Gaara (Played by Salem)

## Player Information

* Discord Name: salempoe
* Age: 29
* Time Zone: est

## Character Information

* Universe of Origin: Naruto
* Canon
* Latecomer

### Distinguishing Features

Spiky auburn hair, lack of distinctive pupils or eyebrows, tanuki-like black rings around his eyes attributed to insomnia since birth, a deep, dark red scar on the left side of his forehead shaped in the kanji for "love" (愛, ai), always carrying a large gourd filled with sand on his back.

### Personality Traits

Quiet, thoughtful, introverted, empathetic, compassionate, intuitive, generous, open-minded, passionate, idealistic, creative problem-solver, humane, individualistic, loyal, stoic, self-isolating, emotionally vulnerable, self-critical, self-aware, honest, moody

### Skills

**Sand Manipulation:** Born as the Jinchuuriki of the One-Tailed Beast, Shukaku, Gaara’s primary ability is to manipulate sand. He carries a supply of sand wherever he goes in a gourd, which itself is made from sand. This personal sand is infused with his own chakra, allowing him to deploy it faster and manipulate it more precisely. If he needs more sand, he can either use sand from the surroundings or, if there isn't any, use his personal sand to break down minerals in the ground to create some. Gaara utilizes his sand in a multitude of ways, but primarily for long-distance offense, defense, and even reconnaissance.

**Nature Transformation:** An advanced form of chakra (or energy) control that entails the molding and defining of the nature of one's chakra. Gaara’s nature transformations include Earth, Wind, and Lightning Releases, meaning he can incorporate these elements into his sand (such as to increase its speed and coverage area or produce lightning needles).

**Magnet Release:** A kekkei genkai (or bloodline limit/DNA anomaly) inherited from his father, Gaara is also capable of producing heavy magnetic sand that can be mixed with his own supply. This sand is often used to increase the density of his chakra, therefore strengthening his defenses to a near-impenetrable degree. However, this is an ability he rarely uses as he prefers to utilize it as a last resort.

## Background

### History

Since before he was born, Gaara was predetermined to go through life surrounded by pain and loneliness. His village had suffered from severe budget cuts by the Feudal Lord of the Land of Wind, and as such, there had been a rising concern that they would fall vulnerable to attacks from neighboring lands. In order to prevent such a thing from happening, the Fourth Kazekage – Gaara’s father, Rasa – did the unthinkable: he decided that one of his children would become the jinchuuriki for a Tailed Beast and serve as a weapon for the village. Neither Temari, his first-born, nor Kankuro, his second-born, were suitable vessels. However, Gaara, his last child, would prove compatible. As such, one of the village’s elders, Chiyo, sealed the One-Tailed Tanuki, Shukaku, inside Gaara while in his mother’s womb. This action had consequences, though: Gaara was born premature, and his mother, Karura, died shortly after giving birth to him.

In the early years of his life, Gaara was raised in isolation. He was a pariah within his community, feared by villagers due to the uncontrollable power of the tailed beast within him. Because his father viewed him as a weapon, he neglected all paternal care. Even Gaara's siblings maintained their distance. The only one who seemed to care for him was his maternal uncle, Yashamaru, who provided him care and spoke to him whenever he felt lonely. However, this would all change one night when Gaara was attacked by one of Suna’s Anbu Black Ops shinobi. After Gaara retaliated in self-defense and fatally wounded the shinobi, it was revealed that his own uncle, Yashamaru, had been sent to kill him by his father, the Kazekage.

Having lost everything he cared for, Gaara decided that he would only love and live for himself. His personality took on a drastic change, as he grew colder, deeply unbalanced, and driven mad with bloodlust. As a genin, he and his siblings were sent to the Hidden Leaf Village to participate in the Chuunin Exams – if only as a cover-up for an invasion led by the Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Sound Village. Originally, Gaara was supposed to transform into Shukaku within the Hidden Leaf Village – however, due to an injury sustained from Sasuke Uchiha during the Chuunin Exams, Gaara became so unnerved that he lost control and acted on his own volition. Yet Gaara's life took a significant turn when he crossed paths with Naruto Uzumaki, another jinchuuriki and the vessel of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Naruto's indomitable determination and the bonds he forged with friends left an indelible mark on Gaara. After an intense battle, the attack on the Hidden Leaf Village failed, and Gaara began to question his own existence and the purpose of his formidable power.

Years after his encounter with Naruto, Gaara underwent a remarkable transformation. Rather than live only for himself, he decided to emulate Naruto and improved his relationships with his siblings, as well as the relationships of those in and outside of the Hidden Sand Village. He ascended to the position of the Fifth Kazekage, earning the trust and respect of his village by demonstrating his unwavering commitment to its protection. He even fought face-to-face with the Akatsuki and protected his village, even at his own detriment. After losing the fight, Gaara was abducted, taken back to the Akatsuki hideout, and had the One-Tailed Shukaku forcibly removed from him. This extraction ended up killing Gaara, but only temporarily. As Naruto and the Kazekage Rescue Team were able to retrieve him from the Akatsuki, Chiyo – the same elder who had sealed Shukaku inside of him – sacrificed her life to bring Gaara back from the dead.

With the Akatsuki becoming a serious threat, Gaara had planned to meet with the remaining Kage of each land in a summit to discuss their activity. However, before he could reach the Land of Iron, a mysterious portal sucked him in – and much to his own dismay, he has left behind the only world he has ever known, as well as a village who depends on him.

### Motivations and Goals

To return to his home world as quickly as possible and ensure the safety of his village, to prevent the impending threat of the Akatsuki from impacting innocent people in and outside of the Hub, to protect his friends, family, and loved ones at all costs.

### Relationships with other Characters

Itachi Uchiha (played by Kai) – enemy

Sasuke Uchiha (played by me) – former rival, adversary/person of interest

Naruto Uzumaki (played by Kai) – former rival, close friend

## Room

Gaara's room in the Harmony Quarters reflects the stark beauty of a desert landscape. The dominant color scheme is maroon and crimson, reminiscent of the desert sands at sunset. The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries that depict scenes of sand dunes and ancient desert cities.

In one corner, a collection of potted cacti thrives, their vibrant green adding a touch of life to the otherwise minimalist space. These hardy desert plants are meticulously cared for by Gaara, and they serve as a symbol of resilience and growth.

A simple wooden bookshelf lines one wall, displaying a vast collection of books, scrolls, and tomes. Gaara is an avid reader, and his room reflects his love for knowledge and learning.

In the center of the room, there is a small display with two cherished items from Gaara's past. One is a worn brown teddy bear, a reminder of his childhood innocence. The other is a framed photograph of his mother, a treasured memento of the family he lost.

Overall, Gaara's room is a serene and contemplative space, mirroring the transformation he has undergone from a lonely, tormented child to a respected leader and protector of his village.

### Roommates

Deidara (Played by Katie) & Sakura Haruno (Played by Kai)

## Companions

Akirou (Companion): The Dark Cyber-Tanuki