Title: Castles in the Sand

Authors: DragonQueenSori and Veritalias

Summary: Your typical fairytale: The beautiful princess is kidnapped by the bloodthirsty

beast, and held prisoner in its lair. Except in this case, the princess isn't exactly

beautiful. Or female.

Disclaimer: Naruto, and all things therein, are owned and copyrighted by Masashi

Kishimoto and VIZ media, respectively.

Warning: this story contains slash. This means that there will be boy-on-boy action of

the Neji/Gaara variety. The pairing is not up for deliberation; readers who dislike

this pairing or slash in general are welcome to leave now.

Chapter 1

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Kankurou asked, fidgeting slightly. The wooden puppet he held in his lap had been specially painted for the occasion; Kankurou's own face paint had been supplanted with blush and lipstick.

"Of course it is." Temari frowned at him, and reached over to whack him on the head with one of the flower-patterned china teacups. "See how happy Gaara is?"

Kankurou shot a sideways glance at his younger brother, who was rocking back and forth with his arms clasped about him protectively. Gaara was not wearing any of Temari's make-up, but the dark circles around his eyes were dark enough to fool anyone but his siblings.

He turned back to Temari, and shook his head silently.

"Well, he is," Temari huffed. "Spending time with family is important, especially after what happened to Uncle Yashamaru."

Gaara began to mumble unintelligible phrases, and his rocking motions increased dramatically.

"There, there," Temari cooed, patting Gaara on the sand shield that appeared around the distraught child when she came near. "I know you miss Uncle Yashamaru. We all do."

This did not seem to placate Gaara in the least, and eventually Temari abandoned the endeavor in favor of rescuing the last of the biscuits from Kankurou. Kankurou retaliated by shattering one of the teacups, and soon Temari's carefully organized tea ceremony had degenerated into a minor brawl between the two siblings.

When they separated, Temari had a shallow cut above her eye that bled sluggishly, Kankurou's eye had nearly swollen shut, and Gaara had apparently taken no notice of the proceedings. Shards of the broken teacup decorated the floor and table.

"That's it, I guess," Temari mumbled as she bent down to sweep up the detritus. "I'm sorry, Kankurou, Gaara... I just wanted to spend some time with you, with my family..." She trailed off blankly, and Kankurou watched with a sort of morbid fascination as she lifted a hand to wipe fiercely at her eyes. "You don't have to stay with me if you don't want..."

"No!" Kankurou shouted hastily, then quieted. "I mean, yes, we'll stay, Temari. We can do whatever you want. Family is important!"

"You'll stay?" Temari looked up at him through her bangs, and tears glittered at the corners of her eyes. "You mean it?"

"Yeah," Kankurou said gruffly, trying and failing to appear unaffected by his sister's tears.

"And... and you won't complain? You'll do what I ask?"

"Whatever you want, Temari."

"Great!" The tears vanished abruptly, and Temari bounced to her feet, abandoning the dustpan and brush on the floor. She grinned cheerfully at her brother's dumbfounded look. "I know what we can do!" She bounded out of the room, and bounced back in a moment later, book in hand.

Kankurou glanced skeptically at the book's title. "Aren't you a bit old for fairy-tales, Temari?"

"Not for me, silly, for Gaara! You see how devastated he is... he obviously needs something to cheer him up!"

Kankurou took a moment to silently and motionlessly express his disbelief through several complex eye maneuvers.

"Don't you roll your eyes at me!" Temari scolded, opening her book. "Sit down next to Gaara so I can start." She took a seat on the couch, and began to read aloud.

Gaara listened attentively to the story, eyes wider than usual. The complex plot and witty dialogue kept him spellbound, as Temari wove her web of words.

"And then the hero said to the monster, 'You will pay for kidnapping my one true love!' and he smote him with his katana, killing the monster instantly. The princess ran out of her tower, and they kissed passionately. They then got married and lived happily ever after."

"That story sucks," Kankurou grumbled. "Read something more interesting."

"Fine," Temari sniffed. "In that case, how about this one..."

Gaara tuned out the rest of the conversation in favor of talking to his protector. Mother? he called mentally.

There was a small chuckle that came from the recesses of his mind. Yes, my little Gaara? The voice was more of a growl than anything, but somehow managed to pull off a comforting tone.

Mother? About what Temari was saying… Gaara trailed off, not quite sure how to continue. ...about true love.

Mother snorted derisively. What about it?

Gaara continued cautiously; Mother was like Temari, you couldn't predict her sometimes. Does it really exist? Cause the story book said it does, but Uncle Yashamaru–

Gaara was cut off by an angry growl from Mother. Do not speak of that fool. He knew nothing. He said that no one would ever love you, but I love you Gaara. You made mother so happy when you killed those nasty sparrows that kept Mother awake. The comforting tone was edged with pride and Gaara felt his chest swell. Mother was happy with him.

So does this mean that there is such thing as true love? Is there really someone out there that will love me no matter what? Gaara hesitated. Besides you, Mother.

Mother pondered the question for a minute, and Gaara got the impression that she was grinning widely. Yes, there is such thing as true love. But I see no need for you to search for yours.

Gaara cocked his head to the side, confused. But Mother, if I never find my true love, how will I find happiness?

Mother's grin widened, giving the impression that she was bearing her multiple sharp teeth. And who says you need your true love to find happiness? You only seek love because the fools in the village ignore you. You ignore the obvious solution.

What is it, Mother? Gaara asked with a sort of resigned curiosity; he already knew what her answer would be.

Mother's voice dropped; it was now low and eager. You should kill them. Make them pay for hurting you. Make them feel your pain. Mother was laughing now, soft and low and dark, and Gaara shuddered minutely. The metal images he was receiving– of blood running in rivers over his hands, of mutilated organs and shredded skin– brought along with them the tiniest thrill of pleasure, one that Gaara did not want to contemplate just yet.

But, Mother whispered, if you truly desire this, then I have a deal for you. Gaara nodded, he didn't feel as though it would have been safe to utter a noise of any sort. You will tell your idiot of a father that once a month he is to deliver you a princess. A princess of your very own.

Why a princess? Gaara asked, the furrow between his eyebrows deepening in thought.

Only the best for my Gaara, Mother said, with the loving tenderness and the hint of bloodlust that Gaara had come to expect from his mother-figure.

At the end of the month, on the day of the full moon, I will judge her worth. If she is your true love, I will leave her untouched. If not– Mother's voice trailed of a low chuckle, accompanied by the memory of soft skin tearing easily under sharp claws of sand –let us just say that there will be one less princess in the world. Tell your pitiful excuse for a father that in exchange I will refrain from unleashing my wrath upon this meager village.

Gaara nodded, eyes wide. Thank you, Mother.

Run along now, little Gaara. Your princess is waiting.

Gaara ran.

The Kazekage looked down at the child in front of him, studying him intently. The boy was paler than usual, the rings around his eyes more pronounced. Particles of sand hung suspended in the air around him, shimmering faintly in the fading sunlight.

"A princess?" He rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin. The request was odd, true, but if it kept Gaara from attacking the villagers, it might be worth it. "What will I get from this arrangement? Princesses are rather expensive, you know."

Gaara frowned pensively. "Mother says... Mother says she won't destroy the village. But she gets to kill the princesses who don't love me."

"Very well." The Kazekage's smile did not quite reach his eyes, but Gaara did not notice as he ran out of the office. Once the child was gone, the friendly expression melted into a calculating scowl.

Princesses were expensive, true, but there was no need to go that far for a child that had brought nothing to the village but pain and suffering. After all, how would Gaara know the difference between a normal girl and a princess? There were many poor or desperate families who would be willing to give up their daughters in return for some money or food. And as long as Gaara remained satisfied, the demon Shukaku would not terrorize his people.

It was a win-win situation, really.

Authors Notes:

One fine morning, I was suddenly hit with inspiration to write a Neji/Gaara story. So I came up with a basic plot, and then decided to call up my dear friend Veritalias. We both liked it and decided to do a co-write. And here you have the prologue.

There'll be an explanation of what we did to the timeline in the next chapter. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Please Review!