Because I Met You

Chapter 57: Decision

There's so much going on in my mind... I want to somehow capture Koji's dad and Mari's dad and try to get as much information out of them as possible. However, considering that they are both Jounin level ninja, this won't be easy at all. Even if I somehow succeed, it will most likely attract way too much attention. The most effective way would definitely be to just kill them on the spot. Quickly and efficiently. It will still eventually lead back to me. Once I do this, I have to run away. I won't be able to stay here anymore. Killing them quickly won't be enough to satisfy me... I want them to feel pain. I want them to feel fear. I want them to fear me.

I clench my fists and teeth. A ball of hatred wells up within my chest. Even if it's not as quick and efficient, I will make them pay. I will get my revenge.

With my mind made up, I start packing the bare necessities for my escape after the act. I look around and feel a wave of sadness wash over me. This room, this place, there are so many memories that have been made here. The happiest memories of my life... Memories of Temari, Kankuro, Yukari, Ikki, and... Gaara. Is my revenge worth losing all of this? Is it worth losing them?

I fall to the ground on my knees and tears start falling down my cheeks. Haven't I lost enough people? Am I really ready to make everyone here my enemy? Maybe if I stay and explain things to them, we could figure out another way?

"Gaara... Imagining my life without you is so painful..."

Saying it out loud, completely shakes my resolve to avenge my family. I just can't do it. I'm too weak.

Without realizing it, I find myself curled up in the corner of the room, sobbing quietly. I have no idea how long I've been there for, but I notice some small sun rays penetrate through the closed curtains. My body feels so heavy from the burden of all that happened and all that I now know. Maybe I should just... sleep... for a while...

"...u ...Ki... Kiu..."

Who is it....? I know this gentle voice. I slowly open my eyes. They feel really stuck together. I guess I must've cried myself to sleep. When my blurry vision focuses, I see

Gaara's worried face.

"Gaara..."

Without thinking, I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly. This time I sob loudly. He doesn't say anything and just hugs me back. He patiently waits with me until I calm down. He then slowly pulls away from the hug and cups my face in his hands. He looks really worried.

"Kiu... Did something happen?"

I nod slowly.

"Do you want to eat and drink something first? You look extremely drained."

He says to me as he put his hand on my cheek, sending pleasant chills down my spine. I give him a weak smile.

"Seeing you here in front of me, makes me feel like everything will turn out okay in the end."

I say with a nasally voice, caused by all the crying. He cups my face in his hands and stares into my eyes. I never realized just how big his hands have gotten. I'm getting lost in his beautiful eyes.

"There you are!"

As soon as Temari comes in, Gaara quickly pulls away and looks the other way and I do the same. I feel my face heating up from the embarrassment. Temari raises an eyebrow and gives us a small smirk.

"I see. I guess that's why you stayed up here for such a long time. Alright, alright I will leave you two alone. Take all the time you need. And also you'll have to tell me what the whole shaved head look is all about later."

Before any of us can protest, Temari leaves and closes the door behind her. After letting out a small sigh, Gaara comes to sit next to me on the floor. He doesn't say anything and just takes my hand in his. I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes, letting his presence envelop me and calm me down. At the same time, I do feel a pleasant nervousness from being around him.

"Gaara... Will you still be on my side after I tell you what happened?"

Gaara then wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to his chest.

"I'll always be on your side. I will never doubt you and never leave you. You risked your life for me and I have never been able to forgive myself for not believing in you back then. I promise you that I will always be there for you."

I know it wasn't, but this felt like a love confession to me. I feel my face heat up and my heart beat faster.

"Thank you, Gaara. You don't know how much this means to me. You've always been the most important person in my life ever since we met. But Sunagakure is your home. It's not mine... I'm still scared that you might take Sunagakure's side."

"Why would I take the side of a place that was never on my side, while you always put me first. Don't be scared. I'm with you always."

His arms tighten around me and he buries his face in my neck. His warm breath gives me pleasant goosebumps. He then pulls away and caresses my head.

"Also, I am curious about why you decided to shave your head."

I give him a weak chuckle and start explaining everything. The whole time I'm telling him what happened and what I discovered, he's tightly holding my hand and looking at me with his full attention.

"I was so close to getting revenge on everyone who caused my clan's demise, but... I couldn't do it. I didn't want to lose you. I think that if it wasn't for you being in my life, I would've probably taken a completely different path in life."

Gaara lets out a short sigh.

"I think the same could be said about my life. Without you, who knows where I'd be or what I would have become."

He gives me a sad smile.

"Kiu. I don't know how I can ever make up for what my father did to your clan. Maybe this is selfish of me, but I'm so glad you did not go through with your revenge. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you. You're so precious to me."

I shake my head and smile.

"It's not selfish at all. It makes me so happy to hear you say that. At least it feels like I took the right decision."

Gaara then gets up and helps me up as well. We then head down to eat and make up a believable enough reason as to why my head is shaved.