Gaara's P.O.V

When I returned to Sunagakure after the failure of the Konoha Invasion mission, Kankuro and Temari automatically put me in the hospital. It was useless to me, since everyone was too afraid to check on me. Only Temari and Kankuro developed enough courage to stay in the small hospital room with me. When I asked them why, they merely smiled and said even after everything I've done, I was still their baby brother and that they still care for me. How perplexing.

It was a while before anyone dared to enter my room. It was a girl, probably my age from the look of her, with blue hair tied in a giant braid. Her eyes were an amethyst color, and were focused on the clipboard. "Ok... Sabaku no Gaara?"

She pushed her thin-rimmed glasses up as she looked up to see all three of the Sand Siblings staring at me in a near incredulous way. She sweatdropped and asked, "Alrighty, which one of you is Sabaku no Gaara?"

"That would be me." I answered stoically. Her eyes flickered to me and they softened. This made me tense. Why was she staring at me like that?

"Geez, you seem pretty beat up. Let me have a look. You two, do you mind if you left to the waiting room?"

Kankuro and Temari exchanged glances before turning to me for my answer. I nodded, silently telling them that it was alright. They nodded back and slowly left, leaving me and the girl alone. She put the clipboard down and cracked her knuckles, requesting, "Alright Gaara-san, can you take off your shirt for me?"

I narrowed my eyes, asking, "Why?"

"I have to inspect and heal the damage, silly, " The girl explained with a giggle. "I can't do that with your shirt on."

"No." I responded bluntly, crossing my arms. It sounded too peculiar. I haven't heard anyone needing to touch bare skin in order to heal. The girl sighed. "Please, just let me do my job so it can be done with, ok?"

"No." I said again. The girl stared at me before she crossed her arms and crossly stating, "Let me try it this way. You're going to take off your shirt."

"No, I am not."

"Yes, you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes, now take off your damn shirt already!

"I said no! Get off!"

"No, hold still!"

"Make me!"

"That's what I'm trying to do! You're the one making it difficult!"

"What's going -- on?" Kankuro asked hesitantly, scratching the back of his head. His face was heavily flushed, and his eyes darted every which way. Temari gaped, sputtering over her words. When she finally pulled herself together, she asked with a stuttering voice, "E-Eh, are we i-interrupting s-something?"

True enough, that nurse girl and I were in a rather compromising position. The girl's hands were under my shirt, while her legs wrapped around my torso. I had her braid in one hand and was pulling it back, therefore had her head arched back. The other hand had settled on her left breast, poised to push. Scowls were set on both of our faces as we glared angrily at each other.

"He won't let me heal him." The girl hissed out. I narrowed my eyes and growled, "And I told her that it's unusual to touch bare skin in order to heal."

For a moment, neither Temari nor Kankuro said a word. Whether it's because I'm allowing this pathetic nurse to touch me, or allowing her to talk back to me, I don't know. I didn't know it myself. Usually whenever someone back talked to me or had the nerve to touch me, it was an instant kill. With her, she tested my patience, but not enough to splatter her blood everywhere.

"A-Actually Gaara," Kankuro interjected nervously, wringing his hands. "You have to touch bare skin in order to heal. That's how m-medical ninjutsu works."

The girl smirked smugly. "Looks like I win. Now take. Off. Your. Shirt."

I released an audible snarl that made Temari and Kankuro visibly flinch. However, the girl was basically unfazed, raising an unimpressed eyebrow. "Oh, so scary. Take off your shirt already."

Grunting in displeasure, I practically shoved the girl off me and took off my gourd and shirt. She nodded in satisfaction as I stood before her before assessing my injuries. The girl mainly studied me, occasionally walking in a circle around me or jotting something down on her clipboard. Every once in a while, she would have the gall to touch me, squeezing my shoulder or pressing on some part of my torso. I would growl every time her dainty fingers brushed against my skin, but if she was affected by it, she didn't show it.

After about ten minutes, she sighed contently and placed her clipboard down. "Alright! All of your injuries aren't too bad. You may have a bit of a concussion since I see a bruise on your forehead, but resting should make it ok. Let me start healing so I can speed up the process. Get into the standard anatomical position."

I frowned. Anatomical position? Somehow noticing my hesitance, she explained, "It's nothing crazy. Just stand straight, feet slightly apart and toes forward, palm facing outward."

Nodding, I did what she asked. The girl nodded in approval before pressing her hands together in a hand signs. After a short moment, her hands began to glow a light green, and she separated them before settling them on my chest. My jaw tightened, but otherwise I said nothing. Neither did she, nor my siblings. Everything was silent for a few minutes.

"Alright," The girl finally sighed out and took a step back. "That should be it for now. Get some rest, take it easy, and you should be fine."

She suddenly let out a yawn, and attempted to cover it with her mouth. That when I noticed faint half circles under her eyes. She must not get a lot of sleep.

"Have a good day, you three," She said before heading for the door. I narrowed my eyes, grunting, "Wait."

The girl stopped and turned around, arching an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Tell me your name," I demanded. She blinked in confusion before answering, "Kaito, Mei."

I nodded in satisfaction before walking out the door, my siblings right behind me.

~~~~

Three days have passed since my appointment at the hospital. True to that girl's, Mei, words, my strength was fully replenished. I found it strange how she was not fearful of me, and have been thinking about it ever since. In a way, she reminds me of Uzumaki Naruto. Either very courageous, or incredibly stupid. Perhaps both.

Temari needed to do grocery shopping, and so somehow convinced Kankuro and I to come along. So here I was, staring blankly at the variety of produce available in Suna's market, wondering what exactly did Temari wanted me to get. She initially offered me a list, but I declined. Now I'm regretting that foolish choice.

All around me were frightful whispers and cold stares. I resisted rolling my eyes. I would've simply threatened them, but ever since my battle with that Uzumaki boy, I've opted for the peaceful path of gaining acceptance. I refused to let Shukaku control me with his bloodlust any longer; something he did not find very appreciative. Still, the stares and whispers were becoming rather taxing on my patience -- and that itself was very little.

"Sabaku no Gaara?" I blinked out of my dazed state and turned around. Mei stared at me with a smile, her head tilted to the side. She held a basket full of produce. "It is you. How are you feeling?"

"Fine," I answered curtly, giving a nod for emphasis. If possible, her smile grew wider. "That's good! Initially, I was rather worried about your health, but you seem to be doing just fine."

I frowned and narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "You were worried for me?"

Her cheeks turned pink, and she stuttered out her answer. "I-I mean, well, I have concern for all of my patients, you kn-know? But that doesn't you're not special! Y-You are, just not like that! I mean--!"

Mei then laughed and scratched the back of her head. "I sound like an idiot, don't I?"

I couldn't help but smirk. I knew it was a rhetorical question, but I decided to answer it anyway. "Very."

Mei sweatdropped at my response and opened her mouth to speak. However, she was interrupted by someone else. "Kaito Mei, there you are!"

The blue haired girl blinked before looking to the side. I followed her gaze to see a woman with blue hair and bright brown eyes. Next to the woman was a man with black hair and violet eyes. Upon seeing the pair of adults, Mei smiled brightly. "Kaa-san, Tou-san. I got the ingredients that you wanted."

"Never mind that!" The woman spoke, eyeing me with curiosity. "Who is your friend here?"

"Oh, this is Sabaku no Gaara. This was my patient three days ago."

The woman snapped her fingers and pointed at me with a sly smile. "Aah, so you're the one Mei has been yapping about, huh? Ooh, he's cuter than you described him!"

"K-Kaa-san! Hush!" Mei squeaked, a deep red color enveloping her cheeks. I blinked uncaringly at the events unfolding before me, not wanting to show my confusion. I was used to people talking about me. But not as... cute.

"You have got to have dinner with us!" Mei's mother continued, either oblivious to Mei's growing embarrassment or simply uncaring. Mei snapped her attention to me, laughing nervously. "Please, don't listen to her! She's crazy. You don't have to have dinner with us if you don't want to."

This time, the man decided to speak. "Mei, I believe he has to. Refusing him would only make your mother right."

Mei looked to her father with wide eyes before slumping in defeat. "Aw man..." She then turned to me, a mixture of embarrassment and - hope? - on her features. "Do you... um... doyouwanttohavedinnerwithus?"

I blinked at the speed of Mei's question, then opened my mouth to refuse. She seemed uncomfortable with this entire situation. The red seemed to be stained on her cheeks, and she flickered her eyes everywhere except on me. Before I could, however, someone decided to answer for me. "Yes, he'd love to come!"

I turned around to see Temari and Kankuro. They both had sneaky smiles on their faces. I narrowed my eyes, an obvious sign that I don't agree with their decision, but they made sure not to make eye contact with me. "But only if we come with."

"Wonderful!" Mei's mother cheered, clapping her hands together. Mei's father snickered as Mei herself sighed loudly and ran a hand down her face. "I'm doomed..."

~~~~

"Mmh! Thish ish really good, Mrsh. Kaito." Temari complimented with a mouth full of food, making sure to cover her mouth so she wouldn't spit. Mei's mother gave a bright closed eye smile, chirping, "Why, thank you! It's so nice to have guests to feed. Sunagakure seems to be very antisocial."

"Yeah, we tend to be like that. I guess it's part of the whole desert atmosphere." Kankuro explained with a careless shrug. I stayed silent, merely observing the flow of the conversation as I ate my salted tongue and gizzard, which happened to be my favorite foods. Mei's mother asked me what was my favorite foods, and despite my resisting, still cooked what I personally liked.

Mei took a large bite of her rice and mumbled, "We're not from here. Shee, we came from a shmall village far from here. There were alsho no shinobi or whatever you call yourshelvesh."

"Kaito Mei!" Mrs. Kaito snapped, an irk mark appearing on her temple and waving a wooden spoon she randomly took out of somewhere. "How many have I told you not to talk with your mouth full of food?! It's rude!"

Mei's eyes widened as she pointed at Temari. "But she'sh doing it!"

"It's best not to argue with your mother, Mei," Mr. Kaito chuckled, "You know how she gets about table manners. These are our guests, not to mention our first ones in this village, so they're an exception for now."

The blue haired girl's arms flew up to the air as she looked up at the ceiling in exasperation. Temari and Kankuro snickered at her misfortune, while I merely smirked.

Mrs. Kaito narrowed her eyes at her daughter before gazing at us with a warm smile. "So tell us! What's it like being shinobi?"

"It's pretty dangerous a lot of the time," Kankuro answered, "But on the other hand, it can be pretty exciting. Us shinobi can get to do what normal people can't."

Mei tilted her head. "Like climb on walls and go super fast? Not to mention take out a person with a single hit?"

Both Temari and Kankuro nodded in response. Mei scratched her head, replying, "Eh, no offense, but it kinda sounds like you're part spider, mixed with cheetah and a person who takes those super pills... what do you call 'em... Oh, yeah. Steroids. But without all the bulging muscle side effects."

Temari and Kankuro sweatdropped at the girl's train of thought, while I resisted a chuckle. Though she may be stubborn and pushy, she seems to be quite entertaining as well.

"All the same, shinobi sound very powerful and capable of handling themselves," Mr. Kaito spoke up, closing his eyes and nodding slightly. "I admire that."

Mrs. Kaito nodded in agreement, as did Mei. They all seem to admire shinobi. If only they knew the things we would have to do.

"Then again, you guys sometimes get placed in pretty tight spots. You would have to make a decision that you don't want to do. Sometimes, you have to kill people as a mission," Mei inputted. The sides of her mouth tilted downward. "I certainly can't do such a thing. Killing a person doesn't really seem right. I say it's always good to give that person a second chance."

I closed my eyes. "Even if the person killed several others? That person who everyone considers a monster and fears? Would you not want to kill such a person?"

When I opened my eyes, I met Mei's intense gaze. I was slightly surprised by the emotions that her violet eyes held. Horror at the concept, determination to prove me wrong. "Heavens no! People act a certain way for a reason. That so-called 'monster' could actually be a sweet person who hasn't been given the chance to show what a good person they can be. All the rejections and constant loneliness could have driven them to kill others, just so they could feel important. The best course of action is to show them that they are important, without having to kill others, because they are!"

Everyone was stunned at Mei's speech. Her eyes were resolute the entire time. After a moment, I mumbled, "And that would get you killed. Kindness and compassion is weakness."

I once again closed my eyes. Only this time was to avoid Mei's hurt expression. It was true however. There was no point in being kind to people who hurt you and others.

"Maybe you're right, Gaara..." My eyes opened to see Mei's expression. It was neither sad nor angry. In fact, it was content. "But if that's the case, I would rather die due to giving someone kindness. Seems like the right way to go. And who knows? Maybe all a person needs is a little kindness."

Mei gave me a closed eye grin. "Wouldn't you say so, Gaara-kun?"

For the first time in years, I felt my confusion and surprise evident in my expression. This girl... So strange, and yet...

Amazing.

~~~~

"Thanks for the dinner, Mei," Kankuro thanked as the Mei walked us to our home. Not that we needed it, of course. But Mei's mother insisted, even giving Mei a death glare if she even attempted to refuse. There was also that knowing gleam in the woman's eyes...

Mei smiled and gave a peace sign. "No problem, guys. Whenever you want your favorite homemade meal, just let us know. We'll be happy to let you in!"

Temari and Kankuro nodded, both smiling. I said nothing, merely watching the blue haired girl from the corner of my eye. She walked beside us, head high and with a peaceful smile. She paid no mind to the people who watched with suspicion, whispers being thrown about the air. There was also an air of humbleness about her. Her hands were clasped together behind her back and she occasionally mumbled apologies to people she bumped into, despite the rude glares and words she received in return. Whenever that does occur, I shot a quick glare, and the person would mumble a meek apology before scurrying off.

We reached our house within minutes; mansion would be a better word. Being children to the late Kazekage does have its perks. I glanced to see Mei gazing at the large house in awe, and couldn't help but smirk. It was fairly easy to tell that the girl was new to the village. The most mundane things seem to interest her.

We reached and turned around to give the girl our goodbyes. Once again, I said nothing as Kankuro, Temari, and Mei exchanged farewells. My siblings wasted no time after to shuffle into the house. I was about to as well, when--

"Gaara-kun?" Despite the suffix, I turned around to acknowledge her. I was met with a sad smile. "I know what the villagers say and think about you. The one-tailed beast, eh Shukaku was it? I know that's what you contain."

I nodded in response. I knew it was matter of time before this came up. It was only a matter of time before she agreed with the villagers and resented me for the evil deeds I've done. She would call me a bloodthirsty murderer, undeserving of any type of affection--

"But I don't think that's who you are."

Okay. I certainly wasn't expecting that.

The utter shock must've shown in my expression because Mei laughed. It wasn't like the tinkling of bells, soft and harmonious. It was a few octaves deeper, including even a little hiccup. It was rather amusing, hearing such a strange laugh from a delicate girl. The laughing abruptly stopped and was replaced with stuttering. Her cheeks burned red as she hastily tried to apologize for her laugh, calling it atrocious.

"It's fine," I responded impassively, "There's nothing wrong with it."

If anything, the red on her cheeks darkened a shade, and she casted her eyes to the ground, a small smile adorning her lips. "A-Anyway, I don't consider you a monster at all. Remember the conversation at dinner? I-I was talking about y-you. I think... All you need is a little kindness... A-And if you'll allow me... I'd be happy to sh-show you."

Mei then held out her hand, still not giving me eye contact. "But before we get there, can we... be friends first?"

I stared at the hand, a mixture of emotions swirling through my head. Surprise that someone is actually giving me a chance to prove my worth. Suspicion that Mei is simply being told to be my friend, rather than actually wanting to. After a while, I couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

Mei snapped her head up to face me, confusion and hurt evident in her expression. "Why...?"

"Why would you want to be friends," I elaborated, slowly closing my eyes, "With a monster like me? Is it because your mother and father told you to?"

I received nothing in response. My chest tightened; that was the true reason why she wanted to be 'friends'. She was being forced to. Not because --

"Because," Mei suddenly muttered, causing me to open my eyes. She took a small step forward, held out her arms and wrapped them around me. I stiffened at the contact, my eyes growing wide at the boldness of her actions. Despite hearing of all the rumors and ill words of me, she... she hugged me. She finished, her voice soft and low, "Because I want to be friends with you. If I didn't want to, trust me, I wouldn't have even asked."

A few moments passed when she finally released me. Taking a step back, she held her arms behind her back and smiled. "But if you don't trust me, then that's fine. I'll just keep at it until you do. But I'll tell you this, Sabaku no Gaara, we will be friends."

With a determined nod and a bright grin that reminded me of Uzumaki Naruto, she turned on her heel and began to leave. As I watched her retreating figure, I mumbled, "We'll see, Kaito Mei. We'll see what the future, my future, holds for us both."

As I walked into the house, for the first time in years, I couldn't wait for what the future may bring.