Disclaimer: I do not own G.I. Joe or any character affiliated with it....just Misaki

Prologue

The streets were bustling with people as they went about their business in the market place. A lone boy was walking among the people stopping every now and then to gather the items off the small list that his master had given to him. Brown eyes scanned the piece of paper making sure that nothing was missing. The silent boy had been at the temple for almost a year now and he had learned much from the older man whom he looked up to as a father. Glancing back at the list he noticed that he still had to get bread and so made his way over to the small stall that was set up. His thoughts were broken by a loud gruff voice.

"Hey! Stop, thief!!" it was the bread vender, he was yelling at someone. The brown eyed boy looked up to see what was going on.

The man who had yelled had caught a small girl taking a small loaf of bread from the table. She wore an oversized ratty dress and no shoes. Her long hair covered her eyes as she tried to get away from the much larger man. "Please sir, I have no money or food. It's just one little loaf." The little girl pleaded with the bread man. The boy recognized the situation for he had been in it not so long ago. Stealing to survive in a world where he had no parents. Narrowing his eyes with determination he approached the man and girl.

"I see you found the bread stall, is that the kind you wish to get?" he had never lied before, at least not since he had been living in the temple. But he wanted to help this little girl and if it meant lying, then so be it.

The man and girl stopped struggling with the loaf and looked to see him standing by the stall. "She is with you?" the man demanded.

"Yes, I had sent her ahead to pick out a loaf of bread for us." There's lie number two.

The man looked between the girl and the boy with narrowed eyes, not quite believing what the boy said. But if the boy had the money then who was he to say anything. "Alright then pay for it and get out of here."

"Thank you sir." He handed the man the money for the bread and turned to the little girl. "We are all done now, it is time for us to get back to the temple before master gets worried." Grasping her hand he guided her down the street. He was finally able to get a good look at her now that she was by his side. She had pale skin and bright blue eyes behind her curly brown hair.

Looking up at the brown haired boy the girl gave a small smile. "You didn't have to do that, you could have gotten in trouble too." She whispered.

"Don't worry; I have been on the streets before." He reassured her as they approached the temple. Other residents of the temple were out practicing the arts of the ninja in small groups or alone. A small stream flowed into a large pond where koi fish swam under the clear waters. Sakura trees showed off their bright pink blossoms to the butterflies passing by. Never before had she seen anything so beautiful in her life. It was almost too much to take in as she let the boys hand go to look at everything.

"I see that you brought more than the groceries back with you. Master is not going to like this Snake." The voice of a boy caught the girl's attention from the flowers she had been admiring. Looking up she saw a black haired boy standing before the other boy wearing a white outfit sporting a scowl on his face. This quickly changed to anger when the girl faced him and he was quick to notice both fresh and old bruises scattered on her face and arms. If there was one thing that Storm Shadow didn't like was when men raised a hand to a woman.

"I am sure that master will not mind Storm Shadow." Snake replied as he went to take the girls hand again.

"Sure I won't mind what?" a new voice was now in the conversation.

"Master." Snake Eyes quickly approached his master and bowed in respect. "I found her wandering the streets with nowhere to go. I thought that maybe she could stay here."

His master looked down at the little girl as she clutched Snake Eyes hand tightly in fear. A small smile spread across his face and he turned to the older boy. "Well, if she is going to stay here then you must take care of her. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes master, I promise to take good care of her." Snake Eyes answered as he bowed again.

A small smile reached the girls face as she looked up at the older man. * A real home.* She had never had a real home before and now her wish was coming true.

"There is only one little problem though." It was Storm Shadow. They turned to see the other boy walk up to them with questioning looks. "What are you going to name her?"

Snake Eyes had never thought of that. What was he going to call her? Panicking he looked around himself for some sort of inspiration. Spotting some of the flowers nearby; he noticed that they were the same shade of blue as the girl's eyes. Picking one of the bell like blossoms he offered it to her. Smiling gently he turned to the girl. "How about Misaki? Does that please you?" he asked hoping that it would be ok with her.

Taking the pretty flower from Snake Eyes, Misaki smiled as she nodded in agreement. *So much better than brat* "Thank you, I like it very much." She softly said.

"Well then, shall we get the groceries unpacked and get Misaki something better to wear." The boys master took the lead as the three children followed him to one of the larger buildings on the temple grounds.

I don't quite know where this story is going to go yet and im still thinking of a title. Reviews are welcome, just be nice. Cheers ^_^