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"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 069: Gaara

Anime: Naruto

Prompt: Playground/Sand Castle

Chapter Warning(s):

Author's Note:

KHG*KHG*KHG

The day was beautiful and sunny. Kagome smiled as she soaked in the warm rays of light, one hand gently palming her very pregnant belly. Her amethyst orbs were focused on the children running and playing in the park, their innocent joy and loud laughter a balm on her soul. Soon, her own little one would be joining them in their playground adventures.

Inevitably, her gaze wandered to the sandbox and memories flashed within her mind of a different time.

KHG*KHG*KHG

~Flashback~

A little red haired boy no older than she sat alone in the sandbox, his small shoulders slumped as he quietly played. His aqua eyes were deadened, not finding any true happiness in a place that was meant to be relaxing and full of fun.

Little Kagome approached, a warm smile on her cherubic face. "Hi," she brightly greeted.

He glanced in her direction yet didn't react otherwise.

She cocked her head to the side cutely. "Can I play with you?" she asked, gesturing to the sand.

In response, he looked away without a word.

Taking that as acceptance, she happily climbed into the gritty substance and sat down as close as she dared. "Thanks," she said, grinning widely. "My name is Kagome, by the way. What's your name?"

He was silent for several moments. When he spoke, his voice was rusty. "Gaara."

"It's nice to meet you, Gaara," she replied. Her eyes turned inquisitive. "Hey, do you know how to make a sand castle?"

Gaara's eyes sparked with interest, and his lips twitched with a hint of a smile. "Yes," he answered, "I do."

KHG*KHG*KHG

~Present Time~

Kagome was brought out of her memories when a swirl of sand announced the arrival of a certain red-haired Kazekage that was now all grown up. His aqua eyes were entirely focused on her, no longer deadened, but alive with feelings and emotions that had her in the center.

As he approached, she gave him that smile he so adored. "Gaara," she happily greeted.

"Kagome," he returned. He crossed his arms over his chest, his facial features turning stern with disapproval. "Kankuro said you ran away again."

She huffed. "I didn't run away. I just wanted to go to the playground."

"I see that. However, you did not have to sneak away from your bodyguards to do that."

She pouted prettily. "They wouldn't have let me come out here if I had asked."

Gaara frowned as he pointedly looked at her distended belly. "You are close to giving birth. They are just… doing what's best for you," he defended.

When she smiled this time, it was overly sweet and had a dangerous undertone that he had learned to be cautious of. "Dear," she cooed, "we both know you're the only one who thinks like that. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." After all, she was a priestess with powers and abilities that were not of this world.

He released a sigh, knowing he couldn't win. "Humor me," he said. His eyes softened with an affection he reserved only for her. "Now, come. Let's return home, Kagome, and rest."

She took a step back, a mischievous gleam entering her orbs. "I want to play in the sandbox," she said.

"We are too old to be playing such games."

"Humor me," she said, using his own words against him.

Gaara sighed again. If there was one weakness he had, it was Kagome. Relenting, he laced their fingers together as he led his pregnant wife to the sandbox. He helped her take a seat before crouching himself as he kept a cautious vigil.

Kagome happily hummed as her fingers trailed within the sand. "This is the very spot where we first met," she commented, nostalgia entering her tone.

He blinked, a bit startled. "Is it?"

"It is," she answered, giggling softly. "I was just remembering that day before you showed up." Rubbing her rounded belly, she added, "I was also thinking about the day our child would play at this playground, too."

Aqua eyes softened with love. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "One day very soon all three of us will come back," he promised.

The way she grinned was full of sunshine and a type of happiness that only he could inspire. "I'll hold you to that promise, Gaara," she said. Then, she cocked her head to side cutely as her eyes turned inquisitive. "Hey, do you still know how to make a sand castle?"

His lips twitched with a hint of a smile. "Yes," he answered, "I do."

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Spencer Reid (Criminal Minds)

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Celestial Law