Little Coon and Cub

Gaara walked solemnly through the streets of Suna, noting with sadness how all the other kids shrank away from him and/or ran away. Why was he so alone? Why did they treat him like this? He was like all of them, just able to control Sand and he had a demon inside him. It made no sense!

Gaara touched the mark on his forehead, the kanji symbol for love, "What is love?" he murmured to himself. He shook his head and started running to clear his head of frustration. However, he accidentally bumped into someone, knocking them both down. He landed on the person's shoulder, "Gomenasai, Gomenasai!" he chanted scrambling off of the person, and once he could turn around, he saw it was a girl, "I didn't mean to!" he cried bowing his head, expecting her to run like everyone else did.

Sarrina landed with a grunt on the ground. Sin laughed loudly in her head.

'Do you have to make fun of me?' Sarrina asked in her head with a frown.

'Of course, you clumsy brat!'

Sarrina sighed inwardly as she looked up at the person whom she literally ran into. She tilted her head slightly as she stood, dusting off her tan dress. She winced when she put pressure on her left ankle, but quickly hid it.

She made a quick look-over of the boy. He had blood red hair, and the most dazzling sea green eyes she had ever seen. Around those eyes of his were dark marks that reminded Sarrina of a raccoon. He wore a high collar shoulder cape over black shirt. He also wore a large cloth belt that covered his entire midsection and the top of his black pants. On his feet were black sandals.

"It's fine, I should have been looking where I was going!" Sarrina giggled, but stopped when she saw that he looked terribly sad, "Hey, what's wrong? Did you get hurt? If you did, I'll go get my Otou-san, he'll fix you right up!"

Gaara looked up at the girl, gulping when he felt his heart leap. She was gorgeous, her white hair framing her angelic face wonderfully. Her eyes were red, but he was unafraid. For some reason, the way her eyes glowed reminded him of a wolf in the dark. He stood and noticed the symbol of love on her shoulder where he had landed, and then he spotted the wolf cubs, "Little cub," he said softly looking at her and then blushed, explaining quickly at her confused expression, "You look like a little cub."

Gaara was confused, though, "You didn't run…" he bit his lip, "Why? I have a demon within me…" he looked around him as the sand that had covered him as usual just in time came off. Still, she didn't run, "I'm controlling the Sand without hand-signs…why aren't you running? Everyone runs…"

Sarrina looked down at the love symbol with a confused face but she became even more confused when the boy called her 'Little Cub'. Yin and Yang, whom were still mere pups, moved restlessly in the open top bag. Sarrina reach out a hand and petted them to calm them before turning her eyes back to the boy.

With her face still a little red from the sudden nickname, Sarrina grinned widely at the demon child, "Really? I have a demon too! His name is Sin. He's my friend, even though he picks on me," she giggled and poked the red head's nose. "Little Coon, that's what I'll call you since you look like a raccoon!"

Gaara looked at her in confusion but then smiled, "Alright!" he agreed, "My mentor doesn't care how long I'm out so long as I come back. It's nearing sunset, where are you staying?" he asked grinning, "I can lead you back."

"I know where I'm staying! It's just back-ow!" Sarrina yelped went she tried to step in the direction of her hotel with her hurt ankle. She went down on one knee, holding her ankle tenderly. She sniffed, holding back tears.

'Hahaha! Look where your clumsiness got you!' Sin laughed.

Gaara went to her, "Little cub, are you alright?" he asked her, "I'll carry you," he said and managed to get her on his back to carry her piggy-back-style. He picked up the bag with the pups in them and handed them to the girl his hands would be free as he secured them under her legs, "I think I know where you were talking about," he assured as he faced the direction she had been headed.

"You just hang on, 'kay?" Gaara grinned and started walking, feeling the happiest he'd ever been as she kept trusting arms around his neck. After several minutes they finally arrived at the apartment complex. The sun had set five minutes ago and a man in AMBU wear was standing outside the doors, arms folded. He bit his lip and bowed his head, trying to hide his "raccoon" eyes.

The man had a stern face on, however, the look changed to worry as he uncrossed his arms while he walked closer. "Moon-hime, what happened to you?" Hiroki asked in an almost demanding voice.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Otou-san, but I met a Little Coon on the way. We ran into each other, and I guess I hurt my ankle." Sarrina admitted, moving her leg to show the swollen ankle.

Hiroki frowned deeply, but turned to the boy, "Thank you for helping my daughter, uh, Little Coon. If you want you can take her inside, or I can."

Gaara kept his eyes hidden; thinking that if the girl's father saw his face he would take her away from him. He really didn't want that. However, he didn't want to let her go just yet, so he smiled a little, "I'll take her inside, just lead the way," he said trying his best to be cheerful and not let his fear of being shoved away show.

Hiroki raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as he led the red haired boy to the room he and Sarrina shared. Sarrina innocently nuzzled the back of her Little Coon's neck. All her life she believed that form of affection to be common since she saw her mother and father do that each other as much as they did it to her and her siblings.

"If you would put her on the small bed so I can take care of her ankle." Hiroki said, taking out a medical kit from his baggage.

Gaara did as what he was told and smiled at Sarrina while his back was turned away from her father, "I'll see you soon," he told her and kissed her nose before leaving her to her father to take care of. He thought about her all that night, and with his hope renewed, he tried playing with some kids…

"So, who was that boy?" Hiroki asked as he wrapped Sarrina's ankle after performing a healing jutsu on it.

"I don't know his name, but he's like me." Sarrina giggled as her father tucked her in for the night.

"Oh? How so?" the white haired ninja asked with a small frown.

Sarrina yawned as she started to drift. "Like…me…" her words slurred and finally she fell asleep.

Kerica heard from a very happy Kei that his sister was back from her trip. She giggled with him when he told of how seasick she was when she got back the night before, even though it was her second one. During the week he had been away, Kimi had given her a black flute with silver designs all over it. While playing random tunes on it as she travelled the streets, she had also found a black and orange kitten injured and broken. After healing the poor creature up, he was inseparable from her side. She decided to name him Kuro.

Kerica giggled and watched Kei work on some of his trinkets he was making for Sarrina, "What are you making this time, Kei-kun?" she asked him as she petted Kuro. They were taking a break from training and he had pulled out a special metal and began carving with a small kunai for the big shapes and a needle for the little details.

Kei grinned at Kerica, showing her a partly finished necklace. "It's going to be a set of twin dragons when I get done with it. You see, Sarrina told me about a boy she met in Suna. So I thought it was time I made something for her to one day give to her true love. Do you want me to make you one?"

Kimi walked over to the two with a smile. "Otou-san sent me a message saying I get to go visit Konoha with him next week."

"Of course the girls always go with Otou-san on his missions. I don't mind, but still." Kei shrugged.

"Otou-san also said that you are coming too, don't be a cry baby." Kimi teased and her brother stuck his tongue out at her.

"Aww! How long will you two be gone?" Keri asked and then looked at Kei, "Yeah, I'd like a necklace, too," she agreed, "Give it to Sarrina though to give to me, so when I meet her I'll definitely know," she grinned.

"No longer than a week tops. Sarrina doesn't want to go though; she says that she doesn't want to get sick again," Kimi said in a sympathetic tone.

"Alright! I'll make it right away!" Kei grinned. "But first I believe it's time for lunch! Correct Kimi-chan?"

"For you? Not. For Kerica, of course." Kimi grinned as she walked back towards the kitchen.

"Hey! Not fair Kimi!" Kei yelled after her with a pout.

Kerica laughed and jumped up, "Come on, Kei-kun, I'm sure she was just kidding," she grinned as his stomach growled. She took his hand and with Kuro lounging in her other arm, she dragged him to the kitchen and sat him down, "What you gonna make for lunch, Kimi-Oneesan (Big Sister Kimi)?" she asked happily, "Oh, and when will you and Kei-kun leave?"

"I was thinking about instant ramen with some chips on the side," Kimi giggled, ruffling Kerica's hair, "We'll be leaving next week."

"Kimi-chan, have I told you how beautiful you look today? Oh and how the light just makes your hair shine!" Kei praised.

"Yes, Kei, I'll fix your food, too. Now stop being a kiss-up, it's not the Uchiha way." Kimi teased.

"Of course you'd know. After all, you have a thing for a certain Uchiha," Kei smirked.

"T-t-that's not true! I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Kimi protested.

Kerica giggled and petted Kuro as she looked up at Kimi, "You have someone you like?" she asked, "Someone you can go home to?" She grinned at their confused faces, "A place where someone thinks of you is the place you can return to."

"H-hai, his name is Sasuke…but don't tell anyone, please." Kimi admitted.

"Ha! I knew it!" Kei exclaimed.

"Do you want your food?"

"……Yes…"

"Then drop the subject."

"…Hai……So Kerica how's Kuro?" Kei asked as Kimi turned to start cooking.

Kerica looked down at the purring machine curled up into a little orange and black fuzzy ball. "His leg is still a bit wobbly and gives out on him now and again, but Otou-san's and Kimi's healing helped out a lot, so he's recovering fast." She grinned up at him, "I would like to start sending Kuro back and forth with you," she said brightly, "I'll put little messages I only want Sarrina to read in his collar, and you tell her to do the same! It'll be our own little game to play."

"You're sure set on being in contact with my little sis, aren't you! Alright, in fact she has two wolf pups that just opened their eyes yesterday, so maybe soon they can bring you messages to you as well." Kei chuckled and went back to work on Sarrina's necklaces.

"Sarrina's curious about you, too, Kerica-chan, she just hasn't thought up how to be in contact with you." Kimi added, watching the ramen boil before pouring it out into five bowls. "I made some for Kuro too. I'll be right back. I'm going to take this other one to your father."

"'Kay!" Keri watched Kimi leave and then looked back at Kei, "I didn't know she had wolf pups! Pretty cool Kuro and them can grow up together like Sarrina-chan and I will!" she cheered, "Hey, Kei-kun, do you have someone to return home to?" she asked curiously and hopped off the chair to grab some paper and a pencil, and then sat back down, all without dropping Kuro who didn't stop purring in his deep sleep. She began writing different things in it, but didn't allow Kei to see.

Kei picked on Kerica by looking over her shoulder, 'trying' to see what she wrote. "Well, not yet, but someday!"

"I already feel sorry for whoever it is." Kimi said as she reentered the kitchen. She walked to the cabinets to get the chips. Once she obtained the said items, Kimi walked over to the table. She placed the chips down before retrieving the bowels of ramen. "Eat up!"

Keri put the pad upside down and closer to Kimi, teasing Kei, "Arigato for lunch, Kimi-Oneesan!" she said and then woke Kuro up so he could eat, setting him on the floor where his bowl was. She giggled and then began eating herself, "Great, as always!" she praised.

"Arigato," Kimi blushed a little and then started nibbling at some chips, thinking about Sasuke and seeing him again soon.