[Chapter 46: Filler is Fun!]

"Hello, Tenten," Kugui held her hands intertwined in her lap. "My name is Kugui, so nice to finally meet you in person!"

I was very amused at how shocked and silent the brunette was, stifling my giggles behind a hand. In comedic effect, she then jumped out of her daze and bowed frantically. "The pleasure is all mine!" The older chunin shot her head at me, "Thanks for bringing me here, Megumi-chan,"

I waved her off with a dismissive hand. "Nah, I didn't want to stay in that boring hotel forever." I reasoned. It was the next morning, where I had led Tenten to finally meet her fuinjutsu teacher. After our meeting, Kugui and Suzume had shown us their house to give us her stuff. And I must say... it was a lot of seals.

Oh, turns out Gaara-chan lives with them! Kinda weird. We didn't see him— as he was too busy with preparing, ha— but it was incredibly hilarious hearing all the stupid shit he did despite his edgy self.

"Megumi-chan," Perking my head up with a small hum, my eyes glanced up at the taller redhead. "Do you mind finding Suzume? She should have gotten home by now but..." With concern swimming in her purple doll-like eyes darting towards the clock, she fidgeted with her hands. "She may have fallen asleep."

I snorted. Fallen asleep? At this time? But I didn't muse my questions out loud, smiling as I placed my hands behind my back. "Sure, at least I have something to do now!" And know what her chakra source is like so that makes it easier.

With a small salute, I bid the worried woman and enthusiastic student goodbye, body flickering away.

❥ꋧ

I blinked at the sight before me, now isn't that peculiar?

I bent my back down to get a clearer view of her face. Kugui wasn't exaggerating: she's asleep.

It didn't take long to find the redhead's wife, being a sensor and all. It only took a few minutes to find her under the shade near an office workplace. But, what stopped me was just how she was sleeping: she was standing.

I puffed out my cheeks in thought, straightening up my posture. Well, how deep in rem sleep is she? Cuz, I might have to revert to the classical Sasuke tactics... I giggled— I still fucking hate those. Like who thinks of choking your sister awake?! I let out a hum, circling her with a hand under my chin. Also, I am not sure if intentional sleep deprivation was legally considered torture or— Oh wait! It suddenly dawned on me. Why don't to just... I didn't need to use my hands to weave chakra, directing it towards the unsuspecting woman's body. A little genjutsu wouldn't be bad, right?

With just a small pull, the girl's eyes suddenly fluttered open, posture shifting as her blurred eyes whizzed around in a daze. Her lips were slightly parted when she finally caught sight of me, a few hair strands coming out of her frame. "...Meg... Megumi-chan... right?"

I giggled, satisfied with the results. "Yup, nice to see you again, Suzume-san!" My body swayed from side to side as I kept my smile. "Couldn't help but sleep?"

"Mm," She lazily bobbed her head, half-lidded eyes out of focus. "Sorry, it's something I... I can't change." I cocked my head, is that so? "Kugui-chan asked you, right?"

I nodded, noticing how the girl frowned. "It's fine," I waved off dismissively. "Well, we should probably go back— she probably misses you~!" I cooed at her. The woman smiled, small dust of pink on her cheeks as then rolled her shoulders. Taking her hand, we began at a leisure pace back to her house.

The walk was relatively silent if you remove the usual chatter around other civilians. Multiple pairs of eyes were on us, probably because of me, but it didn't seem to affect her. That was nice, I didn't want to scare my dear teammate's soulmate!

I didn't talk either, mostly because I didn't feel the need to.

It wasn't because I was thirsty.

"Megumi-chan," I was surprised by her soft and mellow voice, tilting my head at her with a small hum. "What do you think of Kugui-chan?"

My head tilted behind me, "She's cute!" I replied immediately, swinging my arm around. Though she didn't seem satisfied by that short response so I continued. "Well, when I first met her, she seemed a little ditzy and soft-spoken, also very kind!" I smiled as I thought back at all the letters she sent. "But, as I got to know her more, I found out she's really, really cool as well!"

"Of course she is," I heard her mumble. "She's incredible."

I hummed, scowling my pace into a stop and I turned around, hands behind my back with a tilt of my head. "Why are you asking anyway, not that I mind?" Is something bothering her?

Suzume averted her eyes in thought, seeming to concentrate on her words. "People have... different views on her." I blinked. Hah? How— she's a great person! She leaned against the shaded wall I had walked us over to, fumbling with her hands. "Ever since Sasori, her close relative betrayed the village, almost everyone began to become cautious of her, thinking that she'd be the same."

I took that in. Just... just because of that? My eyes narrowed as I twirled a hair strand. I didn't have that problem... but then again, Sasuke swore revenge and maybe Itachi's threat to Danzo stretched out to everyone else. "But when people do approach her, they suddenly think of her kindness and politeness as naivety. Which she isn't." The adult continued, holding a bitterness I didn't know the girl possessed in her tone.

But, that just means she cares about her, huh? "Well, then they're all just stupid," I spoke. Wiggling my hands up in the air, I smiled at her. "And besides, all she has to do is to prove them wrong!" And maybe a little talk-no-jutsu.

Suzume's blue eyes widened, before she let out a small laugh, lazily tilted her head to the side. "Yeah, you're right." Raising her hands, I stood still as she adjusted my hat gingerly. "It's just that even if she doesn't show it, what people say affects her sometimes. So, I'm glad that she met someone like you."

"Really?" I beamed at the praise. My feet merrily danced around the girl, humming as I went. I mean, I am awesome but really now! I giggled to myself with a twirl. But... it must have been hard. When did Sasori even go rogue? Ten— 15 years? "Ne, Suzume-chan—"

My voice shut as I could only stare in slight amusement and shock. She's— She's asleep already?!

Staring down on all the villagers, his soon to be subjected, Gaara wasn't surprised to see himself nervous. He could see their expressions: hatred, fear, everything.

His green eyes trailed down towards a certain few: the Konoha visitors. The boy blinked as two of them, Lee and Megumi, all waved with grins. Ah, them. Like Naruto, they were... different from the others. Sure, they may have gotten on the wrong footing, and that was mostly his fault, but they were able to become friends nonetheless.

Oh, how blessed he would be if it was that easy with everyone else.

The redhead knew they wouldn't accept him the instant he changed. After all, he practically lived off of their fear until that certain Uzumaki came along. He knew that it might never change.

And yet—

The woman in front of him smiled, pointing a finger at his chest. He didn't understand why— why are you smiling when they've feared you so much?

"Know that you are worth more than fear and hate— prove them

He was willing to take the possibility that it could.

Swallowing the doubt and fear cloning in his throat, the ninja sucked in a breath. "Citizens of Sunagakure!" He voiced out, holding out his arms to beckon their attention. So many eyes were on him, cautious wonder on most of their eyes. Gaara pushed forward, despite his more nervous thoughts. "I thank you for attending, I am grateful for you all." The teen placed a hand over his chest, his lips quirking upwards slightly. "You know me as Gaara Subaku. You may be skeptical of this new change." And, I don't blame you. He kept that for himself.

He saw his family in the audience: Temari and Kankuro bickering, Suzume dozing off only to stop herself, and—

He felt his heart swell at the sight of Kugui smiling proudly at him.

"However, I do not wish for pain to go your way." He continued, hearing the small scoff from the tanuki within him. Gaara knew that even with that, the one-tail was proud as well. Years of trying to be friends with them did the trick. "I wish to be a part of this village: not as a weapon, but as a leader. I wish to someday become something precious to others." Gaara, will all the determination he had, raised a fist to the air.

"So watch me."

∩∩

"Mmm!" I moaned as I gobbled up the long stick. "This is delicious!"

Hiro beside me rose a brow, wincing at the hotness. "How the hell do you eat this so fast?" He asked with his tongue slightly out, letting out a breath.

I licked its tip hungrily, savoring its taste. "I like eating. And Uchiha stuff." I twirled the skewer in my hands, satisfied by the shish kebabs I bought, I flicked them to the nearest trash can, wiping my hands on my skirt.

"Megumi-chan, you shouldn't do that!" Hinata exclaimed, pushing a napkin on my hands. I only giggled, cooing at the girl.

After Gaara's Kazekage speech, the village had an obligatory festival, where all the villagers partied with multiple food stalls and attractions laid out. I was out with the Hyuuga twins, cuz yes, enjoying life while spending away money on all the cheap stuff. Tucking the napkin away, I sway from side to side with the feelings of giddiness. It's been so long, just us being together. "Also Hiro, why are you asking? Hinata-tan can do it too!"

"Not when it's extremely hot." He shot back with slightly furrowed brows. Eating a small piece off of his stick after a small blow, the heir glanced back at me. "Do the Uchiha have any kind of weakness?"

"Their ego, Senjus, overly idealistic men, egos, sweets, little brothers, their egos, any kind that has to do with power." I listed off absentmindedly, counting it down with my fingers. My eyes darted back to them. "Did I mention their ego?"

He groaned. "But, those don't apply to you." His older sister commented with a sheepish smile.

I let out a hum. "That's cuz I'm ✨𝘴ρꫀᥴ𝓲ꪖꪶ✨~!"

"....I'm not even gonna question how you did that."

With a fit of giggles, I looked away as they laughed as well, only to pause. Oh, is that...? "Kugui-chan!" I waved to the near redhead, causing her to turn around. In her arms was a slumbering wife.

Dashing up to her, I pointed silently at Suzume who was completely passed out. Just how much does she sleep? "She's sleeping and it's pretty late so I thought to bring her home." I hummed in understanding.

"She sleeps a lot, huh?" I mused out loud. Could it be a disorder? But I dismissed it. "You know, I never asked," I glanced at the taller redhead, watching as she then turned her head at me. The others were farther away so I deemed it safe for me to say this. "You don't have to answer but, when did you die?"

She blinked her purple eyes in surprise, shifting her arms to carry the woman better. I know, random question. "Ah, well," Kugui looked at the starry sky in thought, before looking back down. "I think I was... 16-17?"

Now it was me to blink. "Hah?" I blurted out. The redhead in front of me sheepishly averted my gaze. Ah, wait. I sucked in a breath. She doesn't like being judged but— what? "You're... the only teenager."

"Really?" She held a taken back expression, her tone genuine.

"Mhm." The balls of my feet spun as I puffed out my cheeks. "Everyone else was an adult when they died so like uh..." Life's unfair— but apparently, it was more to you. I didn't like the thought of that. She died... before her life could even start! What the hell?

Even with those thoughts, I knew that perhaps... if I died earlier... it would've been better for me. I shook my head-- no, let's not think about that.

I averted my attention back on the redhead. I wonder... what happened in her life for her to end up so shortly? My determination only grew as I stared at her. She's so pretty and kind too! Though... I took a step back in my thoughts. I guess she's just stronger if she was able to get through that all.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, I took in a deep breath. "That's it: I'm adopting you."

"Wha— what?!"

Extra:

"Gaara-chan~!" The boy, I guess I should say Kazekage now, literally flinched at my tone. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." He stated, face calm on the outside. Yet, I could practically feel the embarrassment off of him.

Kugui next to him cocked her head at us curiously. "Are you, Gaara-kun?"

"Oh my god, she doesn't know." Kankuro blurted out, only to get hit by his older sister.

"Oi," I felt Shikamaru place a hand on my shoulder. "Stop being a drag and let's go already."

Pouting childishly, I placed my hands on my hips. "But I wanna hear it!"

"Fine." My entire life beamed at the sound of that. Inching closer (closer and closer), my cheeks hurt from my smile as Gaara steadily looked more constipated.

"Come on, come on~!" I taunted him. "Say it!!!"

Oh my, are his cheeks going red? "I..." His voice broke. "I was wrong— I do care about politics."

Ah. There goes my barely existing self-restraint as I pounced on him.

And that, my dears, is how I embarrassed the Kazekage.