Chapter 15: The Reunion
Tenten simulated every possible chance meeting she could have with the other members of Konoha eleven but she certainly didn't expect this.
"Tenten?" Sakura's voice sounded like a whisper, incredulity evident in her tone.
Kiba looked on in surprise. "It is her. She smells the same."
Another knock came from the door.
"Tsunade-sama, it's Shikamaru."
Tsunade glanced at Tenten's growing apprehension. "Come in."
In walked the trio of Ino-Shika-Cho.
Shikamaru opened his mouth to speak but the moment his eyes fell on the bun-haired woman, he realized he couldn't formulate words at the moment.
"Tenten?!" Ino shrieked in surprise.
Another series of knocks came from the door. This time an all too familiar voice spoke. It seemed deeper than before. Hardened by time. But it was still his voice. The same voice who used to taunt her endlessly.
"Hokage-sama, we've come in response to your summon."
"Come in."
Tenten felt a grip on her wrist and almost cursed out loud at the lost opportunity for an escape. Giving Tsunade a look of confusion, the Godaime simply shook her head. "I called them here to receive you. Or would you rather they bump into you randomly in the streets?"
Tenten was speechless.
In walked Neji, Hinata, Shino and Lee carrying a barely conscious Naruto.
"What are we needed for Hok-" Neji stopped in midsentence, his gaze shifting from the Godaime to the girl standing alongside her. He blinked. No coherent thought would form in his mind.
"T-Tenten-san…" Hinata whispered in disbelief.
"Ten… Ten…" Lee kept repeating her name over and over in hushed whispers, as if stopping would cause her to disappear again.
Tenten tried desperately to look anywhere else.
A heavy tension filled the room when suddenly, a lone knock broke the silence.
Tsunade let go of the vice grip she had on Tenten and allowed herself to sit back down when she was sure she would make no move to leave. "Come in."
Sasuke Uchiha opened the door and paused momentarily, as if debating whether he would tolerate being with this particular crowd or not. With a poorly veiled look of irritation, he made his way in. A summon was a summon after all.
"You were all summoned here for one reason." Tsunade began, leaning her elbows on her table whilst intertwining her fingers. "I'm sure most of you know Tenten. For the purpose of disclosure, she has returned about a week ago and has since then undergone multiple tests to examine her state of mind and loyalty. All tests conducted provided no ill results. So as of today, her status as a ninja of Konohagakure is reinstated." Tsunade glanced at each one of them.
"Are there any questions?"
The members of Konoha eleven remained silent.
"Then you are all dismissed."
Sasuke was the first one to walk out without even bothering to announce his leave. None of this even concerned him.
"S-Sasuke-kun!" Sakura called after him but was ignored.
"Then I will be taking my leave as well."
Tenten watched as Neji bowed politely before turning his back and walking out of the office.
"Oi Neji where do you think you're going?" Naruto called after him in confusion. Weren't they teammates? Why the hell was the Hyuga prodigy storming off like that when his friend was finally back home?
"T-Thank you Hokage-sama."
Tenten shifted her attention to Lee's stiff bow. Giving Tenten a look filled with turmoil, Lee walked out as well.
Tenten stopped breathing but she wouldn't show any of her discomfort. She predicted this. After all, what did she expect? That everyone would welcome her with open arms after three years of absence? That Team Gai would just get back to normal without as much as an explanation?
"Oi Lee!" Naruto called after him in annoyance. "What the hell is wrong with those two?" Naruto scratched his head in annoyance. Shifting his attention to Tenten, he gave her a reassuring glance. "Don't worry. I'll knock some sense into them for you!" With that he made his way out of the room. As if remembering something, Naruto turned back before closing the door shut. "Oh! Welcome back, Tenten-san!"
Tenten could only nod in response. She was breathing again. She felt her eyes prick with tears but fought them back. She never realized how much she wanted to heard those words. She never really understood what all the fuss was about Naruto back in the day. But for the first time in her life, she understood.
And slowly, one by one, the other members of Konoha eleven welcomed her back.
Tenten sat lodged between Ino and Sakura as she watched the other members of Konoha eleven engage in conversations and arguments. It was still early in the morning but the barbecue place they were in was overflowing with people.
"Of course Sasuke would still prefer me over you any day billboard!"
"Why would Sasuke be interested in a pig, Ino-pig!"
Tenten wanted to roll her eyes. It seems the rivalry of both kunoichis over Sasuke was far from over.
"I was thinking more of a flower-shaped cake wouldn't that be better?" Chouji stated in between chews.
"It's a boy. I don't think a flower is appropriate." Kiba argued.
"Oh right, Kurenai-san's baby is a boy." Chouji replied with contemplation.
Tenten turned towards Hinata. "Kurenai-sensei's pregnant?" Her tone filled with surprise and excitement.
Hinata nodded. "S-She's giving birth in a month."
"That's great!" Tenten beamed. "Who's the father?"
Tenten blinked. The atmosphere shifted.
"A-Asuma-sensei was the father." Hinata whispered in reply.
"Asuma-sensei!" Tenten was incredulous at this point. "How did that happen? I need to congratulate both of them soon!"
A strange awkward silence filled the table.
"Did I say something wrong?" Tenten inquired with uncertainty.
"No you didn't." Shikamaru answered as he shook his head. "Asuma-sensei passed away several months ago."
Tenten wanted to hit her head on the table. "I-I'm sorry."
"You didn't know." Shikamaru added as he gave her an assuring smile. "He died fighting against the Akatsuki." He finished, not wanting to elaborate further.
Tenten swallowed. Her first conversation with Konoha eleven, the death of Asuma Sarutobi. What a great way to start. Clearing her throat, Tenten decided to change the topic.
"S-So how are all the other sensei's doing? Sakura how's Kakashi-sensei?"
"I haven't seen him for quite a while. I heard he was out on an S-class mission with Gai-sen-" Sakura stopped midsentence.
Realizing Sakura's discomfort, Tenten gave no indication of hesitation. "I see so they're both out together. Do they still have those ridiculous rival contests every now and then?"
Sakura exhaled as she closed her eyes. "You have no idea."
Tenten couldn't help but laugh. It was nice to know that some things never change.
"Hey, isn't that Sai-kun?" Ino beamed.
Shikamaru opened his mouth to stop Ino but it was too late.
"Sai-kun, over here! Here!"
Everyone turned their attention towards the pale boy who was currently making his way towards their table.
"Ino-san, nice to see you." He replied politely.
"It's nice to see you too! Come sit!" Ino stood up to lodge Sai next to her, effectively pushing him onto Tenten.
"I apologize." The boy named Sai stated.
"No problem." Tenten replied with nod of her head.
"Oh right you don't know each other." Ino began. "Tenten this is Sai, Sai this is Tenten."
"Nice to meet you." They spoke simultaneously.
Sai smiled courteously. "I see you were the kunoichi in Team Gai."
Tenten nodded in affirmation. "What team are you in?"
"Team Gai."
A strange tension fell on the table of Konoha eleven once again.
Shikamaru wanted to hit Ino in the head with Asuma's chakra blades.
After putting two and two together, Tenten allowed herself a small smile. "You're Neji and Lee's teammate I see."
Sai nodded in approval.
"So how are they?"
Sai tilted his head in confusion at the question. "They're both in optimum health if that's what you're asking."
Tenten nodded repeatedly. "I see. That's good." Despite wanting to know more about her teammates over the past three years, Tenten knew asking too much would overwhelm Sai. Besides, deep down she wanted Lee and Neji to tell her themselves about their lives over the years they were separated.
Realizing his answer was inadequate, Sai began to elaborate. "They're both very serious about training. They can go on for hours on end. Even Gai-sensei is equally crazy."
Tenten couldn't help but laugh at this.
"Lee-san is particularly more intense with training these days for the upcoming Jounin exams."
Tenten blinked. "The Jounin exams, huh?"
"Everyone in our age who is still of Chuunin level will be taking it." Sakura emphasized.
"How about you?" Ino asked. "Aren't you already a Chuunin?"
Tenten nodded in affirmation. "When will the exams start?"
"A week from now." Sai replied.
Tenten nodded in silence.
Throughout the duration of the meal, the exams were the only thing Tenten could think about.