the fallen will wither
written by: Just Lovely.
This version is edited by A. E. Stover
.
about: NejiTenten
summary: She smudged the edge of the pristine napkin with a lipstick kiss – too much would make her look fake and tacky, not enough would make her look innocent. And Tenten was – by far – not.
.
.
.
the fallen will wither
.
.
.
There was nothing more thrilling,
than the chase.
.
.
.
It was dusk when the wails of sirens finally filled the streets.
Tenten smirked thoughtfully, staring down at the distilled porcelain cup of coffee in front of her. Their reaction time was poor, she thought, wrapping her fingers around the cup and tilting it back into her mouth.
A lot of variables could've been changed; like security, all guns but no ammo – she didn't break a sweat, dealing with them. And then the tried-and-failed attempt of the boss; if only he had dialed for the police instead of negotiating his employees' lives for his own, there might have been an industry to go back to.
But no matter, what was done was done; maybe they'd learn from their mistakes and have luck on their side next time around. Though one could only hope, Tenten gave a small laugh at the thought. They would only crash and burn, again and again, until there was nothing left to rise from the ashes.
The brunette pushed the half-empty cup away from her, it skidded on its accompanied saucer until it managed to right itself. There was a faint trace of scarlet on the rim, dotting the perimeter, looking like an intentional design albeit not being one.
She glanced around the diner.
The lights were dim, throwing shadows onto the walls. The tables around her were vacant, while the ones at the back were filled with wide-eyed men, nursing a steamy cup of coffee in their hands as they wasted away their time until their next working shift.
She smiled and returned to look at the booth opposite hers. Vaguely hearing the old waitress pour more coffee into her cup, she nodded her head, picking a white napkin out of her bag beside her as she traced over her lips with scarlet lipstick.
She smudged the edge of the pristine napkin with a lipstick kiss – too much would make her look fake and tacky, not enough would make her look innocent. And Tenten was – by far – not.
She let it go, watching with half-lidded hazel eyes as it fluttered down, barely going far enough onto the table with its paper wings. She slid out of the booth and out the door before the aged woman cleaning after her could cuss about the waste of perfectly good coffee.
.
.
.
It was midnight, when the car drove into the parking lot of the diner.
Hyuuga Neji swung the front door open and scanned the interior, finally striding in as he spotted an old waitress, her head bent down as she tried to lift a heavy tray. He made his way to her, holding it steady as she looked up in surprise.
She sputtered, "Th-thank you, kind sir."
"No problem."
When she saw that he wasn't going to let go, she looked instantly warily at him. "Can I help you with something?" she said slowly, eyeing the police badge on the left side of his jacket.
"Yes. Do you recognize this woman?" Neji asked, holding up a photo as he took the tray and handed it to the rosette, Haruno Sakura, who quickly placed it onto an abandoned table, her interest captured as well.
The waitress peered closely at the image. A sour expression appeared on her wrinkly features. She replied, "Yes, I do. Why? Is she some kind of outlaw?"
The look on the officer's face was grim. "Not exactly."
The waitress shrugged, suddenly losing interest. "She's long gone by now." she informed them, waving her hand. She took back the tray, her brittle arms straining under the weight as she walked back to the kitchen.
Neji sighed, scanning the half-empty diner with weary eyes.
His team was ready at the door, half of them frustrated at yet another setback while the other half were ready to hit the road again. Neji wondered if they'd ever catch her.
An abandoned brown bag caught his eye, and he made his way to it.
The table was fairly clean, showing not a trace of who had been there. The bag looked expensive, he noticed, brand name, judging from the logo. The booth looked like it hadn't been sat in for a while.
Neji waved the old waitress over, gesturing to the table with a latex gloved hand. "Did the woman sit here?" he asked her.
"Yes." she stressed, "Wh-oh, you found her bag. I didn't notice it." Her once dull eyes gleamed.
He snatched it up before the woman could reach a hand to it. He ignored her gawking. "This is the property of a criminal, not some normal forgetful diner," he said harshly as he moved around her person and looked analytically at the table.
He ran a hand below the seat, the dimmed lights were useless as he rummaged in the dark. His long fingers ran over the thinness of a discarded napkin and he pulled it out. He clutched it with a shaking hand, lips set in a tight line of recognition.
"Do you remember when she left?"
"A lot of women go in and out of these doors, you know." the waitress replied hotly, huffing as she crossed her arms.
"But not women looking like her." Neji said quietly.
The elder woman faltered, "Well, no... I, I think it was around sunset. Yes, I'm sure of it now, because I was doing my round with a pitcher of hot coffee for those who would want a re-fill. And a few moments after I gave that good-for-nothing-girl one, she left, her cup was full. And it really did anger me, you know. I cussed like the devil after her and-"
"Thank you." he interrupted, subtly handing the waitress a little roll of green paper. "For your trouble."
She nodded and Neji made his way back to the front door.
"So it's still on?" Sakura inquired as their group walked out into the night air.
He nodded swiftly. "She was here when the police were alerted to the burning industry down the block. That's been the sixth burning in five and a half years of the same industry."
"So that's her target? The industry that has an illegal environment for workers? The industry excuse of a sweat-shop," another member, Uchiha Sasuke, said aloud, stating off from the report he held in his hands.
"We won't know until we follow what she's left us, again." Neji instructed.
To the phoenix in Arizona. She had written on one of the many white napkins in her bag, the inked words seeping through in black lines.
"We're going to Arizona." Sakura exclaimed, incredulous.
The wind blew against them, thrilled with adrenaline and hearts filled with hope, once again. The hum of engines erupting was a quick sound, drifting to a lull, blending into the streets like the darkness around them.
Neji unfolded the little, square napkin in his pocket, the pad of his thumb running over the slight uprises of her black penned words, staining his skin with something like poison.
Maybe next time, N.
Love, T.
N and T, Neji and Tenten.
Like always.
N and T, Neji and Tenten.
Out for the glory.
.
.
.
It was early morning, when the poster was tacked onto bulletins.
Tenten stood in front of her black and white picture, a grin of approval curling at the ends of her scarlet stained lips. She was quite satisfied with her results.
The picture was rectangular, framed with a blood red border, giving off a murderous intent. It was as if they thought she was a psycho killer, sins branding every inch of her. The reward for her capture was high; seven, almost eight, figures.
In her fake black hair and mud brown contacts, Tenten simply nodded and walked past the poster.
.
.
.
She was in the land of no return, no point in turning back as she faded into the horizon, and became lost.
Death would have its luxuries, though.
.
.
.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
.
.
.
Hey, so it's Just Lovely. or Rin. [whichever name would be good.]
I got this up before summer ended, mission accomplished :)
Thank you for reading and don't forget to put down your thoughts!