One dreadful night, as a sand storm's violent dust and wind ripped and howled through the streets, Temari jerked awake at the cry of a familiar voice. Although she had started training about a year ago, she never quite mastered the art of efficient sleep, thanks to bloody nightmares of Gaara and Shukaku. The cry came again, like a hurt animal. She knew who it was.
Steeling her nerves, Temari slipped out of bed and walked quietly down the hall to Gaara's room. She knocked, then cracked open the door. Gaara sat slumped on the floor against his pristine bed, his skin eerily pale in the dark night. His eyes were closed and his hair wet with sweat as he shivered, then wailed again.
Temari walked quickly over and put a hand on his forehead—it was burning hot like the desert, and his hands were icy cold..like the desert during Shukaku's waking hours. Temari pushed the thought aside with a twinge, feeling a mixture of fear and guilt. She hurried out and collected a medicine kit, cool compresses, water, everything, and gently lifted Gaara onto the bed. She was shocked at how little he weighed in her arms. Of course he was the same person as the brother who struck fear wherever he walked, who spat the harshest words out of the coldest silences.. but he was so light and small. Temari halved the dose of the fever medicine before feeding it to him.
For the rest of the night, Temari changed Gaara's dressings hourly, trying desperately not to awaken anyone else, or to think too much. Tonight there was no kunoichi. She was just a regular person taking care of her little brother. When the earliest rays of light began to shine, she felt Gaara's head again and the skin was cool to the touch. Temari gave herself a small smile of relief and ruffled Gaara's hair before cleaning up.
When Gaara opened his eyes, he felt strangely fatigued and rested at the same time. His eyes snapped open. Had he fallen asleep? He looked around. No rampage had happened. It must had been just another night alone, and he must have forgotten whatever unwelcome thoughts Shukaku had been tormenting him with.
Gaara climbed out of the window onto the roof, not noticing the half full bottle of medicine sitting forgotten on the floor.
