Me: Have you guys seen the poll and the spoilers?
Kankuro: Who wouldn't?
Me: Please vote in the poll, okay?
Kankuro: Don't!
Me: Anyway, in this chapter, a lot of things will be exposed!
Kankuro: Including the color of Ruki's underwear!
Me: No! Gross!
Kankuro: Here it is: It's purple!
Me: Kankuro! -pauses- Oh my gawd, you pervert!
Kankuro: No, it was a lucky guess, I swear!
Me: -takes out chain saw- Pervert!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. And... don't listen to Kankuro.
NEW FEATURE: Chapter Summary-
At her explanation, Kiba growled, as if scolding her, "What I don't understand about you is how two-sided you are!" He heaved an aggravated sigh and questioned her thoughts, "You don't make any sense, Tenten…
Are you saying that you're in love with someone who wants to kill you?!"
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"Where is she rushing off to?"
Rock Lee, Agent Young Man, was the first to notice Tenten's hastiness. With her fit jacket enveloping her, she looked like she was running for her life. Down the stairs, she missed three steps and fell to the floor. But, ignoring this, she got up and headed for the front door.
"Where are you going, Tenten?" Lee questioned her as he lifted a weight, "It's only 6:30 am. You don't have work and all the malls are probably still closed." Indeed, there was a need to be suspicious.
Playing deaf, Tenten pocketed the house keys as every breath seemed difficult. Consciously, she was looking around, as if checking if anyone was a witness to what she was doing. "Tenten," Lee called out again, this time nearing Tenten in concern, "Anything wrong?"
She violently shook her head as her gasps still escaped her mouth. Seriously, she looked dismayed, panicky and saddened all at the same time. One thing's for sure, she wasn't in the mood to answer Lee.
When she pulled the door open, she immediately hopped out of the house and was about to run to the sidewalk. But, first, she turned around, faced Lee and instructed in a tone that made her sound pleading, "Don't tell Neji." And there, she shut the door.
Finally out, her paces quickened and broadened, making her walk faster with every passing second. Instinctively, she'd turn her head around to check if Lee or if anyone at all had decided to see where she was going. Luckily for her, she wasn't followed.
It was a pain, actually, to be running around like this as if she was a loose convict. Still, Tenten felt like she had just done a crime, like she had bloodied her hands with an innocent's blood and she had left too much evidence behind.
The steps she took across the deserted sidewalk felt hesitant. There was the voice again, telling her to move faster, but her whole body wanted to just freeze, numb and fall over. There was no definite decision. There was only a neutral motivation at hand.
Passing the convenience store and the seaside view, she crossed the street and paused beside a bus stop. Unconsciously, she took whiffs to catch her breath. Her fingers grasped the bitter, corroding metal of the bus stop sign and her forehead pressed against it.
"So this is how a murderer feels like…" Tenten thought painstakingly as she slid her phone out of her pocket, "I need to get a grip."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"She headed off."
"Know where to?"
"Not yet. I'll keep you posted."
"Thank you."
Click.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Once her phone was at hand, she redialed the number she called earlier and shook in fear as the rings came. Everything was beginning to make no sense for all and she wished she could just wait for a piano to crush her to little bits. But there was no use in waiting for such an immature wish.
"Where are you?" the voice at the other end asked her as soon as he picked up. His voice neither threatened her nor soothed her, but it felt that she was dictated by the lone voice.
"I-I'm at the bus stop."
"Ah, yes, I see you. Get on to the bus nearing you."
As predicted, there was a red bus coming towards her, ready to load and unload passengers on. At that time of the morning, the bus was almost empty and anyone could easily count who was on-board. When the electronic doors made way for her, she slowly climbed up and paced through the aisle. As she did, she had pocketed her phone cautiously.
Almost all of the seats were vacant, but she had no intention of taking any of them at all. Her only goal was to find Kiba and sit beside him for their negotiation. The bus drove away from the stop as she continued to walk down the aisle, still looking for Kiba. When she reached the last seat, she halted.
"Kiba," she began as she stared back at the smirking lad seated by the window. His fangs peered through the side of his lip and his glare intimidated anyone. Tenten heaved a sigh then took the space beside Kiba once he had scooted over.
"So I was right when I said you'd one day come to my side…" He started, turning to her with a smug smile.
Rolling her eyes as a form of irritation, Tenten growled, throwing her gaze away, "I said I'm not completely on your side, Kiba. I don't have any biases as of now and I thought you'd understand that."
"But, even just a little, you're with me, right?"
With the remark, Tenten opened her mouth to snap back, but she decided to clamp her mouth again and heave a sigh. Eventually, she spoke up, "Honestly, I don't know which side I'm supposed to take, okay?"
"I really don't know why you can't make up your mind, Tenten," he stated, shaking his head slowly as he saw her pathetic stance, "I mean, would you like me to count how many thugs have tried to kill you within the week?"
"N-No…"
"How many times have you gotten the trauma of having someone try to shoot you or kill you with their bare hands?"
"I—!"
"And why are those people trying to murder an innocent little girl like you?"
"Stop it, Kiba!"
"It's because you're standing under the shadow of that no-good mafia fucker, Hyu—"
"Damn you, Kiba, I said shut up!"
She bit her lip in anger as her stare pierced through his. Tenten could feel her blood boiling at the disrespect of Kiba towards Neji and as her fists clenched, she wished she could just land a punch down Kiba's face and strangle him.
"I don't understand, Tenten," he honestly told her as he gazed out of the window almost absentmindedly, "If you're not on my side, if you're still in doubt, why did you give me the hassle of having to go all the way here just to talk to you? Why did you even call me?"
"Because!" her thoughts jumbled up and deafened her, "Ever since this week has started, everything has turned into some kind of neutral hell! And everyone I know as of now has something to do with a mafia! I hate it! I have to talk to a normal person, even just once!
I just want someone to listen to how I'm doing and how I want to wake up from this nightmare of mine!"
But, instead of blurting this out, she merely replied, "I… I thought you could help me…"
"I swore that I wouldn't help you till you're completely on my side." Kiba recalled, folding his arms against his chest as he put up a smug face, "But I'm doing this voluntarily to save you from yourself." He laid his hand on her shoulder and warmly smiled, "What's the matter?"
It was odd how his grimace had transformed into an inviting beam with a few words. He wouldn't be considered predictable, though. Still, Tenten couldn't help but choke on her words as she told him everything.
"I want my life back," Tenten whimpered, "I want to be back to being an ordinary College student. I want the house back to myself. I don't want to stay up all night, asking myself if some freak show is going to ambush me again tomorrow. I… I want to breathe right again. Do you get me?"
Kiba nodded sympathetically as she looked at him with droopy eyes. She felt truly frustrated at everything that was happening. To be honest, she enjoyed Neji's company… she didn't enjoy the thugs', though. Ever since then, she's been enveloped in fear.
And there, she ranted self-pityingly in a whisper, "My gawd, Kiba, I have a temporary leave on my job because the pub had to be renovated. So, I have to look for another job for the meantime. Seriously, when I should be saving up for my tuition, I'm saving up for 7,000 dollars more to pay my father's debt. It's… stressful. But…"
For a little while, she stopped then continued, "A part of me saw this week as seven days of excitement, adventure, suspense and this part of me actually wants to be with Neji, as if it's doubting my conscious decisions… I don't know, it's complicated…"
She then bit her lip and added, unknown of the reason why she was going to tell him one of her newest secrets, "I'm going to tell you something, but please keep quiet about it. Please."
A little clueless, Kiba nodded and said, "Sure, why not? Spill."
At this, Tenten took a deep breath, calmed down, then fixed her gaze on the gum stuck on the bus rail as she told Kiba secretly, "I don't know what came over me… over us… me and Neji… I don't know how it happened but…"
She gulped and hesitantly said, "We were alone in my car and we had a little wine and… we kissed."
"What?!" Kiba's voice pierced through her ears. Recovering from the sudden yelp, Kiba then continued in an irritated murmur, his teeth clenched together as he angrily glared at Tenten, "Shit, what do you mean you kissed? As in, lips together? Romantic feel? No accident? Passion?"
"I don't really know about the passion part…"
Kiba almost tore his hair off and he went on, still murmuring furiously, "What were you thinking Tenten? A kiss from someone like Neji Hyuga of the Caged Bird Mafia is not exactly the ideal thing to write in an autograph book on the blank for 'First Kiss'!"
"I know that!" she half-shrieked half-whispered, "I know that very much. I mean, I could feel my conscience tugging on me, telling me to kick him away, but my lips… They act like they want to kiss him badly! Do you know what I mean? Do you know how I feel? You have to understand, Kiba."
At her explanation, Kiba growled, as if scolding her, "What I don't understand about you is how two-sided you are!" He heaved an aggravated sigh and questioned her thoughts, "You don't make any sense, Tenten…
Are you saying that you're in love with someone who wants to kill you?!"
"I told you before: He won't hurt me!"
"You don't get it, do you?" Kiba objected to her, nearly giving her a shove, "Don't you see it? The mafia's just using you. Hyuga is just using you, more like it. Once you've already paid them the 10,000 dollars, they'll grin in your face and kill you. Just like that!"
Hearing Kiba, she couldn't help but pause for a minute. He awfully made a lot of sense. She never thought of that. If Neji won't kill her during the 28 days, he might after those 28 days. Besides, all he needed was her money. And he needs to conceal his identity, so he'd probably want to eliminate any 'history'.
In other words, people like her are disposable to them. She was disposable.
Realizing how right he was, Tenten couldn't help but lower her gaze and submissively whisper, "Y-You're right."
As the bus went through the highway, definitely far from her seaside home now, everything was a blur to Tenten. Kiba beside her, the sun finally fully risen, the snoring passengers, the obnoxious vibration running through the bus… everything has lost its meaning.
Discovering how Neji might want to kill her was all that meant to her. It meant she had to escape this fate, unless she had a death wish.
"Do you understand why I'm worrying about you now?" Kiba told her as he tried to shake her from her thoughts once again, "You should've realized from the very start that you're endangering your life. There are people who care for you, there are people who love you so much that they'd never forgive themselves if you ever get hurt."
Saddened for the moment, she nodded in a sulk, reassuring Kiba without eye contact, "Yes, yes, I get it. I get it." All she could ever think of was how she thought Neji could be one of those people Kiba mentioned…
… It was such a pity that he wasn't one of those people who cared for her… people who loved her…
"What do you propose I do?" she didn't know what came over her when she asked. She had promised that she'd never succumb to his 'Hyuga is evil, come to the good side with me' explanations, but she has just broken her promise. Who wouldn't take his side now that things are clearer?
Kiba merely patted her shoulder comfortingly and suggested, "There are not a lot of things that we can do, now that you've let him come into the picture," he honestly told her, "But with the right preparations…
… I can help you escape."
And those five words triggered the senses of a hooded stranger nearby.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"It's always you. Always about you, hm"?
Neji couldn't help but panic a little when he realized that Tenten had left without him. If anything happens to her, he swears he'll murder himself willingly. If she gets hurt, he'll die.
"It's always about you, Tenten. When you go off like this, I go mental because you could get hurt. I can't believe how I actually act like your bodyguard. I can't take it, damn it," he thought as he pushed through anyone in the streets. He was complaining, obviously.
"When I wake up, I have to ask myself if you're even alive in your bed. Fuck, I can't even sleep at night, wondering if you're fine in there! I even have to make sure that your food won't give you an indigestion!" Neji clenched his fist as he vainly searched for her, "I am constantly thinking of you."
As he briskly sped through the now crowded sidewalk, he felt his breath run thin. It always happens whenever he panics. Every moment of panic feels like his last, like he'll just die on the spot if he doesn't get over his panic. It's his nature.
Again, for the fifth time during the hour, his cellphone was ringing. As his paces were still quick through the pavement, he swiftly reached for his phone in his pocket and picked up, "What is it?" he greeted the caller, whoever he or she was.
"It's Rose," the voice at the other side said, her voice too quivery to become normally firm.
Hearing this, Neji gained interest and started fastening his steps, "Talk to me, Rose! Where is she?"
Rose quickly replied, not the least relaxed, "I don't know, but her phone has one of those satellite trackers in her SIM card. Every phone has one and I can give you the code for getting her location. I'll send it to your Blackberry as soon as I can."
There was a momentary pause in the middle of the conversation. At this, Rose simply bit her lip, parted her lips to speak up and say something, but she felt a gun behind her head. At this, she huffed silently. And with this, she hung up.
Her green, glimmering eyes filled with tiny teardrops as she muttered, "Who are you?"
Sasuke grinned behind her and still held the gun at the back of her head. Sakura had fear spread all over her features and as Sasuke couldn't even look at her cherry locks confidently, as if she held a past he wanted to forget. His bland eyes didn't speed away as it froze in contemplation.
"Hey, Sakura," he whispered, twirling a strand of her delicate hair around his finger as he made sure that she wouldn't even try to get away, "Remember me?" His smirk bore through her and the sound of his voice soothed yet angered her.
"How can I forget?" She replied with her teeth angrily clenched together in fury. It wasn't right to mess with him. He, indeed, has gotten slick. She didn't even hear him come into her office. What was to expect from an ex-agent like him? "How can I forget about Sasuke Uchiha?"
Glad that she still remembers him, whether negatively or not, he went on running his fingertips through her hair, playing with her, "I heard your latest job is helping out the Caged Bird heir in guarding some random chick, huh?" He could feel her heartbeat pacing faster.
"That's none of your business," she mumbled back, trying to shake his charm's effect off of her. His touch is going to make her swoon and fall again if she isn't careful, "Don't you have anything else to do? Like find another fiancée?"
At this, Sasuke's brows furrowed and his grip on the gun seemed to loosen. Still, he answered back to her, running his free hand down her bare and smooth arm, "I have no interest in other women."
"Nor do you have interest in me…"
"Aw, does that pain you, Honey?"
"Don't call me that!" she shrieked, throwing her hand behind her and knocked the gun into the air, out of his reach. Taken aback, Sasuke didn't expect the surprise attack and lost his gun. Watching the weapon fall back to them, Sakura eyed it intently and snatched it in midair.
At this, she aimed the gun at Sasuke, questioning angrily, "What do you want, Sasuke? No, what more do you want?"
Sasuke simply held his sinister grin and truthfully told her with his dark, mesmerizing eyes, "I have something important to tell you, Sakura." He reached out and grasped his gun with her still holding on to it, "I'm sure that this info will help you, especially at this moment."
Still, even with this, she remained firm and she growled, eyeing him furiously, "Not interested."
"You will be." He replied to her, waiting for an opportunity to swipe his weapon back from her, "I know about you and Hyuga. I know what you two stole from me. And I know why you did. So, unless you want me someone dead within 14 minutes, you will listen, and well."
Her eyes quivered, failing to hide her sudden worry. "I'm listening, Uchiha."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Sensing his beeper, Neji quickly took it out of his pocket and swiftly read the message he received.
"Tenten's in Avenue 7. Run. Now."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The word escape made everything feel inevitable and unbearable. Escape made the situation sound terrifying. Escape made no sense.
"What do you mean by helping me escape?" Tenten asked Kiba as they got off the bus, dropped off at Avenue 7, "Neji's role is to actually prevent me from escaping. And I doubt that it'd be easy at the very least." In other words, she didn't want Kiba to do it.
Yet, Kiba merely shook his head and tried to convince her, "I never said escaping would be easy. But it's possible." He shoved his hand into his side pocket and as he ransacked, he explained, "A friend of mine handed me a one-way ticket to Evergreen City—"
"You want me to try to go there?!" Tenten screamed in exasperation, "It's almost 12 hours away! And if I dare try to leave, Neji will just go after me. You know that's what happens when I even attempt to leave the city premises." Leaving wasn't a good idea, definitely.
Still, Kiba continued, handing her the ticket, "It's 12 hours away by car. It's only about 3 hours away by plane. Take the plane ticket. It's still very early and this flight leaves at 12 noon, but be in the airport by 10. Get home, pack some things as discreetly as possible then leave. I'll pick you up, if you want."
In her hand, the thin ticket felt like the weight of the whole world. Staring at it, she couldn't help but think about it: If she left and escapes successfully, she can start all over again minus the mafia, minus the debt, minus the problems, minus the thugs coming up…
… But she wasn't too happy with the fact that it'd also be minus Neji Hyuga.
She kept her stare at the ticket and she muttered, "I… I don't know, Kiba. I don't know if leaving is a good idea. I… really don't know." Still, the fear in her heart was more potent than everything else. She knew it. Her only priority now was to get away, be safe and stop living a crazed life.
And with this, she looked up at Kiba with a smile.
"… I'll do it." She finally decided.
And seconds from that, an explosion came around.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Bumping into everything and everyone, Neji pushed himself harder into running faster to make it to Avenue 7 on time. Rose's information was hard to believe, but since it comes from her, it better be true.
"How can this happen?" he thought angrily as he dashed across the street clumsily, "If Tenten wants to go and tour the fucking city then she should at least do both of us a favor and come home in one piece. If Rose didn't tell me about the demolition, I wouldn't know what to do."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Instinctively, Tenten grasped onto Kiba as debris and chunks of cement fell from the sky. Looking up, they discovered that the building alongside them was collapsing.
"Kiba!" Tenten shrieked, her eyes dilating at the sight of the building that would crush them. She tugged onto his shirt, trying to shake him awake from his staring, "Kiba, snap out of it! Get out of the way!" Still, he didn't budge.
Adrenaline formed and Tenten did nothing but pull harder on Kiba's shirt, screaming and calling, "Kiba, you idiot! We have to get out of the way!"
The brittle building was meters away from them and Tenten knew there was not enough time to rush from the middle of the falling blocks and out of the way. With this, slightly panicky, she dragged Kiba down onto the concrete floor beneath them and she braced her arms around her head.
Amid the painful thuds of wires and cement crashing onto the concrete nearby, Tenten did nothing but clench her teeth, purse her eyes shut and scream, "Neji, help!" Despite this, she knew no one would take her hand and help her.
Seeing this, Tenten began to be more distressed. She could feel the countless pebbles and debris falling on her and she was sure the wall was going to crush the both of them in a matter of seconds. And finally, she saw everything else fall around her.
The dust and grime got into her eyes and nose, making her choke and cough helplessly. Next to her, Kiba was unconscious, lying on his chest with his face down. Luckily for them, they weren't completely crushed since the building was still held back by its metal skeleton.
"Kiba, wake up!" Tenten screamed, trying to shake Kiba awake between the belches and squints, "Kiba!"
Everything seemed to be hued gray and the smoke made it hard to see, making eyes water in a second. Her hands quivered at the weight on her. "I'm going to die here. I can't. Damn, when I was about to leave!" she thought, near to giving everything up.
The heavy material against her back felt heavier with every passing second, sending aches and pangs through her body. Her chest heaved in difficulty as she tried to breathe properly in all the grime and rubble.
"Shit," she muttered under her breath as her features soured, "Damn you, Kiba. Damn this…" She tried to push herself up, yet her endeavor wasn't rewarding. And when she felt like she was going to lose her consciousness…
…Another voice came in, "Inuzuka can't help you right now."
There was someone pushing the blocks of broken cement off of them hurriedly, hoping to be able to get them out of where they were before it's too late. Tenten tried to lift her head to see who it was, but the rocks at the back of her head were holding her back.
Thin lines of light seeped through rubble and the sense of it all came into her. And before her was Blue Gun Shot.
The tiny, yet slick, little girl tugged on Tenten's arm and managed to pull most of her out of the rubble, saying, "Do you have any idea of how Avenue 7 is already private property? Some rich bastard bought it and everything's getting reconstructed."
As Tenten brushed dirt and grime off of her hair, she replied defensively, "I swear, I didn't know. Kiba and I just got off the bus and… well, we were just taking a walk, actually." She thought a white lie wouldn't hurt.
"A walk?" Blue Gun Shot exclaimed almost in distress, "Then how come Eagle Eye's not with you?"
There, Tenten found neither words to throw nor any way to dodge the question. Still, telling Neji's cousin of her plans to escape is not worth it. Something told her that she shouldn't tell her because she could tell Neji eventually. So, she made up an excuse.
"I went alone to take a walk and your lazy cousin was still asleep." Tenten answered. She was so confident that Hanabi would find her innocent.
But, at this, the mafia girl arched a brow, "You don't take walks. Not at this time of the morning and not ever."
Hearing this, Tenten realized that it was either Hanabi has been semi-stalking her or she has done extensive research. As the silence overwhelmed both of them, Blue Gun Shot proceeded to drag Kiba from the rubble as she spoke.
"I know about the plane tickets, I know about your plans to escape and I know that you're madly in love with my cousin," Blue Gun Shot said, rolling her eyes as she pulled the beaten up pulp called Kiba from below the shattered building, "And, believe me, I heard everything."
Tenten couldn't help but bite her lip at the statement, feeling both anguish, irritation and guilt. "Blue Gun Shot, look," Tenten tried to make her seem on the good side despite the proof, "I don't know what to do and… I can't understand what's—"
"Shut up." Hanabi snapped at her before any explanation was made. Blue Gun Shot tossed her head, throwing strands of her hair away from her face as she let go of Kiba for a while, "I don't want you to say anything to me. I want you to listen and look… very well."
The girl motioned for Tenten to follow her deeper into Avenue 7, hesitantly leaving the unconscious Kiba nearby. Through the rubble and smoke, the two girls remained close, tripping on almost everything. It made Tenten wonder where Hanabi was taking her. But there was something about Blue Gun Shot that made Tenten feel safe, like she was her own little sister.
"Look at this." Blue Gun Shot said as she stopped in front of a crater on the ground. Tenten caught up and finally peered inside, only to regret it and to almost scream of trauma and suddenly cry on the spot.
A torn up elderly man thrown carelessly into the hole in the cement, half-covered with stones and powdered cement. His weary features looked paler than ever and he seemed to be helpless in his state. Blue Gun Shot, too, felt the need to mourn.
"That's Kosa Hyuga, my uncle and Eagle Eye's father," Blue Gun Shot stated, almost choking in tears, "My sister gave orders to kill him. Until now, I don't have the heart to tell my cousin. He called me once, asking about it, and I lied. I don't know what gave him the impression, but he knew…
…And the worst part was, Kosa Hyuga had diabetes. Unarmed and almost immobile, it was as if he's defenseless."
The grip of sorrow strangled Tenten to what seemed to have no extent. There were no words for her to say, not even whisper, and the facts, the details and the truth felt like it was too deep for any tears.
"Genocide is practically normal in our lives," Blue Gun Shot said, bending her head in respect, "But, honestly, I didn't agree with Black Ivory when she wanted Kosa Hyuga dead. She only wants him dead so the heir birthright is easier to snatch. Kosa Hyuga, actually, had me as his favorite niece, too. Murder sounds exciting, sometimes…
… But this has gone too far."
Tenten couldn't help but wait for more of Blue Gun Shot's words. "You see, Tenten? My cousin's risking his own life to protect yours. Not once has he ever thought of killing you single-handedly. I thought you trusted in that, but I was mistaken, then." This made Tenten cringe uncomfortably in shame.
Still, every word Blue Gun Shot said didn't get through. If she and Black Ivory, Hinata, were sisters and she opposed of her inhumanity, didn't that mean she didn't support her sister? But, it made no sense.
Blue Gun Shot turned to Tenten and admitted, "I have been helping Hinata out with trying to take the birthright as mafia heir from Neji for as long as I can remember. Her plans are actually very precise, but ever since he was assigned to watch over you, I've changed."
She stopped for a second to clear her throat before continuing, "When he became your guardian, I realized the… well, compassion and patience he had to actually manage to try to watch over an ordinary person like you. He, I thought, actually is better than my sister. My sister wants power yet he can govern with kindness, despite the mafia status. So… I became a double agent, as you'd say. I was both Hinata's and Neji's apprentice. I helped Hinata make poisons yet I sent the antidote to Neji."
And before she knew it, she had told Tenten everything, from the part where she had been noting Black Ivory's moves to Eagle Eye daily till the last bit, telling Tenten that Neji told her to see where she was going with Kiba.
"So, you've been stuck in the middle for a while, huh?" Tenten said, finally speaking, "Doesn't that make you a traitor to either end if you work for both sides? I don't mean anything by it, though. I just want to ask."
At this, Hanabi didn't seem to be surprised or offended by the question. "Definitely, I'm a traitor to my own sister, but I only do it because I know that my cousin is… the good guy." And there, she smiled, firmly planted her hand on Tenten's shoulder and asked, "So, do everyone, including yourself, a favor: Don't catch that flight."
Blue Gun Shot drew her hand away and added, "Plus, I'm sure you won't find any other guy as 'hot' as my cousin in Evergreen."
And there, she walked away, leaving Tenten to watch her disappear into the dusty air. Her voice lingered, though, saying, "Don't worry. I won't tell Eagle Eye a thing." And the wind soon took its place.
With this, Tenten bit her lip and took the ticket out of her pocket, giving it a good look. Would moving to Evergreen to start all over again? But, really, is Neji Hyuga really worth leaving? But the sight of Kosa Hyuga dead among the sediments sent a stronger chill down her heart…
"Sorry, Blue Gun Shot," she thought, "I'm catching that flight."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Where is she?"
"On her way back to her house, cuz."
"Well, that's… good. Any idea why she was in Avenue 7?"
Blue Gun Shot fell quiet for a moment, hesitant to speak up.
"She got lost. Wanted to go to Burger King."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Rose still stood before Sasuke, pocketing her phone when Neji confirmed that Tenten was finally home, all right. She was also still wondering why Uchiha 'came to the rescue', as some would say. Ask yourself: Why would your ex-fiancée be here to help?
"What are you up to?" Rose asked him with a roar in her tone, "The last time you had the nerve to snoop in my business was two years ago, when we were engaged and it turned out that you were going to screw up my life, right? So, what's your plan this time?" Every syllable was cold.
Sasuke kept his gaze down yet dignified in a way. "Aw, Sakura, you still hate me for all that, huh, baby?"
"Spit it out!" Rose screamed, pointing a gun at him, "I want all of your shitty plans laid before me in the next twenty minutes. If I find out that you didn't tell me everything, I swear I'll kill you now!" She was unsure of whether to go on a rampage or break down. Her emotions were unknown, mixed and undefined.
Even so, Sasuke acted like he heard no threat. He kept his face plain as he confessed his movements, all of it. "I realized that someone stole my card. I found hair in the room and I had my facility employees scan it. It's from a mob boss. So, I sent many thugs to retrieve my card and get rid of him and all of them come back either dying or dead."
Rose knew that it was true since Neji has been telling her all about it. But she wasn't satisfied and convinced just yet.
"Then, I talked to foreign assassination experts. I had to negotiate a lot alongside my brother and in the end, the man allowed his partner, his girlfriend, do the dirty work. There were conditions, such as her coming back in one piece. Sadly…" he paused and with this, Rose felt a pang.
"Thing is," Sasuke muttered, as if he was ashamed, "I saw myself in that man and I saw you in his partner. I don't know what came over me and at the last minute, I tore the contract." Hearing this, Rose's eyes drooped in empathy like how his shone with the same feeling.
"But, I got tricked. The thug… burned down every square of Uchiha property worldwide… including the hotel and my mansion." Sasuke finally said, embarrassed in a sense of it.
And with this, Rose felt her heart beat louder, as if calling to her and telling her to wake up, see what's deeper, notice his need… and stop denying that she's still in love with him.
When the lack of words passed, Sasuke went on, "Only my property is burnt down, gone. My money, stored safely in the bank, is still alive. And it's all I have. My brother left me the other day to… move. And all I had was that money… and I was hoping, though my chances were ultimately slim…
… I was hoping that I still had you."
Only then did she realize that Sasuke had finally changed, seeing himself in another man in love.
Yet, doubt drowned her in many ways. There was a voice in her head that told her to never trust nor love this man, this traitor, ever again. And she chose to listen to the devil's advice.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke," she confidently said, "I don't buy it."
Somehow, Sasuke had expected this and immediately stated, "Sakura, all I want to do now is to help, all right? I've… I've seen my mistake and… I was hoping that you'd realize that a guy can change, you know!" A fire shot into his soul as he spoke to her of his self-proclaimed transformation.
"Do you take me as a fool?" she snapped at him, still threatening him with her gun, "Do you think I'd fall for such a… a… poorly improvised and made-up story of false self-pity?" She felt herself quiver once again, "How could you!"
Seeing the anger in her eyes, the furrow of her brows and the snit of her lip, Sasuke knew there was really no use in trying to convince her again. "I didn't think you'd fall for my story. I thought you'd actually believe in it, that it was true."
Still, she wasn't moved. "Get out of my office before I kill you." She said, gritting her teeth.
"I dare you." Sasuke tempted, standing straight, "Shoot me. Pull that trigger, Sakura."
"… I'm Rose Pierce to you."
At this, Rose squinted her eyes furiously at him. But, then, her sight blurred with forming wet crystals. She couldn't. Even if she tried, she actually wouldn't shoot him, even for her life.
With the infuriation, she put her gun down and heaved a sigh. And when Sasuke thought he had gotten his way, Rose took out her phone in the blink of an eye and mouthed one destructive word:
"Security!"
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
It was nine thirty and two hearts were beating in their own song.
The mob boss wasn't home mentally as he sat in his tent camped outside in the garden, strangely. Surprisingly, he appeared stressed and enraged all at once as the motions and monotones passed him silently by. Indifference had gotten the best of him.
While he was gallivanting senselessly all around the city streets, Tenten was packing her things discreetly as she could.
With a reasonably large backpack zipped open to a huge extent on her duvet, she hurriedly threw chosen clothes and personal belongings onto the bed, to be packed into her lone bag eventually. The plane ticket in her pocket felt like it'd burn through.
She dropped Kiba off at a hospital near Avenue 7 and told him of how they'll meet in the airport at 10. She'll go rush there with a few necessary things and get things according as planned. Call it escape. Call it salvation. Call it eloping… or not. It won't stop her.
Stuffing everything inside the backpack, Tenten felt her pulse beat faster and sweat tore down the slopes of her face. This is a delicate procedure. It's ultimately essential to be unseen and unheard by Neji downstairs.
So… how was she going to make her escape?
Her car's still down so she has no choice but to catch a bus or a cab in the next curb since vehicles are scarce at the seaside at this time. And with the plan laid out, she strapped the backpack on quietly left the room, making a sound less than a creak.
Going down the stairs slowly and cautiously, gazing at the living room and kitchen, she made her way towards the hall leading to the front door. Her sneakers slid gracefully against the granite floor while her legs went numb with suspense.
With her hands finally on the golden doorknob, she turned around to check if Neji has caught her. Luckily, he was nowhere in sight. At this, she heaved a heavy-hearted sigh and whispered in a squeak, "Sorry, Neji, but I gotta do what I gotta do. But don't worry. I won't call the police."
And there, she stepped out, briskly dashing to the next curb.
It was a scenario that imitated this morning, about three hours ago. Like this morning, she's rushing through the sidewalk again. She's trying to run from what was happening. And, hopefully, maybe this attempt will be safer, minus the demolition.
In a matter of minutes, which seemed to be years to Tenten, she clutched onto the lamppost that stood all alone in that block. Cabs, both vacant and occupied, drove in front of her according to their daily routine. Wishfully, Tenten hoped for a cab as soon as possible.
She waved her hand at an incoming empty taxi and, to her advantage, the driver had the heart to stop for her. Relieved, Tenten swiftly got into the car and directed the driver, "To the airport, sir, and please hurry." Once she had managed to close the door, the cab drove away.
The muffled hum of the engine rang in her ears as the ride took longer. The bearded driver seemed oblivious to how she looked so conscious and worried. Old love songs played in the radio, making Tenten uneasier since Neji was one who'd listen to the very same station.
Their travel hasn't gone through three blocks yet when pops came.
"Hell! What was that?" Tenten thought as the car halted in the middle of a street, stopping the traffic flow behind them. The driver swore under his breath and kicked the door open. And once he had examined every crook and cranny of his taxi, he started to grind his teeth.
"Miss," the man began, "I'm afraid you'll have to get out. All four of my wheels popped."
Hearing this, Tenten choked on an invisible force. What was up with this? Getting the wheels, all four, popped in the middle of her ride towards the airport isn't usual. One tire popped is understandable, but four?
But then, she realized where she was. She was standing in front of the Press Offices, Lee's office. And there, on the fifth floor, she swears she saw someone in a bowl cut, corporate attire with a sniper looking down at them with a wink.
"Lee's on his side."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Do you have any idea of what you were going to do, Tenten?"
"Yes! I was working for my freedom."
"My goodness, it doesn't make sense!"
"I don't want to be Neji's captive anymore, Lee! I don't want to spend the remaining 20 days dodging missiles eventually!"
As the two talked in Tenten's room, Lee couldn't help but misunderstand why Tenten was running away. She, herself, was assured that Neji wouldn't even think of hurting her at first, logically speaking. But, here she was, caught fleeing.
"And you didn't have to shoot the tires, Lee," Tenten said, angrily pounding on her mattress as Lee confronted her, "I don't need you stopping me and telling me what to do! I can do whatever I damn want." She shoved him before sticking her tongue out at him.
Lee sighed and explained tiresomely, "It's not that. I'm your friend, Tenten, and I'm only stopping you from making a mistake. A big one."
"Hey, it's my life that's endangered here!" she exclaimed, snapping at him, "You wouldn't understand because despite the fact that you're a boarder here, you don't have to sacrifice more than half of your earnings just to pay the mafia. How will I go to university without money for my tuition?"
"Don't you trust Neji?"
"I used to until Kiba told me the truth!"
"The truth? About what?"
"How Neji might kill me after I pay him!"
"Oh, and you believed him?"
"Well, he sounded honest and it made complete sense so… yes."
At this, Lee smirked and questioned her almost accusingly, "Really? Oh, okay. What else did Inuzuka tell you? Did he tell you about how Neji's paying for your debt?"
Lee's statement got her off-guard. "Paying my debt?" she repeated the words that took her by surprise, "What do you mean he's paying for my debt? You mean to tell me that he's sending money to his own mafia from his own wallet, telling them that it's my payment?"
"He will, eventually," Lee told her, almost regrettably. He took out a folder from his briefcase (which he probably has almost everywhere he goes) and flipped it open in front of Tenten. There, he took out an envelope labeled 'Fund for the Edgar Orphanage' with a familiar-looking logo stamped on it. Confidently, he pulled out the contents.
5,900 dollars, crisp and untouched.
At the sight of it, Tenten wished she could snatch it from Lee and run off with the money. "This is all Neji's." Lee told her, counting them in front of her, "In eight days, he made many complicated transactions, counter flowing with the government. Even the money you got from the mail was from him And he does all because he…" Oddly, he stopped.
"Because he…?" Tenten said, making him want to continue, "Because he what?"
"Because he's in love with you, Tenten. And he wanted to finish your 'torture' ASAP."
"How do I know you're not making this up? Why didn't he tell me, then? Why won't he?"
Lee returned the money in the envelope, pressed the envelope between the folder flaps yet again and answered, stern as ever, "He knew you'd never believe. Plus, the money you pay him is immediately sent to your bank account. In other words, you still have the money you earn."
And there, Tenten paused. Was it all true? Did Lee have any proof? Would she believe it?
On that thought, Lee took out an ATM record from another folder, handing it to Tenten as he said, "By the way, I forgot to show this to you the other day." Tenten felt herself shake with glee and intrigue as she read her bank balance.
Her money doubled. No, tripled. And it's got interest. It's like getting more money every hour.
"Money doesn't grow on trees," Lee stated, "Same with love."
With those words, Lee shut his briefcase, stood up and made his way out of Tenten's bedroom door. All she did was stare at the balance sheet. It was as if she was going to drown in all that money. When Lee had already left, to go back to work, Tenten walked down the stairs and searched for her mob boss guardian.
Eventually, she found him inside his tent, asleep at a sunny time of the day. All she could do was look at his pale and still features without a word. "Alright, Neji," Tenten thought, as if talking to him with a grim stare, "I'm a jerk. I'm a bitch. Okay. But, how could you be so kind to someone like me?"
As she sat there on the grass, just looking at him, she has realized how selfish she has been, thrice a traitor should be. Blue Gun Shot was right: How could she have the heart to leave behind someone like him? Someone who protected her with his all, with his life?
And there, instinctively, she crawled next to him and gently wrapped her arms around his lean torso, hoping not to wake him. "And, yeah," she thought again, wishing he could read her mind and hear her, "I love you, too."
With this, she softly pursed her eyelids shut, drifting into a slumber she wishes she'd never awake from for the rest of the day.
Little did she know that the half-awake mob boss was smiling as she slept in his arms.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Blue Gun Shot ran through the drenched pavement, tripping over her shoelaces and slipping through puddles. She could see her breath against the blustery wind and her chest felt bare without the vest on.
Behind her, she knew, was death. Six blocks ago, she had run out of bullets. Her .45 was broken. Her knife went blunt when she went to hand-to-hand combat. With her arms and legs bruised, fresh, bright blood streaming down her face and a flesh wound at her right, she felt like dying.
Finally, she fell face first onto the ground, crashing her skull hard onto the concrete. "Shit," her mumble echoed through the empty street. As she tried to push herself off the ground, her limbs wobbled without cease.
And there, she was grabbed by the collar, then thrown onto the vandalized wall nearby.
Her breaths were long and harsh, coarse against her throat. Her pursuer grinned evilly with the ice pick at hand. "It ends here, Hanabi." Words that she'd probably hear last.
Still, she tried to fight back, flinging her fist towards the pursuer's face. But her balled fist was caught and twisted, making her scream in hurt. Onto the wet ground she dropped with a foot on top of her head, as if willing to crush her.
Grunting at the weight and sharp heel, Hanabi managed to exclaim defensively, "I only did what I wanted. How was I supposed to know that a bitch like you'd care?" At this, the heel sank deeper at the back of her neck, making her squeak.
"Go on!" she taunted, "Kill me!" Drops of thick blood mixed with the rainwater on the ground as she spoke, choking out blood, "Even if you do, cuz already knows what you're up to! He knows he's your next target. He knows how you want the birthright all for yourself!" Hanabi groaned before she added…
"And I'm so damn sure that he's going to kill you first!"
With those words, the ice pick drove through flesh and muscle, tipping the bone. More blood tainted the sidewalk and when the wet mass fell over, Black Ivory smiled triumphantly.
"Is that so, little sister?" she said, kicking the half-dead girl's cheek forcefully as if she was a slab of meat, "I'd like to see him try."
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I'm so sorry it took me about three weeks or so to update! I'm just so busy with school and it's killing me! Anyway, I posted it anyway and I hope everyone read the story.
Suspense Questions!
Is there still a part of Tenten that wants to leave for Evergreen City? What happened to Kiba? Will Neji ever know of his father's death? Will Rose ever forgive Sasuke and eventually let him help? Will Sasuke keep trying to bring Rose's trust back? What happened to Hanabi? Is she really dead? And, will Neji be able to keep the birthright from the unworthy Hinata?
Plus, how will Neji react when he and Tenten wake up together in one tent, in one sleeping bag? Haha!
Thank you for reading and I am so sorry that I took so long. Please forgive me.
Kankuro: Shut up already. You still have lessons to study.
Me: No! –runs away-
Kankuro: Oi! –follows me with an Algebra book- Wait! We have to review your rational expressions and quadratic sum of two cubes!
Note: Please don't forget to vote in the poll!