Because I Met You

Chapter 26: Reunited

When I go back home, I find Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro already there. It seems like they just came back, too. When Gaara sees me, he smiles at me. We both go up to his room, and sit on his bed in silence.

I just keep thinking about what we're supposed to do, and it makes me feel like this is all so unfair to Gaara.

"Gaara..."

He looks at me. We keep eye contact.

"I won't leave you, Gaara."

His mouth opens a bit. He keeps looking at me. He then puts his hand on my head and pulls me towards his shoulder, in a half hug.

"Kiu... This is the first time that I feel scared about a mission. If I let the Shukaku run loose, then... I don't know what will happen to me or to anyone else."

I then sit back up and take his hands in mine while looking him straight in the eyes.

"Gaara, this time I'll protect you. Even if it means preventing you from letting out the Shukaku."

"But then..."

"I know... I don't mind betraying the village... I don't mind betraying the whole world if it means that you'll be safe."

Gaara looks at me with a lot of softness. My heart skips a beat. What's that all about?!

After talking for a bit more about what awaits us, we wish each other a good night, and I go back to my room.

The next morning, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, and I all head for the place where we will be meeting up with the rest of the people that are part or the mission. When we arrive at the meeting room, there's only Baki-sensei there.

I sit down next to Gaara and wait for the rest to come. Otokaze-sensei then comes in shortly after us. He greets me and sits next to Baki-sensei. Koji and Maru then come and sit next to me. After some time waiting, Isago-sensei comes in. Isago-sensei? Then that means...! Just as I thought, Yukari, Ikki, and Yuto all come in after Isago-sensei. When Ikki and Yukari see us, they smile brightly and wave at Gaara and me. So they're part of this too?

It's been so long since last time I saw them.

"There's one team left."

Baki says to no one in particular. One team? Who could it be? I then hear footsteps and turn my head to the entrance. Oh no... It's Mari's team! Hana and Jun follow her in, along with their sensei Satetsu-sensei. When Mari and her two teammates see me, they give me a dirty look. Don't worry, I'm just as disgusted to see you here.

"So we're all here."

Baki then gets up and starts explaining the mission.

"Let me get straight to the point. This mission is crucial for the survival of our village. This is part of a surprise attack on Konohagakure no sato. Your role in this mission is to ensure that no one is suspicious of our plan. It is essential that Gaara's team makes it to the final round. Gaara is the main part of this mission. Anyone who tries to get in his way is getting in the way of Sunagakure no sato."

Well, he's really making it clear that that person will basically be a traitor. Still, if it really comes to that, I'll stop Gaara for his own safety. I won't let him unleash the Shukaku. I know how it's painful for him to hurt anyone with the Shukaku... He'll lose control...

After a short explanation of how the mission will go, we all set out to Konohagakure.

For three days we travelled at a steady pace. After the desert, we reached the forest.

We finally spot the gates of Konohagakure in the distance.

"Finally..."

I whisper to Gaara. He looks at me and gives me a small smile.

When we reach the gates, we each show our pass, which we got back at Suna, before departing. The Konohagakure ninja politely greet us and give us directions to the place where we'll be staying. I don't want to attack them... This mission, what's its point? To create discord? Can't things be solved by a more passive way? Mari and her team went on ahead. She probably doesn't want to be around me for more than necessary. It makes me feel better that she's finally gone. Being stuck in her presence for three days kind of took a toll on my sanity.

Gaara and I stay back and start talking to our friends. Temari and Kankuro then decide to also go on ahead.

"How come you guys didn't tell me earlier that you were taking the exam?"

I feigned an air of disappointment. It probably isn't very believable since I'm smiling brightly.

"Oh, Kiu! We just learned about it yesterday. I'm just so glad we're together again after all this time."

Yukari takes my hands into her own, and we both excitedly jump up and down of joy. I notice that Gaara, Ikki, and Yuto are actively talking. That's the first time I see Gaara talking with someone he doesn't know well. Yuto doesn't seem to be scared of Gaara either. Now that I think about it, Yuto has always been a very strange guy. He never was scared of Gaara. He just never talked to him either. I guess maybe there never was an occasion. Besides, Yuto is not the talkative type. Neither is Gaara. Guys of few words.

"Guys, we should start heading for the inn where we'll be staying. I'm excited to see how it looks!"

I pull Yukari's sleeve and the guys follow us.

On our way there, we hear someone shouting. What could that be? It's right on our way to the inn, too.

We all turn the corner, and what we see keeps all of our mouthes agape.