Chapter One: On a Little Walk?

It had been a long day after training. Kurenai had just finished her progress reports for the day and was hoping to relax a bit when she finally got home. Just as she walked out the door, she heard a familiar voice call her name. She turned around and there he was.

"Kurenai."

"Asuma."

.He scratched the back of his head as if uncertain. She waited, expecting an uncomfortable question to be asked. She thought about what he could ask and cringed at the possibilities. Do you have a boyfriend? Why are your eyes red? How did you become a Jounin? She shook them all off, half expecting one of those questions would be asked.

"I...um..was wondering if you want to go to my place to relax for a while?"

She blinked. He winced. Then she thought, I would rather go home and relax by myself but Asuma always agrees to stay at my place for coffee when I ask, so I guess I should. "Umm.. sure, why not?"

He smiled. She raised an eyebrow. He seems happy about something. Thoughts and questions filled my mind as we walked to his house.

It had only been a few minutes when we saw Kakashi, reading his dirty book under a tree. Asuma called out to him. "Hey, Kakashi!" Kakashi looked up. When he saw me, and a mischievous look crossed over his face. At least I thought he looked that way. Oh no. He's going to say something.

"Well hello, Asuma. Kurenai. On one of your little walks?" I could feel my face turning scarlet. Asuma quickly denied it.

"No, we're just going to my place to relax a bit. The past few days have been exhausting."

It was obvious that Kakashi didn't believe him. So I decided to back him up. As soon as I opened my mouth, Kakashi interrupted.

" Right...Well, I'll leave you two alone to be on your way then." He smiled and got up from his spot. As he passed by Asuma, I heard him whisper just loud enough for me to hear, "You and Kurenai eh?" I felt my face burn up again. What? I'm not Asuma's girlfriend I knew that Asuma was watching my reaction to Kakashi's statement but I couldn't take it anymore. I panicked.

" I..uh...I just remembered I'm busy tonight so I've got to get home. Umm.. Sorry Asuma. Bye!" With that I used my genjutsu and disappeared but I actually went up a tree. Real smooth exit, Kurenai. Great excuse. I peaked out from a branch and saw Asuma walk up to Kakashi and smack him over the head. "Nice one Kakashi. You know we're not going out!" Kakashi laughed, "Not yet you mean." Asuma turned beet red. Kakashi then shrugged and disappeared. Asuma sighed, lit a cancer stick and walked the rest of the way, leaving a smoky trail behind him.

Asuma walked through the front door and threw the house keys on a table. He collapsed onto the couch and sughed. That Kakashi. He just had to go and open his big mouth. I didn't have anything like that in mind. He shook off that thought. What am I doing? I shouldn't be daydreaming! I guess I'd better take a shower or something. Maybe that'll help me get my mind off of Kakashi...and Kurenai. Asuma got up and stalked off into another room.

I can't believe Kakashi would say something like that! When I agreed to go with Asuma to his house I had nothing like that in mind! We're just friends...aren't we? What am I thinking? Asuma wouldn't be interested in me. Leaving it at that, she took a shower and went to bed early.