This is my first Naruto fan fiction so if you could review after you read the chapter I would really appreciate it. Thanks. Also, this story is told from more than one point of view, so I'll be sure to let you know when it switches.

Kasami's POV, age 6

I sat on the floor in our temporary apartment in the Hidden Sand Village. My sister Naomi, had business to attend to. That's all she had told me before leaving me here on my own. We had just arrived in the village yesterday and though I should have been tired from the long trek from our home in the Hidden Leaf Village, I was eager to go out and explore.

"We can look around when I get back." Naomi had promised but I had no idea when she would be returning. I grab my bag and rummage inside until I find a small box and a sketch pad. I open the box and pull out several small jars of paints, lining them up neatly in front of me. Taking a brush in my hand, I stare at a blank sheet in the pad, trying to think of something to paint.

I was quite a good painter even for someone so young. It wasn't my favorite thing to do but I still liked it. I thought for a while but could not think of anything to paint so I looked around the apartment for inspiration. I found a small pot and planted myself in front of it. It wasn't hard to paint at all and in no time I was finished. I tore the page out of the sketch book and stepped outside to hang it up to dry.

It was hot here. But then I was in a desert. I went to clip the painting onto a clothes line that hung nearby, but realizing that I couldn't reach, went back inside to fetch a chair to stand on. When I was satisfied that the painting would not be blown down, I gazed around, taking in the scenery. Our apartment was near the center of the village and right across the makeshift road was a park.

There were kids there, laughing and kicking a ball around. It seemed like fun and I wanted to join them but I knew I couldn't. Instead I ran back inside and grabbed my painting supplies. Setting up the chair so I could sit facing the park, I started to paint the kids. It was difficult since they were running around, but I managed to create a reasonable image. As I was about to hang the second painting on the clothes line, I noticed a little boy, my age, that was sitting alone on the swing set. He had spiky hair that was a deep red color and seemed to be really upset. I thought he might be crying but I was too far away to see.

A strange feeling crept up my spine as I gazed at him. I felt like running back into the house and barring the doors and windows, but I also felt the need to run to him and hug him. I wasn't sure why, but I decided on the latter. I was about to step into the street when I heard Naomi's voice.

"Kasami, you shouldn't be outside, you might get hurt."

She stormed over to me and grabbed my hand, dragging me back to the door.

"I know Naomi I was just painting. Besides, you said that we could look around when you got back."

She sighed. "I know, but I have too much paperwork to do. Maybe tomorrow ok?"

I could feel my lips forming a pout. But an idea popped into my head, "Can I just go over to the park then? I promise not to do anything to difficult. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..." I continued until she threw her arms up, exasperated. "Fine, but don't blame me when you break a leg." I bounced up and down on my toes, not wanting to cause to much stress on my legs by jumping for joy, and clapped my hands softly. As I headed across the street Naomi called out to me, "Come back in an hour."

"OK." I shouted back to her and strode purposefully over to the boy on the swing. The other children noticed me and one of them stepped into my path. "Hey, you shouldn't go near him. My dad says he's dangerous; that he's some kind of monster."

I just rolled my eyes at him. "He's just a boy and your father doesn't seem very nice." I push past him and he makes no more effort to stop me, though he and the rest of the children kept their gazes on me as I approached the boy on the swing set. He glanced up at me as I approached then quickly looked back down, but not before I had noticed a wave of emotions; surprise, caution, and fear. Seeing these only made me more determined to speak to him thought the urge to run was still present. I stopped in front of him.

"Hi."

He didn't reply.

"What's your name?"

He lifted his head to look at me, confusion, distorting his features, "Why do you care?"

I felt a look of confusion cross my face as well, "Just curious. Are you going to tell me?"

"Gaara."

I grinned triumphantly. "It's nice to meet you Gaara. I'm Kasami."

"That's a pretty name."

I blushed slightly, "Thank you. Why are you swinging by yourself?"

"No one wants to play with me."

"Why not"

"Because I'm a monster and no one loves me."

My expression switched back to curious.

"You aren't a monster, you're a boy. Just like those boys playing over there.

"Everyone thinks I'm dangerous."

I crossed my arms over my chest, frustrated. "I don't think that."

His eyes widened with surprise and he just stared at me so I continued.

"And what makes you think that you aren't loved? I'm sure your parents love you. Right?"

He thought for a minute, "My uncle might."

"Well that's a start."

I sat on the swing next to him, aware of the other children still staring at me with frightened looks. I stuck my tongue out at them and they slowly resumed their game.

"Well Gaara, if they won't play with you then I will." Once again he only stared. "What do you like to play?" I asked him. He shrugged.

I thought for a moment before an idea came to me. "Be right back." I darted back towards the apartment and pushed the door open. Naomi was sitting at the desk with numerous scrolls laid out before her. She looked up when I entered. "Back already Kasami?"

I shook my head, "Just grabbing my paints. I'll be back soon though." She nodded and resumed her work as I grabbed my supplies and went back to Gaara.

When I reached him, I laid the paints out on the ground and summoned him over. He knelt beside me and I tore a sheet out of the sketch pad for him. "Have you ever painted before?" He shook his head slowly and I grinned. "I'll teach you then."

Over the next hour, we sat and painted houses, and people and all sorts of other things. Gaara was frustrated at first because his paintings weren't as good as mine, but when I explained that it wasn't about how the painting looked, he began to relax and I think he even enjoyed himself.

I felt a presence over me and turned to see Naomi, striding over to us. Looking around, it dawned on me that it was getting dark. "Kasami, you were supposed to be back over an hour ago." I lowered my head and stared at the ground. "I know Naomi. I'm sorry. We were having fun and I lost track of time."

Naomi glanced at the boy next to me. "You're Gaara right? The Kazekage's son?" He nodded. "Well it's nice to finally meet you. Thank you for playing with Kasami but she needs to come home now."

I gathered up the paints and brushes then faced Gaara. "Will you be here tomorrow?" He simply shrugged so I told him that I would be here and that if he wanted to play again, he could come. Naomi led me back to the apartment door, but just before I stepped inside, I glanced back to see him hanging his head sadly and walking away.

Naomi made dinner for me and when I had finished, she tucked me into bed. "Kasami, I won't jump to conclusions like everyone else in this village. I know that Gaara probably doesn't want to hurt anyone. But just be careful around him, ok?"

When I asked her why she reminded me of Naruto. "This boy is kind of like him. They are both lonely they just have different ways of coping. They have monsters inside them, beasts that if let loose, would hurt a lot of innocent people. I don't want you to get hurt Kasami, but I won't force you to stay away from him. That wouldn't be fair to either of you."

I didn't quite hear all of the last part as I drifted off to sleep, but I knew that Naomi wouldn't warn me if she had no real reason to. I'd be careful around Gaara, but I'd still be his friend.

Over the next few days, Naomi would go off in the mornings to do whatever work had to be done and I would meet Gaara at the park. Naomi had purchased a ball for us to play with and on this particular day, I was kicking it between my feet, waiting for Gaara to arrive. I waited for an hour and was about to head back in when he appeared. I ran up to him, "Gaara where have you been, I've been waiting for you, Naomi bought us a ball so we…"

I noticed the wetness under his eyes, "Gaara, why are you crying?"

"Because there really isn't anyone who loves me."

I huffed and crossed my arms, "This again? I thought you said your uncle loves you."

He shook his head but said nothing more.

"Well I'm your friend and I love you."

Shock registered on his face, but it slowly melted into disbelief then he glared at me.

"No you don't. You're lying! I don't have any friends."

I glared right back at him, then grabbed his hand and dragged him over to when I'd left the paints and the ball. Grabbing the red paint, I dipped a finger in and began to write on his forehead. After a minute I pulled away, satisfied with my work. The word "Love" was now clearly printed on his face. "There, see? I gave my love to you Gaara. You can carry it around wherever you go now."

His features once again took on a look of shock. "Why would you do that?"

"Because you're my friend Gaara and I care about you. Don't you ever forget that ok. Even when I leave."

"You're leaving?"

"My sister has finished her mission and we need to head back to our village."

A look of such intense sadness crossed his face and I wished that we could stay a little longer. I touched his shoulder lightly, "Promise you won't forget Gaara?"

He promised that he wouldn't and our day went on as usual. When it was time for me to go, I wrapped my arms around Gaara and hugged him. At first he wasn't sure how to react but after a moment, he returned the gesture. I collected my things then, after a moment, handed him the painting supplies. "You keep these. I can get more." As I gazed at him, I felt tears begin to pool in my eyes. "Bye Gaara. I hope we meet again."

He was silent and I gave him a small smile and turned to head back to the apartment. I wasn't sure I it was my imagination or not but as I walked away, I thought I heard him speak.

"I hope so too."

Naomi and I left early the next morning. I had kind of hoped that Gaara would show up to see me off, but he didn't. As we made our way out into the desert, I wished that someday I would see my friend again.

Chapter 1 COMPLETE! If you could review that would be awesome. THANKS!