TenTen stared at the man sitting who'd sat on her couch after she'd threatened him. "Uh?"
He laughed. "Well come on. Just spit it out."
She glared at him. "Anyone who's got an interest in weapons can tell. A straight sword hanging like that, golden hilt, a sheath embroidered with a fox. It has to be KenKitsune, the mourning sword, and that makes you The Eastern Blade. Relentless murderer of hundreds of Shinobi."
She spat out the murderer with such intensity he almost flinched. Instead he clapped. "Very observent. But you missed a few key points. One, you've seen the hilt, and while it does match the descriptions, I've run across at least a dozen in the last year with similar hilts. Two, Shinobi themselves can, and have, been hired out as assassins. Three, I'm a mercenary. So yes, I admit, you're right. I'm Uzu, better known as The Eastern Blade. I also am currently unattached. So unless someone attacks me, this sword isn't coming out. So how about you drop that Kunai and we can sit here and talk like civilized adults. Besides, I think you're scaring your daughter."
"Mo-mommy?" Tenten looked behind her. The tear soaked face and gentle pressure of her child's hands holding onto her leg snapped the last of her killer intent bled away.
"So, you're not going to, hurt us?" She relaxed a little.
"Not unless you try to hurt me. Or pay me to hurt you." He shrugged. "It's the life of a mercenary, gotta make money somehow."
Tenten nodded, and sat down across from him, her kunai in her hand and ready to strike. "And you really are The Eastern Blade?"
He nodded. "But please call me Uzu. You're husband has decided to call me friend, and I have far too few of those."
Tenten looked deeply into his blue eyes and felt safe. "Okay, I trust you. But, if you fought with Lee earlier, why is he still alive? I know he's good, but you're supposed to be the best swordsman in the country."
Naruto nodded. "Quite the paradox, huh? The fact is, you're husband wanted to test himself, and I only pull my blade when it's life or death."
Tenten nodded. "Yeah, he does get kind of obsessed with training."
Naruto's smile was hidden by his collar. "So how about that coffee?"
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The Hokage Tower.
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The intercom came on in Tsunade's office. "Lady Hokage? Jounin Rock Lee is here to see you."
Tsunade pushed the paperwork away. "Send him in."
Lee walked in. He was instantly all business. "Hokage, I spoke to the intruder and he is not a Sound Nin. His only reason for being here was to resupply. From what I was able to gather he was a mercenary. I engaged his services for a friendly duel. His hand-to-hand is amazing and if he had pulled his sword, I would not have been able to defeat him without removing my weights. Also, it appears he has a move that releases his power in much the same way as the initial and primary lotus."
Tsunade looked at him for a second. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN A FRIENDLY DUEL! HE COULD HAVE KILLED YOU!"
"Yes Hokage. He could have, but he refused to pull his sword. After our little skirmish we went back to gather his items of purchase only to discover that he'd been robbed."
"And now he wants to be reimbursed?" Tsunade looked up at the ceiling. "Great, more paperwork."
"Actually, I offered to replace his purchases and he refused, but he did ask me if I knew of a job here in town. I left him at my house and went to see about procuring him employment."
Tsunade looked at him. "So in fact, you're trying to get him to stay in Konoha? Very interesting, and did you find him some work?" It wasn't until here she noticed the strange look Rock Lee was giving her. "Oh no, you're not thinking what I think you're thinking are you?" She looked at him again. "You are."
Lee smiled.
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Lee's Home
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"So is that how it is? My, I never thought a mercenary would be so honorable."
"Neither did I. I just kinda fell into it when I needed some money. And so I've been doing it ever since." Naruto waited for her to look over her daughter before lowering his collar and taking a drink of his coffee. It was back up before she turned around. It was then that they heard the commotion upstairs as Lee bounded down the steps.
"LEE! Come in the front door like a normal human!"
Lee leaned down and kissed her. "Ahh but my sweet, I can get my new friend a job, all they wish to do is administer a little test."
Naruto's eyebrows raised. Why do I have a bad feeling about this?
