Chapter 4

A.N. Kishimoto owns all except my characters-Kiminari, and Kimiko, and later characters. Also I'm probably not going to follow any of the story line except a few small things. I may take the characters outside their natural personalities, but that's because it's my story, and it'll add to it.

Gaara's P.O.V.

After I had sent one of the estate's chunin helpers to give Anaki my letter to the hokage, I went downstairs to look at today's mail. I never really got much at home, because it usually went straight to my office. However, today I had a rather large bundle with a couple letters attached. As I looked at them I noticed that only one was addressed to me; the others were addressed to Kimiko, and they were from her mother. As Kimiko had never received anything from her mother, I asked Kankuro, who was just lying on the sofa, to call her down to get them.

"Kimiko! Could you come down for a minute?" …Not exactly what I meant.

Kimiko's P.O.V.

"Kimiko! Could you come down for a minute?" I heard Kankuro yell. Wow, he was being really lazy today.

As I ran down the stairs I saw Gaara standing in the living room holding a large package with a letter attached.

"This is for you." He said with a small smile. "It's from your mother."

From my mother? I've never gotten anything from her. I thought as I unrapped the package. It was a bundle of clothes some that were smaller-almost small enough for me- and some that were much bigger. Altogether there were eight shirts with enough pairs of pants for each. As I looked at them trying to figure out why they looked so strange, I realized that it was because they weren't normal civilian clothes; they were ninja's clothes. I was still pondering the oddity of my mother sending me these clothes when I remembered the letter. I picked it up and opened it. It read:

My dear Kimiko,

I know I've never written to you before, but it was because I knew you would have so many questions to ask that I wouldn't be able to answer. Now, however, I am going to tell you everything, because, if this letter is ever sent to you, it is because I died before the war was over, before I could tell you myself.

You were born to your father and me in a time where war was everywhere within and around our village. When Uzushiogakure was still in existence, I met your father in a small settlement not far from the village. I was heading back from mission when I saw him sparing with what appeared to be a relative. I was tired from traveling all day, so I decided to watch from a distance for a while. As they continued, I realized how easy they were going on each other. They weren't even practicing, they were playing around!

They had been at it for almost two hours when the other one started laughing and said, "Hey brother, I think you have an admirer." I hadn't realized how close I'd gotten until he said that. I then realized that I had also been favoring your father; although the other was very good, your father, I could tell, was less tired than he. I almost ran from embarrassment, but something in the way that he looked at me said that he had enjoyed hearing that someone was amazed with his talent at fighting.

Well, I think you can guess what happened next. We fell head over heals for each other. He admired the fact that I was not afraid of him, or really anything, and he loved that I could be as stubborn as he. (I really hope you didn't inherit our stubbornness, but even more, I hope you didn't inherit his arrogance.) I loved how strong and wise he was and he always said that I was the only one other than his mother who could make him show his soft side.

Later, when the settlement outside the village was destroyed an organization called the Akatsuki, I returned to the village. I didn't want you in anymore danger, so I had you sent away. I also had to lie to the Uzokage; I told him that your father was just an average civilian who lived in the settlement. I wish with all my heart I could tell you who your father really is, but I fear that would put you in more danger than you would be had you stayed here. Just know that everyone does bad things and makes mistakes, but that doesn't make them a bad person; bad people are people who do bad things or make mistakes, then leave them unresolved. Always keep in mind that any bad mistakes your father and I have made have either been to protect you-by sending you away-or protect our friends, and that none of those mistakes can be placed on your shoulders; they are our faults, and ours alone.

I have placed in this package several sets of ninja attire in hopes that you will one day use them-if they still fit. My original request was that you not be trained to become a ninja, so that you would not meet an early death, and so you had less of a chance to ever find out about your family and its past, but now I've decided I was wrong. I want you to make your own choices-try to make them good ones-and to live life to its fullest. I am sure that the Kazekage, whoever they might be, will understand and help you find your way. I wish you all the best of luck a mother can wish for, and I'll pray for you until my last breath.

As much love as I can give,

Mom(Kiminari)

As I finished her letter I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to look weak in front of everyone; I hadn't given in to crying so easily, aside from earlier today, since the older kids at the orphanage had teased me about it so much when I was three. I looked up when I heard Gaara sit down, with a heavy thud, in a nearby chair. His expression was a little saddened, and I wondered what was wrong. Then he looked up to me and said,"Kimiko, tonight we are to get the rest of your belongings from the orphanage. You will stay here until Kakashi Hatake arrives, then we shall see if you will be going with him, or staying here."

I knew something was wrong, but I wanted to know what, so I asked him, "What's wrong? Why do I have to leave the orphanage?"