A/N: Lol…I'm in one of my mood again. Yes. Another story. I didn't even finish the other stories but here I am, uploading a new story. I blame the plot bunny. They're evil. ;(
Note: Lets pretend the Japanese name like Naruto, Sakura or Sasuke is Chinese name, kay!
Setting: Shanghai, 750 a.d, China Empire, Tang Dynasty
Love and Fortune
~~~0oo0~~~
Tenten POV
"Target Founded!"
Okay, you must be wonder why I am hiding behind this wall, looking all sneaky and suspicious like a thief. Well, that was partly true.
My name is Tenten. And don't you start asking my last name!
I'm 17.
I'm a girl.
And I'm also a pickpocket.
Don't judge me.
Well, actually, you can judge. I'm not going to lie, I'm what people say, a bad seed to society after all. But as long as I still have food in my mouth, I don't really care what other said about me. You can't be a pickpocket if you have a sensitive heart.
Lucky to you all. Heh, I'm not trying to brag but erm, you are talking to the greatest pickpocket in all of China. I'm not kidding! I'm really that cool!
Anyway, let's get back to business before I start blabbing about my current life. I'll talk about that later.
I'm gonna show you some tips. You see that guy over there? Yes, that's our target. Judging by his wandering eyes, nervous body languages and weird colorful outfits, I say he is kind of a tourist. I think he's from Mongolia. Mongolian traveled here a lot and they're usually the juiciest preys for us pickpockets.
Now. Watch the master rolls.
~0~
I headed out to the busy street of Lai Chi town. Today was Monday so many local citizens went to the market to buy their things. Busy street is paradise for pickpocket. People were too cared about getting cheap stuff more than whom around them. That what made it perfect.
I spotted my victim. The guy was pretty tall among the rest. He seemed to have a hard time to get away from the crowd. He looked around, trying to dodge waves of people walking directly toward him.
Haha! Amature.
I approached him closer until I was only few inches away from him. I cracked a small smile then processed to do what I was best at.
I stumbled forward, pretending that I was just tripped, causing the guy to lose his balance a little
"Oh! I am so sorry!" I apologized, but not meaning it at all.
The guy seemed to regain his balance. He picked up my dropped bag and offered me his hand.
"I'm terribly sorry, miss. Are you alright?" He spoke in weird Mongolian accent. I was right, then.
"I'm fine, sir. Xia xia." I thanked him, receiving my bag from his hand.
"You're welcome, miss." He smiled to me slightly.
I bowed to him then walked out of the way as fast as possible.
~0~
"Phew! Well that went well."
After got myself out of a tsunami of people, I ran to an alleyway not too far from the market. Lucky for me, the alleyway was empty. Except for some noisy wildcats, there was no other living being around here but me.
"See what we got for today." I opened the moneybag while leaning on the wall. When I was like all innocent and tripping and stuff, my fast delicate hand went smoothly toward the bag on his pant line. I hid it in my robe the moment my body the ground. Yes, pickpocket was not for everyone. It need years of practices and,…erm...beatings…to perfect it.
My eyes widened and twinkling at the sight.
"Oh my…500 silver coins. Guess Naruto and I won't have to starve for this month."
I counted the money again. How lovely those silver circles to me. They're my only saviors in this world, not you Buddha.
While counting, my mind suddenly flipped back to my victim. I felt a little bad for the guy. What if this was all he have…?
Oh well, I don't care anyway. Life is not fair. And only the strong can survive.
My little sympathy seemed to evaporate when I finished counting the money. Again. I threw the bag in the air then caught it with one hand. A satisfied smile spread on my lips.
"Hm, let's see what I'm gonna do with this. I think I'm gonna treat Naruto his favorite Niu Nan noodle." Poor him. That piece of bread yesterday was not even filled his little already shrunk stomach. Naruto was my 5 years old little brother. He was a hyper sweet little boy and he was all I had for a family.
"Okay! Naruto Niu Nan Noodle! Me! Hm! I'll go with something fancy today. Shrimp Dumplings of XiaoZhang's restaurant. Oh God! They smelled so good." I breathed in while remembering the wonderful smell of the dumplings came from the restaurant I walked by the other day. It felt good when you have money.
"That's settle then!" I said happily, throwing the moneybag high in the air.
People said there was bad luck in the luck. I didn't quite believe it. Until now.
My foot hit a rock which came from nowhere on the road, causing me to tripped (this one is no pretending) with my face smashed directly to the ground. The moneybag fall with a loud 'thump' on my head then dropped to ground, spilling out the silver chaos inside it.
Did you ever get hit in the head by a rock? Well, I don't care about you but I just did and I say it's hurt like shit!
"Urgh! Damn it! Is this the way You, yes you Buddha, decide to punish me for being a pickpocket? Not everyone can have random people bring food from nowhere to them like you. Have some mercy! Geez!" I grunted but managed to push myself off the ground. I bent with both my knees to regain some conscious then gathered the silver coins back in the bag while massaging my head.
Just as I thought things could not get worse. It got worst.
I froze when I sensed a presence I don't know when, standing in front of me. What the heck? The last time I checked, I was the only one in this alleyway. And who the…
I, ever so slowly, raised my head. Heart thumping so loud as it threatened to jump out off my chest. I don't know who the hell it was, but I prayed silently inside my head that it would not be one of those soldiers from the asshole of the town officer. He was literally an ass. Also a freaking pervert. He tried to rape me the last time I got arrested there. Urgh…Creppy…
A pair of eyes caught mine when I looked up. My mouth gaped open in shock. I felt a shiver ran down my spine while my hands suddenly became trembling by unknown forces.
Normally when this kind of situation happened, I would act professional, calmly stand up and walked away like a normal innocent citizen who just happened to drop their money on the street.
Well I would have gone with that plan if the eyes of that certain stranger were not…white.
Oh…My…God…
White…Shit…
IT'S A HYUUGA!
AND HE'S LOOKING AT ME!
I might not seem like it from the outside but currently I was having a mentally heart attack. Holy cheese banana! The person in front a me…is a Hyuuga. A FUCKING HYUUGA! Oh damn damn! I'm so dead! I'm so dead! Why the hell a Hyuuga be in here? Don't they suppose to stay at that giant luxurious palace of them while ordering their servants around to buy what they want? Oh damn shit! Okay! Be cool! Tenten! Just pretend like you're a normal person! Be cool…but he's pretty good looking…WHAT THE HELL?!...and I think he heard I said I'm a pickpocket…
OH MY GOD! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF! B.E. C.O.O.L!
The guy still staring at me with his scary pearly white eyes. His face was straight and somewhat mysterious. It hard to know what on his mind...Oh dear sir! Please stop staring!
Despite my head went all loco and my eyes all blurred with fear. I simply stood up, took the moneybag with me and WALKED AWAY.
Oh my Buddha! I did it! Damn! That was close! My hands were still shaking. I was glad…wait…was he still looking at me behind my back? Damn! Just keep walking Tenten! Don't let fear overtaken you! Walk! Damn it! WALK!
~0~
After few minutes but felt like hours of walking, I finally managed to get the hell out of that freaking alleyway and away from that intimidate Hyuuga with all my body parts still attached. I never felt so blessed to be alive and I was going to enjoy every minutes of it with my dear brother.
~0~
Normal POV
"Brother! Brother! Where areeee youuuu?" Tenten called out her brother when she entering their house. It actually more likes a small shelter with old four thin walls made of leaves and tree stems act as a cover.
*Snicker*
Tenten turned at the closet when she heard a small giggle sound came from it. Cracking a smile. Tenten cleared her throat.
"Ah! Look like Naruto is not here today, hm! I wonder where would he be?"
Another snicker came from the closet.
Tenten restrained her laughter. She opened the noodle bowl, letting the smell flew across the room.
"Oh well! Guess I have to eat ALL Naruto's favorite NIU NAN NOODLE, then. With extra pork and fishcake!" Tenten raised her voice at some important words that she sure her little brother will go all nut any moment.
And she was right.
The closet door suddenly banged open, revealed a tearful boy inside it.
"Noooo! TenTen Ah Jie! Noodle's for Naruto!" he sobbed.
Naruto, Tenten's younger brother. He was a cheerful little boy with bubbly personality who loved to eat nothing more than noodle. He was also an orphan just like his sister. Different from Tenten, Naruto had blonde hair and blue eyes. There were some scratches on both of his chubby cheeks.
Tenten laughed at her brother cuteness. She then turned quite when she noticed something on his face. Naruto stared questionably at his sister.
"Ah Jie, what are you looking at?" she asked her.
Tenten frowned her brows. She waved a hand and the boy knew she was calling him over. He ran to her.
Tenten touched her brother's face when he came nearer. Her eyes filled with worry.
"Tenten jiejie! Something wrong?" Naruto asked her.
Tenten held her brother's face in her hands, examning both of his cheeks.
"Naruto! You tell me honestly, what happened to your face?" Tenten asked, fingers slightly pressed against the new scratches on her brother's face.
Naruto whined slightly at the pain. But he didn't say anything.
"Naruto! Tell me!" Tenten pressed on, "Di-Did someone hit you? Oh Buddha! Who the bloody hell was it? Oh, I swear I'll kick his little spoile-"
"Jiejie! Calm down! No one hit me!" Naruto jumped in when he sensed his sister murderous aura. He loved her to death and all but the woman sometimes can be very scary.
"Then who made this?" Tenten asked him firmly. She got on her feet and went to the backhouse to get some water and a towel. She put them on the table and start cleaning his wounds.
"This might left scars…" she mumbled angrily.
"...It's just a cat, Ah jie." Naruto confessed quietly.
"A cat?" Tenten stopped her movement, looking at her brother, "You mean the cat called 'Kyuubi' from the neighbors house?" she asked
Naruto nodded embarrassingly.
Tenten let out a heavy sigh.
"Naruto, how many time did Ah jie tell you to stop messing around with that cat? You don't listen to me anymore huh brother?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Naruto glanced up at his angry sister but bowed his head down immediately.
"No, it's not that Ah jie…But…he looked at me funny." he whispered.
Tenten sighed. Men and their egos.
"Naruto! This is the last time Ah jie will say to you. Don't mess around with that Kyuubi. He's not a cat, more like a demon. If you disobey me again, I will not give you food for a whole week, do I get that clear, Naruto?" she told him.
Naruto nodded his head, small tears built up in his sockets.
Tenten exhaled to calming her rage. She gathered the boy in her arms and pulled him slowly toward her. Resting his little head on her heart.
"I didn't mean to get mad at you, Naruto. I just…don't want you to get hurt…" Tenten spoke softly. She placed a small kiss on his blonde hair.
"I know Ah jie loves me. I love Ah jie more." Naruto cooed, wrapping his little arms around her torso, "I'm sorry! I will listen to you. Please don't leave me!" He said, his voice shaken.
Tenten broke the hug and looked straight at her brother's tearful face.
"What are you saying, Naruto?" she smiled at him, smoothing his blond hair lovingly.
He hiccupped, "In my dream,…*hic* Ah jie *hic* will leave me *hic*!" He raised a hand up to wipe his nose.
Tenten laughed softly, "What makes you think that?" she cleaned away his tears by the towel, "I love you too much to even think about leaving you, brother. You're all I have, Naruto. Don't ever think about it!"
Naruto gave her his cutest smile, "I love you too!" He said.
Tenten patted his head. She gave a pair of chopsticks and a spoon to her brother for his noodle. The little boy accepted them then wait no longer and start dig in.
Tenten shook her head, laughing, then picked up her chopsticks and ate her dumplings.
"Here! Have some" Tenten picked some dumplings from her plate to her brother's finished bowl.
"Ah jie?"
"Yes, Naruto?"
"Did you… steal this?" he asked her quitely
Tenten frowned her brows at her brother in annoying.
"It's not stealing. It's a survival skill. Why do you ask anyway?"
"Jie?"
"Hmph?"
"Don't steal again. It's bad." Naruto mumbled, chewing the food.
Tenten stopped her dumpling midway. She turned up to look at the boy.
"Who told you that?" she asked
"Iruka Laoshi (teacher)! I heard him taught his class while walking near the school." He answered. Tenten felt a sudden weight in her chest. Naruto was already 5 years old. At that age, parents usually let their children, especially boys, to go to school to learn words. Naruto was an active and curious kid. He loved to learn what he didn't know. Tenten blamed herself for not be able to support him to go to school. Tenten won't let Naruto to grow up without any knowledge and end up being a pickpocket like her. No! She can't allow him to be like her. He deserved better. Her brother deserved better.
She'll do anything to give him a good life. Anything.
"Naruto?" Tenten said.
The boy looked up from his bowl and smiled at her.
"Yes, Ah jie?"
"Do you want to go to school?" she asked him
Naruto nodded, smiling slightly.
"Will you wait for one more year? I promise you can study like every other kids."
Naruto widened his eyes.
"Really Ah Jie?"
Tenten hummed as response. He clapped his hands loudly but stop suddenly. His sister noticed his change.
"What's wrong?"
Naruto dropped his hands on the table.
"But Ah jie,…we don't have enough money…"
Tenten stared at her brother. Children at his ages were supposed to enjoy their childhood in joy and love. But Naruto, he didn't have that childhood he should have. Everyday from dawn to sunset, he went to Yamanaka's flower shop and helped the family to pick up their flowers. They did pay him and treat him very well but he was not supposed to be working. He was just a child. Tenten forbid him to go to work but he didn't listen to her. He said he want to help her make money. While other kid whining stubbornly to get what they wanted in the stall, Naruto was at the flower field, carefully picking the flowers and got pay at the end of the day.
It was too much for a child like him.
She felt worthless for not be able to provide him the life he should has.
Tenten won't let her brother suffer.
"Don't say such thing, Naruto! Of course we have money!" she told him.
Naruto shook his head in disagreement.
"Naruto! Brother, look at Ah jie!" she cupped his face in her palms across the table, she looked lovingly at her brother's blue eyes with her big brown's ones.
"You don't have to worry about anything! Ah jie have money! Ah jie can take care of you! You just have to study hard, okay?! Then when you grow up, you can take care of me when I'm old, okay boy?!"
Tenten pinched her brother's cheek slightly.
"Don't worry a thing, Naruto! Ah jie will always be with you."
Naruto looked at her then nodded his head.
"I promise I will study hard! I'll make lots of money and I will buy dumplings for A jie everyday! I love you the most, Ah jie!"
"I love you too, brother. Come here!" Tenten hugged him close. Tears fall slowly out of her eyes.
~0~
Even though we did not live on mounts of gold
Even though we did not swim in rivers of glory
But as long as we have each other
Happiness was all we need.
~0oo0~
A/N: Haha…tehe! This chap is more focus on Tenten and Naruto sibling relationship. That's the base for NejiTen moment to come soon! ;)
Eh, wat do u think about this plot?!
Like or not like it! Plz review! After all, its u reviewers who decide if I can continue the story or not.
Thank you and Happy Reading! ^^~~~