Note – I've not updated this since 2/6/17.

Perfect Worlds
World 1: A Father's Wrath

Everything felt like a dream. Gaara found his mother's touch calming, yet he never realized how much he'd ached over the years for Karura's physical touch. In the back of his mind he told himself he did know he'd missed her warmth, yet actually getting to experience what he missed hit the young Kazekage in the stomach hard. What he'd also never imagined was Karura showing him love, for Yashimaru told him under no certain terms that his mother hated him from the day he was born.

The exhilarating sensation didn't stop Gaara from sensing the intent to kill.

Instinctively Gaara moved and his thin arms scooped his mother up. The young Kazekage moved away from the spot in time to see an all to familiar ability hurtle at the spot he once stood. Baki also moved away and brought his kunai out. Gaara remained emotionless as Karura's head rested against his shoulder and her arms wrapped around Gaara's neck.

However, their attacker didn't remain emotionless. Gaara recognized the anger written on the man's face, yet also found his throat catching. His view of the person didn't last long as the familiar killing weapon came hurtling at him again. This time Gaara allowed his sand to form his defensive structures. In the back of his mind, the young Kazekage noted an odd difference.

The person attacking them wasn't using Gold Dust but instead Iron Sand.

"Who are you?"

Gaara took a deep breath. He'd not heard Rasa's voice for a couple of years now. He'd heard the tone of voice Rasa used and knew full well the man was ticked off with him. He found himself swallowing while Baki continued standing firm. He felt his mother's head turn while her hand gripped his protective gear tightly.

The sound of someone dropping in from behind and Gaara felt a pair of kunai placed at his throat, yet the pressure didn't yet break the thin coat of sand around his body. Gaara felt a shiver run down his spine upon hearing the voice. "I don't know who you are, but I suggest putting my nee-sama down."

"Yashimaru." Gaara swallowed. Physically, he felt a sweat break out on the back of his upper arms and the middle of his back. The wall of sand between him and Rasa collapsed completely. He felt his breath faulter slightly as the memory of his past interactions with the man fluttered through his head. The emotional pain and sense of longing flooded through his mind.

"Put my wife down." Rasa's attention drew towards where Baki stood frozen. Gaara's sensei seemed unsure of how to move, but then the forth spoke. "Baki, what are you doing here?"

Remaining calm, Baki choose to speak. "Lord Yashimaru, perhaps you should relax your kunai slightly so Lady Karura may be set down."

Gaara was sure Yashimaru was looking towards Rasa for instruction on what to do. The forth nodded his head and his uncle relaxed allowing Gaara to set Karura down. His movements were gentle as he attempted setting her down on her own two feet. He quickly discovered his mother balanced on only one foot, yet also leaned into him.

The rather stern look on Rasa's face didn't leave; in fact, Gaara was sure the expression on Rasa's face actually became sterner, yet he couldn't fathom why. Rasa stood with one arm crossed around his waist while the other hovered waiting to use the Iron Sands. "Let me repeat my earlier question to you. Who are you?"

Out of the corner of his eye Gaara saw Karura's mouth form into a pout. "What do you mean who is he? This is our youngest Rasa, our Gaara."

"Did you hit your head Karura?"

Gaara felt a slight tug from his side as Karura started moving. As such, he caught sight of his mother's mouth twisting into a frown he'd seen a few times on Temari's face. A soft, barely audible squeaking sound slipped through his lips. He felt more of a tug as his mother lifted up her injured foot and attempted reaching for her sandal.

A few other things occurred at that moment. The look on Baki's face was the look the man typically made when things were about to head in a very unexpected direction. Gaara also saw out of the corner of his eye the stern look on Rasa's face fall away and his mouth open slightly as if to protest something. Yashimaru – who had already loosened his Kunai so they were no longer at Gaara's through started speaking.

"Nee-sama, there is no need to…"

Karura let out a sound which indicated the removal of the sandal hurt, yet also told the person listening she did not care. Gaara watched her lift the sandal up into the air in a manner which looked like she was going to slap someone in front of her, which further confused Gaara regarding what was going to occur.

With a swift movement Gaara heard the sandal make a whirring sound before watching it hurtle towards his father. The look on Rasa's face quickly switched to one he recognized Kankuro use when something dumbfounded him, yet Gaara never expected such a look on his father's face.

The sandal in question hit Rasa square in the face with a resounding snap and his father's head moved back slightly upon taking the impact. His Iron Sand also dropped to the ground while the hand he'd used for controlling the sand shot up towards his nose. When the man finally refocused his gaze, he said, "Karura!"

Gaara's mouth opened and closed as the confusion plagued his mind. He also saw Baki move one hand to touch his forehead while his eyes closed as the other hand went to support his elbow. The young Kazekage recognized this movement as Baki's, "I can't believe they did that" face. Yashimaru took a deep breath from behind. "Nee-sama…"

A pair of seafoam green eyes blinked and then a lightbulb went off in his head. "I think I know where Temari gets her temper from."