I do not own Naruto in any way shape or form. This is a story about Asuma and Kurenai before he went to the 12 Ninja Guardian, during his time there, and after...

I'm also very sorry if this spacing format is hard to read.

He was going away. Not forever, but to her it felt like it would be. He was one of he few people left there to comfort her when her father was honorably killed during the nine-tail fox attack on Konoha. She would miss him. He was her rock.

The wind was slowly blowing in the village hidden in the leaves. A young man sat on a bench near a tree reading a questionable book. He is focusing intently on the book, but the nearing presence does not escape him. A teenager probably the same age as he, was quietly walking towards him. Her crimson eyes piercing as the sun, yet gentle as the slow breeze around her. She slowly walked towards him and opened her mouth to speak;

Hey Kakashi! Is it true that Asuma is leaving Konoha? Asked Kurenai quizzically.

Yeah, why'd you want to know? He replied boredly.

Ow, I have no reason just….why? Even though they had just started talking she was starting to get annoyed because after all the trouble she had gone to to track him down, she knew that he may be getting ready to give her the run around, like he did to most people.

Well I heard that he's been accepted into the Daimyo's Twelve Ninja Guardian, but you probably know the real reason for him leaving….. He trailed off.

….because he's arguing with his dad. Finished the Kurenai.

Probably.

How long?

What?

How long is going to be gone?

I don't know, why don't you ask him yourself. Besides, Kurenai, why do you care so much? Have a crush? Inquired Kakashi.

Nnno! Its just he owes me….10 ryo. Quickly stated Kurenai. She tried to hide the blush that she knew was slowly creeping up on her face, but she also knew that is was too late.

I see…, you know your blushing

No I'm not. Whatever, bye Kakashi. Kurenai said as she left.

See ya. Replied Kakashi. Finally he could get back to his book without anymore disturbances.

She ran as fast as she could to the one place she knew he would be. Training ground 11, the calm one by the river. She found him propped up against one of the wooden poles staring at the sky with a cigarette lit in his mouth.

You know smoking is bad for you lungs, you really should quit.

Oh, hey Kurenai, what'd you want. Asuma looked up at the girl infront of him and tried to read her blank stare.

I just wanted to know if you really thinking about leaving Konoha, leaving your home, leaving….me. She inquired cautiously with the slight hint of hurt in her voice..

Asuma let out a heavy sigh. Yeah, I've been officially asked by the Daimyo to be apart of his personal guard for a while.

So how longs a while? Quietly asked Kurenai

A couple of years. He truthfully replied.

So you wont be coming back to Konoha for a couple of years! Kurenai flared angrily.

Sheesh don't be so loud. You're starting to sound like my mom. Asuma said lazily.

Ow, I'm sorry. She knew that somehow his mother, Biwako, had also been killed during the attack several years ago. Though she wasn't exactly sure on all of he details.

Well probably not several years straight. I know they let you have a week of leave every so often, and there are joint missions with Konoha shinobi's. He said, as if those words were suppose to make her feel better.

Well that doesn't make me feel any better. When are you leaving?

Tomorrow. He stated calmly.

TOMORROW! A million thoughts rushed through her head at once. Wait, so he leaves it to the last minute to tell me that he's leaving tomorrow.

Yes, I already said that Kurenai. To-mor-row. Asuma replied equally as calm as before.

She sighed in defeat. So what now?

We can go on a walk. Why don't you meet me by the pond past training ground 24. He knew that walks always made her feel better.

Deal. She replied. Hopefully they could go stargazing one last time.

And so they did. There, near the pond, they talked and laughed and reminisced about old times, for a while everything seemed perfect and normal, like the universe was finally in its place. They talked about the end of the war and the loss and current state of close friends: Obito, who was killed at the Battle of Kanabi Bridge. Anko, who was still recovering from Orochimaru's betrayal. Shizune, who left with Tsunadae. Kakashi, who wakes up everyday with the initiative to protect Rin. And Gai who unfortunately was still Gai. They discussed about other people as well, themselves included.

"I remember that time when we put inching powder in Hayate's forehead protector and Yagao spent the whole day trying to figure out what was wrong with him," laughed Kurenai as they walked closer to the pond. With the old memories flooding back, Kurenai was sad because she didn't want to let go of them, she was questioning what the future may hold.

Yeah those were good times, I'm really going to miss them. Sighed Asuma.

You know you don't have to leave. You don't have to go away to try to prove yourself to anyone, we all know that your strong and brave. Her words were like a soft whisper on the wind, barely audible, but entirely meaningful.

I know that, but it's more complicated than that…. No it wasn't complicated, he was sometimes just frustrated with his father. Who he felt didn't listen to him, or acknowledge him.

It doesn't have to be… she whispered.

He realized that they were so close, barely two inches apart. He took the opportunity, leaned down and softly kissed her.

He looked at her eyes, which were questioning his decisions. Then suddenly he lost his footing and fell back into the tall grass that lay in the water.

Asuma….Asuma? Are you alright? She couldn't see him, he suddenly fell back in the water, was he okay? She felt a something grab her foot and before she knew it, the hand was dragging her down into the murky water. She tried to scream but couldn't. Asuma was dragging her down into the cold opaque water.

Ha ha, I really got you there! Amusingly laughed Asuma.

Asuma you, you, you,….. She couldn't find the right words to respond to him.

I think the words you are looking for are; amazingly handsome guy, who has given you the opportunity to enjoy this refreshing water. Asuma implied the words with a sense of arrogance which he barely .

More likely the guy who's given me the opportunity to get wet. -.- Though I'll make the most of this. Retorted the now soaking wet Kurenai.

Splash, she threw as much water as she could on him for pay back.

So that's how it's going to be? Asuma asked questioningly, he knew he was not going to wait for her to reply.

He start splashing the water on her, and though this was childish, it was actually fun. Very few people got to see the open side of Kurenai, who could believe it or not, be fun.

The moon and stars were so clear in the night sky as fireflies started swirling around them. The reality of it all seemed so mystical.

It's getting late, we should probably get home before someone sends out a search party. Said Asuma.

Kurenai had the feeling in the pit of her stomach that we was right…. About the search party at least.

And you don't want to catch a cold on your first day of being a Ninja Guardian.

Don't remind me. He said as for a moment he started regretting his decision.

He helped her out of the pond and they started walking back toward Konoha. They could have ran or flew through the trees, but walking was a more scenic route, as they admired the stars.

Night Kurenai, promise to see me off tomorrow.

I promise, good night.

Asuma quietly crept into his house, going slowly, trying to not wake anyone. Suddenly the light turned on and he came face to face with an old man with white hair and brown eyes.

What are you doing up so late Asuma? It's nearly midnight. Asked the Sarutobi elder.

I was places… Cautiously replied Asuma.

Hm, well you need to get some rest for tomorrow.

Wait, your not mad at me or anything. Asuma inquired incredulously.

No, of course I'm not mad at you, it is not good for people to leave on a bad note.

Bewildered and slightly confused, Asuma started up the staircase when the 3rd interjected:

Besides, Kurenai is a very pretty girl.

Asuma stopped dead in his tracks and wheeled around.

How did you know that I was with her?

Well….I saw it on my crystal ball.

So you were spying on us, he said accusingly.

I don't control what the crystal ball wants to shows me. It's the crystal ball who shows me all. Cited Sandaime indignantly implying that somehow the crystal ball was alive.

Well may be you should tell the crystal ball to mind its own business. Asuma said stotically as he stormed out.

Well wasn't this a good conversation. Sarcastically said Sandaime.

It was now morning. The air was cool and the grass crisp. There was a person standing near the entrance gate to the village. He was waiting for someone. He hoped that she didn't forget, because he didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to her. Quickly a figure. A small figure who was running with all her might towards the gate, hoping to catch someone.

Hi Kurenai, I was about to leave, thought you weren't coming.

Well you thought wrong. I promised that I'd see you off, remember.

I know just….

Just what? Kurenai inquired questioningly, like she dared him to tell her that even after all this time, he may not have faith in her. But she knew that that wasn't true. He trusted her completely. He was just covering up his emotions, actingly like he didn't care. Acting like most guys do.

Nothing, he said ocquiredly, well I guess I'm leaving.

He turned around to leave. But before he could, she was there pressing her lips up against his, where it stayed like that for several minutes. When they broke of she was breathing quickly and starting blush.

In a soft whisper barely audible she requested a promise; Please promise that you wont die. Promise that you'll come back to me

I promise I won't die, and I will come back to you, you're my girlfriend. Those were the only words that came to his mind.

Yeah, your closet girlfriend. Kurenai smiled as she quietly laughed at that truth.

With that he turned around and lept into the trees, leaving her with a faded smile. She stared at him back until it was no longer visible.

She made him make that promise because even though they were no longer at war, they were still shinobis'. Shinobis' whos villages and countries had enemies, and sometimes very powerful ones who wanted you dead. They were shinobis' who carried out dangerous to trivial missions to protect those around them. And Kurenai knew that any shinobi slated to protect any country's Daimyo was always at high risk performing high staked missions. She hoped that she wouldn't loose him, because he was her rock, the one that made her strong.

End of Chapter 1

Okay so far I'm planning this to be 1-3 chapters long. I'll probably update it in several weeks depending on how lazy I am and depending on if I can actually figure out how to update chapters.

Please review because I need to know if the dialogue is smooth and if it flows well enough. To me, everything seems a bit scattered, clunky, and ocquired, but that's because I'm the author so review please!