From Present to Future

Chapter 9

Three genins have seen their future. All girls. And to say they were astonished would not be an overstatement. The girls, all achieved things least expected from them. Seems the future of Konoha is really bright.

The Hokage once again cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

" I see we have one more kunoichi left. What do you say, Tenten-chan. Would you like to go next?" The old 'god of shinobi' asked good naturedly.

Tenten too was really ecstatic to watch her future. I mean, she can't be left behind, now can she. Her fellow kunoichi have done really well in future. Its time for her to know whether she achieved her dream or not.

Thinking along the lines, Tenten stepped forward and got ready to see her future.

A 16 year old Tenten is seen standing in the middle of an open terrain. It seems she is in the middle of a fight. Her face have suffered some cuts and bruises. She had a huge summoning scroll placed on the ground, ready for use anytime.

And she did use. Against her opponent.

Wait.

Her opponent is herself. Tenten vs Tenten. And the battle started. With same moves and same weapons. No one stopped. It was like seeing in a mirror. But one can easily tell the difference. While the real Tenten looks really winded up from the fight, the fake Tenten fought like a robot. With no trace of stopping or tiring anytime soon.

They kept  fighting on when Neji's voice fell on her ear through the earpiece.

"Tenten", came the muffled voice. " How is the situation on your side? "

"Bad. I am already tired and almost out of chakra but these things doesn't look even a bit fazed".

"Yes. With time, we are also slowing down. We need to end this quickly " Neji spoke from the other side of the earpiece. Seems the Hyuga prodigy is in same pinch like his teammate.

" I think I have an idea." Breathing heavily, Tenten leaned against the big boulder, hiding herself from the fake her. She cannot believe she is gonna say this but it seems that is their only way out. "Neji, when we get out of this lets never speak of it okay?"

The other stayed silent for a moment before asking, " What do you mean? "

" We have to act like Lee".

A silence ensued from other side, before a sigh released. For once the stuck-up Hyuga didnt act like a total pain in the ass and waited for his friend to explain.

" Well like Lee says, you are your own biggest rival. He challenges himself everyday and tries to beat his own self's previous records. And everyday he succeeds.This situation is just like that. That is our past self in front of us now. We just have to improve ourself and beat them."

"Hn"

Tenten could only roll her eyes at her friends response. The guy would sooner hug Hinata than ever admit Lee is right. 

"So wanna give it a try?" Tenten once again asked, not really sure of her companions mood. Lets just say, a PMSing Neji is way worse than a pregnant woman.

"Okay. But I am not shouting any eternal love for flame of youth". Well neither would Tenten. That would be way too much....Lee-ness.

With new found goal and determination, Tenten once again fought with herself (fake her). Her opponent, if she is aware of her strong points, then she also know her weak points. Exploitation can occur both ways. But she has an advantage. The fake her only knows her techniques but not her intelligence. Mind is a ninja's greatest weapon. With that, Tenten brought the ace in her sleeves to finish this for once and all.

That. Worked. It was a long battle but in end, Tenten won. And so does Neji she guess. A groan sounded from other side which is her friends way of telling her, he is fine.

A good bath sounds nice after all this.

The scene ended.

"YOSH TENTEN YOUR AND NEJI-SAN FLAMES OF YOUTH SHINES BRIGHTER THAN THE STARS. LIKE FUTURE YOU SAID, LETS CHALLENGE OURSELVES DAILY AND TOGETHER MAKE GAI SENSEI PROUD. RIGHT GAI SENSEI?"

Gai sensei nodded at his students words. He is proud of his student, now and future, both. Seeing the future, he is glad that the usually stoic prodigy has changed enough to trust his companion's words. As for Tenten, the girl even now is strongest kunoichi among the rest. There was no doubt she would not have become/ gotten even stronger in future.

Neji didnt say anything. And really Tenten didnt mind. Its enough for her to know they are still good friends in the future and that the hatred has not completely eaten her friend up. Like she always feared.

The sphere once again flashed.