I walked along the road, looking for a shop to steal from. Mmm, this fruit vendor isn't paying much attention. I walk up to the fruit vendoor and slyly slip two pieces of fruit into my pocket. Hey, a girl's gotta eat. I stayed long enough to make it seem as thoough I was truly looking at the fruit, then smiled at the vendor, and left.

Suddenly, I heard a shout. "Hey, that little girl stole some fruit!" I kept walking, as though he wasn't talking about me, but when I felt the pounding feet chasing me down, I ran. I'm a fast runner, almost as fast as genin before they learn chakra control. 

But these men were faster. By the time we got to a place that seemed to be a soccer field they had caught up to me. They surrounded me, and I fought back the best I could, but I was to weak. Soon, I was on the ground with my head tucked in my hands, warding off as many blows as possible.

I didn't understand. I stole some fruit. I was a thief. I was a criminal. But I was a little, lost lonely girl, and men easily three times my size were beating up on me. Didn't anyone care?

Suddenly, I heard a furious shout. "Stop it!" I didn't have the strength to see who my savior was, but the men did. 

"Hey, it's that freak."

"Yeah the monster."

"Let's get out of here while we can."

"Before that demon can kill us."

They all ran, and I heard small, light footsteps making their way to me. Funny, I thought that the demon, monster, murderer those men were afraid of would be bigger. I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?" A hesitant, tembling, yet slightly deep and raspy voice asked. 

I refused to look up. What if he abandoned me as well? "Well, if you count being attacked by full grown men as alright, then yeah, I'm peachy!" There wasn't any laugh like I was expecting, so I slowly sat up, wanting to know who helped  me.

The first thing I noticed was the shock of red hair. It wasbright, contrasting with the browns and tans around it. Then I noticed the dark rings around his amazing, teal blue eyes. Those eyes were full of emotion. Hate, fear, hope, sadness, anger, frustration, hurthurthurthurthurt. I didn't know eyes could hold so much emotion.

But then I noticed his age. Five at the most. He was my age. How in the world could he be the murderer he was accused of being? I shook myself out of the stupor I was in, and stood all the way up. His hand fell off my shoulder.

I broke the silence first. "Thank you." I whispered shyly, kicking the dirt and ignoring the pain that shot up my ankle.

"It's no problem.  Why were they attacking you?" He asked.

A slight blush crossed my cheeks. I... may... have stolen some fruit?" I admitted, though it came out as a question. I showed hime the fruit, and he looked at me as though I was crazy.

"Well, no wonder they were mad at you. That fruit is all the way from the Land of Clouds, very expensive." My jaw dropped. Well, no wonder they overreacted.

"Oh." Is all that came out. "Well, as a thank you do you want one? We could eat it together...?" I offered hesitantly. No reply came, and I grew embarrased. "Or not. You know, I understand if you don't want to hang out with me, I mean I caused all this trouble, and--" 

He cut me off. "S-sure!" I smiled, and handed him the fruit. We were in the middle of the soccer field, but we didn't care. We just sat down and started to eat. We both finished the delicious fruit, and he stood. I stood  up as well, but promptly collapsed again.

"What's wrong?" He asked frantically, "Where does it hurt?"

I chuckled softly. "It hurts all over, but I collapsed because of my ankle."

"You stay there! I'm going to get my Uncle Yashamaru! He's a medic, just stay here, okay?" I nodded, and he ran off. I sat there, watcing his retreating figure until he dissapeared.

A minute passes and he doesn't come back. I sigh. He wasn't going to come back. Another minute passes. Why did I believe even for a second that he would return? Another minute passes. He mus have Forgotten me.

Then I hear footsteps. I raise my head, and there he is, tugging along an older man. "See?" He pointed at me, and happiness wells up in my heart. 

"Oh, Gaara," The man mumured, dissapointment ringing through his voice. "What did you do to this poor girl?" Gaara. So that's his name.

'It wasn't me this time!" Gaara protested. "Some men attacked her, and she got hurt!"

Yashamaru looked dubious. "So, uh, what's your name?" He asked me.

"K-- Tsukiko." I caught myself just in time.

"Well, Tsukiko, I'm going to bring you back to my home, patch you up, then send you home, okay?" I nodded. He leaned over and picked me up, transfering me onto his back. We walked along, Gaara trailing behind. I listened to all the whispers.

"Poor girl. That demon probably killed her."

"Another victim of that monster."

"Why don't we just kill that freak?"

"Hey, do you even recognize that girl?"

"Nah, that girl isn't from here, is she?"

We finally arrived at Yashamaru's home. He lay me on a table, and began bandaging any scrapes I have. Gaara hung back until I cried out in pain when some wood splinters had to be pulled out. Then he came up to the edge of the bed, eyes filled with worry.

I reached over and grabbed his hand. He didn't squeeze back, as though no one had held his hand before. But slowly, he wrapped his fingers around my small hand and sat beside the table in a chair. 

Finally, we were finished. "We only have to check out that ankle of your's and we'll be finished!" I smiled and nodded. "Gaara, can you distract her, please?" 

Gaara looked at me. "Uh, what's your favorite color?"

I groaned. "You have to start with the hardest question. I would say its either a misty silver grey or a tannish color. What about you?"

He smiled, "My favorite color is a sandy brown," I nodded, thinking of my wings. Maybe I would give him a feather before I left, not telling him where it came from, of course. "What do you like to do for fun?"

I frowned. "I don't do much for fun. I suppose I like to eat. And sing, I love writing songs."

"Would you sing a song for me?" 

"Maybe some other time. But I will." Maybe. I answered. 

Yashamaru looked at me. "You sprained your ankle. Within a week you sould be able to put weight on it. In two weeks you should be totally normal." I healed faster than most people, so that meant... In three days I should be able to walk on it, in a week I should be completely back to normal.

Yashamaru handed me some crutches. "Do you need help getting home?"  he asked.

I shook my head. "But, uh... Gaara?"

Gaara looked at me in surprise. "Yes?" He asked.

"Do you... I dunno, like.... Wanna, y'know, hang out tomorrow?" I asked. I really didn't think he would want to. And you remember what happnned last time you made a "friend". I pushed the voice away.

"Sure!" Gaara answered, a huge grin stretching across his face.

I smiled as well, "Okay, tomorrow at the soccer field! Around midmorning?"

His grin got bigger, if possible, "Yeah! I'll see you then!"

I left, waving as the door shut. Now I have to find some roof or tree to stay in. Suddenly, I heard a shout. "YEAH! I made a friend, Uncle Yashamaru!"

An involuntary smile made its way to my face. Maybe I'll stay in this village just a little longer then usual. I began to crutch towards the outskirts of town to find somewhere to sleep, that same smile still on my face.

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