I really don't like this chapter. It reads so disjointed to me, and I had trouble with the sequencing. . . Just ugh. Sorry in advance if it is crap.
Your lovely reviews keep me sane. Thank you always, lovelies.
Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto owns all characters (except Karin-she's Tite Kubo's) and places. I make no profit from writing this Fic and am in no way affiliated M.K. or Viz Media.
Skirmishes continued on into the week; Guy conducted varying strategies, trying to get a feel for what was most effective against King A's forces.
He still refused to allow TenTen onto the battlefield, so she and her charges went to assist Sakura in the medical tent, per Neji's suggestion.
"To staunch a wound, you need to first control the bleeding," Sakura began.
TenTen's girls were crowded around Sakura as she worked on a soldier with a deep laceration in his thigh. TenTen sat further back, observing the instruction passively.
"You'll need to place firm pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. Here, try," Sakura gave a cloth to Moegi, who was at her side, and gestured for the girl to apply force.
"Don't be afraid to press too hard," Sakura said, walking over to her supplies. "I'd rather he feel more pain than keep losing blood."
Sakura returned with fresh dressings and removed Moegi's hands to examine the wound.
"Alright, the wound is starting to clot. That's a good sign. Since his body is working to repair itself, we'll just wrap it up to ensure it doesn't get infected."
With deft hands, Sakura replaced the bloody dressing with a new strip, reinforcing it with several other dressings, creating a nice padding on the soldier's thigh.
"Come and see me later tonight so I can check your wound," Sakura said to the man.
He nodded curtly and limped out of the medical tent.
"Sometimes," Sakura continued, taking a wet cloth from a basin to wipe down where the man had been sitting, "a dressing won't be enough for a wound. When a wound refuses to clot, you'll have to try a tourniquet, but only use one in the most serious of situations."
Sakura went on describing tourniquets, but TenTen tuned her out, sighing.
She was still frustrated that she could not be a part of the battle.
Her dissatisfaction was seemingly apparent, because several moments later Sakura sat next to her, her visage kind.
"I'm sorry I'm boring you," Sakura apologized.
"Oh, no," TenTen said, shaking her head quickly. "I just—"
"It's alright," Sakura interrupted, benign. "You're a soldier—you want to be out there in battle, not in here, hearing about wounds and different techniques of surgery."
TenTen cast a glance at her charges, who were currently occupied with various jars of ointment and balm.
"I know that they're young, but they need to be exposed to the life they've chosen. General Guy is just trying to be careful, what with my reputation among the other soldiers, but I can't overlook the fact that keeping them stationary isn't helping their skills. Besides—I was a Captain in the last war. I should be putting myself to use, not sitting around or observing things from the back of the line."
Sakura considered TenTen's words and patted her hand.
"I know I don't know you very well, but you're an inspiration to many people, especially among women. You have a peculiar influence on people. Perhaps you should use it more often."
TenTen gazed at Sakura, wondering what she was implying.
"Thank you," she said gratefully. "Girls, come on. It's time for your studies."
The girls amiably bid goodbye to Sakura and exited with their teacher, chattering.
-o-
"What's King A's position?"
One of the captains shuffled his sheets of information.
"He remains in the Lightning Country capitol, sir. His underling Darui is leading the assault."
Guy frowned, disappointed. But really—he hadn't expected King A to actually come to battle. He was a king after all, and a prideful one at that.
"There have been numerous advances on their part," Kakashi muttered. "The landscape here is both an advantage and disadvantage. They can only get to Shimogakure through us."
"Is that their ultimate goal? To secure Shimogakure, or carve out a new border?" inquired one of the captains present.
"They want Shimogakure because of its trade business. It's less politics and more economic security," Neji explained.
Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"Everything is politics," the elder man corrected.
Neji remained silent as he waited for Guy to speak, wondering what the man was planning.
Finally, he said, "Maybe we should be looking at this from a more . . . political approach. The Lightning Country boasts one of the world's best economies; they rank higher than our own Fire Country."
"Sir, are you saying that we should cripple Shimogakure's trading to deter King A's interest?" questioned another captain.
Guy grimaced.
"Not exactly. We still want Shimogakure's trade because it boosts our own economy. What are some goods they send to the Lightning Country?"
The captains rifled through their stacks of paper to locate an answer while the three generals waited.
Results eventually produced, one said, "Shimogakure is active in sending minerals mined from their quarry to Kumogakure, though a variety of mercantile goods are shipped throughout the Lightning Country as well."(1)
"Cut all trade from Shimogakure to the Lightning Country," Guy mandated. "If the people in the village object, instruct them to focus their efforts on trade within the border of the Fire Country."
Neji sighed, knowing it probably wouldn't be that easy. Nonetheless, he did not question Guy's position, and left at his dismissal.
-o-
The girls stared at their teacher like she was crazy. It was slowly dawning on them that she probably was—sitting for so long in that cell probably scrambled her brains.
"Come on, let's go," TenTen said, ushering them into place.
The night before, TenTen had had a wonderful idea.
Back when she was learning how to shoot a bow under her father's tutelage, he had played a game to help her work on her aim.
TenTen was intending to employ this same instruction with her charges.
Hesitantly, three of her charges walked away to create distance.
"The trick is to be sure of yourself," TenTen called out, nocking her arrow.
Matsuri was lucky enough to be equidistant from her teacher. TenTen swung her bow, aiming at her charge.
"Don't panic," TenTen yelled to her.
Matsuri blanched, planning to do the exact opposite of what her sensei had said.
The girl's knees grew shaky, so Matsuri locked them, shutting her eyes tightly. Her lips moved in a silent prayer as her comrades watched.
With not as much hesitation as most would have hoped, TenTen loosed her arrow.
The space of the moment in which the arrow was airborne was less than a few seconds, but it felt like a lifetime to the onlookers.
Matsuri's eyes were still shut tight, but when she heard the whistle of the arrow slicing the air, she felt pressured to peek.
The arrow was sailing straight for her head, and it was not stopping.
TenTen was yelling at her, saying something about if she moved she would die, but Matsuri couldn't even comprehend moving. She was struck still in her fear.
The arrow flew cleanly into the compact snowball resting on Matsuri's head. Water descended down her dreaded locks, trickling down her forehead and into her eyes.
Matsuri inhaled deeply, so completely surprised by the preservation of her life that she could not form words.
"See? And all of you were worried," TenTen stated, watching as her charges rushed Matsuri to rejoice.
"What on earth are you doing?" deadpanned a voice from behind her.
TenTen leaned on her bow and waited for Neji to enter her peripheral vision.
"Training," TenTen simply explained.
"I don't think terrorizing your charges can be acceptably called training."
TenTen rolled her eyes.
"It teaches them to face their fears, and it helps them with their aim," TenTen replied.
Neji scoffed slightly. His exhale became visible and then disappeared into the air.
"What happens if they miss?"
TenTen scrunched up her nose.
"I haven't thought that part through yet," she answered, looking to him for his reaction.
Neji briefly closed his eyes, as if summoning his patience, and turned, probably planning to rebuke her.
"Kidding," TenTen interrupted before he could begin, smiling mischievously. "I've got everything under control."
Neji treated her to an annoyed look, but TenTen could see some amusement hidden behind those pale irises.
Feeling reminiscent, TenTen evoked, "Do you remember that time we were fishing in the river, and you got angry because you weren't catching anything?"
A small smile tugged at the corners of Neji's mouth.
"I wasn't angry," he corrected.
TenTen chuckled and shook her head.
"Yes, you were. If I remember correctly, you said that you could never be an effective general if you couldn't catch your own food."
Neji smirked, recalling that day clearly.
It had been excessively hot, and they had been camped by the river for the good part of the week. TenTen had been the one to make the suggestion on the fishing, and Neji had willingly obliged, more for an excuse to get away from the camp than to fish.
However, upon arriving, Neji had come to realize he was not a born fisherman. He had been teased the majority of that day for his apparent inability to forage.
Neji looked at TenTen and saw the recollection on her brow and in her brown eyes, seemingly warmed by the memory.
She stared back, the smile still on her lips.
Neji blinked, his thoughts shifting to the increasing nightmares he continued to have about her. He broke their gaze abruptly, looking out at her charges.
"Don't let them freeze to death," he muttered, walking away.
TenTen's smile fell as she watched him leave, picking up on the sense of unease in the tenseness of his shoulders and the terseness of his departure.
"TenTen-sensei, can we try?" chorused Moegi and the other girls.
TenTen nodded, absentminded, and turned back to them.
-o-
"Shikamaru? You have a report?"
Shikamaru nodded and approached the queen's desk.
"We have a spy."
Tsunade raised her eyebrows as she retrieved Shikamaru's report on paper.
"He was left here by King Gaara after he and his siblings departed for Sunagakure. I haven't spoken with him personally, yet, but I expect he's here to monitor the events taking place up near Shimogakure."
Tsunade rubbed her brow, irritated.
"Is he harmless? Are you having him tailed?"
Shikamaru nodded, "I'm keeping a close eye on him. I haven't seen him trying to snoop into anything; I think he's relying on rumors that come from court."
Tsunade's jaw clenched.
"This dispute was supposed to be a secret," she snapped.
Shikamaru shrugged.
"No offense, milady, but you can hardly keep something like three hundred troops at a small border town a secret."
"What does Shikaku have to say about all of this?"
"My father says that King A remains in his palace in Kumogakure. His general Darui is manning the soldiers at the border. His last report said that the troops had finally advanced from their stationary positions. They are probably carrying out battle as we speak, Lady."
Tsunade sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"I guess we'll have to wait for Guy's report for details on the struggle, then. In the meantime, Shikamaru, send a response to Shikaku to see if he can find reasons for why King A wants Shimogakure specifically."
"Yes, milady."
-o-
Ino looked at her reflection, stunned by the soft lilac of her wedding dress.
"Ino—you're beautiful," murmured her mother from behind.
Ino let her eyes float over the elegant fabric and the way it hugged her curves in the right places. It draped sophisticatedly and made her look taller, which would contrast nicely against Neji's imposing stature.
But as lovely as Ino looked, all she wanted to do when she glimpsed her reflection was cry.
"Ino?"
Her mother noticing only made Ino weep harder as she stumbled away from the mirror, placing her hand over her mouth to stifle her cries.
"Ino, what's wrong?" said her mother, embracing her.
"Mother—I can't marry him."
"What?"
Ino shook her head as she sobbed.
"I just can't. I don't want to marry him."
Her mother's face turned stony in an instant, her blue eyes chilling.
"Did he do something to you?"
Ino let out a strangled whimper in surprise and vigorously shook her head.
"No! I just—I'm not worthy of him. He deserves so much better than I!"
Her mother's eyes narrowed, confused.
"Ino, you're one of the most prized maidens in the Fire Country court. Why on earth would you say that?"
"Mother—I want to be with Shikamaru! I—I've already betrayed Neji!"
Ino's mother changed her expression again. Wide-eyed shock swept across her features as she surveyed her daughter.
"In heart or in body?"
"Both," Ino admitted shamefully.
Her mother pulled away from her sighing.
"Ino, what have you done?" she muttered.
"I'm sorry!" Ino exclaimed. "But Mother, I love Shikamaru! I always have!"
"Is General Hyuga aware of these feelings?"
Ino shook her head.
"No. I had planned on telling him, but—I got too flustered each time I attempted to speak with him about it."
"Ino, I forbid you to speak of this to anyone. Your reputation would be ruined if people found out."
Ino gazed at her mother, unsure of what she was commanding.
"But, Mother—are you going to break the contract with the Hyuga?"
Her mother sagged before her, her hands coming to rest on her hips.
"It's not our place, Ino, to break off a contract with them. They're of extremely high rank in the city and the court. Your father is only a baron. You're marrying up, therefore, they are marrying down. If anyone is going to break the contract, it must be the Hyuga. You wouldn't want to shame yourself and damage your status by refusing General Hyuga."
"I wouldn't be refusing—"
"Yes, Ino. Yes, you would. By breaking the engagement, you would be saying to the entire Hyuga household that Neji Hyuga is not worthy enough to be your husband. You would shame him and yourself."
Her mother shook her head at her daughter, reaching out to tuck a single lock of blonde hair behind her ear.
"As a woman, sometimes you're called upon to do things you do not want to. It is our lot in life. I suggest you grow to accept it. Besides, you could do a lot worse than a Hyuga."
Ino picked up on the small snipe her mother made about Shikamaru, though she had delicately left it unsaid.
With a somewhat haughty backward glance, her mother exited the room, leaving Ino to weep alone in her wedding dress.
-o-
TenTen had little free time, but when she did, it was often at night as her charges slept. In this spare time to herself, TenTen concentrated on the books Neji had leant her to further her education.
TenTen turned a page in the History of the Five Countries and Elsewhere, mulling over the material. She was studying the establishment of the clans of Konohagakure when the city had first been founded.
Not surprisingly, the Hyuga were amongst the founding clans of Queen's City.
TenTen read: It is said that the curious color of the Hyuga eyes were gifts of the sun god, to which their clan name originates ("towards the sun", "place in the sun"). The Hyuga clan helped to establish and prosper the newly founded Konohagakure, along with the Uchiha, Aburame, and Akimichi clans.
TenTen paused in her reading, thinking back to what Neji had informed her of his family history and the mother he did not know.
"My father was in the military. He was in the Lightning Country when he fell in love with my mother."
TenTen closed the book suddenly, her mind whirring.
She was literally just a half day's ride from Kumogakure. What if Neji's mother lived nearby—?
TenTen bit her lip, consumed with excitement, but also doubt.
It wasn't her place to go on such a chase. Besides, Neji was touchy about the subject, and if TenTen brought it up again, he would most likely be very displeased. Not to mention, he would probably be less likely to share his thoughts with her.
And TenTen didn't want that whatsoever. She was so close to gaining his trust back—she couldn't risk anything to damage that.
She laid down on her back, surrounded by her girls, and thought. If Neji never knew, well, it wouldn't hurt anyone. Besides—there was little chance she would actually find his mother, and then the matter would be settled, and she would forget all about it. Really.
TenTen smiled a little to herself, content with her reasoning.
-o-
"Damn," TenTen cursed the next day. She had been restoring her blade when half of the metal had broken clean off. And now TenTen was left with a very useless dagger.
She didn't have the tools nor the resources to fix it herself, so TenTen decided to go around the camp in search of parts.
An hour and a half later, she arrived at Neji's tent, annoyed.
"I need your permission to go to Shimogakure," was her opening statement, as she held out her broken weapon.
Neji stood from his desk and came to observe it, turning it over in his hands.
"Ask the other soldiers for scrap."
"I did," TenTen replied flatly. "They don't want to share with me."
Neji sighed, analyzing the dagger. It had been a fair blade in its prime, but it was now a lusterless knife damaged beyond ordinary repair.
"Do you have any parts to spare? I can forge my own fire, but—"
Neji shook his head and handed the dagger back to her.
"You can go," he released.
TenTen nodded and Neji watched as she stowed away her dagger in her coat.
"Those are my gloves," he stated.
TenTen looked down at her hands, and made a face.
"I'm sorry, I forgot about returning them to you. Here—"
Neji waved it away.
"Forget it. Your hands have probably stretched them out."
TenTen's forehead creased indignantly.
"What! My hands are smaller than yours, if not the same size!" she retorted, removing the gloves from her hands.
Neji smiled lightly, opening his mouth to tell her he was joking, but TenTen grabbed his wrist and placed their palms together.
She was right. Her hands were smaller than Neji's by a considerable space. His hands could easily encompass hers.
"See?" TenTen responded, triumphant.
Their eyes snapped to each other; TenTen's victorious at first, then faltering under Neji's searching gaze.
TenTen pulled her hand away and reached for Neji's gloves.
"Here, I'm sorry I kept them from you for so long."
Neji shook his head and pushed away her hands when she attempted to supply his property.
"Keep them."
"No, I can buy some in town—"
"TenTen. Keep them," Neji repeated, firmer this time, fixing her with a steady eye.
TenTen stared back for a second before nodding once.
"Thank you," she said sincerely as she left his tent.
Outside, she tugged on Neji's—now her—gloves, relishing the leather that felt so familiar against her fingers.
(1) Remember the rocky outcropping that is to the left of Shimogakure? That is where the quarry lies. Also, for those who don't know what a quarry is: Quarries are open-pit mines where rocks/minerals are extracted. Quarries usually are used to remove building materials (dimension stone, gravel, sand). The quarry in Shimogakure is abundant in granite, which they trade to the Lightning Country.
I don't know if you noticed, but that's the first time Neji has called TenTen by her name to her face. :)
Any thoughts?