#sabaku no rasa

[askaarii]

while i do understand that Rasa did give Gaara a traumatic childhood, as a history student i cant really help but feel for Rasa as well. This man had the pressure of a whole economically drained terrain on his shoulders, his wife died at childbirth when he was what? 27 barely? his council deemed his son as a failure, his son was going on rampage and killing his village, and the fate of his village was hanging by a thread

and i don't even want to think about the nights he might have spent mourning his wife and blaming himself for being a failure, a failed husband, a failed father, a failed ruler, because he was obviously tortured by guilt when he was reincarnated

did he commit mistakes? yes. did he make his children's childhood traumatic? yes. but do i understand why he did what he did? obviously yes. he had so few choices at hand, none feasible enough to sustain the barren desert economy. moreover, the kazekage clan is so much like a historical royal clan you can't really judge it according to modern parameters.

Rasa's character is also so tragic, i love the depth and complexity of it and also the dilemmas and duties a king had to face, duties as a single father of three children, duties as a ruler of a barren economy, you can't really just label him as "he was an asshole father" as a shallow statement

[thesandyfreak]

Crack fic idea: Gaara from the future pops in Rasa's office, says "I like gardening", and disappears.

Rasa, who's just lost three ambus that week because of Gaara, decides to try out a method he hasn't ever tried before: befriend his son. The two of them 'bound' over how weird it is that every single plant Rasa touches dies in the next day, while Gaara can grow a tree out of cement.

Bonus 1: You know how sometimes you're talking to a person, and then they say something so utterly horrible it edges breaking the acceptable metric? Well, Gaara and Rasa would take turns being the psychopath™ in the room.

Bonus 2: The old lady who cares for the gardening put a 'no killing' rule on the door, and Gaara... is trying.

[rosalinesurvived]

Another one of my toxic traits is that i thoroughly believe Karura, had she lived, would’ve been the most desi-toxic mother to mother. No more ‘Soft sweet womanly mother-love would’ve saved them all 🥺” the Suna family in my mind pass on mental health disorders through bloodlines like their kekkei genkai.

EDIT I wanna elaborate on this actually. I think she would’ve raised her kids up to be militant Suna shinobi like literally everyone in the family. I think she was stubborn and authoritarian and prideful and fiery and jaded like Rasa. They loved each other fiercely for a reason. I think they both had serious mental health issues and just a bad idea in general on how to be People as you would yknow, in a generation-long culture of child soldiers. Just because two people love each other doesnt mean they have a sunshine and rainbows nuclear family relationship, especially in their culture where those emotions were probably frowned upon.

[aleksandracoffan]

"Heritage" Color sketch for understanding the atmosphere

[jaguarys]

I really wish Gaara's arc had been a little more involved because I truly don't think the sheer horror of it all is delved into enough. In the end it's sort of like he just. Snaps out of it. But then you start thinking about it and you're like. Oh. This kid literally could not sleep for years. Oh this kid was being tormented by Ichibi 24/7. Oh this kid had everyone trying to assassinate him when he was tiny. Oh this kid trusted one single person and they tried to kill him too and then died in front of him. Oh this kid was told everyone including his family hated him and that he was a monster and should die. Oh ok. Like sure murder was not the answer but also considering the circumstances he should've been even more out of it than he was

[atoriv-art]

simpler days

[nyooome]

gaara childhood sketches from twitter

[vote-gaara]

What are you hoping to see if Gaara wins the Narutop99 contest?

The winner of the popularity contest gets their own short manga written and illustrated by Kishimoto himself.

Remember that you get one vote a day until January 31 so click here and go vote for Gaara!

Like this meme?

Reblog and share what you would like to see if Gaara wins the short manga!

[serditor]

Next chapter!

Previous: 1

Many thanks to @geekthefreakout for the help and support!

Freaks

Chapter 2: Golden Child

Fandom: Naruto (anime/manga)

Main characters: Naruto, Gaara

Warnings: Blood mention TW, Canon typical violence

The boy from the desert stood and looked after the glow of the orange flame that was quickly moving away from him. His hands slowly dropped.

– I... Why...

The one they called Fox was rushing forward, tears of rage were gathering in the corners of his eyes. The headwind was preventing them from rolling down his cheeks, picking them up and blowing them away.

– Why?

He hopped up a tree branch.

– Why is everything like this?

Leaped forward on another one.

– Why is everything always like this?

Ran vertically up the trunk and jumped to the side. The bark fell down.

– How dare they?

Pushed off. A thick branch broke off with a crunch and flew down.

– HOW DARE THEY?

He landed on the edge of the desert again. Three people were descending from the dune.

...

A middle-aged man was walking first, followed by two teenagers: a blonde girl and a guy with a painted face. Both teenagers were noticeably taller and older than Fox. The man was walking light, the girl had a huge fan behind her back, the guy had some kind of weird bundle almost as long as he was.

Fox saw the girl grab the man's hand and start saying something, but he pulled his hand away without looking and continued on his way.

Fox cried:

- Oi, you! Looking for that guy with the gourd?

The man stopped and looked at him haughtily. He folded his arms across his chest in a familiar gesture.

- Did you see him?

- Are you his pops?

The girl stepped forward, put her fan vertically on the sand and shouted angrily:

- Kid! Watch out how you talk to the Kazekage!

The boy tilted his head, puzzled.

– Kazekage? Something like Hokage?

The girl snorted.

– So you're from the Leaf! Is everyone there as stupid as you? You don't even know that there are other villages and other Kage?

– I am the Kazekage. The leader of the Hidden Sand village. Now answer. Did you see Shukaku? Where is he?

– It's none of your damn business, Kage or whatever you are! Why on earth are you trying to kill him? Isn't he your son?

The man looked at him with slight surprise. Finally said:

– It does not concern you.

– Sure it does!

Fox took off. The girl swung her fan. A strong wind threw the boy back and pressed him against a tree. Air currents were sharp as kunai, notches appeared here and there on the trunk. Several trees collapsed nearby. The boy crouched and covered himself with his hands.

Then he raised his head, smiled grimly and walked forward against the wind.

– Answer... Me.

Red eyes were looking straight at the man.

– Why... On earth.

Fangs bared, claws dug into palms.

– Would you wanna... Kill.

Orange flames were blazing around. Wind wounds were appearing and immediately healing one after another.

– Your own son?

The man was looking at him thoughtfully. Then he glanced briefly at the painted guy. The guy waved his hands in a graceful pianist's gesture. Fingers danced in the air. A puppet flew out of the bundle behind his back, grabbed Fox with many hands, pressed him to itself. The boy tried to break free, but the puppet's hands held him tightly.

– I will answer your question. – said the Kazekage. – I must eliminate him because he is dangerous and uncontrollable. After the missions with him, not a single soul remained. Besides, in recent years, he has killed at least six villagers.

The boy was silent for a while, thinking about something.

– Six?

– Yes. Is that not enough for you?

– The six you sent to kill him?

The man winced. The girl gasped.

– Father, did you...

– Keep quiet, Temari. You know as well as I do that this is my duty. Have you forgotten what happens when Shukaku gets out of control?

The girl wilted. Fox was looking from him to her and back again.

– So you're that guy's sister? And you let this happen?

– Shut up.

– And now you're going with this bastard to kill your little brother?

– I said shut up!

– And you? I bet you're his brother too?

The guy with the painted face looked at him threateningly. Moved his fingers. Jagged blades appeared on the puppet's hands and stuck into Fox.

– Let me explain you something, brat. The bad news is that all of this puppet's weapons are poisoned. In about 10 minutes you will lose consciousness, in a few days you will die. The good news is that I have an antidote. If you wanna get it you better stop talking back and start answering questions.

– 10 minutes, you said?

Fox growled, the orange flames grew brighter. He swung in the hands of the puppet that held him in the air, stood up on his feet and bent low. The boy began to look like an ant carrying a large beetle on its back.

Apparently, he was also as strong as an ant, because he did not fall or tip over under the weight of the load. Instead, he pushed off the ground, jumped backwards, flew ten meters in one fell swoop and crashed into a tree. The puppet shattered into pieces.

– What surprises me is not even that you know all this... – The Kazekage said, calmly watching Fox get on his feet. – After all, The Leaf has a good intelligence. What surprises me is why you stick up for Shukaku. And moreover: why are you even alive after meeting him. I think he is more than in a bad mood right now.

The man pointed eloquently at blood stains on the sand, all that was left of the ANBU squad.

– Boy. If you want to find my son, all you have to do is follow the blood trail. He will definitely be at the end of it. He is a monster. Where is he?

– Go to hell! He didn't ask for a demon to be sealed inside him! If someone died, it was your fault!

Fox pulled the last piece of the puppet's arm out of his stomach. Blood ran from the lacerated wounds that were no longer in a hurry to heal. The orange flame began to fade.

– He's in pain and scared and lonely, and it's all because of you! You wanted to create a weapon? A tool? He's your son! Your child! He looks like you, he talks like you, he crosses his arms like you! How could you do this to him?

The man hastily dropped his hands.

– You wanna know why I'm alive after meeting him? Because he saved my life, that's why, you old bastard! No fucking way you'll get him!

The boy staggered and walked forward.

– And you two! How could you leave your little brother alone with this nightmare? How can you go after his head now? You, such strong, such skilled shinobi, you were supposed to protect him!

The girl's face turned pale, she exchanged glances with the painted guy. They both took a few steps back.

– That is enough, – the man said, slowly spreading his arms. – I can find him myself after all.

The gold dust thickened in front of him and turned into a dozen dazzlingly sparkling kunai, hanging as if on an invisible garland. They swayed a little in the air and flew forward.

And hit the wall of sand.

...

Something seized Fox around the waist and threw him into the forest. He flew several meters, knocking down everything in his path, and prostrated on the ground. The orange flame died down completely. He sat up with a groan.

The creature standing before him was only half human. It had a huge clawed paw made of sand, covered with a strange pattern, and the same tail. When it turned around, Fox saw that the right half of the head also belonged to the beast. A yellow, mad eye with a cross-shaped pupil looked at him. Saliva was dripping from the bared mouth.

Fox's mouth opened slightly, he instinctively recoiled.

The one they called Shukaku grinned.

– What, are you finally scared?

He turned to those who came after him. The tail was slowly swishing from side to side.

The Kazekage looked at him sullenly.

– So you came out on your own. Do you think you can do something to me?

The man crouched down and placed his hands on the sand. A shudder ran through it. Golden sparks flew into the air.

When the vibrations reached Shukaku, the part of him that was the sand beast began to crumble quickly. He swayed, but stayed on his feet. The gourd behind him fell apart and became new sand, his paw and tail were restored.

– No, – he said. – I do not think so.

He turned to Fox again and said in a low voice:

– Get out of here as fast as you can. Maybe you will have time to ask for help and get cured. Kankuro does not know how to make complex poisons yet. He said ten minutes, but in reality you have about half an hour.

Fox struggled to his feet and stood next to him.

– Yeah, yeah.

A huge golden wave was heading towards them.

...

A fan landed on top with Temari sitting on it. She jumped down, grabbed the fan and swung it with all her might. The wind tore a gap in the oncoming wave.

She said in a businesslike manner:

– You have a few minutes. We'll hold him off as long as we can. Kankuro summoned another puppet and tries to distract him. I'll cover you here.

She handed them a small bag.

– Here are some medicines, some money and an antidote. Kankuro said that it would work immediately, but then you would need to lie down for about three days. And here's also a scroll with a summoning bird. If you want to contact us, it will find us.

Shukaku was silent. So Fox asked for him:

– And you?

The girl grinned:

– He won't do anything to us. It's not in his best interest. In the Sand, every good shinobi counts now.

She looked at him sternly:

– Don't you dare blab this in the Leaf!

Fox wanted to get offended, but instead he sat down on the ground and leaned against a tree. Temari turned her gaze to her brother and said rapidly:

– I doubt you're thinking clearly right now, so listen to your sister for the first and last time in your life. You are very fast in this form. I know that you can grab a branch with your tail and paw and shoot yourself out like from a slingshot. Father can't keep up with such speed. If you sling this boy over your shoulder and hold him tightly with a human hand, he won't bother you. Look at him. He passed out.

Shukaku looked. Then he raised his eyes again: one light green, the other yellow.

– Run, baby boy. We are... so sorry.

...

They were sitting near a cave on the mountainside and looking at the evening sky.

– So your name is Shukaku?

– No. It is my demon's name.

– Oi, I was also nicknamed Fox because my demon is, y'know, a fox! Although my name is Naruto Uzumaki! And yours?

– Gaara of the Desert.

– Hello, Gaara! Nice to meet you!

Naruto smiled widely and extended his hand. Gaara looked at it suspiciously. Naruto said a little embarrassed:

– I've never done it myself, but usually when people meet, they shake hands. Come on, shake mine!

Gaara placed his palm in Naruto's and squeezed it carefully.

[the-moss-project]

Illustrations for Chapter 30 of The Moss!

[gaaraisbbg]

Pushing short Rasa agenda

Ik that it officially says he’s 5’9 ft (176 cm) but who cares abt canon height?! Not me lmao

He’s definitely where Gaara got his shortness from, Kankuro and Temari absolutely got their height from their mother.

Karura and Yashamaru would use Rasa as an arm rest from time to time when they were younger just to piss him off, and Karura would always put Rasa’s favorite mug (everyone does and I know it) on the highest self so he’d have to climb up the counter to get it. Over time he finally realized he could just use the Golden Dust to grab it (he was embarrassed at how long it took him to realize it).

Karura would definitely stand in the doorways of their house just to creep tf out of him at night after a long day of work at the kazekage office. When they wondered the village together Baki and Yashamaru (the ANBU who protected them) would be laughing their asses off at the major height difference between the two.

Just a lil headcanon lol 

[maagicmushies]

Ok, on this episode of thinking about Naruto mechanics harder than anyone was ever meant to, I recently came to an epiphany around magnet release.

It is SO fucking weird. Instead of converting chakra into matter, this just changes the basic physical properties that your chakra has. Something like this is totally logical in a world like Hunter x Hunter but in Naruto, this doesn’t really happen. It is also up in the air if it should even be called “Kekkei” Genkai, because both the Third Kazekage and Rasa “learned” it. From watching Shukaku.

This all seems confusing until you remember the non-nature release Kekkei Genkai like the Byakugan or Shikotsumyaku (always showing up for some reason). The Byakugan helps you see real good and Shikotsumyaku allows you to spontaneously stimulate bone growth. However, neither have really obvious combat applications and had to have entire martial arts crafted around them. Ao has a Byakugan, but without a Hyuga tutor he’ll never learn gentle fist. Kimimaro doesn’t just fight by growing bones, he has a series of “Dances” to make effective use of them. Those don’t change the property of chakra, but they do change how your body works and thus opens a space for extended techniques. Anyways, I believe this is the secret to magnet release. People like the Third Kazekage and Rasa are born with it, but needed to study Shukaku to actually use it in any meaningful way. Probably why you see such drastic differences between the people in the sand who learned from Shukaku vs Toroi and Naruto just sorta winging it.

[shikadai-sama]

Sleep well, Husband.

[atoriv-art]

out with family

[red-headed-mrs-den]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Naruto (Anime & Manga) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Relationships: Karura/Rasa (Naruto) Characters: Rasa (Naruto), Karura (Naruto), Yashamaru (Naruto), Council of Sunagakure, Chiyo of Sunagakure, Sasori (Naruto), Ninjas of Sunagakure, Citizens of Sunagakure, Shinobi Politics - Character, Original Genin Character(s) (Naruto) Summary:

Rasa, an unassuming Suna orphan who lost his parents in one of the numerous riots after the end of the Great War, just wants to finally have some control of his life, and decide on his own path, even if he must look outside of Suna for such opportunities. Fate, and the Suna Council, have a much different plan for the boy who wants to become a draftsman, but will eventually become the Fourth Kazekage.

[theylovevenus]

is this artist improvement

Super messy Sand sib hcs, if y’all have any pls drop them 😋🤞