Shinachiku wasn't sure how he got himself into this mess.

He wasn't sure how he was going to get himselfout of it either.

But here he was, surrounded by a large group of bandits with his two teammates both on the ground, unconscious.

Panting, Shina gritted his teeth, worry and fear nipping at his heart.

"Seika…" his emerald green eyes glanced over at his female friend who was sprawled out against the sandy floor. "Fudo…" this time he looked over at his male team mate who was struggling to keep his eyes open.

Clenching his hands into fists, Shinachiku tried his best not to lose his cool. He was outnumbered and they were all highly experienced ninjas but not only that, they were also armed.

On the other hand, Shina was still a genin, he was alone, and he was running out of chakra. His right shoulder was severely injured and the bandits weren't giving him enough time to heal.

Just as expected, one of the members appeared before him, bringing his sword down with one swift movement.

Shina managed to narrowly avoid the weapon and quickly leapt back a few feet.

"Oh~"

Shina glanced up, wincing as he desperately tried to stop the blood from gushing out of his wounded shoulder.

"You're pretty good, kid." the one who seemed to be the leader chuckled. "But how long are you going to keep this up? You only managed to take down ten of my men and you're already exhausted. Just accept defeat already."

Shina wasn't listening.

He was too busy glancing over at his two friends.

He had to escape with them.

He had to save them.

Now.

"HEY ARE YOU LISTENING?!" the leader roared, sprinting towards the golden haired boy.

He raised his fist and swung it at the boy's face. But Shina was faster, he dodged the incoming attack and quickly ran towards his two friends, grabbing them both by their collars.

"I'll get you out of here! So please, hang on!" he exclaimed.

"Don't let him escape! He has what we need! GET HIM!" the leader of the group ordered.

Shina was just about to sprint away into the forest but a huge burst of pain erupted from his shoulder and down to his fingertips.

"Got you!" one of the members laughed, his kunai raised and ready to penetrate Shina's skull.

Shina squeezed his eyes shut, ready for whatever impact or pain that might befall him.

But none came.

"Well done." A quiet yet familiar voice said.

"Gaara?" the boy blinked.

"Hey, show some respect!" a man with strange purple markings suddenly appeared, slapping Shina against the back. "He's the kazekage, brat."

"Ah, sorry, Kankuro." The boy laughed.

"Show some respect for me too, idiot!"

"Kankuro," Gaara said, his eyes piercing themselves into the leader of the bandits. "Take Shina and his friends away from here."

"Right," the puppet master nodded, heaving Seika and Fudo onto his shoulders. "Hey, brat, you have enough chakra to heal yourself right?"

"Huh? Oh yeah." The golden haired boy smiled. "But before that," his smile seemed to have dropped just a little. "Are they okay? They…they're hurt because of me. If I was just a bit-"

"They're fine." Kankuro cut him off, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Stop blaming yourself over everything. They'll live. And besides, they're not dead thanks to you. You managed to hold those bastards off long enough so don't worry."

Relief washed over Shinachiku, his usual happy and handsome smile appearing on his face.

"Thank god." He laughed.

"Come on, I'll lead the way." Kankuro grinned, leaping up onto a tree and quickly hopping away.

Shina followed after him, worry and fear gone within a matter of seconds.

Gaara watched them leave before turning his attention back on the horror stricken bandits.

"T-That's the kazekage…" one of them breathed.

"Now, I have a lot of questions for you," Gaara said with a deadly tone.

Sand swirled around his feet, his eyes shooting daggers at each one.

"You either answer or you die. It's very simple."

—

"SHINA!" Seika cried, grabbing the boy with her arms and stuffing his face into her massive chests.

"A-Ah, S-Seika, I-I can't breathe!"

"YOU SAVED USSS! HERE'S YOUR REWARD YOU BASTARD!"

"Seika, stop it. You're injured." A boy with chocolate colored hair snapped. "And Shina is also injured so control yourself."

"Ah, don't get your panties in a bunch, Fudo-kun." She giggled, nearly strangling Shina in her grasp. "Shina loves it, doesn't he?"

"S-Seika! C-Can't breathe!" he tried again before finally peeling himself away, gasping for air.

"Shina, what happened after we lost consciousness?" Fudo asked before pushing up his glasses.

"I tried to fight the rest off, but I was outnumbered haha. And they were really strong too." He smiled, scratching his head. "But Gaara appeared right on time! He beat up those ninjas while Kankuro brought us all back to the hospital! They're amazing!"

Silence.

And then,

"Don't you think that it's a bit odd?" Fudo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh? What is?"

"The kazekage just happened to be around and just happened to arrive right when we were about to be killed. He was conveniently just there for our rescue." He frowned. "Don't you think that it's a bit…fishy?"

"What are you saying, Fudo-kun?" Seika giggled behind her hand. "Are you saying that Gaara-sama was following us and also watching us get beat up?"

Fudo flashed the green haired girl a glare before sighing.

"No, but that is a possibility." He mumbled.

"Ahhh! Guys! Stop being so serious!" Shina exclaimed, flailing his arms around. "I'm sure Gaara has his reasons and he saved us so you should be grateful!"

"Yeah, Fudo!" Seika laughed. "Awww, Shina, you're so adorable! Come here!" she squealed, grabbing him by the collar and once again suffocating him between her breasts.

"S-Seika! Argh! I-I can't-"

"Seika, stop it. Hey, are you listening to me?" Fudo growled. "Seika! Hey!"

"Awww, is Fudo-kun jealous?" she smiled.

"You're really pissing me off."

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." A quiet voice suddenly said making everyone except Shinachiku shiver.

"A-Ah, kazekage-sama!" Fudo said, his tone higher than usual.

Seika immediately set Shina free, her smile forced as she bowed to Gaara with all the respect she could muster.

Panting and gasping for air, Shina slowly turned to face the red head.

"A-Ah, Gaara!" he laughed, smoothing himself down. "I didn't get the chance to thank you-"

"Save that for later." Gaara said softly. "Shina, follow me, I have some news for you…very important news."

Confused but curious, Shina flashed his teammates one more smile before following Gaara out the door.

—

Gaara felt guilt form a knot in his stomach as he lead Shinachiku to his office.

It was true that he was following the boy and his teammates when they were given the mission, it was also true that he was just watching them get beat up, but it was all for a reason.

It was a test.

A test to see if Shinachiku was ready for his trip to Konoha.

The place where his parents lived.

The place where he was born.

The place where he belonged.

His home.

"Um, Gaara? Hello? Are you listening to me?" Shina's voice pulled Gaara away from his thoughts.

"Oh, sorry. What were you saying?" the kazekage said giving him a rare smile.

"I said did you see me kick butt?! I beat up those bandits pretty well, right?" he gave him his brilliant wide smile as he raised his fist to emphasize his victory.

"Yes, yes, you did very well."

"Oh and thanks for saving Fudo and Seika. I don't think I would've been able to…to save them…" his smile seemed to have faded a bit before perking himself back up again. "So? What did you want to talk about?"

They finally reached the entrance of Gaara's office.

If there was one thing that Gaara truly treasured about the boy it was probably his smile.

It was very beautiful smile, the kind that would even make the saddest man alive return the smile with one his own.

And the boy's outward appearance was uncanny to those of his parents.

Emerald green eyes…

"Just like his mother's."

With golden locks…

"Just like his father's."

Smiling a very small smile to himself, Gaara pushed the doors open and walked inside, motioning Shina to follow.

Sitting on his chair and resting his chin on his hands, Gaara sighed, looking up at the puzzled boy.

"Shinachiku," he started.

"Um, before you say anything, Gaara." The boy cut in, his radiant smile putting even the sun to shame. "Could I get a snack? I didn't get to eat anything since I got back."

Gaara blinked before nodding.

"What would you like?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Ramen!"

Of course.

Once Shina got his snack, Gaara coughed slightly and opened his mouth to speak,

"Shinachiku, this is very important to listen to me carefully." He said.

Slurping another mouthful of noodles, Shina nodded and looked up to make eye contact with the kazekage.

"…I decided that it's time for you to go back home."

Silence.

"What?" Shina blinked, confused. "But this is my home-"

"Your real home." Gaara said softly. "The place where your parents are."

Another moment of silence.

"M-My parents? But you said that my parents abandoned me…" Shina said, his brain still processing Gaara's words.

"They would never abandon you…" Gaara said quietly. "But under certain circumstances…they had to. Well, more specifically, your mom had to. But now, I can see that you're ready to make the trip and face whatever you have coming for you." He said, his eyes not leaving Shina's. "Shinachiku, your parents love you very much. I know they do."

Shina couldn't believe it.

This was happening way too fast.

"H-Hold on, Gaara, I've been living alone my entire life…and I have never left Suna. Ever! I don't know if I can-"

"You can and you will." Gaara said, getting up from his seat.

"Wait, Gaara! How do you even know if my parents will…will love me?" he said desperately. "And why would they abandon me if they really loved me?"

"Like I said," Gaara whispered. "Your parents never abandoned you. And they are wonderful people, they will love you with all their heart…" he said. "Trust me. I know."

Shinachiku tried his best to absorb his words without dropping his bowl of noodles.

His real home?

What?

Suna was his home.

He's been living here his entire life!

Granted, he was a bit lonely without any parents but he made two very amazing friends!

Gaara was also there for him and Kankuro too!

So to be perfectly honest, he never really thought of his parents much.

They abandoned him for whatever reason and he would respect that reason.

He held no hatred for his mother or for his father, whoever they may be.

But still,

This was way too much.

He was living his life peacefully and suddenly he's ordered to go and meet his parents who chose to leave him?

It didn't make any sense.

Why?

Why did he have to go and meet them?

Why now?

Shinachiku gritted his teeth, avoiding eye contact with Gaara.

"This is all too much…it happened way too fast. How will I even confront them? I can't just pop into their lives and-"

"Yes you can." Gaara blinked. "Your father popped into mine…and it was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. He was my first friend and I am forever grateful to him."

Silence.

"Your father is a great man…" Gaara continued. "And so is your mother."

Another moment of silence sliced through the air.

Great people, huh?

Now that he thought about it, he did sometimes wonder how his parents were like.

What were they doing at this very moment?

Were they happy without him?

Were they okay?

Do they still love him?

"Well," Shinachiku slowly raised his head, that wide smile appearing on his face once more. "I guess I have no choice."

Sighing in relief, Gaara ran his fingers through his hair.

"But before I go." Shina suddenly said. "Can you tell me more about my parents?"

"Hm," the kazekage mumbled before raising an eyebrow. "Why don't you see for yourself? Hurry up and get ready. You have a long journey ahead of you…"

Shina nodded before sprinting out the door.

Once Gaara was sure that the boy was away, he bit his lip, doubts bubbling up in his stomach.

Was this a good idea?

Was it a good idea to let that child go and see his parents?

After all, to Konoha, Shina would be a forbidden child.

But,

Gaara gave himself another small smile.

If it was Shinachiku, he would be fine.