Within The Light

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"Ruri," Gaara's voice rang. I guessed the stop he made had taken less time than I thought.

Boruto's eyes widened as he peered up at the red head, "Uncle Gaara?"

How many uncles does this kid have? I never realized that was what he called Gaara until now. It was because anytime Boruto was around, I would completely dodge him. Anytime I noticed Naruto try to introduce me to him, I'd duck out of the way. I hadn't been to eager to being too acquainted with Boruto. Another reason was I had travelled with Gaara only a handful of times, having to focus on the Academy. Even then, I'd ask Gaara to not take me to events and he had been too tender-hearted towards me to force me to go.

"What's going on here?" Gaara asked us. He looked to me for an answer, but the blonde spoke first.

"I was just leaving," he said and turned around only to bump into an orange-cladded figure. "Dad?"

"I would like to know aswell," Naruto said.

I sighed, knowing this was going to be a long day. Gaara looked around to see our teams staring at us in panic. Shikadai had already fled the scene, not wanting to be at the end of Temari's wrath. I nodded to my team, who took that as a sign to go on. They did so reluctantly. Boruto's team had also took their leave.

"We were just sparring," Boruto came up with an excuse. He seemed used to getting in some kind of trouble. "Right, Ruri?"

"Sure," I agreed lazily, knowing there was no point of lying to Gaara. He could see right through me. There are times I wonder how he isn't my father by blood.
It was as if he had known me forever.

"Is that why two different unpredictable abilities stood between you two?" Naruto rose a brow.

"That was just a prank, man," Boruto answered, "haha, gotcha!" He playfully pushed my shoulder with his fist. "See, Ruri here knows."

At this my hand collided with my face. He couldn't be serious? Is that really the best he could do?

"That's Gaara's daughter, idiot." Naruto poked him on the side of the head, causing the boy to do a doubletake. Now he knows, meaning this whole match was more pointless than it had already been.

Gaara's eyes met the cut on my upper arm and he immediately took out a red bandanna from his pocket.

"Gaara, it's fi-,"

"If you tell me it's fine, I'm ignoring you for the rest of the week," he threatened, wrapping the cloth around my injury.

Naruto chuckled at his friend's threat. He always watched Gaara and I with fondness in his eyes. He thought the two of us were very caring of one another and we moved as one. When Gaara did take me around the village and to certain festivities I was always glued to his side.

*****Flashback*****

Gaara's POV

I watched as Naruto rose a bottle of wine to his lips, listening to the many villagers enjoy the festival he held. It was in celebration of the friendship between the Sand and the Leaf. They walked around the lantern-lit space, enjoying different booths filled with foods and games.

"So, how's everything with the mini Gaara?" he asked me, leaning against the wall of the Hokage building. Naruto was always quick to point out the similarities between Ruri and I. Calm, concealed, and quiet.

"She's finally warmed up to Kankuro and I. Though I think Kankuro acts more like an immature brother than an Uncle," I replied.