Author's Note: Hi everyone, I decided to write a fanfic about Gaara and his love experience. I hope you enjoy it. And because I'm still catching up on Naruto Shippuden (it's been a long time since I watched/ read it), please note that ** this story takes place after Gaara returns to Sunagakure after having Shukaku extracted from him. **

Prologue: The Kazekage Returns

"Don't go near him!"

"He'll eat you!"

"Why won't he die?"

"Look at his eyes…"

"Don't look at his eyes! He'll kill you!"

"He's a threat to all of us!"

Those were the words and murmur I grew up with. Why… why….why won't they leave me alone?

My eyes shot open as I felt beads of sweat trickling down my back. The sun's rays were shinning into my room as I made my way towards the bathroom. I knew why… because he was coming back… our Kazekage…

I quickly drank a cup of milk and closed the door behind me. The streets were empty and almost silent, except for a few shinobis that were moving about. Everyone has gone to the cleft (which was the entrance to our village) to wait for his return. It was almost frightening to see how quickly everyone changed their views on him. For some, they were relieved that he was no longer carrying Shukaku within him. For others, they were relieved that our Kazekage is still alive (after all, who will protect our village?). Still, there were some that continue to resent him for what he did, and for becoming Kazekage at such an early age. However, those people never went to challenge him.

I took my place at the top and stared out into the vast amount of sand. The sun continued to shine brightly as a gust of warm air gently kissed my face. I looked down and saw Baki and the other shinobis waiting eagerly for his return.

Suddenly, the little boy next to me tugged on his mother's sleeve and whispered, "Is that them?"

I looked out into the horizon and saw dots of orange, black, pink, white, green and beige. Most importantly, I saw red. My right hand clenched into a fist as the dot of red drew closer. People started cheering loudly around me and began to descend to the bottom. I remained in my position as I saw him limp closer to us. He didn't look weak, just a little bit exhausted.

As I closed my eyes to pray for Chiyo oba-san, my heart and emotions felt conflicted at the same time. I was grateful that she revived Gaara, yet at the same time, I hated myself for partially wishing she hadn't.

For his existence is the living proof of my cowardliness…