Hey guys! I'm so so so sorry updates have been so super slow! Live at home isn't all that great right now so I don't have a lot of time focusing on writing. But I would love to thank all of you for your wonderful reviews and the support! I'm so glad you guys love the story so far! Well enough with the blabbing, and on with the story! Last time we left Tenten, she was about to plan her escape with her new friends. Do you think she made it, or do you think the academy is a little tougher than the shinobi thought? Sorry but I can't tell you so go ahead, read the story, and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3

Tenten's Story

5 years later

The rain splattered against the small windows as we huddled in a tight circle, focusing on the torn blue prints as we began forming another plan. The night I met the girls, we formed a 'fool-proof' plan, but we were caught almost right away. Mrs. Dubose was (and still is) a strict law-enforcer so you could just imagine what kind of punishment we received for 'unlady-like behavior'. Yep that's right, we had kitchen duty for the rest of the month. She said that it was supposed to enhance our domestic skills and to help us realize that not accepting things would only make our lives harder. After that month of pruney hands, we definitely thought of schemes that were much sneakier. Though we're still here today after five years of brain-splitting work! Can you imagine what kinds of hell all four of us have to deal with?! Ballet show attendances ("Those girls couldn't dance even if they were born with talent and not cash!" Shelbee had once whined.), debutant balls ("I swear to God if one other boy comes up to me to dance, I'm grabbing the next girl near me and just making out with her so they could take a fucking hint!" Shane ranted as we headed for the bathroom to avoid more Lords of the Dance.), spa treatments ("I'm sorry, but mud was never my thing," Sandra politely declined the man who offered.), and MANICURES ("What would my fellow ninjas think of me?!" I glared with wide eyes at the french tips)!! But tonight is the night that we will be free women!

"Okay lets go over this one more time," Shane pointed the flash light beam at the prints. "The guard will be on duty while Tenten and I are serving our detention, so Shelbee, you will be wearing that dress you bought a month ago and seduce him just like Tenten taught you. Sandra, you will come from behind and knock him out like Tenten showed you. Remember to turn off the monitors just in case another guard checks in and steal the keys that will most likely be on his hip. If you want to check his wallet for cash, you'll be in luck because today's payday. Anyway, you will then go down the south corridor of the school and find a closet on the left side of the wall. Use the silver key to unlock the door and you will find the power box, turn off every switch and make your way to the bake hall where the secret door on the floor holds our luggage and find a window and do the jutsu Tenten taught you guys the past couple of weeks. Make sure that window remains open so we can meet with you. As soon as the power is off, Tenten and I will use the smoke bomb we created in Cooking and sneak out of the classroom. We'll make our way to the bake hall, find that window, Tenten will do the jutsu, and then we're home free. Everybody understand what's going on, no questions?"

We all nodded, we were all on the ball.

"Good," Shane smiled as she folded the blue prints back up. "Are you ready to get the fuck on out of here!?"

"Hell yeah!" we all jumped up and shouted, punching the air with determined fists.

"Then lets do this shit!" we all jumped up and down, excited that we finally found a way to get out of here and to return home!

Man life can be so sweet!

Tonight in detention

OK, whoever thought of the phrase 'life can be sweet' is so getting a sucker-punch to the balls. Sitting in detention wasn't what I was hoping to do on a Friday night. I mean, I have a detention for the stupidest of reasons too (well it actually helped with the plan so that way the teachers would think we weren't doing it), talking impolitely at a friggin' tea party! What the hell is up with that? And you know who gave me said detention? A dinosaur by the name of Ms. Carter. I swear what was the school board smoking when they decided to hire someone who probably flipped the switch when God said, "Let there be light!". That woman has wrinkles so deep, you could hide change in the folds. Her hair is beyond greasy and is held back in a tight bun. She wears these clothes that look like they were from the Elvis-era closet! And usually when she does evening detentions, she's fast asleep, drooling a river for all the thirsty children to drink! Tonight is that said night, thankfully. I don't think I'll be able to restrain myself from strangling her if I have to hear one more lecture on proper lady elegance!

My feet were on top of the cool, metal desk with my hands holding up the back for my head, fingers linked together, as I stared at the tiled ceiling. Konoha usually fills my head when Shane is anticipating a plan to come into affect. She's so like Neji sometimes, calculating everything and making sure everything is perfect. Neji...I wonder what he's doing right now? After a while, I grew to love Neji in a different way. Not in the way I loved him when I was 18, but in a more mature, friends only sort of way. But it was the love and respect for him that kept me going for 5 years of this hell hole. I mean at some points in my life I felt like everything was hopeless and I was going to be trapped here forever, doomed to wear pink dresses and attend dances with rapists from our brother school Clayborne. I always told myself, "What would Neji think if he saw you like that? I don't think he'd be very proud to say that he's your friend. I mean, would you give up if you were still a ninja and on a deadly mission? I don't think so because your motto in life is 'Never say die!'. Now you have to believe in yourself in order to get out of here! Don't you want to hear about what happened at the dare from Hintata? Or what Sasuke did to Sai because he was getting extremely jealous? I mean, 5 years is a long time, a lot has changed. And so have you, so don't go girly on me and go and escape!" That speech would usually get me pumped and then I'd go and help form a plan! Even though I no longer have romantic feelings for my friend, but he still keeps me going to do my absolute best!

My heart thumped in my chest as time slowly slipped by. I closed my eyes as I listen to the rhythmic rain against the glass windows. What's taking them so long? Did they get caught?

"Tenten," Shane hissed in my ear as I realized all the lights were off. "Come on! Get the smoke bomb!"

"Right!" I whispered as I unhooked it from my necklace. "Okay get ready to move on three. One, two , three!"

A sharp snap noise hit the floor as non-toxic gas, almost as thick as fog, emptied from the sphere container and into the classroom. Rolling out of our desks, we crawled of the the aisles of desks and made our way to the door, screams exploding from Ms. Carter's face growing louder with each step. Jiggling with the knob, I finally got it open and most of the smoke flowed out of the classroom and danced out into the black hall. Digging into my pocket, I picked out my mini flashlight and clicked it on, flashing the light all around the hall so we didn't bump into anyone. Pointing it at Shane, I focused chakra into my feet and began walking on the walls, watching her to make sure she didn't fall and crack her head open. Taking her hand, I began to race down the corridors with the flashlight leading the way. Turning the corner, I made a right passed the Dance Room and headed straight for the Baking Hall. Hearing footsteps other then our own, I bolted for the classroom and freedom.

"Hey!" a teacher shouted. "Stop those girls!"

"Shit! Shane, prepare to run like you've never run before!" I called out behind her, particularly flying along the walls of the school.

"AAAGGHHHH!!" Shane belted as she gripped tightly at my wrist. "Tenten! Slow the fuck down!! We're going to miss the classroom if we keep it up like this!"

"Oh no we're not!" I laughed as we skidded to a halt, facing the open and empty classroom. "See I told you I wouldn't get us passed the door!"

Shane looked as if she wanted to strangle me from the death glare I was recieving, but with her hair everywhere and her attempting to catch her breath, she was too preoccupied to even lift a finger to my throat. Quickly and quietly stepping into the classroom, the rain was pouring out into the classroom. Heading towards the ledge, I looked down to see Sandra and Shelbee under pink and bright green umbrellas, all of our suitcases in hand. Waving towards us, I smiled brightly and we waved back. Grabbing Shane by the waist, she began to wriggle in my grasp.

"Dude," she shouted over the booming thunder and the howl of the wind. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"We have to jump!" I yelled into her ear as lightening crashed. "It's our only way out of this hell hole!"

"Fuck!" she stomped her foot. "Fine, but if I die, you'll be hearing from my lawyers!"

"Dude, trust me," I laughed as we hopped onto the ledge. "You won't die."

Taking deep breathes, we jumped together off the window sill. As the feeling of no gravity made me laugh, Shane erupting an ear piercing scream from her mouth with cries to get her to the ground. With a heavy thud to the soaking floor, Shane jumped out of my hold and held Sandra, thanking God that she made it alive. I swear for such a level-headed girl, she can be really over-dramatic. Getting embraced by the other girls, I focused on the fact that WE'RE FINALLY FREE!! Jumping up and down, we shouted for God knows how long until we realized that we were still on the school grounds! Sprinting like a madman, we got far away enough to hear still hear the cries of teachers in dismay and the crackle of thunder rising above their worry-stricken voices. Catching our breathes from a record beating run, we looked at one another, small smirks growing into giant smiles. Sandra was the first to break the silence by squealing with absolute delight.

"Guys," Shane was still a bit breathless when she began to speak. "Do you know what this means?"

"No more ballets,"Shelbee smiled.

"No more stupid dances," Shane whispered, almost to convince herself that no more horn-dogs would hit on her.

"No more mud!" Sandra span around, giggling at the notion.

"No more fucking manicures!!" I screamed with no hesitation. "WE'RE FREE!! ABSOLUTELY FREE!"

Everyone basically lost their minds once I announced the greatest truth in the entire universe. We were bouncing up and down in the middle of a rain storm, holding each other shouting our freedom for all on goers. Sandra began to cry and tears soon sprang from Shelbee. Shane attempted to stay strong, but it was no use once the tear fell from her cheek. After witnessing everyone else leaking even more water into the Earth (though the rain is doing a great job at it), I too began to cry. I mean, wouldn't you too if you've been trapped for five years in a girly hell-hole? I thought so.

Soon the cries of joy lowered to sniffes and whimpers as we pulled ourselves together to finish the other half of our journey, heading back home.

"So where are you heading Shane?" Shelbee asked as she tossed her the black suitcase with all her stickers and patches sewn on.

"Well not to the parentals' if that's what you mean." she smiled as huddled under an umbrella with Sandra. "Sandra and I were actually thinking of moving to Tokyo together. The music scene over there is great and if she ever wants to become an artist, we'll have to start somewhere!"

"When were you going to tell me this?" Shelbee's brows were etched together and her eyes were hard as if betrayed by her own twin. "Am I getting the feeling that you two are together?'

The sure sign was when Shane turned away from Shelbee's death look and Sandra turned so red, that it was almost the color of her hair.

"When?" Shelbee demanded stepping forward to receive their attention once again.

"A year back," Shane's voice was husky and her eyes were glazed. Did she feel bad for romancing her friend's sister?

"But why didn't you tell me? Sandra if you liked her, it wouldn't matter to me. You're still my sister no matter who you like or whatever you know?" She looked down at the wet ground and kicked a discarded pebble with her canvas covered foot.

"I'm so sorry," Sandra rushed over to her sister and embraced with tears running down her cheeks. "I just didn't know how to say it ok? I really didn't mean to. Please don't be mad at the both of us."

A small smile warmed her face as she gazed at Sandra. "How could I ever be mad at you? If you like Shane, you like Shane. But moving to Tokyo? That's so far away and what about money-

"Would you like to come with us?" Sandra laughed as Shane stole her hand. "I mean it would be so awesome for you to come!"

"Really?" she placed her hands over her mouth and her eyes bugged out as if flabbergasted at the offer. "Yes! Yes I'll come with you guys!"

"Yeah!" I shouted and clapped for my three friends. As they snapped their heads over to me, I began to laugh. Holy crap they were so in their own moment, they forgot that I was even here!

Smiling at me with shining eyes, they all rushed over towards, engulfing me in the tightest bear-hug I've ever recieved in my life!

"So," Shane whispered as she poked the crackling fire once more, facing me. "You're going back to Konoha. Back to all your ninja friends?"

"Of course," I smiled lightly, looking down at my backpack. "You know I love it there."

"Oh she didn't mean it like that!" Sandra perked up. "She was just wondering."

"Oh," I sighed, this wasn't easy to say goodbye to people I've been friends with for five years. "Sorry about that."

"We're really gonna miss you Tenten," Shelbee's voice was soft as her gaze was focused on the flickering flames in the middle of our circle.

"And I'm gonna miss the hell out of you guys too," my voice was soft, tears threatening to flood my cheeks. Damn it why can't I control myself?!

Coming over once again, they each gave me one final farewell hug, whispering statements of letters and hopes of seeing me again. After the last hug was given, I took my stuff, bade them goodnight and wished them all the best as I ran off into the growing night, my heart fluttering in hopes of seeing Konoha just as the sun is raising.

Sweat glossed my forehead as I ran through the forest for a few hours, trying to find my way back home like an abandoned dog. Reaching up to wipe it off, I stopped myself. There's something missing. Digging into my backpack, I found what rightfully belonged: my headband. Dusting it off, I wiped the sweat from my brow and tied it tightly onto my forehead. After all the years of not being able to wear it, it feels like I've always worn it. Standing up straight with pride, I treked on.

Not my favorite chapter to write, but it was okay. What I'm really looking forward to is writing chapter 4, it's going to be in Neji's point of view . I'm so excited! Well I hope you enjoyed! Please Please Please REVIEW!! Thank you!