A/N 2024: In theory this was an intense and angsty idea that wasn't developed fully. Now going back, I actually have an outline and some plot points instead of writing from the top of my head. I am still editing and re-writing the other fics…I just need a break from them for a second so I'll be hopping around from fic to fic. ~POG

Radio recap: A mission gone wrong for Team Gai when Tenten is captured by their target and is held captive. All the others have in means of communication to her is their wireless radios that they keep on, listening to everything that is being done to their female teammate. The men were able to rescue their teammate and complete their mission…though the mystery of the attack was still lingering in the air, they could not shake.

Summary: After returning to Konoha, Tenten recovers from her unfortunate fate of the previous mission. Gai decides to hold an investigation to find out more information about the crystal sword's location, however, when Tenten refuses to get her friends involved with her family issues, the boys decide to take matters into their own hands and do some searching of their own.

Frequency Chapter 1

Tenten woke up to the sound of beeping in her ears. It was a subtle, constant beeping noise that did sound familiar to her…and become annoying after a while. A groan was pushed out of her dry throat as she moved to rub her eyes. Her hands felt heavy, which also annoyed her. Her wrists were being weighed down by something, unable to fully bring up her hands to her face. She felt so murky, but light at the same time. It was an incredibly odd sensation to which she only experienced one other time in her life, when they were trapped in Kiasme's water prison. Moving her head, the weapon's mistress concluded that her whole body wasn't completely broken. Lifting her chin, she tried to fully sit up; nope. Her eyebrows went south as she gritted her teeth and tried again. Once again, her body refused her wishes to move. Letting out an aggravated grunt, Tenten called out to the room, hoping someone else was in there. There was no answer…and why the hell can't she open her eyes?! Getting even more frustrated, she called out once more, as loudly as she could, but ended up having a coughing fit. This was absolutely troublesome, she thought. She couldn't move, see, or be heard. If only she could lift her wrists to figure out what the hell was covering her eyes. Breathing in, she slowly lifted her right hand. The heaviness from a hard shell that seemed to be covering it was causing her wrist to tingle uncomfortably. Sucking it up, she reached for her eyes and found a towel that was no longer damp. It smelled as if oils had been added to it…Oils that smelled like Sakura's medical stash… That's when it all clicked; the beeping, the hard shell, and her inability to move freely…she was in the hospital back home in Konoha. Removing the towel, she slowly opened her eyes. The sun was just about to rise and she was here…in the hospital. The bunhead despised the hospital; it brought back too many unpleasant memories. Licking her dry crusty lips, she turned her head. There was a red button near the armrest of the bed. Gritting her teeth once more, she lifted her hand and pressed the button. Almost immediately, Sakura and Tsunade burst into the room with a cart of supplies and tonics. The blonde Hokage looked down at her with a deadly serious look on her face.

"Interesting, I gave you enough meds to sleep for three days and you're awake within hours." The Hokage murmured curiously.

Sakura checked the monitors and took the dried towel.

"What's going on?" Tenten asked hoarsely. "I can't move."

The two medical ninjas looked at each other.

"Your body is still in a form of shock from the…uh…" Sakura looked down, uncomfortable. "..the attack…"

Tenten blinked…but after a silent moment, it all was flowing back to her. The mission, the mountain…that asshole who raped her. The bun head began to vigorously squirm; there was no way her own skin and bones were going to betray her now. Letting out a battle cry, Tenten was able to sit herself up…only to have Sakura and Tsunade push her back down. The weapon's mistress let out a wail and the whole hospital was now aware that Konoha's legendary weapon's mistress was awake. Struggling against the medical ninja's grip, her head began to pound and her ears began to radiate heat;

Let's try this again… The voice rang in her mind.

"NO!" She shouted at the top of her lungs.

That's when flashes of the face began to appear before her. Tenten's casted hands thumped against her head. There was no way she was reliving this right now. He was dead. The mission was a success. Why am I remembering this now? Her forehead began to bruise as she continued to hit herself.

They'll never find you…

Tsunade and Sakura sweat dropped, trying to get the ANBU under control as she squirmed and swung her arms. Tears started to slip down her bruised cheeks as it replayed again in her mind; The corridor, her wrists snapping, the ripping of her ANBU spandex…there was no way this was happening now. Of all times and places, her mind decides to replay the most humiliating and horrifying experience she's ever been through at this moment…in front of her idol and friend.

"Tenten!" Sakura exclaimed, struggling to keep her hold on her friend.

"NejiI!" the bunhead cried, her amber eyes spilling with tears.

Tsunade moved the ANBU's casted hands away and aggressively grabbed her face. Tenten's pupils were dilated and unfocused as they shook in their sockets. Lifting her hand, the fifth Hokage landed a clean smack across her face. Tenten's chin met her elbow. Blinking, the kunoichi whimpered and looked at the blonde doctor.

"Sorry, but I can't knock you out this time." Tsunade said gently.

Turning to her pupil, she shooed Sakura out to find the male members of Team Gai while she handled this on her own. The pinkette nodded and rushed out of the room. Tenten's lip trembled as she looked down at her wrists. Tsunade reached for a towel on the cart. Dousing it with water, she wiped down Tenten's face.

"Tenten," Tsunade spoke after a moment. "This is, unfortunately, no dream. It actually happened. However, you are back in Konoha…you are safe now."

The ANBU nodded. The Hokage began to explain what she was going to do to her. Tsunade was going to conduct a vaginal exam and heal as much as she could at the moment. Every day, she will receive that same exam from Sakura until she can function on her own. The blonde watched as the brunette's shoulders began to shake. She was bed bound until her body could move at will again; which meant she was suspended from missions with her ANBU unit. Removing the covers, Tsunade began to strip her of her hospital gown for examination. Her arms, back, and chest were covered in cuts and bruises; none which required heavy stitching. Announcing that she was going to touch her, Tsunade gently took a closer look at her bosom. Tenten flinched as her cold hands touched her skin. There were no immediate signs of swelling or upper respiratory issues. Her waist and hips were covered in black in blue bruising and scars

"Alright…I'm going to check you now." Tsunade told her, putting on gloves.

Tenten didn't even feel her legs as Tsunade moved them so she could reach in between them. The doctor frowned as the bloody tissue pieces spewed from the opening; this was not her period. Small shallow cuts were present around her opening. Gently, she inserted a finger.

And that's when the bunhead screamed bloody murder into the room.

The door crashed open and Hyuga Neji ran into the room, sweat pouring down his temples. He stopped short once realizing that Tsunade had a finger inside of his girlfriend. Tenten spotted him and cursed at him to leave. And he did; Turning on his heel, the ANBU Captain left the room, closing the door behind him just as fast as he entered it.

"How rude…didn't even knock…" The fifth Hokage grumbled.

Deciding not to examine past what was achieved, the blonde took a clean wipe coated in numbing oil and began to clean Tenten's lower area. Throwing the bloodied gloves and wipe in a bowl, she helped the weapon's mistress back into her hospital gown.

"Should I let them in?" the Hokage inquired.

The brunette nodded slowly. Her teammates and sensei were allowed into the room. Neji made haste as he walked in and sat at her side. Tenten looked at him. He had bags under his eyes and his lips were in a thin line. He apologized for bursting into the room unannounced, to which she just nodded. She was expecting Rock Lee to reach over and hug her, or for Gai sensei to pat her head …but they didn't. None of them touched her. Tenten suddenly felt dirty. It was such a disgrace, she began to sob; she wasn't strong enough to handle her captors on her own…she wasn't strong enough to get over what happened to her. Unsure of what to do, Neji and Lee looked to their sensei. Maito Gai shook his head at them, not giving them any kind of permission to make any physical contact with her.

"Tenten…" Neji cooed softly. "It's over, now. We're here with you."

The bun head didn't stop sobbing. She brought her up and covered her face with the casts. For the first time in her life, she felt utterly powerless and alone to the point where not even Neji's presence was comforting. She felt like a discarded kunai; rusty, dull, and rough.

"Do…you want us to leave?" Gai asked after a while.

Tenten sniffed and looked down at her lap. She didn't want them to leave her here by herself. She didn't want to be alone. The bunhead shook her head. Taking a chance, Neji reached his hand out to her. The weapon's mistress looked between him and his hand; deciding whether or not she should take it. Lifting a trembling hand, she laid hers on his. Through the cast, she could tell his palms were warm and comforting. The Hyuga watched as Tenten went in and out of focus.

"Tenten…" he whispered, leaning over her.

She couldn't see his eyes. She was too ashamed to and she was so mad at herself for feeling this way. Tenten was Konoha's weapons mistress! She was fearless, cunning, and head strong…but that all seemed to not matter now. Her body refused to listen to her and her mind was acting as a bubble; restricting her control over her emotions. Another tear fell from her eye; she hated crying in front of them. She was weak and could no longer do anything to think otherwise. Her confidence was stuck down, her motivation was shot…she was a mess and she knew it. But, that's what made her so angry at the same time. Tenten jumped when she felt Lee's fingers wipe away her tears. A bit taken aback, the taijustu specialist retreated to his sensei's side, his eyes wide at the reaction…but Neji didn't let go of her hand.

"If you two wish to leave, go ahead." The Hyuga looked at them. "It is obvious she is not in the right mental state. There may be too many of us here right now."

"And yourself?" Rock Lee asked, stepping forward.

"I will stay here until she is ready to leave."

Rock Lee was about to object to leaving but he was silenced by Gai's hand on his shoulder. There was nothing they could really do. It was clear to Gai that Neji had full intention of taking care of his partner until she was fully recovered and of sound mind, which meant Neji would be not taking any missions until he is satisfied with Tenten's condition. Gai was also aware of the affection Neji held for Tenten; their romance was kept a secret for a few years until after the war. Love, as they learned as chunnin, was dangerous for a shinobi; however Neji had made it a point to find a balance of prioritizing his duty as a ninja and lover for Tenten. The couple understood the risks, and managed to make it work. When their cell became ANBU, it was evident that they had to push down their feelings even more; Neji's actions during the last mission would have cost them more if he had acted on protective motioned for Lee; The two taijutsu specialists left the room. Tenten licked her lips; a notion that had not gone unnoticed. On the side table there was a bundle of towels and a few water bottles. Reaching for one, Neji held the opening to her lips.

"I can do it myself…" Tenten murmured darkly.

Drowning the whole bottle, the bun head licked her lips and laid back down. She was drained both physically and mentally. Neji stood and closed the window blinds to lock the sun's rays from creeping into the room. Sitting back down, the Hyuga took her hand once more.

"Did you sleep when we got back?" Tenten asked not to look at him.

"No." The ANBU Captain admitted.

Her screams were still clear as day whenever he closed his eyes. He tried so hard to meditate once he returned to his apartment; alas he was unable to calm his mind from the mission. The Hyuga was still a bit shaken to the point that he struggled to keep her attached to him when the medical ninja tried to carry her off to the hospital, he didn't want them touching her at all. Sakura was trying her best to reason with the Hyuga, stating she was safe now, but he still refused. It took Gai and Lee to hold him as Sakura helped her staff bring Tenten inside to be cared for. His eyes wouldn't close…not even his mother's tea helped. Tenten hummed in response. Tsunade had knocked her out with medication, but she still woke up three hours after arriving at the hospital.

"Where…is my scroll?" Tenten asked suddenly.

"Gai sensei brought it in for you. Your mother is home…I don't think she got the news yet. All she knows is that you were injured in some way."

The bunhead sighed. Her mother would be crawling all over the room in a matter of minutes if she was told already.

"Try to rest," Neji stroked her exposed fingers with his thumb. "I'm not going anywhere."

Nodding, the bun head took a deep breath and attempted to take in the stillness that she was fortunate enough to return to.