He smelled nice-I wasn't trying to be creepy, I just happened to get a whiff of his scent while we were hugging-like leaves in autumn, he smelled fresh and calming. I pull away and smile. "So, picnic at the park?"

He laughs. "Perfect! And Tukiko doesn't have to come if you don't want her to."

I sigh. Of course I didn't want her to but I didn't want to fight, I just wanted all of us to get along and there was only one way to settle it. We had to hang out as a group and stop being jealous. "No, its fine. I w- I think she should come."

He smiles broadly. "Great. How about around 2:30 after I finish my art?"

I nod. "Sounds great, so...see you tomorrow?"

"Oh yeah, who says you have to go?"

I quirk an eyebrow. "Spend the night? Hmm...Tukiko might not be too happy about that."

He frowns. "Tukiko doesn't call the shots, remember?"

I frown also. "She sure did earlier." I mumble. "Look, thanks for the offer but I think I will pass."

He grabs my arm gently. "Please, I haven't seen you all day. Friends are supposed to hang out and have sleepovers and stay up all night."

I glance at where his hand was on my arm. That spot began to tingle numbly. His touch was enchanting so of course I couldn't say no. I laugh. "You are ridiculous. You hear me?" I walk into the living room, over to Kisame. "I will sleep on the couch."

Kisame looks at me puzzled. "Staying the night?" I nod. "Neh, take my bed, I call the floor."

I shake my head, distressed about causing him trouble when he's been nothing but kind to me. "No, no. I don't want to be difficult or cause you trouble."

"Its no big deal Nioki. Just take the bed while the offer still stands."

I pretend glare at him. "Why are you so god damn complicating, Kisame?"

He chuckles. "Its my job."

I shake my head. "Whatever..." I throw my PJ's on in the bathroom and lie uncomfortably in Kisame's bed, eventually falling asleep.

The next morning, I get up and head to the kitchen, getting out dishes to make pancakes.

"Hey good lookin'." I hear Hidan say as he saunters into the kitchen. "What's cookin?"

"What do you want?" I say as I flip the perfect, golden pancake.

I can feel his smirk from behind me. "Who says I wanted something?"

I sigh, irritated. "You're Hidan, you always want something."

"What if I said what I wanted was for us to get along?" He says inquiring although I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

I laugh. "Get along?" I ask hysterically. "You and I, get along? You're joking right?"

"Actually I am quite serious. I already apologized, what more do I have to do?"

"Hidan, no offense to your ego or whatever but do you honestly think we could get along?"

"Yes, actually we could get along pretty damn well if we tried. We have more in common than you fucking think."

I just laugh before flipping the rest of the pancakes and placing them on a plate. Everybody wakes up and eats, all complimenting my cooking skills even though it was something as simple as pancakes.

After breakfast, I wash the dishes while Deidara sits in the kitchen, being Deidara.

"Stop being so distracting Deidara!"

He laughs. "What? Me? Distracting?"

I hit him with the dish towel as he tickles me. "Yes, distracting. Very."

A few hours after breakfast had passed, I set up the stuff for the picnic in the park. I sit and wait for them to arrive. Of course, they came together. I plaster a smile on my face. "Hey!"

Tukiko waves and runs over to me. Giving me a hug, she squeals. "Thanks so much for inviting to the picnic!"

I smile and hug back. "No problem!"

The picnic went nicely and we all had a blast. Tukiko goes to bring supplies to the room and me and Deidara finish picking up. "Wanna hang tonight?"

"Hmm...depends. What do you want to do?"

I frown. "Since when do you care what we do? Friends hang out without a question of the plan. Did a better offer pop up?"

"Jeez Nioki, jumping my shit? I was just kidding with you."

I grab the blanket and basket, filling my arms. "I'm sorry. I haven't been myself lately."

He smiles. "I can tell. But yeah, lets hang out."

I smile. "Okay." I put up the supplies and think about what to wear and what to do before then.

I walk over to Tukiko after about two hours of thinking. "Hey, wanna hang out before tonight?"

She shakes her head vigorously. "Can't...i have to figure out what to wear when me and Deidara hang out tonight."

My breath catches in my throat and I feel my heart hitch and sink in disappointment. Not that she couldn't hang out but that Deidara said we'd hang out but made plans with Tukiko instead. "U-uh...Tukiko, me and Deidara already had plans for tonight."

"Oh...he didn't tell me that. I'm sorry. We can cancel. But he really wanted to visit this art galleria."

I shake my head. Now she made me feel bad. "No, its fine. Just go..."

"Come with us!" She says cheerily.

I shake my head. "I-I can't. It would interrupt your plans with him..."

"Come on! It will be fun!" She says convincingly.

"Fine..." I put on a purple and black bowknot bandage dress with black flats, a little black mascara and purple eye shadow, and put my hair up in a ponytail.

We head to the galleria and wait in line. They didn't tell me it was opening night. We waited in line for hours before finally being let in. In as few words possible, it was beautiful, ginormous, classy, and artsy. With Deidara in the middle, me on the left, and Tukiko on the right, we walk through the galleria, looking in awe at the beautiful works of art. They talk and point at beautiful masterpieces and of course Deidara was most interested in the sculptures and clay pieces.

I see one of my favorite artists and smile to myself. "Hey guys, can we go over there? I desperately need to see my favorite artist." They continued talking, giving me no answer. I sigh. I guess we couldn't. After walking around half the galleria and not a single word being said to me, I sit on a bench. I feel a tear slip down my cheek and one after another, until I realized I was sobbing silently. Every comment I've made or suggestion or quick conversation starter had been ignored and I could literally feel my heart shatter into a million pieces.

"Nioki?" I hear a voice call my name.

I hastily wipe my tears away and turn to see Sasori sit down next to me. "Sasori? What are you doing here?"

He laughs. "I happen to like art too. And are you okay?"

I nod. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

He smiles sympathetically. "Were you crying?"

I shake my head. "No...why?"

He laughs. "Mascara and eye shadow are a dead giveaway that you are lying."

My eyes widen. "Do I really look that bad?"

He nods. "Worse." After a moment of silence he laughs. "Just kidding! You don't look too bad."

I smile. "Gee, thanks Sasori. You make a girl feel so wonderful."

He simply laughs. "Come on, lets go get you cleaned up."

I shake my head without thinking. "No, I can't leave without them."

He raises an eyebrow. "So you did come with other people?"

"U-uh...yes...I did."

"So why aren't you with them?" Je inquires curiously.

"My feet hurt." I say, lying terribly.

"Yeah...okay. Come on, you can come to the party we are hosting and I assure you its better than crying on a bench."

I give in. "Fine, I will go."