Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, that's right, you heard me.


CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Shin." Kiridashi swept past the kneeling Shinzaemon who was awaiting him. "I trust you have something important to say since you're calling on me at such an ungodly hour."

"My Lord, my apologies for this early hour disturbance." Shinzaemon rose and stepped forward urgently. "There have been rumors flying around. Coupled with the fact that I have not seen Tenten within the past week, it has gotten me quite worried."

"You fret too much, Shin." The Lord brushed him off with one of his rare chuckles. "But I guess there's no point in hiding it from you anymore. Yes, I have been training Tenten for the past week. She has been doing exceedingly well. In fact, she has surpassed all of my expectations. She might be ready to complete her training by tomorrow! What did I tell you, Shin? That girl has potential, that's what I said. Look how she is doing now!"

"My Lord!" Shinzaemon gasped, his brow furrowing in frustration in a fashion so similar to the Lord's. "This is not according to what we have discussed! She is not ready for this. You have to stop the training now before it is too late."

"Nonsense! I trust her completely now! Look how well she has done in the last mission. It is time, my boy, it is time! There's no point in putting off what is inevitable. That jutsu is meant to be hers."

"My Lord, do not let your affections cloud your better judgment. She is not ready." Shinzaemon argued persistently.

"Enough!" Lord Kiridashi's voice boomed throughout the room silencing Shinzaemon's protests. "You know I trust you, Shin. But I can handle this now. I am not as young as I would like to believe. It is time to pass down what belongs to her to begin with before anything happens." The Lord gave Shinzaemon a reassuring pat on his shoulder in an unusual show of affection. The gentleness did not surprise Shinzaemon. As the Lord got on his years, he was beginning to grow more affectionate especially in Shinzaemon's presence. After spending most of his life with the Lord, Shinzaemon was beginning to understand that the hard exterior was not his Lord's true nature. It was true that he was ruthless but he was caring to those he loved and Shinzaemon always thought it an honor that he was growing to be one of the few that the Lord truly cared for.

Shinzaemon was silent as he saw the momentary weakness that the Lord's gaze displayed. His role model, his idol was truly aging. "Will you be telling her everything then?"

"Indeed, I am waiting for the right opportunity after her training completes. I am prepared to tell her everything. She deserves the truth." As he spoke, there was a trace of sadness in his voice.

Knowing it must be hard for Lord Kiridashi as well, Shinzaemon bit back his disapproval and stayed silent. "I understand, my Lord." He spoke softly and excused himself but he knew the Lord understood his sentiment. No matter what his decisions or whatever happens, Shinzaemon would always be there to support him. Always.


Tenten trained alone but she still trained feverishly. There was little time to rest. During the past week, she put in her all to master the Zairyo Fukushasuru Jutsu. Every muscle on her body ached and wept sweat and blood. She was closer than ever. She could feel it. The power coursed through her veins. Recalling the disciplines she was taught by the Lord, she struggled to exercise perfect control over the ball of chakra pooling in her palms. Slowly but surely, the energy took its form. The shiny dark iron was formed and as it hardened in Tenten's palms, she could almost feel tears well up in her eyes.

Applause rang out in the underground training facility. Tenten snapped around to find the Lord clapping his hands together, obviously pleased.

"You have mastered it already." He spoke with what seemed almost like a proud smile.

"My Lord." Tenten bowed hastily in greeting.

He waved away her formalities. When she straightened again, he dropped a thick scroll in her arms. "This is my material guide. It contains everything and anything you need to know about all the materials I have collected. With this, your training is complete."

Tenten tightened her grip on the scroll. Words could not describe the overwhelming emotions she felt now.

"Now, rest. I will see you again tomorrow night. There are some things you need to know… now that you are my successor." With an awkward pat on her shoulder, the Lord turned to leave while murmuring his approval as he examined Tenten's Dark Iron.

Tenten hurried to her room, hugging her new scroll tightly. She moved hastily despite her fatigue from her relentless training during the past week. In her haste, she failed to notice Shinzaemon turn in from a corner and ran smack into him.

"Shinzaemon!" She exclaimed in surprise, hurriedly hiding the scroll behind her back. He eyed the scroll suspiciously.

"Remember, I'm watching you." He warned as he caught her fidget nervously with the half hidden scroll.

"Do as you like." Tenten frowned and tried to push him away. She met with more resistance than she expected and wobbled on her feet as her failed shove and week-long fatigue broke her balance. Shinzaemon caught her with both arms before she could fall and steadied her.

"You need rest." He insisted, obviously surprised by her unusual show of weakness.

Tenten scowled, annoyed by his concern. She fought to hide her wobbling knees and strode off as proud as she could manage. Behind closed doors, she crumpled into a heap on her bed and let her fatigue show finally. Although her body was numb with exertion, her mind continued to race, formulating plans. Though her wobbling in front of Shinzaemon was not all true, she could tell that his guard was now off. He would not expect her to take off now since rest should be the first on her list. If she was to proceed with her escape plan, now would be the best time to do it. She scrambled around her room in a flurry, packing her things neatly and efficiently. Preparations were completed quickly just as she had planned a thousand times in her head every night since she left Konoha. She stumbled, only half acting when she rang for the servant and told them not to disturb her as she would be sleeping till tomorrow evening as she yawned and rubbed her eyes. Satisfied that she had fully convinced the servant that she would be sleeping like the dead for a long time to come, she finally fell to the bed for some shut-eye. Her last thought before she lost consciousness was the same as every night – Neji.


The blistering hot afternoon made Tsunade ache sorely for an iced cool beer. She briefly toyed with the idea of showering under the spray of cold beer and drowning her paper work while she was at it before she forced herself to focus on the mission report submitted. It was a summary report on the Kurokissaki activities within the past year. Tsunade recalled Neji's words after he returned from his latest mission and frowned. What would it mean if what he said about Tenten being with the Kurokissaki was true? Neji was persistent that a rescue party be sent to capture Tenten and return her to the village promptly. However, if Tenten was indeed a part of the Kurokissaki, then should she even be allowed to return to the village? For now, she had managed to keep Neji restrained in the hospital under observation by Sakura with claims that more analysis and research had to be done with the poison that drugged him. She knew that it would not last for long before Neji came insisting for action to be done though. If anything, Neji was not known to back down when it comes to Tenten.

A rustle of leaves outside her window notified her of the unexpected visitor.

"Anbu forces? What is it?" She demanded once she saw the masked figure.

"Lady Tsunade, we have a lone intruder in the village. She was captured at noon just outside the village walls. Or perhaps, surrender would be a better term? She shows no signs of any struggle and is completely cooperative with our questioning. Except that she is asking to speak with you first on claims that she has valuable information. What are your orders?"

Tsunade raised her eyebrow at this news. Somehow, she had a good feeling that she knew exactly who this intruder was. Perhaps, all the mysteries that bugged her now could finally be solved.


A/N: Alrighty, that's all for now. Thanks for waiting patiently guys. I took a longer break than expected. Preparations for my soon-to-be vacation and interviews for colleges kept me busy. I know that's no excuse so sorry anyway. Hope you guys like this chapter and hope it answers some of your questions! Read and review, ne? See you soon again!