Disclaimer: I'm like. Super happy about the reviews. Thanks a lot for the compliments, guys! Oh yeah. But. I DON'T OWN NARUTO. But still, If you see Gaara on ebay…

Yet another time skip- Don't worry, this is like… the second to last one? Sorry, but If you wanted me too write about every freaking day of the year… too bad.

Sachi stared into Gaara's eleven-year-old jade green eyes. This would be their last bit of time together before Sachi left, but right now, neither of them knew that. Ignorance is bliss, the very thing that had been happening in this very spot ever since it started just a few years ago…

FLASHBACK

"Gaaaaarrrrraaaa." Sachi groaned playfully. "If you walk any slower, that snail will pass you by!" She giggled a bit at this, but hung back with Gaara so he wouldn't get left behind. This was a very exciting day, and both Sachi and Gaara Even if he wouldn't show it were thrilled. They'd both be signing up at the ninja academy! Sachi had waited for so long to be able to go to a ninja school, just like the brother she'd always loved and missed sorely. It took a huge piece of her when he left, and Sachi might be able to fill that hole somewhat up with this ninja training.

"Hn." Gaara spoke, seemingly annoyed. But Sachi could tell he was excited. Not because she had her Gekitsuugon on, but because there was nothing too, well, not be happy about! It was definitely going to be one of the best moments in both of their lives. Sachi could already imagine Gaara and herself fighting against evil and opposing villages for the rest of their lives. They'd grow up and get married- it would be so great!

It was amazing, the knowledge of people Sachi had at such as young age. She knew all about emotions, behaviors, and characteristics of people. She had gotten to the point where she could almost read some people's minds without even activating her Gekitsuugon. She was almost proud of herself now, at how much she had improved. She might even be able to rival her brother… if he was still alive. It amazed her how she hadn't been able to find out her brother's whereabouts for all this time. She had always wanted to go look for him, but she wanted to stay with Gaara as well…

Sachi began skipping along the path as they got closer and closer to the ninja school. The path they took had a large amount of loose stones, so it was risky, but Sachi didn't care. As she skipped along past Gaara, she forgot herself. The wind- if there was one- was flowing in her shoulder length black hair. Her eyes were plain brown right now- no Gekitsuugon or anything, just her natural color. Her mom had always said if you listened, the wind would speak to you. And perhaps the wind was speaking to Sachi right now? She almost giggled at the thought of it. No, that would be silly.

Sachi was gliding along at a steady pace when a loose rock on the path tripped her. She fell forward, almost flat on her face, but instead, collided into something. For a fraction of a second, Sachi saw a man as pale as death itself standing in front of her. His snake-like tongue darted out from behind his lips, which were pursed in a tight smirk right now. And a second later, he was gone.

"Sachi? Are you…okay?" Gaara hurried his pace a bit. Sachi was almost paralyzed with fear, but was sure she had just been seeing things. Why on earth would a pale snake-man THING just randomly appear out of nowhere and smirk at her? She was probably going crazy. A smile touched the corner of her lips as she envisioned herself in a mental ward, talking to herself about snake men and rocks. It actually was quite a disturbing picture, but it calmed Sachi down.

"Ha." She laughed, a little dazed from her fear and the fall "I'm fine…." And they both kept walking. It wasn't like Gaara to carry on about something. If Sachi said she was fine, she didn't usually mean it, but they had a deal. It wasn't an actual deal, more like a silent agreement. Sachi never asked Gaara too much about his actions, and Gaara returned the favor. But they still knew all each other's secrets.

Before Sachi had learned about Shukaku, she had always been a bit curious about why Gaara was always awake before her. She had always been an early riser, though not really a morning person. She wasn't very talkative in the morning, and Gaara accepted that. But, day after day, no matter what, Gaara was already still awake and waiting for her. Sachi hadn't been too curious about the sand- she thought it was just a cool jutsu. But it was odd how he seemed to be able to summon it without even a simple handsign.

Sachi did feel bad, however, because she knew all of Gaara's past, but he knew very little of hers. It was, of course, because she knew very little of her own past, but she still felt bad. She felt as if she was cheating Gaara in some way. Like, he would tell her anything, but she remained a closed book. But she couldn't help it- she told him everything she knew. So far, all she knew was she had a mother, a brother, and at least one of them had met a horrible demise. She wasn't even sure if they had died- she just knew something had happened to them- or her. She woke up screaming and crying some nights- and Gaara had been there. He'd come into her room, sit there, silent as always, and hold her hand. Not a word was spoken, but Sachi could feel his presence when she had horrible dreams- and it seemed to block out the pain.

"Why hello there, darling! What might you need?" Sachi heard the voice of a young female ninja. She then realized she was at the academy. Gaara was nowhere to be seen- probably afraid he might scare everyone away if he came. So Sachi took a deep breath and hoped she would have enough courage to do this.

"Hello! I'm here to sign up for ninja school!"

END FLASHBACK

So now here Sachi was, about the leave the same ninja school she and Gaara had trained at for years. Tomorrow they would be put into teams- a huge deal. This was the day Sachi had been waiting forever since she signed up for ninja school at the academy. She knew she might not get a team with Gaara, but then again, maybe she would! Possibilities were endless, something Sachi had learned to love- or hate.

"Are you… are you nervous?" Sachi managed to ask, breaking the silence, if only for a moment. Gaara shook his head. In fact, he was excited. He would prove himself to millions of people. Someday, he'd show everyone. All the people who had hated him for no reason, called him a monster, left him so alone… he'd get revenge. This would be his chance.

"Are you?" Gaara asked, jerking his head in Sachi's direction, only to find she was looking at him intently. Studying his features. She looked away, cheeks turning red in embarrassment, and nodded. Not just nervous, but terrified. She was confident, sure, and she didn't doubt her skills. But she just wondered if Gaara would be okay. She knew he could look after himself, but she… she loved him. She needed something to protect- she'd had that need her whole life. It was time she started fulfilling it.