The children ran through the village as fast as their feet could carry them. Their shrieks and screams of joy and contentment brought a sense of peace to the villagers and shinobi who watched the children play. The summer sun was high in the sky, blessing the village with wonderful warmth and pleasant weather. Birds chirped from the trees they were perched on, and leaves danced on an invisible breeze.

A young Kunoichi stood amongst the other villagers watching the children play in the village, safe and unaware of the dangers of the world. A small smile graced her lips as her memories drifted to a faraway time. To a place ruled by snow and ice, a village she once called home. But now, only skeletons and unfulfilled dreams remained.

She was once a child like that. Innocent and naive to the cruelty of the world. Now, even though she was only twelve, she has seen sights no one should ever have to see. Had to witness the death of everyone she ever held dear to her heart. She had to feel the pain of starting her entire life over in an unfamiliar village with unfamiliar people. But now, she couldn't imagine calling anywhere else home.

In the Leaf Village.

She glanced in the childrens direction one more time, feeling a small ping of envy of their youth, their innocence. She wished she could have stayed naive like that forever. But, even as she thought that she knew it wasn't completely true.

Her green eyes shifted up to the Hokage's Mountain where the faces of all the previous Hokages were carved into the mountainside, staring down at the village and her people. Almost like the mountain was a sentinel protecting the people like the Hokages that were carved into the mountain has done for many generations. A sense of peace washed through Hisako as she took in the faces of the four Hokages that had gained that title.

If the Glacier Village hadn't been destroyed, then, she would have never found her way here. She would never have met the people that she did meet. Never gone on the adventures that she's gone on. She didn't know where her life would have taken her had the Glacier Village not been destroyed, but, for what it was worth, she was glad life has brought her here.

She turned her back to the Hokages Mountain strolling through the village streets quietly. Her gaze shifted from stand to stand admiring the food, or goods that each stand was selling. She suddenly stopped in front of a stand selling small nick knacks and tilted her head to the side as she stared into the ruby eyes of a wooden cat perched on its back legs.

"Would you like to buy something, ma'am? The cat is said to bring good luck," the shop owner asked, picking up the statue of the cat and holding it out for Hisako to take.

Hisako let out a nervous giggle, shaking her head no, "I'm sorry, I was just observing. But, this did remind me of something, so thank you," she replied, trying to keep her tone as polite and casual as she could.

"Remind you of something? Oh! I'm sure whatever it is, this mantis carving will be great!"

Hisako let out a small laugh again, covering her mouth with one hand, "I don't think Neji would like a carved mantis for his birthday," Hisako muttered waving to the shopkeeper, "I'm going to shop around, but perhaps I'll come back,"

She didn't give the stand owner time to reply before she walked away. She had a feeling if she didn't walk away, he would try to sell her on one of his wooden carvings all day.

"I can't believe I almost forgot. July third is Neji's birthday," Hisako grumbled to herself, placing her hands behind her back and clasping her hands together, her gaze lifted to the sky, "I know the Chuunin Exams are coming up, and that we'll probably be in the middle of a test during his birthday, but I should at least get him something,"

She let out a slow sigh, mulling over the revelation she just had. Neji's birthday. And she had to find a present for him that he would enjoy and not find completely useless and discard it the moment he could. Neji has always been a minimalist. So typically, Hisako would get him practical things like kunai knives and other ninja gear. But, this year, she wanted it to be different. She wanted it to be a good luck charm for good luck in the Chuunin Exams. She wanted her present to be unique and special. Like the feelings she had for him.

She wasn't sure where she was even walking, her attention suddenly snapped forward as she heard Naruto and some kids screaming. She froze in the middle of the alleyway, her green eyes widening in surprise as a gust of wind picked up her long brown hair. A kid, who she recognized as Konohamaru, was being held by the scruff of his shirt against his will by a shinobi with a headband with a symbol on it that looked almost like an hourglass.

He was a Sand Village shinobi.

Hisako pursed her lips together as she observed the scene, her hands forming fists at her sides.

"Let Konohamaru go!" Naruto was demanding the brown haired Sand Village shinobi.

"Nah, I wanna see what you pathetic Leaf Village Genin can do. This kid seems pretty weak," the boy was saying, his voice nonchalant.

"Kankuro just put him down. Do you want Gaara to find out?" a blonde haired girl from the same village told Kankuro.

Hisako, however, heard more than enough.

Concentrating her chakra into her feet, she ran past everyone in the alleyway quicker than they could react. She brought one arm down on Kankuro's arm, forcing him to release Konohamaru and with the other hand, she grabbed Konohamaru's shirt and flung him back in Naruto's direction. Naruto thankfully caught Konohamaru. Hisako released Kankuro's arm and jumped back a step to give herself distance between herself and this Sand Village Genin who dared to attack one of the Leaf's academy students.

"Who the Hell do you think you are to assault an academy student in the Leaf Village? I assume you are here to participate in the Chuunin Exams. It would be wise not to bully those weaker than you. If you truly want to test the strength of the Leaf Village Genin, then I will gladly be your opponent," Hisako shouted, her voice sounding resolute and firm and she was grateful for the strength that she was able to show even though she really didn't want to fight someone who was supposed to be their ally.

"Gladly," Kankuro replied, a smirk spreading across his face.

Hisako took in a steadying breath as Kankuro sunk down into a fighting stance. She saw his hand untie a white ribbon that was holding a large object to his back and her muscles tensed. This guy was serious. She wasn't sure what he was hiding in there, but whatever it was, she would have to fight it.

The moment before a fight was about to break out, however, a small rock came flying out of nowhere and hit Kankuro on his hand when he was about to unravel the object on his back. He shrieked from pain and surprise, a small speck of blood on his hand from the rock. But, this had successfully broken the tension as all of their attention went to the tree where the rock had flown in from.

"Sasuke!" Sakura yelled from behind Hisako.

Hisako heard Sakura clasp her hands together, and she could already imagine the dreamy look in her friend's pale green eyes even if she didn't turn around to see. Hisako let out a small sigh of relief too and straightened herself up.

"I wouldn't go down that route if I were you," Sasuke warned Kankuro, his voice so quiet and threatening it sent shivers through Hisako, another rock was in Sasuke's hand as he mindlessly threw it up in the air.

Kankuro took a step forward, towards Sasuke but before he could respond, a cloud of sand suddenly grouped together in the branch next to Sasuke. Hisako, along with the rest of the Genin stared in awe as the sand took form into a young boy with bright red hair, pale blue eyes and a red written symbol of love on his forehead.

Hisako couldn't hold back a gasp in surprise.

Of course! I should have recognized that name. The girl said Gaara earlier. It's been forever since I've seen him! Hisako thought to herself as she slowly began to recognize the face of someone she had met many, many years ago.

It was right after the Glacier Village was destroyed. Some Sand Village shinobi had found her on a river bed, unconscious and injured. But, alive. They had transported her to the Sand Village and she had just been released from their hospital.

Hisako was about to drop her head into her arms to continue sinking down into her grief when she noticed something. A boy, he was completely alone like her. His pale blue eyes were heavy with sadness, and loneliness and he had dark bags around his eyes like he hasn't slept in days. His bright red hair contrasted against the browns and tans of the Sand Village as the wind rustled his hair. He held a stuffed bear in one hand as he stood staring at where the children had run off to.

Hisako recognized the sadness, the grief that she saw in his gaze. She was beginning to recognize that type of loneliness all too well. She never considered herself to be lonely, in fact, once upon a time, she may have never even noticed that boy herself. But, her life was different now. She was alone. Completely alone. And she saw that sort of pain reflected in his gaze.

She had spent a few days hanging out with Gaara until Itachi Uchiha had come to escort her personally to the Leaf Village. But, it was so good to see a familiar face. Especially someone who knew her so shortly after the Glacier Village was destroyed.

"Kankuro, you shouldn't be causing trouble," Gaara scolded, his voice cold and dead as he turned his pale eyes to Sasuke, "I'm sorry for any trouble he caused you,"

"Oh, hey Gaara!" Kankuro replied, his voice immediately shaky and he sounded almost intimidated, "You know, I just wanted to test out the strength of these Genin, see how strong they are and-"

Gara didn't even have to say anything. He turned a very sharp, almost deadly stare in Kankuro's direction and Kankuro immediately silenced himself. Yes. Kankuro was definitely afraid of Gaara.

"You cause a scene again, and I'll kill you," Gaara told Kankuro in such a dead voice that it made Hisako shutter in intimidation herself.

Even though she wasn't on the receiving end of Gaara's threat, she could feel the blood lust from here. Could sense the true evil intent that seeped out of Gaara. She didn't understand it. She knew it's been years since she's seen Gaara last, and granted, he was a weird kid back then, but he wasn't mean. He wasn't dark or what she was seeing now to be terrifying. She wasn't sure what had happened between now and then to have caused such a drastic shift in Gaara.

"We're sorry Gaara! But, isn't that a little harsh to tell your brother?" the blonde haired girl with four spiky buns and a giant fan strapped to her back was telling Gaara, raising her hands innocently as she gave him a nervous smile.

Hisako's eyes widened. Okay. Gaara's darkness was worse than she thought. He was willing to threaten to kill his own brother?

Gaara jumped down from the tree, landing in the middle of the two, "I'll kill you too," Gaara told the blonde haired girl.

Both the blonde haired girl and Kankuro were physically shaken up by how Gaara spoke to them, and Hisako noticed the sweat that beaded down their forehead as they both followed Gaara away from the group. Hisako calmed the pounding in her heart to take a few running steps forward. If she were being honest with herself, she didn't even know what she was doing, and looking back, it was probably reckless.

"Gaara!" she called out, Gaara hesitated, but he didn't look at her, "I know you probably don't remember me, but, I'm glad to see you here. I look forward to participating in the Chuunin Exams together,"

Gaara didn't even respond to her. He just continued to walk away with the other Sand Village Shinobi. Hisako couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment that he wouldn't even acknowledge her. Did he not remember her? Her shoulders slumped forward but she didn't have much time to ponder the behavior she had just witnessed from Gaara before Sakura spoke up, bringing Hisako back to the present again.

"Wait, Hisako! You didn't even ask to see their passports," Sakura complained, running up to Hisako.

Hisako turned to give Sakura a small smile, clasping her hands behind her back once again, "I didn't need to. They already have their passports, they're here for the Chuunin Exams,"

"The Chuunin what now?" Naruto asked, squinting his bright blue eyes at Hisako.

Hisako let out a sigh, "The Chuunin Exams are exams that take place every six months for Genin to prove that they're ready to be promoted to Chuunin. It's the time of the year for the exams to take place. This time, the Leaf Village is hosting it. Every six months, the location changes to promote peace among the villages and to maybe encourage culture swaps and new friendships to be born," Hisako explained giving Naruto a gentle smile.

"Oh," Naruto exclaimed, slamming one fisted hand into his other open palm, "So does that mean we get to do the exams too? I'll beat it and become Chuunin! Believe it! And then it's Hokage!"

Hisako laughed, "That is really up to your sensei, so I'd ask Kakashi Sensei," Hisako explained.

"Knowing Kakashi Sensei, there's a good chance we'll participate," Sasuke replied, shrugging, "there's no doubt I'll go on to be Chuunin, but a loser like you, Naruto?"

Naruto's face got red with anger from Sasuke's comment and Hisako let out a controlled sigh. It was always difficult to watch how Sasuke treated his teammates. Especially since she knew him before the disaster that changed him forever. Once upon a time, Sasuke was a kind hearted gentle boy. Now, however, he has been forever changed. And Hisako wasn't sure if she liked the change.

"Well, I need to go, I have some shopping to do," Hisako told the group, waving goodbye.

"Hey! Hisako!" Konohamaru yelled, waving at Hisako.

Hisako stopped and looked over her shoulder at the young academy student, "yes, Konohamaru?"

"Thanks, you know, for saving me," he mumbled under his breath, "and, one more thing, how do you know who I am?"

Hisako has watched Konohamaru for some time. He was a boy who liked to cause trouble and wanted to be seen not for who he was related to, but for who he was as an individual. Because of that, it drove him to act out to grab attention to himself. Whether good or bad. Hisako has seen Konohamaru escorted into the Hokage's office more than one time so his grandfather, AKA the Hokage, could scold him.

Hisako gave Konohamaru a small smile and walked over, placing her hand on his head, "Well, I know you because you're the Hokage's precious grandson," she saw Konohamaru's face drop in disappointment and Hisako added, "I also know that you're Naruto's friend, you work on the newspaper at the academy, and you have two great friends who always stand by your side. I may know you from your family, but, the reputation you built for yourself has identified you as your own person. Keep up the good work, Konohamaru. And try not to cause too much trouble at the academy,"

Konohamaru perked up with Hisako's words and looked up, giving her a large smile, "Sure thing! Thanks again,"

As Hisako was leaving, Sakura broke off from the group to follow Hisako.

"Hey! You said you were going shopping, what for?" Sakura asked as they walked side by side through the busy streets of the Leaf Village.

"Oh! That," Hisako replied letting a small smile grace her lips, "Neji's birthday is coming up,"

Sakura clapped her hands together, a giant smile on her face, "Oh! Are you going to be getting him something different this year? You've always just gotten him boring stuff like weapons,"

"Yes I am," Hisako replied, "I'm just not sure what yet though," her tone became a little uncertain, and her gaze dropped in contemplation.

"What about matching key chains?" Sakura offered.

Hisako let out a loud laugh, "No way! He'd throw that away immediately. He doesn't have any need for something that cheesy," she retorted.

"Hm, how do you shop for a minimalistic man that you love?" Sakura mused, placing a finger on her chin.

"Now that's the question of the century," Hisako replied frowning, "I could get him socks?"

Now it was Sakura's turn to laugh at the idiocy of Hisako's suggestion, "Socks? Seriously? There is no way I'm letting you buy the man you love socks," her tone was absolute.

Hisako laughed, "Okay, you're right. Socks are a bad idea,"

"Why are you two talking about socks?"

Sakura and Hisako turned to Ino who was trimming some flowers at her family's flower shop with her apron on.

"Nothing," Sakura immediately replied, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away from her long time rival.

Hisako rolled her eyes, "We're just talking about what I'm going to get a friend for his birthday,"

"Oh, a present. Yeah, socks are a bad idea," Ino replied, "Look at that. I can actually agree with Billboard Brow on something," Ino said that as an afterthought, but a small gust of wind picked up and Sakura was in front of Ino a moment later.

Lightning flashed between them as they both intently stared at each other.

"What was that Ino Pig?" Sakura demanded pushing herself closer to Ino.

Ino pushed back, "What? Are you just self conscious of your oversized forehead?" Ino shouted back.

Hisako let out a loud groan. She wasn't sure why she was going to do this. The logical part of her brain told her she needed to stay out of it, but, she really didn't have the time to spare watching these two fight it out.

"C'mon, please you guys! I only have so much time to find a present!" Hisako yelled, raising her hands up innocently as she approached the two bickering girls.

Both girls stopped and turned their undiluted rage onto Hisako. Hisako has fought crazy shadow demon people who can enter people's bodies and control them, psychotic men wielding weapons that can grant them the ability to use all chakra natures, and yet, Ino and Sakura somehow were more intimidating when they were fighting with each other. Hisako let out a nervous laugh and shrank back under their gaze.

Sakura was the first person to simmer down of the two, and Ino thankfully followed.

"You're right. We still have no idea what to get him," Sakura replied sighing.

"You know, even guys like flowers," Ino said shrugging, "Why not get him some flowers?"

Sakura and Hisako shared a look of amusement and both began laughing hysterically. Their arms wrapped around their abdomens, and tears pricked their eyes. Ino stood watching the two in bewilderment as she tilted her head to the side.

"Alright, I wasn't invited to the inside joke here. It would be helpful if I knew who you were shopping for!" Ino shouted over the girl's laughter.

Sakura was the first to sober up from laughing and stepped forward, whispering what Hisako assumed to be who they were shopping for in Ino's ear. Ino's eyebrow twitched when she recognized the name and a moment later, she was on the floor holding her stomach as she laughed.

A blush formed on Hisako's cheeks and she diverted her gaze from Ino as she continued to laugh.

"N-Neji? You're wanting to find a present for Neji? He's probably the most difficult guy to shop for! Well, outside of Sasuke anyways," Ino finally said, standing up and wiping a tear from her eye, "You got me beat there. But, if I think of what to get him, I'll tell you,"

Hisako let out a long sigh, "Yeah. I had a feeling. I'm sure I'll find something,"

Ino still wasn't completely done laughing and giggled, "Good luck," before turning back to her flowers.

"C'mon, Hisako. Let's go find something," Sakura encouraged.

Hisako nodded and started following after Sakura. The two girls went from shop to shop searching for the perfect gift. They spent hours scouring the marketplace and Hisako almost gave up hope. Her posture was hunched over, her head dropped in defeat as her feet dragged behind her as she followed Sakura.

"I'm beginning to feel like this is impossible," Hisako grumbled to herself.

"Oh, c'mon! We'll find something. If we don't find something today, we'll find something tomorrow!" Sakura replied.

"Yeah, but it shouldn't be this difficult," Hisako retorted while standing up straighter, rolling out her shoulders.

She stopped right outside a jewelry store, her green eyes going to what items were on display in the window. She tilted her head to the side when she caught sight of an elegant looking compass. It was decorated with a light purple metal that was twisted into delicate vines and designs. And it was a compass that folded up. On the cover of the compass, looked like there was a spot to hold a picture.

"Or we can find something today," Hisako whispered.

"A… Compass?" Sakura asked, seeing what Hisako was looking at.

Hisako got a large smile on her face as she ran into the shop. The bell above the door chimed above her head and the store owner came rushing over. She was a younger girl, in her mid-twenties with her black hair framing her face in delicate curls, and her onyx eyes peered out from behind long bangs.

"Hello! What can I do for you?" the lady asked, a warm smile on her face.

Hisako returned the smile, motioning to the compass, "That compass there, I want to purchase it," Hisako told her.

"Oh! You have a really good eye. That compass was designed by a man who came from the Land of Iron. He used to specialize in forging weapons for shinobi, but in his retirement, he turned to creating other more delicate items. But, I've heard his work is top of the line," the lady replied, grabbing the compass from the display case, "I've heard his stuff never breaks or dulls!"

"I'm so glad to hear that!"

Sakura giggled from beside her friend, "It'll be perfect for him! Although, I'm not sure about the color,"

Hisako gave Sakura a small smile, "It reminds me of his eyes," she replied, her voice quiet.

"Oh, is this a gift for a dear friend of yours?" the lady asked as she was gently wrapping up the compass and putting it in a box, "you know, this compass has a friend,"

Sakura and Hisako shared a look in question as the lady went under the counter to pull out a compass with the same design, but this time it had a dark purple color to it.

"One light purple, one dark purple. Would you like the other one too? Maybe one for him and one for you?"

Hisako's smile grew, "I'll take both," she confirmed placing more than the necessary amount of money down on the counter.