Because I Met You

Chapter 63: Impatiently Waiting

When I get back home, no one is there. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro must still be out on that mission. He didn't even tell me what the mission was, but he said that it was very important. I guess he'll fill me in when he comes back. I should get some actual rest. I feel like I haven't had a full night's sleep in a while.

It's the next morning, and they're still not back. I need to occupy myself with something, or else I'll become too restless. Maybe I should head to the training field to practice using some of the jutsu I absorbed.

When I get there, I spot Yukari and her team, who seem to have just gotten there too. That already makes my day brighter.

"Yukari!"

I call out to her. She turns around and smiles widely before running towards me and giving me a big hug. I hug her back, of course, while we giggle like little girls. Ikki and Yuto awkwardly stand behind, probably not sure how to react in this situation. I wave at them.

"Hey guys, you're here to train?"

"Yeah... actually. We wanted to... work on our teamwork... a little."

Ikki responds.

"Do you want to join?"

Yuto suggests.

"Oh, I don't want to intrude on your team training."

"Actually, it would be quite helpful if we tried our tactics on you since you're definitely much stronger than all of us. We want to see how well we'd do against a powerful opponent."

Yuto explains. He really seems like he's taken charge of the team.

"If you really think that I'd help, then sure, I don't mind at all. Let's do this!"

We get into position, and I start observing them, waiting for them to make the first move. Ikki takes out his nunchaku, and Yuto stands in front of Yukari. He makes a few handsigns and touches the floor. Walls of rock start surrounding me, and while I am a little distracted by this, Ikki transforms his nunchaku into a very long, extendible metal rod. Did he do that with chakra? He barely misses me to the side, and the rod extends past me. He then does a few more handsigns and the rod segments like a long nunchaku and wraps around me. Yuto then moves away, revealing Yukari casting a genjutsu on me. Except that, this isn't me. The one they thought is me disintegrates into golden sand, and I appear behind Yukari, kunai to her neck.

"When did you...?"

Yuto says in disbelief.

"The battle started as soon as you asked me to spar with you. A ninja strikes when the opponent's guard is down after all."

I grin and let go of Yukari.

"That aside, that was some really great techniques and teamwork, guys!"

I give them all a high five.

"Yeah, but fighting you made us realize a few holes in the strategy."

Yuto says.

"If this was a real fight... Yukari would be... gone..."

Ikki looks into Yukari's eyes, who quickly looks away with blushing cheeks.

"Well, one thing that could help with that is if Yukari learned some way to defend herself. I know you guys will be there for her, but sometimes you might not be able to defend her."

I pat Yukari on the back.

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe I should look into some more techniques that will help me and my teammates."

Leaving it at that, I let them train some more while I start heading back to the village. I decide to take a walk around a part of the village that I've never really had to walk in before. It's a quieter, more residential area, compared to the main street that leads to the Kazekage mansion and the council's office. I jump up on the roofs, looking around for nothing in particular, just trying to pass the time as much as I can. While jumping and slowly walking around, I head yelling coming from one particular house. I get closer, out of curiosity. I know it might not be my place, but, if someone needs help, I can't just stand by and do nothing.

Suddenly, a potted plant crashes through one of the windows, breaking the glass in the process and shattering on the ground in front of me. Thank goodness I used my gold sand in time to shield me from the falling glass.

"Useless! You are just as useless as your mother! Get the hell out of my house, you ungrateful brat!"

A man's voice shouts from inside the house. Because of the shattered window, I can hear much more clearly now.

"Shut the fuck up! Don't speak about my mother like that, you deadbeat! I've had it with putting up with you!"

Wait, is that Jun's voice? Sure enough, I see him storm out of the house. While walking out, he sees me and I catch a glimpse of shame washing over his face. He then walks the other way quickly, probably not wanting to engage in any conversation with me. Man, if Jun wasn't such an unbearable asshole, I would be able to at least be there to listen to him. I guess I'll try to be nice to him as much as I can in the future. I wonder if he talked to Mari or Hana about this, since they're his teammates. Or even just Hana since she's apparently his "girlfriend." Oh well, that's not really my business, but I do feel a little bad for him. I have no idea what he might be going through...

By the late afternoon, I decide to head back home, hoping that Gaara is back. When I get there, he's still not back. What's up with that? What kind of mission is requiring him and his team to spend almost ten days away. Well, when I put it that way, it isn't that strange to be away on a mission for ten days... I just feel more impatient than usual I guess. I hope he's back soon.

After cleaning up around the house a little, since I have nothing better to do, I go to bed earlier than usual. I have a dreamless night, which is surprising considering all the things on my mind.

When I open my eyes in the morning, I see...

"Gaara...? You're... back?"

He smiles at me and stokes my cheek.

"As soon as I came back, I wanted to see you so I couldn't help coming in before you woke up... Sorry about that."

I smile back and bring his hand that's caressing my cheek to my lips. I don't know what's up with me, but I guess the grogginess of sleep is emboldening me. I see his cheeks because a pale shade of red.

"I'm so happy you're back. There's so much I want to tell you."

He nods, a more grave expression showing up on his face.

"There's a lot I have to tell you as well. Let's talk about everything once you're fully awake."

He gives my hand a light squeeze and leaves the room. I wonder what happened... I hope everything is alright.