Because I Met You

Chapter 46: No Hesitations

All my friends encourage me, but I'm so focused that I don't even react as I go down the stairs towards the arena. I get there before Hana. Looking up at the area where all the contestants are, I don't find her there. Letting my gaze wander a bit to the spectators, I see her laughing alongside Mari and Jun. I'll wipe that smug smile off all of their faces. They picked a fight with the wrong kunoichi.

After waiting after her, she finally makes her way to arena and stands right across from me, facing me. She then notices my katana.

"Wait... Are you seriously going to fight me using my specialty?"

I smirk.

"Wouldn't it be much more humiliating if you lose to me that way, then?"

Hana frowns.

"Don't underestimate me, you freak."

The proctor then brings his arm up.

"Begin."

He says and then jumps back from the immediate area. As soon as he does, Hana takes out her two swords and runs towards me.

She swings one of them at me from my left. I bring up my own sword still sheathed in its scabbard and block her swing. I then notice that she was also swinging her other sword at me from the right. Letting my instincts and my reflexes take over, I unsheathe my sword using my right hand to block her swing. She's putting a lot of force into it, but not nearly enough to get anywhere close to me.

"Hah, so you blocked both of my swords. Now what? Neither of us can move."

"Neither of us can move?"

I use my right hand that's still holding my sword and start doing some one-handed hand signs.

"What the...?!"

Before she could react, a whirlwind starts forming around both of us. The wind lifts her up and throws her a few feet away. Hana lands on her back and gasps out at the impact. She has a few visible cuts from the sharp gusts of wind.

I drop the scabbard on my sword on the floor and hold my katana tightly with both hands. I run towards Hana before she has a chance to retaliate. I swing my sword at her, which she blocks with both of hers. I press down on them, bringing her swords closer to her face.

"Ugh...!"

She's putting a lot of strength to resist me, but she knows I'm way stronger.

"Why don't you surrender before it's too late? I'm not going to stop even if I kill you."

I look at her with eyes devoid of all emotion. I see her face get paler as the swords gradually get closer.

"Y-You... you better stop this or else!"

I ignore her pleas and push harder on the swords. One of her swords reaches her neck and breaks through the skin, letting a trail of blood flow down Hana's neck.

"I-I surrender! Please don't kill me!"

As soon as she surrendered, the proctor holds my hands to stop me from lowering my sword any further. I step back.

"Due to her opponent surrendering, the winner of this match is Kiu."

Without even glancing at Hana, I go to pick up my scabbard. I put my sword back in it and head up to join back with the other contestants.

When I get there, I am greeted with concerned looks from my friends.

"Kiu... Is something bothering you?"

Yukari says as she takes my hand in hers. I avoid her gaze. I don't want her to know about the Kazekage. I don't want her to know about my plan to betray the village either. It'll just get her in a lot of trouble.

I glance at Gaara. He's looking straight at me. He also seems quite worried. Koji and Maru come from the audience to see me.

"Congrats on winning."

Koji tries to sound unconcerned. Maru just glares at me for a bit.

"I know you don't like Hana, but to think that you were prepared to just kill her is a bit much."

Maru says. This is the first time he says something with such a serious tone. Was I that bad? What if I had the intent to kill her? Is that really so bad?

What am I thinking? Of course it's bad! Killing... should be avoided...

"I'm sorry... I guess I did go a bit far..."

Maru sighs. Koji raises one eyebrow.

"This isn't like you, Kiu. Did something happen?"

"Nothing."

Just when they were about to press me for more information, the proctor speaks up.

"The next match will be Temari vs Shikamaru Nara."

I sigh in relief at having everyone's attention turned away from me. To be honest, even though I care about Temari, I really have no interest in knowing the outcome of this match or of any of the matches for that matter. It's all useless and meaningless anyway, since this exam is going to be interrupted soon.

Temari and Shikamaru's match has already started. Temari is running away from her opponent's shadow possession jutsu, while calculating its limits. Shikamaru outsmarts her though by luring her to the whole that Naruto has made earlier. That's a rare sight. Temari is usually the smart one, but Shikamaru beats her there.

He surrenders as soon as he catches her, however, saying that his chakra is almost depleted. I hear Naruto yelling at him for it.

Everything seems like it's happening so far away from me. It's all meaningless. It's all going to end. And I have to be the one to protect Gaara. I will suffer for it, but I'm prepared. I will take any punishment they throw at me. I'm sure that once they find out that the Kazekage is dead, they'll understand that this whole plan was just a ruse by the imposter.

"Kiu."

Gaara's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"What is it?"

He looks at me with serious eyes.

"Don't do anything stupid."

"What do you mean?"

Did he figure out what I'm planning to do? That's not good... Maybe he's just guessing that I'm up to something.

"Nothing, just stay out of trouble."

I chuckle. He is just bluffing. Good. It's easier if no one knows.