~Author's Note~ I'm new at this... and quite honestly would love to get some pointers on my mistakes and have feedback to go from there. Also, should I upload longer chapters? I'll put up Chapter 2 next week. Thank you for reading!

CHAPTER 1

Hi. I'm Kitsune Aiko, a Genin from Sunagakure! I have short white hair with bangs that get into my eyes, and dark, royal blue eyes and I wear blue and black Kimono tops, plain black shorts, and sometimes a whitish gray overcoat. I'm trained by a Special Junín called Wishina Eri, a woman that specializes in Storm Release (which is rare in Suna and considered a very powerful thing), with two other girls my age named Riku Hayashi and Haruka Ki. Riku and Haruka are Earth Style users, but Riku can sense chakra levels as well, and I am working on Lightning and Water Style Jutsu as a Genin, a rare thing in my village again (and notably good, since I already have two chakra natures as just a Genin).

Well, except for my father, who doesn't really, eh, like me (I guess I can say it like that… you'll find out later). As for my friends, I have a few; there was Riku and Haruka naturally, but also Yuuna Itomi, a girl that was called a genius and had Earth Style chakra, and Kankuro and Temari of the Sand Siblings (Gaara is scary to me… his eyes just have so much hatred when he looks at me. I don't know if I did something or it's just how he looks at everyone, but I get chills every time. And it isn't just because he has the One Tailed beast inside). At first I thought all the Sand Siblings were really scary, but as time went by and I was forced to interact with them Kankuro and I would start to talk and then meet up daily. It seemed to bug him when he was around younger people, but he always made an exception with me, even though I was 2 years younger than him. Haruka and Riku would spy on us almost daily, annoying me and making Kankuro laugh at my 'funny reaction', and Wishina would look on as we bickered about it later and say, "I'm glad you're having fun as Genins- it won't last long." I'd always stop and see a stormy look in her eyes, making me get an uneasy feeling, but I never knew about what a Shinobi's life brought or the tension between the countries so I would shake off the look after a while and go back to the normal life.

After a while, Kankuro and I started to get lunch together every day at a little restaurant, sometimes staying there and sometimes taking it to go and eating it as we walked around. We were two peas in a pod, unable to be separated, the best of friends.

My training sessions were always right before I met up with him and his after, so if the session lasted longer than usual we'd always have less time.

One day the training period took a whole 30 minutes longer than usual because of upcoming Chunin exams that we would be entering, so when it was over I split immediately and ran to the little store to see Kankuro sitting down at the usual table with some rice balls sitting in a plate, untouched, and his hat off. He was twiddling something around in his hand, his fingers working delicately on the item. I sat down on the other side of the table and took a deep breath, trying to regain level breathing and thinking about what I could possibly say; it was my 3rd day in a row to be late. He looked up, his brown eyes twinkling and his paint nicely done, making him look even more mischievous. I set my face apologetically as I breathed hard.

"Sorry, Wishina-Sensei made us practice our Taijutsu…" I breathed, and Kankuro just looked at me with a blank expression. I shrank down slightly, feeling bad. "I'm really sorry…" I whispered, and let my eyes go to the table. Taijutsu… ugh, I hate Taijutsu. Why couldn't we just do it tomorrow? Suddenly he burst out laughing, making me look up, puzzled. "Eh-"

"Your face was hilarious! I don't care, Kitsune! You were so serious!" He breathed out in between laughs, and let his head fall in his arms as he laughed harder. I crossed my arms and glared at him, and when he looked up he paused and burst out laughing again. I should have known… so typical of him. "Aw, is Kitsune-Chan pouting?" Kankuro asked as his laughing subsided, making a pouty face and sticking his lower lip out. I glared at him harder, annoyed, and he laughed again, his eyes twinkling. I looked away, embarrassed. "You didn't need to apologize. We've been over this before Kitsune- when you're late, don't be sorry; you couldn't help it! Besides, you need to be less apologetic."

"Well, sor-" I stopped myself and sighed, closing my eyes. "I mean- whatever."

"Now we're talking," Kankuro said, smiling, and I rolled my eyes and took a rice ball and bit into it, still annoyed. Kankuro took one of his own and ate it, still smiling.

"So, what is that thing you were working on?" I asked, and Kankuro glanced at the now abandoned item. It was made of wood and had little holes in it, carved smoothly with a willowy curve.

"It's part of a renovation for Crow; I'm going to get prepared for the Chunin Exams! I want my puppets to be perfect for the battlefield!" I rolled my eyes and finished my rice ball and continued on to the next one.

"I'm going to enter the Chunin Exams too. Hopefully we won't have to fight!" Kankuro let his eyes fall, his smile fading slightly.

"Yeah… I heard the second and third rounds are where you have to fight each other from what I've heard from eavesdropping. The second is a survival challenge held in a place designated for the exams, and the third is in an arena. My dad says we've lost some Genins in those rounds…" I swallowed the suddenly flavorless bite with difficulty and lowered my rice ball, not as hungry as I was before.

Something in my gut told me the Chunin Exams aren't going to turn out nice this year. I thought it was anxiety at first, but it settled deep into my stomach and stayed there, doubling in size when I thought about the exams. Something is going to happen… was it because Gaara was going to enter? Why are they even letting him enter, anyways? I didn't like the thought one bit, and not just for my own safety; what about everyone else?

Kankuro seemed to see my actions and sighed. "Hey, nothing like that is going to happen this time!" I bit my lip, the familiar fear welling up inside me I get when I think about the exams.

"Kankuro, you don't know that'll be the case… anything can happen to our friends, you… me," I accidentally let the last word come out choked and swallowed hard, not looking up at Kankuro.

"Kitsune, if anyone comes close to harming an inch of your skin I will personally rip them to shreds. You have my word! I swear, you will survive these exams with flying colors and become a Chunin easily!" I reluctantly plopped the rest of my rice ball into my mouth and swallowed, resisting the urge to not finish eating it, and got up. I kept my gaze down, not looking at Kankuro.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I whispered, keeping back terrified tears, and started to walk away quickly so I wouldn't cry in front of Kankuro. It wasn't just an uneasy feeling that was bothering me; it was also the reputation I had to keep up, the people believing that I'll pass easily because of my two chakra natures. What if I don't? Think about what everyone would think of me then… I'll just be a failure, and that scares the living crap out of me.

A hand suddenly caught my wrist and wrapped itself stubbornly around mine, making me stop and turn. Kankuro made eye contact with me immediately, his eyes on fire. I cringed, preparing myself.

Crap. I made him mad…

"Kitsune, you have no right to be worrying about the exams. You are already a well-respected young Kunoichi of Sunagakure that has everyone's interest, even the Kazekage! I heard him talking to his Board about the Genins that are going to participate, and you were one of the people that everyone seemed to take interest in. What are you afraid of? What could you possibly be beaten by?" I bit my lip hard, forcing back my tears and masking my emotions. "And don't be worried about what your father thinks," I cringed as Kankuro hit home base.

"It's just… I have a bad feeling about the exams this year. I think something may go wrong."

"Kitsune, it is just anxiety! We all have it. Look, if something does go wrong, you have your team and friends to cover your back. You have me to cover your back! Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you," He pulled me in suddenly, jerking my arm, and hugged me hard. I wrapped my arms around him and felt my face twist in emotion. "Just do me one favor. When you get home, eat a little more. Two little rice balls won't cut it- it won't be enough." I pulled away and looked at my feet, shaking my head.

"I-I'm sorry…" I whispered and ran out, tears escaping my eyes and flowing down behind me.

"Kitsune!" I heard Kankuro yell, but didn't stop. People stopped and watched as I passed by, making me even more self-conscious.

Kankuro's POV

I sighed as I watched Kitsune run and everyone else glancing in between us with curious eyes, and slowly went back in the restaurant. I put my hat on quickly, stuffed my new puppet part into my pocket and got the rest of the rice balls to go and headed slowly to the meeting place for training, not caring that I was late already. Temari will kill me, surely, but I didn't really have room to give a crap about that. What could be plaguing Kitsune's mind and making her doubt herself besides her father? I know how her father is, but she says it doesn't bother her much, so that must not be it. She knows what I said was true, but she still worries about failure… what is it? Is it maybe her personality or looks? If so, I should inform her about all the guys talking about how she's a looker, hot, awesome, and what everyone is trying to get. Ahh, you're a mess Kitsune… and, you're going to get me in trouble! I'll go by to make sure she's okay after I finish training… I know her parents are off on a mission. I reached the training grounds and came upon the sight of Temari pacing around with a pissed look, Gaara sulking in the background, and Baki sitting down with a bored look. As they saw me, Temari immediately ran up to me and punched my head, making me cringe.

"Eh, hey! What was that for Temari?" I asked, rubbing my now sore head and setting the rice balls down.

"What was that for?! What was that for?! Kankuro, you're late! We should have started 15 minutes ago!" Temari yelled, pissed, and Baki sighed. "Do you want to fail the Chunin Exams?!" I sweat dropped.

"Temari, calm down. I'm here, right? Let's start." I said, and my sister glared at me as she stepped back. Baki started us on training, but my heart wasn't in to it. I stumbled through the routines, making Temari even more fed up, but I shrugged it off.

At the end of practice, the sun was going down. It was hot and sticky- enough to take my hat and shirt off during training. I quickly put my shirt on, grabbed the leftovers and started to head to Kitsune's house, but Temari grabbed my shoulder harshly and spun me around.

"What the hell is up with you, Kankuro?! You haven't been able to deflect one attack today!"

"Temari, I have a lot on my mind. Now, please let go," I said, keeping cool as I returned her stare. She punched me again in the arm, her lip curling. I cringed and rubbed my arm, betting there'd be a bruise there tomorrow. Geez…

"Get it together, brother, or else I'll make you. We are not going to mess up our exams!" She stalked off, mumbling under her breath. I sweat dropped and headed towards Kitsune's house quickly, worry taking over and my sister's brutal personality quickly escaping my mind.

As I reached the house and knocked, no one came to answer. I called Kitsune's name and knocked again, but there was still no answer. I tried the door to find it unlocked, and entered to find everything off except a light in the kitchen. I entered the kitchen, curious and worried, and sighed as I came upon Kitsune passed out on the kitchen table. When I took a closer look, I saw she had been studying for the first part of the exams. Biting my lip, I set the food down and stood in hesitancy. Should I maybe wake her up? Or maybe I should just take her up to her bed while she's asleep? Well, she is a heavy sleeper if she was still asleep after I knocked and yelled.

Ugh.

I closed my eyes and sighed, making up my mind, and softly picked Kitsune up. I paused, hoping she won't wake up, and made my way to her bedroom.

As I kicked the door softly with my foot to open it and put her in her bed, I smiled.

"You're a mess, you know that? You are." I whispered, rolling my eyes. I turned to leave, but suddenly Kitsune moved, making a soft sigh.

"Kankuro?" I heard her whisper, and I froze. Embarrassment immediately washed up, making my face get hot.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay. I left the leftovers on the table… I'll be leaving now, I guess," I whispered and quickly left, not wanting to show my pathetic blush.

Kitsune's POV

I had immediately went back and began to study when I got home, not caring to eat. When I first heard the knocking, I knew immediately who it was; it was pretty predictable for him. I laid my head down and pretended to be asleep as he entered, and listened as he sighed, put something down on the table, and paused. I thought he'd just leave with a note, but he actually lifted me up and carried me to my room, putting me down on the bed and putting the covers over me. I fought the blush and kept still, listening as he stepped back.

"You're a mess, you know that? You are." I heard him turn to leave, but my body reacted before I knew what I was doing.

"Kankuro?" I opened my eyes to see him freeze, tensing up. His hat was off again, showing his brown hair, and I could bet his paint was smudged from the training.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay. I left the leftovers on the table… I'll be leaving now, I guess." He whispered and left. I felt my face get red hot and smiled, giggling as the door shut.

Oh, Kankuro… how unpredictable that was.