Two months have past since that day. I now graduated from the academy and am now a genin. Soon I will have to take the Chunin exams. To me, these exams will show everyone that I have what it takes to be a ninja.

I like to think I do. I mean, I finished several years of studying in six months. I studied almost every ninja book known to man and I mastered many jutsus. Only a few days during that time when I saw little Gaara walking around Sunagakure, ignoring everyones cruel looks.

"Hey squirt, whatcha been up to?" I said as Gaara was passing by the restaurant.

The redheaded boy looked up. "Umeko-chan!" He ran up to me and gave me a hug. Then he sat down in front of me. "I've been doing nothing in particular. How about you?"

I, in turn pointed to my headband on my forehead. "I made genin. . . But other than that, nothing special. They just have to give me a team and I can go on ninja missions and junk. After that, I'm taking the chunin exams." I ruffled the boy's hair. "Have you made jonin yet?"

Gaara looked at me strangely and then shook his head. "Silly Umeko-chan. . . I'm only in the academy."

Strange. . . I felt for certain that Gaara would be at a higher level, him being Lord Kazekage's son and all. "If you're only at academy level then what kind of jutsus is your father teaching you on his off time?"

He looked at me, shocked. "How. . . did you know that he was teaching me jutsus on the side?" Oh, Gods, if I could just take him home with me. . .

I smiled at him. . . "You're quite strong, too strong to be just an academy student. I merely guessed that your father is teaching you some forbidden techinques. . ." I paused for a moment. "Care to show me a few?"

Gaara-kun just shook his head. "I only show my techniques to those who are unworthy of the life they have been given. You are not one of those people."

Another smile graced my lips. I gave the child a noggie. "Quit being so mature! You have a long road ahead of you for that. Cherish these years of your youth. They are going to be the only ones you're going to have." I let go of him. "Slow down a bit. Be a kid."

He placed his hand through his hair, smoothing it down back to normal. "I have to be mature. I do not speak to children my age. They are all afraid of me. I have no choice but to speak to people at their level. Just like with you."

My fingers found its way to Gaara's hair, running through his silken red locks. Beautiful boy. . . "Try to slow down. You'll be acting like an old geezer by the time you are twenty. Not exactly an attractive characteristic among women."

"I'm not going to act like an old geezer." He playfully pushed my hand away. "Besides, I really don't care what women or girls for that matter think of me. But. . ." He looked up at me. "I do care about what you think. . . Only you Umeko-chan, only you."

Oh, jeez. . . How I wish he was older, just by a little. . . I always wanted someone to say that to me. . . Only you. . . I somehow got to thinking what it will be like if I was able to take him home with me, to live with me. I want to keep him. Hide him away from the world so they'll never be cruel to him again. Never again.

Alas, I knew I couldn't. He needs to be with his family, even though they don't want him. . . I only hope I can hold off my feelings for him. Just a few more years. . .

"Thank you, Gaara-chan." Out of habit, I looked at my watch. "Oh, snap. . . I have to get back to class. I nejected to mention that they are going to give me a team today. This was just my lunch hour. I need to get out of here." I immediately rose and paid my tab. "I have to go."

My feet almost ran away from me until I stopped and looked back at Gaara. "Hey, squirt! Maybe when I'm off from a mission or something you and I can have a picinic or something."

Gaara's face lit up. "Ok!" He was so cheery then he got mellow. "But that will be a while. I know that your mission will take up most of your time. So, I'll see you when I see you."

I looked at him sadly for a moment. "The day I'm off, I'm kidnapping you. You and I are going to make up for the days we're apart, understood?"

"Understood." He blessed me with his kindest smile. "I'll miss you."

I stood there silently as Gaara walked away. How can anyone be cruel to him? Damn these humans for such a crime. One day, I promised myself, I will be with that boy. Friend, best friend, or even lover. It doesn't matter to me. I will be there for him, no matter what.

My feet suddenly went in the world direction. My body knew where I was suppose to go, though my mind was still on the boy named Gaara Sabaku.

I know it is a sin to want a child in that way, but I couldn't help myself. I never met anyone like him before. What I wouldn't give to have little Gaara all to myself. Sweet, innocent, and deadly. Even though he never showed his powers I could tell that he was strong. Yes, a fine future husband in the making.

What did I care about age? I'm nine hundred thiry-six friggin years old.

By: Rasaroara