A/N: Busy, busy… Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

'Tenten'- Demons Inner selves etc.

'Tenten'- Thoughts

Chapter 7: Festival Troubles

Stalls littered each side of the street, despite the fact that this was to be slightly formal. In the center of it all was a large open stage for different contests and an arena was located for a battle tournament as the festivities go on. Temari and Kankuro stayed by the entrance to greet the guests as they walked by, leaving Neji and Tenten to explore the grounds on their own. However, the two mysterious figures appeared to have entered without being detected. Nodding to each other, they split in search of their target, Tenten…

The pair walked around for a while before going to a few game stalls, where Neji won Tenten a stuffed panda, which she proceeded to hug to death. In return, she got him a cute looking stuffed white tiger. Afterwards they headed towards the food area where they both ate sweet dumplings. Hanging around the stage to watch the singing competition, they relaxed for who knows how long.

'This is the life' Neji thought.

'Definitely… Watch out!'

Ducking down, he just barely missed the Samehada by a hair's length. Kisame chuckled and backed away, an unconscious Tenten being held by his partner, Itachi. The duo leapt towards the arena with Neji following closely behind.

"Water Release: Water Shark Missile Jutsu!" The shark formed water charged once again this time, towards Neji.

"Byakugan," it only took a few seconds to destroy the shark with . But those seconds was just enough to distract him long enough for Itachi to hand Tenten over to Kisame and fully activate his Mangekyō Sharingan. Summoning a clone, Itachi sent it to pin Neji down, and looked directly into his eyes, if only for a second. Seeing this completed, Itachi deactivated his Sharingan and escaped with Tenten and Kisame.

Neji felt like he was being tortured for endless hours. It was the same thing time and time again. All those who were ever close to him died at his feet, and he felt their suffering. There was nothing he could do, so he just watched it all, dying each time they did. Once and a while a sinister version of Tenten would come and pierce him with a barrage of weapons instead. As this happened, he couldn't help but hear a faint growling in the background. Eventually, the growling increased until it was impossible to ignore it.

'WAKE UP'

The effects of the Sharingan wore off and Neji woke with a start. The pain lingered for a short time before ebbing away altogether. That however was not the problem. He never heard that voice before but he felt as if a great weight has been lifted from his shoulders.

'Who or what was that'

'I'd prefer to not be called an 'it' Neji' the new voice spoke.

'!'

Neji had all reason to be shocked at the moment, for he was not at the festival grounds where he should be. For the first time he checked his surroundings only to see a dark, slightly damp room. In the middle of this room stood a massive tiger, its seven tails swung around gently (1). It had snow coloured fur with golden stripes with deep crimson eyes.

'Don't worry kid, I'm not gonna hurt you.'

'May I ask who you are then?'

'The name's Kaku, seven-tailed beast, master of all things related to the earth.'

'Okay...Can someone tell me what's going on here?'

He sighed deeply 'Long story short: I was sealed inside you at birth and only when you were in that genjutsu did it loosen enough for me to contact you.'

'Hn…We have to go after Tenten'

'Not yet. You see, I'm also known as the stealthiest of the tailed demons. Do as I say and we can get her back, but we'll need reinforcements.'

'Fine.'

When Neji came back and told them what had happened, extra guards were put to surround Suna. Temari, Kankuro, Gaara, Lee and Gai left with him in the direction they were heading in. All this while, Kaku was telling Neji what to do when they encounter the Akatsuki.

Tenten woke up only to find that she was in a dark room with her hands free and not bound. Upon closer investigation, it was a basic room with a desk, a bookshelf a wardrobe and a single bed. All her scrolls and weapons were gone, making her virtually powerless.

'Where are we?'

'I don't know, but I do know that we were both knocked out by one of the Akatsuki.'

'So most likely…'

'It's their headquarters.' Cai zhi concluded.

At that moment, the door opened, but only the silhouette of the figure was visible. "It seems that you have woken up. Come quietly, Leader wants to see you." The male voice announced. Tenten followed him down several hallways before reaching an intricate carved door.

"Come in. Kakuzu, you are dismissed." the doors opened simultaneously as she entered and the man left. "Welcome Tenten."

"How do you know my name?" she asked.

"I know a lot of things," he chuckled, "But my sources are secret. Anyways down to business, I have been notified that you have the eight-tailed dragon demon and we want it. You have two choices: join the Akatsuki or we take your demon out by force."

A/N: I have writer's block so your comments definitely help motivate me. Thanks a lot!

(1)- I'm pretty sure that Taku is a blue badger demon but bear with me here. Besides, tigers are cooler :-p

Thanks to reviewers:

WeaponsMistress

nejitenfan

Chica-anime 4ever

Mizu-Kaze Hana

Dakotarox14

Inu/naru fangorl

me-is-to-lazy-to-sign-in