Kankuro hitched the mummified form on his back a little higher, evening out the weight with a small huff of noise. He had just excused himself from a small, hushed discussion with his father and a few council members, and was making his way toward his room with the detail of his next mission folded in his hand when he passed his younger sibling.

He couldn't quite pin-point the last time he'd seen Gaara, but it had been at least a few days.

He tightened his grip on the bandages around his shoulders, the paper of his missive crushed in his hand, and his eyebrows dipped to deepen his firm scowl. He wasn't even aware he was holding his breath as he passed.