Chapter 10: A well-deserved break

After a few days recovery Tenten was released from the infirmary and currently sitting with Neji in the Intelligence Division when they were summoned to Director Tsunade's office that morning. And it wasn't just Neji and Tenten but all eleven of them that had been working on the Lee's murder case.

As Tenten walked in after Neji she saw that all her friends were standing with their deployment squad members: Ino, Choji and Shikamaru-Squad 10 the Intel gathering squad and long range battle squad.

Shino, Hinata and Kiba-squad 8-the tracking squad

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura-squad 7-the close range combat squad

And finally Neji, Tenten and Lee-squad 9- the close and mid-range battle squad

Once she saw that everyone had arrived she started speaking

"I know that many of you-some more than others-are anxious to know the details and information about this case and the future that awaits the criminal you caught." She closed her eyes for a moment before she carried on

"I'm afraid I can't provide you with those answers. Our benefactors have decided to classify this case as a special case-highly confidential"

The news warranted some remarks-which was to be expected. They were the ones that worked through this case and they weren't even allowed to know its conclusion-absurd. She raised her hand for silence.

"No one sympathises with you more than I do. This was an incredibly gruelling case that hit us all really hard because one of your own was taken down and I wish I could divulge everything to you to give you closure but I simply can't; my hands are tied I've been ordered to keep this quiet and I cannot go against the higher up's or they might just shut us down. I'm giving you all time off in fact it's not a request-you're all taking time off to put all this behind you" she stood up from her desk to look out the window

"You're dismissed"

And with that all the agents stood up and filed out of the room but Tenten stayed behind. At first she stood quietly and stared at Director Tsunade's back then she spoke up:

"Director Tsunade I'm ready to hand in my resignation"

"Your resignation, what for?"

"You told me earlier on that if I got involved in the case in any way again I would be dismissed and I did get involved so-

"Tenten clearly you misunderstood me, if I recall correctly I said-if I hear that you were involved I would dismiss you. No one reported to me that you were involved except for you bringing it up right now, so as far as I'm concerned I haven't heard anything" she turned around and gave Tenten a knowing smile

Tenten smiled gratefully and gave the Director a small nod before leaving her office. She watched her leave before returning her gaze outside the window.

"Honestly…" she said shaking her head

"What is it?" a familiar smooth voice asks walking into the room

It was Jiraiya. He stood behind her looking at both of their reflections in the window. Tsunade stood-arms folded-slightly shorter than him but in no way inferior; she was strong, confident and had a timeless beauty as the morning light radiated off her flawless skin.

Jiraiya was taller and able to take in everything about her from his height. He too was powerful and accomplished, age making itself more noticeable in his facial features but he wore his age proudly-it showed he had a lot of wisdom and gained a lot in his life.

She rested her head against his chest and they both smiled when they caught each other's gaze in the reflection.

They were quite the pair.

"They're getting stronger and stronger each day. Easily one of the best groups I've seen in a long time" she said while comfortably leaning against him

"They definitely are strong but with strength comes challenges"

"You doubt them?"

"Oh no, the opposite in fact; I'm eager to see how strong they'll become as time passes. They might even surpass us Tsunade" he said as he put his arm around her shoulder

"I wouldn't mind that, the world will be in good hands if they do"

"And that's something worth celebrating, drinks tonight?"

"Sure" she kissed him on the cheek "but only if you're buying"

Xxx

Tenten was in the Weapons Division packing away some of the tools that were used during the investigation when someone walked in.

"Hey" Sasuke started

"Hey is everything okay?" she asked as she was a little surprised to see him

"I was actually just coming to see if you were alright, you know after the Directors final verdict. I know how personal this case was for you" he said picking up a box of kunai and placing it back on its shelf

"Yeah I'm fine I guess, that night when you and Neji tracked me to his hideout, I'd pretty much taken out ,my frustrations then so I'm fine with this final result" she paused her packing and looked down to the ground thinking for a moment then regaining her composure

"By the way you didn't finish telling me what made you come back to the agency, after you'd gotten your vengeance for Natsume what made you come back?" she turned to look at him leaning against the table

"Hm…well in a word, Sakura" he smiled fondly at the mention of her name

"Ah good old Sakura" Tenten smiled as well

"Yeah after everything that had happened she didn't give up on me. I don't know how but she tracked me down and gave me the biggest lecture. She told everything she'd gone through while I was gone-everything I put her through, and then she told me how worried she was about me; not how angry or disappointed she was but worried.

She gave me strength when I felt my weakest and showed me light in my darkest hour." He said more to himself than to Tenten

"That woman…I honestly don't know what she sees in me"

"Yeah I know right" she joked and then actually laughed when Sasuke shot her a glare

"I'm kidding but seriously though do me a favour and keep her close to you, she really cares a lot about you" she said walking to him

"Yeah I know, and I don't need dating advice especially from you" he said playfully

"Oh is that right?" she raised an eyebrow with an amused smile "But now that we're both in relationships you're going to have to stop your shameless flirting with me"

"Shameless you say?" his playful smile turned to a full on arrogant smirk

"Absolutely"

"And don't forget that you responded to my 'shameless' flirting" he took a step closer

"That's not the point" she said while trying to keep her voice as neutral as possible "Now you can save all that for Sakura"

She explained while walking out the door with Sasuke following closely behind her.

Later in the day all the agents were assembled in the parking area-the guys-clad in stylish shades- standing by their respective cars waiting to depart.

Shikamaru sitting in the driver's seat waiting for Ino to pile all her luggage into the boot of his grey BMW. Neji stood leaning against his black Audi apparently lost in thought.

"Hey what's with the serious face? We're going on vacation-a forced vacation-but a vacation nonetheless" she spoke while looking at her reflection in his shades

"Nothing just thinking I guess" he focused his attention on her "So we all decided to go down to the coast for vacation huh?" he put his arms around her waist

"What you don't want to see me in a bikini?" she smirked and wrapped her arms around his neck

"Oh believe me Tenten when that time comes I won't take my eyes off you" he pulled her in for a kiss which she gladly accepted

"It's about time you two" Naruto yelled from his orange and black Chevrolet with Hinata in the front seat

"I could say the same thing to you Naruto" she yelled back

"Hey are we leaving anytime soon?" Kiba impatiently called from his black Nisan with Choji and Shino in the car with him

"Yeah you wouldn't want to be left behind now would you?" Sasuke rolled up next to Neji's car in his black Ferrari. He lowered his sunglasses so he could look Tenten directly in the eyes with a smirk on his face

"Even your car is shameless, just shamelessly showing off" she spotted Sakura in the passenger's seat "Your boyfriend is one of a kind Sakura"

"Can't argue with that Tenten" Sakura chuckled

"Remember what I said about responding?" his smirk grew wider as he pushed his shades back up

"Alright alright let's go, the beach isn't going to enjoy itself" she said with finality and everyone climbed into their respective vehicles if they weren't already inside.

And within a few minutes they were off-the five cars following each other with Shikamaru's car in the front. They were agents together yes but they were also very close friends and they were strong-though they had lost one of their own, as long as they had each other then everything would be alright.

Though the dynamics of the teams had changed since he'd gone that would never change the fact that Lee was still a part of their big family and a friend for life. As they journeyed Tenten looked at the scenery from her window and thought about Lee.

Although the entire story will remain a mystery Lee, I know you're still with us and you'll always be a member of our squad. She looked to her side to see Neji fully concentrating on the road-she smiled at him.

And it looks like you were right about me and Neji ending up together after all…