"It's so similar to Ame." Karasu grunted, examining her surroundings. She was in Kiri already. Truthfully, she was planning on going to Konoha, but she had decided to take the long way.

"And it's so cold...." She muttered, tightening the cloak around her body. "At least it's not raining..."

Then, a drop of water landed on her face. And then another, and another, as it began to rain.

"Damn. I jinxed it. I guess I have to find a place to stay. Ugh." She scolded herself, as she fastened her pace, her axe hanging on her back.

She regrets nothing, actually. After leaving the Akatsuki hideout 4 months ago, she had many wonderful experience. She learned many lessons of life; about trust, survival, and much more. How to fight without attract any attention, how to run away without being noticed, how to get money and use it for survival. Yes, she miss Saso and Kisa, Orochi and Zetsu, too, but it's worth the adventure.

"Gotcha." She cheered as she found a big cave. She entered it, to found a burning bonfire there, and a boy sitting in front of it. A big sword was leaning on the cave's wall.

"Uhh... Whoops... I think I'll just go..." Karasu muttered sheepishly. Just as she was about to walk away, a harsh voice called her.

"It's fine. You may stay."

She nodded, and entered the cave hurriedly. After all, it would be troublesome if she catch a cold. No one likes a sick homeless child. She put down her axe, and sat in front of the bonfire, across the mysterious boy. He has a tall, muscular figure.

"Tell me, how old are you?" He asked. His voice was deep, and intimidating, that it brought shivers down her spine.

"I'm 4..." She muttered, looking down.

"You're travelling alone?"

"Yes..."

He narrowed his eyes at her, making her flinch. "What's your name?" He asked again.

"Karasu. Ara for short." She answered, avoiding his gaze.

"I'm Zabuza." He introduced himself in reply. Then silence.

He finally asked another question, pointing at Kirā. "Is that yours? May I see it?"

Karasu nodded. "Yeah. Can I see your sword?"

He nodded back. With the confirmation, she stood up, handing her axe, and sat next to him. She took his sword, and traced her fingers along its blade, making a small, deep, cut. She ignored the blood. "Cool. What's the name?"

"Kubikiribōchō." He replied shortly, turning his gaze at her.

"My axe is Kirā." She mumbled, putting the sword back. Slowly, she began to heal the cut, not realizing that the boy was watching her in curiosity.

Such a young girl, yet she already knows basic medical jutsu, and from her hands, I can tell that she can wield her axe well, the boy noted. It's not everyday he can meet someone like her. From the way she walk, the way she scanned the cave for the first time, the way she examined him, she must have been received some ninja training.

"You're a ninja, right?" He asked.

Instead of answering, she took out a small candy from her pocket and throw it into her mouth. She turned at him, and raised an eyebrow.

"Where's your headband?" He asked again, changing his question.

"I don't have any." She said with a shrug, "I'm not an official shinobi."

The boy nodded, as he stood up. "The rain had stopped. You might want to follow me."

"Huh?"

"You don't have a place to stay, right?"

"You really don't mind?"

"Why should I?"

She smiled, and stood up as well, following him.

Well, after all, he's not that bad.

*/*\*/*\*

It wasn't that he likes her; he was just curious. She seemed strong, you can tell by just seeing her axe. Her slender figure looked well-trained, her small limbs hid a great strength. Her smile covered a smirk, and you could see the wild fire in her eyes.

She's... peculiar.

They began to chat like old friends, arguing about weapons and jutsus. They didn't stop even when they had entered his house. He sat on the couch, with her next to him.

"But axe has smaller blades!"

"And sword is much heavier!"

"Not if you're used to it." He told her, grinning, slightly mocking her.

"An axe has longer hilt, it's easier to swing it."

"But when you swung a sword, it will be more deadly."

"With an axe, both of the side is dangerous!"

Zabuza finally sighed in defeat. It wasn't easy to win an argument against this stubborn, smart, tricky little girl.

"Fine, fine... We'll just have a duel later..." He muttered, causing her to let out a giggle.

After that, the two fell silent. Not a kind of awkward silence where you just want to leave the scene. It's a calming silence, where 2 people just enjoy each other's presence.

The boy almost shrieked in shock when something fell onto his shoulder. He turned, and for the first time in years,

He smiled. A soft, caring smile.

Karasu had fallen asleep, leaning on his shoulder.

He ran his fingers through her hair. She's a shinobi, he reminded himself.

What it the meaning of it? Being a shinobi?
It means you will have to hide your emotions, and be a tool for your village, right?

Is this little girl going to be a heartless monster? Like him?
No. He won't let that happen.

He let out a small, bitter chuckle. Why does he even care about her?

Seems like he still has a heart, after all.

*/*\*/*\*

"Hey, Zabuza."

"Hm?"

"What comes into your mind when you heard the word 'shinobi'?"

Zabuza sighed, and stopped walking. "Why do you ask that?" He asked back.

Karasu smiled. "I'm curious."

"And curiosity killed the cat." He snapped.

"Cat has 9 lives." She taunted, causing him to growl.

"Is this really important?" He demanded, causing her to giggle.

"Zabu, this might be the last question I'll be able to ask you. Do me the favor." She replied, standing in the middle of the forest. They had already left the Kirigakure territory, but Zabuza didn't want to leave yet.

He turned his gaze at her. "And what do you think about shinobis?"

"Being a shinobi, means that you throw your life away. You have to erase any trace of emotion. You have to kill to protect. You have to fight to survive. You have to be willing to die for the one your loyalty lay on. You have to be ready to see blood covering your hands, having corpses laying in front of you. You might be referred as a monster, a killer, a demon. You might have to act heartless, to hide your emotion behind a mask, to forget about your feelings. You have to be able to face betrayal, to overcome your fear, to bear the pain, to understand the real meaning of 'shinobi'. A nameless warrior who fought for peace and justice."

Zabuza closed his eyes, and nodded. He was stunned, to say at least. He didn't expect that kind of answer from a girl, an unofficial kunoichi, let alone the fact that she's just 4.

Her smile grew wider. "You know, that's the reason why I want to be a great kunoichi one day." Karasu said, causing his eyes to slightly grew wide in shock.

"Why?" He muttered. If Karasu didn't have her great hearing, she wouldn't have heard it.

"Why? Because.... I think it's amazing. Being a shinobi means we throw away our freedom for the sake of the others. We became a whole different person to protect our loved ones."

He chuckled. "I will never understand you, Ara."

"You don't have to understand me; you just need to accept me." She replied simply with a shrug.

And suddenly, she turned at him, giving him a quick hug.

"Good bye, Zabuza." She whispered softly.

Then she disappeared.

*/*\*/*\*

Karasu always hates goodbyes. She prefers to leave without a word, just like how she left Akatsuki. But it wouldn't be polite if she left Hidan or Zabuza without any farewell.

The girl let out a heavy sigh. She had teleported away from Zabuza, and appeared in the middle of the sea.

No more distractions, she promised herself. Now, she would start her journey to Konoha. No more staying in a village. No more talking with strangers. 

Because her guts told her she had to be there soon.

*/*\*/*\*

A small girl was lying on the ground, whimpering in pain. Some men were currently beating her up in a dark alley. They caught her stealing a small piece of bread. She couldn't help it. She hadn't been eaten anything for weeks, and she knew that at that rate, she might die.

She didn't bother to scream. No one will help her, that's for sure.

But still, no one could predict the future. 

Suddenly, she felt soft fur against her skin. And then a loud roar was heard. The men stopped, their eyes wide in shock and fear. Everything went in a fast blur. While she just laid motionless on the ground, a big creature began to attack the men. She didn't do anything, watching silently as the creature killed all the men right in front of her.

When the screams had stopped, she began to see things clearly. There was a big tiger, staring at her in a caring manner. She just smiled as the tiger's warm tongue began to lick her wounds. The tiger snuggled it's muzzle onto her face, causing her to let out a small giggle.

-Everything will be alright.- she could hear the tiger said. -Just climb onto my back. I'll take you to safety.-

Karasu did as what she was told to, before she fell asleep.

*/*\*/*\*

"Where's this?" Karasu muttered as she opened her eyes, to found herself leaning on the tiger's back.

-It doesn't matter. You're safe now.- replied the tiger, as he licked Ara's cheek.

"What's your name?" Karasu asked, petting the tiger's head.

-My name is what my master wishes to call me. I'm your guardian, you are my master. I will obey any of your orders.-

'Eh...' She trailed off, definitely confused. A small chuckled escaped from the tiger.

-We are connected. I can read most of your mind, and we can communicate through telepathy. I can feel your pain, and you can feel mine. I will change my form, or do anything under your orders and your orders only. That's all you need to know for now. Do you understand?-

She reluctantly nodded. 'Uh... I think I understand. Most of it.'

-Very well. What do you wish to call me?-

'Yūsha. From now, that shall be your name.'

-Yes, master. Your wish is my command.-

'Don't be so formal, Yūsha. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Just call me Ara.'

-Alright, Ara. If you say so. Well, are you hungry?-

Karasu nodded, while the tiger gave her the food he collected. When she's done with the breakfast, she hopped onto Yūsha's back, and continued her journey.

*/*\*/*\*

-edited