Nature vs. Nurture
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
The desert is a harsh climate. It is not an easy place to live. If you want to survive there, you must learn from a young age to fight for your life.
The Village Hidden in the Sand is located in the middle of a desert. In its' society is reflected the ruthlessness that comes from having to fight to survive. This can be seen in it's teachings and laws but most of all in its' shinobi.
The Sand Siblings are a product of this society. Gaara is of course the most extreme example. His brother Kankurou and his sister Temari however are no exceptions to this. Their upbringing has molded them into capable, powerful shinobi but it has also broken them, in ways that they are only now beginning to fathom and do not understand well enough to try to heal.
Kankurou once said that 'We shinobi of the sand...are not as easy-going as the Leafs.' An egotistical statement for sure but it also possesses more than a grain of truth.
Sasori proved this. When Chiyo and Sakura were fighting Sasori, Sakura called Sasori heartless but Chiyo stopped her saying, "What made him this way is the terrible customs and teachings of the Sand." But this ruthlessness - is it not what all shinobi are supposed to possess? This is why Sand ninjas make such excellent shinobi.
The people of the Sand Village are a harsh people. The Sand Siblings are no different.
Temari is brash, cocky, self-assured and unapologetic.
Kankurou shares some of her characteristics adding to them sarcasm, arrogance and a caustic wit.
This is not a criticism or judgement on my part of the people of the Sand. It is simply an attempt to explain what prompts their actions.
The ruthlessness that they seem to employ is something that has simply become a part of their nature. It is something that they cannot escape, something that they cannot erase, something that they cannot define. It is drilled into them by their elders and feared by their enemies. It is the desert's way of leaving a mark on the people fool enough to live there.
A/N: This is not done. Not even close. Consider it a work in progress - I've definitely got some editing to do. Yes I know that there's no description of Gaara yet. I suppose it is a bit strange. In a way this is a forum for my musings on the Sand Siblings. I hope I didn't offend anyone. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Any suggestions are welcome.
