Rated: T for Ta-da!

Kaida Lau sat anxiously on a rocky ledge just outside of Suna. The sun bore down into the young Jounin's back as she nervously twiddled her thumbs and chewed mercilessly on her lower lip. Thoughts of a certain red head Jinchuuriki swam through her head.

Dear Kami, please let Gaara be alright! Kida prayed. I just want to be able to apologize for all those horrid things I said to him before he left. Though if what people have said is true and my appearance has changed drastically; then I highly doubt he'll even recognize me.

You see it had been a little over a year since the Sand Siblings left for the Chunin Exams, and Kaida's parting words to Gaara were far from friendly. It was also in that short time that Kaida experienced changes to her body from a lovely thing called puberty.

For instance chocolate brown hair that used to fall between her shoulder blades now came down to her lower back. Her facial features became sharp and more defined rather than chubby and childish. Womanly curves replaced her once stick straight frame, and she now reached five six (AN: That's feet and inches) instead of being a mere five foot even. The only thing that really remained the same about the young kunochi is that her clear blue eyes were still glossed over and hazy from the cataracts that filled them. Yes, Kaida would forever be blind.

Suddenly, a sound not to far off in the distance took Kaida from her thoughts, as she concentrated on listening to whomever or whatever it was that was making it's way toward Suna.

"I can't believe we had to carry him the entire way back!" An obnoxious male stated with ire in his voice.

"Shut up Kankuro!" A female responded, "He more than deserves to rest after what he went through!" Pain was evident in her voice.

Kaida's eyes widened as she recognized the voices, and stood up, running at full speed so that she could reach her friends.

"Kankuro! Temari! Gaara!" Kaida yelled, when she felt their chakra was only a few yards away from her.

Two of the three genins looked up and over at the fast approaching Jounin kunochi.

"Kaida-Chan." Temari whispered, a small sad smile grew on her face.

Stopping in front of the ninja group, Kaida bent over and started breathing heavily from the run she just endured.

"Kaida-Chan, are you okay?" Temari asked frantically, as she ran to the brunette's side to help her if the need be. This left Kankuro to support Gaara by himself.

"Y-y-yeah… Just a-a bit win-ded." Kaida said, through gasps.

Once Kaida's breathing had slowed down considerably, she stood up straight, and launched herself at Temari saying, "I missed you guys so much! I'm so glad you came back okay!"

"Yeah, about that," Temari started, unsure of how to explain to her what happened in Konaha.

"Did something bad happen?" Kaida asked, as she pulled away from Temari. Her face contorted into one of confusion and worry.

A pregnant pause passed, as Temari looked away from the blind girl toward the ground, unable to say anything.

Getting irritated at Temari's beating around the bush, Kankuro said, "Gaara let Shukaku out Kaida!"

Kaida's eyes widened, for a second, and she whispered, "Temari, lead me over to him."

"Kaida, I don't think-"

"JUST DO IT TEMARI!" Kaida yelled, startling the blonde genin.

Taking Kaida's left arm Temari led Kaida over to Gaara, fearing what might take place once Kaida felt the extent of Gaara's weakness.

Once they were in front of Gaara and Kankuro Temari stopped and put Kaida's hands on Gaara's shoulders.

Gently trailing her hands up to the boy's face, Kaida's eyes widened and filled with tears as she felt the toll of damage that had befallen her quiet friend. "Oh Gaara, what happened to you?"

"Kaida." Gaara whispered softly, as he felt the girl's hands on his face.

"Gaara?" Kaida questioned, a certain tension filled her voice.

"Kaida." Gaara said again gently, as he slowly raised his head to see his blind friend standing in front of him.

Kaida flung her arms around Gaara and buried her head in his right shoulder, tears flowing from her eyes, as she frantically said, "Gaara, I'm so sorry about all those horrible things I said to you before you left! I didn't mean any of it! I-"

"Kaida… it's alright." Gaara said, as he shakily put his arms around the sobbing girl, switching his support from Kankuro onto Kaida. "Stop crying… Kaida. You're stronger… than this."

Lifting her head from Gaara's shoulder, Kaida whispered, "I'm sorry Gaara."

"Kankuro, Temari, head back…to the village without us." Gaara said to his siblings.

Kankuro made a skeptical face, and opened his mouth to object, when Temari grabbed his arm and started dragging him away. "Kaida will bring him back to the village fine. She's strong enough to do so, and the two of them won't listen to anything we have to say to them."

"Hn." Kankuro responded, as he followed his sister back to the Sand Village.

Once Temari and Kankuro had gone of a considerable distance, Gaara turned his attention back to Kaida. A small smile touching his lips, as he saw her staring slightly of to the side of where his face actually was.

Lifting a hand to her face, Gaara shakily moved her head, so that it was positioned to where he was. "Kaida, I'm sorry… for not listening… to you. You were right… about everything. And I'm sorry… for treating you… so horridly… for the past few years. But I've changed now. I don't want… to be alone anymore." Gaara said softly.

Kaida's eyes widened at what Gaara said, and before she realized what she was doing, Kaida tapped the side of Gaara's face with her left hand.

A shocked expression reached Gaara's face, and he was a bit upset by the girl's movement.

"What was that for Kaida?" Gaara asked, his tone steely.

"For being a baka. You've never been alone Gaara, I've always been here for you. You just never acknowledged it. Also I remember specifically telling you to come back to me in good health, and you're all banged up." Kaida said, a smile graced her lips as she spoke.

Gaara sighed at the young kunochi, as he placed his forehead on hers saying, "I will never… understand you Kaida."

"Good, that means I'm doing my job right then." Kaida said, as she placed a small kiss on the cheek she tapped. "Now, let's get you home, so that you can get taken care of."

With that, Kaida helped Gaara back to Suna. A smile placed on her lips the whole time. Not only because Gaara came home, but because she knew something had happened to Gaara to melt the ice that had grown around his heart. Something that let a little bit of the childhood friend she remembered leak through. And she silently thanked whomever it was that spurred the sudden change in him.

Why hello everybody!

So pretty much I had an idea for a Gaara story, but didn't know where to start with it so I decided to try something new.

Pretty much this story is going to be a bunch of one shots that just pop in my mind. If one comes before or after a certain shot, I will say so. Also, the rating will switch with each shot so I'll put the rating at the top of the shot.

First and final disclaimer in the shot as I only put one: I DON"T OWN NARUTO OR ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH IT! I only own Kaida Lau so if you want to use her ask.

I'm also open to suggestions or ideas for things you'd like to see with this odd pair. Sorry Gaara was a bit OOC.

Remember if you don't like it don't read it! Constructive and respectful criticism is appreciated, as well as reviews in general. If you flame me though I have no problem with sending a rather bitch-tastic message to you explaining what I feel about such a thing, but I really don't enjoy doing such things. Remember if you wouldn't want someone else to say it to you, you shouldn't say it to others.

Well that is all.

Chow!

Aaya!