AN: This is the 3rd chapter to my first book on fanfic, hope you enjoy it.
The next couple of weeks I spent at Suna were quite enjoyable. Kunkuro and I had become great friends after the Gaara incident. Everyday went pretty much the same way.
I would wake up late, and then head out to find Kunkuro and Temari. When I found them, I would jump on Kunkuro's back yelling, "Kuro-kun!" He would end up face first on the ground while Temari and I laughed at him. He would make a comment about me being especially happy to see him that day, making me blush. I would say I didn't know what he was talking about and Temari would start teasing me. After I got them to shut up, we would go play at the park or just run around chasing each other.
And don't think that just because Kunkuro warned me about him, I forgot all about lil' Gaara. Quite the contrary, actually. I tried to sneak to see him multiple times. But every time I got close enough to talk to him someone, whether it was Kunkuro, Temari, or a random bystander, would get me away from him.
Once I had managed to introduce myself to him. Only to be dragged away by Kunkuro right after.
What really bugged me about it was the fact that Kunkuro had apologized to Gaara about my trying to speak with him. Like, I was committing a crime rather than a kindness by trying to become his friend. It bugged me so much in fact, that I refused to talk to Kunkuro for the rest of the day. I had said hey to Temari, and then ran straight to my hotel room.
The two were knocking on my door in ten minute intervals. I know, I counted in my head once. I ignored their pleas to try to get me to come outside. Kunkuro even threatened to beat down the door, but I knew he wouldn't.
I was really bored, though. So I did go outside – through the window. I monkeyed my way up to the roof.
It didn't take long for Kunkuro to find me. "Popori?" he asked. "I'm sorry about the while Gaara thing. I just . . . didn't want you to get hurt is all." He added after my silence.
I was ignoring him, he knew how I felt about Gaara, and so he continued. "You're my friend Popori. I'd have to kill myself or something if you got hurt and I knew I could've stopped it."
This made me glance at him, but then I remembered I was mad at him and that I was refusing to talk to him.
He sighed then grabbed my chin and made me face him. I looked down as he said, "I really am sorry, Popori." He tilted my head up so I was looking in his eyes, "Don't you believe me?"
And before I could yell in his face, he kissed my nose. Yeah, it was a nose kiss, but it still made my cheeks redden and my heart beat against my chest.
He gave me a look that signaled that he was still waiting for an answer. I sighed long and loud, and then looked at him sideways through my bangs grinning. (I had been wearing my hair down like he said I should ever since that second day at Suna.)
That was my answer and he was going to have to figure what it meant on his own. I stood on the roof, and before he could stop me, jumped to the next balcony.
I landed on the hand-rails with my feet, then just to show off a bit, fell to the next and landed in a hand stand. I kept this pattern until I was on the ground – palm, foot, palm, foot. I peered up at Kunkuro when I was on the ground. I saw him standing, looking half terrified, half amazed I wasn't dead. I giggled, and then ran off to find Temari.
The last day at Suna was almost unbearable. I had woken up, and unlike the rest of my stay in the Sand Village, my father was waiting for me. He was already prepared a breakfast for us and everything.
I looked at him quizzically but he just shook his head and gestured to my plate. I nodded then ate quietly, but quickly. As we were packing our stuff, I had a pang of sadness that hit me. I was going to miss Kunkuro and Temari. They were my friends and I didn't want to leave them.
But another part of me missed my friends in Konoha as well. I had already promised Sasuke that I would make it back home safe. He was my best friend back there, and he needed me there for him.
As my father and I reached the entrance to Suna, I heard someone call my name. I glanced back and saw Kunkuro and Temari running as quickly as they could to get to me. I smiled at them and waved. They smiled back and stopped in front of us, panting like dogs.
"What . . . the heck? Not gonna say bye to your friends?" Kunkuro asked with a smirk on his face.
I laughed then looked at my dad. He nodded, giving me a few minutes with them, walking ahead.
I looked at both of them. "I'm gonna miss you guys." I said sadly.
Temari nodded, "We'll miss you too, Popori. But we'll see each other again one day. We're all going to be ninjas. And I'm pretty sure that the Chunin exams are held in Konoha, so we'll be sure to meet you there! I promise!"
She winked then hugged me. I hugged her back and turned to Kunkuro. He was staring down while kicking the dirt with his sandal.
"I don't want you to go." He sounded like he was pouting.
I put a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, I don't wanna leave you anymore than you don't want me to leave. Like Temari said, we'll see each other again. She promised."
He looked up at me and smiled slightly. When we hugged, a tear ran down my face. I really didn't want to leave Kunkuro. He was a really good friend, and I trusted him with everything I could. I knew I would never forget him, and when we met next, I would maybe, just maybe, give him that kiss he ordered.
When I pulled away he wiped the tear from my face and smirked, "Don't cry, you look like a baby."
I stuck my tongue out at him, and then he added, "Bye for now, Popori Ikame."
I smiled at him then stood up straight. I looked past them and saw Gaara sitting in a tree, watching us. He had come to see me off as well. I smiled to myself, and then turned to follow after my father. As I waved to all the sand siblings, I made a vow. The next time I saw Gaara, I would try to the best of my ability, to make him feel happiness.
AN: aw, goodbye Suna! The next few chapters are going to be based on building Popori and her family's history. I need them to fit into the Naruto story somehow. Don't worry, though, Kunkuro and Popori will be united!
Until next time, read and review if you want. 3