The Small Conflict
Tenten glanced at her watch. It was two o' clock sharp. If their working hours began at one, then surely, Uchiha Itachi would be at work by now. She climbed into her trusty Ford Fiesta; one which she had got straight after passing her driver's test a few years ago. It was not anything expensive or fast, but it wasn't a bad car either. It was average, like everything else about her.
She sped along the roads, watching as the line of houses became more and more sporadic, until finally, there were none at all. The Akatsuki Garage was really in the middle of nowhere; she wondered how the hell they managed any business at all.
Tenten ran through a number of approaches in her head. She could go for 'The Beg': "Please, please, please let me work here!" but that did not appeal to her much. Maybe 'Superiority' would work: "I'm from Konoha University, so be honored by my presence.", but from what she saw yesterday, she doubted its effectiveness. Intimidation? "If you don't hire me, I'll tell all my friends never to come again!" Pfft, as if they knew what this place was to begin with.
"Are you sure you want to work at this place?" her best friend Ino had said to her last night.
"I mean, by the sounds of it, it seems pretty skanky."
"It's not that bad." Tenten defended, poking at her Chinese takeout with her chopsticks.
"Don't let the anger mess up your head, hun." Ino patted her on the hand. "You could get plenty of jobs somewhere better. I mean, this is Konoha University we're talking about! That would just throw anyone off their seats!"
Tenten nodded, but she knew there was no 'somewhere better'. Nowhere else offered 9 hours a day, 4 days a week. Plus, most internships required school recommendation letters; which she was in absolutely no position to ask for at the moment.
Ino shivered.
"Just remember; if anything dodgy happens, run for it. I've heard places like these are actually nests for mafias, and…"
"Oh, please, Ino!" Tenten rolled her eyes. "You watch way too much television."
"Just saying." Ino shrugged. "That blond guy sounds weird enough. Maybe I should go with you tomorrow."
"No." Tenten scowled. "It's Kiba's birthday tomorrow. You haven't seen him for days."
"But…"
"I'll be fine!"
Ino pouted.
"Alright, but promise me you'll be careful."
"Yes mom!" Tenten laughed. Ino smiled as well. Bringing up her boyfriend always worked.
As she pulled up the same gravel drive of the garage, she immediately noticed something different from yesterday. The building was just as old, and the sign just as faded. But this time, the place was alive; full of people rushing around. As she stepped out of the car, she could not help but feel uneasy, as if there was a thick sheet of panic and alarm in the air.
There were at least 10 people around today, all whom seemed to be in a hurry and totally oblivious to her arrival. Some sort of loading operation seemed to be going on.
Parked in the opening of one of the garages, were 3, blue Dodge Sprinter Wagons. People were bringing up huge boxes from a small warehouse behind a garage she hadn't noticed the last time she came. Near one of the vans, she caught sight of the long haired blond she had seen yesterday, loading the boxes into the back.
She walked up to him.
"What the hell is up with him?" Tenten heard him mumble as she neared.
"TELL SASORI TO GET HIS FUCKING ASS BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!" He suddenly bellowed over at a group of men at the far side of the garage. "WE NEED THOSE FUCKING VANS!" Tenten bit her lip.
"Um, hi." She said. He looked up and frowned.
"You again?" he wiped sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.
"Look, pretty. This really is a bad time. You shouldn't be here. Watch out." He pushed her aside roughly, but she realized a huge box had been thrown and would have smacked her right in the head if she had not moved. He caught it steadily, and Tenten could not help but ogle at just how strong he was. Unless it was full of feathers, the box, which she could have easily fit into, must have been pretty heavy.
"I…I just need to talk to Itachi."
The blond threw the box into the back as if it weighed of nothing at all. He narrowed his eyes at her.
"You never give up, do you?" he growled. "He's over in the office, but seriously, I wouldn't bother him right now."
"Deidera" A girl with flaming red hair and glasses ran up to them, panting heavily.
"Sasori says he'll be here in 5 minutes." She said.
"He fucking better be." Deidera swore. "Thank you, Karin." The girl nodded, until she noticed Tenten. The light smile on her lips disappeared. Frowning, Karin gave her, to Tenten's interpretation, a dirty look.
"Who's she?" Karin asked, never taking her eyes off her.
"Wha… oh, her?" Deidera looked up and followed Karin's gaze. He shook his head.
"Nobody who concerns you. Get back to work."
Karin narrowed her eyes, but obeyed and turned to leave in a swift motion; swishing her fiery hair. Deidera chuckled.
"My my. How interesting." He murmured to himself. He looked back at Tenten.
"Well what are you doing still standing here?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah. The office is…?" she asked, looking around.
"Over there."
"Thanks."
Tenten tried to keep out of people's ways, but they seemed to be everywhere, moving swiftly and solemnly. Some looked at her curiously, others ignored her, and there were those who, like Karin, gave her hostile glances. She reached a wooden door painted in shiny black paint, which she assumed, led to the office. She knocked twice, and had to wait 5 seconds before a smooth male voice answered.
"Come in."
She pushed the door open, and saw a handsome, dark haired man with lines underneath his eyes. He was having a heated conversation on the phone, and his perfect brows were vexed.
"…It's not about that; it's about who he is! Do you have any idea what he will do?" he said.
"I understand. Thank you. Goodbye." He put the phone down, and looked up at Tenten. His reaction was a surprise; the first friendly one ever since her arrival at this place.
"Hello." He smiled. "How can I help you?"
"You're Uchiha Itachi?" she asked.
"I am."
Tenten sighed in relief.
"My name is Tenten." She started, reaching out a hand towards Itachi, who shook it eagerly.
"I er… saw an ad in the papers." She held up the article she had cut out.
"I'm a Mechanical Engineer student from Konoha University. I was hoping to apply for this job."
Itachi cocked his head to one side as he read the ad in her hand, and chuckled.
"I see. I think there's a bit of a er…misunderstanding here, Miss..."
"Just call me Tenten. And I really don't understand. Everyone here seems to be telling me this job isn't right for me, and how there's been a misunderstanding. I'm really confused. If you don't want an Auto-Technician, why on earth did you put this ad up?"
Itachi shook his head.
"It was right for the people here to say that. This job really isn't for you. I'm afraid…"
"But… but I'm from Konoha University! What more do you want?" she asked incredulously.
Itachi chuckled.
"I'm sorry, Tenten. As I was saying before you mildly interrupted me, I'm afraid this isn't a matter of who you are; it's a matter of what we do."
"Well, what do you do?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"Ah, all these questions." Itachi smirked. "Don't you think it should be my turn now?" Tenten bit her lip to keep herself from losing her temper. Itachi did not wait for an answer.
"I'm interested to know… why would a Konoha student want to work in a place like this?"
"I… uh… I have my reasons." She felt stupid.
"Well, in that case; I suppose neither am I obliged to answer your questions. Good day to you."
He picked up the phone and started dialing again. Tenten was about to open her mouth to speak. 'The Beg' seemed like a good option now. However, a loud screeching and revving of engines from outside interrupted the two of them.
"What was that?" Tenten asked, trying to get a glimpse out of the window. Itachi slammed his phone down and walked over to the window. He turned to look at Tenten.
"Shit," he whispered.
"What!?" she demanded.
Unexpectedly, Itachi grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Whatever happens out there." He breathed at her dangerously.
"Do. Not. Leave. This. Room."
"Wha…"
"Just do as you're told." He grumbled.
"Don't make any noise; just…don't do anything until I come back." And he pushed her down onto the couch before rushing out the door.