Hello there! I passed all of my exams, so decided to update this story. Hopefully you will like this chapter!
Tenten sighed and stretched out, rubbing her eyes. She didn't sleep much at night and now, she really couldn't handle this class. Trying so hard not to fall asleep, she didn't even notice how Lee and Shino walked into the classroom and sit next to her. The girl yawned and looked at the professor, who was writing something on the desk. Narrowing her eyes, she huffed. It was pointless for her to try and study, because her mind is going to turn off in few minutes. Her eyelids were heavy and she closed her eyes, giving in. Her head fell to the right side, where usually she found Lee's shoulder. He tensed up and girl somehow opened her eyes, turning to him. Her friend didn't even look at her.
''Lee'', she called quietly, so professor won't hear her. ''Lee?''
''You can sleep'', he said, keep on looking on the desk and not turning to her. ''I will write down everything, no worries.''
Tenten furrowed her eyebrows. Lee always looked at her when he was telling something. Sitting up straight, she picked his chin with her fingers and turned her face to him. Loud sigh escaped her lips when she saw horrible bruise on his cheek that now was color of dark purple because of it.
''Training'', he said simply and turned to the professor.
''What kind of training is that?'' Tenten asked in a whisper and then turned to Shino. ''Look at me, look at me right now!''
Shino turned to her and she with a relief saw that he has no bruises. Turning back to Lee, she bite her lip. He was writing everything down in his notebook, making it obvious that he doesn't want to talk about anything right now. The girl moistened her lips, looking at him. She started to believe that he really got this bruise on the training, but he looked too… concentrated. Lee never was kind of guy who always paid attention on classes or even on exams; careless, but he somehow passed almost everything, getting into troubles rarely. So looking at him right now, she just wanted to punch him and say that he should stop putting up this show and tell her the truth.
''Tenten, I'm not holding anyone here. If you're not interested, then door is right behind you'', the professor said, looking at her.
''I'm sorry'', Tenten muttered and turned away from Lee.
Whole class she really couldn't get what teacher was saying, because she really couldn't think about anything else than Lee. Just automatically writing everything down in her notebook from the desk, she didn't get a word of what she wrote and when finally she heard professor saying that this is all for today, she sighed, putting her notebook in the bag. Lee stand up and practically run away from the classroom.
''Lee!'' She screamed, wanting to run after him, when Shino grabbed her hand. ''What is going on? Shino, what happened to him?''
''He's just pissed off that coach didn't choose him for the tournament'', guy replied, grabbing his bag.
''Can I come?'' Tenten asked and noticed how he tensed up. ''What? I can't come and root for you two?''
Shino looked like he was trying to come up with something and Tenten narrowed her eyes. She just wanted to grab this guy and scream on him, make him tell her the truth. Most of all, she wanted to say that if they would tell her the truth, then maybe they can save their friendship, but she couldn't do that. Shino cleared his throat and mumbling something about sudden need to go to the toilet, get out from the classroom.
''Shino!'' Tenten shouted and run after him.
She stopped and got pulled to different sides because of the flow of students in the corridor. The girl leaned on the wall and looked around, trying to see Shino. Shit.There was not a sight of him and she wanted to pull her hair out. First Lee and now Shino. What a great detective she is, really. Sighing, she took her bag and went to the stairs going to the academic reading and writing in English. Huffing and thinking that she really needs to find those guys, she bumped into someone and made them both fell down.
''Oh god, really?!'' Ino exclaimed loudly, sitting on the floor and looking around at her documents that now were all over the floor. ''Where are you eyes idi- Tenten?''
Girl stand up and got closer to her friend, handing her hand and helping her to stand up. Tenten pick up her bag and wanted to help other girl with documents, but Tenten already picked them all and by the way she was putting them in her bag, buns-girl understood that her friend is not in the good mood.
''You okay?'' Tenten asked, stepping closer.
Ino raised her head and rolled her eyes. She stand straight and looked at Tenten, wondering if she should say everything just the way it is or not. And as always, she went for the first variant.
''No, I'm not okay. But not like you care, because you are not calling?'' She asked and before Tenten could add something, she quickly said: ''And just a few minutes ago your two best friends bumped into me, one after another. First Lee, who just fucking smashed me on the wall and right at the time when I finally got all my stuff back into my hands, Shino bumped into me and I fell down and hundreds and hundreds of people saw me sitting on the floor. Should I continue? Oh and you had just bumped into me and I had just pack mu stuff for the third time in ten minutes. What else this day is going to bring? How do you think will this be appropriate if I say to Shikamaru that I just hate those two friends of yours and he will kick their asses?''
Tenten opened her mouth and then close it again, when she saw facial expression of her friend. Ino was angry, tired and she really didn't look like she wants to talk or listen to anything. Buns-girl came closer and handed to her pen that she picked up from the floor. Ino took it without words and then sighed.
''Did I mention that they didn't even apologize?'' She asked and Tenten shook her head. ''Well, they didn't even apologize, then. Anyway, this thing fell down from Shino's bag, so here it is.''
Ino handed her some little card. Tenten took it and stared at it, turning it around. Black card with nothing it but a white symbol, which was pretty weird. Circle with three dots in it and girl bite her lower lip, trying to remember why the hell this symbol looks so familiar.
''So, as I'm already late for the class, then maybe we will talk?'' Ino asked, gripping her bag.
''I gotta go'', Tenten mumbled.
She knows this symbol. She knows where she saw it. And if she go now, then there is a huge possibility that she will catch her friends. Ino's mouth opened and she blinked few times before composing herself.
''Okay, that's enough'', she muttered and took a step back. ''Not only I came first when I am offended, but I'm making it for the second time in a row and that's really enough for my pride.''
''Ino, this is really important, I swear I will call you and we will talk'', Tenten said, already dialing Neji's number. ''Okay?''
''No.''
Tenten watched her friend turning around and going to the stairs. She wanted to go after her, but at that time Neji picked up the phone. He wasn't busy at all. No trainings and so he woke up only hour ago and just went out from the shower. Yesterday was a pretty crazy day for a model. Not only they had signing in a mall, but also then they all went on the premier of the movie and attended after party of it. So right now he still had a headache and medicine didn't affect him yet. He picked up his phone without looking and when he heard Tenten's voice, it was like a cold shower. He almost fell on the floor, while he was putting on his jeans.
''Hi there'', he mumbled and put phone on the bed, turning his speakers on. ''How are you? You sound strange.''
She really did sound not like she always does. Or maybe he thinks so because he's having a hangover? Neji shrugged. He didn't even drink that much yesterday comparing to the amount of alcohol he usually takes in.
''Lee and Shino run away from me'', she started, chewing her bottom lip. ''And I think I know where.''
Neji cleared his throat and looked down, noticing his shirt on the floor. He quickly picked it up and looked at the phone on his bed. Tenten was silent and he doubted that it was for a good reason. She waited for her to continue, but she didn't say anything. Neji sit up on his bed, taking phone in his hand.
''How do you know where did they go?'' He asked quietly.
''I just know'', she answered and his eyebrows furrowed on this.
''Should I come?'' He asked and stand up, grabbing his wallet. ''Just wait a bit, I will come.''
Tenten agreed and he cancelled the call, searching for keys of his car. At that time Tenten was in doubts if she should wait for Neji or not. What if he will be late and boys leave that place? Decision to go there on her own stroke her mind and she gripped her bag.
''Oh Ten, I was looking for you'', Sakura blurted out, running to her. ''Hey, where are you going? Our class is-''
''I'm not going to our class'', Ten cut off. ''Sorry, I gotta go. Bye.''
She run down the corridor and pushed door with all her strength. Cold wind sneaked under her coat and she shivered, running towards gates. Guards nodded to her and she smiled back, finally getting out of university's territory. Symbol on the card appeared in front of her eyes and she swallowed. Once she saw it, like two months ago and remembered it because symbol as pretty unique. She put out phone from her pocket and gripped it in her hand, going to the needed direction. One street, another… she keep on looking on the walls, knowing that she symbol on one of them.
''Somewhere here… it should be there'', she mumbled under her breath.
Small smile placed on her lips when she finally saw that symbol on the wall. People were passing slowly, not laying any attention on the circle with three dots that was drawn on the wall. Tenten went there, looking around. It was just a wall but she saw door and wondered if she should knock. Part of her was hoping that Lee and Shino will walk out from the door, holding their bag for boxing training and laugh loudly, looking at her. She hoped that they would smile, wrap their arms around her shoulders and lead her in, so she would be sure that they were telling the truth about boxing classes. But she wasn't that naïve. Bracing herself, she knocked on the door, taking few steps back. She waited for few minutes and then knocked again.
''Can I help you?''
Tenten turned around and stared at the tall man, who now was standing so close to her that this was disturbing. The girl swallowed and looked at the door and then back at him. The man was waiting for her answer and looked around too.
''What is there?'' She finally managed to let out, pointing on the door.
''Why are you interested?'' He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
''Who are you?'' She asked loudly, looking at him.
Phone in her hand vibrated and she shivered. Tenten picked it up and sighed, when she heard Neji's voice asking where is she.
''I'm on the-'', she started and then looked up. ''Hey, hey, wait!''
Man started to run away and soon turned to the left, disappearing in the turn. Tenten couldn't even do anything, just staring at the empty road and trying to understand how he could even be that fast.
''Tenten? Hello? Can you hear me?''
Neji's voice brought her back to reality and she shook her head. Tenten wanted to scream at him for calling in such an important moment. She sighed and closed her eyes, listening to what he was saying.
''I asked guards and they told me that you've gone'', he continued. ''Where are you?''
Tenten bite her lower lip, because he sounded so worried that she just couldn't fight appearing on her lips big smile. Neji was indeed worried. Hell, he was more worried that he should be worried about his two-days girlfriend. He was sweating and it was just because she was not on the right place in the right time.
''Just tell me the address, now'', he said, getting into his car.
''Okay, okay, relax'', the girl mumbled and quickly told him the address.
''Stay there'', Neji said strictly. ''If you move on millimeter, I swear, I-''
''I'm not moving, and you should hurry up'', she said with a chuckle and cancelled the call.
Tenten put the phone back in the bag and turned to the door. I should wait for Neji.She bite her lip, thinking about that strange man. He run away from her and this of course meant that he knew something. Maybe they should check up what is behind that door but not only by themselves. She knocked again and swallowed, when she finally heard upcoming footsteps. Suddenly she felt how tight arms of fear wrapped around her. What she is going to say right now? How she should approach whoever is going to open the door? Tenten started to take steps back and then just walked into little shop, when door opened.
''Hello'', cashier said and she almost jumped on the sound of his voice. ''Looking for something in particular?''
''What?'' Tenten asked and then looked around.
She was in a little souvenir shop and girl quickly smiled and shook her head. Her heart was beating like crazy and she took deep breath, calming herself down. Looking through all of little figures made of glass, she smiled. Who doesn't like those kind of things? Her gaze stopped on the little knot made of glass. She took it in her hand and then heard voice of the cashier, saying price. Figure was cute and she somehow felt so attached to it. Knot. In some sense it reminded her relationships with Neji. They were tied up together by certain circumstances that allowed them to get together as lovers.
''I'll take this one'', she mumbled, showing him little figure.
Quickly giving him cash, she turned to the door and saw Neji's car. Taking figure with her, she exited shop and waved to the model, who was leaning on the car and looking at his watches. As soon as he saw her, Neji nodded and came closer.
''You okay?'' He asked, gripping her shoulders and looking her all over.
''I am'', she answered and made a small smile. ''I'm sorry for-''
''We will talk about this'', he promised her in a strict tone and then looked around. ''What were you doing here?''
Tenten simply pointed on the door and Neji took the phone from his pocket, dialing someone's number. He was calling police station, or better, his friend from police station. As soon as he picked up, Neji just said address and then took Tenten's hand in his, pulling her to the direction of a car.
''Who you called?'' Girl asked, going after him. ''What is going on?''
''I called police. They will be here in few minutes, will check this place'', he answered and practically dragged her into the car. ''Sit here and don't go out. I don't want police to see you, or they will ask many questions.''
Tenten couldn't even reply to this, because he closed door and turned to her with his back. Neji leaned on the car, completely blocking any view for her from the window. She huffed and leaned on the seat. If it wasn't that important she would already be opening door from the drivers' side, but she understood by his tone that it's not time to show her character. Neji put his shades on and watched as police car parked near door. His friend walked out and Gonzalo nodded on the door. Crossing his arms over his chest, he watched attentively as police broke the door and came in. They were four of them and model thought that it should be enough. He yawned and turned to his car. His girl was sitting there and he noticed something in her hands. Thing was pretty little and he couldn't see what exactly that was, but then sounds from the door distracted him. It sounded like something fell down and then broke and man tensed up, being sure to completely lean on the window, so Tenten won't be seen in any way. In few minutes, his friend stormed out of that place and run to the car. Neji nodded when he showed him two thumbs up.
''For what? You don't have any rights!''
Neji swallowed, looking at the familiar guy. Shino was his name, probably. Or Lee. He doesn't really see differences between them two. Tenten should have heard that scream, because he could feel slight pushes, meaning that she was trying to open the door. Neji cleared his throat and punched door, hoping that this will make her understand that she should now sit quietly. Two more guys were taken from the place to police's car. Hyuuga waited for the time when police car drove away and only then, he leaned back from his car. Door opened and Tenten walked out, looking around and trying to understand what happened.
''What-''
''I am not sure what happened myself, but we will learn it'', he cut her off and looked at the door. ''All I can say is that both of your friends are going to the police station.''
Tenten's mouth opened and she closed it, not knowing what to say. Is she relieved? Is she worried? For sure, girl was confused. Looking at the door, she then switched her gaze to Neji, who just nodded. Their hands find each other easily and their fingers interlaced immediately.
''Looks like some kind of club'', Tenten mumbled, staring at the walls with same symbol everywhere.
''More like a sect'', Neji muttered.
They were walking down tiny corridor and both turned to the left, where they stared with surprise on the big clean room. There was a round table in the middle of it and eight chairs around it. Apart from it, there was a huge desk on the wall with something written on it, few laptops on the floor and symbol drawn almost everywhere.
''Don't touch anything'', he warned and went closer to the desk, reading what was written there.
Tenten kneeled down in front of few laptops. Putting her bag on the floor, she read what was written on the opened Word document. It was some kind of a list that consisted of different people and six-digits numbers. The girl furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding what this possibly can mean.
''I don't understand this'', she said loudly, standing up and picking her bag from the floor.
''Me too'' Neji answered and motioned her to come closer.
tenten stand next to him and stared at the desk.
''See? Here is written name of a girl: Alice. Next to her is heart and then arrow points to another name: Nikoli. Under any other circumstances I'd thought that this is drawing of five years old kid'', Neji mumbled and sighed. ''Let's go out of here.''
Tenten would like to stay for longer and look everything up, but then she thought that it would be better to learn what happened to her friends. They both went to his car and Neji wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling girl to him.
''You okay?''
''Stop asking me this question'', Tenten said with a chuckle.
''Okay, then how about you tell me hello?'' Neji asked, stopping right near his car and turning girl to him.
''Hello'', Tenten mumbled and arched her eyebrow.
''Hello, babe'', he muttered and sealed their lips together in a sweet kiss.
Tenten kissed him back, immediately feeling herself better in his secure arms. His lips were a bit dry, but she didn't bother with that. Kiss made her feel happier and then just hugged him tight, not wanting to let go. Neji smiled, hugging her back and placing small kiss on top of her head.
''Let's go'', he mumbled. ''Did you eat something?''
Tenten shook her head and they get into the car. While driving, Neji called to his friend and put phone on speakers, giving it to Tenten. He was driving to his favorite fish restaurant and she was bubbling about what kind of fish is her favorite, when his friend finally picked up.
''Neji, I don't know how to thank you'', his friend blurted out.
''What happened?" He asked, getting curious.
''You won't believe in this, but I swear this is truth. We had just arrested guys from the sect that was minding their business on the trade of organs.''
''WHAT?'' Tenten screamed on top of her lungs and Neji almost hit another car with his one.
He turned to his girlfriend and swallowed, not really knowing what to say. Her reaction is more than understandable here and he really didn't know what to do ad how to make her feel better. And is it possible to do so after what she heard? Concentrating on the road, Neji cleared his throat and took off his phone from her hand.
''Details, please'', he mumbled.
''Well, they think they are dong this for a good purpose. They basically track people who need to have donor organ and who have no money and kill other rich people who has needed organ in the needed condition and, well, give organ to person, who's dying. They say that they are doing good thing and want to show us proves that anyone, who they killed, had deserved this, so you know, it's going to be pretty long.''
Neji and quickly looked at Tenten who was very silent. He thanked his friend for information and cancelled the call. He turned to the first street and parked his car next to some shop. Turning to his girlfriend, Neji cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. He took her hands in his and gripped them.
''If you want to talk-''
''I want to go to the police station'', she said and looked up. ''Now. Right now.''
Neji's eyes widened and he swallowed. In any other situation he would have drove her wherever she wants only to make her happy, but right now he doubted if she should listen to her or not. Tenten leaned in and gripped his ands.
''Please, Neji'', she whispered, looking in his eyes.
''Are you sure?'' He asked and she nodded. ''Okay.''
Gripping his teeth, he started to drive to the police station, being silent. Tenten was looking down, not saying anything, but keep on chewing her bottom lip. Neji gripped steering wheel tight, swallowing. If it was up to him then he would not let her appear there, but the way she asked him, the way she looked at him, she just basically pleaded for this. He didn't like this idea and in his mind he was already thinking about all the possible ways to not let her come in to the station, but he also understand that this is really important to her. Lie of best friends… he shook his head and sighed.
''I will be there, I will not leave you'', Gonzalo whispered when he parked the car.
Tenten didn't reply, just made a small smile and opened the door, going out of the car. Neji followed her and soon they both were standing in the police station, going after his friend, who leaded them to arrested guys. Tenten bite her lower lip and clenched her hands into fists. She was getting slightly overwhelmed by all of her emotions and Neji's arm around her shoulder was not giving her usual sense of safety.
''Here.''
Door opened and Neji came in first. Lee and Shino (or Shino and Lee, he didn't bother to try and ask who is who) stared at him with wide eyes. Tenten slowly came in after him and he stepped back, letting guys see their best friend.
''What the- Tenten?!''
A/N: Alright, so it's getting pretty cold so don't forget to wear gloves, scarves and hats (even though I hate hats, but eh, gotta wear them) and keep yourself warm, don't get cold! Well, let me know what you think of this chapter in the reviews! And yes, finally, NC-17 in the next chapter! – Nizza. xx