Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Grains of Sand, Grains of Truth

"There…the monster…he's over there…demon…."

The whispers of the villagers cut sharply through the air. I can feel their glares drilling into the small of my back; sense frightened mothers ushering their children away. These reactions are relatively expected upon showing my face to the general public.

I am a murderer, a forbidden child; despised by my own people. I took my mother's life as I came into this world, was cursed by her dying gasps; the gasps that seemed to drip agony like poison when she gave me the name of 'demon who loves only himself'. I have known only resentment, disappointment, and hatred from my father, who I loathed with equal disdain.

Why must I be the one to shoulder this burden? What was the purpose of my birth? Why must I struggle with this beast lying in wait, hidden within the depths of my soul? What unforgivable crime have I committed that I must live with this terrible penalty; a penalty possibly worse than death itself?

…Was it meant to be this way? Was I destined to live through this torment; suffering day after day until I drowned in my own agony, and could no longer stand to breath?

I remember when I once believed in a thing called 'love'. I used to convince myself there was still hope; to encourage myself not to give up, that I had a purpose for being who I was. Simply lies, lies used to comfort myself at night, and wash away my sorrow; at least for the time being. I have now opened my eyes to the truth that has been seeping in for so long, the truth I have long since wished to avoid, but could not. There are NO false fantasies, such as 'love', or happiness. There is only hatred, anger, and death.

However, in all my foolish and youthful years, I was correct in one minority: I do have a purpose, even if an evil one.

I can no longer prolong my destiny. I am a demon by birth, mind, and soul. I was meant to destroy life, meant to slaughter those who detested me without so much as a hint of remorse. I cannot allow myself to be buried beneath hapless emotion.

I shall give everyone a true cause to fear the name of, 'Gaara of the Desert'.


A/N: I'm aware that in this fan-fiction, I have mentioned that Gaara's mother hated him from the moment he was born, which was also her moment of death. This is because Gaara has been told many a times that this is how she left the world, and that instead of her love and protection lying in his gourd of sand, her grudge against him lay there instead. I am not sure if this true or not, but this is simply what he believes; for now, anway. And yes, this is before Gaara met Naruto.

Anyway, I hope that wasn't too out of character. Please leave a review to tell me what you think.