Secrets and All

...

The blonde practically gleamed in pride at his own - self proclaimed - genius idea. To an outsider, the idea seemed greatly unhinged. Inviting a stranger, better yet someone who just that morning had barely escaped arrest for property damage by a mere promise of a repayment, to work as a lawman was definitely out of the ordinary. But don't they say to keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.

Between the pair of them how much trouble could she really cause?

"Pardon me-" Temari began, breaking the silence. Tenten's gawped expression said enough waiting in hope that someone could come to reason with this outrageous plan. Neji, however, kept a stern watch on the girl whose name he still didn't know.

She certainly looked more orderly now that she had cleaned herself up. He recognised the high neck and ankle-length dress that she newly adorned as his cousins'. The notorious cream and lavender flowered print that Hinata adored so much just looked so out of place on the brunette. It wasn't unflattering but this particular style of dress just didn't suit her character. Whilst Hinata seemed made for the more delicate fit and lighter toned material, this woman was bolder and certainly not made to fade into the background.

Her complexion was subtly sun-kissed and features sharp - probably no thanks to her skinnier frame he guessed wasn't out of choice. Her eyes however casted a much softer character. They were unmasked, no longer hiding behind violence, and they showed… fear.

"But what in God's name are you talking about?" Neji's attention was taken back when he heard Temari finish her question. A question he too was curious to hear an explanation to.

"Well, you see here, this one owes me and this town a little favor, don't you now?" Naruto's head tilted towards Tenten and she could only nod shamelessly in response. The ranch owner raised an eyebrow but decided that was a story to be shared over a drink. "And as I can see, she's a skilled horseman…woman…whatever you want to call it. Whoever has the power to control that beast has my respect. Seems to me it'd be a waste of skills to not at least test her out and see what she can do. Mind you, you'll be on light duties until you're all healed up. We clear?"

She felt helpless - his request was fair but all the while…wasn't it just insane? She eyed the Sheriff's badge he wore on his waistcoat and she was reminded that that was the only thing standing between her and a one way ticket to jail. Her debating came to a halt and Tenten reluctantly nodded in reply.

"Good." His thumbs found their place in the nooks of his pants and he swayed his shoulder to catch Neji's. He was given a glare in response. "You've met Neji already…in a way."

"In a way." Neji retorted sarcastically, catching his balance. Tenten held out on acknowledging him in any way which only made him seethe more. Temari shot a knowing look at the pair making a mental note to ask for details later.

"Neji, meet Tenten. I'm sure you'll get better acquainted with each other when you both go on tonight's rounds."

In unison they both winced. Neji's eyes fell tightly shut as he almost lost the last drop of patience he had to give before responding though half gritted teeth. "I guess we will."

"Fine by me."

"In the meantime - Temari, Sakura and Ino are still around right?"

"Say no more. I'll take her to them." Temari already put an arm around Tenten feeling the unease in the atmosphere as a sign to leave. "I'll bring her by the stables in a couple of hours?"

"Neji will be there." With a nod, she gave a fleeting smirk as she watched the usually poised deputy fight back the urge to say exactly what was on his mind. She could only imagine the curses that were flying around in his head. Not wanting to poke the bear, they turned heels and left Naruto to pick up the pieces.

…

Sakura and Ino were travelers that had become quite fond of the quaint town over the months they'd stayed there. They had made a temporary home for themselves at the ranch along with any other stragglers Temari came by. Among giving the ranch a welcoming vibe, Temari also noted that they were particularly skilled in medicine and could look over Tenten's wounds further.

Nobody mentioned the faded scars on Tenten's skin that came in rows of four, the pastel purple and yellow bruises that painted a picture of horror, or the jagged bite marks that dotted her skin. They were merely a fraction of her past - and sadly a story many a lady told these days. In this new world, they were just reminders of what happened. In return, Tenten spilled about what happened with the deputy that morning.

"Now that is something I would have gladly paid to have seen."

"Pay rent first, then you can see the show." Temari quipped back, quickly breaking into a laugh as the pink haired girl pretended to be extra careful bandaging a light wound on Tenten's arm and avoiding eye contact at all costs.

Ino, who was tending to the beginnings of a pretty nasty sunburn on the nape of Tenten's neck, suddenly came a little too close for comfort next to the patient's head. "So.. what's your story then?" Temari gave a heavy nudge into Ino's ribs in retaliation. "Boss!" Angry blue eyes shot a dark side eye to her foreman. "She was found near dead! Who wouldn't ask?"

"People who know damn well not to shove their noses where they're not welcome." She leaned in just shy of her ear, close enough to bait her blow but far away enough so the others could still hear "Or should I ask about Sai?" Beat red cheeks and silence were plenty loud enough to answer her. Temari released her victim and focused back onto the new addition to the place. "Like I said before, you're welcome here anytime. Secrets and all."

For the first time in a long time, Tenten felt a genuine smile grace her lips as she mouthed a breathless `Thank you`. Like a lioness to her cubs, the ranch owner was stern but fair and, most importantly, devoted to those in her care.

"On another note, you're best to take Neji with a grain of salt. He's about as easy to get to know as it is to catch a fish with your bare hands." The girls' each gave a confirming nod to the statement. "No'one's really sure why he is the way he is. All we know is that he and Hinata came to the town together 'bout two years ago now with not much but themselves to give. They've been here ever since. To me, that's enough."

"Here you can become a whole new person and leave any essence of your past self in the desert to dry out." Sakura piped up, tying the knot to the last bandage before giving a finishing pat. "Many folks do. Sometimes that's the only way to survive."

Tenten viewed her newly stitched up arm as she pondered their words. When she spotted him in the sheriff's office, she didn't bother gifting him with anything more than a wicked stare. The image she had of him was full of him as the aggressor. Never did she bother to take him in a new light. Though in her books Neji was still nothing better than a walking headache, there might be something to him that she could at least relate to. If she was at least going to survive here, this new character she had made for herself might as well try to make the most of it.

"You ready to go?" Temari asked Tenten whilst also eyeing the other two girls - knowing the both of them were desperate for an invitation since their dirty little secrets often hung around there. "You two, come with us and collect some feed for the livestock." They all knew full well that they were in no rush for it but the girls followed in tow without raising any arguments with their foreman.

"Hinata said that she would take me to see Sai. Do you think we should pick her up on the way?" All the girls but Tenten smiled at one another in a telling way. Sensing that she had said the right thing they walked toward the wine house without muttering another word.

…

The long afternoon sun continued to cast long shadows on the ground as the group arrived at the stables. The familiar sweet aromas of hay, fresh shavings, and sweet feed hit their noses - a sign of well kept horses on a warm spring day.

They had immediately spotted the men as they stood with polar opposite reactions to their arrival - one waved in friendly welcome, and the other stood with arms crossed without any hint of amusement. Tenten could only hope that this was not a sign of things to come.

The slanting rays of the setting sun gave a warm orange tinge to Naruto's brilliantly blonde locks which Hinata could barely take her eyes off. Her unwavering gaze had caught Naruto's attention instantly - hopefully that the light was shining on his face enough to hide the glow he could feel on his cheeks.

"H-Hey! There's quite a crowd of you. Wasn't expecting you all to come."

Temari twitched her head towards the two extra heads that followed behind her. "These two wanted a wander, and she," She motioned towards Hinata who stood to her right. "Wanted to keep her word to our new arrival."

"It's nothing, really." Her fingers spread wide as she shook her hands in dismissal.

"Well, thanks for coming! Sai's waiting for us." Naruto motioned towards the opening of the main stable. He started forward and Neji followed without a word.

"Remember what I said, Tenten." Temari nodded in affirmation. "About coming to the ranch anytime, and about…" She didn't have to say anything. Tenten nodded in understanding. "I'll be heading off." She swiveled on her toes as she turned to face her girls kicking up dust as she went. "See you both back home. I expect you back in an hour at the latest." She pushed out the last word, heeding a steady nod from Sakura and Ino as they walked a little too quickly towards the stables. Tenten and Hinata weren't far behind - both sucking in a deep breath of courage before they started off.

...