Wind of Truth & Sands of Change

Something to Smile About

020. First Toy

Kankuro looked longingly at a small puppet on the shopkeeper's table. He really, really wanted it. Kankuro stuck his thumb in his mouth and looked at Yashamaru. He tugged lightly on his uncle's clothes. "Yashamaru,"

"Not now, Kankuro." Yashamaru said, "I need to buy our groceries."

"But Yashamaru—"

"Not now, I'm sure it can wait." Yashamaru smiled warmly at him.

Kankuro sighed and felt his eyes well up with tears. He really wanted that puppet.

Beside him Temari gave him a look and brought a finger to her lips. "Shh..." She whispered, "Don't tell no one…"

Kankuro blinked, unsure of what his sister meant. The blonde girl snuck up to the table and wrapped her tiny fingers around the small puppet. Swiftly and deftly she slipped the puppet up her sleeve and walked off inconspicuously.

Temari grinned and handed her brother the small puppet.

Kankuro smiled brightly, "Thanks."

Temari shrugged. Kankuro looked happily at the puppet and thought to himself:

He was really glad he had a sister.

021. Dark Rings

Gaara traced the rings around his eyes. They were so dark. A voice whispered in his head that if he went to sleep they would disappear. Gaara ignored the voice. He couldn't remember who'd told him, but someone had said never to listen to the voice. Besides, he didn't really mind the rings. They were interesting to look at.

022. The Bear

It was really the only time they'd ever really talked to him when he was still a little boy. Yashamaru was out so he didn't stop them.

"Gaara," Temari said softly, timidly. The poor girl really was afraid. "D-Don't…" Temari looked behind her, "Kankuro, help me." She pleaded.

The other boy was standing at the doorway, absolutely terrified. "I c-ca-can't, T-Te-Tem…"

Gaara's eyes drooped. Temari shook him slightly looking carefully at the sand dancing around her youngest brother. "Don't sleep…Please."

"…But, it wants me to sleep…" Gaara murmured softly.

It? What was it? Temari couldn't understand.

"The Shukaku…" whispered Kankuro softly.

"Gaara," said Temari, "listen." The small boy looked at her. "Listen to me. Don't ever, ever pay attention to what…it tells you. Ignore it. Always."

"But…" Gaara's eyes drooped.

Kankuro looked at the small bear he was holding. It was his toy. Karura had given it to Kankuro when he was still a little baby. He was hugging it close to his chest in fear. Kankuro looked at the red-headed boy and then back at the bear. "G-Ga-Gaara," Kankuro managed to squeak out, "Look. If you st-stay aw-awake, I'll…I'll give you my bear…"

Gaara looked up shyly and outstretched his hands timidly. "…Okay…"

Kankuro edged close to the boy and gave it to him. Gaara hugged the bear with a wide smile on his face. Temari smiled.

"He's not so…scary." Kankuro said softly as he watched the boy.

"He's…cute." Temari added the smile still on her face.

023. Little Brothers

Temari had always loved her brothers. She never told either of them that she did. She was top afraid of what they'd do or even say. Gaara might kill her for saying such things and Kankuro might never speak to her again. But she still loved her little brothers

A/N: I personally like 20 the best. Sorry this chap. took a while.