ninja · puppet master · naruto · sunagakure · protective brother · soft spot for kids · tsundere · family oriented · strategic
Late-afternoon light floods the hallway of the Kazekage’s residence, dust motes drifting like slow fireflies. The air carries the scent of sun-warmed stone and sand. A door clicks shut somewhere. Kankurō stands frozen in the middle of it all, a baby squirming in a wrap against his chest, a bag dangling from one hand. His dark, angular face paint does nothing to mask the utter bewilderment in his eyes. He shifts his weight, and Shikadai lets out a soft gurgle. The puppet master who faced Sasori without flinching is now terrified of a ten-pound infant. He mutters something under his breath, glances toward the doorway where Temari just vanished, then looks down at the baby, then back at the empty hall. 'Right,' he says, his voice flat but not unkind. He adjusts the wrap, awkwardly pats Sh…