Yeah, another chapter for ya' guys. xD

It's been almost a month since the death of my parents. Me and Ayame moved from our family home to another apartment, since both of us were still too sensitive to live in there. At least, I was.

Investigators tried to find any type of clues, but nothing was found. I was furious, furious that such talented shinobi can't find a single damn clue. And as the time passed, my fury has faded away. Instead,I was trying to smile, for my friends and my sister, but, that didn't work so well either. Saddnes has took most of my heart.

Ayame, although she didn't wanted that, was packed with missions. And each of that mission has took more and more from her. She would come home looking pale as a ghost. But, whenever we spent time together, a little color would turn back in her cheeks, and I could see the same little sparkle she had before the deaths of our parents. She was my only family now.

As for my training, I continued to practice with my teammates. I told Akira to focus more on the guys because of the exams. After all, this is their dream, and I know they want this really bad. They were really sweet towards me, Isao especially. Sometimes I would doubt if that was really the Isao I know.

"Who are you, and what have you done to Isao?" I asked once.

"Why, Misaki, it's me. What made you think that I am not me?" he answered with a grin. That made me smile.

"Oh, look.. There is a smile on your face." said Ryochi, as he put his hand on my shoulder.

"I am not totally depressive, you dummy." I said, as I punched him in his arm. "I thought that I wasn't going to see your smile anymore, but you proved me wrong." he replied. "I was really scared that most of you faded away."

"I am still holding my grounds, somehow." I said, as I turned away. And he was right. The big part of me did fade away. Anyone could notice that my smile wasn't the same as before, nor my personality. I became a mere shadow of the person I once was, and I was aware of that. But still, I was trying my best to keep my soul alive, and my friends helped me with that. I can't thank them enough for that.

"So, are you two ready for the finals? They are pretty close." I asked after the training.

"Yeah, we are. We're gonna kick some major ass, aren't we Ryochi?!" said Isao as he grabbed Ryochi and pulled him into hug.

"Yeah we are, now let me GO!" Ryochi yelled, as his face became red. "Oh, c'mon, don't be such a party pooper, I haven't hugged you in ages, man!" said Isao, as he tightened the hug.

"Uhm, Isao, he's gonna choke if you don't let him go." I said as-a-matter-of-factly.

"LET ME GO YOU MORON!" screamed Ryochi. I sighed, and I moved onward, leaving the two behind in their buddy romance.

"Idiots." I murmured, as I was walking home. On the way there, I met Naruto at the Ichiraku's ramen (where else would he be?). As usual, he was devouring his 6th bowl of ramen. We talked about the finals, and how he trained hard to become a Chunin.

"I'm gonna wipe Neji's ass for what he did to Hinata. He's gonna eat every bad word he said to me or to her." he said angrily.

"It seems that you really care for Hinata." I said to him. He suddenly blushed.

"W-Well, she's my friend. And even though she can be weird sometimes, she really is a nice person." he said with a smile.

"You really don't get it why is she acting that way around you?" I said, as I cocked my eyebrow at him. He shook his head, with a blank expression on his face.

"You really are a dummy, Naruto. But, a cute one" I winked to him, as I jumped from the chair. "See 'ya."

"Wait, why you said that I am a dummy?" he yelled after me.

"You have to figure that out on your own!" I yelled back, as I waved. As I was heading home, I remembered that I had to buy some groceries, so I stopped by to a convenience store. Packed with groceries, I headed home. As I was walking, I couldn't stop thinking that someone is watching me. And usually, my sense never failed me. I turned around, and I saw the person I least expected to be here.

"Is it really necessary for you to follow me like that? I am not an murderer, you know?" I said with a tint of sarcasm in my voice.

"Is it also necessary for you to be sarcastic?" answered Temari. As she stepped in to my view, I could see traces of dust on her outfit. As usual, she was carrying her huge fan on her back.

"Training?" I asked again.

"Yeah, me and Kankuro were preparing for the finals.. Hope you're gonna come and watch.." she said with a smile.

"I can't promise anything. I'll try to come. After all, my team is in there, too." I answered. "Care to join me? We haven't talked in a while."

"Yeah, sure." she said, as we started to walk to my house.

"So, how are you holding?" she asked with concern in her voice.

"I'm fine. Actually, I am quite alright, comparing to what I was a couple of weeks ago. At least, I don't cry." I said with a small grin.

"I'm glad. Kankuro was worried about you,too." as she said that, my heart fluttered a bit. "I said to him that he could visit you, but he said that you're not ready."

I smiled. He kept his promise. I was surprised that he was this patient. He waited all this time, just for me. I felt so happy.

"Can you please tell him: Patience really is a virtue. He'll know when you tell him." I said with a small smile.

"Sure. Misaki, you do realize his feelings? Right?" asked Temari.

"Yes. After all, they are as same as mine." I answered, as I hugged her. When we came to my house, we said goodbye to each other, and went to our homes.

"I'm home!" I yelled. I went straight to the kitchen, packing all the groceries to their places. After finishing, I glanced at the table, and saw a note.

I went to Genma's place. Lock the doors, I brought my keys.
Ayame

"Love birds." I thought. I was tired so I decided to go to sleep early. Before I went to my room, I stopped by to the living room. There was a small shrine that Ayame and I made for our parents. Their pictures were in the frames, and they were surrounded with flowers and candles. I lightened a candle, and started with my prayer.

"Hi, mom.. Hi, dad.." I said in a quiet voice. "It's been a month since you are not here with Ayame and me. It's been tough. Mom, I miss your cooking, and the way you used to calm the fights between one-chan and me. Dad, I miss your comments about boys, and your advices. I wish you were here with me. Both of you. I hope that the place where you are now is much better than this world. I love you so much." and with that, I ended my prayer.

As I approached my room, I could felt the presence of someone in my room. I pulled out my kunai, and carefully stepped into my room. I turned on the light only to see..

Cliffhanger. I am so mean. xD Don't worry, I am currently writing Chapter 15 (I have free time, thank God for that), so I will post it as soon as possible. Thank you for waiting this long, and thank you for loving this 'story'. :3 Love 'ya!

VixenGirlxx563