Author's Note
To you, my beloved reader.. I express my deepest gratitude for your willingness to give your time to read my story. Be warned that this story contains lots of Twists, Angst and Conflicts. But rest assured, I've put a lot of work into this.. Enjoy the journey..
Yours Truly,
Lord Ealing
Chapter 1
Fiery Beginning
Tenten was panting as she finally reached her house and knocked on the door. Her mother smiled at her but her eyes were full of dissapprovement.
"I told you before, you must be here before 6pm.. you're 1 hour late!"
"But I have to practice."
Tenten bowed her head and kept quiet.
"Look- I know you dream of becoming a ninja someday but, how many times
do I have to tell you that You can't.. "
"But why? Because I'm a girl?" She slightly pushed her mom away and
entered the house.
"Neesan!" her little sister ayame hugged her tight.
"Did you practice today?"
"Of course." she smiled back.
"I'm sure that you'll become a great ninja!"
"Thanks. "
"Stop that talk- TenTen, help me in the kitchen."
"Just a minute. "
TenTen placed her bag beside her bed and lied down for awhile. She placed her new clothes and looked at the mirror. She always wanted to be a Ninja
like her dad, even if he died because of a mission that led to her mom's hatred for ninjas. Her brother on the other hand didn't find the Ninja profession as fit for him so decided to be a businessman and satisfied her mother. She, on the other hand is studying arts - she liked it but her passion didn't lay there.
She snapped back to reality and rushed downstairs. Their kitchen was a complete mess but the aroma was enticing. Her Mother is a great cook and she owns a restaurant across the street.
"Come on, help me finish preparing the ingredients.. "
"Sure. "
Being a cook is not one of her dreams but growing up with a mother who loved it and earned money from it, she began to learn the skills needed. She was nothing compared to her mom but atleast she could whip up a decent meal.
"I'm sorry- But I can't bear seeing you grow up and become a ninja, "
Her mother said softly as she cleaned up the plates.
"I know you hate ninjas eversince Dad died. I understand."
"I can't lose my daughter,,"
TenTen just smiled and headed out. She stepped into her room and immediately fell asleep.
The night was calm and silent but on the Residence the Hyuuga clan, everything was chaotic, especially the mind of Hyuuga Neji.
He looked at the man sitting across him and scowled. Gensuki, the spoiled son of a known member of the head family. He couldn't even rescue a child or use his byakugan in a decent way. The meeting is about Neji's acceptance in to the Royal line even if he's just from the branch family. There was no other man fit enought, powerful enough to handle the job of being in the royal line and protecting the clan.
"And besides- let me add that Neji-Kun is popular with pretty girls!"
Gensuki smiled at him and drank his glass of wine.
He wanted to hit Gensuki right into his heart but he must be calm. He wasn't a pervert like him who takes girls in the house like it was some new clothes he bought. All he wants right now is to be one of the top members of the Hyuuga clan. The meeting ended and the verdict was to let him in but with one condition. He needed to give one year of his life as a commoner. It was like a training for him and a way to mingle with the real world.
"Congratulations Neji-Kun! hope you get back alive!"
Gensuki greeted in a sing-song voice.
"Make sure you're still alive when I come back.. "
Neji muttered and made his way through the crowd of people congratulating him.
"Neji- you deserve to be part of the Royal Line, you have indeed proven that you are worth it. "
The head told him and held out his hand, but he refused to shake it.
"I know that. stop being nice to me, I know you loathe me..A part of the branch family? You treated me like dirt. "
He eyed the old man in front of him but he smiled back.
"Your heart is full of hatred Neji-Kun, You must let it go."
"My job is to protect this clan and be strong, other than that- you can't tell me what to do."
He replied coldly and followed the man. He handed him a parchment that included his assignment.
"You are going to join a group of ninja assassins. It will hone your skills, especially your speed and you will get to know the principles of other people. The leader Asano-sama will tell you more about it. "
Neji bowed his head and mouthed goodbye. The old man just stared at him and looked at the night sky. If only Neji can find his peace.. If only he could find forgiveness in his heart then maybe, He can become a better ninja- better than he already was.
Morning came and Tenten spent the whole day making paintings and listening to the sleepy voice of her Sensei. Finally, noon came and she made her way to begin her practice but Sensei Gai stopped her and gave her a letter.
"What's this?" Tenten inquired.
"It's a secret mission!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Are you sure?"
"It's nothing much, but you pretty much get to defend a family- The Yamato Family. "
"I know the- they are those rich owners of a clothes store!"
"Right you are Tenten! Now- show me the power of Youth and defend them!!"
Tenten wanted to accept the job but she was reminded of her mother's words. ' I can't lose a daughter'.
"Sensei, this is great but I have to think about it. Gomen, "
She bowed her head lower than she ever did for anyone. Sensei Gai did nothing but to teach her and her friend Lee and now she turns him down.
"That's okay! A good ninja thinks before she does something!"
"Arigatou. "
Tenten spent the evening practicing. She wouldn't accept the Yamato assignment, she needed more training and her mother will surely sense that there is something wrong. It was already past 7 ans she needed to come home. She ran again but before she reached the house people were scattered all over the place- into their house!!
She got down and felt her knees go weak. The house was burning! The flames engulfed the whole place and she made her way to it but the Ninjas that came to rescue stopped her. They finally made a way to stop the flames but they couldn't save her family. Her Mom's body was found in the kitchen- the start of the fire because of a left flame. Ayame's body was found in a closet and His brother was missing.
Her neighbors invited her in their house but she refused. She wandered in the streets and cried endlessly. Finally, she collapsed on the side of the road.
She awoke and found herself in a hospital. Her friends were there and they all bought flowers.
"What do you want to do now?" Her sensei asked.
"Sir Gai, where do I find the Yamato family?"
He just smiled and gave her instructions.
The Yamato's house was not hard to find. It was a big and stylish house that made everyone who passed by it green with envy. Tenten decided to become a ninja- maybe, her family's death was a price to pay for her to continue her dreams. She must not waste it. She was greeted by the hosts and took her stand on the gates as a guard. This felt good, a true assignment.
"Hey Neji! come over here!" Asano called and introduced him to the members of this house.
Neji eyed them and didn't show any emotion.
"That one in the corner is shikamaru. "
A man about his age with a ponytailed hair waved at him.
"The drunk one is Shiba- Hey! wake up!"
A middle aged man who sported a brown hair and a big body woke up to wave at him and slept again.
"You see, They are all sleeping or on a mission right now-"
"Hey you forgot me!"
A blonde girl appeared and sat beside him.
"Of course- Akira!"
Neji nodded and sat down with the three other ninjas.
"We have an assignment. "
"It's been a long time," Shikamaru commented and smiled.
"Excited as usual?" Asano replied and spoke.
We just need to intercept them on their way to a social function and then- we kill the patriarch.
"Not all of them?" Shiba said, disappointed.
"That's no fun Asano-sama!" Akira jerked her hand away from shiba who was still groggy.
"Let's not get carried away.."
"Who are we going to take down?"
Neji asked.
"The Yamato Family. "
Did that turn out well? REVIEW. please& thank you. I think I should've made TenTen's grieveing process longer BUT I didnt want her to suffer so much.