The man glared as he scanned Gaara from head to toe, seemingly sizing him up.
"Great; another person who thinks I'm a monster." Gaara sighed and braced himself for the inevitable hatred routine. This varied from person to person but he wasn't expecting any form of kindness. "Hopefully he'll just walk aw-"
"It's good to make your acquaintance, kid!" the man vigorously shook Gaara's hand (causing Gaara to bend over due to the height difference) and chortled at his surprise.
"Y-you're not afraid of me?" Gaara stuttered as the man frowned in confusion.
"Afraid? Why would I be afraid of you? You helped me even though I didn't offer anything in return. As far as I'm concerned you're a saint, son!" The man grinned and slapped Gaara on the back.
"Thank you." Gaara tried his best to smile at the man's kindness as he straightened his spine and glanced at the village's stores and living accommodations.
"By the way: the name's Ririshī," The man pointed towards the village, "I live here, but why are you here? I mean, you don't exactly blend in kid!"
"Well, I guess one could say that I'm one a vacation of sorts." The war was over and he had left his two older siblings, Temari and Kankuro, in charge while he was away. "They're more than capable of making sure the village doesn't burn to the ground but I'm still worried that if I stay too long the people will begin to freak out."
Ririshī waved his short, stubby fingers in front of Gaara's face, "Earth to kid!"
Gaara snapped out of his daze and was pushed off of his thought-train, "He's kind of impatient."
"Well?"
"Oh. I guess you could say I'm on vacation."
"Why here, though? I mean it's nice but-" he stopped and stared straight ahead as if possessed by an epiphany, "You here for a girl?" Ririshī smirked and raised his eyebrows.
Gaara's face radiated with embarrassment and denial. "Why would he assume that?"
"N-no sir! I have no romantic intentions while I'm here."
Ririshī laughed, "I'm just yanking your chain, kid!" when he had calmed down he continued his interview of Gaara, "So: where are you staying, Gaara?"
"Oh, that's right. I need a place a stay. Why wasn't I more prepared for this?" He internally face- palmed himself and frantically thought of options for temporary housing.
"You don't have a place to stay, do you?" Ririshī smirked at Gaara.
"No." Gaara said matter-of-factly.
"Well, I have a spare bedroom…" he then pointed at Gaara, "But you'll have to pay rent!"
Gaara reached into his pockets and pulled the linings out. "I forgot my wallet too?"
"You said you're from the Sand Village?" Ririshī inquired as Gaara silently nodded, "That's a long way to travel just to grab your piggy bank. It might just be a better idea to find a job here, son."
Gaara nodded once again. Although…"Where would I work?"
"I know just the job for you!"