It was pouring in the Village of the Hidden Leaves. A lone little girl wandered the streets, holding her soaked teddy bear. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but no one would be able to tell.

"Mr. Teddy, where's Mommy?" The little girl asked her stuffed bear. She sneezed and held her bear closer. She tripped and stumbled, falling flat on the muddy walk. Her soaked closed became all muddy, and so did Mr. Teddy.

"Hey!" An older voice called. Instantly frightened, the little girl pulled her muddy bear closer and closed her eyes. She wished whoever it was would mistake her for the walk.

A pair of big, strong arms lifted her off the walk. Mr. Teddy fell out of her arms and the person held her close. She opened her emerald green eyes.

Staring down at her was a grown man. He had bright yellow hair and gleaming blue eyes. The young girl shook, scared to death.

"What's your name?" He asked. The little girl was afraid to answer.

"What's your's?" She asked, her voice shaking. The man laughed.

"Naruto Uzumaki," he answered. Then he waited, waited for her to say her name.

"My name is Minoko," she answered. The rain began to lighten up. Naruto smiled at her. His smile was blinding. Minako shivered, sneezed, and cuddled closer to Naruto.

Minako looked down to the muddy Mr. Teddy. Naruto saw where her eyes were and bent down, picking up the mud-covered stuffed bear. He handed it to Minako, who grinned happily.

"Where are your parents?" Naruto asked, rubbing her arm. Big, fat tears rolled down her cheeks. They were very visible now; the rain was almost gone by now.

"I don't know! She- she just vanished!" Minako whimpered.

"Come on, I'll get you some food," Naruto started walking, taking Minako to a shack-like place. "This is my favorite ramen place."

A man came out and Naruto ordered for both himself and Minako. In less than three minutes, the man brought two bowls of ramen.

Minako ate her ramen as if she had not eaten for weeks. She timidly asked for seconds and scarfed it down.

"Minako!" A voice called. "Minako!" Minako's head turned and a grin crawled across her face.

"Mommy!" Minako cried. An older woman scooped Minako into her arms and spun her around. "Mommy, I missed you!"

"I missed you, too, Honey." Minako's mother kissed the top of her head.

Naruto stood up. "You're Minako's mother?" he asked. The woman smiled.

"I'm Mina," she shook Naruto's hand. "Thank you for helping Minako for me,"

Minako reached for Naruto. Mina handed her to him. She hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled and hugged her back.

"Thank you," she whispered into his ear and gave him another bear hug.