Chapter 3

A Lonely Night

Tenten woke up to see a pair of blue eyes staring at her. The man beamed at her and handed her a kimono.

"Tenten, that's your name isn't it?"

She looked at him very closely. He didn't look like an assassin at all. He looked- kind.

"So this is how it goes. Either you work in our household or you die. "

He said firmly but a big smile was still plastered in his face.

Tenten wanted to live of course, so she took the kimono from his hands.

"I'll take that as a yes, now- follow me."

Tenten's hand was freed and she followed Asano. The place looked like any regular household but It was large.

"You will be serving 20 elite assassins together with four other helpers,

understand?"

"Yes."

"Now, go to the last room in the hall and take your orders.."

She immediately followed his orders and found herself ina kitchen. It had the same smell as the one in her house before.

"Tenten?"

A woman greeted her and smiled brightly, she nodded at her.

"I'm Ayame, I'll be teaching you about the ropes here in the household.

Tenten remembered her little sister. They had the same name, maybe this was a sign that good things are going to happen.

"Uh- thank you! I'm glad to meet you Ayame.. "

"hey- you too! come over here and help me fix dinner!"

An old lady called out and placed a big pot of soup in the table.

"I'm the boss around here, you understand that little lady?"

"Yes."

"Don't worry, she may seem cruel but she's not. "

Ayame winked at her and they fixed dinner.

The Dining hall was large and really noisy. Tenten handed the soup to each one of them until she reached Akira who smiled at her.

"It's nice too see you again kid,"

She just nodded and proceeded to the next seat. It was empty.

"That's Neji's table.."

Akira commented and Tenten turned her head.

"He's the one who attacked you, if that's what you want to know..'

"did something happen to him?"

"Uh- No, I guess he's fond of eating alone!"

Neji was his name? Tenten had the thought in her mind while she served the assassins until she cleaned the plates. She found a tray and realized it was reserved for Neji.

"Is there a problem?" Ayame asked.

"uh- what time does Neji come home?"

"honestly? I don't know. I fall asleep before he comes back and when I wake

up.. He's sitting down in the dining table."

"where does he go?"

"In the forests- to practice. "

Tenten continued to clean the kitchen but there was something in her head that urged her to fo to the forest and give Neji's dinner. It's like repaying him for what he did for her. She made up his mind and went out the door. The trip to the forest was a good practice fore her, plus the fact that she should keep the dinner safe. Neji meditated and sensed that someone was coming. He opened his eyes only to find the prison girl, what was her name again?

"Uh- hi, I brought your dinner!"

she smiled at him and walked closer.

"remember me? Tenten?"

"How did you escape?"

He muttered and took the bag.

"You know what, you could show at least a little gratitude! Here I am, tired from work and I bring you your dinner and you spat at me like that!" She crossed her arms and looked away.

"I didn't ask you to come here. " He replied and started to eat. Tenten

snatched the food away from him.

"Hey!" Neji protested.

"You didn't ask for it right?! now, I'll take it!"

Tenten expected him to be angry and curse her, but he just kept quiet.

"Why are you not angry?!!" Tenten complained in frustration.

"I was trained to be calm and collected at all times."

"Okay- I lose. here you go!"

She handed the food back to him and walked on, only to find a big space that reminded her of the place were she trained before. Neji smiled at Tenten's annoyance. He continued to eat but he stopped

chewing when she did the move again. She looked like a performer that he saw before when he was a little kid. her moves is graceful and she danced along with her weapons and her targets were hit. He almost choked out his food, she was incredible. She caught him staring at her and he looked away.

"Why don't we come home together?" Tenten smiled.

"I'd like that"

Tenten smiled widely because of Neji's kindness.

They made her way to the house and Neji went to his room, not even

glancing at Tenten.

"hey, why are you still up?" Ayame asked her when she entered their room.

"Oh, nothing- I just spent time with a friend."