*As always, thanks for reading! - GL

Underneath the Underneath
Chapter Four

Neji's arrival at the citadel was essentially ignored. Shikamaru was welcomed back, and a nod from him meant Neji walked in with no questions, and no recognition.

"I'm not officially here, am I?" he asked wryly as they sat down for a game of shogi in their shared room.

"Officially, you are in Konoha attending to clan business. If Hiashi sends you anywhere," he shrugged. "Then the Hokage would have no way of knowing."

"And you are sure no one will alert Tatsuo? His information network was impressive."

"If they do, it will hardly matter. We leave for Takayuki's village soon, and there aren't many places between here and there that they can attack where we can't get reinforcements faster than they can get away."

"Do we anticipate an attack?" he began setting his pieces on the board.

"I don't think so," Shikamaru gave a lazy shrug. "I think Tatsuo would happily take the opportunity to get rid of you if it presented itself, but I doubt that is his priority at the moment."

"And what is his priority?" Neji flicked a glance up at him. "Other than enslaving entire villages to run his mining operations, and being stupid enough to think he can capture and subdue Tenten?"

"Let's call him optimistic," Shikamaru corrected with a smirk. "He is many things, but I don't think stupid is one of them"

"Delusional," Neji muttered.

"Fair," Shikamaru allowed. "But it is dangerous to underestimate the determination of an opponent committed to his delusions."

"I have a hard time reconciling someone with such a poor grasp on reality engineering this level of a scheme," Neji sighed. "It should be much easier to flush out and capture a mad man."

"Obsession is a strange thing," Shikamaru folded his hands. "The only thing I think we can count on is that he will be unable to walk away from the situation entirely – which gives us the slightest of advantages."

"Not one that makes me comfortable, considering the object of his obsession."

"Me, neither, considering the person currently assigned to never leave the side of the object of his obsession."

"And how is Temari adapting to life in the Land of Iron," Neji's smile was faint. "Has Mifune run out of lackeys to spar with her?"

"She and Tenten train together," Shikamaru smiled behind his hand. "Tenten picked up some of Kankuro's tricks with chakra strings, so Temari has been teaching her how to fight compatibly with her."

"Now there is a terrifying thought," Neji's laugh was dry. "Are we sure we want those two to form an even greater alliance?"

"Some things can't be helped," Shikamaru nodded to Neji. "Your move first."

Neji allowed himself to be immersed in the board, and to temporarily ignore his misgivings about their current situation. Two mornings after, he and Shikamaru left with the dawn and several of Mifune's men to travel toward Takayuki's village. Shikamaru's route included a detour to inspect one of the villages that had been destroyed the year before, but soon the silhouette of Takayuki's house on the hill was stark on the horizon.

Something like iron slid down and infused his spine, making him sit up straighter on his horse. Reflexively, his Byakugan flared to life, and hundreds of slumbering and just-waking chakra signatures blinked into being against the grayscale of morning.

It was then that he saw it – on the periphery of the forest, but along the route Mifune had instructed his men to take. He urged his horse forward, holding a hand up to Shikamaru, who nodded and murmured something to the other men before following.

He would have missed the small patch of bark stripped from the tree, and painted, had the ink not been chakra infused, and even then, he doubted even another shinobi would have known what to make of it.

"A little more," she insisted, holding the pot of ink out to him.

"I don't see the point of this," he grumbled, but continued to infuse the ink with his chakra nonetheless. "Lee can't use this chakra, so I don't see how chakra coded messages will work for our team."

"Leave the logistics to me," she waved a hand dismissively. "Just keep doing your part."

"She finished it," he murmured, brushing his fingers against the symbol – a simple kanji that read 'Welcome.'

The symbol tingled under his fingers, and began to glow a brilliant blue before disappearing, leaving Neji to wonder what his teammate had been up to.

He didn't have to wonder for long, as soon two familiar chakra signatures disengaged from the village, and moved toward the border.

Neji glanced at Shikamaru with a half of a grin, and began to ride.

Shikamaru – who didn't need to be a genius to understand there was only one thing that would make Neji willingly ride toward Takayuki's village followed, his own horse's pace something more like impatient.

In the early morning light, two familiar silhouettes sat on horseback, waiting for their arrival.

Temari sat with cloak drawn tightly about her, and her gaze unwavering. Tenten was a little less bundled, her cheeks flushed as her breath hung heavy in the cool of the morning air. As he neared, Tenten held up the unrolled scroll, where the kanji glowed in that familiar blue.

Her eyes sparked mischief and welcome and joy and something else, as her smile twisted into something teasing.

"Told you it would work," she grinned, and Neji's heart beat with something stronger than pride.

It shone from his eyes, even as his tone remained subdued.

"So, you did," he nodded to the scroll.

"Yes, she's a genius," Temari muttered into the scarf under her cloak. "So glad we rode in the freezing dawn to share this moment. Now can we get back to the hotel and have a hot breakfast like civilized people trying to survive this inhuman climate?"

"Only someone who grew up in a desert would say that," Tenten tucked the scroll away, laughing at her friend.

Temari glared daggers, but Tenten had already turned her horse. "C'mon – Temari will be in a better mood once she thaws out."

Temari muttered something about 'never thawing out,' but the early morning wind blew her protestations away from Neji's ears. As it was he could only focus on the woman riding next to him, and the promise of an uninterrupted five minutes of her company.

Takayuki's village was the largest for many miles, and multiple families had reached out to the General with offers of hospitality for himself and his party which he had graciously declined. Tenten was immensely grateful for his action, because it prevented anyone from inviting her separately. She had been surprised to find she had become a sort of overnight local celebrity, independent of her time as "Lady Tomoe." She had not shared the news of her newfound family with anyone, but somehow the word had gotten out.

It turned out that Lady Hangaku had been to this village what Lady Tsunade had been to Konoha – a name well known and revered. In the wake of Tatsuo's schemes being foiled and Takayuki being restored to his rightful place, Tenten had thought the village might resent her for impersonating an onna-bugeisha. To her great surprise, they were thrilled that a decedent of Lady Hangaku had returned to the valley, and felt she had been worthy to wear the name of Lady Tomoe until she could safely take that of Lady Tian.

Tenten had never gone by her real name – it was one of those things that maybe three people knew. Since that day in the gallery, however, she was greeted by any who met her with a title and an air of awe. She brought it up with Temari over tea one night, expecting her to snicker at the situation, but found she was curiously understanding.

"Many of these people had no idea about what Tatsuo was up to until he was shut down. You are a representative of a better part of the people they are – of a noble part of their past. When Gaara became Kazekage it was the same. Some people still feared him, but the mantle of the Kazekage was important. The role he played and what he represented was important."

"But I'm no different than I've ever been," she said in exasperation.

"And you don't have to be," Temari shrugged. "That you are what and who you are – that is enough for them. It is enough they know it hasn't disappeared. That there is a way back."

"Maybe for them," she pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to keep her pulse steady. "But this isn't anywhere I've ever been."

"Doesn't matter," Temari shrugged. "Welcome to Figurehead 101."

Tenten had thrown a pillow at her then, and Temari had caught it with ease before changing the subject.

The next morning Neji and Shikamaru arrived, and Tenten felt part of her heart become grounded. She got permission to take Neji to the gallery – just the two of them – and she stepped back to watch as he paged through the large album, stopping occasionally to look between the pictures and her.

"Uncanny," he finally said. "You are the image of your grandmother.- who looks very much like her mother. I hate to say it, but if Tatsuo had these photographs, I can see why he fixed upon you so quickly."

What he didn't say was "Why he is still fixed upon you."

"I haven't seen many pictures of my mother this young," she touched a photo fondly. "It is good to see her so happy."

"Has Lady Takeko seen this yet?"

"No," Tenten frowned. "Her last communication said she was delayed at the border of her homeland and the Land of Iron."

Neji looked up from the photos, catching the tone of her voice. "That worries you."

Her heart warmed at their familiarity – at his ability to hear and see what she didn't say.

"I am worried," she agreed, drumming her fingers on her crossed arms. "We should have heard something else from her by now."

"What does the General say?"

"That this isn't unusual," she huffed a sigh. "And that it is too early to worry."

"Perhaps," Neji drummed his fingers on the table. "But we have many operatives in this region. Since Lady Takeko is likely to be traveling alone, we should have Kakashi alert them that they might cross paths, and that she is an ally."

Tenten's smile was warm and broad and bright. She crossed to Neji in two quick strides, leaned over the table and kissed him. He was taken off guard, so he could only blink when she pulled away.

"What was that for?"

"For being you," she laughed lightly. "For knowing exactly what I needed to hear.

"Well then," he cleared his throat. "Glad to be of assistance."

She tapped his nose and stood back. "Tea tonight. I hear Temari will be staying in her room."

Neji arched an eyebrow, and Tenten just shrugged. His eyes darkened then and he stepped around the table to stand in front of her. She felt her smile melt into something far less playful as his magnetic energy engulfed her, and she skimmed her hands up his arms to his shoulders. He dipped his head to hers, and she went on tip-toe to meet him halfway. The solidity and dependability and strength that was Neji washed over her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Shikamaru tells me he intends to retire early this evening," he murmured against her jaw. "I got the sense he'd prefer if I didn't return to our room."

"They lasted longer than I thought," Tenten admitted on an airy gasp.

"Too long," Neji's growl rumbled through her and earned a laugh. It was several moments later when the sound of footsteps registered. She felt rather than saw Neji use his Byakugan. Neji kissed her forehead and adjusted her collar before taking a seat with the photos again. When Takayuki entered, Tenten was certain she was at least a little flushed, and that Neji looked far too smug.

"Ah, Lady Tian," he entered the room, giving Neji a polite nod. "I heard you came to see the gallery today; I am glad I didn't miss you."

"Yes," she motioned to Neji. "I wanted Neji to see."

"Welcome," he turned and addressed Neji with a bow. "So, pleased to have you with us. Can I convince the two of you to stay to share your evening meal?"

"I am sorry," Tenten said before Neji could speak. "We have several files from Konoha to discuss, and we need to return to the hotel. Perhaps another time?"

"Of course," Takayuki nodded graciously as Neji stood to come to her side. "You are both welcome at all times. If I may be of service just ask."

And with that he left the room, and Tenten breathed a sigh of relief. "That was more civil than usual."

"I am more motivated than usual," Neji murmured at the nape of her neck. "How soon can we get to the hotel."

"Politely?"

"If we must."

Tenten laughed and stepped away, taking his hand. "We really do have files."

"Over tea," he said firmly pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Later." She thought she heard him mumble "Much later," as they exited the gallery, but chalked it up to her imagination. Once they did return to her room – their old room – however, she no longer questioned her hearing. And they had tea much later that evening.

Thank you for reading, friends! No update next week as I am slammed, so see you next, next Tuesday! - GL