Fate Of the Wolf Goddess (Naruto Fanfic x ATLA aspects)

Shippuden

"So that's all of it then? Every detail you can recall of what is to come?"

Moriko nods, handing him the rest of the papers where she scribbled down descriptions, locations, and type of attacks and attack patterns.

"He's compromised Gaara. Yuta. . . Yura. . . I can barely recall his name each time I try to. I don't know if he's truly sided with Sasori or if it's just the effect of the seal placed in his mind, but he cannot be trusted. Perhaps you'll be able to gather information from him? I think there are others in the village affected with the same jutsu, but so far, he's the only one I can attach a face and name to."

"Hm. . . that's fine." The redhead racks his brain for how to approach the Intel division with this matter. They will be the ones to interrogate him thoroughly.

"I'm gonna try and dream the others' locations and faces, but maybe you should consider contacting the Hidden Leaf." She starts to pace the room, her tail popping out to swish back in forth in rapid succession. "But getting Naruto involved is risky too since he's a target like you. Damn. Maybe instead we contact---"

Gaara gets up from his chair in the Kazekage's office and walks around to the front. After placing a hand on Moriko's cheek, she stops talking immediately.

"You've done enough. Don't push yourself." He whispers into her ear. Their foreheads connect at the spot where Gaara's scar exists. They stay like that for a moment, simply enjoying each other's presence and scent.

"Gaara. . ." She whispers back. "I can't just sit back and---"

"You won't. In light of this news, I'll have the village evacuated. I'd like you to go with them."

Moriko backs out of the embrace in shock.

"What?! But you're---"

"The children you entertain at the hospital will want reassurance from someone besides their doctors who they know often lie to them about their health. You will be escorting the children and other patients of the NICU. I've put you in charge of this because they trust you."

"Gaara. . . I'm honored, but they'll be better off with actual Sand shinobi protecting them; I'm still a stranger here. They don't know I'm a shinobi since I've been under protection. They think I'm just a civilian; they'll be terrified and feel unsafe! Not to mention the old-ass doctors that are 'set in their ways' will question your decision---"

"Then let them. The only opinion a doctor may have that matters to me is a medical one. The rest is inconsequential. They are the least of my worries at a time like this."

The she-wolf huffs in frustration, her eyes glowing brighter as a result. "I know that, I don't give a damn what they think either. They still have influence in the village, that's all I'm saying. The old fossil ones anyway; I just. . . I don't want to fuck up your new reputation as kage since you worked so hard to get it to where it is now." She whines a bit at the end of her sentence and Gaara closes the distance between them once more rubbing noses with her to make her chuckle.

"Oh my goddess, you are so corny with that." She chuckles.

The young Kazekage smiles at her before taking her hand in his and kissing it softly.

"You work so hard so that you can sit back one day and say you've earned it, but you forget to tell yourself that you deserve it. Sound familiar?"

Moriko smiles softly. "Using my own words against me now? I tell you that whenever you push yourself to exhaustion." He gives her a look that makes her roll her eyes and laugh. "Okay, I see your point, mister. Continue."

"This information is all the preparation I need; you have nothing to worry about. It is my duty as Kazekage to protect my village and the people who reside within it. That includes you. Besides. . ." He leans in close, their lips barely an inch apart from each other, "I will do anything and everything to protect you, Love."