Sarutobi Hiruzen stood on the roof of the Hokage Tower. Two eight year old children stood in front of him.
"The Kazekage, leader of Sunagakure, will be visiting soon along with his family. The youngest is the container of the Ichibi no Shukaku. He is alone...Hated by his village. I ask you to make friends with him. He will be here along with his siblings and uncle. perhaps they could practice with you and your group?"
"Definitely!" both children chorused.
The Sand retinue stood at the gates of Konoha.
"Kazekage-sama?..."
The man nodded, his face hidden in the veil.
Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, along with Yashamaru stood at the end of the group. As they walked in, Gaara noticed a group of children playing around in an open training ground.
Yashamaru felt a hand tug at his pant leg.
"Uncle Yashamaru...Can I go try to play with them?" six year old Gaara asked, clutching his teddy bear.
He smiled. "Sure! Take Temari and Kankuro with you."
One of the kids, a blond girl, was trying to do the tree climbing exercise. However, she failed and began to fall.
Sand rushed from the ground, forming a hand and catching her. It brought the girl to the ground with no incident.
The group stared at Gaara, who was desperately trying not to cry.
Suddenly, they rushed him.
"That was awesome! How'd you do that?" they all asked.
He blushed.
"I was born with the ability to control sand..." he whispered.
The girl hugged him, and then grabbed his hand. "Why don't you and your brother and sister come play with us?"
Gaara smiled.
Yashamaru was satisfied with the turn of events. It seemed Gaara had found friends.
While at first, he had hated Gaara for Karura's death, he realized that was stupid and he should care for Gaara as much as he cared for Temari and Kankuro.
Yes, he reflected.
Life is good.