I know, been a while, but give me a break these aren't exactly short chapters. 14 pages.
Now the moment you've all been waiting for... sort of.
Chapter 27: Development
She had never thought in her short life of seventeen years that she would have to learn to walk again. She had no memories of learning the first time, nor had her mother had stories to tell her of such achievements due to Kira being five when they'd met. She hadn't thought she'd need the memory, because once you learned such a thing, you never lost it, or at least she'd thought that. Losing a leg had taught her otherwise.
She wondered how much harder it would have been without the training she'd had as a ninja her entire life. She was physically stronger than she would be otherwise, so perhaps things were going better than she thought they were. It just didn't feel like it.
Sweat slid down the side of her face and back at the effort, her hands gripping at the waist high bars on either side of her. She was trembling all over, anxiety and pain making her teeth clench as she concentrated on the chakra flow that acted like strings to pull and shift the metallic leg. The prosthetic was crude but perfect for learning how to use one, nothing fancy, just gesture shapes to make up body segments. When they'd amputated her leg, they'd also implanted a small metal bar that acted as the anchor attachment for the prosthetic. From there the joints for the knee and foot went on and much like how puppet masters used chakra strings to control weapons, the person learned a far more basic version that would control the movement of the joints. She'd never have feeling in it, not like touch or pain, but it allowed her the subconscious knowledge that it was there doing its job.
She'd managed to learn that while sitting a chair, rotating and shifting each joint carefully until it had become easier. From there she'd come to the present, which was putting those motions into practice. Putting weight on it hurt more than she'd thought it would. While the wound itself was mostly healed thanks to medical ninjutsu, the nerves around the area were still throwing a tantrum, causing phantom pains to crop up even more as well as pain from the implant that had done nothing but sit there until now. The pain made it ten times harder to concentrate on moving the joints of the prosthetic correctly, which caused her to trip and fall, even collapse under a suddenly useless appendage.
It was embarrassing and hard on what little spirit she had left.
"Come on Kira, you can do this," Sakura cheered her on from the end of the therapy railings which was only a few more steps away. "Just take a deep breath in and try to imagine what a normal step looks like."
It was meant as encouragement, Kira knew that, but the pain was suffocating and she was tired, that alone made a few steps look like a few miles. They were in the rehab room for the third day in a row, the large room filled with different tools and items that Kira didn't know anything about, nor did she care to.
Her eyes flickered past the pink haired ninja to her other silent supporter. Sai had shown up just before her session had started, stating that Temari was stuck in a meeting and sent her apologies. Kira could hardly be upset, the blond did have a job to do and she'd been at Kira's side constantly over the last few weeks. For whatever reason Sai had ended up staying, planting himself in one of the chairs along the far wall and pulling out a sketchbook. He wasn't one of her staple visitors, but the artist had shown up once or twice to check on her, normally in the company of Sakura.
It was a curiosity that often plagued her mind. Something that often led down a bad road of tangenting thoughts about Tenten and Lee, and then a certain redhead. Gaara hadn't been back around since that day they'd spoken and Kira wasn't quite sure if it upset her or not. She didn't know what to think, only that her chest ached and she couldn't breath right when she thought about it.
Her thoughts were once again her down fall and Kira felt her grip slip on one of the joints, the ankle, a second too late. The formed shape that acted as a foot caught on the ground like a toe would and her hands slick from sweat didn't hold her up like they should have. She crashed to the ground with a startled gasp, landing on her hands and knees, the fake one rattling and sending shockwaves up her leg. Her teeth gritted harder as she stared down at the ground and the sound of hurried steps came closer.
"You alright?" Sakura asked concerned, gentle hands on her shoulders. What a stupid question to ask. It seemed like she'd been on the floor in this position more times then she could count.
"No," Kira answered flatly, shaking her head and letting out a tired sigh. "I'm not getting anywhere with this." She didn't even really know why she kept trying. She'd expected that she may never be who she was again, that her job was more than likely forfeit. She'd accepted that the boy she loved had turned her down. She'd thought that she'd simply fade into the background, everything she'd had just gone in an instant . She didn't have anything to push her forward but for some reason she kept trying. Kept feeling that long gone pain on her back where her mother had put that tattoo.
The sky has room for every star.
She just wasn't sure she was a star at all anymore.
"What's the point?" it came out of her in a tired whisper, her mind clearly not filtering her thoughts.
Maybe there was a small part of her that still believed there was a place for her. But right now that stubborn part was silent and every other part of was dragging her down with a weight that didn't have a name. Sakura gave a look torn somewhere between sadness and anger.
"Don't say that," she ordered, frowning. "You can't just give up now Kira, you were so close this time."
It hadn't felt close at all but indeed she was only a foot from the end of the bars. Her muscles twitched and then protested and she shook her head.
"It hurts too much," was her only protest, but it was a valid one. She just wasn't sure what part of her she was talking about at that moment - her leg or how heavy her chest and mind felt. The sad smile the girl gave her told her that maybe Sakura did know.
"I know it does," she relented, eyes looking down for a moment, her hand still solidly on Kira's shoulders. "It will get better with time. I promise." Behind her, Kira spied Sai looking at them both now, his pencil having stopped on the page. His eyes were focused on Sakura's back and while his face was carefully blank, Kira spied something hidden in those dark eyes. She supposed both of them knew, didn't they? Sakura had spent years chasing after one boy and Sai had simply had to watch her do so. Looking back at the healer Kira just closed her eyes. She wanted to believe the girl's words but everything just seemed so far away, so distantly out of reach.
"I can't find it in me to continue right now..." That little part of her wasn't pushing right now and it was all too easy to sink into stillness. Sakura met her eyes and understanding was there, though the twist of her mouth showed stubbornness. She wasn't going to let the shadow user just give up and it was both endearing and aggravating all at once.
"Kira-" she started, but then stopped suddenly as the door to the rehab room opened and then shut again. It was behind Kira and at the moment looking behind her was a bit hard, but Sakura did and the shadow user saw her eyes widen and then she stood, hand's leaving Kira's shoulders. "Lord Gaara?"
Her question froze the raven haired girl in place. Gaara? Why in the world was he here? Surely if Temari was busy the Kazekage was too. Standing up straighter, the medic went on.
"Can I help you with something?"
There was a beat of silence that followed and Kira's eyes glanced to Sai who was looking over at the redhead as well, but his eyes flickered to meet hers after a moment. She could feel the sand user's own gaze on her now as Sai gave the smallest of nods to her as if to reassure her of something.
"I would like to speak with Kira for a moment if I could." Alone. He didn't state it, but it was easy to tell from his tone - steady and strong. Unquestioning like any ruler's should be. Sakura glanced at Kira as if to ask if it was okay with her but Kira just gave a half shrug. She didn't really care, but denying her leader wasn't something she was really able to do either. Sakura gave a small nod.
"Alright, just let me help her to a seat really fast." She moved as she spoke, taking a familiar place at Kira's side and wrapping an arm around her. They both stood as one, Kira's arm over Sakura's shoulders, using the girl much like a crutch as they slowly moved over to where Sai was. Once seated Kira gave a small word of thanks, unable to look any of the people in the room in the eyes now. Part of her still felt like she should have been on the floor with how she felt, but she didn't voice it and let her two friends leave after a short goodbye. Sakura would wait for her outside of the room once they were done.
The entire event took no more than five minutes and soon enough the sound of the door clicking shut echoed back to her in the quiet room. Just her and Gaara now, yet the room seemed so much smaller now. She suddenly wished she said she wasn't okay with talking to him because she wasn't sure she was. She wasn't sure she could handle it.
She couldn't look at him, her hands resting on her lap, the fingers curling into the fabric of the pants she borrowed from Tenten. Kira had refused to keep wearing a hospital gown and thankfully her and weapon user were close in size. The fabric was nothing new, nothing important like the young man in front of her. She should look at him, she hardly had such a problem before but once again it felt like whatever progress she'd made with eye contact had been thrown out.
She heard him walking closer and her stomach knotted up, instantly unhappy with her incisive anxiety. She didn't know what to do. Her hands started shaking and she cursed internally. This was Gaara, why the hell was she so scared just because it was him? She'd known it was possible things would be different but she was just making it worse. Get a grip. Snap out of it.
A hand entered her vision, pale and unmistakeable, and carefully laid on top of one of her own shivering ones. It was warm and soft like always, comforting, and she found herself staring in startled confusion at it. He hadn't touched her once the last time they'd been in the same room together and now...
Now she didn't know what to think.
Kira gathered up everything brave that was left in her and looked up, only to find that Gaara has couched in front of her, rather than staying standing so that they were at eye level. Her eyes widened, surprised, and if things were different she might have teased him about taking advantage of the situation and having her look up at him for once. Things weren't different though and she nearly shied away from how close they were, just a foot and some inches apart. She couldn't do it though, too confused and heartbreakingly unable to do so because she still loved him and thus wanted to be close to him.
He was looking at her with a warmth in his expression she'd only seen a few times that was mixed with worry. He looked sad almost, cautious even and it made her own thoughts and fears seem less important. He always came first in her mind, even now.
"What's wrong?" she murmured and watched his sea colored eyes dart from her's to their hands and then back again. He almost seemed...Nervous?
"I'm sorry," he said suddenly, jarringly, and Kira blinked a few times, worry turning quickly to confusion. He was apologizing? "This is my fault." He left no real room for debating that claim but Kira felt words climb in her throat anyway.
"I don't..." she trailed off half way through her reply because really, in the back of her mind, she did kind of agree with him. She was hurt and he had been the one to hurt her, it was as simple at that. Still, he'd been right, it hadn't been fair to him and for some reason him saying what he did bothered her. "You have a right to how you feel Gaara… I'm just glad you told me." No, she really wasn't; at least a part of her wasn't. The part of her that loved him so much it was impossible to understand his rejection. It was something she'd have to live with. Gaara shook his head, frowning.
"I didn't tell you Kira," he stated, causing her to pause.
"But you said-"
"I said," he cut her off calmly. "That I couldn't tell you." He looked off to the side, seeming to bite back a sigh then, and Kira felt a strange feeling bubbling up over her nausea. It was like she knew what he was going to say and yet couldn't understand the words - a blurry picture left unfocused. "I thought," he went on, speaking slowly, looking back to her. "That I was doing what was best by not telling you."
By not telling her?
Her brain scrambled, a fledgling bird learning how to fly in a panic, reaching and pulling for answers. Trying to break free and understand something simple. It felt like her heart was in her ears again and she licked her lips, using her free hand to brush back her hair. She'd kept it unbound today and now it gave her something to toy with. She tugged at a section of it harder than necessary.
So many questions - she picked one at random, unable to pick the one she really wanted just yet.
"What was best?" she asked quietly, searching his eyes, her hand twitching under his as it had let go of her pant leg. He gave a simple nod of his head.
"I didn't want you to get hurt again because of me, you're already in constant danger as it is because of our roles," he explained and Kira felt a protest on her lips instantly, but the look he gave her had them dying there. "I realised too late that it was never my choice to make for such a situation. What happens on the battlefield, and what doesn't are different, they should be handled different. I said it wouldn't be fair, but in reality I wasn't being fair to you Kira. That is why I'm sorry."
She wanted water quite badly suddenly, her throat sand dry and she wondered if all the exsertion from therapy was catching up with her or if this was truly what it felt like to stand on the knife edge of a truth - a truth she couldn't quite grasp despite it standing there, inches from her but too blurry to read.
"So what's the truth then?"
It should have been an easy thing to answer, but it wasn't and Kira knew that. Words meant everything and nothing depending on who said them and how they are said. Gaara looked down at their hands once again, looking at them as if trying to picture something very hard. Then he moved his hand away slightly only to change position and wrap his fingers around her palm. Heat bloomed there and then shot up Kira's arm like a firework straight into her chest.
"The truth is that I didn't understand what you meant to me until recently. I thought myself lucky to have a friend like you, someone who made me feel like this. I was content with that, until I realised how different you were from everyone else." His eyes drifted up slowly to meet hers again and once more it was the sea that controlled the moon as Kira stared at him, unable to move an inch at his words. His hand tightened around hers and she watched him struggle if only for a moment before resolve calmed the tide of his emotions. "What you said before, in the woods before the battle. I feel the same way about you."
He didn't say the words, but neither had she. Kira knew because he'd known and something that had been seizing up in her chest since the last time they'd spoke suddenly snapped and released and it was like she could breathe again. Air whooshed out of her and everything came with it. Anger, fear, joy - an insanity brought about by a conclusion that was completely different from her own beforehand.
If she hadn't been so tired she might have shook him or yelled or something.
As it were, all she could manage was a strained laugh as she shook her head and leaned forward, letting her forehead come to rest on his right shoulder. She felt him jump, surprised, but he didn't protest.
"You have horrible timing," she murmured half heartedly, teasing, thinking about how upset she'd been before he'd shown up, how tired she'd been. How close she'd been to excepting what was left of her life, a life without him and now he'd done this. She wanted to be angry, but that emotion didn't seem possible at the moment. "We need to work on your communication skills." They both did, if only to save both of them from heartache.
Her hand finally responded to his and she flipped it to touch palms and curl her fingers around his own. The redhead let out a small chuckle, and she felt fingers run through her hair and closed her eyes.
"It would seem we do," he agreed and she didn't need to open her eyes to know what he looked like then, the tension melting away, the storm calming in his eyes though the pull they had on her what still there. They stayed silent for a few minute, enjoying the broken wall that had seemed to separate them before. Kira's missing leg ached, but she found it easier to ignore with him so close. "What do you want to do now that you know?" he asked after a while and at first she was confused but then remembered that he stated it was her choice what she did with the information.
It was an odd way of handling what was clearly between them now that both had laid their feelings bear. It seemed like a simple enough answer to Kira, it seemed obvious, but then she thought about it more and realized getting what she wanted meant getting things she didn't. The whispers behind her back, the burning inferno her old home had been; Gaara must have realised that if they were more than friends, more than teammates, more than bodyguard and Kage, that things could get worse. Things would get worse.
"Are you going to fire me from my job?" she asked bewildered. Would she have to trade her title as protector, for girlfriend?
"If you are cleared for it, whether or not you keep the position is up to you," he answered easily and Kira opened her eyes at that, pulling away and causing his hand to drop from her hair. She met his eyes, a brow raised in quiet curiosity. He just gazed back with an even look that stated nothing but the truth. "I wouldn't take you from anything, unless you asked it of me. It's your life Kira, no matter what we are to each other."
Her eyes dropped to her legs at that, at the metal and wood thing attached to one, her smile faltering and fading. "I'm not sure it is, honestly." She'd just heard him say as much, if she was cleared for it. If she adapted to her new leg enough. The pain was still there, throbbing and clawing, shooting down into an ankle and foot long gone. She dreaded the thought of putting weight on it ever again. Fingers touched at her shoulder, light at a moth's wings.
"It is," Gaara argued, his voice unwavering, the nervous tone long gone now. "But you have to want it for yourself Kira, no one else." His words drew her eyes back to his, as he held her gaze there as he spoke, as if reading her own soul through her eyes. "You've spent a great deal of your life doing things for others. Doing things for me and your mother and your friends. The lack of personal belongings proved that long before and I had hoped with time that would change. It has to a point, but you need to take that final step. You need to want the life you've had for yourself."
For herself.
It was a fairly new concept to her, true, putting herself first. She'd never been given much of a choice in that matter and in time it had become habit, putting other people first had been what felt right to her. It wasn't though, it never had been and after meeting Gaara she'd learned that all to well. Habits are hard to break though and she realised that maybe the reason she'd wanted to give up was because she felt like he'd cast her aside and if that were true, what would be the point? He'd proved he wasn't doing that and it had stopped her dead in her tracks.
It would be so easy to use that - use him - as a reason to push forward again, but that was what he was now saying not to do. As she thought about it, as she looked back down at their hands that laid so near to her knees, she realised she didn't want that either, even if that thought was dragged from her in a slow agony of breaking a cycle. Live for yourself first, then for others. Kira's eyes pricked but she blinked a few times and pushed the threatening tears back. No need to cry, even if her chest suddenly felt so warm it was nearly unbearable.
It had been a long time since she felt so cared for in such a way. Maybe she never had.
She loved him for it.
A smile, new and warm pulled at her lips and she hummed, her free hand reaching up and brushed a thumb across his jaw line. Surprise flashed over his features even though her touch only lasted a few moments before she let it drop again. Everything about such a simple, random action felt like it belonged.
"Then I'll keep my job," she said finally and took a deep breath, trying to even the shake in it. "And I want to be at your side, no more hesitation, no more secrets. Together, no matter the risks."
It took him but a moment to reply.
"As would I."
Well, that was easy, sort of. Not really. She tugged at a strand of hair again that ran down over her shoulder. Her leg protested again in its own random schedule of fuck you. She grimaced.
"Kira?" Gaara's worried question had her giving him a slightly odd looking smile from the pain and the dread that followed it like a shadow.
Shadow. Funny.
"Sorry," she murmured, biting her lip for a moment. "This has just... It's a lot harder than I ever imagined it would be. I'm not sure how..." she trailed off. It shouldn't have been so hard but it was.
"Sometimes, it's these kind of battles that are the hardest," Gara said softly, understand and then once she'd looked back to him, he stood suddenly. Their clasped hands hung between them like a life line back onto solid land from her uneven footing of earlier. He gave the smallest tug on her arm, encouragement that she badly needed. "Every step is hard Kira, but know you do have someone to make sure you don't fall. Not just me, several people." His eyes, sincere like the tone of his voice, yet steel strong. "You just have to stand up first, That's up to you."
Her choice.
She had to want to stand up to do it. She had to want to get better, to keep her carefully carved out place in the world. So simple - yet not. Still, as she let his words sink in she realised that she had never let herself give up. Not when something was so important. Why start now?
She was stronger than this.
The sky has room for every star.
Kira nearly laughed, her mind once so full of doubt and pain suddenly stripped and reinforced with the will she had nearly forgotten she had. Eyes locked on his, Kira nodded, shifting and planting her feet firmly on the ground, her hand tightening around his.
She stood then - and always would, time and time again.
…
Therapy sessions weren't something Gaara was supposed to be able to go to - he did have other things he should have been doing and he wasn't sure if he was a distraction or not - but Sakura was surprisingly okay with it. The medical ninja and simply stated that it might help if someone was there to motivate her, so Gaara had chosen to sit in on sessions off and on when he could.
It was a lot harder to watch then he'd thought it would be. Kira struggled quite a bit as she learned how to walk, something that he thought would have been easier than it was turning out to be. It seemed to be a lot more painful and tiring than his first impression. Still, she improved steadily and fell less often. The jerking reflex to have his sand catch her when she did was something Sakura smile secretly at when she thought no one was looking. He hadn't planned on doing it but the bruising on her remaining knee had started to brothered him.
It took time and a fair amount of cursing but she did get better, it did get easier, and something about that accomplishment made him just as happy for her as she was for herself. She wasn't giving up, nowhere near that, and it was one of the many things he truly loved about her.
Kankuro sent a letter about his impending arrival a few days after Kira finished learning the basics of walking again. The crutches were gone and while it was still hard to walk on the bulky stand in, at least she could now. Gaara's older brother had been told what happened via messenger bird only hours after Gaara had come to the village. Ever since then it seemed the puppet master had been hard at work, much like everyone else. His letter had lifted the shadow user's spirits in a way Gaara knew only old friends ever could.
He tried to not take it personally.
"So how's she doing?" Kankuro asked as they headed towards Kira's room. He had a bag slung over his back, an extra to what he normally took with him on missions and had explained there were things for Kira from home. It was a surprisingly thoughtful thing for him to do. Gaara pushed back the annoyance he felt at the question; he was sure both Kira and himself were tired of such questions, but he knew his brother meant well. So, arms firmly crossed, the redhead answered the best he could.
"Better. She stumbles a lot but can catch herself now at least most times. She's not use to such fine chakra control." Gaara knew it was embarrassing for her, but she never really complained. Kankuro huffed, shaking his head and fighting a smile.
"Yeah, that figures. That wasn't really part of her training growing up. I'll see if I can give her some pointers." He was the best one to go to, given that puppet masters used that same kind of chakra threads, just far more complex. Kankuro scratched the back of his head through the hood he always wore. "Things are fine back home by the way. Nothing much it going on except some rebuilding as normal. Almost done now."
Kankro had left the village in the hands of a few trusted elders with Baki backing them up if needed. There was no way to know if anything would happen while it's leader was away but with Gaara's team in shambles he wasn't too keen on travelling. He wasn't planning on leaving without Kira either. As they turned a corner Gaara glanced at his brother.
"Did you encounter any trouble on the way here?" Further explanation wasn't needed, Kankuro knew what he meant and shook his head.
"Nope. I'm not surprised, you probably took out quite a few of the big players. Whoever is behind this probably knew it was a gamble and thought bigger numbers would make for a higher rate of success." True enough. "Any progress on the ninja you brought back?"
"None," Gaara bit out, fighting a scowl. It had been determined that both girls had some kind of seal on their mind that the leaf ninja were having a great deal of problems breaking. "Kira insist on stopping by there today. I'm not so sure it's the best idea."
"She's probably sick and tired of being in this building," Kankuro explained, looking around. "And if she can walk than she might as well go places. You can't tell me it wouldn't drive you crazy."
He had a good point. Temari and him normally took turns keeping Kira company in conjunction with her friends and teammates, but he couldn't imagine being stuck in one building for so long was healthy.
They reached her room quickly after that and Gaara knocked once before opening the door. The colorless and bland room was the same as always with the bed being the center of attention and a few tables off to the side with matching chairs scattered about. Aya was with Kira today it seemed, both girls turning as he and Kankuro entered the room. The blond was completely recovered by now and was certainly much better off than either of her teammates. He often wondered if that bothered her and if that was why she spent so much time either here or in Shura's room.
Kira perked up at seeing them from her spot on the edge of the bed, her hand frozen in the common motion of securing her prosthetic. A smirk twitched into place on her face and she tilted her head. "Look who finally showed up," she teased and Aya snickered from her chair next to the bed. Her eyes flickered to his for a moment, the smirk soften to a smile as his brother gave a gruff huffing sound and she moved her attention back to him.
"You should never rush an artist," he chastised, setting down his packs onto one of the other chairs before making his way over to the bed. Kira simply raised an eyebrow.
"I'll remember that for when I meet one." The grin on her face was a clear giveaway and the puppet master rolled his eyes before bending down and pulling her into a hug. Surprise flashed through Gaara as well as on Kira's face but after a moment she simply let her chin rest on his shoulder and returned the gesture.
"Sorry I worried you," she murmured but didn't receive a reply. Gaara could only imagine receiving such news about a friend would have been devastating for his brother given how close they were. Aya was watching them quietly from her seat a few feet away, a pleasant smile on her face before their eyes met briefly and she inclined her head briefly in greeting to the redhead. After a few more moments Kankuro pulled away and scratched at his neck in habit.
"Just glad you're alright," he said finally and glanced down to her practice leg and grimaced. "No wonder you're tripping, that things looks clunky as hell." He wrapped his knuckles on the main section of it in gesture. "Take it off, I'm fixing this now." As he moved back over to his packs Gaara took the opportunity to move closer and sat in the chair closest to her bedside nightstand, the back of the chair nearly press against the edge. He made sure not to disturb anything as the table held a vase of flowers, two books, and a newly acquired potted succulent.
The thing was tiny, easily held in one hand, and sporting dark red-purple leaves. Gaara remembered the nervous, awkward moment when he'd given it to her as an 'apology gift' stating that flowers would just die and she deserved something full of life instead. Konoha didn't have many choices in cacti and had they been home he would have known exactly what to get her but it would have to do for now. He eyed the plant briefly now, checking to make sure it didn't need water before turning his attention back to the others.
Aya had moved to sit on the bed next to her friend and helped her get the training prosthetic off, setting it on the other side of her with a thud of muffled weight. Kankuro had returned to the bedside as well, a small hand scroll in his possession which he quickly unrolled on the ground. The paper held a single transportation sign on it and after a few quick hand signs and a puff of smoke what was held within appeared.
While the prosthetic Kira had been using before worked, it had indeed been 'clunky' as his brother had put it. The shapes that made parts of the leg and foot had been there, but it was nothing detailed or smooth, something quickly put together on a hospital budget and short notice. Despite Kira's early tease it was easy to see that what his brother picked up from the top to show off was artistically crafted. The smooth metal and wood worked perfectly together into the contours of each shape, leaving no random gaps or holes. It was clearly joined and crafted to look real despite the color and even had what appeared to even be movable toes for flexibility. Aya let out a low whistle.
"Wow, that looks awesome," she commented and Kira blinked, apparently slightly stunned before nodding in agreement. Kankuro grinned and held up one finger.
"That's not all it does you know, what kind of puppet master would I be if all it did was move, ne?" He quirked an eyebrow and then moved his free hand down to the side of the leg, pressing down on a nearly invisible panel. Moving his hand away a ratcheting sound started up and then the panels on the main part of the leg smoothly popped apart a few centimeters on each side to reveal a row of sharp teeth from one end to nearly the ankle. Gaara felt his eyebrows lift in surprise. Given Kira's fighting style involved mostly powerful kicks aside from her weapons something like that would be rather deadly if someone were hit, tearing into them with slightly hooked blades. After a few moments Kankuro reset the prosthetic, the blades disappearing as if they had never been there. "You'll have to learn how to control that function but I can help with that. I also have a normal, non battle equipped one half done at home but… I figured you'd want this one first. "
"That's amazing Kankuro," Kira noted with a smile. "Thank you for making it..." she pushed a stray hear behind her ear and looked down at her legs. Kankuro nodded his head and took a step closer to help her put on the new attachment. Aside from just the normal attachment slot their appeared to be a stabilizing strap that acted like a harness she could slip on higher up her leg made of soft leather. It would help keep it in place during a fight the puppeteer explained which made sense. He was glad his brother knew what he was doing.
Gaara watched with mild interest as Kira was instructed on how to use the other functions on the leg, describing in detail how it should feel and how she should visualize it. The first time the blades popped out she jumped and Aya giggled a bit, patting her on the shoulder. "Best not use that in bed Kira," she muses and Kankuro raises an eyebrow at her as Kira suddenly flushes and scowls at her friends. Gaara tilted his head in a sense of confusion. Why would she go to bed with it on?
He was missing something.
"Aya, honestly.. .We're just… we..." Kira stutters and gets impossibly redder leaving the blond to grin like the devil as the puppet master glanced from each of them and then meets Gaara's gaze and after a few second he seems to realise something.
"Wait a second..." Kankuro says eyeing Gaara before glance at Kira who honestly looks like she wants to bolt but is unable to do so with her leg. He was definitely missing something. He watched his brother lean in closer to Kira who into turn moves slightly back from his scrutinizing gaze. "Did something happen… between you two?" He seemed to take her silence as an answer and Gaara can only watch as a grin split over his brother's face like that of a fox. He glanced at Aya who just grinned right back in confirmation and Kankuro rather dramatically throws his hands up in the air. "Halle-fucking-lujah! I mean it was super adorable to watch you guys try to figure things out but I was about the bash my head into a wall at the sheer frustration."
Oh.
Once again the topic quiet suddenly clicked into place for the redhead, hitting him blindsided and leaving him kind of dizzy. His brother had just figure out that Kira and him were… more than friends? Together? He was still getting use to the new titles they had for each other and He supposed Kira was still adjusting as well given her expression.
Their eyes met for a moment before she looked down and promptly covered her face with her hands. "Just kill me now..." she mumbled and Gaara raised his eyebrows at her. Was she truly that embarrassed? Not by him he knew, but maybe just the dramatics of it all. Temari had certainly been more calm about it and Aya and nearly hugged the life out of her but she supposed his brother was another story. If only because he was his brother and her best friend.
"Oh come on Kira, you know I'm just teasing you," Kankuro went on, draping an arm over her shoulder in a one sided hug. "I gotta know though, how exactly did-"
"Kankuro," Gaara cut in, annoyance fuelling his words and stopping his brother in his tracks. Gaara simply gave him a level look. "That topic is really none of your business. I believe she will tell you if she wants to later." He didn't like how Kira was fidgeting. Still, She did smile just a bit at his words so he changed the subject. "Besides that we need to get going soon." He got the response he wanted and Kankuro pulled back and stood up nodding his head.
"Right, sorry," he told Kira who nodded as well, though her blush hardly went away so fast. "Well, you'll need more practice with the hidden weapons but now is a good time for a test run on basic functions, you ready to go outside?" His question had Kira perking slightly and she smiled again, her focus diverted to which Gaara sighed in relief for. Placing her feet firmly on the ground she shifts to stand on her newly acquired master crafted leg and Gaara can tell by the surprise that flickers across her face that it's easier to use already.
Not that he ever expected any else from his older brother.
The fresh air seemed to do them all some good, though most notably for Kira as they start their path towards the criminal hold facilities. They would be just starting another interrogation on one of the girls and while Gaara had been in on a great deal of the sessions he hoped Kira wouldn't start hanging around too much. She had enough nightmares. He's reminded off hand of the day she stopped the attempt on his life, how she'd so easily broken the man's arm for info as if it were nothing. ANBU were trained for on mission interrogation, he knew that, but part of him hated to see her do such a thing when he knew that she truly didn't like hurting others. She had no mask to hide behind this time, no name or false identity. It had been left in the room with her other things, forgotten, leaving her open to everything around her.
Vulnerable.
The walk is easier than he expected for Kira as he walks beside her, his hand at the ready when she trips up half a dozen times, his sand stopping her from falling on her face. She'd adapting rather quickly, but Kankuro doesn't seem surprised and Gaara realises that when he really thinks about it, neither is he. Kira had always been good at adapting. Her hand brushed against his each time he caught her as a silent thank you and he fought the strange urge to clasp their hands together between them. She needed to concentrate right now, surely that would distract her; it seemed to when he had before.
"Yo!" A lazy voice called as they near the entrance to the building and Kira stopped, turning, as does everyone else. Gaara spotted Shikamaru a moment later, hands shoved into his pockets like normal as he made his way over to them. He greets Gaara formally as always before his eyes flash down to the contraption that serves as Kira's leg for a moment before he smirked. "Good to see you up and around Kira."
"It's good to be back in working order… sort of," Kira replied smiling slightly to which the Nara boy nodded his head. "What brings you here?"
"Same as you I would think. Though, now that I'm thinking about it," he pauses, scratching the back of his head. "There is something I would like to speak to you about if you have time later."
Curiosity peaked Gaara's attentioned and he eyes the boy his sister loves with interest. Something to do with Kira? True enough they spoke now and then but nearly always in the company of Temari. Gaara wondered if it has to do with what Kira asked his help with months ago, if it's about her birth family. The way Kira raised an eyebrow told him she is thinking as much and gave a small nod.
"After this?" she offered and Shikamaru nodded in agreement.
"Let's get this over with then." He sounded as enthused as Gaara felt and moved to open the door for them all. Kira glanced at Gaara, frowning and knowing she was nervous, the redhead takes the first steps in. She followed shortly after with Kankuro and Aya, the Nara boy taking up the rear as they make their way through the hall. No one is there to greet them, but Gaara knew where to go by now, and pushed open a door on their left after walking down the hall a few passes.
The room was darker than he remembered, a lot of the space cleared out for a single table that one of the rogue ninja is manacled too, her wrist pinned to the wood. Her eyes are also compromised, a blindfold firmly in place to disorant her. Ebiki and Kakashi are in the room, speaking in a low voice that Gaara can't quite make out and Kira hesitated to cross the threshold as her teammate took a step back.
"I think I'll stay out here," Aya stated suddenly after peering in. "Don't want too many people in there." Her words seemed to get his brother thinking as well.
"Ah, yeah you're probably right. I'll keep you company."
The two of them stepped back from the door, heading to a bench a little farther down the hall. Gaara watched as Kira's gaze lingered on her friends for a moment and then she took a deep breath and walked in through the open door with Shikamaru behind her. The door closed with a quiet echo left behind in the air and the three of them move to stand near the other two leaf ninja. Kakashi's eye flickers to them and he nodded his head in greeting, waving at Ebiki who took a step towards the table.
Kira shifts on her feet, the clank of her prosthetic too loud in the quiet room as the blindfold is removed. Gaara wondered if she'd wear a shoe on it latter on or keep it as is. The girl blinked a few times once the blindfold was gone, focusing her sight and looking around the room with disdain. She took them all in, one by one, from right to left, skipping over the Leaf ninja quickly due to familiarity, but stopped abruptly when her gaze shifted from him to Kira. Gaara tensed slightly as the girl looked over the shadow user before a cruel smile found its way onto her face. It's the first time either of the rogue ninja have shown any real emotion since capture.
"Well, well, well..." she mused. Her voice was scratchy from disuse and Kira stiffened next to him, through her face remained blank. "You took so long to show back up we were starting to think I had killed you after all." Her admission had anger simmering to life in Gaara's veins. So she was the one who hurt Kira. Her arm seemed to have healed rather well. "I was getting tired of waiting… these fools, I can't tell them what I need to tell you."
"Explain yourself," Ebiki bit out, towering over her from the left side. Her eyes slid to him and she snorted, unimpressed.
"Well the seal on my mind, the one you couldn't break? It only lets me tell her things, just like my leader wanted." She nodded to Kira who frowned and stared right back at the girl. Gaara didn't know how to react to that. Why would she only be allowed to talk to Kira? His bodyguard didn't seem to know them or else she would have said something, and why would their leader want to say something to a random ninja that might be in the area? Was it possible they had known who was headed to the Leaf from Suna?
That wasn't a good turn of events at all if that were true.
"Then talk," Kira commanded suddenly, hands clenching at her sides. She's slipping into mission mode, Gaara can see that, even without her mask in place she was getting things done. "I don't know why you'd want to talk to me but if I have to, I will speak with you." She glanced to Kakashi for permission and he nodded his head in agreement. The girl gave a harsh laugh, one that matched the way her hair was pulled so tight on her scalp.
"As if you have a choice," she teased bitterly, narrowing her eyes as she tilted her head to one side. "Our leader misses you, little Kyote. He misses his favorite scavenger." It's almost like she was cooing the words, as if they are meant to be light and sweet, but the deadly malice in her voice corrupts it, turning it cold and heavy. Something in the back of Gaara's mind tickled, something about those words ringing a distant bell that he can't quite hear. It's the visible tremor that goes up Kira's arms that alerts him to something being very wrong. Shikamaru seemed to see it to and took a small step towards her.
"Kira..."
"You're lying," she snapped, cutting off his concerned words and Gaara is left blinking in shock at the venom in her own. She took two long steps forward and slammed her hands down on the table, anger rolling off. The girl just grinned wider and rolled her head to the other side.
"What would be the point in that, hm?" she questioned, her fingers tapping on the table in a wave like motion that made a quick tap-tap-tap-tap sound. "He's been watching you a while, but he thought you were getting too… comfortable. He had to make some things happen and then you walked right into our hands..." the girl let out another laugh, sounding tickled. "He says you need to be reminded who you are, Stray. And how can he be wrong? He does know you rather well." Her words echo, and Gaara isn't sure if it's in the room or in his head but his breath suddenly caught in his throat, the bell ringing louder and louder until-
Kira took one very shaky step backward and then tried to take another, but instantly her prothedic is useless and she smashed to the ground before his sand could reached her. Everyone in the room reacted, the Leaf ninja flinching at her sudden fall, the Nara boy saying her name. Gaara was the one to move to her first, kneeling next to her, his sand shifting on the ground around him like a pacing cat. Kira's entire form is trembling, her carefully hidden expressions laid bare and twisted into horror as she stared at the girl who simply grinned back.
tap-tap-tap-tap
He put a hand on her shoulder and she flinched and looked at him with frightened eyes that made him want nothing more than to shield her from all of this.
But he couldn't.
Once someone knew the truth of something, shielding them from it did nothing. And they both knew what that truth was. Or rather, who. Kira shook her head at him, not understanding, not wanting too and he is just as confused and angry because it can't be true.
But it is.
"They said… I saw him," she mustered out, breathless. "I helped find his body. He's dead."
"You shouldn't always believe what you see, Stray," the girl reminded her, eyes so cold it reminded Gaara too much of the Scorpion Section's trained ninja. It was far too similar to be a coincidence. "People can be fooled."
He's heard enough.
"Get her out of here," Gaara ordered, fire running along the words as he pulled Kira up and away from the girl, whose head fell backward mouth opening as she let out a howling laughter. Ebiki moved instantly, using the same cloth that had been a blindfold as a gag, pulling it tight over her mouth as Shikamaru moved to unshackle her, his shadow strangle jutsu already working to keep her from moving. The girl doesn't so much as fight them, too busy laughing like some deranged animal as they drag her out of the room and into the hall.
Gaara heard the startled sounds of his brother and Aya as the door closed but he focuses his attention on the girl pulled halfway into a hug, her shoulder still shaking, her eyes staring at the empty chair.
"It can't be," she murmured again and Gaara didn't know what to say because everything was now up in the air. Nothing made any sense. He wished with every fiber of his being he could tell her she was right, that the girl was lying - but those eyes… those were the same eyes as the people that bastard personally had trained. The eyes he'd tried to put on Kira.
"Want to tell me what just happened?" Kakashi asked finally and the redhead looked to the older man with a frown on his face. What had happened was Kira's nightmares coming back to life. What had happened was one of Gaara's angry thoughts coming true. When he spoke, it was with as much calm that he could muster, counter balancing the emotional state of the girl he loved.
"It appears Korin Esley may very well be alive."
These guys just can't catch a break can they? ;)