Chapter Text
Hyuga Industries, Level 36
July 15 | 1730 UTC
Tenten was royally screwed.
'I drunkenly slept with my client and kind of liked it' screwed.
And she had no idea how she'd managed to function these past few days keeping that secret excruciatingly close to her chest.
As far as she was concerned, only Neji was the wiser. The rest of the team had shown up to work as per usual, freshened up from the weekend and having not been…intimate with Neji.
Neji, the ass, was miraculously nowhere to be found at work or at home. Hiashi had cited a business trip overseas with Shikamaru as his personal bodyguard, giving the rest of them some time off to plan security for his return.
Not that it mattered. After she all but fled away from Hyuga Manor, they'd had absolutely no contact at all. Not even a discussion about what had happened.
She sat at Ino's desk, unoccupied now that most people have gone home for the day, rubbing her temples.
In her history of working as a bodyguard, she had never, ever slipped up this colossally. Just thinking about the ramifications this would have on her career was giving her a migraine.
She'd have to step down, obviously, but it had only been three weeks on this job and Sasuke would be both furious and uncompromising. They demanded absolute professionalism and she'd surely be fired for this.
Kami, what was she going to do?
Tenten looked up from where she was crouched over the desk and stared out the window overlooking Konoha's skyscrapers. The sun was setting, casting a lovely glow over the horizon.
She could go back to the army. It wasn't as cushy but it would be like returning home to Lee and Gai after all these years. Briefly, Tenten wondered if they were still as energetic without her there to react to their insane antics.
Although, if it created a permanent stain on her record, she could always open up a training dojo. She'd always wanted to experience the civilian working life and it had been far too long since Tenten allowed herself to take a step back and relax.
And on that matter, relaxing and actually enjoying her life were concepts absolutely foreign to her. Maybe it would be worth it, quitting and setting up shop somewhere far away.
She might even experience some of that life Temari's always been telling her to live. Tenten groaned.
Temari. She needed to come clean, but didn't even know how she would approach this entire situation with Temari, let alone the brother she'd been set up with.
What would she even tell them?
'Hi, I'm sorry but I just slept with my client? I really like you though?'
Yet another hole she'd dug herself into. Tenten sighed, stood up and signalled to Kiba that she was clocking off for the night.
She really needed to get home and curl up in her bed. She could only handle so much of her own thoughts.
Hyuga Manor
July 15 | 2100 UTC
It was official - Tenten was going nuts, and the next time she saw Neji she was going to flip.
Why should she have to deal with the consequences when he literally did fifty-percent of the work? How dare he jet set out of the country and not talk to her about this mess?
Granted, she hadn't let him - but there had been absolutely no communication from his end either. Her mistakes were her own. She got herself drunk, she chose to be in this situation - good as it was for that night, and she was the one who acted unprofessionally. It was literally in her job description not to do that.
But, but. There was no way Tenten was going to let herself be another sacrificial lamb in Neji's complicated love life.
Every single woman employee stepping into his office who had the lapse in judgement - Tenten included - to engage with him had been the ones to leave with their tails tucked in between their legs. Why should she be yet another person in the same predicament when Neji gets to - what, have his behaviour pardoned again with a slap on the wrist?
Tenten drank her tea angrily, the chamomile clearly not having the desired effects. It lightly scalded her tongue and Tenten cursed.
No way. With resolve, Tenten pulled out her laptop and set to work.
Friday, July 15. 9:20PM
From: Tenten
To: Konoha Intelligence Agency HR
Re: Advice regarding clientele
Dear Human Resources,
Hope you have been well.
I am requesting a meeting to discuss my client, Neji Hyuga.
Please advise your availability to discuss these matters in the coming week.
Kind regards,
Tenten
Monday, July 18. 8:30AM
From: Konoha Intelligence Agency HR
To: Tenten
Re: Advice regarding clientele
Hi Tenten,
I've been well, thank you for your email.
I can do this afternoon at 1PM or this Thursday afternoon.
Thanks,
Shizune
Konoha Intelligence Agency, Human Resources Department
July 18 | 1300PM
"Tenten," Shizune smiled warmly, "Please, have a seat!"
Her office was tidy, as expected. There was a lounge chair in the corner opposite Shizune's desk. Tenten took off her bag and placed it on the chair before sitting down.
Shizune popped herself into the adjacent armchair and placed a clipboard on her lap. "How can I help you today?"
Tenten gulped. "I'm just looking for some advice on how to proceed with a client of mine."
She nodded understandingly. "Mr Hyuga. Could you explain the situation a bit more?"
"Every fortnight, the security team has a board games night with Mr Hyuga as a team building exercise, which I was recently invited to. I-," Tenten took a deep breath. There was no other way around this situation. "I had a bit too much to drink and found myself in a…compromised situation with Mr Hyuga the next morning."
Shizune sighed. "Was this situation personal or sexual in nature?"
Tenten nodded. Here it was - a one-way trip to fired town.
"While the company does encourage positive relations with clients and co-workers, any relationship where there is an imbalanced power dynamic is inappropriate. I believe you understand that."
"Of course. This was a lapse in judgement, and one that I intend to avoid."
"Of course," Shizune repeated with understanding, "However, we do need to take appropriate action to rectify this situation."
Her heart was beating a mile a minute. Tenten felt like the ground was about to swallow her up whole. She really, really did not want to lose this job. It was her everything.
"I will need to consult with Mr Uchiha to transfer you to a new client. Of course, the circumstances surrounding this transfer will not be disclosed for your confidentiality. I do hope you understand that it will be on your record, however."
Wait.
What.
"Uh-" Tenten replied unintelligibly. "I-sorry?"
"You will be transferred," Shizune repeated slowly, as if sensing Tenten's shock.
She… wasn't fired? Tenten had no idea whether to question her breach in professionalism or let it go. She signed in relief. "Understood. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Just fill out these forms, and you'll need to come in for some exit interviews. It would be preferable if you did not visit Hyuga Industries in the meantime, just to allow a smoother transition."
That Tenten could do - easily.
Monday, July 18. 4:50PM
From: sakura
What even?
Monday, July 18. 5:01PM
To: sakura
So you heard
Monday, July 18. 5:01PM
Sakura is calling you.
Yes
No
—> Yes
"Heyyyy," Tenten drawled out, still reeling from her recent stint in Human Resources. She felt - dare she say it - relieved? Overjoyed?
"I cannot believe," Sakura almost squealed, "That happened."
"Isn't this highly confidential information?" Tenten couldn't help but marvel at how few secrets there were between them. And also feel slightly terrified about what Sasuke had to say.
"Yes, but also - wow. What is this, your first ever one night stand?"
"Oh my Kami. I'm hanging up now."
Monday, July 18. 7:00PM
To: tampon
Hey, you free to call?
You are calling tampon.
"How's it going?" Temari sounded calm, placid. So she hadn't heard the news yet, and Tenten was terrified.
"Not bad," Tenten drew out the 'a'.
"Oh no," she heard Temari put down a glass, "What happened."
"I don't know how to say this but," Tenten pressed her lips together, fidgeting anxiously. And Tenten, historically, did not fidget. Full stop.
Yet here she was.
"I need to come clean to you because you're my best friend. And, even if it means you'll hate me, I have to tell you."
"You're scaring me," Temari said cautiously, "What's going on?"
"Last weekend, I was at board games night with work. And I drank too much, and when I woke up - I was next to Neji." The line went eerily silent. "Hello?"
"Did you- with him?"
"Yes."
"So, what, I set you up with my brother, who likes you a lot by the way - don't tell him I said that - and you sleep with your client?"
Tenten hung her head. This was the moment she was dreading, even more than whatever she had to face at work. There was no easy breezy forgiveness with her, like the light hearted jabs from Sakura.
"I messed up."
"Well, yeah Tenten! You did," she could see Temari fuming even from the other end of the line, "What am I supposed to tell him? Are you leading him on right now?"
"Temari, I've known him for three weeks - I don't owe him anything! Of course I like him, I just-this whole situation is so confusing and I don't know how I'm going to face him and confess. All I know is that right now, I'm getting transferred to who knows where, and that I need to tell you the truth now or I'll never be able to do it later!"
The line went silent again. Then, "You're moving?"
"…Maybe?"
"Kami," Temari cursed, "And what about Neji?"
Tenten shrugged, knowing Temari couldn't see it. "Out of town. Haven't heard a word from him since that morning."
"Oh hell no. Don't tell me he's been breezing through this whole thing while you're getting transferred." Tenten remained silent, feeling the heat of Temari's anger radiate through the phone. "The nerve of him. You know what makes me more mad? The fact that in this entire situation, genius billionaire playboy philanthropist Neji Hyuga gets to jet set off to his conferences and brush off another scandal. If he was any good he would have done something to rectify this but nooo. Boys will be boys."
"I mean, I'm not sure if he's doing nothing about it, and he does genuinely seem alright. But yes, where is he exactly."
"Probably living it up," Temari replied darkly, "And I swear to god if I get my hands on him…well I better not. But what about you?" She rapidly changed her tone, "How did fix it?"
"I went to HR and they just need me to sign forms and do some interviews. It's on my record now but given my spotless track record before, they're letting me off the hook this time. Which is more than I can ask for, I guess."
"Good. Sort yourself out first," Temari said, "But still. I hate that this has to be the solution. And that you're alone."
"Not really," Tenten let herself smile a bit, feeling Temari's anger subside, "I got you."
"You do," she replied emphatically, "But do tell Gaara about transferring when you're ready."
"I will. And I am sorry."
"It's okay. It happens. I'm glad you came clean to me about it though."
Tenten smiled. There was a comfortable silence.
"So, what are your plans now that you're temporarily unemployed?"
She cocked her head to the side and stared out the window. "I really don't know."
Tuesday, July 19. 9:30AM
From: Konoha Intelligence Agency
To: Tenten
Re: Agreement to Transfer - Exit Interview
Dear Tenten,
We have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow afternoon to discuss your next employment.
Please RSVP to the invitation.
Regards,
Sasuke Uchiha
Classified
July 20 | 0900 UTC
"We've decided to relocate you to the Mayor's office. I believe you're already familiar with a Mr Naruto Uzumaki. He specifically requested that you be one of his new CPOs and was happy to accept your transfer."
"Oh."
"You are a valuable addition to this company and your track record has been impeccable thus far. Please do not allow this transfer to happen a second time."
"Understood. And, it will not happen again."
Sasuke blinked. "I should hope not, considering he's married."
"Of course."
The Tavern
July 22 | 2130 UTC
"To Tennie! And her new job!"
Temari raised a champagne flute and waited for Sakura and Tenten to join in.
"To Tennie," Sakura giggled, "And her wild phase. Kami knows she needed it."
"Come on," Tenten grimaced, "I swear this should have been confidential."
"Oh," Sakura leaned forward conspiratorially, "There is nothing private between me and Sasuke. Eyebrows, eyebrows. Wink."
Temari stared. "You're drunk."
"That's also my boss."
"But also," Temari wrapped an arm around Tenten's shoulder affectionately, "I am so, so glad you're staying here! Literally couldn't handle having Sakura around all day. No offence, babe."
"What?" Sakura looked up from her phone, where Tenten could see several messages popping up from Sasuke. "Oh, yeah sure. Whatever."
"Doctor Sakura everybody - the woman, the myth and the legend herself," Tenten laughed into her glass.
"No, you are the legend," Temari said, shaking her head with emphasis, "How you even managed to wriggle out of an impossible situation is beyond me. And without that jerk to help you out too."
Tenten grinned and held both of her hands up placatingly. "I'm sure he isn't a jerk."
Sakura snorted, "No, predictably he just has not contacted you in two entire weeks when this was all going down. You've basically been dealing with a HR crisis for longer than you've actually worked for him. You're right - he's a lovely, lovely person as the tabloids say."
Tenten laughed again and shook a fist into the air. "What an ass. I swear if I see him again I'll-"
"You'll what?"
Tenten froze.
And turned around to face Neji Hyuga in the flesh.
She remembered the anxiety, the stress, the anger. The fact that she had no legal obligation to him anymore.
Tenten punched Neji squarely in the face.
And she really, really liked it.