Wind of Truth & Sands of Change

Gaara's Defeat in Konoha and Change of Heart

037. Crystal World

Gaara had been defeated.

He had lost a battle.

Kankuro always thought many things about the red-headed boy. He was psychotic, murderous, dangerous, violent, emotionless, powerful, uncaring, independent, and an unreasonable brat. But to Kankuro the boy had always been unstoppable. He was a strong metal shield that could never be penetrated. Marred on special circumstances but never defeated. Gaara was incapable of a loss.

Yet here he was. Carrying an immobile red-head. A motionless, weak, defeated, redheaded boy.

Something in Kankuro's world cracked when he realized Gaara had lost and the boy had willingly accepted his defeat.

Suddenly, the world he'd created made much less sense than it did yesterday.

038. Forgiveness

Temari nearly tripped and plummeted to the ground as she heard those words. She was shocked – beyond shocked. After all she'd gone through trying to reach Gaara, here it was.

He meant it.

He was sorry.

The thing was, he didn't need to apologize. Temari had forgiven him ages past.

She only hoped he'd forgive her.

039. Changed

Kankuro was well aware that something in Gaara had changed since the Chuunin exam. Something had gone on during the battle Gaara had with that Naruto brat.

Something had changed.

But his subconscious still couldn't wrap his mind around it. He still thought Gaara was a psychotic brat.

He would try, though. He had to. Gaara deserved a chance.

040. Thanks to That Brat

Temari analyzed the cut on her arm. She swore and began to wrap it. She'd already effectively cleaned the cut. It didn't hurt, but she still loathed getting cut. Seeing her own blood was sort of…irritating to her. She paused when she felt someone looking at her.

Gaara.

He stood before her, unblinking eyes analyzing the deep gash on her arm.

Temari smiled slightly at him and returned to wrapping her arm.

"Are…" Gaara paused, "you okay?"

Temari blinked. "What?"

"It doesn't hurt too…much…does it?"

Temari felt her eyes well up.

He honestly cared about her well-being.

Gaara had changed ever since the red-head had battled the blonde loud-mouth in Konoha.

He'd changed for the better.

"No." She managed to say, working to keep her happy tears from falling, "It's fine. I'm okay."

He looked satisfied. "Good."

Temari felt elated and shocked. She grinned; she was going to send that stupid brat in the orange jumpsuit a card thanking him.

"I would hate it…if you were hurt badly…"

The bandages slipped from her hand.

Screw the damn card; she was going to send that brat a freaking parade.

A/N: Nothing to say about this collection really…