I'll Play With You, Gaara

Angel of Anime

Chapter One:

All the troubles started on this particular day.

"Sand Coffin," muttered Gaara in his rather eerie tone. He was in the Forest of Death during the Chunnin Exams with Temari and Kankuro, his brother and sister, and had just literally crushed a squad of three with his sand because they looked at him wrong. Now twelve years old, the bijuu host had already killed many people, and by this time, he wasn't fazed by it one bit. In fact, his siblings, who were also on his team, had brought umbrellas for the blood that would rain down after Gaara used that very technique.

"Whoa, we better stay away from thatguy," Kiba, from behind a bush some yards away from the frightening scene, whispered to his teammates Hinata and Shino. They silently agreed and snuck cautiously away before they were detected. And it was after they'd gone that another person, alone, appeared in front of Gaara. She had her light brown hair contained in an azure cloth, with a mauve string tied around it; and curly, loose strands framed her pale face. Her eyes shimmered crimson and kept any signs of fear hidden. About Gaara's height, she wore a plain fishnet shirt and a navy cloak with only the top button fastened, that reached just above her knees. Her pants were a soft grey and looked extremely warm and they went half-way down to her shins. A black weapons pouch was around her thigh, among a small wrap-around of gauze; sandals were cerulean.

"Gaara," the twelve-year-old whispered, sounding frail, though her stance was sturdy. Feet spread inches apart, her hands were fists and rested on her hips, thin brows furrowed slightly.

Narrowing blue eyes, he glared at her. Something seemed… familiar about this girl, but he couldn't name it. Her appearance didn't bring anyone or anything to mind; it was just the way she gazed at him that made him feel he couldn't kill her. His expression remained fixed on her, cold as ever, when Temari hesitantly queried, "Gaara…?"

"Go on… I'll handle this," he replied. The boy with purple make-up and blonde-haired girl with four spiky ponytails obeyed him without another word, not daring to question him. It wasn't until he was no longer able to sense the pair that Gaara continued: "Who are you?"

Taking one more step toward him, the young girl answered in a louder voice, "Kimi." She didn't have to say another word to make the memories of the only to befriend him flood into his mind. So many of them, and yet there was one that particularly stood out from the rest:

The sun was setting and Kimi and Gaara were at the place where they'd first met. The nine-year-olds had been together playing all day long, and they were both pretty weary, but they still remained together until the very last moment they could each day. Kimi twiddled apprehensively with a piece of grass that she'd found from one of the various patches there were around the village. "Gaara…" she began, avoiding his dark-ringed eyes.

"Hm?"

"I have to… go… for a while," she stated as if in thought.

Gaara looked fully at her and she did the same. She wasn't afraid of him or anything, because she knew that he'd never hurt her no matter the circumstance, but his eyes always tore her up when she stared directly into them; though she'd come into his life, he was still lonely. The villagers of the Sand never quit looking down at him, and it pained him deeply, and what was his pain had become hers. "You're going?" he asked, afraid of her exact meaning. The boy didn't sound needy or anything; it was just a simple-sounding question when it came from his mouth.

Kimi just nodded once, and after a moment's silence she smiled one of the smiles that never ceased to make him feel better. Until this time, that is; it made things worse. "I can't stay here right now, but… we'll see each other again, you know. If it's meant to be, then it'll happen. If not, then… then I'll make sure I change my fate and yours!" She laughed only to find Gaara hadn't moved.

"When?" The jinchuriki always sounded serious, ominous. That was just the way he spoke.

She looked down sadly, "T-tomorrow morning. I would've told you before, but I didn't want you to feel bad during the last times we had together. You'll be here to see me off, won't you?" Gaara didn't respond. By now he was facing the first star of the evening, his eyes closed. Kimi decided to leave him be and to go home for the night, but before she did, she added, "Please be here for me, Gaara."

"You left," stated Gaara calmly.

She nodded. "You didn't say good bye."

The next morning, early before anyone else awoke, Kimi waited at their meeting place for Gaara to give her his fare well. When one of them said 'tomorrow morning,' it always meant just before the first person would leave their home to begin their daily tasks. It was always best if they weren't seen together, or even apart. It was best because the people didn't like Gaara, and they clearly didn't like anyone that went willingly near him. Neither of the two seemed to really care, though it hurt Gaara deeply that Kimi was hated because of him and Kimi was hurt because Gaara was hated for something that wasn't his fault, his doing. She had no regard for herself, only for him. She only lived for Gaara, and that was why she was going. It was so she could live longer for him, even if it meant being separated for however long it took.

He hadn't appeared, however. There was no misunderstanding, she knew, he'd simply chosen not to come. Kimi couldn't be delayed, as she was meeting someone and he was not the most patient person; he would leave her behind if she got to be too late. After waiting fifteen full minutes, all the time hoping Gaara would show, the child let out a dejected sigh and left the Sand village's gates. Taking one last look at her home, she started off into the sky that looked almost exactly as it had the previous evening, with a man who had dark hair and eyes and deep creases under them.

I'm sorry… Gaara, she thought ruefully, gripping her pack's straps tighter.

Gaara's glare didn't fade, and neither did Kimi's cheerless expression. "I didn't expect to meet you here," admitted the girl, "especially not with your siblings." She didn't mean anything offensive by it, because the last time she saw the two, they loathed and despised Gaara just as much as anyone else. Gaara didn't take it as an insult; he understood what she meant. "But even-so, I'm glad I was able to see you again. You're okay, right?"

"Why?" 'Why did you leave?' was his full question, but the host didn't bother saying the whole thing. He gave the impression the he didn't care what the answer was, or if she even answered at all, but in actuality he did. He wanted, needed, to know the answer why she'd left him. Why…?

Shaking her head slightly, Kimi smiled warmly, knowing the lengths of his inquiry. "I didn't want to tell you before… Gaara, I'm sick; really, reallysick. I left so that I could get better, to see many skilled healers. If I didn't, I would be dead already." Her voice softened at the last part but her gentle smile remained on her lips and she took three more cautious steps closer to him. Somehow she'd sensed that there was something terribly wrong with Gaara, and after witnessing him kill three people without being phased by it at all, any suspicions she may have had were confirmed. What's happened to you, Gaara? Why do I feel like I've got to be careful now, guarded? How can I make it better for you? She questioned herself.

The no-eye browed Sand nin turned away, his arms crossed. "I don't have time for this," was all he said before walking off.

"Gaara, wait!" shouted Kimi boldly, sprinting toward him and forgetting all the cautions she had just warned herself to take. "I---" Before she could complete her sentence, she was unconscious.

"I told you. I don't have time for this," he repeated, leaving the girl, her waist length hair spread around her.

a/n: I hope Gaara was in-character; I really did try my best! Um, well, other than that, I hope this was okay. Not too dull or tedious, I mean... Hmm, I do hope it isn't. Please tell me what you think, 'k? Thanks!

Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto