Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Also, the idea of Gai adopting Tenten and Tenten's past in general, is based off of a good friend of mine's idea.

A/N: Hey all, sorry this chapter is coming up so late. School has been trying to eat me, and on top of battling writers block, I was actually sick for awhile. Thank you guys so much for your awesome reviews and all your support. I can't tell you how much that means to me, and I'm so happy you guys are enjoying the story. Also I really want to thank Rellie again for helping me get over my writers block when it came to this chapter, and just being a great support and friend. You rock girl! I hope you all enjoy what's coming up next, and please let me know what you thought. Most of all though, I hope you enjoy the story, for that is why writers write.

X

"You know…I've taught this class for a few years now, and I've seen some things that not even those in the teacher's lounge believe." Kakashi sighed as he folded his arms and shook his head. "But I have never, seen a team set an entire table on fire and blow a hole in the ceiling on top of it. You two, are by far ahead of the curve."

The two teenagers ducked down at Kakashi's words and more than anything, Tenten wished she could turn invisible. Of all the days for this to happen, it had be on the day she'd already been put through hell, in her worst class, and not only was Kakashi there, but most of the teaching staff as well. Including her dad.

When the fire alarm had first sounded, chaos reigned as everyone headed for the door, while some of the teachers herded them outside, and still others came back to help Kakashi. Her dad had been one of those, along with Anko and Ebisu. It hadn't taken much to stop the initial fire, but with as many chemicals around as there had been, part of Tenten knew they were lucky it didn't spread.

Though that hadn't stopped her dad from nearly breaking her back in a hug when he'd found her and nearly sobbing as he tried to find out if she was alright. Once he knew she was, that was when the lecture started.

Now they were all back in the room with the rest of the class looking as if they were ready to kill them. Even Lee and Neji looked irritated at being held at least a half an hour past when they were supposed to start cleaning, meaning it'd be at least another hour before they got out of here. It was only fortunate that most of the after school groups didn't meet on Fridays, and none of those who did, were in this class.

"However," Kakashi continued. "I am at least grateful that no one was injured, and that you two didn't blow out any windows. Still this is your fault…"

"Actually…" Tenten sighed, kicking at nothing on the floor as she shot a look over at Shino, whose own mouth was open as if to speak. "It's not…Shino's fault. Not really anyways. If he hadn't been trying to tell me what to do this probably wouldn't have happened, but…"

"Yes, because using to much of a substance is the perfect way to avoid a fire hazard." he muttered, and Tenten shot him a glare, but he was looking away.

"But, I was…"

"I should have been more careful in relating the directions." Shino cut in. "She's never worked with these kinds of chemicals before. I should have explained the hazards better and…"

"I can read, you know. You don't have to explain…"

"But you didn't read the directions."

"Because I knew what was I doing."

"Clearly." Shino indicated with his hand to the charred blacktop, and the pieces of lab equipment that were now fused with it. Their backpacks were both being slowly crushed by their toppled over chairs, and a good deal of both their contents were spilling out. Tenten could see one of her papers in particular, glaring at her from the pile with all its red marks, and felt her right eye twitch.

Didn't he know, she was trying to cover for him? Sure this whole thing wasn't her fault, but she had never shied away from taking responsibility for her mistakes. He was one of this classes star students, if not at the top, and as much as she hated to admit it, she should have listened to him on this. Instead, she helped cause an explosion, that wasn't even big enough to get them out of school without a lecture. Or maybe he knew exactly what she was trying to do, and was trying to do the same for her.

The thought made her want to slap him upside the head.

"Well while you figure out whose most at fault, you two, and only you two, are on cleaning duty for this classroom, both your homerooms, and the bathrooms on this floor."

Tenten's face deadpanned.

"What? But Kakashi-sensei, that'll…"

"And, I expect a lab on my desk, by Monday. The one that goes with the water experiment if you don't mind."

Their faces darkened at the stifled chuckles from the group and approving glances from several students as well as the staff. Still, Tenten hoped her dad would object, and shot him as pleading of a look as she could with everyone around. Normally, she hated any idea that she was treated differently because she was a teacher's daughter, but right now, she wouldn't object to her dad, at least getting them out of the lab. She'd rather clean all the bathrooms than be stuck with another assignment.

Unfortunately, the look he threw her back clearly told her, she was in this for the long haul. She could almost hear his, 'youth comes with mistakes, but we must always face up to them' speech.

Maybe Shino would protest? After all, he always seemed to leave so quickly, even on days clubs didn't meet. He must be busy enough that he could come up with a legitimate excuse.

He made no move to do so though, instead simply nodding.

"We'll have it done before we leave."

"Even better." Kakashi smirked and Tenten felt like slamming his head into a wall.

"But if we're going to get it done along with the cleaning, shouldn't we start working now? I think we should." he said and their teacher nodded.

"I was just about to suggest that. Alright, everyone else, grab your belongings and head out…and no one stay behind to help them. This is a punishment. Not a social hour." his visible eye rested on Lee and Neji in particular, who seemed to be on the verge of offering to do just that when they were cut off.

Tenten sighed as she looked over at her dad as the class once again came to life with everyone swarming and hurrying to collect their belongings; all of them watching the door as if it'd disappear.

"Ahh, don't look so down, Tenten!" Gai smiled as he came over and clapped a hand on her back. "It's not the worst punishment in the world, and hopefully it's something you can learn from. After all…"

"Even something bad can be good if you learn from it." she finished. "But I don't see how this falls into that category! It was just an accident. You should all be thrilled we weren't blown through the window!"

From the way Gai's eyes widened she knew that was the wrong thing to say, as he could clearly see it happening in his mind and before she could move, had her locked in another iron hug and a nearly choked sob came.

"Of course I am grateful for that my little flower! Harm is not something I ever want to come to you! I would sooner swim with sharks wearing steaks around my neck than anything happen to you!"

"Dad…it's alright." Tenten wheezed at the pressure. "I'm fine! I was just…saying…" she started, but it wasn't getting through his proclamations of how grateful he was nothing had happened to her, and in the end, she found herself just giving him a quick tight hug of her own. This seemed to get through at least a little bit. "I'm fine. Really. You don't have to worry, it was just a stupid mistake. I mean, it's high school. It's not like there's any real danger. Just…fire hazards."

Gai sniffed, but smiled all the same as he smoothed down her hair, and finally let Tenten go. Unfortunately, those still in the class had saw his outburst, and she realized the amount of teasing awaiting her on Monday.

"I know that…just the idea that something could happen to you…" he shook his head and cleared his throat, oblivious to the smirks thrown their way. "But at least this way, you will learn to read directions before jumping into something! I'm thrilled you're finally getting so excited about schoolwork and I can see our talks have not gone unheeded! But there are times when looking before you leap is the best course of action! Particularly, when that involves fire." he smiled, and she took a step back just in case he pulled her into another hug. "Also, this could be a good review in what it means to work with and listen to your partner." he added as he rested his hand against his chin.

She looked over her shoulder at her current partner in question and inwardly sighed. He probably felt just as kicked around by this as she was. Even more so, considering he hadn't even protested. And he had been right about the chemicals, and trying to help her. Still, she wanted to slug him for suggesting they'd have the lab done before they left.

"Yeah, I know." Tenten sighed. "I'd better get over there, so we can get started. I still want to go on that hike this weekend."

"That's my girl! And if you can't cleanup and get your lab done in only an hour then…"

"Then I'll bang my head against my locker until I leave a dent." she smirked as she waved him off and headed towards the table. That probably wasn't the promise her dad expected her to make. Then again, from how he rolled his eyes and laughed, it probably was.

Right before she got there, Shino pulled up the chair that had been on her pack, and she dropped down next to him to begin picking up her things, with a nod. Though she wasn't sure whether to thank him for trying to help her, or glare at him for him for his suggestion. Her annoyance won out.

"You know, you didn't have to tell him we'd get it done before we left today. That just adds more work."

"Wouldn't it be wise to get it done as soon as possible though? I think it…"

"It's not like we couldn't have met over the weekend to get it done." she sighed. "We could have just as easily met somewhere. Who knows, my brain might actually be turned on by then."

The silence that followed was only broken up by shuffling papers, and a few called out goodbyes from classmates, including one that had her throwing a paper ball at Lee. Then Shino spoke.

"Wouldn't that have been more of an inconvenience to you, though? Considering you'd have to…" he trailed off as Tenten looked at him. He shook his head, as he adjusted his glasses than continued to pack up his own papers.

With his glasses, it was hard to tell what his expression was, or what might be behind it. Sometimes she wondered why the teachers even let him wear them indoors, but considering some of their teacher's choices in accessories, it wasn't hard to believe they would. Even without his glasses though, Tenten doubted she'd be able to tell much about what he was thinking. From what little she knew about Shino, he seemed like a very stubborn, private, and calm…

"That's mine!" he blurted out just as her hand grazed a black book and she nearly jumped at the volume in his voice.

"Wha…"

"I'm…sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. It's just…I've nearly lost it several times before, and it has my notes in it from nearly every class…" the words spilled out of his mouth, and Tenten picked up the book, cocking an eyebrow as she noticed a small lock on it.

"You lock your notes?"

"…Yes." the way Shino said it, she wasn't sure if that's what he expected everyone to do, or if it was just him. Then again, he also asked questions and then answered them, and enjoyed science class. This was just another one of his quirks, and she handed it over without another thought. He took it away in a blur, and had it stuffed in his backpack before she could blink. "Thank you."

"No problem." she shrugged, and after making sure they both had everything, got up, and quickly decided that the best thing to do, would be to start working on the project, and then start cleaning the now empty rooms.

X

Tsunade bit her lip as she continued listening to the radio, her head in one hand as she wrote bits of information down, and swore under her breath as a commercial came on.

So far, today had been nothing short of a disaster. First she was late getting in because she overslept, then she'd slammed her hand in the door, had to haul at least three kids into her office for fighting, and on top of that, two idiots in chemistry, started a fire. At least no one was hurt, but it had been more than enough to make her want to strangle whoever let them anywhere near something flammable. Fortunately for Kakashi's neck, the minute she turned on the radio in her office, her mind was on something else entirely.

Looking over the notes she'd made already, Tsunade shook her head and ran a hand through her blonde hair.

This wasn't good. She knew a day like this might come. She had been preparing for it, for years. As Principal she even upgraded the school's security system to something that almost bordered a military bunker. At least compared to other schools. Still, that didn't make knowing that day was here, any easier. Especially since nothing could be done about it.

A knock on her door caught her attention and she looked up as Shizune walked in. The woman's face was grim, and she carried the stacks of paper with her like a shield.

"I just heard on the news…Tsunade-sama are you going to be alright?" she set the papers down on the older woman's desk and put a hand on her shoulder.

Tsunade nodded curtly.

"I'll be fine. This is nothing I wasn't expecting and I've taken all the necessary precautions."

"You don't think he'd actually come after the students do you?"

"I don't know. I doubt it. That's not his style, but…" she trailed off, her brown eyes swarming with mixed emotions as she looked out the window, and clenched her fists. "I've done everything I can. There's no way he'd be able to get inside, and if he does find a way, there's no way out. Besides that, there's nothing I can do. The police are already doing everything they can, and you know they won't patrol this area. Especially over the weekend, with no students here."

Shizune shook her head.

"It's not just the school I'm worried about. What if he comes after you? He could find where you live…"

"He probably already knows." Tsunade waved it off, then felt something clench in her gut as she saw Shizune's face, and felt her hand tighten on her shoulder. Most of the teachers, herself and Shizune included, had fought in a war years ago, and after this school was reopened, it seemed like they were still fighting to keep it that way. Often times taking on classes they never thought they'd teach, or acting as coaches and leaders for after school activities without additional pay. Shizune's jobs included secretary, assistant nurse, health and first aid teacher. All of this had kept them working in close vicinity through the years, and the sister-like bond they'd formed in the war and because of Shizune's deceased uncle, was only strengthened. And she hated worrying the woman.

Not that that was particularly hard to do.

"I'm sure I'll be fine though. It's not like I need someone to save me. I can handle myself." she smirked, but the tension didn't ease in Shizune's face, and she sighed. "If it makes you feel any better, that's one thing the police are doing. They said they'll send someone to keep an eye on me at home, just in case he gets any stupid ideas in his head."

She couldn't tell whether this eased the woman's fears at all, or just made the situation seem even more dire. Either way, Tsunade wasn't going to allow herself to be frightened, and she didn't want Shizune, or anyone else to be. Though she had to admit, stupid wasn't usually a word she'd associate with this man. He was always planning. Always looking ahead at his next move. Always looking for a weakness. And from the update now coming from the radio about the prison break, it sounded like he had a partner.

"Don't worry Shizune. I'll be fine, alright? This school and everyone here, is perfectly safe. There's nothing to worry about."

To Be Continued...

A/N: Hope you guys liked it. Please let me know what you thought, and I hope you all have a great day.

Be Blessed

Your friend

innocent-rebel