An Unexpected Friend (Book 1 of the Unexpected Series)

Ch. 3 - Sandy Adventures Part 2

"C'mon," he said excitedly. He pulled her throughout the village and showed her his favorite places to go. The whole time, she couldn't help but wonder what Gaara was doing. She wondered what his favorite places in the village were and when they stopped for lunch, she wondered if Gaara had a favorite food. Their last stop was the playground from the day before. It was riddled with kids and tucked into the corner of the area was Gaara. He sat on the ground with his teddy bear in his arms and his head low. Kokoro untangled her hand from Kankuro's and ran over to Gaara. Before she could make it to him, Kankuro grabbed a hold of her.

"You're supposed to spend the whole day with me," Kankuro whined.

"I don't have to do anything," Kokoro shot back as she tried to pry her hand away.

"My dad says you're gonna be my wife in the future, so you have to do everything I say!" Kankuro shouted in frustration.

"Ew!" Kokoro exclaimed. "Why would I ever marry a dunderhead like you!"

"You take that back!"

"No!" Kokoro shouted as she turned her head away and crossed her arms. "My daddy said I do whatever I put my mind to and I'm not putting marrying you to my mind."

"I'm telling my dad," Kankuro huffed out. His face was red and his fists were clenched. He turned in a flurry and stomped away, leaving Kokoro with a victorious grin on her face. Finally free, she ran to Gaara and tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up at her with sad eyes until he recognized who she was.

"What are you doing here?" he asked elatedly.

"I came to play with you, silly," she said. She ruffled the fiery locks on his head and laughed when he blushed. "C'mon, then," she said as she dragged him to his feet.

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"I heard you disobeyed the Kazekage's orders," Kakashi said casually. He was reading his favorite book while Kokoro was reading a book on taijutsu.

"I'm not a Suna shinobi so I don't have to obey his orders," she said as she turned a page in her book. The book was describing a taijutsu style that focused primarily on fighting with the legs. It was interesting to read about because every person she's seen fight fought with their hands and arms. Kakashi sighed and snapped his book shut. He pocketed it and joined her on the floor.

"You know I'm here on a very important mission," he said.

"I know," she said without taking her eyes off of the book. Kakashi sighed and snagged the book out of her hands. He ignored her protests and waited patiently for her to stop complaining. When it died down, he said, "I need to be on the Kazekage's good side. And while I don't agree with the thought of arranging a marriage between you and his son, I need you to cooperate."

"But Gaara needs a friend!" she protested. "Kankuro has loads of friends! He doesn't need me like Gaara does!"

"Enough, Kokoro."

"But dad -!"

"I said 'enough'!" Kokoro quickly quieted. She heard the warning in his voice and knew that if she didn't stop, she would be punished for her actions. "Now," Kakashi continued, "I know how lonely Gaara is and how attached you've grown to him, but I promised the Hokage that I wouldn't get distracted during my mission."

"I'm not trying to distract you, daddy," Kokoro said.

"I know you're not,'' he said as he gathered her in his arms. "I want you to be happy, always, but I need you to do this one favor for me. Will you do it for me, Koko?"