Chapter 13: The Return
"Kotetsu."
"What Izumo?"
"What time is it?"
"How should I know?"
"Take a look at the clock behind then."
"Why should I do it?"
Izumo sighed making himself more comfortable on the chair, intertwining both feet on the table. "'Coz I'm in a cozy position and moving would compromise everything."
Kotetsu made a clicking sound with his tongue. "And I'm supposed to care why?" Maneuvering himself in position similar to Izumo, Kotetsu closed his eyes. "I'm sleeping, see?"
Izumo rolled his eyes. "Oh come on! All you have to do-huh?" He paused mid-sentence. Narrowing his eyes at the scene before him. Izumo blinked in disbelief at the lone silhouette approaching the gates of Konoha. "O-Oi Kotetsu! Look!"
"Not falling for that again Izumo." Kotetsu yawned. They've been stationed here for three days now and the lack of sleep was getting to him. He wasn't in the mood to play any more of Izumo's games.
A loud scrapping sound was heard.
Kotetsu opened his eyes in annoyance. "What the hell-" Shifting his glance from the discarded chair beside him, he looked in surprise at Izumo's defensive stance by the gate.
"Get your ass here Kotetsu. We have company."
Kotetsu bolted up and headed towards Izumo. A lone individual wearing a black hooded cloak was approaching the gates. "C-Could they be… Akatsuki?!"
"Idiot. Akatsuki members have black cloaks with red clouds. Take a better look." Izumo paused, checking his weapons holster for reassurance. "It's a plain black one with a hood. Besides, the Akatsuki have long been disbanded. Or did you forget?"
"Of course, I know that!" Kotetsu defended, annoyed at the mocking tone of his companion. "But can you seriously assure me the chances of Akatsuki rebuilding itself are impossible?"
Izumo exhaled slowly. "Don't let your guard down Kotetsu. I have a bad feeling. This idiot has some fucking guts to walk right through the gate."
"That is as far as you can go." Kotetsu threatened once the intruder reached a 15 meter radius from the gate.
"State your name and your purpose." Izumo ordered, leaving no opportunity for objection.
"I simply wish to return to my village."
"Your village?" Izumo deadpanned. With the tone of the voice, he could tell it was a woman in her teens.
A nod was given in response.
Izumo raised an eye brow. "And just like that, you expect us to let you in?"
The person in the black cloak sighed. "No. I don't suppose you will." She paused, her tone seemed distracted. "Don't worry Kotetsu-san, Izumo-san, I think I could give you both some proof."
Izumo's eyes were wide with surprise.
"You know us?" Kotetsu voiced out in disbelief.
"Of course I do! I never forget names and faces." Came the reply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Izumo Kamizuki-san and Kotetsu Hagane-san. I've never really seen either of you without the other." The voice paused again as if in deep thought. "Come to think of it, you're both Tsunade-sama's errand boys aren't you?"
Izumo felt his cheeks grow red. "Just who the hell are you?!"
A giggle was heard. "I'm just kidding Izumo-san, please don't take it so seriously. Please allow me to get something from my bag to prove to both of you I'm a part of this village."
"Don't move." Kotetsu warned. "Keep your hands where we can see them!"
"Move an inch more and I swear I'll blast you into oblivion." Izumo added.
The woman in the cloak raised her hands up in defeat. "Then how do you suppose I prove anything when I'm not allowed to use my hands? Would you prefer I kick my back over to where you both are so you can check?"
"I said don't move!" Izumo demanded once again.
"Ok, how about this, at least allow me to pull my hood off?" The person reasoned. One hand was slowly raised up brought to her hood.
"I said stop-"
The hood fell down to reveal warm hazel eyes and twin braided buns. But what surprised both gatekeepers was the Konoha forehead protector secured tightly on the woman's forehead.
"Hello. My name is Tenten. I don't expect either of you to remember be. But boy it sure is nice to finally be back." Tenten cheerfully smiled as she looked around the village through the gate.
"T-Tenten…" Izumo said in disbelief.
"The one from Gai's team?" Kotetsu finally remembered.
"You remember me?" Tenten beamed half incredulous, half delighted. "I'm so glad I wasn't forgotten!" Tenten moved her hands down and began to walk towards the gate.
"Stop right there." Izumo commanded. "Even if we do know you, we still can't let you in. You're considered a missing nin. No news has been heard about you for three years now."
Tenten tilted her head to the side. "I understand why you won't let me in. But is there any way we can negotiate? I'll do whatever tests are necessary."
Kotetsu and Izumo exchanged a look.
"That's not for us to decide. Sorry. Our job is to not let you in." Izumo firmly stated.
Tenten sighed in defeat. "Could you at least inform Tsunade-sama of my arrival?"
"As much as we want to, we can't leave our posts. Forgive us, but we can't be assured that this isn't a trap." Izumo said with finality.
Tenten groaned. "Then what are we going to do?"
"I honestly don't know Tenten-san." Kotetsu replied apologetically.
"Kotetsu." Came Izumo's tone. He was letting his guard down.
Realizing this, Kotetsu muttered his apology.
"Well, I'm not leaving until you let me in so…" Tenten flopped down on the ground as she folded her arms on her chest. "I have nothing to do. We can stay here all day, all night, all week. I'm not moving from here."
Kotetsu and Izumo could only look on incredulously.
"Tsunade-sama! Tsunade-sama!" Came Shizune's frantic voice.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes in annoyance at the voice outside her door. The sound of rushing heels could be heard getting closer and closer. Not soon after the door burst open.
"Tsunade-sama…" Shizune whispered out of breath.
"Just what is it that has you running like an idiot so early in the morning?" Tsunade inquired with a deadpan expression while drinking her morning sake, annoyed that she was interrupted so early in the day.
"A report just came in from the gates!" Shizune walked up to Tsunade's table still feeling the after effects of running in heels.
Grabbing the piece of paper, Tsunade raised an eye brow in skepticism. "Just what exactly is-" She stopped midway. Rereading the entire piece of paper once again, she brought it down with finality. "And they're sure it's her?"
Shizune nodded. "They're asking for orders, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade intertwined her fingers under her chin. She was deep in thought. "What information do we have of her?"
"Nothing since her disappearance. All we have are records of her during her stay in Konoha."
"Any special skills?"
"Weaponry seemed to be her expertise."
"I see." Tsunade leaned on her chair. "But it's been three years. A lot could have happened in those years."
Shizune nodded. "What would you have Izumo and Kotetsu do?"
Tsunade tilted her head in contemplation. Would she take the risk?
"Tell them to wait for reinforcements."
"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune inquired in disbelief. "Don't tell me-"
"Don't be crazy Shizune. I won't have her killed." Tsunade rolled her eyes. "I'll have her escorted here."
Shizune narrowed her eyes at the pensive look Tsunade was having.
"Also, I need you to round up a team for me to escort our missing nin from the gates to this tower."
"Of course Tsunade-sama. Who do you have in mind?"
Tsunade grinned. This would definitely be an interesting start to her day.
Tenten blinked at the sight before her. She knew trust was definitely something that didn't go easy in the ninja world. But this? She definitely wasn't prepared for this.
"Y-You guys?" Kotetsu stuttered as she shifted his glance towards each of the three-man cell.
Izumo gave a low whistle to emphasize the point.
"I dunno what da hell's so important that I had ta take a break from eatin' my dango!"
Only a sigh could be heard from the man who was oddly chewing a senbon needle.
"It's an order from the Hokage. There is no room for complaints Anko."
"And yer telling me ya really want ta play baby sitter with this scrawny little brat, huh Ibiki?"
"Scrawny? Brat?" Tenten whispered offended. Standing up, she couldn't help but feel intimidated. What a welcoming party indeed.
"We were ordered by the Hokage to escort you to the tower."
Tenten shifted her attention to the least intimidating person in the group. "I understand. Thank you Genma Shiranui-san." She bowed slightly in thanks.
Genma raised an eye at the cordiality. He was a bit surprised she knew his full name.
"O'right kid, ya know the deal?" Anko raised an eyebrow. "Ya do anything stupid and yer head'll be flying out from these gates in no time."
Tenten nodded profusely. For some strange reason, she sounded scarier when she was drunk.
Genma tilted his head to cue Tenten to walk before him. She was lodged between Anko and Ibiki, with Genma following closely behind.
Tsunade drank the last of her sake and began poring over the documents on her desk. She sighed. Would there be no end to these stacks of papers?
Three consecutive knocks came from the door. "Tsunade-sama, they've brought her."
Bringing her pen and seal down, Tsunade leaned back on the chair. "Let them in Shizune."