AN: I'm sorry to Jordan for my killing off Popori's family and making you almost cry. But I promise that things will get better for her, preferably in this chapter. ;)

While Kunkuro, Temari and I get caught up with each other, the other Leaf ninja are fascinated. Sasuke is the only one that isn't staring. I think that they think that it's weird that I already know these guys. I would explain, but that would bring back bad memories. I intend to stay away from those as much as possible so, they care stare all they want.

A woman with purple hair comes in the room. I stop talking about my recent mission, and stare at her. Everyone goes silent as she explains the rules. The first phase of the Chunin exams is a written test. Good, my team will definitely ace it. She tells us that anyone caught cheating will cause not only themselves, but their entire team to be eliminated. Bummer.

We sit down at the tables. I end up being sat between Kunkuro and Shikamaru. I sigh quietly to myself. He better not try anything funny.

Of course though, as soon as we start filling out answers, his knee brushes up against mine. At first, I don't mind. It's not that bad, and it feels kind of nice. The next thing I know, his hand is on my thigh, his thumb stroking my bare skin. I'm completely distracted. I really want to kick his ass, but that would probably get me in trouble, so I have to just sit there and endure it.

I'm on my last question. I know for a fact that I got all of my questions correct. I complete the question. I smile, feeling accomplished. I look up at my teammates. Gontei is already finished, of course. Shoji is still working, but he doesn't look like he's having trouble. I smile; we are so getting past this. I look around at all the faces.

This is when I see Gaara. His eyes still hold the same sadness and loneliness. The Kanji for love is written on his forehead, above his left eye. I wonder why its there. But the only reaction I have to meeting his blood-thirsty eyes is smile. Smile with the remainder of the love and happiness that I have left. Smile so brightly, that I can see the surprise in his eyes. He probably hasn't ever had anyone smile at him before.

He doesn't smile back, but I can tell I altered his perception on people, well at least me. I can tell he remembers me, because he seems to be lost in thought when he looks away from my smiling face.

My thoughts are interrupted when a hand latches around my thigh. The grip is tight, so I can't claw it off. Before I know what's happening, I'm sitting so close to Kunkuro that I might as well be sitting on his lap. I look up into his eyes and glare at him. I know I can't make a scene, and it pisses me off.

After what seemed like an eternity of claustrophobia, the purple headed lady (I didn't pay attention to her name) tells us that our time is up. I sigh happily then stand up and slap Kunkuro so hard across the face that he falls into the floor. I smirk as his eyes and fingers start twitching in pain.

I smile up as I hear Temari's stifled laughter. I spy Gontei's smirk and Sasuke is even sitting back with his arms crossed like he just won a fight. I also hear Shikamaru mutter something that sounds like, "Women. . . I suppose the creep deserved it though. . ."

The instructor ignores our little confrontation and informs us about the last question. Many ninja leave the room after hearing the consequences if they were to get the question wrong – elimination. I know my team well enough that none of us will leave. If anything, we'll all enjoy the challenge. The instructor smiles at us and tells us that there is no last question.

"What do you mean?" Sakura asks. Man, she annoys me and I haven't said two words to the girl.

"I mean that we just wanted to see who wanted this bad enough." The instructor said.

Everyone makes sounds of acknowledgement. That was the end of the first day of the Chunin exams. I smirk, tomorrow brings the real challenge.

"Hey, Popori?" Kunkuro has run after me. I left pretty quickly, wanting to get some training in.

I turn to look at him curiously, "Hm, what is it Kuro-kun?"

He seems to smile in relief. Maybe it's because I used his nickname.

"I was wondering," He begins looking a little unsure of himself, "if you'd like to, y'know go out with me tonight?"

I tilted my head at him. "Are you asking me out on a date, Kuro-kun?"

It looks like he's blushing under all his face paint, but I can't be for sure. "Uh, yeah that's the plan."

I make a face, just to tease him. It works. He totally looks defeated. I smile up at him, "Of course. What do you have planned for me?"

His face lights up, "Are you serious?" I nod encouragingly so he continues, "Actually, I want it to be a surprise. Just, don't where anything too fancy, alright?"

He winks at me then turns to run off somewhere as I yell after him. "Hey! You don't even have anything planned do you! Hey, Kuro-kun I'm talking to you! Kunkuro!"

I can hear his booming laughter as he runs farther away. I sigh, why wouldn't I wear anything fancy on a date? Isn't that the point? Boys are weird.

~Kunkuro's POV~

Crap. She actually said yes. I think to myself as I'm running. Really, I used this as an excuse to get away from Popori. I really don't have anything planned. I wasn't expecting her to say yes after the incident earlier. I rubbed my cheek, Man she slaps hard.

"Shit!" I mutter to myself. Why did I tell her not to wear anything fancy? Isn't that the whole part of going out? Ugh, I'm stupid. Wait! I know why! This will play out perfectly.

I make a quick turn and head into the grocery. "This is going to be awesome."

~Popori's POV~

It's been well over two hours since Kunkuro asked me out. Does he even know where I live? What if he can't find my house and I end up waiting for him until I fall asleep? He better hurry up.

Someone knocks at the door. Whoa, that was cool. I run to the front door and open it. I look up into the eyes of Kunkuro, no face paint, no kitty ears. He's in a plain T-shirt and shorts. Well, at least he didn't out dress me. I look down at my tank top and shorts.

I smirk, "Clean up nice, don't we?"

He chuckles, I think he's nervous. "Yeah I know. Well are you coming?"

I nod and give him a 'duh' look. He holds out his free arm and I link arms with him. His other arm is carrying a basket. Curious.

"What's in there?" I ask pointing to it, feeling like a little kid.

He smiles, "You'll see."

We walk to a lake that I had no idea existed. I smile; we're having a picnic. How cute.

"A picnic? How thoughtful, Kuro-kun." I tease him.

He rolls his eyes, "Don't mess it up. I wanted our first date to be nice y'know?"

I smirk at him then take my arm away and place them on my hips. "Well if you don't play your cards right, Mr. Pervert, and then this will be our first and only date."

This seems to piss him off, "Yeah well, I'll try okay?" He is totally pouting. What a baby.

We eat our dinner in silence. It's pretty out here and I'm enjoying myself. I glance at Kunkuro and he's staring at me like he's thinking.

"What?" I ask.

"Do . . . Never mind." He mutters.

I roll my eyes. Fine, make our date all silent and awkward.

As we finish up, I sigh. We haven't talked since I asked him what he was thinking about. This is really starting to get boring. I'm trying to think up excuses that I can say. Training? Well that was my original plan for the evening. . .

Before I can tell him I need to leave, he stands up and smirks at me impishly.

"I don't like that look," I say scared.

He smirks even more devilishly and stalks towards me.

"What are you doing?" I demand.

He doesn't answer. He tries to throw me in the water. He has grabbed me by the waist and has me lifted in the air. I scream playfully and swat at his back telling him to put me down. He only laughs and throws me in the lake. It's cold. So cold that when I come up for air, I'm instantly shivering.

He's laughing at me. I growl. He isn't paying attention to where I am. I quickly swim up to the bank and grab him by the ankle's and pull him in. He falls with a big splash on his stomach. Ow.

When he comes up for air he looks really annoyed. His facial expression is hilarious; I can't help but to laugh. He's mad for a while, but then joins in.

I smile at him, "Y-y-your face is h-hilarious!" I say through chattering teeth.

He smiles back, "Yeah, well your face was a thousand times better!"

I climb out of the water, "I-I-it's freezing." I mutter.

Kunkuro follows after me then grabs my waist and pulls me onto his lap. When I give him a look he explains himself.

"You're cold. I'm just warming you up, honest." He looks serious enough.

I decide to trust him. I lean into his back and wrap my arms on his. We sit like this for a good three minutes, until he decides to break the silence.

"You know . . . We'll get warmer faster if we take our clothes off. . ." he says quietly.

I nod, but don't take anything off. He sighs then lets go of me so he can take his shirt off. Sure enough, his bare chest is warmer than his soaked shirt.

"See, no harm done. I'm being serious, Popori. No need for you to get sick before the Chunin exams."

I sigh. He's right. It would suck to get sick right now. I groan silently then reluctantly push his arms off of me and pull off my shirt. I groan louder when I realize that I am practically half naked. I'm sitting on Kunkuro's lap in a black strapless bra and shorts that should be worn as underwear only.

We sit like this for another two minutes or so. Fireflies light up all around us. Maybe it seems to be going slower for me because I'm extremely aware of the situation I have put myself in. It's nice though. I'm enjoying the warmth that seems to radiate off of Kunkuro. I think that's why I'm so desperate to get away.

"Popori . . ." he whispers to me.

Foolish as I am, I turn my head to face him. I know what he's trying to do when I get a look of his face. He's leaning in, and I'm frozen in place. Dear God, he's trying to kiss me. I don't want this. No I can't do this. His face is so close to mine. I can feel his breath on my lips. It sends tingling sensations through my veins, all the way to my fingertips and back up.

I push him away. I curl up into a ball and hold myself. I'm crying. I realize this when I taste salt rolling into my mouth. Why am I crying?

Kunkuro looks shocked, but more than that, he looks hurt. I don't want to hurt him. He's my friend. I don't want him to be hurting. He shoves his own feelings away and holds me while I cry. I look up at him. I need to tell him, so I do. I tell him about my sisters and father. About that fatal day. The day my perspective on the world got thrown all out of proportion.

After a while he whispers, "I better get you home."

I nod then get up. My legs are weak. He supports me, practically carries me back home. At my door I stand there, not knowing what to say to him.

He stares at me, and then says quietly, "I know why you won't let yourself love me. You're afraid that if you let me in, you'll end up loosing me, like your family. I'm not going anywhere, Popori."

I look at him, "How do you know?" I whisper so softly, I can barely hear myself.

He looks at me in the eye then says evenly, "Because I love you."

He leaves it hanging in the air before quickly kissing me on the forehead. "And I'm ready to give everything I have to get you back to your old self again."

He smiles weakly at me then leaves. I stand there not knowing what to think. Does he mean it? How do I know he's not just flirting with me? Do I love him? Can I allow myself to love him? This awkward feeling behind my stomach . . . does it mean I love him?

AN: yay! I'm happy with this chapter. A lot actually. W00t!!!! wow, longest one I've had so far. Reviews are nice, and they keep me inspired to update quicker! ;)