Author's Note:
I know I usually have my say at the end of the chapter, but I thought I'd clear up some things before you read this one.
First, the plot is completely unrelated to the actual Naruto series. The only things I'm using are the Narutoverse, concept and characters. I own none of the above and neither am I making any money off them. It would be nice though...
Second, Neji, Tenten and Lee are 17 in this fic, which would make the Naruto, Sasuke and gang 16. This fic is mostly centered around Neji and Tenten so the rest of the Konoha 12 aren't really in this fic.
Lastly, the OCs introduced in this chapter will play important roles in the rest of the story and their purpose/background will be revealed in good time.
The title for this chapter is taken from one of my favourite songs from Gundam SEED Destiny. It means "Gate of Fire". Hope you enjoy it.
It was late. A lone shinobi wreathed in white whipped through the trees, the silence of the night remaining undisrupted by his movements. Through the thick canopy of bare branches above, the moonlight shone onto the sodden ground as well as the small patches of snow that hadn't melted yet. It lit up his path and cast eerie shadows where it could not reach.
It was almost spring, yet the weather was anything but warm. The bitter wind stung his cheeks as it rushed past his face and through his long hair. The frigid dryness of the air made breathing difficult and every one that he took crystallized in front of his face, blurring his vision.
"Byakugan."
His destination was just within range of his bloodline limit; it would take him several minutes to cover that distance. He deactivated his bloodline limit and increased his speed.
The sooner he got back, the better.
The gates of Konoha entered his line of sight, looming over the trees in the distance. It had been a long time since he'd since he'd last seen them.
He landed in front of the main gates, looking up at the words painted on them. They served as a constant reminder to those who entered and left the village of what most of its inhabitants, including himself, were: Ninja.
The large wooden doors creaked open and Neji walked inside. The first thing he saw was the faces of all the previous Hokages looking down at him, watching over the village as it slept peacefully. A small smile graced his lips.
He was home.
Tenten...
The thought of her made a him hesitate for a moment. Would she remember him? Or would she be exactly the same as she had been before he left? He didn't know which he would have preferred.
It wasn't his decision to make.
Ignoring the small pang in his chest, Neji quietly leapt onto the rooftops.
Tsunade leaned against the desk, her head in her hands. Behind her, Shizune was watching her concernedly; her shishou hadn't left her office for almost a week. Sighing, Shizune peered over her Hokage's shoulder, scanning through the contents of the documents spread out on the desk.
The increasing tension between the shinobi nations would make anyone worried, but the person who was always affected the most was-
There was a knock on the door before it opened.
"Hokage-sama. Shizune-san," he greeted.
"Neji-san, you're back." At the mention of his name, Tsunade's head shot up.
"About time, Hyuuga," Tsunade said as Neji walked into the room, closing the door behind him.
"I apologize for the delay, however there were several complications that caused the mission to last longer than expected."
"Well, did you find anything?"
"I discovered and intercepted the delivery of this scroll two weeks ago. The rest of the information will be included in my report," Neji concluded, reaching into his pouch for said scroll and handing it to Tsunade. Ripping it open, she scanned the contents hurriedly before her mouth set itself into a grim line. The two other people in the room didn't know what was written inside, but judging from the Godaime's expression, it couldn't have been anything good.
"Good work, Neji," Tsunade finally said.
Neji nodded, but his mind was somewhere else. He wanted to ask Tsunade about Tenten, but thought better of it; the Hokage was busy enough as it is. He would just have to ask Lee or Hinata the next time he saw either of them.
"You should go home and get some rest. You look exhausted," Shizune said kindly. "And Lee-san has been waiting for you to get back. He said that he needed to talk to you."
After muttering a quick word of thanks, Neji excused himself and left Tsunade's office.
"Our beautiful flower has fully regained her youthful glow! Her training has been most effective and she has even learnt a wonderful new jutsu!"
Neji grunted a 'hn' in response as he parried a series of kicks and punches with his Jyuken. Both of them were evenly matched until Lee leapt forward, performing his signature spinning kick.
The minute he heard about Neji's return after coming back from a mission of his own, Lee had immediately rushed over to the Hyuuga complex to find him. Even though he hadn't verbally asked, he knew that his teammate would want to know what went on during his absence, specifically with their other teammate.
"Hokage-sama says that she can start going on missions again tomorrow."
Neji dodged the first and blocked the second one that succeeded the one before it almost instantaneously. Then he decided to go on the offensive. Lee's speed enabled him to avoid most of the assault, but he was gradually being overpowered.
Just as Neji was about to deliver the final strike, they heard the sound of the main door sliding open followed by a familiar voice.
"I'm looking for Hyuuga Neji. Is he-" The newcomer raised one perfect eyebrow when she realized what was taking place and who was taking part in it. "Lee, what are you doing here?"
"I came to catch up with a friend," the green-clad ninja explained. The girl walked over to join him and his sparring partner, her eyes widening when she saw the person standing next to her teammate.
"You're-"
"You know him?" Both he and Neji were equally surprised when she nodded.
"We met at the memorial about three months ago, but I didn't have a chance to ask for his name."
"Oh." Lee's face fell slightly. "This is Hyuuga Neji."
She turned to face the white-eyed boy. "It's nice to meet you, Neji-san," she said smilingly. "I'm Tenten."
"Aa."
"You wanted to see me?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"Err... Tsunade-sama sent me to find you. We're supposed to report for a mission briefing. You too, Lee."
With that said, the three of them headed in the direction of Hokage Tower.
"Tsunade-sama, I've brought Lee and Neji," Tenten called out. She opened the door and all three of them walked inside. The first thing Neji noticed was the scroll containing the mission report that he had submitted a few days ago sitting on a corner of the cluttered desk.
"I'm sorry for sending you off on a mission so soon after you got back from another one," Tsunade said, ducking under her desk as though searching for something. "It's a pretty simple one, but if you don't feel up to it, I'll get someone to replace you."
"That won't be necessary, Hokage-sama," Neji replied respectfully as Tsunade sat down on her chair.
"Very well." She cleared her throat and began addressing all three of the shinobi assembled before her.
"Your mission is to go to Lava Country. It's one of the smaller countries located along the eastern border of Fire Country near the coast. Recently, however, they've been gaining attention because of their rapidly expanding economy. We're thinking of establishing trade agreements with Lava, so I'm sending the three of you there to facilitate this.The rest of the information is in these."
Tsunade gave Neji three identical scrolls. "Hyuuga Neji will be the captain of this team. You'll leave tomorrow morning, so you should get there around noon. I've already informed the Daimyo of Lava Country of this arrangement. Any questions?"
"No," they replied in unison.
Tsunade nodded. "You're dismissed."
On their way down to the lobby, Neji started looking through one of the scrolls.
"I've calculated the fastest route to Lava Country, but the journey will take at least five hours. We'll meet at the main gates tomorrow at sunrise, which should give us enough time to-"
"Tenten." Everyone's attention snapped to the source of the voice. Neji's eyes narrowed further when he saw who it was.
"Kazuya, I thought-" Tenten started.
"You were late for training so I figured you had a mission or something and came here," he explained with a small smile, leaning casually against the wall. "Guess I was right."
Pale lavender met storm cloud grey, each regarding the other coolly, if not coldly.
"Kazuya, this is Hyuuga-" Tenten started.
"We've met," they said simultaneously, the iciness in their tones matching right down to the last degree. The warmth returned to Kazuya's voice when he broke away from his staring match with Neji and asked, "Coming?"
Tenten was about to go over to her sparring partner when Neji stopped her, "Wait." He handed her one of the mission scrolls, the tips of his fingers accidentally brushing against hers.
"Thanks," Tenten said quickly before hurrying off to join Kazuya.
As the two of them were leaving, the dark blonde shinobi half-turned for a second to glance at the Hyuuga prodigy, slipping an arm around the shoulders of the girl walking by his side. A smile flashed across his face, more of a smirk then anything else. Neji's hand twitched, his grip on the other two scrolls tightening when he saw the triumphant look in the other boy's dark grey eyes.
Completely unaware of all that was going on around her, Tenten looked down at the scroll she was holding.
She could still feel that strange tingling sensation from when his hand touched hers.
When Tenten arrived at the main gate the next morning, she found her two teammates already there, waiting.
"Sorry, I was doing some last minute training with-"
"Yosh! I shall reach Lava Country by noon or I will do four thousand laps around the town!" Tenten sighed while Neji's frown deepened.
"We're leaving," he said stiffly.
Tenten turned to look questioningly at Lee who shrugged before both of them followed their captain.
"Suzumura-sama, the shinobi from Konoha have arrived."
"Send them in," the middle-aged man sitting at the regal oak desk said, not pausing from his writing. The maid did as she was told and bowed her way out, leaving the four of them inside.
"Welcome," he said with a warm smile, standing up and offering his hand to the pale-eyed man with the air of authority. "I'm Suzumura Hiraya, the Daimyo of Lava Country. You're from the Hyuuga clan, I presume."
"Hai. It's a pleasure to meet you, Suzumura-sama. My name is Hyuuga Neji. This is Rock Lee and Tenten." Suzumura nodded to each of them in turn, smiling when he noticed that the bun-haired female ninja seemed to be gazing intently at the window behind him.
"How do you find the view, my dear?" he inquired.
"It's beautiful, Suzumura-sama."
"Suzumura-sama, I'm sure Hokage-sama has informed you of the purpose of our visit," the Hyuuga said. The Daimyo's smile widened. The Hyuuga clan did live up to their reputation, this one in particular was not one to be easily distracted. With the right training and a few years of experience, he would have made an excellent businessman. If he weren't a ninja.
"Indeed she has," he said, sounding more like the professional he was. "I am more than agreeable to forming this agreement. My only condition is that Hidden Leaf provides defense for my country when and where it is necessary.
"I understand. I will send a message to Hokage-sama regarding this matter. My teammates and I will stay here until the reinforcements arrive."
Suzumura nodded cordially. "Now, I apologize for having to leave so soon. I have an appointment with some merchants from Earth Country. Perhaps you would like to rest freshen up after your journey? I'll arrange for one of my servants to show you to your lodgings and bring you back here later to finalize the details."
"You're very kind, Suzumura-sama," the Hyuuga replied.
Right on cue, the servant from earlier came back in and showed the three of them out while another brought the traders from Earth into the Daimyo's office.
"I'm staying here to wait for Suzumura-sama to finish," Neji said when they reached the foyer of the Daimyo's home. "Lee, can you go scout the mountains?"
"If I can't finish every single mountain by sunset I will-" He suddenly cut himself off in mid-rant. "Tenten, are you alright?"
The weapon mistress snapped out of her daze and saw her teammates looking at her concernedly.
"If you're tired, you can go back to the inn to rest. I'll take care of scouting the town after I meet Suzumura-sama."
"Oh... Okay."
Though slightly shocked by her lack of argument, Neji didn't say anything else. The servant proceeded to lead Tenten away from her teammates and out of the building.
"Hey, you're a kunoichi right?" a deep voice asked. Tenten looked to her left and saw a man approaching her.
"We don't usually get ninja around here, but I have something that might interest you." He took out wooden box and opened it. Inside was a set of kunai, the tips unusually shinier than most.
"These can cut through anything; the diamonds were mined from our very own mines at the base of the volcano." He paused to gesture at the tallest mountain in the distance. "We're famous for them."
Tenten picked up one and examined it, admiring the craftsmanship.
"Tell you what, since you're so cute I'll sell them to you at half price," the man grinned. Tenten was about to say something when someone cut in.
"Excuse me miss, the diamond is a fake."
"What would you know, you little punk?!" the man shouted angrily at the bespectacled young man standing behind Tenten. The latter didn't so much as glance at the "diamond-tipped" kunai in Tenten's hand.
"Real gems don't have this oily sheen. Anyone who sells them would know that."
The swindler snatched the kunai Tenten was holding and disappeared into the crowd. Tenten turned around to thank the young man, but he was already gone.
It was around early evening by the time Neji went to the inn and up to their room. Apparently, due to the overwhelming number of tourists, Suzumura had only managed to secure them only one room. The Daimyo had apologized for this during their second meeting, but Neji told him that it was fine, not adding that they were used to sharing a room.
Fortunately, there were three beds were arranged in a neat row against the pristine wall; the one nearest to the door was occupied.
Neji closed the door softly and walked over to his sleeping teammate.
She was wearing the same chinese-style shirt and red pants she had been in the last time he saw her. Her usually bound hair had come undone and was now splayed out in glorious brown waves on her pillow. Resisting the urge to run his fingers through it, Neji knelt down by her bed and pulled the blanket over her form. Tenten groaned and shifted slightly in her bed, but her eyes remained closed.
She must be really tired, Neji thought, watching the weapon mistress' peaceful expression. We were travelling for almost ten hours; it's only natural since she hasn't been on a mission for a while...
The warm, fading light of the sunset had dyed the sheets a rich golden colour that contrasted beautifully with her creamy, lightly tanned skin. Her lips were curved into a small smile before they parted to say something Neji couldn't hear.
Their faces were so close that they were almost touching; a tiny crystalline droplet was clinging to her eyelashes.
Is she...
Neji had only seen his female teammate cry once before and that was when he woke up at the hospital after the mission to retrieve Sasuke.
"If you ever go on a mission without me again, I'll kill you." It was an empty threat; they both knew it, but the look in her brown eyes were more than enough for him to sense that she meant every word.
"Hn."
"You're such an idiot!" Tenten threw herself onto the bed on top of him, hugging him tightly.
"The wound will re-open-"
"I don't care." Her voice was sounded strange and slightly muffled. Neji felt something warm and wet trickle down the back of his neck.
"Neji wa baka..." Instead of denying it, Neji found himself leaning into her embrace, but not returning it.
Cupping her cheek, he gently brushed away her tears with his thumb. As he was doing so, Tenten turned towards his touch and started murmuring in her sleep again, her voice breathy and barely audible.
"N...Ne..."
"Neji! Tenten! I've finished scouting the mountains!"
Lee was at the doorway, waiting for his teammates' reactions to the good news. Tenten was sitting up in her bed. At the opposite end of the room, his "eternal rival" was looking out the window, his back turned.
"Hi Lee," Tenten said blearily as she rubbed her eyes.
Lee's face went from delighted to distressed. "Did I wake you up, Tenten?"
"No, I was just getting up," she lied, knowing what would happen if she didn't. "Oh, Neji-san, you're back. How did it go?"
Lee closed the door and walked over to the middle bed.
"Fine," Neji replied. "I've already sent a message to Tsunade-sama, but it will take at most a week for reinforcements to get here. Until then, we'll patrol the town in eight hour shifts starting from tomorrow."
"I can take the first one," Tenten volunteered. Neji nodded briefly in her direction and continued.
"Suzumura-sama also informed me about a group of bandits residing in the northern mountain range that he wants taken care of. Lee, you and I will go there in the morning."
A grinning Lee gave his captain a salute. "Our youth will prevail!"
Tenten shot Neji a glance before rolling her eyes. The Hyuuga genius almost smiled at his teammate's antics, but for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in him ever since they stepped foot in Lava Country.
Neji's byakugan scanned the perimeter for any sign of their targets as he and Lee raced through the forest, heading for the "abandoned" castle in the mountain where the bandits were said to have last been spotted. So far, there had been none.
"We're about one and a half kilometers away," Lee shouted loudly, trying to overcome the sound of the raging river in the valley below. "Our most youthful choice would be to continue going in our current direction."
"Aa."
Before long, the compound was within range of Neji's bloodline limit. He surveyed it carefully, his eyes narrowing when he was unable to find even the slightest indication of life inside.Genjutsu, his mind supplied instantly. It shouldn't be a problem once we get nearer, but the shinobi that's using it might be one.
But even as they drew closer, Neji's chakra enhanced vision could detect no change in the building.
"The targets have been already incapacitated," he intoned, ignoring Lee's shocked expression.
"We should-"
"There's a door on the eastern side," the Hyuuga prodigy interrupted.
He wanted to know what was going on himself.
It was evident from the way the door swung open the second Lee touched it that someone else had been here before them.
The same someone who had done their job for them.
And they found that, after venturing through several doors and down a maze of darkened corridors, that someone had done it extremely well.
"They couldn't have been dead for long," Lee said, bending down to examine one of the corpses; this one had a slash right across the jugular. "Most of the bodies are still intact."
"No." The other boy tentatively touched the dark stains splattered on the wall before turning his gaze on the twenty-odd corpses before him. "The low temperature and humidity would have slowed the decomposition. They could have been killed during or even before winter."
Neji studied the wounds on each of the bodies. They were too shallow for a kunai; probably from a kanata or maybe even a kodachi. All of them were made by a single person judging from the style in which they had been killed. Lethal, efficient, and somewhat...
Familiar.
Hn.
"Lee." Neji pointed at the wall behind the aforementioned boy.
"Dynamic Entry!"
Stepping past the splintered doorway, Lee and Neji went upstairs.
The air was thick with the stench of decomposing flesh, but it didn't have the metallic tang of blood. The stone floor was littered with even more dead bodies of the bandits they were supposed to dispatch. This time, there were no visible injuries or lacerations that had been present on the vital areas of those on the lower level.
It was as if they had literally dropped dead.
"They were poisoned," Neji said, his white eyes taking in the dozens of cracked sake cups scattered amongst the bodies.
"But who-" Lee stopped talking when he noticed that his teammate was deep in thought.
The methods were different. Too different.
As though they were killed by two separate people.
Neji's powerful eyes narrowed before returning to their normal state. There was nothing more they could do here.
"Let's go."
Author's Note:
Well, I'm back again.
Some of you may be wondering how the heck Neji got to the other side of the room so fast. He actually used Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) to get there. It's one of the more basic techniques that lets the ninja appear and disappear in an instant, allowing them to retreat or attack suddenly. Well, Neji didn't exactly use it that way, but at least it worked.
Beta-read by my sis and Midnight Memories. :)