shook his head.
Appeased, TenTen turned her back, trotting over to her captain. He clapped her on the shoulder and waved to Neji, steering the group towards the gate.
Neji took a deep breath, settling his mind.
He didn't feel like conversing with anyone besides the person who had just left him, so Neji walked to the officer's barracks.
His old room was just as he had left it, though his things had neatly been placed at the end of his bed by a page.
Exhaustion was like a weight on his shoulders, suddenly.
Neji lied down and closed his eyes, feeling sleep encompass him soon after.
-
Her lips were at his ear, her breath hot on his hair.
Her mouth moved, saying his name.
Neji's spine shivered and his skin erupted in goosebumps.
Neji lifted his hand, dazed, and touched her bare back.
Her skin felt feverish, slick with sweat from her shoulders to her lower back.
Neji's fingers wandered, briefly touching her face and neck before lingering longer at her breasts, torso, and legs.
It was exhilarating, being able to touch her and have her fingers in his hair and her lips leaving a trail wherever they went.
Neji closed his eyes, blissful, and reached his hand up, into TenTen's loose hair. She let out a moan, agreeing.
She nipped his ear briefly before turning her mouth to his. Neji felt her tongue probe his.
Neji braced his hands on her rib cage, his fingers placed in the spaces between the bones.
Suddenly, TenTen pulled her mouth from Neji's and reached over to the side table. She lifted the candle off the surface and brought it closer until she could blow it out.
Her lips pursed, and she lightly blew the only light out in the room.
-
Neji woke with a start, his forehead creased and beaded with sweat.
He took several moments to calm himself and wipe the sweat off his face.
When he finally felt less shaken, he sat up, cradling his head in his hands.
He had started receiving more and more of these dreams, and the more he received, the more risque they got.
Neji glanced over at the window, noting the deep orange of the sky. It must have been near twilight.
Neji slid off his bed and went to the wash basin, splashing some water on his face.
There was a mirror over the wash basin, and Neji looked at his reflection. His face was certainly thinner, and the skin under his eyes was dark and haunted.
At the sound of footsteps coming down the hall, Neji turned away from the mirror to look at the door.
TenTen was standing in the doorway, staring at him.
Neji's forehead wrinkled, and then TenTen had taken two quick strides to him. She placed her hands on either side of his face, and stood on the tips of her toes. Her kiss was fierce, and Neji stumbled backwards, taken by surprise. TenTen didn't seem to care. She pressed up against him, knocking him into the wall. TenTen dropped one of her hands and moved it past the rim of his tunic.
"Neji?"
Neji sat up blearily, breathing heavily.
TenTen was leaning against the doorpost to his room, looking concerned.
"You're real?" Neji asked, rubbing his eyes.
TenTen's eyebrows drew together, confused.
"Yes," she said slowly.
Neji shook his head and stood up from his bed, turning to his wash basin.
"Neji, are you all right?" TenTen inquired gently.
Neji ran a wet hand over his face, cleaning it of sweat.
"I'm fine," he answered. He glanced at her, where she hadn't moved from the door. "How was the hunting?"
TenTen wrinkled her nose.
"So-so. There wasn't much to pick off, other than some quail and pheasant. It's enough to hold the kitchens off our backs for a while."
She considered Neji for a moment longer, her gaze turning stern.
"But don't change the subject. Are you really all right? You were screaming."
Neji blinked, bemused.
"I was?"
TenTen nodded, her expression deepening to worry.
"And why did you ask if I was real? I was standing right in front of you."
Neji's face heated instantly.
He knew he couldn't tell her about the dreams he continued to have about her; either she'd be offended or intrigued. And Neji wouldn't allow either of those things.
He shook his head, noncommital.
"I've been having bad dreams lately," Neji murmured, careful to keep his tone strictly passive.
"Really?" TenTen said unsurely.
Neji chanced a glance at her.
Her arms were crossed, and she was staring at him analytically.
"Because the way you look right now," she continued softly, "I doubt you're sleeping much at all. Or eating, for that matter."
Neji had a flash of a smile before he frowned.
"You sound like Lee."
"Neji—!"
"TenTen," Neji interrupted firmly, finally meeting her eyes, "please."
TenTen pursed her mouth, but shrugged.
"Fine," she released tiredly. "But hurry up and put on some fresh clothes. I'm hungry."
She turned her back to face the hallway, and Neji smiled lightly, glad she couldn't see him.
He unbuttoned his jerkin, tossing it onto his bed. He leaned down to get a fresh tunic from his saddlebag, glancing at TenTen's still-turned back before pulling off the tunic he was already wearing.
He faced the window, folding the worn tunic and jerkin.
TenTen, meanwhile, was trying to stifle her curiosity.
Sure, she lived with soldiers and was well-versed in the anatomy of males, but she couldn't help it that this was the one she was attracted to.
She bit her lip, lecturing herself.
However, her body had other plans.
Nimbly, she looked over her shoulder at Neji.
He was facing the window, his back to her as he folded his clothes.
He was shirtless, and TenTen let her eyes wander over his features.
His shoulders were broad, and his pale skin was taught over his protruding shoulder blades. This led to a narrow, but strong torso. His dark hair spilled down his back, steadfastly tied at the end.
Neji reached for the fresh tunic on his bed. TenTen received an accommodating view of his arm. His bicep bulged slightly as Neji tensed his arm, reaching for his tunic.
TenTen faced the hallway again, unable to control her smirk.
A moment later, Neji joined TenTen in the hall and they started out toward the mess.
"How's Moegi?" Neji queried.
TenTen grinned in the dark.
"Our lessons have been going really well. She's better than most of the soldiers at archery, now. And I've been teaching her some other things too. Some swordplay, dagger throwing."
Neji smiled faintly at the ground.
"I'm sorry. I feel like I've shoved her off on you, even though she isn't your responsibility."
TenTen briefly brushed her fingers against his tunic sleeve.
"You know I don't mind it. I never had any siblings, so this is kind of an experience. She's a sweet girl."
Neji nodded in assent.
The mess hall was nearly empty by the time they arrived, and they easily found a place to sit amongst captains and lieutenants.
Neji swiftly ignored the waggling of Naruto's eyebrows as he sat down.
Having gotten their fill of news at lunch, the conversation was focused on easier subjects, granting Neji a breather before the following day's meeting with the captains.
After they finished their meal, TenTen persuaded Neji to take a walk on the ramparts.
They meandered for a while before finally ending up on the northern rampart.
"I tried to write you a few times," TenTen started, leaning precariously over the wall.
Neji clenched his jaw and slipped his hand over her shoulder, pulling her back to safety.
When TenTen glanced at him inquiringly, Neji explained, "You were making me nervous."
TenTen grinned widely, looking back out over the northern woods.
Neji recalled her statement from before.
"I didn't receive any letters," he responded.
TenTen's mouth slighted downward.
"I could never pinpoint what I wanted to say, so I never sent any."
Neji considered this, pairing it with his own inability to send correspondence.
"You and I seem to have the same problem," Neji murmured eventually. "I wanted to write you, but I never found the time. I was always too busy."
TenTen sighed a little.
"I guess it doesn't really matter. Why write when I can say what I need to in person?"
Neji curiously gazed at her profile.
"And what might that be?" he asked.
Almost reluctantly, TenTen looked at Neji. Her face was impassive, but her eyes told a different story, brightly burning.
"I missed you," she whispered, her tone hushed.
Neji read in her eyes that she was serious.
TenTen quickly broke their linked gaze, glancing sharply into the woods.
Neji forced himself to speak.
"I missed you too, though it's against my better judgement."
TenTen cocked her head at the woods, expression imperturbable.
"Because of your betrothal?" she posed flatly.
Neji exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Yes. It's . . . it's my Fate."
TenTen frowned deeply.
She did not say anything for several minutes, but eventually she looked at him, walking slowly to the rampart steps.
"You forget, Commander. I don't believe in Fate."
Neji sighed, leaning against the wall.
Once again, he had managed to single-handedly mess things up.
-
Midday presented an opportunity to speak to the captains collectively.
Following lunch, he addressed them, Naruto at his side.
"Most of you are aware of the front's situation. The numbers are still down, and Itachi's are growing. Which is why I need a further favor."
Kiba glared at Neji harshly.
"You want more of our troops, Neji?"
Neji let his silence serve as an answer.
"Of course he does," Shikamaru replied to Kiba's question.
He set down the cards he was playing with, glancing at Neji, then to Kiba.
"Why else would he be here if he didn't need something?"
Neji glowered at Shikamaru, who shrugged, unconcerned.
"Can you blame him?" Naruto piped in. "It's not his fault there aren't any soldiers."
"Shut up, Naruto," Kiba sharply reprimanded. "Neji can defend himself. He doesn't need your help."
"What I don't understand," Shino interceded before Naruto could respond, "is why you don't just take us with you? We know you're lacking soldiers, and the whole Five Squads together is better than just a single one."
Neji shook his head, disagreeing.
"Fort Minato cannot be left undefended. That was our task in coming here, and the Queen hasn't directed any other orders."
Shikamaru thudded the table, his face portraying bored defiance.
"Then leave Yamato in charge," he posed. "Itachi hasn't been seen for at least two months, and we're going to waste sitting here, waiting for something to come knocking on our door."
Neji sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I can't take a chance like that. If Itachi attacks again and I leave the fort undefended, Lady Tsunade will kill me herself."
The mess hall was silent for a moment, the other four captains fuming.
Then, Kiba countered, "Then leave the rookies here to take command from Yamato. They're no use to us if they aren't broken in first. And they'll all die the first week if they're taken to the war front."
Shikamaru nodded in acquiescence.
Neji glanced at Naruto, who fervently avoided Neji's gaze.
Neji felt something sour in his mouth.
"I can't take you to the front," he voiced sternly. "Any of you. It's too much to risk. If Fort Minato falls, that's one less fortress we have."
"But it's as Shikamaru said," Shino stated, "Itachi hasn't been here in months. It's possible he's found something else to focus his attention on than us."
"I won't take that chance," Neji said.
Kiba snorted.
"Then be prepared to deal with the repercussions of your decisions," Shikamaru muttered, picking up his cards again. "Seventy soldiers, Neji."
Naruto and Shino offered their numbers as well.
Neji looked at Kiba, who looked peevish.
"I'll give you twenty. But when all of this business is over, Neji, I expect reimbursement."
Neji nodded before Kiba could change his mind.
-
TenTen did not see Neji all day, and she wasn't particularly sure she wanted to.
She wasn't angry at him, just at the situation.
And his Fate business infuriated her.
"Fuming?" came a voice down the rampart wall.
TenTen turned her head to see Naruto, captain of the Fifth Squad.
He was chewing on some licorice, though there was no telling where he'd gotten it.
"Let me guess," he continued as he sidled next to her, looking at the sunset over the distant southern sea. "It's Neji."
TenTen sighed, impatient.
"So, what did he do?"
TenTen shook her head, exasperated.
"He's betrothed," she murmured.
Naruto cleared his throat, shifting the licorice around his mouth.
"Let me explain something about Neji. His family is one of the most prestigious and oldest families in Queen's City. Because of this, Neji's uncle Hiashi dictates the entire family. He's run Neji's life for years. He pushed him to be a page, and now that he's at good status in the army, he'll push him to marry. Neji doesn't know any other way than to obey and listen and do his best. And if you ask me, he's a little scared of you."
TenTen glanced at Naruto, raising her eyebrows.
Naruto pursed his lips, sucking on the licorice.
"You challenge everything he knows. And it scares him, subconsciously."
TenTen considered the horizon, the last rays of the sun sparkling on the water.
"What should I do?" she asked.
"Hell if I know," Naruto responded, raising his eyebrows.
He pushed off the rampart wall and meandered away, toying with the licorice sticking out of his mouth.
-
"NEJI!"
Neji sat upright with a gasp and threw off the bed blankets, staggering to the door.
Shikamaru stood before him, dressed fully in his armor, his helmet in his hand.
"Itachi's army came calling. Hurry up."
Shikamaru turned on his heel and strode quickly down the hallway.
Neji closed the door and dressed urgently, slowly adjusting to the weight of his armor.
When he was fully attired, Neji left, strapping his sword to his side.
Outside, everyone was scrambling, everything in chaos.
Yamato's soldiers were on the ramparts, already shooting arrows.
The other four squads were either leaving out the gate, or rushing around, taking orders from their captains and lieutenants.
Neji found Kiba, Naruto, and Shikamaru in the crowd, and he swiftly joined them.
"How many?" he called.
Naruto shook his head.
"Too many to tell," he answered.
Neji clenched his jaw.
"Then tell me what you do know," he shot back.
Shikamaru imparted, "It's a large enough company to surround us. Which they did. They first showed up from the south, giving us a little time to prepare, but then they appeared in the north and west. It took us off guard."
The three captains waited for Neji to dictate orders.
"Where's Shino?" Neji inquired as an afterthought.
"He's already fighting," Kiba declared. "He's with his squad covering the north and west."
"All right. Naruto, you're going to give Kiba half your squad, and then you will go with the rest with Shikamaru to help Shino. Kiba and I will take the south."
The three nodded and scurried off to do as Neji had ordered.
Neji covered the ground to the stables fast, finding Moegi and his mare outfitted completely for combat.
Over Moegi's shoulder were the bow and quiver of arrows Neji had bought her months ago in Queen's City.
"If you don't need anything else, Commander, I want to go help on the wall."
Neji frowned as he mounted the horse.
"And if their archers shoot back at you or scale the wall?"
Moegi sighed, impatient.
"I'll avoid their attacks, or hide."
Neji was not thoroughly satisfied, but before he could say more, Moegi was running out of the stables and up the rampart stairs.
Neji rolled his eyes at the ceiling and steered his mare out of her stall, kicking her to a trot as he left the gate.
The scene outside was horrific.
Masses of soldiers were everywhere; shouts and yells carried over varying distances.
Neji pulled his attention from this chaos, focusing on urging his mare to the south.
Fights had already begun, bodies already slain and lying on the ground.
Neji unsheathed his sword as he went, looking sharply at his surroundings.
Kiba was battling on foot, slashing two adversaries at once.
Neji's focus shifted to his immediate line of vision, where a man was coming towards him, wielding an axe.
Neji kicked out at him, slitting his throat with his sword as the man fell.
Minutes passed into hours, and Neji quickly lost track of everything, including how many enemies he had felled.
By afternoon, though, the remainder of Itachi's southern forces had retreated, only a handful still alive.
Neji watched the retreat with a grim attitude, not dismounting to survey the damage until they had completely vanished from sight.
At the corner of his eye, soldiers were carrying the injured away from the dead.
One person registered familiarity with Neji, and before he could fully comprehend what was happening, he was crouching roughly at her side.
"TenTen," breathed Neji, "what's wrong? Where are you hurt?"
TenTen's brown eyes were blank as she stared up at him.
Neji leaned over her, checking her body for wounds himself.
There. . .
On the left side of her torso, along her rib cage, was a long gash, seeping profuse amounts of blood.
Neji tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry.
"TenTen," Neji began as he tore the bottom half of his tunic, "talk to me. What else hurts?"
TenTen blinked as Neji attempted to stop the blood with the thin cloth.
"M—My h—h—head."
Neji nodded, lifting her head some.
Her hair was matted with blood.
"I need a medic!" he called out loudly.
Soldiers scrambled around, looking for anyone with some medical experience.
Neji turned back to TenTen, only to see that her eyes were closed.
Neji felt panicky as he checked her breathing, holding her wrist for some sign of a pulse.
"Where is my damn medic!?" Neji bellowed angrily.
Seconds later, a pink-haired woman arrived at his side, shoving him out of the way.
"Move," she said harshly, not even apologizing.
Neji obeyed, his eyebrows furrowed as he stood shakily to his feet.
He watched as Sakura Haruno examined TenTen before she took a deep breath, channeling a green orb of healing energy to TenTen's head.
Neji bit his tongue, forcing himself to watch.
She had been under his command. His responsibility.
Neji didn't realize someone was speaking to him until they shook his shoulder.
He glanced up sharply, focusing on Kiba Inuzuka's face.
"Report," Neji croaked.
"Naruto, Shikamaru, and Shino are still fighting. We think they're winning, but we can't be sure. My squad is recovering the injured and dead." Kiba's eyes flicked past Neji to view Sakura and TenTen, but he did not comment.
Neji turned his white eyes to scan the emptying battlefield.
Subordinate soldiers were scattered everywhere, going this way and that.
Without sparing a look for TenTen, Neji strode with purpose to his mare, mounting swiftly.
To Kiba, he said, "We're going to join the others. Send out orders for any soldier milling around to report there. We will finish this."
With haste, Neji kicked his mare to run headlong from the south, urging it to the north.
He started to hear the sounds of rough battle from yards away as he drew closer.
When he got the cumulative squads in sight, Neji unsheathed the sword from his hip and leveled it and his shield in front of him, keeping his elbows in.
Before he met an enemy soldier, Neji analyzed their numbers.
At least a quarter of their numbers were gone, horses and soldiers lying dead or dying on the ground.
That was a problem, especially if the numbers on the enemy's side held any meaning.
Neji met an opposing soldier full force, slicing off his head in a quick wrist movement with his sword hand.
The battle was brusque after Kiba arrived behind Neji with reinforcements.
When Neji finally dismounted off his horse to appraise the dead, he had to clench the reins with white knuckles to ensure he wouldn't vomit.
It was a slaughter everywhere he looked.
Blood stained the grass. Weapons stuck into the ground, steel and arrows littered carelessly across the open land. Abandoned horses strolled around, nudging their dead owners.
A hand gripped Neji's shoulder, bringing him out of his reverie.
Bright blonde hair accompanied a tan face, cerulean eyes concerned.
Naruto.
"Neji, we've accounted for the loss of twenty people."
Neji sighed and nodded.
"Assign soldiers to burial duty." He cast a glance at the enemy's dead. "Assign them to bury Itachi's men also. I doubt he'll come to retrieve them."
Naruto nodded and set off to do what Neji had asked.
"Naruto," called Neji loudly, his voice carrying over the silent grounds.
Naruto stopped and looked back.
"After the dead are taken care of, return to the fort. Tell everyone."
Naruto obliged with another nod, walking to where the soldiers had assembled, awaiting orders.
Neji stayed, staring at the field of dead as long as he could. When he could no longer stomach the violence, Neji turned his back on it, leading his horse to the makeshift camp behind him.
-
Neji tiredly walked down the dim barracks' hallway, every part of his body screaming for rest.
Twilight concluded the exhausting, challenging day. The bodies of the dead were burned and taken care of, the injured receiving medical care.
When he reached the end of the hallway, aiming for his quarters, only to meet someone.
Neji looked at the person he hadn't been able to stop thinking about since the middle of the day.
Her chestnut brown hair was lightly brushing her shoulders, released from her usual twin buns. Her face was still pale, scratches healing on her cheek and jaw. She was wearing a very loose fitting tunic. Neji imagined her side was bandaged from where she'd been injured.
"They told me you were worried for me," TenTen began, voice quieter than usual.
Neji ignored her statement and spoke one of his own, "No one informed me of how you were doing. Though I suppose they would've told me you'd died."
TenTen absentmindedly stepped closer to him.
"You're all bloodstained," she whispered, extending her arm to run her fingers across the top of his forehead.
Neji's skin prickled and he leaned down.
TenTen met him halfway.
Their kisses were rushed and clumsy, lips colliding warmly.
TenTen's back brushed the barrack wall.
Neji braced his hands against her sides, losing his train of thought.
TenTen winced, drawing away gingerly.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, sliding Neji's hand away from her left side. "It just hurts still. And it's still bleeding. I just don't want to irritate it."
Neji nodded briefly, pressing his lips to her forehead.
TenTen exhaled smoothly, her fingers clinging to the front of his tunic.
With his free hand, his fingers grazed her head, moving gently across the skin.
TenTen cringed; Neji retracted his fingers.
"A lance caught me in the back of the head. It took all of my strength to stay conscious until someone found me. And my side—that was a sword injury," she explained quietly.
Neji shook his head.
"You have no idea how worried I was for you."
TenTen considered him.
"I think I do. Sakura and, just now, Kiba told me you were extremely upset. I'm sorry I caused you such grief."
Neji dismissed it with another shake of his head.
TenTen loosed her grip on his shirt.
"Go to bed, Neji. You look like death itself."
Neji frowned but obeyed her command, moving past her to his room.
It was only after he put a hand on his doorknob that he remembered.
"TenTen?"
She was halfway down the hall, one hand on the wall for support.
"Yes?" she inquired, turning to look at him over her shoulder.
"Happy birthday," Neji said.
A look of faint surprise crossed TenTen's features, but then she smiled, not a little weakly.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Neji nodded, waiting until she had completely disappeared from his sight before he retired to his room.
Ugh. Exhausting. Literally exhausting.
Please review.