Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

Chapter 6

Three months later, Minoko and Gaara found themselves sitting in the shade of a large boulder at a small training ground near the Academy. Minoko was bouncing in place while Gaara just watched her with a small smile. They were waiting for Yashamaru-sensei to show up to begin their training, but Minoko just wanted to start already.

The past few months had been grueling. She would get up at 6am, meet at the training ground by 6:30, then do exercises to build stamina until about noon. After that she and Gaara would take a break for lunch. An hour later, they would be back at the training ground to work on katas and light sparring until nightfall. They would get Sundays off, but even then Gaara would go over to Minoko's house and bring books that he was able to sneak out. They would read and study anything they could get their hands on. Minoko made sure that she kept a couple dictionaries in her room so that they could look up the bigger words.

By the end of the second month, Yashamaru was going to help Minoko unlock her chakra, but was surprised to find that she had already done it herself. She didn't mention that it was because of her kekkei genkai and just shrugged and said it was because she read about it and wanted to try.

He was impressed and started teaching her and Gaara simple E ranked jutsu that were taught at the Academy. They both knew the theory behind them because Gaara had smuggled his older sister's textbooks to Minoko's house when she wasn't using them. Minoko found that she was able to perform each jutsu relatively quickly while Gaara always seemed to have trouble getting them right. Yashamaru-sensei just said it was because she had better chakra control and that Gaara had more chakra then he could handle well at this age. He gave Gaara a significant look and said that he would just need to practice. Gaara nodded and put his hand on his stomach subconsciously, so she figured that he was referring to the demon.

She completed those jutsu a week ago, and sensei promised her that today she would find out what her affinity was and start training her to use D rank elemental jutsu. Hence why she was currently found bouncing in place, waiting impatiently for him to arrive.

Gaara looked at her and noted the changes that he found. While she still had a rounded face, some of the baby-fat had smoothed out along her arms and legs. She now wore her long hair in a braid that wrapped around her head so that it wouldn't get in the way or stick in the sweat that accumulated on her neck and face. Her outfit consisted of a loose, long-sleeved crimson shirt that matched her eyes, black pants that were made out of a breathable material, and closed black boots that were sturdy and kept sand out from between her toes.

As he finished his general observation, he jumped a bit when Minoko suddenly shot up and started waving a greeting to his uncle that just came into view. Her waving became less enthusiastic and eventually slowed to a stop when she noticed the expression on her sensei's face. Gaara got up to stand next to her, a bad feeling starting to stir in his tummy.

Yashamaru didn't say anything at first and just looked at the two of them with a serious air and worry hidden in his eyes. The children were silent, waiting to see what happened.

Yashamaru took a deep breath before letting out a resigned sigh, "Minoko, the Kazekage wants to have a word with you."

While Minoko just looked curious, Gaara's bad feeling sank like a rock in the pit of his stomach. He felt nauseous from the single sentence and instinctively took a protective step in front of the girl. His uncle spared him a glance and tried to smile, but it turned to look more like a grimace, "He said you could come if you want, Gaara."

"She won't go alone," was his only reply as he stared at his uncle.

Minoko looked between them and started to feel her nerves creep up. She was actually going to meet the leader of the village.

…

Minoko tried not to fidget too much as she stood in the oppressive room with the most powerful man in the village. Yashamaru was told to wait outside, so he was standing by the door to wait for them while Gaara stood a bit in front of her. She internally smiled at his protective nature.

The Kazekage stood from his seat behind his desk and walked around to stand in front of the children, his hands clasped behind his back, "I've heard some interesting things about you, Kai Minoko," he stated in a deep timber.

"Sir?" she asked meekly, not really sure where this was going.

"It seems as though you have completed an impressive amount of work these last few months. From the reports that I've received, you have completed the bunshin, kawarimi, and henge."

"Yes, Kazekage-sama. Yashamaru-sensei was going to test my elemental affinity today, too."

The man just nodded and glanced at Gaara, noting the boy's clenched jaw and fisted hands, "I see. I will be blunt. I want you to be a shinobi of Suna. If you refuse, you will stop training immediately."

Minoko froze. Stop training? If she couldn't train, then she wouldn't get strong enough to protect Gaara!

The boy in question grit his teeth, "She is four. Why should she be a shinobi already? She should go to the academy with me first," he said with a growl-edged voice.

The Kazekage looked down at the boy in a dismissive manner, "She has the necessary qualifications and going to the academy would be redundant. On that note, you, too, could be a shinobi. It is about time you proved your usefulness anyway."

Gaara was shaking slightly, out of fear or anger, Minoko didn't know, but she took a small step forward which bought the attention back to herself, "If I'm a shinobi, will Yashamaru-sensei still teach Gaara and me together?"

Gaara turned to her with wide eyes, "What are you saying? You wanted to be a baker or something, not a-"

"Of course. Yashamaru would be free to teach you," the Kazekage stated, ignoring the fact that he cut off the protesting child.

Minoko took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and looked to her leader. If it means that I can protect those around me, I'll do anything, she thought.

"I will become a Suna shinobi," she said, sending an apologetic glance to her friend.

Gaara looked at her in disbelief for a few seconds before sighing lightly, "I will join her."

The Kazekage didn't so much as glance at the red head, and instead stared right at the young girl, "Very well. I am curious to know how you seem to comprehend so much material while you've been training though," he said as he turned to go back to his desk, "Most children your age would have trouble with the concepts of the jutsu, while you excel within days." He pulled out some paperwork and read it over as he waited for a response.

Minoko hesitated a moment. He was her leader, right? She should tell him, right?

"Well, I like to read. And I kinda have dream bubbles that help-"

Gaara quickly grabbed her hand and squeezed hard to stop her from saying more. Minoko looked at him and saw that look on his face and closed her mouth.

The Kazekage, either not noticing or simply not caring enough to comment on the sudden end to her statement, nodded and said, "Of course, imagination can be an advantage for those in this field. Just be sure that you aren't distracted by it when the time comes for you to take on missions."

"Yes, Kazekage-sama," she said in a quiet voice.

The Kazekage finished signing off the last paper and reached into his desk. He pulled out two forehead protectors and handed them to the children, "Tie these to your persons and see to it that you do not bring shame to this symbol. You are now shinobi under my command, not simply children. You will start tomorrow. Send Yashamaru in when you leave. Dismissed."

The children both bowed and hurried to exit. Yashamaru smiled down at them a bit hesitantly and ducked into the office when they gave him the message.

Once the door closed, Minoko found her wrist caught in the firm grip of her best friend as he dragged her down the stairs and out of the building. She had opened her mouth to ask him what was going on, but snapped it shut when he turned to glare at her. She has never seen him glare before. He had never been angry at her before. She felt dread pool in her stomach. Did she do something wrong?

Gaara finally released her sore wrist when they arrived at their usual training field. She held it close to her chest and watched as he paced back and forth, grabbing a handful of his own hair every once in a while out of frustration. He finally turned to her, an unreadable look in his eyes. She was slightly caught off guard by the golden tint to them and was about to comment when he spoke again, "What were you thinking?" he asked in a gravely, disbelieving tone.

"What-?"

"He's not a good man!" Gaara shouted, throwing his hands in the air, "He doesn't care about anyone. He'll just use you and hurt you!" Tears started forming in his eyes and his voice got softer, "You wanted to be a baker, or a painter, or something. Why did you say you'd be a shinobi? You can't ever quit."

Minoko shrank back a bit, her lip trembling, "I wanted to be strong to protect you. If I can't train, I can't be strong. I don't mind…I could still bake or paint at home."

Gaara turned to pace back and forth for a few more minutes before he sighed, sounding much too old for his years again. He rubbed his head and looked at her. She was relieved to see that his eyes their normal, pretty teal color again. He rubbed his forehead again, "Ok. Ok. So how are you going to tell your parents?"

Minoko paled at the thought, "Kami, they're going to kill me," she whispered.

Gaara shook his head in reluctant amusement and took her hand, more gently this time, "I'll walk you home. I'll stay with you when you tell them."

Minoko looked up from her thoughts of the horrible punishments that awaited her; no sweets, no books or games, no sweets, no playing with Gaara…no sweets.

She shook her head at the familiar statement and pulled him to a stop. When he turned to her with a questioning look, she smiled. Minoko took his hands and put them around her waist while her arms wrapped around his neck, "You're my best friend, I love you bunches and bunches, and we'll be together forever!"

Gaara let out a puff of air and rolled his eyes, "I thought this was how you say goodbye. I'm not leaving yet," he said while he gently squeezed her back.

Minoko giggled as she pulled away slightly to look at him, "It's also a way to say thank you. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't with me."

Gaara smiled tenderly at her back as she let go of his neck and began to drag him back to her place. I don't know what I'd do without you either.

A/N: Genin at age 4. Unheard of? Yes. Plausible? They're ninja and this is fanfiction, so yes. Suspicious? Probably. :D

Please review and let me know what you think will happen! Shout-out to YummyGummies-UwUfor leaving the first review for this story! Thank you!