Across town, the trio of cousins had taken over the mezzanine level of Webster Hall, turning it into their own impromptu VIP. Temari had just finished teaching a drunken couple how to samba and heading to the bar to cool off. Sucking down an ice cube she noticed Tenten lingering at the corner of the bar watching the crowding. The rhythm in the room was all over the place, making it next to impossible for Temari to dance her way through the throng of gyrating bodies. But with a polite push here and there, a sweet smile thrown this way and that way, she made it to her somnolent looking prima.

"You tired?", she asked almost screaming over the music.

Tenten regarded Temari with a nonchalant shrug, "I can hang a little longer"

Temari looked at her closely, even in the dim light of the club she could tell that Tenten's energy gauge is on empty.

"Its okay if you need to go rest. Kankuro and I can go for days. You on the other hand have assimilated to worker bee life."

Tenten shook her head she was not ready to throw in the towel. The last 36 hours had been the most fun she had in a long time. Being with cousins allowed her to let go, there were not expectations, no astronomical goals to reach or discipline to maintain.

"Do you have to open in the morning?"

"Of Course, no one else can open with Dad and Kakashi OFT, and Lee doing his sunrise boot camp. Besides, I have to do all my admin stuff before that man comes"

"You know, you could always make him not want you."

"Sorry, I don't follow"

"Yes you do, now go dance with that cutie whose been eyeing you for the last five minute, then go home"

Tenten wanted to figure out what the blonde was talking about but found herself thrust into a masculine body. "hi"

"You get one dance buddy"

Her partner didn't complain once she started grinding her hips. Five minutes later after a clothed simulation of coitus, Tenten traded the steamy dance hall for the warm summer air of the city. For a moment she thought about taking the subway but decided a cab would be a safer place to think in peace and not worry about the other night crawlers roaming the tunnels.

Somewhere between the bridge and her stoop she figured out what Temari was telling her. The light bulb in her mind shone on the reason that Itachi Uchiha wanted to train at the Green Beast, its reputation of pushing training to edge. All she had to was go easy on him. Was it possible that the Uchiha would end his membership because of Lee's sabbatical and her presumed lack of ability? Yes. But Lee had a waiting list for personal training, there is nothing to lose. Thanks, Temari. The plan was so simple. Tenten would have berated herself for not thinking of it sooner if, sleep had not overtaken her the moment her head hit the pillow.

The morning sped by, as Tenten rushed to finish new contracts, balance the books and make her calls. When her phone alert sang that it was five o'clock she made her way, begrudgingly to the locker room. once the last afternoon class left the building. Looking at her under used locker she hesitated. What the heck is my combo?. It took a few spins of the dial the lock opened. Tenten pushed away annoyance that she could'nt remember something that should be second nature. Now was no time dwell on it, instead she pulled on her tape and binding, glad they weren't dusty. Tugging at the binding she checks for dry rot, finding none she quickly wraps her torso in a layer of bandage. It's a precaution she would rather not forego. Following an old rule she binds and tapes her weakened core she to reduce potential bruising and add support.

Once the ties are she secure she checked herself in the mirror. Man, how long has it been since I have here? Just a few months. My Unc is right. I've gotten a little soft, well that can't be helping sitting in an office most of the day like I do. The binding chaffs her skin but instead of feeling irritated a sense of nostalgia takes of hold of her in the same way it feels to be hugged by an old friend. Final check, white on white from the gloves to the pants, if this were an anime, I'd be the villain. Or is the anti-hero? Giggling to herself she made her way into the dojo.

"My glorious twin are you ready?"

She smiled, bowed to the flags and approached her brother.

"I could use a warm up. Will you play the jogo?

"Of Course, I will"

Lee took up his stance and count out numbers to set the tempo since they did not have berimbau. Tenten responded slowing

In the parking deck.

"Look boss, I know that Maito girl is supposed as good as Lee but no one's seen her in years. And she's a girl."

"What is your point?"

"Go easy on her"

"hn, As a marital artist I think she be more insulted by being easy that, if, I called her a girl. See you in an hour."

Itachi entered the building without looking back. He did not want to cast final judgment on the sister until he had met her. On paper she appeared to be adequate. And giving her family it was likely that he would not have to put a restraining order on her, like he did with most women. Once inside, he headed to the equipment room. Preferred to warm up alone, Itachi hit the treadmill on max incline. Sprang into jumping jacks and mountain climbers, to prepare for whatever the Maitos had in store for him.

Entering Dojo, he bow to the Flags, and found something he had not expected, Rock Lee dancing. Stealthfully he moved in closer, evaluating scene. Squatting he watched as the duo swung powerful kicks that never touched, spun and flipped. He marveled as the female somersaulted over Lee. He liked her moves, perhaps more than adequate.

She noticed him first, making a motion for Lee to turn around.

"Lee good to see you. Tenten Maito?"

"Hi"

"Come on now no need to be formal. We all know each other in a round about way".

"True, Ms. Maito, I must confess I had you vetted. Your resume is as impressive as your brothers."

It took every fiber of Tenten being not to role her eyes. This is not a job interview.

"What's to confess, that's what people in your position do".

Lee did not like where this introduction was going. This was not the friendly meet and fight play date he had planned in his head.

"I have already told her that you usually warming up before meeting me on the mat, and after that we work until we can't anymore. But since this is your first time together, how about the first tap out ends the session. Ok?"

"Fine"

Itachi nodded

"Great, a friendly monkey spar, nothing too serious. I'll be watching from the gangway."

Before leaving Lee touched Tenten's shoulder, giving her one last bright smile. She sighed and turned her attention to her opponent.

"Mr Uchiha…"

"Itachi, is fine."

"Itachi, is there any style you want to use?"

"What were you and Lee doing when I came in?"

Tenten looked him over again, "Capoeira. I would prefer not use that style with you. Lee said you like to fight MMA, while he is in Taijutsu. You can do that and I'll use Kung Fu. Cool? "

"That is disappointing. But as you wish", his brow over his left eye seemed to twitch as she spoke.

Is he really disappointed? Score one for me.

From above Lee shouted "Begin!"

Bowing to one another and taking up there stances each opponent developed and objective in mind. Circling, deciding on where to strike first. Itachi, was slight unnerved in the changed in her demeanor. When he had seen her with Lee she seemed to be enjoying herself. Now she seemed… detatched. After a minute of circling Itachi struck, with a jab. She palm blocked him but did not counter attach. Again he struck, the second time with a one-two combo. Her response was to deflect and evade. This continued longer what seemed like entity. Itachi began losing his patience. Itachi figured she would start out slow, feel him out then they would find a rhythm. That was not happening.

Above them Lee watched in utter dismay. She isn't even trying. He is so engrossed with the bout that he does not realize someone has joined him on the gangway.

"Who is that she's brawlin with?"

Lee jumps a foot back at the sound of an alien voice. When he recognized the face of the intruder he calms down.

"Kiba! My good friend, I did not know you were coming."

"Neither did I. But you know I like to roam on my day off. Dime is getting her ass handed to her. Who is that guy?"

"My client. They are introducing themselves."

The fact that Lee doesn't divulge the name of the second combatant doesn't go unmissed by Kiba. But he says nothing more about it and both continue to watch the match. The event was painful to witness. The woman on the mate wasn't his sister. His sister exercised a playful grace when practicing. She was always a joyous look on her face. None of those element where on her face.

Itachi quickened his offensive strikes, forcing Tenten to tighten her defense. She responded accordingly, side stepping into crouching stance that could have left a nasty bruise on her opponents ribs, if the jab she launched landed. Jumping out of range, Itachi was glade to see the change. However, it did not last long. Just as quickly as she used an expert defensive technique, she fell back into sloppy offensive movements. An idea pop in his head when they starting circling again.

"Are you really Rocky Lee's sister?" He asked coolly.

Tenten's eyes darkened. As his words sunk in, Tenten changed stances and entered into a taijutsu offensive pose. Flashing the signature Maito smile she invited him to attack with an extended hand and flick of the wrist. His dig hit exactly where he intended and he accepted her invitation without hesitation.

"It's about time she got it together", Kiba huffed.

Lee continued to watch instead of adding more commentary. He didn't like the way she moved. He knew she did not want to do this. But this match is pathetic. Itachi had to have said something to her. She would never spar with someone she did not know using that technique. This going to end embarrassingly awful.

It was Tenten's turn to smirk. Oh so you want displace of power. Okay. I show you watch do my punching bag.

The Maito Taijutsu premise was simple, use to punish the enemy of the virtuous. Use quick, decisive and powerful moves to bring down opponents inflicting maximum injury without casualty. It is a technique they teach only to 2nd degree black belts. Despite, Tenten physical abilities, she was not fit enough to use this form for a long periods of time. Nor is the technique designed to be used that way. Oh Sis I wish you had chosen anything but that.

When she moved this time, it was like she launched herself at him. He was ready, knowing there would be a movement weakness when she steadied herself after the strike. However the strike did come from a fist. Instead five toes almost connected with his jaw. I was never so happy about his reflexes as was in that moment. But there not enough to spare him the second attack. His opponent was in a handstand, and launch an invert back kick that did catch him in the chest. Stumbling backwards, Itachi takes the break to reevaluate his partner. In that moment he can see the Maito in her.

But he also sees that just preforming those two have taken a lot out her. Much better. Repositioning himself he charges, curious as to how she would respond. He was not expecting to her turn back on him. He was not expecting the standing backflip over is he head. Nor was he expecting her to ride him to the floor using the gravitational force. By the time they did hit bottom, he had new expectations none of which included him tapping out.

"Are we done"? asking a panting Tenten.

Itachi could feel the fatigue starting in himself as well, having had the wind knocked out of him twice. But three good breathes and things can change. He did not say anything but let himself feel her weight. I can move that.

He thrust up on using his elbows and core for leaverage. Tenten rolled to the side, only to find her self back at a disadvantage. Grappling with Itachi, was hard work. Everytime she thought she could escape back to her own two limbs he would deprive her of one. The continually take down worn on last of Tenten's reserves. Shortly, Itachi had her pinned to the mat, right hand pinned between her thighs, knees to her stomach, and legs trapped in place by her opponent body. With one palm digging in to her inducted shoulder, the pulling Tenten's left arm to lock her elbow to her side, Itachi leans in close to her ear, "None I think we are done."

He can feel her fuming beneath. But she relinquishes and unclenches her left fist.

When Tenten was forced to tap out, Kiba and Lee shook their heads.

"What was that? She looks hog tied." Kiba mind went several directions after watching the segment of the fight. Some flashbacks, some creative thinking and lot porn.

"That my friend was my sister's attempt at being coy"

Kiba sucked his teeth.

"Will you wait for me in the office?"

"Sure, man", Kiba strolled down the gangway while Lee thoughtfully made his way back to the mat.

By the time Rock Lee reached the combatants, they were giving each other a courtesy bow. Despite the polite gesture, tension enveloped them. Lee bounded towards them exuberantly, hoping to distract them. Once he was certain that he would not get caught between a second bout he starting talking.

"Now that was an interesting bout. How do you two feel about it?"

Itachi did not miss a beat. "Your sister is an acceptable substitute."

The indignant look in Tenten's eyes cracked when her jaw hit the floor.

What the hell?

Lee let out a boisterous laugh hoping to keep the Uchiha from noticing the crest fallen look on his sister's face. The rouse did not work. Itachi's attention never waivered from his opponent. He found her perplexing. She had several changes during the bout, disinterested to flippant to clavier to daring and finally fun.. Tactically he could rationalize that she was trying to wear him down. Or it could be something else.

"I'll see you next week, then? But, I expect you to be prepared"

That did it, Tenten went from miffed to outright pissed in zero to sixty. Luckily Lee, embraced her in a bear hug, before she could punch Itachi in his throat.

"I am so glad this worked out."

The heir left the siblings

Itachi slide into the back of the sedan, gym back still on his should and abnormal expression on his face. Looking back at the heir in rear view mirror Kisame was astounded by his boss's ear to ear grin.

If he had not seen with his own eyes he would not have believed his boss was smiling. "Boss?

"She doesn't like me"

"And this is a good thing?!" Deidara asked.

"Of course. There is a woman on the planet who isn't interested in my money, name or sperm, why won't I be ecstatic"

Kisame and Diedare gave each a look, the kind developed after years of knowing each other and their charge. The look the said a thousand things but the meaning came down to thing, He likes her.