This goes out to Lokilover! Thank you for reviewing recently and getting me on track. My sincerest apologies for the lateness. Life happens.

Konoha 11

Chapter 2: A warning

Tenten walked into her apartment and closed the door slowly behind her. Her eyes scanned over the place sorrowfully as painful reminders of the person whom she shared it with was no longer around began to surface. The place was still a little messy from the last day they had spent in it, they hadn't had time to clean it.

His black and white coffee cup was still sitting on the coffee table, with about an inch of liquid left inside. Photos of the pair were hung tastefully on the walls around her, and even a pair of his dirty socks were laying loosely on the living room floor.

Neji was normally a neat person, so these small little fragments of him were making it especially hard for Tenten. It took her a moment to muster up the courage to walk inside. It had been that way since his passing. She hadn't the heart to wash his cup, or pick up his clothes. She couldn't. Just not now.

Tenten continued to look around her apartment, realizing inwardly that she had a choice to make. And she had to take into consideration A.) what Neji would do, and B.) what Neji would want her to do.

If it had been the other way around, and Neji was left alone without Tenten, there's no doubt in Tenten's mind that he would go after the killers, despite what the Chief had to say about it. But Neji would want Tenten to play it safe and listen to the direct orders of her captain. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized she never really listened to Neji anyway.

She made her way down the dark hallway, passing the bathroom along the way until she reached their bedroom. Once inside she changed out of her uniform, and gently set it on the bed. She picked out a pair of dark and tattered skinny jeans, paired with a set of bulky black commando boots. On her upper body she wore a black tank top with a black and white plaid over shirt. Street clothes at their finest. The final touch was taking her long hair down, something she did very rarely. But she was ready. She knew not many would recognize her, not even those on the force with her.

It was time to go ask some questions. She knew how to handle herself. Tenten was stronger than many of the others gave her credit for, and it always felt like she was fighting to prove herself. She just had to make sure that Captain Uchiha didn't find out.

He may have taken her gun, but she still had a lot of street fighting skills. She was quick and rather strong despite her size. She wasn't worried about defending herself. Tenten made her way to her living room, grabbed hold of her wallet and her keys, and she was out the front door with haste.

She decided to travel on foot. Her regular vehicle was in the repair shop, and it would be rather obvious that she was a police officer if she went around driving her patrol car.

The warmth of the summer sun gently kissed her tanned skin giving her a small feeling of relief as she made her way down the streets of Konoha. She passed several places she and Neji would frequent, but she did her best not to look, or reminisce. She was headed downtown, to the bars where information was easily leaked. Even at this time of day there were bound to be some blubbering drunks just waiting to spill some information.

"'Ey there," a raspy voice greeted from behind the bar. The place seemed rather empty, which disappointed her a great deal. But despite that, she made her way to the counter and sat upon a stool, waving a not-too-eager hand at the barkeep.

"What can I getcha little lady?" The tall and muscular man asked as he propped his elbows on the counter, brown eyes locking with her own. It was an odd feeling Tenten got when she was around him, almost like she knew him. Yet she had never seen him before.

He had short and spiky dark brown hair, and small eyes that matched hers in color. His teeth were slightly pointed and his smile was more than devious but his height was what was most intimidating. "Name's Zabuza."

"Tenten. Nice to meet you." Tenten offered with a slight smile. "Give me a hard cider."

"You got it." The man retorted as he made quick work of granting her request. "So what precinct are you in?"

"Excuse me?" Tenten was shocked to say the least. How had he seen right through her?

"It takes one to know one." The man said with a gentle smile as he handed Tenten her drink. "C'mon, you walk like one, sit like one you're even making sure your imaginary weapon is secure."

Tenten quirked an eyebrow, and although she was angry he already knew, it was only the two of them in that bar and she was curious as to what he meant when he said 'it takes one to know one.' "So, are you retired then?"

"No," the man said as he began wiping down the counter tops of the bar.

Tenten nodded, he was undercover. Nice gig. He got to listen in to any street talk. "Can you answer me something? Have you heard any talk about a man who may have shot and killed an officer last week?"

"Listen honey, you can't come in here and ask me questions like that. You're off duty first of all, and second of all, your captain is standing right behind you."

Tenten's eyes grew wide with fear and she turned around quickly, and there he was. The tall, authoritative Uchiha with his muscular arms folded across his chest and an angry look plastered across his face.

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear when I told you not to go investigating on your own, and you disobeyed direct orders." The man locked eyes with her and never once blinked.

Tenten froze, petrified. "S-sir."

"Come with me." Itachi stated coldly as he turned on his heel and headed for the exit of the bar.

Tenten sighed and cursed under her breath before slamming her drink and placing a small bundle of wadded up cash on the counter. She knew it was likely all over. She'd been caught before she had the chance to even get any information. However, before she left, much to her surprise the bartender/undercover officer handed her a small folded piece of notebook paper.

Quickly she thanked the man with a grateful smile before following the captain out the door. "Captain.."

"I didn't ask you to say anything, officer." He said begrudgingly as he opened up the passenger door to his unmarked vehicle.

Tenten was writhing with anger, his rude and superior attitude. But she was already in a lot of trouble. Reluctantly, she got into his car and crossed her arms stubbornly before flinching at the sound of the door slamming shut.

Itachi circled around to the other side of the vehicle and climbed inside, immediately beginning to drive, and it wasn't slowly either.

Tenten decided that now would be a good time to put her seat belt on. "So, back to the station where you can properly fire me then?" She inquired as she fondled the piece of paper that the bartender gave her.

Itachi didn't answer, he had no intention of firing her. She was a great officer, one that he wasn't willing to give up. In fact, he had a genuine concern for her mental state, he'd seen several fellow officers neglect the proper grieving process, and it always ended badly.

"What makes you think you can investigate this alone?" His eyes quickly darted in her direction as he drove. Clearly she was agitated, her posture said it all.

"You don't get it do you?" Tenten huffed and looked out the window, suddenly feeling uninterested in talking. This man made her angry and extremely uncomfortable and he held her fate in his hands.

"Oh I get it perfectly. You're an idiot." He spat cooly.

Tenten opened her mouth to retort but the vehicle had come to a stop in front of a building with a sign in front that read Konoha Psychiatric's. "A shrink?!"

"Clearly you're deranged. You think that you don't need time to process the loss? Or perhaps you think that nabbing the perpetrators will make it all better?" His gaze was fixed on hers and his face was calm but firm.

"I'm not deranged. You sure are an asshole." Tenten mumbled under her breath. Tenten watched his jaw tighten in annoyance, and a dark brow twitched along with it.

"Get out of the car." He growled in a low and demanding tone. "Now!"

Tenten may've had nerves of steel, but she still jumped when he said it. She quickly removed herself from the vehicle and looked toward the building. Surely she didn't need a psychiatrist. She was fine.

Itachi was beginning to regret not firing her, still he gave her credit for speaking her mind and being unafraid to do what she felt was right. Even if it was annoying as hell.

He climbed out of the car and closed the door promptly before circling around and walking up to her. "You need to do this."

"How could you possibly know what I need?" Tenten replied bitterly.

Itachi leaned down to lock eyes with her, mocking her with his smug expression. "Keeping things locked inside will drive you mad. Why do you think people are so afraid of me?"

Tenten inwardly recoiled at his response. She did have to admit being undercover for so long must have taken a toll on even him. Perhaps he had spent his own time in a psychiatric ward. "You flatter yourself." She rolled her chocolate colored eyes and shook her head. "If going in there means I'll get away from you then I'll do it."

"Believe me, it'll be good for you. I won't allow you back to work unless you're cleared by a professional. You can stay as long as you need. I've made the arrangements already."

Tenten didn't like the facility all that much. It was much too similar to a hospital. She did however, have her own room which she was retired to for the night. She would be speaking with a grief specialist in the morning.

She didn't want to be here, but she also didn't want to be home.

The white walls made the room feel void and empty, a similar reflection to the way she felt inwardly. She lay back down on the scratchy sheets of the small bed before remembering the note that the bartender had given to her.

She dug the parchment from her back pocket and unfolded it delicately. The only thing written on it was a phone number. That's odd. She thought to herself curiously while simultaneously punching the numbers into her phone.

She heard the dial tone for a few moments before the raspy voice of Zabuza the bar keep picked up on the other end. "I didn't expect you to call so soon kid."

"And how did you know it was me?" Tenten inquired looking up at the bland ceiling overhead.

"There's this new technology called caller ID. It's great, really innovative stuff." His tone just dripping with sarcasm.

"Ha-ha. So why leave me your number?" She hurled herself onto her side, now positioned to stare at the closed door and blank walls. She felt like a prisoner.

"There are many things you don't know. This case runs deeper than you think, and it would be wise to stay out of it. At least don't go sticking your nose in things by yourself."

"Well," Tenten pondered his words for a moment. "What do you know?"

"I'm just tryin' to warn you kid, that's all. Stay clear for a while." And with that, he hung up.

Tenten frowned in disappointment. She had hoped to gain more information from him. A warning didn't seem to Merit a secret phone call. It just seemed odd to her. But still, she held onto the paper.

Just how deep did this case really run? And who was behind the attack? Zabuza knew something, but his position likely kept him from saying too much and she knew he'd never tell her. Not since he told her to stay away.

She heaved a heavy sigh. Perhaps it was time she did some healing after all.