Sai did not often sleep through the night as he had the previous evening, though he supposed the alcohol he had imbibed had something to do with it. He had once read that artistic temperaments made for odd hours, so he slept whenever he was tired and remained awake whenever he wanted... with the exception of ANBU missions that he was occasionally sent on. Today, he woke up just as Genma was leaving for his shift - the smell of doughnuts that Raidou had brought filled the air, and he ate one, noting the taste was appealing to his body even has he considered the sugar content and the imperfect flavor. The fake ingredients gave him a slight headache. This was not food; it was processed sugar.

Hokage-sama had been in a coma, and it was up to the Hokage Guard to protect Shikamaru while she recovered from extreme chakra exhaustion. Nothing less than ANBU for the sick Hokage. This meant that Yugao-san and Genma had been working nearly nonstop, as had Raidou-san and the rest of the Guard. While he was gone, Sai had little to do other than draw. He enjoyed this activity, obviously, and occasionally people popped in to see either him or Genma. Izumo and Kotetsu were frequent visitors, though they had warned him not to inform Iruka-san of their activities. Sai accepted this. Iruka-san was merely worried about his well-being, but he wanted to have fun with the strange duo. They were interesting enough to risk Iruka-san's displeasure, and he felt he learned a good deal from their unorthodox interactions. He also saw a good deal of the Inuzuka clan, though that was mostly Kiba's doing, since the chuunin found him entertaining.

Genma's bedroom door was open. Sai padded past and saw that Tenten was buried in blankets, still wearing the shirt he'd given her yesterday. She was usually a relatively early riser, so perhaps they had stayed much later at the function. Or perhaps his knowledge of her was an anomaly and while living normally in Konoha, she also kept artistic hours.

Seeing her gave Sai a rush of nostalgia that he was unable to fully identify. So he finished his doughnut, washed his hands, and curled into the bed. It was warm.

"Sai?" Tenten muttered, pulling him close. Sai appreciated the comfort of her body in an entirely nonsexual way. It was... well, what he imagined to be motherly. "What time is it?"

"Nearly ten in the morning. Genma has gone to work."

"Okay… few minutes…" Tenten mumbled, cuddling against him.

The sensation was… hm.

This was difficult to catalog, he decided, as Tenten's hands rubbed warm circles on his own. He had long ago slept with Tenten and Shisui to conserve warmth. That was a long time ago, however, and did not explain why she was in Genma's bed currently. Perhaps it was a thing friends did when chilly, though his explanation did not make sense, since many of Genma's favorite blankets and pillows had been left in the living room. It was a likely possibility that Genma and Tenten had an encounter of a sexual nature, which was entirely unexpected in Sai's mind, though he accepted it with little difficulty. It did not concern him. He was merely pleased at the return of his friend. He considered her a friend, in many ways, far more than those he'd made while living with Genma. He missed Shisui, too, but while Naruto would be easily accessible to Tenten, due to the blond's exuberant - obnoxious - nature, Shisui would need to spend a little more time with the reticent Uchiha to bond. He had weighed the outcomes of both Tenten and Shisui staying with he and Genma, but Tenten had won out. Genma seemed to have rapport with her, which meant for a harmonious living situation, and he had been lacking a female touch. Yugao-san and Hana-san occasionally hung out with he and Genma, but Hana maintained her distance emotionally because she found him odd, and Yugao maintained her distance emotionally because, as Genma had explained once, the person she loved most in the world had died.

Pondering this, he curled into her further. He was not cold, but he enjoyed the warmth beneath the piles of blankets. A little sunshine was creeping in as the sun rose over the low Konoha buildings, but Tenten was burrowed fairly deep in the blankets, blocking out the lights. This was… comforting. Indeed. Comforting. A pleasant moment to treasure and perhaps illustrate later. Her hands stopped moving and her breathing evened. He flicked his eyes toward her, watching her sleep, though he knew it was off-putting.

She would be an interesting subject to draw, different from what he was used to. He would want to sketch her as she was now, not as she had been, which is what he had been doing for three years. He had, upon occasion, attempted to draw her as she would look now, but it was clear he had misinterpreted how she would age. Even looking at her, he had to remind himself a good deal had changed. Her body was larger, more supple, and her face was thinner. Her eyes were far darker and clearer. Even her brows seemed to have more definition. He had drawn her with a wider jaw, softer cheekbones, larger eyes.

He decided to spend the day studying her. Genma had informed him that the various rogue-nin of Konoha would all be tested by council trial, and she would require constant watching. Shisui and Itachi were kept under guard by Sakura; an arrangment that was only satisfactory because of the public knowledge that Uchiha Itachi held a tendré for Ugly. Which he found strange. Uchiha Itachi was most certainly a very handsome man, a very accomplished shinobi in all of his pursuits, both heroic and unsavory, and was quite intelligent. That he was so fascinated by Ugly did not quite make sense, but each time he requested more information, Sakura became extremely displeased. Iruka-san had attempted to explain once, but had been distracted by some antics of Izumo and Kotetsu. They, later, had given a very convoluted explanation that hadn't made the least bit of sense, but he appreciated their attempts. To his recollection, Tenten was relatively good at explaining the minute details of human interaction. When she woke, he would ask all of the questions currently on his mind. Then, he would perhaps cross-reference with Shisui. Genma, though he tried, was not the best with explaining the intricacies of human behavior, which was bothersome, since Genma seemed to be very likable and was an excellent subject.

The moment to ask came sooner than he anticipated. After fifteen more minutes, she rolled a little further away from him before stretching and sitting up to attend to her toilette. He followed her to the bathroom, preparing to ask her his questions, forgetting that females preferred privacy.

"Can I help you?" she asked Sai, the tone of her voice and even the wording of her question expressing slight irritation.

"I have questions. I thought I would ask them while you shower."

She shook her head. "Took a shower last night. I need to pee, though, and I'm closing the door. We don't live in the woods anymore, Sai."

"Then I will wait. Raidou-san brought pastries. They're fresh."

"You're so like Shisui," she grinned, shutting the door in his face. When she came out a few moments later, with fresh breath and her buns neatly in place, he padded to the kitchen to pour her a glass of water.

Looking surprised and pleased, she nodded. "Thank you, Sai."

"Why does Uchiha Itachi-san have a tendré for Ugly? Excuse me, Haruno Sakura-san. Ugly is the nickname I have given her."

Tenten, who had been drinking deeply, coughed a little. Then a lot. "Are you joking?"

He informed her that he was most certainly not, and wasn't quite sure what the joke would be in the context of her question.

"Well, even if you think she's ugly-"

"It is supposed to be ironic, implying that she is indeed very attractive. I personally find that she falls into neither of those aesthetic categories, but Genma has warned me she is a useful ally. I gave her a nickname in order to cultivate a friendly relationship with her."

Tenten made a mental note, but rather than tackle that issue, she answered his original question. "Well, Itachi is a very complex man. I'm sure in addition to finding Sakura's physical appearance... pleasing, enjoys her other characteristics. Y'know, inner beauty."

"Such as?"

He was so serious and so attentive that she sighed. "Sakura spent years chasing after Sasuke. Itachi probably appreciates someone who cares so much for his brother. That also makes it kinda weird for them both. Sasuke probably got used to her attention and is disgruntled that it has been focused somewhere else."

"What else of Sakura?"

"She's smart," Tenten began counting on her fingers. "She's very strong, and it takes a guy like Uchiha Itachi to not be emasculated by that. Hm… she's very determined, which is definitely an admirable quality. When she's in a playful mood, she's pretty fun. But I'm sure he likes how serious she is, how dedicated, how sweet she can be."

"But many kunoichi have those qualities."

"Sometimes is about being in the right place at the right time," she smiled, taking another bite of doughnut. "Sometimes love just strikes like lightning,"

"Romantic drivel," Sai scoffed at her, and she laughed at that. "Does that explain why Shisui and Genma both appreciate you the way Itachi-san appreciates Sakura?"

"Sakura likes Itachi just as much, I'm sure." Tenten said noncommittally.

"How could she not?" Sai demanded, and she chuckled, imagining his brain filing through a list of Itachi's accomplishments and infamy and general prowess. "Regardless, Buns, you should answer. Sometimes people say they don't like to answer questions concerning themselves, which I find difficult to believe, considering their eagerness to discuss others."

"Very astute," she laughed, rocking on her heels, smile growing larger by the second. "Shisui and I have been through a lot together. History is a powerful thing. When I had nobody, I still had him. We saw each other in the worst possible situation - we were drafted into an enemy army. Then, when I was…" she hesitated at how to explain it, and a loud bang in the next apartment distracted her.

"Both of you have already divulged to me your meeting of the Hokages in the Impure World," Sai dismissed that. "You may continue."

"Well, when I was visiting the Hokages, there… there was very little of my soul left in my body. I'm sure nothing but Pein's presence kept my body from rotting away. Nothing but Shisui kept me from becoming a little more than a corpse puppet."

"And Genma?"

"I've known him for even longer. He's hard not to like. We were once… close."

"Is that why you were in his bed, rather than the futon?"

Tenten choked, blushing a little at his innocent questioning. "Ah. Yup."

"Is that in a 'friendship' manner or 'romantic' manner?"

"Uh… wouldn't really call it romantic…" she mumbled, unaware of her resemblance to Naruto in that moment, crossing her arms.

"Fine. Then... of a sexual nature."

"Both, I guess."

Nodding, satisfied, Sai said: "Thank you."

The aforementioned bang suddenly went off in their apartment. "What the hell?"

"Tenten-onee-chan!"

Her heart stopped. It hurt, badly. Not emotionally, but physically. She slapped her chest, trying to get it to pump normally again. It didn't work.

Naruto appeared, grinning and holding a bouquet obviously behind his back. "Hey, onee-chan. Thought this might pick you up!"

Thank every kami in every religion in every region in every universe that he hadn't heard the tail-end of their conversation. She did not want to explain that to Naruto. If he even cared. If he'd even understand. It was weird, just... missing three years of everyone's lives. "Thank you," she said, her voice hoarse. She vaguely noted Sai in the background, hovering, and she was not sure if she was grateful or embarrassed for his presence.

"C'mon," he handed her the flowers… which were just stems. He frowned. "Aww... I went into the wrong apartment," he admitted. "It was awkward. I didn't think the shuriken had actually hit anything though."

With that, everything melted. She did not need his forgiveness. He did not want to give it. To Naruto, there was nothing to forgive. He had just wanted her back, wanted her as much as she had desperately wanted his safety. This smiling man, the hero who had slayed her dragon and saved the village, was her little cousin. Her brother. He was taller now, and broader. His hair glinted gold and his skin was pink from excessive sunlight and perhaps a little nervousness. They still stood a few feet apart, vibrating with the need to move towards one another, but neither acting.

"Sorry I didn't come by yesterday, you know baa-chan is sick and Shikamaru of all people is acting Hokage, so we've been planning a Kage Summit, but it's a huge pain in the ass, especially with so much gray area around Akatsuki and stuff-"

"Naruto, you don't owe me any explanations. It's definitely the opposite," she said, smiling softly, taking them and carefully putting them in water.

"Nope!" he grinned happily. "C'mon, there's a special barbecue lunch! Shikamaru can't come, but Chouji and Ino and her girlfriend'll be there, you don't know her, she's a civilian but super awesome, and Sakura-chan is coming, and Hinata-chan and and Kiba and Itachi and Shisui and even Sasuke-teme is coming! My treat, since I'm a big shot now!"

"No Aburame?"

Naruto looked surprised that she asked and a little subdued. "Didn't you know? He died on that rescue attempt for you, same as Jiraiya-sensei. He's been dead for years."

Tenten had no idea. "Are you serious?" Another mark to add to the list of her sins. It was her fault he was dead.

"Don't feel guilty, Buns," Sai consoled her, badly. "It was an attempt to protect Inuzuka Hana-san in the heat of battle."

Great. That made her feel even worse. How could Hana and Kiba have even been in the same room as her last night? She suddenly gave more credit to Kiba than she ever had. And he had been there during the chuunin exams when Hinata had been kidnapped. And he was always a good time... she was such a jerk. In addition to being a murderous traitor, she was a general asshole. Great. Excellent. The next time Kiba tried to grab her chest, she wouldn't even stab him. And she'd buy treats for Akamaru every day. Maybe they could be friends. Probably not, but she suddenly held him in much higher esteem.

"Okay," she said. "When?"

"We're late!" Naruto answered cheerfully. "Ready, Sai?"

"Certainly, Dickless."

Tenten burst out laughing at Naruto's furious expression. "Really? Do you have nicknames for everyone?"

Sai almost smiled. "Ugly disliked it so much when I gave her a nickname that I decided to be kinder. I call Ino-san 'Gorgeous' but I think Sakura-san dislikes that even more."

"Sakura-chan isn't ugly! And stop talking about me like that! You don't know anything!" Naruto roared. "You... ignoramus!"

Tenten howled with laughter, unable to control herself. Naruto began to laugh too, and even Sai proffered a smile in camaraderie, tempers forgotten.

The walk to the restaurant was no less tinged with giggles, with Sai sandwiched between them as they told increasingly scandalous stories about each shinobi they'd passed until they entered the civilian district and began making up stories about civvies they found noticeable.

Finally making it to the table, Tenten shook her head at the strange sight. It wasn't something she had ever expected to see. Sai quickly made himself comfortable next to Shisui, who slung an arm around him, to Sai's pleasure. Next to Shisui was Sasuke, holding a knife so tightly it looked like he was trying to milk it, sandwiched between his cousin and his brother. Sakura sat at the end of the table, leaning in slightly to Itachi. Though Sai had warned her, and she'd acted as though it were perfectly normal, she had to admit it was… a really weird sight.

Haruno Sakura, the petite apprentice of the Godaime Hokage, pink-haired and bookish, though with a newfound confidence Tenten never thought the girl would gain, was… well, to put it plainly, pink-hair or no, she looked as though she belonged there. She was, despite her connections to the Hokage, a completely regular girl, albeit remarkably talented and intelligent - even Tenten was unaware of the extent of her growth.

Uchiha Itachi, however, was one of the most notorious shinobi in all of the Nations. Though he had once seemed mysteriously beautiful and dangerous, in the light of day, situated in a barbecue restaurant across from Akimichi Chouji… seemed just as normal.

Tenten didn't realize she was staring until Shisui spoke up: "I'm getting a little jealous," he teased her, and Tenten gaped at the contraction in his speech. It changed the entire timbre of his voice, his entire tone. She'd never seen him so… relaxed. He was so handsome, his dark curls in contrast to Itachi's ponytail and Sasuke's spiky mess. Three ducks in a row. It was… impossible! Unimaginable!

"Here, Tenten," Naruto patted the seat. She slid in, Naruto following her lead, so that she was across from Shisui and next to a girl she'd never seen.

"I'm Tsutsuji," the girl smiled, though she didn't meet Tenten's eyes.

"Ino's girlfriend," Naruto grinned lasciviously, saying it as if it were a dirty word. She rolled her eyes, elbowing him.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. I've heard all about you," Tsutsuji informed her, and Ino grinned at Tenten's startled expression.

"Oh, she knows more than any underground organization ever has," Ino said triumphantly, leaning into the girl. It was a little strange; Ino had always been boy-crazy. But here she was, with some plain girl who could never possibly tell Ino how pretty she was. The girl, no hitai-ate or chakra to speak of, was dressed in a plain outfit, though her short hair was intricately arranged. Tenten would bet her citizenship that it was Ino's handiwork.

"Well, you're at an advantage here, because I've never heard of you," Tenten answered cheerfully, after taking an award moment to collect herself.

Turning, Tenten noticed Hinata. The restaurant had been strategically chosen for its ability to accommodate Hinata's large wheelchair, she realized, noting the long tables and wide aisles, as Kiba gently rolled her forward with care Tenten found to be unprecedented and heart-warmingly genuine.

"Hello, Tenten-chan," Hinata smiled, and Tenten gaped. For a million different reasons; the fact that she was still in a wheelchair, how long her hair had grown, and shiny and beautiful at that, and the utterly cheerful way she allowed Kiba to assist her to the other side of the table.

"Hey, Hinata," she eventually choked out, unsure of how to proceed. Even as Naruto had said her name, Tenten hadn't quite been able to quell the fear within her. Though she had helped Hinata, she recalled with vivid clarity Hanabi's anger, the death of Hinata's father, the trauma of the whole evening… and that had been a long time ago. Before Akatsuki, even. Of course, her fear and anxiety had come about because of time. Hinata was as capable of hating her as Naruto was.

Naruto and Chouji immediately launched into an eating contest, easing the moment. Hinata and Tsutsuji seemed to be well-acquainted as well, discussing the restaurant's accommodating policies which included a menu in Braille. Everyone in the restaurant fawned over Naruto, braving the Uchiha trio and Tenten, to Kiba's immense irritation, and Tenten's quiet delight.

For it was the change in attitudes that overwhelmed her! Just five short years ago, he'd been the village leper, shooed from shops and when he walked on a playground, other children seemed to evaporate. He could barely get his senseis to stay in the same classroom as him, and only Iruka-sensei had ever seemed to genuinely care if he succeeded, or even lived. Now, the waitress flirted incessantly, while various other civilians and ninja alike congratulated him, or just stopped to say hello, acknowledging the rest of the table with mixtures of fear, awe, and veiled dislike.

For his part, he seemed to bask in it, not holding any grudges. When Tenten saw one particular genin - a career genin, meant for mostly courier missions - who'd particularly bullied him, it had made her want to toss her chopstick through his throat. But Naruto accepted his praise happily between greasy bites.

She wondered how such things could slide off his back. Her musing ruined her appetite, and she found it hard to focus on the conversation, until Sakura began telling - rather dramatically - the story of how Team Seven originally came to work together, embellishing her teen adoration of Sasuke and his prowess, and Naruto's absurd antics. Tenten had never heard this story, and found herself laughing as uproariously as Kiba. Shisui and Itachi were even able to relax at hearing how Naruto had used the "One Thousand Years of Death!" move on Kakashi. Itachi was smiling. Shisui had a borderline evil grin. Sasuke held the barest hint of a sneer, but it seemed self-directed.

Embarrassed, both Naruto and Sasuke began scowling at the table, until, taking mercy on them, Hinata gracefully interrupted and told the equally embarrassing story of how Team Eight came together, lingering particularly on Shino's capabilities and Kiba's bullheadedness. Akamaru seemed to be enjoying the story, too, as Kiba frowned and fed him bits of pork from beneath the table. Naruto perked up, and even Sasuke relaxed a little at the story.

Kurenai had them all find a little treasure she had buried, leaving hints, in a treasure-hunt-turned-triathlaton. The trick was that every treasure they found technically fit Kurenai's hints, and Kiba had tried to jump Shino for the treasures he'd found, convinced that if anyone would have the correct items, it would be Aburame Shino. After Shino had totally pummeled Kiba, it turned out that they'd been under a genjutsu and they were just fighting over rocks. They would've known sooner, if they'd asked Hinata, but Kiba had been too prideful, and Shino had been distracted by Kiba and Akamaru's constant attacks. Luckily, Hinata lied for them and said the entire team worked for them. In retrospect, Kurenai had likely been observing the entire time, but Hinata's selflessness taught them a very important lesson.

Taking point, Chouji began a story of Team Ten's first moments together as a team; the three had known each other their entire lives, but there was zero love lost between them and Ino, and Chouji hardly knew Shikamaru. It was actually the funniest of all, because Ino was the hot-headed one in this story, and she'd nearly murdered all three of her boys. It had been a simple race… but a four legged one. Ino had been tied in the middle of Chouji and Shikamaru. Chouji had been clumsy; Shikamaru had been lazy; Ino had nearly killed them just so that she could drag their bodies to the finish line. It took them all day to make it around the village, to Ino's intense adolescent embarrassment.

"I have to go to the bathroom!" Ino announced, shoving, snagging Tenten by the collar. "Come with me! Be right back guys!"

Clearly, Ino was comfortable enough in her relationship to leave her with her friends. That meant they'd been dating a while. Interesting. And she'd chosen the perfect time to leave, citing embarrassment as her reason for leaving the table, though anyone who knew her well at this point in her life understood her utter shamelessness and superficiality knew no bounds, and she could no longer feel foolish. But she allowed Ino to drag her to the restroom. It was when she locked the door that Tenten began to dread what Ino was going to say.

"T&I is going to interrogate you before the trial," Ino warned her quietly, after checking to make sure the bathroom was utterly abandoned. "The trial is for public purposes, but they're probably going to come tonight or tomorrow. It'll probably be someone from the clan, but it could be anyone. Ibiki-oji is handling this matter personally, so you'll see him too."

Ibiki-san... also known as one of the most terrifying men the village had to offer. Great.

"Normally, I'd be in charge, but because of my closeness to the situation, there's going to be at least two people probing your mind. They were doing Shisui all day yesterday. I mean, he has the Sharingan, so he's used to freaky mind shit, but it's very exhausting and very emotional."

Tenten gaped at her. So that's why the village had been so comfortable with letting her just hang out with Sai and Genma. They weren't giving her a week - they were giving her two days, tops. She angrily wondered if Genma knew. Probably. Then her anger dissipated. This is what she had been expecting, had been almost wanting to occur. The waiting was over.

"Nobody knows, except maybe Sai, but he's all ROOT, you can't get anything out of him," Ino continued, taking her purse and dabbing some makeup on Tenten's face. Used to this from the pretty blonde, Tenten merely allowed Ino to continue her gentle ministrations - until she tried to pluck her eyebrows. Torture and Interrogation was fine and good, Tenten figured, immediately taking the tweezers from Ino's hand, but not this. They were far more dangerous in Ino's hand than in Tenten's, Weapon's Mistress or nay.

"I'm just letting you know because it is a very degrading experience," Ino told her, now adjusting her hair. "I need you to mentally prepare. They're going to be strangers, but they're going to see everything."

"Are you asking if I'm innocent?" Tenten asked, the words muffled as Ino had her pucker her lips for gloss, before gently slapping her cheeks.

Ino gazed at her. "Kakuzu nearly killed me. I don't know if you knew that."

"I didn't know that," Tenten replied, her voice low with shame. How could Ino be so… comfortable with her? "I did what I had to do, Ino. I'm not asking forgiveness. I know I don't deserve it. But things just kept happening, and happening, and the way I fell into them… it just seemed like it was supposed to happen. Like someone was making them happen from the background."

"I'm not here to give or withhold redemption," Ino answered her, her large blue eyes kind. "We're shinobi."

The words did not absolve Tenten. They were not supposed to. However, they meant that Ino would support her.

"So… what happens if they find me guilty?" Tenten whispered.

Shrugging, Ino looked at her. Though Tenten's new image in the mirror was a stranger, Ino had grown just as much, nearly matching her in height, changing just as much. "It's not really a matter of innocent or guilty. We all know you were in the Akatsuki. We all know Danzou died that night. Some know more than others. It's a matter of circumstance and intention."

"Seriously, Ino," Tenten said impatiently.

"'Kay, jeez… so, basically there are a few basic options. They kill you, because you're a threat to the village. That's probably not going to happen, since you've been staying with Genma and Sai, instead of a prison like Sasuke."

"'Probably'," Tenten rolled her eyes. "Comforting."

"They may reinstate you as a citizen and release a public service announcement, decrying the rumors that convict you in the hearts of Konoha's denizens, and call you Konoha's unsung hero of over a decade and revealing your deep cover."

"Is that what they're doing to Itachi?"

"Those details are top-secret," Ino said with a wink that meant yes.

"Well, what else?"

"They do that, but less dramatically. You get to come back and be normal, if you want. Or leave if you want. Like, the village publicly apologizes and you publicly apologize and everything is casual."

That's what they were probably doing to Sasuke, if he proved to be willing to cooperate.

"What about Shisui?" she asked quietly.

"I'm only telling you this because I know you guys have some weird, freaky, half-dead together, Akatsuki-member, Pein-puppet romance," Ino said blithely, not realizing that with each adjective, she was pummeling Tenten's heart with guilt. "But basically the same as Itachi. Nobody knows that he was literally dead for five years. They're just gonna say he was in deep cover and he's back now. Like I said, everything is classified. But at this rate, someone is going to get assassinated on their way to the grocery store. Granted, nobody would actually succeed, since you're all ridiculously super-powered, but it makes for an annoying trip to break all your eggs."

Tenten was a little relieved. At least, whatever happened to her, Shisui would be okay. Had she ever met anyone more generous and giving? Except maybe Naruto, the answer was no. And he was so loyal, so incredibly loyal. She was genuinely happy he would be able to rejoin the village he'd almost killed himself over. Had killed himself over. Had done worse, really.

"Aren't you going to ask what's going to happen to you?"

"Well, I assume you either don't know or can't tell me, otherwise I'd know already," Tenten teased the younger girl as Ino turned to her own toilette, primping her hair and reapplying her lipstick.

"False and false!" Ino trumpeted. "I do know, and I am going to tell you."

"I haven't been interrogated yet. Hopefully, I won't be tortured."

"The irony is that the interrogation is the torture. You'll be thoroughly shamed by my creepy coworkers, and then you'll be sent back home to agonize, and then the council will tell you that really, you're either just a girl in the wrong place in the wrong time, or an undercover hero. After all, you were just trying to protect Naruto by infiltrating the enemy. And the whole Hyuuga/Shimura thing was just a misunderstanding. Sai came forward a few years ago with Hinata's sister and explained the whole thing away. You were forgiven for that, and the Akatsuki incident is just a little misunderstanding. You weren't even considered a nuke-nin at that point."

Tenten was grateful, but she was also confused. "Aren't you going to get into huge trouble for telling me all this?"

"I'm Ibiki-oji's right hand woman," Ino sniggered. "Besides, we're in the civilian-district. You don't think a ninja could make barbecue that fits Chouji's standards, do you? Nobody knows, unless ANBU has the bathroom bugged, which is possible but unlikely. Besides, we have the Uchiha trio and you under tight guard. Sai is actually…" she paused to unlock the door, meeting Tenten's gaze with the most grave expression she'd worn yet. "Probably... no, definitely one of the greatest shinobi I've ever met. I don't doubt that he could easily subdue you, in part because you don't actually want to murder him and your jutsu is by default deadly, whereas he still has that creepy singlemindedness sometimes and could easily capture you. Also, now we know what a total sucker Shisui is, so if we have you or Itachi, we have him. And Itachi would never consider any action that would remotely harm Sasuke or Forehead. Excuse me, I meant Ugly," she corrected herself with an evil grin. "Now it'll look like I was just primping you, so they won't be suspicious."

"Is that why you did it?"

"Also…" she hedged, before sending the most beguiling smile Tenten had ever seen towards the table beatifically. "Because my cousin Touma is totally a chump for pretty girls, and I assigned him to you, so even if it turned out that you were an evil traitor, he'd go easy on you. Really, Tenten, not to be rude, but you turned out way prettier than I expected," Ino said the last bit more loudly as they returned to the table.

Hinata sent a wry smile her way. "Don't feel too bad, Tenten-chan. Ino-chan has said the very same thing to me."

"Well, to be in your league makes me slightly more confident," Tenten winked, her mind slightly more at ease than it had been. At least concerning her imminent ejection from the village. Now she wondered if the time she'd spent with Genma last night had been a betrayal of Shisui. She was grateful, both for last night and for the time and safety needed to consider such frivolous matters, but while she'd once prided her on her ability to strategize, she now felt like every time she made a decision, it was irreparably cruel and wrong of her.

It only reinforced her thoughts when she noticed Shisui watching her. He was studying her, and she realized he'd never seen her with his own healthy eyes. Self-consciously, she wondered if he liked what he saw. She wasn't even sure if she did. After three years, she didn't recognize herself anymore.

"So… what should we do now?" Naruto wanted to know.

"I should return to the compound," Hinata said apologetically. "Though it was an excellent visit. Tenten-chan, I'd appreciate it if you would come visit at some point this week. Gai-sensei comes to train with Hanabi-chan daily."

"I'll be there too," Kiba growled, and it was a threat. So he wasn't totally cool with her. Either that, or he was just protective of Hinata. Both were deserved.

Chouji, who had to attend to a mission with his father later, took Hinata's wheelchair and began to guide her down the street; not because she needed it, but because he was kind, and they enjoyed one another's company.

"She's a paper ninja now," Sakura said at Tenten's lingering gaze on Chouji's back. "Shizune-senpai has been working on some stuff to help heal her, but she doesn't seem to mind her mobility too much. She focuses a lot on clan matters. And honestly…" Sakura said with a small grin. "She's a more brilliant tactician than Shika. They could lock themselves in a room together for hours. It drives Temari up a wall."

Naruto laughed at that, and everyone stood.

"Well… I believe I know something that would entertain us all," Shisui said suddenly, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes.

Tenten got a niggling suspicion of what he was going to do. They'd never done it before, but he'd referenced it once, and she thought that might be what he was stewing up in that big brain of his. For such an incredibly notorious and dangerous shinobi, sometimes his thoughts were printed across his face like a flashing light. Perhaps that's why he'd developed his deadly speed; so none of his enemies could see his face.

"Tag," he said simply, appearing behind Tenten before disappearing and reappearing behind Itachi, grinning impishly.

If there was one thing Tenten lost today, it wouldn't be tag... it would be her awe of Uchiha Itachi. So she grinned, lunging at him, but as he disappeared and reappeared a few feet away, she gently knocked Itachi's shoulder.

"Tag."

Despite his grace and decorum, Itachi could be very competitive with his cousin.

It suddenly became pandemonium.

She followed Shisui's footsteps, quickly escaping the close quarters before the chaos erupted; but not before Uchiha Itachi, one man doomsday team, one of the most incredible shinobi who had ever lived, tagged Naruto, who nearly slam-dunked Sasuke in his eagerness. She was surprised Sasuke didn't whip out the class A jutsu and murder them all right there. He took angst to a new level.

Everyone waited, breath baited, as the vicious, village-destroying Uchiha Sasuke took the hand of delicately-bred citizen Tsutsuji and muttered the single word that would change his life.

"Tag."

Tsutsuji, laughing and declining, tagged Ino, before escaping with ease down the street, citing work.

"Is that okay?" Tenten wanted to know, safe from behind another table.

Ino grinned. "She's from around here, she knows her way. The first time I tried to baby her, she came for me so hard I felt like how Naruto must feel when he eats all the food in Forehead's apartment." With that, she tagged Sai and disappeared.

Everyone laughed, but Tenten felt melancholy. There had been so much she'd missed. It felt like she'd never catch up. But she could catch up with Shisui, she thought evilly, as Sai tagged Kiba before disappearing into ink.

They moved rapidly over the rooftops, tagging one another this way and that; Kiba nearly tackled Sakura, and then Sakura managed to tag Tenten, who slipped on a loose roof slat.

Her target in sight, she barreled towards him with all the speed she'd gained from her time on Team Gai, and managed to tag him on the foot just as he stepped down. The pain of his weight on her fingers was worth it.

Once they hit the fields, they were in their element. Sakura merely watched; tag wasn't the best game for her; even without her chakra fists, she was still just a little bit too strong. Itachi stayed by her side, watching the two fastest people in the group wind and feint around one another, disappear and then reappear. Though Shisui had far better mastery of the Body Flicker technique, Tenten had her ace in the hole; the hiraishin.

It really was too bad of her to abuse it, she grinned, but this was the very field she'd learned it in, and there was still a tree with her seal burned into it. But she had plenty of chakra stored up, and three years of Pein not utilizing it.

"It's kind of incredible, isn't it?" Ino breathed, and Sasuke nodded jerkily.

To outsiders, they were just flashes of light, dipping close to one another, then far apart; pausing, then locking on to a target.

"Don't you dare go easy on me, Shisui!" Tenten yelled to thin air, dripping sweat, her White Strength Seal fully engaged and flooding chakra through her body.

"Wouldn't dream of it," he grinned, and she swiped ineffectually at the air he left behind.

It was all out war between Uzumaki and Uchiha. The levels of chakra they were exerting went far beyond the normal necessary levels for a spar. Eventually, with Tenten the victor, the two collapsed.

Yugao, who despite her ANBU mask, was utterly obvious, being the only one with long purple hair that they knew, had come to investigate. She recognized their chakra, but just wanted to make sure nothing untoward was happening.

"We've got Sai here," Ino waved the older woman away dismissively. "I know you love her and all, but this was mostly them getting the ants out of their pants."

As she said it, the two came into their line of sight, Tenten practically dragging him, huge grins across their faces, Shisui waving weakly but happily at her.

Ignoring him, as suited an active ANBU member, Yugao disappeared, her only acknowledgment the use of the shunshin no jutsu.

"We should return now," Sai said to Tenten, before bowing perfunctorily at everyone else.

Tenten took it as a sign that it was time for her brain to get probed, since it was hardly mid-afternoon. "Bye guys. Sorry I cheated," she grinned at Shisui.

He narrowed his eyes in mock judgment. "I knew when that seal came out that it was over for me."

Sai kissed Ino and Sakura's hands. Tenten stared at Ino, knowing she was responsible.

"I simply informed him of the best way to get on a girl's good side!" Ino cackled. "The first time he tried it on Temari, she refused to give him her hand. He kept trying to grab it. I thought she was gonna have a conniption."

"I suppose that's a sign of 'it's not going to happen', as they say," Sai informed Naruto. "But I find her quite ruggedly attractive, so I plan on pursuing it regardless."

"Dude, no is no."

"But is a punch directly to my mouth a no?" Sai wondered. "I find Ugly very physically aggressive and she does not dislike me."

"Yes!"

"It is a yes?"

"No! It's an answer to your question. A punch to the mouth is a no."

Not looking the least bit perturbed, Sai nodded. "Ah. Then perhaps to greener pastures."

"If Tsutsuji ever dumps me, I'll date you, Sai," Ino said perkily, glowing with mirth. "I do love a pretty boy."

"Thank you, Ino," he said with dignity, and they left, but not before Naruto wrapped his arms around her in the biggest bear hug she'd ever received.

"Love you, onee-chan," he said easily.

"Love you back, otouto," she whispered fondly. "See ya later."

Indeed, though, it was not her imminent torture session that had Sai dragging her home, but the aforementioned family dinners.

"We just ate lunch!" Tenten exclaimed.

Sai merely looked at her, cocking his head. "We have to shop, as we do not keep food in the fridge, in case we are sent on last-minute missions. So we must plan the recipe, purchase the items, and prepare them. I assumed it would be a session for bonding. Am I wrong?"

Temper easing, Tenten nodded. "Sorry. I just… I made an incorrect assumption and it worried me. I'm happy to bond with you."

"I am happy too," Sai said, his face its usual mask. She snorted at that.

"Should we buy some soup? Genma likes pumpkin."

"I know, but I am attempting to learn to cook. It is a useful skill both for its domesticity and for future missions in which I must fend for myself along a fireside."

Grinning as Sai perused the vegetables, Tenten then understood that it was Sai who insisted on family dinners. How hard did he have to push that until Genma gave in? He must have really sold it. Genma was the ultimate bachelor. She'd once tried to feed him spinach and she thought he was going to shove a toothpick into her carotid.

Sai decided on a simple stir-fry dish, since Tenten's skill with kitchen knives was as unparalleled as her skill with kunai. They visited several stores, since Sai insisted on price-checking every ingredient. Further bonding, he clarified, as well as being frugal.

They carried the groceries back, walking along the streets casually, with Sai greeting almost every person he saw.

"How do you know these people?" Tenten wanted to know.

"Iruka-san thinks it is good practice for me to become friendly with people paid to tolerate my eccentricities," Sai answered. "Therefore, I have become passingly acquainted with many of the civilian grocers and their families and staff. They are more tolerant of shinobi oddities such as my own."

They'd just assume most shinobi weren't well adjusted. Cute. "That's a good idea."

"Iruka-san has been pushing more therapy amongst squad units. Team leaders must be assessed for their emotional fitness, now, as part of screening."

"Okay, I know abrupt subject changes aren't the best for conversation, but how well do you know Naruto?" she asked him as they walked up the steps to Genma's apartment. Or she supposed it was Genma's and Sai's. He'd certainly left his mark.

"I understand. Therapy is not the most comfortable topic, particularly since I'm sure Ino informed you of what is to come. I asked them to delay until after dinner. I do not know Dickless particularly well."

"Well enough to nickname him that," Tenten reminded him. "I thought nicknames were for friends."

Stubbornly silent, Sai began unpacking the groceries and placing the bags in recycling.

"You can tell me," she wheedled.

Sai handed her some peppers. "Slice those. I will boil the rice and prepare the tofu."

"Come on," she begged him. "Your behavior is indicating that there's some kind of irritating backstory here, and I want to know."

"I find that Dickless is not the most tolerant of my shortcomings while remaining effeminate and indecisive in important moments," Sai said simply. Basically, Naruto is a jerk and fights like a little bitch.

That stunned her. She sliced peppers in silence, but that only took a moment. Sai shoved broccoli at her.

"Genma likes the stems. You may keep those."

"Sai, that doesn't sound like Naruto at all," Tenten said after a moment, concentrating on the broccoli. "Most would find him very forgiving, and while I can't really speak to your opinion on his masculinity, he's pretty opinionated in life and determined in battle."

"Oh, I'm not merely referring to his battle prowess. I, just as all other citizens of Konoha, laud him as a hero for his actions," Sai said, somewhat dully, preparing sauce in the stove top. "Perhaps I merely 'rub him the wrong way'. However, I find he is the least likely to proffer informative explanations and the most likely to grow frustrated when I commit social faux-paus. It is difficult to navigate, as I do not always recognize when this occurs, and I dislike his insults as much as I'm sure he dislikes mine."

Her heart broke a little. "Sai," she said tenderly. "He's just as awkward as you."

"I do not consider myself awkward," Sai disagreed pompously. "I find I am not only graceful, but physically attractive. I am merely blundering. Gorgeous once used the term artless, but I find I dislike the word, though I know it does not specifically refer to my artistic skill."

"Naruto doesn't always know when he's made a social faux-paus either," Tenten admitted. "And he is a little abrasive."

"I don't mind it so much anymore," Sai responded. "I find that baiting him gives me pleasure, though I made sure to refrain while in your company, as I was certain you would take his side, considering you are his sister. I have learned much from observing Itachi; he's often very protective of Sasuke."

"Don't worry," Tenten explained. "We have a very different relationship. I am more than willing to publicly berate Naruto when he misbehaves. I wouldn't always take his side."

"Would you publicly berate me?" Sai wanted to know.

"Definitely. Well, only if it wasn't totally the wrong time. Sometimes rebuking someone is worse than the actual offense. These are your friends now too. I wouldn't want to embarrass you."

"They were your friends first, and I understand history matters a great deal to shinobi, as we discussed earlier."

Standing now, casually, looking so like Genma and so natural doing it, Tenten giggled. "Yeah, but you have history now too. I was gone for a long time. My situation here is still rocky."

"Not with any of the people we have seen over the past twenty-four hours," Sai pointed out.

"Yeah, but that doesn't represent the vast majority of the village. Konoha is large."

The door opened and slammed shut, punctuating her statement. "Honey, I'm home," Genma called out sarcastically. "What's for dinner?" Entering, looking as if he'd spent the entire day running around with paperwork, down to his black thumbs, Genma ripped off his flak jacket and dropped it on the ground. "Smells amazing, Sai."

"It was all Tenten," he answered noncommittally.

"Really?"

"Hardly."

Tenten laughed at that. Today had just been so unnaturally easy. Every person she'd seen had been so welcoming and even now, after she'd had sex for the first time with her old tutor, it was just easy. Genma dropped a hand on Sai's shoulder in a fond, brotherly gesture and kissed Tenten atop the head before lifting the pots and sniffing. No pressure, no worry. Just hanging out. Perhaps that's why she'd been drawn to him. There was no mess, no navigating. Just Genma, who cared about her, for whatever reason.

"What is it?" he asked, peeking at the pan. "Even plain rice sounds amazing right now."

"Tofu stir-fry."

"Ugh, not chicken? Not salmon?"

"Salmon is difficult to acquire this time of year and the sauce I prepared tastes better with tofu. Besides, chicken carries a high risk for illness and I dislike preparing it. I would overall say that I vastly prefer tofu. As I'm cooking, it is up to my preference."

Sometimes it was easy to forget that the pale boy between them had preferences too, but as they sat and doled out dinner, talking about their days, she could see how good and easy Genma was with Sai.

"Yeah, so Shikamaru is planning the Kage Summit right now, to talk about Akatsuki, since a couple of them got away, and some other international matters, but it's so hard since not even Shizune can figure out what the hell half the paperwork says. It's a lot of running around from building to building right now. Tsunade-sama is under ANBU protection right now."

"How is Shizune?" Tenten wanted to know.

Genma grimaced mid-bite. "We were kind of seeing each other for a while, and it didn't work out. Now it's always awkward."

"Well, why did you break up?" Sai asked, digging for information.

"Sometimes people just aren't meant to be," Genma shrugged. "Our schedules didn't always mesh, and then I got sent on that mission to Kiri, and the sparks just weren't there anymore. I think we mostly dated because it was a thing when we were younger."

"History," Sai nodded understandingly. "The idea of a person being stronger than who that person has become."

"Yup," Genma chewed thoughtfully. "You're right. Chicken wouldn't have been as good. But yeah, I think she liked the idea of me more than she liked me. I'm a gross, dirty man, and she's used to her neatly pressed, feminine lifestyle. I kind of cramp it."

"So you liked her," Sai pressed. "She disliked you."

"Hell yeah," Genma shrugged. "I have a thing for brunettes."

Tenten kicked him under the table, and he smirked, unabashed.

"But yeah, she's smart, she's tough, she's bossy. It was good while it lasted. Kinda wished it ended better. I think she's seeing some chuunin who teaches over at the Academy. Iruka knows him. Hirohito Noboru, I think. Maybe I'm wrong. It's not good for my ego to keep tabs on my exes. 'Specially when I work with her."

Changing the subject, Tenten wondered if she was supposed to feel jealous. Or if she did and merely didn't want to admit it. "So how does Raidou like courier duty?"

Genma shook his head. "As much as he likes anything."

"I enjoy Raidou-san's company," Sai pronounced. "I find his demeanor calming."

"Because he's always mad. No second guessing with that one," Tenten pointed out. "He's easy to read." Sai stood and collected their dishes, washing them. Tenten stared in awe. "How'd you get him to do that?"

"I am not a trained dog, Buns," Sai responded. "It is part of the deal. Genma would be less inclined to join me for family dinner if I did not clean up the mess made while cooking. He is doing me a favor by tolerating my presence in both his home and during dinner hours, and my completing these tasks are his compensation."

"All him," Genma confirmed, merriment dancing in his eyes. "I didn't do a damn thing." He picked at his teeth with the senbon.

"You're honestly a wonder of the world, Sai," Tenten told him.

"I am pleased you think so. I am departing soon. Izumo and Kotetsu are taking me slumming. It will be an educational experience. Tenten, I'd appreciate if you did not discuss this with Iruka-san."

While Tenten spluttered in outrage, Genma merely chuckled. Sai gathering his items to depart, kissing Tenten perfunctorily on the cheek, his lips cool and slightly chapped, rough against her cheek in such an captivatingly boyish manner that she almost couldn't bear it.

"What did Ino tell you about kissing?" Tenten asked suspiciously while Sai opened the window.

"Kisses on the hand are chivalrous, and most women adore chivalry," he recited, climbing up and out. "Cheek, forehead, and scalp kisses are reserved for closer acquaintances, denoting fondness and friendliness, except within a romantic context. Good bye."

"Have a good time, Sai," Genma called out, and Tenten only sat in the chair, touching her cheek.

"That was… really adorable," Tenten told Genma. "I'm honestly floored."

Genma, all business now, sighed, his back to her, before turning and telling her bluntly: "Ino or Sai probably told you, but T&I will be coming by soon. They'll take you to an unspecified location, do their thing, and bring you back. It might be a little traumatizing."

"Will you be here to nurse me back to health?" she teased, standing and stretching.

His eyes immediately turned sensual. "Now is not the time for that kind of talk, kouhai. You don't wanna scare off the T&I guys with all the freaky thoughts about me going on in your head. Some of them know me, and it would be wrong to intimidate them with my incredible sexual prowess."

She snorted. "Don't boost yourself that much. I was just thinking about how you actually do need a haircut."

"Whatever happened to me being perfect?" he mocked, scooping her into his arms and dumping her on the futon. Just like the old days when he'd grab her by the collar. Just a little gentler. It made her feel... cherished. "Just to distract your newfound dirty mind, I got something to show you."

Interested, Tenten watched him flick through papers until he got to a stack he wanted. Dropping them on her lap, he gave her a nudge that was a little rougher than he probably intended, though it was just shy of painful. "Look through those. They're all of Sai's drawings of you. When he gets frustrated, he rips them, but I salvaged these before they were shreds on the floor."

She'd seen some of his work before, outside of battle, but this was different. This was almost four years worth of art; all of them in perfect detail. Some were her face, her body, her hair; some were her in motion, different poses, some graceful, some strained. She could see her emotions; she was laughing in one, angry in another, dejected in yet another. There were more; some of her and Shisui, yes, and it was shocking to see the intimacy of them, how Sai was able to replicate and recognize emotion even if he did not understand it.

There were others, but they were conjectures. Tenten, older, but her features were off; he'd made her face too round, her brows too thick, her eyes were wrong; there she was with Naruto, with Sakura and Ino and Hinata. He probably petulantly thought that she'd aged different from his expectations just to spite him.

"Hokages," she smiled up at Genma. "This is fan art, you do know."

"Still, he pretty much nailed it. The ones of you walking... it's like the page is moving."

"Yeah," she nodded. "Let me see the ones of you."

He grimaced, but obeyed, putting away the ones she'd just gone through in a filing cabinet and removing a different pile.

They were just as riveting; many more were live action. Genma curled up on the couch, his senbon large and ugly, cutting across the page as if it were in flight.

"He hates it," Genma explained at Tenten's questioning glance. "He's never said as much or explained why, but sometimes he gives me the oddest looks."

"These are so sweet," Tenten breathed, flipping through some of him outside; training, walking, shopping, laughing. There was one of his face, huge and detailed, his eyes absolutely impeccably accurate, the slight twist of his jaw in a sneer, the furrow of his brow. His senbon was missing - she felt like he'd just spit it and was admiring his own aim.

The last one in Genma's pile was a picture of them and Sakura; Sakura leaning over Tenten's prone body, Genma cradling her head and chatting amiably to Sakura, though the medic was focusing entirely on Tenten, whose face was out of frame.

"That's my favorite," he confided. "Found it this morning." A more romantic young woman than Tenten would think it was because of the two of them together and swoon a little, but knowing Genma as well as she did, Tenten understood it was was Sakura's reaction to his impartial attitude. It took a lot to ruffle him, and it amused him to see others getting hot and bothered over his ease. Especially the Hokage's spunky apprentice, who regularly bossed him around.

She opened her mouth to say something that was quickly forgotten when there was a sharp rap on the window. It was decisive and swift; they knew she was waiting for them.

"Damn," she sighed, anxiously.

Squeezing her hand and motioning for the ANBU to enter, Genma carefully put away the drawings and turned, crossing his legs and leaning against the wall.

"Take me to your leader," Tenten demanded of them dramatically, more for Genma's benefit than anything.

"Shut up and get out of my house," he ordered her, eyes glinting with the slightest shade of amusement.

Tenten cooperated as they blinded her, wondering who they were. She didn't recognize the masks or the hair. She gripped the hand that slipped its way into hers. Squeezing back comfortingly, the owner of the hand ducked her head as they exited the window, assisting her as they leapt over rooftops. Gai-sensei had taught her how to fight blindfolded; this light jog was nothing. But she appreciated the comfort she was being offered, as they guided her considerately to her doom.