Because I Met You

Chapter 10: At the End of a School Day

After getting Yukari to the school medics, Gaara and I started heading back to his place.

"You still look really exhausted, Kiu."

"Don't worry! I'm stronger than you think."

He's right though... My legs are really aching. But I don't regret a thing! I showed Mari what I'm made of! I'll have to ask Yukari how Mari reacted when I ran past her. It must've been a priceless face... I guess that's the one thing I regret: not being able to catch Mari's reaction to my awesomeness. I feel really sleepy right now... I think I need a good break. I feel like my legs are going to give out anytime now.

"Ow...!"

Just as I thought...

"Kiu!"

Gaara comes rushing next to me, and crouches down. Yes... I fell... Just like I thought I would.

"Gaara... I think my legs are a little too tired..."

"Well that's not a surprise... What is more surprising is that they didn't give out earlier."

Without saying anything else, Gaara uses his sand to place me on his back.

"Hehe, this is fun! I don't remember anyone giving me a piggyback before."

"Don't make it a habit... You're heavier than you look."

"Well, you could've used your sand to lift me instead..."

"It takes too much concentration."

"I guess... Thanks, Gaara."

A hint of red slowly appears on Gaara's cheeks, well I can only see one cheek right now, but I'm guessing the other one is the same.

"You're welcome..."

We arrive at the Kazekage's mansion, and Gaara heads straight to his room, then slowly puts me down on his bed that he never really uses...

"I think if I just lie down now, I'll faint from exhaustion!"

"Already? It's still bright outside. But I guess after what you did, you deserve a break."

"I was pretty awesome, right?"

Gaara chuckles, and nods. We talk for a bit about how our first day went, and then we hear a knock on the room's door. Who could that be? Gaara gets up to open the door to whoever it is that knocked.

"Um... Hey, Gaara... How was your first day of school?"

It's Temari's voice! Great, I really want to tell her how our first day was! I get up and rush to the door.

"Temari!"

I take her hand and pull her in the room.

"I thought you said you were so tired that you could faint from exhaustion..."

"I did say that, Gaara, but I feel very energetic all of a sudden!"

Probably because I'm so excited to tell Temari all about what happened.

"Was your first day that tiring?"

Temari sounds amused, probably at how hyper I am, even though I do still feel a little tired.

I tell Temari about how Gaara and I are in the same class, and how we had to run , and how Yukari got hurt, and how I carried her on my back while running, and how I was still one of the first ones... Anyway, I told her about a lot things. She just nodded while smiling and looking a bit confused. I made sure not to mention Mari in front of Gaara, because who knows how angry he might get... I'll tell Temari about Mari when Gaara is not around.

"Hey Temari, what did you do on your second day at the Academy?"

I'm really curious about what we'll be doing tomorrow.

"If I remember correctly, you'll be doing a lot of math and history. There's also going to be some geography involved. You'll be doing some physical training, too. It's going to be like that for the whole year."

"Hmm... That's really similar to what we did today. When is it that we start training with weapons?"

"Well... I think it'll be around next week."

I'm really excited about the weapons, because then I can see if I really did absorb that flying kunai technique from Yashamaru. Besides, it'll be fun to learn how to use weapons.

"Hey, Temari! Where are you?"

That sounds like Kankuro... What does he want with Temari?

"He's probably going to ask me to train with him."

She says in a lower voice to us and then proceeds with a louder voice.

"I'm in Gaara's room, Kankuro."

There's a certain silence and then we hear a timid knock on door. It's probably Kankuro. I'm still not very comfortable around him, so I go and hide behind Gaara, while Temari gets up to get the door.

"What is it Kankuro?"

She asks him after opening the door.

"Well... I was wondering if... you could come train with me."

"Alright, just a second."

She looks back at us and smiles apologetically.

"Sorry Kiu, I'll listen to the rest of what you want to tell me later, and... see you around, Gaara."

I wave at her, and she leaves with Kankuro. As soon as they're gone, I come out from behind Gaara.

"I feel all exhausted again..."

"You're funny."

"Am I?"

We both giggle at our nonsense.

"Temari is a really nice sister, don't you think?"

Gaara stays silent.

"But Kankuro on the other hand annoys and scares me."

"Why?"

"Well, as soon as he first saw me, he kept asking me who I was and then flicked me on the forehead when I was too shocked to answer."

Gaara giggles at my overly dramatic actions as I was describing my first encounter with Kankuro. I suddenly start yawning after finishing what I had to say.

"You should go sleep."

"I'm still fine... Besides, I want to spend more time with you."

"But you see me every day all day, don't you get sick of me?"

"How can you say something like...?"

Before I could finish my sentence, I start yawning again.

"Go to sleep, Kiu. I'll be right next to you."

"...Fine."

I get up on the bed and Gaara sits down next to me. As soon as I lie down and put my head on the pillow, I fall into a very very very deep sleep.