Master at Arms
By Tetsu-sama
Chapter 6
This chapter is dedicated to Cryptic-Queen, thanks for your review!
****
After leaving Lee and Chouji detailed instructions of what boxes she needed from her apartment and what she would do to them if they brought back her Kawasaki with a scratch on it, Tenten followed Hinata into the main Hyuuga manor.
It didn't disappoint.
Cream seemed to be the color of choice and all the rooms followed a similar color scheme. Elegant but sterile, Tenten decided on as a description. Money had obviously been no object when decorating, but an interior designer had definitely been hired for the job. Lovely, but impersonal.
Hinata's set of rooms added a splash of color. Victorian looking furniture surrounded a cherry wood coffee table upon which an elegant flower arrangement that Tenten suspected Hinata had made sat upon. The wallpaper was cream with a violet floral pattern.
"My father's a bit old fashion," Hinata stated as the two walked into what could only be a sitting room, "the bedroom and master bath are through the door to your right."
"I like it," Tenten supplied, "your father and my father have similar decorating schemes." The two shared a smile, knowing that neither of their father's had little if any input in their homes décor.
"I'm here!" Ino announced, waltzing through the sitting room door. Shikamaru slouched through after her, multiple bags in hand. "Thanks Shika," Ino said absently, giving him a peck on the cheek.
Shikamaru grabbed her arm as she pulled away, "no doing anything funny."
"Hai, hai," Ino replied, pulling on her arm.
"Ino, I mean it," Shikamaru insisted. "Tell me if you decided to go somewhere."
Ino gave him a smile that Tenten learned to associate with trouble, "I promise I'll be an angle."
Shikamaru sighed, "Neji wants me to run about five different things downstairs so I've got to go. Be good." He left before Ino could make a comeback.
The girls new Sakura was on her way both because Shikamaru paused to say 'hello' as he walked down the hall and because it sounded like she was purposefully putting as much weight into the carpet as possible. She burst into the room, "I know Kiba cares, but really, he can be overprotective!"
"Kiba and Sakura both have strong personalities," Hinata whispered to Tenten, "they actually argue quite a bit."
"I can take care of myself fine, thank you very much! I don't need his 'special gun' as extra protection." So saying she pulled out a handgun from her purse.
Tenten's eyes sparkled, "can I see that?" Shrugging, Sakura handed the gun over. After looking the gun over, opening the chamber, playing with the safety, and looking down the barrel Tenten handed the gun back to Sakura. "That's a first generation colt, take could care of it. It's not the fastest re-load," Tenten shrugged, "but it's a classic." As she finished speaking Chouji came through the door with multiple boxes.
"Here you go Tenten," he stated, setting the boxes down next to the door, "Need help with anything else?"
"Is Lee back with my bike?"
"Oh right!" Digging around in his pockets Chouji successfully located Tenten's keys, "here you go."
"What's this?" Ino asked as Chouji left the room. The box labeled ARMS LOCKER, seemed to have piqued her interest.
"My babies," Tenten replied, sitting down next to Ino on the floor and opening the box. "My father is big on arms collections and some of these models are pretty rare." So saying she attempted to shift through the box, but broke off as her arm gave a twinge. "Bastards," Tenten mumbled under her breath, coddling her arm. "I suppose it wouldn't be possible to get to Sound before Neji does?"
Ino answered what Tenten had thought was a rhetorical question with a snap of her fingers, "of course! Give me like, five minutes and I'll have the information you need." Pushing herself off the ground In walked to Hinata's laptop which was situated on top of an antique cherry wood desk that was set up to overlook the Hyuuga's massive grounds.
"Won't you need my password?" Hinata trailed off as Ino started furiously typing.
"Hinata, everyone knows your password is 'I heart Naruto'", Sakura responded with a grin. Hinata blushed.
"You should really change it," Ino added. Silence ensued except for the light clicks as Ino typed. "Okay, I'm all set to break into our database-"
"Why?" Tenten and Sakura interjected.
"-so that I can find out what the boys know," Ino continued as if not interrupted, "and then act before they do. Neji will wait until at least tomorrow before he moves. Alright, we should probably get ready to go out before I do this," Ino stated. "I'll give myself about ten minutes until Shino realizes I broke the system, five if Shika's on."
"Can't you just log into the system?" Tenten asked, perplexed.
"Closed system," Ino responded, "technically you can only access the Leaf's computer network from our base, but," and here Ino smirked, "that's really just so someone can't have remote access."
"Someone like you?" Sakura added, smiling.
"That's the idea," Ino replied. "But someone like me knows the ins and outs of our system, so getting remote access isn't too much of problem."
"Plus that way the guys won't know it's us who are looking for information, am I right?" Tenten asked.
"Well, hopefully," Ino replied. "Give Shika enough time and he'll know it's me for sure, which is all the more reason for us to get ready to go before I get the information!"
Sakura let out a long sigh as Ino lunged into Hinata's closet. Both her and Ino kept spares clothes in the room as a 'just in case'. Tenten's eyes widened as Ino began to pull out clothes that looked suspiciously leather-like. Her suspicions were confirmed when she touched the garment Ino through in her direction.
"My guess, even without checking our information, is we'll need to head off to The Sands," Ino stated cheerfully.
"A club our friend Tamari owns," Hinata whispered to Tenten.
"Which means leather," Sakura finished, a scowl on her face. "Kiba is just going to love this."
"Oh, put the boy on a leash," Ino retorted. "Lets have some fun while we do this."
Tenten swore it took her about ten times longer to get into the ensemble Ino had picked for her then it did for Ino to get into her strapless black leather dress and knee high boots. The black leather shorts she had been given, which were a little too short Tenten thought, took a while to get on. A black bikini top over which she wore a long sleeved mesh shirt, covering the cut on her arm, wouldn't have been too difficult if it weren't for her injury. The black stiletto pumps and her hair (kept in buns for this outing) were a quick slip on. Sakura was sporting black leather pants, peeped toed pumps and a tube top that barley passed for a shirt. Her hair was pulled into two low pony tails, making for a sexy yet innocent clash between her hair and clothes.
Turning, Tenten watched as Ino and Sakura descended on Hinata.
"Ano," Hinata mumbled, poking her fingers together, "I, well, I really, I don't want to dress like that."
"Don't worry," Ino stated, patting the shorter girl on the shoulder, "Neji might actually hurt us if we dressed you up like this."
Tenten didn't doubt that he might.
"So you get to wear this!" With a flourish Ino pulled a light purple, off the shoulder baby doll dress followed by a pair of lavender wrap around the ankle flats. "You'll be in more of an, observing capacity, than an information gathering one."
Hinata grabbed the clothes and quickly walked to her bathroom to change.
"She's so modest," Sakura sighed before swiping on a layer of bubble gum pink lipstick. "Red for you I think," she stated, turning to Tenten.
"Ino," Tenten questioned after the red had been applied, "can we wear weapons openly where we're going?"
"If it's The Sands," Ino started.
"Yes," Sakura finished. "I think you're going to like Temari."
Smiling, Tenten walked back over to her 'arms locker'.
"How's your aim?" She asked Ino.
"Lousy," Sakura replied for her friend as Ino frowned. "I've got better aim, but Ino's good at manipulating."
As the two bickered Tenten rummaged through the box, eventually pulling out a long piece of thin, yet flexible metal. "Here," she handed the wire to Ino, "perfect for someone who likes to…get close to their victims."
Sakura giggled at the innuendo. However, Ino still looked puzzled.
Tenten sighed, "Don't those boys let you close to anything? You can strangle someone with that, Ino. Wrap it up in your hair, or bodice." Back at the box she found the remaining knives in the set she had taken with her the first night she had gone out in Konoha. "I trust you know what these are?" She asked Sakura, handing her the knives and mid section holster. "They'll probably be more useful than the antique Kiba gave you."
A grin spread across Tenten face as she pulled out dueling Beretta Tomcat pistols, complete with holster that slung across her middle to her thighs were the gun's rested. Checking that the chambers were loaded she snapped the pistols into place.
"How come you only give yourself an obvious weapon?" Ino wined.
"Because I know I can shoot." Tenten replied smugly.
Quickly touching up her own make up after receiving the wire, Ino waited until Hinata returned from the bathroom before sitting down at the computer. She cracked her knuckles, "ready girls?"
Tenten didn't think she'd seen anyone type so fast before. Windows opened and closed as letters and numbers flew past at a dizzying speed. Ino's facial expression stayed blank as her eyes made quick jerky movements across the laptop monitor until a predatory grin finally spread across her face.
"Sakura, got the keys?" Ino asked.
Sakura replied by jingling the key chain Ino had tossed her earlier, while Hinata looked slightly uncertain by her side.
"Alright, to The Sands then."
***
The get away vehicle, as it were, was sleek, black, four door BMW. As far as stealth went, Tenten shook her head, it was a miracle they weren't caught what with all the giggling between Ino and Sakura.
Letting out a long sigh she rested her head on the back seat of the car, letting the pounding beat that Sakura had turned the radio to wash out the stress from the day. Next to her it looked as if Hinata was doing the same. In the front seat Sakura was dancing as much as was possible while driving and Ino yelled into hot pink Motorola razor phone.
"Temari!" a pause, "Yea, we'll be there in," she covered the mouth of the phone to converse with Sakura, "five minutes…yea, five…okay! Better be ready. We've got a new girl to introduce to you…"
Tenten tuned out Ino's babbling, instead running her fingers up and down the strong lines of the Beretta. Tomorrow she'd find some time to get to a shooting range she promised herself.
"Aaand," Sakura held out the word as she screeched around a corner, "we're here!"
'Here', was a club painted a sandy tan with palm trees and other desert shrubs artfully planted outside. Cut out sand dunes were placed over the entrance were a sign proudly proclaimed The Sands in red print. Tenten's eyes were quickly drawn to the tall blond standing directly under the sign. Her hair was up in a bizarre do of four pigtails and she wore a strapless purple leather dress with black fishnets and heels. 'Must be Temari', Tenten thought to herself. Her suspicions were confirmed as Ino leaped out of the car, running to envelope the other girl in a hug.
Sakura, Tenten and Hinata removed themselves from the car a bit slower, Sakura handing off the keys to the valet. The two girls both went forward to give Temari a 'hello' hug. Finally, Tenten was left staring at the blonde.
"Well," a smile curved up Temari's lip, "where did they find you? Beretta Tomcats? I think I might like you already."
A grin broke across Tenten's face as she extended her hand, "Tenten."
"Temari," she made a grand sweeping gesture, "welcome to my club." Ushering the girls inside Tenten was quick to notice that the club was not yet open. Not surprising as it was only 7 pm.
"You've got about an hour before we open the doors, two before things start swinging. Not that I don't always love a visit from my favorite girls, but you're obviously here for something." Temari turned to Ino.
"Sound," Ino replied, "a little bird told me they've been frequent visitors."
Temari frowned, "yes, they have. Any one with a brain knows this is neutral ground, but I swear, they're trying to mark it. My brothers have been able to keep them in check so far though. What is it you want with them?"
"We have a…score to settle," Tenten replied before Ino or Sakura could open their mouths.
"As long as you're not the first to shoot," Temari stated, "I'm the only one here who's allowed to do that."
"What if I feel threatened?" Tenten asked in a friendly banter.
"Well, a girl does have to protect her modestly," Temari returned, turning a corner into the main room of the club.
A circular island in the middle of the room housed the bar, over witch two cages for dancers hung. A network of wires, lights and speakers hung across the ceiling that would be hidden once the large, harsh lights were turned off when the club opened. The rest of the club was neatly divided into four quadrants by circular raised platforms. Poles in the top of the platforms sported palm tree tops just as each platform was surrounding by a small circular pool, mimicking four miniature oasis's. There was sparse seating along the walls, a spiral staircase wound up to the second level balcony that surrounded the dance floor. Taking a closer look, Tenten saw that booths were placed all the way around the balcony. Taking a step down on to the dance floor Tenten was surprised to note that sand was strewn across the entire floor.
"This place is wicked," Tenten stated, adjusting her step so that she didn't wobble.
"I try," Temari replied, before turning to Ino, "so do you girls want the platforms, or to run drinks up and down the stairs?"
"We'll take the platforms until we see Sound. I trust Hinata can stake out in the VIP room?"
"I'll keep her with me," Temari grinned at Hinata, "no use staying holed up in VIP when there's dancing to be done, yea?"
Hinata gave a small smile, "whatever you say Temari."
"Alright," Ino said, clapping her hands together, "we've got an hour to teach you how to work that pole, Tenten."
The hour passed quickly. Tenten was glad she kept in good shape and was fairly flexible. Hinata and Sakura watched Ino's, 'lessons' from the bar, drinking something pink and fruity while snapping pictures occasionally with a camera Temari had produced.
"Ok," Tenten stated, stepping down lightly into the pool before out into the sand, "give me a beer Temari."
Moving from her position leaning against the bar, Temari reached behind the counter, "Any preference?"
"Cold." Tenten replied. Reaching out deftly she caught the bottle of Miller Light Temari threw her direction.
"Make me up a snake bite?" Ino asked Temari, batting her eyelashes in jest.
"You do want to be able to dance on that platform later, don't you?" Temari asked seriously.
"What's in a snake bit?" Tenten inquired, taking a sip out of the bottle. Cold beer was good.
"Cider, beer and cherry liquor," Sakura and Hinata replied together in monotone.
"It's Ino's favorite drink," Sakura deadpanned. "I think Shikamaru actually forbade you from drinking them after that one incident at the Crooked Kunai."
"As if that boy can forbade me from anything," Ino replied with a toss of her hair. Ino seemed to crumble under Hinata and Sakura's stares. "Fine, pass me a beer Temari."
After grabbing the drink and tossing it to Ino, Temari glanced up to check the clock on the wall, "drink fast, we open in ten minutes."
***
An hour and a half later Tenten was grateful for the cold glass of water Hinata had slipped her. The dancing was exhilarating and Tenten wasn't too modest to admit she enjoyed the looks of awe on people's faces when she performed some sort of acrobatic trick on the pole. But it was hard work, so she was grateful for the water. Taking a quick look around she saw Ino was taking a break as well, sitting on the platform and swinging her legs back forth, managing to keep the two males seated next to her and the one before her engrossed in conversation at the same time. Sakura currently looked very, cat like, slinking around the platform in circles. Tenten peered out over the club as she stood back up, still no sign of Sound, or Iwa.
***
"What do you mean, they're gone?" Neji asked coldly, staring at Chouji who had delivered the news.
"Don't shoot the messenger, Neji," Shikamaru defended his friend. There was a brief silence as the remaining boys watched Shika think. "Shino, check the logs."
"What's happening?" Naruto asked sleepily from the couch were he had been taking a nap.
"Girls are gone," Kiba said tensely, "those sound bastards couldn't have-"
"Did someone check Hinata's closest?" Naruto asked. Four pairs of eyes turned to stair at him. "I mean, if they went out, I'm sure they would have put on something, uh, nice, you know?"
Shikamaru blinked slowly, "he's right, Choiji, go see if it looks like the closest has been messed with."
Shino turned to talk to the group before Choiji returned, "Someone's definitely been in the system. My guess is Ino, considering the current situation." He looked to Shikamaru.
"Hai, hai, I'll take a look." Sitting himself down in front of a consol he began typing at a rate that seemed greatly contrastive with his lazy nature. He let out a long sigh, "it's Ino. Shino, why didn't you see this earlier?"
"Neji had us looking up other information, and you know Ino's good," Shino defended.
"I told you we needed to keep a tighter leash on her," Sasuke sneered.
Shikamaru's eyes darkened, "I think you don't know what the hell you're talking about."
"Can you tell what she was after?" Neji questioned, breaking the building tension. "We can debate the merits of our security system later."
Shikamaru gave a running commentary as he typed, "information…today's files…hmmm, looks like she was piggy backing your search Shino…Sound, Iwa, Sound…they're at The Sands, last reported spotting of Sound before earlier today Neji."
Choiji re-appeared just as Shikamaru finished talking. "The closet has definitely been rummaged through. I found the clothes they were wearing earlier today on the floor of walk in."
Shikamaru let out a long sigh, "I bet she took my car, troublesome women."
***
Things had gotten interesting around nine when Sakura had spotted a couple of Sound members walk in. Both her and Ino had moved away from the platforms and transitioned to ferrying drinks back and forth while Tenten mimicked Temari at the bar.
"Have I seen you before?" A male voice asked Tenten's back as she was turned fixing a drink.
Leveling with the speaker Tenten recognized one of the boys who had been at the park earlier that day. A sugary sweet smile came to her lips, "I think I would have remembered you sweetheart."
The male smiled and identified himself as Jirobo, "You haven't seen a quite black haired girl with white eyes around have you?"
Tenten pretended to think, leaning her elbows on the counter of the bar and holding her head in her hands. Jirobo was obviously speaking of Hinata, the question was why. Worst case scenario he wanted something from Neji and knew Hinata was a sure fire way to get to him. Best case scenario, well, Tenten really couldn't think of one. Evidently her thinking was taking too long because Jirobo felt the need to prompt her.
"She runs with a gorgeous blond and cutie with pink hair. I've seen both of them around tonight so I figured the third would be around somewhere."
"Can't say I have," Tenten replied, leaning farther over the counter. "I'll keep an eye open for you though."
Not catching her lie, Jirobo sat down at the bar, seemingly intent on chatting Tenten up. She fingered the Beretta on her right thigh; she'd play along, for a while. Bastard would get what was coming to him for shooting at her early that day.
Lightly flirting Tenten grabbed Jirobo a beer, 'on the house', while she looked around for the rest of the girls. Sakura and Ino seemed to have cornered two dopy looking blondes and a black haired boy in a corner. She wasn't sure if they were flirting or interrogating. Hinata was nowhere to be seen.
Letting out a mental sigh she resigned her self to chatting for a while, might as well try and get some useful information out the situation. Even if all she wanted to do was take her Beretta and bash him over the head for grazing her with a bullet earlier in the day. Taking a swig of a beer she was keeping under the counter she turned up the charm.
"What are you doing looking for a girl, you don't seem the pining type."
Jirobo laughed, "you could say we have history. I just need to talk to her." Tenten kept the conversation moving for the next several minutes, occasionally trying to steer it back to the Konoha gang. Eventually Jirobo seemed to tire of talking, "do you ever get a break around here?"
Tenten laughed, "yea actually, give me a sec." Shooting a look at Temari, Tenten walked around the bar, a slight way to her hips. She resisted the urge to glare as Jirobo's eyes roamed her body appreciatively. Whatever question he had been going to ask Tenten died on his lips as small voice belonging to Hinata spoke from Tenten's right.
"Tenten, my brother just called. I thought I'd let you know he's on his way over."
"Bitch," Jirobo spat.
A few things happened quickly. Jirobo rushed Tenten, pistol extended, who drew one Beretta with her right hand as Temari pushed the switch for the flood lights from behind the bar before grabbing a shotgun from under the bar and pointing it at Jirobo. The blonde boys Ino and Sakura had been talking two drew weapons of their own. Sakura, not to be outdone, quickly drew the knives out her hair, pressing them to the boy's necks. The black haired boy was stopped from reaching for his weapon by a thin real of steal looped around his throat.
"I have a score to settle," Tenten stated, grinning, "and you just gave me the perfect opportunity to settle it. Your little, team, took a shot at me today. From the looks of it, you're out maneuvered. So why don't you just set that sad excuse for a gun down and sit down at the counter."
"I don't think so," a female voice said smugly from her right. Turning her head slightly Tenten cursed as the site of Hinata with a gun pressed against her head, eyes wide in fear. Trained instinct had her drawing her second gun, leveling it at the girls head. The tension in the room shifted. The boy Ino had held in check managed to draw out a Glock. While he couldn't train the gun at his captor, Tenten's body, now spread to offer the widest target was an easy shot.
The club had cleared quickly once Temari had hit the flood lights, and the empty silence helped Tenten stay calm. Taking deep breaths she weighed her options. She knew she wouldn't miss, the question was if she wanted to tie herself up that deeply in the Konoha gang. Moving her eyes to look at Hinata's terrified face again she made her decision. These girls were her friends, and she would protect them.
***
Shikamaru had been right, Ino had taken his car. So instead of driving he was sitting in the front seat of Kiba's Mercedes as the other boy drove like a maniac. Lee, Chouji and Naruto sat in the back seat. Neji, accompanied by Sasuke, sped along in front of them in Neji's Porsche. When they got to The Sands patrons were streaming out the emergency exits.
"Idiot girl," Shikamaru mumbled as he jumped out of the car before Kiba screeched to a stop, "what have you gotten yourself into."
"Lee, Chouji, take the back exits," Neji directed. "Kiba, Shikamaru, the side exits. Sasuke, you're with me."
Neji didn't know what he had expected to see when he and the other boys burst into the club, but it definitely wasn't Tenten with two guns trained on her and Hinata with one to her head.
***
Tenten didn't flinch as the front door to the club and four of the emergency exits banged open at the same time. Instead, as if it was some sort of invisible signal she quickly tilted the gun in her right hand at a downward angle. Letting off a two shots into Hinata's captors left knee cap she then shot one into her left shoulder, causing the gun held in the girls hand to spin across the room. Hinata quickly moved away as Temari leaped across the counter, training her shotgun at the offending girl.
Moving seamlessly Tenten then swung her right hand across her body as she moved her left in the opposite direction, firing off three shoots in perfect unison and ending in a crouched position. The thump of the girl holding Hinata's body was quickly followed by two others. A sickening sound of cartilage breaking soon followed and Tenten turned her head to see that Sakura had taken care of the blonde twins with her fists, knives discarded on the floor. A smile cracked her lips. Standing, she swept her eyes back to the left, meeting a pair of start white ones.
A grin spread across her face as she slowly re holstered her guns before walking with predatory purpose across the open space to Neji. Stopping less than a foot in front of him she settled her weight onto her left foot, popping her left hip up and resting her hands on top of the two guns.
"Hyuuga Neji, still think we can't take care of ourselves?"
***
I'd like to say that the relative longer length of this chapter compared to the previous ones is the reason it took so long to get out. But in reality I am a lazy and busy person. Shikamaru is a kindred soul. Apologies for any errors, to say I proofread this closely would be a lie. However, if any one see's any plot holes *shudders* please feel more than welcome to point them out.
Reviews are to Authors as sunlight is to plants.
Tetsu-sama