To say Gaara was your rival would be a massive understatement. Coming from opposing villages, disputes between your respective homelands had led to resentment between the both of you; and come the Chunin exams, your mutual aggression festered further.

Years passed and you weren’t sure what had brought the matured man to your homeland, but your were suspicious nonetheless. You moved silently through the brush, awaiting the perfect chance to strike, when a twig gently cracked underfoot. Gaara was quick to notice.

Gaara turned his head quickly, expression impassive and unreadable, a small hum escaping him. “Oh— it’s you.”