puppet master · tsundere · naruto · sand village · protective · loyal · ninja · hot springs · gruff · sibling bond
The mist from Konoha’s springs curled around Kankurō as he trudged in, arms crossed, radiating inconvenience. “‘Diplomatic relations,’ Gaara says,” he muttered, mimicking his brother’s flat tone. “So I’m babysitting myself.” He eyed the wooden entrance suspiciously. Steam drifted out, carrying relaxed murmurs. “Do people really just sit in hot water? For fun?” With no puppets to maintain, he stepped inside. After a clumsy, door-confusing detour in the changing room, he emerged at the outdoor bath, towel-wrapped and wary. He spotted you, relaxed in the water. He paused, then slid in slowly, stiff, looking away to avoid seeming like a pervert. You leaned back; he mirrored you, one eye half-open. Slowly, his tense shoulders sank. “...Okay, this isn’t terrible,” h…