It was time, the time to return home.

Sakura was twelve years old, the age in which to graduate in order to be a genin. As promised, she would go back to Konoha to further her training. The seven years she had spent in Suna Academy had done her wonders. She was stronger not only physically, but also mentally, not like last time. Her chakra was just like before, she mused. It was disappointing that her 12-year old self was as strong as her 17 year old original. She vowed silently that she would surpass her limit.

However Sakura was a loner, the kids at Suna were much worse than Ami. They tortured, teased, mocked her for her pink hair and wide forehead. All she could do was watch and keep silent, she didn't want history to repeat itself. But one day, it had changed.

She was playing by herself since no one wanted to play with the 6 year old pink haired freak. The other children were in a little group near her and did not let her into their game. Then, she noticed another boy much like her. He was a loner, sitting by himself in the middle of the playground. She knew who he was and felt an ache in her chest to witness his childhood. Without hesitation, she approached him.

"Hi!"

No response.

"How are you?"

Silence.

"I'm Sakura."

"Shut up."

She cringed a little at his hostility but she knew what he had been through. Sakura thought back to what happened before, how he had saved her from that filthy enemy who tried to take advantage of her. Unconsciously, she shuddered.

"What's your name?" Even though Sakura knew fully well what it was, she had to keep up her facade.

"Go away."

"You seem sad.."

"Leave me a-"

"..so I thought I'd come and play with you!" She beamed at him, making his penetrating eyes widen. She was sad to observe that an act of kindness was foreign to him. Then again, the same applied to her. However, she was different. She didn't let people get close to her. But it wasn't as if the wanted to anyway, she was a freak after all. Sakura was okay with that, she knew that she had to leave Suna one day and she didn't want to lose another friend. That feeling was too much to bear.

"Why?" She had caught his attention. Usually, a glare from him and a few unkind words were enough to send the kids scurrying. She was different, she seemed to be genuinely interested in him. She did not fear him like the others. This made him feel a little spark of relief.

''Because I want to." She took his hand in hers and led him to the swings. Reluctantly, he sat down. Breaking her usually quiet and invisible facade, she let out a cheer and pushed him, sending him into the skies. He was surprised, but nontheless started to enjoy himself. For a second, he thought that the pink-haired girl would turn against him and push him down. He was foolish to think that.

Needless to say, the two had bonded by the time the day ended. He was sad to see her go, believing that she would not be there tomorrow. But deep down, he knew that once she knew his secret, she would fear him. She would run far, far away and never play with him again. He sighed, he was used to this. But he had an inkling of hope, praying that this time it would be different.

Before they parted, he had remembered to state his name. After playing in the playground all day, he had not even introduced himself!

"Gaara."

She smiled, somewhat...knowingly.

"Nice to meet you, Gaara!"

After that, she skipped away happily, happy to have reunited with her friend from before. He watched her retreating back and couldn't help but smile internally at the thought of his new..sort-of friend.

Gaara did not see her again for two days. He cursed angrily, thinking he was fooled again. Yet, she proved him wrong. She apologized to him and stated that she had been busy for those days and could not find the time to meet him. Yet, he knew something was different about her. After her little excuse, he had calmed down. The two 6 year olds proceeded to once again play on the swings. After fifteen minutes, Sakura had gotten bored. She suggested they make sand-castles. Somewhat hesitantly, he agreed and started to construct.

Sakura was worried Gaara might be mad at her. After all, she had not seen him for days and he might've thought she was never his friend to begin with. But it was not true that she had been busy. In truth, Sakura had been practicing, exercising, everything to get stronger. She wanted to be able to protect herself. Maybe not to inflict but to withstand the blows made by her bullies. She had to keep a low profile, appear weak to not be suspected. But, it was getting harder. Her attitudes were changing, her resolve to act nice was breaking. Sakura knew that soon, she wouldn't be able to act weak any longer.

Sakura, always carefree at least in Gaara's eyes, had been close to finishing a castle when a tall boy, Zaku, one of her bullies started to throw rocks at both of them. He threw one at her head, which she dodged. But her delicate sand castle was not so lucky. Her hard work had been ruined. As Zaku shouted taunts and insults, she noticed that he hadn't targeted Gaara. Although, it looked like Gaara was intent on hurting him.

Gaara's glare made Zaku shiver but it did not prepare him for what was coming next. Sand to slither to where Zaku was. Slowly, his body was covered with sand, beginning with his feet. Zaku felt suffocated, trapped. He coughed up and started screaming.

Gaara, too focused on his anger to notice Zaku's struggling, let go off the sand. The sand drained letting Zaku run free. Zaku bolted as fast as he could after shouting:

"It's true! My friends say you're a monster!" This brought Gaara back to reality. He glared at the retreating figure who spoke against him. It was true though. He was a monster. Him, Gaara, was the host of a demon. Mortified, Gaara knew that his 'friend' knew his secret now.

He turned around and walked away, not bothering to see her face. He didn't want another rejection, he was sick and tired of those.

"Hey, wait- where are you going, Gaara?"

"Home."

"Why?"

"You don't want me here." Gaara waited for a reply. Ten seconds passed by, to him it felt like an hour.

She did not reply but instead started laughing. When she finished, ultimately puzzling him, she shook her head and said:

"Why would you think that?"

"Because I'm a monster."

"Oh, shush, don't listen to Zaku, he's a bully."

"He's right."

"Well...even if you are a monster, that thing you did...was so...cool!"

"What?"

"It was awesome! And you even stood up for me!"

"..."

"Really, I think that was a cool thing you did, with the sand and all!

"...I..don't..scare...you?"

"Well..not really. I wish I had those powers!"

"No, you don't."

"Well it looks awesome."

"...Really?"

"Yeah!"

''You...want to keep talking to...me?"

"Of course I do!...Unless..you didn't want to be my friend anymore..?"

She called me her friend.

Gaara was taken aback, this girl sure was surprising. He was sure she would be running away screaming now, just like the previous boy.

"Friends."

It was a simple word but Gaara knew she would understand, she was a smart girl. Gaara felt peace and almost...familiar around her and he had no clue as to why. But that feeling was not important, what was important was that she was here. She was there, with him, not scared or filled with hatred. She declared that they were friends, something entirely foreign to him. And his secret, his hidden power that he hated so much. The burden that power came with was heavy, the demon inside him was deadly. He was always viewed as a weapon, never a real person. His ability to control sand was a surprise to most, and feared by everyone.

What surprised him the most was not that she wasn't afraid, actually. She hadn't appeared shocked, but rather...indifferent.

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EDIT: I just fixed the errors and readjusted some sentences:)

If you liked this, check out my story 'Misconceptions' If you do, then you're officially awesome.

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