Speculative. The events created by Kishimoto in Suna as seen through the view of ordinary citizens and shinobi. Also, concerning itself with Suna culture and way of life. Mostly involving original characters. GaaraXOC, KankuroXOC, ShikamaruXTemari.

Author's note: This story was meant to be speculative concerning the lives of the Sand Siblings and Suna, primarily as it was experienced through the eyes of others. However, with time, this story has taken a life of its own. The first part, will concern itself with the events as created by Kishimoto and how they were experienced by the OC's I have crated. However, the second half will depart itself completely from its work, except for its setting and few spoilers here and there, and concern itself mostly with the lives of the characters I created. The Sand Siblings, alas, have played a much smaller role in this story than I had hoped at first, especially Temari.

There will be many parts of this story that were not created by me, but rather Kishimoto, and I have integrated them in to create a feeling of continuity and unity with the world, as I don't wish to make something wholly distinct. I will note such parts in the story, as I wish to take no credit for them.

This story was mainly driven by curiosity. After all, the siblings must have friends, childhood love interests, and other events that we do not know about simply because they are not the main focus of Naruto and Konoha. Also, I am fascinated by the hints given of Suna's culture.

Because I am not Japanese, and only know some basic words, I have decided to leave their lovely language alone and not butcher it by using honorifics -I don't want to risk of using them incorrectly- and words whose meaning I don't quite understand. Only the most basic honorifics will be used and few Japanese words and swears will be peppered here and there.

Chapter lengths will vary.
I do not own the characters, world, or show which inspired this story. Those belong to Kishimoto.
Hotaru, Hideaki, Satoru-sensei, Chieko, Kenta, Maoko, and Reona (Mother) are all my invention.

Chapter 1: The Monster's Name

Except for the girl's perspective and actions, these scenes were created by Kishimoto.

Her parents had warned her about him.

"He's a monster! Stay away from him," She had heard her father solemnly command her and her siblings one night.
But as she was standing in the playground, sand covering her shoes and brown clothes, the product of vigorous play, she couldn't help but wonder why they thought so.

The child looked like any ordinary child, small, with his head a little too large for his body. His face was downcast as he held his brown teddy bear. Black rings circled his eyes, giving him the distinct resemblance to a raccoon that would have looked cute on any other child. But this child was a monster, and they were not cute. Even as his little six-year-old body sat on the swing, his face marked with sadness and his little arm clutching his Teddy, there would have been no sympathy expressed by even the most tenderhearted matrons of Sunagakure.

Tired from playing with her schoolmates, she sat against the wall and watched them continue their ball-game. Then, the unthinkable happened.

"You got it stuck on the roof you jerk!" The boss girl scolded one of the boys. She was the undisputed leader of the children.
"I didn't mean to…" The boy moaned.

As every child knows, getting balls and other toys stuck in unreachable areas is one of the worst possible scenarios. Few things are worse: spankings and sweet deprivation being high on that list.

"I can help!" The little child, who had before looked so sad on his swing, announced with joy.
"Get away you monster! We don't need your help!" the older girl yelled.

But, the stubborn child didn't listen to her. To their amazement, they watched sand gather up from around his body, rise up to the roof, and retrieve the ball. The sand held the ball in its grasp and slowly went back down to his master, placing the ball in the little child's hands.

"Here you go!" he exclaimed happily.
All of the children ran in fear. They had never seen such a display. She ran as well, too frightened for words.
"Come back!" she heard him scream. "I don't want to be alone!"

Turning her heard back at his lament, she saw him extend his hand towards them. The sand slithered its way to them and grabbed the leader by her right leg. She screamed as it dragged her back.
"I don't want to be alone!" he moaned. His voice was now tinged with rage.

Suddenly a man stepped in.
"Stop this at once Gaara!" He stood at the sand's path, injuring his face in the process..

The little boy stopped and grabbed his head, tears flowing from his eyes.Most of the children had by this time emptied the street, running home as fast as their little feet could carry them.

Always a curious child, she stayed. Hiding in an alleyway, she watched him being comforted by the man who had stopped the sand. The little boy didn't seem like such a monster.
Gaara. He sounded so sad, she thought, confused.
Monsters don't cry.

Then she remembered the sand approaching the boss and grabbing her leg. She remembered the shriek of pain. She ran away to her mother, tears streaming from her eyes, wanting desperately to be held in her arms.
Just a little child, she didn't have the capacity for empathy.

That night she was awoken by a horrible sound. It was a scream, a terrible, evil scream from above. The apartment building shook. The scream became a howl of rage.

"Mama!" she cried as she got out of bed.
Mama entered the room, kneeled and held out her arms.

"Mama, make that stop. Make that sound stop," she said with wet, tear stained eyes, as she ran to her mother's welcoming arms.
Her little sisters gathered around with her, and her mother held them close. Papa entered the room, his face lined with concern.

"That Monster. He's on the roof. I will alert the Kazekage!" he announced.Her mother nodded to acquiesce.Papa turned to go but she stopped him by grabbing on to his shirt.

"Daddy, why is Gaara mad? Does he want to hurt us?"
"Don't use his name. He's a monster!" he scolded her severely and then rushed out of the small apartment and into the night.