"Gaara! You're such a good guy!"
Rock Lee burst into tears of excitement and threw his arms around Gaara.
Caught in that crushing embrace, Gaara's eyes went wide!
"Lee!"
Tenten struck the back of Rock Lee's neck with a knife-hand chop!
Rock Lee quickly released his arms, allowing Gaara to breathe again.
"We were going to take you around Konoha, but now..."
With his Byakugan activated, Neji gave Gaara's chakra pathways a quick examination.
"There's no damage to the core of your chakra system, but you still can't get out of bed and walk..."
Gaara didn't mind. He smiled with narrowed eyes, reassuring everyone.
"It's fine. I can explore Konoha the next time I get a chance."
"Gaara..."
"Who says you can't look around just because you can't walk?"
Fū's voice rang out, and everyone turned toward the lively girl.
"I can carry Gaara on my back and fly!"
They exchanged glances, and Kankuro looked at Temari.
Temari wasn't looking at anyone. She clasped Fū's little hands, her face brimming with joy.
"Fū! You're such a sweet girl!"
"What's wrong, Temari? Why are you suddenly saying that?"
Temari promptly placed Gaara on Fū's back.
"Come on, let's see if this works first!"
Gaara's brow furrowed slightly.
"Temari, wouldn't this be too much trouble for her?"
"It's fine! Gaara doesn't get to visit Konoha very often, right?
I'd be sad too if Gaara couldn't come explore Konoha with me!"
"Fū..."
Gaara looked at Fū's profile. Her smile was bright and sunny.
"Stop turning us down. We're friends!"
Wings sprouted from Fū's back, avoiding Gaara's body.
They fluttered lightly and rapidly, and the two began to rise smoothly!
Then they hovered steadily in the air without the slightest wobble!
"You're so steady!"
"Gaara, how does it feel?"
"Well..."
*The flight is certainly