After delivering his letters to his sibling's rooms, Gaara relaxed and ate an early breakfast. Sunrise would be soon. His eyes felt gritty and he was incredibly tired, but he also knew that he'd be getting his second wind soon. Second? Bah. He hadn't slept in two days. Somewhere deep inside, he could feel Shukaku stirring ominously.

So, to distract himself, he went for a walk around Suna. Gaara strolled quietly through the streets, avoiding the guards since he tended to make them nervous. He watched as the sun rose and painted the buildings and the streets, making them glow with colors that stung the eye with their brilliance.

Why had he not noticed before, how pretty Suna could be? He'd walked here all his life. He knew he'd seen countless sunrises. But lately, things had been looking different to him. Ever since he'd returned from the debacle of the attack on Konoha.

As usual, thoughts of the Leaf village, brought with it images of a few certain ninja. He supposed that it wasn't only his siblings he needed to be thinking about with his letters. Somehow he didn't think Iko would let him slide just writing to Temari and Kankuro.

o.o.o.o.o

Dear Rock Lee,

Hi. You might think it strange to be getting a letter from me, but it is important. I'm in the middle of a 12 step program in order to deal better with my anger issues. The step I'm currently working on is where I make a list of all those I've wronged and try to make amends where possible. So here goes.

Wait. This is hard. I can't really apologize for attacking your village, since I was following the Kazekage's orders. Even though he did turn out to be a fake. OH! Perfect.

1. I'm sorry that I didn't realize that the Kazekage had been murdered and replaced! Good one, eh?

2. I'm sorry for being so rude to you and everyone else when I got there.

o.o.o.o.o

16. I'm sorry that I thought you were weak.

17. I'm sorry that I underestimated you. REALLY sorry about that one since you actually hurt me. Still not sure how I feel about that too.

o.o.o.o.o

28. I'm sorry that I think your haircut is stupid. I even wondered if you were hiding weapons or something under all that hair.

29. I'm sorry that when I found out you had no hidden weapons in your hair, I thought you were gay. You're not are you? Please say no. Pleassse?

30. I'm sorry that I spied on you in the Forest of Death.

31. I'm sorry that I fondled your female teammate with my sand while she slept. Shit. That's ANOTHER person I have to write a fucking letter too! Damn it.

32. I'm sorry for cursing.

o.o.o.o.o

54. I'm sorry that I tried to kill you.

55. I'm sorry that I was upset that I didn't kill you.

56. I'm sorry for mocking you. But man, you make it sooo easy!

o.o.o.o.o

77. I'm sorry that I tried to kill you. No, I'm not repeating myself. I tried again. You were asleep in the hospital room.

78. I'm sorry you got so hurt trying to defeat me. Although I'm not sorry I won.

79. I guess I could be sorry that I'm NOT sorry that I won. (This sentence is making my head hurt).

o.o.o.o.o

102. I'm sorry for the random murders I committed in your village.

103. I'm sorry that I can't recall every murder I committed, not even the ones in that short a length of time as our visit. Let's see, there was the sound ninja, and the two hoodlums at the stadium, the café worker who tried to short change me, and the clerk who just called me 'shorty' …. No, I'm sorry, I can't remember them all.

104. Most of all, I'm sorry you're still hurt.

I've never told anyone to 'get better soon' or stupid stuff like that. I've never cared if anyone recovered before. Not sure if I do now, actually. Anyway. Get better soon. I wouldn't mind fighting you again.

Sincerely, Gaara of the Sand

P.S. What do you want for amends? I can send you a coupon for my sister's stylist. I'm sure she can do something about those brows. And the hair. Man, that sucks.

Double P.S. I'm sorry I don't like your hair. But geeez!

o.o.o.o.o

Gaara paused as he sealed his letter to Rock Lee, shaking his hand as he winced. Damn writing cramps! He looked up at a small 'thud' overhead. Sounded like Temari was finally up, that meant she'd be shaking Kankuro awake soon enough. He wondered what they'd think of his letters of apology.