DANCE / MOONLIGHT

Though they were more accustomed to seeing Temari more often around Konoha, Chouji was still surprised by the tenderness she expressed in response to their little run-in.   Internally, they’re a little ashamed that they still expected to the cold, callous person she was in their younger years.  If Chouji had changed to be bolder, braver, then Temari could change to be softer, kinder.  The hand on their shoulder is welcomed.

Chouji gives a smile filled with mirth at her statement, not sure if she was joking or not.  Though they imagine it’s true— That it takes a lot to knock this powerful Kunoichi over. “Yeah, m’good.”   

They live their large palm, relief flashing in their eyes to see that the insect remains unharmed.  “This one seems t’be okay, too.”  They lift their gaze to reach Temari’s, although they find that she, too, is interested in the small insect.  They wonder what her opinion of the whole situation is. 

“Ermm.. I’m trying to get ‘em to a meadow or something.” Their grin turns nervous.  “So they can bundle up n’ become a butterfly like its s’posed to.”

She recalled, vaguely, that Chouji has a justsu that resembles a butterfly emerging from its cocoon and wonders if they have a special fondness for the insects because of it, or if it’s just part of their general charm. It doesn’t matter either way, valuing life  ( no matter how small )  speaks volumes --- though, historically, that’s something Temari has struggled with.

It’s hard to value life when one grows up putting the mission before all else.

She was working on it.

@contractaes​ || Starter Call || Verse: I have died everyday waiting for you

“Mhmm what time is it?” Mamoru was still rather groggy as he walked out of his bedroom in search of Usagi. Normally he would feel lit when she slipped out form under the covers, but he clearly had been far more exhausted than he originally thought from the battle the day before.

Once he had successfully rubbed some of the sleep out of his eyes, he moved to wrap his arms around Usagi, seeing out the warmth that had left his bed far too soon. “Is everything alright?” he asked softly, placing a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his sleep deprived brain still very much on auto pilot.

She wasn’t sure what had woken her, exactly, all Usagi knew was that she’d found herself gazing up at the full moon from the living room window. One of Mamoru’s shirts swallowed her petite form, falling nearly to her knees and making it much more convenient to fiddle with until she felt arms wrap around her.

@contractaes​ || Starter Call || Verse: TBA

“How has she been holding up? Truly…” He knew that Usagi didn’t always tell him everything, always determined to handle every burden on her own if she could, and though she was incredibly capable.. still he worried, he wanted to help ease her burden, and he figured if anyone knew a place to start, it would be Rei.

              “Oh— I’m really sorry! Are you all right?”  One of Chouji’s large hands shoots forward to steady the person they’d bumped into.  

      And bumping into someone was not something Chouji did.  Ever.  It was ingrained into their brain as a child that they should always be hyperaware of their surroundings.  Yet there they were, bumping into a person because they’d done the exact opposite of what they’d been taught to do–  Instead of being hyperaware of everything, they had hyper-focused on one tiny thing: A little caterpillar cradled in their palm.  

               “Are you hurt?”  They continue to question the person, a nervous sweat beading their brow and a painful, anxious knot beginning to form in their stomach.  “I was too focused on protecting this little guy.”  Gingerly, they present the tiny insect.  It crawls safely ‘round in their palm.

              But a frown still forms on Chouji’s lips; They’re not happy with themselves.  “That was really careless.  I can’t call myself a protector if I’m a danger to others; Not even to this little caterpillar. Mmm. .”  A nervous hum ends their mumbled statement.

There’s still something so. . .  odd about the softness Temari sees in the leaf shinobi. As she’s grown, and become more familiar with konoha, its people and customs, she’s come to understand it all a little better. There’s less of a visceral reaction to the idea of shinobi who cry, who can openly express emotions, but to say she doesn’t still do a double take would be a lie.

So when Chouji bumps into her -- her fault to begin with, she should have been paying attention -- and as she watches the anxiety form in their eyes, she can’t help but wonder what it would be like if all the villages were more like this one. It’s not a thought worth pursuing, though, and after a moment she reaches out and lays a hand as gently as she can atop their shoulder, like she might if she was standing in her living room back home and she was with one of her brothers. It helps her channel the softer parts of herself, she’s found, the parts that make her easier to swallow for the leaf nin.

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