Wrath

I hurriedly grabbed my bag and checked my watch. I felt my stomach drop when I saw the time.

'Oh no, if I'm late again I'll be fired!' "See ya later guys!"

"GOODBYE BLOSSOM OF YOUTH!"

"MAY YOU REMAIN IN YOUR SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH TILL TOMORROW!"

"Hn."

I think you can pretty much figure who spoke then. Let me give you a hint, Neji's parting words had nothing to do with youth. Surprised huh? Mentally rolling my eyes at how constantly exuberant my two teammates always seemed to be and how absolutely frigid the remaining one was.

Not that Neji hadn't become more social since his loss to Naruto, but he still didn't mince words. The two of us understood each other a lot better now more so than anyone else understood either of us. We trained together every day and hung out even after we finished for the day.

We gradually became each other confidents and best friends. However, I could never tell him about my other job. As an orphan I didn't make enough money to support myself on the money I made as a ninja alone. Eventually as I grew more in need of new supplies I applied for jobs.

At age 13 nobody would hire me, except one restaurant/night club. When I accepted it I just thought it would be a way to earn some more change, but I soon learned my error. My manager enlightened me to what duties I had to perform.

At first it was small stuff, things I could handle such as being a waitress. Steadily it progressed until I danced with men twice my age as to get them into it. Last year though I became subject to even worse circumstances. I began to have to sleep with the men that could easily be my father.

I wanted to quit right then, but my employer, Alexa, threatened to blackmail. She told me if I walked out on her she would go around telling everyone that I worked as a stripper. If she did Tsunade-sama might ask me to give up my role as a konoichi so as to avoid giving them a bad reputation.

I knew what I had to do, which made everything even more horrible. I knew I could never give my job as a ninja. I loved how the adrenaline kicked in during the middle of a battle and the feeling of knowing that you protected someone's life. I went home that night and cried, wishing fiercely that I'd never taken this job in the first place.

As I enter the back door to the club, I ran into the hell-woman herself. A woman in her forties she constantly tried to appear younger. She wore bright red lipstick, gold eye shadow, her eyes always lined with heavy eye liner and mascara, a tight outfit, and hooker boots.

"Good to see you're on time today Tenten. Go get changed the club opens soon and I heard that you've been getting popular. Keep up whatever you're doing up there."

'she's seriously sick' "Thank you."

My 'uniform' today consisted of a lacy thong with a matching bra, a tight and ridiculously short mini skirt coupled with a gold tube top and matching color high heels. I touched my eyes up with some mascara and put on watermelon lip gloss. I let my hair down from the two buns, letting the mahogany locks cascade over my face.

"Ready for another night Tian?"

That was my name here, we didn't use actual names so to avoid any connection to this place. The girl who spoke was one of the few people here I liked. Her codename was Lexie and started to work here after her mother died and her father left her. She always offered kind words and I secretly thanked Alexa for not putting Lexie on the same duty as me. Her job was a permanent dancer as she could twist her body in ridiculous ways.

Another friend was one of the three bartenders, a guy by the name of Quen. He sometimes slipped some of us a few extra dollars to help out. Any girl who worked here didn't have much so anything helped. He also gave us advil and other necessary things.

"Yeah how about you Lex?"

"I'm fine at least my job isn't as bad as yours."

"At least all the guys have to use protection, that helps."

"Still, I feel bad that you have to do that in the first place. I wish this place would shut down."

"I would love to see Alexa's face when that happened."

We laughed a little imagining how furious she would be. Other girls filtered in not paying mind to the two of us. Some glared furious we could laugh in our current position. A loud rap from the door made us aware that we opened. We slinked out the door wanting nothing more than to disappear.

The night passed with me going through all the motions without really feeling anything until I got called downstairs to dance again. Who I saw at a table surprised me although I scolded myself for being taken aback. After all Jiraiya openly admitted to being a pervert.

I ducked my head to avoid meeting his eyes and to not attract his gaze. I didn't think he would recognize me, but then again he was a Sannin. Then he might tell Tsunade what was going on or even worse my team. I didn't want to know what any of them would think, especially Neji.

'I wonder how he would react, or if he would react at all.'

The thought that he might not even care made my heart clench painfully. I'd been in love with him since the day we were put on the same team 4 years ago (so she's 16 now)

. I could never face him again if he learned the truth.

"Tenten?"

'crap' "Excuse me?"

I turned and saw Tsunade standing behind me. Well so much for her not finding out.

"I'm sorry my name's Tian, and if you'll excuse me I have to continue working."

I turned when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Another man came smiling and I plastered a fake/alluring smile back. Well before the man went flying into the wall.

Actually through the wall. Oh he was still going, and there goes another wall. I turned around to face Tsunade who cracked her knuckles. Her eyes held an expression I couldn't read, but it was somewhere between 'I will take over the world' and 'don't fuck with me'.

"Go get changed and then come back here."

Her voice was the only one heard as everyone stopped speaking and stared. Even the d.j. stopped the music and watched the scene with an open mouth. As for me I meekly ran back to the changing room to do as I was told. You never disobeyed a pissed off Tsunade, unless you happened to be Naruto.

Once I finished I emerged as quickly as possible. I froze when I saw Tsunade bashing Alexa out. Even Jiraiya looked disgusted with her, adding comments with a frown. Alexa just sneered at both of them. I hesitantly approached the three.

"come with us."

No way was I going to refuse right then. Sure I'm a good konoichi, but like hell I would mess with two pissed off Sannin. One happening to be my boss. Yeah that wouldn't end well.

I followed obediently sparing a glance back. Alexa's face held annoyance at the two older ninjas but didn't seem upset at me. I think. Lex's face held a startled expression and I saw her bite her lip then hurry towards the changing room. I also saw Quen give me a wink and a smile, which I returned.

They led me to her office where I saw the rest of my team waiting there, even though it was close to 3 in the morning. I couldn't meet their eyes.

"Youthful flower isn't it wonderful that we have a mission at this time of the glorious day? Tenten, are you… are you wearing make up?"

"Tenten will not accompany you on this mission Team Gai."

Three heads snapped to face the blond Hokage. Lee still looking shocked I wore make up now just looked at me trying to figure out what was going on. I didn't bother looking up, knowing what must be coming.

"Tsunade-sama I must protest. The power of our youth can only shine if we all work together."

"I'm sorry Gai but it's not possible" 'Here it comes' "She needs to stay here and explain a few things to me. However she will continue to accompany Team Gai on future missions."

"Really?"

"Tenten explain."

The two word sentence could only come from a certain Hyuuga prodigy. I glanced at him to see his hands clenched and staring at me. Everything about his stance, tone, and expression told me he was unusually peeved.

I think it was then that while I had make up on my face, I'd forgotten to cover some markings. The red hickeys that some man gave me would clearly show. Can someone just kill me now and save me from Neji's wrath?