The kid's house was simple, built in what seemed like sand, and smelled of healing supplies and baking. And the person inside smelled like cookies, sand, and spices, with just a tad bit of blood that allowed Kiba to know that this was a shinobi. But his scent wasn't drenched in death like with Zabuza, Sharky, and Mr. Red Eyes, so he guessed that this guy wasn't as dangerous as those.

"Uncle Yashamaru! Uncle Yashamaru!" The little red haired boy threw the home's door open with this shouting, pulling Kiba inside the place without even stopping to explain anything to Kiba. "Come quick!"

The man's scent had not been far, but it hadn't been close either. But as soon as the kid had shouted out for him, the man's scent became clearer, for the man came running.

"What happened Gaara?" The man ran into the room with the question on his lips, "Did something... Happen..." But when his eyes fell on Kiba and the boy, the man's voice slowed, ultimately dying down for a second before looking at Kiba with curiosity. "Gaara? Who is this?"

The little boy shrugged, but pulled Kiba forward so they both stood before the sandy haired man. "He got hurt protecting me. Please heal him."

The man looked down at Kiba with wide eyes, then down at the young boy, then back Kiba, and finally sighed. "Alright. Gaara, why don't you go and get him some water while I look over him?"

With wide eyes, the red head looked at Kiba, uncertainty shining clear in them. Kiba noticed this and gave him a soft smile, then nodded at him. "Some water would be nice."

Suddenly the boy's face lit up and he nodded in determination, then he let go of Kiba's hand and ran off in the direction the man had run in from.

He seemed really eager and determined for some reason. Kiba didn't know why. But Akamaru jumped off his shoulder without a single word and followed after the boy, so he guessed that there was no danger to be had in this place.

"Now, if you'd let me see the damage."

Kiba's attention returned to the man in front of him once heard him speak, then felt a light touch on his shoulder. He looked up at the man, then pointed at his mouth, "There was some blood there. But it's mostly gone."

"Would you mind if I checked?" The man asked softly, to which Kiba shrugged.

Soon he found soft fingers barely touching his face, making sure there were no lasting effects of what had happened. Then the man had told Kiba to open his mouth to inspect it, and nodded slightly.

"It's a superficial wound. There's no need for bandages or anything of the like." Yashamaru informed him, then smiled at Kiba. "So, you got this protecting Gaara?"

In the distance, the boy heard the opening of a refrigerator, then Akamaru's barking. But he focused on the man in front of him once more. "Yeah. Some jerks were going to attack him or something. I stopped them before they could get too far, though."

There was a beat of silence in which neither male said anything. Then Gaara came running in with a happy Akamaru jumping at his heels, a cup of water in his hands.

"I got the water, Uncle Yashamaru!" He announced giddily, handing the water over to the tattooed taller boy. "And I gave some to your puppy too. I hope it was okay."

Kiba smiled and grabbed the cup, taking a sip from it. "Of course it's great! We're not used to this much heat and I was worried Akamaru would be thirsty. Thank you."

Gaara was beaming now. Positively beaming. And it made Kiba feel nice.

He wondered why that was for a moment. Then he noticed that, for the first time since he had accepted Zabuza's proposition, he was around someone his age. Throughout his whole time with the old man, he'd been surrounded by older people. But now there was someone close to him in age. And it was nice to not feel like he was completely alone. Without counting Akamaru, though. He was never alone when Akamaru was around.

"Your friend is all healed up, Gaara." Yashamaru told the boy with a smile and a pat to his head. "Have you thanked him for what he did?"

"F-Friend?" The boy's smile dropped and his eyes widened, a look of confusion overtaking his features. "You're my friend?" He turned to Kiba with this, only to find that he was gulping down the water like a dehydrated man.

In all honesty, he had not noticed how thirsty he had been until he had taken that first, restrained sip of water.

Taking a second to down the drink, Kiba smiled and nodded. "Well, I saved you, you gave me water. That seems like things friends would do, right?"

The kid moved faster than Kiba thought possible.

One second the kid had stood in front of him with wide eyes and the next he had his arms wrapped around Kiba's shoulders, hugging him tightly with a happy shout of "Friends!"

The ex-Inuzuka was taken aback by the sudden action, but soon regained his composure and patted him softly on the back.

"Yeah. Friends."

He... He hadn't had friends in a long time.

It felt kind of nice...

"So, Gaara, what's your friend's name?"

The boy didn't let go of Kiba as he turned his neck to look at his uncle, eyebrows knitting. "I... I don't know..."

"Kiba." The taller boy offered, patting Gaara's back once more. "My name's Kiba, Gaara. That's Akamaru." He pointed at the pup, who barked in greeting. "And it's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too!" The boy smiled broadly, squeezing him once more, strong enough to take Kiba's breath away. "My name's Gaara!"

Just how was this kid so strong?!

Luckily for Kiba, Yashamaru grabbed Gaara's attention before he could accidentally suffocate and/or crush the boy. "Hey, Gaara, why don't we make some thank you cookies for Kiba? It seems like the least we could do after he helped you."

The boy agreed immediately without any problem, then dragged Kiba over to the kitchen, excited to have him help make the cookies.

~/~

After they had finished making their cookies, Yashamaru led the kids over to a very comfortable couch and left them because he was to go to some meeting. Kiba munched happily on some cookies, Akamaru nicked a few crumbs from him, and Gaara just enjoyed being with his new friend.

They spent some time in silence. But, soon enough, Kiba grew tired of it. So he spoke up.

"So, why did those kids want to beat you up?" He asked, looking at Gaara.

The young boy looked down at his hands with a sad look on his face, "I... I don't know." He admitted, "Nobody ever wants to play with me. They all tell me I'm a m-monster... And I don't know why."

A monster?

Kiba didn't like the sound of that at all.

Sitting up, Kiba asked, "Does your family do anything about that?"

Back he had still been part of his clan, he had noticed that they didn't allow anyone to bully any of the members. If one member was insulted, they all were. And they would not stand for that kind of insult.

With a shake of his head, the boy admitted, "My brother and sister don't like me either... I don't really see my father often... Uncle Yashamaru cleans up my injuries most of the times, though."

Kiba frowned deeply upon hearing this, not liking the way the boy's tone had become so saddened.

"Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't even be here."

This made something in Kiba's brain click. And he asked, "Who's to say you have to stay?"

Gaara looked at him with confusion swimming in his eyes, but Kiba could only smirk back at him.

There was only one thing Zabuza knew he should not do in Suna. And that was get too close to the Kazekage's domain. There was a rumor running around about a bloodthirsty child with red hair and a red tattoo on his face that killed anyone that got too close to him with savagery equivalent to all of the Swordsmen of the Mist. And even though Zabuza didn't give too much weight to rumors, he felt like it wouldn't be a bad idea to just avoid the Kazekage altogether.

There was no reason to mess with the man, after all.

All he had to do was get in, kill a guy, cash in on his head, then leave Suna and never come back to this damned desert.

If he didn't go anywhere near any red headed child with tattoos, then he'd have no reason to worry about rumors being true or not.

The best way to avoid any kind of complications was to just avoid it. Simple as that.

Imagine his surprise and exasperation when Kiba came back to him with a red headed kid in tow, a red tattoo clear on the side of his forehead.

"Old man, I made a friend!" The boy shouted as he pointed at the kid, "His name's Gaara and he's coming with us!"

The boy... Zabuza had to actively remind himself that he kept him around for his natural talents in tracking and hunting. That, even with the grief brought to him by Itachi and Kisame because of him, it would all be worth it in the long run when he had a perfect killing machine.

"Kiba, that would be kidnapping." Zabuza sighed with a shake of his head, then looked over the boy.

He had dark rims around his eyes and a tattoo... But, aside from that, there was nothing odd about him. He looked like any other snot nosed brat with too much hope in his life.

"No, it wouldn't. He'd just be running away with us."

From the way the kid nodded, Zabuza could tell that they had already discussed all of this in advance.

It had been a mistake to let Kiba roam free. First time he'd allowed it, he'd found him stealing food. The second time had wound up with Akamaru. Now he had brought up another stray. But there was no way Zabuza could let him bring this one along.

"Kiba..."

"Old man..."

"It's no big deal. Uncle Yashamaru is currently in a meeting with father. That means we have at least two more hours before anyone finds out I ran away." The kid with the big eyes informed.

"Kid, you can't come with us." Zabuza shook his head, "Kiba, return him."

"No! I want a friend!"

"Akamaru's your friend."

The dog barked now. And that made Zabuza notice that he had hidden himself inside of the kid's clothes, not Kiba's. Which meant that Akamaru also wanted the kid to come along.

"He's not coming."

"He is."

"I would like to come."

... Damn...

Why did he keep the kid around? Was it even really worth it?

With a sigh, Zabuza tried to remind himself that it was worth it.

So, what do you think? Should Zabuza adopt little Gaara as well? Or should he leave him behind in the Sand?

Tell me what you think!