To be totally honest with you, this chapter didn't take me much time to write. I actually was meaning to write more, but then I realized that the length was pretty much the same as the other chapters. I just hope you guys don't find it too short XD

I also have a DeviantArt page under the same name (Hiroakki) where I'll be posting how my OCs look like. I'm not very good at drawing on tablets, but I do my best!

I hope you enjoy this chapter! :D


Chapter 18: Birthday

"Happy birthday, Gaara!"

Gaara smiles at me. It's his 12th birthday! I can't believe it's been five years since we started living together. We went to the Academy together, made friends, and the finals are coming up soon. We'll both become genin, I'm sure of it. Yukari and Ikki will ace it too. We just had one of Temari's cakes and both Yukari and Ikki gave Gaara a gift. Now that the birthday party is over, it's just me and him. We hear someone knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

Gaara asks whoever is on the other side. The door opens to reveal Temari.

"Hey, Temari! What's up?"

I look at her with a confused face. She just left the room and now she's already back.

"Well, Kiu, I have something important to tell you and Gaara."

We both look at her with question marks in our eyes.

"You know how you guys have grown a lot now, right?"

"Mhm! Gaara's twelve, and I'm probably turning twelve sometime this year or next year."

"You two have been sleeping in the same room, in the same bed, since you were seven. Since now you're more grown, I thought it'd be better if Kiu got her own room."

Wait… What? I don't want to get my own room!

"Why can't she stay here?"

Temari looked away. She seemed puzzled as to how to answer that question.

"I don't get it either. Why can't I stay?"

"Well, Kiu, you're a girl, and Gaara, you're a boy. At a certain age, there should be a distinction between the two of you. It's not appropriate for you two to sleep in the same room, let alone in the same bed anymore."

"But I don't even sleep."

"…You know what I mean."

No I don't! I want to stay with Gaara!

"Anyway, I know how you two are very attached to each other, but I think it'll be better if you get your own room, Kiu."

We both look down. I have to admit, I've been feeling a little weird around Gaara lately. Maybe sleeping in another room will do us some good.

"Alright… I'll get my own room…"

"But…"

"It's alright, Gaara. I'll just get the empty one that's right next to you, so that we can have some late night visits whenever we feel like it."

Gaara looks at me, a little unconvinced.

"Fine, if that's what you want."

"Then it's settled. I'll get that room ready for you, Kiu."

"Thanks, Temari."

She leaves the room. Good, now it's time for me to give my gift to Gaara.

"Do you like the gifts that Yukari and Ikki got you?"

Gaara looks at the weapon pouch that Yukari made for him, and the nunchaku that Ikki gave him. Apparently, that nunchaku is one of his family's best ones.

"I don't exactly know how to use a nunchaku, but I am grateful."

"That's great, because you two seem to have some kind of friendly rivalry going on at times."

Gaara chuckles at what I said.

"Not really…"

"Anyway, aren't you curious to know what I got you?"

"You got me something?"

Oh come on! Did he really think I wouldn't get him anything?

"Of course I did…"

Gaara smiles and pats my head. I feel my cheeks getting warm. I think I'm blushing… This always happens when he's affectionate towards me!

"You didn't have to get me anything."

"Nobody has to do anything, but you're my best friend, so I wanted to express that."

I then go get the gift that I made him. It's a little different from what everyone got him. I take out the wrapped up box and give it to him.

"Thanks, Kiu."

He opens it with care, but I know that he's excited it. When he opens it, he looks at me with a confused look on his face.

"A paper, a cork, and a… red band?"

"Yup! Look at what's on the paper! It's a plan to make a gourd out of sand!"

He still looks puzzled. I guess I have to explain everything.

"So, you know how your weapon is sand, right?"

"Obviously."

"That means, that if there is no sand around, you don't have your strongest weapon, right?"

"What're you trying to get at?"

"What I'm trying to say is that you need something where you can carry enough sand to use when you go to places that don't have any sand. And what better than sand to contain sand?"

"So you want me to make this gourd you drew here out of sand, harden it, and fill it with more sand?"

"Exactly!"

Yes! He finally got!

"And the cork will be what closes up the gourd. The band is to attach it to whatever you'll be wearing."

Gaara stares at the paper. I think he's still thinking about all of this. He then looks at me.

"Well, that is a pretty different gift."

"Oh come on! That's all you have to say?"

He smiles at me. What? I thought he'd have more reaction than that.

"Thank you, Kiu."

Oh… Well, even if there isn't a huge reaction, I'm still happy he thanked me… So, he likes it?

"Want to start making it now, Gaara?"

He nods. Alright! Let's get to it!

I knock on the surface of the now finished gourd. It makes a clear sound.

"It's perfect!"

I give Gaara a high five.

"I never thought I'd have to work for a birthday present."

"Hey, that's what makes is special!"

Gaara laughs. He's been so much happier lately than when we first met. His father actually left him alone for all these years. Gaara would sometimes start losing control when he snoozes off, but I was always there to wake him up with a good bucket of cold water. It always does the trick. At the Academy, both of us are the top students. Yukari is getting better, even though she always barely passes when it comes to physical tests. Ikki is above average in everything. The four of us always hang out and train together after classes. Gaara has really opened up to both of them. I sometimes spot him and Ikki having serious conversations together. I guess he likes to have a guy friend for once.

"Now that I think about it, the finals are coming up. You should use this gourd during that, you'll ace everything."

"The exams are not all about fighting. We have to demonstrate our control of the different jutsu we learned during the time we spent at the Academy."

"Well there's only like three main ones: the transformation jutsu, the clone jutsu, and the substitution jutsu."

"And we have to show them a skill that only we can do."

"Well, you have your sand shield that should be more than enough to impress them. As for me…"

I have way too many things! I mean, Yashamaru was an Anbu of the Sand Village. His control of chakra was crazy good and he was a medical ninja. If I tried, I could learn just about any jutsu I want, since I absorbed almost everything from him.

"I bet you can't decide on what jutsu to show them."

"Yeah, it's like you read my mind."

"Well, that's not too much of an issue. We should go read up on some jutsu scrolls. You'll probably find something there that interests you."

"Awesome, let's go there tomorrow with the others!"


Thanks for reading!

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