𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐄'𝐒 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑 | gaara

Part 8

You and Gaara were walking through a park down the road from his office when a ball rolled at his feet. Looking to the side, you saw a gaggle of children running towards you, all of whom seemed thrilled at the prospect of running into their Kazekage. You looked back at Gaara, who seemed to be frozen on the spot, staring down at the ball.

"Gaara?" You were interrupted by the voices of the young children as they approached.

"Hey, mister! Can you pass the ball, please?" 

They stayed a small distance away, the owner of the voice a brash looking brown haired young boy with a group of about six or seven friends. A girl behind him with her blonde hair in pigtails hissed and nudged him.

"That's the Kazekage, you idiot!" 

"So?"

All of a sudden, the children all began running to him, calling out "Lord Gaara!" as they laughed and eagerly huddled around the redhead.

You stepped aside as the children swarmed an anxious and alarmed looking Gaara, and they began hugging him and asking him questions with absolute wonder in their eyes. As Gaara looked to you for help, all you could do was shrug.

"Lord Gaara, you're so cool!"

"Mr Kazekage, can you show me how you do those sand jutsu you always use!?"

"Lord Kazekage, I've heard you're still a boy too! Is that true?!" You stifled a snort as they bombard him with questions and praises, and Gaara's gaze met yours, begging you for help. You bent over and signalled for him to hug them back, which he did, making them cheer louder.

"Is that your girlfriend?!"

"Is it true you're a stronger ninja than my father?!"

"Where are your eyebrows?!"

You lost yourself at the children's questions and doubled over at the last one. They all burst into laughter as well, and Gaara himself managed a little grin.

"Hold on, hold on, one question at a time!" he said brightly, with a little laugh in his voice. The children all quietened down and moved away from him, forming a semi circle around him. The brash boy who had instigated the interaction raised his hand, catching Gaara's attention.

"Lord Gaara, can you stay with us, for a little while? Please?" He pouted and gave Gaara the puppy dog eyes. In turn, Gaara glanced at you, and you stepped forward.

"Sure, he'd love to stay!" you said with a bright grin, slapping him on the back. "Take a seat, and he'll answer as many questions as he can!"

You put your hands on his shoulders and forced him to the ground, the children cheering and taking their seats around the Kazekage as he made himself comfortable with the situation. Dealing with deadly shinobi? No big deal. Kage from the other land? No sweat. But, children? They were by far the hardest challenge Gaara had ever come across.

"Haha, but first, I'd love to introduce you to my friend Risa!" Gaara's voice was soft as he grabbed your wrist and pulled you down to the ground beside him. You felt yourself flush as a couple of the kids snickered.

"Hi Risa!" they chanted brightly. You managed a little wave and sat close to Gaara.

"Hi, kids!" A girl with red hair brighter than Gaara's raised her hand.

"Can we start asking our questions now?" she asked. You made yourself comfortable, having the feeling that you and Gaara were going to be there for a very long time. He nodded, and all their hands shot up immediately.

"Let's go around the circle!" said the girl with the blonde pigtails. The brash brown haired boy, who sat right on Gaara's other side, jumped in.

"Me first, then! Can we ask you both questions?" You were taken aback by his question, but shrugged anyways.