Bold: Indicates Gaara's past in the military

Warnings for later in the story: Violence, Mentions of drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape.

Hinata

I let out a satisfied sigh as I sipped on my low-fat decaf coffee. In all honesty, I hated anything "low-fat" and anything "decaf." To tell the truth, I visited Starbucks that morning to order a Caramel Frappuccino with extra whipped cream when I received a call from my father.

"Good morning Father!" I greeted my father with a smile.

"Hinata, good morning," my father answered over the line, "how was moving in? Did Neji stop by to help you? I told him you would need help. I can't depend on that boyfriend of yours to handle all your things on his own." I giggled at my father's doubt.

"Naruto was fine, Father," I retorted, "by the time Neji arrived, Naruto had already moved in all of the heavy things. You know he's an athlete, Father. He's quite strong."

"I don't care if he's a football player, Hinata. He didn't finish college. You know how I feel about you dating someone without a University education. I was already so hesitant when you entered University so early. Now you're dating some muscle head." I winced at my father's recollection of my accelerated education. As a Hyuga, along with my sister and cousin, I had been educated at a much younger age than most children. I was extremely intelligent and had been accepted into a top Ivy League college at the age of 15. Now, at the age of 22, I was a lawyer waiting for my first case. The journey had been difficult, but I wouldn't have changed anything I did. If I hadn't moved to Konoha Country to attend University, I wouldn't have met the love of my life, Naruto Uzumaki, the Shinobi's star running back or my two best friends: Sakura who was also a genius who hailed from a family of neurological surgeons and was now in her third year of surgical residency at the age of 22 and Ino, who was the Heiress of the 5-star hotel, The Garden, and had received her MBA at the age of 20.

In the end, I was now living in a beautiful loft with my two best friends in one of the most sought after apartment building in all of Konoha. Everything was falling into place. I didn't need my father to put down my choice of men. Naruto was amazing.

"Hinata, are you listening?" I heard her father yell through the earpiece I had just put into my ear.

"Y-yes Father!" I stuttered, as I accidentally bumped into someone as I entered the coffee shop. I eyed the frappe a woman who had just received her order was holding, salivating at the prospects of getting a much larger one.

"Also, I hope you've stayed true to your diet." I stilled, "I am sure it was the stresses of law school caused you to gain weight. So I suggest you order something low-fat. Hanabi and I shall video call you later tonight, so keep your laptop on. Good-bye daughter." With that, my father hung up on me. I groaned. How had he known I was getting ready to order coffee? I looked around at the ceiling. It had been like this all my life. My father always knew what I was doing no matter how far away he was. I sighed out and ordered a low-fat decaf coffee.

I walked into my room after I realized that my roommates had yet to return. I was sure Sakura had forced her boyfriend, Sasuke Uchiha, the star quarterback and Naruto's best friend, to take her shopping, and I was sure Ino was running around with her artist of a on and off boyfriend, Sai.

Taking a sip from my coffee, I opened up my laptop. As it loaded up, I toasted a plain bagel and when that was finished, I spread whipped butter on it. Sticking my bagel in my mouth, I unlocked my computer and checked her mail. I had been waiting for my first case for months now, and this had caused me to check my email religiously. I truly wanted to begin my career as a defense attorney. I skimmed through my mail, only seeing junk mail and a slew of congratulation e-cards from family members and old friends. I sighed into my coffee and continued to eat. This was not how things were supposed to go. Why couldn't I acquire a case? Was I not good enough? I had graduated at the top of my class so why couldn't I get a job? All of my friends had received jobs only a few weeks after graduation. What made me so different? I sighed again and finished my bagel. My father could try to control my coffee habits, but he couldn't tell me not to put extra whipped butter on my bagel. He also couldn't tell me not to get another one.

Smiling to myself as I anticipated the taste of another bagel in my mouth, I heard my cell phone beep. I ignored it at first, believing it to be some chain message from my teenage sister. Then, I heard a notification ring from her laptop. At that very moment, I dropped my bagel and sprinted to my laptop. This was it! I could feel it! This was the moment… Junk mail. I slammed my laptop shot. This was getting ridiculous. I got ready to throw the fallen bagel in the trash and make another one when I heard my phone beep again. An exasperated sigh pulled though my being and I sauntered over to the desk to silence my phone when I caught a glimpse of the notification. It read, "email – 1:34 PM – from Kurenai Yuhi." My heart turned into a jack hammer. I couldn't bare it anymore. However I didn't want to my hopes up this time, when I read, "Defense Attorney I Hyuga assigned to case 30036, the case of Gaara Sabaku versus the state: the defendant is accused of first degree murder." I dropped to the floor. My first case! I had just received my first case! My heartbeat grew rapidly. Wait, it was a murder, and I was defending the accused murderer?! What type of sick joke was this? My mood then fell rapidly, and soon I was spiraling into depression. I tried to get up, but my dizziness caused me to stumble back down. Lying on the ground, I watched as everything around turned me to black.

Gaara

I had not slept in weeks. Sitting in a cold, damp, and rat infested jail cell wasn't helping much either. I had been lying on my makeshift bed for what seemed like weeks, eyes wide open. They burned with exhaustion, but I couldn't close them. Sleep had proven itself to not favor me. I blankly stared at the barren walls when I heard a pop. Moving my eyes slightly, I stared at the place where the sound was coming from. Eventually, my eyes focused and I watched as drops of water almost systematically fell from the ceiling on my cell. 1, 2, 3, like clockwork. I guessed that it had rained or was raining. I felt an involuntary shiver course through my body. I hated the rain. Bad things always happened on days that it rained. This nightmare had started on a rainy day…

I almost couldn't contain my excitement. Granted, I had trained myself to be a emotionlessness being since childhood, so my version of excitement was probably not something to gawk at. Nonetheless. I was excited. All my hard work had finally paid off. I was finally in the place I had wanted to be all along.

All my life I had suffered as an outcast, a loner, and even looked at by my family as demonic spawn. I fought through all of that. I took all of the abuse. I took all of the pain. I swallowed everything they threw at me. Instead of staying on the path of destruction and hatred, I decided to stop my suicidal self-pitying and angry hateful angst filled behavior. I wouldn't let these people destroy the life that my mother gave her own to save. I got my act together and here I was.

"All privates report to the field at 0900 hours!" I was pulled out my thoughts by one of the sergeants who had entered my squad's dorm.

"Sir, yes Sir!" we all answered.

The Sergeant glared back at us and left. We all continued to unpack our things and make our beds. I glanced at the clock. We had 30 minutes. Unlike most of the soldiers, I had gotten lucky and was put in a room with single beds instead of bunk beds. Things never really worked out for me so this was incredibly pleasing.

Unpacking was simple enough. I didn't have much. Granted, there wasn't much we were allowed to bring. After I was done inspecting my bed, I checked myself to make sure my uniform lacked all mistakes and lined up behind the other privates. As the last of us joined the line, we marched in a single file to the field.

When we arrived at the field, two Sergeants, a Major, a Captain, and a General were there waiting for us. I was actually surprised to see a Captain and General among the 5 men who were waiting to give us orders. As all the other soldiers lined up 10 rows with 20 members each, I marveled at the number of privates they were. In my town, I was often told I was delusional for seeking a career in the military. It seemed many people were indeed delusional.

We spent the next three hours being briefed by the sergeants on all the rules of the military, as though we didn't already know these things. I felt as though I was in a movie. It all seemed so surreal.

Eventually, the briefing was through and we were assigned to our separate platoons. As we moved to our groups, I realized that everyone in my platoon was also my roommate. We should have known. Then, all the more high-ranking members introduced themselves. They were all hard looking men with a multitude of battle scars and war stories to fill our heads with, however, I was a bit surprised with the way the General was acting. He didn't seem confrontational like all the others. He was a tall, built man with sandy blond hair and what seemed like tribal marks around his eyes. That's when I noticed his eyes. They were the most unnatural color I had ever seen. They were yellow and it made the man seem almost animalistic.

His introduced himself as General Shukaku. I involuntary shrunk away at the mention of his name. He may not have exuded the same brutish strength as the other high-ranking men, but something told me he was the most dangerous man there.

After the "festivities" we all were escorted to the cafeteria were our lunches were being served. As I filed into the line, I noticed that all the other privates were already forming their groups of "friends." Throughout my life, I had never had a friend. The whole aspect of having someone who cared for me and enjoyed my company was a foreign and unimaginable thought. How could I expect a stranger to care for me when my own family treated me like vermin?

After having my plate filled with what looked like rice and porridge, I took my seat at the only empty table I could find. I really didn't mind being alone. When I was still in high school the school psychologist would try to convince me that I was lonely and in desperate need of companionship. She didn't seem to understand the simple fact that I was my own companion. I didn't need anyone else. I'm all I would ever have and that was all right, or so I had hoped.

After staring at the meal on my plate, I finally decided to start eating when someone's tray landed in front of me. Putting my spoon down, I slightly raised my head to see who had decided to sit in front of me.

"Private."

"General Shukaku," I began, a bit confused, "I apologize if this is your table. I will find somewhere else." I began to get up when he ordered me to sit back down, emitting a small chuckle.

"Sit down, Private…" he lingered on the word waiting for me to answer.

"Gaara," I answered, "Gaara Sabaku."

"Gaara…" he murmured, "I like to get to know my soldiers. I can't expect you to lay your lives down for this country if I don't take the time to get to know you all." He began to eat his food, which surprisingly was no different from mine. "You see, with that bright red hair of yours you stick out like a sore thumb. You were also siting by yourself. In all my years of being in the military, I've never seen someone sitting by himself or herself. Are you seeking attention, private?"

"No, Sir," I answered quietly.

"We'll see about that…" he continued, "Gaara… that's actually a nice name… just rolls off the tongue… You know, red is my favorite color… Gaara, I like you, boy. Stick with me. I'll show you the ropes." After that, we continued eating in silence. I faced my food the whole time, but I didn't fail to notice that the rest of the soldiers and a few of the other higher-ranking members were glaring daggers at me. I understood that it was an honor to have a General of such high ranking wanting to take me under his wing, however I would have done anything to just fall back into obscurity.

The next few weeks went by quickly, with each day being the same as the last. Wake up, do the morning workout, 5-minute shower, pop quiz, training, lunch, pop quiz, training, then chore duty. Those were the regulated activities that all the privates performed daily. However, I was exempt from chore duty and instead, everyday I would be summoned by General Shukaku's assistant for training sessions. Apparently he saw potential in me to do greater things. There were rumors going around that he wanted me to join the black ops or become a spy.

Finally, a month after the first day I arrived at the army, I was yet again standing outside of General Skukaku's office waiting to be let in to begin my training session. Usually we would meet in the barracks. This was the first time I had been called to his office. After waiting for a few minutes I knocked again. Finally, I heard him say, "Come in," and I opened the door. Looking back on that day, I should have just stayed in my room.

The drops still hadn't stopped after all that time. I began counting the drops in my head when a prison guard came into view outside my holding cell. He murmured what sounded like "food" and after putting it on the ground, left. I slowly sat up and tired to get my eyes to corporate. It seemed I hadn't' slept in so long that I was loosing my perfect vision.

Finally, my eyes focused on the meal that had been left for me. However, when I saw just what was left for me, I feel into a panic. It seemed my lungs would burst from the sheer power behind the scream that was spewing out of my mouth. My heart was racing at the speed of a run away train and my whole body was numb. I knew that if it weren't for the numbness I would have gone into shock from the pain I was causing my self by ripping and clawing at my head.

I watched in slow motion as guards opened by cell and tried to restrain me. They were no match for me when I had lost control. Eventually, after struggling with my manic self, one got ahold of a tranquilizer gun and shut me in the arm.

Everything immediately began to spin. Everything was so distorted in my head. I couldn't make sense of anything. That was when I saw it. The monstrosity on the plate had begun to slither over to where I had fallen after being sedated. As watched with terror as it got closer and closer. As my eyes began to close and I lost consciousness, I swear I saw the porridge form a face in the rice, smiling at me. I thanked the gods of unconsciousness for claiming me at that very moment.

Bad things always happened on rainy days. I knew that better than anyone.

Hinata

"My name is Hinata Hyuga, and I will be your criminal defense lawyer, appointed to you by the state. it's a pleasure to meet you." I said proudly after the detective and prison guard introduced me to the man I would be defending. I was a bit proud of myself. I hadn't stuttered, which was amazing. On my way to the prison, I had been a nervous wreak. However, my satisfaction was destroyed when the suspect… I mean man, I would be defending, continued to stare at the desk.

He hadn't moved since I had entered the room. Frankly, I wasn't even sure if he was breathing.

"He's been a mute ever since he's been in this jail," the officer told me. I believe his name was Kakashi, "he does nothing but stare and scream. But don't worry, he can hear you."

I nodded at this and took my seat in front of the suspect. I had wanted to gain some sort of a relationship with this man, but it didn't seem as though he was interested in the like. As I looked him over, I couldn't imagine that this man was being charged with first degree murder. He looked so young, maybe around my age. His blood red hair hung down his face, but I could still see his teal eyes. He was incredibly skinny, as though he hadn't eaten in days. He also had bruises all over his skin. I wandered if the people in the jail were abusing him. I shot a glance at Officer Kakashi. However, I couldn't see the man laying a had on the young man.

"I-It says here that your name is Gaara Sabaku," I said as I began reading the papers the officer had handed me. "Oh and you are 21, close to me…I'm 22." I felt sad realizing that Gaara was in fact as young as I was. How could he have gotten into this situation?

"Well I did a bit of research, and found out a bit about your case. It seems that you are charged for the murder of General Shukaku on January 19th, 2013. It seems you are facing a sentence of Life without parole. Also, it says here that you had already admitted to killing General Shukaku, and there are a number of witnesses listed." I sighed tiredly. This case was not one for a beginner. It seemed to me as though they gave me this case so I would fail and this young man would be forever branded as a felon, and live the entirety of his life in prison.

I took off my glasses and sighed again, rubbing my temples. This was too much. Eventually, I calmed down and looked that my defendant, "did you do it, Gaara? Did you kill that man?"

After a few minutes of ignoring me, he lifted his head and nodded slightly. I couldn't' stop staring at him. I couldn't stop feeling like his eyes were not the eyes of a murderer. They were the eyes of a victim! There was more to this than this guy was letting on. There was something he wasn't telling us.

"W-Why did you kill him, Gaara?" I asked him, staring at him intently.

He lowered his head and swallowed hard. Slowly, he grabbed a lone sheet of paper and weakly scribbled something on it.

After he was done, he slowly pushed the paper over to my side of the table. I picked it up and read it, horror in my eyes. It read: HE DESERVED TO DIE.