Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto

Chapter 1: Understanding Innocence

Kushina quickly walked through the dark streets of Konoha. It was getting dark and it was dangerous for a young woman to be out alone especially in what was referred to as the slums of her village. She didn't mean to be here but she had lost track of time and missed her bus and the next bus scheduled was in this rough area. Sighing, she dug her hands in her purse, searching for a small snack to eat.

"Give me your money" she heard a young voice shout. Turning around she found a little boy no older than ten with blond scruffy hair, angry blue eyes, bruises on his round face and tattered clothing, pointing a gun at her heart. What was a little boy doing out at night with a gun? It was just sad. Did he even know how to use it? His hands were shaking and his eyes refused to look into hers. She didn't know whether to take him seriously or not but even if he was a kid, he did have a gun pointed at her so she decided that she would have to be careful in whatever she said or did.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a calm voice.

He looked at her almost confused by why she was asking. "I'm robbing you" he said quietly.

"Why?" Kushina asked calmly.

He hesitated but then answered by saying "My dad needs more money and he won't let me back in the house till I get some"

"You don't have to resort to robbery its wrong and I don't think you want to hurt anybody" she replied.

This lady was confusing him, he just needed money and pick pocketing wasn't going to get him enough this time. Stealing was the only way he knew how to get money. Not wanting to listen to this lady any longer he shouted.

"Throw me your bag or I shoot"

The red haired lady took a couple steps toward him "Throw it now" he shouted again.

She still kept moving towards the boy.

"I'm serious, I'll shoot and it'll kill you, just throw me the bag" he shouted trying to sound threatening but in reality it sounded like he was pleading. Why wasn't she giving him her handbag, wasn't she scared of the gun? He didn't understand.

I don't think Kushina fully understood either but there was something about that boy and she didn't think he had it in him to shoot. He looked scared himself, his eyes were crazed, his body was in a position to flee and he was shaking. And when she looked deeply into his blue eyes she still saw his innocence and though it was probably crazy she bet on what was hidden rather then what was in front of her. So she ignored him and slowly walked towards him, one step at a time, looking him straight in his eyes. Two more steps and then she'd be right in front of him, she saw him steady the gun, his small fingers hovering almost squeezing the trigger. He shut his eyes, his face scrunching up in a grimace and then BAM.

He felt impact but not from the bullet exiting his gun causing his body to quake from the powerful vibration. But from a warm body softly colliding with his. What is this feeling he wondered as Kushina bent down and wrapped her arms around his small body comfortingly. Stroking his soft hair and whispering "everything's going to be all right". What was this warm feeling he felt inside, he wasn't used to it but he liked it, he craved it and he soon found the gun slipping out of his hands and his arms holding on to the lady.

Kushina hadn't walked towards him planning to hug him but the closer she got to him, the more she saw his sadness, loneliness and pain. It broke her heart, he didn't deserve this, he wasn't evil just lost. So at that moment it felt like the only thing she could do was hug him. She couldn't help smiling a little as she found his arms hugging her back, he really was just a little boy after all. She heard the boy's stomach rumble "are you hungry?" she asked "I saw a ramen place nearby, and ramen's my favourite." she added.

The boy pulled away from the hug and nodded his head slowly, considering on telling her ramen was his favourite too. But then he rejected the idea hearing his dad's angry voice in his head Nobody likes a little copycat, I know your dumb but think for your own worthless self. He looked at the kind lady and wondered why she was being so nice to him nobody had ever been nice to him. Even when he was nice to them they were mean. He was bad to the lady so why would she be kind? It must be a trap he thought. His heart was telling him to trust the lady but his mind was telling him she was dangerous. He decided to follow his mind, he didn't understand why anyone would like him enough to be kind anyway, he was worthless after all. He picked up the gun off the floor knowing his father would beat the crap out of him if he found out it was lost and ran in the opposite direction of the women as fast as he could, not looking back.

I hope you guys liked this chapter :) Please COMMENT/REVIEW it will be greatly appreciated and it'll let me figure out whether or not to continue writing it.