A/N: Hi guys! This is my second Naruto fic and my first NejiTen fanfiction. I am a little new to Naruto fandom as well, so I am not that experienced in writing Naruto fics. NejiTen has been my most favorite fanon ship alongside SuiKarin and I love both the ships a lot indeed. I personally don't mind the antis because whatever they tell it doesn't affect the fact that I love my ships. However, I will write a SuiKarin later.

Kindly note, this is a medieval era (A.U.) fanfiction.

The caged bird and it's source of trauma~

The scorching heatwaves foreshadowed the arrival of noon. Warm air acted as a barrier between comfort and the villagers of Konohagakure. Women were chattering while carrying he earthen pots from the well. Some went to collect fodder. Men were rearing cattle and carrying logs to their households. Children were playing with stones and running across the river. However, none of them noticed an innocent warrior sitting lonely on the grass, who was just sixteen years old. He was wearing a black Hakama top with white pants. A purple armor bound his torso and black boots came up to his knees. A porcelain ANBU mask having the figure of a bird was pulled up on his head. Black gloves concealed his hands. His long chocolate brown hair was clutched into a neat ponytail. His forehead was covered by a white cloth. A black strapped sword holder on his back had the sword. His brown hair fluttered in the incoming breeze and his pupils dilated in relaxation. His pupil less eyes was fixated on the blue sky.

The man was part of the ANBU of Konoha. However, throughout his life he never got his fair share of freedom. He puts a tough exterior, but is always calm, poised and charming. He is reserved, but internally, he cares for others. The warrior removed the cloth on his forehead. A cursemark was imprinted on his forehead. Two waves at the side with a cross at the center. It was green in color. It was beautiful by appearance, but emotionally baneful. That mark ruined his life. It was a barrier to his freedom and rights.

Neji Hyuga was his name. He knows nothing besides serving his clan. He was bought up as a soldier. The caged bird seal bound him more than the attire he wore. He is a Hyuga Prince. He is the member of the Hyuga clan of Konoha. They had two branches; a main branch and the side branch. The side branch members get a caged bird seal each, so that they are bound by their masters, who are the main branch members. He was one of them. He was one of them, who can attain freedom only through death. His uncle was the head of the main branch. His father died protecting him and Neji was just four years old then. Thus, throughout his life he had been protecting his masters. He is a charming Hyuga Prince, but also a victim of cruel customs.

The Hyugas were the richest in Konoha, but however the rulers for every period were selected by people. They vote for the candidates and whoever gets the majority would rule for an assigned period of time. Senju Tsunade is the current ruler of Konoha and previously, it was ruled by Hiruzen Sarutobi but however he lost his life in a wage war around three years ago. Due to the abundance of noble clans like the Uchiha, Hyuga, Akimichi and Aburame, the custom of selecting the ruler was changed. The Hyugas and the Uchihas were the most powerful of all because each of those clans had doujutsu users: The Hyugas wielded the Byakugan, the white eye and the Uchihas wielded the Sharingan, the copy wheel. Both these clans were competing, but still they did maintain a kind of friendship.

"Hyuga Neji."

Hearing the voice of a familiar person, Neji turned back to see a taller man dressed in the same attire.

"Uchiha Itachi."

Giving a mild smile, the Uchiha sat beside the Hyuga. Itachi was one of the blessed members of the Uchiha clan, like how Neji was to the Hyugas. They both were prodigies but however, they had their drawbacks for being such people; to just become child soldiers. Itachi became an ANBU at the age of twelve meanwhile Neji at fourteen. At least Itachi is above twenty years, but Neji was still sixteen.

"We haven't talked to each other for a while. Were you engaged in your own thoughts?" Itachi asked as he sat beside him.

"Thoughts fill my existence. I have been living my days filled with thoughts."

"I can understand your situation. Becoming an ANBU at a very young age is sour, but it's our duty to guard the village. It can't be helped. Father has decided to make Sasuke as the next heir of the Uchiha clan."

"I can relate very well with you. But, I am not sad just because I was not made the heir of the Hyuga clan."

"So what's the reason for your solitude?"

"I am not melancholic. But, I don't feel happier either. I have been too drawn out from emotions. I have just become mechanical and lifeless to them."

"Itachi-sama! Itachi-sama!" a maid from the Uchiha clan was running towards the warriors.

"What is it?" Itachi asked.

"Lady Izumi and…. Lady H-H-H-H-Hinata went to the forest today morning. They were confronted by two anacondas and they are struggling against it. Please help!"

Both Itachi and Neji were shocked and befuddled. They quickly headed towards the forest and they saw a blunette and a brunette with two baskets dropped on the floor. Unfortunately, they had no weapons with them; otherwise they could have finished the anacondas by themselves.

"Neji nii-san!" Hinata cried as she held Izumi tightly.

'Hinata-sama is too young to be confronted by snakes. I will have to do something.'

"Neji, you step back, I will deal with them."

"But…"

"Just listen to me. Let's do this together. We don't have enough weapons with us right now, so we need to strategize."

"Roger."

Before the Uchiha could initiate a plan, two arrows were shot. They were on either side of the head of one anaconda. A string was connected to both of them. Several such arrows were shot, concealing both the anacondas till they were trapped by the arrows with strings. They had no other way to dodge as their bodies were covered by the strings. Both the warriors were unable to identify the source.

'The targets… they were so perfect! But, I am being reminded of someone.'

The Hyuga Prince activated his Byakugan towards the direction of source. Still, he couldn't see the person.

'My Byakugan has never failed. I couldn't see a single person here.'

Itachi was surprised after seeing the archer's skills. He couldn't believe that such an archer would live in Konoha. The marks were so accurate. On top of that, strings were tied from one kunai to the other and several such combinations were shot around both the anacondas to trap them. Soon, a few medics fed herbal anesthetic to the anacondas, mount their bodies and some soldiers went to leave them from farthest distance so that they won't interrupt the mankind.

"Hinata-sama, are you feeling better?" Neji asked his cousin."

"I am fine, Neji-nii. I owe my apologies for not being able to defeat the snakes."

"There was no mistake from your side. Weapons were needed to trap them, which you didn't have."

"Izumi, did something happen to you?" Itachi asked her.

"I am alright, Itachi."

Izumi blushed a bit after seeing her man of dreams who was holding her shoulders. Indeed, Izumi is also an Uchiha but not from the same family. Thus, they conveniently fell for each other.

Neji was very glad to see one of his close comrades being happy with a lover, which he unfortunately never had. Itachi's close friend was a warrior called Shisui, who was also an Uchiha. He died early, which led Itachi to unlock his 'Mangekyo Sharingan,' an elevation of the Sharingan. His younger brother Sasuke Uchiha unlocked it after witnessing one of his comrade's demise in a war. Since Shisui was no more, Itachi specifically had no best friend but however, he converses with Neji the most among the other ANBU peers.

Itachi dropped Izumi back to her house in the Uchiha clan's colony; meanwhile Neji dropped Hinata in the Hyuga manor. Both Itachi and Neji resumed their duties. They went on for a mission, where they both were sent to protect the Kurama temple because there was a ritual happening there. Kurama was a beast and is popularly known as "the nine-tailed fox". There were other tailed beasts too and each of them was inside the bodies of a person. They were called as 'Jinchuriki.' Naruto Uzumaki was the Jinchuriki of Kurama, so he was an important ritual material for the festival.

The temple was crowded with so many people. People were clinging to each other, and the ANBU black ops were placed at different corners of the temple. The Hokage, Senju Tsunade alongside her apprentice Shizune and her pig made their presence at the temple. She was dressed in a bright green Kimono with her blonde hair tied to a loose ponytail. Villagers knelt before her. The monks and nuns were bringing in the necessary materials for the ritual. Naruto's torso was revealed, showing the black spiral around his belly button. He was made to sit on a stool. His friends Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata and his other peers were there as well.

The rituals were going on in the temple, and the ANBU continued to protect the shrine, not being too far from the vicinity of the ritual, which was about to begin. Suddenly, a palanquin approached the temple. Four men were carrying each of the handles, and the person inside was unknown. The chattering in temple ceased and the Hokage turned towards the palanquin. Even Neji had his eyes set on that.

"Has she come?" asked Shizune to her mentor.

"Seems like," Tsunade responded.

Soon, a sixteen year-old girl stepped out. Her dark brown hair was tied neatly into two buns, having white flowers surmounting the basal periphery of each of them. Hazel eyes were beautiful. A peacock green Qi Pao with velvety dark green Japanese flower patterns concealed her figure. Two bangs having tapered ends made her face symmetric. Lips were coated with peach-pink mango chemical extract. Eyes were emphasized with Kohl and eyeliner. Emerald ornaments garnished her. Two silver bangles mounted each of her wrists. She wore simple slippers. The Hyuga Prince couldn't move his eyes away from her. He was dazzled by her presence, but he was shocked too, because she was familiar to him.

'It's her…'

[Flashback]

The thirteen year-old Hyuga Prince, the boy with mushroom cut and the double-bunned girl were assembled. They were waiting for their Jonin leader, who is known as the green-beast of Konoha, Gai. The hyperactive of all the three was cheerful as always, the Hyuga Prince was stern as he was but unexpectedly, the girl was glum.

"Tenten, why are you sad today?"

Tenten's gazes were fixed on the ground. She completely lost herself in thoughts.

"Tenten!"

"Huh?!"

Tenten regained her senses.

"Yes Neji?"

"What happened to you today?"

"Hahaha! I am alright Neji!" she nervously chuckled, but that left Neji suspicious.

Soon, Maito Gai arrived, who believed in youth. He was one of the best Jonins in Konoha, who is a top Taijutsu specialist. Usually, he would be hyped but however, he was just planting a normal smile on his face.

"I am really feeling proud of you all to have completed the chunin exams. Despite you all weren't promoted to Chunin, you have made me feel proud. I can't be happier, because we had Lee in a critical stage and it's more than a blessing for us that he has recovered. And we should also feel proud of Neji, who reached the final rounds. Finally, we had Tenten who…"

Before he could proceed further, he saw his student with melancholy. She had her gazes bent down with that smile of hers no more.

"Tenten also displayed a good match, and even the Hokage declared that she was the strongest Kunoichi from Konoha during the exams. Thus, I am really proud of you all. But…"

The three Genin looked at their mentor.

"This team will be dispatched."

Lee was shocked, Neji wasn't surprised at that instant but he did frown a bit. However, Tenten never reacted, instead she was seen grumpy.

"Team Gai will be discontinued, but, not from today."

Tenten's eyes were filled with tears. Looking at their female comrade cry, both Neji and Lee shared worried expressions. Tenten ran to her mentor and cried on his arms. Gai pulled in a soft embrace around his student.

"Sensei!" she cried. Gai caressed her shoulder gently.

"Please tell us, Sensei, what is that you are trying to tell us."

"Unfortunately, Tenten will be leaving the team for a few years. But, she is not leaving the team alone; she will be leaving Konoha as well."

Both Neji and Lee were shocked, especially the latter.

"S-S-Sensei…" Lee stammered.

"Tenten wants to explore more in warfare. Since she is the best weapons user among all the Genin in Konoha, she is willing to master the usage of wide range of weapons to make her offensive abilities effective. Thus, her parents are willing to send her to China to learn all the weapons in the world and hone her skills in chakra natures and chakra control."

"But Gai Sensei, why can't she train in Konoha?"

"Tenten's clan members are in China. She and her parents were emigrated to Konoha. Tenten's clan members have top weapons user, and they undefeatable when it comes to weapons. Tenten aspires to become stronger than them. Chinese are more versatile with weapons when compared to people in Japan."

Now Lee and Neji couldn't speak back. Since it was her family's decision, their efforts to make her stay in the team would go futile.

Tenten stopped sobbing and said, "Guy Sensei, Lee and Neji. Kindly owe my apologies. I am aspiring to become a better Shinobi. You all have motivated me and you are the sole reason why I am even a good Kunoichi now. However, ever since my humiliating downfall against Sabaku no Temari, I thought that I have a long way to go. I was ill-talked by the people in village. And, I feel that I haven't become a good Kunoichi. But needn't worry, I am not going away for a long time. It's just for a few years. I will come back and possibly, we can continue to work as a team."

Team Gai worked without Tenten for a year as a three-man squad consisting of Gai, Lee and Neji but Neji became an ANBU in the following year, which left Gai and Lee alone and they weren't allowed to work as a team because of the lack of members. Every team was expected to have three members at the least and four at the best, which requirement failed by default. However, Gai continued to train Lee as a personal mentor, it's just that they weren't considered as a squad. Lee became a Chunin when Neji was sent to the ANBU. Unfortunately, the leaf village was once attacked by a group of terrorizers, and Tenten's parents lost their lives in it. However, her brother was protected and was taken to the orphanage owned by Kabuto and his adoptive mother.

[Current scenario]

'Finally, she has returned but I am really very Tenten. Hiashi-sama sent me to work in the ANBU and I can't come back to the squad now.' He was wearing the ANBU mask which made her not identify Neji. However, he was seemingly familiar to her as well.

'Neji, is that you? You have joined the ANBU? I-I-I thought that we could work as a squad again. Neji, you have left my hopes shattered.'

"Tenten, finally you have made it," Tsunade approached her and gave her a tight hug."

"Tsunade-sama!" she exclaimed in happiness.

"You have grown well, Tenten and thank you very much for coming to the ritual. We all missed you so much. How have you been?"

"I was fine, but did train a lot in weaponry. I have mastered the usage of all the weapons, Tsunade-sama. I didn't spare the non-ninja weapons as well."

"Good to hear, Tenten but let's talk to each other after the ceremony gets over."

The ceremony lasted for around forty-five minutes. Neji had his eyes fixated on his acquaintance for a long time. Tenten looked at him too, but not as long as he did because she was busily engaged in the rituals and worships. Naruto was irritated by them because he is generally not a cooperative shinobi. His friends were teasing him a bit. Lee and Gai were there too but they were almost hid behind the villagers and were quite far from her so they didn't recognize her quickly.

The rituals got over. Tenten had a talk with Tsunade and Shizune. Neji wanted to talk with her as well, but the ANBU black ops were ordered to leave together.

[Night]

The time of nocturnal entered. The breeze was cool and soothing. Neji sat under a tree and looked at the radiant stars on the black sky. Despite he works as an ANBU, he returns home post six in the evening as he is one of the youngest members of the organization. He was relaxing himself, but still he is sad that he couldn't meet his acquaintance. He still hadn't changed his clothes, but only his armor being removed.

"Has she forgotten me?" he asked to himself.

"I haven't forgotten you, Neji."

Hearing the familiar voice, he turned back to see the same brunette.

"Tenten."

"Neji?"

"How have you been, Tenten?"

"I have been good for all these years, but I did miss you all. I was really upset of the fact that I couldn't be with you all. Well Neji, why did you join the ANBU?"

Neji took heaved sigh and answered, "After the chunin exams battle against Naruto, I did tell you what my father's intentions were. He died in order to protect the main branch members. I had so many blind assumptions about how the things were, but however; Hiashi-sama said that I was way different from what I was as a child. My father's death had a huge influence on me, which turned me more stoic and made put a cold exterior, and I did improve on my skills so Hiashi-sama asked me join the ANBU black ops so that it would be another way for me to get over my father's death. All our peers from the elite team of Konoha have been promoted to Chunin, Tenten."

"Tsunade-sama promoted me to chunin today."

"What?"

"Yes, I was given a test today. She said that I have met the requirements of being a Chunin."

"Wishing you for it, Tenten," Neji greeted her with a smile.

"Arigato, Neji."

Tenten was wearing a light green Kimono with white leaf patterns. She wore one earring and her hair was tied into two simple yet tight buns. She was simpler than how she was there in the festival. Tenten sat beside him.

"You have matured from what you were; but I couldn't see the cheerful side of yours right now."

"Neji, a lot of things influenced me and changed me, like how you changed after your parents' death. Like you, I lost my parents too. I had some hardships in my life. I met my brother and took him from Lady Nono Yakushi. We both are planning to live together all by ourselves."

"Why?"

"I can, Neji. I am grown up, I know to cook and do other household chores. My aunt from China might emigrate to Konoha for our care. Our clan members had a lot of larger scale issues to be dealt with, so they were unable to come to my parents' funeral like me. I couldn't even attend that."

"Don't worry Tenten, they are always with you; they are emotionally connected to you. Like the stars above, they are watching you."

Tenten gave a weak smile to Neji.

"Neji, are you feeling well now?"

"What's with me, I am just fine."

"Caged bird. I can see through the demeanor of yours, Neji. You are hiding a few things from me. You are not feeling comfortable. You have not got what you deserve. You are still a caged bird Neji."

"Tenten, what are you telling me?" Neji was shocked and curious for a moment.

"Neji… Have you ever got complete happiness or satisfaction in your life? Have you ever got comfort in your life? Just tell me."

"Serving as a soldier is my life, Tenten."

"You are not only a soldier; you are a young boy too. You have a spirit, you have emotions and you have a heart. You are a human being who needs all sorts of emotions, not only solitude."

"But what can be done for that, Tenten? This is my fate."

"Don't forget that you can change it too."

"Hmm, so what will you do in order to make me feel comfortable?"

Tenten gently removed the long white band on her forehead. She could see the green caged bird seal imprinted on his forehead. Without wasting further time, she gently pecked it. For a moment, he could feel some happiness in himself. His source of trauma was getting replaced by merry and contentment. His heart and soul jubilated. She kissed his source of insecurity and trauma, which warmed his heart.

"Tenten…"

"All you need is happiness. Even when you are a caged bird, you can virtually free yourself by feeling mirthful, Neji. You are just virtually caged. By making yourself contended, you can come out of the cage."

Neji gave an innocent smile at her. Yes, she won over his heart. Neji rested himself on her lap, enjoying the comfort she was giving to him. Tenten slowly rubbed his head, which was soothing for him.

He had the virtual cage around him, but she was the key to it.

A/N: Err, I know that this is a very simple plot. This is my first try so please pardon me if this sucks. I have bought the original story of Naruto with some changes and most of the villains are practically from the good side here, say Itachi, Kabuto, Sasuke, etc.

Tenten is my favorite female character from the show and I still can't get over the fact that she has been done dirty by the author himself. I admired her as an individual character, so I just felt that she could have been fleshed out well in the plot. I want to give justice to her by writing a decent headcanon. Indeed, whole of the team Gai deserved better in Shippuden.

However, thanks for reading!

~Shadow Hokage.