I do not own Naruto.

Gaara and I basically inhaled the ramen that we had bought. Stopping to sit at one of the booths with red, and purple flags.

We continued our walking once we had finished.

It tried to hide my laugh while watching Gaara. He was looking from one stand to the next so quickly that I thought that he was going to give himself whiplash. He was like a little kid. He wanted to see everything at one time, not wanting to miss anything.

As I watched him I caught sight of a game stand where you had to throw three rings onto the neck of a bottle. I pulled Gaara over to it, and smiled.

''Would you like to play this?''

He looked at the brightly colored bottles, then back at me.

''Isn't there a rule that says that ninjas can't play any of these games?''

I laughed. ''Not around here. Some of the games are hard, even for ninjas, and the ones that aren't the people just enjoy watching a ninjas skills.''

I had taken Naruto once to the market, and he had loved being able to show off, and win prizes at the same time.

Gaara nodded. ''Alright, then how do you play?''

I explained the rules, and he concentrated on everything that I said. After I was finished I sighed.

''It's just a game Gaara. You don't have to wear such a serious expression. This is supposed to be fun.''

He smirked. ''Alright, but I'm warning you that I still plan on winning.''

I smiled. ''Well I would hope so. That's the point of playing.''

We payed the smiling man at the booth, and then Gaara threw all of the rings at the same time. I stood there amazed, as all three of the rings landed on all three different bottles at the same time.

Gaara looked at me triumphantly.

''So what do I win?''

I looked at the man running the booth. He looked as stunned as I felt. He shook his head, and pointed to the wall of plush animals, and trinkets.

''You have your pick of anything.''

I looked back at Gaara, and saw that he was eying something behind the counter. I stood on my toes to see what had caught his attention, and saw a group of panda bear cubs in what looked like a baby pin.

I noticed that the mother was sitting away from the pin, but was still keeping a close watch over her cubs. I looked closer at what Gaara was staring at, and saw that one of the cubs was sitting in a corner of the pin away from his playing brothers and sisters.

I looked at the guy, and he smiled. He went and picked up the cub, and handed him to me.

''I wasn't planning on letting any of Kira's babies go, but you two seem like that you would make a good home for him.''

He patted the cubs head, and then looked both Gaara, and I in the eyes.

''You two be sure to take good care of him. I don't like being proved wrong when I think that people are right for something.''

He smiled. ''But from what I see of you two, I have a feeling that I won't be disappointed.''

By the time our shock wore off the man had already turned back to luring customers to his booth.

Gaara and I started walking through the crowd again.

We didn't stay long after our run in with the guy at the booth. The panda bear was heavy, and eventhough we switched carrying him, it was still a long walk home.

While we were walking I smiled up at Gaara, who was at the moment having issues holding onto the wriggling cub. As I watched the cub crawled onto Gaara's shoulder, put his paw on top of his head, and fell asleep.

I giggled, and Gaara turned his attention to me.

''It looks like you have made a new friend.''

Gaara sighed, but, didn't say anything, so I continued.

''What are we going to name him? The man at the booth didn't mention him having a name did he?''

Gaara shook his head. ''No. But I suppose that we need to pick a good one, because the man said that he didn't like to be disappointed.''

I laughed. ''Well then I suppose that were going to have to be careful about what we choose. What about Rover?''

Gaara frowned. ''Isn't that a dogs name?''

I laughed. ''It is isn't it? Alright, let's not call him that.''

So we started down a list of names. Gaara saying ones like Sailor, Constantine, and Cezer. I was using ones like Dusty, Milo, and Darcy. When we couldn't think of anymore names I suggested that we just call him Pandy, and be done with it.

Gaara wrinkled his nose. ''What do you think of Butterball?''

I pondered the name for a while, a smiling coming to my face. ''It fits him, considering how heavy he is.''

I was the one carrying him at this time, and I almost dropped him. Gaara smirked, and took him from me. Butterball wiggled, and for a little bit, and then went back to his spot on Gaara's shoulder, with his paw on Gaara's head.

I tried to fake seriousness as I spoke. ''You know if we wait a few minutes we may start to hear snoring.''

Gaara snorted. ''You may hear snoring. All I hear is this massive thing breathing in my ear.''

I couldn't help but laugh. ''AWW! But you both just look so cute. We should take a picture, and send it to your siblings.''

Gaara smiled at me for a moment, but then stopped, frowning.

By this time we were in my yard, and I looked at him confused.

''Whats wrong Gaara?''

He gave Butterball to me, but wouldn't look at me. I began to think about what we had been discussion, but couldn't think of anything that would send him into a depression.

He sighed. ''My siblings will be in Konoha by now.'' He turned towards me. ''Ria, I don't think that I can stay as long as I originally said.''

I nodded. ''I didn't think that you would. I was just glad to be able to spend the time I did with you. I figured that you will want to leave as soon as possible?''

He put his hands on my arms and looked down at me. ''I really don't want to leave you. I just can't let them fight alone.''

I smiled up at him. ''I know. I do understand, it's just that I don't want you or any of the others to get hurt. Which of course you probably will. Just please try not to get hurt to badly.''

He smirked. ''I'll try.''

He paused for a moment before leaning down to kiss me. He was getting better at that.

I felt all of his frustration, and sorrow for leaving, mixed with the joy, and happiness of having someone to love in this kiss.

By the time we pulled apart to breath I was sure that my lips were bruised. He left his arms wrapped around me, and I continued to lean on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. For that moment it matched mine.

I was the first to pull away, not wanting him to miss anymore daylight. He would already be traveling some of the way in the dark, but going through the countryside, and town that surrounded where I lived it was better to be through it before sunset.

I looked up at him. ''Do you need anything from out of the house?''

He shook his head. ''I sent it with my siblings. If I leave now, then I should be in Konoha before breakfast tomorrow. So I won't need food either.''

I nodded. ''You better go then. You don't want to miss breakfast.''

It was a poor attempt at lightheartedness, and we both knew it. He was still holding me, and I put my hands on his face, kissed him quickly, and then untangled myself.

I turned to pick up Butterball, mostly to give myself something else to do besides concentrating on Gaara leaving.

I turned back to him as he spoke, noticing that his expression was determined. ''I love you, Ria.''

I smiled. ''I know. I love you too.''

He nodded. ''I'll send word as soon as this stupid war is over.''

He stared at me for a while before doing some hand signs, and disappearing in a cloud of sand. I stood there for a few moments staring at the spot where he had been standing, before taking Butterball inside to see his new home.

I walked inside to find Salem sitting on the couch drinking something out of a can. I was a little afraid to know what it was. He has some seriously weird taste sometimes.

I put Butterball on the floor, and flopped down on the couch beside Salem. We didn't say anything for a few minutes. Sitting there, and contemplating our own problems.

Salem was the first to break the silence. ''How did your date go?''

I sighed. ''Fine, how was your's?''

He shrugged. ''Fine. I guess.'' He took another gulp of his drink. ''Her father hates me.''

I looked at him startled. ''What? You've only just met her. What did you do to make him hate you already?''

He shrugged. ''I don't know. I guess he just doesn't want to let her go. She's the youngest child, you know.''

He took another swallow of his drink. ''It didn't help that he walked in while I was kissing her either.''

I laughed. ''No, I could see how that would make a father angry.''

He took another swallow. ''Yap. Anyways, you heard my story, what's yours? Did Gaara get abducted again, or what?''

I glared at him. ''No. And that's not funny. He had to go help his family, and the leaf ninjas fight against Weasels little brother.'' I huffed. ''I think that if I ever meet the guy that I'm going to hit him in his face.''

Salem laughed for a moment, and then sighed. ''Looks like we both have issues.''

He offered me the can that he was holding. ''Do you wanna drink?''

I looked doubtfully at the can. ''What is it?''

He glanced at the can, and then back to me. ''I really don't know. But it's good. Aubry gave it to me. He said it was to congratulate me on finding a nice girl to date.

A lot of good it does me if her father wont let me within fifty feet of her,''

He took another drink, only to spit it back out again. ''What in God's green Earth is that?''

I looked to where he was pointing, and saw Butterball laying on the floor staring up at us.

I laughed. ''It's a panda bear. Cute isn't he? Gaara, and I got him at the market today. His name's Butterball.''

Salem grabbed a towel off of the coffee table, and began dabbing at the wet spots on his shirt.

''It fits him. I hope Sora doesn't mind sharing a bed with him.''

Salem looked at me, and then back at Butterball. ''I wonder if hunting a panda bear would make the old man like me better?''

I stared at him. ''Only if it was you in the panda bear costume.''

He smiled. ''That's probably right. Then the geezer would probably put my head on the wall.''

I wrinkled my nose. ''That's gross Salem! I think that stuff you're drinking has gone to your head.''

He laughed. ''Yap. Are you sure that you don't want some? It'll make you feel better.'' He wiggled his eyebrows at me, and I laughed.

''No thanks. One of us barfing up our toenails is enough for tonight I think.''

He smiled. ''Yeah, I guess.''

He put his arm around my shoulders. ''You know what?''

I looked at him smiling. ''No what?''

''Our love lives suck. We should join the church. You would be Sister Ria, and I would be Brother Salem.''

I laughed, and shook my head. ''You wouldn't be able to abstain from some things.''

He smiled. ''You're probably right but still, I think I'll call you little sister from know on.''

His smile was lopsided, and I laughed. ''I think that you need to lay down for a while. Whatever was in that drink has gone to your head.''

I stood up so he could lay down, and got a blanket to lay over him. He had already closed his eyes by the time I turned around to pick up Butterball.

As I walked towards my room I heard him mumbling. ''Night little sister.''

I smiled. ''Goodnight big brother.''

I made my way slowly to my room hoping that I could sleep.