"Come on guys, you're final matches are in a few days weeks. Train harder! You need to be ready!" Gaara and I groaned, still running up trees. Kiyomi was sparring with Kamujin. I reached the top of the tree when Gaara did, and stuck my kunai into the top branch. I lost focus, and the chakra in my feet returned to its normal flow, causing me to fall 20m from the top of the tree.
Turning in the air, I landed lightly on my hands and feet, and sat back against the tree, exhausted. Looking up, I saw Gaara hurriedly climbing down from the tree, a worried look on his face. I wasn't thinking straight, and couldn't figure out why he was so worried. Kamujin-sensei and Kiyomi too were rushing towards me.
"What is it?" I asked, confused. Kiyomi started laughing.
"You just dropped 20m, and you have no idea what the problem is?" Finally, it dawned on me.
"Oh my God," I whispered. "Did I really just do that?" I looked up to where my kunai was stuck in a branch, and gulped. Gaara rushed over.
"Are you okay?" he asked, frantic.
"I'm fine," I replied. "Calm down." Gaara sighed with relief, smiling. A strange look passed over Kiyomi's face, but before I could identify it, it was gone.
"That's enough training for now," Kamujin-sensei said, still a little shaken. "Let's go get some lunch." I stood, and we walked back together, Gaara beside me and Kiyomi just a little behind us.
I pondered that for a moment, but all thoughts of Gaara and Kiyomi were driven from my head when I saw Kakashi. I glanced at him and then looked down, blushing again. Kiyomi noticed, and moved up beside me, glancing at me every so often. When we reached our room, she cornered me. "You like Kakashi." It wasn't a question. I nodded almost imperceptibly, a little nervous.
Kiyomi grinned. "You can talk to me, you know. We're friends, right?" I nodded again, smiling. Kiyomi smiled back, relieved.
"Okay, your turn," I said, grinning mischievously. "You like Gaara, don't you." Kiyomi blushed, and looked down at her feet.
"Yeah," she mumbled. I thought so.
"Come on girl, ask the boy out!" I exclaimed. "He totally likes you. He's always watching you."
Kiyomi remained unconvinced. "Maybe I should tell him," I murmured to myself, thinking.
"Tell him what?" Kiyomi asked. I jumped.
"Uhh, that I like someone else. You should spend more time with Gaara." Kiyomi toyed with the idea for a while.
Finally, she said, "Okay. Promise to tell him?"
I grinned. "Of course. I'll tell him later, right now I'm starved."
I threw together a quick lunch for Kiyomi and I, and we ate in companionable silence. Finally, it was time to meet with the boys and head out to training. Kakashi and his team met us out in the forest. Curious, I listened to the conversation between the brothers. "Where did she fall from?" Kakashi asked, and I flinched. I hated being the centre of attention.
Kamujin-sensei pointed to the top of the tree I had fallen from that morning. You could see my kunai glinting in the sunlight. Sakura and Naruto gasped, and Kakashi glanced my way, surprised. Sasuke just stood there looking bored. "Excuse me," Sakura said nervously. "Who fell from up there?"
I knew what was coming next, and I ran up the tree. Reaching the top branch, I sat, retrieving my kunai. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly, relaxing. I leant back and fell from the tree, wind rushing past me. For those few seconds, I felt free. Turning, I landed on my hands and feet at the base of the tree, unharmed.
Opening my eyes, I found everyone staring at me in shock. "What?" I asked, grinning. Kiyomi laughed.
"How did you do that?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. I just relax, clear my mind, and let go." I felt Kakashi watching me, but didn't look him in the eye.
"It's almost as if you're a cat." With the show over, we moved on to our training.
Kamujin-sensei had us meditate for the last half hour of our training. On the way back to our rooms, Kiyomi pulled me aside. "You need to tell him," she whispered. I nodded, and walked over to Gaara.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" I murmured. He nodded, and dropped back.
"Kiyomi!" I called, and she came over. "Now, you need to tell Gaara how you feel." Kiyomi shook her head, wide-eyed. "Fine, I will. Gaara, Kiyomi likes you. Now, you need to tell her how you feel." He glared at me, and shook his head. "For the love of… Kiyomi, Gaara likes you. Now would you please get over your shyness?" I exclaimed.
Kiyomi looked from me to Gaara and back again. "I thought you liked Sayuri," she said. Gaara shook his head.
"I was trying to get her to tell you that I like you." I grinned and decided it was time for me to butt out. "Sayuri," Gaara called as I turned away. "Sasuke told me to tell you that it'll never work. What does he mean?"
I shrugged. "That brat is really starting to get on my nerves." I continued back to our room, where I waited for Kiyomi. When she final got back, she cornered me.
"What did Sasuke mean when he said it'll never work?" she demanded. I sighed.
"He knows I like Kakashi. He's threatening me, trying to keep me away." Kiyomi grinned.
"No wonder you struggle to hold back when you fight him." We sat in silence for a while. Looking out the window, I saw that night had arrived.
"I'll be up on the roof if you need me," I told Kiyomi, and climbed out the window. I lay back, staring up at the stars.
"The moon is beautiful tonight," Kakashi said. I sighed happily.
"It really is." I sat up, and turned to Kakashi. "What's going on between us?" I asked. "Are we just having fun, or is it something more serious?" Kakashi pulled me close.
"I think it's more serious than just having fun. Is that alright with you?" I grinned. "
Definitely." We sat a few moments in silence, and then I thought of something.
"Is this going to be a problem? The fact that you're older than me, and a teacher?"
Kakashi sighed. "It might be for some. It would be less of a problem if you were a Chunin."
I laughed. "Then I guess I'd better pass the exam." Reaching up, I pulled Kakashi's mask down. "You really should show your face more often," I whispered, leaning in close. He leaned forwards, his lips gently brushing mine. "I don't believe it," I murmured, leaning back.
"You're such a persistent brat, Sasuke. What's your problem?" I turned to face him, and he punched me. Or tried to. Before I knew what was happening, Kakashi had Sasuke lying on his back, dazed. This can't be good. Kakashi stood over Sasuke, furious.
"You do not attack guests to our village. If you ever try to lay a hand on any guests, I will personally punish you. Do you understand?"
Sasuke glared. "How can you like her? You're turning your back on your students for a girl. You haven't heard the end of this." Sasuke turned and left.
I sighed. "He's going to tell the council," I mumbled.
Kakashi sighed. "They may not believe him at first, but they'll watch us now. I'm sorry, but I won't be able to meet you here for a while. Maybe it's for the best. Your final matches are in three days. You should focus on your training."
I nodded slowly. "You're right." Leaning forwards, I kissed him goodnight. "I'll see you around," I whispered, and climbed back into my room. I lay on my bed and sighed heavily. A tear slid down my cheek. I was going to miss those meetings under the night sky.
AN- Another chapter fixed up. Maybe people will be able to read it now! I hope you can, and please review!