Because I Met You

Chapter 49: First of Many

Due to the loss of countless shinobi during the attack on Konohagakure, the genin teams are being assigned D, C, and even B rank missions. On top of that, for those of us that excel more, they are given A rank missions. Of course, Gaara's team is one of them and mine as well. This doesn't give me enough time to look more into who I really am.

Today is the day my team and I leave for our first mission after I was released.

"This is going to be a B rank rank mission. You are to guard the feudal lord of our land. There has been groups of rogue ninja that have been surfacing around these parts and the feudal lord is concerned for his, and his family's safety. There will probably be battles with these ninja."

The Sunagakure elder explains the mission to us. Rogue ninja, huh... It kind of makes me excited at the prospect of all the new jutsu I might be able to absorb from them. All I need to do is kill one or two...

Wait... No... Why am I thinking like this? Human life is not that disposable. It shouldn't be... I'll only kill if I need to. That's how I should think.

I keep repeating that in my head to convince myself.

Otokaze-sensei requests us to meet up to go over the mission together right after we make our way out of the mission management office. We make our way to Otokaze-sensei's place. He lives alone so it gives us a good isolated area to focus together.

"Alright, so this is going to be a very dangerous mission."

We all nod at Otokaze-sensei.

"Since our client is the feudal lord, we cannot afford to fail this. The reputation and safety of Sunagakure rests on it."

"To think they'd put us Genin on this mission... Sunagakure must really be short on ninja."

Koji has a point.

"Why us anyway? Isn't Gaara's team known for taking these missions on?"

Maru asks Otokaze-sensei.

"Well, the elders are getting desperate. They're accepting every mission that will provide us with some good rewards. Also, I think that they have heard of Kiu being able to use Kage level jutsu. They're waging the whole outcome of this mission on that fact."

I see. I'll make this mission successful for my friends' sake. I'll make sure our team gains the recognition we deserve.

"Since we are going to probably fight against rogue ninja, it is inevitable that we will end up killing some of them if we can't capture them."

Maru and Koji's expressions darken.

"Actually, it is preferable to get rid of them since they are rogue. They are criminals who's sentence is death."

Otokaze-sensei says with a stern and firm voice. We talk more about our strategy and Otokaze-sensei keeps stressing how important it is to avoid conflict or any situation that would reveal our identity. We decide to set out for Ishigakure tonight to not waste any time. It should take about two days to get there.

I go back home, to the Kazekage's mansion where Gaara seems to just have gotten back from his mission.

"Ah, Kiu."

He smiles at me. I smile back.

"Back from your mission?"

"Yeah. Can't seem to get a break lately."

He follows me up to my room and watches me pack.

"You're leaving?"

"Yup. Going on a B rank mission. I'll make sure I don't freeze up like last time we went on a high ranked mission together."

"I'm sure you won't. You're much stronger now than any of us."

I nod at Gaara. Of course I won't freeze up. All this is meaningless anyway. The only thing that matters is for me to keep getting stronger until I can find out what happened to my clan.

On my way out of the room, as I walk past Gaara, he holds my arm, keeping me from going any further.

"Gaara?"

He looks me in the eyes.

"Be careful."

His voice sounds so serious. It's kind of catching me off guard.

"Don't worry. Like you said, I'm much stronger now."

He hesitantly lets go of my arm.

"Yeah, you're right. Come back safely."

I wave goodbye and head out. That was strange. It's as if he didn't want me to go. To be honest... a part of me wants to stay with him. A part of me just wants to burry the past and enjoy the present, but I know that that will never happen. My resolve is too strong. Stronger than my desire to live a simple happy life beside Gaara and all my friends. This mission is another step to achieve my goal. No matter how horrifying my past might be, I will find out what happened.

I join up with my squad and we set out for the feudal lord's mansion. It should take us less than a day to get there.

"We won't be resting on the way there, so pace yourselves well."

Otokaze-sensei notifies us. I can personally go for days.

"Aren't you guys kind of excited for this?"

Maru asks us. I can feel the excitement in his voice.

"I'm kind of excited to be honest."

I reply to him.

"There's nothing to be excited about. It's going to be a dangerous mission, so we should be vigilant instead."

As always, Koji always acts so serious and mature about everything. I guess it gives a good balance to our team.

"Such a buzz-kill. Since when do we have a grandpa in our team?"

Maru starts teasing Koji. Ah... I know where this is going...

"Better be wise than a dumbass."

And a jab from Koji! Will Maru react in time?

"What did you just call me?"

Maru took the bait and is preparing for a counterattack!

"You recognized yourself without me having to specify it was you. Doesn't that mean I'm right?"

Koji's not holding back!

The two keep at it for a while. I stop narrating it in my head and smile to myself. It's become one of my pastimes while watching those two fight. Some things never change. Some things should never change...