Tamiri's notes: I been thinking about writing a story about these characters lately and finally decided to have a go at it. This is a Shino and Tenten story so if you don't like it look the other way because I am not in the mood. Otherwise please enjoy the story.

This is set after Shippuden, Tenten: 21 Shino: 20. I will try my best to keep them as true to their character as possible.

Chapter rating: PG-13 for sexual innuendo

Disclaimer: Naruto is copyrighted by its respected owners I don't own anything.

Chapter One: Paradise

So this was it. This was the mission Ino hounded her for the last week before setting of. Pleading her to switch, to what she felt was her dull mission, with her and a naïve Sai. The natural beauty, the people, and the food to die for, it was a paid vacation Ino exclaimed. Not to mention a great romantic setting. Ino sounded like a pamphlet, she smiled at the thought. Now Tenten wouldn't have minded trading missions with Ino who had to brave the storms in Snow country. Though she had to admit a tropical island was much more appealing than a snowy mountain. Her mission partner clearly said, in just one word, and she was counting, 'no'. And with that response he walked away Ino at his heels demanding he changed his mind.

She was hot, the sweat making her hair stick to her forehead. And it wasn't a humid sort of heat but a dry heat much more preferable than the summers in Konoha. However, she was still hot and she really wanted to be in a nice cool hotel or inn. Her thoughts were rambling, she must be really bored. She rolled up her sleeves and adjusted her pack, she was bored and hot which was making her very irritated. She missed the antics of her team; there was never a dull moment with Lee and Gai-sensei. Neji and her were usually dragged into their unrealistic goals and their proclamations of youth. Shino, their team leader much to her ire, only talk when necessary. And on those rare moments were all mission related and she tried to strike up conversation it just ended nowhere. So here she was on an undercover mission to quickly get rid of a weapon smuggling operation.

'Don't bring attention to yourselves,' she could still hear Iruka's words as he handed them the mission specifics. Easier said than done, Shino's thoughts of undercover were minus hood. He still wore his coat and had his hand in his pockets walking calmly through the many hazards of the forest. Said hazards she kept tripping over and how wasn't he hot with that thing? Perhaps, it had to do with his insects, if so, how convenient that they could control his body temperature. She wished she had insects inside her right now, lucky Shino, she thought bitterly. A side of her wanted to complain and tell him to stop. She was much too prideful to stoop to that, she was a kunoichi and if she survived training with team Gai she could cope with this. They had been walking since they got off the docks in Moon country and that was hours ago. She had officially concluded that Shino is not human, he was part of the Neji species. Those in this category of are usually characterized by high level of intelligence, powerful fighting skills in the case of shinobi, and unusual social quirks. Otherwise known as geniuses and with that she wanted to let out a giggle.

"Stop," she heard him say, quickly had her hand on her weapons scroll ready to attack when she heard laughter. As they walked onward the trees began to part and to her right was a river. She grinned at the sight, she saw four children splashing in the clear waters. A black dog lay on the banks of the shore enjoying the shade of the trees. There a red headed girl holding a curly blonde baby smiling, as the eldest of the children a long brown hair boy, splashed water to a gray hair toddler.

Relaxing the hold on her scroll she said, "Cute." The toddler turned to her and waved at her wildly.

"Hi," the child exclaimed and the other children turn their attentions towards them. They started waving at them with enthusiasm and more hellos and barks greeted her.

"Hello," Tenten answered back, smiling at her temporary distraction. Shino look ahead giving not a second glance at the children he detected. He had established there was no danger and they could move on.

"Let's go, why? We are wasting time," he said walking away. Tenten's smile fell at Shino single minded attitude. With one last wave she left the children to their own devices. She followed Shino to the place she hoped they would camp. Minutes later they finally stopped in a small clearing. She could still hear the rushing of the river nearby and she missed the playful banter of the children she saw a while ago. At least they were more willing to interact than her silent companion.

"So we set up here right?" she said in what she knows will be another fail attempt to strike up a conversation. She could see why Kiba had such a hard time getting along with him in their genin days. She felt sorry for Hinata who was caught in the middle of the two when she told her this. Yet she and Sakura's situation were not that much different she observed. It seemed that the males they were with were fiercely competitive.

"Yes, I thought it was obvious," he spoke, hitting a nerve in Tenten.

"Well excuse me!" she dropped her pack. Opening it she decided that Shino was a lost cause. She will stick to talking to him about mission specifics only and perhaps sneaking in some fun while on the island. She took out a small scroll and spread it out before her, making the seals necessary to open it her tent supplies, they appeared with a poof. As she picked up one of the metallic poles out of the corner of her eye she saw movement. She turned to see the black dog from earlier, wearing a blue bandana its blue eyes stared at her and then turned to Shino. It approach and picked up one of the poles handing it to Shino. Shino took it carefully and the dog excitedly wagged its tail.

"Hello there, where is your master?" She asked as she petted the dog's head. "You're such a good boy," the dog whined and Tenten laughed. "So sorry a good girl," she corrected.

"Aoi-chan," a little voice said and the dog turned her head. A little girl appeared her gray hair brushed into two spiky pig-tails, holding on her chubby arms wooden sticks. "Aoi-chan bad doggy," she reprimanded and the dog quickly came to her side.

"Hello there, what's your name," Tenten asked the child gave a toothy grin and answered.

"I'm Yukiko and I am this many years old," she said holding three fingers up dropping the sticks she gathered in the process.

"My, my what a pretty name for such a big girl," Tenten smiled, the child nodded and smiled again.

"Yep I'm a big girl! And look I help," Yukiko pointed to the scattered sticks on the forest floor proudly. "You said hi before. What's your name?"

"I am Tenten and he is Shino-san," she said nodding to his general direction. Shino seemed to be ignoring their guests. Yukiko beckon her to bend down as to tell her a secret.

"Nii-chan said he was a stick in the mud, but he is not dirty," the child whispered and Tenten laughed out loud at the child's innocence. Shino got up from his work and frowned.

"Where are your parents?" he questioned with a tone of authority making the child slightly jump and hide behind Tenten.

"I don't know," Yukiko said softly and held to Tenten's leg her face holding defiance at the unfriendly stranger.

"Now Shino-san don't be such a stick in the mud," Tenten teased and picked up the child lightly. Noting that she wasn't wearing any sandals her feet soiled and slightly scratch. Her pale yellow dress had a snowflake embroiled on the hem.

"I don't appreciate being compared to an inanimate object protruding from the ground," saying this he promptly went on setting up his tent.

"He talks funny," Yukiko whispered again to Tenten's ear making her laugh out again. This child was just making her day.

"Yes, it's just the way he is," Tenten let out a breath. Aoi started to bark into the distance and soon the rest of the children appeared. Tenten let out a gasp the boy appeared hauntingly familiar.

"Yukiko don't go off like that on your own," the boy was shirtless; his low chestnut hair cascaded down his back in a low pony tail. His skin was slightly darken by the sun and the same white eyes that she had grown accustomed to seeing for so many years gazed at her. He was in his early teens no more than thirteen. She looked at Shino almost as if asking for assurance that what she was seeing was real. The only indication that he was as confused as she, was his eyebrows lifted from his sun glasses. Hyuuga love child! If Neji heard of this he would totally flip. Well Neji flipping would be denying that anyone in his family could as he would put it 'be so base as to have a child out of wedlock.' "Sorry is she bothering you?" the boy asked. The girl behind him adjusted the infant strapped in front of her.

"Ah no, Yukiko-chan was just telling me how she was helping gather wood," Tenten found her voice again. It could be just a strange coincidence, how did a Hyuuga end up all the way in Moon country? Any woman expecting a child even if unwilling to join the family would be force to give up the child. Perhaps someone escaped detection? Or yet again the boy could be just a genetic anomaly.

"You're the nee-san who waved to us earlier," he said in recognition.

"And stick in the mud man!" Yukiko added causing both the boy and Tenten to snicker. The boy quickly held his pointing finger to his lips trying to hush Yukiko while trying to contain his laughter. Shino frowned again; the joke was beginning to wear thin on him.

"My name is Shiro, this is Tsubaki, and Jiro," he introduced the girl who waved and the baby.

"No surnames?" Shino asked and the elder children looked dejected to the ground.

"Way to be sensitive"Tenten thought, as the state of the children revealed to her that they were most likely orphans. All of them were barefoot their feet dirtied with some bruises and cuts. Tsubaki quickly picked up her mood and tapped the older boy and communicated with signs with her hands. She girl couldn't speak, Tenten noted sadly but someone had taught her how to communicate in sign language.

"We don't know where our families are," Shiro explained. "So anyways may we know who you are?"

"Aburame Shino and my companion Tenten-san," Shino introduced this time. "We are travelers," he finished.

"Right..." Shiro said coming closer to the camp out and Tsubaki holding a skeptical look. They were smart kids to notice Shino's lie even when said with the utmost confidence.

"You are shinobi and are on a secret mission right?" Shiro said excitingly as he sat down. Tenten followed suite putting Yukiko down on her lap and sitting across the children.

"It is unwise to seek answers to questions that do not wish to be answered," Shino said and Shiro pouted at the response, he definitely had more emotional range than Neji or any Hyuuga for that matter.

"Maybe you are lovers?" Shiro smirked wanting to take a stab at Shino after his rather rude answer and Tenten quickly turned red.

"No way! We are just traveling companions," Tenten waved her hand frantically. Her and Shino lovers? The chance of that happening was less likely than Chouji going on a diet.

"A man and a woman traveling alone are bound to-" Shiro began.

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," she said holding her hands over Yukiko's ears.

"Fine, but you are shinobi. You can't fool us," Shiro pointed and Tsubaki nodded her head in agreement. "You're here about the weapon smuggling," Shino looked intently at the Shiro.

"What if we were?" Tenten stared at Shiro apprehensively.

"All the adults are talking about it," Shiro began. "It began a couple months ago. There has been an influx of shinobi coming to the island and around that same time Nakamura, Daichi started buying some of the hotels and casinos here. Everyone knows he is behind the operation but are too afraid to do anything about it. The shinobi are hired muscle in the guise of body guards. You are here to join his ranks?" he finished. The information he provided was the same as in the mission specifics, as to Nakamura's reasoning behind it was unknown but the king wanted a stop to it. Tsubaki decided that it was her time to give her input and Shiro shook his head in disagreement. Shino and Tenten made no move to answer his question but watch the interaction between the two children.

"She says that you look like good people and we should help you stop Nakamura," Shiro let out a breath. "How can we be sure you can be trusted?" he asked again. The last thing Tenten wanted was to involve civilians into the fray. Shino had informed her that they could act as rogue shinobi and story that many hired were.

"I don't like repeating myself, you are an intelligent boy and you may be treading in dangerous ground," Shino said whether it was a warning or a threat, Shiro narrowed his eyes taking it as the latter. His right hand flexed into a fist and Tsubaki quickly grabbed his arm. She was shaking her head pleading him to not do whatever he was thinking. Her hands quickly told him something and he hung his head in defeat.

"Tsubaki says that if you wanted to kill us you would have done so already. She says, she can tell you are not bad guys and that we should trust you," he waited for them to say something and impatiently tapped his finger to his knee.

"You superhero?" Yukiko squirmed in Tenten's lap turned around to face her.

"No, we are not. However, we are shinobi and are here-" Tenten began to explain but was stopped by Shino.

"You have said enough, why? They may be detrimental to us," Shino said, Tsubaki's blue eyes brighten and gave Shino a wide smile and Shiro began to smirk.

"Come stay with us," Shiro suddenly invited.

"Yes! Come!" Yukiko began to jump forcing Tenten to hold her still. Tenten looked at Shino and both came to the conclusion that the children have figured them out. Tsubaki walked across to where Shino was and grabbed his hand. She mouthed the word 'please' and slightly tugged his hand. Shiro stood up picking up Tenten's scroll having problems carrying it.

"Nee-san what do you have in here?" Shiro put the scroll over his shoulder while Tenten gathered her supplies to seal in the scroll.

"Ah, ah, ah never ask what a lady brings with her," Tenten shook her finger as she close her pack.

"What lady? I don't see any lady here," Shiro looked around feigning that he was searching for something.

"Not a lady I'm I eh?" she ruffled his hair.

"We will not stay with these children," before Shino had the words out distinct laughter could be heard when the word 'mud' came up as they started to disappear from view. Suppose he should be used to being left with words in his mouth, his teammates definitely did it often. He looked beside him to see a smiling Tsubaki looking up at him. The infant deciding it was time to voice himself by cooing into the older child's chest. Tsubaki gingerly ran her fingers through his curly locks. Shino knew he wasn't good with children, Kiba certainly voiced it enough that he wasn't good with people period, but here this girl was. Perhaps she found him interesting not even the children of his own clan dare go near him or touch him so boldly like she had. That would change soon enough, when she learns of the insects living inside him she will pull apart like many others. He certainly didn't feel sorry for himself and he was proud of his clan's ability. He also enjoyed the solitude it brought but he didn't appreciate being ignored. Tsubaki's sudden movements carried him out of his thoughts as she took a squirming insect out of her blouse. Through his dark glasses he watched her and she looked down in shame thinking he was about to scold her.

"It belongs to me," he said while extending his hand as he recognized one of the beetles he had deployed around what was suppose to be their campsite. She handed it to him gently and watch in awe as the insect crawl back into his coat. Her eyes widen and mouth open as if waiting to ask him all sorts of questions. Nothing came out, she couldn't communicate with him. "Lead me to your home," he said while moving around gathering what little he had set up of his tent. Tsubaki waited patiently burying her toes into the ground. She led him through the forest with a spring in her step to a rather decrepit shack.

"Welcome home!" Tenten shouted peeking from the door.

"Tenten-san you have disobeyed orders, how? You have gone ahead without my permission," Shino said and Tenten's eye twitched.

"You never issued any orders Shino-san," Tenten placed her hands on her hips.

"I won't tolerate insubordination," he said entering the tiny wooden house.

"It won't happen again," she mumbled. She followed him inside the one room home. A fan was nosily rotating connected by a series of wires to a battery. Dangerous sort of wiring especially with the younger children around, Shino noted, but Tenten enjoyed the welcome relief its wind brought her. Tsubaki welcomed him to sit on an old wooden chair next to Tenten. She placed Jiro in a basinet his honey colored eyes regarding the strangers quietly.

"So, are you guys related?" Tenten started.

"Well no, except Tsubaki and Jiro they're siblings," Shiro explained and Tsubaki spoke Shiro with her hands and pointed to a cup. "Would you like any tea?"

"We're not here for idle conversation," Shino said, Tenten wanted to roll her eyes at Shino's rudeness but Shiro seemed to take no offence.

"I work as an errand boy for a love hotel," he sighed at the incredulous Tenten and Shino were giving him. "I know, but it was one of the only places that would hire me without asking too many questions," he finished.

"Many people connected to Nakamura may go there for you know…" Tenten blushed.

"Have sex," Shiro finished for her.

"Would you watch your mouth!" she exclaimed. "Really you know too much for you age, well Naruto did have that jutsu at twelve. Anyways what do you suppose we do?" She asked.

"I told manager that we are waiting to catch up with some relatives, you guys fill in the blanks," he waited; he had provided them with a convenient cover story for their mission.

"You have us pass as your relatives then," Shino said.

"Make believe to be our mommy nee-san," Yukiko said with glee jumping into Tenten's lap. With this Tsubaki excitedly told Shiro an idea to which Shino did not like where it was going.

"That might work. Why don't you pass as a married couple," Shiro pointed to his left ring finger.

"Eh? No way!" Tenten shook her head vigorously.

"Is the thought of being wedded to me that unpleasant Tenten-san?" Shino asked.

"No…I mean…agh…Don't push me into a corner Aburame," Tenten accused. "You're incapable of acting lovey dovey. And how would that be a creditable story?" she defended herself. Is not that she thought Shino was appalling it's just his personality was not compatible with hers. They could never pull something like this off.

"When the situation arises I could act lovey dovey as you say. Because it may be for the sake of the mission," Shino slowly said.

"And it's a creditable story," Shiro began to translate for Tsubaki. "Say you two married against you families' will. You have two children but you don't want them to grow up amongst this animosity. You send your kids ahead with us hoping they won't be in danger of your families' fighting," Shiro clarified, while pointing his finger to himself and Tsubaki.

"Let me guess, we couldn't resolve the problem and came to the island to live a peaceful life," Tenten stared at the children with an eyebrow raised. "Sounds like some novel to me. No one will believe that," she tapped her foot impatiently.

"That is where you are wrong." Tenten gave Shino a surprised look. "We as a married couple have no clue of Nakamura's activities. We come here under the assumption of a better life for our family-"

Tenten interrupted, "Wait, what you are saying is to pretend that we just happen to stumble across Nakamura's operation."

"Yes, they won't be as suspicious of you," Shiro said, the prospect of being involved in this mission sounding more appealing.

"Tomorrow I will inquire for a job at this hotel you work in. While Tenten-san must find a way to get work in one of Nakamura's establishments," Shino explained.

"Awesome," Shiro said but his excitement quickly died down with the frowns set on Tenten's and Shino's faces.

"There is no way you're getting involve in this," Tenten scolded.

"But we gave you a way in," Shiro voiced.

"I said no- ah…what is crawling over my foot?" Tenten slowly looked down to see a very hairy, black tarantula its distinguishing features being the red and black pattern going down its legs.

"Charlotte!" Yukiko went to reach down to get the creature but Shino gently scoped it.

"I see you met the last member of our family, Charlotte, Tsubaki's spider," Shiro explained, while Tsubaki went over to reach for its cage.

"You are being careless; a tarantula is not like a dog it requires different attention," Shino reprimanded Tsubaki lowering her eyes in shame.

"Not nee-chan's fault! Nee-chan takes real good care of Charlotte I left Charlotte's box open! I am not suppose to play with Charlotte, nee-chan told me so," Yukiko admitted but it did not change the expression on Shino's face.

"It does not change the matter that she is responsible. Where should she place the spider? She should know to set it in a place out of the reach of the younger children," Shino deposited the spider in its clear case. Yukiko started to cry and Tenten quickly rubbed her back.

"Now see what you did," Tenten said as the sniffling toddler buried her head into her chest.

"I was only stating fact," Shino retorted.

"If you look around you they don't have much space. And it's not like you never made a mistake handling insects when you were a child," Tenten narrowed her eyes.

"I always followed directions," he said almost daring Tenten to retort back.

"You could be such a jerk sometimes," Tenten said, somewhat happy that she could finally get what she was feeling off her chest.

"I agree," Shiro said and a hum of agreement was heard from Yukiko. Tsubaki started to quickly use her signs he face full of concern.

"She says that nii-san was only looking out for the well being of Charlotte. She is glad that he cares about her; though his scolding may be strict it is for the best. Please don't be angry at him," Shiro finished, knowing that Tsubaki's intent was to defuse the situation and at the same time defend Shino.

"I guess its true but I still feel Shino was being insensitive. Sorry I called you a jerk," Tenten apologized.

"Apology accepted," Shino said reluctantly. Usually he would not let such a statement about his nature pass. However, this mission was one of high sensitivity and he could not afford to have a fallout with his teammate.

"Come Yukiko-chan no more crying lets get something to eat," Tenten offered.

"We can go pick fruit and go fishing," Shiro said quickly getting up and leading Tenten and the child out the door. "We'll be back soon," he said to the remaining. Aoi lay on a corner lazily trying to escape the heat of the day. Shino silently regarded his companions. He was a bit angry that his authority was overridden by a couple of children who probably heard of shinobi through second hand accounts, novels and movies holding an idealize view. The fact of the matter was sometimes being a shinobi could be very tedious, with endless hours of wait and clues going no where. This would probably be a long and rather uncomfortable mission. His mission partner was relentless in getting him to amuse her. And now much to his chagrin she has accomplices, just when he thought she had given up. He saw the youngest child stare at him almost mimicking his behavior of just observing.

"Ah," Jiro moved his arms reaching up. Tsubaki came with a bottle in hand and happily gave him what was to be his dinner.

"What happened to your parents?" Shino asked, Tsubaki froze and gave him a look of bringing up a hurtful subject. "Why? Your brother was born recently it must have been extreme circumstances to have parents trust a child with another child," Tsubaki came towards him and reached for his hand.

Taking his palm and with a finger wrote, 'Dead.' Perhaps that was what Tenten sensed when she hesitated to ask the children's origins. Orphans, a story that he seen repeated too many times during his travels, but something was unique about the siblings' story. They were children who were educated, Tsubaki's writing on his palm and her and Shiro's knowledge of sign language proved that. They were probably from a stable economic background judging from their looks it doesn't seem too long that they have been living here. Then there was her tarantula, aside from those who used insects as part of their jutsus, there were little who ventured taking such a creature as a pet.

"How?" he probe deeper.

'Accident,' he decided to end it there. He was bothered by Shiro's quick answer of just being separated from their parents. He felt there was more that the boy wasn't telling them.

"Who was it that gave you Cha-le-tto," he tested the foreign name finding he was having a difficult time in pronunciation. The children seem to be familiar enough with the name to pronounce it.

Tsubaki beamed, 'Papa.'

"Ah, you father. Was he interested in insects?"

'Professor' 'Entomologist,' she wrote the two words.

"He taught in a university correct," Tsubaki quickly nodded. The man must have been very intelligent and someone with a fair amount of money. Only a select few could afford such a high education and now that her parents have passed away she would have been left with everything. All of this brought more questions than answers and he had no time to dig deeper.

"Brachypelma smithi," Shino said, Tsubaki nodded her head again excited at the outlook of someone else being interested in insects.

'Red knee spider,' she wrote. 'Beetle' 'Species' she asked.

"Kikaichu," he answered and she titled her head. He was fascinated how her expressions could communicate so much. It was adaptation that would prove useful for those who would take the time to pay attention.

'Live with you' she fingered slowly.

"Inside of me," he saw her eyes widen and she gave him a toothy smile. Shaking his hand she eagerly awaited for him to show her. Tsubaki was certainly an odd child. He never encountered someone so interested in him or someone outside his clan he could have conversations about insects with. He turned to see Jiro inquisitively looking up from his bottle and Aoi slightly lifting her head. Now, he usually wasn't one to show his insects unless it was for mission related actions but he belatedly realized that he had gotten over excited. The novelty of the situation must have gotten to him. No turning back now, he lifted his hand and commanded his insects to come out. The tiny black beetles began to come from his skin making Tsubaki jumped with enthusiasm. Aoi tilted her head at the sight and Jiro continue to watch on from his place. She extended her hand to catch some of the beetles, watching with fascination as they crawled on her hand. She pointed to herself and then the beetles.

"Impossible, there is no way you can have them implanted in you," Shino called his insects back. Tsubaki seemed satisfied and ask for his hand again.

'You're nice' she wrote, grinning at Shino. 'Nice' he's been called that many times by his teammate Hinata. He wouldn't call himself nice, he saw the potential she held and helped in the process of her growth. Tsubaki let go of his hand and took the now empty bottle from Jiro. Minutes later they heard the door open Tenten was still carrying Yukiko with Shiro behind holding various fruits in his arms.

"We're back," they said in unison.

"Sorry no fish it was beginning to get too dark," Tenten explained putting down Yukiko.

"Did you get along well?" Shiro asked.

Tsubaki mouth, 'Yes.'

"We need to go over our specific roles," Shino said.

"Yukiko-chan, we're going to have to make believe that Shino-san and I are your parents okay," Tenten began to explain, the splashing of water in the background briefly distracting Yukiko.

"I want the one that's like candy!" she told Shiro who was washing the fruits.

"You mean the sweet one and pay attention this is important," Shiro reprimanded.

"Mommy!" Yukiko giggled as she hugged Tenten.

"Don't forget Shino-san," Tenten smiled as Yukiko scrunch her face in distaste and looked at Shino.

"Daddy," she said reluctantly.

"And who is your baby brother?" Tenten asked.

"Jiro-chan," she answered.

"Good. That's settle what else?" Tenten looked at Shino.

"Shiro and Tsubaki will be distant relatives whom we have adopted," Shino explained.

"Where do we come from?" Shiro questioned, as he handed two pieces of fruit to Tenten. She immediately took a kunai and started peeling.

"A village not too far off the Fire country capital, Miyako," Shino provided, the less they had to do with Konoha the better. "We are moving, when? Tomorrow morning, as a father it would reflect upon me badly if I let my children live in such conditions," he concluded.

"Yay!" Yukiko yelled with excitement, Shino thought that Yukiko was far from being his daughter but her personality seemed to click with Tenten's. As for Jiro, he was very calm for someone his age.

"Tenten-san you will pass as a civilian," Shino informed and he noticed the offended look on Tenten's face.

"A civilian? What are you trying to say?" Tenten exclaimed.

Before Shino could answer Shiro interjected, "Hey, I am offended by you prejudice against the non-shinobi sect of the population." Tsubaki quickly agreed.

"What? No I have nothing against civilians," she quickly said.

"Tsubaki says you make it sound like it's a bad thing," Shiro translated.

"I'm sorry, it's just an automatic response since civilians are considered by most shinobi as weak," she explained.

"It's disappointing that the only way to make yourself respected in this world is through becoming a soldier," Shiro deciphered Tsubaki's thoughts.

"I'm sorry. Civilians should be respected more because they grow our food and build our homes. Without them we wouldn't have our village, could you guys forgive me," Tenten asked.

"It takes a lot of self-insight to admit that you're wrong we forgive you nee-san," Shiro said, he and Tsubaki hugged her.

"Thanks guys," Tenten said, Shino was concerned Tenten was quickly getting too attach to these children.

"Nee-san you're so soft," Shiro commented.

"That comment better not be in the perverse nature," she pulled away from them noticing the distinct blush on him. Tenten rolled her eyes, he was a teenager after all. "So why do I have to pass off as a civilian?" Tenten inquired.

"We cannot show them our strengths right away, always best to have a trump card," Shino finished.

"Well it would definitely explain why our families didn't want us to marry," Tenten thought, sometimes non-shinobi families didn't want to get involve with their dangerous lifestyle.

"You have to stop using honorifics. I mean you guys are married with kids right," Shiro pointed out.

"That's true…Shino?" Tenten tested. "I don't know it feels strange," she mumbled.

"He is correct. We must behave with a certain level of familiarity to fool those around us," Shino saw how Tenten tensed.

"To what extent did familiarity reached? Could Shino accomplish that? Could she let Shino that close to her?" Tenten's thoughts raced. It was one thing acting like they were family another was to act like lovers.

"Do not worry, I will not over step any boundaries you feel uncomfortable with," Shino assured. Suddenly she regretted her earlier statement about Shino incapable of acting like a husband.

"You sure sound confident in yourself. It's like you done 'these sort of things' before," Shiro said Tenten's face turned red. She never would have thought that side of Shino existed actually she never thought of any other side of Shino.

"I will not disclose my personal details with you," Shino said to a curious Shiro.

"Who would have thought it that nii-san had such experience in the bedroom," Shiro teased.

"Yukiko! Tsubaki! Cover your ears," Tenten commanded, the girls quickly obeyed. "I should wash you mouth with soap," Tenten pulled his ear.

"Ouch, I am just curious. I am looking for a male role-model here," Shiro rubbed his abused ear. "You're acting like you never had a boyfriend before," Shiro frowned.

Tenten clenched her fists. Her face held a faint blush, "I have had boyfriends before. Not like its any of your business. I just don't want the other children to hear such things from you. Yukiko-chan, Tsubaki-chan come show me the bath," Yukiko immediately followed after hastily eating her last piece of fruit. Tsubaki picked up Jiro and followed afterwards.

"Figures she never had a boyfriend," Shiro said still rubbing his abuse ear.

"She has," Shino stated.

"How do you know?"

"My teammate tends to know situations of those in our circle," he adjusted his glasses.

"Your teammate? I thought nee-san was your teammate," Shiro question.

"She is my teammate for this mission," he explained.

"Forgot my towel," Tenten came in and rummage through her pack.

"Beware of peepers," Shiro warned.

"I am more afraid of you," Tenten walked out and joined the girls. Around the back of the house was a washbasin which Tsubaki was filling up from a barrel. "No curtains?" Tenten asked the girls shook their heads. She looked around the area, she was confident that Shino would stop Shiro from playing any pranks. She started to take off her clothes folding them to the side. She helped Yukiko take off her dress.

"Heh Heh cold!" Yukiko jumped up and down as Tenten took a small bowl and poured it over the child's head.

"Feels good ne?" Tenten found a nearby stool to sit on and lathered her hands with soap washing Yukiko's hair. "My Tsubaki-chan how do you keep up with all that hair," Tenten noticed as Tsubaki let her hair down. It was much longer than Shiro's reaching to her knees and its color made her stand out even more. Tsubaki blushed at the comment all the while taking a wet towel and bathing her brother.

"Nee-chan has pretty hair," Yukiko shook her head as Tenten poured more water on her. Yukiko made a gesture to Tenten hair.

Tenten laughed her hair loose up to her shoulders, "As if, my teammate has better hair than I do." Neji had hair any girl could envy and she sometimes felt resentful towards him, having such manageable hair.

"I like mommy's hair," Yukiko commented. Being called mother was a strange feeling that she liked. Even though it was only for the mission she could sense that Yukiko was rapidly becoming close to her. "I also like mommy's chest," this bewildered Tenten.

"What?"

"I want mommy's milk,"

"Wait Yukiko-chan don't grab my breast like that!" she exclaimed. "Nothing is going to come out!" This was no relaxing wash. After a few minutes of struggling between Tsubaki and Tenten they had convinced Yukiko that Tenten was incapable of giving breast milk. Yukiko then demanded that Tenten give her a baby sister when taught that a baby can make a mother give milk. They came inside the house Tenten wearing a blush and not being able to look Shino in the eye.

"Daddy! Make a baby with mommy!" Yukiko was certainly fitting into the role nicely, Shino noticed.

"Yukiko we are only pretending remember," Tenten reminded.

"Can't you for real make a baby and then make believe to be my mommy and daddy?" she asked, Tenten looked at Shino for help. He said nothing and silently began to look through his pack to prepare to bathe.

"Some help,"Tenten thought.

"It is not that easy. How about a story?" she thought to divert her attention.

"No I want a baby sister," Yukiko insisted.

"But you already have a brother," Tenten smiled she didn't want to explain to a three year old the complications of relationships. Yukiko pouted and Tsubaki shrugged her shoulders as Tenten pleaded with her eyes for help.

"I wanna sleep," Yukiko gave up and Tenten let out a sigh of relief.

"Come sleep with mommy tonight," she offered as she got up to unroll her bed.

"Really," Yukiko quickly got comfortable and falling asleep a couple minutes afterwards.

"She must be tired out," she commented as she kneeled down slowly running her hand on her head. Tsubaki nodded in agreement from a very battered futon she was sitting on. Jiro joined Yukiko sleeping in his basinet. Shino walked in, he wore more relaxed clothing the first time she had seen him which such little clothing. When camping it was best not to get too comfortable in case of attack. He looked almost vulnerable with the long sleeve shirt and pants. He unrolled his bed next to hers, Shiro turning off his makeshift lamp and joining Tsubaki in bed. Tenten stayed awake as she felt the children's' even breaths deep in sleep. She smile at the sight Tsubaki cuddle next to Shiro while he held her protectively. Little Yukiko search for her warmth the nights were much colder than the days in moon country.

"Tenten," Shino's deep voice pierced the silence.

"Yes?"

"A word of caution, don't compromise this mission. Why I'm I warning you, because your attachment with the children may bring us problems," he told her.

"What problems? Elaborate Shino dear," she sneered her annoyance evident in her voice. If he was so adamant that she was going to mess up this mission he might as well gone solo.

"Don't patronize me. You know full well shinobi protocol about emotional bonds in missions," with a tone that the conversation was over she felt him shift. She decided to ignore him there was no way she was going to make any mistakes in this mission like he expects her to. She will prove to him that she isn't just someone he HAD to bring and that she was essential.

Tamiri's Notes

Name meanings: Aoi-blue, Shiro-white, Tsubaki-camellia, Yukiko- snow child, Jiro- second son

Ages: Shiro-13, Tsubaki-10, Yukiko-3, Jiro- 10 months

Charlotte is a Mexican red knee spider she is just referred as the red knee spider in this story because there is no country named Mexico in the Naruto world. These tarantulas are usually very docile and thrive in semi-humid hot environments. For more information wiki or google it. Any one dare venture to answer why Charlotte for the spider's name? You all know the answer.

I know spiders are technically arachnids and not insects but they are generally study along with insects so when Tsubaki was excited that Shino knew about her tarantula and they were talking about his kikai I put them in a general category.

Nee-san and Nii-san are what the children often refer to Tenten and Shino. Even though it means big sister or big brother it doesn't mean they are related. It is just a way to refer to one who is older and still young. But of course probably most of you already knew this.

Love hotels are hotels where couples go to get intimate. There are prominent in Japan because most people do not live by themselves.

A little about universities or colleges in the Naruto world. Get ready folks because this is a long winded explanation. The third hokage was known as the professor because he mastered all forms of shinobi combat and an extensive knowledge of jutsu. Now with this little mention about a professor I went with the assumption that there must be higher education in the Naruto world. However not all can go. Most shinobi finish schooling around twelve and I assume it would be the same with civilians. Shinobi go study further under an instructor and another assumption here civilians may go under apprenticeships or continue a family career. Example: Daddy was a farmer son is a farmer or daughter went to school after daughter learns to be a kimono maker. However if you belong to a noble family or a family with money you may further your education. By either hiring a private tutor or going to a university. I imagine universities work like they did back in the old days where those who can afford it send their children maybe as young as twelve. Universities don't work in a credit system when you finish your study of choice you finish. It may take more than four years. Of course these are prestigious places and are probably very expensive. I imagine is also very sexually divided with the majority going being males. With this in mind Shino deducts that Tsubaki's father was a man from a wealthy family and finds it strange that Tsubaki and her brother are left to their fate. Alright those who bothered to read got a bit more background information.

Alright I read this chapter like five times to check for grammar problems. If you see any cut me some slack I am human. And point it out nicely please I don't need any grammar Nazis. See you next chapter.