La Verità Dolce

Sonnie

-O-

"I have everything ready for tomorrow evening. I'll make sure Shikamaru doesn't bother you. We'll be gone all evening, so you should have time to make sure you take everything before you go."

Zetsu smirked at Ino's tension as she tore the gardening gloves from her slender hands. "I've never had a crop bloom so quickly."

Ino sighed to control her temper, but it was a poor attempt at best to cover up her frustration with his attitude and her own situation. "Poppies take ten to twelve weeks to bloom; they had already sprouted by the time you transferred them to my care. I cannot take credit for their average development."

Ino's crossed arms only served to amuse her guest. He couldn't resist another jab. "So modest, Ino. I must also thank you for your cooperation."

"I was under the impression I didn't have a choice," Ino replied thinly, knowing there was no way to hide the horrible way his fist had caused her eye to swell shut. She threw the gloves down and picked up a pail of water in order to stop wringing her hands nervously. One wooden bucket was her anchor to good sense in that moment, and her grip tightened as she forced herself to stay calm. "Was I wrong?"

"You could have said no," Zetsu told her. "But then we would have just killed you and your husband and burned down your entire estate."

"You already tried to burn it down."

Zetsu huffed. "That idiot Kakuzu wasn't acting under our orders. He was Hidan's former business partner and just wanted to cause some trouble. Hidan's departure complicated his financial affairs and I'm not quite sure he'll ever forgive your husband for that."

"Then how can you promise he'll leave us alone after you've collected your opium?"

"Well, I can't really control what he does, but as long as I have what I want I have no reason to bother you. I'm only resorting to you because there was a temporary issue with our normal supplier. Your greenhouse is far too small to be of continual use. You were just a good opportunity when I was in a bind. It was either use you or suffer the loss of the whole crop."

Ino smashed the bucket of water against the side of the greenhouse, sending a torrent of water arcing between them both. "So you're saying I suffered all these months without guaranteeing anyone's peace or safety?"

Zetsu grinned. "It did buy you a few extra months of life. I'll try to keep Akatsuki's grip on Kakuzu a little tighter. You might prove useful again in the future and I don't want him ruining that for me."

Ino grit her teeth. "I see. Then I suppose our transaction is almost at an end."

"Don't look so upset."

"Don't look so smug," she countered, seething at his cheek.

"This is goodbye for now."

"I hope it will be goodbye forever."

"You wound me, my lady."

Enraged at his arrogance, Ino stormed out of the greenhouse abruptly. The sound of his laughter echoed harshly and followed her long after she shouldn't have been able to hear it. She stomped back to her house, leaving a madman behind. She fervently hoped she would never see him again, but dreaded the day she inevitably would.

-O-

"You…you cheated."

Tenten rolled her eyes at Naruto's melodramatic tone. "We both know Lord Hyuuga will ruthlessly pursue any tactical advantage over you that he can. Trust me, drawing a knife on you is completely allowed, even expected. It's not cheating in the least."

Naruto stared down at the dagger, a dagger whose point hadn't moved an inch from where it was still pressed to his sternum. The point hadn't penetrated his clothes, but it wasn't very comfortable. If Neji was holding it he knew he'd be dead. The shaky breath he was forced to take pressed the point even tighter to his chest. His hand shot out to bat away the knife but it met the point of Tenten's rapier instead.

"Ouch!" Naruto hissed and hopped back as his palm grazed the point, but Tenten followed his movements and didn't lower either blade.

"Time to be serious, Naruto. If I have you cornered, how will you escape?"

Naruto's mind was racing. If he used his sword to knock the knife away, she'd poke him with the rapier. If he attempted to engage the rapier he'd find the dagger point in his face. He knew Tenten was substantially smaller than him but faster and easily more skilled. A surprise attack would only work if he executed everything perfectly and overpowered her before she had a chance to react.

Naruto flung himself away from her rapier point and quickly seized the wrist of her knife-bearing arm in his much stronger grip. He yanked the limb sharply to the side and then upwards abruptly, effectively trapping the length of her rapier inside the crook of her left elbow. She was a frantic tangle of limbs and the pair danced awkwardly back and forth as she attempted to free herself. Even if his other hand hadn't closed around hers preventing her from moving, pulling the sword out would likely injure her. The shaft of the blade wasn't sharpened, but the beveled edge had still cut her hand less than a month prior.

Thinking quickly, Tenten reluctantly closed the little distance between them and swung her legs up around his waist. It sent the pair off balance and onto the ground. Had Naruto been expecting such a tactic he could have kept them upright with his superior strength, but she used surprise and momentum to allow him to break her fall. He grunted as his entire right side absorbed the impact of both their bodies. It loosened his grip on both her wrists long enough for her to break free but he didn't remain stunned for long

Tenten let out an undignified shriek as Naruto concentrated the power in his lower body and bucked beneath her, sending her sprawling. She tried not to panic but he was much stronger than she was. She distantly heard her rapier clatter to the stone floor beside her as her arms lay limply by her side. He hadn't pinned her down, perhaps sensing her escalating distress, but he definitely had the upper hand. She stared at the point of his rapier as he stood over her triumphantly.

"I'm getting really good, aren't I?"

Tenten seethed. If he wanted to brag, she was going to make him pay. She rolled onto her side and used her leg to sweep his feet out from under him. As he fell, Tenten rolled on top of him and a struggle ensued. She ended up on the bottom but managed to slide her arm over the forearm of his bent elbow and underneath his bicep. She twisted at what had to be an excruciating angle for him in order to avoid his free hand. She wasn't stronger than he was but she had the correct leverage and soon he was howling in pain. She didn't have her sword anymore but the point of her dagger was at his throat.

"You win!" Naruto wheezed, pulling his mangled limb free and cradling it protectively. He kind of hobbled backwards, unwilling to turn his back on her but too dazed to manage anything else.

"Sorry for that, but when it comes down to it and Neji's victory is in jeopardy, he'll resort to anything to win just like anyone else. Things between you and Neji could easily become 'uncivilized.' Just remember that you're certainly strong enough to cause some damage to him. I'm sure he won't be expecting a punch to the face."

"Or having his arm snapped like candlestick," Naruto winced.

Tenten shrugged and tried to appear nonchalant. "Well, he's not completely undeserving."

Naruto laughed. "I actually had Sakura show me some fighting techniques before. She was the one who taught me how to knock an opponent off of me like that. I think she relies on her opponents to underestimate her and then just uses brute force to teach them a lesson."

Tenten grinned. "From what I heard about that bar fight a month ago, she sounds like a worthy opponent."

Naruto nodded. "She is. She'd rather patch people up that knock them down, but never underestimate how good she is at the 'knocking down' part."

"I heard Ino invited her to Shikamaru's party tonight. I kind of wish we were allowed attend. I've never been to a birthday party before."

Naruto looked aghast. "Never?"

"I know what they're supposed to be like, but our village was too poor for them. We had some festivals and fairs, but they were harvest traditions. They weren't very personal."

"What about when people got married or had a baby? Didn't they throw a party then?"

Tenten shook her head. "Not particularly. I don't really think I can overstate how poor we were, how poor the whole town was. No one could afford to celebrate a birthday the way Ino's doing."

"Poor woman probably still thinks it's a surprise," Naruto muttered.

Tenten socked his arm. "At least she's still making an effort. It looks like Shikamaru checked out on their marriage a long time ago."

Naruto shrugged. "He's got his reasons."

Tenten rolled her eyes. "I can't imagine what could motivate them to marry when he feels the way he does about her. Why marry someone you don't love?"

Naruto's blade froze midair. "Why, indeed?"

"Are you alright?" The words jumped into her throat automatically at his uncharacteristic bitterness.

Naruto nodded but the dark look hadn't quite left his face. He shook out his injured arm again and mumbled some excuse before quickly returning to a flawless stance Tenten wouldn't have predicted when they first started training. His arm still trembled from being locked up a few minutes earlier, but as their session progressed he was getting even better.

"There you are."

Naruto and Tenten froze and stared up in horror at Ino's silhouette in the doorway. Her arms were crossed in what Naruto had determined long ago was one of her default postures. For being rather small, she intimidated him with her intensity, tenacity, and overall high standards. He honestly had no idea how Shikamaru coped with having such a wife.

Ino inhaled sharply. "Now I know you two like to practice or spar or whatever you call it, but you aren't showing up to my husband's party tomorrow with broken noses or busted lips, do you understand?"

Tenten and Naruto were both trying hard not to stare at her black eye so they merely nodded and lowered their swords simultaneously.

"Shikamaru claims to hate all kinds of parties and celebrations, but it'll be a good time for him to renew all of those business connections that he despises without having to actually go out and do it himself. I expect you to look after him."

"Shouldn't he technically be looking after us?" Tenten wondered aloud.

Ino tossed her hair. "He'll probably just be overwhelmed and get completely drunk. I guess I just need you both to try your best to make sure he doesn't say or do anything too shocking and embarrass. Just…do your best to make him look good."

"Are we allowed to lie?" Naruto asked. Tenten shot him a glare.

"No, but you may exaggerate." Ino said primly. She observed them until they sheathed their blades meekly and then turned on her heel and left. They were motionless until they heard her steps fade away entirely and Naruto craned his neck to make sure she entered the house before he drew his weapon again.

"So I'm guessing you don't have anything to wear tomorrow night," Naruto smirked at the look of dismay on her face. "At least you'll get to go to a real birthday party now."

"Shut up, Naruto," Tenten said, unable to fight her smile. She drew her blade, vowing not to bang up his face too badly.

-O-

"I heard the Sabaku siblings are attending a fête at Master Nara's residence tomorrow evening."

Neji was perhaps the only person besides Danzou that didn't wilt under Hiashi's glare. He sat politely and suppressed the urge to shift, lest his uncle think he had something to hide. Lord Hyuuga would easily intimidate people by dancing around the subject at hand and wait for them to crack, but Neji was not most people. He merely suffered the vague expositions Hiashi subjected everyone else to and waited for him to get to the point, because at least Hiashi could be relied upon to have a good one.

"Why have we not received an invitation?"

Ah. "I was unaware of your desire to attend his birthday party, Uncle."

Hiashi scoffed. "We both know it's no desire of mine, and that we would, of course, politely decline, but the fact remains that they received something we did not. It's very inappropriate."

Neji took a deep breath before beginning carefully, "Perhaps they predicted our refusal and were trying to save the paper. It would be a deliberate insult if it were anyone else but Shikamaru. Also, I believe at least Temari was a personal acquaintance of his before we commissioned the painting. It would hardly seem proper to invite her without her brothers, since they're all in town."

"Yes, because Nara concerns himself overly with being appropriate at all times."

"His birthday was back in late September. Due to some rather unclear circumstances, his original party was pushed back."

"By two whole months," Hiashi sounded appalled, "how absurd. I suppose Shikamaru would never be so presumptuous as to invite us when he is certainly no equal of ours. The discrepancy just doesn't sit well with me."

Neji paused. "Have you anything else you wish to discuss with me?"

Hiashi smiled. Or at least he attempted to, but it certainly wasn't a very common or natural occurrence so to his nephew he looked mildly pained. "I have been making very discreet inquiries on your behalf."

Neji fought indignation. He knew exactly what Hiashi was referring to. "When the port deal has concluded, I swear to you that I will give that matter my full attention. You needn't trouble yourself."

"You don't know if a suitable candidate might suddenly become unavailable in that time."

"You act like this is a political vacancy to fill."

"It is."

"Uncle…"

"Neji, you're competent at the financial aspect of running a business," Hiashi began politely, as Neji tried not to be too insulted by what his uncle clearly viewed as a compliment, "but you need to be more mindful of your reputation. One of dock workers spotted you last week with that painting apprentice."

Neji knew better than to deny what had happened. "That's hardly noteworthy, Uncle."

Hiashi was aware now was not the time to demand details on that encounter; he knew his nephew well enough to know that if Tenten's gender had been revealed to him, he would cut off all contact completely. He didn't think Neji's future was at grave risk from the girl (one woman was not enough to topple a Hyuuga) but he didn't want to underestimate her. He couldn't be sure what her motives were.

Yukarin had no love of the nobility despite being born into royalty, Hiashi mused. If the girl even knew who her mother was why would she be posing as a man, and a simple painter at that? Does she want to avenge her parents, I wonder?

"That painter comes from disreputable stock, Neji."

"You knew his father?"

"I knew of him. He was an indentured servant and I'm familiar with the family that sponsored him. He left a scandal in his wake. They poured quite a bit of money into his education and he ran away to be a mere blacksmith like his father before him. It was an utter waste."

"What was his father's name?" Neji tried not to sound too curious.

"That is not important. He is not important."

Neji was taken aback by Hiashi's uncommon vehemence. He normally took a page from his uncle's book and feigned indifference to nearly everything so people would not be able to ascertain his weaknesses, but this was a notable sore spot for Hiashi.

"Just keep away from that boy. Should his origins become public knowledge your affiliation with him would bring shame to us."

"It was a chance encounter," Neji informed him. Since Hiashi was in a terrible mood, it couldn't really hurt to tell him everything. "He and Haku seem to be friends."

At least Neji doesn't know they are cousins, Hiashi realized. Haku's father should have received my letter by now. Yukio should have her killed and be done with it. Trying to marry off a girl like that would be impossible. Had I known she was in Shikamaru's employ I would have never hired him and signed that damned contract; I need Neji to finish negotiating this port deal. Whether he realizes it or not, he's spending precious time and resources trying to solve a mystery that has nothing to do with him simply because some duplicitous girl has lured him in with her secrecy.

"I doubt Haku will be willing to stand by his friend for too much longer," Hiashi remarked vaguely. And Haku is too cowardly to stand up to his father, even for the sake of family. "Don't let it worry you, Neji. He won't bother you for long."

What could a mere painter have done to incur my uncle's wrath? Neji wondered, for surely Hiashi had something spectacular in mind. Asking questions would only make the situation worse, but now his curiosity burned even more intensely. The fact that his uncle had prior knowledge of Tenten and was only telling him now deepened the mystery further.

Perhaps Lord Jiraiya will be able to answer some questions for me when I visit him tomorrow evening. The Sabaku siblings will be celebrating Shikamaru's birthday and hopefully I'll have uncovered all of Tenten's secrets by then. I always knew he was hiding something from me, and my uncle practically confirmed it. If he's lied to me he will regret it. I can't have him being any kind of danger or liability to Lord Haku. The man is kind and could easily have been led astray.

Neji rose to leave and nearly made it to the door before Hiashi stopped him. He obediently made his way back to his uncle's desk with a sense of trepidation.

"I've heard that Lord Orochimaru is on his way to Rome." Carefully maintaining a neutral expression, Neji merely nodded. "He will, of course, have to be invited to Hinata's engagement party along with every other high-ranking noble family in Rome."

It took only a second for Neji to realize what Hiashi was saying, but his protest was cut off abruptly.

"I know you don't particularly care for the Uchiha family, but it's been a few months since you last saw Sasuke. Perhaps he's changed since your last encounter."

"I don't think it's possible to impart manners and social skills in so short a time."

Hiashi agreed. "Just try your best to get along with him. What can happen in one night?"