Late into the evening, as the scattered shop lights begin to flicker out across the village, Lee knocks out a rhythmic tune on the door to the Kazekage's office. (This being after he had managed to convince the Suna jounin captain on duty to let him into the building. That had —

— been a long twenty minutes.) "Gaara! I apologise for showing up unannounced-" He briefly looks away from the closed door at the Captain, who was standing a short way down the hall, waiting to escort him out. Lee didn't want to be rushed, but then he was lucky to have —

— gotten this far on such short notice. "Uh- do you have a moment?" @SunaNoTensai

"Yes, I can attest to that! I was listening in as well." x.com/ShinjanodaYako…

Does not understand it, either. If Kiba wanted to listen in too, all he had to do was ask! x.com/ShinjanodaYako…

—??! Sweats a little.... x.com/DynamicMarker/…

Holds hands up— "Er... I would rather avoid it, if possible." x.com/DynamicMarker/…

Rubs his neck. "I didn't realize you had felt so left out, Kiba. We will be sure to invite you the next time!" x.com/DynamicMarker/…

"WHA-- I- Was I not clear?" Confused! "I only meant that we did not mean to exclude you from hanging out with us. I, er- I did not think it would upset you this much. Please accept my apology." x.com/DynamicMarker/…

Looks a bit sheepish. " ...Oh. Well, if that's the case - forgive me - I still do not understand what it is that upset you." x.com/DynamicMarker/…

—HUH?? "Fiancé?! Kiba, I was not aware of— th- this is splendid news!!" x.com/DynamicMarker/…

"I, ah, have not been paying close enough attention to tell you for certain. But this is big news! Love is a joyous part of youth!" ✨ x.com/DynamicMarker/…

[ I usually let my typos slide and just silently suffer but accidentally typing 'pepe' instead of 'pep' crosses the line 🐸🚫]

"There is no shame in resourcefulness! 👍✨ It was an inspiring quote to copy, Sai!" x.com/NakamaNoSai/st…

"—Strenuous training?! That is wonderful, Sai! An excellent way to show your admiration for someone who is precious to you!" x.com/NakamaNoSai/st…

Sneezes—

✨ HOPES EVERYONE IS HAVING A SPLENDID DAY AND EMBRACING THEIR YOUTH TO THE FULLEST✨

And hopes a particular Sand shinobi is having an especially good day!

"But— how is it you do not get pricked?" Lee asks this as he pokes one of the cacti and, well, gets pricked. He yelps and pulls back, cradling the punctured finger. A sheepish grin follows. "I imagine it is difficult to move them from one pot to another." @SunaNoTensai