Author's Notes: I wrote this on June 2, 2005, as a tribute to Gaara, because I felt sad about how the abduction thing turned out. Based completely on the manga. I told myself I would revise it because I wrote it rather hastily and it was kind of vague and choppy and sounded like I was trying too hard to be poetic, but I didn't – mainly because I liked how it turned out, and because I couldn't quite put myself to dissect something I've written as a tribute to a favorite character. I've had it on paper for two years, and decided it's about time I posted it online. This is told in Gaara's perspective, hence it is written entirely in italics. Ellipsis abuse ahead, and SPOILERS FOR NARUTO SHIPPUDEN! Scroll down if you want to read further. Love, thanks, and virtual hugs to all who'll read, and read and review.
Disclaimer: Naruto, Gaara, and everything else related belong to Kishimoto Masashi.
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Finale
Where am I?
This place...
So familiar.
This feeling.
Am I...
Dead?
These hands...
Have I come to be needed by anyone at all...?
Why do I even ask?
Why do I even want to be needed?
Pain, suffering, even happiness...
I have learned that,
It is better to experience them with someone
That's why I tried to...change
I am not the same.
The purpose of my existence now,
Is to protect those precious to me
Have I fulfilled
My reason for living?
I am...
I was...
Needed not as a weapon,
But as a protector
Kazekage.
This sensation...
Love.
I think I know now.
-Fin-