Chapter 13, Part Of The Village
It's been three days since the attack. Gaara has finally, because the elders demanded he did, asked me about the new power that I have seemed to find. I had to give a whole speech and everything in front of the elders and the three siblings. I was so nervous that I had to clasp my hands tightly behind my back to keep them from shaking. They put me on duty, along with Gaara, of rebuilding the wall. They said it shouldn't be to hard with my new power. I asked Temari about the whole movie night thing last night, and she agreed. Gaara already gave Sakura that night off, and all just for me!
Everywhere I went I got some comment that made me feel like the most special person in the world. Everyone thought I was fantastic, that I can use almost all the elements and heal people using water. Sakura had me explain that to her, how I found out I could do it, and how it actually works. Took me a full day just to explain, then she cut her arm open using a kunai and had me heal it, so she could observe while it happened.
The elders are thinking about putting me on a few small missions, just to see the outcome of them. Temari and Gaara had right out refused, but Kankuro was considering it. Temari told me that the Suna elders are heartless. That it doesn't matter what happens on the mission, as long as it is completed. It doesn't matter if everyone but one person dies, as long as it gets done. She doesn't want me to be on any missions from Suna until I have been to other villages, so I know what to expect somewhat. And even then, she said that her or Kankuro would have to be on my team before Gaara would allow it anyway. Kakashi told me a little bit about missions last night, like what they are for and how they work and everything. They don't seem that bad, but then again, I've never been on one.
"Gaara, I'm letting you pick the movie!" I said, hopping up from the couch to go get the food ready. I had been sitting on the couch with him watching some random thing that was on TV, but Sakura will be off soon, and the others should be getting back any time, so I want it all to be ready. "Hey, Temari, can you get the chips and drinks while I get the popcorn?" I asked, taking out a big bowl from the cupboard.
"Popcorn?" She asked, turning to face me. She opened the big bag of chips and dumped it into a different bowl. "What's that?"
"You don't know what Popcorn is?!" I gasped, my hands flying to my cheeks for the dramatic effect. "I think I'm going to die! How can you not know?! Wait... you've never had it before?!"
She looked at me oddly as she slowly shook her head. "I have no clue what that is."
"Oh, well it's basically corn that pops and you eat it when its done popping with lots of butter!" I smiled and started looking threw the cupboards. "Got any corn?" Temari opened up the pantry and pulled out a bag of corn that hasn't been cooked or anything. I took it from her and put a pot on the stove with butter in it to melt. Once that was done, I poured half the bag of corn in and waited.
"How long is this going to take?" Temari asked, peeking over my shoulder.
"Not to long." I took a wooden spoon out and stirred it as it was starting to pop.
"Oi, who's dying?" Kankuro came in with his hands over his ears. "Dammit Temari! I told you not to let her cook!" He said, running out of the room as the popping sound increased. I just laughed as I stirred it. It's almost done.
Once all of them were popped, I brought the pot over to the bowl and dumped it in, along with all of the delicious butter. I added a touch of salt, then picked up the bowl and brought it out into the living room where everyone was watching the previews. "Okay, before the movie starts, you all haveto try this!" I passed it around, letting them all take a little bit and try it. With a satisfied smile I took the only seat left on the couch, between Sakura and Gaara, and pushed play on the remote.
This has to be the best idea ever!
– –
"GAARA YOU RETARD!" I screamed, cowering into the couch. "Why does it have to be a scary movie?" I asked in a small whisper, jumping with a small yelp as some creepy looking dude with an ax jumped out from behind the corner. Everyone else in the room, all but Naruto of course, seem fine with this movie. I screamed again and grabbed Gaara's arm, hiding my face in it. "I really dislike you." I grumbled, peeking over his arm. I hate this! I don't want to watch the movie, but something in me can't force my eyes to look away.
"It's just a movie." Gaara whispered, reaching forward to take a handful of the almost gone popcorn. They really like it!
"AH!" I screamed again and grabbed his arm back. I could feel him chuckling, his arm jiggled a little bit. I looked over to him with my best glare. "It isn't funny." I whispered as sternly as I could, but I accidentally glanced at the TV, screaming again. Sakura started laughing, along with Kankuro and Naruto. Temari looked at me with a smirk. I only knew this because I looked up again.
Finally, the movie was over with. And it wasn't a happy ending either! Everyone died, then it showed the mean guy watching a new group of girls walking home from the mall. The last picture you saw was of his face and he was smiling, a drop of blood coming from his cannibal mouth. I stalked off to my room and changed after taking a much needed shower to calm my nerves. Gaara is going to get it for picking such a scary movie. It's so not fair that he did that! I sighed and plopped down on my bed, rolling so that I was staring up at my ceiling. I took a deep breath and let it out, closing my eyes.
"Don't look under your bed!" Kankuro called, passing my door to go to his own room.
"I HATE YOU KANKURO!" I screamed, sitting up and hugging my knees to my chest. I buried my face in my legs and slowly rocked myself from side to side to try to calm down a little more. There was a small tapping on my window that made me scream and fall over the side of the bed. I slowly got to my knees and peeked over it, Gaara was standing on the other side of the glass with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "Jerk!" I growled, going over and opening it. "What?" I asked, putting my hand on my hip. I am so not in the mood for him messing with me.
Gaara walked in and sat down on the bed. "You are freaking out to much about the movie. It is fake." He whispered.
I groaned and flopped down on the bed next to him, my face in the blanket. "I know." I muttered, the blanket muffling my voice. "But I can't stop thinking about it. I'm really scared."
Gaara was silent for a few seconds, and when I looked up he was staring at me blankly. "Would you... like me to stay while you fall asleep?" He asked in a hushed whisper. I swear, if it wasn't dark out, I probably would see a blush on his face right now. I brushed that thought off and nodded, crawling under the blanket.
"You promise you wont try scaring me, and you wont leave?" I asked, pulling the blanket up to my chin. He laid down on top of the blankets and looked at me.
"Promise." He whispered.
I smiled and closed my eyes, willing sleep to come. But all I could see was that cannibal's face. I opened my eyes once more and stared into his until I couldn't keep them open any longer. I was asleep within minutes.
– –
"KANKURO! I WILL RIP YOUR HEAD OFF!!"
That very yell shook me awake. I shot into a sitting position and looked around my room.
"KANKUROOOOOO!!!"
There was a sigh, then a low mumble of "That women is to loud in the morning."
"AHHH!" I screamed and jumped out of bed, successfully falling down to the floor because of the blankets that were wrapped around my feet. Gaara sat up in the bed and stared at me down on the floor. "H-holy crap." I covered my face with my hands and let my head bang back against the floor.
"Did I scare you?"
"Shut up!" I groaned. "Stupid red head making me watch a stupid movie. Stupid blond for waking me up with her stupid yelling." I kicked the blankets off of my ankles and used the bed to help myself stand up.
"AHHHHAHA!!" Came Kankuro's girlish scream.
"Are you going to go help your brother?" I asked, taking my hair out of its pony tail and scratched my scalp.
"No."
I nodded and brushed my hair away from my face. "I had a feeling you wouldn't." I yawned and stretched my arms over my head. Last night had been a little weird. I woke up once during the night, Gaara's arm had been around my waist. Then I remember the feeling of being warm and hugging something hard but soft at the some time. Something that is almost like a human body. Oh god, I hope I didn't snuggle up to Gaara last night! That would be a little awkward! "I'm... going to take a shower." I mumbled, then quickly went into the bathroom and shut the door.
Oh man, oh man, oh man! What happened while I was sleeping? I turned on the shower and quickly stripped, jumping in. I'm really hoping I didn't talk in my sleep. That's usually what happens when I'm scared at night. I have dreams that I never remember, and then I talk in my sleep. Anne slept over one of those nights, and she woke me up laughing. I guess she had this whole conversation with me and it wasn't good. I spilled all of my fears, secrets, and worries to her. And when I say everything, I mean everything!
What if I told him that I... that I... "Ow! Awe shucks." I held my hand tightly trying to stop the bleeding. I went and grabbed the wrong end of my shaver. I quickly rinsed my legs off in the water then got out of the shower, wrapping my self in a fluffy towel. "Ow ow ow ow!" I turned on the cold water and put my hand under it, while I looked for some bandages in the medicine cabinet above the sink.
"Kira?" There was a knock on the door.
"Stay out!" I called back, reaching to turn off the water. "Ow!"
The door handle turned and in came the last person I want in my bathroom while I am naked and dripping wet. Well, maybe not the last person, that would be Kankuro. Gaara raised an eyebrow as he walked over to me. "What happened?" He asked, taking hold of my hand.
"I cut myself." I whispered, wincing when he lifted it to inspect it a little more. "It was an accident."
Gaara took the First Aid out of the cabinet and opened the tin with his mouth. I winced a few times as he wrapped my hand up. "Why don't you just heal it?" He asked.
"Because isn't it better to let some of the smaller wounds heal by themselves?" I held the towel tighter to my body, swinging my head back so that my hair wasn't sticking to my shoulder. The places where his skin touched my own tingled, the pain is now only on the slice from the blade. The rest of my hand is tingling. I need to get him out of here before something else happens. He's the Kazekage! He's going to be my boss when I return from Konoha, I can't let him see me like this. "Thank you, now get out." I whispered, turning my back on him. It was wrong for him to have been in my room while I was sleeping. So very wrong. People will think that I slept with him, that we did things. No one can find out that he stayed the night in here.
The door was shut with a soft click.
If the wrong person found out, then it could ruin my whole reputation, along with Gaara's. I have worked to hard to get where I am now, I can't let something like this ruin everything. Today or tomorrow I will be leaving Suna for six months, but will that be enough time for someone to forget about this? I mean, if someone did see, would they say something with me leaving anyway? I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself enough to finish drying off and get dressed.
This is going to be a long, long day.
"Hey, Kira!" Temari called from the couch. I glanced over at her. "Gaara said that he wants you in his office, you and Kakashi-senpai."
I nodded and looked over at the silver haired ninja, he was putting his book away and heading for the door. I grabbed my katana off the pegs on the wall and joined him on the street. It wasn't long until we reached the Kage tower, then even less time to run up the billions of steps to his office. Being able to push yourself with the wind really helps in climbing stairs.
"Kazekage-sama." Kakashi bowed. I just gave Gaara the peace sign with a smile. "You summoned us?"
"Hn." Gaara scribbled something down on a paper then set it to the side, finally looking up at us. "Sakura has told me that you will be leaving today, correct, Kakashi-senpai?"
"Hai."
My stomach dropped. I really thought that we would leave tomorrow, not today. I don't want to leave so soon! I have things to do, people to say goodbye to! I kept my mouth shut.
Gaara nodded and then reached in his desk and pulled something wrapped in cloth out and set it on the desk in front of him. "Kira, you have lived in this village for over three months now. I have met with the Elders and they agree to my decision." He unfolded the cloth showing a Suna forehead protector. "We want you to be part of our village, to be part of our Ninja Force. If you accept, you will wear this protector whenever in battle, on a mission, or in a meeting. You will represent our village and will be expected to follow the rules like everyone else. There will be punishments if you disobey orders, put shame on our village, or if you jeopardize the safety of our village. Knowing the terms of being a Sand Village Ninja, do you accept?" He looked up to meet my eyes.
Be... part of Suna? Part of this village that I have thought home for the last three months?
"I accept all of the terms and I accept to be part of Suna."
"This is now yours." Gaara turned the forehead protector around so it was facing me and pushed it towards me. "Make your village proud."
I smiled and walked over to take it in my hands. The big "i" showed my reflection, the black cloth around the silver soft in my hands. I couldn't hold back my small happy squeal, that is so unlike me. I lifted it to my forehead and tied it around my head, under my pony tail. "How do I look?" I made a small girlish pose and winked at Gaara. He rolled his eyes but smirked anyway.
"Kira, you need to pack so that we can leave at sunset." Kakashi said, putting his hand on my shoulder. And all my happiness was gone, just like that.
"Hai." I whispered, looking down.
"Kakashi-senpai," Gaara said, clearing his throat. "I need to speak with you, please stay behind."
"Hai, Kazekage-sama." Kakashi gave me a crinkled eye then turned to face Gaara. I sucked in a deep breath then let it out in a rush as I started for the door.
This is going to be a long day alright. Or at least I hope so.
Temari gushed over my new headband, telling me all about how lucky I am that I didn't have to go threw their academy. I just put on a fake smile and laughed fake laughs. Anything to get me to my room quicker. I was finally left alone after awhile and slowly made my way upstairs. Once there I took a good look around. With a big sigh I grabbed a bag from under my bed and set it on my bed. From what I know, Konoha isn't nearly as hot as Suna, so I should pack a few things that will be warm. I packed my ninja outfit, along with a few pairs of those black pants, a few tank tops, and a few long sleeve shirts. Then I folded up my trench coat and stuffed it in the bag.
Then I went into the bathroom and grabbed my shampoo, body wash, brush, and anything else I need. I stopped when I was going for my toothbrush. The light caught my headband and made it shine, that's how my eyes went to it. I'm not really sure how I feel about seeing myself with it on. I have many mixed feelings. I am happy that I am part of Suna, I am definitely happy. But why can't I smile back at myself? My eyes are so sad looking, I don't get it. Is it because I am leaving? I want to go to Konoha, to learn more about different villages. But, if it means leaving Suna, Temari, Kankuro, if it means leaving Gaara and everything else behind... is it worth it? Is leaving all I have come to know and love worth it to gain knowledge?
Is it truly worth it?
"Kira!" Came Naruto's loud voice. "We are getting ready to go, come downstairs!"
I closed my eyes and touched the silver headband. "O-okay!" I called back, quickly gathering everything into my arms and going back into my room to shove it in my bag. I fixed my skirt then opened the door.
"Wait." I gasped and looked up, seeing Gaara standing right in front of me. He pushed me lightly on the shoulder so that I was back in the room and he shut the door. "I want to say goodbye to you properly." He whispered.
"You scared me ya know." I whispered, brushing my bangs back from the forehead protector.
Gaara rose his brow and smirked. "I am sorry."
I couldn't help but smile at him. "It's okay, as long as you don't try to on purpose."
"Never." His smirk grew a little more. He reached forward and took a strand of hair that was laying on the side of my face and tucked it behind my ear. Then his thumb brushed against my jaw, following it down to my chin, which he tilted up a little bit. "I want you to write to me." He whispered, his face coming a little closer to mine.
My breath hitched and my heart rampaged. "O-okay." I whispered. Gaara's breath brushed over my face and my eyes started fluttering shut. When his lips brushed against mine it felt like an electric bolt shot through my whole body. I stood on my tip toes a little when he pulled back, capturing his lips with mine. I could feel him smile, maybe it was a smirk, but I want it to be a smile, against my lips. Then it was over all to soon. Naruto yelled up the stairs again, and thats when Gaara moved two or three feet away from me, a small smile on his lips. I had to blink a few times and shake my head before I could get words to form correctly. "I will write to you, I promise."
"And I will wait." He opened the door and motioned for me to go first.
I smiled and bowed my head as I walked past him, picking up my fallen bag by the door. We both went downstairs to see everyone there. Temari, Kankuro, Baki, Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi, Matsuri, and Shizune, and Gaara behind me waiting for me to continue down the stairs. I gave Matsuri a small glare as I passed her, she only smiled sweetly at me.
"Are you ready?" Shizune asked me.
My smile vanished and I looked down at the floor nervously. Sakura put her hand on my shoulder so I looked up at her. "Don't worry, Shizune is going to show you my apartment, and you can stay there. Don't be scared to use anything you want, whats mine is yours." She smiled and hugged me. "Just remember to feed the cat, and if Tsunade-sama sends you on a mission, have Ino look after her." I nodded and hugged her back tightly before letting go.
"Kira," I turned to Temari next. "your home is here, in this household. Never forget that." She smiled and hugged me a little to tightly, I had to push her away so I could breath. "Sorry..." She mumbled.
Kankuro cleared his throat and laced his fingers behind his head. "Well, it's going to be quieter with you gone at least." He mumbled.
"I'm going to miss you, too, Kankuro!" I hugged him around his middle and smiled up at him. "Don't worry, I send you letters!" I laughed then turned to Baki. "Thanks for showing me a few things, Baki-sensei."
"You have a lot of potential." He muttered, looking away.
I gave an awkward laugh then looked over at Matsuri. She smiled and walked over to me, giving me a hug. "Gaara is mine now." she whispered so that no one else could hear.
"You wish." I whispered back, squeezing her to hard.
She winced and pulled away to arms length. "I've had a really fun time being your friend, Kira. Have fun in Konoha." She said loud enough for everyone to hear. Temari scoffed.
"Thank you, Matsuri." I gave her a sarcastic smile. "I hope you have fun De-frizzing your hair. You might want to switch products though, its not really working." I touched her hair lightly before making a face and quickly turning away with a smirk. I gave Temari a smirk. "I'm really going to miss you guys." I said, looking at the three siblings. My eyes connected with Gaara's for a split second, but I looked away. Why he kisses me right before I leave is beyond me.
"Let's get going." Kakashi said, taking out his orange book.
Sakura stood with Temari as the rest of us walked towards the door. I waited for Shizune to follow Naruto and Kakashi. I stood in the doorway and glanced back at everyone with a sad farewell smile.
This is it.
I'm leaving Suna.
I am now on my way to Konoha.
Review? Please? Thanks! :)