Disclaimer: Do not own Naruto

Spoiler: None

Friend

She is down on all fours, beckoning silently towards the small creature. The bird pecks at some invisible specks on the ground, and hops further away. She inches forward slightly, following it. The girl tentatively, almost as if she's the frightened one, reaches out with a hand.

The avian creature looks up, startled. It cocks its feathered head, and eyes the crouching human with a critical eye. The child, with an unnatural persistence and patience, stays still.

With a disdainful flap of wings, the tiny sparrow flies away, taking the hope of a lonely girl with it.

--

It is nearing the ending of the Fifth Moon, and summer is never as evident as now. The air has a heavy, stifling feel, and clothes are clinging uncomfortably to sweaty skin.

The entire household's inhabitants are gathered in the cramped living quarters, taking advantage of the home-made air-cooling system while trying not to agitate the already frayed nerves of each other.

Kankuro is meticulously taking apart his puppets, cleaning and oiling the separate parts before putting them back together again. Neko sits nearby, curiously watching the older shinobi perform the task like a daily ritual. She pokes around, only to earn a light reprimand from Kankuro about not touching the delicate instruments.

Temari is fanning herself in the other room. The humid weather is making her listless, and even the ice-cold glass of water is not helping her defeat the heat. She is wearing a light summer yukata, like everyone else because any other attire would strangle the breath out of them.

Well… everyone except for Gaara.

He sits across from her, sipping quietly at the iced tea in his hand. He wears his usual outfit: full-sleeved robe with loose pants that reach all the way to his ankles. His outfit must be uncomfortably warm, yet he shows no visible discomfort.

His sand gourd sits like a looming sentinel nearby. She will never get used to the disturbing sensation of being near that instrument of death. The hairs on the nape of her neck always stand on its end whenever that thing is in close proximity.

"Hey Gaara, I hear from Bak-sensi that you're improving a lot. That's good to hear."

"…. Yeah."

From the way his head is angled, Temari can tell he is keeping one ear on the two in the adjacent room. His gaze is directed at the table leg, but the way his eyes are unfocused hints the older sibling of his inattentiveness.

"Do you like the tea I made?"

"… Yeah."

"Like the new thing I did with my hair?"

"… Yeah."

"Can I shave your head?"

Gaara's eyes slowly refocus, and he looks up at Temari, his brow creasing slightly in admonishment.

"Temari, just because my eyes are not directed at you does not mean I am not paying attention."

She chuckles lightly. It was worth a try.

"Well now that I have your full attention, I need to talk to you ab-" A loud explosion cuts her off mid-sentence. Both shinobis whip their head in the direction of the source.

The living room!

They dash out of their chairs. Black smoke meets them as they enter the room, enshrouding everything in thick fumes. Without hesitation, Temari takes out her giant fan and proceeds to clear the room.
Two black lumps with two pairs of eyes greet the two shinobis. From the cursing and agitated movement, Temari surmises the bigger, stockier one is Kankuro. The other form is none other than Neko. Both of them are completely covered in black soot, with the whites of their eyes blinking in comical contrast. The two look hilarious, one making exaggerated gestures of frustration, and the other one still recovering from the shock, blinking silently.

"… and this is why I don't let people near my puppets!" Kankuro bellows out.
Temari breathes a sigh of relief. At least none of them are hurt.

Her sharp ears pick up rough sounds behind her. She turns and looks at Gaara who is covering his mouth and making rasping, coarse noises. Like sandpaper grating into wood.

Is he coughing?

"Gaara are you-" The red head regains his composure instantaneously.

"I'm fine."

Temari cocks a quizzical eyebrow at him. However, she is soon distracted by a tiny black form throwing herself all over her. The blonde kunoichi cannot help but chuckle at Neko's bizarre appearance.

The silent girl quickly lifts a finger and scribbles black soot all over Temari's face.

"Hey! Stop that!" Her amused tone belies her reproof, and Temari finds herself laughing at the filthy twosome despite of herself.

Again, she hears the same rasping cough behind her. She glances around.

The smoke is all cleared away… Why is he…?

Temari scrutinizes Gaara. His hand is covering his mouth, but she still sees the upturned corners of the mouth, and the slight crinkle around his coal-rimmed eyes.

"Are you… laughing?" she whispers almost reverently.

Who would have thought that grating, hoarse sound is actually Gaara's laughter?

Kankuro realizes it immediately afterwards. He stops mid sentence and just stares. Utterly speechless.

Gaara never laughs. Never.

Once he notices the room is completely silent except for his own laughter, the youngest sibling stops. He clears his throat nonchalantly and surveys the room critically.

"I see there's no real cause for alarm here. I'll be in my room," he walks away briskly, ignoring the muffled chuckles from his older siblings.

"Did ya see that?"

"More like heard it!"

Neko looks back and forth between Temari and Kankuro, both of whom can barely contain themselves. They clasp their hands together and almost dance around.

The quiet girl sees this and smiles to herself wordlessly.

--

The stoic Jinchuriki meditates by himself on the rooftop. The incident a few weeks back remains in the back of his mind constantly. Neko's drastic transformation that night unnerves him. More than he's willing to admit. The chakra presence he felt was overwhelmingly powerful; a more than equal match to Shukaku's.

What did she mean by "the same side this time?" And what is this about betrayal and forgiveness? Now that I finally know what her source of power is, there seems to be less and less options available to me.

He can see that the girl can be a security issue now. If word gets out that there's another Jinchuriki in Suna, it will not be pretty. The Council will be in an uproar, arguing amongst themselves whether to quarantine her or to utilize her abilities. She can both be a powerful weapon, or a major liability. There is no question that he will have to keep tabs on her to prevent that from happening.

Trouble is, it will be hard to watch her all the time. Now that she is enrolled in the Academy, sooner or later, a difficult ordeal will prompt her to release her powers. Like a ticking time bomb, it is only a matter of time before everyone finds out. Just like that time when his siblings found out about her capable of deflecting his sand, what will Temari and Kankuro say when they find out she's also a demon-possessed child? Or maybe… they already have?

Gaara's brow furrows as he contemplates this new idea. Temari is no idiot. She wouldn't be so willing to let any random child stay with them. She is not the sentimental type. And there's always Kankuro, who is distrustful of everyone and conceals his face from others behind that ridiculous makeup. But the child being a Jinchuriki does not explain why his siblings would take her in. And get so close to her so effortlessly.

Is that why they took to her so easily? Because she shares my burden? Because she reminds them of me?

Gaara scoffs underneath his breath. If his siblings choose to lavish their affections on the girl to atone for their lack of warmth with him, then they are more pathetic then he thought. But, he concedes grudgingly, a part of him wants to receive that affection, have always does, but at the state he is in right now, there's no way he can accept it. He's emotionally unstable and unready. Until he finally reconciles with himself, he'll have to be content watching Neko take his place in his siblings' hearts.

--

"As you all know, Tanabata is coming up next week. The Academy will be closed that day and there will be no school that day. To prepare for the celebration, we will read and learn more about the history of this holiday, and we'll even write some poetry by the end of the week."

Various groans arise out of the students at the teacher's announcement. Leave it to sensei to get all into it. The teacher, a young kunoichi in her late teens, flips open a book enthusiastically and begins to read a passage.

"Many, many years ago, a young man by the name Mikeran discovered a beautiful goddess bathing. He fell in love immediately, and knowing how a goddess cannot fly back to the heavens without her magical robe, he took the robe that was sitting on a nearby rock, and hid it inside the roof of his house. Presently, the goddess stopped by his house and asked "Have you seen my robe? I need to find it if I want to go home."

Mikeran told her he would help her find it, but instead the two fell in love. The goddess soon married the young man, and bore him children. They lived happily together, but the goddess never forgot her celestial home and always grew sad when the stars shone brightly in the sky.

One day, when Mikeran was out in the fields with the children, the goddess discovered a shiny patch on the edge of the roof. Pulling on the object, she uncovered her long-lost garment. At that moment, her husband returned, and upon seeing the robe in her hand, he fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness. Torn between her family on Earth and her family in the heavens, the goddess voiced her condition: Once Mikeran weaves one thousand straw shoes, and proves the depth of his love, she will return. Without another word, the goddess disappeared into the sky. Nobody would be able to finish that many straw shoes in his lifetime, and so Mikeran died without ever seeing his beloved goddess again.

But on the seventh day of the seventh moon, the stars Vega and Altair intersect once in the whole year. Some say it is the spirits of Mikeran and the goddess Tanabata, reunited for one blissful day. And that my students, is why we celebrate Tanabata."

There are wistful sighs from the girls after hearing the story. The boys in the room just rolled their eyes and complain about the wishy washy females.

Neko listens to the legend with rapt attention. There is something tragic about the separated lovers, something poignant in the fact they only meet once a year that touches her. She wonders if she'll ever have the strength to cope with that fate if that ever happens to her.

"Now I want everyone to get out a clean sheet of paper. We will now compose our own poetry (use only paintbrushes please), and if your parents let you, you can burn the paper on Tanabata and maybe the spirits will answer your wish."

The girls quickly take out sheets and writing tools, whist the boys grumble and reluctantly follow suit. There are many giggles, sighs, and furtive glances as some girls write about their crushes.

Neko, who sits by herself in a back corner, dips her brush carefully into the ink well. She has an urge to start drawing on the blank parchment, but that won't be good. The only reason she excels at calligraphy is because she pretends the characters are miniature pictures, each telling a story.

With no specific idea in mind, Neko lets the brush dictate the course, and she falls into a dream-like state. Black ink flows smoothly over the absorbent paper, and she reads her finished work quietly to herself.

Spring rains Summer blooms,

Winter blows hard but it's Fall

That brings the full moon.

Cerulean orbs gaze down quizzically at the drying ink. The two last words stand out amongst the others. If each word is a picture with a tale behind it, then the last two characters seem to contain an epic story.

The bell rings and pulls Neko out of her fanciful musings.

--

The day she waits for finally arrives. Throngs of people clothed in light yukatas stroll within the streets. Buildings are decorated with bright lanterns, and colorful streamers playfully wave at the passer-bys below them. Strains of music can be heard from various stores and the general atmosphere is of festivity.

The Sand siblings with Neko in tow mingle with the crowd. Or at least they triy to. It's really not surprising that an invisible barrier is present between the villagers and the intimidating group.

Neko, obliviously ignorant of the wary stares and stiff shoulders of the people around her, walks with a light and cheerful gait. She occasionally stays by Temari's side, but when the whim strikes her, she flits to the side and joins Gaara.

The group of shinobis has only one destination in mind: the plateau fire. Even though it is traditional for people to make a boat and watch their candlelit wishes float down the stream, and tie their wishes onto bamboo the inhabitants of Suna cannot due to their geographic location. Instead, wishers put their words on paper and they burn them all together at a great big bonfire set up in a flat mesa located north of the village.

There is a small crowd around the towering bonfire. The orange and crimson flames lick up the mountain of firewood, and reach up high into the midnight sky. The villagers that are gathered around all have solemn faces. Most of them are missing their deceased relatives. It is not uncommon to see the names of dead family members on the slips of paper. Although writing down the name of a loved one is not a wish, it is a show of remembrance.

The Sand siblings each had a slip of paper partially crushed in a death grip. The names on two of the papers have been the same through out the years. It was the third slip that had a new name.

A mother. An uncle. And now... a father.

Neko seems to realize the sobriety of the siblings as they draw nearer to the bonfire, and she slowly places her hand in Temari's.

The silence up on the mesa seems to be a painful contrast to the boisterous festivities back in Suna. Faces lit with the warm glow of the fire seem sober and mournful. Wrinkles made in worry and grief grew more prominent in the flickering light, and countenances acquire a sallow look.

A short girl reaches the fire about the same time the Sand siblings do. She has short-cropped brown hair and eyes of solid ink. Her small hands grip a parchment tightly, as if her life is depended on that flimsy piece of paper.

Neko follows her movements with intent curiosity.

Matsuri edges closer to the grand bonfire with hesitant steps. She slowly lifts her hand, and the edge of her paper catches on fire. Suddenly, Neko's arm shoots out and grabs the girl's arm. Matsuri, caught off surprise, falls back into Neko's waiting arms.

"… What are you doing?"

"Neko?" Temari rushes over to the silent girl. Neko only stares at the girl with an intensity that precedes her age. Never taking her eyes off of the trembling girl, Neko writes on the ground with a finger.

Why are you trying to kill yourself?

The girl gasps. She looks at Neko silently standing in front of her, and then her glance shifts to the older blonde kunochi.

"What are... you talking about?"

I saw your eyes. Your face. They all tell me the truth. You were about to give up on your life and walk into the fire.

The girl's jet black eyes widen perceptibly. Temari does not even need to question any further when she saw the truth written plaintively in girl's eyes.

"State your name," she orders quietly.

"M-Matsuri, ma'am."

"Like Neko said, why would you do that Matsuri? Think of the pain you would bring to your family..."

Matsuri closes her eyes painfully.

"My parents... were murdered." Temari says nothing. The deaths of parents, of loved ones, or teammates and brethen are all too common in the life of a ninja. It is a fact of life.

Neko, with acceptance shining through her blue eyes, slowly wraps her skinny arms around the girl's shoulder. Matsuri cannot help herself but close her eyes and let a few tears fall. It's been very tiring bearing the burden by herself. She has only met this mysterious stranger for the first time, but it feels like home in Neko's embrace.

All of this transpired before Gaara's watchful gaze. His attention, as his older brother slyly notes, is almost completely on Neko the entire time.

"It's amazing how she can offer comfort despite her own situation," Kankuro lightly comments.

Gaara does not reply. His alert green eyes glance over at his older sibling and then quickly focus in on the approaching figure behind him. Their teacher, Baki, is walking through the crowd of people in long, purposeful strides.

"Gaara. Kankuro. I'm sorry to interrupt you at this moment, but there is something of great importance the Council needs to discuss. You three are all needed at the office."

"We will head over there immediately Baki-sensei," Kankuro replies while making pointed eye contact with Temari. The kunoichi quickly whispers words of apology to her young charge and heads in their direction.

"What about…her?" Kankuro gestures to Neko with his head.

Gaara, who is already turning back from the fire, where he left three slips of paper curling in the flames, answers tersely, "She can stay or follow. It does not matter, we need to get to the meeting as quickly as possible."

"But… Gaara-"

"Temari." His voice drops to a deadly note, and she does not argue anymore. The three follow quickly behind Baki-sensei without looking back.

Neko glances up at their departure. Torn between staying and following, her mouth forms an uncharacteristic frown, and she looks back at her new-found friend.

"It's alright. I'm fine now," Matsuri braves a smile at her, "Go with them. I'm sure we will meet again."

The silent girl beams back her in gratitude. Without a sound, she leaps onto her feet and sprints off in the direction the siblings left. The crowd at the fire watches her go, and cannot help but wonder who that girl is.

--

"Our scouts in the eastern border have sighted and are now engaging in battle with hostiles. They have sent urgent request for back-up. Unfortunately, they have not described the nature of the attack or the enemy so we cannot provide any more information." The withered Council member's dry voice barely carried itself across the meeting room. The entire Council was there, frail-looking old men who are likely to be swept away by the harsh desert wind if left to themselves, and they sat behind a U-shaped table. Baki stationed himself at the door, while the three Sand siblings stood in front.

"It is imperative that this team make haste to the eastern border and defeat the enemy. In the case of defeat, you are all to retreat at once and report back on the opposition. Is that clear?"

The team of three nod. Kankuro and Temari turn simultaneously to head out the door. Gaara's emotionless voice stops them.

"I have a request."

Tension suddenly rises in the room. It is rare that Gaara ever speaks to the Council, let along requests something. Knowing that their lives are forfeit if they deny the request, the spokesman can only reply calmly, "State it then."

"I believe a two-person team is enough for this mission. It will be quicker to travel, less conspicuous, and in the case of failure, there will at least be another to help defend the village. Kankuro and I will go."

His deadpan voice leaves no room for argument. Perturbed glances meet each other across the table. The two older siblings both give him scrutinizing looks, but nobody says a word.

"Granted. May the winds bring you a safe return."

Gaara briskly walks past the stunned Temari and Kankuro and into the hallway. Not surprisingly, she is already there, waiting for him. He is careful not to come into contact with her as he walks by. It was all for naught though, as her quick hands dart out to grab his robes. Gaara turns his head slightly, barely sparing her a glance. But he does not wrench himself from her hold.

Neko, with her worried eyes, plead with him not to go.

"You insult my abilities with your concern," he quietly mutters. She lets go of him, a frown still marring her young face.

"Temari will be here. And Kankuro will come back. In one piece." He says the last part with a ghost of a smile.

He does not need to include himself. That part is a given.

Neko understood this, and smiles back in return. She watches him disappear in a whirl of sand, and savors his promise of a safe return

Notes: ARgh!! So sorry!!
First off, I had this chapter done, but I didn't publish it, and left it for more than 60 days.. in which the site auto del it. T_T
Secondly, I've been... so busy! College is really crazy, and time management is such an issue right now. As always, I write for myself and myself only, so I don't write unless I'm in the mood/inspired, and therefore won't update. Lol sad excuse for a 2 year absence I know.

In hindsight, I should not have published the story if I wasn't able to finish it. It's looking that way right now, b/c although I have key scenes written already, and I have a good idea how it's going to end, I can't connect it properly. I mean, I can post all the 36 so pages I've written in the past, but would anyone get it? It's so disjointed that I'm the only one who can read it and enjoy the range of emotions that it intended. Bleh. And I really don't want to rush the story as it is...
In addition, while keeping true to Naruto right now... my original storyline mit not fit so well. I'm not even up to date on Naruto so I might even start going off AU.

Next Chap Preview? (mit change):

He watches as the grotesque bat-woman-creature-monstrosity, whatever it is, swoops after the Konoha shinobi. He knows he should step in and help the guy, but something is stopping him.