Author's Notes: A late update. I could explain, but wouldn't you rather I go into the fanfic instead?
Tenten's group arrives at Konoha. Watch me take full advantage of this situation to make triangles, quadrangles and just about every sort of angular shape in the relationship chart. Now on to the fanfic!
Disclaimer: Naruto and all those related stuff don't belong to me.
Between Light and Darkness
Chapter 5: She Who Stands Between
They were half a day away from Konoha and Kimimaro said they should continue traveling through the morning—the sooner they reach safe territory, the better. The desert sun seeped through their cloaks. Tenten shifted uncomfortably on the saddle.
Gaara quickly nudged her, his elbow digging into her arm. She turned and glared at him. "Sit still," he said.
She opened her mouth to retort, but he said: "If you can't sit still, I think your carriage would be more comfortable."
"Are you giving orders to Tenten-hime?" Kimimaro glanced sideways at Gaara.
"No, I was merely making a suggestion." Gaara glanced sideways in turn.
"You told her to stay still."
"I told her, I didn't order her."
"You said it in an imperative manner."
"I said it so she wouldn't fidget her way off the horse."
"You're not in the position to give Tenten-hime orders."
"And she shouldn't be in this (an incredulous look at Tenten who was sitting in front of him) position in the first place."
They exchanged icy glares. Kankurou and Temari looked warily at them. Tenten sighed then said: "Haku, would you please help me down?"
Haku was off his horse almost before she finished her sentence. "Of course, Tenten-hime." With a swift tug, he took the reins from Gaara's hands and stopped the horse. He ignored the dangerous glare Gaara shot him as the Sand nin snatched the reins back.
He was helping the princess climb into the carriage just as he saw them over the dune just ahead, white horse riders, their golden armor glinting in the desert sun.
"Hikaru-nins!" Kimimaro growled.
"Protect Tenten-hime!" Haku shouted. "Get inside, Tenten-hime."
"Haku—" she started to protest, but he shoved her in unceremoniously and shut the door. The Sand siblings leaped off their horses and formed a triangle around the carriage.
It took but a moment for white horses to swarm around them; Kimimaro dashed forward to meet them, twirling his bone blades in a dance and Haku was lost in the midst of clashing weapons and swift palm strikes. He summoned ice walls that blocked shurikens and splintered against chakra-enhanced punches, always with the intent of slowing down the enemy. Several pairs of white eyes stared at him and he knew he had to be extra-careful not to leave any openings for the Hyuugas to see.
Or any gaps in their defense of the Hyuugas' royal quarry.
With precise movements, he threw a handful of needles at a Hyuuga, who promptly blocked them, but missed the second set of needles—both his arms were paralyzed.
"Sabaku Kyuu," came a hiss from the Sand nin beside him.
The sand surged beneath his feet, and he treaded against the flow to gain his footing. Gaara manipulated a heavy wave of sand over the enemies that had engaged him. The sand wound like cocoons around them and muffled their screams.
"Sabaku Sousou!"
The cocoons imploded and bloody rain splattered the sand. He shuddered.
"Karasu!" Kankurou tugged his puppet to intercept the Hikaru-nins and Temari waved her gigantic fan to blow them away, yet a few of them dodged and threw bombs and explosion notes at the carriage.
"TENTEN-HIME!"
The explosives hissed and at the first fiery burst, the joints of the carriage flew apart at the assault of axes and out jumped the princess, propelled by the explosions. Haku caught her, and Kimimaro slashed at the nearest Hikaru-nins who reached for more explosives.
Tenten bit her thumb and unfurled a scroll painted crimson, rose, and gold, trailing blood on each symbol. "Houki—"
Haku formed a series of hand seals, shouting: "—Fubuki—"
"—no Mai!" Kimimaro whirled his blades. (1)
Ice mirrors closed around the remaining Hikaru-nins. Kimimaro's movements accelerated, then he and Tenten jumped—Tenten twirled in mid-air, shooting projectiles and bombs summoned from her scroll, and Kimimaro landed amidst the trapped Hikaru-nins, a lethal flurry of blades. A storm of slashes, darts, and explosions was contained within a ring of ice, before it shattered into a thousand shards, swirled by the frosty wind.
Tenten landed beside Haku. Kimimaro stared at the mangled corpses before walking away, shaking his blades clean. His sandals sank in the sand drenched with icy, bloody slush.
"No mercy," Kankurou remarked in a subdued voice. "I like that."
Tenten was staring down at one of the Hyuugas, at his white eyes. Haku pulled her away and followed Kimimaro. His neck prickled at the lingering look Gaara gave them as they mounted their horses. He helped Tenten up Shimura before climbing behind her.
"It's Chiharu-neesan!" Tenten cried excitedly, waving at the woman sitting on the raised platform of the entrance.
The woman called Chiharu dropped her handkerchief in her haste, rushing through the sliding doors and shouting: "It's Tenten-hime! Okaasan, Otousan—Tenten-hime is here!"
The entire household was assembled in two straight rows, the Ryuuseis in front and their servants at the back, all bowing, when Tenten and her entourage reached the entrance.
"Please," Tenten shook her head. "Don't… bow—"
"Tea will be served," said Ryuusei Hanako, the matriarch of the Ryuusei, bowing to the weary travelers. "Or perhaps, a very late lunch?"
Tenten smiled. "Tea will be lovely, Hahaue."
Hanako gestured to her eldest daughter, Chiharu, who bowed again before entering the house. The servants took the horses and the group allowed the Ryuuseis to lead them to the wide sitting room just inside the sliding doors. The Ryuuseis sat on one row of cushions, facing the other row of cushions where the visitors sat down.
"The family is honored to receive your presence, revered daughter." Ryuusei Kentaro, head of the family bowed. The rest of the family followed suit.
"Our hearts are gladdened by our sister's visit," said the heir of the family, Chikatsu. The other siblings murmured their agreement.
"I give my thanks," Tenten bowed in turn. "My family, I present Haku and Kimimaro, my companions." The boys sitting on either side of her bowed. "And I must introduce my new companions, allies from Sunagakure. They are Temari, Kankurou, and Gaara, children of Yondaime Kazekage." The Sand nins bowed.
"The Ryuusei family is grateful for your service to Tenten-hime," Kentaro said.
"It is our honor to serve," Kankurou made the cursory reply.
Chiharu returned with three servants, all carrying tea trays heavy with pots, cups, and plates of delicacies. As the servants served tea, Hanako asked: "This is a pleasant surprise, Tenten-hime. The Uchiha has sent no messengers about your arrival."
"Hahaue… Sakura-hime and Sasuke-sama don't know I'm here, not yet."
The matriarch clapped her hand over her mouth. "But Tenten-hime, would not the Uchiha be displeased that you came here first? After all, it is customary that you present yourself to the Master and Mistress upon arriving at Konoha."
"I…" She glanced at Haku and Kimimaro. "Just really wished to see my family again, before doing anything else."
"Oh… We wished to see you again too, Tenten-hime."
"Mistress Hanako," Haku bowed respectfully. "Sakura-hime—and Sasuke-sama—are very considerate, I am certain they will forgive Tenten-hime her slight error."
Kimimaro bowed. "Haku has spoken the truth; the Princess will not take offense at Tenten-hime's actions."
"Sakura mochi!" Tenten gasped delightedly, snatching one from the platter. "It has been so long since I've eaten one of these."
"Sakura-hime sent several boxes in celebration of springtime," Hanako said. "Chiharu, please fetch some more of the sweets for Tenten-hime."
Chiharu nodded. "Yes, Hahaue—"
"It's alright, Neesan, please don't bother!" Tenten touched Chiharu's arm.
The older woman started, then took a step back and bowed. "It is no bother, Tenten-hime." She gestured to the servants and they quickly left the sitting room.
Tenten wrapped her half-eaten mochi in her handkerchief. "Please excuse me; I will just step out for some fresh air." She bowed, then stood up and exited the sliding doors. Behind her, she heard Haku excuse himself and follow her.
She walked down the street, Haku at her heels. "Haku… have they always treated me like that?"
"Like what, Tenten-hime?"
"Like a… princess..."
"Go Neji!!" Naruto screamed. "Kick that bastard's ass!"
Neji side-stepped, white eyes fixed upon his opponent. "No need to say that Naruto. I'm fighting a mere chuunin."
"Hn," Sasuke smirked. "Still flashing your rank like it talks of actual strength, I see."
The veins around Neji's eyes tightened. Naruto frowned worriedly. Jounin, chuunin, genin… does it really matter? Many times, a lower-ranked nin has defeated a high-ranked nin…
"N-Neji-niisan will be alright, won't he, Naruto-kun? He is a jounin after all, and Uchiha-san is a chuunin like us."
Naruto smiled at Hinata. "Of course he'll be alright, Hinata. Neji's really strong."
In the middle of the jounin rookie training grounds, the fighters side-stepped in circles, eyeing each other warily. The other Jounin Selection Exams qualifiers gathered at the edges of the grounds, watching in anticipation.
Naruto saw Sakura with the other Yamijin girls, her hands clasped tightly. Ino talked to her cheerfully and Matsuri patted her shoulder reassuringly. Suki and Renko were shrieking: "SASUKE-SAMA!!! FIGHT!!!"
Sakura cupped her hands at her mouth and shouted: "Sasuke-kun! Do your best!"
Sasuke suddenly threw three flaming shurikens, Neji dodged them easily but Sasuke took the opportunity to rush forward and crouch into a sweeping kick. Neji jumped and jabbed his open palm: "Hakke Kuushou!"
Sasuke slid away from the blast of air and into an offensive stance, Sharingan activated. As Neji fell to the ground, he quickly formed several hand seals and cried: "Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
Neji raised his arms to shield his face, an instantaneous release of chakra from every tenketsu in his body repelling the brunt of the flames. His brows drew together in fury. "To use such a low-level jutsu on me…"
"I'll use my best techniques only on those who deserve them, Hyuuga." Sasuke gestured with his hand. "Come!"
Neji shifted into a stance. "Hakke Rokujuu—"
"Shunshin no Jutsu!" Sasuke flickered, reappearing out of the range of Neji's divination. He dashed towards Neji, but the Hyuuga shifted into a similar stance.
"Hakke Hyaku Nij—"
"Shunshin no Jutsu!" Sasuke flickered away again. "Dammit…"
"That's it, get serious, Uchiha." Neji smirked, still in the stance.
"Way to go, Neji!" Naruto pumped his fist in the air.
"Neji-niisan has mastered the Hakke Shou moves," Hinata sighed with relief. "As long as he keeps threatening Uchiha-san with Hakke Rokujuuyon Shou and Hakke Hyaku Nijuuhachi Shou, Uchiha-san will fear the palm strikes and the impairment of his tenketsus."
She's wrong though. Neji's range won't stop Sasuke, he has a lot of ninjutsus up his sleeve. But he didn't say that to Hinata and simply smiled. "Neji can handle him!"
"How troublesome…" Shikamaru yawned, sleepy tears beading at the corners of his eyes. He sat down on the grass and leaned against the twisted wire fence.
It was just like Sasuke and that Hyuuga Neji to decide to use the public training grounds as their personal showing-off and showing-up-each-other space.
The other qualifiers for the Jounin Exams were all watching instead of protesting, cheering for their tribe's representative. Even the jounin on watch, Yamashiro Aoba, was egging on Neji. "And he's Tokubetsu Jounin too," Shikamaru muttered, scratching his nose. If another senior jounin, came, Aoba would probably say that the fight was part of training.
"Katon: Gouenka!" In mid-air Sasuke launched a giant fireball. Neji spun in the Kaiten, blocking the fireball, and the next one, but he slowed down to a stop and the last fireball knocked him off his feet.
"Nice one, Sasuke!" Chouji whooped.
"Even you, Chouji?" Shikamaru muttered wryly.
His best friend smiled sheepishly. "It would be great to see one of us beat Hyuuga Neji. Lee never manages to do it."
"I'd be as happy as the next Yamijin for a win, but not if they do it on our time."
"Oh leave him alone, Shikamaru," Ino said, sitting beside him.
"You'd say that," he retorted. "You go crazy whenever Sasuke lifts a finger."
Her ice-blue eyes glinted dangerously. "You're just saying that because you're jealous of all the attention Sasuke-kun gets!"
"Oh please," Shikamaru sniffed, quickly turning away.
"Hmp!" He didn't have to look to know that Ino had lifted her chin, pointedly looking away from him.
He tuned out the sounds of the fight and the chatter, staring blankly at the adjacent side of the grounds. He caught a flash of white, a cloak fluttering in the wind, revealing a girl clad in pink suit. "Huh?"
She stood outside the grounds, looping her fingers through the crisscrossed wires and pressing her nose against the fence. Her dark hair was pulled in funny-looking buns.
Is she watching the fight? Her eyes moved as he heard Neji shout, "Hakke Shou Ranbuu", and the swishing sounds of the Hyuuga's dance. No, she's watching Neji.
She looks very familiar…
"… And Sakura's worried that Sasuke-kun will do too much and what does she mean by 'too much,' Sasuke-kun's better than anyone—are you listening, Shikamaru? Shikamaru!" Ino slapped his arm.
"Huh? What?" Shikamaru rubbed his arm, glancing at Ino, but he looked back.
"Are you checking out that girl?" Ino demanded sourly.
"What are you talking about?" He snorted. The familiar stranger girl glanced when her companion touched her shoulder, another dark-haired girl—no, this one was a boy.
"Puh-lease!" Ino cried. "Even Sakura's prettier than her!"
"It's not that! We know that girl, Ino. Shush!"
"You know, you really have no taste, Shikamaru!"
We should know who she is…
"Hakke Shou Ranbuu!" His long black hair swished behind him as he danced, striking Uchiha Sasuke with his open palms, white eyes never leaving his target.
Tenten clutched the wire fence tightly, wanting to tear it down. That boy with the Hakke Shou maneuver—
Long and silky black hair, skin as pale as porcelain, the most unusual white eyes—even the voice! The voice that she had heard across the rusted time, she heard again, now, in Konoha.
For the briefest moment, he glanced at her, the veins around his eyes relaxing. But just as fast, his Byakugan was open as he attacked Sasuke, that she wasn't sure that the glance had happened.
Her breath had caught in her throat just the same.
"It can't be," Tenten murmured. "Aniki said he would erase all traces of you."
She whispered his name…
"Neji…"
He startled, immediately reaching out with his Byakugan for the source of the voice. Like the gentlest breeze, like a butterfly's kiss—a ghost at the edge of his senses.
That stranger…
He blinked, his Byakugan deactivating as he glanced again towards the edge of the training grounds. Her hood had slipped down, revealing dark brown braids coiled at either side of her head and a golden face flushed crimson.
He cut Sasuke's wire with a kunai and counter-attacked, but stepped back quickly when his punch failed to connect.
The girl's white cloak billowed and caught his eye. He ducked Sasuke's shurikens—they barely missed his hair—and lunged forward.
He saw a dark-haired boy touch the girl's shoulder and the girl looking up at him.
Who's that guy?
"Chidori Nagashi!"
"Agh!" The shock from the electrical currents around Sasuke's body threw him back. He moved away when Sasuke slashed his lightning-enhanced sword, but he wasn't fast enough—the blade slashed cleanly across his arm. Sasuke punched him and he was knocked off his feet, skidding across the grounds.
There was a strange glint in the Sharingan as the Uchiha approached him. Neji's senses told him to flee, but the electricity had paralyzed him and numbed his eyes—the Byakugan closed. Neji watched in frozen dread as Sasuke rubbed his neck, where a fiery mark crept up and stained his cheek, still creeping—
"Sasuke-kun!!" The Uchiha was caught in his pink-haired bride's arms. He blinked and shook his head.
"Sakura…"
"Are you alright?" Her fingers trailed on his neck.
"Let go of me." Sasuke pulled away from her. Neji frowned. The markings were gone.
"Neji!"
"Neji-niisan!"
Naruto and Hinata kneeled beside him. Naruto helped him sit up and Hinata pressed a handkerchief against his bleeding arm. "What was that with Uchiha?" He muttered.
"Yeah, that Nagashi thing—it's his new technique," Naruto growled.
But Hinata looked at him with frightened eyes and he knew her Byakugan glimpsed what he had seen up close. What is that with Uchiha?
And those strangers—
Neji glanced at the edge of the grounds again, but the girl and her companion had disappeared.
Kiba was about to approach Neji, Hinata, and Naruto, when a voice behind him asked: "Where is Aniki?"
He and Akamaru looked back. A girl clad in a gray, high-necked trench coat stared impassively at him. She wasn't a qualifier for the upcoming exams. "Hey, what are you doing here—" he bit back his question.
The girl was kind of pretty. Her cropped black hair curled against her heart-shaped face and her black eyes slanted up in that cute way. And Akamaru was barking happily at her and nuzzling her knee affectionately. She scratched the dog behind his ears.
He decided to ask her in a nicer manner. "Is there anything—"
"Inuzuka-san, isn't Aniki with you?"
Akamaru barked in… affirmation? "Who's 'Aniki'?" Kiba raised an eyebrow. "I don't know your—"
"Aburame Shino, he's your partner, isn't he?" The girl frowned slightly at him.
"Shi-Shi-Shino's…" He looked her up and down. "Shizuku??!"
"I'm glad you remembered me, Inuzuka-san." Maybe Kiba was mistaken, but she sounded as if she was being sarcastic. Akamaru was nuzzling her knee again.
"I thought you were training with a branch family in Iwagakure!"
"My training was for one year. I finished a few weeks ago."
"Okay…" Kiba blinked. Aburame Shizuku? The last time Kiba had seen her, her hair was longer than Neji's and got in the way of everything. She had also been a dwarf-like little thing.
Now her eyes were nearly level with his, and she probably wouldn't run away if he yelled at her again that her hair was a nuisance. Not that it could be a nuisance anymore, not at its new length.
Now she was tapping her foot impatiently. "And Aniki is…. where?"
"Oh. He went to ask Raido-san to help us train for the Jounin Selection Exams and for our new mission from the Council."
"I see." She pulled out a dumpling from her coat pocket, carefully removing the wax paper wrapping before giving it to Akamaru, who quickly gobbled the treat and licked her hand in thanks.
"Have you heard about our new mission?" He grinned. "We've been assigned to guard Hinata! That was Neji's mission all this time, and now we're being promoted to it."
"That's nice." Shizuku gave Akamaru another dumpling.
"It means we're officially recognized as competent Hikaru-nins! More than competent—trustworthy and reliable!"
"Aniki!" Shizuku called.
Shino was walking towards them. "Where are your spectacles, Shizuku?" His sister hastily drew a pair of sunglasses from her pocket and put them on.
Two girls were running across the grounds, and apparently, Shino wasn't looking—he bumped right into one of them.
"Aniki!" Shizuku called again.
Kiba frowned at the clumsy girl. She's Yamijin…
"Ouch!" In the middle of the training grounds, Suki had bumped into Aburame Shino and dropped into an undignified pratfall. Chouji winced.
Matsuri instinctively touched the katana strapped to her waist. Chouji started to step forward, just in case…
"Suki!" Renko had stopped in her tracks. "Hurry up!"
Shino held out his hand. Suki automatically took it and was promptly helped up. "I'm sorry," Suki said. "I wasn't paying attention—"
"Suki!" Renko shouted, stamping her foot.
"Sorry again!" Suki fell in step beside Renko, and they hurried towards Chouji and the other Yamijins.
"Suki, he's Hikarujin!" Renko's furious whisper was clearly audible.
"Sorry, I was just—"
"Oh, stop apologizing," Matsuri said.
"And you held his hand!" Renko cried. "The Aburame clan members are hosts for bugs!"
"Ugh!" Ino shuddered. Beside her, Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
Suki wrinkled her nose. "I forgot about that!"
"How did it feel like?" Matsuri asked. "Does his hand have a lot of holes? Can you feel the bugs?"
"No, I don't know, I don't think it really felt any different," Suki replied.
"It's not nice to talk about other shinobis like this," Lee reproached. "Shino-kun is a ninja like us, despite his unusual abilities."
"Yeah, Lee's right, get a grip," Shikamaru rolled his eyes again. "He's just another shinobi."
"Yeah, one who happens to have bugs crawling under his skin!" Ino waved her arms for emphasis.
"Can we talk about this later, when we're already at the barbecue house?" Chouji asked.
"Eww, why would we want to talk about this while eating barbecue?" Ino wrinkled her nose.
"I don't know, I just want to eat already instead of standing here talking about bugs!"
Matsuri laughed. "We're going soon, don't worry."
"Sorry for the wait," Sakura apologized, looking up from dabbing salve on Sasuke's minor bruises.
"You don't have to do that," Sasuke muttered irritably. "We should just go and eat."
"Sasuke-kun, we should take care of your injuries now, no matter how minor they may be, so they won't inconvenience you later."
"Sakura-hime's right, Sasuke-sama," Matsuri said. "She's only concerned about your well-being."
Sasuke frowned, but stopped complaining just the same.
"Does it hurt, Sasuke-sama?" Renko asked.
"Why should it hurt," Lee said. "Sakura-hime's gentle hands are well-versed in medical jutsu!"
"Well it looks like Sasuke-sama is in pain!" Renko retorted.
"Well you're wrong, he isn't!"
"Guys, guys…" Suki put a restraining hand on each shoulder. "It's just hunger, that's all, that's why you're getting short-tempered."
"It's hunger alright," Chouji sighed, rubbing his growling stomach.
Matsuri patted his back reassuringly. "We're going in a bit… or not."
Chouji looked where Matsuri was glaring. Yakushi Kabuto was approaching them.
"A nice day to you too, Kusanagi Matsuri-chan," Kabuto nodded as he walked past, his smile more like a sneer. She sniffed in annoyance.
"That's it, we can go now." Sakura patted the last sticky plaster in place.
"Sasuke-sama, Sakura-hime…" Kabuto kneeled beside the pair and bowed.
"What do you want now?" Sasuke demanded.
"Your presence in the Uchiha palace is necessary," Kabuto said.
"Now?" Sakura asked.
"Immediately, Princess."
"Tch," Sasuke gritted his teeth.
"Kabuto-san." Matsuri stepped behind Kabuto.
"Yes, Kusanagi-chan?"
"Can't it wait? Sasuke-sama and Sakura-hime are going to have a meal with us." The other teenagers murmured their assent.
"I am afraid it cannot wait. Sasuke-sama and Sakura-hime must receive an important visitor." Kabuto gave her an infuriating smile. "It is their duty, surely you understand that, Kusanagi-chan."
Matsuri's grip on her katana tightened. Sakura quickly stood up. "I'm sorry Sasuke and I can't come with you today... Matsuri, Chouji, Ino… everyone…" She smiled regretfully.
"Well okay, but you're treating us next time!" Ino winked at her.
"Can I have your share then?" Chouji joked.
Sakura laughed. Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Hn. Didn't Asuma tell you to go on a diet?"
They all said goodbye as Sasuke and Sakura walked away, followed by Kabuto. Matsuri crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't like that guy. He looks so… smug." Chouji had to nod in agreement.
The long-haired Hyuuga boy led the group through the streets. Behind him was another Hyuuga, a female, smiling at a noisy blond boy, and a boy with a dog, talking to a girl and boy, both wearing dark glasses, who looked like siblings.
For about the fifth time, the Hyuuga boy stopped and looked around. Haku and Tenten crouched behind a wall. As an extra precaution, Haku put up a shield of mirrors—the refraction would erase them from sight.
"Neji, what is it?" Came the voice of the noisy blond boy.
"I did hear them correctly—they called him Neji!" Tenten whispered, both hands over her mouth. Haku rubbed her shoulder to calm her down.
"It's nothing." It was the Hyuuga who spoke.
"Neji… that's what you said every time Naruto asked you that question. But since we started walking home, you've stopped and looked around exactly five times."
"I said it's nothing."
"If Shizuku and I sent our scouting bugs—"
"No, it's not necessary. I can handle this."
"Handle what? You just said it's nothing! Make up your mind, Neji!"
"Shut up, Naruto."
"You shut up, Puppy-chan!"
"I said shut up, Akamaru can smell somebody—two somebodies." Tenten and Haku exchanged alarmed looks.
"Well if he's just smelling, I don't need to shut up, do I?"
"Quiet, Naruto! Kiba, stop that. I said it's nothing."
"Tch, you're always like this, Neji."
"All of you should go ahead. I need to check out something."
"But Neji—"
"No buts. Help Kiba and Shino escort Hinata-sama home."
"I'll come with Aniki and Inuzuka-san."
"Neji-niisan…"
"You're not the boss of me, Neji!"
"Fine. Kiba, Shino, and Shizuku will manage just perfectly without you, Hinata-sama can go home with them."
"I didn't mean it like that, I just meant—"
"Naruto-baka, we're leaving you here!"
"Waaaait! Neji, you're no fair! I want in too! You're going to fight somebody aren't you?"
Tenten gaped incredulously. "Fight?"
"Just go, Naruto."
The footsteps of the blond boy faded. Then it was silent, not even a breeze disrupted the stillness.
"I know you're there." The Hyuuga boy's sandals brushed the street, coming closer. "I saw you at the training grounds, both of you."
"We should go," Haku whispered. Tenten nodded.
"Who are you?"
Tenten pulled out smoke bombs and he started a series of hand seals.
"If that's the way you want it… Byakugan! I can see you, your chakra has betrayed you!"
Haku grabbed Tenten's wrists, upsetting the bombs. "Never mind that, just run!" They dashed away at a chakra-enhanced speed, never looking back until they had halfway crossed the village.
"I think we're okay now, this part of Konoha is predominantly Yamijin." Tenten sighed with relief.
Haku grasped her by the shoulders. "Why were we even following him?"
"Haku, I just want to be sure that it really is him!"
"Then if it really is him, then what?" He leaned forward, their noses almost touching. "What will you do, Tenten-hime?"
She shrugged helplessly. "I don't know…"
He bit his lip. I can see why Orochimaru-sama feared for you, Tenten-hime. "You know I'll always stay by your side, right?"
She nodded. "And Haku, you… you won't—"
"Of course I'll never tell Kimimaro-kun. I already told you that."
"Sakura-hime, I'll be waiting right here until you finish." Misha opened the door to the Master's Baths.
"Won't you come with me inside?" Sakura asked, puzzled.
"Well… I'll be here!" Misha quickly pushed her inside the bathhouse and closed the door.
"But how will I scrub my back?" She stepped towards the large pool, her wooden sandals clicking on the tiles. She dipped her toe in the water. "Ahh… it's hot!"
"Sakura?"
She gasped at the sound of the voice and looked up. Through the steam she could make out, leaning against the side of the pool… "Sasuke-kun!" She shrieked and ran behind the screens. "I'm sorry Sasuke-kun, I didn't know you were inside. I'll, I'll… I'll go to another bath—"
"The baths at the eastern wing are closed for repairs. And all the other baths aren't in use anymore. Unless you're going to use the baths for the servants. You can't do that."
"Oh. Then… I'll just wait until you're done!"
"Kabuto said we have to be ready in an hour."
"Oh…" Sakura cringed.
"………"
"………"
"… Just get in the bath, will you."
Sakura stepped out of the screens, her face burning. "O-Okay."
A few minutes passed and Sakura was still fidgeting beside the pool.
"Tch." Sasuke waded to the far end of the pool and turned away, leaning against the edge. "Hurry up."
Sakura quickly slipped out of her robe and sat at the edge of the pool. Sasuke kept his back turned to her as she lathered her hair and skin, scrubbing herself with a washcloth. She washed off the suds and submerged herself chin-deep in the water.
Sasuke climbed out of the pool (Sakura shut her eyes tightly). His sandals clicked all the way to the door. "Let me know when you're done," he said.
"Huh? What did he mean by that?"
"I'm using these ornaments today, Misha, Mikoto-kaasama said I can wear them when I'm fifteen and seven moons." Sasuke heard Sakura saying through the other side of the door.
Sasuke slid open the door to Sakura's dressing room. Misha was sticking the complicated hairpiece in Sakura's hair. "Ouch!"
"I'm sorry, Sakura-hime." The maid clumsily arranged the ribbons around a knot of hair. "I think it goes here—no, tie the ribbon here and the stick twists like this."
"No Misha, the chopsticks are twisted first before everything else."
"But I need you to show me how it's done, Sakura-hime."
"I can't see the back of my head!" Sakura started when she saw him behind her in the dresser mirror. "Sasuke-kun!"
He gestured for the maid to move and she fell back a few paces. "I told you to call me, didn't I?"
"Sasuke-kun, what for?" He pulled out the pins that held her hair in a bun. "Wait, Sasuke-kun—"
"Ssh. Be quiet." He twisted several locks of her hair with the chopsticks, plaited several sections and pulled them through the loops of the hairpiece.
"How did you know how to do that, Sasuke-kun?" She asked when he pinned a few braids to the top of her head.
"Every son of the Uchiha is expected to learn it… Kaasan taught me how to."
"Yes… I remember." Sakura smiled. "You tried the hair ornaments on me. Mikoto-kaasama said you weren't old enough to learn, but you kept asking her to teach you, because she was teaching—" Sakura's eyes widened and she fell silent.
Sasuke forced himself to ignore her words and continued wrapping the ribbons around her hair. Finally, he clipped on the dangling pieces.
Sakura examined her reflection in the mirror, turning her head in different angles. She squeezed his hand. "Mikoto-kaasama has taught you well, Sasuke-kun." Then she frowned at him. "Sasuke-kun, why are you wearing a burgundy kaku obi with a royal-blue kimono?"
Bur-what? "… It's the one hanging with this kimono."
"It doesn't look very good." Sakura pulled him out of her apartments and into his.
"I'll tell the housekeepers to sort the laundry properly!" Sakura's maid said as she followed them.
His attendant, Miyagi, bowed when they entered his room. "Sakura-hime—"
"Miyagi, Sasuke-kun's clothes don't match!"
"Er… they don't?" The attendant looked at him and he shrugged.
Sakura sighed, and muttered something that sounded very much like 'honestly, boys' as she dug through his closet. "This!" She waved a pale-colored belt triumphantly. "I think a lilac kaku obi would be nice."
He exchanged another confused look with Miyagi as the attendant helped him tie the belt Sakura chose.
"Uchiha Sasuke-sama, Haruno Sakura-hime…" Kabuto bowed low before the pair sitting on the platform of the hall. "We present to you our honored guest, Tenten-hime."
Tenten stepped forward, flanked by Haku and Kimimaro. Then they fell back when she approached the platform. She kneeled and bowed. "Sasuke-sama, Sakura-hime…" Sasuke and Sakura bowed in turn.
"Haku, Kimimaro… Temari, Kankurou, and Gaara…" As Kabuto announced each person, they stepped forward and bowed low.
Sasuke and Sakura stood up, the cue for everyone else to stand up as well. As the Lady of the Palace, Sakura held out a hand at Tenten, which the other princess took, and kissed both her cheeks. "Tenten-hime, your presence brings us much joy." A sweet smile illuminated her face.
"Sakura-hime, I am honored to be received with such grace." Tenten kissed the other girl as well. "And warmth," she added.
"We welcome you into our home," Sasuke muttered automatically.
"I am thankful for your welcome," she replied, and they shook hands perfunctorily.
"I hope your journey was pleasant," Sakura said.
"Well…" Tenten looked at her companions, who gave her wry looks. "There was never a dull moment."
Green eyes reflected understanding. "You must tell me all about it later, Tenten-hime."
She beamed fondly at the other girl. "We're old friends, Sakura-hime, it would make me happy if we weren't so formal, that is, if you are amenable to that idea."
Sakura laughed and they hugged each other. "Yes, that's a great idea!"
They released each other partly, still with an arm around the other's waist, and Tenten gestured to her companions. "Sakura-chan—and Sasuke-sama—you already know Haku and Kimimaro-kun."
"Of course." Sakura held out her hand to Haku. "It's wonderful to see you again, Haku-san."
Haku lifted Sakura's hand, and looked like he was about to kiss it, but he clasped it with both hands instead. "Thank you for your kind words, Sakura-hime."
"I mean it, Haku-san, I'm glad to see you. You're very sweet."
He blushed. "Um… I'm grateful—uh." He bowed shallow at Sasuke who nodded curtly.
Sakura turned to the other boy and offered her hand as well. "Kimimaro-san, it has been a while."
Kimimaro bent down and kissed her hand. "Still your loyal servant despite my absence, Sakura-hime." Then he bowed at Sasuke. "Honored to serve, Sasuke-sama." Another nod was the reply.
"And our three new companions are the children of Yondaime Kazekage, our ally," Tenten explained. "They are Temari, Kankurou, and Gaara."
"We are grateful for your service," Sakura said, offering her hand first to Temari, who took it tentatively. She simply bowed shallow while clasping Sakura's hand. Kankurou followed his sister's example, and then bowed to Sasuke.
Temari smirked while she bowed to Uchiha Master, who looked past her, in a staring contest with Gaara. The look didn't escape Sakura though; Tenten saw her frowning slightly at Temari.
"Welcome," Sakura said to Gaara. He looked away from Sasuke and blinked. Then he stared at her.
She held out her hand at him. He stared at it blankly. Sakura glanced at Tenten; she shrugged, mouthing: 'He's like that.'
"Gaara-kun." Haku kicked his shin. Tenten suppressed a giggle.
Gaara started, not even glaring at Haku; he quickly took Sakura's hand and dropped it just as fast.
"Gaara has a white horse," Tenten said to Sakura.
Sakura clapped her hands in excitement. "Oh, may I see it, Gaara-san?"
Gaara's eyes widened slightly and he took a step back when Sakura stepped closer, green eyes sparkling up at him.
Gaara glared at Tenten, and she stifled another giggle.
"Sakura-hime, he'll be glad to let you ride his horse," Kankurou said, putting an arm around his brother. "Won't you Gaara?"
"Thank you, Gaara-san!" Sakura clasped his hand again, oblivious to his unease. When the princess released him, he flashed a murderous look at his older brother.
Sakura linked her arm with Tenten's and led the way to the dining hall. Behind them, Tenten heard Kankurou saying: "What do you know, Gaara, you were right that they were right, Sakura-hime is nice, huh, don't you think so?"
When Kankurou laughed, Tenten couldn't help herself—she laughed too.
"Hikaru-nins use white horses, you'd think they'd keep that in mind," Sasuke muttered as he stalked down the hallway.
Haku grinned, glancing sideways at the prince. "White horses appeal to the aesthetic sense, Sasuke-sama, that's why Sakura-hime adores them. It's not fair to blame the white horses for their connection to the Hikarujin. Tenten-hime likes white horses too."
"Well she would, wouldn't she?" Sasuke retorted. "She likes everything about the Hikarujins."
Haku forced down his temper, maintaining a cheerful face. "That's not fair, Sasuke-sama, that's just hearsay. Everybody in the Yamijin tribe talks about the legend of a princess who fell in love with a Hikarujin prince, but that's just a legend, isn't it, there are no written records of such an event."
"Don't underestimate me," Sasuke said. "I am the leader of the Yamijin. Due to her crime, Orochimaru destroyed all records of her. But it happened alright, and she was reincarnated, and you know as well as I do—as everyone in the council do—that it is her."
Gaara and Kankurou caught up with them. Sasuke and Gaara's glaring contest began anew.
Haku smiled. "Gaara-kun, Sakura-hime is looking forward to riding that lovely horse of yours." Both boys' glares flickered towards him.
"Gaara's looking forward to granting your exquisite princess' wish." Kankurou smirked. "Isn't that right, Gaara?" The glares flickered towards Kankurou.
"You don't mind, do you, Sasuke-sama?" Haku inquired in his most solicitous tone.
"Why would I mind?" Sasuke growled.
"Well, riding a horse could be dangerous, and Gaara-kun's horse is especially strong-willed," Haku said. "Besides, such excursions would leave you without Sakura-hime's company."
"I couldn't care less," the prince hissed.
"You're right, Sasuke-sama, there's really no cause for you to be concerned about it." Haku nodded. "It's Tenten-hime who should worry you."
"What?"
"Sakura-hime hasn't seen her dear friend for quite some time. I'm afraid Tenten-hime will probably monopolize her time."
Haku chuckled at the split-second look Sasuke flashed in the girls' direction.
(1) Being the cheesy, group-huggy person that I am, I wanted the Haku-Tenten-Kimimaro trio to have a group jutsu! So I made up Houki Fubuki no Mai: Kimimaro's jutsus are dances, so it must be classified as a dance (mai), then fubuki (snow storm) is for Haku, and then I tried to think of a symbol suited to Tenten that brought to mind flying daggers and explosions. I was looking for a flower, but I couldn't think of an appropriate one, then I thought of comets, that also kept in line with the whole shooting stars idea—so there, houki.
(2) Yes, there were quite a few jutsus here, but I'm too lazy to list them all. Unless otherwise stated, they're canon in one way or another.
Author's Notes again : Oh man… I can feel that you guys want to kill me now for not having Neji and Tenten meet! Or re-meet. But I can promise something in the next chapter! Still, I enjoyed writing this chapter. Conceptualizing Haku and Kimimaro in a non-combat situation is such a joy.
Like this chapter? Don't forget to review and let me know. It would make me very happy. (But if you hate it, let me know too. :P)
P.S. To all those who asked if it's alright with me if they would make fics based on the universe of "Between Light and Darkness," the answer is 'YES!' As long as you don't claim the universe as your own idea, it's okay.