AN: Sorry I'm still writing the story and my phone just keeps saving parts of it. I'm far from done. This note will be taken down when I am finished.

*Sigh* It's Just a simple yes or no. 'why can't you make up your mind old man?' Akemi thought to herself impatiently. She counted to 10 then back to -10.

"Well, Ms. Haruno we do need help around here, I'm sure we can find some things for you to do around here. When can you start?" Old man Clarkson finally answered. He really wasn't old, probably in his mid 30s but no older than 35.

"Umm... If this means I have the job, then I can start as soon as possible . I mean when better to start than now... It is after all summer and i really need this job... soo... yeah anytime is good." Akemi replied as best as she could with her head thoughts still a mess.

Old man Clarkson chuckles at new employee. " Okay, alright, if you can start today" he paused just to make sure he was right and she nodded " I will introduce you to my daughter TenTen. Wait here while I go get her." He ups and leaves, leaving Akemi an opportunity to look around the medium size box office. Behind the desk on the wall is a window high view of the busy city. the desk was made of dark oak wood, with many papers stacked neatly upon the desk. On the very top sat her application with bold red letters that had a stamped APPROVE on it. Around his desk are multiple pictures that are arranged to a degree where the person sitting across the desk can't see the image. Looking back out the window Akemi notices that there are multiple filing cabinets arranged the office making the room seem smaller than what it is.

" Be nice, show her around. Help her if she needs it. Work with her. And come back at the end of the your shift to collect her schedule before closing..." Clarkson stopped outside with a distant look and continued to speak " Oh and make sure to tell me how she does on the floor, this is a big chance for you Ten-chan, think of it as a step forward to taking over the business and dealing with the people you hire... But of course til you go to college... wait no.. till you graduate college... *sniff* my baby girl is growing up... where did all those years go..." Mr. Clarkson went on and on.

"ALRIGHT ALREADY! " a younger feminine voice yelled " Dad...Dad!..DAD! Calm down... I'm still here you know" A huge sweat drop appeared on Akemi's head. ' Do I really need this job?... Yes, yes you do .. No I don't... Yes you do, for your sanity remember,.. okay fine...oh shite I'm talking to my self again...

TenTen moves around her dad into the the office, shock clearly on her face upon looking at the new employee. Akemi raised a perfectly eyebrow. " Umm. Hello I'm Tenten. why don't we just go before my dad starts ranting again." She quickly grabs Akemi's hand and dashes out the door before her father could speak again. "Sorry about that, my dad tends to forget business when talking about the future. Anyway, why don't we introduce ourselves. I'll go first, you know my name, I'm about to be 17, I go to Konoha High. I like sports, cheerleading, my friends, my dad, and this store. I don't like fake people, some classes, spicy foods. My dream is to finish school go to college and take on the family business. I guess that's all really." Tenten finished her little speech as if she says the same thing over and over every day.

"Hello, my name is Akemi Haruno"

" About that... are you related to Sakura Haruno? How come she hasn't said anything about you? You have to meet all our friends."

" Okay Tenten, slow down. No one Knows because I asked her to keep quiet about me. I like my space okay..." Akemi put a stop on Tenten's question before trouble could start.

"Oh okay... Sorry, please continue." Tenten stopped. But that didn't stop the hundreds of question that popped into her head about this new girl. Is she just like her cousin? Why didn't Sakura say anything? Where has she been? Is she going to our school? So on and so on the questions just kept coming.

" Right.. Um.. I'm 16 too. I asked Sakura not to tell anyone about me because I'm not ready to meet new people and working keeps me and my mind busy. That's all." Tenten caught on quick that Akemi was nothing like her cousin and like to keep things to herself. But why? And thus more questions bombarded Tenten's mind. But she knew better and kept her mouth shut. maybe next time she saw Sakura she could talk to her. So far Akemi seemed shy and honest to Tenten yet very mysterious. Soon after Tenten took Akemi around and showed her the ropes of the job. In the few hours that both girls were on the floor doing different jobs Tenten found out that Akemi like almost the same songs as her. But not much else.

"Alrighty, that does it for today, why don't we go see my dad for your work schedule. Maybe it's the same as mine" Tenten spoke as she closed shop and took her to the back office where her dad was. " Stay here please, I will be back in a few." Tenten said as she walked away.

'Great at least you got something done today.' Akemi then went back to her thoughts. *sigh* ' Wish you were both here mom, dad... I miss you tons.' She then started her deep breathing exercise ' I promise.. no..I WILLmake you both proud.' as the last of her thoughts quickly left she kept on a stoic face as always.

"So dad besides not saying much, she is pretty cool. And I think this job can help her... So have you figured out her schedule... Wait at least tell me you did some of it please." Tenten finished her mini report.

"Hey, I resent that... hmph..." Tenten's dad continued " Well Teny-chan, how about working same shifts and being her first friend here. That child is new here and probably doesn't know anyone from what I gather. I called her guardians to make sure she can work and they think this will be good for her. They were worried about her shutting herself from the world and think this will be good for her to make new friend and set her mind right." Tenten noticed that her dad was serious about this and before she could ask any questions her father spoke up again. " They didn't tell me anything TenTen, only that she lost both her parents and that she is lucky to be alive and to keep an eye on her. Now back to the matter at hands Ten-chan here is her schedule." And with that she knew she was dismissed.

"Alright dad, see you at home." With that she was gone and deep in her thoughts.

"Here you are, my father put us together" Akemi snapped out of her deep breathing to look at Tenten and accept her new work schedule.

"Thanks Tenten" She quickly looked over her schedule and saw she worked the early shift tomorrow. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

As she was leaving Tenten called out to her and offered her a ride home. After a few minutes of convincing Akemi both were on their way. Both girls exchanged numbers with promise of Tenten picking up Akemi for work the next day.

Chapter 1 is done.

Let me know what you think and how I did.