A/N: Hmmm...I suppose I just wanna write something. I feel sick and Sound nin are just the perfect outlet for my anger and boredom.

oOo

I clutch Dosu's hand tightly in my own as I stare past the gates into the vast forest before us, where the second phase of the Chuunin Exams takes place. Some of us may not come back, and I sure as heck don't want it to be me.

"Hey, Kin. Are you okay?" Dosu asks, looking at me with his one uncovered eye, head tilted to the side.

"Yes..." I say quietly, not looking the boy in the face. I scold myself. This could be one of the last times I get to spend with Dosu - I may not survive those five brutal days in the forest. And here I am, worried about what he thinks about me?

I let out a tiny sigh as I remember how I've been worrying about Dosu's feelings toward me a lot lately, even with the exam. I didn't even know what he looked like, and I barely knew anything of his personality, so I couldn't honestly say that I loved him, but my feelings were more than I would tell anyone, even Zaku, and he was my best friend.

It's now or never, I remind myself.

I don't want to get stuck with never.

"Dosu..." I whisper, catching his attention once again as Jounin walk around the fence and begin unlocking the gates. "You and me...do you think we'll survive the Chuunin Exams...together?"

"I'm not going to let anything hurt you." Dosu says, giving me an amused glance. "Funny, you didn't mantion Zaku...what about him?" My heart nearly stops as Dosu leans a little closer. "Do you... want it to be just us?" He teases.

"Yes."

Dosu blinks in suprise, as if thinking over my response, then turns, shrugs, and enters the Forest of Death.

I sigh.

So Dosu doesn't like me. It doesn't mean I have to stop trying.

oOo

A/N: Splee! My philosophy on boys!