Sorry it took me so long to update this. Ive been very busy with my school work and family life. But I've finally gotten a moment to breathe and I'm taking this time to update my stories. From now on I will update them in order so after this comes IF You Could Go Back…, another one of my Naruto stories. I hope you enjoy this and remember to check out the original story from bloodytears87 if you have time. I've taken over for her since I believe that her story should be one that should be finished. I just hope I can do her story justice and finish it. Well that's it for my rambling. Enjoy.

Stand In The Rain

Chapter 2: Friends

"My mother and father were killed when I was very young so I don't remember them very well and my clan had been scattered after the Third Great Shinobi War. I grew up in a small village where everyone was scared of me. Its not because I'm a mean person or anything but because I am a monster. My blood has a Kekkei Genkai that can turn anything into crystal and with it comes the reason I am a monster. Whenever I'm in danger, my body reacts and I automatically attack anyone who tries to hurt me. I can't stop it, no matter how hard I try, I can't control it! I'm a monster! I killed 12 people and that's why I had to leave my village!" Shilo had started off okay, telling her story in a calm manner but nearing the end, her frustration and desperation as well as the rest of her turmoil had begun to overwhelm her and she began to sob. It was too much for her at times, having to bear the responsibility of having taken people's lives. Knowing that you were the only reason they had died and were taken from their loved ones.

Temari and Kankuro both felt bad for the young girl but they didn't know what to do to make her feel better. Staying silent, they were shocked when they saw Gaara walk over to her and for a moment they thought they saw something in his eyes.

SLAP

"Get a hold of yourself." he said simply after slapping her. They all stared at him wide eyed as Shilo stopped sobbing and raised her had to her cheek. "You aren't a monster, not even close. Its pointless to blame yourself for something that you have no control over."

Shilo was still in shock that Gaara had slapped her and she didn't know what to do or say. His words had stuck themselves inside her head though. Temari was about to scold Gaara when he glared at her, stopping her.

"I know what its like to be feared for having something inside you, something that is difficult to control. But believe me when I say that if you lose yourself in the darkness that you're feeling right now that you will only prove them right and become the monster you fear the most." Gaara said, staring directly into her eyes. He wasn't the one the talk a lot but for some reason he felt that he had to help her from doing what he did. He closed himself off from the world and only sought to destroy those around him to prove his existence. He couldn't…he wouldn't let her go down the same path he did.

"Gaara…you…" Shilo stared into his eyes, her cheek no longer stinging. She could tell that Gaara was talking from experience. What had happened to him, she wondered.

"You aren't alone…not anymore…" Gaara continued. He recalled his fight with Naruto and how it had changed him. "You no longer have to bear your burden alone. I will help you from now on…I'll become your friend…"

Everyone stayed quiet as Gaara finished, all of them equally shocked. Temari and Kankuro both knew that Gaara had never done anything like this before. They were both proud and amazed at how much Gaara had changed after his fight with Naruto. Shilo didn't know Gaara but even she could tell that this was something that he had never offered to do for anyone. She felt…touched that he would be her friend, despite the fact that she was a monster. Her eyes began to tear up once more and her cheeks became warm. Her shoulders began to tremble and she didn't know why she started but she cried. She lunged herself into his chest and cried as all of her emotions just burst.

Gaara didn't know what to do, he awkwardly put his arms around her and held her, looking over at Temari for help. Temari and Kankuro were too shocked to respond to his unasked questions so he just stood there and let her sob. He didn't understand emotions since he just suppressed them. He wondered what it felt like for Shilo to cry like this. As he thought, a single memory flashed in his mind of when he was younger, the day his uncle betrayed him. Shaking his head, he pushed it back and wondered if that's what she felt.

"Um Gaara? I think she fell asleep on you…" Temari said to him.

Looking down at Shilo, he saw that she had indeed cried herself too sleep. He let Temari hold Shilo and he watched as she tucked her in.

"Temari?" Gaara asked his sister.

"Yes, Gaara?" she asked.

"I'm confused…" he said plainly.

"About what, Gaara?" Temari asked him.

"…her…" he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked. She watched as Gaara struggled to form the right words. He was really trying to comprehend the situation that he was just in and it seemed like he couldn't come to terms with it just yet.

"Why did she cry?" Gaara finally asked.

"She was probably overwhelmed by her emotions…sometimes, when we bottle things up, it can be too much to feel when we release them." Kankuro said, making both Temari and Gaara jump. They looked at him like they had never seen him before. "What? I can be smart too, you know."

"Kankuro…is that really you?" Temari asked him, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Of course its me, who else would it be?" he said, frowning.

Gaara just watched as his siblings began to argue back and forth as they left the hospital. He still didn't understand what he was feeling, all it was still too foreign for him. These feelings that were starting to surface, he knew that they wouldn't go away. So how would he deal with them?

Shilo had to remain in the hospital for the rest of the, which to her was not fun since the hospital food tasted bad. But to her surprise and enjoyment, Gaara visited her every single day sometimes with Temari and or Kankuro. It was strange to her that Gaara kept coming back every morning to visit her since no one had ever done that before. She was glad that he kept coming back and for some reason she noticed that every time that he was near her, her cheeks felt warm. But she just thought that it was due to the fact that she had a slight fever when she was admitted.

Today was going to be the day that she would be released and she was happy cause Gaara said that she would be going to stay with him and his siblings at their house. She was so happy that even the hospital food tasted good to her. She spent the morning humming herself a sweet melody from her past. She didn't know where she heard it from but whenever she felt happy she would hum it to herself.

The nurse walked in and smiled as she heard Shilo's humming. "Wow, sounds like you're in a good mood" she said as she brought in a pitcher of water and a cup for her.

"I am? I hadn't noticed." Shilo said shyly.

The nurse saw as Shilo lowered her head slightly as her cheeks gained a faint pink blush. "Of but of course, I know why you are so happy today. You can finally leave the hospital and go outside."

"Yes, I am happy about that but…" Shilo said. "I'm happy cause I'm gonna get to live with Gaara and his siblings."

"Oh…um…well that's wonderful, dear…" the nurse said, hesitating when she mentioned Gaara.

"Yup, I'm just waiting for him to show up." Shilo said happily, not noticing the nurse's hesitation.

"Did you tell him at what time you'd be released?"

"Yup Yup. He asked me last night."

"Well okay, dear. I'm going to go now and finish my round. Don't forget to ask for a nurse to escort you to the front at noon, okay?"

"Okay! Good bye!" Shilo said, waving goodbye.

For the next few hours, Shilo waiting by reading some of the books that Gaara had brought her. She had also changed into a black t shirt and shorts that Gaara had given her. Temari had told her that once she was out of here that they would go shopping for new clothes. She didn't think Temari was serious but still it was nice of her offer.

Yet despite all my happiness for finally leaving the hospital, I was still worried about going outside. Being in a ninja village, she was sure that they got news pretty quickly from everywhere. She wondered if they had gotten news from her old village. She didn't know how she would take it if people started calling her monster in front of Gaa- in front of her new friends. She was just getting to know them and their opinion did matter to her.

It was ten minutes till noon when she called for a nurse to come get her. She was taken to the front desk where she signed herself out and walked out the door. She was expecting to see Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro but they were no where to be seen. Still she had gotten out 3 minutes early so it was no big deal. She sat on the bench outside underneath the shade and waited.

With Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro

"What do I care if he's dead?" Gaara said, annoyed that he was being held up by his sensei.

"Gaara, Lord Kazekage was murdered by Orochimaru. This is bad because once again our Kazekage was taken out without our knowing about it." Baki said. He had called them into the Kazekage's office where the late Fourth Kazekage and Gaara's, Temari's, and Kankuro's father used to work.

"And I care why?" Gaara said once more.

"He was your father, if nothing else that should at least mean something to you." Baki said.

"I don't care. He got what he deserved. I'm leaving to get Shilo…I'm already late as it is." Gaara said as he turned to leave.

"Gaara wait. There's one more thing you should know…" Baki said as he picked up a file.

"I just got back the blood results from your little friend in the hospital…" Gaara turned back around and glared at his sensei. His sand poured out of his gourd and swarmed over the office. He didn't attack just yet but he was ready. "Why?" was all he said.

"I didn't do it on purpose…I was just informed three days ago when the doctor found something peculiar in her blood. I wanted to double check before I mentioned anything." Baki said, not even batting an eye to Gaara's sand which was about a foot away from him. "She's dangerous."

"So am I." Gaara said. His sand was still in place.

"Dangerous how, sensei?" Temari asked.

"Apparently she has a kekkei genkai that hasn't been seen in over ten years. But that's not what makes her dangerous…" Baki said.

"Orochimaru is after her, isn't he?" Kankuro asked, speaking for the first time. Both Gaara and Temari looked over at him, shocked that he would know something that they didn't.

"Yes, how did you know?" Baki asked.

"I overheard father speaking about it once with Orochimaru before the Chunin exams. He said that he was searching for a girl that was rumored to be able to crystallize everything." Kankuro explained. He was frowning as he thought more about it. "Come to think of it, father said that he knew the village where the rumor had come from."

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" Temari asked him, angry that he kept something so important secret.

"I didn't think it was her. How was I suppose to know." Kankuro said defensively.

While they were arguing, Gaara was deep in thought. His sand had retreated back into his gourd and he was standing with his arms crossed over his chest. It seemed like his friend was in danger from Orochimaru. He would eventually come looking for her and he, Gaara, would not let that snake get anywhere near her.

"What now?" he asked his sensei.

"We keep her safe. Orochimaru is a dangerous man and under no circumstances is he allowed to get near her or you." Baki said.

"Why Gaara?" Temari asked.

"Because there's no telling what Orochimaru would with the Shukaku." Baki said.

"If that snake comes near me I'll kill him." Gaara said before turning around and leaving.

"Do you really think Gaara can kill Orochimaru?" Kankuro asked Temari after Gaara had left.

"If Orochimaru could kill the Third Hokage and the Kazekage, I don't think even Gaara could fight him." Temari said.

"Hey Baki, what's gonna happen to us now?" Kankuro asked, wondering what would happen to their team.

"For now nothing. You won't have new orders until after the Leaf send their ambassador and we sign the new treaties." Baki said, sighing. "Now go, and make sure to treat that girl nicely."

"Okay, we will." they said together.

With Shilo

'I wonder if he forgot about me?' Shilo thought as the clock neared one. Her mood had been dropping as every minute passed. 'I should've known it wouldn't last…'

The clock struck one and the bell rang in the distance signaling the time. Sighing, she hung her head and stared at her legs. Tears slowly formed and fell from her eyes as she cried softly. She didn't want to cry but she couldn't help it. Gaara had made her feel special, in his own way. Sure he didn't talk much but he listened to her and he was her first friend. He even promised that he'd teach her to control her kekkei genkai.

"…what's wrong?" a voice asked her.

'Oh great…' "Nothings wrong…I just some sand in my eyes…" she lied as she wiped her tears away.

"Don't lie…tell me what's wrong." the person said again.

"I'm not lying…just leave me alone please…I'm…I'm waiting for somebody…" she said, still not looking up.

"Who?" they asked.

"My…um…somebody I know…" she said. She didn't know if Gaara was even going to come back. Once this person left her alone she would go and find someplace to work and look for a place to stay.

"Is that all I am to you now? 'somebody you know?'" Gaara asked her, raising her chin up to face him.

"Gaara!" Shilo exclaimed as she saw his face. She was so happy that she jumped up and hugged him. Gaara didn't return the hug right away but it was okay cause he came for her after all. "I apologize for being late…" Gaara said, as he slowly hugged her back. He was still new to the whole "Hugging" thing but after talking to Kankuro about it he knew that it was okay. "My father as killed and I was being informed about it today."

"Oh my god, are you okay?" Shilo asked, pulling away far enough to look at him.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Gaara asked confused.

"But you're father just died. Aren't you sad?" Shilo asked, confused.

"No. I hated my father for the things he did to me. I'm glad he's dead." Gaara said, his lip twitching slightly forming a tiny smirk. But it vanished almost as soon as it appeared.

"Oh…I'm sorry…" Shilo said sadly. She didn't know that Gaara had suffered because of his father. Maybe that was why he was so quiet and reserved, he was afraid of getting hurt. She lowered her gaze from his and her eyes began to tear up again.

"Why are you sorry?" Gaara asked her, puzzled as to why she would apologize.

Slowly she pulled away from him and lowered her head in shame. "I didn't know that you were treated badly by your father…I'm sorry I hugged you…I didn't know if it would be okay or not. I'm don't know what you're comfortable with…could you please tell me so that I don't end up hurting you?"

Gaara was truly amazed and confused at the moment. Here he was with Shilo and she was asking him what he was comfortable with so that she wouldn't hurt him. He was amazed because no one had ever asked him that before and confused because no one had ever asked him before. He didn't know how to respond to her question.

Unfortunately his silence was not doing good for Shilo's self esteem at the moment. 'Oh no, I really messed up! He probably hates me for making him feel uncomfortable.' she thought to herself. She really didn't want to mess things up with her new friend. He had been so nice to her and here she was doing inappropriate things to him.

"Shilo…I'm not used to this…talking to people…hugs…" Gaara began. He saw that as he spoke, his words affected her as she began to tear up a bit more. "But I want to learn to be used to it…I want to be your friend…and everything that comes with it…"

"R-Really?" Shilo asked, looking up at him.

"Yes…" Gaara said and to prove his point, he reached over and hugged her. It was a new experience for him to hug someone. It felt…warm…and nice…

But the moment was ruined the moment he heard Kankuro and Temari speak behind him.

"Aww, look at them making up after their first fight." Temari said, snickering behind her hand.

"Don't they look cute together?" Kankuro said playfully. They both laughed out loud when they saw that Shilo was blushing red and that Gaara was glaring at them. "We're just kidding, bro."

"You're lucky I'm trying to change or else you'd be dead." Gaara said to him, his voice cold.

"Anyways, lets go and get Shilo settled, shall we?" Temari said quickly noticing the look in Shilo's eyes. It occurred to her that Shilo still didn't know that Gaara had the Shukaku sealed inside him or the fact that almost everyone was deathly afraid of Gaara.

"Yea, lets go do that instead of staying here." Kankuro said, hoping to change the topic. Then noticing Temari's look he quickly added. "Gaara, why don't you and I go and register Shilo at the administration building and get her some ninja gear while she and Temari go clothes shopping, huh?"

"Do you mind?" Gaara asked Shilo, who was still in his arms.

"N-No…go ahead, I'll be fine with Temari." she said, stuttering a bit.

Temari waited for Gaara and Kankuro to leave before she wrapped her arm around the young girl's shoulders and smirked slyly. "Do you have a little crush on Gaara?" she asked.

"What? No, of course not! We're just friends." Shilo said quickly, her blush becoming darker.

"Hmm…if you say so. But just so you know, Gaara still doesn't know the difference between boys and girls so you could take advantage of that little fact." Temari said, grinning mischievously.

"H-How?" Shilo asked against her better judgment.

"Oh you know…make him share a bath with you…sleep in the same bed as you…that sort of thing." Temari replied, enjoying the look on her face.

"WHAT!" Shilo yelped in shock. "I'm way too young for that!"

"Relax kiddo, I'm not saying you have to sleep with him. Just do what friends do. But I was half joking anyways." Temari said as she walked forward, leading the way toward the shopping district.

"Oh phew…I'm glad you were joking…I'm not sure that I could actually go through with your suggestions." Shilo said as she followed the older girl.

"Half." Temari said over her shoulder."Half? You weren't serious were you, Temari? Temari? You weren't serious were you?" Shilo called after her as Temari laughed. "Temari!"

End of chapter.

Well what did you think? Let me know in a review and if you happen to notice any spelling errors, please let me know so that I can correct them. Again, if you can please show some love to my other stories that I have posted up. Thanks again for reading and till next time.

R&R