Oooooh! I really like this chapter! I mean, I really enjoyed writing it! I hope you also enjoy reading it :D

I've been so busy at work lately XD But at least I finally wrote this!

Enjoy :3


Chapter 31: Rivalry

I get back to my squad's room after going out with for ramen with Gaara. I sense an air of tension as soon as I enter the room. Maru is sitting in the far back, not even looking at me when I come in. He seems really upset about something. I guess Otokaze-sensei managed to break up the fight, but not resolve it. Koji, on the other hand is glaring at me, and is standing on the opposite side of Maru. As soon as I closed the door behind me, Koji comes up to me.

"Why didn't you wait for me?"

He sounds angry… Did it upset him this much that I left him behind?

"Well, you two were fighting so I didn't really know when you'd be done…"

Koji then takes my wrist and drags me out of the room.

"Wait…! Koji! Where are we going?"

"Out."

"But it's getting late…"

"I need fresh air, and you're coming with me."

His voice sounds so forceful that I can't really find anything to say back to him. When we get outside, he loosens his grip on my wrist a bit, and pulls me less forcefully. It's already dark out.

"Koji…"

I call out to him, but he doesn't even look at me. What's up with him? I've never seen him act like this before. Koji's usually the calmest one out of the three of us. We walk for a while like this until he finally stops. He then turns around to face me without letting go of my wrist. He looks way less angry than before.

"I just thought we'd go out on our own… since I couldn't come with you before."

Oh, so that's it! I smile at him.

"You should've said that earlier! I don't mind hanging out for a bit. To be honest, I didn't think it was a big deal for you that I didn't wait for you. Next time, I'll be sure to wait!"

Koji chuckles. He then pulls me by my wrist until… Wait what?! He-he-he-he's hugging me? Wh-Why?!

"Thank you, Kiu."

I feel his breath on my neck. It sends weird shivers all over my body! So I guess it's a thank you hug? Why isn't he letting go, though? I'm starting to feel uncomfortable… I feel something rough on my hand. Sand? Gaara!

As soon as I realize who it is, Koji lets go and jumps back, since a wall of sand is starting to form between us. I turn around and see Gaara standing there, frowning. He then immediately comes and stands in front of me, facing Koji.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you spend enough time with her already?"

Koji sounds really annoyed. I don't know what to do. I don't even get what's happening, but it doesn't seem like it's good. Koji is glaring at Gaara, and I bet Gaara is glaring at him too.

"Kiu, we're going back."

Gaara says to me without even looking at me. It's the first time I feel so much authority from his voice.

"Alright, I'll-"

"You're not taking her back."

Koji cuts me off. That idiot! I'm trying to end things before they get too out of hand.

"Kiu's not yours."

Gaara's voice is low with anger. This is not good…

"She's not yours either."

Koji grits his teeth. What the heck? Why am I suddenly a property?

"I'm no one's, alright?!"

They both look at me, surprised by my sudden outburst, probably.

"I'm going back to the inn, since I want to rest for tomorrow's exam. You two can stay out here for all I care. Goodnight!"

I walk away. I'm not really mad at them, but I just feel like this is probably the only way I could've done to stop this nonsense. I hear footsteps start to follow me. I glance behind me and find both Gaara and Koji walking. They both still look kind of pissed, but at least they're not at each other's neck anymore. We all get to the inn and Gaara stops at the entrance.

"You're not going in?"

When I ask him, he shakes his head.

"I'm going up to the roof."

"Oh… alright."

Koji and I then head to the room. He doesn't even look at me or say anything. He just gets in his futon and goes to sleep. He's been acting so strangely today. I kind of feel bad for both him and Gaara. Maybe if I just waited for him earlier, it wouldn't have become such a big deal. I'm also really grateful that Gaara interfered. I should go thank him… I'll just make sure Koji's asleep so that he doesn't come and interfere.

Now, Gaara's up on the roof. I can just use the window to get up there. I easily get out of the window, close it behind me, then jump up to the roof. Sitting there is indeed Gaara. He looks at me.

"What are you doing here, Kiu? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

I go sit next to him.

"I just wanted to apologize for earlier… I didn't mean to lash out at you."

He pats my head.

"I know you didn't."

I feel my face getting warm. I actually really like it when Gaara's so nice to me. I mean, he's always nice, but… I guess I like when he touches me so softly.

"And… Gaara… thank you…"

"For…?"

"For interfering… I didn't feel very comfortable when Koji… hugged me like that."

At Koji's name, Gaara frowns.

"Be careful around that guy."

"Careful? But he's my teammate."

"Still."

"Alright…"

We spend a moment of silence, just looking at the horizon.

"So…"

Gaara breaks the silence.

"You're not Koji's."

"Of course not!"

Why's he even asking that?

"And you're not mine either?"

"…"

I don't even know what to say to that. I'm not his? Well, I'm not, but I can't seem to say it! Or am I?

"I… well…"

Gaara chuckles.

"It's alright, Kiu. I was teasing you."

My face really heats up this time.

"Gaara!"

He then mumbles something that I don't quite get. All I hear from it is "one day."

"What'd you say?"

"Nothing. You should really go back, though. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."

"Can I sleep here?"

Gaara looks like he's about to retort, but he looks into my eyes for a bit. He then sighs.

"Alright. If you catch a cold, don't blame me."

I cheer in joy and get closer to him. I rest my head on his shoulder, and he covers me with his sand. After a bit, I feel his arms envelop me. This… I don't feel uncomfortable when Gaara does it. It actually makes me feel good. It makes me just want to stay like that forever… forever… in his arms…


Alrighty! What did you guys think of the little "action" going on? Is it going too fast? Or not fast enough? Or is it just perfect?

Tell me in the reviews what you think :D