Kitten Infatuation Renewal

Ch 1. Excitement! Gaara’s visit to Aijogakure!


“You ready to leave yet, Temari?” Kankuro groaned impatiently, knocking once again on his older sister’s bedroom door. The siblings were invited to Aijogakure, they knew a few people from there. Most notably Konekomaru Hikariryu.


The Hikariryu clan was known throughout the ninja world. The majority of their ninja were kunoichi, each powerful in their own right.


Gaara and his siblings met three Hikariryu kunoichi at the Chunin Exam a year ago. The ones they met were Kitsunemaru, Konekomaru and Ringomaru.


Their leader was also their mother, Hazaka Hikariryu. Their mother was a curvaceous beauty, with fire-red hair that was full of body down to her waist and chocolate eyes. A hopeless romantic at heart and encouraging to her daughters.


Kitsunemaru had very tan skin, with shoulder length, spiky blonde hair and golden eyes, a trait common in all of Hazaka’s daughters, even though the mother and father both had brown eyes. Kitsunemaru was also very athletic, a tomboy.

Konekomaru had fair, peach colored skin. She hardly ever spent time indoors. Her purple hair went to her neck, her hair was somewhat straight, she kept her bangs the same length as well, liking how it looked. Her golden eyes seemed the most cat-like. Gaara compared her character to Naruto a couple times. Both very playful yet still caring.


For some reason unknown to the Sand Siblings, Kitsunemaru and Konekomaru were extremely violent towards each other, their fight in the preliminary round of the Chunin Exam showed that crystal clear. Both girls ended up passed out from exhaustion, both bleeding heavily and with several broken bones.


Ringomaru seemed to take the most from her mother in both looks and personality. She had her mother’s hair but golden eyes complimented her skin tone. She was softly tanned.


The siblings got to know Konekomaru rather well, the catty kunoichi taking a liking to Gaara with an unlikely story…


“I’m ready, stop rushing me, Kankuro!” the fan-wielding kunoichi hollered, coming out a second later.


“Let’s go…” Gaara ordered, sounding almost impatient.


Kankuro grinned, setting his two puppets on his back, ready to go. “Aww, miss your little kitten, Gaara?” he teased playfully, receiving a small glare from his little brother.


The siblings left their house, a large mansion. With their now dead father having been Kazekage, they were nicely well off. Temari made sure to lock the door and they were off.


“Oh, we can’t forget the nectarines! Koneko will be angry if we did!” Temari remembered as they passed a fruit cart. Sunagakure was known for the sweetest and juiciest nectarines. Temari bought ten, knowing the kunoichi’s appetite and longing to try the famous fruit.


Other then Temari and Kankuro’s bickering, the trip to Aijogakure was relatively uneventful. All Gaara could think about was Konekomaru. They were both twelve when they met at the Chunin Exams.


*Flashback*
Gaara was taking a walk through the forest surrounding Konohagakure. He found it to be the only real place where no one would bother him.


But, this time, he found a girl there. She had short purple hair and golden eyes. Gaara saw that she was training, repeatedly kicking a tree that looked close to crumbling.


Every time she moved, he heard what sounded like a small bell jingle. “Hyaaa!!!!” the young girl cried out, her final kick sending the tree into splinters.

Gaara could tell this girl was strong. This of course made him want to challenge her to prove his existence. As ways of destroying this girl ran through his mind, Gaara didn’t notice the girl walking up to him.


“Hey there!” he heard the girl greet happily. His sea foam green eyes met her golden orbs that shown with innocence. In all honesty, Gaara had no idea what to do with this girl. No one ever came this close to him, let alone with a smile on their face.


He just eyed the girl curiously. “You ok there?” she asked, a confused look on her face.


“…Why are you so close to me?” he asked, no emotion in his voice.


“Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to offend you or anything.” she giggled, rubbing the back of her head nervously as she backed away.


“Why are you apologizing to me?” Gaara asked, noticing the small silver bell that was on a black ribbon around her neck.


She just shrugged. “Hey, my name’s Konekomaru, what’s your’s?” she asked, smiling cutely and in a cat-like way.


“Sabaku no Gaara…why must you know my name?” Gaara felt strange around this girl.


Konekomaru just made a strange snort like sound, “So we can be friends, silly.” she answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the universe.


The young kunoichi’s answer made Gaara’s eyes go wide, his body tense. ’She wants to be friends…with me? But…why?’ he wondered, more then likely sounding panicked. No one ever wanted anything to do with him. So, this was a big shock to him.


Before Gaara could question her further, a feminine voice called out, “Konekomaru, come in for dinner young lady.” Gaara noticed a funny looking annoyed look on Konekomaru’s face.


“But, I’m making a friend.” he barely heard her say under her breath.


“Konekomaru Hikariryu, get in here now! Or you’ll get punished!!” that same voice called out in a bittersweet tone, an almost deadly warning coating each word.


Konekomaru squeaked, a scared ‘mew’ coming from her as she stood perfectly straight. “Y-yes, mother! Coming!!!” she gulped, dashing off right afterwards.


“Sayonara, Gaa-kun!” she exclaims, long gone and leaving a very confused Gaara behind.
*Flashback end*


Gaara felt a small smile come to his lips as they came outside the gate into Aijogakure. “So, this is Aijogakure, eh?” Kankuro said, one eye closed as he yawned.


“It seems a lot like Konohagakure. Except a tad chillier.” Temari added, adjusting her pack and fan.


Gaara just started heading in, his siblings noticing a few seconds later. “Wait up, Gaara!” they called out, but happy that their baby brother was happy for a change.


The Sand siblings were stopped at the gate, needing to see their passports. “So, where are we staying anyway?” Kankuro wondered out loud as they made their way to the Hikariryu compound.


“I dunno.” Temari answered as the home of the Head Hikariryu clan came into view. “Whoa…”


What they saw was a grand, traditional style mansion. There was a beautiful garden and small pond filled with colorful koi fish.


“So, this is where Koneko lives? Its…nice. Feels very homey.” Temari smiled, so far happy that she was invited to visit her friend.


As the siblings took a step towards the compound, Gaara felt a kunai against his neck. “Where do you think you’re goin, lil boy?” a dark, female voice questioned, venom dripping from her words.


Gaara instinctively let his sand attack the female, making it rise up and send his attacker flying. “Ouch! That hurt, nya!” the voice was no longer dark. And Gaara knew that voice well.


Concern soon filled the young shinobi’s eyes as he turned and ran to the winded Konekomaru. “…I’m sorry.” Gaara whispered, helping the girl up to her feet.


“No, its my fault, should know better then trying to sneak up on you Gaa-kun.” she answered, smiling and dusting herself off.


She noticed the guilty look on Gaara’s face. “I’m just fine Gaara. Don’t worry ok?” Konekomaru told the boy, now feeling extremely guilty.


Suddenly, all four teens heard a familiar voice, “Konekomaru Hikariryu! Get back inside right now!” Konekomaru flinched and ran behind Gaara.


“Hide me! Please, Gaa-kun!” she begged, not really waiting for an answer from the sand shinobi.


In no time, Hazaka Hikariryu was right in front of them, looking angry and worried. “I know you’re there Koneko, please come back inside. You know you’re too sick to be outside.” Hazaka said, her voice calm.


Hazaka’s words shocked Gaara. “You’re sick? Why didn’t you tell me?” Gaara asked, concern for her wellbeing now his priority.


Before Konekomaru could explain anything to Gaara, Hazaka moved forward and grabbed her daughter’s forearm sleeve, dragging her back inside her house. “You three may come inside if you wish.” Hazaka said, smiling sweetly while still dragging an irritated Konekomaru behind her.


Gaara followed the pair to what he assumed was Koneko’s bedroom. “But mom, I’m not contagious! The sun’s Vitamin D will help me get better anyway!” the young girl argued, crossing her arms as her mother forced her into bed.


“You will listen to me young lady! You know the medicine you’re taking says to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and artificial light! I’m not letting you get yourself get even more sick!” Hazaka scolded, covering her daughter up and turning out the light.


“I’ll send someone with some food in a bit. You just rest.” she ordered, opening the door to exit but then looked to Gaara who was sitting at Koneko’s bedside. “I hate to have to ask you this, Gaara. But can you please keep an eye on my stubborn fool of a daughter?” she asked, her signature sugar sweet smile in place.


Gaara looked to Hazaka and nodded. “I will make sure she stays here.” he said, turning his attention back to his catty friend who held the center of her chest, a look of pain on her face.


Hazaka left, a reassuring smile cast to Gaara telling him that the young kunoichi would be just fine. But, Gaara couldn’t stop the worried look on his face as he was restraining himself from holding her, anything to try and give her some comfort.


Konekomaru saw this and looked to Gaara, “I’m fine, Gaa-kun.” she told him, smiling through what might have been immense pain.


Gaara sighed and moved to sit next to her, “Don’t lie to me, Koneko. Scoot over.” he told her, noticing how slow she was moving. ‘She’s in that great of pain?’ he wondered, feeling bad now.


Gaara set himself beside the aching girl, hand still to her chest. And he heard her breathing change. Gaara frowned as he put an arm around her, and holding her to his body. “Please, just rest, Konekomaru.” he commanded in a soft tone, holding her in a firm embrace.


She just nodded, her eyes growing heavy as she let her head rest on Gaara’s chest, nuzzling out of instinct as one would a pillow. This made Gaara smile and chuckle softly as he watched Konekomaru fall asleep.


He leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead, “Sweet dreams, my little Koneko.” he whispered, feeling like taking a small nap with her.


Temari and Kankuro finally found Konekomaru’s room, Temari knocking softly. The two looked at each other and Kankuro just opened the door.


Temari just covered Kankuro’s mouth before he could ruin the moment. “Look…he’s asleep. For the first time in years, Kankuro.” she whispered, smiling at how happy her brother looked.


Kankuro smiled as well. Neither of them ever saw a smile of happiness on Gaara. And here he was, holding someone he cared for with the kindest smile of joy on his face.


“Let’s not disturb them.” Kankuro whispered, leaving the room.


“Pleasant dreams, Gaara.” she smiled and left. But, not before snapping a picture of the sleeping couple.