Her Journey
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"Out of all the stupid things Kankuro decides to do, he complies with joining her?" His fingers rubbed his throbbing temples, trying to relieve his frustration.

"Gaara... Please don't do anything rash. Her mind was set and somehow Kankuro did you the favor of accompanying her. I'm sure he'll be watching out for her considering what we know she's capable of." Temari tried to reassure her younger brother but managed to bring insecurity to her own mind.

"It's not that I don't trust her. The medics are still unsure how stable the seal is. I don't want to give our village any incentive against Imao. Please send a message to Kankuro that I want them to come back no matter what." He turned away from his sibling, facing a large window overseeing Suna. A sad sigh escaped his breath as he continued to look out into the distance.

Temari sighed before placing her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly,

"You shouldn't be so hasty. He'll message us should anything happen and I'm sure Imao can manage for herself." She smiled reassuringly though the Kazekage continued to delve into his thoughts.

'Why couldn't she stay put?'
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Time passed quickly for the traveling Suna group. The few council meetings in which Imao was able to observe and learn from took some mental adjusting. She made sure to study the scrolls and books supplied to her by the mentoring councilman - the information was easier learned when read to her than her using her sensing technique to see the outlines of written material.

It was almost three weeks into the journey when they finally decided to rest for a couple days at a small village that they had no pending matters to attend to. Imao took the opportunity to venture off on her own and speak to some of the locals about their village's lifestyle.

She was in a bliss with the way her knowledge of the world was progressing, every day always adding something new. But as the day darkened, she noted how the lively villagers began to close their shops and make their way to their homes. It was time for her to head back to the inn they had checked into.

Before the young council apprentice could start her guiding humming technique, one of her feet stumbled over an extended leg of a sitting homeless man. The palms of her hands slid slightly on the dirt ground before stabilizing her upper body though her hips and legs lay limp.

"My sincerest apologies, miss. Please let me help you up." A raspy voice came from above her. The disheveled looking man gripped one of her arms a little too hard while helping her up, making her wince.

"It's alright. It was my fault." 'Strange... I didn't notice him before.' She smiled nervously as her feet stepped back then proceeded to dusted her blue dress off. The man's body wavered oddly as he stepped closer to her.

"Please, allow me to take you to the infirmary and make sure you are truly alright." The homeless man's ragged voice seemed too eager for Imao's liking, making her step away as he reached for her arm again.

"It's alright, really." She tried to reassure him as he continued to reach for her.

Suddenly, someone jumped from atop a building and landed right in front of Imao, swatting the persistent street wanderer's hand away,

"The lady said she's fine. Let's go, Imao." Kankuro eyed the dirty vagabond disapprovingly before turning to the clueless young woman and moving her away from the area. The street wanderer's unbalanced stance calmed as he glared at the couple before turning the opposite direction and disappearing into a dark alley.

"You can't be wandering on your own at this hour. It's not safe." The purple painted ninja lectured the blind-but-able young woman.

"I'm sorry. I was unaware that the environment would change so drastically." She could sense that the night was bringing in homeless wanderers and drunkards. Imao then wondered how it was the disgruntled escort came to find her.

"Kankuro... How long have you been watching me? And why?" She felt a little offended by his constant authoritative attitude. Kankuro's brow furrowed at her tone as he eyed her without turning his head,

"I was given orders to always keep an eye on you. So, as creepy as it may sound, I've always been watching you... for your own protection." He pressed his lips, trying to hide his unhappy realization of duty he had undertaken.

"What would I need protection from?" Imao's voice showed concern yet curiosity as she continued following a foot behind him.

"Again, 'for your own protection'." The puppeteer emphasized annoyed by her persistent questioning.

"I see...," she hung her head as she finally understood what he meant, "... Thank you, Kankuro."

Ever since the chimera incident, she had been watched upon by one ninja or another, always making sure her seals were stable and untampered with. They way in which they "cared" for her always made her feel like a weakling and a nuisance.

"Don't thank me. I wouldn't be doing this if you weren't dating Gaara." She stopped as his words rung in her ear while he continued on without her.

'Right...,'

The old familiar sadness crept up inside her as she thought to herself of the past,

'If it wasn't for Gaara, I wouldn't be alive... If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have made the decision to pursue this against his will...

But...

What reason does he have to prevent me from pursuing something that will, in the end, bring us closer?

Does... he not feel the same anymore?

...Do I?'

A whistle caught her attention. Kankuro called out to her from the entrance of the inn. Imao shook off her intrusive thoughts and quickly paced herself. He continued to wait at the door until she finally made her way into the inn.

The young council apprentice had immersed herself in the council member agenda and the feeling of fulfillment she was looking for was at her reach. It had been three more weeks since their inn stop and were in need of another.

The rays of the setting sun entered the carriage window as the Suna group continued their trip to the next neighboring town. Imao had just finished conversing with councilman about her possible future in the Sunagakure council. Even though she had the drive to commit herself to this new experience her heart still ached for Gaara's approval and support. It was the one thing she felt could make her know he still loved her.

She lightly rolled one of the amethyst beads between the tips of her fingers as she pondered about her relationship. A sudden jerk of the carriage flung her hands into the air, breaking her bracelet and spilling the beads around the inside of the carriage. Before she could start collecting the beads, a strange shout came from outside.

The carriage came to an abrupt stop.