Because I Met You

Chapter 47: What Really Matters

"The next match is Rock Lee vs Yukari. Will the next contestants please come forth?"

So Gaara's match is last. According to the plan, Gaara will release the Shukaku in the middle of the arena. At least... according to the plan they discussed with us. I wish Yukari good luck as she nervously makes her way to the arena.

I then sense someone coming behind us. I turn my head and find Baki-sensei putting a hand on Gaara's shoulder. Gaara then slowly nods and follows Baki out of the arena.

"Where are you taking him?"

My voice is low and angry. I know exactly what they're planning to do. I won't let them.

"It is none of your concern, Kiu. Know your place."

I look into Gaara's eyes and sense a tinge of fear. He doesn't want to do this either, but he's doing it for his village. I won't let it happen. As soon as they were out of sight, I quickly and swiftly started following them, without anyone noticing. Baki brought Gaara to the village centre.

"Now. Fulfill your mission and unleash the Shukaku."

I knew it. They lied to us about the mission. They did it to keep anyone from interfering. It's time to show them the truth behind this mission. I concentrate and start using the late Kazekage's key technique: the Gold Dust. I move the sand made of gold around Gaara, enveloping him in it.

"What?! Lord Kazekage's jutsu?!"

Baki exclaimed. I feel Gaara trying to come out of the dome of gold. However, I harden it and transport it away along with me. Gold is much denser than sand, so he won't be able to break through it. I hear the attack starting on Konoha. Giant snakes are being summoned to destroy everything. My goal is to get Gaara out of here. I don't care about anything else. I'll pass through the arena still to see if everyone's alright.

I feel Baki following me. He figured out it was me. My act of treason will not go unpunished. Unless I never let them catch me. I increase my pace, putting more distance between me and Baki. I go through the arena at lightning speed, surveying the scene quickly. My friends saw me pass by. Baki was then intercepted with some Konoha jounin. As for me, I dodged everyone that tried to stop me with ease. Before I knew it, however, I felt myself being followed by a lot of people.

Glancing behind me, I could see Koji, Temari, Kankuro... There were more people behind but they were all too far. All I need to do is get far enough from Konohagakure for it to be too late for Gaara to do anything.

As I keep going, I feel my chakra draining away. I'm still not used to using such advanced techniques. Keeping Gaara in the Gold Dust dome is taking way too much of my chakra. My pursuers aren't stopping either... I don't even know if this is far enough.

After going for a few more minutes, I trip over a branch, my body giving away to exhaustion. I use what's left of my chakra to slowly bring Gaara down on a branch and release the dome. I pant loudly, sweat pouring down my body.

"Kiu... What have you done?"

Gaara sounds angry and shocked. I don't want him to get the wrong idea... I need to explain everything to him...

"I... I found the Kazekage's corpse... This whole mission was not his order! An imposter took his place!"

I gathered the last of my strength to explain myself.

"What are you talking about?"

A voice came from behind me. It's Temari... They already caught up...

"It's the truth! The real Kazekage's dead! He's been murdered!"

"And we're supposed to believe a traitor like you?!"

Kankuro retorted.

"I only did this because I'm the only one who knows the truth."

I turn my gaze towards Gaara.

"You believe me... right Gaara?"

He seems conflicted. He then looks away. I see... I was prepared for this. I knew no one would believe me. But I still held a bit of hope that at least Gaara would. It hurts more than I thought it would.

I feel my strength coming back slowly. Now I have a choice... Either I quietly surrender and get punished for my actions or... I run away and live the life of a rogue.

I don't really care what happens to me, honestly. If I run away, I'll probably never see Gaara again. I wouldn't be able to stand that. I'm sure he'll come around once all the proofs come to light. Soon all the Sunagakure genin gather.

"I should've known an outsider like you would betray Sunagakure."

Mari said with disdain.

"Why, Kiu...?"

Yukari looked like she was on the verge of crying.

"We're better off without menaces like her."

Hana chuckled. Jun had a mocking grin on his face. Yuto, Ikki and Maru couldn't look me in the eyes.

"I believe Kiu."

What...?

"Koji..."

Koji comes next to me and helps me up. Koji then glares and everyone.

"You guys call yourself her comrades? How are you supposed to be comrades if you can't even trust each other? And you..."

He then fixed Gaara with his most intense glare.

"You should be the one protecting her. She did all this for you! She risked everything to protect you! And you can't even bring yourself to believe her!"

Gaara looks taken aback. I'm just as surprised to see Koji stand up for me like that... I place a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Koji... But that's enough... You shouldn't get involved in this. You'll get in trouble too if you do."

"But...!"

"Please. This was my decision and my decision alone."

I see Baki and the other Sunagakure jounin come towards us. It seems like they figured out that this wasn't the real Kazekage after all. That's probably not enough to get me off the hook though.

The jounin all restrain me and tie me up to prevent me from struggling. I don't resist.

"Kiu!"

Koji shouts my name.

"The act that you committed was an act of high treason. There's also the fact that you acquired the Kazekage's jutsu. We'll have to lock you up until we investigate the whole situation and decide on what to do with you."

Baki says with a cold voice. I see Otokaze-sensei standing further away. He didn't look too good. I guess he actually still cares about me. I throw one last glance at Gaara and see his face torn up in sadness. I guess Koji's words cut deeper than they first appeared to.

At least I was able to save Gaara. That's all that matters.