𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐄'𝐒 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑 | gaara

Part 10

There was a frantic knock at your bedroom door.

"Go away," you mumbled, turning over in your bed. The guilt from the previous day's events continued to bog you down even as you slept, meaning that you were more restless than ever before when you woke up. The knocking became louder and more fervent, and you covered your head with the pillow in annoyance.

"Risa!" came your sister's tetchy voice. "People are here to see you!"

"Go away, Risa!" you yelled, not much of a morning person. You heard murmurs from the other side of the door and your sister conjuring up a quick apology. The door swung open and you sensed Risa come in, slamming the door behind her.

"[Name]!" she hissed under her breath, moving forward and pulling your pillow off. You mumbled and covered your eyes with your forearm, not in the mood to see anyone.

"What is it?" you snapped, screwing your eyes shut. Risa sat down beside you, whacking you on the thigh.

"Men from the Kazekage's office! They said they're here to move your stuff?! Move where?!"

Oh yeah.

You didn't tell her. Or Ichiro.

Oops.

You scratched your head and peeked at Risa from under your arm.

"Funny story actually..." Risa's eyes widened.

"Do you mean- you and the Kazekage- you're gonna-?"

"Gonna what? Move in together? Yeah, last time I checked, that's what married couples usually do around here."

"Never mind. But you're moving? Are you serious? It's only been a week! I thought you would've blown it by now!"

You raised an eyebrow at Risa, and she flushed a deep maroon.

"What do you mean, blown it?" you said, trying to contain the annoyance in your words. Risa scratched her head and looked away, but you weren't quite finished yet.

"Well, not exactly... blown it ..."

"Oh-ho I get it! You were expecting me to break under the pressure and give myself away, weren't you? Because the real Risa wouldn't, would she? The perfect, actual Risa who was chosen for the Kazekage? No, I'm sorry Risa, of course you were worried that I would blow it, and get both of us into trouble. After all, you are the village's prodigy kunoichi, aren't you? Top of all your classes, second only to Temari herself! But of course, compared to this perfect sister, [Name] can't even hold onto a lie, can she?"

You let out a small laugh of indignity.

"You know what? Yes, I am moving out. I'm moving into Gaara's place, and you're not. Because I'm Risa now. And if I'm Risa, then that means you have to be [Name].  And guess what, Risa? Gaara is actually a really sweet, down to earth person. You would've known this if you'd actually not chickened out of it and let such an amazing opportunity pass you by. You'd rather stay with that dickhead Shinji because he's all you've ever known. Nope, no, shut up, don't say anything. Thanks for the chance to get to know the Kazekage better, Risa. Or should I say, [Name]."

You snapped at your older sister, who merely sat there astounded with her jaw slightly agape. You got to your feet and went to go to clean yourself up, before heading out to greet the men there to help you move your things. Meanwhile, Risa busied herself in the kitchen, making who knows what to get her mind off of everything you had flung her way. Although you did admit you threw in a couple of unnecessary low blows, you didn't regret anything you said. For as long as you could remember Risa carried a lowkey superiority complex around with her, which irked you to the point of wanting to punch her in the face more often times than not.

"Ah, hey! You must be Risa, am I correct?" 

As you approached the men sent to help you move, the one who seemed to be the leader spoke to you first. He wore a mask that covered the bottom half of his face, and was dressed in full chuunin gear from head to toe. He was flanked by his two comrades: one with short blond hair, and one wearing bandages that covered one of his eyes. You smiled and nodded at them,hearing Risa pottering about in the kitchen.

"Yup, Risa here! And you guys are?"

The man introduced himself and his colleagues. His name was Kita, the blondie was Minami, and Mr One-Eye was called Nishi.

"So, Risa-san, we'd like to discuss what we're moving around outside? You know, so it'll be easier for us to get started and quicker to get finished." 

You nodded, and led them outside to your backyard out of earshot from Risa inside. They followed you from behind, and as you stepped outside you turned back around, realising something odd about the trio.

"Hey, where are your headbands?"