Disclaimer: I'm exclaiming in my disclaimer that I haven't done a disclaimer yet, so I'm sorry. So I don't own Naruto, because if I did, I would've totally ruined it. For that, I'm feeling really grateful for Masashi Kishimoto.

Blah= whatever

"Blah"= talking

Blah = different language

'Blah'= thinking or emphasis

(Blah)=Me or extra blah blahs

Blah= Flashbacks

Blah= Change of place, time, and POVs

The next day/Kaori's POV:

I hurried to Rookie Nine's training post the next day. I had overslept, again, and I'm now late, again. But it wasn't my fault, again. It was our day-off!

… again.

'Well, considering how it was sensei's fault I'm late, I shouldn't get in too much trouble.' I calculated.

Last night, Hikaru-sensei went all the way into stupid dark mode just because I let Naruto eat his nasty lemon ramen thing ("This is actually pretty good- ttebayo!"). I had to buy countless number of bowls just to pacify him and he's such a slow eater. It was already past my bedtime by the time he was on his second bowl, and I couldn't pay beforehand because I wasn't sure how many Hikaru-sensei would get at the time. I'm really regretting taking everyone out in the first place.

'But on the plus side, it kept you from thinking about everything yesterday!' My inner stated in a hopeful tone.

"Yeah." That's true. Too many things happened yesterday and it's really hurting my… head.

Makoto looked up once I came into view. "You're late."

I winced at her bland tone. They must've been waiting for a while.

I gave her a weak smile. "I'm sorry."

"Kaori-chan! There you are! What took you so long?" Tsubasa-kun greeted with little Suzumaru in toll. "You look so gloomy!" He asked.

"Ah, gomen. I overslept." I shrugged. He nodded, deciding not to push it.

"You must pay with your blood!!!"

And Hikaru-sensei seems more impatient than usual.

I smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I'll tell mama to make some lemonade or something for you."

"Alright! On to business!" That same teacher clapped his hands for authority. His once scary demonic features changing to that of his normal placid yet very dim visage.

Che. It's so easy to get around sensei. After all, I am his favorite student…

… By default… But it still means I'm special!

The thought of that cheered me up some.

"Sensei's acting like more of an idiot than usual." Makoto-chan stated, with Tsubasa nodding in agreement.

"So what exactly is this 'Oh so important announcement that we must hear?" Tsubasa asked while I bit out of the apple I had snatched just for the heck of it.

Sensei instantly turned serious, as he remembered his duties. "Alright, listen closely, you three. I realized that you three are growing and improving so I decided not to hold you back."

"Okay." 'Haa?'

"So I've entered you into the Chuunin Exams! Baum bada baum baum BAUM!" He sang, waving a big banner that said 'Chuunin exams!!! YAAAY!!! Congratulations!!! LOVE PREVAILS!!!' in big, bright bubble letters.

Apple enters breathing hole. "Huuughk! Haaack! Kaaf! Haaaaachkk!"

"… Wait, what? I wasn't listening." Tsubasa-kun cut in, confused as he looked at his surroundings: streamers, balloons, confetti, and a choking Amakusu.

After my fifth attempt at the Heimlich maneuver, the apple flew out of my mouth with an "ErkhgerupopohhqwerHHK!" or some other extremely unpleasant noise and I was finally able to breathe.

"Boo hoo hooo… nobody listens to meeee…" Sensei blubbered, oblivious to all else as he crouched pitifully. "They all hate meee… everyone hates meeee…. And I worked sooooo hard to prepare this party tooooo…"

"Sigh! Don't cry again… Tsubasa, you idiot! Look what you did." Makoto scolded, showing more life after being caught off-guard with the news.

"Boo hoo hooo…"

Oh, sensei. Out of all the people here, I feel the least loved.

…

And I was talking about how no one noticed my near-death experience.

Not Kiba.

Damn it, now I'm thinking about him.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute! We get to be in the Chuunin Exams? No way!"

"Oh, whatever gave you that idea, I wonder if it was from that biiiiiiig sign with the words 'Chuunin Exams! Wowsers!' written all over it in bubble letters! Great job, Toriwa! I didn't think you had the brain capacity to figure that out!" Makoto exclaimed sarcastically.

"Shut up, Majikan! I didn't- Hey! Don't agree with her, Suzumaru!"

I couldn't help but feel a smile coming at this commotion. Makoto and Tsubasa were arguing again, but this fight was more lighthearted and teasing, even Hikaru-sensei stopped crying and was passing out drinks.

"Eh? Kaori! Why do you look so glum? I thought you'd be the happiest out of all of us!" Sensei shouted, making sure I could hear over the other two's playful banters.

My eyes widened. "Me?"

"How could I let you look so sad when you're my favorite student?" Hikaru-sensei asked. For once, seeming mature. "After all these two are always so quiet and mean."

"Oh! I really am?"

They nodded and I colored, instantly feeling shame. Was I really the only one who was ruining the mood? This ironic change of characteristics had really done a dramatic job.

Oh no… I can't ruin this for them.

I blinked, as if I was zoned out and smiled a big one. "Haha, sorry! I was just tired and stuff! I just- I… Thank you…" I smiled, reaching out to hug them all. Even Makoto-chan hugged me back awkwardly.

They still looked unsure, but I smiled and brushed it off. "I'm okay guys, really!" I turned to sensei before they could see anything else. "Thanks for letting us do this, sensei! I can't wait!" I kept my grin. That much was true.

"You're welcome."

I laughed again. It's ridiculous. He trusts us so much that he signed us up to fight for our lives in a deadly, life-threatening fight arena just because he knows we'll live! How sweet! And everyone's so happy!

'I am not going to spoil everything just because of Kiba!' I declared forcefully, as I put up a more determined exterior.

Why did I even like that him in the first place? I mean he can be such a jerk sometimes… Even though I know he's only joking.

And he's not even that good-looking… Because there's way more to him than that, and he's insanely hot and adorable at the same time.

And he's so mean… Despite always knowing when I was down and cheering me up each time.

He also has a terrible personality… When all he cares about is his dog and his friends

And he always has to show off just because he's so great.

…

Damn it!

'I'm just going to just treat him like another person!' Cheers! 'My crush on Kiba is officially gone! I will never think about him again!'

"I wonder who else is in the exams." Tsubasa muttered. "Are we going to be the only rookies? Hey Kaori, do you think Inuzuka-kun's in it too?"

WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST SAY?

"How would I know? I'm not a psychic!" I forced a giggle. The other two exchanged a look before talking amongst themselves.

"So sensei?" I asked, taking a sip of juice. "When exactly is the Chuunin Exams?"

"I think in a few months or something!"

"…"

I cocked my head and swallowed awkwardly. Knowing his tendencies to over exaggerate… "When you say that do you mean next month or something? Why are we celebrating it now? In fact, shouldn't we be training?"

Sensei shrugged. "I felt like having a party so I decided to get together today." He grinned, prompting us to do the same.

"So…" Makoto started. "You wasted our training time just because you were bored?" She groused, more than annoyed.

Hikaru-sensei paused, and his face held a thoughtful look. "Ah, if you put it that way…"

"I'm leaving."

"Me too. I'm outta here. Let's go Suzu, I think sis's sleeping so we can steal some snacks from her. It's almost training!" Tsubasa grinned, jumping high into the air at the thought of seeing his precious sister.

"Ahh, don't get so mad at me! I thought you'd all like it!" Hikaru-sensei whined. "Hey! Stay!"

'Poor sensei!' I thought helplessly. "Gomen! I have to run some errands for my mom. Maybe we can celebrate on the actual day of our exams? We can just train next time…?" I suggested hopefully. 'Please don't cry. Please don't cry. Please don't cry…'

Hikaru-sensei grinned, brightening up at the thought of another party. "Alright! Ja ne!"

Phew. I smiled. He took that well! "Bye, guys! Good-bye Hikaru-sensei!"

"Bye-bye!"

I smiled to myself and just went on home. I had lied about the errands, and my mom was the one out shopping. I creeped down the wooden hallway slowly, feeling drained. Upon entering my room, I made a move to crawl beneath the covers of my bed, clothes and all, just wanting to think.

I hated it. I hated how everyone actually had to go through the effort of cheering me up. It wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to be happy… but how could I let them see me upset in the first place?

I bit my lip. It hurt that they cared. They worried but to me it barely mattered because they weren't Kiba. Kiba-san didn't like me like that and it was all I cared about. I gave another sigh.

Was I really that infatuated? He doesn't see me in that light. That much I should get over. So why did I care so much about him? Why can't it stop?

I just… can't let this continue.

I'm sorry, guys. I'll be happy again tomorrow. I won't let it happen again. I promise.

\-----------------------------------------------------------------------------/

So how was that chapter? Pretty good? Did it suck like crazy? Oh, just review your thoughts to me. Anyways, sorry for the delay of updates folks! I first started out with a writers block, and then I got kinda lazy so… I'm sorry! I keep promising myself to update quickly and then I fail once more!! You can use me as a practice target for cyber kung fu or something! I deserve it!!!

And please review!