GaaSaku: Childhood & Chunin Exams

Chapter 2: Sakura's Side Story

Yesterday was Gaara's first time meeting a friend. He always hoped for someone to be nice and accept him fully and it came true. He told his uncle about his first friend and how kind she was to him. The two of them are wondering what they will be doing together since they are now friends.

They pondered if they could go on one of the exciting adventures. However, expecting things to go exactly the way they want is not always going to be how life will turn out, but better things are much greater than what they thought or dreamed of.

From there, Gaara was sitting on the swing, holding his teddy bear with him. He was watching the kids play soccer and others play tag, hide & seek until Shukaku spoke in his mind.

"You know, a present would be nice to give her one," Shukaku said. "Observing that Sakura girl is the best idea to know who she is."

"Have fun with that. But the idea you gave me was great. I could give away my teddy bear. I'm not certain enough if she would like it," Gaara thought in concern.

"Like it, shmike it. As long as you give her a present, she will still accept your offering. Trust me," Shukaku said.

"And why are you helping me, may I ask?" Gaara asked curiously.

"I'm only suggesting that you should give her one and I'm not helping you because I'm not your guardian," Shukaku sighed heavily.

"Isn't it weird that you've said those nice things coming out of your mouth? Wow, I've never expected you to become kind and soft," Gaara thought in a smug way.

"If I were you, little one, I would most likely close my mouth and be silent. For your information, I'm not becoming kind and soft. Like I said before, I'm just here to observe this 'friend' of yours to see if she's pretending to be like one. In fact, she is a fake," Shukaku remarked with a smirk, hoping to insult Gaara.

"You don't know anything about Sakura. Insulting her is a mistake you've ever said. I'm expecting you to regret it before I shut you out of my mind. I would appreciate it," Gaara thought as he narrowed his eyes in a threat.

"Hmm... You have some kind of bone to pick up with. Why threaten a tailed-beast who's inside of a jinchuriki? " Shukaku questioned as he inwardly groaned, but Gaara ignored his question when he heard someone calling out his name.

"Gaara," a voice called out made him turn around to see the person running towards him. It was Sakura. Seeing her made his heart flutter through his chest, filling with joy and excitement. He got up from the swing, still holding his teddy bear behind him.

"Hey, Gaara. Sorry to keep you waiting. I was finishing up my breakfast," she said, as her cheeks turned pink.

"Oh, I don't mind. After all, I've been thinking of giving you a present today," he said shyly, as he held his teddy bear in front of her and made her gasp.

"Do you like it?" He asked softly when Sakura blinked and frowned a little.

"I don't like it. I love it," she said, giving him a big hug that made him feel surprised. An idea struck Sakura where she quickly pulled away and said. "Oh! I didn't even give you one, but..." she thought about giving him the best present, so she quickly untied the ribbon off of her head and grabbed his wrist gently, and tied it back on.

"There," she said happily.

Gaara looked at the ribbon for a moment and smiled, saying. "Thank you, Sakura," he smiled as he watched her giggled softly.

"Come on, let's play," she said, pulling his arm as she was leading him towards the playground and went on the swings.

A few minutes later, the kid and his gang approached them with their shadow figures upon them.