War sucks. Really. Explanation: This is the actual war, I'm not sure what it is. It's kinda like a neighboring country invading. sort of...

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Fluff 8: Battle

Muffled sounds of explosions rang above their heads, so close above them. Neji could barely make out anything in this decimated café, only Naruto and Sakura were close enough to recognize. He peered out of the slit of a window and saw the destruction that had come with the invasion.

"Neji! We need to go help! There are wounded out there! If we can give them attention, they'll heal. Otherwise, they'll die slowly and painfully!" Sakura was twisting her nurse apron and biting her lip. Neji knew she was hoping that Sasuke wasn't among the wounded or dead. He was supposed to be guarding the hospital, but it was obvious the enemies had not been able to find their small hideaway and he could tell that the warriors needed his help. He nodded to Sakura, patted Naruto on the shoulder and headed outside.

The sun blazed overhead and Neji was almost immediately accosted by enemy soldiers. He was able to defeat them easily, scoffing at their old style of combat. He was able to recruit a couple of less wounded soldiers and got them to drag the wounded back to the hospital.

"Sir, won't you return with us? They'll stop attacking in a couple of hours, we'll come back then." Neji shook his head. He was searching for someone and he couldn't go back until he knew she was safe.

TenTen dodged the first onslaught, leaving them to the warriors behind her. She focused on the leader, knowing that if he was brought down, they would have a couple of hours to recuperate and meet to discuss tactics. She sped up, flinging herself over mounds of dead bodies and immediately bringing her weapons into the fight. The leader was brutish, with muscles that bulged and rippled and an eye patch that didn't hide a long scar, which deformed the corner of his mouth, downturning it into an eternal sneer.

Without time to study his moves and figure out how to defeat him, TenTen was forced to act quickly. He had a quick reaction time, she noticed as she dodged his continual attacks with a double-edged axe. He was also relentless, but that meant that he couldn't keep up for long.

The battle raged around them as Sasuke, Gaara, and Ino fought to keep anyone away from them, knowing that if anyone attacked, TenTen wouldn't be able to bring down the leader, or even survive. Blood flew through the hair as one of TenTen's kunais slashed through exposed leg muscle. He roared and fell into the fight with renewed vigour. TenTen felt a trickle of blood as he ripped through her side armour and left a long gash on her hip. She winced but took the advantage of his back being to her to pull out a long sword and drive it through his spine. He turned and looked at her through his one eye. She let one solitary tear fall before grabbing Ino and making sure everyone was okay as the enemy soldiers fled. As quiet fell on the battlefield, she looked across the bodies strewn everywhere and back to the city, where, she hoped, he was okay and alive.

They marched wearily back into the stronghold and received pats on the back and hugs from the second command. TenTen trudged into her small room, shared with Hinata, who was already in her hammock, taking a small nap before heading into town to evacuate any last citizens that weren't dead. TenTen waved to her and grabbed a new pair of clothes, hoping to clean the blood off of her armour when she got back.

She was only able to take a small bath before Hinata summoned her.

"TenTen, will you come into town with me? I have a feeling we might have to go to the hospital and I'll need someone who can nurse people in case they need help with our wounded." TenTen nodded wearily and changed into her clothes, twisting her wet hair into a solitary bun. The bandage on her side would have to do until they got to the hospital. Her heart lifted a little at the thought of seeing Neji again.

Hinata commandeered a jeep and TenTen helped her lift some of their more-seriously injured into the back. Sasuke helped her lift the last one in and almost collapsed.

"Sasuke. Go look after yourself. We can finish this." He tried to argue, but TenTen stopped him.

"You won't be able to last this war without some sleep. Nobody wants that. Go sleep." She patted his shoulder. "I'll let Sakura know you're alive." He smiled at her.

"Barely… take care." TenTen nodded and Hinata started the jeep.

Neji was on his way back to the hospital, having found an injured man wandering near the old watering tower. He set him down near the entrance of the underground hospital when he heard the sounds of a jeep coming. Activating his Byakugan, Neji looked towards the noise, realizing it was one of their jeeps. He led the boy into the hospital and came back outside, thinking he could help unload any injured.

The jeep door opened and a figure jumped out. Neji's eyes widened and he abandoned his post near the entrance to run towards TenTen, who was turned towards the back of the jeep.

TenTen felt a surge behind and barely turned around before Neji hit her full force. She wrapped her arms around his neck as her bun unraveled down her back. Neji kissed her fiercely, at the same time checking her for injuries. TenTen winced when he touched her hip injury but smiled into his shoulder. He was alive.

They stood there for a full minute, TenTen shedding a couple of tears and Neji unable to let go. He hated that this stupid war kept them apart for so long.