I hope all of you are well. :) I'm not. I'm so congested I can barely breathe, which is why I've taken to staying doped up on Theraflu. My head is all fuzzy. . .
XD
Disregard that last.
neji's goddess: Have you read Wild Magic? I think that's what I plan to read next. . . Daine's story interests me a lot.
Chirisaa Tomoko: Yeah, he's terrible at cards. ;D
loves-emo-guys-with-hair: Thank you. :)
HeavensPheonix561: Thanks. :)
Uglyfangirl27: Erm. . . I haven't started the next chapter on WaP yet. . . I might have one posted by next weeks sometime. I'm on Thanksgiving break so I'll have more time to write.
Shubhs: :D Thanks!
Disclaimer: Duh, duh, duh! Sharkman!
Omens.
Neji didn't give Itachi enough credit.
He attacked on Saturday with a full force and several companies of soldiers.
It was daytime, around ten in the morning.
Neji rushed out of the officer's barracks, strapping his sword belt over his chain mail and tunic. Moegi had already fled to prepare Neji's horse, in case he needed to ride out.
Face set with grim determination, Neji took the stairs up the ramparts two at a time, intent on seeing what Itachi had presented.
The Five Squads had kept to Neji's plans—archers were doubled on the north and west ramparts, bows and arrows trained ready, eyes sharp under their helmets.
Neji had assigned the five squads to distinctive walls. Neji's first and Kiba's second shared the north wall. Shino took charge of the east, Shikamaru to the west, and Naruto controlled the south.
Neji passed between the lined rows of archers and his and Kiba's squad of soldiers. It was cramped quarters for the one hundred or so soldiers. Neji pressed past them to get to where Kiba stood at the center of the rampart.
"Report," Neji stated swiftly, clenching his sword hilt as he surveyed Itachi's forces.
"He showed up only a few minutes ago. The sentries saw him first and called the alarm. He entered from the northern woods. Currently, he's just waiting. I don't know for what. But it seems his soldiers are at the front. He placed his archers in the back. If they plan to shoot, they'll have to gather at a closer range. They're out of range for us right now. We'll have to wait."
Neji stared at the man who was the cause of this war. He rode on a black stallion, barking orders as he rode between the separated foot soldiers and the archers.
Neji clenched his jaw.
"When will we have them in range?"
Before Kiba could speak, his lieutenant answered for him, on the other side of Kiba.
Neji glanced at her.
She held a longbow, already strung and held in place by her fingers.
"Three yards before I can shoot surely," she murmured, eyes trained on the enemy. "And I'm speaking of the foot soldiers, not the archers. To nail them, they'll need to move another four yards."
Kiba caught Neji's eye.
"They hold crossbows, not longbows like our archers on the ramparts."
"Crossbows need less range than our longbows," TenTen said again, voice level. "It will be a struggle to hit them before they hit us."
"If we ordered some damn crossbows this wouldn't be as much of a problem," Kiba muttered sharply.
"Hush. Both of you," Neji commanded, head spinning.
He licked his lips and leaned on the stone wall, thinking hard.
Neji could feel multiple pairs of eyes on him as he made up his mind.
He finally looked up.
"First and second squad will prepare to ride out and meet the enemy. Captain Yamato's archers will fill this wall, and the most skilled archers from squads one and two will remain here as well. Squads three, four, and five will remain here as well, unless we request assistance." Neji took a breath and met Kiba's eyes. "Pick your archers and prepare your soldiers. I want to be out of the fort's walls before Itachi starts to get impatient."
Kiba nodded and clapped his lieutenant on the shoulder. TenTen nodded swiftly and watched him leave, taking at least a third of the soldiers on the ramparts with him. TenTen turned back to view Neji, surprised to still see him there.
He watched her as he signaled his own troops to gather their weapons and horses.
"Are you really as good a shot as you say you are?" he asked quickly, soldiers passing beside them in a hurry.
TenTen smiled grimly.
"It's the only thing I'm comfortable boasting about."
Neji's mouth lifted slightly.
"Then you're in command of the north wall, Lieutenant. May the gods bless your arrows."
He turned without another word, but he still heard what she called as he clambered down the stairs.
"And the gods bless your sword, Commander. May you kill that Uchiha bastard."
Neji couldn't stop himself from smirking as he reached the end of the stairs, striding quickly to his mare. Neji mounted and Moegi dutifully gave him the reins and his shield.
Neji gazed swiftly around.
Most of his squad were already on their horses, helmets on, shields and swords out. They looked at Neji appraisingly, awaiting orders.
"Lee?"
From behind Neji, a black and grey gelding sidled up next to Neji's mare.
Neji's second-in-command, Rock Lee sat atop his horse, helmet visor lifted up so his dark black eyes were visible.
His face was pale and sallow; Neji recalled Moegi telling him Lee had taken to the infirmary with an infection. He had just been released the day before.
Neji made a split-second decision.
"You will stay here," he found himself murmuring. "It will not do to lose both of us on the battlefield."
Lee opened his mouth to protest, but Neji clutched his shoulder in a hard grip.
"Listen, Lee," he said in an undertone. "You will stay here. In my absence, you are the commander of this fort. Everyone answers to you, understand? Do not be frightened to send someone away because they refused an order. I need you to be the leader I see you as. Now, Kiba and I are taking a little more than half of our squads out to meet Uchiha. If we send for assistance, let Naruto's squad ride out first. If we need further help, send Shikamaru. After that, we'll have to cope. I want Third Squad to remain here to defend the fort if need be. Keep the healers in the infirmary; there's no telling how many will be injured." Neji cast a swift look up at the north ramparts. "Kiba's lieutenant is in command of the northern ramparts. She will take orders from you. Other than that, you need to send messages to the other captains. Moegi?"
"Commander?" replied the young squire.
"You will follow Lieutenant Lee around, whether he needs your help or not. You will take his orders and deliver his messages. Understand?"
Moegi nodded.
Neji looked to Lee to assure his loyalty as well.
He sighed heavily, but nodded.
"Good. May the gods bless you."
Lee smiled ever so slightly.
"And you, dear friend. Don't provoke too many."
Neji ignored this last comment and spurred his horse toward the fort's large gate. Soldiers opened the gate slowly, pushing back its heavy doors.
Neji rode through with Kiba at his side, their soldiers falling in line behind them.
From the edge of the woods where Itachi stood with his troops, Neji saw the Uchiha leader stop and glance their way.
If Neji knew the Uchiha as well as he thought he did, Itachi would be smiling.
He wanted a fight. Itachi had a bloodlust that Neji had never seen before, despite all of the fierce enemies he'd met.
I shouldn't be surprised, Neji thought as his horse picked up to a gallop. Itachi did slaughter his own flesh and blood. He's a monster.
Neji swallowed past the lump in his dry throat, tightening his grip on his sword, shield, and the reins of the horse.
There would be a fight and once again, Neji would give Itachi what he wanted. More blood. More sacrifice. More death.
"Neji!" called Kiba, interrupting the Commander's thoughts.
Neji's helmeted head snapped to the second squad's leader.
"What are your orders?"
Neji surveyed the flat ground ahead of them in a mere glance.
"We'll attack in groups. I don't want unnecessary deaths, and the more people there are, the more confusion. I will go first, taking all of my thirty men. You fall in behind with twenty of yours. After that, the others may go. Keep aside someone as messenger to return to the fort in case we need help."
Kiba nodded and slowed his horse, yelling out orders.
Neji motioned to his own squad, keeping their horses' strong speed.
"Get ready for a fight!" Neji found himself shouting. "May the gods guide our swords and favor us in battle!"
His surrounding squad called back with war cries and replies.
Neji trained his eyes on his first opponent, a skinny twenty year old with hatred-burning eyes.
As soon as Neji got close enough, he slashed the young man in the shoulder, in the area right above his heart. Neji did not look behind him to see if the young man fell. He knew he was dead.
Neji's mind stilled as he cut down soldier after soldier. It was almost mindless, battle. The fight was easy, and the killing was also simple, if you struck quick enough.
Neji forced his mind back to concentrating. It would not do to lose his thoughts when he was supposed to be commanding.
Neji gutted a dark-skinned boy, blood splattering his armor and helmet. Neji could barely see his sword under the slick, sickening color of crimson.
Neji bucked suddenly, someone had stabbed him in the back with the sharp end of a pole arm. It dented his plate armor. Reacting, Neji kicked his horse forward.
His breath shortened slightly. The hit had taken him off guard.
They were nearing Itachi himself; they had successfully split Itachi's army down the center. Neji met the Uchiha's eyes squarely, glaring him down. Itachi always hung back, like if these battles were tests that Neji had to pass to advance to the next trial.
Neji hated him for that.
Neji drew within sword's reach of Itachi. His veins were on fire with electricity. He swung his sword in a swift motion to loosen his tightened muscles.
Neji rose his sword to slice Itachi's head off. That was when he noticed—Itachi held no weapons. His sword was on his hip, undrawn. His shield still laid tethered to the horse's saddle horn. He wore no helmet, his mouth plastered in a firm smirk.
Neji paused angrily. What the hell was this madman doing?
And in Neji's hesitation, Itachi disappeared from his sight.
Neji reeled back, yanking on the reins. His horse whinnied about the harsh treatment. Neji would reassure his mare later. Right now, he had to find Itachi and kill him.
But . . . Neji could not seem to find him.
Unexpectedly, Neji felt a searing pain whiz by his arm.
He focused in front of him.
The archers. They were no more than twenty feet from him. A deadly range.
Neji's breath shortened.
If he had any bad luck at all, he would die in a matter of moments.
Still, Neji's instinct kicked in.
He turned and fled out of range.
This, however, did not save him from wounds.
Someone shot his horse in the leg.
Another bolt found its way to Neji's saddle.
More grazed his torso and head, nicking his helmet.
Neji wondered if they were trying to kill him or not.
"Retreat!" Neji yelled out.
He and Kiba's men finished hacking the men they were dueling to pieces before obeying Neji's sharp order.
Neji stopped at a longer distance from the archers, ensuring the soldiers that weren't dead were obeying orders.
Neji looked at the ground.
It was clear they had won this battle; Itachi's men littered the short field.
But Neji saw his own comrades as well. Neji exhaled. As soon as he reached the fort, he would have to assemble a funeral pyre outside the fort's walls and soldiers to retrieve the bodies.
It would be a mourning day.
The last of Neji's soldiers passed him, Kiba at the forefront, leading them home.
They had not had to send for extra reinforcements.
Neji tiredly dodged the last of the bolts of the enemy archers, trotting past the north entrance to the fort, Neji avoided eye contact with quickly passing soldiers.
The pain in his arm increased the moment Neji's feet touched ground; he managed to cover his stagger and carefully leaned on his mare, patting her mane in reassurance. Neji's head throbbed with lightheadedness.
Neji closed his eyes and took off his helmet, swivelling his head slowly to view his shoulder.
Blood seeped past his chain mail. Neji peered closer. The bolt had cut off chinks in the mail and clipped his skin.
Neji rubbed his head, wiping off sweat and dried blood.
"Neji?"
Neji forced his head up.
Lee stood there with Moegi, concern littering his face.
"Come on. We have to go to the infirmary."
"Not yet," Neji protested, waving Lee away when he tried to get a grip on him. "I need soldiers to retrieve the dead and build a pyre, outside the fort's walls. We must honor their service."
Lee nodded patiently.
"I will see to it personally. And of Itachi's men?"
Neji blinked at the ground, not seeing it.
"Burn them," he finally murmured. "Itachi only cares about his soldiers if they're alive. And mind the archers, if they're not gone."
Lee nodded again and told Moegi to see to Neji's horse in the stables.
With his support gone, Neji gratefully leaned on his lieutenant, who carefully led him to the infirmary along the eastern wall.
-
Neji hated being fussed over.
The extent of his injuries was a shallow gash on his left bicep and an irritated puncture on his shoulder blade from the pole arm.
Still, Sakura decided to keep him there for two hours, making sure everything was bandaged and bound.
When Neji complained, Sakura slapped him smartly on his injured arm.
"Do us all a favor, Commander, and shut your mouth. I'm almost done."
Neji served the rest of his infirmary sentence in silence, calming his dizzy head.
He was released eventually, and Lee helped him back to the officer's barracks, where Neji lied down in his room.
He fell asleep almost instantly.
When he woke up it was dark and someone had lighted a wax candle on his desk, casting long shadows on the plain walls.
Neji sat up, a little too quickly, and his head spun. Neji grabbed his mattress tightly to keep in touch with the present.
Once his head stopped protesting so much, Neji rose, albeit carefully, and went to his window.
Next to the candle on his desk, someone, probably Moegi, had placed a plate of food and a cup of water.
Neji drained the cup, but ignored the food; he wasn't hungry.
Neji stared around his room for a moment before deciding to go outside.
The night air cleared his head some, but as soon as he walked outside, Neji could smell the smoke.
He stumbled to the north gate and caught the glimpse of a brilliant fire. The bodies were not visible behind the flames. Neji bowed his head and whispered to the passed soldiers, "May the gods rest your souls and grant rewards for your services in the afterlife."
A voice spoke from behind.
"They're dead, Commander. They can't hear you."
Neji turned and walked to TenTen's side.
"Prayers are not meant for the dead. Only their souls," Neji retorted quietly.
The fire torches set on the walls of the fort made Neji able to see her eyes. Her eyes were darker at night than in the sunlight.
"I doubt their souls hear you either," she murmured faithlessly as she started up the steps to the ramparts.
Neji followed her, compelled.
"The only beings I need hear me are the gods, Lieutenant. They are the ones who hold such things in order."
He heard TenTen sigh next to him.
They were walking at an easy pace past the many sentries on the walls.
TenTen did not speak again until they reached the southern rampart, stopping to look up at him.
"I did not think you a religious sort of person."
Neji shrugged, his arm and shoulder blade sending him protesting throbs.
"I'm not," he contradicted. "But then again, everyone has to believe in something. And I believe there are beings—gods—that control things beyond human control. Life and death, for instance. But I am a believer of Fate as well."
TenTen smiled lightly as a breeze picked up, swirling her loose tunic. She leaned on the rampart wall.
"Fate?"
"Yes. Things happen to people because it is their fate."
"Like death," TenTen clarified.
"Yes, like death."
TenTen smirked up at him and shook her head, looking out over the ramparts to the southern hills.
"You know," she murmured softly, "you may be an ass, but even I can see you're a good leader."
A smile tugged at Neji's mouth.
"You think I'm an ass?"
TenTen shrugged.
"I'm reserving my judgement, Commander. From what you displayed today, you could prove yourself to me yet."
Neji raised his eyebrows at the ground below.
"I don't see how I have anything to prove to you."
TenTen pursed her lips.
"You might not see it that way," she stated loosely.
Neji sighed and decided to let it alone.
"I saw that bolt graze you. I killed that archer for you. Will your arm be alright?"
"Yes. It got more attention than what it was worth. And thank you."
"For what?" TenTen asked airily.
"For watching my back."
TenTen smiled wryly.
"No thanks necessary, Commander. I was just doing what I hope you would do for any of your soldiers."
Neji glanced at her, eyes running over her face.
"I guess Fate thinks you're useful to me."
TenTen did not reply with an answer.
-
Miles away, Itachi halted his stallion and dismounted, leading the horse to water.
He was unaccompanied; Itachi had given strict orders to his soldiers that if they were to live, they should travel to Tanzaku-gai.(1)
Itachi smiled thinly.
He had such brilliant plans for Tanzaku-gai, such plans. The rollicking town was infamous for its gambling and easy prostitutes. A completely undefended sprawl, save for a few soldiers.
It was the perfect message, practically presented to Itachi on a golden platter.
Itachi's stallion churred lowly and lied down, resting its legs. Itachi sat down beside it, absently patting its coat.
The dark-haired man's thoughts shifted to the twenty-two year old whom his visit to Fort Minato had been paid to.
It was always interesting to Itachi how his young Hyuga friend reacted to his visits. Always the calculated assembly of soldiers he put together, the extensive plans and strategy.
Itachi smirked.
It was almost boring to read the young commander.
Still, Itachi had to give some credit to the Commander. Not many could cut down a fourth of an army by himself.
Or stare archers in the face.
Itachi stood, persuading his horse up.
It was a stupid move on the Hyuga's behalf. If Itachi hadn't personally instructed the archers not to shoot him . . . well, he'd be dead.
Itachi smiled slyly.
Yes, he had plans for the commander. Plans, indeed. And the best part was the commander would never know it.
Itachi nodded to himself and mounted his horse.
It was time to arrive at Tanzaku-gai and get the festivities underway.
Itachi smirked and kicked his stallion into a gallop.
(1) Remember in Naruto when Naruto and Jiraiya have to go looking for Tsunade and find her gambling and stuff? Yeah, well, that town is Tanzaku-gai.
Ha. You weren't expecting that last bit from Itachi, were you?
Neither was I. ;D
Review please.