An Unexpected Friend (Book 1 of the Unexpected Series)

Ch. 3 - Sandy Adventures Part 2

Looking over at him, Kokoro was satisfied with his smile. He accepted her explanation and seemed to want to stay friends with her. She was worried he wouldn't - that he would label her as another one of the 'mean people'. It would hurt her if he ever did that. She noticed the blanket in his hands covering his form, though she couldn't understand why he had it. It was another hot day in Suna and Kokoro could only think the blanket brought unnecessary heat. She faltered when she realized his bear was gone.

"Where's your bear?"

Gaara looked up from his drawings in the sand with wide eyes. He didn't think anyone would notice. He grimaced as he remembered what had happened: He had tripped over a rock. His fall had been broken by his sand, but his teddy bear flew out of his arms and on the ground a few feet away from him. He had watched with sorrow as one of the mean kids picked it up and ripped it apart.

Kokoro was livid. She was so mad that someone would tear Gaara's teddy bear apart. It wasn't nice. She stood and brushed the sand off of her clothes. She reached a hand out for Gaara to take, and when his hand latched onto hers, she pulled him to his feet and dragged him to the Kazekage's tower. Once inside, she made her way through the hallways until they were standing in front of the Kazekage's office. The men guarding the door gave her a questioning glance.

"I want to see my dad," she said. The guard on the right nodded and knocked on the door. When they heard a faint "enter", the guard on the left opened the door and ushered them in.

"Kokoro," Kakashi started, "what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry for interrupting," she said, remembering the few lessons on diplomacy her dad gave her, "but I was wondering if I could have some money."

"What for?" Kakashi asked, already digging in his pouch.

"I want to buy a souvenir to remember this trip."

"Alright," he said as he handed her a good amount. "Now run along."

She did as she was told. All the while, Gaara wondered what his friend was up to. She hauled him across the village to the center. She kept her eyes peeled for the object, ignoring Gaara's incessant questioning. She made an abrupt turn when she spotted the object, causing Gaara to stumble on his feet. She made a motion for Gaara to stay outside while she ran in the store. She wanted it to be a surprise. After she paid for it she held it behind her back and exited the building.

"What is that?" Gaara asked. He noticed her arm was unnaturally stationed behind her back.

"Ta-da!" she said as she thrust the object forward. Gaara stared in astonishment.

"You- you got me a new bear?" he asked. His eyes watered as he reached out for the light brown teddy bear then dropped his arms, almost as if he wasn't sure if it was for him.

"I thought you needed a new one."

"I-I can't take it. You bought it," Gaara protested.

"Think of it as a present. Besides, I didn't use my money to buy it."

"A present?"

"Y'know, a gift. You buy someone something you think they'll like and then give it to them as a surprise," Kokoro explained. Gaara mulled over her words. He'd gotten a present from Yashimaru before but no one else had ever given him one. His face lit up and he grabbed the bear, hugging it tightly to his form.

"Thank you," he said shyly.

"It's what friends are for."

Happily, the two of them walked down the street. Gaara held his new teddy bear in his right hand while his other one was swinging madly in between him and Kokoro. He ignored the whispers that usually made him sad and focused on his new friend. He shuddered when 'it' talked to him. He stopped swinging their hands and focused on his feet.