The Famous 10

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Trigger warning - themes of domestic violence are included in this story and beyond. If this is something that you feel like you should avoid, please do so and know that you are so loved. Drop me another story idea.

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Though freshly adorned in new clothing the stares from the townsfolk were relenting to the point she felt even dirtier than before. They were probing her unfamiliar presence without even muttering a word and the brunette could all but keep her head low as she tried to remember the instructions given by the woman she now knew as Hinata.

"Take a right as soon as you exit here, keep going straight until you hit the billiards, then make a left. It's the fifth building on the left."

At that moment she could hear the familiar clacking of the billiard balls crashing into each other, following by cheers and grimaces from the respective players. A memory instantly started playing in her head, sending her to a grinding halt as the world around her disappeared into blackness. Even as the sun still danced on her uncovered skin in the present, all she felt were cold fingers taking grip at the base of her collar bone. A familiar sensation of a thumb pushing against her windpipe instantly seized her breath without mercy and she could all but gasp in a silent plea. All of it went unnoticed as the pressure only gained in strength as she became weaker. Beads of sweat began to pool at the base of her neck and her mind started to close up on the illusion - reality far from grasp as she anticipated for what was coming next. Jagged nails dug until she could feel her own skin breaking under his grasp, her eyes widened, and hot tears streamed down her face. She knew he was still hunting her - and he would never stop.

"Hey."

A faint voice was all it took for the darkened vision to begin to fade. Tenten at once took a deep breath as her eyes began to draw the faint figure standing in front of her. Standing at just a few inches taller than she was, the keeper of the steely voice was of a dirty blonde whose eyes painted a picture of curiosity and concern. She looked Tenten up and down. Making sure to keep her distance, the woman started to close the space between them with the gesture of a reassuring hand.

"You OK there? You're awful pale." A second time hearing the voice was enough to confirm that it had been just a figment of her imagination, Tenten finally felt the warmth of the sunlight on her face again and she felt in control of her body once again. Any remains of the hand that once held her so tightly had all but vanished in the blink of an eye. Yet, Tenten's hand couldn't help but pull to her throat just to be sure.

When a tear fell onto the wrist of the hand that had clutched the base of her neck, the brunette realized what a spectacle she must be to the townsfolk - and to the woman who had taken the time to check on her. She quickly used her palm to wipe the streams from her cheeks and clear her throat before speaking. "Y-Yes. Sorry I.." Realizing there was nothing she could say but the truth to excuse what had just happened, she just fell silent.

"Don't apologize." The hand that had bridged the gap went instinctively to the cuff of her sleeve to reveal a handkerchief. The action seemed common to her as she gracefully passed it without hesitation towards Tenten. When she didn't take it immediately, she nudged it into her empty palm.

"Listen. Whatever you've been through, you don't owe anyone an explanation or apology. You hear me?" The last part was directed to a small crowd who were walking painfully slow, clearly ogling the sight. They soon hurried on. Her attention came swiftly back to Tenten.

"Name's Temari, owner of the Suna Ranch down that way." Temari nodded behind Tenten, back towards the pub. "You need anything, you come to me. You'll be in good hands. You're not the first lady to come my way after such a thing. Until then," She took a step back and looked around. "Where're you headed?"

….

"Listen, Neji. I don't know what happened between you and the lass this morning, but looks like she'll be staying here longer than you may like. I need all the eyes I can get to keep a watch on things in case they get ugly. I'm counting on you. Come to the office when you've caught your breath. I'll be waiting for you with something special."

Staying for longer than you might like? At this point Neji felt if he ran into her again for even a second, that would be overstaying her welcome. Still, he had a duty to this town and he had sworn to protect its people. With someone like that lurking around, Neji could all but agree to the request as he made his way over to the office.

The familiar sight of Naruto's roper boots resting above the desk as he sat legs crossed and feet up was nothing surprising. Neji barely made eye contact as he came up, but Naruto's usually toothy grin was nearly doubled in size than normal that made him stop in his tracks - the boyish blue eyed sheriff was up to something… and Neji was sure it wouldn't be in his favour.

"You came!" Naruto exclaimed almost joyously as he swept himself off the desk to stand, dust bouncing off as his feet hit the floor.

"You called, I came." His tone thick with agitation. "What's this about…her staying?"

"Hold your horses, Neji. I'll get to her." The grin traveled with Naruto as rounded the desk to stand in front of Neji, hands behind his back, and casually leant on the desk. His smile held tight with his secret for now, though it was clear he couldn't wait to share it. "First, the something special I mentioned." One hand that had been hiding behind his back came into view. He held out a pair of stirrups, and the other hand soon followed revealing a second pair. "We're getting a new addition to the team."

Brows furrowed as Neji stared at the stirrups for a few seconds pondering the news before shooting his boss a confused look. "With all due respect, I don't see how that is anything special."

The glee fell slowly from Naruto's face and a much more solemn one took its place. His naturally immature character was seen to many as a weakness but what many didn't know was that it was nothing more than a security blanket to hide from the harsh reality. It was rare for the light to slip from his features, but if it concerned the job or the safety of the townspeople, he could switch in a split second - and you knew to listen when it happened. In turn, Neji's head unconsciously leant forward and turned an ear to listen better. "The Famous 10 are back."

Neji felt himself take a sharp intake of air and his body held onto it before he let it out in a long lament breath. "When?"

"Last night. A couple of people a few towns over arrested one of them for stealing, and the rest of them soon came to bust him out." The blonde's fingers gripped the stirrups until the skin around them turned white. "Apparently it was a massacre."

"What do they want?"

"What they always want - to cause as much havoc and heartache as they want."

"And this new recruit. Are they decent?"

At that moment two knocks sounded from the door of the office and Naruto's smile returned gladly. "We'll soon find out."

Before Neji could answer, Naruto walked passed - winking to his deputy as he went - and called through the entrance. "Who is it?"

"It's Temari. Got a visitor for you."

Before the door opened Neji suddenly got a horrible feeling. He turned to eye the mischievous grin that began playing on his bosses lips. "Don't tell me-"

Sure enough, the door opened to reveal the woman who, just hours ago, had been clawing and biting at him like a wild animal. She was much more kept since then, but judging by her sudden frown as she caught a glimpse of her earlier intruder she was not best pleased either.

"Neji, welcome our newest and unofficial member!"

All eyes darted to the announcer and a collective "huh?!" was shared between them.

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