Chapter 23: Thank You
Gaara felt his face warm as she turned away with a sneer.
"Akira-." Shuichi started, disappointed it was too late as she moved away.
Kankuro scoffed next to him, unimpressed and annoyed at the treatment.
But Gaara knew what he had to do to close the gap.
He reached out, fingers briefly touching her wrist before she jerked away from his grasp, as though burned, whirling on him. Always reaching for anger.
Gaara took a breath, inhaling any negative feelings and swallowing them down.
And instead breathed out empathy.
"Thank you." Fireburn eyes flicker surprised and stared hard into his.