Chapter Four: Graduation Day
Tenten was in a good mood.
A very good mood indeed.
She'd gotten to screw with Neji, so he'd spent the last week having to train up Naruto. She was about to graduate, and even if Neji was probably going to take vengeance on her at some point, she was good. After all, she had made it.
And a year earlier than most people too.
"Welcome, everyone," said Iruka-sensei in front of the assembled class. "All of you have successfully passed the graduation exam. As a result, each of you will be sorted into teams before being told to meet your Jonin sensei. Your sensei will oversee your integration into the military.
"I'll be calling out your teams now."
Tenten looked to where Neji was pouting while trying to act like he wasn't pouting. It was hilarious. "Neji, are you still bitter that Lee made it in?"
"I am not bitter," said Neji. "I am merely disappointed that an exception was made in an open and shut case. The Leaf should not be making exceptions.
"Though obviously, it is nothing personal."
"I understand, Neji!" said Rock Lee. "You are merely devoted to your ideals of self-sufficiency, and I do not take it personally!"
"Team 9:" said Iruka-sensei. "Rock Lee."
"Yes! I have been chosen!" said Lee.
"You don't even know what the teams are, yet," said Neji.
"Tenten," said Iruka-sensei.
"Well, that seems a natural fit. I'm sure you'll work well together," said Neji, smiling.
Iruka-sensei smiled too. "Neji Hyuga."
"What!" said Neji, standing up in horror. "Iruka-sensei, why am I getting put on the same team as Lee and Tenten?"
"...You're seriously asking that question?" asked Iruka-sensei.
"Of course I am!" said Neji.
"...Okay," said Iruka-sensei. "The teams are assembled to be balanced. You got the best overall stats in the school's history. Lee, however, had limited success in areas besides taijutsu. So, you were put together."
"What?" said Neji. "I am to be saddled with..."
"Excellent!" said Rock Lee. "We shall remain comrades! This is the happiest moment of my life!"
"I thought you'd be pleased, Neji," said Iruka in amusement. "After all, you three have been completely inseparable for the last four years."
"We are not inseparable!" said Neji.
"We kind of are," said Tenten.
"Quiet, Tenten!" said Neji, looking like he was about to have a panic attack. "Iruka-sensei, isn't this negotiable?"
"No," said Iruka. "Now stop pretending tobe upset out of principle and sit down with your friends. Moving on, I'll declare the next team. "
"We are not friends!" said Neji. "We merely spend the majority of our time together, train together, and-"
"Moving on, Neji," said Iruka-sensei.
And just like that, they were formed into the team they'd really created weeks ago. Tenten sighed as they waited. And waited. Over time, Jonin-sensei came in to pick up other team members. Until, eventually, they were on their own.
"Well... that was..." said Tenten. "Anti-climactic."
"I can't believe they actually let Lee graduate," said Neji, still pretending to be upset.
"I graduated in the same course as you, Neji," said Rock Lee.
"No, you didn't!" said Neji. They opted to completely discount the ninjutsu and genjutsu areas of expertise. You wouldn't have passed if the deck hadn't been stacked, so only your highest scores counted.
"Everybody else had to succeed at ninjutsu and genjutsu."
Okay, this thing had gone on a bit too long. Tenten was beginning to think Neji was genuinely upset about something. "What is up with you lately, Neji? Is this really about Lee?"
Neji paused. "...Hiashi is planning to have Hinata duel her sister, Hanabi, to see which one is worthy of being the heir. Depending on who wins, I could be in a very bad position."
"Why?" asked Lee.
"Because I'm the person expected to toughen up Hinata," said Neji. "I swear, Hiashi only makes me do it to give her sympathy points from the Branch Clan. If she loses, it could be considered a failure on my part. If she wins, however, she'll be the heir.
"Either way, I have a brand on my head which could let them kill me with a motion. And they can legally do so without repercussion."
"Oh, yes, I can see why that might be a problem," said Tenten. She imagined what she might do if she suddenly gained the power of life and death over someone who had beaten her up—even someone who had been forced to do it.
"This is dark," said Rock Lee.
"Who are you rooting for?" asked Tenten.
Neji considered it. "...Possibly Hinata.
"She has never used the Caged Bird Seal on anyone. And her victory would mean I did what the Main Clan wanted me to do. But then, some other members of the Main Clan might decide to hurt me with it in order to impress her.
"Hinata might be too cowardly to hurt people herself, but she might very well enjoy watching me be hurt. I have no desire to be the whipping boy of my family.
"Of course, Hanabi has used the Caged Bird Seal to hurt those who displease her. And if Hinata loses to her, she might decide to take vengeance on me on her behalf."
"Might?" asked Rock Lee.
"I don't know either of them well enough to be sure," admitted Neji. "I will consider myself lucky if I survive the year. Certainly, no one would miss me."
"...Neji, do not take this the wrong way, but I think that your family is in desperate need of counseling," said Rock Lee.
"You don't know the half of it. I'm scheduled to fight Hinata today," said Neji. He looked around. "...Our sensei should have been here by now. Where-"
"I have always been here," said Itachi Uchiha.
Tenten stood up and let out a cry as he emerged from plain sight. He wore black clothes and white armor. On his back was a sword, and his dark hair fell around his face. His red eyes peered at them intently, expressionless.
Tenten wished she could have had more time to prepare for this. The Uchiha kind of mind-controlled her earlier. And the signs of that control, the obsession with Itachi's features, had not gone away.
"What?" said Rock Lee.
Neji gulped. "Itachi Uchiha."
"Then we will not be getting Guy-sensei as our sensei. I am disappointed," said Rock Lee. "I had hoped things would change."
"You were... listening to our conversation?" asked Neji.
"I was," said Itachi. "I decided to understand you better by hearing you when I was not present first. Your perceptions could use more work. Follow me."
And he walked out the door.
Without anything else to do, they followed behind him. Tenten walked to the front, wanting to impress him. "So uh, you're going to be our sensei."
"That is correct. My name is Itachi Uchiha, though one of you and I have already met," said Itachi. "The Hokage has requested that I train a team of students. You three performed well earlier, so I specifically requested you."
"You did?" asked Tenten. She was flattered but also scared.
"Yes," said Itachi Uchiha. "Deducing the nature of events is a difficult task. Especially with only circumstantial evidence."
"Wow, um, I don't really know what to say," said Rock Lee. He seemed less enthusiastic.
"I would not say anything until you know more," said Itachi. "Often it is better to remain silent until one has gained true understanding." He led them up onto the roof and halted there. "...Here, this should be far enough.
"You already know one another, and I already know you. So we will skip introductions. I shall be brief. Only a third of the academy will be graduating. The rest will be sent back to the academy to retry next year."
"Seriously?!" said Tenten. All that work, and she might not graduate early.
"Yes," said Itachi. "While draconian, it is necessary. It is one thing to learn the skills necessary to be a ninja. It is another to put those skills into action as a team.
"Tomorrow you will meet me here, in this place at six o'clock. Get some rest and bring whatever equipment you think you may need. Remember to prepare for this test as though you were preparing for a real mission.
"A ninja sent on a mission will often have to journey a long way before he can reach his target. Such journeys can take weeks and require a great deal of equipment. Take this into account, and be advised, you will not be able to go back. Not until the orientation is concluded.
"We're going on a mission?" asked Neji.
"Think of it as a field training exercise," said Itachi Uchiha. "Goodbye."
Then he vanished.
And Tenten abruptly found herself tied up. More specifically, she was tied to Neji, face to face and lying on the ground. What the...
Neji had really pretty eyes.
"What is this?" asked Rock Lee. "What trickery is this?"
"A genjutsu, I think," said Neji, struggling and grinding against her. "Tenten, do you have a kunai on you?"
"Hang on," said Tenten, trying to do it while enjoying the warmth.
Getting out took a while, but Tenten managed to cut them free. Nobody was particularly happy with the way things had ended. However, Neji seemed the most worried. "I need to get back; Hiashi will want me to train with Hinata."
"I'll go with you," said Tenten, thinking he needed her.
"I would not advise that-" began Neji.
"Just tell him we're discussing strategy for a mission," said Tenten. "Lee, could you come up with a list of anything we might need for this? I think this thing might take a few days."
"Of course, Tenten. I shall make many lists and cut all useless chafe," said Rock Lee.
"Come on, or I'm leaving without you," said Neji.
And off they went.
The Hyuga Compound was a very, very large structure similar to the Uchiha's in size. However, it was far more ornate. The doors were very fine, and as Neji knocked on them, Tenten looked around.
"I've never been to the Hyuga compound before," said Tenten.
"I should not grow used to the sight," said Neji.
The door slid open, and an old man peered out. He had proud features and looked at Neji with disdain. "You are late, Neji."
"Forgive me, Lord Elder. My meeting with my Jonin sensei took longer than-" began Neji.
Then the elder raised a hand, and Neji cried out in pain.
He collapsed onto his knees, the brand on his forehead glowing even through his headband.
"I am not interested in your excuses," said the elder. "The Branch Clan's duty is to serve the Main Clan. Lady Hinata's time has been wasted because of your idleness. Who is this?"
Neji was on his knees. The normally proud boy was gasping for hair and visibly shaking. However, he stood up, looking whipped. "This is Tenten, my teammate. She has accompanied me because we must discuss strategy later."
"The Uchiha's puppet?" asked the elder. "Very well, she may watch for a time. However, do not make this a habit. Much leeway has already been extended to you."
"Thank you, Lord Elder," said Neji.
This was wrong.
No one who had just been tortured for being a bit late should ever have to thank their tormentor. Looking around, Hinata noticed the place was better decorated than the Uchiha district. Silver candlesticks and strange ornaments could be seen in various rooms. And Neji said nothing.
They were led through the halls and into a vast open hall. There were a lot of people gathered here, and Neji moved into the front. Tenten ended up taking a seat with the Branch Family, all those with brands.
"Now, Hinata, come forward," said the elder.
Hinata did come forward, and Tenten remembered her vaguely. She'd been an incredibly timid young girl who Tenten had never spoken to. "N-Neji, you've returned."
She was visibly terrified of Neji. Why?
"Lady Hinata," said Neji coldly.
"I-I appreciate your coming," said Hinata, pressing a finger to her face.
"Enough formalities. Begin," said a voice. Tenten followed it to see who she assumed was Lord Hiashi. She'd been Neji's friend for years and never got a look at him. Now she hated the very sight of him.
He had a stern presence, expressionless like Neji. Yet there wasn't any warmth in him.
Tenten looked to where Hinata and Neji were circling. Hinata was all but cowering, her stances careful, and Neji was not attacking either. But something about Neji's posture told Tenten Neji was also afraid.
"Enough, cease wasting Lady Hinata's time Neji," said the elder.
And a moment later, the mark flared to life. Neji gasped in pain for a moment and then straightened. Tenten looked to those marked with the caged bird seal and saw their anger. Why had Neji chosen not to attack first?
"Yes, yes, Lord Elder," said Neji.
And then Neji did attack.
The attack was feral and without any of the restraint that he held with Lee or Tenten. Now she saw him fully in action. His hands moved in a blur, and Hinata could hardly hold him off. She fell backward and landed hard as Neji pressed the assault.
Why was he being so aggressive?
"This is...
"There is no way Hinata can stop him. She's a complete mess; she can't fight him. They must know that, so why..." Then Tenten caught sight of the glares between the two sides. "It's not about training at all."
And then the elder hit Neji with the mark again. Neji fell to his knees as Hinata tried to stand.
"Enough!" said the elder. "Once again, you prove that your emotions master you, rather than the other way around. If you cannot be relied upon to spar without bringing harm to those you are sworn to protect, we shall find another."
Neji took the pain and bowed. As if finding another would be a bad thing. Were they... threatening to hurt him even worse?
Neji, proud, arrogant Neji who knew the flaw in every defense, bowed to this terrified young girl. It was the most horrific thing Tenten had ever seen, made worse by the fact that neither ever wanted to be there. Looking to Hiashi's right side, Tenten saw another girl. She was similar in appearance to Hinata but younger. Hanabi perhaps?
"My apologies, Lady Hinata," said Neji in a voice of careful submission.
"...You don't need to apologize," said Hinata, voice terrified. "Please rise."
"Begin again," said Hiashi, speaking for the first time.
And it did begin again.
"This is..." Tenten thought. "It's like he's an animal, and they're goading him from outside a cage.
"Why are they doing this? If Neji holds back, they torment him. If Neji attacks, he completely overwhelms Hinata, and they torture him. If Neji waits for her to attack, she doesn't.
"It's about terror. They're afraid of the Branch Clan, so they are trying to make them terrified too.
"They're trying to remind the Main Branch of their place. They can kill any one of them at any time, and Neji is the proof. And Hinata... they're trying to break her into hurting him.
"And Neji he..."
But then Tenten realized there was another element to this. Hanabi, that spoiled little bitch was smirking. Watching her older sister get thrashed by her cousin, with her cousin being tortured if he didn't do it. She also saw the sympathy on the Main Clan faces at Hinata getting hurt and anger at Neji. Tenten saw the same rage and hatred from the Branch when Neji was hurt by the Caged Bird Seal.
And it just happened again and again.
And Neji never said so much as a word of protest. He got reduced to nothing more than a caged animal, and he didn't object. He couldn't even make snide commentary.
And Neji had never once talked about any of this.
Before Tenten could stop herself. She fled the room, finding herself choking back tears. She only just made it out of the Hyuga Compound, and she sobbed. She sobbed uncontrollably into the ground, not caring who saw her.
Those animals.
The Hyuga were a bunch of vicious, well-dressed animals. They sat there in their fancy, silken robes, talking about tradition and duty. And... and they branded their own family like slaves and tortured them into becoming beasts.
Eventually, Tenten managed to regain control of herself. Eventually, she stood up and looked to see Neji sitting on the front steps. His hair had fallen down over his eyes, and she approached him. Tenten couldn't just leave him there.
She had to get him out of here, if only for a day. "Neji... do you want to stay at my place tonight?"
Neji looked up and wiped tears from his eyes. "More than anything."