(AN: Hello, I'm getting back in the swing of things. Naturally, I don't own Naruto. Just writing up a storm though. Gaara was always one of my favorite characters.)

It is always strange, how the smallest moments affect us. A smile or laugh from a sweet boy or a curious glance from a stranger. These are the things that can make a person feel warm and even cherished. Human's no matter how isolated they choose to be or are accustomed to being social. Everyone needs to be acknowledged. Even if it's from a negative source.

Yet in some cases that negative source produces something good. Something fiery and cold. Someone.

0o0o0

The Chuunin Exams were in full swing and the village was buzzing. Walking down the streets was made difficult. So the back alleys were the local short cuts. Rikka sighed as Konohamaru whipped past her, the shouts of Sakura were the only reason she wasn't bowled over by the irate kunoichi.

Her father's team wasn't much to sniff at, Naruto was a good kid but his main skill was stubbornness, which wasn't always the best quality to have. The Uchiha was just an asshole. Oh well fun times approach if the shouting ahead was any indication, A black hooded boy was holding Konohamaru by the scruff.

Oh a sand ninja. The Kunai was already flying through the air before she really deliberated the outcome. So Konohamaru would have a sore bottom, he'll live.

Crack.

Tch. Show off Uchiha. His eyes whipped in my direction and I could see the dirty sneer forming.

Maybe I should have spotted him in the tree but still the same could be said of him.

Everyone's eyes turned to me.

"Release the child." As I drew closer to the group, I saw the hooded boy watching me, hmm his jacket looks like cat ears are on his head.

Konohamaru was clutching the boy's wrist to keep from strangling. I reached my hand out and grasped his arm, "Now." I forced some cool chakra into my hand and watched the shiver run down his arm.

"Kankurou, let the boy go. Or I'll kill you for the trouble you've caused." My gaze fled to the red head that appeared in the tree opposite of Sasuke. Sasuke looked shocked, tch. Probably thought he couldn't be caught off guard.

Konohamaru plopped to the ground on his rear, "Did you apologize for running into them Konohamaru?"

"I tried!" He was indignantly pointing at the newly dubbed Kankurou.

Sasuke leaped down beside me, Sakura piped up after all the tension faded away. Then again Moegi and Udon were behind her.

"State your purpose here, foreign ninja aren't allowed to enter another village without permission." She had her hand on her kunai holster but her hands shook. Nice bravado Sakura.

The read head landed beside Kankurou, "We're here for the Chunin exams." He held out three passes and his ID. He handed them to me for inspection though it was Sakura who had questioned them. I glanced at them and passed them back, they were the Kazekage's children. Ooh boy.

"What's your name?" The red haired boy, Gaara his ID had said was watching me.

" blonde on the Ground is Naruto, the asshole is Sasuke and pinky is Sakura. The kiddos are Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon. The Hokage's grandson and his friends." Sasuke shot me a mean look.

Kankurou and the girl were quiet, they glanced furtively at their brother. Temari I think her name was.

"Sorry for any trouble we may have caused." Gaara gave a polite bow as he rose he glanced at Kankurou. "You may want to thank Sasuke, his rock cracked her kunai. Rikka wasn't taking prisoners."

Kankurou shot me a glare, "you were aiming to kill over a squabble."

"Maim actually, you were holding our Hokage's Grandson by his neck. I was going to take out one eye and then incapacitate you and drop you by the hokage's tower to be sent off for interrogation. Killing should be reserved for a direct order unless there are no other alternatives."

"Rikka-nii, you're a little scary sometimes." Naruto stated as he pulled himself to his feet, Sakura was considerably paler than she was a minute ago.

I pulled Konohamaru up onto my shoulders, "let's grab food and meet your Grandpa at the office for lunch neh?"

0o0o0

Interesting. Not many people were as bloodthirsty as he was. She was unyielding. Her three peers were cumbersome to say the least, but she was cold. As she turned the corner she didn't hesitate to draw her blade.

No. Draw wasn't what she did, it appeared in her hand. Glass? No it was cold, ice. Cold and swift. Just like her. Perhaps mother would be pleased to have her blood, dying all that pale skin.

A flash of white in the crowd caught his eye, giving chase he trailed the girl with long white hair. She ambled about the crowd visiting different vendors, as she loaded her arms with groceries she continued about her business.

He was rushing now as she walked into an apartment, only she was standing at the edge of the hall as he slid. He rooted his energy and regained his composure. He glanced down at the floor as a thin sheen of ice melted away.

"Hello, Gaara. Are you following me?" She was watching him red eyes waited almost patiently. He should dispatch her, for causing him unrest.

"Yes." It was not what I'd intended to say to her.

"Why?" was her only response. She slipped a key into the door before her and motioned me forward, she dropped a bag in my hand. I stared at her for a moment as she nudged the door open, "come in. I'll make tea."

Once everything was settled, she placed the kettle on the stove and pulled out some pre-made rice balls. She set them out as she placed a mug in front of me and set a spot for herself. A moment later steaming tea was placed in the cup.

She sat down beside me, "Well, why did you follow me?"

"Curiosity. Why did you invite me into your home?" I sipped the tea, doubtful she'd poison me. She doesn't know who I am.

"It's not everyday a girl gets a stalker let alone the Kazekage's youngest." She tossed him a fey grin. He took a bite of the rice ball and a sip of tea.

"So you intend to poison me and hold me as a political hostage?" He took a drink of the tea. This was pretty good kind of sweet with a hint of cinnamon, maybe she'd show him how to make it.

"Not at all! I figured polite conversation was in order. I did threaten your elder brother after all." She was watching him with those red eyes.

"I don't value him much, I threaten him frequently." Why hasn't she fled?

"Ah they did seem apprehensive, quick temper?" She was smiling at him. How strange?

"Not particularly."

The conversation continued politely as she moseyed about straightening things up.

o0o0o

By the time he returned to the suite where they were staying it was well past sunset. The moon was high as was Baki's mood.

"Where were you?" He was pacing. Temari and Kankurou off to the side watched tense.

"Around."

"Damn it Gaara, we cannot afford any suspicion. Do not harm a leaf nin. Not before the signal."

(AN: As always, read and review. I really appreciate the feedback.)