Kiyo woke me up, licking my face. I blinked, hearing birds tell me the sun had just rose. Well that was unexpected. I looked down and noticed an arm wrapped around my waste. My bare waste. In fact… nothing was covering us. I blushed.

That had really happened… I had done that with Asuma.

"You're up." Asuma said, spooking me. I turned around to face him, my eyes going up to his. I nodded.

"I didn't want to wake you. I have something I need to do before lunch… wanna meet me at that ramen shop?"

I nodded, wondering what he was going to do but too lazy to get my pen and ask. He kissed my forehead and stood out of bed. I averted my eyes. Sure I'd already seen it but… yeah.

"Later Calista." Asuma left. I noted that his voice was soft, happy. I was narcissistic to believe that it was because of me.

What should we do Kiyo? I asked the wolf who tilted his head.

Reluctantly we cleaned. Kiyo helped by carrying different containers. It took a few hours but by noon I had everything put together. Nice and clean. My bed was made with clean blankets, my fridge was scrubbed, there was no dust and…

I was becoming a housewife so young. That made me pout as I slouched against Kiyo.

A knock on the door disrupted my thoughts. I opened it, looking at Neji Hyuuga. I raised my hand in greeting.

"Lady Tsunade sent me. She wants you to report to you about your throat."

I formed my mouth into an 'o' and looked down at Kiyo who blew air through his nostrils. Tilting my head in thanks I left my room, walking in silence alongside Neji.

"I was wondering if you would allow me to do something later." Neji began, continuing when I looked at him. "I want to look at your chakra. It felt like an invasion of privacy before so I never pushed it, but I am curious about it."

I sighed. Another person thinking I was weird. But, Neji was asking nicely so… I nodded.

"Good. Can I observe it while you fight Asuma today?"

I nodded again.

"Thank you."

"No not you too! You should have seen the look on Shikamaru's face."

I recognized that voice. Asuma? Neji looked at me when I stopped and turned to my right. There was a little teashop and sitting at a table were Asuma and a girl I faintly remembered as the leader of Kiba's team. She had black hair, red eyes, and red lips. She was very pretty if I was being honest.

I watched them for a second. Then Asuma put his hand over hers. I blinked.

"Well it's true!" The brunette insisted. "But… I'm glad your back. Was it easy training your student?"

"She's a good girl. A little hot-tempered and sensitive but I have some hopes for her."

"She looked to have grown up well. Took on a member of the Akatsuki."

"Yeah. She's still a little girl at heart though. I'm glad it's all over. All that traveling was tiresome. Nice to see my other students again. They've grown up. I feel guilty for missing it all."

And their conversation moved onto other things. My fists clenched and then unclenched. Who was she? Why didn't I know about them? It was clear there was something going on. Little girl? Was that how Asuma thought of me?

"I wonder if they are official now." Neji shrugged, turning to continue walking. I grabbed a small pad from my back pocket as we walked.

What do you mean Official?

"You did not know? They have been together for a few years. Not official, but it might as well be. Asuma is in love with her at least."

I nodded in understanding. But I didn't understand. Did he really love her? Why didn't Asuma ever mention her? Was… was it because I was so young? He didn't seem to care the other day… and he never mentioned another girl.

"Calista?"

My head shot up to Neji. I didn't realize I wasn't walking anymore. I shot a smile at Neji. Why did it seem like I was faking a lot of smiles lately? My life was happy for the most part. Was I just ungrateful? That was probably it.


"I need you to report to Suna. You leave in one week."

I blinked, looking at the Hokage as she sat behind her large desk. Was she joking? Why did she want me to go there?

"After the kidnapping of the Kazekage, we all came to realize something. Right now allying ourselves against the Akatsuki is most important. I want to send you as an ambassador to Suna. You will be under the Kazekage's command and are to obey him in every way." Tsunade closed a folder that had been on her desk. "I expect weekly reports."

"Isn't this something for a Jonin to do? Calista's just a Chunin."

I hadn't noticed Jiraiya sitting on the window seal before now: my mind had been on returning to Suna and to… Gaara. He moved down and stood besides the Hokage.

"Then this is her first mission as a Jonin." Tsunade intertwined her fingers and looked over them.

At first her words didn't make sense. Me? A Jonin? With all due respect Lady Tsunade… I'm not too sure if I qualify for such a high rank.

She read what I wrote and then reopened the folder on her desk. "2 D-rank missions, 3 C-rank, 13 B rank, 2 A rank, and 1 S rank. While normally we would expect a bit more experience, you were gone for the majority of your time. You faced off with an Akatsuki member. You helped save the Kazekage. Your inteligence is average, your jutsu is advanced Jonin level, and your Taijutsu is something we will see today. There is no reason to deny you this opportunity. Usually there would be a more formal process but time is of the essence here. If we want a Jonin to go to Suna, we will make you one."

I swallowed. Arguing with her seemed appealing but I resisted. If she wanted to believe my fight with Hidan was something special when it wasn't, who was I to question her? She was the Hokage. Instead I bowed my head in respect.

"Excellent. Jiraiya, take her to the training ground for me. I will be there shortly. I am eager to observe her progress in Taijutsu."

"Aye." Jiraiya put an arm around my shoulder. "Too bad I don't like Taijutsu that much. I almost offered to test you out. Now trying that jutsu of yours against mine… That would be fun ne?"

I shivered. I didn't want to fight him! He would kill me on accident. I did not have the brave will that Naruto did. Then again… he would throw himself at Madara if he was still alive.

We arrived at the training grounds to see Asuma already there. Neji, Shikamaru, Shikaku, Ibiki and Kakashi were all surrounding the green field. I was surprised by the turnout. I expected Neji and Shikaku but that was about it. I glanced around, feeling nervous when I looked at Asuma. The image of him holding hands and laughing with the girl from earlier popped into my mind. And I couldn't think of that when I sparred.

"Don't let him intimidate ya." Jiraiya laughed.

I nodded. Slowly I removed my face mask and I pulled out a string, tying my hair back. I handed the mask to Jiraiya who took it, smiling at me. My bare feet padded on the ground as I approached the middle of the field. I shot Asuma a smile and he returned it with a sideways one. I liked it when he smiled like that. It was h-

I shook myself. I couldn't think of Asuma in an attractive way when I was fighting him.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Tsunade appeared to the left of me. I looked at her and nodded my head.

Before Asuma could react I moved. Catch the enemy off-guard.

Of course it didn't work. Just as I raised my arm to punch him he pivoted to the left, blocking it with his arm. As he did so it forced me to the side a bit. I took advantage of the momentum and spun, moving my leg to kick him. He blocked the attack with his arm. My fist shot out for another punched only to be blocked again. Left punch blocked by right arm. Left kick blocked by right arm. Spin, kick, block. I kicked at him once more and the force pushed the two of us skidding back apart.

He didn't hesitate. He attacked again and our arms met in a block. He jumped and aimed to punch again. I jutted a foot forward for balance and blocked it by moving my arm up and letting him slide through that. Another punch blocked my arm, my foot moved backwards. Kick, duck. Another kick, protected with my right arm. Another kick, dodged. Spin. Switch places. Punch, pivot, block.

Our dance continued. Neither of us able to land a blow. Was he going easy on me? Was it because of last night? I didn't want that. I put a little chakra in my feet to sturdy myself. Another punch. He went low; I faked a kick to his lower half. He had an unprotected face. I kicked.

I almost froze in shock when my kick landed and pushed him back to the side. He moved his hand to his side pocket and took out a kunai, running forward again. I took a deep breath and at the last moment shoved my arm out, knocking his aside and moving to punch him. He was wide open.

He managed to get his leg up in time to kick my hand away and spun with the momentum, landing another on my shoulder. I moved to the side, recovering in time to block a kunai aimed for my side. Punch, block, punch, block, kick, punch.

Kick! A kick aimed for the side of his face was blocked by his hands but it held too much power and he went skidding to the side. He recovered and stood up. We stared at one another for a minute. "You've improved more than I thought." He laughed.

I smiled at the compliment. Focusing chakra in my hands I charged. Even with chakra fortifying my strength he was able to block punch after kick after slash; neither of us winning.

The fact that we had a crowd was lost on me. He aimed to kick my side. I blocked it with my arm. He spun and brought his other foot down to kick on top of my head. I flipped back, bringing my leg up to kick his as I did so. He caught it between his and I used my core strength to twist around, slamming him into the ground. I moved to punch him and he pulled on my arm to pull himself back up. As he did so he grabbed my chest and shoved me into the ground. I spun to the left before he could finish me off with another punch, hopping up just in time to block a kick.

I needed tactic. When I blocked that kick I moved backwards. He followed. Slowly I lured him back towards a tree. When we were close I kicked against it, flipping into the air and aiming a kick on top of his head. He blocked it and grabbed three Shuriken. As he flung them towards me I ran up the tree, tossing two down at him. He blocked it, jumping onto the tree as well. He ran after me up the large trunk and when I was at the top I moved to jump to the one across.

He followed, cutting me off midair. As we fell we exchanged an assortment of punches. Just as we were about to hit the ground we separated, throwing shuriken at one another. As I dodged mine I felt a kick to my back and widened my eyes. The Asuma I had thrown shuriken at had disappeared. It had been a clone! Before I could find my footing another kick was delivered to my torso. I gritted my teeth as I fell back. When another kick was aimed I grabbed his foot and pulled him down, aiming to run him into my shuriken. He twisted at the last moment and threw me forward. I skidded and landed on my feet.

We circled each other, both trying to find a hole in the others defense.

"Enough." Tsunade shouted.

We both froze.

"You guys are evenly matched. Anything more would be pointless. We'd be here for hours. She rubbed the back of her head. I smiled sheepishly. I was glad I was able to hold my own. But… why did Asuma go easy on me? He should have been able to easily destroy me.

I walked over to Asuma and Jiraiya, smiling at both of them and taking my face mask back. Slowly the people there to watch me disappeared.

"Good fight Calista." Jiraiya clapped a hand on my shoulder. I winced away. That was the one Asuma kicked.

"Going to have some bruises tonight." Asuma complained. "I'll treat you for dinner though."

I shook my head yes. That sounded good. Asuma left and Jiraiya studied my face. "You've improved. Before you couldn't even beat Naruto!"

His laughter made me smile. Now I was pretty sure I couldn't beat Naruto….

We exchanged a few more pleasantries before he left as well. I sighed and rubbed my neck, about to leave.

"Who was helping you?" Neji asked.

I probably jumped a foot in the air. I didn't see him there. What?

He read my pad and narrowed his eyes. "Who helped you?"

Nobody. I tilted my head in confusion.

"Don't lie to me. I saw the chakra."

What chakra? Mine? I asked. What on earth was he going on about?

"There were multiple chakras going through you… too many to count. You had to have someone in the shadows transferring it to you."

I shook my head. I think you saw wrong Neji. It was just me I swear.

"No… I'm positive. There were other chakras in you. Like the chakras of a hundred people shoved into one body. Someone had to be feeding you that." He insisted, frowning and looking at my stomach.

He had to be going crazy. How was there chakra in my body that wasn't mine? Neji… you should get some sleep.

After I wrote that I walked away. He wasn't making sense. Multiple chakras? What nonsense…


I slept with Asuma again that night. For the week I trained, ate, trained, hung out with Asuma, and slept with him in his bed. We repeated the first night over and over again. Perhaps I was mistaking what was going on for love, but I found myself not wanting to leave Asuma to go to Suna.

The week passed by too fast. On the last day I woke up with Asuma. He wrapped his arms around me and the warmth felt nice.

"morning."

I nodded against him.

"Sleep well?"

Another nod.

"Do you go to Suna tomorrow morning?"

Another nod.

"I see… I wish I could spend some more time with you today. I'm training with Shikamaru though."

I bit my lip and nodded again. So on the last day he wouldn't spend time with me? Depressing…

I felt Asuma shift and I turned around. He sat up and put a hand on my cheek, rubbing it with his rough thumb. My eyes closed as I leant into it.

Asuma put his lips over mine in a gentle kiss. Then he let go of me. "See you tonight?"

I nodded for the hundredth time that morning and watched him go. Afterwards I snuggled into his bed, smelling his pillow.