Chapter 64: Final Decision

"It's been so long since we all ate together like this."

Temari says as she holds a piece of grilled pork belly in her chopsticks. She definitely got much better at cooking and I learn a lot while cooking with her.

"Yeah, it feels nice to be with everyone like this."

I tell them with a genuine smile.

"After that mission with Konoha, it does feel like a relief to be back to normal life like this."

Kankuro replies. I'm really curious about what the mission they went on is about.

"So what was the mission? What did Konoha need help for?"

I look at them, awaiting their answer.

"Sasuke deserted the village. It was a retrieval mission to get him back."

Gaara says with a very matter of fact tone. He does that a lot when he's trying to hold back his emotions. I decide not to pry yet. I'll wait until we're both alone.

"What about you, Kiu? What were you up to during the time we were away?"

Temari breaks the short silence.

"Me? Just the usual, carrying out my missions as best as I can. Also now trying to avoid getting assassinated by the Sunagakure council..."

I scoff at the situation I'm in. It's funny how they moved on from trying to assassinate Gaara to now attempting it on me. I guess I shouldn't expect them to change their ways.

"What?!"

They all said in unison. I start telling them what happened in their absence and how Mari and Hana were in on it. I don't really mention anything about Ryota, since it's unnecessary. As I recount things, I notice Gaara getting visibly angry. When I'm done, he gets up and heads upstairs.

"I don't think he's in a good mood..."

Kankuro says with slight sarcasm.

"Well, that's understandable. After what you told us, Kiu... Maybe you should go see him."

Temari tells me. I nod and head upstairs after Gaara. I get there and find him in his room, sitting on the bed, leaning forward, holding his head in his hands. I go sit next to him and put a hand on his back. He lifts his head up and looks at me with sad eyes.

"Kiu... I never would want you to feel the same way I felt back then."

"It's alright, Gaara. This is different, since I know I have you and a lot of other people who have my back..."

I'm trying to convince myself of that as well. Is that enough to just live on? He holds my hand in his. I feel myself blushing at the contact.

"Uhm... so you said that Sasuke ran away? What's that all about?"

My voice cracks a bit in the beginning, but thankfully Gaara doesn't notice that.

"Well, I don't know if you've heard of what happened to the Uchiha clan a few years ago, but basically Sasuke's older brother slaughtered them all and only left Sasuke alive. As a result, Sasuke has been trying to get strong enough to get revenge on his brother. Orochimaru, during the invasion of Konohagakure, put a curse mark on Sasuke. That curse mark, alongside his desire for revenge, led him to seek out Orochimaru so that he could get stronger. Our mission was to stop him from getting away and retrieve him safely."

This is a lot to take in. I have heard of what had happened to the Uchiha clan, but very briefly and it was from gossipers around town. Other village affairs are not usually the focus of conversations.

"And did you succeed?"

As I ask him this, he lowers his gaze.

"No. We couldn't stop him from leaving..."

"He was on Naruto's team, wasn't he?"

Gaara nods. I wonder how Naruto and Sakura are handling this. It must be hard on them. At the same time, I can't help but understand where Sasuke is coming from. He's driven by his hatred towards the person who killed his whole clan. While I'm deep in thought, Gaara puts his hand on mine. I look up into his eyes, feeling my heartbeat getting faster at his gentle touch.

"I'm so glad you chose to stay with me. I don't know what I'd do if you had decided to desert the village."

I feel a pang of guilt welling up in my heart. Sure, I decided to stay, but every day I've been feeling more and more hatred towards those who did me and my clan wrong. I don't know if I made the right decision anymore...

"I think I'll go to sleep for today. I'm sure you're also in need of rest after your mission."

I say to Gaara as I retract my hand from his and leave to sleep in my room. Needless to say, I'm not able to fall asleep at all. I keep thinking about how Sasuke decided to leave Konohagakure and how I keep feeling that regret and that shame of not avenging my clan. Not just that, now the village that I decided to stick by is now trying to have me assassinated.

I get up from my bed. I really can't sleep. Maybe a stroll outside in the cool night air might put my mind at ease. I get out of the window as to not wake anyone up.

Walking around, there are only a few restaurants and pubs that are still illuminated. It is midnight after all. The chilled breeze is calming my nerves a little. As I'm walking, I notice someone walking out of one of the pubs. Usually I wouldn't pay any close attention to it, except that the person in question that's coming out of that door is the eldest member of the council. He's one of the people who want me dead. He's one of those who condoned the killing of my entire clan.

When turns around and sees me, he flinches a little, but then his gaze turns to disgust and hatred.

"I was having a pleasant night until you showed up..."

He mumbles, but I still hear him enough. The more I look at him, the more angry I feel. As he walks away, my body starts moving after him. My mind is filled with the desire to kill those who oppose me and avenge my clan. My clan deserves justice. It's up to me to protect their honor.

I keep following him until he's away from any potential eyewitness, making sure to keep a safe distance so that he doesn't notice me. I then seize the opportunity and use Yashamaru's jutsu to send flying kunai at the elder. I would use my gold dust, but that would give me away way too easily. Before he realizes what hit him, he lets out a choked cry as the many kunai stab him from all sides. Blood splatters everywhere and he falls motionless on the ground. A smile forms on my face.

"One down..."

Everyone will follow.

"Kiu!"

I hear a familiar voice call from behind me. As I turn around, the smile wipes away from my face and is replaced by worry.

"Gaara... What are you doing here?"

Gaara glances at the body behind me. He then looks at me with a pained expression. He takes my hand and leads me away from the scene. We go on one of the roofs, out of sight of any unwanted attention. Gaara takes my other hand and looks me in the eyes.

"Kiu... Why?"

I look down, starting the feel the guilt creeping up.

"Because... I can't stand it anymore. I can't just sit by, barely getting through each day, knowing that there are people out there who contributed to the decimation of my clan. Not only that, but they want to finish the job and kill me off too. How can I idly go on, ignoring it all and pretending that everything is okay?"

Tears sting my eyes. Gaara squeezes my hands and brings his forehead to mine. I close my eyes and slowly breathe in and breathe out, his familiar scent calming me.

"Kiu, we will make them pay, but the right way. Once I become Kazekage, I will make sure they are punished for their crimes. Please... I need you..."

His voice is shaking. I take away my hands and gently hold his face, looking straight into his eyes. I need to tell him how I feel... I can't stand seeing him so sad.

"Gaara, I do trust that you will do that. And I will be there once it happens. I promise. But until then, I cannot guarantee that I won't lose control like earlier. That's why... I came to the decision that I have to leave Sunagakure for a bit..."

Gaara puts one of his hands on one of mine that is still cupping his face.

"Please, Kiu... You promised you would stay by my side..."

"And I will. I'm not disappearing on you. I'm just going to take a little trip researching more about my clan, since they were nomadic. It'll also put some distance between me and those who want to harm me. And I will contact you, and we will meet up and update each other!"

I explain what's been on my mind, making sure to let him know that I'm not abandoning him. His face is so close... My heart is beating faster...

"Besides... I don't think I can survive being away for too long from you, Gaara. I've come to realize that you're more important to me than anyone in this world. I... love you..."

I whisper that last part, my lips quivering in desire and a little fear that he might reject me. I see his eyes fill with surprise. His cheeks become a light shade of red. The surprise in his eyes disappears and is replaced by a seductive gaze. He puts one hand on my waist and the other behind my head, pushing me forward. I then feel his trembling warm lips on mine. I close my eyes, taking it all in. His warm smell, his soft lips, his firm touch. I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss. We both slightly open our mouths, tentatively exploring each other with our tongues. I'm feeling lightheaded from the happiness and desire. The kiss goes on for a few minutes, neither one of us wanting to let go. Gaara's hands are now wrapped around my back and waist, leaving no distance between our heaving bodies.

We finally break the kiss, gasping for air, our faces flushed.

"I love you too... Kiu..."

He goes in for another kiss, much more hungry than the first one. I happily return it, tangling my fingers in his hair, saliva dripping on the sides of our mouths from not having the time to swallow it. I never thought kissing Gaara would feel so good... I don't want this to end.

We break away from the kiss again, a strand of saliva stretching between our mouths. We're both breathing heavily. We stare into each others' eyes, smiling happily.

"Gaara, I promise... I will come back. I won't be able to survive anymore without your kisses... and your touch..."

I give him a soft kiss on his lips, unable to break away from him yet.

"I trust you... Since I don't think I can live without kissing you either."

"I promise I will be back permanently once you become Kazekage. I know you will."

He nods, still holding me in his arms. I hug him tightly, burying my face in his neck. He starts brushing my hair and I kiss him on his neck. He lets out a surprised moan.

"Kiu...!"

I pull away and give him a mischievous smile.

"Hehe, did that get you?"

Before I can react, he pulls me closer, and brings his lips to my neck. He doesn't just kiss it, he starts sucking on my sensitive spot, causing me to moan out in pleasure. Hearing my voice, he licks, kisses, and sucks mercilessly until my legs start shaking from the overwhelming sensation. He finally lets go and looks at my neck with a grin.

"That won't be disappearing anytime soon."

I playfully tap his chest and we both giggle. We hold hands and head back home. When we reach there, we head into my room where we kiss more. It becomes a full on make-out session, with me lying on the bed and him on top of me. After a while, we just lie down on our sides, looking into each other's eyes.

"When are you planning to leave...?"

He whispers to me. Without breaking eye contact, I answer him.

"Tomorrow. I'll probably sleep in a bit, but then... I will go."

"Promise me to keep in touch."

I nod and give him a short kiss on the lips.

"I will. I promise."

I get closer to Gaara, laying my head on his arm, close to his chest. I start dozing off to his steady breathing and the sound of his heartbeat, falling into a peaceful sleep.

Hello everyone! Hiroakki here. It's been so long since I finally picked this story back up. This time I plan to finish it. Kiu finally confesses! I hope the kiss lived up to your expectations. I'm so sorry for the long wait, I'm sure a lot of people dropped this story by now, but hopefully some of you are still enjoying it. Thank you for reading!