"Is he in sight?"
TenTen sighed in exasperation. "Yes, he's still sitting at the counter of the place, he just received his first glass of sake," she whispered into the small microphone clipped to her shirt. She sat at a table in a far away corner, but close enough to see the bar area, where Juchi Fehn sat on a stool. "Why do I have to do this again? Why didn't we just come up and talk to him, you know, like normal people?"
"This isn't going to be a normal conversation, TenTen, that's why. This is very important," she heard the voice of Lee.
"Besides, it's not like four ninjas can just walk up to someone and say, "We know the Tsuchikage is in conspiracy with Orochimaru, tell us all you know." Teji's voice came.
"And a girl is far more trusting. All you need to do is wait for him to get a little drunk, and ask a few questions," Neji stated grumpily.
"Yeah, and use that seducing voice," Lee chimed in.
TenTen almost choked. "What the hell do you mean by that?" she refrained herself from causing a scene by yelling.
"You know, the one you use with Neji sometimes," Lee replied.
"What are you talking about?" Neji's voice came into play.
"I heard you two talking one time when you thought you were alone, and boy, you guys have some erotic conv…" Lee was cut off.
"Lee! That's enough," TenTen almost barked, her teeth gritting. Her face was a deep crimson.
Someone cleared their throat. "Ahem."
TenTen looked sharply up at the person and her eyes widened. An older replica of Juchi Fehn was standing right in front of her. 'Please guys, don't say another word,' she only wished she could send this message to her team.
Juchi had a small blush across his nose. "Um, excuse me, miss," he started, his voice polite and gentle, "But, I was wondering, if you'd like a drink, on me of course."
TenTen smiled gently. This opportunity was too perfect. 'Thank you good looks,' she thought to herself smugly. "I'd love that," she replied, standing up.
They took a seat on the stools by the bar.
The bartender came up to them. "What can I get you two?"
"Two ji-birus please," Juchi replied and the bartender nodded to get their beer. Juchi turned to TenTen. "I hope that's okay with you."
TenTen contemplated the situation for a moment. 'Oh boy. Well, I'm close enough to 20, just a few more months,' she thought to herself with a sweatdrop. "Yes, that's fine." 'Though I've never had a drink in my life.'
"I don't think I've seen you around before," Juchi started the conversation, "A traveler?"
TenTen nodded. "Just passing through," she answered.
"Where are you from originally then?" Juchi asked.
"Ano…" 'Should I tell him the truth? It's not like he'll know who I am or anything.' "I'm from Konoha," TenTen answered.
Juchi raised an eyebrow. "Really? I've been there once or twice myself," he took a drink of the alcohol they had just been given. "Tsunade is your Hokage, am I correct?"
Another nod. "Correct," TenTen stated. "She's had the spot for almost six years now. She's been a very good influence for our village." She then grabbed her own drink, closing her eyes as she took a small sip. 'Hm, not too bad,' TenTen told herself as she smacked her lips and took another sip.
Juchi gazed at his drink. "I see."
TenTen looked at him. She couldn't bring up the Tsuchikage just yet; he had only had a sip of his drink. She took another swig of her own. This may take a while.
Juchi took another chug from his drink. "What's your rank?" he questioned.
"Jounin," the weapon mistress replied, then added, "I'm planing to go for ANBU soon."
"I see," Juchi remarked. "Then you must be here for a mission." He eyed her suspiciously.
TenTen contemplated for a moment. 'Tsunade-sama trusted this guy, so maybe he'll just come out and tell me, it'll be a lot easier on me that way,' she looked at him. 'But what if he's traded sides?'
She could really use a second opinion. But, since one was not provided, she decided to take it safe. "I have a mission in Lightening Country. Tsunade-sama told me to speak with the Raikage," she came up with.
Juchi replied with an, "Oh."
TenTen drank more of her ji-biru. "Yeah, I just decided to stop for a rest."
"But, then, where's the rest of your team?" Juchi questioned suspiciously.
TenTen's breath caught. 'Come on, think fast,' she told herself and then a calm expression came to her face. "They decided to stay at the hotel, they're not much fun."
A smirk reached Juchi's face. "You're a pretty good liar, I'll give you that much," he stated.
TenTen's eyes widened. 'How'd he know?' she thought and reached for her holster on her leg.
Juchi then chuckled. "Hey, no need to get hostile. I'm not going to kill you or anything," he proclaimed.
TenTen narrowed her eyes. "You're not?" What was this guy planning?
"No, I'm not…TenTen is it?" Juchi glanced at her in question.
"How do you know that?" TenTen questioned, ready to call for backup at any second.
"Tsunade-sama told me," the man responded casually.
TenTen froze and slunk back in her seat. "She told you we were going to be here? Then, why didn't she question you herself?" she questioned with a raise of an eyebrow.
Juchi glanced around the room cautiously before speaking again. "All she said was the 'my relatives' were visiting, and she said your names," he stated in a low tone.
"Your relatives?" TenTen repeated.
He whispered under his breath, "All of our mail is read by the Tsuchikage's officials, Tsunade couldn't even put her name on the letter, she spoke in code mostly. Why don't we talk elsewhere, where we can't be heard?"
TenTen nodded. "Let me retrieve my teammates first," she said as she turned the microphone on and spoke into it, "Guys, get in here. Pronto."
"What's the matter?" came Neji's voice.
"Apparently, Tsunade-sama told him of our coming here, there's no need for us to be secretive," TenTen explained.
There were a few mumbles, and then the three males walked in.
Juchi smiled. "Why don't we all go to my place an talk," he suggested and placed the money on the bar before standing.
Neji gave him a distrusting look but the others nodded and they walked out into the night. All was silent as they walked, besides the voices of those passing by and the pitter patter of their feet.
Upon reaching his apartment, they all took a seat, save Neji who stood, leaning against the wall. Juchi poured himself a glass of wine. He looked up at his quests. "Want any?" He offered.
TenTen, Teji, and Neji shook their heads but Lee's eyes brightened and he nodded eagerly.
"No, Lee, you know how you get with alcohol," TenTen scolded and Lee whined a second before pouting.
"So, what information do you need?" Juchi asked, taking a drink.
"Exactly what your Tsuchikage's up to, and conspiracies with Orochimaru, perhaps?" Neji questioned.
"My, my, but aren't you just straight to the point," Juchi swirled his glass before continuing, "Of course, I will tell you. My allegiances are still to Konoha, Tsunade was smart about that. The Tsuchikage is in cahoots with Orochimaru."
"Why? What does he get out of it?" Lee asked, his interest piqued.
Juchi shrugged. "The Tsuchikage doesn't trust me that much, lad. But I know it's happening. Why, I don't have a clue. I can't help you there," he answered, "Is that all you came for?"
Teji nodded. "We were told to get whatever you knew and report promptly to the Hokage," he replied.
"So, excuse us, Juchi-san, but we must take our leave and tell this piece of information to Tsunade-sama," Lee pardoned them as they got up to leave.
Neji stayed put for a second as Lee opened the door. "You coming Neji?" TenTen asked turning to look at her fiancé.
Neji's eyes narrowed at Juchi. "Is that all we came to know? Anything else you have to say?" he asked suspiciously.
Juchi chuckled. "Very persistent of you. I was wondering if one of you would ask," he glanced at the teens, "There is something else you should know."
"And what may that be?" TenTen inquired.
"That Tsuchikage isn't the only Kage on Orochimaru's side," Juchi stated solemnly, "I think you should rely that message to Tsunade. Get along now, don't keep her waiting." He waved a hand for them to leave.
The team looked at each other and headed out the door.
As they headed down the path to the journey back to Konoha, they spoke.
"What's going on with these villages? They ought to know better," TenTen stated her arms crossed over her chest.
"Hai, that is true, TenTen. But we don't know the whole story behind it now do we?" Lee questioned.
TenTen sighed. "I guess that's true."
"This is just the beginning," Teji mumbled, Neji glancing at him upon hearing his words.
"What do you mean by that?" The Byakugan user questioned.
Teji shook his head. "Nothing. Never mind. Just forget I said anything."
"But you did say something. You said it was just the beginning. The beginning of what? What exactly do you know about…" Neji was cut off.
"Neji, stop badgering the kid," TenTen instructed firmly.
"He knows something, TenTen, I know he does," Neji retorted.
"You're just being paranoid, as usual," the weapon mistress pointed out.
Neji growled and let it go. Now we know whom the dominant one in this relationship is.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru and his team were learning what Juchi meant by his words.
The Grass Village was certainly not acting like any allies of Konoha. The minute they entered the outside area, they had been ambushed.
The only one prepared had been Shiniko, who cunningly got them out of one raid, but now they were in another.
"Shinranshin no Jutsu," Ino performed, her body falling into Shikamaru's arms and he set her down. Ino, now in the body of the enemy, attacked the other nins unexpectedly.
Keeping an eye on Ino's body as she massacred other nins, Shikamaru watched as a ninja turned his back. "Kage Kubi Shibari," the Nara muttered, the shadow forming into a hand, suffocating the unsuspecting Grass Nin.
Chouji held up his own as well. "Baika no Jutsu," he grew in size to wear the enemies looked like ants. He easily got rid of the ninjas that dared get into his way.
Shiniko was just using hand-to-hand combat to fight off anyone in his path, kunai flying everywhere.
Ino, now in her own body, came up from behind a nin, stabbing him in the back. His body tensed, as he fell to the ground. "We shall prevail," the nin muttered his last words.
Now there was only one Grass ninja left standing. He backed himself into a tree as the four walked toward him.
"P-Please, don't kill me!" he begged.
Chouji and Shikamaru exchanged glances before looking back at the man. The lazy genius took a step forward, pressing a kunai to the man's neck. The man gazed at him in fear, having seen what these Konoha ninjas were capable of as they killed of his fellow ninjas. The man was actually a teenager, Shikamaru observed, and a young one at that. 'Probably still a Genin,' he added in his thoughts. No wondered he was frightened. Kunai still pressed to the boy's neck, Shikamaru spoke, "Why are you against us? Weren't Konoha and the Grass allies? Speak now."
The boy gulped.
"Answer me," Shikamaru demanded his eyes hardening.
"I-I really don't know," the boy croaked.
"Are you lying," Shikamaru pressed the kunai tighter to his throat.
"Shikamaru," Ino said softly, "He's just a kid."
"It doesn't matter, Ino," Shikamaru spat eyeing her. "If he knows something, I'm going to get it out of him, and he'll tell me," he glanced at the boy, "That is, if he values his life."
"I don't know anything, honestly I don't. I was just following Daimyou-sama's orders, to kill any Konoha nin before they entered the premises, that's all I know," he whispered painfully. "I'm telling you the truth."
"Why should I believe you?" Shikamaru questioned, his eyebrows raising, but his grip loosening.
"I think he's telling the truth."
Shikamaru looked at Shiniko.
"I mean, why should we not believe him? We have his life in our hands. Obviously, the Grass is no longer our friends, but our enemy. What more do we need to know? We should report this to the Hokage, as soon as possible, instead of toying with this boy," Shiniko explained, and turning his back.
Ino placed a hand on her chest. "He's right, Shika, let him go," she mumbled to her boyfriend. The genius thought a second, before putting his kunai down, and jumping into the trees, his teammates following in pursuit.
And so the plot thickens. Remember to review! Later guys, I hope it was a good read.
sasuke fanatic1
