This chapter is not my best, but understand that I wrote this over the course of two months, with many a break in between.
So, with that, have mercy.
I hope all of you are well. :)
Disclaimer: All characters and places are the artistic/intellectual property of M. Kishimoto. The plot is mine, and unfortunately, I make no profit from writing.
The fire had been stoked again, and this fascinated TenTen because of the newly inspired life of the embers that sprouted from the flames. Compared to before, when the fire had been dying, the embers had been lazy, spiraling into the dark with an aimless purpose. Now, however, the little drops of fire were chaotic, spinning and launching into the atmosphere uncontrollably.
It reminded TenTen of battle.
Surrounding her lounged countless numbers of men and horses and weapons, contained in wild underbrush near the Stone Country border.
The following day, they would blitz the other side, once again sparking a new advance on the enemy.
A sudden weight dropped next to her, and TenTen started, relaxing slightly when she saw it was her commanding officer.
"Good evening," TenTen said tentatively when Neji stayed silent.
Neji nodded his head, pearlescent eyes focused on the roaring fire.
TenTen swallowed, wondering if she should try and begin a conversation or if Neji was content with the silence.
"Tenzou," Neji muttered, interrupting TenTen's mental debate.
"Yes, sir?" TenTen replied nervously.
"What do you think of the noble class?"
TenTen furrowed her eyebrows, confused.
"Sir, I don't understand—"
"Just answer the question," Neji ordered, a pointed annoyance in his tone.
TenTen pressed her lips together tightly, mulling over an answer that would satisfy him.
"I think most of them are arrogant minded and are not concerned with the needs of lower-ranked citizens."
Neji nodded as he thought over her reply.
"Sir—why did you ask?"
Neji glanced at her, and TenTen caught a flash of bitter amusement in his eyes.
"I wondered. There are some people in the country who believe that socialism is the best road to take because they can't stand the ruling and noble classes. But it would solve none of their problems. It would just cause more poverty and more anger. Violence and crime would run rampant, and the country would backslide into primitiveness."
TenTen studied Neji's profile for a second, committing to memory the set of his jaw, the purse of his mouth, and the straightness of his nose.
"Why are you preoccupied with politics, General?"
Neji frowned, and TenTen followed the dip to the corner of his lips.
"It seems like that's all my life consists of right now. The whole reason this war is taking place is because of politics—one country versus another—it's all just a struggle of society and politics." He paused, then said, "I hate it."
"You don't think that Lady Tsunade is doing the right thing?" TenTen questioned.
"No, but I'm not saying the war is entirely right either. It's a power struggle, but it's a necessary one. In society, there always has to be a top contender, and the only way to wrestle power from another is to fight, traditionally. Lady Tsunade is only reacting in the way she's been taught to from her ancestors before her."
"What would you have done instead?"
Neji plucked a blade of grass from the ground and turned it between his fingers.
"I would have surrendered."
TenTen stared at him, one eyebrow raised in disbelief.
Neji looked at her and smiled suddenly.
"Don't look so surprised. I think one of the best strategies a general can have is to recognize when something is pointless."
"This war isn't pointless. We're defending our country and its citizens. You should take it more seriously," TenTen chastised, her cheeks flushed.
Neji watched her for a few seconds before murmuring, "You're right. I'm sorry. Please forgive me, Tenzou."
TenTen nodded her head in consent, flicking her eyes back to the fire.
She felt Neji stand next to her, and his fingers brushed against her neck as he squeezed her shoulder.
It made her shiver.
-o-
TenTen breathed heavily, lunging with her shield to block and thrusting her sword forward.
TenTen felt sweat drip into her eyes.
She spun, swinging her sword blindly.
Steel met steel.
TenTen staggered back, surprised.
She blinked her vision clear, taking in Neji Hyuga's sudden appearance.
He lowered his sword slightly, considering her with guarded pale eyes.
"Advance," he beckoned softly, gesturing her forward.
TenTen's forehead wrinkled.
She raised an eyebrow in query, but Neji just shook his head.
"Advance," he repeated, making his stance firm.
TenTen obliged with a small nod and proceeded, keeping her shield close to her body as she aimed her sword for Neji's ribs.
Neji blocked and pushed his strength onto her, intending to outweigh her into faltering.
TenTen knew this trick well. She had used it many times in battle previously.
She gathered force in her arm and angled up, breaking their swords' connection and thrusting her shield into Neji's unguarded chest.
The force of the blow momentarily knocked the breath from his lungs, and he stumbled back.
TenTen's brown eyes watched his white ones with wariness, wondering if he was surprised or was going to reprimand her.
He gave away nothing, quickly regaining his balance and striking with his sword again.
TenTen let him lead the spar for a while, matching his quick attacks with just as much speed.
The spar got more heated as time passed.
Neji nicked TenTen's thigh with his blade, and in turn, TenTen smacked Neji hard on the back with her shield.
They were both pouring sweat when TenTen finally called out, "Truce?"
Neji nodded, panting as he leaned on his sword.
"I came down to tell you that Lady Tsunade has decided to keep Guy's return a secret. So, he won't be allowed back in the castle while the Sand royal family is here. She bids me to tell you to make your visits to him discreet, and to not mention his return to anyone."
TenTen inclined her head at these instructions.
"What does she plan to do about King A?" TenTen asked.
"Lord Jiraiya is on his way to the Lightning Country right now to see if diplomacy will be enough to sway King A from this foolishness. If that doesn't work, she'll probably send me back with Guy."
TenTen mulled this over, twisting her shield in her hand.
"She would do that, with your wedding so close?"
"Stopping a possible war is more important than my wedding."
TenTen raised an eyebrow.
"Does Lady Yamanaka know that?"
Neji glanced at her, expression calm.
"She'll have to learn," he replied, sounding tired.
TenTen bit her lip, tempted to divulge the conversation she'd heard between Ino and her lover.
She shook her head, dislodging the thought. That wasn't her place.
Neji turned to head back up to the castle.
Before he left, he nodded to her and commented off-handedly, "You've gotten better, by the way. Well done."
TenTen stared after him, half-confused and half-pleased.
-o-
When Neji was alone, he rubbed his sword arm, sore. TenTen was just as strong as any man. Strong enough to even impress Neji.
Neji rolled his arm, attempting to loosen the tight muscles.
I misjudged her abilities, Neji thought as he sat down at his desk. I thought she would have lost some of her strength in prison, but she gained it all back in the short few weeks since her release.
Neji pursed his lips, thoughtful.
She puts more dedication into it than I ever did.
-o-
TenTen emerged from her room early Sunday morning.
She yawned as she started down the corridor, ready to begin her journey to visit General Guy at his home in the city.
He had given his consent after TenTen had dispatched a short message, and TenTen was pleased he had given her permission.
As she stepped out into the early morning, TenTen unexpectedly met Ino Yamanaka.
TenTen bowed quickly, surprised to see the girl out already.
"Lady Yamanaka," TenTen greeted, feeling awkward as she stared at the woman.
Over the past few days, TenTen had done her best to avoid the blonde. The conversation TenTen had overheard between Ino and her male counterpart was still fresh in her brain. TenTen was still trying to work out how she should handle the matter.
Ino smiled benignly.
"I'm surprised to see you up so early on your day off, TenTen. Where are you off to?"
TenTen spun a quick lie, aware that Guy's premature return was supposed to be kept secret.
"I'm running into town to check some merchandise at the blacksmith's. I've wanted to get some scrap metal to forge."
Ino nodded pleasantly; TenTen was aware the woman probably had no knowledge or care for what she'd just spoken.
"And you?" TenTen retorted politely, anxious to be finished with the conversation.
Ino smiled vaguely, her blue irises flitting to the grounds.
"I was admiring the flowers before winter sweeps in and kills them all. I don't know if you know this about me, but gardening is a true passion of mine."
"I didn't know that. Lady Tsunade should build a greenhouse to suit you."
Ino's eyes crinkled, her face changing into wistfulness.
"The castle used to have one, but it got deconstructed when the war began. They needed the building's structure for weapons and armor and such. Flowers aren't as important as soldier's lives."
This last sentence hit TenTen with a pang of sadness.
TenTen gripped Ino's arm and replied, "Things of beauty are treasured much more than any battle or war ever fought."
Ino flashed TenTen a small smile and nodded, pushing past her.
-o-
Guy's house was not a house, but rather, a large, semi-partitioned room set over an apothecary shop.
TenTen was nervous as she rapped on the only door at the top of the stairs.
She was left waiting for several minutes before the door was actually opened by the general, who did not greet her, but quickly ushered her inside, looking extensively behind her to locate uninvited prowlers.
Satisfied that she hadn't been followed, Guy shut the door and bolted it.
His whole demeanor changed as he shifted his focus to TenTen.
"Welcome, dear one, to my humble palace!" Guy grinned, throwing his arms wide to gesture to his living space.
It was anything but a palace, but humble it certainly was. The ceiling hung low, so Guy had to walk slightly bent over, and every available surface had a layer of dust on it, but TenTen could see the charm it held. On the walls hung maps of the country and the world, some delicately hand-drawn while others were inked out in precise strokes. Guy's bedroom was separated from the main living area by a heavy curtain, and a water basin with a mirror was assembled haphazardly beside it.
"Haven't been here much in the last few years. You have my sincere apologies if it disgusts you."
TenTen shook her head. If anything, it reminded her of her village, her house, and the state she had left it in.
TenTen's chest ached, heartsick.
Guy must have noticed the change in expression, since he quickly offered her a chair.
He sat down across from her and studied her as she gathered her composure.
"Is that your normal reaction to poor housekeeping?" Guy inquired softly when TenTen's expression cleared.
TenTen shook her head, flushed.
"No. I was—Your house reminds me of my home."
"Ah," Guy said, as if this explained everything.
He jumped up suddenly and grasped a kettle off a roughly hewn table.
"Tea?" he offered.
TenTen nodded, and Guy poured two cups, handing one to her.
He raised his glass to her and said, "To your health," before drinking his.
TenTen breathed out, feeling embarrassed and scrutinized and stupid.
"This tea," Guy began, "is from southern Fire Country territory. It's supposed to help you to think more clearly. And from my personal experience, it's good for the bowels."
TenTen chuckled and sipped some, growing slowly more comfortable.
Guy eyed her over his cup, dark eyes curious.
"I suppose you want to reacquaint yourself with me," Guy said, phrasing it dually as a statement and a question.
"Yes, sir. I didn't get to see you to explain myself before Neji arrested me."
"Well, truthfully, I've only heard bits and pieces of your story from Neji, and I'm sure his telling is somewhat biased."
TenTen cleared her throat and said, "Honestly, what he told you was probably correct. He has no reason to lie about what I did."
Guy mulled this over for a second before saying, "Nonetheless, I'd much rather hear your interpretation."
TenTen sighed and commenced.
"I grew up in a small merchant town south of the capital. My mother died when I was young, so my father was the only parental presence I had in my life. My father was everything to me. He taught me all that I know and educated me to the best of his ability. My father was old when the conscription came around, and I was in my prime at nineteen. I couldn't not take his place. I knew it was illegal and that women were barred from such service, but I thought the life of my father was more important, so I disguised myself as a male and joined the forces.
"Throughout the war, I lived in constant anxiety of being discovered. When Neji chose me as his second-in-command, even though I was honored, it terrified me. The guilt of living such a tremendous lie out before everyone, especially him, wore on me every day. When the war resulted in the Fire Country's victory, I was warring internally within myself. I didn't know if I should reveal myself or not. I could escape freely and no one would be the wiser, but I still carried my guilt. My conscience would not give me peace about it, so I decided to expose myself.
"I don't know what reaction I expected from Neji, but g it didn't completely surprise me when he arrested me. It was what I deserved, after such a long betrayal."
Guy frowned, the corners of his eyes tightening.
"I think it was slightly unfair of Neji to arrest you the way he did without consulting me first. Due to your unique circumstances, you should have received a lesser sentence. Neji took it too far."
TenTen responded, "He did what was prescribed by law and that was the death penalty."
Guy looked at her quizzically.
"Why do you defend him so thoroughly?"
TenTen flushed, but remained silent.
Guy sipped his tea, thoughtful.
"It's interesting," he muttered.
TenTen raised an eyebrow.
"What is?"
"Just how similar you two are."
TenTen wrinkled her brow in confusion.
Guy clarified, "Your family situations are similar. Neither of you knew your mother. I don't know if you know this, but Neji's father died when he was very young. He's lived the majority of his life as an orphan, living under the strict eye of his uncle and other family members."
"He did tell me his father died when he was young, but he seems apprehensive to mention anything else about his family."
I believe there must be some bitterness beneath the surface, TenTen thought to herself.
Guy nodded.
"The Hyuga are a very private clan. Not closely knit by love or bond, but by structure and ideas on how things should function."
TenTen winced; it sounded like a very cold environment to grow up in.
"Was Neji's father like that?"
Guy laughed sharply.
"No, never! Hizashi was a free spirit."
"You knew him, then?" TenTen probed.
"Yes," exhaled Guy reflectively. "Before his death, we were fairly good friends."
"What was he like?" pressed TenTen, eager for knowledge.
Guy smiled wistfully.
"The only way to describe Hizashi is spirited. He never cared for the traditional Hyuga way of doing things, and as such, he wasn't cared for much by his family. He was truly a joy to be around, and he loved his son more than his own life."
TenTen felt her chest warm at these words, heat rising on her face.
"But," Guy exclaimed as he stood, "that is in the past. What we must focus on now is the future. Is Neji still treating you abrasively?"
TenTen made a face, commenting, "Not exactly. . ."
"Fine, fine," Guy said, unbothered. "I know this is probably not in your character, but don't let him bully you. He knows better, and he certainly knows how to treat a woman."
TenTen frowned sadly.
"Unfortunately, I don't think he sees me as a woman, or even a male comrade, General. To him, I'm an abomination."
Guy shook his head slightly and gripped her shoulder.
"You are our woman warrior. Don't ever let anyone make you think you are anything less."
TenTen nodded.
"Thank you, General. I hope that you can forgive my betrayal."
Guy grinned at her.
"My dearest TenTen, I forgave you of it the instant I beheld your youthful face once more."
-o-
"What is that?" questioned Futaba, pointing at the notebook TenTen was writing reports in.
"It's my list of reports that I have to turn in," TenTen answered, glancing up at the girl. "I have to list your strengths and weaknesses so the general and the queen can review them."
Futaba stared down at the notebook, her face oddly contorted.
TenTen watched her, confused.
"What is it?" she asked her young charge.
"I wish I could read what you were writing about me," Futaba divulged quietly.
"What do you mean? Here," TenTen said, handing Futaba the notebook.
Futaba didn't even glance at the page, staring blankly back at TenTen.
"TenTen-sensei, I can't read."
TenTen's forehead furrowed.
"What do you mean you can't read?"
"I wasn't taught to."
TenTen took the notebook back, biting her lip.
"Futaba, did you receive any education at all while you were at home?"
The young girl shook her head, her cap sliding forward on her forehead.
TenTen blinked and called out to her other charges, "Who here has received any type of education?"
The girls stopped their playful sparring and considered their teacher.
"Education? Sensei, the only people who receive education are boys," Moegi stated.
Several of her other charges nodded to second this.
TenTen looked at each face, dispirited.
"I'll be right back," she told them, standing to race up the hill to the castle.
-o-
"Lady Tsunade, I have a petition for you—!" TenTen stopped as she entered the queen's office, eyes alighting on Tsunade's other visitor.
Neji stared back, clearly annoyed at being interrupted.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were busy," TenTen immediately apologized, beginning to exit.
"No, it's alright, TenTen," Tsunade said. "Neji was practically done anyway. What are you petitioning?"
TenTen approached the queen, her face determined.
"I want my charges to be educated."
Neji's reaction was instant.
His face went from annoyance to defined defiance.
"And just why do they need to be educated?" he snapped.
TenTen turned to him, eyes bright and possessed with her idea.
"Because, if they're going to be trained like the boys, they deserve the education a boy receives."
"You present a valid argument," Tsunade murmured off-handedly.
"Lady Tsunade—!" Neji began.
Tsunade cut him off with a single glance.
"You can't have it your way all the time, Neji," Tsunade reminded. "What TenTen says is fair."
Tsunade turned back to TenTen.
"And who will educate them?"
TenTen swallowed; she hadn't gotten to that point yet.
"Lady, I'm no teacher," TenTen said.
"Of course not," Tsunade agreed, her eyes far away in thought. "Neither are you qualified for it. The only reasonable option is to do dual classes with the boys and their tutors as they learn."
TenTen and Neji stared at her, shocked by this disclosure.
"I don't know, Lady Tsunade," TenTen said, unsure.
"Lady Tsunade, that's an impossible idea," Neji claimed.
"And why is that, Neji?"
"Think of the parents of the boys by bringing about this change. They'll say that the girls are being favored by the government, and the administration will receive all sorts of backlash. There are other options—"
"I'll think about an alternative, but I think change is always best in times like these. A nation that does not change is destined for failure."
TenTen beamed and thanked her, catching Neji's eye as she walked out.
Something in his expression foretold a conversation to follow. TenTen refused to let it bother her. Change was coming, whether Neji wanted it to or not.
Review please.
