A/N: I know, I know. Should be working on Lessons of Love, right? Well, the shoujo-ai fairy came a-knockin' at my door, the plot bunnies attacked, and now Mitoko loves Karura. Isn't that great?

oOo

(Mitoko POV)

I didn't expect the cold, taunting bite of steel against my skin, threatening to cut. I knew that if I moved the wrong way, it would cut against my neck, and with my teammates gone, that wouldn't be good. Her arm wrapped around my torso, pressing my back firmly against her body. I leaned back, into her and away from the kunai, but her knife weilding hand moved with me. Blonde hair tickled my cheeks. She was skilled, I could tell. There was no hesitation behind her movements.

"You have the scroll?" She purred. I couldn't nod without risking being cut.

"Y-Yes. I do."

"Where?"

"M-My left jacket pocket."

She let up a bit on the knife; I felt the scroll removed from my pocket by her free hand. She placed it in her own. "Good girl." She held me against her like that for a few moments. Everything was in slow motion. Even my heart beat seemed to slow down. "You're Mitoko Uchiha, aren't you?" The girl continued. She knew all these things about me, and yet I didn't even know her name. "The prodigy everyone had been talking about? They say that you're the best in your year, that these exams will be nothing for you. Have you heard it?"

This time, I could nod. "H-Hai."

"Hmph. If you're such a genius... then why don't you fight? Why don't you escape?" The older girl taunted. The arm around my waist was loosened ever-so-slightly, and I saw my chance at once. Not for escape. I turned around to look at her more closely. The expression in her cold, green eyes was unreadable as I pushed myself against her, drawing in her warmth. "I don't w-want to fight." I whispered, my voice tight with fear.

Her arm tightened around me again, holding me close. "You may be a genius... but you fear fighting, don't you? You don't enjoy combat like I do?" Her voice lacked emotion. "Would you be scared if I made you fight me?"

"A bit." I confessed, laying my head against her chest.

"Don't be. I won't force you, Mitoko-chan. Look at me."

I lifted my head to obey her command.

And then she kissed me.

When she broke the kiss - it could have lasted for one second or one thousand eternities - she smirked. "You're certainly a strange one."

"Hai! I mean... um... a-arigatou... I think."

"Kawaii." She let me go - I felt so cold - and looked at me one more time before turning her back, short, dirty blonde hair whipping around in the wind.

"Wait!" I called out. "Before you go... your name, please..."

She studied my face for a moment, as if trying to decide if I was worthy. And then, "Karura no Sabaku, at your service." To this, she added a bow, and I thought she meant it respectfully until I saw her smirk and the devious glimmer in her eyes.

I had a hard time finding speech. "Karura... that's a lovely name."

"I'm flattered." Karura looked amused, but strangely serious at the same time. "But I need to get back to my teammates now. They'll think I died or something. And if they saw... that... well, I would never hear the end of it."

That.

She's ashamed.

"Wait. Karura." I heard myself say.

"Hm?"

"Will... will I be able to see you again?" I murmured to her turned back.

"Perhaps."

This was her only response. And then she was gone. I placed my hands on my lips. I wanted her to want to see me again, but something within me told me that there would be obstacles.

END

A/N: What do you think? I'll continue when I can.