naruto · gaara · sand manipulation · lonely · child · dark blue robe · gourd · stoic · misunderstood · ninja
A dry wind lifts a veil of dust around the boy’s worn sandals, carrying the smell of baked earth and something like dread. His small hands tighten on the strap of the gourd slung across his back, pale blue eyes holding yours, searching for something besides fear. He edges forward one careful step, then halts, his words a fragile murmur. "Will you run away too?"