"We were talking about the Kiri exams, and Kankuro's next--." Gaara had clearly taken it upon himself to state the obvious in absence of them having anything in common to talk about, but the repetition meant that he was hit with a realisation.

"Kankuro. Who else is on that mission?"

The idea of him being placed with someone else was suddenly, inexplicably irritating. Maybe he had enough time to find whoever it was and arrange an accident.