A/N: Welcome all, to my new project. I've been fooling around with this concept for about 2 months and I finally found some time to write it up. If you've read any of my stories, the narrative for this will be similar. Switching between the overall narrative of the story and key character's pov's. This one will be a little more Gaara centric. There will be some pairings that I have in mind. But I'm always open to suggestions The rating is mostly for Naruto's mouth and to maintain my creative freedom. Anyway. Read, review, (and hopefully) enjoy.
-Sober T
Interview With a Dead Girl
"Ghost are beyond comprehension. They have come and lived, and come again. Yet, we have only started. Should by some Devine intervention they decide to take us with them on their second voyage, may bask in the wisdom of life once lived. Or perhaps, heed its truth."
xXx
Writing is easy.
I spend most of my time in class observing those around me. Taking in their vast array of different social interactions and ongoings, analyzing them in my own way. That's just how I do things.
I was a homeschool kid up until college and to be honest it's a bitch of a handicap. So I use what I understand to help me make sense of what's going on around me. Typically, by writing. I can describe people in a way that's more comprehensible to me on paper. Like how man is driven for example. Seemingly by studies, money, procreating, attention, or whatever. And breaking down atmosphere, and how it is determined by individual drive and conflicting ideas? Sure, I can do that too. It makes sense and it's easy to comprehend.
And It's not like I was a prisoner in my own home or anything crazy like that. Just inexperienced in the ways that people choose to conduct themselves with one another on such a daily basis.
I just want to be a better writer. Someone who can truly capture the human experience and put it into words for others to see as I do. Hopefully a room full of strangers will help me with that. Hopefully there will be enough friction, love and drama, or maybe even hate to motivate my writing. That's the kind of environment I'm hoping for anyway. Because what really gets my muse pumping is chaos. The unknown factor that makes for all great stories, mysteries, or interviews. Hell, anything anyone has ever had to say. Chaos makes for great writing, and there hasn't seemed to be a shortage of it around here lately...
xXx
The only reason Gaara bothered going to college was for the "challenge". He was smart and he knew it. However, It's one thing to say your an intellectual, but can you really measure up to others if you've been set in the same controlled atmosphere most of your life?
He didn't seem to think so.
So instead of jumping straight into journalism in Suna, despite being able to easily manage a job shadowing his father (the current Kazekage), he decided to seek greater learning in Konoha city. Specifically at Konoha University, in hopes of finding something, or someone that could add fuel to his already burning desire to experience.
His optimism was high after learning his sister had a rather positive experience at the college and even went on to be an ambassador for their country a few years later after graduating from the school. The Sabaku's were known for achieving, but this was something that could simply be overshadowed by being "daddy's little journalist" as his brother Kankuro so teasingly put it.
His father pushed him towards oppurtunities only a state official could and his mother only showered him with encouragement.Her little Gaara has a gift he needed to share and she would always remind him of that.
He'd won countless awards for creative writing and opinion based journalism. Making a bit of a name for himself as Suna's youngest aspiring writer. But it didn't really mean shit if he wanted to be a journalist with no real people skills.
So 8 o'clock Monday morning is where we first find him, taking post in the back of a rather large auditorium, waiting for the day's lesson to began as he jots down noticeable characteristics of his classmates. Having yet to properly meet them, he types his opinions about his classmates with more notable reputations.
'Shikamaru Nara: The first to completely ace all entrance exams for the school in the last 50 years. Impressive. But he's noticeably lazy in demeanor, slouching around and appears to be asleep before the lecture even begins... My sister has an odd choice in boyfriends.'
Gaara takes the occasional glance over his computer as students slowly begin to pile in, noting that he and Shikamaru seem to be the only ones who gave a damn about the 8am start time. The latter only doing so to find a prime sleeping position against the window in the front corner of the room.
Some other notable entries where Kiba Inuzaka and Sasuke Uchiha.
'Kiba Inuzaka: A prodigy in the field of animal physiology and medicine. It's safe to say he confidently put this class off as a buffer to make his senior year a bit more "lenient". His attitude is blunt as his confidence is fierce if his stroll has any indication of his character.'
'Sasuke Uchiha: Heir to the Uchiha family after his elder brother Itachi Uchiha declined his claim to the Uchiha family fortune. He seems to be in a constant state of brooding. Perhaps something to prove? Or maybe something deeper.'
It went on like this for a while until he'd amassed about six individuals in his makeshift character bio. He wasn't quite sure what he wanted to gain from the people here, but he was sure about his motives.
He was going to find the most interesting person here and take that persons living, breathing, existence and write it into something equally as beautiful.
Ensnared in his typing as always Gaara didn't really notice all too much when two boys sat down in the two remaining desk at his left. The one closest to him reaching out a hand to pat him on the shoulder.
"Hey man, mind if I sit here?"
"I suppose not." Gaara seemed timid under the blonde boys' thick layer of enthusiasm this early morning. A slight jump at the sudden contact.
"I'm Naruto. Naruto Uzamaki. And that's my brother Menma." The guy he pointed to was a mirror image of the blonde, just obviously less invested in the greeting and sporting a gruesome shade of jet black hair. "Hey bro, stop being a dick, say hi or somethin."
The boy in question took a moment from setting up his desk to give a lame wave at the redhead. He seemed a bit surprised that he actually bothered to acknowledge Naruto, but quickly let it go to say-
"Hi." And just like that, he was back to staring at the front of the classroom.
"Hello." Was all Gaara could muster back at the short statement.
"Don't mind him." Naruto leaned forward in a little closer in his desk to give pretty loud whisper. "He's kind of an asshole in the morning."
"Thanks for the heads up. I'm Gaara by the way, I just got here yesterday-"
"OH! That big shot homeschool kid from Suna? That's fucking awesome! I never met a homeschool kid before. Is it weird being the Kazekages kid? Have you ever talked to real teenagers before?! Do you-"
"Naruto." Menma warned. "Don't scare the kid, you just met him."
"Y-yeah my bad." He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "My bad. Welcome to Konoha man. It's a hell of a party."
'Damn. This guy is something else.'
"It's ok, I'm used to the questions. But just try to think of me as a normal guy? It's easier that way."
xXx
He extended his hand to me, and I have to admit, I felt like a fucking idiot. Because it took me about three whole seconds of solid contemplation to realize that he wanted me to shake it. But once I finally did, his wide grin said he was satisfied as he turned in his desk to wait for our professor.
Handshakes never really made much sense to me.
Father would always tell me that the shaking of hands between men was something not to be taken lightly. From what I could gather, an exchange of masculine value was held in that brief moment of passive aggression. The firm grip of another to display who they were as an individual, a first impression that was meant to last. He stressed how one should never present another with a "limp" offering, it should be strong and maybe even pain was expected. Naruto definitely didn't seem to be lacking in masculinity according to my fathers words. I could feel his conviction as if he might never let go.
But I felt as if mine was lacking.
Naruto's grip was confident. Strong as if he was trying to grind my bones beneath his own, borderline impudent. My own grip paling in comparison to this walking mass of agro, all the while, he smiled at me as if the passive violence meant friendship in the future.
And maybe it did. Though it still doesn't much make sense to me regardless. I felt suddenly very insecure when I found myself rubbing my hand after the encounter.
The experience itself was a bit alien and it seemed strange to have someone who wasn't family so unapologetically close to me when there were so many seats still left open. Granted there wasn't a lot of places for the both of them to sit and still be next to one another but still.
'Exhibit A why I'm here I suppose. Where the Hell is our teacher anyway? It's damn near 9 and the cut of for late teachers is in about 2 minutes.'
I took the time to take in the appearance of the brothers, it's safe to say I never saw any of my father's or sibling's associates dressed so... loudly?
Naruto's hair was a vibrant blonde that did everything to clash with the orange KU hoodie and torn white jeans he wore. Menma's colors weren't as vivacious but the contrast of his black hoodie and dark hair really made the duo seem pretty humorous at second sight when they were so close to each other. They both, however, seemed to have the same piercing blue eyes, that seemed to do a lot of the talking for them when they spared each other a glance.
The door finally clicked one minute before the hour, I watched an older white haired man straggle in with a book in hand. Taking his time reaching his podium and marking his book with a thick, red bookmarker before addressing us.
"Sorry students seems I got lost on the path of life." His statement only earned him a few disgruntled groans from the class and some pretty confused scrutiny from myself. Many had just gotten ready to leave right as he walked in.
"As you know. Konoha Cultural Impact studies is a mandatory class in order to graduate from this fine establishment. I'll be your professor, Kakashi Hatake, and hopefully, this semester won't be too painful for either of us. So welcome freshmen through seniors, let's get started!
'Hmm, Hatake? Temari told me about this one. Always late and painfully nonchalant.'
"Ah, Uzamaki. Uchiha. Nice of you to join me again." I looked over to see Menma give a curt nod, and down to see Sasuke doing the same from his middle seat.
'Failed the first time I'm assuming? I can't imagine this man being a hardass in the grading department.'
The class went on for about ten minutes with no real interruption. Kakashi going on from the beginning of Konoha's discovery and their founding leaders. Only occasionally bothering to look up from his dull textbook to jot something down on the large whiteboard behind him. I did my best to stay engaged but it was honestly all boring shit I brushed up on before I even came to Konoha.
'I guess now is a good enough time as any.'
I continued my bio's, adding Naruto and Menma to the list of names I'd have to learn more about. The former of which was knocked out cold, chin suspended on his right hand as he leaned dangerously low in his seat. The latter gave me an understanding look and sigh that said: "let him be." And asleep is how he remained, that is, until she walked in. And I swear I could feel my chest tighten. I don't think I've ever seen anything that made me lose my breath like that...
xXx
A young girl stumbled into the classroom about halfway through the lecture via the back door unbeknownst to most of the room's occupants. Her hair reminded Gaara of the color of freshly popped bubble gum and he was sure it was just as thick, With a flow that came to her shoulders. He saw the Uzumaki brothers spare her a glance before returning they're attention to Kakashi's dull lecture. Naruto suddenly now more awake than he had been.
Her hair wasn't the only odd thing about her however. Vibrant green eyes offset against her uniquely pink hair. And the overall lightness of the colors popped out from their owner's pale skin. Skin that looked pale enough to have not seen the sun in years, but still somehow flawless, no bumps or scrapes, almost as if it could glow. Like heavy cream was drizzled thoughtfully over a delicate canvas.
"Who is that?" The words left his mouth in a whisper before he could reel them back in. Looking around to see who heard, he was disappointed to see that Naruto indeed caught his question.
"Who?" Naruto definitely looked at the same pink haired girl that Gaara did, in fact he was staring in her direction as she walked in front of them, not once taking his eyes off of her... but that didn't stop him from asking.
"That girl." He nodded in her direction.
Naruto feigned ignorance and instead nodded at the girl in front of Sakura.
"You mean Kin?" Kin was a fairly attractive girl that sat some rows ahead of the mystery girl. A long flow of black hair that covered her back.
"The one with the pink hair." Gaara was a bit frustrated. But honestly, who doesn't assume someone with pink hair of all colors?
"Yeah... that's who I thought you were talking about." Naruto's look was solemn as they watched the girl gracefully take an empty seat at the end of the row, a couple spaces in front of them. No one paid her any mind as she dug for her book and silently began to take notes. Kakashi didn't bother to stop speaking at the sudden intrusion and no one else really seemed to even acknowledge her existence. "Tell me. Besides the pink hair, what's she look like?"
"Do you not see her right there-"
"Just do it." The boy's face was serious for the first time since their meeting. His brow furrowing a little in anticipation.
"She's pale. Like porcelain. And her eyes... they're greener then they have any business being.
'Did I really just say that?'
"What else?" Naruto was hungry for an answer, but it was Menma this time that spoke. He himself hadn't been staring the pinkette down, but instead was giving Gaara a doubtful look.
"She's... She's beautiful." Those words felt so right falling from his lips that he just kind of let it hang there.
Who were the brothers to judge anyway? They could clearly see that for themselves as well.
Menma have a slow nod, returning unatintively back to the front of the room. But Naruto. Naruto managed to pry his eyes from her to address Gaara.
"That's Sakura Haruno. And if you noticed her, all I have to say is be wary." His expression was a bit solemn, suddenly seeming very uncomfortable in his seat as his found the top of his pencil eraser as something worth ovcupying his time, chewing fidgetingly on its durable surface. "You know home school, you're kinda weird, aren't ya?" Naruto darted his attention back between Sakura and Gaara.
'Is this guy serious?'
"I wouldn't say I'm the weird one right now. Seems kind of sudden that you'd say that just because I noticed a pretty-"
"She's kinda dead."
'Wait. What?'"Huh??... I don't think I heard you right. Dead?" Gaara leaned in closer to get a better listen, as did Naruto who was noticeably more quiet despite his character.
"Yup." Naruto proceeded to ball up a piece of paper, a bunch of first day nonsense that Kakashi has passed out earlier. He proceeded to ball up three pages or so and pitch it clean through the girl sitting in front of them and nailing a sleeping Shikamaru in the back of the head some rows down. The ball phased through her and fell unceremoniously on the floor after hitting the boy, and not in the sense of a ball bouncing off someone who was irrelevant. But quite literally flew through the girl as if she wasn't even there. "Dead. As. Fuck."
The result was a burning stare directed at Gaara as the girl named Sakura turned slowly in her chair, a thin, accusing, brow raised at him. When Gaara looked to his left, the blonde had portrayed a facade of sleep.
Gaara held up his hands in apology until she turned away.
"What the fuck are you doing?!" Gaara yelled, or rather harshly whispered as Naruto fell into a fit of laughter.
"Do I need to demonstrate again?" The blonde fought hard contain his laughter but no one in the class seemed to care.
"No! Just explain what the Hell just happened?"
Naruto's expression sobered up a little as he wiped a tear from his eye.
"I can't. She's dead, and no one else really seems to notice she's even here... Well except you."
"You expect me to believe that's a dead girl sitting in that chair?"
"Well you know what they say. Seeing is believing." Naruto's wide smile beamed at Gaara. "She comes to class late everyday. I've tried talking to her but she just kinda stares straight through me, I haven't gotten so much as a word out of her in a long time... Menma swears up and down I'm going fucking insane. But Thank God you see her too, at least now I know I'm not crazy. Right bro?"
Naruto nudged the boy on his left. Menma took a look at the girl and then over too Gaara.
"So you see her too?" He voice was calm as was his demeanor.
"Y-Yeah. I do."
'And I just saw a solid object soar through her like it was fucking nothing.'
"Ah. Then, not crazy it is."
"Yeah? Well I definitely think I might be." Gaara said. Suddenly less sure in his casual decision to attend uneversity.
The boys returned to their studies and Gaara found a new task in the form of the anxious nibbling attention he gave his fingernails. His gaze didn't stray far from the pink haired girl for the rest of class.
xXx
Gaara raked at his brain for the next hour. He'd always been open minded, but the very notion of the supernatural seemed to frighten him in ways he didn't quite understand. And worst than that, it raised so many questions.
'Who was she really?'
'Is she really dead?'
'If she is, then how did she die?'
So many fucking questions. The idea of a ghost in general was the biggest anomaly. He needed to know why she was here, because what tragedy could snag a soul from its eternal rest to keep them on this world?
'No not a tragedy. A miracle. She must have been given a second chance right? It has to be a miracle.'
"Hey bud, you ok?" Naruto asked.
But he might have had better lucking talking to the wall.
Gaara was consumed by his thoughts, swallowed by the ocean of his questions and drowning out everything else as he waded in it's wake.
'I know she's real. I saw what happened with my own damn eyes.'
The thud of the door jarred him out of his thoughts for a moment. He looked up to realize everyone had already left the classroom. Everyone except her. The soft tap of her shoes made their way to his desk, all the while her green orbs traced circles around his frightened form.
Her presence alone, Gaara noted, challenged everything he knew.
This walking miracle first made a mockery of science. He could see now that her chest didn't bother heaving for air. The valley of her bust, still and barren of life. Where as he could hear every pounding beat of his own heart and the quickening pace of his breaths as he opened up his mouth to keep from hyperventilating.
Death was walking his way. Death was approaching him and even his new friends where nowhere to be seen.
Second, this walking tragedy made quick work of logic as her light touch made contact with the ground, an ethereal stroll that somehow still made gentle pats against tile as she glided calmly towards him. So much calm in so much unrest, the literal walking dead. He wondered how he managed to hear those taps over the race track pace of his thoughts.
And perhaps most importantly was how complex she made Gaara's own reality seem, with just three simple words.
"Hello. I'm Sakura." She gave a small wave at the staring boy.
'This is it.'
"It wasn't very nice of you to be throwing things at me like that in the middle of class..."
"I-" He thought for a moment about telling on Naruto, but that many words might not actually make it out of his mouth at the moment. "I-I'm sorry." He offered no other words but couldn't keep his mouth from tumbling open a bit at the site of her.
"Quiet I see?" Sakura extended her hand to him, and once again Gaara was faced with an alien of a concept. "What's your name?"
The rush of insecurity from so blatantly showing who you are to someone bolted through him once more. But he couldn't.
No. He wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this.
Gaara took her hand in his and he began to understand some of Naruto's impudennce. How some things can change a simple grip into a white knuckle hold. She was real. He knew now how that moment of passive violence might help anchor this experience into memory. Holding her hand there firmly in his, he could now understand that feeling of this moments fleeting existence, and he didn't want to let go.
And right then he decided he was going to find out just why Sakura Haruno had yet to let go of this world.
"I'm Gaara. It's nice to meet you."
End Chapter One
Drabbles: If you've read "Wetwork" you know I enjoy writing the relationship between Gaara and Naruto as friends. But I feel like that's a little harder when you consider writting Gaara in a more serious atmosphere. That being said, if anyone would like to beta this, pm me, it'd be nice to be on the receiving end of criticism to keep this story as in character as possible.