I wrote this forever ago. I've finally convinced myself to post it.
Disclaimer: I, alas, do not own Naruto. Which is probably a good thing.
Shodo 書道
It was shortly after he became Kazekage that he noticed it.
Temari practice the art of calligraphy.
Gaara admired the piece of art that she had left on the table. The ink wasn't quite dry, an indication that it was done only moments before. It was ki, spirit. He looked at each line she had painted, graceful and done with the greatest care. He had never known she practiced the fine arts.
Then again, in his days of ji ai he never cared enough to know what his siblings' interests were.
It was ironic, really. Temari had always been caring, albeit distant and fearful. She was probably the only one who could have stopped him when he was in a rampage. Maybe on some level, despite his want to kill everyone, he had recognized her gentle kindness and wanted to repay her.
After all, when Shukaku had begun to take over, he had knocked her as far away as he could, trying to keep her out of harm's way.
Gaara wanted to repay her even more now.
"Oh. Gaara."
The Kazekage looked up. Temari stood in the doorway, one of the very few people who could sneak up on him. She wore a simple blue yukata, apparently keen on relaxing. She saw what he was looking at and the tiniest bit of pink graced her cheeks.
"Ah... That's not too good, is it? I just wanted to give it a try—"
"I like it." Gaara said tonelessly. He turned to leave the room. It was a moment before the significance of his words sunk in. He knew she smiled even though he couldn't see.
"Thanks."
Somehow he felt like he had repaid the debt, if only slightly.