Sandglass:

Apology

Word Count: 804

Characters: Unnamed female (written in the second person), Gaara

A/N: I forgot to mention that not all of these ficlets will be from the same verse (meaning that they're not all connected). Many will be, but there will also be some that deviate from canon and/or author-verse (for lack of anything better to call it). I just needed to make that clear to avoid potential confusion in the future.

Disclaimer: Naruto and all its respective characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Time did miraculous things to people, especially in his case. And yours.

You changed a lot in the past several years. The newfound wisdom and maturity helped you gain a new perspective on the world - and the people in it. Most look back on the simplicity of childhood with fond memories and a sense of nostalgia. But, to you, that period of life was one marred with ignorance. That damn simplicity, so beloved by others, was the cause of all this . . .

Reasonably, you knew you were being a bit harsh on yourself. You were no worse than any normal child that age. Besides, he hurt you - nearly killed you - and you had never been more terrified in your whole short, sheltered life. Plus, you were only listening to what your parents told you because it never occurred to you that they could possible be wrong and . . . and . . .

Shit. You had to stop. Dwelling on past mistakes (you realized, now, that's all they were) would not get you through this. How could you ever ask for his apology if you couldn't accept his own? Sure, he had been . . . out of control (it was a vast understatement, but the details were too frightening to recall) a few years ago, but he was so different now. At first, you were skeptical about his desire and ability to change. After six years of sin, and now he wanted to prove he could be different? It was impossible. A leopard couldn't change its spots, as the old saying goes, and a monster certainly couldn't change its lust for carnage.

But, you were wrong. You were wrong then, and you were wrong now.

You always were a horrible judge of character.

Taking a deep breath, you pushed such thoughts aside and continued your search. It was early morning in Sunagakure, and the Kazekage regularly took this time to inspect the village before heading to his office. After a little while, you finally spotted the redhead walking down a quiet residential street. For a moment, you paused to admire the young man's dedication. It was a mere day since his return, and he was already resuming his duties to the village. The thought, along with the memory of his sacrifice, spurred your determination.

"Lord Kazekage!" You called, hating how strained your voice sounded. Now was not the time to be nervous. You were a Sand shinobi, a chunin, and you always, always had to be strong. Like him.

Gaara turned, making eye contact, and an image of a heartbroken six-year-old-boy suddenly flooded your vision. For a second, you didn't see a handsome teenager but a small child staring hopelessly as you slammed the door on him, locking it for good measure.

Go away, you monster! Those words, that expression, would be seared into your memories for the rest of your life.

If he recognized you, Gaara didn't show it. Instead, he looked at you expectantly, remaining silent as he waited. You opened your mouth, ready to recite the carefully thought-out apology. Yet, now, after nearly a decade since your last exchange, the whole speech seemed too trivial and hollow.

"I . . . Well, I just wanted to - to . . ." You swallowed thickly before instinct took over and the words quickly poured from your mouth. You didn't try to stop them. "I just wanted to say how sorry I am! I know that any apology now, after so long, is probably meaningless - especially after I threw yours back in your face. But, I need you to know that I'm so sorry for how cruelly I treated you then. What I said . . . Those words. I was wrong. You've done more for this village than anyone alive, and . . . and Suna is so lucky to have you." It was a crap apology, not nearly as strong as you were hoping it to be. Still, you felt better after speaking those words. It was a huge relief after they weighed you down for so long.

Gaara still didn't say anything. However, his usually calm, collected disposition was replaced by one of mild surprise before recognition finally crossed his features. Although he was quick to regain his composure, you didn't miss the flurry of emotions expressed through his pale blue eye. You prayed that one of them was anger, but a selfish part of yourself also hoped for an undeserved forgiveness.

You didn't truly expect to receive the latter. So, when the young redhead simply responded with one of his more-or-less-smiles and two words, you were embarrassingly caught off guard.

"Apology accepted."

It wasn't enough to heal the wounds, more time would be needed for that, but it was a start.