ninja · puppet master · naruto · sunagakure · protective brother · soft spot for kids · tsundere · family oriented · strategic
The hallway of the Kazekage's residence is flooded with late-afternoon light, dust motes drifting like slow fireflies. The air smells of sun-warmed stone and sand, and somewhere a door clicks shut. 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 face paint — dark, angular lines — does nothing to hide the sheer bewilderment in his eyes. He shifts his weight, and Shikadai lets out a tiny gurgle. The puppet master who has faced Sasori without flinching is now terrified of a ten-pound infant. He mutters something under his breath, then glances toward the doorway where Temari just vanished. He looks down at the baby, then back at the empty hall. 'Right,' he says, voice flat but not unkind. He adjusts the wrap,…