Chapter 286: Anabasis
n. any military expedition or advance
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Gaara felt the growl die in his throat as Mother whimpered inside his head. It had been a long time since Mother had retreated so far from his mind. It was only a step, but it was enough to allow Gaara to relax in the small corner that Mother's withdrawal allowed him.
Gaara looked up in shock to meet Kagome's stern blue eyes. When had she gotten here? Why hadn't she arrived sooner? Especially if she could make the cravings for blood go away with just her presence? Gaara felt indignant as he locked his returning teal onto her blue eyes.
"Kagome," he grumbled, but even that took effort. His throat felt like it was on fire, as though he had swallowed something alive and it had clawed his throat to pieces on the way down. Gaara couldn't even remember the last time he spoke under his own power and not something that was heavily influenced by Mother.
"Ah ha, so now you decide to join us!" said Kagome with a smile that washed over Gaara like a soothing balm. His muscles still ached and his head still throbbed but Kagome had smiled at him and she didn't hate him.
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