So... I saw your post about Gaara. He was also my first anime crush, so finally! Someone who gets it! Anyway, I'd love an x reader with him! I'm a sucker for hurt/comfort, so my thought is:
A Gaara x reader where they were starting to become friends when they were young, then Gaara hurt her after what happened with Yashamaru, then they don't meet again until sometime after he met Naruto, & it could be during Shippuden probably, Gaara begs for forgiveness, but she already forgave him because she already knew how much he was going through back then & could only imagine what tipped him over the edge.
Sorry if that's a lot! I do a bit of writing myself but I'm a coward & don't feel like posting stuff. I've had this thought in mind for a while & was curious on another perspective of it. Have a nice day/night! Take care of yourself!
Written In The Sand — Gaara
Gaara x Ninja! Reader
Author Note: OMG YOU ARE SO SWEET YESYESYES!! This is gonna be like ‘Dumb Pirate!’ It’s just a yap session.
Summary: After knowing Gaara since you were children, he hurt you, unable to forgive himself you two drift apart. Years later Gaara begs for your forgiveness, do you?
Warning: hurt/comfort, angst, takes place in between end of Naruto and beginning of shippuden (if that makes sense?)
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Song: Gaara Childhood Theme — Sakon
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Playing in the sand, you noticed three boys tossing handfuls at another boy. He was crouched down, his head full of red hair in his hands.
If there was anything your mother taught you, it was to stand up for others, “Hey!” You called out, running over. You stood in front of the red hair boy, arms extended, blocking the views of the other boys.
They scowled at you, “What are you doing?” One asked, “You know he’s a monster, right?” Another added, the last boy grabbed another handful of sand, chucking it at you, “Or is he your boyfriend~?” He spoke in a singsong tone, they all started laughing and repeating “The monster has a girlfriend!” Running around and throwing more sand at you.
You had no idea why the boy was being called a monster, he looked nothing like a monster to you, he looked like a boy.
You finally snapped.
You leaped at the boy in the middle, tackling him to the ground throwing punches right in his face, “He. Isn’t. A. Monster!” You shouted every time you punched the boy, the other two scurried away.
You only stopped when your arm was pulled, dragging you off the boy. It was your mother, “What are you doing?” She hissed, the boy scrambled away; crying for his mother and father.
Your mom began to drag you away, and you finally noticed that your knuckles had begun to bleed. Your head swiveled to the boy you protected, “My name is (Name) by the way!” You smiled widely, waving at him with your free hand. The boys cheeks flushed, and he returned your wave, but he never gave you his name.
You were grounded.
Your mother called the ninja school informing them that you wouldn’t be showing up for the rest of the week.
The next day, in the afternoon, your mother left to go apologize to the family of the boy you attacked. She forbid you from coming and causing anymore trouble.
It was only you and your mother, so it was hard enough already without you making any trouble.
You were dying of boredom.
You were currently hanging upside down from the couch, the blood rushing to your head.
You shot up when someone knocked at the door. The quick movement causing dizziness, and resulting in you falling off the couch head first.
You stumbled to the door, rubbing your head. Turning the doorknob to reveal the red hair boy from the day before. You felt yourself smile, but quickly stuffed it down, your mom said you weren’t allowed to talk to others until you were ungrounded.
The boy held something out to you, a little jar of sorts, “My name is Gaara…” his voice was barely above a whisper, cheeks dusted with a rosy pink, “t-this is for your knuckles…” he lifted the jar a little higher, “Thank you…” Hesitantly you took the jar from him, not because you were scared, but because you’d never had anyone do something this kind for you before.
“My name is (Name),” you unscrewed the jar, “if you forgot.” How could Gaara forget? You beat that boy to a bloody pulp. For him. And you didn’t even know him. You didn’t see him as a monster. The moment you told him your name it was swarming in his mind like a lyric from his favourite song.
Gaara nodded, “I didn’t forget.” You gently rubbed the ointment onto your knuckles, grinning with satisfaction, “Good,” you jabbed your thumb into your chest, “because I got into a lot of trouble sticking up for you!” You giggled, thinking it was funny, only for Gaara to shrink back slightly.
“Sorry about that.” He muttered, “Why were they throwing things at you in the first place?” You asked. Gaara avoided your eyes, “Because I’m a monster. Everyone says I’m a monster.” He fidgeted with his fingers.
You placed both hands on the side of his face, cupping his cheeks, tilting his head side to side and up and down; inspecting every inch of him. “Strange…” you mumbled, “What?” He sounded panicked. You released his face, “No trace of being a monster on you. You look just like me, and every other person in this stupid village!”
To Gaara, your smile was like the sun. Your voice had become his favourite song. And ever since that moment you two were attached to the hip. Despite you getting the label as ‘the monsters girlfriend’, neither of you couldn’t care less. Gaara had his first true friend.
It was a particularly rough night. You weren’t able to get any sleep. A gnawing feeling churning in your stomach, the feeling you get just before you threw up. But nothing came.
You decided trying to sleep was futile, sneaking out of your window to go for a walk. You’d make sure to head back home before the sun rose so that your mother wouldn’t worry.
You looked up in the sky, counting stars and recounting constellations. That was your favourite thing to do with Gaara when neither of you could sleep. Maybe you should pay him a visit!
You started to skip, humming a tune to yourself as you made your way to Gaara’s residence, the route already memorized from the amount of times you’d visit.
You were almost there, when you heard crying.
Why was there someone crying out this late? You thought to yourself. You ceased skipping, creeping towards the shaking form.
You recognized the form instantly.
Gaara.
“Gaara?” You spoke softly, placing a hand on his shoulder, moving to his front. You quickly scanned him, working from his toes up to his face. You gasped, hands reaching to his cheeks, raising his face to look up at you, “Gaara you’re bleeding!”
Gaara quickly shook out of your grasp, backing away from you. “S-stay away!” He placed his hands out, putting even more of a gap between you two, his bear; which you’d named ‘Cuddles’ together, lay in front. You inched forward, gripping cuddles in your hands, holding him out to Gaara.
“Gaara, I’m your friend,” you took a step forward, Gaara took a step back, “I want to help you.” Another step forward, another step back. You could feel the sand begin to shift around you, but that wasn’t your concern, it was the fact that your friend was hurt and he wasn’t letting you help him.
“Gaara please…” you begged, “Stay away…” he repeated. Another step forward, no step back. “I said stay away!” Gaara exclaimed. Suddenly a wall of sand formed before you, a spike shooting right down at you. You were able to dodge it for the most part, but the sand had managed to scratch you on the side of your face. You reached up, feeling your warm blood trickle down from your temple.
The sand fell once more, Gaara being revealed. You dropped Cuddles, hand still on your temple. You could feel Gaara’s eyes on you. Scared, sad. You finally looked up, and Gaara’s heart broke for a second time that night.
You were looking at him in fear.
A look he’d never thought you’d make towards him. You took a deep breath in, flashing Gaara your signature smile, trying to hide the fear and hurt you held. “Hey I’m okay! J-just a little scratch,” you removed your hand, the cut still bleeding, “see?” Gaara shook his head, sand starting to pick up around you too once more, “You need to run.” Gaara gripped the sides of his head, crouching.
He noticed you were glued in place, “Run!” He cried, tears pricked at your eyes. Finally you turned, running from the only person you considered to be a true friend.
——
You burst through the door to your home, running up the stairs. You were still holding your bleeding temple, tears streaming down your face, sobs echoing throughout the hallway.
Before you reached your mother’s room, she existed, “(Name)?” She stood in the hallway, squinting to get a better look at you, “what happened baby, are you bleeding?” She knelt down, wiping your tears.
You stuttered, explaining what had happened, your sobs only growing louder as it began to sink in that this wasn’t just a bad dream.
That very night you and your mother packed bags, preparing to leave the hidden sand village. She’d tolerated you being friends with Gaara, already knowing his past, but this was the straw that broke the camels back.
You and your mother walked for days, the sinking sand turning into dense forests.
Until you found the hidden leaf village. Apparently your mother had a friend that lived there. A man in the ANBU Black Ops named Kinoe, “A secret code name.” Your mother had told you.
Upon meeting the man with the hidden name, you became dead set on becoming an ANBU yourself. Following the man around like his little shadow, even if it meant getting into danger.
——
After working your ass off at 12, you became a standard ANBU ninja.
You were given a cat porcelain mask, in correlation with your agility and cat-like personality.
(Not my photo! Found on Pinterest!)
As well as your own codename. Which was what you were most excited for.
Koneko.
‘Kitten’.
‘Baby cat’.
Yeah…
That wasn’t going away anytime soon…
Obviously the older members would tease you relentlessly. Mainly Kinoe, who now went under the name Tenzō, which only gave you hope that you’d get a new codename in the future.
——
Your mother had gotten a job at the ninja academy a few months after moving.
That’s where you made most of your friends in the years you were in the leaf village. Especially Naruto.
Which is why you had begged the Hokage to be one of his guards during the final round of the Chunin Exams.
You had to contain your cheers when Naruto won against Neji, to remain professional. But couldn’t help the way your heart stopped when Gaara stood in the stadium.
You felt awful for leaving him.
You raised your hand to the scar that remained on your temple, a reminder of the boy you once called a true friend.
You silently cheered for him, how could you not?
Then everything erupted into chaos.
The third was killed.
The village was destroyed.
Your mother was killed saving some of the ninja school students. You didn’t know how to feel.
Tenzō had taken it upon himself to take care of you. Officially adopting you as his own, though his position in the Root devision didn’t allow him to see you often.
——
In the quiet bits of the night you’d write letters to Gaara in the sand village, you had heard of his critical condition after the battle, and you wanted to reunite with him after so long.
To hopefully apologize.
But you never received a letter back.
He must hate you.
——
Months of rebuilding, and new alliance with the sand village, everything was getting better.
The fifth Hokage, Tsunade, liked to keep you by her side. She specially trained you when you weren’t on missions or completing mandatory ANBU training.
So it wasn’t a surprise when the Hokage summoned you to her office. When you arrived there were others there, you recognized your friends, though they could not see you through your mask.
She debriefed everyone. The sand village was asking for help, one of their Genin had been taken hostage by a group that called themselves the ‘four celestials’, the sand already had three of their best ninjas tailing them.
You set off first. Was Gaara one of the ninjas there?
Your question was shortly answered for you. You recognized the self moving sand that whirred around the red haired boy that you once knew.
“Gaara. The leaf village is here to lend you aid.” You spoke up through the mask, praying that he wouldn’t recognize your voice.
He did.
After so long.
He never once forgot how you sounded. He looked day and night for you after you left the sand village, falling into a deeper despair.
It was true for a time he did hate you, and only you, but after Naruto helped him. He forgave you, just hoping for the day that he could apologize, and beg for your forgiveness.
The battle took time. Despite it being one man. Gaara had unleashed the Shukaku once more, allowing you to finally see the monster that everyone had feared him for.
Gaara’s student embraced him after everything settled down, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. And you felt a pang of jealousy surge in your chest. But you had no right to feel that. After years and years of being apart, you didn’t deserve to feel that way.
You prepared to leave, taking note of any other casualties that might’ve happened. “ANBU ninja, what is your name?” His voice spoke from behind you.
You turned your head, back still facing him. Sometime during the battle your mask had cracked, allowing light to filter through, presenting an eye, an eye Gaara knew all too well. An eye that only shows up when he closes his eyes.
“Koneko.” You stated, your voice remained neutral despite wanting to burst into tears and hold Gaara in your arms like you once did. “Your real name.” He spoke once more, “I am not allowed to disclose that information.”
If he knew it was you then why was he pushing so much? Did he want to hear it with his own ears, see you with his own eyes? His first friend that left him without a word.
“I’m sorry.” Gaara was looking at the ground, it didn’t sound like it was addressed to you, he didn’t know you. He was apologizing to someone he knew, the girl that didn’t look at him like he was a monster. Even though these eyes looked at him the same way, despite showing what he really was, these eyes of yours still carried the same look, the same eyes that told him that you didn’t think of him as a monster.
Then you disappeared once more. But this time Gaara had hope he’d see you again.
——
It was hard to say goodbye to Naruto. You were in your ANBU uniform, but your mask was removed, which was technically against the code. But your friend wanted to see you, to say goodbye to you.
You cried as he left. It felt strange to cry over someone that was going to come back. But you’d done it once before.
You cried as you left your home village, even though it wasn’t going to be destroyed. You cried as you left Gaara, even though he’d still be there in the morning.
A year past.
You were still training under Tsunade, but you moved on from the ANBU, though you partnered with them on missions still; and they still called you ‘Koneko’.
Sakura had started to train with you under Tsunade, not that you minded, though it was tiring at first. Sakura would beg you to train with even though the outcome was clear, you’d win each time.
You were pulled out of one of these sparring sessions when Shizune came to fetch you at the request of the Hokage.
You reached the office, Shizune opened the door for you, revealing Tsunade sitting at her work table, arms folded, an opened letter resting on the desk. “I’ve been summoned to a Kage meeting,” she began speaking, “I would like you to escort me.” “Alone?” You spoke without thinking. Who were you to question the Hokage, “Yes, only you will be my escort.”
Even Shizune gasped, “Are you sure Lady Tsunade?” She squeaked. Tsunade sighed, “Why is this so unbalivable to everyone? I want to test your skills,” she stood from the chair, “you are a strong Kunoichi, (Name), and I trust you beyond any ANBU member.”
You nodded, “When do we leave?” You asked for the details, “Tonight.” She stated, “Tonight?!” You and Shizune exclaimed, “Yes tonight. So I suggest you start packing now, it’s a long journey to the summit.” You nodded once more, disappearing from the office and to your room.
You wrote a note to Tenzō, informing him of your departure. Whether he sees it or not is his fault.
You packed a simple bag, only necessities. Simple foods, extra kunai and shuriken, extra clothes, etc. You left your home, the sun getting ready to set, and started to the gate of the village. You stopped at the Ichiraku Ramen shop, where you and Naruto ate together often, before he left to train with Jiryah.
You ordered your usual, which was really whatever Naruto ordered. Yet somehow the old man that runs the shop knew exactly what you wanted. You thanked them, finished the ramen, paid and said your goodbyes. Continuing on your way.
The sun was just disappearing below the horizon as you reached the gate, Tsunade and Shizune waiting for you already. Sakura was there as well, “Don’t mess up.” She laughed, “Don’t get weak.” You replied, simply a light hearted inside joke.
The journey to the Land of Iron was fairly long, three days of constant movement, of constantly being on your guard. “I know of your past,” you were on your last day of travel, settling down for the night. Tsunade had read your files, of course she had. “You’re originally from the Hidden Sand Village, why did you leave?”
You’ve tried to burry down the memory of him hurting you. But no matter how much you try it always comes back to haunt you.
“Me and my mother fled the village after someone hurt me. Someone that I cared for deeply,” Tsunade waited for you to continue, “his name is Gaara, he carries the Shukaku, the sand demon. Everyone hated him for it. Everyone but me. We became friends, we were so close. Until one night, the sand attacked me, I never knew what happened,” you took a breath, hand resting against the scar on your temple once more. “I ran home. Once my mother took a look at my face she packed up our life and fled to the Hidden Leaf Village.”
Tsunade hummed, “Gaara,” she trailed off, “the name sounds familiar.” She thought for a moment, “That’s right,” she lifted her head, “He’s the newest Kazekage.” Your heart dropped. Gaara. Your Gaara. Was the Kazekage?
Tsunade stated to laugh, “You should see your face!” “So this was planned?!” You accused, pointing your finger at her. “Of course not,” she swatted your hand away, “simply coincidental. Just remember, I’m your Kage, not him.” You nodded, “Yes, of course, Lady Tsunade.”
You began moving once the sun rose, the summit building just in sight. You could see other ninjas and their Kage’s moving in the forest. You gripped your kunai, you knew you had nothing to worry about, but after failing to protect the third Hokage, you were on edge.
You stopped in front of the door of the motel you’d be staying at during your time in the village, you checked in, the worker guiding you two to the room.
“The meeting isn’t until the sun sets,” you’d started to unpack your things, “which means I’m going out and checking for casinos.” She turned to leave, “Wait, Lady Tsunade!” You chased after her, “as your escort I must accompany you around the village.”
You tailed behind the Hokage, looking around the village in wonder. In your ANBU days you didn’t get the luxury to stay and look around the villages your missions were in.
Tsunade abruptly stopped, causing you to collide with her back, “S-sorry, Lady Tsunade.” You peeked out from behind her, taking a good look at the sight in front of you.
It was at moments like these that you wished you still had your ANBU mask.
Because the sight before you was the boy you’ve wanted to see once more for so long. “So you must be the Kazekage.” Tsunade stepped forward, her hand on her hips, “Lady Tsunade, didn’t you want to check out the casinos?” You whisper-yelled, still glued to her back, “C’mon, (Name), it’d be rude of us not to give them a proper greeting.” She whispered back, urging you beside her.
Gaara met her half way, hand extended out, “Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” There’s no way he gained those manners alone, you thought to yourself. Tsunade took his hand, you could see the veins popping out of her hand from how hard she was gripping his hand.
You faced Gaara’s escorts, his siblings, Temari and Kankuro, you recognized them from your childhood. You bowed slightly, they copied your movements. Temari seemed to have recognized you, and then there was Kankuro who was blissfully unaware of this.
You could feel Gaara’s eyes on you, burning holes wherever he looked, “This is my escort, (Name).” Tsunade motioned to you, you took a slight step back, heart thumping in your chest. “(Name)? Oh! That (Name)?! Temari look it’s Gaara’s little—” Temarj elbowed Kankuro, causing him to double over.
Gaara extended his hand out to you, “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, (Name).” Meet. Meet? You’ve met. You’ve met long ago. Why was he acting like he didn’t know you? You could feel your heart clenching in side your rib cage. Instead of taking his hand, you bowed, “The pleasure is mine, Lord Kazekage.”
Tsunade looked between you and Gaara, she had already pieced everything together, the friendship, the scar, the longing, she just needed to see how long it took before you cracked.
“Alright (Name), theres still a lot left to explore before the summit begins.” You stood straight up once more, seeing that Gaara’s hand was still out to you, he must’ve noticed it as well; he retracted it, placing them behind his back. You turned to the Hokage, “Yes, of course Lady Tsunade.”
Before you could walk far, Gaara grabbed your wrist, you turned to face him, and he quickly released his hand. “I will see you at the meeting?” He asked, you nodded, bowing once more and following after Tsunade.
“So that’s him, huh?” She mumbled, “he seems like a real heart breaker,” She smirked, you could feel your face heat up, “What?!” It’s true, Gaara had grown into quite a handsome young man, but that was the least of your concerns. You fidgeted with your fingers, eyes trained on the ground, “So you agree, (Name)?” She caught you off guard, and you stuttered out a reply, “No! I mean yes, but no! He—he’s changed, that’s for sure…”
Tsunade laughed once more, “Ah young love.” She sighed. You chose to ignore that comment, following her around for the rest of the day. The sun had disappeared now, the villagers were all in their homes or bars.
You walked Lady Tsunade to the summit hall, seeing all the Kage in their respective colours was certainly something. Though you couldn’t keep your eyes from drifting over to the Kazekage. The youngest in history.
He looked so serious, yet he held the same seafoam eyes that he had as a child, scorn from the horrors he was forced to face. You needed to apologize.
The Kage were in the middle of discussing treaties and alliances when a smoke bomb went off in the middle of the hall. Each escort rushed to their respective Kage’s side. You were now tasked with extracting the Kage without harm being inflicted.
Lady Tsunade stayed behind you, leaving you to fight off any enemy ninja that dared to attack the Hokage. Kunai were flying every which way. You realized that Gaara was still inside the hall after getting lady Tsunade out and seeing Temari and Kankuro bickering over who left him behind.
“Go get him.” Tsunade’s voice was clear amongst the chaos. “But Lady Tsunade, you said—” “Well now I’m saying to go protect the Kazekage!” She could sense your hesitation, “if you let anything happen to him. I’m kicking you out of the leaf village.” You nodded, “Temari, look after the Hokage!” You demanded, and ran back into the Summit hall.
You recounted your steps, ending back into the meeting room. Sand was flying all around the room, you managed to take down some of the ninja, using the brute strength that Tsunade had taught you. You’d managed to get close to Gaara, “Lord Kazekage, I’ve come to get you out.” You shouted, kicking an enemy through the wall, “I do not need assistance.” “Unfortunately it is my new mission, whether you like it or not.” You were now face to face with him once more.
Gaara really was handsome.
The ninjas had began to flee, some still staying behind to finish their mission. You took this as a chance to escape. You grabbed Gaara’s hand, leading him through the hole you’d previously made, you stayed in front of the Kazekage and against the wall, making sure the coast was clear.
“I’m sorry.” He spoke before you, you froze for a moment, turning your head to face him. “What do you have to apologize for? We only met today.” You played dumb, starting to guide him out of the infested building. “(Name).” Gaara grabbed your elbow, keeping you in place, “Lord Kazekage, we need to leave now.” “Please don’t do this.” His eyes were fixed on yours, he’d grown into his face, and he was finally taller than you.
“You were the one that acted like we didn’t know each other.” You pointed your finger into his chest, anger starting to rise, “And that is my fault, but I need to apologize.” Gaara’s voice remained neutral, “Apologize for what?! If anything I should be the one apologizing, I was the one that left you!” You grabbed his collar pulling him close to you, catching him off guard, “you should hate me, curse me out, never want to see me again!”
You finally realized how close you were to the man, releasing his collar and turning your back to him. You still had to complete your mission. “I’ve missed you.” Gaara’s voice sounded raw, like he’s been holding this in for a while.
Your fist clenched, nails digging into your palms. “Damn you!” You swiveled around once more, fist colliding with his chest, “damn you, damn you!” Your fists kept falling upon Gaara’s chest, but never once did he fight back, “Damn you and your perfect face! And your dumb eyes! And how you’re the one apologizing to me! Damn you! I—” all the energy rushed out at once, tears starting to fall, “I’ve missed you, Gaara. I-I’m so sorry for leaving you…” you rested your forehead on his shoulder.
You never thought you’d be this close to him again.
He stepped back, you stumbled forward slightly, regaining your bearings. Gaara raised his hand, lifting your chin to get a better look at your face. His eyes instantly landed on your temple, where your scar rested.
You moved your hand to cover it, moving back from him, “That wasn’t your fault,” you looked around, there weren’t any ninja near by, “we need to go, now. Your escorts are still waiting outside for you.”
The rest of the walk was silent. Existing the building, Temari and Kankuro rushed to embrace their little brother. You went back to lady Tsunade’s side, “Good job.” She stated, you gave her a curt nod, sparing a final glance at Gaara, who was already looking at you.
You and the Hokage went back to the motel. The summit would be delayed to next week, meaning you’d be staying in the Land of Iron until then.
‘The night is young!’ Tsunade said, right before dragging you to a bar, where you drank more alcohol then you ever had in your life.
You opened your eyes, the sun shining, your head pounding, and someone knocking on the door. Tsunade was still passed out. So this is what a hangover feels like, you thought to yourself, standing and walking to the door.
Cracking it open, a sudden hit of sobriety washing over you as Gaara stared at you through the cracked door. His cheeks were dusted pink, eyes darting from your chest area to your face, suddenly aware that the robe you were wearing was revealing a lot more skin then you should be in front of such an important figure like Gaara.
“One moment!” You squeaked, slamming the door shut and changing into your regular ninja clothes. Lady Tsunade still somehow asleep through the whole ordeal, she’s probably faking.
You opened the door, this time stepping out and closing the door behind you, “Lady Hokage is… resting. She is unable to talk at this moment.” You informed him, “That’s alright, it’s you I want to talk with,” his lips lifted into a small smile, “would you like to go on a walk with me?” He extended his arm out to you, if you wanted to take it.
Seriously, who taught him this, there was no way that he wasn’t courting someone.
Regardless, you took his arm, hand fitting perfectly around his arm. You two began to walk around the unknown village, slowly you started talking, catching up.
Gaara had explained what had happened the night you left, how his uncle tried to assassinate him, and how Naruto saved him during the Chunin exam, showing him how to care again. You told him of your days as an ANBU, the new friends you’ve made over the years, how you lost your mother during the Chunin exam battle, but you made sure not to blame him for any of it.
You had the feeling that someone, multiple people, you kept scanning the area, finding no one. “Would you like to get some tea?” He turned to you, eyes hopeful, nothing like what you’d seen during the Chunin exam. “I’d love to.”
Gaara slid the door open for you, and even moved the chair out for you. He really was trying. Gaara sat across from you, you each ordered tea and mochi. “So do you enjoy living in the leaf village?” He asked, “Oh yes, I’ve made some good friends there, and it’s nice to stay close to where my mother lays.” You replied. Gaara rested his head on his palm, elbow leaning on the table.
“Have you… ever thought of returning to the Sand Village?” Gaara practically whispered, your hands paused reaching for your tea. You retracted your hands back into your lap, “Hm… if I’m being honest I have. But I also have a duty in the Leaf Village, I’m a Leaf shinobi, I can’t just leave.” Gaara stayed silent, just looking at you.
You’ve grown as well, you’d grown into your skin, eyes smaller, but still just as beautiful. You looked like a strong woman, though that aspect never changed about you. To Gaara you’ve always been strong. The elder council in the Sand Village had began to bother him about finding a wife, which isn’t something he should be thinking about, but here with you. Gaara can’t help but think of some kind of future.
“Last year,” Gaara finally spoke once more, “when the leaf village helped the sand retrieve a student that had been taken. Were you the ANBU agent that fought along side me?” You froze once more, “Uh…” you trailed off, hiding your flushed face behind your tea cup, desperately wanting the topic to change.
But Gaara waited for your answer, “Yes, that was me…” you remembered the pang of jealousy you felt when his student had hugged him after the battle. Why did you feel that way, why do you still feel that way?
“Koneko.” He repeated your code name, a shiver running down your spine, “Now that I’m out of the ANBU Black Ops that code name is no longer in use.” You smiled, taking another sip of your tea. “What about you, anyone special back at home waiting for your return?”
You both seemed to have realized that you’d referred to the Sand Village as ‘home’, something you haven’t thought of that way in years. Gaara shook his head, “No, not yet,” he took a sip of his own tea, “though the elders have started discussing the matter behind my back.” You laughed, a genuine laugh, “Well, you better get to it then.” Gaara’s eyes softened, just watching you for a few more moments.
You were enjoying your time together, making up for all the lost time over the years.
A cough sounded behind you. You froze in your seat once more. Already feeling eyes burning into the back of your head, you knew who it was, and the look on Gaara’s face confirmed it. “(Name).” Slowly you turned, facing Lady Hokage.
You shot up from your seat, bowing to the Kazekage, making your way to Tsunade. “Are you forgetting something?” She hissed, “Ah!” Made your way back to the table, leaving money to pay for the tea and mochi. You bowed once more, “Thank you for the walk, Lord Kazekage.”
With that you and Tsunade left the tea shop. “Did you have fun?” She lightened her tone, “Yeah… I—I mean. Yes Lady Hokage, thank you!” Tsunade laughed, “No need to thank me, little girl,” she glanced over to you,
“Just remember where your home is.”
— EXTRA —
Temari and Kankuro watched from afar as their brother tried to rebuild his relationship with you.
The night they got back, Gaara immideately asked Kankuro for help.
Only for Temari to call Kankuro ‘unreliable’. Sitting Gaara down, “You’re serious about this?” She interrogated him, Gaara nodded.
“Good,” she stated, standing before her two seated brothers. “Take her on a walk around the village, be kind—” “—But not too kind!” Kankuro interrupted.
For the rest of the night Temari and Kankuro lectured Gaara how to ‘Make it up to you’. Though a lot of the points were just contradicting themselves.
After his two siblings fell asleep, Gaara stayed up thinking about you. Were you going to forgive him? Would things go back to how they were? Gaara could only hope they did, he could only hope that he could convince you to come home.
Which is why his two older siblings were just outside the tea shop giggling as their little brother was actually smiling at someone again.
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Would you guys want a part 2 of this?
Have a great morning/day/night!!
