Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Tenten's past is based on a good friend of mine's idea.

A/N: First off, I want to once again thank you guys so much for all your reviews and encouragement. I say this a lot, but it really means so much to me that you're all enjoying the story so much and it's really keeping me going. Thank you so much. You guys are awesome. And once again a big, big thanks to my awesome Beta-reader Rellie, who helped me get to this part. Because I've had it written for awhile, but getting the connecting pieces was the challenge. But now we're here and I really want to know what you guys think about this chapter, because so far it's my favorite and where things really get going. Most of all though, I hope you enjoy the story. For that is why writer's write.

X

"You're sure you haven't at least heard from him?" Shibi asked, his free hand clenching as the woman on the other end of the phone spoke and he tried to keep his breathing even.

"I've already told ya, no! I haven't seen, Shino all night. Kiba, told me he was spending the night at your house, but since that's obviously not the case they probably both snuck out on us." Tsume growled, and Shibi was sure that when Kiba reappeared he'd be in for it from his mother.

Not that Shibi blamed her. Because if that's what Shino had done…if he had done something so completely stupid, then the last punishment he received for not calling would look like summer camp. Seven-thirty had come and gone with absolutely no word from his son and as soon as that happened, Shibi began the search. So far though nothing seemed to be coming from it. His son didn't have many close friends let alone ones that he would be out doing something with late at night without letting him know, so instead of contacting Shino's peers first, Shibi decided to call the police.

Their reaction still left him boiling inside. Apparently his missing child wasn't a priority for them, and it didn't seem like his son would become one anytime soon.

'Look I understand you're worried, sir, but you did say your son is a teenager. It's only seven-thirty, not even the most respectable places kids hang out these day's close till nine. I'm sure he's fine. In the meantime we have two convicted murderers we're looking for and the sooner we catch them, the sooner it's safer for you and your son.'

The patronizing tone had been enough that Shibi felt like making a trip down to the station, hauling one of the detectives out by his shirt and forcing them to look. However brute force and violence wasn't going to get him anywhere. And the forty five minutes on the phone just to get to that point had been enough time wasted.

Now he was scrambling to contact anyone he could think of.

Half an hour later no one had been of any help. At least not directly. One thing they all had in common though, save for Hiashi who put Hinata on the phone, none of the children in Shino's class were home. And Ino's parents hadn't even picked up.

Shibi's mind raced as he tried to think like a teenager once again and put the pieces together. Something wasn't right, but more importantly, something was happening where no one would suspect it.

"Tsume-san, have you heard anything about the Yamanaka's?" he asked.

"Why? You need their number?"

"I was just wondering if perhaps Kiba might have mentioned something about them to you. I couldn't get a hold of them and was wondering if they were out of town. Since I was planning on calling again I just wanted to make sure I didn't waste the time."

There was silence on the other end of the line and Shibi felt his mouth dry and chest tighten. This might be the lead he needed. If he could pinpoint where Shino could be, this nightmare had a chance of ending. All he needed was confirmation. Just one person to throw him another clue.

Finally, Tsume spoke.

"That sneaky little…" she trailed off into descriptions of her son that made Shibi's eyebrow shoot up. "I'll bet that's where they are right now! He didn't mention anything to me directly, but I did overhear him muttering about something today to do with Ino and he did seem more concerned with his appearance before he left. I figured it was nothing and just left it, but…"

"Thank you Tsume-san. That has helped me more than you know." he cut off another slew of curses. "Now I think I'll be…"

"Heading over and tearing them a new one? I'm right there with ya. But if ya want my advice, the best way to make 'em fry is to wait for the right moment!"

Shibi didn't need to see the sinister smile to know it was on her face.

"The right moment?" he couldn't help himself. He had known her ever since their sons became friends several years ago, but he still didn't understand this woman. She seemed to care about her children and at the same time keep her distance from them. Or at least that's how it seemed to be with her son.

"You know. When they've got a lot of people around them or are gettin' cozy with a girl, or even better, they're the center of attention. That's when ya pounce!" she laughed and Shibi shook his head.

"Thank you for the advice and all your help, but right now I think I'll just stick to getting my son home safe first, and then killing him." it might have been considered rude, but he didn't give her a chance to say goodbye or offer another word before he hung up, grabbed his keys and darted for the door; a mix of emotions rolling around inside of him.

Part of him was outraged that Shino would do something this stupid and was already coming up with suitable punishments for his son. Whatever it was it'd have to be drastic and possibly emotionally scarring to drive the point home. Whatever it was though, there was no way it could compare to what Shibi had gone through these last hours. Hadn't he raised his son better? Hadn't he raised his son to have more common sense than this? He understood Shino was still a child, and this was a confusing age for even the most stable of people, but still. It was that age when one's peers often had more influence over them then their parents, and there was no doubt in Shibi's mind that if his son was at whatever was going on, then Kiba was the one that talked him into it.

He wasn't one of those parents that thought his child did no wrong, or was a model for perfection, but at the same time he knew his son. Large social gatherings weren't one of Shino's strong points and even as a small child, he'd never enjoyed them. Whenever they'd had to go to a company event, Shino always pleaded to stay home. If it had been allowed, Shibi would have let him. Now once again, Shino was being dragged into a situation he probably didn't want to be in and way over his head.

A sharp chill went up Shibi's spine that had nothing to do with the cool night air as he got into his car and slammed the door with more force than necessary. As angry as he was though, there was a part of him that was relieved and praying Shino was at Ino's with everyone else. If that was the case he could write it off as a serious, but stupid, mistake that every teenager was bound to make. But if he wasn't there…if his son was absent…

His fists clenched around the steering wheel as he nearly whipped out of the driveway and nearly gave the car a small jump, putting as much pressure on the gas pedal as he was.

Out of all his emotions, terror was the prevalent one. He could still remember two years ago after one of the trials where he helped expose some underhanded dealings, someone had taken a shot at him. It had only grazed his arm, but the scar and uncertainty were still there. Of course the worst had happened when whoever they were involved his son. Shibi had found out that same day that several suspicious men had approached his son on his way to school. Shino had told him they tried to say they were friends of his father and that something had happened to him. They needed him to get in their car so they could take him to the hospital. Instead, Shino only pretended to comply, then ran to the nearest home to call the police.

A hard lump settled in Shibi's throat. They already had who must have hired those men in custody, though no evidence to prove it, but the actual thugs themselves were still out there. Was it possible that somehow they'd been contacted again? That his son had been taken and later he'd receive a call…

"Get a hold of yourself!" he snarled, barely coming to a stop at a red light as his tires screeched and other's honked behind him. He had to breath. He couldn't let his emotions rule him like this. As frightening as it was, he had to take a breathe and realize the odds of that happening, against his son going to what was probably a party.

"He's a teenager. They do stupid things like this. Why? Who really knows, but I'm sure he's alright. Probably just with a girl, or intoxicated or…" Shibi felt like slamming his head against the wheel. Great. He could either imagine his son illegally intoxicated or in someone's trunk. Parenthood had to be some kind of divine purgatory.

Another deep breath and light change later, and Shibi shot forward again, his mind racing as he tried to remember his way to Ino's house. He had only been there a handful of times to meet with her father for something both their companies were working on, and when dropping Shino off to do various school projects. He'd find it though. Even if he had to drive all night he'd find it.

As fast as he was going though, he caught something on the sidewalk heading the same direction he was in the review mirror and his eyes widened slightly. Maybe the night was playing tricks on his eyes, but he swore that was one of the school's teacher's, Maito Gai. The man had been over once for an in home meeting and Shibi had seen him several times at the school, but could that really be him? And if so why was he running outside at nearly nine? The more Shibi looked though, the more he knew there wasn't any doubt to the man's identity. The bowl cut hair, strange tie now flung over his one shoulder without care, and from the looks of things two different shoes. Then it clicked in Shibi's head, and he began slowing down at the next light, and rolled down his window.

"Gai-san? Wh…" he started only for Gai to bolt right past him with a wave over his shoulder.

"I'm afraid there's no time to talk! I have to get to Ino-chan's now, and possibly commit a felony that includes embarrassing my daughter to death for not telling me where she was going!" he said this all in a huff, his face streaked with sweat and Shibi leaned out his window a bit to call after him.

"If that's the case then let me give you a ride. I'm headed over there myself."

Gai came to a nearly audible halt as he looked back. Any other time and Shibi had a feeling Gai would have challenged him to a race and and come up with an insane promise if he didn't win. For a split second it looked like the man was debating it, but with his daughter at stake, that soon passed and Gai hurried back to accept the ride.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Shibi-san! I'm actually surprised you're the first parent I'm running into!" he said as he buckled his seat belt and ran a hand through his sweat drenched hair causing it to stick up in random places.

"Yes well I'm sure the other children at least gave their parents a reason why they were going to be gone. Ours just decided we weren't privileged enough for this kind of information." Shibi growled under his breath as the light turned and the car moved forward again.

Gai raised an eyebrow and cocked his head.

"Shino-kun, went?"

Shibi met his gaze, his mouth pulling into a frown. As much as he was surprised himself by Shino's actions, that didn't mean it should be so shocking to others that his son was socially active. Before he could even begin to speak though, Gai's eyes narrowed and he pulled Shibi over by the cuff of his shirt causing him to jerk the wheel and almost putting them in another lane. Horns blarred and Shibi swerved hard to avoid oncoming traffic.

"Gai-s…"

"He took her then didn't he?" Gai barked. "I knew I shouldn't have left that boy alone with her! I knew I should have set some ground rules, but noooo, I just blindly trusted that nothing would happen and now…"

"What are you talking about?" Shibi jerked out of Gai's hold and steadied the wheel, his heart pounding. Maybe this had been a bad idea to pick him up.

"What am I talking about? Your son seducing my precious innocent daughter of course!"

Shibi's eyes bulged and his jaw dropped.

"What?" he knew this man was considered stable enough to teach, but right now he was beginning to doubt how they figured that out.

"Your son, and my daughter! They were left alone at school working on a project and now they're both gone, and…and…"

It took every ounce of self-control Shibi had not to throw the man out as he took another sharp turn and nearly jumped the corner. The fact Gai hit his head on the ceiling helped ebb the anger a bit.

"My son, would never do such a thing." his tone had a calmly dangerous quality to it. "Despite whatever delusion you're living under if anyone is to blame it's probably your daughter." granted Shibi had no proof, but if Gai was going to be blaming his son for something just because they were left alone, he had no problem turning it back on him.

Gai's face darkened.

"My daughter?"

"Yes. She's older than Shino. Obviously someone who can influence him, and he's never once done something even remotely this irresponsible. More than likely she convinced him…"

"And why would she do that? I'll have you know that she would never take advantage of someone like that! Nor would she ever do something this reckless unless she was taken advantage of!" if possible, his voice rose further, and his face became a deeper shade of red.

"Shino, would never take advantage of anyone's daughter!" least of all, a crazy person's.

"Well when we get there we'll let the evidence speak for itself, and if he's laid one finger on her…"

"Don't you dare threaten my son."

"Then tell your son to keep his hands off, Tenten!"

"He hasn't put them anywhere near her."

"That you know of!"

"Exactly." why did everyone assume when something happened that it was automatically the male's fault? In the insect and animal world it was often the female who was the most conniving and manipulating of the genders. Some even fed on the bodies of former lovers.

"Well for his sake I hope your right! Being young includes making foolish decisions, but not all of them come with consequences easy to bear." Gai's knuckle's bulged and Shibi's eyes narrowed behind dark plastic.

"If you make any more threats towards my son, teacher or not, I will throw you out of this car." he looked over at the man as he stepped harder on the gas. "While, it's still moving."

Gai grabbed the door handle and glared.

"I'll tuck and roll, and still beat you there!"

Shibi bit back a snarl, and resisted the urge to take him up on the offer. They were about fifteen minutes further from Ino's, he could last until then. Besides, the rational part of Shibi's mind was certain Gai wasn't serious. There was no way he could be. More than likely he was simply feeling exactly what Shibi was, and looking for someone to blame. Overall his behavior wasn't that unnatural. Still, the parental part of Shibi wanted to make sure that none of those threats could ever be carried out, no matter by whom.

The rest of the trip was spent in silent fuming and as soon as they were came up to Ino's house, Gai unbuckled his seat belt, wrenched the door open and jumped out before the car even came to a complete stop. Unfortunately, he hit the ground wrong in the initial tuck and flipped head over heels, and nearly slammed into another parked car."

"You should have just waited for me to stop." Shibi said as he stepped out, but the man was already up, and shooting towards the house, with Shibi right on his heels.

X

Shino wasn't sure what he was expecting to come out of Tenten's invitation. He knew they were just talking, and the fact that she even wanted him to come thrilled him. But she also pointed out it wouldn't be a date and talked about him meeting other girls. He shook his head and stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets as he walked.

This night wasn't going anything like he'd hoped it would. Well…that wasn't exactly true. They were both getting to know each other better and he was spending more time with her than he ever thought he would have a chance to. Upperclassmen simply didn't hang out with those below them. Yet here they were, and she hadn't treated him like an underclassman either, or demanded anything more than the respect anyone would want.

Still at the rate things were going it seemed like all they'd ever be was friends.

'What are you expecting? That she'll be overwhelmed by your charm when you haven't even made a move?' he inwardly hissed, wincing as he opened the kitchen door and once again saw all the damage they'd caused. He had a feeling that even if it wasn't their fault they were locked in they'd still wind up with detention for this. He wouldn't put it past any of the teachers to order it during summer either.

Glass scattered and crunched underfoot as he walked further in and kneeled down under the alcove, pushing back tiny pieces of debris as he looked for his glasses in the dim light. If it wasn't for the window on the kitchen door letting some in from the hall, there wouldn't be any at all. A few minutes later with his thoughts still spinning, he found his glasses. The lenses were scratched with one side of the frame chipped, and the other bent and breaking, but they were fixable and could still be worn. Pushing them on, Shino then pressed his back against the side and slid down to try and collect his thoughts.

What would his dad do in this situation?

His mother had died giving birth to him and besides lighting incense at her shrine and some small incidents she was hardly mentioned. Sometimes it seemed like his dad was trying to forget her. Or maybe forget why she wasn't here. He must have had other romantic ventures though. And if he wanted something he always went after it.

When it came to anything but this that's how Shino was as well. With this situation though…he didn't think he was scared. Not exactly. Just experienced. Growing up had taught him what to expect from most girls whenever these feelings came up, and more than once he had seen some underclassmen's heart become a stomping ground for others. With what little friendship they'd built so far to…could he really risk that? Especially with how he'd almost ruined it earlier? Tenten didn't seem like the kind who would laugh in his face, or just ignore him and walk away, but what if she thought he was joking? Or just a 'cute' second year who didn't know what he was talking about?

Shino sighed as he rested his head in his hand. The question of what would his dad do repeated itself even louder inside his mind. He knew what his dad would do…but he wasn't sure if he could do it.

'At least she doesn't think you're creepy. That's something you can work with.' he thought. And unless there were any unknown players, there wasn't anyone directly vying for her affection. Considering that he had a lot going in his favor. Now he just needed to act on it.

Sudden footsteps outside caught his attention, and he started to get up to see what Tenten was looking for, then stopped when he saw two tall figures outside. Slowly he lowered himself back down just as the door opened and the scattering glass sounded like warning bells as two men stepped inside.

"We should just eliminate them before they have a chance to catch on to our presence!' one of them growled. He was tall with a strong slender build, dressed in black, with narrow cold eyes, pale skin and slicked back silver hair. There was something large on his back wrapped in black cloth, and he kept touching a pendant around his neck with a downward triangle in the center of a circle.

"We are not here for your entertainment, Hidan. And if you hadn't thrown tantrums earlier, they wouldn't have the faintest idea that anyone was in here with them." the other sneered. This one was tall as well, but more muscular than the other, also dressed in black, with sickly tan skin, dark green eyes, and strange markings around his exposed wrists. His mouth was obscured by the collar of his shirt, and the top of his head was covered by a strange hat that seemed formed to his skull, while at the front stood a small triangle. There was also a large brown satchel over his left shoulder.

Shino fought the urge to swallow. Who were these men?

"That…thing!" Hidan spat. "Was a blasphemous piece of trash. The fact that they would even have a shrine to that man is unforgiveable! It had to be…"

"You can destroy things on your own time, but while you're with me learn something called tolerance." the other rolled his eyes.

"With an attitude like that I won't be surprised to find you in hell one day. There is no tolerance for those who do not convert to Jashin's way."

Jashin? The church of Jashin? Shino felt like someone had just delivered a sucker punch to his gut before throwing him into ice water. If someone from that was here…could they still around? He fought to keep his breathing steady. If he held his breath he'd only wind up taking in deep gulps later and they'd hear that. He had to keep calm.

"The point is!" the other finally snapped, and his hand grabbed onto his cohorts throat. "That dead bodies draw attention! Which is the last thing we need right now, which is why you're still breathing!"

"You know your promises of death only make me happy Kakuzu-chan. And I long for the day you finally do snap." Hidan gasped with a grin before Kakuzu threw him back a few inches.

Shino furrowed his brow. Hidan and Kakuzu. Those names sounded familiar. From where he couldn't place, but it didn't matter. What did was that they were here, and even if he didn't know who they were, he knew who they were talking about killing. It took every fiber of control he had not to let fear take over as he thought about Tenten. It didn't sound like they found her, or that they even knew she was alone. The way they were walking into the room now, kicking away the pot lid and trays, he doubted they knew he was here.

He watched as they came closer to where he was. His heart pounding so loud he was sure they could hear it. Were they coming to the counter he was under? Did they see him? He didn't think so, but if they looked down…if they looked for him, he was completely exposed.

They weren't bluffing about killing either. From how each of them spoke he knew they'd both done it, and Hidan in particular seemed impatient to do it again.

They had to get out of here. Shino didn't know how, but that thought kept pounding in his head like it was driven in with a mallet. They had to get out of here. He had to get Tenten, and they had to find a way out.

How though? The windows were bullet proof, the doors locked, there was no power for any of the phones, and the fire earlier was proof that fire alarms weren't working. Even if they were though, if he pulled one it'd alert these two and they'd either kill them before the firemen arrived, or worse. It wasn't hard to imagine these two waiting inside for the men to come in and turn it into a slaughter. Again he fought the urge to swallow hard.

How did they even get in here? If he could figure that out maybe he and Tenten could get out that way? Shino shook his head. Right now the first step was getting out of this room.

"Any reason we're actually in this hole to begin with?" Hidan asked and Shino watched him lean against a counter on the opposite side of the room. His hand now clutched around the strange pendent.

"If you mean the school, I've explained it. If you mean the kitchen, it's because this would be the last place those brats would come tonight after the damage they caused."

Were they watching what happened? Or had it just been instinct to blame them? Shino didn't know. He didn't care at this point. His focus was settling on the door, and his entire body was tense. First step towards survival was acting. Those that didn't act were always picked off first. But would running now be the right thing to do? There was no doubt they would see him. He could wait until they were gone. They wouldn't stay in here for the entire night…but then what? If he waited until they left then he had no idea where they were, and they could wind up right where he was going. If he left now though would it provoke them? One already wanted them dead. What if they went after Tenten? What if he ran and even if he got away, he couldn't get to her but they did? He didn't know. There was nothing he knew right now except that he had to get out, and get out now.

Quietly as he could, Shino got to his feet, took in a deep breath, and made a silent prayer to his ancestors for any kind of help. Then he shot up and bolted straight for the door.

The instant he was out of hiding the pair whipped around, shouts were exchanged and he could hear at least one of them running behind as he burst through the door and then tore down the hall. It was a struggle not to hold his breath against his instincts, and his hands sliced through the air as he swung them with even strokes, trying to ignore the sounds behind him.

"I love it when they run! Their struggle always makes the end that much sweeter!"

So Hidan was after him.

Shino swallowed back a wave of fear as he reached out, pulling down the few trash cans he passed behind him and throwing the small amount of change he had in his pocket at the man in an attempt to blind him. It didn't work. Looking over his shoulder, the added obstacles only made the man that much more determined. His face was twisted in a kind of euphoric glee and again Shino was reminded of old horror movies. This monster though was far more terrifying than anything he had ever witnessed on the screen. Or maybe that was because he was now at the center stage of it with no one to yell cut.

He was almost to the nurse's station; trying to block out the laughter and taunts that were closing in behind him. Should he stop? Maybe it'd be better to lead him away from Tenten. Yes. That's what he would do. He wasn't going to lead this madman right to her.

Just as he made up his mind though, the nurse's door opened a few feet in front of him and Tenten's head poked out.

"Shino what…" she didn't have time to finish before he skidded around the door, and pulled her out just as a large sickle like blade pierced through the wood, sending an explosion of splinters after them.

"Run!" he ordered and for once without complaint, Tenten complied running as fast as she could beside him. His hand tightened around hers as if fearing she'd slip away at any second. Over his shoulder he could see the man was still farther back, but his weapon was now unsheathed and as he ran past the door it slid out like a knife from hot butter.

"Two little birds. Two little sacrifices! This night will mean something after all!" Hidan laughed. "Unless you accept. You could accept and I might not kill you! But then again I might. After all that is the highest form of obedience!"

Neither teenager said anything as they continued to run. Their hearts pounding in unison at the realization that no matter how fast they were they couldn't win this way, making them run even harder.

Then Shino's eyes locked onto an open doorway, and his grip tightened painfully on Tenten's hand.

"Here!" he burst into the room, nearly throwing Tenten as he spun around to slam the door, but just as it started to close the sickle pierced through by Shino's head and their pursuers face came into view as his hand slipped inside. The look in his eyes was almost demonic, and as Shino slammed his shoulder into the door catching Hidan's wrist, it looked like something from an even deeper level of hell. The howl was both painful and pleased, and prolific spilled from the man's mouth as Shino continued pushing. Hidan was pushing back though, and as strong as he was, Shino could feel himself slipping.

"I'm going to teach you both a lesson! One you little heathens will never forget as you tumble into death!" Hidan's laugh was loud, then cut off by a battle cry from behind and Shino turned just in time to see Tenten running at the door with everything she had before throwing herself into it at the last second, barely avoiding the sickle. There was a sickening crack, and a scream of pain, but the door closed a little.

"Again!" Shino yelled, taking in a deep breath and slamming as hard as he could into the door himself and bracing his body against it.

Tenten was already moving back, and though from a shorter distance this time, repeated the process of launching herself into the door. Throwing her back, hips and shoulders into it. Again, the hand slipped further back, as the cries of pain became even louder.

"You think this is pain? You think what you're causing now is anything compared to what true agony is? I will show you! I will show you both!"

The man screamed as Shino pushed and saw a black object from the corner of his eye on a shelf. He grabbed it and feeling the heavy weight of the stapler, slammed it down with all his strength on the man's fingers. Another howl filled their ears. But Shino didn't listen. He brought the stapler back again, and again. Beating the hand and fingers with the solid end as Tenten continued to slam at the door before he finally opened the stapler and bashed it down with enough force that staples settled in white flesh. Blood leaked out in small trails that soon expanded as Shino focused on striking the same places over and over.

Two minutes later, the last bit of eye that could be seen was rolled up into Hidan's head, and his hand was more of a bloodied mangled lump when it finally slipped out and the door closed with a heavy thud. The sickle still remained firm inside, but Shino paid no attention as he twisted the lock and looked over at Tenten to tell her to find something to barricade it with.

She was already on the other end of the teacher's desk pushing it forward. The chair that had been near toppled over with a crash, and several baskets of paper fell off as she snarled and growled and pushed while Shino kept his full weight against the door. They could still hear Hidan outside. The sickle began jerking and twisting bit by bit.

When she was only a few feet away, Shino hurried to help and twenty seconds later they slammed it against the door just as the handle started to rattle.

Without a word they both went for the long tables that had been set up. Both helping to heave them on top of the teacher's desk and wincing as various memorabilia fell to the floor. Some simply hitting the ground, others shattering or making a clean break. They'd apologize later, but right now,they'd do whatever they had to too survive.

Five minutes later, they had all the tables either on the teacher's desk, or braced against the door, with chairs on top of them the filing cabinets pushed up against the sides, and large rack of construction paper at the very end, along with other odds and ends.

"Shino…" Tenten finally wheezed. "What…was…that?"

Shino sucked in a few breaths, suddenly feeling as if he were going to throw up as the pain in his hands exploded and his head spun. After a minute, he managed to answer.

"I'm not entirely sure. They were in the kitchen…I think they broke into the school somehow. Someone would have noticed if they were here before…"

"They?" Tenten's eyes widened. "How many is 'they'?"

"Two, I think. At least it seemed that way. The one that chased us was referred to as Hidan, and the other one was Kakuzu." he took in another shaky breath, trying to remember where he'd heard those names and how to breathe properly.

"Why would they break into the school though?" Tenten asked.

Shino shook his head, pushing his glasses up farther.

"I don't know…" he said, as he looked around. There were large windows on one side of the room, letting in enough moonlight he could see the brightly colored walls clearly, along with the various copies of art that hung from various places, supply rooms at the far ends of the room and looking over his shoulder, the scattered art books on the floor all told him they were in the art room. He silently thanked the art club for forgetting to close the door. "It's not as if we have anything that valuable here. Even the building isn't worth much. Figuring that out is the least of our worries though. They know we know now, and they probably both want us dead."

"So what do we do? Now we're not only locked in the school, we're locked in this room with two men who want us dead, and no way to let anyone know what's going on." she wasn't so much asking a question as thinking out loud and from the sound of it, ready to stick her fist through a wall.

Once again, Shino felt like an idiot for not having a cell phone of his own.

"Maybe we could try to break one of the windows again…" she continued to muse. "I know they're bullet proof, but maybe one of the cabinets…"

"Wouldn't do anything." Shino interrupted softly, drawing a glare. "Right now as much as we want to do something else, I think we'll have to wait. At least till this one…" he trailed off, listening for any sounds outside. The sickle was still in the door, but it was quiet now. Somehow that made him feel even worse. At least if there was noise they'd know where he was. Would they be stuck in here until Monday? Would they make it till Monday?

He shook those thoughts away and looked over at Tenten as she jumped up on one of the table ends and sat looking out the window. The way the moonlight caught her skin, giving it an almost celestial glow nearly caught his breath, and the pieces of glass still in her hair looked like tiny diamonds. Her lips were slightly parted as well. As if speaking in either a language or volume that no one could understand, and he noticed the way her shirt clung to her body, hiding its shape almost teasingly. Shino could almost hear Kiba telling him about a 'good' way to pass the time and along with the blood rushing to his face, he felt like punching his friend in the stomach.

Swallowing, he folded his arms and came to lean against the table.

"Are you alright?" he finally asked.

Tenten nodded.

"For being trapped in school with two homicidal psychos? Yeah. I'm fine." she sighed, before smiling a little. "At least the companies nice."

Shino looked away keep from grinning like an idiot. Before he could return the compliment though, she continued.

"I really wonder why they're here. Like you said we don't have anything of real value, but maybe if we know what they want we can figure out a way to get rid of them, or maybe how they got in."

"Possibly it's only a personal grudge." Shino said not sure he believed it, but it could be. "Most of our teachers were involved in the war not that long ago. It could be directed at one of them, or perhaps the school itself."

"Why?" she looked over at him.

"I'm almost certain the crash we heard was that of the school's shrine to its founder. Hidan…the one that followed us…did you see anything strange about him?"

"You mean besides the weapon and intent to kill? Not really."

"In the kitchen, he spoke about the Church of Jashin…and was wearing a strange pendent. The shape looks like something a follower of that wears. Like rosary or prayer beads. But…" he trailed off as he saw Tenten's expression change.

For the first time, there was genuine fear in them. They'd all learned about the Church of Jashin in history class. It was founded by a madman over three thousand years ago. Unlike most religions and beliefs though, this one glorified chaos, and destruction. Jashin encouraged whoever followed him to revel in death, blood and pain. Especially those of others. Even his own followers weren't safe, and hundreds both in and out of the order were killed by his hand's. Often times he would keep their heads as a souvenir. All on his weapon like a human kabob before starting a new one. He and his closest followers were eventually killed when they were lured into a large village where every man and woman attacked them. A quarter of the village was killed, but Jashin and his followers died as well. It was rumored that their school's founder was descended from the man that cleaved Jashin's head off, and then cut the body in half to make sure he was dead.

After that the group became scattered and all but faded into legend itself. Those few that still believed Jashin was some kind of dark deity were deemed insane, and usually wound up in prison, or a mental ward for minor crimes.

This one however…he proved those serious about it were still out there.

"Two little birds. Two little sacrifices!"

The memory of Hidan's laugh sent a chill up Shino's spine.

"We really are in trouble then." Tenten whispered almost to herself, and her entire being seemed to tense as if steeling against fear itself. It was there though. The same kind Shino felt.

Whatever fear they felt…at least they were together, and he wouldn't let her deal with it alone.

She'd probably kill him for this, but Shino eased himself up next to her and after a minute put his arm around her shoulders giving a light squeeze.

"We'll be fine. For all we know he's just trying to use the name to scare us. The kind of people devoted to that are so rare…it's highly unlikely that one is now in our school." he said while he tensed and waited to be pushed off the table and told to keep his hands to himself. Instead she seemed to lean into his hold just a little.

"It's also unlikely that people get themselves locked in schools." Tenten sighed. "But thanks. It's nice not to be with someone who's not curling up on the floor in a fetal position screaming we're going to die. Nice use of the stapler to."

Shino chuckled, and bit down on his tongue before he could make a stupid joke. Catching the time on the clock overhead though proved to be an undoing with that.

"It's ten O'clock, do you know where your children are?" as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt like beating his head into a wall. Surprisingly Tenten laughed.

"Not where they should be, but about to become a great news headline." she grinned before it softened into something Shino couldn't place. "My dad's probably kicked down the door of everyone in the phone book by now trying to find me. Good time to be unlisted."

"Your father certainly seems the type to do it." Shino said. He only had Maito Gai for History, and once whenever the normal coach was out he would sub in gym. He was also the sensei for the Judo team. Still, from what little Shino knew about him, Gai seemed very…excitable and beyond whatever wall he was off. He was still a serious instructor though, and woe to anyone caught cheating or slacking in his class. But…there were moments Shino had a hard time believing he'd raised Tenten and she wasn't insane. For a split second, he almost pulled his arm away as he remembered the look Gai had given him when he'd popped in the chemistry room before this all happened and asked Tenten if she wanted him to wait for her for a ride home. The look he'd thrown Shino after Tenten said no, clearly said: 'I know where you live and how to hide a body!'

"Well he did something similar once before." Tenten rolled her eyes. "I got lost in a store when I was seven and…well we're still not allowed back because of everything that happened. Guess me pulling the fire alarm just because it was there didn't help, but…"

"All his fault?"

"Yep." she laughed, before sighing. "I don't like worrying him though. There's enough going on and…" she trailed off and Shino tilted his head, silently prompting her. Nothing more was said though, so he used words.

"You've been a family for…ten years?" he remembered hearing something about it a few times, and Tenten nodded.

"Really though it's been eleven. Kinda accidental to. When I was five I ran away from the group home I was in. I was mad about something, I think I didn't want to share a teddy bear. It was something stupid like that." she waved it off. "Before I knew it I was completely lost and for all my ideas about adventure…it didn't really work out that way. I remember telling someone he was my dad when a policeman asked me where my parents were, and he covered for me. He was only nineteen then…I think I kinda scared him."

Shino raised an eyebrow. It was hard to imagine Gai was scared of anything. Though whether that was insanity or bravery, Shino had no idea. Maybe the lines were blurred with that man. That'd make sense.

"I wouldn't tell him where I belonged for awhile after that. I liked him and thought if I kept quiet he'd have to keep me and I'd never go back."

"You had to tell him though?"

"Eventually, and he did bring me back. But…I don't know. We just made a family and I think it even surprised him when he started the adoption process. And it wasn't like there was a line of families that wanted me either, so after a year…it became official." there was no pity in her voice, only fond amusement at the memories, and hints of relief.

Shino nodded. He had an idea why they'd probably allowed Gai to adopt then, despite being young, and Shino assumed, single. The war had created so many orphans that the system was past its breaking point, and overwhelmed to the point no one knew how to fix it. A simple background check, and probably anyone could have adopted.

From the look on her face though, Shino had a feeling there was more to the story. Something she wasn't telling him, and something he knew better than to push on.

"How about your dad? How do you think he's handling things?" Tenten asked.

"If your father is kicking in the doors, my dad is probably leading the interrogation of anyone he deems suspicious. Kiba is absolutely terrified of him." Shino smirked. There was nothing like watching his overly cool and chaotic friend be stopped dead in his tracks simply because his dad asked how their day went and if they'd stayed out of trouble. His dad knew he scared Kiba to…and there was a small amount of pleasure he took in it.

Now Shino just hoped that same look wasn't turned on him. He'd stayed out late before, but his dad always knew where, who, and would lend him his cell phone in case of an emergency or if he'd be later than originally believed. And if he didn't call…well he had learned the consequences of that once.

In a situation like this one, Shino wasn't sure what his dad would do. Call the police definitely, but he wasn't sure how much they could actually do. His father said that once when the Uchia clan had been in charge, the police ran smoothly, and there were more than enough officers to handle the districts under their wing. Then something happened, and a good many of them disappeared leaving only a few behind, and for awhile there had been such animosity between the veteran Uchia and any newcomers that it was hard to get anything done. Only in the recent years had they managed to really pull together. And if anyone was caught badmouthing them, or even questioning something they did, they found themselves on the ground via one of Sasuke's tantrums.

He rolled his eyes at the memories.

"At least we'll have an interesting story for them. And considering everything that's happened, perhaps we can avoid them being angry with us."

"Maybe we could even sell it as a 'love of learning' that kept us." Tenten laughed, then yawned as she stretched and accidentally pushed Shino's arm off. She seemed to wait, as if expecting him to put it back, but before Shino could, she slid off the table and walked to the window, resting her head against the glass.

"I can keep watch if you want. You could…"

"I'm fine. Besides, you got hurt the worst. If anyone's taking the first watch it's me." she turned with folded arms, but Shino met her look with one of his own, biting back a sigh.

Did she have to argue about everything?

"How about we play for it? A quick game of Rashambo. Loser sleeps. Winner takes first watch."

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, before sauntering over and settling her hands on her hips in front of him.

"Bring it on. But I warn you, I've never lost."

After ten minutes, Shino was convinced the only person she'd ever played against was her father. Shino had caught enough 'challenges' that Kakashi managed to weasel out of by suggesting this game and every time to date, Kakashi had won. Just as he did again, and again, and again.

Tenten's eye twitched as she glared at their hands and obviously about to demand another round when Shino cut her off.

"You've lost twenty matches in a row. Wouldn't you call that a victory? I would." Shino smirked.

A growl rattled in Tenten's throat, but after another five minutes she finally honored their agreement with a large sulk.

"Fine! But don't you dare let me sleep the entire night!" she pointed her finger at him.

Honestly, Shino had thought of doing just that, but the look on her face told him that if he did, a dead fly would be more alive than him come morning.

"Promise." he said and Tenten nodded before sliding down one of the walls and curling up on the ground using her arms as pillows.

As soon as she was down, Shino slid off the table, and took off his jacket settling it over her shoulders.

She looked up surprised.

"You don't have…"

"Just take it. It'll get cold soon." he said.

Tenten was silent a moment, then smiled as she settled back down.

"Thank you. You can take it back if you get cold."

Shino simply shook his head as she closed her eyes and he couldn't help but smile as he slid down the wall next to her. Kiba had told him to come to the party tonight to spend some time with her. But if he had planned on going and tried to rush leaving, this wouldn't be happening now. Not just the bad things. But any of it.

If he had gone to the party, he was sure he wouldn't have even spoken to her, just watched and sulked. Here though…as much as he wanted it to be instantaneous, the way things were going were more than he could have logically hoped for. After all of this, there was no way they were going to die now. Nor was there any chance that he was going back to how things were on Monday.

To Be Continued…

A/N: I had so much fun writing this chapter! I really hope you guys enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought.

Hope you have a great day!

Be blessed

your friend

innocent-rebel