Ayame's P.o.V.

"FREEDOM!" Naruto screeched as we exited the hall where the Writing Portion of the Chunin Exams took place. He walked with his hands behind his head in a sort of peacock-type strut. As we exited the building, other ninja teams were flooded around us, eager to leave the structure. "I bet you guys thought I was going to flunk us all, huh? But I didn't! Ha! Beliiieeevvveeee it!" He sang with light haughtiness.

"Right, and you managed to have that many more teams make it to the second portion, dobe," Sasuke remarked as he rolled his eyes. "Did you even answer any of the questions?" Naruto spun around with an accusing finger extended and pointed in Sasuke's direction.

"Hey, shut it, Teme! I answered all of those dumb-super-easy-peasy questions!" The glared at each other and I sighed.

"Can't we just be glad it's over?" I asked myself more than anyone.

"Cha, for now," Sakura said, arms folded across her (small) chest. "We still have the rest of the Exams to go. That's gonna be five days of survival. Talk about brutal."

Okay, sidenote: I'm really starting to dislike Sakura, so somethings I say from now on may or may not be extremely biased.

"I know that, Sakura," I muttered with a slight eyeroll. "We have to be prepared. Everyone," I gained the attention of Naruto, "make sure to sharpen your weapons, pack only what you need, and get plent of rest tonight, okay?"

"Hai," they all said, agreeing to my terms. I nodded, pleased.

I feel as if I have more authority than before. Something about this Exam . . . I'm not sure quiet what it is, but it feels familiar. Satisfying. It was really weird; I've never felt so in my element. I'm unusually excited for the Second Portion of this Chunin Exam. Is this a good thing? I am well aware that our lives- all of our lives- are potentially in danger, but I'm still unafraid. I thought I was before, but my nerves have faded. It's an odd feeling, but it is also empowering.

"Hey," I was pulled out of my momentary daze by the sound of Sasuke's voice calling me. I noticed that the rest of the team had dispersed, leaving me and my mate. Heh. Mate.

"Sorry, what?" I asked as I began to walk to him. We fell in step as we walked into the marketplace of town. Sasuke's face held the shadow of a sly smile.

"I was about to ask you out on a date," he informed me, "but you seemed to not have been listening to me." I grinned bashfully as I rubbed the back of my head.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I chuckled nervously. "But you don't have to ask me out on a-"

"I want to," he said, interrupting me. "It's not for you. It's for me." I rolled my eyes.

"Well, aren't I the apple of your eye," I said sarcastically. Sasuke allowed one short chuckle to escape his lips.

"You know I love hanging out with you, but I just want an excuse to do so in public." I gave him an odd look.

"Why? That's weird. You're weird."

"Because I like you?"

"That is exactly why." I poked his side with my index finger. He wrapped his hand around my digit and we walked finger-in-hand throughout the village.

"Just do this for me." It wasn't a request. I sighed with a mischievous grin.

"Ask me out properly and I'll think about it."

"Oh, fine," Sasuke said in a playfully exasperated voice. He moved his hand to lace his fingers with mine. "Ayame, will you go on a date with-"

"Yes."

We laughed together. We walked around the shopping district and I made mental notes of things I was running low on at home. Rice, vegetables, tea leaves, soap, dog food. Simple things. I wasn't exactly sure where Sasuke was hauling me off to, though. He never did reveal the specifics for our date. He's a weird kid, but I like him for some reason.

"Where are we going?" I finally asked. The early-evening breeze was whisking past us as we walked on the road. "Hatori's? IchiRaku? That grilled food place that no one seems to know the name of?"

"What was that last one?"

"Nothing."

"Oh," Sasuke shrugged. "Well, anyway, it's a new place I found. I think you'll like it."

I eyed him over suspiciously before I decided to drop it. We kept walking until we came across a building with a beautiful facade. I must have looked surpirsed or impressed because I caught Sasuke's smirk out of the corner of my eye. 'Ta-da' his eyes seemed to say. This building had a juice bar that wrapped around the inside of the place with shelves behind them. The paint on the walls were uniquely patterned with black and purple. The moldings along the floor and ceiling were black. It was gorgeous.

"Wow," I breathed out. Sasuke chuckled.

"Hn. What'd I tell you?" He said it softly. I could tell from his tone that he was relieved I was satisfied. "Let's go on, hm?"

"Yeah, yeah," I was excited now. This was sure to be a fun date.

Yuki's P.o.V.

"Thank Kami that's over," Ryo huffed out when we got back to our flat. He was sprawled out on one o the white couches in our living room. Himeko was sitting in the shagged carpet next to him, whilst I was sitting in a small chair across the room. Momo was out doing Kami knows what.

"Yeah, I was having a tough time with that one," Himeko agreed. "Momo has been working with me to tune my lightning chakra into the epicenter of the brain to-"

"What." Ryo looked oblivious to whatever it was his sister was saying. Himeko pinched the bridge of her nose as she muttered something that sounded like 'Aho' (idiot).

"Okay, never mind, I don't feel like explaining it."

"We need to talk tactics," I said, leaning back in my chair, arms folded across my chest. "Ryo, what's the deal with this alliance idea of yours? Fill us in." Ryo looked up at me before he fixed his posture and sat on the couch appropriately.

"Right," he nodded. Himeko moved to sit next to him on the couch. "So, I figured that, since you already seem to have befriended that ginger chick-"

"Ayame," I corrected. Ryo nodded.

"You've befriended Ayame, so getting the rest of her team to join up with us should be easy." I shook my head.

"I don't think it's going to be that simple," I argued. Ryo frowned.

"Why's that?"

"That dark haired boy, Uchiha Sasuke, doesn't trust me in the slightest," I informed them. "He is suspicious of my intentions on befirending his mate."

"Heh. Mate," Himeko chuckled under her breath. Rolling my eyes slightly, I continued.

"Anyway, Himeko, I think you should try to get to know that Sakura girl. The one with pink hair? Track her down and lightly suggest the idea of a gathered force. Understood?"

"Hai," Himeko nodded. She looked out the glass door that led to the balcony. "Now?"

"Now," I nodded. She flashed out of sight with her lightning speed. Evasion was one of her strong suits. "Ryo, you need to go to Naruto." He pouted.

"But I-"

"This was your idea," I reminded him. "I'm just helping to formulate to plan. Do as I say and this will work out for us." Ryo rolled his eyes, but nodded.

"Hai, Yuki, whatever you say, oh Wise One. This is a lot more work than I thought it would be." He dashed over to the front door and quickly exited the flat. I was left to myself.

I slouched in my chair. I listened to the breeze outside through the glass door. I took a deep breath through my nose and slowly exhaled through my parted lips. I felt uneasy. It was as if I was being watched. I stood up and walked over to the patio door. I slid it open and went to stand on the balcony. I ran a hand through my midnight blue hair, taking in a panoramic view of the city around me. I was certain of my spy, now; I could feel it with every sense in my body.

I turned around and looked on the roof of my building. There was something sitting there. It was the same thing I saw two days ago, only it was much closer and I saw it more clearly. It was not a bird, as I first thought it was. It was clothed in burgundy and black and white, The was a large, tanned orb on its back. I knew exactly what it was.

"Sabuka no Gaara," I said in a breath.

He didn't move. He head was tucked into his knees, which were drawk to his chest, and his crimson hair peeked out, showing flames of red locks. I took initiative. I leapt up onto the railing of the balcony and jumped onto roof, which is where he was sitting. I was on the edge whilst he was centered.

I stood there for I don't know how long. Waiting for something to happen. For him to speak, swear, move, anything. I remembered how I felt captivated by his eyes. How I felt when we locked gazes- that reminds me, I still have to make that doctor's appointment. Or maybe it wasn't anything medicine could cure? Perhaps . . . Perhaps he was the cause of my quickened heart. My fluttering stomach. My clamym shaky hands. Nah, probably not.

"Gaara of the Sand Village," I called, tone firm. "What is your business-"

"Shut up," he mumbled. "Shut up. Please." How polite. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"No."

He slowly raised his head to meet my gaze. His ringed, teal eyes bored into my dark ones. I swallowed.

"Then leave me be," he said with a deep voice that threw me. "You don't want to make me angry."

"I have no intentions of doing so," I told him. His eyes flickered curiosity for a brief, yet distinct moment.

"Then leave me alone."

"Fine," I said, turning my back to him. "Stop following me."

"I'm not following you," he protested before I left. "I'm following the feeling." I raised an eyebrow, not that he saw.

"What feeling?" I asked. I recieved no answer. "What feel-" I turned around, but he was gone.