Because I Met You

Chapter 18: Birthday

"Happy birthday, Gaara!"

Gaara smiles at me. It's his 12th birthday! I can't believe it's been five years since we started living together. We went to the Academy together, made friends, and the finals are coming up soon. We'll both become genin, I'm sure of it. Yukari and Ikki will ace it too. We just had one of Temari's cakes and both Yukari and Ikki gave Gaara a gift. Now that the birthday party is over, it's just me and him. We hear someone knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

Gaara asks whoever is on the other side. The door opens to reveal Temari.

"Hey, Temari! What's up?"

I look at her with a confused face. She just left the room and now she's already back.

"Well, Kiu, I have something important to tell you and Gaara."

We both look at her with question marks in our eyes.

"You know how you guys have grown a lot now, right?"

"Mhm! Gaara's twelve, and I'm probably turning twelve sometime this year or next year."

"You two have been sleeping in the same room, in the same bed, since you were seven. Since now you're more grown, I thought it'd be better if Kiu got her own room."

Wait... What? I don't want to get my own room!

"Why can't she stay here?"

Temari looked away. She seemed puzzled as to how to answer that question.

"I don't get it either. Why can't I stay?"

"Well, Kiu, you're a girl, and Gaara, you're a boy. At a certain age, there should be a distinction between the two of you. It's not appropriate for you two to sleep in the same room, let alone in the same bed anymore."

"But I don't even sleep."

"...You know what I mean."

No I don't! I want to stay with Gaara!

"Anyway, I know how you two are very attached to each other, but I think it'll be better if you get your own room, Kiu."

We both look down. I have to admit, I've been feeling a little weird around Gaara lately. Maybe sleeping in another room will do us some good.

"Alright... I'll get my own room..."

"But..."

"It's alright, Gaara. I'll just get the empty one that's right next to you, so that we can have some late night visits whenever we feel like it."

Gaara looks at me, a little unconvinced.

"Fine, if that's what you want."

"Then it's settled. I'll get that room ready for you, Kiu."

"Thanks, Temari."

She leaves the room. Good, now it's time for me to give my gift to Gaara.

"Do you like the gifts that Yukari and Ikki got you?"

Gaara looks at the weapon pouch that Yukari made for him, and the nunchaku that Ikki gave him. Apparently, that nunchaku is one of his family's best ones.

"I don't exactly know how to use a nunchaku, but I am grateful."

"That's great, because you two seem to have some kind of friendly rivalry going on at times."

Gaara chuckles at what I said.

"Not really..."

"Anyway, aren't you curious to know what I got you?"