Typical GaaSaku story where they meet when they where young going to make it slightly different however merging my other story with it so it's not like every other one out there. Enjoy
Sands Of Time
Chapter One
~Suna~
I,ilovetimbits do not own Naruto.
They said the Wind country is different then Konoha, she knew this, her parents told her themselves. But, was it different? Were the kids there different then the one's here? Will they make fun of her forehead? Her hair? Even with her hair in front of her face everyone still seemed to know that she was hiding her large forehead.
She was crying hiding behind her bangs.
Forehead girl! You're ugly! Look at her! We can still see your large forehead you baka!
Laughter erupted from the children around her she ran but not home she would never let her parents think she was getting bullied, they'd definitely try to take her from the academy. Especially since she begged so hard to get in, then she'll never achieve her dream. Sakura may not know what her talents are but she'll make it through cause she was smart.
Sakura left from under the tree and wiped her tears away. She walked home smiling but her bangs hid her forehead the tips of her hair just reaching the tip of her eye lashes. Sakura walked into her house the fake smile plastered on.
"Sakura we have to go to Sunagurke for awhile and you're coming."
Sakura frowned "Are we coming back?"
"Of course! Don't worry you'll see you friends again."
'What friends?' Though with those thoughts she kept a smile on the outside.
"Okay mom I'm going to get my stuff ready" 'Suna, that's the village in the wind country.' Sakura grabbed her book and got in the carriage. Her parent's got in and they started off. Sakura was worried would Suna be like Konoha or worse? She hoped not she started reading her school book she loved school but hated the kids there.
3 Days later
Distracted with her book she hadn't realized they have reached Suna her mom was repeating her name "huh?"
Her mom laughed. "We made it honey."
Sakura jumped out of the carriage and ran to the front door she didn't want to meet anyone yet.
Her mom laughed. "Eager?" Sakura just nodded her head. Her mom unlocked the apartment door and she shot inside, the houses here was different then those at home, made of stone? She ran her hand along the wall it was cold and smooth but not stone.
"The walls are made of sand." Her mother said walking in, helping her father with the boxes.
"It get's really hot in the day but freezing at night see the heater there? Sakura nodded she held her bag and her mom brought her to her new room.
"OK honey this is your new room, stay here awhile or make some friends outside I'm going to be setting up, your father is going to be heading to the Kazekage." Sakura nodded but didn't move she was NOT going to make friends.
She took her book they where staying here for Two weeks school started again in two but she still liked reading for school she took out her book smiling. They were temporary citizens meaning they might go back to Konoha her dad was working here as a shinobi on mission for the Hokage her mom was going to teach the civilian school.
She wasn't going to the academy until a month so she didn't need to go to school she practically had it with her. Sakura fell asleep hoping her mom wouldn't send her outside, it was too hot and she was worried about what the kids would say to her.
She woke up in her new room and made her way down the stairs her mother was there cooking making the delicious battered circles known as pancakes. Sakura joyously skipped to the dinning table bouncing in her chair her mother giggled and placed the plate down.
Her pancakes had smiley faces on them she grinned and ate them happily with her juice. Her mommy was humming the tune she always did. "I heard there's a park honey, you could go there I've seen so many children there." Sakura smiled nodding her head. 'They won't like me, will they?maybe their different.'
Her mom smiled at her. "Are you going to make friends today?"
"Yeah!"'No...' She was sad inside but showed happiness outside .
Her mom smiled. "That's a girl," Sakura smiled. "Honey don't you think you should put your hair up though? It's really hot out there, I'll get you the suna clothes tomorow they protect against the sand,cold and sun."
Sakura looked at her mom with fake confusion. "I always wear my hair like this."
"Yes well it's too hot to do that I'll go get you a blue ribbon."Sakura bit her lip as her mom left to retrieve the ribbon she came back and tied the ribbon on a small bow at the top Sakura was sure her big forehead was showing now.
"beautiful" Her mom kissed her forehead, Sakura smiled meekly at her.
"Okay honey I'll be out at work you can go to the park down the road." Sakura nodded her head watching her mom leave the house. Sakura waved to her then frowned after she shut the door she looked down at her smiley face pancakes. Maybe she will go outside but hide maybe under a tree or something. She took the ribbon out of her hair and in her pocket so she can put it on before her mother came back.
She finished her pancakes and put her dish in the sink on her toes to reach she left the house she walked to the park with her head down she didn't want to look at anyone straight into the eyes she had her blue shirt with holes on the sleeves and her beige Capri and her blue sandals she made it to the park and went under a dead tree.
She fiddled with a flower she found it was wilted dried but it only grew in Suna..hardly. Looking around suna it was all beige and white and a few brown. The sand was on the ground, the buildings and the air even had small particles of sand flying around. Everyone was wearing white, beige or brown long robes or...something.
Oh if they saw her hair they would defiently notice her. She looked at the kids, there was only one he was on the wooden swing he looked sad too but she didn't want to ask him he'll probably just laugh at her. Sakura looked back to the flower day dreaming when she heard someone yell monster she looked up scared but she didn't see any monster's aren't they supposed to be under your bed or in the closet? She didn't know they followed you outside.
She saw a lot of kids they where yelling at the kid on the swings he was crouched on the ground holding his head she saw tears. Sakura knew that pose they where calling him a monster? Why? She frowned she wanted to help but they looked mean they'd just make fun of her too she cried for him they where so mean why? Why did some people have to be so mean?
Suddenly the sand from the box flew at the kids whom tried to fight back but weren't doing good she watched he was scary, they where being mean first, but it still wasn't right. The kids ran crying to their mother's who yelled at the boy.
"MOSTER!" Sakura's eyes widened she never seen an adult yell at a kid before except for that one kid back home, they called him the same thing. But these adults, adults were kind and nice never mean but they were why? The mean kids walked crying with their mother's Sakura didn't like Suna at all they would definitely make fun of her.
Maybe she could be friends with that boy maybe but..will he be mean to her? That sand was scary maybe he was really mean. Sakura looked down she was hidden in the shadows of the tree she looked at the boy again who was sitting holding a bear.
She knew a kid at home who was being bullied, that adults also were mean to. He had almost the same hair as this kid but blonde, this boy's was red his name was Naruto. They called him monster too but he didn't look like a monster but her mom told her to stay away does this count with this boy? Naruto didn't look mean but rather sad, she remember's her mommy pulling her away as the crowd walked by him, he looked so sad just staring at the ground.
Something skittered across towards her and stopped she blinked staring at it with curious eyes the tounge darting out once and awhile. She giggled it was really funny looking almost like a tiny dragon sakura carefully picked it up, it didn't run or move irratically rather it just remained the same the odd head with the eye on either side of the head looking at her then away and back. The skin was rough it looked like a mini dragon in those books she read she even named him Ryu.
The thing (she doesn't know what it is) crawled on her shoulder it's tongue darted out a couple times then it just looked around she giggled wondering what it was like to be that small and see things like him, what did he think?
She petted him and read her book hidden within the tree she wanted to see that boy again but he wasn't here he probably ran away. She frowned and stared at the kids in the park playing with the hard ball playing soccer the ball still bounced however. Sakura looked at her hands a fiddled with them she finished her book but she was bored, nothing to do.
She dug her hands in the sand under her smiling and letting it fall from her hands Suna was like a giant sandbox she'll just make a sand cake the best she ever has she was always good at making those after she made a castle she was never good at it like some other kids but she'd never stop and Ryu could be the evil dragon that guards its.
Sakura made it home and ran to her father since her mother was out. "Look daddy, look at what I caught! A mini dragon! I named him Ryu! I think he lost his wings."
"Here, I'll put him somewhere safe your mom should be returning soon." Sakura nodded and skipped to her room she her thoughts drifting to the red haired boy. Sakura's thoughts moved elsewhere however when she picked up a new book to read, it was pretty big but nothing she couldn't handle.
She heard her mother yell up at her. "Dinner is finished!" Sakura smiled and ran down the stairs.
She sat down at the table bouncing on the chair she was very hungry she only had break-feast she was reading her book all lunch.
The plate was set in-front of her. "What is it?"
"Chicken." Her father answered, her mom came in after. Sakura smiled, she loved chicken she has however learned what chicken was actually made of.
She ate her chicken joyously with the rice the chicken tasted different but that's probably because they where in Suna.
Her mother sat down. "So how do you like lizard?"
Sakura blinked "Lizard?" Her mom nodded she looked to her daddy who was sitting there staring at her expectantly she never read any books on lizard before.
"The thing you brought in, the civilians of Suna eat lizard." Sakura froze as it processed in her head tears rimmed her eyes as she looked at the remains of Ryu she dropped the fork that was coming to her mouth.
Her father's eyes narrowed "We told you no pets especially lizard they are food."
Her mother gasped. "You let me cook her pet!?"
"We are not keeping that in the house."
"Let it free why would you do that?"
"She want's to be a shinobi! She is not ready for it! She needs to learn the hard way she won't make it she'll live a better life as a civilian."
Her mother frowned. "We need to do it in another way not like that." Sakura was too shocked she couldn't eat not now not knowing she ate Ryu! She thought she'd keep him but h- he she ate him! She started letting tears drop she refused to touch her food.
Sakura was literally heart broken why did daddy make her eat Ryu? What's it have to do with her being a ninja? She cried herself to sleep.
"So did you meet any friends?" Her mother asked over break-feast Sakura nodded smiling.
"What's their names?"
Sakura blushed getting caught but thought fast. "I- I forgot to ask their names." Her mother laughed Sakura smiled her mom didn't find out and was happy. So far Sakura didn't mind it in Suna no one noticed her yet.
"Well maybe you'll see them again at the park today hmm?" Sakura nodded her head smiling she finished her oatmeal but went to her room she grabbed her book, this time she'd have something to do she skipped down stairs her mom stopped her.
"Ah ah your hair~" Sakura frowned but let her mom fix it her mom watched her go to the park Sakura had to keep the ribbon in for awhile.
When she got to the park she forgot about her ribbon in her hair cause she was reading. "Hey who are you?" one girl with brown hair in a ponytail asked
"Uh- I- um"
"You don't even know your own name!?"
"Sakura" she whispered.
"What?"
"Sakura!"
The girl laughed. "Where are you from?"
"K-Konoha"
"Really?that's far." The girl walked under the tree then laughed. "Ha-ha!" the other kids came to see what she was laughing at. "Y-you have pink hair!" Sakura frowned.
"That's weird." One kid said looking at her like she had a bug on her forehead- her forehead!
"Yeah look at her head!"
"Wow are all Konoha kids wired?"
"N-no." They where normal, it was just her.
"So you're the only un-normal one."
"I-I'm normal." She argued.
"Yeah right! No one has PINK hair not even dollies pink is such a girl colour."
"Hey whats that supposed to mean!?" One girl yelled
"No-nothing."
"Freak!" Tears came to her eyes then she cried only making them laugh more. She got up and ran hiding her face in her sleeve she didn't watch where she was going she was in a large soccer field no one was around or using it but she bumped into some one or some thing.
She fell on her bum she heard an noise from the other kid it was the redhead he looked at her shocked and scared sand falling 'freak!' "Sorry." She apologized quickly she ran again back home.
Sakura ran to her room, now all the kids knew who she was. It was all ruined she still had a week and a half to stay here why did she have to have a big forehead? And pink hair? Why did she have pink hair? She can't hide pink hair no one can she could get a hat, a hat that covers her forehead and hair she could say it's just hot. Why didn't her mom get the suna clothes?
She heard the door bell was it her mom? Maybe she had too much stuff in her hands and needed help she wiped her tears with her sleeve quickly she had her ribbon still she opened the door with a smile but it turned to a frown when she saw the red haired boy she ran into she looked down. "I- I have your book."
Her eyes widened she forgot she dropped it she smiled at him."Thank you!" The boy looked at her shocked still. It was her hair that's why he was staring she slammed the door on him and ran up stairs hugging her book crying.
Gaara followed the crying girl home she was new, he never saw her before she dropped her book. His uncle always taught him to be polite he followed her to the house's for visitors he saw her enter the house. He hesitated at the door what will she do will she think he stole her book? He finally ringed the door bell he was about to ring it again when the girl swung the door open she was smiling, at him! She opened her eyes then frowned he felt uncomfortable she was expecting someone else not him maybe the others told her about him.
"I-I have your book." He said quickly afraid of her reaction he braced himself but she smiled at the book then at him it made his heart jump, no one smiled at him he stared at her she was smiling but then it left he was confused she slammed the door quick he frowned he knew it was too good to be true.
"Honey you haven't been outside in a long time go out." Her mom coaxed her she finally got the suna clothign for her.
"N-no."
"What why not?"
Sakura didn't answer.
"Alright, your going outside and that is an order, your friends will think your being mean!" Her mother scolded making her go out side.
Sakura frowned she put the large hood over her head it was a very nice differnce the sun no long blazing on her head and she can hide her hair and forehead! Maybe they wont even recognise her. She slowly left to the park under the tree an different on this time. She saw the redhead again playing in the sand she frowned but then again he looked lonely maybe he wont mind if she did play with him he seemed nice enough..he did bring her her book back.
"Hey it's freak!" She looked the kids where talking to her she frowned how did they find her? How did they know it was her? She was in the hallow of the tree they surrounded the entrance no where to run.
"Come on out! I wanna show my brother you hair he doesn't believe me!"
"N-no!" They laughed one kid tried to come in she kick and hit him her eyes widened she didn't mean to hurt him just to get him away.
"Why you!" He tried to come in she screamed and kicked.
"Run it's the monster!" And run they did.
Sakura hugged her knees to her chest her eye wide at the entrance they left her alone with a monster. The redhead poked his head in she jumped back she saw his face showing hurt she felt bad he went to leave she went to the entrance but hid in the shadows still.
"W-wait." He turned around. "T-thank you."
He was shocked what was the word? The word you use when someone says that? He didn't know.
She frowned. "Aren't you scared?"
He looked confused. "Of what?"
"The monster their talking about."
His face went very sad she wondered why. "I'm the monster"
sakura blinked "No your not, monster's are scary and mean."
He looked shocked she smiled still slghtly hidden. He looked happier and he was smiling at her.
She slid out "I-I'm Sakura."
She smiled shocked, he looked at her she wanted to tell him her name? "S-Sabaku G-Gaara." She brightened at his name.
"Do you want to be friends?" She asked carefully.
"R-really?" He asked shocked.
"I mean if you don't want to."
"N-no! I do" she smiled he seemed really real like he actually wanted to be her friend she smiled and went to hug him but the sand shot up stopping her thier eyes widened a dead silence filled the air between them.
"what's wrong?" She asked.
The sand lowered he stared shocked she was still there the hood shaded her eyes but they were bright and green under the hood. The light beige made her eyes very noticable then his eyes widened, it was the same girl.
"My sand won't let anyone touch me."
"You never had a hug?"
He shook his head 'no'.
"Never?"
"Everyone tries to hurt me."
"Oh..." She ran to the sand box he watched "Where you making a sand castle?"
He nodded walking over.
She sat down. "Can I help?" He nodded enthusiastically.
They started making the sand castle together it was big she found a leaf to make a makeshift flag he smiled. Gaara used the sand and she watched curiously as she saw the biggest sand castle made.
"Wow! How big can you make them?"
"I dont know."
She smiled then frowned the castle reminded her of her book, and then reminded her of Ryu. She frowned and looked down her hood hiding her face more.
"sakwa?"
She sniffed looking to Gaara. " I – I did something horrible Gaara!"
His eyes widened in total shock and surprise. "What happened?"
"I- I ate Ryu!" She sobbed.
Gaara was confused she ate who? She ate someone!? "Y-you ate someone?"
"N-no!" He flinched she was angry. "I ate my lizard!"
Gaara froze she's crying cause ..she ate a lizard? "but, they're yummy."
She wailed. "I know!" Gaara was confused. "I- I thought I'd keep him as a pet b-but my daddy got mommy to cook him, then I ate him" Gaara was silent 'oh' she was nice very nice she thought that doing that was bad w-what if she saw what he did what he was?! Then she'd leave.
"A-am I bad Gaara?"
"N-no" Tears came to his eyes she'd never like him.
"W-why are you crying!?" she laughed slightly "I'm the one who ate him."
Gaara was silent. "C-cause I- I'm bad."
She uncurled she had her knee's under her chin and her arms wrapped around but she untangled and turned to him. "No your not."
"Yes I am!" He yelled frustrated. Sand swirled around she was looking around shocked then she looked to him his eyes widened the sand fell and she stared.
He waited, waited for her to run to call him a monster to- he felt her hug him but it was so sudden it scared him his sand reacted throwing her away she landed on the hard ground his eyes wide he clutched his hands together.
"I- I'm sorry! I'm sorwy I didn't mean to!" He wailed.
She had tears in her eyes. "Accident?" She questioned he looked up shocked she was actually still there he nodded. "I though you were trying to hurt me."
Sakura walked over but limped she stood in front of him. "You didn't do it on purpose though." he blinked she smiled fiddling with her hands. "I-it's okay."
H-he hurt her and she wanted to stay!? She forgave him!? W-why?! What she said shocked him next
"I want to hug you"
She walked home a small smile on her face he wasn't bad he just did it by accident she knew cause he was upset very upset he hurt her he was shocked too. Sakura found a friend maybe she won't be able to hug him but one day she will.
Her mom greeted her home. "Why do you have the hood on?"
Sakura touched her head she forgot "it was really sunny it hurt my head."
Her mom sighed but took the lie anyways. Her mother apologized about cooking Ryu saying she didn't realize. Sakura had tears in her eyes she never blamed her mommy didn't do it on purpose she hugged her.
"I-it's nowt your fault momma." Her mom hugged her back the hug felt nice comforting and warm and she thinks just maybe Gaara has never been hugged before.
