Her Skills
Hey guys! Detective Neji is on the case, along with the Weapon's Mistress! This is just the beginning of action, people! More will come the next chapter!
Also, I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TENTEN!
Read on!
(509—509)
Tenten laid her head against the soft pillow. It was night time and almost everyone was asleep. Everything seemed to piece together, she mused. But what bothered her was the Dark Nins that came when her parents escaped. Were they caught? Are they dead? Or maybe the Dark Nins couldn't find them, so they gave and went back to where they came from. She shouldn't get so hopeful, though. But what if they came back to find that there was a survivor of the Chao Clan? Will things change drastically?
She took a deep breath and exhaled. She couldn't sleep with those thoughts lingering in her head. She decided to take a small walk around the Hyuuga Compound for awhile.
By the time she got to the training grounds, Tenten took out the new weapon the shop owner gave her and stared in awe.
"What are you doing here?" she turned around and smiled.
"Neji, you're here!" she exclaimed.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping by now?" he asked when she came towards him, "Training starts at five. It's already twelve in the midnight."
"I couldn't sleep." She muttered, "Too many thoughts in my mind right now."
"Hn." He grunted. No one wanted to talk to one another right now. Each has their thoughts they're lost in.
Neji is piecing everything together. The only thing left now is how Hiashi got into the mess. He must have known something more about the Chao clan and the intentions of the Dark Nins. If they were to arrive here, would the whole village be affected by this mess, or would Tenten be the only one who would be?
Tenten couldn't stop thinking about that bracelet. Did her mother make it? And what about her parents? Are they still alive? What's so special about the Chao Clan that got the Dark Nins interested in them. There are still questions that are unanswered. Too many of them. Tenten doesn't know where to start investigating. And what's more, how is Hiashi going to help out in this? Why is he dragging Neji into the situation? Sure, he's her teammate and hell of a damn prodigy, but this is about finding her family, damnit. This is her problem. If people are involved with this too much, something bad might happen.
Speaking of Neji, Tenten took a glance at her side. He was sitting in a relaxed position, staring down at the floor with his eyebrows creased. Whenever she sees that expression, she smiles. She had always admired her teammate ever since the day they met. Back then, he was so cold to everyone, even to her. But because of his battle with Naruto, he changed. He was less anti-social and spoke in a very calm manner. Naruto gave him hope. Naruto always has a way for someone to change. That was his specialty, Tenten guessed. She should mentally thank him for that, because she really likes the Neji right now.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Huh?" She broke away from the thought and stared through that pupil-less grey eyes. Tenten blushed under his gaze and looked away.
"Nothing." She muttered quietly, "It was nothing." She abruptly stood up and took her new weapon with her.
"I'll just start practicing. You won't mind, right?" she asked, glancing his way.
He shook his head.
She smiled, "Good." She held the new weapon in her hands and started practicing.
She was always like that, Tenten. She was cheerful, outgoing, and optimist. She has her way with things and she's an arduous weapons expert. She knows a million of weapons and could learn any in a split second. She doesn't know it yet, but she's a real genius, especially in Math. Her way with figures and numbers goes way beyond an average ninja. Neji wonders why she wasn't as well known as Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka, or even his cousin, Hinata.
He watched at Tenten in awe as she played with the weapon along her fingers, hands, arms… she was beautiful. Why hadn't he noticed that before? Why now, when something worse is going to happen?
…
There was a slight movement. Neji could feel it. He had a hunch Tenten could feel it as well because she stopped practicing. She turned her gaze at him and he nodded.
He activated his Byakugan and scanned the area. Up above his left, he saw a man, dressed in black, clutching a katana. Alarmed, Neji stood up, looking towards where the man was.
"Tenten get ready." He said.
"On it." In a second, she was already holding a tonfa on each hand. Neji waited for the man to make a move.
An arrow shot towards the air, going straight at the man. Neji looked behind him and saw Tenten holding a bow.
"He's gone Neji." She told him.
"I know." He said, "We'll stay here for a few hours. We'll just watch around for intruders. Possibly, he's on of the Dark Nins. We'll have to be careful from now onw."
"Ok." Tenten reluctantly agreed. She wanted to take a short nap. Clearly, her plans were ruined all because of an intruder. She had a feeling he wouldn't come back until tomorrow, but knowing Neji… Tenten sighed.
Oh well. No naps for me. She thought tiredly as she summoned a tonfa instead of a bow and arrow.
(509—509)
Today is her birthday. And she is sleeping on it. She has had a tired night and she's not going to let someone ruin her day, especially a certain stoic Hyuuga prodigy who was bugging her at five in the morning.
"Get up." He pushed her bacik, urging her to turn her head to him.
"What?" she groaned. She opened her eyelids slightly a little.
"Training."
"No."
"Tenten."
"No, Neji. I don't want to. Not today."
"But you-"
"I changed my mind. I' sleeping the whole morning and you're not going to do anything about it. And even if you did, I'm not going to follow your orders, you stupid prodigy.
With that, she turned her back at him, leaving a very frustrating Neji in a short fuse. With a heavy sigh, he walked out of the guest room. A few minutes later, he was in the dining room, only to find Hiashi and Hinata.
"Ah, Neji." Hiashi called once he took notice of his nephew, "Good to see you this early in the morning. Today is a special day and a guest is arriving at noon."
"What are we celebrating today?" the Hyuuga prodigy asked, slightly amused at Hiashi's beaming face turned into surprise.
"You don't know?"
"No." he shook his head slightly.
"Neji… it's Tenten's birthday." Neji furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
"Tenten?"
"Of course. Did she not tell you?" No. she never does. Hiashi, sensing his silence, took it as a no. He got up from the chair and excused himself out of the room.
"Neji-nii, have you found her a present yet?" Hinata asked.
"No,"
"Well, maybe you should buy her a new weapon." She suggested, taking a sip of tea, "I'm sure she likes one."
He sighed in defeat, "No… she already has one. Actually, she prefers that one instead of just a kunai."
"Oh?" Hinata gave a questioned look. Neji only nodded and excused himself. He didn't feel like eating today. He didn't want to train, since it was Tenten's birthday. It was his fault he didn't know. After all the years he has been teammates with Tenten, the only thing he didn't know about is her birthday.
As he passed through the second corridor, his thoughts directed on the guest who is to be coming today. He was definitely sure that this had something to do with Tenten's situation. It was most likely the woman he had bumped into yesterday. But what happens then? Will all of this be solved immediately? Or will it take one small baby step at a time? Either way, it all comes down to the Dark Nins against Tenten. But how much will it affect? The entire village or just Tenten herself?
The guestroom door opened. Out came Tenten in her usual sparring attire. She gave a bright smile towards him when their eyes met, but he gave his usual frown. Her smile slowly faded.
"Didn't you say you're sleeping on your training?" he asked.
"I was, but I couldn't sleep anymore, since you had to barge in and wake me up." She grumbled. Neji smiled a little and chuckled. Tenten looked up and stared at him.
"You're actually laughing…" she muttered in awe. Neji eyed her a little.
"Did you say something?" he asked and she shook her head slightly, smiling at him.
"No, it's nothing. Did you want something?" she asked, changing the topic. She knew that there was something going on because it was rare for Neji to frown that way. When he told her the latest news given from Hiashi, her smile slowly faded.
"I also forgot to tell you Happy Birthday." He said, eating his words. He saw Tenten give a small smile, but he could tell there was a hint of sadness. Neji was confused. It was her birthday after all. Why isn't she happy?
"Thanks." She said as briefly as he greeted her, "I guess I should prepare myself when it comes down with these Dark Nins."
Neji nodded, "You should be," he agreed, "If they know that you are a young survivor of the Chao clan, the whole village might be affected."
"Why?"
"Think about it Tenten. Imagine if those Dark Nins are pretty strong, they'd do anything to find you, even if it takes a long time to destroy Konoha. If there was a plan to stop them before this happens, then we should act upon it." He explained.
"…" Tenten stared at the ground in deep thought. A lot of emotions flooded in her mind. She was really happy that she finally found a family that she actually belonged to. She was worried about the Dark Nins doing everything even to destroy the village she loves. Then, there was that guest. She was slightly mad that no one ever bothered explaining to her all those years ago and then now… now the will, when there already is a threat. Things could've gotten worse if they never did tell her ASAP.
She sighed in defeat, "I'll prepare for whatever comes my way… but that doesn't mean I can't celebrate my own birthday properly." She muttered the last part. She was still disappointed that Neji never gave her a single present during the years of their teammate-ship. Oh well. She guesses she needs to suck it up and hide her sadness.
With that final thought, she looked up at him and gave a fake smile, then turned her heels to the opposite direction. She didn't want to talk to anyone right now, even to Neji.
(509—509)
Ayashi has everything planned like the back of her hand. She knows what to say, what to do and what would happen next. The only problem was, will everything go according to plan? Or will there be something that will stop it?
Well, of course there will be… she would be stupid if she doesn't know that. She wonders if Tenten would be able to handle everything once she knows the whole story of her family.
"Are you ready?" Liu Tze came out from his weapon shop and walked towards Ayashi. The woman nodded meekly.
"Yeah."
"Is something wrong?" the shop owner asked; his eyes showing deep concern for his best friend.
"Just fine." She replied, "Where is she?"
He pointed to the direction of where the Hyuuga Manor was. "She's on her way."
"At five in the morning?"
"Well, she is that desperate to see Tenten-chan that badly." Liu Tze shrugged as if it was nothing, "We have to hurry up though. She's probably waiting for us." He offered a hand to Ayashi. She immediately took hold of it and the both started walking.
If only Ayashi-chan knows where they are… Liu Tze thought, but then again, she would be in grave danger if she does know… he clutched her hand tighter, assuring her that everything will be fine. She squeezed back, replying that she's as fine as she is. She doesn't need too much comfort.
Liu Tze smiled. That's the Ayashi-kun I know.
By the time they reached the Hyuuga Manor, they spotted a woman of her 30's dressed in a brown cloak. Her hood was down, and so was her thick black hair. Her amber eyes stared right through Ayashi's amber ones.
That little bitch, thinking she's so pretty. She doesn't even have any fashion sense at all. Liu Tze grunted. The woman tore her gaze away from Ayashi's to Liu's.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the gay best friend… Did you change your sexuality issues and started going out with my sister?" she teased, giving that familiar smirk that he hated so much.
"For the record, I'm bisexual and yes your sister and I are totally official." He sneered.
"Oh, please," she rolled her eyes, "Didn't she tell you that she's already engaged to someone else?" Liu had his mouth hanging open as he turned to Ayashi.
"Is this true?" his girlfriend ignored him. She was only glaring at her older sister.
"Didn't I already make myself clear that I don't want him?" she growled, "This is my life now, whether you like it or not." She looked at him with sadness in her eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'll explain about this once we're done for today." She apologized.
Liu Tze sighed and squeezed her hand tightly, "It's find, as long as you tell me everything. You owe me an explanation." She smiled slightly and gave a kiss on his cheek. He smiled back and squeezed her hand a little harder.
"Um, hello, are you forgetting something?" the both of them ended their moment and turned to the woman who was glaring at them impatiently.
Liu cleared his throat, "As I was saying, what brings you here at five in the morning? I thought you'd come a little later."
The woman shrugged, "I'm quite eager on meeting this famous Weapon's Mistress. Who was her name again?"
"It's Tenten." Three heads turned to the opened Hyuuga Manor gate. There came out a brunette who had her hair tied in two buns and a Hyuuga prodigy standing beside her. The woman smirked.
"I knew it. I so totally knew it! You're just like your mother!" she exclaimed loudly, causing some birds to fly away. Tenten and Neji simply waited and stared while Ayashi and Liu Tze prepared themselves. The woman smirked slyly and secretly took a kunai out of her pocket.
"Think Fast!" the kunai went straight to Tenten. The weapons' mistress caught it without blinking an eye and swung it back at the woman.
The woman dodged in the nick of time and threw three more shurikens. As expected, the weapon's expert dodged them all at once. She summoned a tonfa and charged. The woman gave her first strike. Tenten blocked thankfully and gave a round house, but it never came in contact with the woman. She, then, took out a small scroll and threw as many weapons as possible. The woman swiftly dodged past every single weapon. She disappeared. Tenten stopped what she was doing and waited. A blade was pressed onto the side of her neck.
"That's a really interesting strategy you got there, Miss Tenten, but as usual, your skills are as trashy as your mother's." the woman whispered softly in her ear. Tenten smirked.
"Oh? Are you even sure?" she asked.
The woman smirked back, "Seeing as the situation right now, I most certainly am."
"But what happens if I do this!" white smoke enveloped the both of them. Tenten took her disappearing act, the woman mused. A kunai shot out from no where and she dodged.
Nice try Tenten! But you're not the one who's going to win!
Sooner or later, hundreds of weapons came flying at her. She could barely evade from all of them. All of a sudden, a fist came in contact with her stomach. Being the one who barely dodged it, the woman fell onto the ground, head down. The smoke cleared as Tenten towered over her. She had a triumphant smile on her face.
"How was that for a mother's daughter?" she asked, "Was she still as weak as you think she is?"
The woman smirked back, "Nope. It's quite the opposite to be honest." The woman groaned a little and stood up. She stretched out a friendly hand.
"My name is Riyoga Chao, Xing-fu's ex-fiance."
