Gaara's life has taken an unusual turn.

He's in the best state he's ever been in. Gaara has managed to sleep at least an hour every day for the past few weeks. A whole hour! Wow, this month has really been going great for him. He's always had difficulties sleeping, as evidenced by the rings around his eyes, so this is very unusual.

After getting ready, Gaara had his morning training session with his father - teaching him to use shinobi weapons has been deemed too dangerous a task for others to do, so the Kazekage himself has been charged with the job. He knows that it's because people think that he's too dangerous to be around - that he's a threat to them no matter his skills, but lately that's been bothering him a little less. This is more expected, and has been established as routine for some time.

More unusual, though - Gaara made a friend! His actual, first friend, and someone whose company he genuinely enjoys! And he's pretty sure she likes hanging out with him, too. Recently they've been going to the convenience store after the playground closes to check out the books and manga. Neither of them actually buy anything (though he suspects for different reasons) but they have a lot of fun looking through the works and talking about what seems cool to read.

Even though the store clerk looks at him a little weird, Asami doesn't do that at all. The thought that he's maybe not what other people think he is - that he isn't a monster, but someone who's nice to be around, makes him so happy he doesn't really know how to deal with it. He's never had a friend like this before. The closest he's ever gotten to it was Yashamaru, but his uncle is more of a familial caretaker than a friend.

Gaara likes Asami. Most of all, he likes not being alone.

…

Yashamaru finds Gaara standing in front of the Tower at sunset, and takes him to one of the top floors, where Gaara lives. His siblings live on another floor with his father, and though Gaara has never had much direct contact with them he has seen them walking around before. Maybe he'll be able to talk to them soon, now that he's making friends!

"What's got you in such a good mood today, Gaara?" Yashamaru peers down at him curiously. Gaara beams at him in return.

"I've been making friends! Some weeks ago Asami and I started playing together more often, and I'm really having fun!"

Yashamaru's eyes widen in surprise at the news, before his gaze melts into something resembling fondness. "That's great news, Gaara." He says affectionately. "What did you two do today?"

"Well, today we met up at the park like we usually do, but there were already some kids at the swingset so we decided to do something else, and there's this convenience store near where the owner is super nice! He lets us walk around and read the stuff without actually having to buy them. I don't really need to buy them, so I don't, but I think Asami might wanna buy some later. I don't really know why she doesn't, though."

Gaara continues talking about his recent escapades with Asami as he and Yashamaru enter the apartment. Yashamaru listens intently as Gaara speaks, considering the situation with care.

He's Gaara's uncle - he's unbelievably happy that he's managed to get along with someone. No child should live in the isolation Gaara had been subject to before, in unwilling seclusion and solitude, let alone a kind one like his nephew. In this sense, he's very happy that Gaara has found someone who seems to enjoy his company. He's elated, even.

But as a shinobi of the sand, who's capable of putting his personal feelings aside, Yashamaru knows the danger posed by the one-tail. Consequently, there are possibilities which he must consider.

The first is that Shukaku, volatile as he is, will strike the girl at some point, irreparably damaging Gaara's psyche and rendering him incapable of using - or even just controlling - the one-tail.

The second is that the girl is a ploy to come closer to Gaara; an attempt to control the one-tail for more exploitative reasons. There are many who wish to use its power to increase the village's military prowess, and bring them back to their so-called "glory days" of political relevance and influence.

Neither seem particularly pleasant, but Yashamaru needs to be able to plan for them regardless and he has not survived as a shinobi for this long without rationality and pragmatism. He decides he will speak to the elders about the subject tomorrow and decide accordingly.

…

Asami continues with her regular training and steadily improves her skills, at one point successfully hitting the centre of her makeshift target 20 times with shuriken There's been a steady growth in her dexterity too, which is absolutely fucking incredible because Asami cannot stand struggling to use even a basic pen. Having toddler hands has been one of the biggest pains in her ass ever since she woke up in this world.

Right now, though, she's going to push her pride over her skills aside and flunk the very important physical test they have today. It's likely going to determine whether or not she moves on to the next grade, so if she performs at a low enough level (while still being believable and not tipping the instructors off) she might actually be kicked out of the academy. Fuck yeah! Asami's gonna give it her best damn shot to look as incompetent as humanly possible!

She walks into her homeroom and is immediately hit with the unfortunate sight of Kin and her band of minions. She really shouldn't be beefing with an actual toddler, seeing as she's not fully a child, but the four year old instincts are deep and Kin never even tried to be nice, so honestly that child can go shit herself.

Clearly the sentiment is reciprocated, because Kin shoots her a glare halfway between disgust and anger so potent it would put the matron to shame.

Asami replies with her own withering look and sits down at the back of the classroom, waiting for the teacher to announce the start of the exam. Well, now that Asami's paying close attention to him, Sato looks off today.

Like, swallowed a lime off.

Asami wants to believe there's nothing going on behind the scenes here, but she's genuinely never seen the man look so uncomfortable in a classroom, and her gut is telling her that something is wrong. She decides to push it down when he finally addresses the classroom.

"Hey, kids." He looks around sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "We've recently been discussing things with the council, and it's been decided that your examinations will be held only on an analytical basis. Basically, there's no pass or fail anymore."

What the actual fuck did he just say.

"Now that doesn't mean you get to slack off! You're still expected to do as well as you can in your exams, but now, if you get a bad grade, we'll deal with it differently - There will be discussions with your guardians and a closer look will be given to you during lesson time, to make sure you're keeping up." Sato continues blandly.

There no fucking way. There's actually no fucking way this is happening. This is quite possibly the worst possible thing that could have happened to Asami, because she's got no clue how she's going to fail the academy now that her grades aren't an excuse.

And if she can't fail the academy, then there's a pretty good chance she's going to graduate. And become a shinobi. Fuck!

Sato eventually begins the exams, calling up the first kids to the front so they perform the kata they were instructed to. Asami is just about ready to die, because she knows she's right up after the first two kids. It's all thanks to her stupid, goddamned, useless name too! Why the hell did it have to start with an A?!

Asami's sweating hard right now, tapping her fingers against her stiff knees and trying her hardest not to grimace. How can she fix this? What can she do to not graduate?

She bites her lip - hard - and tries to focus on her surroundings. She just needs to calm down, is all. They might let her graduate, but there's no reason to think they're actually going to let an incompetent shinobi out on the field - that'd just be a hazard. This situation is shitty as hell, but she can deal with it. Asami's no coward, and she won't give up just because the Academy is making things hard for her.

Life has never been easy for Asami. This is just another obstacle. She will overcome it, no matter what!

Sato looks up in her direction. "Asami," he calls. "It's your turn. Would you please come down?"

She steels herself and stands up, slowly walking down towards the front of the classroom.

Sato looks at her expectantly. Asami looks back and gets into the worst stance she can, intentionally leaving her guard open and unbalanced. Sato looks at her apprehensively.

Oh boy.

…

Toya watches the girl perform her kata. It's probably the most unfortunate looking kata he has ever seen before. Just truly hideous. It's almost impressive how natural she makes it look, now that he knows she's faking it.

Unfortunately, Toya knows the elders are not going to let her fail the academy, so her efforts are wasted.

The jinchuuriki has never been approached by anyone outside of strictly selected personnel before, but she's just changed that. If he becomes attached to her - comes to care for her deeply - then they could potentially use that to control Gaara. The one-tail's prowess is legendary, and Toya is well aware of the power Suna could have if the village manages to use the beast to its favour. If not through the boy himself, then maybe through the use of the girl.

He continues watching her disastrous exam with mild fascination as she somehow manages to fall flat on her butt while aiming a lousy punch nowhere in particular, trying not to cringe.

…

Even if Asami is forced to pass her class, she will forever be proud of her work today. It might just be her finest performance ever.

Those kata were so tragic, so genuinely ugly, that she's pretty sure the rest of the class will remember them in ten years' time. Sato sure looked like he would. When he finished he just stared at her for almost a full minute.

Success!

It's gonna be tough trying to make her graduate. Those assholes at the academy can try, but Asami will make it her mission to be the biggest pain in their asses while they do.

…

"Hey Asami?" Gaara asks, turning around on the swingset to face her, "How come you never buy any of the manga at the corner store?"

Ah shit. It's really not supposed to be embarrassing, but Asami doesn't know how to explain this to him.

" I - um. I just can't, I guess." If Gaara had eyebrows they'd be furrowed by now.

"What do you mean?" He looks at her, evidently confused.

Asami cringes internally.

"Well, I don't have the money. And, uh. I guess the orphanage doesn't either."

"Why not?"

Well, lack of public funding for one. And a shitty support system for orphans. She's not about to say that to a four year old, though.

"You know, I'm not actually sure." Asami continues swinging on the swing set, and Gaara does the same after a few seconds. Some minutes pass in a comfortable silence until he stops his swing and turns around to face her again.

" You wanna go to the convenience store? Just to flip through the manga again." Gaara looks at her expectantly, and Asami feels her resolve shatter. She really should be going home so the matron doesn't yell at her again, but she genuinely likes spending time with Gaara. And she feels bad leaving him alone.

"Sure, let's go." She stands up and moves away from the swingset, walking the familiar path to the convenience store. Soon enough their conversation begins to flow; Gaara likes to talk about what he saw his siblings and father do today, and what he learned during his own training session. Apparently, his father is trying to get Gaara to improve his control over sand.

"I mean, it's not really that hard. It happens without me having to think about it too much, but sometimes it gets really tiring. After a while I feel really drained, but lately it's been getting better." Asami has the distinct feeling that Gaara is just trying to please his father.

"Is it worse when you use it for too long or when you use too much sand?"

"Both." He tilts his head. "Too long and I get sleepy, but too much makes me sore. My dad is helping me, though!" he beams at her. " He's really good! He can use loads of sand, all at once!"

"That sounds so cool!" She replies. It's kind of true, actually. She might hate shinobi, but they're pretty fascinating when she's not worrying about dying like them. Honestly, Asami might have liked them more if she hadn't been forced to be one.

"Right?" He looks exceedingly happy, but suddenly his gaze dims a little. "I want to spend more time with him, but he's always really busy."

Realistically, Asami knows Gaara's father won't want to spend time with him, and from what little she remembers of the original series, the Kazekage was never particularly fond of his son. Still, though, she can't help but feel sad for him. She doesn't pity him - Asami knows he's capable of living regardless of his father - but everyone deserves to grow up with love. Gaara, however, seems to be lacking it.

"I'm sure he'd spend more time with you if he could." Asami says, though she knows she's lying to him. "You're super cool! Anyone would be lucky to hang out with you." Well, the key to making a lie more believable is to sprinkle some truth in it.

He smiles at her, bittersweet and appreciative. "Thanks," His voice is soft. " I think you're cool too."

Asami grins, and both of them keep walking to the convenience store. It's not a particularly long walk, but the sun is almost disappearing from the sky; It's late, and Asami needs to hurry if she wants to avoid the worst of the matrons' anger.

The store owner directs a sidelong glance at them as soon as they walk through, but as usual he doesn't make a fuss - Gaara and Asami immediately move to the manga section to check out the new releases. She can't buy anything, but it's fun to look at them anyway.

They chat about some of the newer stuff - the newest volume of Gaara's favourite apparently has a cool colour page of the protagonist, and Asami is really intrigued by a new series about a runaway shinobi. He's got a huge grudge against his village and refuses to help them - which is relatable as fuck - and the art style is interesting.

Her joy, however, is cut short when she looks at the store's clock. Asami sighs, places the manga back on the shelf, and says goodbye to Gaara.

"Wait!" He exclaims, " I know you have to go, but just give me a minute! You can wait outside if you want." Truthfully Asami is deeply concerned about the legendary scolding she's gonna get when she comes back home, but she doesn't have the heart to refuse him.

She sighs, considering her choices.

"Alright," She sets her hands on her hips. "But be fast! I'm already late."

He nods enthusiastically as Asami leaves the shop.

The air in Suna is much colder at night, and her ratty red shirt and black cargo shorts are nothing against the evening chill. Actually, with the amount of holes in her clothes, Asami doubts they're of much use against any kind of weather that isn't mild.

She really needs to get some new stuff.

Asami settles against the wall of the store, waiting for Gaara to leave. It's not been very long, but he should hopefully be out soon.

"Hey Asami!" She turns around in his direction.

"Let's go?" She asks him, straightening her posture and moving to walk to the orphanage.

"Yeah! Just-" He shuffles something around in the bag. Wait, bag?

"I got this for you!" He beams.

It's the manga volume Asami was looking at. And he's holding it out for her.

Asami's brow quivers as she looks up at him. "Really?"

"Yeah!" He's still got his hand outstretched, waiting for her to take the manga.

Asami knows that it isn't that deep. But it's been a long time since she's had anything of value to call her own - she misses it.

She tries (and fails) to keep her voice steady as she takes the gift from him "Thank you."

…

Asami hides her new manga under her mattress. She read the damn thing about 3 times already, but it's new, and it's clean, and most importantly it's hers. She never really considered that not having belongings would be this awful - and honestly she'd grown used to it through her new life at the orphanage, but having something felt much nicer than she expected.

Hand me downs and communal items were all well and good, but now that she knows it's not everything she has to her name, Asami is conscious of how it had made her feel transient. In a morbid sort of way, she knows that if she had died she would have left nothing behind. Now, though, she will. Even if it's just a manga.

And it's all because Gaara was kind enough to buy it for her.

Asami settles into bed, resigned to the dreams she knows will come.

…

"Yashamaru, guess what!"

Yashamaru bends down to look his nephew in the eye.

"What?" he asks.

"I bought a manga for Asami today!"

Yashamaru's brows lift slightly. "Really? Did you use your pocket money?"

"I did!" Gaara has looked happier these few days than he ever has before. "I think she really liked it."

Yashamaru smiles at him. "That's good. I'm glad she did."

As they walk to the elevator which will bring them up to Gaara's room, Yashamaru makes a conscious effort to push through his thoughts and focus on his nephew's discussion of his day.

Specifically, he attempts to ignore his thoughts of the meeting he had with the elders. The one concerning the girl - Asami.

They'd not acted how he expected them to, and while Yashamaru was certain none of them would act rashly, he was still surprised at how eager some of them were to explore the possibilities the girl posed. There's currently no indication that Gaara will ever be able to control Shuakku, let alone actually use it in battle as the Kazekage had hoped.

Still, some of the elders hope for better. Some of them even presented plans.

Plans which involved Gaara's new friend.

Yashamaru continues to ignore them and takes Gaara to his room, where he tucks the boy in and tries not to consider the ethics of exploiting his own nephew's closest - and only - friend.

...

Hello! Thank you for your support of this story. The next chapter should be up 2 weeks from now, so Sunday the 20th.

As always, please leave a review! I absolutely love reading them.