Disclaimer: The author of the fanfiction (babbler) does not, in any way, profit from the story and that all creative rights to the characters belong to their original creator.

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September 12

12:30 PM

Teana Lanster's office

Teana POV


I collapsed into my chair and spun around a few times. Truly, the only good thing about being vice-principal is this chair and this chair alone. Nice black leather and fully reclining...oh, and air conditioner-chan.

Why does everything happen lunchtime? I suppose patience could be thinning since everyone's hungry but I'd be damned if I didn't lose half my lunch everyday to fights, irate parents, an irate teachers. Can't they wait until after school when I have more time?

I could hear music coming from Chrono's office next door. Our offices are sound proof, or in theory anyway, but slipshod construction and renovations meant that in practice I could hear him watching porn in there. I really hope that was all he's doing... but today, thankfully, I could only hear bloops and beeps from some game.

"Ai taichou!" Nanoha's voice was not quite mirthful.

"What do you want?"

"Can't two old buddies eat together? I don't hold a grudge that you only teach three classes a day when I have to suffer through all five. I'm not even mad you get to be vice-principal right out of college. Nyahahaha...I'm kidding." She wasn't.

"What game is Chrono playing?" We usually had a little contest to see who could guess first. Nanoha's way better at it than I.

"I have no idea...when are you going to start dating again?" Now there's a segue for you!

"Nanoha! People whine at me all day and now you've ruining my thirty minutes of peace!" There were reasons for high teacher turnover in other schools but our school's reason was spelt N-A-N-O-H-A.

"I'll set you up! You won't even have to worry about it." If she's involved I will worry very much. "You just haven't told me if you're gay for certain yet."

"That's it get out!" I pulled her out of her chair and pushed her through the door.

"Maybe..." I slammed the door before Nanoha could spew out any more nonsense.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Dammit! Now I have a class! I grabbed my bento and handouts and rushed for the upstairs classroom. You had to make sure to be very punctual for certain classes or there'd be no classroom left when you got there...this was one of them. Leave this class for fifteen minutes and I would expect nothing when I came back; as in black hole or God dividing by zero.

I nearly ran into the classroom and felt the need to yell "SAFE!" but I managed to catch the words in my throat. I think the class would have enjoyed it though. The usual suspects were yelling across the class and out of their seats. It only took a glance around the classroom to send them all scurrying. It reminded me of my old apartment. I'd go get something to drink in the middle of the night and in the kitchen I'd notice black splotches moving around my floor. Flick on the lights and the cockroaches would bolt for their hiding places...if only Nanoha wasn't such a slob.

"Sensei, can I go home. I'm not going to learn anything anyway." Ueki Kosuke raised his hand.

"How about you go ask Principal Harlaown if we can all go home and see how that goes. I'd love to be off early on a nice Friday like this." Ueki shivered. Chrono was useless, but at least he was scary. "Today we're starting the electricity chapter and before we can do anything intesting I need you all to copy down these notes." I started writing on the whiteboard.

The class wasn't completely silent. There were still a couple of students whispering but as long as they were fairly quiet I didn't mind. Not long ago you had to remove seven students to make this class teachable and now I could hear the clock tick.

There were three headaches in this class that I remedied somewhat. Kana Minami was a problem kid. She's like a gang leader and had a bunch of students at her beck and call that would do just about anything for her. All I had to do was take her out every now and then and go to a movie or festival and she was a whole different person in class. Nobue Itou on the other hand, I had to keep track of her homework for her and let her sleep in my office occasionally since she worked all the time to take care of her younger sister. A sleepy cranky Nobue ruined many a teacher's morning. The simplest of all, was Oozora Tsubassa. He was an avid football fan but when I tried to get him to join the school teams, he'd just sit on the side and watch. One day we started playing behind the gymnasium and he's asked me to ever since. Oozora is one of the biggest bullies around but he doesn't give me trouble anymore. Unfortunately, there were dozens of others.

I'm not a super teacher, it's just by batting average for problem kids this year is like .800...last year it might have been 0.025; through pure luck this year worked out for me. Social services keeps them alive and I help them survive school without adding to the teacher turnover rate. You can't solve parental abuse with an ice cream but I give it my all to see what works.

This room had a little nook that I placed an half dozen desks so teachers can send me students. They'd just sit in the nook and work away and I keep teaching my class; everyone happy.

"Can we have a pizza party if we get all get above 60 on this test?"

"Sure, but don't forget the second part of that deal."

"We know," they all said in unison, "every mark below 80 is ten minutes of detention."

"Why'd you give us pizza but detention too. More pizza no detention!"

"I'm so proud of you all for passing so I reward you with pizza but I want the marks above 80. I think some study time in detention would help you. Kana-chan, can you hand out this worksheet for me."

She bolted out of her seat and grabbed the stack of handouts. "Shut-up or you don't get one." Kana moved swiftly around the room.

"You bitc...why'd you take mine?"

"You drew a penis on it!" Kana yelled shoving the paper in his face.

"This is science too. It's like...biology. I can draw biology in science."

"If you can label all the parts I'll accept it. If not, you and me have a date in detention this evening." He was blanching as I spoke.

"I'll just erase it." He smiled timidly.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Wow that period went fast. I reminded the students that the sheet was for homework and collected my things. There was ten minutes before the next period so I headed for the staff room for some coffee.


Friday, September 12

1:30PM

RM: 230 TSAB School

Subaru POV


I stared out at the rows of delinquents sitting in front of me. They were completely ignoring me as if she wasn't even here. A couple of kids in the back were kicking each other across the aisles in some kind of weird game only they knew the rules to. Another group were throwing around a paper ball while two others tested out paper airplanes. A heavyset female and a blonde were staring at each other from opposite ends of the classroom; earlier I had to move them before they killed each other.

The drumbeat of a headache was pounding against my temples. I couldn't believe how bad these students were...though some of the teachers had warned me. I thought they were trying to frighten me to tell the truth; a game to pick on the cute newbie and try and scare her. I wish they had scared me more. It wasn't that these kids were bad, but they were very bad. If I were to leave the classroom for even a second then...to say it simply, illegal things would go down.

"Najakima sensei, can I use the washroom?" a girl sitting immediately in front of my desk asked. She was one of the few students not misbehaving and looked oddly serene amongst the chaos.

"Yes, you may." I couldn't help but smile at her. I followed her with my eyes as she walked to the door at the back of the classroom. She was my lone bright spot among the debris.

"Sensei, you're a dyke aren't you." I heard a voice to my right. I turned to see two burgundy eyes glowering at me. Earlier I had managed to separate the problems students and I placed this girl right up adjacent to my desk, but I don't remember why since so much had gone wrong this period. She was either the girl rolling cigarettes in her desk or the one sexually harassing the people next to her. I could probably get the whole lot of these students suspended, that is, if I knew their names and my probation teacher hadn't abandoned me.

"What?" It suddenly struck me exactly what she had said.

"I said you are a dyke," she said again coolly, eyes never straying from my own.

"That isn't a nice term to use... and no, I'm not!"

"Could have fooled me." She turned away and placed her head on her arms. I couldn't help but stare, and blush, at her audacity to look up and bold facedly say something like that right to my face. This girl had stood out from the moment she walked in the room. Someone had just finished yelling at her out in the hall for something when she walked into my room and smashed someone's face against a desk. I was preoccupied at that moment stopping a fight and only saw it out of the corner of my eye.

There was also that she was a foreigner with naturally bright blonde hair. Multiple earrings studded both ears and she had more in her face; which was probably more metal than in my Toyota. The seams in her uniform were coming unravelled and its texture looked smooth and threadbare like it had been in the wash far too many times. Despite her blouse, her skirt was so dark in colour and crisp looking it had to be brand new. Her skirt was also much to short, she was showing far more pearly thigh than she should be. She must be driving the boys crazy with her grade-B Zettai Ryouiki. Most of the other girls wore baggy socks that came to just below their knees.

Ding. Ding. Ding. My class quickly scurried out the door. The blonde was still there with her head on her arms so I think I'll leave her be. I hurried out of the room and was swept quickly along with the crowd to the staff room.

I collapsed into my seat. I had a ten-minute break before my next class and I would take the whole ten minutes if it killed me!

"What's wrong kiddo?" Someone rubbed my shoulders. Strong firm hands released the crinks and creaks from my back.

"I just had the 1-C's." I didn't know the full staff yet but I knew this voice sounded familiar.

"Nyahahaha. I take it didn't go well." Her laugh told me that the cute redhead, Nanoha Tachimachi was checking up on me. I think I could suffer through another class if it meant that I get a nice back message.

"It was horrible! I didn't think they'd be that bad...and I didn't know their names...and..." A few tears trickled down my cheeks.

"Don't cry." She pushed herself against me and hugged me tight. "Do you have a class now?"

"Yes..." I blurted out meekly.

"Teana!" Nanoha-sempai yelled across the room causing the girl to jump.

"What?" she sounded aggravated and when she turned I had to look away. Teana's glare was like a good scalding and there were no good scaldings. I'd prefer the hot cup of coffee in her hand to having that incredible super human glare turned on me.

"Can you do me a tiny favour?" She squeezed her arms together and bent forward to show off her...at least that what I think she was going for.

"I don't have all day. What kind of favour?" She drummed her fingers against the arm of her chair.

"Subaru-chan's having some trouble and her next class is a rough one. Can you take over it for her?"

"How exactly will this help Subaru-chan? She won't gain much from seeing me teach a tough class. You would be more suitable yourself." Somehow it felt like getting turned down for a date.

"So you'll cover my class for me if I cover her class for her...that sounded confusing."

"Yes..." before she could say anymore, the bell had rung and we three hastily exchanged lesson plans.

Nanoha-sempai was such a nice person. The overwhelming dread I had felt before had completely lifted and it was all thanks to my bubbly humming sempai. As we made the turn in the corridor and walked into the classroom, that sense of dread quickly returned.

Sitting in the front row was the blonde haired girl that had called me a dyke. My ears were starting to burn which meant my blood pressure was going up. I wonder if all the students from the previous class would cause this dread or maybe it was because of the personal attack.

"Sensei, you look really happy today,' someone said from the center of the classroom but I couldn't see who.

"Why wouldn't I be happy? It's Friday, it's beautiful out, and I'm teaching you wonderful kids." She was nearly bouncing as she cleaned the board. Anyone would make a statement like that ring hollow, but Nanoha made it work through sheer enthusiasm.

There was only a quiet hum in the classroom as Nanoha set about doing my lesson plan. Even with her back turned toward the students, they were looking towards the whiteboard, eager and waiting. All except the blonde who was resting on her arms again and staring out the window. I wasn't exactly eager to confront her about it.

"Fate-chan," Nanoha said in a singsong voice, "you should be copying down notes." Fate didn't move. "Fate!" The entire class jumped from the sudden increase in volume.

"What? I'm not bothering you. Leave me alone." She slammed her hands against the desk.

"Take out your book and start taking down notes. You can sleep after that." A thin smile traced Nanoha's lips and her eyes slid close. Fate slid a little further down in her chair and started to look for her book and pencil without complaint.

"She's so scary!" someone whispered.

"The older grades call her the 'white devil."

"Why?" One of the girls poked her friend with a pencil.

"...I have no idea."

Nanoha's glare, or smile, abruptly stopped the conversation, but it was an interesting aside none the less. Why did Teana say I would learn more from this 'white devil?' I'm nowhere near as bubbly and bouncy as she is! I can't even imagine perfecting that smile thing she has going on. I might have been bubbly once, but I've grown up a lot since I was a teenager.

"Now, with this worksheet I want full answers. None of this one word answer crap! The second page you'll be planning a newspaper's front-page. I can't see you having any problems with either so you can get started when you receive one." My eyes may have been playing tricks on me but it looked like she was surrounded by pink sparkles as she frolicked around handing out sheets.

"Sensei Najakima, how do you do this one?" It was the girl who had asked to use the washroom the period before. I hesitated; she was sitting in front of Fate who was glaring at me with her hand raised.

"What's a caption?" she asked pointing to the picture in the mock newspaper I had made up. I could feel Fate's eyes burning in to me from far to close.

This girl needed a tonne of help. She seemed to have never read a newspaper in her life, but why would you when the Internet and television gives you up to date information so quickly? I was still astounded that this girl could sit happily in front of a girl like Fate without some form of protection. If it were at night, I would cross the road to get away from her; heck, I'd do it in the daytime as well.

"You haven't even tried this assignment! Call me back when you have some work done." Nanoha brushed besides me has she talked to Fate. Just as quickly as she had come; she left to help another student.

"I'm not good with kanji."

"You have a dictionary you can use. I'm not translating that entire thing for you," Nanoha barked, that slight smile gracing her face again.

"I only need a few of 'em translated! It take like a minute. That fuc...that dy...grrr...teacher spent like fifteen minutes helping that idiot and you can't even bother to stop to help me!"

Bang! Fate punched the wall hard, sending up a small cloud of dust into the air.

"Lenstar Sensei is in room 208. Take you work and get out of my class." Nanoha was suddenly on top of her, that thin smile had dropped from her face completely.

I was half expecting a fight but Fate collected her things and left without a word. I can't remember things happening like this in my old school. The biggest thing I remember is someone kicking a teacher and that was an accident in soccer. I don't remember derogatory remarks and kids trying to hurt each other. I don't know if I'm cut out for this.

"Subaru-sensei, I want you to escort that little trouble maker to Teana-chan's...I mean Lanster-sensei's classroom. I think she might boot it if you don't follow her."

"Okay." I didn't like the idea of walking the empty halls with her right after she pelted some innocent drywall.

There was a small staff washroom across from the classroom and Fate was inside with the water running. As I got closer I could see blood speckled around the sink and swirling down the drain.

"Are you okay Fate-chan?" She just glared at me and left with a huff. As I followed her up the hall I couldn't help but notice her hand was turning bluish. I was worried it was broken, but I was afraid she'd explode at me if I spoke to her again. Fate was a head taller than me, and even with a broken hand, I wouldn't want to end up like that poor dry wall.

As we approached Teana-sempai's classroom Fate slowed down and stopped. She carefully straightened her skirt and adjusted her blouse. I could tell her hand was bothering her by just the way she was moving it. She pulled the sleeve of her shirt down over her hand to hide the discolouration. She perched on the tips of her toes has she took a deep breath and then hesitantly knocked on the door.

Part of me was excited at this point. Teana-chan's third degree burn worthy glare turned on a worthy opponent.

Round 1: Fight!

The moment Teana opened the door, Fate's shoulders dropped and every bit of defiant attitude dropped out of her. Teana looked at her new charge but a sizzling smoking Fate I did not get.

"We only have fifteen minutes left so stay here and help out with this class." Teana ushered me into the classroom. "Supervise while I speak with Fate."

"Is sensei coming back?"

"She'll be back shortly."

"Yay!" the class cheered softly and then started their work again. Other than the noise of pencil against paper, it was so quiet I could hear the clock tick.

I jumped as blonde hair moved past my face. Fate took a seat in the front row and laid her head on her arms. The rest of the class paid her no attention. Not a single head looked up and the only words I could hear were "can I borrow your eraser," which was far from the "give me the f*#$en eraser you ^*%," I heard last class. Fate jumped and plunged into her book bag. She rooted around for a while and finally pulled out the worksheet Nanoha had given her and stared intently at it.

"Sensei, I need some help with this," she lifted her head and looked up at me, but I couldn't face her eyes. Luckily Teana emerged from somewhere and crouched by her seat.

"What are you doing?" Teana said softly, moving the paper on her desk so she could read it. This surprised me to say the least.

"I have a to make a newspaper but I don't know these kanji." Fate looked the older women in the eyes. Her gaze dropped to her lips and then lower still as blush filled her cheeks.

"Think about a newspaper in your head. What's at the very top?" Teana said gently, smiling at Fate.

"The name of the newspaper...and below that's the headline. Okay, I get it, but what about this one?"

"When there's a picture in the newspaper, there's usually a little box underneath with words in it. What's that box called? Like, we could have a picture of Fate-chan, and in the box would be 'Fate-chan needs to behave herself better in Tackmachi-sensei's class.'" Fate face turned several shades deeper red. "We'll talk about that later." Teana rubbed Fate's shoulder.

Ding! Ding! Ding! The scraping of chairs surprised me as all the students stood by their seats. In a single motion they all bowed. "Thank you Lanster-sensei!"

"Have a good weekend everyone!" Teana packed up her things.

"Lanster-sensei!" A male ran up to her desk holding a football. "Are you going to play with us?" He was smiling and bright eyed...I'm positive this was one of the kids that had done something extremely bad during my last class.

"I have some things to do in my office first and then I'll come play with you."

"Okay." He walked quickly out the door.

"Fate-chan, can you go to my office. I have to talk to Najakima-sensei."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now Subaru, what happened to the teacher that's supposed to be supervising you?" She was looking at some paperwork that seemed to be about my internship.

"Vice showed me around yesterday and told me I start teaching today and I haven't seem him since." He was supposed to let me watch him teach for a couple of weeks first.

"Chrono needs his neck wrung for putting you with Vice. I'm switching you to Nanoha. I'd take you myself, but I only teach part time since I'm vice-principal. I'll give Vice a good swift kick in the pants and get your paperwork sorted out. Don't worry about Monday. You'll be just following Nanoha around. I have to go. See you later." She waved has she ran out of the classroom and down the stairs.

That was an incredible weight off my shoulders. I would have had to do up five lesson plans tonight and a bunch of worksheets. The halls were deserted as I walked back to the staff room to pick up my things.

"Subaru!" Nanoha grabbed me from behind. "Vice certainly has a bunch of rough classes. Nyahahaha...I think he may be the cause though."

"Teana made you my supervising teacher!" Her hug felt so nice and warm.

"Yippee. I get a slave...um, helper for the next four months." She jabbed me in the side as we both walked into the staff room.

"How do you handle all those horrible students? I though I was going to cry."

"Feel free to move them around or make them stand out by the door. If something happens like with Fate today, send them to Teana. I'll be with you anyway so don't worry."

"What about Fate-chan?"

"You have to be hard on her or she won't do anything and make sure you keep your eye on her or...nyahahaha...bad things happen. Don't let her give you any crap!"

Author's note: I don't live in Japan and have never lived in Japan but I am very familiar with the school systems here in North America, so unless it's something CRITICAL, I don't want to hear about any tidbits about Japanese schools.


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