Tenten's eyes quickly grazed over Neji's collapsed body. She knew he wasn't dead; she could still see his chest rising and falling with each painful breath. But, if she didn't get him help soon....

"So, wanna know why I want you dead?" the girl slanted her sword, slowly allowing the blood to pool from the unique blade.

"Don't care," Tenten hissed between clenched teeth. No chakra. That only meant one thing: taijutsu. Her specialty. This little bitch was in for a royal ass beating.

"You killed my brother," the girl roared, the tears suddenly shining in her eyes. "He was only trying to save those poor orphans from their homes."

Tenten was aware of the children she was speaking of—the ones being trafficked for the Kumo rebels' own wills. She briefly wondered if this girl had more than one personality--since she can go from raging murder to infantile behavior in a matter of moments.

"I have killed no one who didn't ask for it," she replied carefully as she quickly reached for a particular scroll. She couldn't use chakra-enhanced weapons to attack, so she would have to get closer to land anything a defeating blow. She inwardly pouted--she had wanted to try out her own blade's new attack. It was something a certain Sand Sibling had taught her....

"Besides," Tenten continued, "we are only taking prisoners, not killing the outcasts."

"Lies," the girl seethed.

Tenten took a step closer, her eyes narrowed. "Do you have any idea as to where those children are coming from? Or what they will be used for?"

The girl's eyes bored into Tenten's. "They were saved from ravaged country sides. They are going to be schooled and educated here. Where it is safe for them."

It was Tenten's turn to laugh. "You are the one who is disillusioned!" She shook her head. "Those kids were purchased from someone selling kidnapped children! They are being trained as murders...terrorists!"

"More lies! All lies!"

"I have no need to lie. Just like I have no reason to deny knowing about your brother," she barked at the immature sword-toting girl standing in front of her.

"You did, you see," the girl's eyes were wild. "You killed him! I know that mask!"

"You fool! These masks are worn by more than just me!" Tenten snapped back, realizing that the reconnaissance mission that had retrieved information earlier must have encountered the girl's sibling. Perhaps the Kumo girl was slightly justified in her angry demeanor.

"Then I'll kill every one of you!" the dark-skinned ninja hissed, her smile hyena-like.

Tenten looked more closely, this was definitely the girl they had encountered earlier. "Why didn't you and the old man just leave. I gave you the opportunity--"

"That old bastard was losing his touch. He was becoming too soft," she arrogantly waved the blade in the air. The light glinted off of the metal. "He got what was coming to him," she sneered, drawing her forefinger across her throat. She threw her head back and laughed.

Tenten's eyes betrayed her normal, stoic nature. She suddenly felt nauseous at the cold-blooded nature of this young..kid. She looked at Neji—his wounds were serious enough that if he didn't receive proper treatment, he could very well die. She knew that she would have to take her opponent more seriously than her comrade had done, even if she was just a young teenage girl.

Tenten rooted through the hidden pocket of her vest for the familiar paper encompassing the intended scroll. When her fingers brushed across the smooth surface of the coiled scroll, she quickly pulled it from her pouch, allowing it to roll open. She instantly held the jouhyou in her hand. The flexible weapon weaved between her fingers, as the heavy dart fell to the ground. Its four prongs were drawn tightly to the center core, making the weapon look like nothing more than a metal pyramid attached to a rope. At the other end of the weapon was a straight, metal handle, which Tenten confidently gripped in her left hand as she effortlessly swung the metal dart over her head.

"I'll give you one more chance to back down. We will take you to Konoha as a prisoner. You will be uninjured." Tenten tried to reason one last time as her eyes darted to Neji.

"Tch, I have no need for your false words, bitch!" the girl snarled. She took a defensive stance, her sword unsheathed and bared in front of her body.

"I thought you might say that," Tenten smirked, as she began to swing the rope more quickly. In a rapid succession of quick spins, she released the excess rope, sending the metal dart flying toward her opponent. The dart hissed past the girl's head, as she jumped sideways to avoid its impact. The metal end plunged through a thick tree trunk, bursting through the other side in a cloud of splinters. Tenten remained where she stood, holding the sturdy handle in her left hand; the rope curled around her feet.

"You missed," the girl teased.

"You are wrong," Tenten replied casually, flicking her wrist. The Kumo kunoichi's eyes widened with realization as the two sounds occurred together: the springing sound of something being unloaded, and the loud ripping sound of something large being torn.

"I never miss my target!" Tenten roared as she pulled on the rope with a jerk of her wrist.

Before her opponent could react, Tenten pulled the decimated tree trunk toward her. It hit the girl, as she attempted to swing around to see the oncoming projectile. It hit her in the abdomen with a sickening thud. The velocity at which the giant trunk was hurtling toward Tenten was amazing--a true testimony to her strength and prowess. She quickly leapt over the tree and girl as the two whistled past her and in to the forest—crashing against, and taking down, other trees in its way.

She landed nimbly, the metal handle now in her right hand. She quickly twisted the long handle, and heard the retracting prongs as the closed around the metal core. She tugged, pulling the now-closed dart toward her. In a puff of smoke, the weapon was again safely tucked into its respective scroll in her pocket.

Tenten quickly ran toward Neji, lifting him to his knees as she pulled his arm over her shoulder. His other arm clutched his abdomen, and his face was pale from the loss of blood. She quickly launched herself into the tree canopy, jumping from branch to branch, half-carrying Neji with her. When she was far enough away, she settled onto a thick outreach, dropping Neji onto his knees.

"You ass! What were you thinking?" she blew up. "You could have been killed! By a girl? Really? What is going through your head right now? And when we get back, you are suspended until you prove that you can combat without any emotional interference!" Her face was red, as she paced around him.

His head was bowed, a shadow cast over his face. She couldn't tell if he was listening or not. "Now. Explain yourself!" she barked.

"I'm sorry. I was distracted," he admitted softly. His hands clutched the giant wound in his abdomen. Dark blood seeped between his fingers.

Tenten immediately felt guilty for her harsh words, especially when he was in such a state. She quickly knelt at his side, reaching into the tiny medicinal pouch that Sakura had created for ANBU and pulling out two pills. One was a Blood Pill—which would replenish his lost stores, as long as he could staunch the bleeding. The other was an anesthetic, which she gently placed between his fingers and into the wound. It began to glow a slight orange, and she could see the white on Neji's knuckles regain their color as the pain subsided.

"Thank you," he wheezed, his face losing its tension. He met her gaze, his pale eyes searching hers.

"You're still going to explain. When you're better--" she began.

Explosions rang out around the forest, and Tenten could hear the girl cursing her existence. She was momentarily distracted, peering out into the clearing. The dark-skinned youth was looking up into the trees, screaming obscenities at no one. "She's going to be a real pain."

"I underestimated her," Neji nodded, his eyes still locked on Tenten's face.

"You bet your ass you did! It's actually an embarrassment to ANBU, you know! Ibiki--"

"If it weren't for Shino," he interrupted, "would you...we...be a possibility?"

Tenten furrowed her brow in confusion as her head whipped around so that she could see his face. Was this why he had been so haphazard? Was he still yearning for a relationship with his best friend? She thought she had quashed that idea weeks ago.

"Neji..."

"I'm sorry, it is inappropriate," he agreed. He suddenly began coughing. It went from dry and hoarse to somewhat productive. When he drew his hand away, the clenched fingers were coated in a thin layer of bloody mucus.

"How bad is it?" she asked her eyes wide with terror. She was no medic, but she was sure that coughing up blood was not a good sign. She suddenly felt nauseous from the fear. Her eyes fell to the wound, and she reached out to examine it.

"She...she stabbed you," Tenten murmured, as she felt his back with the other hand. "She ran you through?" she choked, realizing the extent of his injuries.

His byakugan was active, once again. "She missed any major vessels," he confirmed.

"That doesn't make it any less dangerous!" she yelped, biting back a sob. "What if you--"

He raised a hand, the familiar half-smile on his face. "I'll be fine," he promised. "If I can stop the bleed, I'll be fine until we get back to Konoha."

Tenten studied his face for some time, as if deciding whether to believe him. He looked alright. Finally, she nodded. "Alright. I'll finish this quickly."

She stood, facing the direction of her imminent battle. "I won't underestimate her, though," she scolded, hoping to remind Neji of his utter failure.

Her face was turned away from Neji as she continued to speak softly, "And I mourned the end of my hopeless crush years ago, Neji. I mourned it when I realized you would never return my feelings. And, so, my answer is 'no'. Even if I did not care for Shino, I do not think that there would be anything between us."

With that, she disappeared off of the branch and into the forest. Neji remained silent, staring after her, his heart dulled by her confession. If only I had realized my own feelings earlier, he conceded. Maybe....

He sat there, his mind blank, for some time. He silently prayed that Tenten would end this quickly. And safely. The reality of his dream coming true was closing on him, he could feel it. He wasn't sure how long he had sat there, ruminating in his own internal turmoil, when a foreign presence quickly surrounded him. He felt the newcomers land behind him. Their steps were nimble and swift—almost as deadly as an ANBU.

He bowed his head, his eyes closed. "I thought you'd never come. And you've brought company, I see."

"Wow, Hyuuga," the dog-nin retorted, "you've still got it, even if you're pretty fucking close to death."

"Hmph, still the same, Kiba," Neji replied softly.

Kiba grinned proudly, scratching Akamaru's head. Shino shot him a warning glance, and his companion quickly sobered.

"Where's Tenten?" Shino spoke quickly.

"Down there," Neji nodded his head toward the source of the sound of metal on metal and animal-like shrieks.

"You are injured badly?" he replied from behind his dark glasses, his ears straining for some sign of her.

"I am. But, not enough that I cannot fight," the Hyuuga confirmed.

Shino nodded silently. He looked to Kiba, as if awaiting an answer. Kiba smiled, "I told ya I smelled a Hyuuga's blood!" When Shino did not seem satisfied with the answer, he understood his friend's silent plea. He wrinkled his nose, taking another whiff of air. "Yup, that's her. That's the broad that killed the old guy back in the forest." He jerked his thumb in the direction from which they had traveled.

Again, Shino nodded. "I assume you recognized her, Neji. She has stolen armor from the old medic--"

"Chakra armor, yes, I am aware," Neji looked at his wounds, his face slightly flushing pink with what little blood he had left in his body.

"You got beat by a scrawny Kumo chick?" The corners of Kiba's mouth twitched in amusement, his prominent canines making his smile look more wolf-like.

"Not now, Kiba," Shino replied calmly, despite his anxious state. Kiba pouted, as Akamaru pushed his head under his owner's hand in comfort. The Aburame turned his attention to Neji, "Apparently, she's skilled with explosives, or so the man had told us."

"Yeah, before he croaked," Kiba muttered, earning him another warning glare from Shino. "He said not to turn our backs on the bitch."

Neji's head shot up, as his eyes widened, "We have to get Tenten safely removed from this forest. The girl has already proven herself unstable—there's no telling what she'll do. And it's too dangerous in Tenten's condition...." He pushed himself to his feet, as Shino leaned down to help him, pulling Neji's arm over his shoulder.

Nenji turned to Kiba, his expression serious, "Kiba, could you find Sai? Tell him that we need him."

"What? And not get to fight?" his jaw fell open in disappointment. He looked to Shino, his eyes pleading for a different command. His friend simply nodded his agreement with Neji. Kiba crossed his arms over his chest in child-like defiance.

Neji smiled weakly, "I never said you wouldn't get to fight. It's Sai against about ten men," he exaggerated willingly. "Just make sure you don't aim to kill. Our instructions were to retrieve."

"Fine," he muttered, though Shino knew, from the gleam in his eye, that his interest was definitely piqued. Kiba leapt onto Akamaru, and the two quickly disappeared as they followed Sai's scent.

"Nice tactic," Shino commended his companion. Neji chuckled lightly, before another fit of coughs racked his body. The bug-nin could see the blood-tinged secretion. Neji leaned over and retched a large clot of blood. Shino remained silent.

When Neji regained his composure, he offered an explanation he hadn't shared in Kiba's presence. Perhaps it was his already fragile state—he didn't want to look any weaker. "I can see through most solid objects with my byakugan, even clothes. She didn't have one scroll or explosive tag on her...."

"But you couldn't see through the armor, is that correct?" Shino completed his statement.

Neji nodded. "It's possible that she has them hidden there. It felt heavily padded when I managed to land a few fingers on her—despite this condition." He looked down at his blood-soaked clothes. How had he been bested by a teenager?

This time, it was Shino who spoke. "Even the best of us are taken for fools," he attempted to show his understanding of the Hyuuga's current condition. "How were you to know that she was wearing a chakra-absorbing apparatus?"

Neji bowed his head in appreciation. "I should have at least suspected it. Especially when my attacks were proving fruitless. But, I was pre-occupied with observing you two."

Shino tsked lightly, "You will feel Ibiki's wrath, no doubt." Neji blanched at the realization. "But your secret is safe with us. All of us." Even Kiba as well. He stared ahead, trying to listen to the sounds of the forest. It was silent. "I suppose we should interrupt Tenten sooner rather than later?"

"She'll be angry. But, yes." Neji answered calmly.

"I've already managed to upset her in the worst way, it's not like she can hate me any more than she already does, right?" Shino attempted to joke. Neji shook his head, bewildered at the bug-nin's sudden stab at humor. He was feeling weaker with each passing moment. He knew he was losing too much blood, and he could feel a tearing pressure in his stomach and chest, despite his attempt to staunch the wound's bleeding..

"You're not too bad, Aburame," his voice was raspy as he activated his byakugan.

"I'd say the same about yourself, Hyuuga," Shino replied in kind, as he assisted Neji in removing Tenten from harm's way.

Despite the apparent ease at which Tenten should be able to end this battle, there was still a seemingly prophetic dream they needed to disprove.

***

***

Tenten's mind was aflurry with thoughts. What was Neji thinking? What is Neji thinking? How serious is his wound? She sped through the tree tops, dodging the various attacks the Kumo girl was launching. Her favorite, thus far, seemed to be the sharp sickle the she threw with deadly accuracy. It would rebound in thin air, returning to her gloved hand.

Tenten could see the blood running down her arm, no doubt from the sharp edged and slight lack of proficiency the girl had in catching the weapon. Tenten ducked again, as the weapon flew past her head. This time, she unsheathed her katana, batting the weapon out of the air. It was the fourth one she had manage to stop. From the looks of it, the girl had no more, and was instead choosing to unsheath her own katana.

"Attacking head-on? Are you sure?" Tenten mocked, her mouth pulled into a derisive smile.

"I won't lose to you," the girl spat, her face contorted in rage, as she unsheathed her katana.

Tenten released one of her favorite weapons—her Meteor Hammer. It was a basic tool, but she favored it simplicity. The two weights fell to the ground, as Tenten held the rope connecting them.

"Won't work again, bitch," the girl sneered, her eyes studying the foreign tool.

"Hmmph!" she replied, as she launched one end into the air, then the other. She quickly fell into the familiar routine of fluid movements as the heavy weights danced in the air around her, swinging around her body. Her opponent took the opening, and attacked with her katana. Tenten—due to her years of experience—was prepared for such a rookie move.

"Impatience is a flaw!" she chided, as the weights hurtled toward the girl, entrapping the intended target—her katana. The girls eyes widened in surprise, as she attempted to tug the sword from its trap. Tenten pulled slightly harder, ensnaring the blade more. When the girl was again unsuccessful in freeing her blade, she tried another tactic: lightning element.

"If you intend to shock me, with what little chakra you can expel, then you will be disappointed," Tenten tsked, a mocking smile on her face. "This rope is special in that it will not absorb elemental attacks, and is impenetrable to most modern metals."

The girls eyes widened slightly, as if she had realized her error. But, before she could react, Tenten managed to snatch the sword from the kunoichi's grip, pulling it over her shoulder. She caught the sword in mid-air, by the hilt. She quickly changed her grip, and her meteor hammer disappeared into its respective scroll, leaving Tenten to feel the weight of the Kumo sword in her own hands.

"The rumors are true," she whispered her eyes shining with admiration—even at a time like this. "Kumogakure does make the most excellent katana."

"How dare you lay your unworthy hands on my brother's weapon!" the girl screeched, as she reached down and pulled a kama from her boot, slicing her leg with the attempt—another testimony to her novice.

Tenten shook her head, "It's futile."

"Die!" With that final cry the girl flipped the weapon into her hand, holding it with seemingly deadly precision. Tenten knew that her finger placement was incorrect, though she could still fatally harm someone with the weapon.

Tenten was growing weary of the reckless girl. She reached behind her head, pulling her own katana free. With one katana, she was deadly. With two—she was a demi-god. She was the best swordsman—no swordswoman Konoha had ever seen.

The girl never saw Tenten move, though her eyes told her otherwise. She attempted to attack the place she had last seen the the Leaf-nin, but was left with nothing but an attack full of air. She suddenly felt lighter. Her hand reached up to grasp the stolen armor, only to find it gone. She could feel the skin on her chest splitting, and she screamed in agony. She spun around, swinging her bladed arm in a way that was abhorrently messy.

Tenten expertly ducked under the attack, quickly jumping to her feet and landing a two-fingered blow the the girl's forehead. As the girl collapsed to her knees, she saw the armor—now sliced into two pieces—dangling from the kunoichi's hand.

"How--" she croaked, as she slumped onto her haunches.

"I'm faster and stronger than you. It was never a fair fight," Tenten shrugged, studying the girl's face. "I paralyzed you. It's only temporary, but it'll do for now. I'm showing you mercy," she growled, as she crumpled the shoulder straps of the armor in her hand.

Instead of showing her surprise, the girl chuckled lowly, her mouth upturned in a ruthless smile. "I am not showing you mercy, ANBU."

Tenten did not quite understand her words. She followed the girl's mirthful gaze, realizing her threat. Dozens of tiny scrolls were imbedded in the underside of the armor. Slowly, they broke free from the armor and unrolled--one by one, as if by command, their writing visible. Her eyes darted to the young girl's body, which was littered with some sort of solid substance taped to her torso.

Tenten gasped in recognition of the explosive. "You--" she began, her mouth falling open in shock.

"Yup, I didn't need to defeat you. I hadn't intended to live through this anyway," she sneered. Her eyes dropping to the ground, "It seems I'll get my revenge.

Within seconds after each scroll opened and fell out onto the ground, it disappeared—another second off of the already ticking clock.

"You can run," the girl continued, "but you'll never get far enough away. The radius is just too good!" Her tone was triumphant, as if she had completed the greatest heist of all time.

Tenten's hands shook as she dropped the armor, her mind instantly ventured to Neji. He was more reliable in terms of understanding the intricacies of detonators and their explosives. Shaky hands cupped her abdomen. Neji was right. She should have stayed in Konoha!

"Yumi," came the deep, familiar voice--interrupting her thoughts. Tenten's head shot up. It couldn't be!

It was.

In front of her stood Neji, being supported by the Aburame. Tenten's heart skipped a beat, as she realized that Shino had come for her. It was the only plausible explanation.

"Shino.." she whispered.

Shino turned his head, at the sound of her voice, and Neji pushed himself of off the bug-nin. "Get her out of here. As far away as you can. I think I can contain it." He looked over the quickly disappearing tags. Only a handful remained.

Shino nodded, quickly appearing at Tenten's side, lifting her up into his arms. She was too shocked to attempt an argument. She swung her head around, looking at Neji, her eyes wide with terror. "NO! It's too dangerous!" she screamed, horrified at her teammate's intent.

Neji turned, slightly, avoiding her gaze. "It's the only thing we can do. You have to get your children as far away from here as you can. It's your only hope." He spoke softly, his pale eyes shining with the activated byakugan. This time, Tenten tried to fight Shino, despite his restricting grip.

"Shino. Now," Neji commanded, as he spread his legs apart for support—pushing an open palm outward from his body.

"Right," Shino murmured, as he immediately began to flee the forest.

"Thank you, my friend," Neji murmured softly, as he stared down at the dark-skinned girl.

"It won't do any good," Yumi spat. "She's as good as dead. Even with your snazzy eye attack."

Neji responded with a weak half-smile, as he tsked lightly. "I have changed the destiny I saw," he replied cryptically."That is my only concern."

He called for the new technique—something he had been developing for quite some time. It was a version of his Heavenly Spin, but with a major addition. He would create a vortex with his chakra by reversing his normal Heavenly Spin Technique. By his accounts, that would create a sort of vacuum to the nearby parameters outside. Inside of his vortex, he would activate his Heavenly Spin. Theoretically, he would create a sort of void between the opposing, spinning, chakra entities, preventing anything inside from getting out, while protecting himself in the center by repelling it. He was confident that it would work. It had to.

He could hear Tenten's shrill protest and shrieks as Shino whisked her away from the clearing. It hurt both his ears and his heart. He knew she would never forgive him. But, he also knew that, right now, this was the only way.

He mustered the remaining energy his body had available, and braced for the final countdown.

*****

So, I've disabled anonymous reviews. I apologize to everyone. I'd rather not deal with harassing reviewers (not with any of my Naruto stories, mind you).

It's most likely only temporary, but for right now, I have the option shut off. Again, many apologies.

Thank you for taking the time to read and/or review. I truly do appreciate it. I'll say it a thousand times if I have to!

I still can't believe how many reviews I have gotten--especially for a Shino/Ten Fic!

~Enjoy!!~

Much appreciation to my Three Naruteers (you are so deemed, even if it is cheesy): tosakuai, minniemousemom, rao hyuga--thanks for sticking with the story!!