Sakura cursed her fate. Ino's little prank got her in major trouble. She hadn't seen her mother that mad since the neighbor's boy accidentally blew a hole in the wall. Now of course he was a respected chunin specializing in making exploding tags but five years ago was a completely different story. But back to the present Sakura turned the page and started the next round of advanced calculus problems.

"Why can't I be grounded like normal people?"

"I'm not hearing math up there!"

"Working on it!" 'How does she expect to hear math?'

With a huff Sakura's mother sat down. She took a severe look at her husband.

"Can you believe that girl? In the front yard no less!"

"Honey, try to calm down. We were young once too"

"WE were DISCRETE!"

"It was probably just a misunderstanding. I've met that Lee kid before; he's polite to a fault. He would never do anything untoward-"

"Did you not hear me say OUR daughter was on top of HIM?"

"You know we didn't raise her that way. Besides, wasn't her friend Ino laughing hysterically walking away from our house today? She's a lot like her mother; got that mischievous streak in her. Could have been a prank"

"And since when are you such an expert on someone else's wife?"

Putting on a sarcastic smirk Sakura's father looked his wife in the eye.

"Since my wife is a gossip monger that lived next to her for ten years"

A pillow smacked him in the face.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that"

gggggg

"Ino Ino Ino. What am I going to do with you?"

"They totally set themselves up for it Kaa-san"

"Ooo! I wish I could have seen it!"

Inoichi carefully avoided the room his wife and daughter were in. He knew better than to try and stop or even get involved with their matchmaking… methods. Bad enough what happened to his brother.

'Poor guy never did recover… at least joining that monastery got him away from those girls'

An involuntary shiver ran down his spine. Those two made Ibiki seem warm and cuddly; and they weren't even shinobi. They were just that scary. And why two? He dare not even guess.

gggggg

Gai smiled broadly at his students. Lee was oddly distracted, and Tenten kept glancing his way. This just would not do.

"What ails you my students? Your youth seems to be waning"

"But I he oh never mind! Gai-sensei, did you call us together for a mission?"

"Not quite Tenten-chan. You will be going on unsupervised C rank missions as my talents are needed elsewhere, and I need you to take Sakura-chan along with you"

At hearing her name Lee reddened slightly.

"Lee-kun, you seem to be lacking in vigor! I thought being able to train with Sakura-chan would raise your spirits"

"H-hai Gai-sensei! That it does; yet I am troubled. I did not make the best of impressions on her mother today"

"Relax my adorable student! There will be ample time for endearing yourself to her. For now concentrate on improving your skills and those of Sakura-chan"

Reinvigorated Lee snaps into a dramatic pose.

"Of course Gai-sensei! As always your wisdom is most insightful!"

"Such is the power of experience! One day when you have your own genin squad you can share such knowledge yourself!"

Tenten was thrilled! Now she could not only enjoy the company of a fellow kunoichi but she could question her about whatever it was that happened earlier that day. Neji was silently cursing fate.

'Ugh. Another female. Tenten's being hard enough to understand as is'

ggggggg

The following day Tenten went to go collect Sakura. She was the obvious choice; Lee couldn't and sending Neji would probably send the wrong message. As the most normal person in the squad it was her duty to show that despite her teammates and sensei team Gai could function normally. She had lost count of the times she had to deal with the clients on behalf of the team and to keep Gai from doing it.

'Haaa… if I wasn't here what would those boys do without me?'

Tenten knocked on the door. It wasn't even half a minute later that Sakura's mother answered.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes. I'm here for Sakura; she is joining my team on a temporary basis"

"I see. Very well. Sakura! Get down here!"

The slightly bleary eyed kunoichi dashed down the stairs and joined Tenten at the door. Once the pair had gotten out of sight of the house Sakura heaved a heavy sigh.

"Hey, you feeling okay?"

"No. I spent most of yesterday doing math"

"Math?"

"My parents' version of punishment"

"Ugh. That didn't have anything to do with Lee mumbling 'omanko' would it?"

After the initial denials the truth of the incident was revealed.

"That Ino girl sure got you good"

"Don't remind me. So what's the schedule for today?"

"Just a bit of a meet and greet and some light training. The missions start tomorrow"

"Lovely"

"Oh it'll be fine. I'm sure you and Lee can find a nice corner to make out in"

"What?!"

"Just don't take me and Neji's spot"

"Are you joking or being serious?"

"Maybe"

Sakura glared at the older girl.

"That doesn't make me feel any better"

Tenten laughed and put her arm around Sakura's shoulders.

"Trust me. You will have to lighten up to deal with my team"

ggggggg

Gai reveled in the feeling of nature. With a deep breath and a hearty laugh he began his journey. Kakashi sighed as he followed his friend out the gate.

"You are certainly in a happy mood today. We are going on an S class mission, remember?"

"Ho ho! That is not the reason for my enthusiasm today! It is because your Sakura-chan joins my team today. I and certain they will perform marvelously together!"

"Yes yes, you've mentioned this before; like five minutes ago when we picked up the mission scroll"

"My eternal rival, care you nothing for the serendipitous feeling of youthful love?"

"Hm. Let me check"

The face of Gai practically screamed anticipation.

"Nope. Don't think I do"

Gai's reply, if it could be called that, was to fall backwards foaming at the mouth and twitching. Kakashi turned a lazy eye to his companion.

"You know we have a time limit for this mission right?"

A gurgle answered him.