A trip to Konoha

[desert_gaara]

Gaara found himself actually having to stop himself from pacing around in his chambers. Tomorrow morning a fairly large group would leave for Konoha and the Chuunin-exams. There had been much to prepare, and making sure that Matsuri and her cell was ready

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[thedeath_of_you]

She hadn't, of course, having visited the sight of the portal almost every week in the long time they'd been apart. She sighed, as she entered the portal. Really. She was acting silly! But she can't help but being nervous. She'll be interacting with more people in Gaara's life than ever before. Gulp.

As she entered the room that she had first saw months ago, she pulled on the hem of her short yukata. She had been savvier in her dressing this time, chosing the traditional summer kimono and sandals for the heat. With one last swallow, she calls out. "Gaara?"

[desert_gaara]

And here he comes, walking in long strides from the balcony. It takes only a few seconds before he has her wrapped up in a tight hug. Seems someone really missed his girlfriend.
"Welcome."

[thedeath_of_you]

Seems like she missed him just as much, if the tightness that she's hugging him back is any indicator. "Hey, you. Miss me?"

She smiles. "See what a big girl I am? I made it here all by myself." A look around. "It's just how I remember it."

[desert_gaara]

"Yes, I missed you," he smiles and gives her a kiss. "Well, there aren't any reasosn to change it."

"Do you have any luggage with you?"

[thedeath_of_you]

What an entourage! She hasn't seen that many people together for a while, well, ever since the Tantai met up for the last time. That gives her heart a little tug.

Her face light up immediately at the sight of the youngsters. She likes kids, but still feels the need to stay close to the three familiar people.

[desert_gaara]

Gaara gives a quick introduction of Botan to the others, and then they are off! While his siblings does pry, these people do not; they aren't as close. Though one can clearly see that they are curious about her, especially the female students. And that he's walking close by her side, well, that's just fuel to the fire.

Botan is also introduced to Matsuri, the gentle-looking fourteen year old girl that is Gaara's only student. She's as curious as the rest, though also very exited about the exams, so she spends most of the time chatting with her two team-mates about it.

As promised, the desert is chilly. A light at the horizon is signaling the approaching dawn.

[thedeath_of_you]

Botan seems very interested in the people and greets them politely. As they walk, she, to her very own happiness, isn't lagging behind. Keeping up is a feat for her. Though she definately wouldn't complain about a rest.

However, she is uncharacteristically quiet along the way. Perhaps it's being around new people, or perhaps she's in thought. She pulls her jacket around her as she walks, the rising sun brightening up its leather.

[desert_gaara]

Gaara's silence is normal. Perhaps Botan is used to him being a bit more talkative, but this is how he normally is. He does catch her eye from time to time and smiles that small smile.

As the sun rises, it grows hot. Many of the students shed a layer of clothes, but the jounins keeps their uniforms. Gaara sticks to his coat as well; it does protect against the sun.

Sometime before noon, they reach the oasis. It's a small body of water, surrounded by small trees that resembles palmtrees. "We rest for two hours. Then we move on," comes Gaara's short and concise orders. A few of the jounins makes quick work of setting up a canopy to provide shade where they can rest while the sun passes it's highest point.

[desert_gaara]

While he had been planning on heading out once she had fallen asleep, he now decides to stay and watch over her. Before dawn, he even manages to catch half an hour worth of sleep for himself.

Come morning, Botan might hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. She might also find that she's hugging a pillow, as Gaara has slipped out off bed and replaced himself with one.
If she were to look into the bathroom, she would see Gaara with a razor in hand, carefully scraping sparse stubble and shaving foam from his face.

[thedeath_of_you]

Botan looks around groggily. What time is it? Time to wake up, apparently. Suddenly she remembers something. Time for a little fun. Stretching a bit, she walks over to her bag and pulls out a pair of costume bunny ears. Just a little teasing with an inside joke is fine, right. She puts on the ears and waits.

[desert_gaara]

Eventually, the young redhead comes out, dressed only in his black pants and pointedly ignoring a small cut on his chin. It almost irks him that an ordinary thing like shaving is proving to be tricky.

He stops dead in his tracks when he finds Botan not only awake, but wearing a pair of bunny ears. Congratulations, Botan. You have just succeeded in getting the ever so stoic Kazekage to laugh.

[thedeath_of_you]

And Botan in her birthday suit and bunny ears waves. "Good morning, Kazekage-sama!~" She seems in a rather good mood today. Maybe it's the ears. "You're looking handsome this morning!"

[konoha_nins]

Isn't it typical the the oldest two in the class would be the worst students? Botan's mind is off elsewhere and Naruto keeps messing up and interupting, though at least some of it must be on purpose.

Finally Iruka has had it and sends the two on their way. After giving a last wave to the giggling kids inside the classroom, Naturo turns to Botan and leads her down the hallway to the outside.

"What do you wanna do now?"

[thedeath_of_you]

"I can't believe we got kicked out." A bit of a wheepy expression. "What would Koenma-sama say if he knew that?"

As she walks up, she walks towards the flowers, she gently removes the butterfly from their petals and lets it fly away. She carefully picks a few from their cluster. Only after this delicate process does she even aknowledge the noisy ninja.

"Does my honourable host have anymore wonderful suggestions?"

[konoha_nins]

"Who's Koenma-sama?"

He waits while she's picking her flowers, looking over her shoulder. What's with girls and flowers? Well, at least it's a nice change do be around someone a bit more lady-like than Sakura-chan. After all, Botan-chan hasn't hit him yet.

"I dunno about you, but I'm hungry." His stomach decides to get involved in the conversation and grumbles loudly to drive the point home. "How about going to Ichiraku?"

[thedeath_of_you]

"He's my boss." No lies there. "He prides his employees on excellence." Another truth.

Oh Naruto. Don't get to comfortable. Botan is feminine, yes, but only in a loose definition ladylike. For the moment, anyway.

"Yum. Sounds great. All that heavy thinking has me hungry." A playful rap against her head.