Despite her initial panic at having incomplete assignments due, Tenten was actually quite excited to attend school. Her status as a peasant and upbringing as a wandering martial artist left her no room for a traditional education. However, her life before entering Jianghu, while harsh, did grant her the ability to read. Her master furthered his disciples' educations by providing them with classic literatures and teaching them how to do simple calculations.

I only know how to write basic things like my name, though, she mused. Hopefully they don't ask me to do anything complicated.

Being able to attend a wealthy noble school was something her past self could only dream of! This opportunity was a small blessing during her difficult times.

Tenten bounced up the wide stone steps leading to the academy. It was not very steep and the weather was pleasant, so she relished the feeling of being active again. Halfway through her journey, however, she made an abrupt stop.

Ah- I must be dignified.

She straightened her back and tried to take slower, shorter steps before realizing-

I have no idea how a proper lady should walk.

A hopeless groan left her throat.

Tenten finally reached the education hall after her perplexing attempt at a graceful stroll (and a few perturbed stares from passing students). It was an open air structure nestled into the quiet mountain forest. Various scrolls hung open, adorning the supporting pillars and paper lanterns were strung about the perimeter for light.

So fancy, she thought, bracing herself and entering the building with a small smile. I hope today goes well.


"So you're telling me you didn't do them?"

The older man sitting across Tenten seemed to be the teacher of this small class.

A look of understanding crossed his features as she shook her head in dejection.

"It's alright. Just don't forget to do them next time," he sighed. Tenten watched how the scar running horizontally across his face moved in sync with every expression he made.

"Since you just recovered from serious illness and your performance is usually acceptable, I won't make you copy books. But remember to make up your previous schoolwork by the next class."

Greatly relieved, she expressed her thanks and stood up to go back to her seat. However, the cogs in her mind began to turn.

Serious illness? she thought, plopping down behind her low table. I've been fine the whole time I was here, though. Was Miss Nara sick or something?

The teacher signaled the start of class and Tenten shifted into a cross-legged position as the other students began to settle down.

"Let's begin."

As the teacher's lecture went on and on, Tenten found it increasingly difficult to stay awake. It was like her head was being pulled to her desk by a giant magnet as she fought the invisible force with every fiber of her being. Staying awake seemed to be more effort than every one of her master's ridiculously excruciating training sessions combined. Only by a little, though.

Fortunately, she was able to gather that today's lesson was about philosophy and ethics.

Unfortunately, that was the extent of her comprehension.

The words coming out of the instructor's mouth began to sound more and more incoherent and she felt her brain overload with information she didn't understand.

I can't follow what he's saying at all!

The teacher turned to the class. "Does anyone know how the twelfth verse begins?"

Tenten instantly ducked behind the scroll in her hands, trying her best to look busy perusing its contents.

Don't ask me, don't ask me!

"What about you, Uchiha Sasuke?" the teacher asked.

She peeked over the scroll and watched the boy sitting diagonally ahead of her rise from his table, hands behind his back.

"For teaching the people to be affectionate and loving, there is nothing better than filial piety," he spoke evenly.

She breathed a tiny sigh of relief and set her paper back down.

"Nara Tenten…" the teacher spoke again. "Come here and write it from memory."

She flinched. It felt like her soul would leave her body for the second time in her life.

Looking down, her scroll was littered with messy, indecipherable text and drenched in splatters of ink. She cringed at the sad extent of her calligraphy skills.

This is way too ugly! Can I really show this mess to others?!

"Yes…" she answered, getting up as slow as she possibly could.

I have no choice…

She set a hand down on the corner of her table and focused all of her weight onto her palm.

This is the only thing I can do...

The uneven application of pressure gave the table a slight tilt before it completely upended, sending her brush and paper flying into the air. Tenten herself was hurdling to the ground at top speed. She braced for impact with the bravest face she could muster.

BAM!

She slammed face first into the floor.

"Ah… oww..." she whimpered. Although her fall was an act, her pain definitely was not. The small snickers heard throughout the class did not help to ease it much either.

The sound of clattering ceramic brought her attention to the right. Tenten's ink dish had rolled off her desk during the fall, spilling all over the expensive-looking violet skirts of the girl sitting directly in front of her.

"Ugh! This outfit was brand new!" the girl cried. She whipped her blonde head back to glare at Tenten.

Oh shit! Tenten looked up at the girl from her place on the ground and mumbled an apology, wincing at the furious look on her face.

The teacher, whose mouth was not quite agape, closed his eyes in defeat. "...Nara Tenten, return to your seat. Uchiha Sasuke, you do it."

"Yes, sir."

The boy got to his feet after a small bow, and made his way to the front without even sparing a glance at the ensuing chaos behind him.

"Bye, Teacher."

"Goodbye, Teacher!"

The shadow on the sundial signaled to the students that class was finally over, much to Tenten's relief.

She gathered her school materials and made her way out of the building as quick as she could, all excitement from this morning gone.

She sighed, stretching her stiff limbs. How will I deal with this from now on…

"Hey you!" a voice called to her, snapping her out of her thoughts.

'You?' Tenten turned to the owner of the voice, a boy about her age. She recognized him from class. His short blond hair protruded in messy spikes and his bright orange garments stood out against the other students' more muted tones.

The boy's hands lay carefree behind his head but his face was contorted into a frown so deep his eyes were nearly closed.

"In three days it's my birthday party. Don't come!"

"..."

"..."

"Okay." Tenten whipped back around and began to head down the stairs.

"W- HEY! Did you hear me?! You can't come!"

"Yeah, I heard you. I won't go, I won't go." Her voice grew more and more distant as she descended the steps.

He huffed, pointing a finger at her retreating back. "You can't just-"

"Tenten~" came a singsong voice. It was another of her classmates, this time a girl.

Hah? ? Aren't there way too many people trying to talk to me? ? she agonized, trying not to let the irritation show on her face. This could get bad… I don't know any of these people's names.

The girl surprised Tenten with a small side hug, clinging to her left arm even after pulling away.

"It's been so long since you last came to class," she pouted, leaning into the other girl's shoulder. "I have soooo much to tell you! Did you miss Ami?"

"Oh.. yes, yes," Tenten replied anxiously. So this girl's name is Ami. Is she a good friend of Miss Nara's?

Ami's dark hair was styled into an elaborate array of braids adorned with various ornaments. Her rose robes also seemed to be very high quality. She was dressed even more fanciful than Tenten herself, if not a bit tacky.

Suddenly, a familiar blonde ponytail brushed past the two.

"Ah-" Tenten wriggled out Ami's grasp, apt on following the girl who had just walked by.

"That- The ink spill-" she began, before being forcefully pulled back by her companion.

"What are you doing, Tenten?" Ami questioned disapprovingly.

"I'm going to apologize to her and offer to pay for her clothing."

"Hah? Apologize to her?" Ami scoffed, face growing annoyed. "What is there to say to her! If you ask me, that Yamanaka Ino is pitiful. She was born into a martial arts family so she probably didn't even learn basic etiquette."

Her lips pressed into a thin smirk. "And look at her clothes… I bet they're not even worth much. Why bother compensating for them? With just my pair of shoes, I could buy four or five outfits like that."

Ino came to an abrupt halt and Tenten felt herself become practically suffocated by the sheer bloodlust seeping out of the girl.

The former martial artist ripped her arm from Ami's clutches once again, this time with even greater force. "Are you done? If we're talking about etiquette, is talking behind another's back proper etiquette?"

Ami's face dropped. "W-what?"

Ino turned to face the pair. "Hah… I expected this from you, Ami. But when did you start acting like a good person, Tenten? I think you should be the last one talking." She whipped back around with a short hmph! and continued her descent down the stairs.

Hm? Tenten watched as the blonde girl paused midway and turned back around once again.

"And I'll have you know this dress is silk! Real silk!" With that, she stomped away for the final time, not bothering to spare them a second glance. Internally, though, thoughts began swarming throughout her mind. What was up with Tenten today?

"T-tenten! Did you forget you used to do even worse things than me?!" Ami cried, betrayed.

Things finally began to click in Tenten's mind. Ah. I think I get it now. This Nara Tenten… She was some sort of bully, huh?

"That was…" she directed her gaze upward to meet Ami's eyes, "...wrong of me in the past. But I don't want to continue."

"B-but…"

Turning on her heel, Tenten raced down the rest of the steps to catch Ino. "Miss Yamanaka! Miss Yamanaka!"

But she was too late. The girl had already gotten into her carriage and was riding off. She watched the silhouette of the Yamanaka family's vehicle fade into the horizon, leaving her alone with her regrets.

"Miss?"

"...Shizune." Tenten twisted around to meet the maid's worried gaze. "Was I a bi- er, a dislikable person before?" She prayed the maid didn't hear that first part.

Shizune gasped. "Ah.. no, not at all! Miss, what are you saying?!"

Tenten hummed. It seems like she's afraid to tell me for some reason.


The carriage came to a halt once the driver announced they had arrived at the Nara compound.

Hm? Someone's there? Tenten peered out the carriage window to find three figures standing at the compound's front gates. They were all about the same height, tall, and male- the last characteristic being supported by the fact that the faint traces of their conversation sounded quite deep to her ears.

She squinted, trying to make out each person. The one nearest her had his spiked hair tied up into a high ponytail. This distinct style meant it either had to be her 'father,' or-

"Miss, it seems like your brother has arrived home with his guests. Let us hurry and greet them."

"...Yes, Shizune." Tenten took her hand as she stepped out of the carriage.

Nearing the group, she was struck with an odd sense of familiarity.

Have I met these people before? she wondered.

"Ah.. looks like my younger sister has arrived home from school," she heard her brother tell them. At this, the two guests shifted to peer behind them, giving her full view of their faces. It was then that realization struck her in the gut.

"Elder brother," she greeted with a slight bow. Behind her she could hear Shizune let out some high-pitched combination of nervousness and shock.

She felt a slight perspiration build on her brow. These people are-

"Please welcome our esteemed guests." Shikamaru turned to boys alongside him. "This is Shimura Sai, or Lord Sai. I'm sure you've heard of him. He's quite the artist," he said, motioning to the one nearest him. "And this is…"

"Lord Nara, please just refer to me as Neji. I am only here to assist Master Sai, I am not anyone important." He dipped his head slightly and performed a short fist salute.

Tenten eyed him suspiciously. You can't tell us your full name? So secretive…

"Alright… Well, this is my younger sister, Tenten."

She responded with a polite bow, mumbling her greetings.

"I've already had the servants prepare two guest rooms, please come in." The older of the two siblings pointed the boys down a corridor before turning to face his sister. "These two will stay here for a few days. Don't come to the east wing during this time, Tenten."

"Yes, brother," she replied, a little absentmindedly. He said Lord Sai's surname was Shimura? I wonder why that sounds kinda familiar…

Neji watched the siblings' short interaction from the corner of his eye while his charge turned to face their host.

"Lord Shikamaru, I've heard that Miss Nara is quite coddled," Sai smiled.

The other boy paused, a little startled by the sudden comment and informal language, but eventually let out a tired sigh. "...I cannot disagree with that statement. Our parents often say they wish she was livelier, though."

The bodyguard took a moment to glance at the girl in question, an unreadable gleam in his eye. "On the contrary, I have the feeling that Miss Nara is unexpectedly lively."

Tenten had to physically stop her jaw from falling slack. What is this guy trying to say? ?


Author Notes

Jianghu is the martial arts world in Wuxia. It means rivers and lakes. This is because martial artists are usually like vagabonds who have distanced themselves from traditional society like the government/army and live by their own rules. To enter the Jianghu you must bow to a master

The verse Sasuke says is a verse from《孝经》/ "Book of Filial Piety", an influential work in Confucianism. I wasn't sure the best way to say it in English so I got the translation from wiki :-p

Clothing styles and colors in this time period were actually decided by social status and things like that but… I wanted the characters to be in their recognizable colors so I ignored that detail XDD

Thank u if you are reading this! ! !

- twiice