Tenten walked away from the dock and sighed. That was the third place Tenten went to to try and get a job. She was tired of living like a peasant and wanted to get a better life. She really wanted to be a Ronin (paid soldier) instead of a Peasant, but she was a woman and women were not favored in Japan. So the best she could do was get a job to support herself.
The year is 1267 A.D. and Tenten is 18 years old and living a lonely life as a peasant. She has no job and can barely support herself, but she makes do.
Tenten slid her door closed. "I'm home." She heard shuffling in the room next to hers and sighed. She shared a house with three other girls her age because she could barely afford a house her own, no matter how crappy it was.
Temari burst through the door with a huge grin on her face. "How did it go?"
"I couldn't find one." Tenten said as she groaned and collapsed onto the ground. "I'm never going to get farther up on the social status pyramid like this. I don't want to bring kids into this world if they're just going to live like me. Sad, alone, and poor." Tenten put her head in her hands.
"It's okay." Sakura said sincerely as she came out of the other room and put a comforting hand on Tenten's back. "You'll go somewhere. You never know. You could find someone high on the pyramid and marry him. He might even be a Shogun (political leader)." Sakura said with a laugh.
"Yeah like a Shogun would marry a peasant. That would destroy both of our social status, even though I don't have one." Tenten muttered the last part.
"What's with all the whining in here?" Ino complained as she collapsed next to Tenten. "It's putting me in a bad mood."
"Oh I'm so sorry your highness." Temari said sarcastically. "We forgot to bow down to your every word. Forgive me." Temari got down on her knees and bowed.
"Shut up!" Ino snapped before walking off into the next room and slamming the sliding door.
"There goes the drama queen." Sakura snickers. They all busted out laughing and rolled around the floor.
"What am I going to do?" Tenten asked after they were all calm and staring up at the ceiling.
"Well I'm working as a servant for a noble family. You can try that." Sakura said.
"You can work for my family. We aren't that rich, but we can give you something." Temari reasoned.
"If you're family is rich enough why do you live with us?" Tenten asked.
Temari sighed. "Because they are really famous in Suna and I don't like the publicity. This life is easier. Trust me Tenten, being high on the social status isn't all it's cracked up to be."
"Whatever. Who has the grocery money? It's my turn to go get the groceries." Tenten stood up and turned to them. Sakura handed over the few copper coins they had.
Tenten left the house and walked down the street towards the market. I'm glad I'm just a peasant. Tenten thought as she passed the merchants. At least I'm not one of them. They are at the complete bottom of the social pyramid.
Tenten stopped by the fish stand and ordered four fish. She then went to the noodle stand and bought raw noodles. This should last a month or two. Tenten sighed. She held onto her bag of groceries as she started walking out of the market.
She watched the merchants trying to sell stuff as she walked out. Suddenly she bumped into someone.
"Watch where you're going jerk!" She said as she stood up and faced the person. He looked about her age and extremely rich. He was well dressed and well groomed. His long brown hair was tied at the end and his white eyes seemed to burn holes into her. "I'm sorry." Tenten exclaimed as she bowed deeply.
"Look it's Neji Hyuga." Someone murmured.
"Isn't he the Emperor's nephew?"
"I heard he just turned into a Shogun (political leader)."
"Next time watch where you walk peasant." He said coldly as he brushed past her. Tenten shook with anger as she dropped her bag of groceries and turned to face Neji.
"Jerk!" She yelled at his back. He stopped walking and turned to face her.
"What did you say peasant?" He growled.
"You heard me. You're a rich, pompous jack ass and you think everyone is beneath you." She yelled in his face. She didn't even realize she was right up in his face until she stopped and thought. Why did I do that? I'm going to be shamed for the rest of my life. Tenten shrunk back from him.
Neji was livid. That peasant talks to me like that? I'll make sure this woman won't be able to walk through the streets again! He was about to tell her off when someone stepped in.
"Sir. We must get going. We're going to be late to the very important meeting." His servant stressed out the very important part. Poor girl. The servant thought with a slight shake of his head.
Neji grunted before turning away sharply and gracefully stalking off. Tenten let out a breath she had been holding before picking up the groceries and hurrying home.
"I'm back." Tenten said shakily. She was still scared from her encounter with Neji.
"You okay?" Temari asked. Tenten sighed and shook her head.
"I ran into a Shogun and then told him off." Sakura gasped. "Luckily his servant saved my ass. I don't know what I was thinking." Tenten put the grocery bag on the floor.
"I'll get started on dinner." Sakura said as she pulled out a fish and tore it in half. "Fish and noodles again." She sighed.
"We could eat something else if I could find a job." Tenten complained again.
"My family is good friends with a family that is closely related to the Emperor. I could try to get you a job as a servant there. The pay would be exceptional." Temari said. Tenten sighed.
"I hate nobles, but I do need a job. Thanks Temari." Tenten gave her a huge hug. "I'm not hungry today. I'm going to bed early." Tenten walked into the other room and collapsed on one of the four blankets on the ground.
Next Day
"I don't want to be here." Tenten complained once again. Temari sighed. "I look like crap. Why did you make me wear this?" Tenten gestured to the simple kimono she was wearing.
"Because you can't look like too much of a peasant. This family is noble and you need this job." Temari gave her a comforting smile. A door to their right opened and this woman walked in with a gorgeous kimono and long black hair. Her eyes were pearl white.
"Hinata darling!" Temari stood up and gave her a small hug and kiss on each cheek.
"Temari!" She hugged back.
"Hinata this is Tenten. She is a very hardworking woman. Tenten this is Hinata Hyuga, daughter to the emperor. Your actual employer isn't available now so Hinata said she would interview you herself." Temari explained. Tenten curtsied.
"It is nice to meet you Lady Hyuga." Tenten stood up from the curtsy.
"Pleasure is all mine. Follow me and we will get started." She gave a shy smile. "Goodbye Temari. Please visit again." Hinata began to walk away and Tenten followed after saying a quick goodbye to Temari also.
"So Tenten, what do you think qualifies you to be a servant?" Hinata asked.
"Honestly nothing, but I am very hardworking and I need this job." Tenten was practically begging, but she had some dignity left and wouldn't stoop that low.
"My cousin needs a hardworking person like you. I'm sure you'll do great. Be here tomorrow morning to meet your employer and get started on working." Hinata said. Tenten stood and curtsied. She was about to leave before she thought of something and turned back.
"What is my employer's name?" Tenten asked.
"Neji Hyuga."
