Note: Gaara has always seemed to be a strangely formal and intelligent boy for his age, in spite of his apparent insanity. He became Kazekage, with all that entails politically and intellectually, at a very young age. This is what I have based his level of conversational correspondence upon.
Dear Gaara,
I'm sorry I couldn't take Yasu with me back to Konoha, but you know how older shinobi get, so paranoid about spies and leaking sensitive information! You can't see it, but I'm rolling my eyes.
I wish we could have talked more before I left after the Chunin Exams. I'm sure you're very interested to know that I was promoted, but my boys were not offered the same opportunity. I hold it over their head now as a way to get them to work harder. They're so easy to rile.
So! How are Kankuro and Temari? I saw your sister during the Exams and I'm glad that I never ended up having to fight her! She's a menace.
I hope your cactuses are thriving,
Your friend,
Sakura
Sakura,
As I understand it, spying and the protection of sensitive information is one of the standards by which shinobi operate, so I am not surprised by your village's response to Yasu. Nevertheless, I am sending him to you to deliver this message.
My siblings are alive and functioning. You have no need to fear Temari. I saw your skills during the third round and I know that you were holding back. I would like to fight you someday.
Your "boys" sound like they are a lot of trouble for little gain.
My cactuses are growing at an acceptable rate.
- Sabaku no Gaara
Dear Gaara,
I know I shouldn't have been surprised to see Yasu, but I was anyway. He's still as prickly as ever. Maybe I'll introduce him to his counterpart and send you a picture.
You saw that I was holding back? Interesting. My teammates were the only other ones who really noticed. I just figured there was no need to go all out and advertise myself if I could win with less than one hundred percent. The promotion wasn't really a big concern of mine, if I am completely honest. Though the bump in pay is nice! These boys will eat me out of house and home, I swear.
Speaking of them … I think it's like we talked about before, Gaara. Sometimes you have to deal with little annoyances to get those big feelings of happiness. They are the culmination of my happiness and I would put up with all the loud noises and constant healing of scrapes in the world for them.
Your siblings are just functioning? Tell me about them. I didn't get to learn much when I was there.
I'm sending Yasu with a second scroll that has a gift for you. I hope you like it!
Your friend,
Sakura
Sakura,
Someone once told me that it is good manners to offer thanks for a gift, so consider this a thank you. I don't know where you found a planter so hideous, but you must have put in considerable effort. I have planted my favorite species of succulent in it.
My siblings and I do not have a relationship like you do with your boys. We barely speak. Temari tries from time to time. They are afraid of me, much like the rest of Suna. Maybe they have reason. You're the only exception.
Kankuro is a puppeteer. He is always in his workshop with them. I have never been inside. You saw Temari fight so you know what she does.
Why enter the Chunin Exams if you didn't care about promotion?
-Sabaku no Gaara
Dear Gaara,
Enclosed is a picture I snapped of Yasu and Yasutomo. You see what I mean about being a big jerk? He was so grumpy at me the whole rest of the day after they met. What did I ever do wrong to deserve such an uncute pet?
You were right about that planter, I saw it and thought maybe you would find it amusing. I'm glad to see I was (possibly?) right. Naruto and Sasuke looked at me like I was crazy when I bought it! Clearly their sense of humor is not as sophisticated as mine.
I don't know why everyone is afraid of you, Gaara, but I can see based on everyone's reactions to you that you're not exaggerating. I have a fair idea of what you could possibly do with your sand ability, but I haven't felt unsafe around you. Maybe you just need to cultivate that sense of safety with your siblings, like you do with your cactuses? Eventually they'll open up. Maybe Kankuro will even invite you to see his puppets!
I bet they're creepy, though. Maybe avoid the puppets after all.
Mostly, I entered the Chunin Exams because the boys wanted to and it's a team activity. They're very talented and will become very powerful. I'm not going to hold them back. Did I tell you that Naruto wants to be Hokage one day? He's very interested in making everyone acknowledge his existence. Sound like anyone you know?
Your friend,
Sakura
Sakura,
Thank you for the photo. I put it in my room near the ugly planter you sent. Yasu hissed when he saw it, which made me laugh. That doesn't happen often. Thank you for that as well. Your sense of humor is appreciated, sophisticated or not.
I am trying. I am trying to be a safer person, if a safe monster is possible. This scares Kankuro and Temari more. When you saw us having dinner, it was the first time we had been together for a meal in months. Maybe even more than a year. I want to feel what you do. Your concept of happiness is appealing, but it may be out of my reach.
I don't know if the puppets are creepy, but they do make an annoying clicking noise when in use.
-Sabaku no Gaara
Dear Gaara,
Sorry for the delay! I know Yasu was prowling around here for days looking for me, but I was on testing something dangerous and the process was delicate. I couldn't risk the contamination. Top secret stuff, but I promise I'll tell you if it all pans out.
I'm sending you my team photo, so you can get an idea of what the people I talk about most look like. Well, except Kakashi-sensei. You can at least get a good glance at his eye, anyway. Naruto is the blonde and Sasuke is the other boy, the one with the pouty face. He denies it, but we're onto him. I assume you remember what I look like!
I told them about our letters. Naruto said "hello" and Sasuke said his own approximation of "hello" as well. He's not a people person. Kakashi got a pained look on his face, but I know that just means he loves me.
People are wary of change, you know. When you drastically change a course of action like you're doing, you have to give others time to adjust. You also can't go back to previous behavior or they won't trust you in the future. It's a hard road to travel when all you've known is their fear of you.
I have faith you can persevere, Gaara.
Your friend,
Sakura
Sakura,
Thank you for your team photo. I put it with the one of our cats. I think I see now what you mean about "culmination of your happiness". It is almost tangible in the photo.
Do I say hello back to your team? I am unfamiliar with this strange way of passing social niceties through third parties. If this is correct, then tell them greetings from Suna.
Your sensei is infamous in the shinobi world. Did you know? He is not treated the same way I am, despite his larger amount of kills. Why do you think this is?
I have kept up with my safety. I have not killed anyone outside of orders since before the Chunin Exams. Temari and Kankuro still fear me, but Temari made me a cup of tea when I came back to our quarters in this morning. Maybe you're right.
-Sabaku no Gaara
Dear Gaara,
Of course I'm right! That's pretty much one of my defining features. I am really, truly glad to hear that maybe your relationship is getting better with your siblings. Being completely alone is never better than having someone to share your life with. You're not a monster, Gaara. No matter what.
I conveyed your hellos to my team, as is proper. That means you need to tell Temari and Kankuro hello from me! Eventually I'll come back to Suna and con you all into dinner with me.
Kakashi-sensei has been a shinobi for a very long time, he's a genius you know. But he only ever kills when it's necessary and never Konoha shinobi unless they are irredeemable. So far, we haven't ever come across any of our own who fit that label. Whatever you've done, you're not either.
Your friend,
Sakura
Sakura,
I have conveyed your hellos to Temari and Kankuro, since you indicated that was the correct way to proceed. This made things very confusing. They both forgot to be afraid again in their curiosity of our correspondence. I showed them the planter and photos you sent.
Temari cried but she said she wasn't sad or hurt. Kankuro smiled at the ugly planter and insisted that we send something back to you. He said "we".
Enclosed you will find a gift for you, to repay your friendship.
I am a monster, Sakura, but I find myself feeling less and less alone.
-Sabaku no Gaara
Dear Gaara,
Wow, I don't even have words for what you guys sent! It was way too much, Gaara. I don't need anything to pay for my friendship, just knowing you is worth it to me.
Still, the boys really enjoyed all the Suna delicacies and I even saw Kakashi-sensei sneak some, so I think he's really warming up to the idea of friends from outside the village! You're making alliances all by yourself. I'm proud of you.
Temari was probably happy, you know. When someone cries, but they're not sad or hurt. It's just an overwhelming feeling of emotion that sometimes spills out the eyes. Happens to me all the time, but I might just be a giant crybaby. Who knows?
Your friend,
Sakura
Sakura,
I am happy to know you enjoyed the gift we sent. It is a strange feeling, like a bubble in my chest.
The choices were made by Temari. She has the best understanding of the world outside Suna. They wanted to see the letter you wrote back, but I did not want to share all of your words with them. Do you think this will negatively impact my relationship with them?
The succulent in the planter you sent is growing well.
-Sabaku no Gaara
Dear Gaara,
I think Temari and Kankuro will understand your need for privacy. Most people don't like to share their letters with others, so you're not alone in that. I'm glad that I could contribute to your happiness, Gaara. That's all I ever want for my friends.
Well, and perhaps for certain friends to stop dragging me out of the training grounds after dark. I mean, it's not like I'm about to get abducted or anything. It's just impossible to do everything I need to when there's only twenty-four hours in a day, you know? Naruto and Sasuke are so stubborn when it comes to my training and sleep schedule. It's like I acquired two extra mothers. And Kakashi-sensei stepping in when I least expect it!
Here's a question that has been on my mind for a while. Get ready, because it's serious.
Does Kankuro make up those designs on his face? Or does he have a guide?
Your friend,
Sakura
Sakura,
It is only fair that I share something important with you, now that you have helped me understand what could be important to me. Then I will answer your serious question and hope that you will continue our correspondence.
This is a state secret that I am revealing, but you deserve to know. I am the jinchuriki of the Ichibi. It is the demon they see when they look at me and know fear.
Kankuro designs his own.
-Sabaku no Gaara
Dear Gaara,
The only monster is the one who improperly sealed the beast inside of you. Did you really think I would abandon you now? Sorry, buddy, you're stuck with me as a friend for life.
I'll tell you our own sort-of state secret, one that I have permission to share with you. Naruto is the Kyuubi's jinchuriki. Never once have I thought to be afraid of him. He was only made aware of his special tenant a year ago, same as us. It hasn't changed our team a bit. Naruto is Naruto.
Before, though. All he knew was that it seemed like the entire village hated him and no one would say why. Konoha isn't perfect. This is the reason he's so gung-ho about becoming Hokage. He wants to be acknowledged by everyone as a strong shinobi, someone who can protect himself and others.
So you're in good company, Gaara. You two should meet some day.
Your friend,
Sakura
P.S. Kankuro is talented! I can't even apply eyeliner in a straight line.
Sakura,
Thank you.
Your friend,
Sabaku no Gaara