Chapter Eight: Suspicious Characters

Tenten needed to expand her business to the Uchiha district and she had to do it now.

The thought had been pressing on her nonstop as she got ready for the day. It bugged her over and over again, which was really annoying. Today was a day off. But, finally, she met Neji and Lee. But now, the urge to go to the Uchiha district was practically screaming in her mind.

"So, anyone ever hear the story of the Ten-tales?" asked Tenten, suddenly, trying to distract herself.

"You mean the legend that the tailed beasts were originally a single-tailed beast?" asked Neji. "One that ravaged entire continents and destroyed whole civilizations. Yes, the Ten Tales exist. Why do you bring it up?"

"I dunno, I just..." Tenten shifted. "The story sort of sticks in my mind for some reason. I mean, think about what the Nine-tails did. Now imagine what something with nine times the power could do."

"Indeed," said Lee. "The Sage of the Six Paths must have been formidable indeed."

The urge was not going away. Now it seemed to be pressing at her all the harder. Fine, whatever. "So, you guys, remember when I said I wanted to expand our business? I mean, we've been doing work for a lot of houses. But I feel we can do more."

"Indeed, Tenten. We should not stop until we have successfully cleaned every area that needs it," said Lee. "We are already stronger for it."

Neji, however, was scowling hard. Tenten wondered if it was something she had done. "Neji?

"Something wrong?"

Neji motioned with his head to one side without looking that way. Tenten followed his gaze and saw a group of boys walking together. All of them had a face that was like a mask and were saying nothing to one another. Their leader had pale skin and black hair.

"...I've seen that boy before," said Neji. "He always walks down this way at exactly this time. As if following a rigid schedule."

"What do you mean? What about him?" asked Tenten.

"He carries himself like a trained ninja, but he wears civilian clothing," said Neji. "I've never seen him anywhere other than here. He's always here, walking the streets."

"So?" asked Tenten. Wasn't this all a bit mundane?

"His expression is also odd," said Neji. "He almost never speaks to anyone, and when he does, his attempt at expression are half-hearted. Clumsy. As though taking part in a play."

"So?" asked Tenten. "Maybe he's socially awkward." Then again, Neji was socially awkward too. And he didn't look nearly as unnatural as those three.

"He's not the only one," said Neji. "I've noticed that there have been a great many of them out here. They have been increasing in number for the past three days. All of them have similar difficulties with communication.

"I had not noticed it until we began to make our rounds."

"Perhaps they are suffering from PTSD, Neji," said Lee. "Maybe children were employed in the Third Shinobi War."

"Those children would have grown up, Lee," said Tenten. Did he not think about things before he said them?

"Oh, I see," said Lee. "Well then, I am out of ideas."

What did any of this have to do with the Uchiha district! Tenten had to get there! It was incredibly important! "Can we focus, please?

"I think we ought to go pitch our services somewhere else. We're already working a bunch of streets, but we can do more."

"We could go down another street," said Neji.

"No, we need to take it up a notch!" said Tenten. "I think we should expand into the Uchiha district!" Sweet release, the feeling of finally saying it was bliss incarnate.

Neji looked at her with raised eyebrows. "The Uchiha district? You want to try bringing business into the most powerful remaining Leaf Village Clan."

"Why not?" asked Tenten. "We just have to pitch it right."

"What about the irregularities I found?" asked Neji.

"Fine, if you want, you can keep an eye out on them and see if anything is weird," said Tenten, sick of it all. "But let's go to the Uchiha district first. Before it's too late."

"Why would it be too late?" asked Lee.

"Opportunity waits for no man, Lee!" said Tenten. "Now come on!"

And off they went.

Tenten moved as quickly as she could, feeling like she was on the most important mission of her career. Which, if she was, would be very, very depressing. Though not as depressing as not performing the mission.

Eventually, they got to the Uchiha district and were stopped cold. Guards were standing there, and they were all over the place. Tenten wondered if this was why Master Panda had been filling out so many orders lately. "Hold where you are, you three. This is the Uchiha district; no one is allowed within. Not unless they are an Uchiha, a representative of the Leaf, or have permission."

"I know, I know, we were actually looking for permission," said Tenten. She felt like she'd been born for this moment.

The guard blinked. "To what end?"

"We were wondering if you would hire us as cleaners," said Tenten.

"The Uchiha Clan is more than capable of keeping its own house in order," said the guard.

No, no, no, they couldn't shut her out; this was really important. "Of course you are, I never said you weren't.

"But, we are professionals, and we were hoping we could help out a bit. I used to be a classmate of Sasuke Uchiha."

The guard sighed. "...Send someone to Lady Mikoto, see if she has any interest."

And they waited.

Neji leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Lee stood to attention. Tenten paced restlessly, hoping she hadn't made a huge mistake. But why would this be a huge mistake? Worst case scenario, she got told to take her cleaning service elsewhere.

But then she arrived.

When Tenten first laid eyes on her, she experienced a strange passion. It was similar to when she'd seen Itachi. Except it was a different feeling as well. Itachi was like what you wanted more than anything, but Lady Mikoto was what she wanted to be. She walked with incredible grace, and her red-eyes seemed to gleam in the sun. Her expression was calm and outgoing, and Tenten found herself shuddering.

Was she going to be cast out?

Why was she feeling this way?

"So, I'm told you're offering your services as cleaners?" asked Lady Mikoto, brushing aside her dark hair. "I've seen you three working. You have done a fairly good job, from what I saw.

"But why are you coming here?"

This was it. Do or die. "Well, the Uchiha Clan is renowned all over.

"I really think that if I were known to be cleaning up around here, other people might want to employ me. It could really open up some new avenues for us."

"And your friends?" asked Mikoto.

Neji remained silent.

"Oh, they're sort of my partners for this," said Tenten. "We're trying to get into practice for when we actually start D ranks full-time."

"Alright, I'll consider it," said Mikoto, smiling. "What price do you have in mind?"

Tenten told Mikoto her price, though she hardly heard the words leaving her lips. Mikoto smiled and nodded. "Hmm, that seems fair. But I'm going to have to limit you to very specific areas, and you can't leave them."

"Don't worry, we're not going to disturb you or anything," said Tenten, flushing with pride. Why pride? Why did she feel this way every time she ran into an Uchiha?

"Good, then why don't you show me just how well you can do before I agree to anything," said Mikoto.

"Right," said Tenten, smiling.

And Lady Mikoto led them into the Uchiha district. Even as they began to walk, Tenten's mind raced through all kinds of possible scenarios. Many of them didn't seem to be the kind of thing she would think of.

Tenten needed to take her mind off this. "So uh, Neji, you ever figure out that three hundred and sixty-degree x-ray vision yet?" It was a stupid question; of course, he had justed used it.

"Actually, yes," said Neji.

"See anything interesting?" asked Tenten. This was a chance to find the line.

"They've lined the walls with lead," said Neji.

"Well, naturally, the Uchiha Clan has fought multiple wars with the Hyuga," said Mikoto. "We're always careful to take all appropriate precautions to prevent infiltration."

"Oh, you heard that," said Tenten, feeling like she had been caught by her Master.

"You're not very subtle, dear," said Mikoto.

"I can be subtle!" said Tenten, wondering if she was going insane.

"Of course you can," said Mikoto, bringing them into a courtyard that seemed to have gotten dirty. As if nobody had cleaned it for a while. Except the other areas had been fine.

It was like this place had been prepared for them.

"I want this entire area cleaned out," said Mikoto. "Don't disappoint me; it's a genuine honor to serve the Uchiha Clan."

Tenten nodded, determined to prove herself worthy. "Yes, Lady Mikoto. We'll see to it."

"This makes no sense," muttered Neji as they worked. "Even if she was in need of an extra hand, the minute she found out I was a Hyuga, I ought to have been turned away at the door. Just looking at my eyes would have been enough."

"Maybe she's just nice," said Tenten.

"Nobody is just 'nice' Tenten," said Neji. "And all this is too convenient. Why, of all the places we walked through, is this the only place in need of cleaning."

"Perhaps this has to do with the mission the Uchiha are training for," said Lee.

"What could it even be, anyway?" asked Neji. "We're in peacetime; there is no way..." He halted, and then his eyes glowed as the veins appeared. "Byakugan."

"What is it?" asked Tenten, not understanding why she felt a surge of triumph.

"There are a dozen ranks of Uchiha training with weaponry beyond that door," said Neji.

"I thought you couldn't see past the lead," said Tenten.

"Someone has scraped off patches of it and painted nonlead paint over it," said Neji. "It looks recent as well. As if someone wants a Hyuga to see through it..."

This was going too far. They couldn't afford to find out too much. "Focus on the work, Neji," said Tenten quickly. "You're getting distracted; it's no business of ours what the Uchiha do in their spare time." Then he halted. "Hang on, the paint is lead?"

Why had she thought of that again?

"Yes, I assume so, since I can see in the places it's peeling," said Neji.

This was bad, very, very, bad. Looking up, Tenten saw the building into which Lady Mikoto had gone. Quickly she rushed up to it and knocked politely. The door opened, and Lady Mikoto looked out. She smiled as she saw the work they had done, and Tenten felt a fulfillment she'd never had.

"What is it?" asked Mikoto.

"Um, Lady Mikoto, are you sure it's a good idea to be having all this lead paint all over your district?" asked Tenten. She was worried, really worried she'd screw this up, but she had to say it.

"It's for security reasons," said Mikoto.

"Well, yes, but, um... I've been reading in my textbooks that lead paint can really screw with your mind," said Tenten. "It can cause all kinds of mental issues that could drive people nuts.

"Maybe um... maybe you should do some renovations."

"Would not doing those renovations represent an even greater health risk?" asked Mikoto.

"Well, yes, but what if you had everyone move out of the Uchiha district for a bit?" asked Tenten. "I mean, you are the police force, so you'd be better able to get to work."

Mikoto's smile faded. Tenten felt horrified at the prospect she had disappointed her. However, she looked at Tenten not with anger but as if she was seeing something she hadn't before.

"You know, I do not think it would be pleasant having an entire extended family crowded in here," mused Lee. "Perhaps the Uchiha would find living in the main village more to their liking."

"Lee, the Uchiha Clan, has been limited to this district by law since the Nine-tails rampage," said Neji. "You can't just break the laws because it's convenient. It would set a precedent."

"Well, why not ask the Hokage for a dispensation while you take care of the health risk?" asked Tenten.

Lady Mikoto halted and seemed to consider it. "...It could take months to make such renovations, even years. And by the time we finished, it would be completely impractical to confine us again.

"I see the Hokage's point. Finish here, I will be back."

The... Hokage's point?

Tenten went back to work and looked at Neji. "What is all that about?"

"Let us focus on the task at hand, Tenten," said Neji, looking very, very, worried. "Don't concern yourself with the machinations of scary people."

Tenten was about to flare up. But then she thought that Lady Mikoto would not want her knowing too much. "Fine, get me with my own words, why don't you."

"I, for one, foresee glorious things in our future," said Lee.

And so they continued to work.

The impulse that had driven Tenten here, however, was suddenly gone. She looked around and wondered how she'd ended up in this place. She did feel a strange sense of contentment working here, but...

What was going on?

Why had it been so important to her that she come here and work?

Her attention was drawn when Sasuke Uchiha ran by. He was following a larger, brown-haired man with stern features. Instantly, Tenten found herself working all the harder in the hope of impressing them. Not that they took any notice. "Father, Father?"

"Sasuke, what is it?" asked the man.

"I just learned a new jutsu at class today. Can I demonstrate it to you?" asked Sasuke.

"Not now, Sasuke," said Fugaku. "I have work to do."

"But Father, you never make any time for me. You always have time for Itachi-" began Sasuke.

"Not right now," said Sasuke's father suddenly, turning to him. "I'm sorry, Sasuke, but this is important."

"But I-" began Sasuke.

"Sasuke, if I tell you what I am doing is important, it means I do not have time for you right now," said Fugaku. "Show it to Itachi.

"I'll take some time for you when I can, but clan business has to come first sometimes."

"...Yes, I understand, Father," said Sasuke.

Tenten found herself taking a keen interest in the Uchiha family. Especially when Lady Mikoto arrived. However, she also began to feel a sense of resentment. She resented the fact that she was interested, that she wanted to impress these people. The desire did not make sense to her.

"Fugaku, there you are," said Mikoto.

"Mikoto, what is it?" asked Fugaku. "Shouldn't you be watching these?" He motioned to them without looking up. Tenten felt a desire to work harder, and also a cold fury grew in her. Who were these people to warrant this kind of emotional reaction from her?

"I would, but something wonderful has happened," said Mikoto. Then she noticed Sasuke. "Oh, Sasuke, you're back from training. How was it?"

"Good Mom, I managed to learn one of the academy jutsus," said Sasuke.

"Just don't take too much time that you can't spend any with friends," said Mikoto. "I feel like Itachi is a bit too much of a loner for his own good."

"Mikoto, you had business important enough to leave your post," said Fugaku. He rubbed his temple.

Post? That was a formal language for watching street cleaners. "...We probably shouldn't talk about that here, Fugaku. Let's go somewhere in private."

"But Mom-" began Sasuke.

"Why don't you show your new jutsu to us later, Sasuke," said Mikoto.

Sasuke sighed. "Alright, Mom."

Tenten got back to work as they left. Unfortunately, Sasuke did not disappear. The crush she'd felt for Sasuke had disappeared as quickly as it had come. It had been replaced by a wary sort of duty.

"...You, you're from the academy, aren't you? What are you doing here?" asked Sasuke.

"Oh, um, I'm just doing a job so I can pay rent, that's all," said Tenten.

"You have to pay rent?" asked Sasuke. "Don't you have a family?"

"No," said Tenten, taking offense at the question.

Sasuke paused and looked to the others. "Hey, you're a Hyuga, aren't you? Why are you-"

"Forgive me; however, we are presently in the midsts of our duties," said Neji, looking very calm. But he wasn't; he must have been feeling an even worse sense of humiliation. The Uchiha were rivals and had once been enemies.

"Oh, right," said Sasuke. "Sorry to bother you."

And he left.

Good riddance.

Tenten felt the need to impress the Uchiha. However, she did not like how serious the need was. Either way, they got their duties done on time, and Mikoto came back, beaming. "Well, you three seem to have done some very good work. I'm surprised you got as much as you did down."

They assembled before him and received their pay. "Here's your pay as agreed, and a bonus for all of you.

"Excellent work, all of you.

"I've spoken with Fugaku, we expect a favorable result. We've already sent the request."

"Right um... okay..." said Tenten, wondering what she had missed. She looked back through what had happened. It had all happened from her leaving Master Panda's house and coming here. What had led to this kind of weirdness?

"I must say you three are far more... well, vibrant than I was expecting," said Mikoto. "Most of your organization tends to be more stoic."

Wait, what?

"This... is our entire organization," said Tenten, confused. "We just founded it a few days ago." After meeting Itachi, right?

And then one of the guards came back. "Lady Mikoto, there are another group of kids who want to do some cleaning. Honestly, these ones seem a bit odd."

"Seriously? Are we going to have to put up with copycats now?" asked Tenten, resentful. "We've only just started on this job."

"I uh..." Mikoto stared at Tenten, then Neji, then Lee. "You mean you're not...

"Oh damn.

"I think you'd better head out; I uh... something just came up."

Tenten's disappointment was great, and her day was severely tarnished. Still not having any idea what was going on, they left the Uchiha compound. As they walked through the gates, Tenten felt sort of like she was leaving home. Why though?

Either way, as they walked past that same group of kids, they'd seen before. On closer inspection, one of them had an eyepatch. Neji activated his Byakugan as they passed him by, and his eyes narrowed. A sudden fury was in them, and one fist shook with rage.

"Neji, you okay?" asked Tenten.

"That boy has an eye patch," said Neji. "And I can't see through it."

"What about it?" asked Tenten.

"...Mikoto was expecting them, Tenten, not us," said Byakugan. "And she did not blink at me having a Byakugan."

It really was not Tenten's place to ask after the Lady Mikoto's private business. "Who cares? We're about to get a lot of competition for our operations. I need the money for this job in order to pay the Abarame off!"

"Aren't you at all interested in what is going on?" asked Neji, looking at her incredulous.

"What does it have to do with us?" asked Tenten. "I mean... even if we knew, how could we affect things. Should we even affect things?"

Neji's eyes widened for a moment. Then he looked away. "...Yes, I suppose you're right.

"Best not to ask too many questions."

What the hell was going on here? And why was Tenten so averse to finding out?