Blood

Happy Birthday, Michael (1-19-08)

Happy Birthday, Gaara

I know you'll never see this, but this one's for you, Mikey.

Silence between them was not unnatural. Sometimes it seemed like years passed between each of their exchanges. But Kankuro didn't worry about it. As long as Gaara was silent it meant he wasn't asking questions about the way the world was outside of himself. As long as Gaara's focus was inward, Kankuro didn't have to answer uncomfortable questions.

But even uncomfortable questions were ok sometimes. His little brother had questions about the meaning of their existence and it was up to Kankuro to find an answer. That's what big brothers do. Though it definitely wasn't a job he would have ever asked for. Younger siblings were a pain in the ass, especially one like Gaara— who had so many problems of his own to deal with.

Watching the sun go down over Wind Country and knowing that soon it would be too cold to stand out here anymore, still Gaara stood watch over his people. And Kankuro stood watch over him. It was his responsibility. Because that's what brothers do, and above all, they believe and hold true to duty. That's what shinobi do.

Flashes of color lit up the atmosphere. Sunset is always prettiest in the desert. Kankuro watched Gaara as he took it all in. This was probably the first sunset the younger man had ever taken the time to see. Because he is a shinobi, and all the best missions take place after dark.

After the sun goes down, the heat that was present during the day rapidly cools down. The sudden changes in temperature caused many people to catch ill during even the most pleasant of months and very soon Temari would call them inside. But for now, with a slice of sun on the horizon, they still had a few quiet moments before it was time to get back to work. Because a shinobi's work is never done.

And neither is a Kage's, even one who just happens to be your little brother.

"Come on, Gaara, before she sends assassins to get our attention."

With one last look at the tiny sliver of light, Gaara turned to him and gave Kankuro the barest glimpse of a smile.

Kankuro gave him a tiny shove to get back to work. Because that's just what big brothers do. And they are blood.