Disclaimer: I do not Naruto.
Gaara looked at Kankuro with a small smile.
The redhead had recently gone back to his Kage duties, giving the puppeteer a lot of free time. Now he made regular visits to his brother's office, to bring him lunch or to talk.
"Gaara?"
"Hmm?"
"There are a few questions I need to ask you about..........that night."
Gaara looked at Kankuro and froze, his smile disappeared.
Kankuro tapped his chin. He spoke quietly, "Well, you mentioned Shukaku.......is he still there?"
"Yeah......." Gaara rubbed his head. "He's still here. He never left."
Kankuro gave him a pat on the back. "Hey, it's cool. Not your fault he's still there, I just wish that he never tried to do that to you. Really," his expression changed from sympathetic to a bit murderous, "if he wasn't an 'all powerful tailed demon' I'd whoop his butt for doing that to you! Really!"
Gaara gave a soft chuckle, "Alright, alright, I believe you."
"Oh, one more thing........is he going to try to come out again?"
Gaara looked down at his feet and began to shuffle them nervously.
Kankuro noticed his sudden change of attitude and tried to comfort him.
"Don't worry little bro! You're strong! You fought him off that day so you'll be able to fight him in the future!"
"Actually.......he let me go. I didn't fight him," said Gaara, with his head hung low.
"Oh."
"..."
"..."
They stood in silence.
Gaara closed his eyes. What would happen if Shukaku did take control? He knew the demon would keep his promise and come back. Until then.....
He felt arms being wrapped around him. The person hugging him gave a light squeeze.
"Little brother, don't you worry."
(Flashback)
Yashumaru walked into Gaara's room, a frown planted on his face. He looked around.
"Gaara?"
Something moved under the bed. The blond walked over and kneeled down. He pulled the blanket up and gasped. In front of his very eyes lay a small Shukaku!
"G-gaara?"
The little creature looked up. It began to whimper.
Yashumaru reached under and pulled the creature out, despite its protest. He held it up with awe written all over his face.
"Y-yashumaru....?"
With a sigh, the older ninja placed it down in his lap.
The creature whimpered again and buried its face in his lap.
"Gaara?"
It looked up.
"I love you. Don't forget that. No matter *gulp* no matter who or what you are."
Those were his words.
(End Flashback)
Gaara opened his eyes and found himself staring at the face of Kankuro. He pulled away, wondering what possessed Kankuro to give him a hug.
Kankuro snapped his finger, "I see, tough." He held his fist up.
Gaara smiled as he gave his older brother a knuckle-touch.
"I love you. Don't forget that. No matter who or what you are."
He would face Shukaku with all his might. That demon was going to wish that he'd had a different Jinchuriki, Gaara would make sure of it. And if his strength wasn't enough he had Kankuro, Temari, and even Matsuri. He would emerge victorious.
He was sure of that.
A/N:
TeenageNeko, Out.
