Rubbing her knuckles against short blue fur, Hikari smiled as a purr rumbled from the tiny body in her lap, at ease.
Sitting on her left, Gaara watched as Riolu nuzzled into white cotton, sandy and sore and obviously content with her lot in life.
Purring like a distressed engine, Aron nuzzled against the soft fur of Cyndaquil's face and groomed away whatever grit had accumulated during their training, earning a pleased hum from the Fire-type.
Only Totodile refused to rest, still hopping around and chattering away, and Gaara rolled his eyes at the sight.
They had been trying for the last week to tire the aquatic Pokemon out with training, but he proved to have enough energy for ten Jonin on a sugar-rush.
"Alright, that's enough." Hikari giggled, smiling. "Why don't you come over here and relax?"
Warbling happily, Totodile bounced over to the humans and leapt onto her lap, earning a nip from a disgruntled Riolu that had him backing off with a yelp.
"I didn't say to jump on her!" She admonished, reaching out to soothe his hurt anyway.
With a pout, Totodile turned to climb onto Gaara's lap instead, latching onto his sash with a sad little warble that had the Jinchuriki threading careful fingers between the sharp red spines down his back.
Affection pulsed through the new bond, like water lapping at her toes, and Hikari leaned closer to brush shoulders with the quiet boy as she sent a pulse back.
"The Chunin Exams are being held in Konoha this year." The brunette voiced, scratching behind sensitive ears so Riolu melted into a purring mass on her lap. "I'm thinking of going."
Sand shifted around them in a violent twist, half-rising as if to create a shield, before Gaara regained control.
Gentle fingers carded through messy red hair, and the Terror of Suna relaxed by degrees, tilting his head onto her shoulder with a quiet exhale as Totodile shifted to give Aron enough space to join him.
Waves of comfort came from the twin bonds in his chest, and Riolu rolled over to lick at Gaara's cheek as the dual Steel/Rock-type purred.
"What's wrong, Gaara?" Hikari whispered, Cyndaquil pressing in on her other side as Totodile whined softly.
"I don't know." He admitted, frustration peeking through. "He only said we were participating."
Knowing there was more, she waited patiently for the Jinchuriki to organize his thoughts as their Pokemon curled in tight, supportive.
"I've seen Temari and Kankuro in his office lately." Gaara voiced after a few moments, one hand falling on Riolu's head as the other started rubbing the seams in Aron's armor. "Along with Baki. They won't tell me why."
A growl rumbled from Cyndaquil as she considered this new series of events, equally concerned.
The Kazekage was not known to be a particularly attentive father, even to his two 'good' children, and this sudden interest…
"You think he's planning something."
"Yes."
Jade eyes met sapphire, silent words passing between them, and Hikari sighed as the sand rustled.
"I'm not running away from this." She stated, firm. "If you're going, so am I."
Though Shukaku grumbled about her stubbornness, Gaara eventually straightened, lacing his fingers in hers while his gaze turned out to the desert once more.
"Just stay close."
Smiling at what, for Gaara, was acceptance, the brunette pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Always."