A/N: A memoir containing stories of varying lengths. I hope I will actually get somewhere with this.
DISCLAIMER: If I owned Naruto, it would have ended by now.
The first time Gaara, jinchuuriki of the one-tailed Shukaku, steps outside his home village, he learns of true power.
Gaara never set foot in the deserts beyond Suna's towering walls. He had only heard of them, their greatness as a defense mechanism, the difficulties with isolation; of the foolish shinobi who've died trekking through the barren wastelands. He does not feel intimidated in the least when, flanked by Temari and Kankuro, they walk through a rip in the massive wall like ants through cracks of soil. He does not anticipate.
They told him sunset was the best time to set out - for the desert was merciless during the day - and he understands perfectly with the first nerve-prickling gust of heat blasting their faces. He places one foot outside Suna and stills.
Vaguely, he notices his siblings continuing without him and he cannot care less. The desert. The desert. How could he not have known? Its vastness, its glory, all is awe-inducing. For once in his life he would willingly bow down and kiss the earth for its beauty. Of course Suna fears him! He owns them.
He walks blithely now, confident in every movement, and stomps his foot. The ground beneath him rumbles as the sea of sand mimics ocean waves. Two figures, dark against the sun, turn when the small earthquake disturbs them.
They are far ahead. Gaara raises his arms, laughing in his mind only because he has forgotten how physically. Come closer... And with a pull, they are dragged to his side, planted flat in the sand. The blonde raises her head, spluttering.
"Gaara!" She snaps angrily before biting her lip and falling silent. There are guards yelling above them, pointing, but he pays them no mind. In a smooth sweeping motion, he wipes away Temari and Kakurou's offending tracks and heads out into the endless golden horizon.
I belong here. As if agreeing, the gourd hums on his back.
They will call him Gaara of the Desert, and he will be proud.
