Chapter 2:
The Boy Known as Gaara
The world around me is hushed into silence, vaguely I wonder if I have gone deaf. Even if I did, I doubt I would have cared in that moment. I feel my heart beat; it's in my ears, in my fingertips and toes. The excitement is like a shot of raw adrenaline to my veins.
Just let me see your face- let me know there is someone else there. I just want to hear another's voice. For once-once without disgust. Once without fear. Just once-only once.
Another rustle drags its sound across my ears, another falter for my poor heart beat.
The hair catches my eyes first. That familiar auburn hair that is extremely close to a fiery red when it shines in the sunlight. Though he is taller than I, he is still incredibly short to most males, yet it is obvious that he has grown strong. His lean muscled body is stiff but relaxed in his full-length black trousers, and long-sleeved crimson coat with flaring hemlines on the front and the back. A grey holster vest held in place by a single strap is tightened on his left shoulder and two buckled belts are attached to his gourd keeping it in place with another pair of casually worn belts around his waist. Most of these clothes are unfamiliar to me, but that gourd…I could recognize it from anywhere.
I find I can't move-it's almost as if the world has been paused. I don't feel myself breathing anymore. Nor do I hear the moaning of the wind or the delicate chirping of the birds. It all just ceased to exist. The scar on my middle finger tip starts to tingle with recognition, "I remember you." It says, mimicking the whispers of my heart. "I remember when your face was so small and your smiles were inevitable. I remember-I remember…"
My hood hides my face as I stand in the crowd awaiting the Kazekage and his children. The Raikage and the Kazekage have decided to ally our nations; it was quite a sudden shock to everyone since we have been in war for so very long. They had both agreed that it made little to no sense letting valued ninja die under a pointless war that barely had a reward at the end either way. Many people had gathered near the gates to see the famed Sand Siblings and their esteemed father, I was one of them. It was to my knowledge that there was a young boy among them who was my age. I wanted to see him for myself; people whispered that there was something off about him. That he was feared among his village. At his age? How could that be? I wanted to know, I ached to know.
Keeping my head low I make sure to keep the shadows over my face. I can't have anyone know who I am, or that would cause a scene. I wouldn't get to be part of the crowd anymore, I'd be excluded. With my tan robes covering the marks on my skin and my face hidden by shadows, not one will think to look at me twice. Especially since the crowd is in a joyful uproar. I feel at peace in this screaming group of people. They are so elated that it's infecting me vigorously. Each nerve on my body is tensed and leaping with excitement.
The gates slowly open and the village shushes instantly. Everything lies dead still and the spacious void is suffocating in my anticipation. I remember this type of stillness, it's like the air has suddenly become a weight on your back. No one dares to move or breathe. This type of atmosphere is familiar to me, but instead of fear its eagerness. Like a sweet candy in my mouth, that has yet to make an unpleasant aftertaste. Without thinking I push forward in the crowd, trying too hard to get a better view. With so many adults in the way I could see but a crack of the rock path the Sand Siblings were going to stride down, and that would certainly not do. I wanted to see everything from the perfect point. That is where everything fell to pieces.
The hood of my robes is yanked off my head and my white ash hair falls out for everyone to see. "It's Hebi!" Someone nearby had screamed. Gasps from the crowd arouse and they hurried away from me. I was the only one standing in a gaping hole of the throng of people. This makes me stop and hang my head, clutching my fists. Why do they call me that? Why do they call me a snake? Biting my lip I raise my head and the citizens back up a few more steps, their terror intoxicating. I wanted to have a normal day but obviously that is not possible. Sighing I unclench my fist and continue my way to the front of the mass, if they willingly let me past then I have nothing to complain about I guess.
As I get to the front the shrieks of thrill are back at the top of each pair of lungs. It doesn't affect me like it did though; standing alone in a parted sea isn't a swim of delight. So I stand tall, my infectious desire to belong replaced by focus. I need to watch carefully, I need to see them.
I didn't know why I was so driven that day. Maybe it was because I had a chance to find someone my age that wasn't yet corrupted by the masses judgment of me. Maybe it was because I heard there was someone who was an outcast just like me. All I knew was that I NEEDED to be there to see. I needed to see the Kazekage and his children. It's all I could think about. My determination was unknown but was the strongest I've ever felt.
The Kazekage finally appears in his Kage robes and funny hat, he is greeted with calls of joy, and they cheer for the man who had finished slaughtering half our ninja. I smirk, people are interesting creatures. Our Raikage takes his hand and gives it a firm shake, resulting in another burst from the population surrounding them; Raikage leads him along the path and disappears into a building. Not a beat after that do the Sand Siblings appear with five ninja escorting them.
There are three of them, a girl and two boys. The girl seems to be the oldest; her hair is blonde and is put up in four puffy ponytails. Her eyes are big and green, but the smile she has on her face doesn't compliment them at all. It's a spoiled smile, like a rotten egg sitting so gracefully on the finest serving dishes. The next one is the second child, he is taller then the girl by far though he is younger. He had spiky brown hair feathered around his tanned face. His eyes are dark black with a point at the edges; it makes him appear mischievous and shifty. He looks sort of clownish with these two combinations but it sort of compliments his upbeat personality, which I can see quite clearly in his big goofy smile. Those two are wearing matching black robes and have all the ninja fluttering around them. The ninja fluttering around them look more cautious then they should be considering they are here to negotiate peace.
The third child ambles wearily behind, out of all of them, he is the most interesting to me. He is clearly the youngest, I can tell he is the five year old that everyone was talking about; he is the one who is my age. The clothes he is wearing aren't black robes but a short tanned robe cut short to mimic a shirt, the collar is tall and hides part of his chin. His black trousers disappear into the gray bindings that are wrapped around his calves, his black sandals poking out of the layered fabric. Those thin, pale arms of his are clutching a big teddy bear close to his body like a last hold of security. That would have been understandable; he was in a new place, it's reasonable to be scared. Yet-on his small back is a giant gourd, tied to him with a thin piece of white cloth. What could he possibly be carting around in that massive container? I lingered on it for a few more seconds then moved my eyes to his face.
His pastel face is round and framed by a head full of spiky auburn hair that glistens in the sun like red fire. He seems to have no eyebrows, yet to me that only heightens his adorably innocent features. There are black jagged rings around his big pointed eyes, which are the most beautiful shade of turquoise and mint green. They shine in the light but they seem sad and pained. That look in his eyes…they remind me of mine.
"That's Gaara!" Someone whispers in a hushed voice.
"I heard he torments the Hidden Sand Village everyday!" Another mutters.
"He's a monster like Hebi." The thirds word cut me deep. A monster like Hebi? No, that can't be right. That little boy, that scared little child, can not be a threat to anyone. They are calling this defenseless boy a monster!
"You're the monsters!" I bellow in the direction of the voices. "What gives you people the right to say such things? You're all monsters." Everyone cowers at my voice and I notice how everything has gone quiet. Even the sound of footsteps coming from the pathway. Turning my head back I notice that the Sand Siblings have stopped walking completely. Each one has turned to look at me directly. Each with a different expression on their face. The oldest is giving me a disgusted glower, the platter finally matches the rotten egg that's being served on it. The second is simply put in a state of sad resentment, I can see that sorrow in him but he hates with the same equal weight. The third-Gaara is in astonishment. He doesn't quite know how to process what he just heard. Though when he does, I am met with the same shock. A smile brightens up his whole face and he directs it straight at me. Leaving me stunned in awe about how perfect he looks with it. I have no other words and no other thoughts but my first reaction is to smile back.
I remember-I remember…Gaara…
To the Readers:
As stated in the chapter before, this story was taken down for revision. Before, I had waited until I had 8 chapters before posting which cause numerous errors in the plot line. The character seemed unruly and the facts behind her personal life were mixed up. So I am resubmitting the story because even though there were problems I thought it was a pretty air solid story line. Please be patient with me as I continue in this process, if I miss anything in the revision I ask that you comment about it in the reviews and everything will go smoothly. Thank you so much! Your reviews and views mean a lot to me :)
I'll post as soon as possible
Shiori Mio
Also, if i am taking a while to post the newest chapter of The Sand Filled with Tears and you are anxious to read somthing new: Check out my new story!
A Mind Unbound By Jesses Dark Heart: A Gaara/OC Not So Fairy Tale FanFiction