Confrontations

Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.- Mary H. Jones

Teuchi straightened the tie on his newly purchased suit. They would be here soon, and if the man was as anally punctual as he used to be, Shino would be in for a surprise. "Then again," Teuchi mused as he contemplated adding sunglasses to his attire, "Neither of us are as young as we used to be. He might use the door like normal people."

Returning to his home country had been quite and enlightening experience. Under the leadership of Tazuna Wave had slowly been recovering from it's former poverty. While the trio had crossed the Great Naruto Bridge Teuchi had been pleased to see villagers that didn't resemble skeletons, and hear the laughter of playing children. Tenten grew quieter and more composed as they approached the inner city, and Shino hadn't hesitated in warning them of the thugs waiting in the alleys. Recovering it may be, but every city had an underground network. One of the mistakes Gatou had made was bringing it to light.

Satisfied with his appearance, Teuchi left the large bedroom in the apartment he had rented for the duration of their stay. It was heavily stocked with all the comforts, after all he had to act the part or they wouldn't take him seriously. "Shino-san. Our guests should be arriving…"

The bug user nodded from his place by the couch, before suddenly throwing one arm out as the door crashed open. A man as old as Teuchi, possibly older, stood in the doorway with surprise across his face, as well as hundreds of Shino's insects. He laughed nervously. "Heh. So the Old Man is back, eh? It's a pleasure to see you again."

Teuchi motioned to Shino who called his bugs back. "Have a seat, Makoto. It's been a while."

"You bet your ass it has. Twenty years since I heard from you, not since that incident with the bulbs in Iwa." The man joked as he sat in the chair.

"I recall that. I also recall how it was your fault the law enforcement found out about the operation. The fact that they were ninja's didn't help the situation." Teuchi smiled at his old companion as he poured a glass of wine.

"I got us out didn't I?"

"Without the merchandise."

"Picky, picky. The Old Man is never happy." Makoto cracked his neck and viewed the Konoha shinobi. "Who's this guy? Seems like the strong and silent type. Creepy too."

"Forgive me." Teuchi took a sip of the dark wine. "Shino's my new retainer…as well as his girlfriend Tenten. Despite being young I wouldn't suggest underestimating them."

Makoto held his hands in a non-threatening manner. "I don't plan on it. You were always good at picking out strong guards, but not everyone remembers that. I've heard the whispers…well more like stated facts. The underground is currently, how can I put this, disorganized. Fractions will form and dissolve within weeks, the few that manage to hold on have little power.

"Some, yours truly, can see the problem. Without a unifying force we're spiraling toward our own destruction."

Teuchi offered a glass to his old companion. "I didn't know you had such a way with words."

"I didn't know you would be back." The tone of that statement was off. Teuchi recognized it. It was a subtle warning designed to avoid alarming any bodyguards.

"You don't have to go round-about, Makoto. I fully trust Shino."

The guest eyed Shino, and remembered the feel of thousands of little legs crawling on his skin. He did not want to experience that again. "I don't understand how you do that."

"Talk."

Makoto swirled his wine around in his glass. "As I said earlier, several of the more prominent figures clinging to their organizations recognized you. They are worried that you haven't come on a friendly visit. Some are thinking to get rid of you before more can arrive."

Teuchi grinned as he raised his glass in a toast to the man. "Well, I'd have to agree with them."

"But Ichiraku!" Makoto stood quickly, only to freeze at he sound of ominous buzzing. He calmed himself and looked at the strong form of his friend. "They plan to kill you if you try to meet with the leaders. The opposition…"

Teuchi shook his head. "Will be nothing. I don't plan on getting those children's permission. I won't run Wave into the ground like that idiot, but I do need you Makoto. I need the Rat."

Makoto slumped back in his seat. "Why? I can get in and out of just about anywhere, I can supply you with whatever information you need, but it's useless if you're not going to use it."

"Simple. I said I don't need to meet with them. I need you to get into the Village Hidden in the Mist."

Makoto's eyes popped, and he started laughing. "Y-you want me to infiltrate a SHINOBI village." He wiped a tear from his eye. "Okay."

Teuchi leaned closer. "This is what I need…"

Tenten stared sadly down at the pair of graves before her. After informing her client that she would be leaving on an errand, she had gone looking for her fathers resting place. It hadn't been easy to find either. On one hand she should thank Naruto for picking a spot so far up and out of the way, it assured that the grave would remain undisturbed, on the other hand it had been a big hassle to find. Half the villagers she asked freaked out at the mention of Zabuza, and the other just shrugged their shoulders.

By sheer dumb luck she ran into a small kid, Inari, who happened to know where her father had been buried. Now she knelt down before him, praying. Father. I apologize for not arrive sooner, had I known the truth, I would have. May your spirit be at peace. She took a kunai from her pouch and inspected the polished metal. It had been the first one she had ever received from the old metal smith across the street.

He had admired her skill with some throwing forks she had sharpened and gave her a 'proper' weapon. Tenten caressed the metal. It had at one time carried her hopes and dreams. It had been a symbol of her hopes to be a famous Kunoichi like Tsunade, but her dreams had changed.

Tenten buried the kunai in the dirt. Her father would appreciate the gesture, she hoped.

"Little girl…"

Tenten snorted. She had sensed them five minutes ago. Stupid wanna-be samurai should know their place. She could see one of them reflected in the rusty grave marker that was her fathers sword. Five more paced just out of eyesight, waiting for their leaders order. Tenten crouched in preparation. How dare they come here.

"Little girl. What does the Old Man want in Wave? Answer truthfully and we will be very gentle with you." Tenten watched his reflection. He wore a pair of Katana at his waist, but they didn't look as well cared for as they should be. Lazy bastard.

"What my client plans is his own business." Tenten replied coldly to the jibe. The bastard behind her licked his lips.

"Admirable for a girl. You look like you know a bit about fighting. How about switching sides?"

Tenten's face burned at the suggestion. She wouldn't think of betraying her client or her village! She wasn't some Uchiha! Even her father had tried his best until his client turned on them! Tenten growled. "Leave. Now. You're defiling this place."

"Tsk." He spat on the ground to annoy her and began walking forward. The others followed his example and encircled the weapons user. "I suppose we can always have some fun with a pretty flower like you. Willing or not."

They thought themselves safe. There were still several yards between the aggressive group and her, and they were taking their time. "I hope you don't mind, father." Tenten whispered to the grave.

With the men still several feet away, she expertly gripped the faded handle and jumped up. It was difficult but she managed to drag the massive sword with her, and a single swipe was all it took to shake the dirt from it. Tenten grunted as she landed, but held her new weapon steady as the studied the group of six. They now watched her warily, as it wasn't everyday a small girl pulled such a thing from the earth.

Her arms started the shake. Damn it! It's too heavy. I can't hold this long…and my wrists are feeling the strain even worse. I'll have to end this quick.

Tenten charged. Her eyes burned with bloodlust as she ran at the leader, and aimed for his neck. He tried to duck, but didn't move fast enough as the kunoichi still managed to sever the top half of his head. A bowl holding pinkish gray mush rolled along the ground to her amusement.

"BITCH!" The next one charged her with two blades drawn, and Tenten couldn't help but critique his form as he came. She altered her grip to accommodate the direct attack and blocked. He was surprisingly strong, and a twinge of pain from her wrist warned her she needed to be quick. Tenten kicked him in the crotch, and the stalemate ended as the broke through his defense and decapitated the man.

Two down, four to go. She rolled to the side to avoid a slash, and pulled the hulking sword up. As the blade carved a trail straight through bone and muscle Tenten smiled proudly. A small part of her recoiled at the degree of violence and bloodshed, but that part had been locked away with the leaving of her mother.

"This is a pretty good sword, huh." She mocked her remaining foes as they backed away. "Even rusty it cleaves though bodies like paper."

"Stay away, demoness!" He threw some shuriken at her, but she just tilted her head to the side. Tenten let the sword drop as she walked toward them. It dragged behind her, leaving a narrow but deep trench to mark her path.

They ran. Tenten used the reach of her new, favorite weapon to her advantage. She swung. It tore through their collective torso's leaving a mess of intestine on the ground. The bunned girl shook her head and walked through the gore still dragging the weapon. "Okay. I either need to figure out that stuff-space thing Chouji can do or strength train. A lot."

END.