Third Person POV

Kakashi races through the trees, the ever faithful Pakkun by his side. The silver-haired Jonin had finally been able to convince Tsunade that he should be allowed to help search for Akari and Sasuke.

Up till a while ago, he'd been tailed by several Medical Ninja. They all broke off though, after passing the injured members of Shikamaru's squad. They weren't sure Neji and Choji were going to make it.

He'd also passed Shikamaru and Temari, who were beat up but still standing. The Nara knew he had to wait for the medical team to catch up, so he'd asked Kakashi to get Akari back. The Nara didn't care much for Sasuke, even if he is a Leaf Shinobi. Or was, depending on if Naruto got him back or not. But he needed to know if his best friend is safe.

"Kakashi," Pakkun says, sniffing the air. "We've got company."

The Jonin nods, an a second later a familiar red head appeases beside him, panting slightly from exhaustion.

"Shouldn't you be waiting for the Medical Corps?" Kakashi asks, as merely a formality. He knows exactly why the young Sand Ninja is with him.

"Do you know anything?" Gaara asks. Kakashi shakes his head, frowning beneath his mask. "Nothing," he confirms.

Gaara feels his heart drop.

He can't lose her.

"Up ahead," Pakkun calls, dashing forward and leaving the trees behind. The two Shinobi follow him as he picks his way down to the water and runs lights across its surface, towards two figures half submerged.

"We're too late," Kakashi mutters, crouching over Naruto. The little blonde is clutching Akari weakly, keeping her from drowning. They're both unconscious.

The skies open up, and a light dusting of rain falls over the scene, only adding to its dark mood.

Kakashi swiftly disentangled the blonde from the girl and picks him up, as Gaara does the same with Akari. Her head lolls lifelessly against his shoulder, but her breathing is even. That is the only thing that keeps him calm.

Kakashi maneuvers Naruto onto his back, swinging the blonde's arms around his neck and holding his legs tightly. "Pakkun, grab Sasuke's headband," he instruct. The little Ninken does as asked, plucking the sodden headband from the water and holding it between his teeth.

He and the other two make for the trees again. A Medical Ninja approaches them and tries to take the both of them for treatment. But Kakashi waves him off, saying they'll take the kids to the hospital.

The rain continues to hiss down, soaking Naruto and Akari's already drenched forms. Kakashi worries they're in more danger from the rain than anything else.

"G-Gaara?"

The boy looks down to see that Akari has stirred. She blinks up at him, groggy and confused. He can't hold back a relieved smile as he looks at her, and she mirrors his expression.

"Really glad you're not Orochimaru," she says softly. "I really thought I... I was going to become an experiment for the rest of my life."

Gaara exchanges a quick look with Kakashi; the Jonin gives him a closed eye smile, encouraging him.

"I would never have let that happen," the Sand Genin says to her. "I couldn't live without you."

For a moment, he's worried he's said too much. But then she offers him a soft smile. "Took the words right out of my mouth," she says. Then she looks back, tilting her head to see Kakashi and Naruto.

"So, I guess Naruto couldn't stop him?" she says. The Jonin sighs, shifting the boy on back to hold him better.

"You can tell he tried from how beat up he is," he says. She nods in response, her eyes starting to flutter closed. She looks back at Gaara, who looks happier than he's ever been in his life. That fact doesn't escape her, groggy or not.

"Tell him I said thank you when he wakes up," she implores, dropping her head against his chest and falling back into unconsciousness.

"I will," he responds softly.

"She's a good kid, isn't she?"

Gaara looks up, but the question isn't directed at him, but at Pakkun. The little Ninken nods, speaking around the headband still held in his teeth. "I'd have to agree," he says, flicking the small Kunoichi a quick, affectionate glance.

***

Akari's POV

"Ok, who's the fluffy-butt currently smothering my head?" I ask, groggily swatting at the furry blob.

"Here, boy," a familiar, heart warming voice calls. "Give her some space."

The furry blob leaps from my head, scurries over my blanket-wrapped body and jumps from the bed.

I blink open my eyes, grinning at the worried faces around me.

"Didn't think you'd be getting rid of me that easily, did you?" I tease, sitting up and pushing back my blanket.

Both Hinata and Kiba tackle-hug me, and I swear from the look on Shino's face, he wants to join in too. But he's just too cool for that kinda stuff.

"Stop scaring us like that!" Kiba barks, swatting me upside the head. Rubbing my now bruised cranium, I shoot him an annoyed, but playful, glare.

"Not like I chose to be ABDUCTED!" I mutter, rolling my eyes. Thank Kami, that comment doesn't darken the mood.

Kiba offers me his goofy, lopsided grin, ruffling my hair. "We're just glad you're safe."

I blink at him, just remembering something kinda important. Just as he makes to jump off my bed and give me some decidedly much needed space, I crush him in a desperate hug.

"You're an idiot you know that?" I bury my face in his chest, feeling tears prick the back of my eyes. "I didn't know if you were dead or alive!"

He relaxes into my embrace, holding me gently and stroking my hair. Yeah, Kiba can be gentle when he wants to.

"Relax, will you?" he says comfortingly. "I'm fine, and so are the others. Shikamaru's been asking to see you as soon as you woke up."

I grin a little, before turning my attention to my other two teammates. Hinata's blushing again, but it's only because she's flustered. Shino is sitting calmly in a chair opposite from Hinata and Kiba, since there's an empty seat next to the Hyuga. When I release him, he drops back into the open chair.

"How long was I out this time?" I question, anxious for the answer.

"Two days," Shino says simply. I sigh in relief. At least it wasn't a week again. That would just make things awkward.

"Anyone know when I can leave?"

All three of them shake their heads. But then Kiba tilts his head to the side, absentmindedly stroking Akamaru's head. "I was talking to your doctor yesterday," he says thoughtfully. "I think he said something about needing to talk to you as soon as you were awake."

"We'll go get him," Hinata offers, swiftly taking hold of Kiba's arm nod pulling him up.

"Yes, there's someone who'd like to speak with you at the moment," Shino adds, inclining his head to me. I blink, not understanding. If someone wants to see me, why didn't they come in with my team?

The three of them leave and hold a whispered conversation with someone in the hall. Well, everyone but Kiba talks softly. I can hear HIM just fine.

"She's fine, dude!.... Just go in there! No need to keep a lady waitin'!"

Like you've ever even had a girlfriend, Kiba. I roll my eyes at his foolishness, not deterred in the least by the fact that he's not even in the room.

The door opens again, and a hesitant red head walks in. A smile instantly claims my face when I see him, and I sit up straighter.

I know I must look a mess from sleeping for days straight and all the abuse I took before that, but I don't really care, and it doesn't seem like Gaara does either.

But since he's still hesitating by the door, I guess I've got to take matters into my own hands.

I throw back my covers and slide my legs over the edge of the bed, my bare feet connecting with the cool floor softly. I stand carefully but grin when I realize I can move easily.

I walk up to Gaara, our last conversation running through my mind, albeit a bit fuzzily. I don't regret what I said, and I hope to God he doesn't either.

As I finally stand in front of him, I notice that someone changed my clothes while I was asleep. Hinata, Kurenai Sensei, or a nurse probably. It's a simple black t-shirt and white shorts. My usually sleepwear. The only reason I really pay attention to the change is because I usually feel awkward around people when in dressed like this, you know, not in my normal ninja gear. But not with Gaara.

He looks at me nervously as I smile at him, just happy he's here honestly. Through the open door, I spot a swish of black fabric hurriedly turning away. Temari and Kankuro, no doubt.

Ah well, it's not like I'm shy about this stuff.

I wrap my arms around Gaara's neck, surprising him. He stiffens for a moment, one very long, very scary moment. Then he slowly returns the embrace, wrapping his own arms around my waist.

My entire body feels pleasantly warm, a feeling I've come to associate with being around the Sand Genin. Yes, I've only recently become his friend, but he's special. He saved me.

"Thanks for coming to get me," I say against his ear. "Even if it was a stupid idea, I can't thank you enough."

There's a muffled "awwww" from the hallway, which we both ignore skillfully.

And then the sound of skin hitting skin, followed by, "SHUSH! Be quiet!"

"You're the one talking Kankuro!"

I giggle a little, pushing away from Gaara just enough to see his face. "I love your siblings," I tell him with a smile. His face brightens when I do. "Yes," he agrees, possibly reluctantly. "They do grow on you, don't they?"

I can still hear those two bickering outside the room when I make up my mind. Now or never, I guess. These guys will be heading back to Suna soon.

"Gaara," I begin, halting when his eyes meet mine. Then I gather my courage. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you."

He draws slightly closer and I feel my face flush at how close we are. Damn hormones.

I really wish there was a less cliche way to say this, but at the moment, I'm drawing a blank. Seriously, I'm going to sound so childish. Of course, I AM a child, but that's besides the point.

"I really like you."

The words aren't rushed and soft, nor are they choked and stuttered. It's probably the most serious, calm sentence I've ever uttered.

And yet I'm dying on the inside waiting for him to say something. At first all he does is blink at me, seemingly in shock. Really, is it that hard to believe that someone could have feelings... for... him...?

Ah, yes, I suppose it is. Him having a demon inside him and all, that would deter a lot of girls. But in finally seeing him the way I do Naruto: As Gaara, and ONLY Gaara. And the fact that Shukaku apparently likes me both reassures and disturbs me. I can deal with that another time, though, because I'm STILL waiting for him to give me a goddamn respon--

He manages to cut off my rambling train of thought by pressing his lips to mine.

Good God, my first kiss.

And who ever would have thought it was going to be with Gaara of the Desert?

The kiss is quick and soft, but it makes my heart flutter all the same. He pulls back, his nervous tension making him stiff. What? He thinks that after the kiss, I'M going to run? Even though I'M the one who confessed their feelings?

Oh well. He's a little insecure. I can deal with that.

However, before Gaara or I can say anything, there's a squeak from the hallway. Temari, it sounds like.

"Stop eavesdropping, you little punks!"

I let out a squeak of my own and jump out of Gaara's hold. He too looks uneasy, meaning he's guessed the identity of the person outside.

My suspicions are confirmed when Lady Tsunade barges into my room, her sharp, appraising eyes taking in every detail of the scene before.

She smirks, but orders, "Back in bed! You're not healed until I say so!"

So I make a mad dash for the bed and scurry under the covers. Behind Tsunade, Gaara gives me an amused smile. I scowl at him, but it only makes him smile wider.

Tsunade walks over to my bed and stares at me for a long moment, during which I feel my palms beginning to sweat. I don't like the look on her face in the least.

"Akari," she finally sighs. "I'm going to be blunt."

When aren't you?

He irritated look escalates, as though she's guessed my thoughts. Eek! She can't read minds, right? Right?!

"When you were taken, a very complicated and very FORBIDDEN sealing jutsu was used on you." She pauses, like she's waiting for some kind of recognition.

I shrug. "I heard then say something that might be what you're talking about," I admit.

Another sigh. "That jutsu," she says. I can hear it in her voice that she's barely restraining herself from choking the life out of me. I mentally smirk. "It seals away your chakra."

I motion for her to continue, since I'd already guessed at that.

"There's nothing I can do to remove the seal."

"WHAT?!?!" I shriek, jumping to my feet and standing on my bed, towering over someone for once in my life. "You have to be joking! My chakra's gone?! Like, forever?!"

Tsunade, ears plugged, glares at me with such intensity I immediately mutter an apology and duck back under my blanket.

"Not forever," she growls, only just in stopping her ears. "Just until the seal wears off. It was never meant to last longer than a month. But I count undo the deal because like I said it's forbidden, and we don't have any real information on it in our scrolls."

I take a shaky breath, holding my head in my hands. "A month," I repeat, clinging to it like it's a lifeline. "I think I can handle a month of not being a Ninja."

"You don't have a choice anyway."

"THANK YOU, Lady Tsunade," I grumble, peeking at her between my fingers. "Your sympathy astounds me every time."

"WHAT was that?!"

I squeak again, closing my fingers. "Nothing!"

"I don't know how you stand her," Tsunade groans, talking to Gaara, I assume.

"Hey!" I cry, dropping my hands. "I take offense to that!"

"You were meant to," she says, waving a hand. She then smirks once more, casting the look between Gaara and I, before exiting the room.

"A month!" I groan, flopping back onto the bed. No missions, not training. I'm gonna go soft real fast.

"It's not that bad," Gaara says, reassuringly. He's now sitting on the edge of the bed, just being cute.

Oh Kami, have I seriously already gotten into that mindset? Great, just fracking great.

"I'm just going to be so bored," I complain, staring at the ceiling to avoid staring at the red head. That would only serve to make things awkward. And since they aren't already, I'd like to keep it that way.

"Wanna tell me about what happened during the search for Sasuke and me?" I ask simply out of curiosity. But Gaara winces nonetheless. I can't even think about what he must have been going through, considering I made him promise not to tell anyone about Kabuto. He probably thought it was all his fault. But it was really mine. I'll get him to understand that later.

"I'll tell you," someone drawls from the doorway.

"Slothy!" I cry happily. He groans, dragging a hand down his face. But soon he smiles, relief evident on his face.

"Glad to see you're awake," he says, coming to give me a hug. He flicks a quick glance to Gaara, as if to see if this is permitted. I inwardly sigh. I'm the only who couldn't see his feelings, aren't I?

Anyway, Gaara smiles pleasantly, so Shikamaru takes that as a "go ahead" and pulls me into a quick hug.

"Now tell me!" I demand. "What happened?"

He chuckles and begins the story.