AN: Wow, I never expected for this chapter to be this long. I didn't write an AN for the first two chapters cause I couldn't think of anything to write. Even though I only have a few, thanks for the nice reviews! I really appreciate This story is getting really interesting. Well at least from my point of view. Can't wait to type up the next few chapters! Please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter Three: A Prank and a Realization

It was 5 in the morning. The Hokage had called a meeting with the Jounin teachers. As I pushed open the teacher's lounge door, I heard a crash. I held the door and looked behind, hoping that it wasn't Kurenai. It wasn't.

"Kakashi, hey! Umm sorry about that." As I helped him up, I saw the bucket. "What are you doing?"

He smiled a devious smile, "I'm setting up a trap for our Beautiful Green Beast of Konoha. Soon, he'll be the Beautiful Red Beast of Konoha. Want to help?"

I have got to see this! Gai is going to freak! Can't wait to look at his expression! "Sure."

With that, the two Jounins set up a booby trap for Gai.

"Let me see. So, you put the bucket on top of the slightly opened door and so when Gai walks through the door, the bucket of red paint falls on him?"

"Yep. Teehee. I've been planning this for weeks!"

Kakashi and I then grabbed a seat with a good view and waited for Gai to walk through the door.

All of the sudden, I heard something.

"Alright Anko, I'll see you later. The Hokage called some meeting so I have to go."

"Kakashi, the trap works on the next person who walks through that door right?" I asked, feeling uncertain about it.

"Yep."

"It's fool proof right?"

"Yep."

"Unless someone takes it off the door right?"

"Yep."

"You made sure Gai would walk through that door next right?"

"Hehheh...whoops."

I panicked. I had to save Kurenai from being dumped on with paint. I ran towards the door as fast as I could. Just as I grabbed hold of the bucket, the door opened. Paint came pouring down onto Kurenai as I slipped off the paint and fell in the perfect spot, right in front of her with the bucket in my hand. I looked up at her. She was drenched in red paint.

At first she was shocked. Then she glared at me with her crimson eyes. "Asuma you jerk! I can't believe you!" She yelled at him. Just as she was about to leave, she turned to Kakashi, "Tell me what the Hokage said. I'm going home." She then stormed off.

I was trying to prevent this from happening but as luck would have it, it turned out to make me look like I had purposely thrown a bucket of red paint onto Kurenai. Now she hates me! I'm gonna kill Kakashi! Then he looked at himself and realized that his jacket had red paint all over it. I'll kill him after I get cleaned up.

"Kakashi, tell me what the Hokage says later. I have to go change."

"Okay, see you later, Asuma." Kakashi waved acting as if nothing had happened and it wasn't his fault.

Suddenly, right after Asuma had left, there was smoke. A familiar voice announced, "I, the great Gai, have arrived." Kakashi looked at him and thought, Why couldn't you have been here two minutes ago?

I can't believe he would do this to me! Now I'm soaked with red paint. This better be washable. Kurenai was fuming when she reached her porch. How am I supposed to open the door without getting paint all over it now? As if her mind had been read, the door opened and their stood Anko, looking very perplexed.

"Kurenai...you look...What happened?"

"Asuma dump a bucket of red paint on my head."

Anko was confused about this as she watched her friend stalk into the washroom and turn on the water in the tub.. Asuma has a crush on her. So he dumps paint on her head? This isn't right.

"Are you sure it was him? Maybe someone else did it."

"He fell right in front of me with the bucket in his hand."

"What if he was framed?" She asked, Anko still couldn't believe that Asuma had done it. There was no answer from Kurenai, so she sat on the couch and thought. Asuma likes Kurenai. Why would he do that to her?

It had been a while before Kurenai finally came out of the washroom. Her hair was washed and she was paint-free. Anko seems so sure that Asuma didn't do it. Why? "Anko?"she asked as she sat beside her on the couch.

"Yeah?"

"Why are you defending Asuma?"

"Because I know he wouldn't do something like that to you."

"I don't understand."

Anko turned looked her in the eye. "Kurenai, isn't it obvious?" "What obvious?" "Man, you must be blind to the signs or something." "What signs?" "He's been trying for so long too." "Who's been trying? Trying what?" She sighed, "Kurenai, Asuma has a thing for you."

"What?!" It had caught her off guard. Asuma..has a thing...for me? Kurenai turned three shades of red.

"It's true. He's been trying to get your attention for weeks!"

"Right..." Kurenai got up. The news was too much for her. Gotta go take a walk. Yeah, that would help. I could meditate and clear my mind.

"Where are you going?" Anko asked. Man, is she spacing out or what? Why is it so hard for her to believe that Asuma likes her?

"I'm going...for a walk."

"Awww, without Asuma?" Anko teased.

"No, alone. I'll...uh...talk to you later."

With that, Kurenai left, leaving Anko with an idea. Teehee. I know what will help! She got up and walked out towards Iruka's house.

Asuma was walking down the street pondering today's events. Kurenai must hate me. And it wasn't even my fault. Oh, it doesn't matter anymore. I should just apologize. He turned to go to Kurenai's house. Wait, I should probably give her time to get over it. He sighed and continued walking. I need to relax a bit. Maybe I should go to the bridge. That place is always calm and peaceful. Then he started towards the bridge not knowing who was already there.

Kurenai was leaning against a tree near the bridge, enjoying the warm wind and the gentle rustle of the leaves. This place is perfect to get my mind off of Anko. She sighed and closed her eyes. All of the sudden she heard a twig snap and she was suddenly on full alert. She looked across the bridge and saw...

"Asuma..." Why is he here?

"Kurenai?" What is she doing here? He blushed. "Umm...I'm sorry for what happened today. Uh...I didn't know you were here, so I'll just go." He turned to leave.

"Wait. Uh...for what happened today, it's okay. You don't have to go." Did I just ask him to stay? She was confused about what she just said but she kept that to herself.

"Okay...then I'll stay." He walked up beside her and looked down at her. She didn't look up. "Uh...mind if I sit?"

"No." was the only reply that he got. He watched as she scooted over a bit. Why won't she look at me? Is she still mad at me?

Asuma sat down and sighed. He looked over at Kurenai but she still didn't look back at him. She'll get over it. Maybe I can get some shut eye under here. He really didn't know or see that Kurenai's face was flushed.

He's so close...I can hear him breath...Ah! What am I thinking? Relax Kurenai, its just Asuma... She closed her eyes and listened to the gentle wind blow.

When she opened her eyes, she realized that it was getting late. She looked over at Asuma and saw that he was still napping. Should I wake him? I can't let him sleep outside. She gave Asuma a nudge, "Asuma, it's getting late." He was up in a instant and looked at the red sky.

"Uhh... wow has it really been that long?"

"Yes and I have to get home so I'll see you later."

What? She's going? I should do something. I shouldn't let her walk home alone...should I? "Um...I'll walk you home." She looked surprised.

"Um...no thanks. You don't have to go out of your way for me."

"It's on my way home." What am I saying? I live in the opposite direction.

"Uh...are you sure? You really don't have to."

"No. It's okay. I want to."

Did he just say...oh my god. Maybe Anko is right. She shook of her thoughts. "O...okay. If you're sure." He smiled and Kurenai had a strange feeling inside.

"Mind helping me up?" he asked.

She shook her head and offered a hand. He took it and she helped him up. Once he was standing, they held each other's gaze for a few seconds. Time felt like it had stopped. Something feels...different. What is it? That was when she realized that he was still holding her hand. She blushed and looked away. It took him a split-second to realize what she was flushed about. He let go and blushed himself.

"Um...should we get going?"

"Uh...yeah." So they started walking.

What did I feel? Do I like Asuma? Those kinds of questions came up in her head as they walked.

He had walked her to her doorstep before she realized that Asuma hadn't said anything to her. Is he as confused as I am? What is he thinking?

He smiled, "Well, I'll see you later." Their eyes met once again but she looked away quickly.

"Thanks for walking me. I'll see you tomorrow." With that, she opened her door and went in. Taking one last look at Asuma before he turned to go.

When he was out of sight, she leaned against the door and sighed. Is something wrong with me? I don't remember feeling this way before. Kurenai was caught comepletely off guard when she heard someone shout...

"KUUREEEENAIIII!"

"Anko! You scared the living hell out of me!"

Anko laughed, "A ninja always has to be on guard."

"Yes, but I'm in my own house. A ninja has to relax somewhere."

There was a sudden impish look in her eyes, " What about relaxing at Asuma's house?"

Kurenai turned three shades of red, "That was different."

"Uh huh uh huh...yeah...well, then at least tell me why Asuma was with you." A suspicious look was on Anko's face.

"Uh... nothing happened! I was just over at the bridge and then Asuma was there. So we sat under a tree," she blushed, "Nothing happened, okay?"

"You just sat under a tree for four hours?"

"We kinda dozed of a bit that's all that happened."

"Awww! And then he offered to walk you home?! That's so sweet!" Anko looked like she was about to burst. Suddenly, without warning, Anko threw herself on Kurenai and hugged her tightly, "I'm so happy for you!"

Kurenai was confused, "Your happy for me? What for?"

"Oh come on, don't be shy. Just admit it! You and Asuma are going out! Oh my gosh, I don't believe it! You and Asuma!"

She backed away from the overly excited Anko, " Hold on, did I miss something? Since when were we going out?"

"Kurenai, you can deny it all you want but I know the truth. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone till you are ready for other people to know."

"WHAT! Okay Anko, you're going ahead of yourself now. Asuma and I are...

"There you just admitted it! "Anko was pointing at her and giggling.

"...n't going out! We aren't going out!" Kurenai grabbed her by the shoulders and started shaking her, " ANKO! WE AREN'T GOING OUT! WE'RE JUST FRIENDS! DO YOU HERE ME?! NOT GOING OUT! ASUMA AND I ARE NOT, LET ME REPEAT, NOT A COUPLE!"

When she had finished, Kurenai looked at Anko. She looked scared and confused at the same time.

"Geez Kurenai, if I was wrong, you could have just said. You don't have to go all ballistic and stuff."

Kurenai was speechless. Did I miss something again? She shook it off. "Nevermind. I'm going to my room." She headed for her bedroom.

"Okay, I'm going out." Anko informed her.

"Going out? Now?" It wasn't that late but the sun had almost completely set.

"Yeah. I'm meeting Kakashi to uh...discuss something. I'll be back in about half an hour."

Kurenai raised an eyebrow. Anko is meeting Kakashi?

"Don't get any ideas Kurenai. We're just gonna talk."

"Right, you two are just gonna talk."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Have fun."

Then Anko thought, maybe I shouldn't have told Kurenai that I was meeting Kakashi. But I don't think she has a clue what we're planning for her and Asuma though. That's good. Kakashi and I've worked too hard to get them together to have my plans foiled. Teehee, I'm such a good friend! She opened the door and went out, leaving Kurenai alone to think.

Could I possibly have fallen in love with Asuma...

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