Ch.9 Fighting death

By Alicia Hamilton.

Neji paced back and forth around the cave entrance. It wasn't even daylight yet. Neji knew they couldn't move during the day but the more and more they had to wait the worse Tenten would get. Neji was concerned not only because they were teammates but also because he loved her and didn't want to lose her now. He swore if this had anything to do with the Akatsuki he would have his revenge. Naruto and Hinata were sleeping near Tenten. Neji knew he should sleep but he couldn't, he couldn't possibly sleep with Tenten in her condition. The only thing he could do was wait and hope that they could make it to the sand in two days and have them be able to find out what was wrong and make Tenten healthy again.

Back at the village Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Guy and many other village ninjas were preparing for the arrival of the Akatsuki.

"Attention everyone we all know the Akatsuki have been targeting the Byakugan. We also know they are after the Nine tail beast. It is our job to make sure they are defeated here and now. We can't allow these Rogue Ninjas to do whatever they want. It is our duty as Leaf Shinobi to fight for our village." Stated Tsunade. Tsunade knew they would arrive at any minute and this time they were ready.

"Hey Kakashi I bet I can defeat more Akatsuki then you." Smiled Guy.

"Guy, it doesn't matter who defeats them as long as they are defeated." Stated Kakashi. Kakashi knew the challenge ahead would be the fight of their lives. The Akatsuki were all powerful ninjas and Itachi was one of the deadliest because of the Sharingan. After all Itachi was one of the few Uchihas left. He wondered about Sasuke as well would Orochimaru get his way or would Sasuke over power him? Kakashi could only wonder as he prepared for the upcoming battle.

Tsunade just turned around after making her speech as they stood at the Hyuuga mansion. They knew where the Akatsuki would show and this time they were prepared. Tsunade wondered if Naruto and the others had made it safely to the sand.

Morning came without warning and Neji felt exhausted but Naruto like usual was his hyper active self and yawned.

"Morning already?" asked Naruto.

"Yeah" said Neji as he looked to Tenten who was still sleeping unconscious by Hinata. Hinata got up and had Neji put Tenten over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.

"How much longer until we get there?" asked Neji concerned for Tenten.

"Probably another day unless we don't stop to rest again." Stated Hinata.

"I could get there the fastest." Smirked Naruto.

"Then go ahead Naruto tell them we are coming and that Tenten needs medical attention." Stated Neji very serious.

"Sure!" smiled Naruto as he ran off ahead.

"He's such an idiot, Mumbled Neji to himself. I'm counting on you Naruto."

Neji and Hinata made their way to the sand each taking turns carrying Tenten. Tenten didn't weigh all that much so she wasn't very heavy. It was the heat of the sand that made them have to take turns carrying her and they didn't have much water left. Neji couldn't stop wondering about Tenten but he also wondered about the Akatsuki would the village be able to trick them or would they be at the sand already?

Naruto had made it to the sand village and was panting at the entrance. Temari was the first one to greet him.

"Naruto? Where are the others?" asked Temari who had already been informed about their arrival from Tsunade's letter.

"Tenten is hurt she needs medical attention. Neji sent me ahead to tell you." Panted Naruto.

"What is wrong with her?" asked Temari. Naruto shrugged.

"No clue but I sure did get here fast didn't I?" smiled Naruto.

"Yeah, do you want to see Gaara while we wait for the others?" asked Temari. She knew how much Gaara enjoyed seeing Naruto. They were both tailed beast holders, Gaara was alive thanks to Naruto's efforts. He didn't have his tailed beast anymore and was now Kazekage.

"Yeah sure." Smiled Naruto with a big grin. Temari led him into the village. The sand always loved so beautiful just like the leaf. Naruto was just happy to know how far his friend had come. Temari led him to Gaara's Kazekage room.

"Hey Gaara!" shouted Naruto as he charged in. Gaara stood up and walked over to him and gave his friend a hug.

"It's nice to see you again Naruto but where are the others?" asked Gaara.

"They'll be here before too long. They had to carry Tenten so it's taking them longer." Began Naruto.

"Is sure hurt?" asked Gaara.

"She's unconscious we don't know what happened really. She started complaining that her stomach hurt and hasn't been awake since." Explained Naruto.

Gaara had a feeling he might have a clue about what was wrong with Tenten especially if she had slept with someone in the past month.

"Naruto does Tenten have a partner?" asked Gaara. Naruto shrugged.

"I know Neji is really concerned but they are teammates so of course he would be worried about her." Said Naruto. "All this waiting is boring, I wish Tsunade would have let me fight the Akatsuki."

"Naruto you and I both know they are powerful and we don't want them to get ahold of anymore tailed beasts. Tsunade is using caution, it is a wise move." Explained Gaara.

"It's still boring." Complained Naruto.

Neji, Hinata and Tenten arrived at the gate to meet Temari and Kankuro. Kankuro took Tenten from Neji and rushed her to their medical facilities.

Neji and Hinata followed him. Neji sat in the waiting area for what seemed like days rather than hours. He couldn't help wondering what was wrong with Tenten. If only she hadn't been taken by the Akatsuki maybe this would have never happened if he had known about her affections for him.

Hinata sat by Neji wondering about what he was thinking but also wondering about the Byakugan. Neji had risked his life to protect it and Neji used to hate the fact he was in the branch part of their clan but she could tell Neji really cared for her, he had showed her that when he stepped in the Akatsuki's way of getting her. Hinata wondered if she would have been captured would the Akatsuki now have the Byakugan.

Exactly three hours after they arrived Kankuro came out from the medical room and gave them permission to enter. Neji rushed in and to his relief Tenten was awake.

"Tenten are you okay?" asked Neji. Tenten smiled up at him as she grabbed his hand.

"Yes Neji I'm okay now that you are here with me." Smiled Tenten. Neji grabbed a chair and sat right by her side.

"Do you know what happened?" asked Neji. Tenten looked to Neji then to the medical ninjas around her and then back to Neji.

"I'm pregnant." Began Tenten. Neji didn't know what to say he wasn't sure how to say what he felt. The emotions that were overcoming him. That one night they shared it must have been, it had to be.

"I don't know what to say Tenten." Began Neji.

"It's okay Neji, we'll figure it out together." Smiled Tenten. Neji looked at her stomach carefully.

"Are they sure?" asked Neji.

"The test came back positive. I'm pregnant." Smiled Tenten.

"I'm not mad about it I was just worried you were dying and I didn't want to lose you not after what we've gone through." Stated Neji.

"I know that Neji, that is why you'll make a great father." Stated Tenten kissing his hand. Tenten was happy to finally be able to share how she felt about Neji and was happy that they were together even if part of the reasoning was because of the Akatsuki. She was very happy and she knew they had a long road ahead of them but they would take that road together.

Neji held her hand and looked to Hinata who just smiled and wished them the best and left them to their room alone. The medical ninja had also left for now Tenten was okay. Neji just stared at Tenten and he wanted to hold her to tell her how happy he was that she was okay. Neji leaned over the bed and kissed her gently on the lips.

"Tenten, I love you." Said Neji sweetly.

"I love you too, Neji." Smiled Tenten.

Author's Note: Hi everyone! Did you miss me? Did you wonder where I disappeared too? Well I know I have been gone for quite some time but I assure you I'm back for good. I'm a published Author now of A Wolf's Journey look for it on .com and other online bookstores or you can have your local bookstore order it in. But anyways about this fanfiction. I plan to finish this one first so all you Souten/Shippo fans will have to wait just a bit longer I can only do so much at a time. I'm also working on a surprise Naruto fanfiction but I'm not going to say anything about that just yet. For next time.

Ch.10 The battle between Leaf and Akatsuki.

-How will Tsunade and the other Leaf Shinobi defeat the Akatsuki? Will the Akatsuki be able to outsmart the Leaf Ninja once again?

What will Neji do now that Tenten is pregnant? Will Naruto be able to hold still and not part take in the battle between Leaf and Akatsuki.

Be review and comment but only constructive critism! (It's been a long time.).