Gemini proceeded to take her dishes to the sink, where she rinsed them off to be washed later. "Well, I'm all done. I think I'll practice reading a bit for a while." She said.

The Sand trio took their respective dishes to the sink and repeated the action that the vixen did just a few seconds before them before going to do their respective things. ”Kankuro…can I speak with you for a moment?” Gaara asked, though his older brother knew it was anything but a question.

Temari nodded as she overheard Gemini. ”If you need any help, I’ll be in my room,” Temari said, wanting to double check and make sure her weapon of choice was in full working condition. Just like her perverted brother’s puppets, her fan also needed maintenance every once in a while.

Gemini nodded. "I will. Thank you!" She said happily as she headed for her room. She didn't pay any attention to Kankuro.

"Don't mention it," Temari replied before she went to her own room, having a feeling that Gaara was going to threaten Kankuro with his sand to lay off Gemini

Just before Gemini got to her room, her curiosity got the better of her, and she turned around to go and spy on Gaara and Kankuro.

"Alright alright, I get it. No more picking on your girlfriend," Kankuro replied after Gaara created a sand tendril and sent it speeding towards Kankuro, narrowly missing his manly bits.

"Glad we could come to an understanding nii-kun." Gaara replied.

Gemini watched from around a corner, barely suppressing the laughter that was shaking her small frame. She felt a little bad, but it was just so much fun to see Kankuro scared.

"You do realize, my little fox, that I know you're there?" Gaara said with a slight smirk. He was bluffing, but she didn't need to know that...

Gemini's ears perked up, but she stayed silent. There was no way he could actually know. He had to be bluffing. And even if he's not, it won't really matter anyway... She thought.

(why wouldn't it matter?)

(('Cause it's just for fun and she would eventually reveal herself anyway.))

(ah. was a little confused...)

Gaara chuckled softly to himself before sending a small tendril of sand to sneak up behind her before transforming into a clone of him. Once the clone was complete, it poked her on the shoulder.

((Oh, no fair!!))

Gemini noticed the sand instantly, and turned around, waiting for the clone to form. Once it did, she smiled and waved at it before transforming into her fox form and dashing around the corner to jump on the real Gaara.

(But luv, all is fair in love and war...)

Gaara chuckled lightly as he let Gemini jump on top of him. "You're getting good at that henshin of yours," Gaara said before placing her on his shoulder, knowing that she would be more comfortable there.

((True facts...you win this time.))

Gemini made a small happy sound as she settled onto his shoulder. She decided to try something out that she had thought of earlier. Gaara-kun, can you hear me? She directed her thoughts at him, hoping she would be able to make a connection. The idea had come to her from a book she was reading earlier that day. If it worked, communicating in that form would be a whole lot easier.

Gaara was finishing cleaning up the kitchen, a small smile on his face as he heard her make a small happy sound. After finishing up, he was about to head to his room before hearing Gemini...or so he thought. "Gemini?" he asked, confused.

Gemini was overjoyed. It had worked! Yes, it's me! I'm so glad this worked! Now I can talk to you even in fox form! She thought to him, her small form shifting as she looked up at him.

Gaara was surprised to hear Gemini's voice, but was still unsure as to how this was happening...before smacking himself in the head. 'Of course that's how it works. Jeez am I slow...' he responded mentally.

Gemini laughed, both mentally and out loud. But you're cute, so it's okay. I'm going to change back now. She told him before jumping down and transforming back into her human form. She grinned widely at him. "That will make things so much easier. I can't believe it worked!"

Gaara just shook his head at that. "Well, that does definitely make things easier. Perhaps I should register you as my ninken?" he teased, getting her back for the 'cute' comment.

Gemini laughed. "No one would ever buy that. Ninken are dogs, and I am clearly a fox." She said, striking an exaggerated "sexy" pose. "So, were you bluffing or did you really know I was there?"

Gaara blinked at the pose she was doing for a second before turning back to finish his task. It was petty of him, but he did it so as to get back at her for the 'cute' comment. "I've heard of exceptions being made from time to time, for both foxes and cats," he replied.

Gemini frowned when he didn't react to her pose, or reply to her question, and walked over to him. "Is something wrong, Gaara-kun? You're acting like I hurt your feelings."

"You didn't hurt my feelings, honest. Though to answer your question from earlier...sometimes being a jinchuuriki has it's positives," he said while tapping his nose as a smirk started to form on his face.

Gemini smiled, though she was sure he was keeping something from her. "Oh, I know all about that perk." She said. Something struck her then. "You know...when I said you were cute, I meant it as a compliment." She said, wondering if that was the problem.