My first Gaara fic. Review please!

I do not own Naruto, and I never will.

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One in the Same and Never alone

A young Gaara sat on a swing, lonely, clutching a small bear. He turned toward a group of children playing kickball and sighed softly, pulling up the drooping bear and hugging it close. ‘My only friend,’ He thought solemnly, the swing rocking forward and backward gently.

Soon, a stray red ball rolled up next to his leg, making him look toward the group. They were all staring at him, eyes filled with horror. As if on command, the sandy ground moved, raising the ball into Gaara's small arms. He jumped off the swing and stepped forward to the group. He smiled desperately, hoping no one would run from him this time. He took another step forward.

As always, the children took a step back. One small girl screamed, and they all ran. And once again, Gaara was alone, sniffling lightly as he dropped the ball and returned to his place on the swing.

Today however was different. A young girl stayed behind. She was unafraid, but hesitant. She approached Gaara in a sweet manner, hopping lightly with each step. Her soft brown hair rested comfortably on her shoulders and her soft violet eyes held no fear. She wore dark blue overalls and a small maple-coloured T-shirt.

"Hi," said the young girl, without any sign of fear in her voice. She looked no younger than seven.

Gaara looked up at her with a cat’s curiosity. She smiled at him and sat onto the soft grass, her legs crossed. The young redheaded boy was bewildered at the sight of this: someone not afraid of him. Besides his uncle, Yashamaru, this young girl was the only one to approach him, unafraid.

"What is your name?" Gaara asked the girl, staring at her curiously, his sand circling around the now bright red ball that lay lonely, as Gaara once did.

"Yuuki," said the girl, smiling up at Gaara sweetly. "My brother tells me it means courage. I already know your name. My brother used told me why people don't like to play with you... I bet it gets lonely..."

Gaara smiled slightly, the sand now going limp and returning to its place on the ground.

"It does..." said Gaara, an unnoticeable hint of sadness in his voice.

"I mean, I think it's wrong to leave someone out because of something they had no control over. It wasn't your fault Kazekage-sama chose to put that... Thingy in you. I mean, it’s just so wrong!" Yuuki fell onto her back and pouted softly, her face screwed up slightly into a somewhat angry look.

Gaara laughed softly, hopping off the swing and sitting next to the young girl.

"It must be sad, being so lonely all the time, huh Gaara-san?" Yuuki asked, staring up at the forming gray clouds.

"Hai. It is... Sometimes I wonder why the sand protects me so much. If it didn't, I probably wouldn't be here right now..." said Gaara simply. Yuuki gave him a slightly shocked look.

"You wouldn't? Why not, Gaara-san?" asked Yuuki, rather sadly.

"Because life isn't worth living if you don't have anyone live it with..." His soft aqua eyes gazed at the dark sky, the gray clouds gathering around the sun, eventually drifting over it.

"You don't have to go anywhere now, Gaara-san.."

Gaara looked at her, somewhat shocked at her words. His eyes were wide and his jaw slightly fell from his small, slightly plump face. A familiar sensation came to him: the feeling of water gathering behind his eyes. It began to drizzle.

Yuuki smiled and she sat up, scooting next to Gaara. "You are a very nice person. I don't know why other people won't come find out themselves..." Yuuki leaned against his shoulder softly.

Gaara let out an inaudible small gasp, but smiled, a tear rolling down his plump little cheek, blending in with the hardening rain.

"I..." said Yuuki nervously, looking down at the grass slightly. Gaara turned to her with a slightly worried look.

"Hai?"

Yuuki shook her head and looked up at him with a tearful smile. "I know how you feel... Because I don't have any friends either. All I have is my brother. My mother died and my father killed himself afterwards... I saw the whole thing... I don't understand why though. That's why I came to talk to you. Everyone ignored me. I felt left out. And I guess you do too. Will you be my friend?"

Gaara was taken aback by this. He'd only just met this girl, and she'd wanted to be his friend? Wasn't she afraid he might hurt her? He gulped lightly and smiled, the rain only getting heavier. This was a first for him.

"Umm... Sure?" He answered, quite honestly. What else could he have said?

Yuuki smiled, laughed, then threw her arms around his neck. "Good! Now we'll never be alone!" She said muffled, as she'd began nuzzling into his chest.

Gaara was more then speechless. This young girl... This young girl was brave enough to approach him. 'Maybe,' He thought, staring at the playful girl with a smile. 'Maybe it's because... We're one in the same...'