Part 7: A Friend in Need (5)

"So… you're saying she's really Tenten?"

With troops scattered all over the area, Division Two was keeping a keen look out for any potential White Zetsu impersonator lurking around. Tensions remained tight and taut throughout the forested land; the absence of their designated regimental leader from the Iwagakure village had indeed created a dark aura over many soldiers who were feeling their morale decreasing with every passing hour. What was still a little gratifying was that there were still a substantial number of sensors alive to carry out their necessary duties to keep the Division as safe and secure as they could. Having been reinforced by squads sent from Division Five, the Special Battle Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces, the close-range combatants of the second division were at least bolstered by fellow soldiers who were skilled in various techniques, their sensor-like abilities essential in a precarious situation that required every living person to be as alert as possible.

Right now, three Konoha youths who each possessed unique sensor skills were taking a short reprieve from their responsibilities, with the hasty and unforeseen arrival of one of their own swiftly becoming a curious contention of opinions. Shino Aburame turned to stare right into the eyes of his male teammate, who for the past two minutes, had been recounting how Konoha's weapons mistress appeared right in front of them after having traversed across the land on her very own. Despite the dark glasses hiding Shino's eyes from sight, Kiba could feel their intensity as he inched closer towards him.

"Stop doing that, Shino!" he yelped after feeling a chill run down his spine, courtesy of his strange friend yet again for the umpteenth time in the past few years. "I told you that makes me uncomfortable! And yes, we've established that she's the real Tenten. What she's told us… well, let's just say a Zetsu clone wouldn't have been able to tell us what she did... Stop staring at me like that, for God's sake!"

After Kiba grouchily declared that there was no way an impersonator could have known what Tenten told Neji about his fears revolving around Hizashi Hyuuga being resurrected, even the third member of Team 8 had to nod excitedly, eager to contribute to something positive.

"Neji-ni san … he did look worried during one of the clan meetings before the war… when my father warned us that we could be facing Kabuto's treachery using his dreaded Edo Tensei techniques, even past comrades and allies that we might not expect. That was indeed after we helped Naruto-kun at the Tonika village… so I guess what Tenten-chan said… must be true."

Behind his mysterious glasses, the Aburame teen's eyes narrowed as he absorbed this information. While what Kiba and Hinata were saying did make sense, as he threw a pensive glance at the Team Guy duo who seemed to be caught in their own dreamy world a distance away, the prickle of apprehension did not seem to wane. The team's night-time rendezvous with Hinata's imposter in the cave was still invigorating his sense of caution, and it was he who had discerned that the Zetsu clones could have already collected personal data on the Allied Shinobi forces, especially members from Konoha, courtesy of the captive Yamato. Even then, Shino had to admit that Yamato would not have been privy to such a private conversation between Neji and Tenten. Knowing the temperaments of the Hyuuga teen, his loyal female confidante would not betray his confidence and share such personal knowledge of his distress with others in order not to incur his wrath.

"Leave the two lovebirds alone, Shino," Kiba stifled a yawn as he stretched his arms out. "They must have lots to tell each other... since she probably came all the way to …"

The gaping mouth that accompanied the sardonic look of skepticism on his friend's usually calm and collected face caused Kiba to twist his torso sharply around in an agonising attempt to suppress his laughter; simultaneously, Hinata blushed and lowered her gaze while veiling a shy smile. His "You guys never tell me anything!" riposte sent his Inuzuka teammate spiralling out of control, choking back his squeals and chortles so unsuccessfully that he was soon sprawling out over Akamaru's body.

As he strutted away as coolly as he could back to his post, abruptly ending his much-needed break out of spite, the master of insects caught something with his keen, observant eyes. He slowed his steps slightly and shifted his stance so that his side profile was facing his Konoha mates again. While his eyes continued taking in the scene of his fellow peers communicating, his eardrums continued to be invaded by a piercing voice that was both abrasive and authoritative at the same time.

And quite suddenly, Shino Aburame knew what had to be done.