This is the first part out of three. Dedicated to Gaara's Desert Rose.

Hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

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"Misaki! Time to get up."

Five-year-old Misaki slowly crawled out of bed. "Coming!" She nearly tripped over one of her stuffed animals lying on the floor. She brushed her hair a bit with her fingers as she went.

She ran downstairs and rushed into the kitchen. She could smell her breakfast.

As quick as she could she sat down at the table. "Morning mommy, morning daddy." She said cheerfully.

"Can I go to the playground today?"

"All by yourself?" Her mother said with a concerned look on her face.

Misaki nodded. "I am a big girl now. I am already five years old."

Her father laughed. "You sure are. Of course you can."

"Just don't go too far and don't talk to strangers." Her mother added smiling.

Misaki's smile widened and she giggled. "I know."

Once she had finished her breakfast she hopped off her chair and she took off running.

"Wait a second Misaki." Her mother walked up to her. "I'll come pick you up in an hour or so, okay?"

"Yes mommy." She gave her mother a kiss on the cheek and waved at her father, who returned the gesture.

As she arrived at the playground she saw a group of kids playing. On the side sat a boy, all by himself. She joined in a couple of games of tag and a couple of games of hide and seek. The boy however, didn't join in their games.

In another game of hide and seek she hid behind the tree. From there she could watch him. He looked so lonely. She didn't understand why no one wanted to play with him. Quickly she turned away when he caught her staring. With sad eyes he looked away.

The other kids kept calling him names. They called him a monster. Couldn't they see that they were hurting him? She was just about to go to him when someone called out to her.

"Misaki are you coming?"

"Okay." She ran towards her mother, not noticing a pair of eyes following her.

"Did you have fun today?" Her mother asked as they walked away.

"I guess. Mommy…" She looked up with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"What is it?"

"There was this boy sitting there all alone. No one wanted to play with him."

"What boy?" Her mother frowned.

"Over there." She pointed at him.

"Misaki! How many times have I told you it's not polite to point at people?"

"Sorry." Misaki hung her head.

Her mother turned to look at the boy and gasped. "That is Gaara. Stay away from him Misaki."

"But why mommy?"

"He is nothing but trouble." Her mother picked up the pace and she ran a bit to keep up.

'Gaara…' Misaki repeated in her head, sneaking another glance at the boy.

When it was time to get ready for bed she looked out of the window. For some reason she couldn't forget Gaara. Silently she made a promise to herself. She would talk to him tomorrow. 'I don't care what mommy says. He just needs a friend.' She jumped on her bed and was fast asleep by the time her mother came to tuck her in.

She smiled as she watched her daughter sleep. Gently she brushed a strand of hair out of Misaki's face. Her husband stood behind her, embracing her. "How time flies, it seems almost like yesterday that she was born." She whispered.

He nodded in agreement as if not to wake his little girl up.

>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

The next morning…

"But mommy… Why can't I go to the playground by myself?"

"I don't want you anywhere near that boy. He is dangerous."

"I am a big girl." Misaki huffed.

Her mother shook her head smiling and then she hugged her. "I just don't want anything to happen to you. Alright, you can go by yourself, but I am walking you there and I want you to be extra careful."

Misaki cheered and jumped up and down enthusiastically. "Don't worry mommy. I will."

Waving at her mother who had walked her to the playground, she went to sit by the tree. As soon as she was sure her mother had gone away she looked around searching for a certain redhead. She squealed happily when she saw him. He was sitting alone… Again.

'But not for long.' She thought to herself as she plopped down next to him, smiling at him.

He looked shocked and clutched his teddy.

"Hi." She said, still smiling. "I'm Misaki. How come you're not playing with the others?"

"I'm Gaara. No one wants to play with me." He replied, looking down at his feet.

She frowned then smiled again. "I do." She giggled and held out her hand.

His head shot up, eyes intently watching her as if to make sure she was telling the truth. Smiling slightly he took her hand.

She ran off, pulling him with her towards the sandbox. She started to build a castle, or at least something that was supposed to resemble a castle. Until it came crashing down. Sniffing slightly she looked ready to cry at the sight of the destruction of her masterpiece.

Gaara looked at Misaki and then looked back at the remains of her castle. "Don't cry." He began to focus on the sand and it started to move slowly taking form.

Misaki watched the scene unfold with wide eyes. She watched her castle rise again and how it became almost like a real miniature castle. She hugged him. "That is so amazing. I wish I could do something like that."

He blushed, unsure of how to react. "Thanks. Most people fear me because of it though." He looked sad again.

She hugged him again. "I don't." Playing with a strand of her hair she gave him a quick peck on the cheek before pulling away blushing.

Shocked he turned to look at her. His hand went up to his cheek.

"I've got to go for now. My mom is coming to pick me up. Bye." She waved and ran off.

"Bye." He said softly, but she could no longer hear it.

Misaki ran towards her mother. "Hey mommy."

Her mother didn't respond, instead she looked angry with her.

"Mommy?"

"I thought I told you to stay away from him."

Misaki looked behind her to see that Gaara was standing close by, watching them.

"But mommy…"

"No buts… We're going."

"But he is really nice mommy."

Her mother looked at her in surprise. "I don't care. I do not want you anywhere near that monster."

Gaara stood there with tears in his eyes. He had heard every word.

As her mother pulled her along she glanced back at him. He was still standing there. He looked so hurt, if only she could hug him again to make that look on his face go away. She waved slightly before being pulled forward again.

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I'll always remember
It was late afternoon
It lasted forever
And ended to soon
You were all by yourself
Staring up at a dark grey sky
And I was changed

In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized that forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry

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This was from a song called Cry by Mandy Moore. I really loved the song and it gave me a bit of inspiration. Anywayz, I hoped you liked it so far.

Read & Review

Cya ;)