Chapter 1: Games
October 14 . . . 6 years ago . . .
"No," answered the 6 year old to his father's absurd command. "What did you just say to me?" The father questioned, silently daring the young child to disobey him again. "I said no!" The little boy retorted. "Look, I don't care if you WANT to. No, that doesn't matter; it's that you're GOING to! Your opinion has no affect in this land. I am the leader. Not you. You're just a child, nothing special!" the father shrieked. Getting a hold of himself and his emotions he snorted at the pitiful being weeping on the floor before him. "You can't make me! I don't want to be hated for something that's not my fault!" the little boy through his tears. "It IS you're fault! It was you're fault that you were born! It is you're fault that YOU CAN'T COOPERATE!" the Kazekage yelled. "It was you're fault you killed mother." The young boy whispered. "Get out," said the Kazekage in a deathly quiet undertone. "Just get out. I don't want to see you're face again." The father looked away in disgust at his son. "What?" The little boy went wide-eyed, confusion written on his face. "I said leave my country. You are no longer considered my son. You're a failure with no purpose in this life." he answered. "B-but father-" stuttered the young boy. "No! Get out! Now!" the Kazekage pointed to the door.
And Gaara left with a hung head and a heavy heart.
"Yashamaru, why am I so feared?" Gaara questioned. "Why, because of Shukaku." His uncle answered. "Why did father put him in me? Why would a person do that?" Yashamaru looked up from his novel with a dark scowl on his face. "I'm sorry I asked, Uncle. I shall go to my room." Gaara answered "You do just that." called Yashamaru as he trudged down the hallway that lead to his room. Sighing, Gaara flopped onto his bed. But still, why would father do that? He did consider me his son then, did he not? And my mother his wife? A question came up he had never thought of before. What does my name mean? Gaara sat straight up. No, it couldn't. Mother wouldn't do this nor father, would they? Afraid, Gaara jumped off his bed and ran to his bookshelf searching for some kind of dictionary.
Ga means . . . um, I. Ok not so bad . . . what about the other a? Love. Ok, what do I love? Ra . . . ra . . . Oh . . . no.
Confused and desperately hoping the dictionary was wrong he ran out of is room and to Yashamaru. "Yes?" his uncle asked "Yashamaru, what does my name mean?" Gaara questioned uncertainly. "You are sure you wish to know?" Yashamaru inquired. "Yes, please." Gaara answered. Yashamaru nodded acceptably with a little sigh "I am a demon I love only myself." Gaara gasped, "Why? No! That can't be true! No one could do this! This is all . . . so, horrible." The little boy fell to his knees clutching his arms together, struggling not to cry. Yashamaru laid a hand on the boys shoulder "Gaara, stand up." He said gently. The boy did shakily but surely. Yashamaru bent down and looked into his eyes. "Do you know why you are here, in this way?" He asked carefully. "Because, no one cares for a demon like me." Gaara answered, not meeting his uncle's gaze. "No, because your father wanted you this way, he wanted to use you for a weapon. So he killed his wife, my sister, and sacrificed his son for the country of Wind. Now, I am not saying what he did was right. But understand that if he hadn't done what he had, Sunagakure wouldn't exist." Gaara looked up "Are you sure?" he asked uncertainly. "Positive," and Yashamaru smiled. "Thank you." Gaara replied, Yashamaru nodded, set down his book, and went to bed.
My name is Gaara, I am a demon. My name is Gaara, I am a demon. My name is Gaara, I love no one.
Silently the ninja crept along the side of the building. His targets house was dead ahead. His orders were final, destroy the child of the desert. Obliterate the Kazekage's son. Annihilate Gaara of the Sand. As he neared he first checked the windows, the doors, all openings. Gaara was no where to be found. The kid doesn't sleep. He's insomniac. Why am I doing this at night? "Why not?" asked a voice behind him but before he could circle around and stand up from his posture on the roof sand covered his mouth and his body. "Good-bye, assassin." Whispered the voice. The sand began imploding all around the ninja, he tried to scream but that only led the sand into his mouth. Finally, the sand hit a vital spot, and the ninja was dead. The games had begun.