Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.-J.K Rowling
"Father, Father!" A young boy calls out, spikes swaying in the wind as he rushes home. He stops at the door, taking his shoes off carefully, before running straight into a short, yet imposing man. He begins speaking again, his voice muffled by his father's shirt.
"Father, today in class-,"he starts eagerly.
His father cuts him off. "Kankuro, I have some business to attend. The Hokage will be visiting soon, and I must finish these treaty requests before then." He gives the large sheaf of papers in his hands a shake as he walks away from his young son.
A young girl, perhaps two years older than Kankuro leans on the doorframe, having heard the entire conversation, a sympathetic expression on her face. "You know Father's been busy lately."
The younger boy nods, face downcast. Temari snorts. "Don't be such a baby."
Kankuro clenches his fists, but doesn't reply. Temari rolls her eyes, walks towards her brother, leads him to the kitchen.
"The new housekeeper made some really delicious food," she wheedles.
"Not hungry," Kankuro replies sullenly.
"Alright, then. I'll eat it, and you can tell me about your day." Temari says reluctantly.
"Really, nee-san?" Kankuro finally looks up, a hopeful smile on his face, much to his sister's badly hidden relief.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever, squirt." Temari knows that a good ninja doesn't have emotion; she should be practicing right now. But as Kankuro starts talking, (I was the first in my class to form a chakra web, nii-san. And sensei said-he said my chakra control was sur-supre-suprerior to everyone's!) she lets the sound wash over her.
She looks up in concern when he stops. He's biting his lip, a sure sign that he's nervous. The last time he'd done that, he'd broken Temari's fan.
"What is it, squirt?"
"Nee-san, you- you won't leave like father does, will you?" his eyes are wide and hopeful, and she cannot bring herself to break his heart.
"'Course I won't squirt, where would I go?"
"Forever then. You have to stay forever." There is a determination in his eyes she's never seen before.
"Well… I'll have to go on missions, you know that."
"But you'll come home?"
She sighs, and gives in. "Always, squirt."
The smile on his face could light up all of Suna.
AN: So, not too bad, right? First fic, so please at least attribute some of the atrociousness to inexperience. Thanks for reading. Also, I am aware I spelled 'superior' incorrectly. I wasn't sure how to make it sound as though Kankuro was mispronouncing it any other way.