Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Only the OCs.

Summary: One girl with a heart of stone and a past filled with blood befriends the ninja of Konoha. But she has a terrible secret that may ruin their friendship. When she meets someone else with a past similar to her own, what will happen? Will they understand each other's pain or will they mistrust each other out of old habit? GaaraOC.

Note: I am fully aware that my character is Mary-Sue and this is a self-insertion. No flames please, I'm easily offended. I'll reiterate. MY CHARACTER IS A MARY-SUE AND IS A SELF-INSERT! There, now you have fair warning. Don't like it, don't read it. Now on to the story.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Heat washed over the small village as night fell. The crescent moon was hanging high on the horizon, stars blinking in and out as the clouds passed. The village of Kurogakure was just waking up, despite the time of night. Kuro was a simple village with several small families and few noteworthy buildings. The houses themselves were small, but comfortable, each one only one story tall and able to accommodate at least five people. The tallest building was the Kuraikage's office, which was three stories tall and always bustling with activity, the Kuraikage always busy with paperwork on the top floor. The stores that lined the busiest of streets began turning over their 'closed' signs to invite customers.

The villagers wore mainly black, as if the entire population was mourning a death. They made way, parting the crowds to avoid one particular villager. She gathered fearful stares and hateful murmurs as she passed. She was a young girl, who looked a little older than twelve, walking through the streets with her arms crossed against her chest, her piercing green eyes gazing at the faces she passed, set in a glare. Her long, straight black hair framed her face, giving her pale skin a haunting appearance. She wore all black, baggy pants and tight shirt, barely visible under a long trench coat that whipped lightly in the wind, her boots thudding on the hard pavement, fingerless gloves that reached all the way to her elbows were hidden clenched. She sighed slightly, her thin lips parting as the air escaped from the depths of her chest as she heard, more than saw her sibling approaching her.

Her sister had long blonde hair with playful blue eyes, and lightly tanned skin. She wore a black shirt, a red dress, with slits from the waist down at the sides, that reached past her ankles, brushing against the sides of her black shoes, which were hidden beneath the black pants she wore under her dress. She looked to be much younger than the fear-inducing girl.

"Um, Azrix, can I have a some money so I can buy a doll that I want?" The young girl whispered shyly.

Azrix looked down at her sister without emotion, her green eyes blank. "How much is it?" Her voice was strong and demanding.

"I didn't get a chance to see it." The blonde child shuffled her feet as Azrix began walking to the toy store before she could finish. "Are you going to buy it?" She asked excitedly, clutching at the long black trench coat that her sister wore, keeping the coat from flapping in the night wind.

"Yes." Azrix said shortly, walking up to the counter and reaching in her pocket to get the money. As she put the money on the counter, the clerk looked over his shoulder at the sound of a customer's arrival. His eyes widened when he saw who it was. "I- I'm sorry. We aren't open yet. Come back in a few minutes." He stuttered as he bowed to the girl that was a fraction of his own age.

"You're open now." Azrix glared, ice lacing her words. She didn't even look at her sister before asking. "Kai, which doll did you want?" Azrix crossed her arms against her chest again, emotionless as she addressed her sister.

"That one." Kai pointed shyly to a large, ragged, teddy bear behind the man.

"I'd like to buy that doll." Azrix nodded to the man.

He bristled. "If you are going to tell me how to run my shop, you can leave. We aren't open yet, and there is no way I'm serving you." He spat.

Azrix glared. "Kai, cover your ears and turn around." Her little sister did as she was told; cupping her hands over her ears and clenched her eyes closed. In a split second, Azrix had the clerk leaning over the counter, her pale hand wrapped around his neck. "Now, listen, you half-wit bastard. I don't care if you don't serve me, but don't bring Kai into this. Now when I let go, you are going to get that doll, take my money, keep the change, and go about your day. And if I don't get that doll three seconds after your neck leaves my hold, I'll rip off your eyelids and feed them to you through your own ass. Got it?" She growled through gritted teeth. The man nodded as his eyes bulged from the threatening gaze Azrix gave him. "And if you should hesitate, even for a second, I'll strangle you with your own intestines before you can even blink. Now go." She pushed him away and folded her arms across her chest again, her green eyes narrowed as the burly man grabbed the bear, his hand shaking as he handed Azrix the toy.

Before another word could be spoken, she had grabbed the doll, turned, and pressed the bear against her sister's chest lightly.

Kai opened her eyes and grabbed the bear happily, a grin on her face. "You got it?" She looked up at the older girl.

Azrix nodded before picking Kai up by her armpits and putting her on her shoulders. She continued walking as if nothing happened, leaving the shop behind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That morning, when everyone had went to sleep; Azrix was awake. She paced the room of her house, chewing absently at her fingernails. She stopped, grabbed the paper at the table, and reread it again. The letter read, 'Azrix, you are to go to Konoha for three years for extensive training in the ninja arts. You must leave by nightfall. Signed, Kuraikage.' Azrix growled and slammed the paper on the table again, cursing the Kuraikage and the stupid mission she had been assigned.

"I better leave a note for Kai." She grabbed a paper and the nearest pencil, scribbling madly.

When she finished the note, she grabbed her pack and opened the door to her house, never looking back.