Okay, this is the other half of ‘Sugarplum’ thanks to anyone who read and or reviewed. I didn’t expect it to be so popular and appreciate it very much.

A few people were wondering why I had Itachi be the rat king. At first I was going to have Sasuke be that part, but I wanted a little SasuSaku and to still stay a bit true to the original ‘Nutcracker’ motif. Plus, Itachi just makes it funny.

I did a disclaimer last chapter, so look back to see it.

--

Recap

“The rat army is approaching.” He said, and Tenten knew what was going to happen. Nutcracker-Neji immediately began calling orders, sending everyone into position. As he did, Tenten picked up a discarded pair of binoculars and peered through them.

Sure enough, an army of rats was racing toward the tree. It was easy to pinpoint the leader, as it was the biggest, and had the big crown that everyone was talking about. When she saw the rat kings face, she did a double take.

“Itachi Uchiha?”

---

Sure enough, there was the guy sitting on a chair carried by four other rats. He mostly looked the same, aside from the rat ears and tail poking out of him. She would have laughed if the situation had not been so serious.

“That’s the rat king?” She asked, although she didn’t expect anyone to answer, as they were all running and getting ready to fight.

Ino-doll, who had been closest at the time, answered for her, “Yeah. A very cruel temperament, he either breaks toys, or makes them serve him and the rats. I heard he even sold some to cats once. This is gonna be a fierce battle.”

Tenten looked at her, in full geisha garb, “How do you plan on fighting in that? It must be hard to move.”

The blonde doll simply laughed and said, “I have a loyal transport.” And walked off, leaving the brunette a little confused.

Shrugging it off, Tenten grabbed a sword for herself and moved in to join the ranks with the others. There were other toys with her, from the ones like her friends to toys she had never seen before. She spotted Nutcracker-Neji and walked up to him, he looked a bit surprised to see she was going to fight as well.

“Are you sure you want to?” He asked her, “You said yourself, you’re human. You might get hurt much worse then us.”

To that, she scoffed. “I know how to fight, Mr. Nutcracker.”

She smiled at the look on his face, and went with the doll army. She found Sakura-doll right away (hard not to spot all that pink) and watched as Kurenai-doll took charge leading them and breaking them into flanks. She could not find Temari-doll or Ino-doll, but hoped they would make it, along with everyone else.

Soon, the sound of a trumpet rang out, signaling the time to attack. Tenten, wanting a better look at the rat army, climbed atop a nearby stack of blocks. She gasped at the size of it, the army looked as though Itachi the rat king pulled out almost every one for this.

She saw Nutcracker-Neji a ways away, and hoped he’d be safe as well, as the cry rang out.

“CHARGE!”

With a passion, each toy and each rat ran forward, eventually meeting with a clash. Tenten, now able to fight, was slashing hard to make up for not being able to earlier. And she was not the only one, they all fought hard and swift.

Looking around, she saw Sakura-doll executing some swift and very lovely ballet moves as a form of combat. The pink haired doll felled one with a high kick, and another with a spin. Temari-doll was doing the same, only her dancing was a little more flexible, she moved fluidly to avoid and used smaller fans to hit hard.

“Nice moves.” She called.

“You’re not so bad yourself, new girl.” Temari-doll said back

“Thanks.”

Tenten was able to take down a few more rat soldiers, when she caught a glimpse of Naruto-elf jumping around, bumping into rats, and even getting some to kill each other, still his hit count was low.

The girl wondered how he was going to hold up only killing a few, when she saw that he was getting them dizzy, with Gaara-bear backing him up by punching hard as whoever Naruto-elf was able to wound. They really were friends in this world as well as back home.

“Fire!”

Several toys whirled around and saw that Sasuke-in-the-box was busying himself with the bow and arrows. They hit with precise aim further back, where there were fewer toys to hit. At first Tenten had wondered how he was hitting so well when he was swaying on his spring, but decided to not think about it.

“Look out!”

Just before a rat had been able to hit Tenten, a brown and purple blur had zoomed by. It slowed down, and Tenten was surprised to see Ino-doll riding atop Shika-deer like a horse, only she was side-saddle due to her kimono. She was armed with a spear, and had one hand on Shikamaru-deer’s antlers to steer him just in case.

“You okay?” She asked

Tenten nodded, and the pair rode fast into the crowd. The weapons mistress was her run past Kankuro-puppet, who was being moved by one of the tin soldiers. Speaking of them, each of them were doing their own share of rat extermination.

There was more battle, when she bumped into Kakashi-soldier. He shot her a grim look as he felled another rat.

“We let the dogs go wild a moment ago, but they’re being outnumbered. I hope things end up alright. The rat king Itachi really pulled out all the stops for this to be the last battle.”

Tenten fought long and hard, but soon found herself looking for Nutcracker-Neji. It was a subconscious thing, but it was there. She was looking and looking, when she found herself at a nearby plant, it seemed to be a poinsettia or something. She decided to climb it to get a better view.

It was just when she was at the top when she saw that things were not going well anymore. The Akamaru and Kiba-dog were being overrun by the vermin, and she was appalled by the fact that Kankuro-puppet’s strings had been cut.

A clanging sound brought her to Nutcracker-Neji fighting with Rat King Itachi. They attacked fiercely, and hit hard neither giving room. The main difference (aside from the rat and toy parts) was that Neji had a look of anger while Itachi was blank. It was clear to Tenten who was going to win if things continued. The rat king made a swift parry, and Neji’s sword was knocked from his hand and caught by Rat King Itachi.

“Neji, catch!” Tenten tossed her sword down to him, he caught it, and prepared to attack again.

Suddenly, an arrow was fired that sent them springing apart. They all turned to see Sasuke-in-the-box, another arrow poised at the ready. Rat King Itachi sighed and threw his sword as him. It hit the area his between his body and his spring.

Seeing an opening, Nutcracker-Neji moved in to get him, but Rat King Itachi was too fast, and slashed hard on his side pretty deeply. He dropped Tenten’s sword and clutched his wound.

Tenten felt her heart pounding as Itachi moved in. With no weapon anymore, she threw the thing closest to her. That thing happened to be one of her slippers. It hit his crown right on the mark, knocking it off the rat king’s head.

Rat King Itachi showed an uncharacteristic look of terror, and fumbled with it. It landed on the floor and shattered into a million pieces, the blue gem adorning it skidding off somewhere in the distance.

He screamed in agony, and Nutcracker-Neji saw his chance, and stabbed Rat King Itachi through the heart. The rat staggered, fell limp on the ground, and blew up in a puff of smoke. Now she didn’t bother to look, but if she had, Tenten would have seen all the other rats do the same.

However, she was far too busy with checking to see if Nutcracker-Neji was all right. She examined his wound and ripped up her robe for makeshift bandages, and quickly started to lift his shirt so she could bandage his wound. He winced a bit, but allowed her to go on.

“Tenten, you did it.”

She looked up, surprised, “I did what?”

“Your shoe gave me the chance to strike. It not for you, I might be dead.”

It was strange hearing him say things like that. She blushed as she continued wrapping his torso.

“Neji! Tenten!”

They looked up to see the others move towards them. Sasuke-in-the-box looked angry for his wound, the dolls looked disheveled, Shika-deer had a burst seam and Kankuro-puppet had to be carried by Kiba-dog. Otherwise, they seemed alright.

“He should be okay,” Tenten assured them, “I hope so at least.”

After assuring them that he would indeed be alright, Nutcracker-Neji sat himself up and smiled.

“We won.”

Instantly, cheers broke out among them, that carried back to the tree where the wounded were being cared for. It was very heartwarming. As they began to settle back down, Naruto-elf walked up with something in his hands.

“I found this under the table,” he said, and held up the blue gem that had flown away, “It looked important, so I picked it up.”

Nutcracker-Neji looked surprised at the sight of it, “Naruto, break it.”

“Pardon me?”

“Break that gem, quickly.”

Naruto-elf gave him another odd look, before raising it above his head, and bringing it down to the floor as hard as he could. It broke into many pieces, and was followed up by a bright light. Everyone shielded their eyes.

When the light died down, they all looked up. Tenten was hardly surprised to see Hinata in fairy garb. She had a blue dress that had a slightly ripped looking skirt, making it look exotic, plus some blue gossamer wings. She smiled gently at the group of ‘toys’ and spread her arms in a loving gesture.

“Thank you for freeing me.” She said in a calm voice, “After the rat king imprisoned me in his crown, I was afraid I would never be free, but you have freed me.”

Tenten could not help but feel like things had gone a bit cheesy, but as Hinata-fairy leaned over to Nutcracker-Neji and healed his wounds, she forgot that little fact of truth. (AN: IT’S TRUE THAT IT’S CHEESY! I’M SO ASHAMED!)

“Neji, you have been in some pain since your banishment.” She went on, “You were changed into a Nutcracker and forced to leave your home, therefore I end your curse.”

Her arms glowed, and Tenten watched as the lever on his back vanished, and white fairy wings replaced them. Despite the fact that he was never wooden, Tenten knew that he was no longer Nutcracker-Neji, but Neji-fairy. Hmm, that may be taken in the wrong context, so lets call him Neji-sprite, because he gets enough gay jokes already.

“You’re from fairy world?” Naruto-elf shouted, Neji-sprite gave him a look before ignoring him completely.

However, Hinata-fairy did not forget his part, and went up to him, “Thank you f-for finding the g-gem I was t-trapped in. I m-might have been stuck forever if not for you.” There was the stutter the proved that, even in this universe, she still loved Naruto. She went on with a slight blush, “I can take you to my world, my friends must be awake now.”

“Now?” Someone asked,

“When I was imprisoned and Neji banished, the rat king put the rest of my world in a deep sleep only to wake upon my return. He assumed I would never return, now let me open the portal.”

She waved her hands, and a light appeared that engulfed them all. Next thing the toys (and Tenten) knew, they were in a beautiful new place. It was sparkling whites and blues and had tall buildings that shone with light. Scattered around the city, were other fairies waking up and looking drowsy. One familiar looking one saw the group and flew over to them.

“Hinata! Is that you?”

She giggled, “Yes Lee, I have returned thanks to these toys from Toyland.”

Tenten gaped at the sight of Lee as a fairy. His clothes were the same, but he had green wings sprouting from his back. Looking up, she saw two more familiar faces fly over.

“We’ve woken up, that means the curse in lifted!”

“…”

Chouji and Shino were fairies as well. Chouji wore silk looking pants, a white shirt, and a vest that was similar to the one he wore when he was younger. He had a pair of blue butterfly looking wings. (Like from his fight with Jiroubo in the Sasuke retrieval arc.) Shino had a tan top and black silk pants, as well as a tan scarf that covered his mouth. His wings were black and seemed to be writhing, as though it was made up and many small bugs. Tenten wouldn’t put it past him.

“We should get to the court, the queen is bound to wake up as well.” Chouji said happily.

The fairies led the toys through the pristine white cities. All the while, Ino-doll clung onto Shika-deer’s undamaged antler, Sakura-doll would not relinquish the rope that helped Sasuke-in-the-box get around, and Tenten refused to let go of Neji-sprite’s arm as though she was afraid he would fly away.

When they finally got to the court, some more fairies came over and they all assisted the toys in getting up. You see, the main door was a ways up, and the toys could not access it. It took a few fairies to get Sasuke-in-the-box up, Lee fairy picked up sakura-doll before she could say anything, and Hinata-fairy picked up Naruto-elf.

Neji-sprite on the other hand, scooped up Tenten and flew up with her. She blushed again, and tried to think about her the times she spent with her boyfriend Neji rather then this one. He placed her down gently and she looked around.

It was just as sparkling white. Tenten had a feeling that someone might have taken several tubes Colgate to the place. The court had a long table from one end to the other, and a high throne on it. Sitting in the throne, was Tsunade herself, with Shizune still looking out of it. Tsunade-fairy had yellow wings that matched her hair, and Shizune had pale purple ones.

(AN: That’s all of them right?)

“So you’ve come back,” She said with a smile, “Very nice, your family will be pleased. Who are these toys?”

“These brave toys are commanders in the toy army.” Hinata-fairy said with a wave of her arms, “They all fought in the army that defeated the rat king.”

“And the miniature human?”

The toys all looked at Tenten, who gulped. “I’m Tenten”

Hinata was there however to save her from a year of embarrassment, “She saved the life of Neji. If not for her, we might not be here.”

Tsunade paused in thought for a moment, before jumping up and startling the others, “Alright! Let’s have a party to celebrate things! Shizune!”

The black haired fairy blinked in confusion, still just a wee bit dizzy, “Huh? Wha-?”

“Get things ready for a celebration! Get a nice dress for miss Tenten over there as well. CHOP CHOP!”

Immediately, every nearby fairy rushed around to get the party ready. Before Tenten could bat an eyelash she was picked up by one of them and swooped off to change. She was stripped of her pajamas and plunked into a gown before she knew what was going on.

It was a blur as every fairy swirled around her to get the party going. Eventually, things slowed down, and she found herself in the center of what seemed to be the town square. She was in a sparkling white dress, with a little gold crown on. Tenten was slightly annoyed with the fact that although they thought to giver her a nice crown, they forgot to give her shoe back.

As she spotted the others however, the thought was forgotten. She saw that they had all been repaired after they got so damaged, and Kiba-dog and Akamaru were given shiny new collars. But Tenten was only interested in the fairy sprite that looked exactly like her boyfriend.

He now wore a white silken shirt with black pants of the same fabric. Despite the fact that the banishment was gone, he wore a white strap of silk over his forehead much like a headband.

Neji-Sprite walked up to her and smiled very gently. He took her hand and just held it there. Tenten thought he was going to kiss it, but he didn’t. Instead, He leaned over to her and whispered something in her ear.

“Thank you.”

It was all that was needed to be said. From the distance, music started to play, and He took her and started to dance with her. It was a slow dance where they simply enjoyed each other’s company. It was perfect to Tenten.

As the fairies all danced around them, Tenten spotted Hinata-fairy dancing with Naruto-elf. Ino-doll and Sakura-doll chose not to dance, but stayed with Shika-deer and Sasuke-in-the-box respectively.

Tenten looked at Neji-sprite as the night wore on. He had a serene look in his eyes, as though he knew everything would be alright. As they danced, Tenten began to feel dizzy. The dances began to get faster, and she saw many different kinds of dancers as things got blurrier.

A voice called out to her, but she was too tired to make out who it was. “Tenten? Wake up! Tenten!”

Everything went black.

---cutlinethatIdon’---

“Tenten! Wake up! Tenten!”

“Mmmrg, what?”

Tenten awoke to find herself back in her apartment and Neji standing over her, looking like the Konoha ninja she was used to rather then the Nutcracker sprite. She was back in her pajamas as well.

“What happened?” She asked him, “Where’s the wings?”

Neji gave her a look “There are no wings, I think you’ve been drinking a little too much eggnog.”

“Well, who let you in?” She asked,

“You gave me a key to your apartment a month ago.”

Now she just felt silly, “Oh.” She was about to tell him about the dream she had, when she noticed a certain something poking out of his bag. “What’s that?”

He glanced at it, and pulled it out. “Yamanaka confronted me a while ago and said you were interested in it. I thought, why not?”

It was the nutcracker she had seen in the store a while ago. She gasped and held it in her hands.

“Neji, thank you. I love it.”

She showed her appreciation with a deep, heartfelt kiss. He kissed her back, and she knew that this was no dream sequence, dreams never felt this good. They broke apart and she said how much she loved it, as well as him, one more time.

“That’s good, because I got a companion piece.” He reached into the bag again and showed her the princess doll with the white dress and one shoe. Tenten held it in her hands, and thanked him again.

“I don’t believe it, I’ll have to thank Ino as well.” As she looked at the nutcracker again, a small smirk formed on her lips, “He looks like you.”

He flushed a bit, “No it does not. Besides, what about you and that princess?”

“It makes the two a happy couple.”

Neji gave the two dolls a glance, “Interesting couple.”

“Well whatever the case, It’s wonderful that you did this for me.”

He leaned in and they shared another kiss. Neji smiled as the broke away, “How about we go out to eat something.”

“Sure thing, I’m starved. Just let me change first.”

Tenten stood up and moved to get ready, but a comment from Neji stopped her.

“Why do you only have one slipper?”

She glanced down and noticed that the slipper was indeed missing. Her thoughts turned back to her ‘dream’ and she glanced at the nutcracker. She walked over and picked up both it and the doll and set them in position to they were looking at each other.

“I think they look better that way.”

Neji shrugged, “If you insist. Now lets get that dinner.”

Tenten smiled, dressed, got her coat and left the apartment with her boyfriend. Just before she shut to door to lock it, she could have sworn she was the two toys together.

They were dancing.

The end

AN: NOW it’s finished. I had no idea it would be so long. 27 pages, one of the longest single things I’ve ever written. I also didn’t think it would be so popular, day after I posted the first half a got around twelve different alerts about it. You all make me so happy to be alive! Honestly though, I’m glad you all liked it, because I just don’t have the time or the energy to write another holiday fiction this year.

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS!