“So?” Jade looked at Peridot, “What?” He smiled, “It’s Sunday!” She blushed a little, “It’s 7 in the morning right now. My date isn’t until later.” Peridot stared at her, “Okay. At least you’ll be able to see Hope off.” Jade looked confused, “What?” He chuckled, “She has a play date.” “And here I thought I would be the first girl with a date.”

            “Mom? MOM! It’s time to go!!!” “Okay, okay. Ready to go, Hope?” She stared at her mom like she was crazy, “I’ve been ready for like ever!” Sakura drove her to Kearb’s house. “Hi, Lee. Just here to drop off Hope.” Lee smiled, “Okay, Sakura. I give my word that Hope will be safe in my home.” Sakura smiled awkwardly, “Uh, thanks.” Kearb came running down the stairs out of breath, “Hi, Hope.”  Sakura looked at Lee with one eyebrow raised. “He had to clean his room.” Sakura smiled, “Okay Hope. Call Mommy when you’re ready to go.” Hope gave her mom a kiss and ran inside.

            “Well, where are you going?” Peridot just needed to know everything. “I don’t know. He never told me where he was taking me.” Peridot looked disappointed, “Well, what are you going to tell Mom?” She shrugged, “That I want to be alone or something. Or that I’m going on a walk. Maybe that I’m hanging out with you.” “Don’t drag me into this!” Jade’s bottom lip trembled, “PLEASE!” Peridot couldn’t say no, “Only if all else fails.” Jade smiled, “OKAY!”

            “WOW! Kearb your room is awesome!” Hope was still standing in his doorway. He had a computer on a desk in the left corner, two book shelves on the south wall, a huge toy chest going along the east wall, a closet on the south wall, and a flat screen TV with video games on the north wall. She looked at him, “Where’s your bed.” He smiled and pushed a button on the wall. The floor in the middle of the room flipped over and a king sized bed flipped out. Hope ran up to it a jumped in, “This is awesome!” He smiled, “What do you want to do?” She sat up, “We could…play some of your video games.” She ran over to the TV and found a stack of games, “Let’s play Guitar Hero 3!” She grabbed the guitar while he got his, and they started to play.

            “Hey! Chara! Let’s go play outside.” Today Chara was wearing a navy blue shirt and blue jeans. No black today. “Okay.” They went to the park and decided to go on the swings. “So Lee what’s on your mind?” Lee looked confused, “My mind? “I can tell something’s up.” He breathed heavily, “We’re just not in this story as much as everyone else.” Just then I walked in, “Don’t worry guys I have big plan’s for your future!” “Are you sure? This is mostly a love story. And we can’t all fall in love with Gaara’s kids.” I giggled, “Don’t worry you guys! There will always be someone!”

            “Peridot as far as mom knows I’m going to watch the school play.” Peridot was worried, “But what if she asks you about it?” Jade laughed, “Oh that’s covered! I got someone to video tape it for me and I watched it yesterday.” There was only one more thing to say, “Have fun with Kino.”

            “Kearb, today was so much fun!” Kearb blushed a bit, “You should come over again sometime.” Hope smiled, “Sounds fun!” Without even realizing it she kissed him on the cheek and ran down stairs to meet her mom. All Kearb did was slowly raise his hand to his face and touch the cheek she kissed

She met Kino near the park, “Hi.” He was wearing blue jeans and a dark blue sweatshirt. So was she. He told her they weren’t doing anything special so no need to dress up. “So what did you have planned?” she asked. “Do you want to hand out at the park for a while? We could swing.” Jade nodded, “Sure.” They were swinging asking each other questions about them selves, “You have a sister named Sakura right? Why don’t I see her a lot?” He did have a little sister. Names after Jade’s mom. “Well, she mostly stays in her room all day. She might not look like my mom but she’s shy like her.”

“What’s your weirdest food combo?” Jade thought for a moment, “Probably…cocoa rice crispys with whipped cream. What’s yours?” “Hmmm…I like…to dip French fries in ranch dressing.” They laughed a little. Soon they were by the woods near Jade’s house, “That was fun Kino. We should…do it again some time.” She blushed a little after saying that. “Well, since this is a secret to your family…can I say goodnight now?” She smiled, “Sure.” She faced him, “Goodnight, Jade.” And with that he kissed her softly on the lips. Jade heard something, “Sasuke! Come inside its dinner time!” It was her mom. “Awwww! Well look at that!” Jade spun around. It was Mica, “Huh! I never thought someone like you could get a date. Even one as lame as this kid!” Jade looked at Kino. He was trying to be tough but his lower lip trembled a bit. He thought he was a pretty decent date. “SHUT UP!” “I mean a little tramp like you! Ha!” GRRRR! “SHUT UP!!!” Uh-oh, “AND! You are such a mistake! I bet he asked you out on a dare!” BAD IDEA! “SHUT UP!” Nine-tailed fox gone wild, “I’ll kill you!” “Why you said yes to him I can’t imagine.” She attacked, “OWWW! GET OFF! PLEASE! HELP!” Kino was scared but finally realized what happened, but was to stupid to run. “Jade stop!” Jade didn’t realize he was so close and she whipped around her claws grabbing out in front of her. “AHHHH!” Jade’s eyes went back to green, her claws vanished, and her fangs disappeared, “No…what have I…Kino!” He was on the ground crying, his face scratched from the corner of his eye to his shoulder bleeding like crazy. She started crying, “I’m just a… monster.” Then she disappeared into the night, “Wait! Jade! Don’t…don’t go.” It started raining.

            “OPEN UP! OPEN THE DOOR! PLEASE! PLEASE!” Sakura answered, “Kino! What happened to you!?” He just pointed out the door, “Find her! Get her! Before it’s too late!” “What are you saying?” He gripped Sakura’s arm, “PLEASE! Bring her back!” Sakura brought him inside, “SASUKE!” Sakura was using her medical techniques to sew him up so his skin was on his body, “Kino, dear, what happened?” “I could tell you.” They looked at Sasuke, “I heard Jade. I assumed she was coming back from the play then I saw her walking with you. From then on I watched you guys. You were on a date. I left after you kissed her.” Kino blushed. He was talking to Sasuke about kissing his daughter. “What happened after that, Kino?” As soon as Kino was done explaining Sasuke ran off. He had to find her. “Kino, stay right here! I need to make some phone calls.”

            “I don’t know where I’m going. All I know is why I’m going there. I’m a monster. All I do is hurt. Monsters can’t help anyone.” She was talking to no one but it helped to say what was on her mind out loud. She stopped and sat on the ground, “I’m never going near anyone ever again.” “But won’t your parents miss you?” She looked up. She’d never seen this person before. She must have run outside of the city and not have noticed. “W…who are you?” It was a tall man in a tan coat. He was wearing sun glasses and his face was covered, “My name is Shino.”

            “I’m sorry. It’s just she already started running and I didn’t thing I could catch her.” Kino was explaining to his dad what had happened. Naruto looked at his wounded son, “What did she say? When she ran off I mean.” “She said ‘I’m just a monster.’” Naruto let out a breath; “It’ll be hard to find her now.”

            “Child, by any chance are you an Uchiha?” How did this man know her last name? “Uh…yeah. My mom is Sakura Uchiha and my dad is Sasuke Uchiha.” The man chuckled, “So they finally got married huh? And had such a beautiful daughter.” “There are actually 3 more daughters and 3 sons, sir.” “Please, call me Shino. I’m an old friend of your parents.” She gasped, “I’m not going back! You can’t make me.” “Child, I am not going to make you do any thing you don’t want to. But how about you come with me? You’ll catch a cold.” She stared at him, “I’m a Kyubi you know. You probably don’t want to be near me. The reason I ran away is because I hurt someone.” “I’m not scared of you, Child. I was friends with the old Kyubi. Naruto Uzumaki.” “Where do you live?” “I live outside of a small village. I just watch them to make sure no war breaks out. They have I high chance of it but it’s my mission to keep the town in order. This mission has been going on for about 10 years.” “Well, Shino if I’m not to much a burden I’ll come live with you. So your not so lonely.” “I’d like that child. By the way what’s your name? I’d hate to have to call you child.” She giggled, “My name is Jade.” “Well, Jade let’s go home.” He pulled her onto his back and they ran off.

            Peridot walked in. Him, Topaz, and Czarus went to go get ice cream. He saw Kino sitting on his couch wounded, “What’s going on?” Kino looked at him, “Jade is gone.” “Well, when’s she coming back?” I don’t know if she’s coming back.”

            “Shino, your house is really cool.” He smiled under his coat, “Thank you. I will show you to your room.” The room wasn’t too big. Not too small. It had light blue walls and a bed with light blue sheets and pillows. It had pictures all over the walls of a little boy, a woman, and Shino. “I’m sorry if it’s a little boyish.” She turned to him and smiled, “No. No I love it.” “You might want to sleep a bit. It’s late.” She sat on her new bed, “Shino? What about clothes?” “We’ll go to the market tomorrow.” “Shino?” “Yes.” “Who are these people?” “That is my wife, Rin, and my son Cho. They…uh…died. When someone fired two shots while we were at the market. He meant to hit people stealing his merchandise but his hit my family… and killed them.” Jade was sorry she asked, “I’m sorry, Shino.” She ran up and hugged him, “I’m just glad I have you now, Jade.  Maybe I won’t be so lonely in this big house.”

            “SASUKE! WHERE IS MY BABY!” Sakura was going hysterical. “I don’t know, Sakura.” “Guys, she must be out side city limits because I looked everywhere.” Naruto was trying his best but he just couldn’t find the little Kyubi. “I’m afraid all we can do is wait.”

            It was morning now. “Shino? Shino?” “Over here.” Jade walked in the kitchen, “Oh, hi.” “Good morning. Would you like some breakfast?” Jade just nodded. “You know your mom is probably going crazy.” Jade didn’t think of that, “You’re not going to call her, are you?” “No, child. I just want to sent a messenger pigeon to tell them your safe so they don’t worry.” She nodded, “That would be fine I guess.” “Shino?” “Yes?” “Do you mind if I call you Oji-san?” (Oji means uncle in Japanese) “Sure. If it makes you happy. Now it’s time to shop.”

            When going to the mall Shino was extra careful. He spread his bugs around to watch out for any thing unusual. “Here is the major clothing store in town. It’s not very big but it’ll do.” They walked in, “There is your section,” he pointed to the juniors, “grab what you need and pay for it. It will get pretty warm soon. Just to let you know. I’ll be outside looking around.”

            “SASUKE! SASUKE!” Sasuke turned around and saw Sakura running at him with a piece of paper, “LOOK! LOOK!” Sasuke read it: Your daughter is safe. She is in a safe home. She says she doesn’t want to go back and I respect her wishes. She’s afraid of hurting people, but I will take care of her. You have nothing to worry about. I am a friend. I will let her come and go as she wishes. “Sakura. Don’t worry she’s safe. At least we know she’s safe.”

            “Okay, Oji-san. I’m ready.” Shino turned around. Jade was carrying four huge bags, “Sorry, I get my clothes dirty a lot.” “Here, I got you something.” Shino held out a black string with a jade colored heart, “Oh! It’s beautiful!” He tied it on her neck, “It’s a thanks to you. With you here I am not so lonely.” Jade smiled, “I’m glad.” “I must go. I have to speak to the mayor. I don’t want you to fall behind on your ninja training so tonight you can train with me. For now you can just hang out around town. It’s not that dangerous in the sunlight.” “Okay, Oji-san.”

            “Hmmm…what to do in a town without friends.” Jade was looking around.

She saw a girl about her age fighting with a younger boy for a loaf of bread, “Gimme! I’m more hungry, Em!” “NO! I’m more hungry, Zaph!” Jade ran up to them, “No need to fight just split it in half like this.” She ripped the loaf of bread in half. “Thanks. It’s not a lot but it’s food.” Jade felt so bad, “Well, I have some money. Do you want to get some ramen with me?” They both nodded eagerly. “My name is Em. This is my li’l bro Zaph.” “My name is Jade.” “Do you have any brothers?” She sighed, “I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters.” Em gasped, “How does your mom feed you all?” “I’m not from here. I used to live in Kohna. But I’m living with my Oji-san.” “Who is he?” “Shino.” “BOUJU-SAMA!!?” (Bouju means protector in Japanese.) “Why do you call him that?” “My mom and dad are on opposite sides of this soon-to-be war. He keeps them, everyone, from fighting.” “Why are they fighting? Everyone I mean.” Em thought a bit, “Well, here’s the story,” they were eating there ramen, “Once upon 12 years ago in this little town someone found a kunai. They were practicing using it and it hit someone in the heart. The green side, my dad, believed it was no accident and the man should be put in jail, the blue side, my mom, believed that it was an accident and the man should get parole. This whole war is about a misunderstanding.” Jade was a bit sad now. This war was tearing families apart, but all it was about was a stupid little accident, “I’m sorry.” “My mom wanted Zaph on her side. My dad wanted me, but we refused to take sides so now we live on our own.” The sun was starting to set, “I have to be home before dark. How ‘bout you come to my house tomorrow for breakfast?” “Sure. Thanks for the ramen.” Jade waved and ran home.

            “Kino don’t go all crazy over this. My mom and dad said she was fine.” Kino was going crazy all day. He thought it was his fault that Jade ran away. “I know she’s fine. I’m going crazy because she’s gone.” It was hard for him to admit but he just did. “Maybe she’ll write you a loooove letter.”

            “Oji-san? Can my friends come over for breakfast tomorrow? They can’t afford food. They use the five-finger discount.” Shino chuckled a bit, “Sure. Let’s train.”

AFTER TRAINING

“Oji-san? Next time you write to mom and dad can I write to them too?” Shino nodded, “Sure. I was going to write to them tonight.”

            “Sasuke! Sasuke! We got another one!”  Sasuke read it out loud to the family, “Dear Family, I really miss you guys. I am perfectly safe where I am. Don’t worry. I’m helping someone going through a hard time. I love all of you guys. I’m sorry I left it was just too dangerous for me to be there right now. I’ll come back some day. I have individual letters for some people. I’ll send some each time but the messenger pigeon can’t carry that much.  Love to all, Jade.”

            “Hi, Em. Hi, Zaph.” They walked in, “Your house is very nice.” “Thank you.” “Oji-san, this is Em and Zaph.” “Hello, children.” They bowed, “Hello, Bouju-sama.”

            Dear Peridot,

I really miss you. I’ll come back. Don’t focus on me too much. I’d be sad if I was the reason you and Mel don’t have a second date.

            Stay cool,

                                Jade

Peridot decided he would call Mel.

“What are we going to do today, Oji-san?” It’d been a week at nothing interesting really happened in the little town except for a fight every once and a while. “I don’t know. What do you want to do?”  Jade thought and thought, “I want to learn how to skate board.” “Sounds easy enough to teach someone. Let’s go get us some skate boards.” “Teach someone? You skate board?” “Yes I do. Let’s go”

            Dear Kino,

I’m sorry Kino. Don’t blame your self. It’s what I am that made me have to leave. I’m sorry about the scar I probably left you. Don’t go after anyone else because when I’m ready I’ll be back.

                                    Love Ya,

                                                 Jade

P.S. I miss you!

P.P.S. You’re a good kisser.

Some of it made Kino cry. Some made him laugh. Some made him blush. ‘I’m sorry about the scar I probably left you’ He pondered that, ‘Jade, the only scar you left me with is on my heart.’

            Jade had been with Kino a couple months now. She was really good at ninja stuff now and skate boarding. Who knew? She was walking through town one day when, “YOUR WRONG!” “NO I’M RIGHT!” There was a woman on the ground crying over a child, “Miko! No!” “You stupid Greens kill everything!” “You stupid Blues don’t understand an accident when you see one!” A little girl, apparently Miko, was lying on the floor with a black eye. She was knocked out. “Miko! Wake up.” Jade walked over, “What’s going on?” “One of the Greens injured my daughter!” “I DID NOT!” Jade recognized that voice. It was Em, “We were playing baseball and she didn’t catch it!” Everyone was yelling. “STOP STOP STOP! None of you know what happened you can’t just assume because of what side the person is on. Your stupid war about accidents or maybe things done on purpose is ruining everyone’s lives! Families are torn apart. People are fighting! You are like children blaming each other! GROW UP!” Everyone looked around, “But what about my daughter?” Miko woke up, “I was trying to catch the ball and I missed. It hit my face. Don’t start a war.” “Well, the girl is sort of right. No body really knows what happened.” “The only one that would know is the guy who did it and possibly the guy who got hit…but they’re both dead.” Everyone laughed a bit. “Don’t you guys see? If you tried to see eye to eye on things instead of blaming each other none of this would happen.” “The girl is right. We need to grow up.”  “Our town has been nameless too long. We need to learn to compromise.” “Excuse me?” “Little girl, we’ve been fighting so much we never agreed on a name for our town. What is your name, little girl?” “I’m Jade.” “Then we shall name our town ‘Jade’ after this girl who helped us see the error in our ways.”

            “Oji-san? Are you home?” Shino stepped out of his room, “Yes, I’m here.” “Did you hear? I…wait…why do have a bag?” “Our mission is over. The town will not have war for quit some time. We are going back home.” Jade stepped back, “I’m not stable Oji-san.” “Yes you are. You were extremely angry with that crowd but you used your words instead of that Kyubi. That’s what I’ve been training you for all along.” Jade smiled, “I’ll go pack my things.”