Gaara, and other Naruto character's are creations of the Master Masashi Kishimoto.
This is a new story, inspired by Gaara, and a new character of mine, Kuma. Hope you like it.
Who am I you ask?
Well, my name is Kuma, and by all means and purposes I'm just one of the guys. I remember walking through the desert and thinking all that sweating would cleanse my spirit and help me forget my tragic past. Back then, I had just graduated from ninja academy, and failed my first attempt at becoming a chuunin. My best friend was in my team, his name is Kankuro. Unfortunately, when the time came for the chuunin exams, we were separated. He went on to the finals because his siblings were strong. His siblings are Temari, his elder sister, and Gaara, the youngest of them; yet, he's the one everyone fears. My team was weak, and they were killed in the forest of death. I barely made it alive, but could not go on to the next round. I wished Kankuro the best, and went home.
Yes, it seemed that we would be further apart than ever. That is, until I heard the news that the plan for war failed and Kankuro failed to become a chuunin. I didn't see him right away, but the chance came a few days later. It seems the youngest sibling, Gaara, was in no condition to fight, so they took me as the third member for their first mission after the Konoha incident. I was happy to be with my friend, because in reality he was all the family I had.
It was very early. I could just feel the first sunrays on my back as I knocked on their door. After a while, Kankuro came to open the door. This was the first time in a long time that I'd seen him without face paint and no shirt. Lucky for me he was busy rubbing his eyes open or else he would have noticed I was blushing. He yawned a few times before he said, "Aw man, you're too early. Get in here while I change. I'm going to tell Temari to make us breakfast… I hope she doesn't burn it."
My face has nothing to special; I manage to look like one of the guys. I hold my light orange hair tightly in a bun, and my hands are in dire need of a manicure, that's why I sit by the kitchen table trying to ignore the silly flirting Temari throws at me, saying stuff like, "I'm trying to be a better cook. Think I'll be a good wife ?"
I wondered if she would kill me, if she only knew… I'm not a guy; I just look like one. In reality, I'm a girl, and I happen to like boys. I blessed my lucky stars the minute Kankuro came downstairs and said, "Ready?"
I jumped to my feet, but became paralyzed as soon as I saw Gaara heading toward the door. I began stuttering, because I was afraid, but no one heard over the voice of Temari asking, "Are you sure Gaara? Chiyo-baa-sama said you needed rest?"
He glared at her and replied, "I'm fine, now let's go".
I was about to fall to my knees when Kankuro said, "Oi Kuma, you're still coming? It's going to be an easy mission, and maybe on the way we can visit the hot springs".
I managed to nod, because I felt Gaara rip my head off to the slightest sound of my voice.
Running on the desert, Kankuro's talk about our training in ninja academy helped me relax. Temari joined in the laughs every now and then, but Gaara said nothing. We perspired, while we rested the mid-day heat under the shade of a rock. Gaara sat away, and he didn't sweat. He seemed to be dreaming awake, and for a slight moment I thought I recognized the sentiment in his eyes; it was sadness. I did not know it then, but it was a sentiment that would draw us to be closer…
