Many Masks

Written By - Treina

IV

Ten Masks Of Tenten - Part 1

I was always considered a weird case in the village of Konoha. Since I was a child, I usually kept to myself, unless I was on a special mission from one of the elders. My family has been at the top of the Konoha spy list for many generations. Sadly, I was never allowed to show that I could mold my chakara, unless dealing with an extreme enemy. I was to show that I was somewhat "below" all the others. This was extremely difficult and I was lucky to land in Gai's team where Neji and Lee can flash around all they want while I work in the background. But its hard.

Sometimes I wonder why I continue to do it. Sometimes I wonder why I don't show Neji my full potential when he's acting all hot, or when Lee is trying to 'teach' me some 'new' moves. My life is insane, a mask for each person, a personality for each team.

Mask 1-

"Oh hi Tenten!" Lee greets me as formally as possible, "what are you doing out here"
I sigh and shrug my shoulders, "I was just looking for you, Gai-Sensei said he wanted to see you"
Lee's eyes began to sparkle and he ran off, wondering what Gai-Sensei might want.
"Why do you always do that?" Neji asked, knowing that what I said to Lee was a lie. I winked at him and shrugged my shoulders, "I heard about something in this area of the forest, I'm just checking it out," I explained.

I hated it when Neji asked questions; everyone knows that you can't lie to a Hyuuga. Neji was my greatest threat within the village, he was too close and I just know that one-day, he will find out my secret. What would I do then? There is no telling what I will be made to do. Maybe teammate will turn into enemy, or maybe the village elders would allow it, considering he's Hyuuga Neji, but I wouldn't bet on it.

"Oh?" This seemed to perk Neji's ears, "what is it you were looking for"
Internally I cursed Neji, but I turned to him and pointed a finger in the air, "its a secret," with that I turned around and walked away, if he didn't leave within the next hour, I would have to come back another day. The only way to talk to Neji is to dodge everything he says. Luckily he thinks my weird secretive air headedness is just something that has to do with being a female. He figures that every female hides her true self, to my luck; he has never questioned me about what my parents do for a living. He doesn't ask me questions that I can't get out. Most of the time, he says nothing to me, this is preferred, but sometimes he would want to play twenty questions, this is the only difficulty with Hyuuga Neji.

Mask 2-

The hour passed quickly and Neji continued his training. By the time Lee came back to him I decided it was useless and headed to the Hokage Tower to report my failure. I would have to come back another day, if they let me. As I entered the Hokage Tower, I smiled at the guards and made my way to the Hokage's office. As I entered, Tsunade smiled at me and motioned me to come in.

I bowed and began to give my repot on how I was unable to find anything due to my team training at the location where I was to look. She sighed and wrote everything down. She placed her pen down when I finished and looked at me with old sad eyes, "Tenten, I will send Neji on a mission with team 7 and I will send Lee on an assignment with Gai. Tomorrow there should be time for you to go down there."

"Hai," I answered simply and waited for further instruction, but she said nothing.
"Was there something else Hokage-sama?" I inquired.
"Tenten, if you wish me to get you out of this mess, all you have to do is ask," her face held a seriousness that few get to see.
I smiled at her, "I am happy where I am, though I thank you for offering your help," I bowed and she frowned, "you can go home for the day"
"Hai," I turned around and left. I didn't need her pity, there was nothing she could do and she knew it. She was the one who needed the pity, being in such a high position, but not able to do or say anything that wasn't confirmed by the elders first. I feel sorry for the woman.

Mask 3-

I went home and as soon as I entered my father was at the door, wondering how the excavation went. Head down, I explained that I was unable to complete it and that I was ordered to go tomorrow. He narrowed his eyes at me and went back into the kitchen and didn't look at me for the rest of the night. I wandered upstairs and into my room, this is where I slowly fell asleep staring at my ceiling. Within a few hours, my mother came to wake me for dinner.

We sat quietly through dinner, not saying a word. Never saying a word. I looked up from my plate and into their faces, but they stared at their plates, refusing to see that I existed. It never really bothered me much, it was always like this, but sometimes I found myself asking why? How could anyone treat their daughter like this? There must have been reasons. Maybe it was an order to not get too close. But if that's the case, then why am I living here? For convenience due to missions? That wouldn't surprise me. When I finished my plate I got up, placed it in the sink and began to walk up the stairs.

"Tenten," my father called before I was out of sight. I turned to him, waiting for what he might say.
"Your mother and I will be gone tomorrow until late," he began. "There is food in the pantry in you get hungry," mother finished.
I nodded and went into my room for well-needed sleep. It had been a long day.