one_long_mission | [Open] Quiet Contemplation

The most beautiful flowers are those no man shall ever see.

The redhead was sitting on a bench near the stone-and-glass landmark of the village, a pretty black parasol patterned in red, abstract swirls held open to protect her from the light drizzle. Her posture said that she was deep in thought, from the way she traced idle patterns on the gourd at her feet with her free hand.

It hadn't surprised her to wake up alone, but that note... Gaara was fairly certain it had been left by Uchiha Sasuke, but the why eluded her. What had he meant by that, anyway? He was honestly a confusing person, and she didn't quite know what to make of him.

Aside from that, her head was quiet. Occasionally, she caught the murmurings of her tenant, but this close to the full moon, she should have been inundated with his inane grumbling. Instead, she received only stray comments, and most were relatively tame. It seemed, after his encounter with Sasuke, he didn't want to cause too much trouble. She'd even been allowed to sleep...

Slowly, the rain faded to the barest mist and, as the sun peaked out, a small cluster of bright flowers unfurled near her feet. She stared at them quietly, once again recalling that note.

...she was so confused...

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The tiniest of blushes rose to Gaara's cheeks. "...you tried to catch me?" That was honestly one of the nicest things she'd ever heard. "My sand acts on its own, so..." Given her preference, she might have, ah, liked it if he had caught her. Not that she'd tell him that, goodness. But yes - that note. She was trying to decide how to bring it up in a tactful way.

Of course he looked good standing, particularly with the way the sunlight sparkled off those water droplets in his hair.

"Perhaps. Although we have never gotten along," understatement of the century, "I have no trouble admitting that Shukaku is rather intelligent. It would not surprise me to learn that my tenant passes much time thinking."

"I think I suceeded for uh... a tenth of a second? That sand kinda made sure to keep me away." he gave a sheepish grin.

And yes, he looked good in -any- position, actually.

"If he's as intelligent as you say then, he'll spend a while thinking on what happened that day he crossed the last Uchiha's path."

"...it does that," was the soft murmur. It might have come out a little bitter, though. "Because of my sand, it is difficult to be closer to anyone." She hadn't meant it in a physical sense, though that was certainly just as accurate.

Of course he did.

"Perhaps... If nothing else, the respite is nice." She tipped her head back, closing her eyes and basking in the warmth of the sun's rays when they poked through the clouds. "...very nice..."

"I can't say I ever had anything else in my head, but so far I,ve seen the kyuubi and yours, and it uh... sorta makes me glad to be just me, heh. But anyways, s'nice to hear you can enjoy some peace."

He paused, moving just a bit closer. "You should try... talking to him, if you can. Bit by bit..." dark eyes were set on her. "Menma's done it, and it took a while, but it's possible... to reach an understanding."

A faint sigh escaped her, but she didn't open her eyes. "It is...reassuring, to know that I am never alone. That there is always someone there, even if it happens to be a bijuu. But Shukaku is..." How to describe this...? "Shukaku is difficult," she decided at last. "From what I understand, the other bijuu did not suffer imprisonment in an inanimate object and, since it was one of my predecessors who did it, he has not taken kindly to me or my promotion to Kazekage."

She smiled faintly. "On the other hand... It would be nice...to be able to talk to him in the same manner that Naruto speaks to Kurama..." When Gaara opened her eyes, she paused, finding those dark eyes fixed on her and that Sasuke was a bit closer. "...I hope that such a thing does, one day, become a reality for us."

"It can become a eality. Just try. And try again. Don't give up. Only you can do this... for yourself, and for Shukaku. Even if I offered to help you, I'm a stranger. I'd do more bad than good." he shook his head. "And it's not because I would have bad intentions. You are the one closest to him... only you can work to heal what pains him." he knew, everyone suffered in smaller or larger ways. No one was devoid of it, but sometimes only specific people could provide healing.

For a long moment Gaara only looked up at him, obviously thinking rather hard about something. Then she reached very carefully for his hand and gave it a faint squeeze.

"...you are very kind to me," she noted. "And I thank you for that, as well as for what you have done for...us." Referring obviously to herself and Shukaku. "One day we will be able to understand each other better. I am certain of it." That obstinacy could be a boon, too.

There was a shocked blink. Either he was shocked that someone actually was touching him, or that this touch had no murderous sand. Maybe a bit of both.
"Nice to hear~ And thanks... for the compliment." he purred. No, really, it was rare for him to be seen as anything else than flirt, but this place did seem to trigger a need for that other side of him recently.

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