Gaara had a very sad childhood. He was shunned and feared by the people of his village because he was the host of the One - Tail. His own father even tried to have him assassinated. Gaara grew up alone, with no friends, constantly battling his inner demons. It was only later, through his interactions with Naruto and others, that he began to find a sense of belonging and started to heal his broken heart.
In the 'sad gaara love story', Gaara is surely a main character. The other main character could be someone who is kind - hearted and initially attracted to Gaara's hidden vulnerability. Maybe it's a healer in the village who tries to help Gaara deal with his emotional wounds and in the process, they fall in love. But their relationship is doomed to be sad for some reasons.
The main elements of Gaara's sad story include his status as the host of the One - Tail which led to his ostracization. His father's attempt on his life was a huge part of it too. Also, the long - term loneliness he endured, not having anyone to turn to or trust, and the self - hatred that grew within him as a result of all the negative experiences.
I'm not sure specifically about the 'sad gaara love story' as there could be many fan - made or less - known stories. But generally, it might involve Gaara facing difficulties in love, perhaps rejection or the loss of a loved one, which makes it sad.
One possible story could be that Sakura goes to the Sand Village for a medical mission while Gaara is Kazekage. They start to interact more, and Gaara is impressed by Sakura's strength and kindness. Eventually, they form a strong friendship that helps in strengthening the bond between the Leaf and Sand villages.
Naruto is often paired with Gaara in these fanfictions. Their strong bond in the original series makes it interesting to see how they interact when Gaara time - travels. Naruto could be the one to help Gaara adjust to a new time period or vice versa.
Often, Naruto's female characters are paired with Gaara. For example, Hinata. Since Hinata is a kind - hearted and shy character, her relationship with the initially cold - hearted Gaara could be an interesting exploration of how two different personalities come together.
Gaara's unique sand abilities and his connection to the tailed beast within him can add a lot of depth to a fanfiction. Sakura could be curious about this part of him and through her curiosity, they bond. Sakura's medical ninjutsu skills are also something to consider. Maybe Gaara gets injured and she has to use her skills to heal him, which leads to a deeper emotional connection between them as they talk during the healing process.
They're similar in their tenacity. Naruto never gives up, no matter how tough the situation is. He keeps fighting against powerful enemies like Pain or Sasuke. Gaara is the same. He has faced numerous challenges, especially when dealing with the internal and external threats to his village. Despite his past traumas, he stands firm. Also, they both understand the pain of being an outcast, which makes them empathetic towards others who are suffering.
Naruto could still be a main character. Their relationship would likely be different if Gaara were a girl. Maybe Naruto would be more protective of her.