Ok so I have another decision for you guys. I wasn't sure if I should write about Kasami's experience when selecting her dragon companion and if no one cares than I won't bother explaining that. So if you want to hear about it, let me know and maybe I'll write something. Thanks!
Kasami Age 15
The three training logs stood silently before me. The marks from generations of students kicking away formed little faces in the grain that had always seemed to be laughing at me. But I'd finally been able to add a few marks of my own thanks to a jutsu that Raidon taught me.
I glanced at the top of the log to my right, where Raidon, my new little dragon friend, lay curled up, watching me with lazy eyes. He was small. A lot smaller than Mitsu but that was fine since he would mostly be helping with reconnaissance anyways. His scales were naturally a light golden color but when surrounded by items of a different color, the green of leaves for example; his scales begin reflecting that color. Mitsu had told me it's because he is very skilled in stealth. Apparently sometimes the skills a dragon trained in could affect their appearance.
Naomi had taken me to pick out my dragon companion on my 14th birthday. It had taken some time to convince the elders, the oldest and wisest dragons still living, that I was worthy of working with their kind. But Naomi had been adamant and she was close friends with many of the remaining dragons so they relented and I was allowed to pass into their domain. When I emerged, little Raidon was perched on my shoulder. Naomi, Mitsu and Raidon immediately began teaching me more techniques in an effort to prepare me for whatever my future might be as a Kunoichi. But the technique I was practicing today, was probably one of the most important that Raidon would ever teach me; the Dragon's Brace Jutsu.
The hand signs came to me naturally now and as I activated the Dragon's Brace I could feel a tingling sensation flow throughout my body signaling that jutsu had been successful. This technique had been developed for the stronger members of the Ryuu family. It reinforced their skeletal structure to allow them to us the most physically demanding of the dragon clan's jutsu. For me, it strengthened my body to the level of a normal healthy person, allowing me to learn Taijutsu and to convince the new Hokage to let me graduate from the academy. It had taken fifteen long years but I was finally able to wear a Konoha forehead protector.
Next step: The Chunin Exams.
Everyone else from my class had passed their Chunin Exam last year; everyone except Naruto. Two years ago he had left with Jiraiya Sensei to train and become stronger so he could bring Sauske back to the village. I begin striking the training logs quickly, alternating between punches and kicks, while absently wondering when I would see Naruto again, and Sauske… and Gaara.
I hadn't seen him in the two years that had passed either. Relations between the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Sand had been mended mostly, but the Sand was taking quite a long time choosing their next Kazekage. The last time I had seen Gaara was when I had gone to his village with Naomi after I got out of the hospital.
Two years ago
It had been two days since I first dropped by Gaara's home. I had gone back the next day and today as well but Temari kept telling me that Gaara wasn't there. I knew she was lying of course. The first day I had created an electrical field around the house and sure enough there were three beings inside. The sand siblings, Gaara included.
I guess he just wasn't ready to see me yet. In all honesty I wasn't ready to see him either. I had no idea what to say, I just wanted to know if he was alright; if the One-tail was back under control; if Naruto had saved him. With so many questions to ask and no idea how to ask them, I wandered aimlessly around Suna. It was annoying, hobbling through sand on crutches but I couldn't stand to stay cooped up in the apartment that Naomi and I were using. It was the same place as last time; across from the park where I had met Gaara.
The park is where I ended up when I halted my senseless meanderings and in the afternoon light the abandoned playground looked haunted. Even so, I felt at peace there; like it was the place I was meant to be. I tore my eyes away from the scenery long enough to fetch my paints, my canvas pad and a stool from the apartment. I wanted a piece of this place to take back with me to Konoha. A painting was the best way for me to do that.
I should have known he'd show up here. Maybe that's why I felt the need to stay and paint here. Tendrils of sand were curled lightly around my waist, not pulling or squeezing but just resting there. I could sense him behind me, carefully watching every brush stroke I made. Neither of us spoke, just enjoyed the silence as I finished the picture. When I was done, I put my brush down and stared at the canvas, while Gaara peered over my shoulder to look.
"What do you think?"
"It seems empty"
"I would have painted a red-haired boy but I'm afraid he might be swallowed by darkness again."
"He won't be."
I turned my head to look at him, tears welling up in my eyes.
"How do you know that?"
"I just know."
The floodgates burst. I jumped off the stool, not sparing a thought for the painting or my leg and threw my arms around him crying. This time he didn't hesitate to bring his own arms up to wrap around me as I sobbed.
"I'm sorry." He whispered so quietly that I almost didn't catch the apology. I pulled away, holding him at arm's length and shaking my head vigorously.
"I don't blame you for anything that happened. I'm just glad that you're alright."
"Why were you worried about me? You were in the hospital."
"Because you're my friend and I hated seeing you in so much pain; hated seeing you change into that monster that they trapped inside you…"
I choked on my next words as another wave of tears spilled down my face. Gaara picked me up gently, cradling me close to his chest as though he were afraid I would shatter and he wouldn't be able to catch all of the pieces. He took me over to the swing set and set me down on one of the seats before returning to the stool, which I'd knocked over. He picked up the painting, which thankfully landed face up, and the tray of paints and returned to me, leaning the painting against the leg of the swing set and placing the paints on the ground next to it, then sitting cross-legged in the sand before me.
Neither of us said anything for a long time, simply analyzing what it felt like to be in each other's company. I was scared. Not of Gaara, but of the possibility that I couldn't help him like I wanted to. Naruto had already done way more than me in pushing Gaara in a better direction, and now my red-haired friend was at a point where he needed to find a new place in the world. If being there for him was the only thing I could do then I would do it to the best of my ability. But first…
"Gaara, I'm afraid that I gave you the wrong idea when I painted that word onto your forehead. I'm afraid that it made you think that you already had all the love that you needed and that you didn't need it from anyone else. That's not true. You need other people who care about you."
He starred at the sand, not even daring to look up at me. "I don't think I have anyone like that anymore."
"You have at least three people like that! Your brother and sister. They still care about you or they wouldn't stay by your side."
He didn't reply and I slid off of my swing to sit in the sand with him, placing my hand over his.
"And what about me? I care about you. No matter what you've done in the past or will do in the future, I'll always care about you."
He still didn't respond, no matter how long I waited. After a while, I sighed and grabbed the hem of my shirt, giving it a hard tug until I ripped away a small strip of fabric.
"Fine, I'll spell it out again."
I brought the cloth to his forehead and began to wipe away the kanji written there. When I'd finished, I pulled my red paint out of the tray next to us and, after dipping my brush, began to write a new word. He held very still until I finished and when I pulled away from him, he had a questioning look in his eyes. I smiled triumphantly.
"Yes. That kanji suits you much better. I hope you think so too."
Present Day
I was yanked violently from the memory when my fist struck the log and my wrist and a few of my fingers snapped. I cried out as the familiar but unexpected pain shot up my arm and I collapsed to my knees, cradling my arm to my chest. Raidon hopped down from his perch and stretched, watching me with bored eyes.
"You need to pay attention when using the Dragon's Brace. It only lasts for a short while before you have to cast it again."
"Yeah I know that." I snapped at the little dragon, wincing as I readjusted my arm to support my wrist more. He blinked slowly, but said nothing.
"Sorry Raidon. I didn't mean to sound so angry. I guess I'm done training for today. Let's go to the hospital."
He jumped up onto my shoulder and I waited for him to get settled before standing up and setting off toward my destination.
Gaara Age 14
Naruto was right.
He had told me that the desire to be recognized drove him to do silly things to get attention, and that once someone did acknowledge his worth he began to make more and more friends. He told me that the same could happen to me.
He was right.
Kasami was right.
She had told me that I already had people who cared about me. Temari and Kankuro, and Kasami herself.
She was right too.
The image of my own face starred back at me from the mirror; a face so different from what I would have seen two years ago. So much had changed. Shukaku was quiet, his angry words no longer drilling through my skull. Mother was silent too, her anger finally sated and I could sleep in peace, without fear of being devoured. I was happy…at least happier then I had been. It had taken time to prove to the people of the village that I had changed but little by little they began to accept me, just like they had for Naruto. And all along the way Temari and Kankuro were there to support me.
They were both right.
I glance at the piece of paper folded up on the table by my bed. The most recent letter I had received from Kasami. We had kept in touch since that day two years ago when she had come to Suna. I picked up the letter and gently unfolded it to read it again for the hundredth time.
Gaara,
I received your last letter well. It's so great to hear all the things that have changed for you since I left. I hope that everything is still going well and that you are making more friends. I'm really proud of you. I really miss you too. I wish I could come visit again but I've been so busy with missions lately.
Yes, missions. I'm finally a Genin! It's a really long story and maybe I'll tell you one day but I got a dragon companion and he's taught me so much already, enough that I was able to convince Lady Tsunade to let me graduate. She's been sending me on a lot of small missions so I can get some practice in the field. I'm so eager to move up though, but I know how important these small things are. When I'm ready, I'll try the Chunin exams. I think with all of these new techniques I can do it. I'm so happy right now Gaara. I wish I could hug you. Hopefully we'll get to see each other again soon. Until then I'll work hard to become a better Kunoichi and you work hard to make nice with the village ok?
Miss you,
Kasami
There was a light knock on my door before it opened just enough for Temari to poke her head through.
"Gaara, when you are ready, the village elders would like to speak with you."
I nodded and thanked her and she left me I peace. My eyes returned to the mirror and wandered up to my currently bare forehead. For almost 7 years I had painted my love onto that blank canvas but now I painted a new kanji every morning. Like Kasami had said, this one suited my much better. I picked up the brush I had gotten specifically for this purpose and dipped in the paint that sat on the stand by the mirror then carefully drew the kanji into its place like I had done every day since Kasami had left and like I would do every day from now on.
When that was finished, I grabbed my gourd and slung it over my shoulder before heading downstairs. I stopped by the kitchen and grabbed a cookie from the jar on the counter before searching for my sister.
I found her in her room, preparing for a mission. The hinges on the door creaked loudly as I pushed it open. She glanced up briefly before continuing to count the weapons laid out on her bed.
"You off?"
I nod. She finishes counting and starts putting the kunai, shuriken and back into her bag.
"I'll be leaving for Konoha soon. As I'm sure you know, things are still getting better between our villages but we still have a ways to go before our relationship is back to normal…Did you want me to visit her; see how she's doing?"
"Please."
She smiled as she packed the last of her things and strapped her fan to her back. "I will. Did you have a letter for her?"
"Not yet. There isn't anything new to write about."
"Well I'm leaving this afternoon so if you have something before then just let me know."
I left her in piece and headed out the front door. I didn't know what the Council wanted; they had never summoned me before. I guess I'd find out.
As I made my way down the streets of Suna, people didn't scream, people didn't run or glare or pull their children behind them. They smiled, some even waved and I waved back. Things really were different now. I didn't feel lonely, or angry. I didn't feel like I needed to kill to feel alive. They recognized me and accepted me. I felt just like the kanji on my forehead said I did. I felt...
Loved.
I can't apologize enough for taking so long with this. Honestly for a little while I lost the drive to write. I was going through a rough time but I finally got it done. I can't promise that I will be posting regularly again but I will get new chapters out as I finish them. Sorry that they are still short. A good stopping point always appears at around this length.