A/n: I know if you have read my Bleach stories, this is not normally my style of writing. I just need to get some stuff off my chest, so I am writing this. It is dark. If you do not like it, then do not read it.

Enduring Scars

Fear- noun: An unpleasant often-strong emotion caused by intense awareness of danger

Gaara was curled up in the corner of his room, shaking with fear, as the heavy thuds on his door echoed. His brother's angry yells could be heard from the other side of the door. His dresser shook, some of the drawers opening.

He had no clue how he had gotten into this situation.

Gaara had just gotten back from an exhausting day at school, and was putting his bag away, when he heard the front door open and slam. Kankuro had stormed into the house, screaming various obscenities.

Kankuro stopped as he caught sight of his little brother.

Gaara instantly looked down; trying to avoid eye contact, knowing Kankuro was having one of his anger fits. Just avoid eye contact, he thought to himself.

There was a small pause of silence. Gaara was beginning to think that his brother's anger fit was dissipating.

"Gaara?" Kankuro said. Gaara looked up, directly into his brother's rage-filled stare.

"Welcome home Nii-san. I just—"He started as Kankuro caught his eyes. He saw that the redness surrounding them, and knew instantly that his brother was not in any forgiving mood today.

"Gaara, come here," Kankuro motioned for him to come forward. Gaara froze and thought of an immediate excuse to prevent his brother's advances.

"I, uh, have some homework to do…" he took a step back away from his brother, who growled and grabbed Gaara's arm fiercely, nails digging into the skin.

Kankuro swore,"Bullshit,"

Gaara pulled his arm away hastily, looking at his brother fearfully. Kankuro reached for his otouto again, only for Gaara to take off running.

Gaara heard his brother swearing loudly. He knew running from Kankuro was risky, but he had no control over his fight or flee reactions. He had fled in fear. He ran into his room and slammed his door shut, blockading it with his dresser. His brother's fists hit the door, and he jumped back, cowered into a corner, and hugged his knees to his chest.

Each time Kankuro pounded his fists against the door, Gaara flinched, as if he was being hit instead of the door, which was sliding a little more open each time. The dresser would not stay up forever.

With a sudden crash, the dresser fell to the floor, the drawers becoming slightly damaged. The door now wide open, an even more pissed Kankuro stalking up to Gaara, a scary grin on his face.

He yanked his brother up by the arm, gripping it so tightly, that crescent moon-shaped marks bit into his skin and began to bleed. Gaara cried out at the sharp pain. Kankuro twisted the younger one's arm, so he was now facing him. He peered into his younger brother's eyes, which were glistening with unshed tears, fixing to spill over any second.

"Crying?" He asked," I haven't even done anything yet. I'll give you a real reason to cry," he said before backhanding him, causing Gaara's face to turn to the side sharply. A bruise would surely form later, but Gaara could care less now. All he wanted to do was to escape before his brother could hurt him even more. Kankuro tightened his grip on Gaara's arm, drawing blood.

"Kankuro-nii-san, please stop it," Gaara said trying to stop him, "You're hurting me!"

"SHUT UP!" Kankuro yelled using his other hand to start choking him. He then shoved Gaara against the wall, increasing the pressure on his neck. Gaara's hands scrabbled against his brother's feebly, trying to break free.

Gaara's hands soon fell to his sides, his lack of oxygen, scaring the hell out of him. A few tears leaked out of his eyes.

This was it. He was going to die. His older brother was going to kill him. He was really going to die.

A loud chime was heard dimly by Gaara, who was so far out, he couldn't tell what was real or not anymore. Kankuro cursed and threw Gaara to the floor, glaring at him, as his brother gasped for breath.

"I'm going to see who it is. Don't leave your room, or else," He forewarned, turning and leaving the room.

As soon as he could breathe properly, Gaara pulled himself back up, and hugged his knees to his chest. He mentally thanked god, for his brother did not kill him then.

What had he done to become the victim yet again?

Fear- noun: An unpleasant often-strong emotion caused by intense awareness of danger