NS

Destiny spent most of her childhood inside the northern compound, surrounded by guards, instructors, and sealing masters. She was told about Gaara but forbidden from contacting him. She felt him constantly. When Yashamaru attempted to kill Gaara, eight-year-old Destiny awoke screaming as phantom kunai wounds tore across her body. She stumbled from her bedroom and confronted the shinobi guarding her door. “Something happened to him.” “No one has reported an incident.” “You’re lying.” “Return to your room, Destiny.” She lifted her shirt, revealing the bruises spreading across her stomach. “Then explain these.” The guard stared in horror. Destiny’s eyes filled with tears. “He thinks nobody loves him.” Her voice trembled. “I can feel it.” “You cannot go to him.” “He’s my brother!” “You have orders—” “I don’t care about your orders!” Crimson chakra exploded from her body. Sealing chains slammed into the walls, cracking the stone around them. Miles away, Gaara sat alone beside Yashamaru’s body. For just one fleeting moment, warmth moved through his chest. A voice he had never heard whispered inside his mind. You aren’t alone. Gaara looked around desperately. “Who said that?” But Destiny had already been restrained, and the connection disappeared. ⸻ The Fox-Masked Protector Destiny grew into an elite shinobi and secretly began protecting Gaara during his missions. He never saw her face, only the white fox mask she wore. During the Chūnin Exams, she followed Gaara to Konoha from the shadows. When Shukaku began overwhelming him during his battle with Naruto, Destiny nearly tore off her mask and ran to him. Kakashi caught her wrist. “If you interfere now, your existence will be exposed.” “He’s losing himself.” “Then trust Naruto.” “He’s my brother. How am I supposed to stand here and watch?” Kakashi glanced toward the battlefield. “Because sometimes saving someone doesn’t mean fighting their battle for them.”