As Naruto went after Gaara, Aceso stayed back and healed Lee's leg, he laid flat on the ground.

"This seems to be coming to an end," Lee said. " I am happy we are able to return the favor."

"I am happy to we are as well," Aceso said. Lee couldn't help but fix his eyes on her. "Lee, you can't keep hurting this leg, not while I'm away at least."

"I can't promise you I won't hurt it again," Lee smiled. "If I injured it that badly. I'll just ask Kakashi-sensei to have Pakkun or another track you down."

"Will you leave right away when we get back?" Lee asked as his hand grabbed onto a braid. It's been a long time since he grabbed onto her hair like that. 

"No, probably in the morning," Aceso answered. "I'll be leaving as soon as the sun rises." She was avoiding his eyes and focusing on his leg.

" This is probably a bad time," Lee said as he hoisted himself up on his elbows. Aceso looked at him, his eyes were locked onto hers, seconds later they glanced down at her lips. Aceso glanced down at his lips. Normally, Aceso would tell herself that she is too young, but she was leaving tomorrow, and could probably let this slide. They both leaned closer to each other, this time it wasn't going to be an accident like back at the Land of the Moon.

"Aceso!" Ino's voice called out, they both jumped back, turning red, and looked away from each other.

"Lee!" Sakura's voice called out. They looked to see Ino and Sakura running up to them. Lee laid back down.

"What happened?" Sakura asked as she knelt beside Aceso, and Ino was on the other side of Lee.

"Injured leg," Aceso answered. "But I'm almost done."

"Status?" Ino asked.

"I just have to reconnect two or three more muscles," Aceso answered. "He should be back in business." Seconds later Aceso stopped the treatment. " That's it, the treatment's over for now."

"You must've been fighting like a maniac to end up in such bad shape," Sakura said.

"Sorry," Lee apologized. "Aceso, you saved my life again. Now I'll be forever in your debt."

"She was just doing her job," Sakura reminded him.

"Plus, it's part of our promise," Aceso said. "You protect me, and I'll heal you."

"That's going to have to be put on hold for a bit," Lee said as he started to sit up.

"No, you shouldn't get up yet!" Ino protested.

"As a medical ninja, I forbid you from doing any more fighting!" Sakura declared. "You need your rest."

"No, please let me go," Lee pleaded. " I cannot leave Gaara alone out there, fending for himself. I must repay the favor he did for us."

"Let's get moving," Aceso said as she stood up holding out her hand.

"But he's not fully recovered," Sakura protested.

"It's alright," Aceso said. " Naruto is going to back him up, plus Gaara isn't some pushover. By the time we get there, Naruto and Gaara should have him finished and the student will be saved."

"Yeah, but-" Ino began.

"Let's not waste any more time," Aceso said. "If we get there and can help out, then we should." 

"But his leg," Sakura said.

"Gaara saved Lee's life as well as my life, we both want to repay our debt," Aceso said. 

"C'mon," Lee said as he took her hand. They all then took off towards the valley. Moments later they caught up with the others.

"Hey, Shikamaru!" Lee greeted.

 "So, what's the word?" Shikamaru asked.

" We do not know Naruto and Gaara's location," Aceso answered.

  "Neji, Hinata," Shikamaru called upon them. "Look ahead, and tell me what the situation is."

"There's a large metal cage in the middle of an open canyon," Hinata reported. "And I sense a massive amount of chakra being extracted from it."

"All the energy could mean Gaara is inside," Neji said.

"Hey, Shikamaru," Temari called. He dropped beside her.

"Yeah, what's up?" Shikamaru asked.

"You are aware that Gaara has a terrifying power lying dormant within his body, aren't you?" Temari asked.

"Yeah, sort of," Shikamaru answered. "I know about it."

"I'm worried about his chakra being extracted like this," Temari said. "He might not be able to contain the power. Something truly horrible could happen. If he loses control, Shukaku could be released. And when it goes berserk, there would be no way to stop Gaara."

"What a drag," Shikamaru groaned. They arrived to open the canyon to see Naruto extremely hurt, the freed student, some dude, and Gaara transforming into Shukaku.

"This is bad," Kankuri breathed.

"Naruto!" Aceso gasped running over to him and Matsuri.

"Naruto!" Hinata breathed running over with her.

"Hinata, Little Sister," Naruto greeted.

"Matsuri, you okay?" Temari asked walking up with Shikamaru.

"Yeah, but Gaara sensei needs help," Matsuri answered.

"Okay, I'll let you look after her," Naruto said as he got up. He started groaning as he moved forward.

"What do you think you're doing, Naruto?" Sakura demanded. "You're badly hurt! Stay out of it."

"I can't," Naruto answered looking at her.

"Come on," Sakura pleaded. "You won't last a minute. At least let me patch you up." Naruto sat down to let Sakura heal him as they watched the showdown between Gaara and Seimei.

 "Things are going to get really ugly really soon," Temari said.

" I was afraid of that," Shikamaru said. "Sakura, will you hurry up? It's not like we've got all the time in the world, here."

"Right, got it!" Sakura said. "Okay, now hold your hands out."

"Ugh, okay," Naruto breathed holding them out. Aceso took out her chakra ointment container. Sakura started the treatment as Aceso wiped some ointment across Naruto's forehead.

"What in the world's going on there?" Neji demanded.

"What do you see?" Lee asked. "What is it?"

"Gaara appears to be transforming into some sort of half-beast," Neji explained. "While his opponent's chakra is increasing exponentially."

"That one called himself Seimei and said he was the founder of the Village of Artisans," Masturi informed standing up. "He said he'd been reborn as the ultimate ninja tool.

" A lousy thief is what he is," Naruto said. "He's stealing Gaara's chakra!"

"Come to think of it, the enemy we faced wore a similar sort of armor with the power to absorb one's chakra," Lee recalled.

"Hm, armor that feeds on chakra," Shino said. "We must be very careful. We can't rush in."

"Yeah, but we gotta do something," Shikamaru said.

"I never imagined I would be fighting Shukaku himself," Seimei said. The guy was floating on some blue energy ball. "But far from dreading the battle, I'm delighted. It will give me the opportunity to prove that even his power is no match for the Village of Artisan's ultimate ninja tool." Gaara/Shukaku started growling, letting out a roar.

"Gaara!" Aceso called out. He glanced at her a little. "You can fight this! You got this! I believe in you! We all do!"

"What's that going to do?" Kankuro asked.

"Some words of encouragement and love is always helpful," Aceso said. Gaara started groaning again, soon the transform part turned into sand, falling from his body.

"Look!" Matsuri called out. "H-He's returning to normal!"

"But, how? What happened?" Naruto asked.

" He stopped it," Temari said. "He's using all his strength to fight off the transformation."

"But, why?" Shikamaru said. "He'll need every advantage he can get if he's gonna beat that guy."

" That maybe, but even so he's chosen to depend on his powers," Kankuro said. "Not that of the monster within him, which he knows he can't control." The sand fell off fully, Aceso could see that he was heavily injured.

"So it was too much for your chakra to complete the transformation, eh?" Seimei laughed menacingly. 

"If I'm to help my friends, I must do it for myself, on my own," Gaara said.

"You fool," Seimei said. "You're allowing your emotions to guide you. A shinobi must abandon emotion if he's ever to obtain ultimate power. And power...Power is the only truth in this world. As you're about to find out." The point rods extended turning into faces. "It's over." The tools shot forward, and Gaara dodged one as the rest struck him. He landed groaning in pain. "Your time is done, you freak of the Sand Village." Gaara looked at him, a smirk forming on his face. "Hm? Why so cocky? You have no more chakra. In fact, I'm surprised you have the strength to hold that grin on your face."

"Yes, my charka is almost totally depleted," Gaara agreed. "But all the time I was trapped in that cage, do you think I was just sitting on my hands doing nothing? huh?"

"Meaning?" Seimei asked. Gaara put his hands together. 

"Sand Tsunami!" Gaara shouted nothing happened.

"Heh, it would appear that you've run out of sand as well as chakra," Seimei said.

" I'm Gaara of the Desert," Gaara said. " Wherever there's rock, wherever there's earth, I can make more sand." The rocks in the canyon, crack and crumble into sand. A big sand tsunami washed over Seimei as it rose Gaara up. The sand tsunami was heading their way.

"This would be a good time to move," Aceso said. 

"Unless you desire to be a sandwich," Lee laughed. They heard howling dogs, as they looked at him. " Get it? Because of the sand, and we would be in the middle as the meat. Sandwich." He was laughing, he was proud of his joke.

'Papa Gai is really rubbing off on you,' Aceso thought to herself as they all jumped out of the way. They got to high ground a little just, as the sand covered most of the terrain.

 "Kujaku: Hurricane Formation!" Seimei shouted. Wind circled out of the sand, Seimei rose out of the sand with it. "You've that much chakra left? How unexpected. On the other hand, there's that much more I can feed on." The lion's head's eyes glowed, the wind started to be pulled into its mouth along with more of Gaara's chakra.

"He's the draining the last of Gaara's chakra!" Neji informed.

"Huh?" Naruto asked.

"Gaara-sensei!" Matsuri exclaimed.

"That does it!" Naruto growled.

"Just stay out of it," Shikamaru ordered as Aceso put her arm in front of Naruto.

"Stay out of it? What're you talking about?" Naruto demanded.

"Look, you'll only be getting in the way," Temari said.

"Have some faith Gaara," Aceso smiled at him. "He's not a pushover."

"Gaara is stronger than you think," Temari added with a smile.

"Hope so," Naruto breathed looking back at the battle. Seimei continued to laugh as Gaara held up his hand, sand appeared at it forming a spear.

"Extreme Tempered Ultimate Attack: Shukaku's Pike!" Gaara said. The weapon was huge, there was a red design on the sand blade. With the last of his strength, he threw the spear right into Seimsei, breaking the chakra-absorbing mouthpiece. All the weapons on the man disappeared.

"How? How did you know?" Seimei demanded in shock. "It's impossible!"

" You wouldn't understand," Gaara said. "You're only a ninja tool. You've turned back on being human."

"Ridiculous!" Seimei hissed. " It can't be. It can't be!" Sand swirled up, taking Seimei into the earth, burying him.

"Giant Sand Burial!" Gaara exclaimed. He slammed his hands on the ground. The ground shook violently. Once it stopped, sparkly things rose out of the sand.

" All right!" Naruto cheered. 

"He did it!" Matsuri cheered. " Gaara sensei beat him!"

" He sure did !" Aceso cheered as Temari, Kankuro, Lee, Shikamaru, Naruto, Sakura, Aceso, and Matsuri ran over to the sandboy. "Gaara!" He looked over at them, he then passed out.

"Gaara!" Temari and Kankuro gasped. Aceso went and knelt beside him. She touched right under his chin.

"He's alright," Aceso smiled. "He's just exhausted from having to use so much of his chakra." Aceso took out some ointment.

"To think, he was able to suppress Shukaku and do it all on his own," Temari said.

"Yeah," Kankuro breathed. " I guess you finally someone who understands you, didn't you?"

"Huh?" Naruto asked looking back at Kankuro. "What'd you say?"

"Oh, nothing at all," Kankuro said.

"Hm?" Naruto breathed as Aceso wiped ointment on Gaara. 

******

They all went back to the Leaf Village, they did immediate care for Naruto and Gaara. 

Aceso had Gaara in a chair, as she tended to his shoulder. He had his shirt removed, staring forward.

"I'm going to have to stitch it," Aceso informed.

"That's fine," Gaara assured, he looked over to see Aceso trying to fight his sand with a needle. "It's hopeless."

"Not necessarily," Aceso denied. "I just wanted to see if it would work this way." She put a string between her two fingers she engulfed her hand in the healing chakra. "This going to be a little uncomfortable." Gaara nodded, he looked forward. Aceso traced her fingers down his injury in a zigzag form, attaching the string. She held up her finger, the string snapped together.

Gaara sat straight up, then looked back at her. "Warning next time."

"Sorry," Aceso smiled back at him, her smile dropped as she went to grab wrappings.

"Change of mind?" Gaara asked as she opened a cabinet. 

"I'm leaving in the morning," Aceso said softly. "this was my third mission." She walked over and began to wrap up his shoulder.

"Cousin," Gaara breathed. "If you knew this was going to be your last mission then why did you take it?"

"We don't always have options on our missions," Aceso reminded him. "Plus, this last mission had everyone together. I like that I got to see everyone before I leave."

"Will you be coming to the sand at all?" Gaara asked.

"Yeah, Temari made me promise," Aceso answered with a small smile. "But it will be my last stop before I come home." She looked up to see Gaara staring at her. "You may not want to hear this, but you need to get stronger." Gaara didn't seem happy with that answer. "You know it's true."

"I've already mastered every jutsu my father taught me," Gaara reminded her. "How much stronger?"

"For starters, your taijutsu is pitiful," Aceso answered. Gaara finally smiled. "Lee was the first to break through your sand armor, and he obviously isn't going to be last. You need to work on getting stronger."

"If it makes you worry less, then I will," Gaara gave in. Soon she moved Gaara to rest in the same room as Naruto. He was telling her how Jiraya stopped at the window.

"Doctor Matsuba," Lady Tsunade said as she knocked on the door, she opened it. 

"Come on in Grandma Tsunade!" Naruto cheered. "Pervy Sage just passed by!"

"If I recall he's taking you out for two years of excessive training," Tsunade said.

"Yeah! I'll be coming back stronger than ever!" Naruto laughed as he rocked back and forth. Tsunade smiled at him, she turned her attention to Aceso. 

"May I borrow you?" Tsunade requested. "There are matters I want to discuss with you."

"Not a chance, I want to spend every chance I can with my sister," Naruto said. "I won't see her for two years."

"It's alright, they can hear what you have to say," Aceso said.

"I need one more favor," Tsunade said. "Jiraya said he has been out gathering information on the Akatsuki."

"What did he find?" Aceso asked.

"He says they will be making their move in two years," Tsunade said. "While you are out on your journey, if you find anything on the Akatsuki, I want you to report it back to me and to the sand."

"That's too dangerous," Kakashi said. They looked to see him leaning on the wall.

"It's alright, Dad," Aceso said. "I can do it."

"You will?" Tsunade asked.

"You will?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes," Aceso answered. 

"No," Gaara said. 

"Gaara," Aceso breathed as she looked at him. "This decision isn't yours to make."

"It's way too risky," Gaara said as Aceso sat on his bed.

"It may be risky, but I can help save lives including yours, it'll be worth it," Aceso said.

"It's way too dangerous for someone that is just supposed to heal people," Gaara argued.

"I agree with Gaara," Kakashi said. "I don't want you to be putting yourself at risk. That is a job for a ninja, you are to be traveling around as a doctor."

"Looks like your favor just favored out," Naruto said as he crossed his arms. "Little sister, you need to think this through."

"Naruto, if anything would happen to you, I would be devastated," Aceso said looking at him. "If I can get intel about what we are about to be against, then I'm going to do it."

"I would feel the same if I lost you," Naruto said. "You are my sister, my family, why?"

"For that exact reason, you're my brother," Aceso said, she looked at Gaara, he didn't seem too happy. "Gaara, I am going to be fine."

"It's stupid you are agreeing," Gaara said.

"You focus on getting stronger, I'll gather intel," Aceso said. 

"You are supposed to be traveling as a doctor," Gaara reminded her. 

" I won't be tracking them the entire time, only if I cross paths with them," Aceso said. " I don't want anything bad happening to you either. You are my best friend." Gaara's eyes went wide as he let out a gasp. At the door in the hall, stood Kankuro and Temari, their eyes went wide as well. 

"Your what?" Gaara asked.

"You are my best friend," Aceso answered. "You are somebody I would absolutely risk my life for." Gaara stared at her, trying to take in what she had just said. 

"You are my best friend too," Gaara said as he held up a pinky finger. 

"Do you mean it?" Aceso said as a big smile grew on her face with tears in her eyes. Gaara nodded his head, he glanced down at his finger, she hasn't grabbed it. 

"Best friends forever?" Gaara asked. Without warning, Aceso scooped him up in a hug, and he was taken back. 

"Forever," Aceso smiled as she hugged him tighter.

"No fair!" Naruto complained scrambling out of his bed. "I want a hug too!" Kankuro and Temari both peaked into the room as Naruto wrapped his arms around Gaara and Aceso. The three pulled back from each other.

"Please, be careful," Gaara pleaded, looking at her in the eyes.

"You two need to be careful as well," Aceso said. " I won't be able to run give you aid for a while."

"So it's settled," Tsunade said. "You better get moving, you leave at the beginning of sunrise."

"Right," Aceso said as she got off the bed. She looked back at the two. She then planted a kiss on both of their cheeks. "I am going to miss you both, a lot." 

"Hey, kid," a voice boomed. They looked back to see Gai sensei. "What makes you are going to leave without telling me bye." He gave thumbs up. 

"See you in two years," Aceso said looking back at Gaara and Naruto with tears in her eyes. Gaara was still in complete shock from getting a kiss on the cheek from his cousin. He was starting to believe somebody really did love him, a family love, a best friend love.

"See you in two years," Naruto said with tears in her eyes. "When we come back, we should get some ramen first thing."

"You got it," Aceso giggled as she tilted her head.

"See you in two years," Gaara nodded. 

"Gaara, you aren't allowed to leave the hospital for two days," Aceso informed. "Doctor's orders." Gaara couldn't help but smile a little. Aceso walked out of the room blowing kisses at the two, she got stopped by Temari and Kankuro.

"You really do love Gaara, don't you?" Kankuro asked. 

"The same how I love you and Temari," Aceso said. They both engulfed her in a hug.

"Thank you," Kankuro said softly. 

"C'mon on kiddo!" Gai called. She looked to see Kakashi and Gai had stopped walking.

"Bye," Aceso said as she walked away from the sand siblings. She ran forward and got in the middle of Gai and Kakashi, grabbing their hands. Just like she did when they were younger. As a kid, she would hold on to their hands, as they would swing as they walked down the streets of the village. Gai and Kakashi both looked at each other and smiled. They were her parents, two dads.

"That was shorter than two months," Kakashi said. "It felt more like just a month."

"Lady Tsunade said I had to be ready at any moment," Aceso said as they walked to her place.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Gai asked. She could tell he was sad. 

"Yeah," Aceso answered softly. 

"Even though you won't see anyone for two years," Gai added.

"They will just make coming home even more exciting," Aceso answered. Gai sensei started to recall caring for her. Helping her walk, he remembers seeing how happy she would get when he would show up. Gai remembered carrying Aceso on his head, as he and Kakashi walked through the Uchiha District, they tasted amazing Senbons that day. 

Kakashi recalled calming Aceso down at night, he remembered playing tea parties with her on super rainy days. Whenever she got scared, she would hold Kakashi's hand, and hide behind his leg. 

Both Gai and Kakashi recall having sleepovers with her, just so she wouldn't be alone all the time. They remember some of the few arguments, the good days and the bad days. They both remember sitting outside the office waiting for Aceso to walk out of her doctor's exam the first time. When she took the genin exam, they were both her biggest supporters during the Chunin exams, they recalled when she became a Jonin. All of them were recalling all the times they had together, their family time. All the pranks they pulled on Kurenai and Asuma. They walked in silence to the place. Once they got in, they began to do last-minute checks with the packing.

"You sure you got everything?" Gai asked as they put everything back in.

"Oh, before I forget," Aceso said as a lightbulb popped up. She took off her ninja headband. " Can I trust you to guard this?"

"I will guard this with my life," Gai said as he took it. 

"Gai, we should probably leave to let her get some sleep," Kakashi said as he stared out the window. It was hard for Kakashi to admit, that Aceso wasn't a little girl anymore asking him to do her hair. Aceso sat on the bed; Gai kneeled in front of her.

"You are going to have a lot of adventures," Gai began as he took her hands. "Some are going to be rougher than others, but never turn your back on youth...youth is your biggest strength. Be wise with money, always make sure to have enough for food, do your laundry when you can, and don't walk around being all smelly. Don't forget everything I taught you are self-defense. You are a beautiful young lady, there's no telling who going to try to scoop you up. Beware of strangers, but make friends. Never skip out on training. And if anything, you can always come home early." Gai sensei had tears running down his face. " Don't focus so much on making medicine, stop, and smell the flowers once in a while. Most importantly, know that I love you."

"Papa," Aceso breathed with tears streaming down her face. " I love you more." Gai cried more as the two engulfed each other in a hug.

"Gai, you are getting snot everywhere," Kakashi said.

"Don't be shy and get in here," Gai said as he hugged the redhead even tighter. 

"Kid, be careful out there," Kakashi said as he sat on the bed beside her. "The world is cruel, it is so cruel, never lose your smile. "I have something for you." He pulled out a book. "It's a story about a medic; I had Naruto help me pick it out. I'm sure you would like it."

"Thank you Dad," Aceso sniffed as she pulled away from Gai. "As I think about it, I didn't pack a book."

"You are going to need it," Kakashi said as he put it in her bag. "Don't forget everything I taught you. Thousand years of death will come in handy against those weirdos Gai mentioned. Make sure to thank everyone who lets you stay at their place, and thank everyone that helps you out. In general, be kind to everyone. And most importantly, know that I love you too."

"Dad," Aceso breathed. " I love you more." They engulfed each other in a hug, they felt a pair of arms wrapped around them both, it was no question that Gai was holding them both. Both Gai and Kakashi kissed her cheek. After a round of tea, they left and Aceso went to bed. 

Aceso woke up about two hours later at the sense of another's presence, she looked to see someone sitting on the window sill, the light of the moon engulfing them. Aceso slowly sat up. "Kankuro?"

"Sit with me," Kankuro requested. 

"Yeah, of course," Aceso said as she plopped next to him, dangling her feet out the window. "Is there something you need?"

"Nothing wrong with wanting to speak to you before you leave is there?" Kankuro asked as he looked at her with a slight smile, Aceso shook her head. " Are you sure you know what you are doing?"

"Yes," Aceso nodded. "I am to go around healing people--"

" And taking note on any passing Akatsuki information," Kankuro finished. "Sending you out alone to heal is one thing, but now it involves that group...cousin this mission is completely different than as it started out as." Aceso shook her head. 

"Kankuro, even if I weren't instructed to do so, I would have done so anyway," Aceso said. "And you would too." Kankuro didn't seem too happy. "The world is changing, you can feel it too, can't you?"

Kankuro looked forward with a sigh. "Relationships are getting better, but the Akatsuki...it's a different sense of danger. One we need to be united for rather than at each other's throats." Aceso scooted closer to him, he looked back at her. "I know how you feel about returning back to the leaf early."

"About to try and talk me into it as well, are you?" Aceso asked as she looked at him.

"Cousin, if anything happens at least come and stay at the sand village," Kankuro requested. "You are Aunt Momo's daughter, your mom would be static if you saw the village for real."

"I will consider it," Aceso agreed. "But I can't promise when the sand village is my last to visit before coming to the leaf." Kankuro put a hand on her head, ruffling her hair,

"Just be careful," Kankuro requested. "If something happens to you, the sand and leaf will be teaming up."

"I wouldn't doubt it," Aceso smiled. She looked down at her wrist, on it was a bracelet with a sand symbol. Temari gave it to her a while back; she stared at it heavily before unclipping it. 

"Don't like it anymore?" Kankuro asked as she handed it to him.

"I want you to hold on to it," Aceso requested. "As you said with the Akatsuki--" They both stopped talking at the sounds of a punching bag being hit. Aceso looked back into her room even with the door closed she knew where the sound was coming from. "Lee." 

"It's as you said, the world is changing," Kankuro said as he looked back. "All of us want to get stronger, we have to get stronger for what is coming our way." Aceso looked back at Kankuro. 

"You should get some sleep," Kankuro said as he stepped out. "Only a few more hours till the sun is up." Aceso slipped back into her room. "You aren't scared are you?"

"Of course I am," Aceso laughed lightly. "But it's the fear that drives me even more to go." Kankuro pulled Aceso into a tight hug, she could feel Crow's hair tickling her nose. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you as well," Kankuro said as he pulled back. "See you at the sand." Aceso nodded and with that Aceso went back to bed. 

The time to leave came too quick, Aceso was now standing at her bed, as daylight started to break, but it was still dark out. She was staring at a picture, in it was one from she got her doctor's license. She was holding her certificate, as Gai and Kakashi were on either side of her giving thumbs up, even with the mask, it was easy to tell that all of them had giant smiles. Aceso wiped away a stray tear and put the picture down. She then made her way out the door, she closed the door shutting, locking it. It collided with the sound of another door being closed. Aceso looked to the side to see Lee standing out his door, he held something behind his back, and he looked upset.

"Let me walk you to the gate," Lee pleaded as he held out his hand, he didn't seem to want to look her in the eye. 

"I would like that very much," Aceso nodded, she grabbed onto his hand, and the two made their way to the gate.

"When you come back, I will be much stronger," Lee said. "I am going to train hard every day until I become an even more splendid ninja."

"You already are a splendid ninja," Aceso said.

"You really do think so?" Lee asked looking at her. "Nothing makes you think any less."

"Though you are probably the loudest snoring ninja I've ever met," Aceso said. 

"I am not" Lee shot with a smile.

"You do too," Aceso playfully argued.

"When you come back, I will show you what loud snoring is," Lee said. He started laughing.

"Sure," Aceso laughed. The two both grew quiet and looked away from each other, Lee tightened his grip on her hand. 

"Aceso," Lee began as they started to get closer to the gate. She looked up at him, Lee used her name, which was rare. Lee was having a hard time with words. "Don't get sidetracked on this mission, by romance."

"Romance?" Aceso asked as she titled her head. 

"You will probably end up falling in love out there," Lee said. 

"Most likely not," Aceso denied.

"You never know," Lee said.

"I know," Aceso said. "When you fall in love with someone, your heart doesn't change so easily." 

"Don't you say you are too young for love?" Lee recalled. 

"Yeah," Aceso smiled as they stopped at the gate.

"Before you go," Lee began as he pulled his arm out from behind his back. "This is if you get cold." Lee put an orange scarf around her.

"It's beautiful," Aceso smiled. "Thank you."

"Thanks, I knitted it myself," Lee smiled shinning his teeth. The sun started to shine through the trees, the village was beginning to wake up. He took her other hand. "Be careful out there."

"You be careful as well," Aceso said as she removed her hands, she pulled him into a hug.

"You should get going," Lee said as he tightened the hug. Aceso placed a kiss on his cheek, he turned red.

"See you in two years," Aceso smiled as she pulled back. 

"See you in two years," Lee said. He took in the color of her eyes, sure he had a picture they took together in his room, but it wouldn't be the same. Lee turned to leave, when he looked back he saw that Aceso was making her way up the hill, to a new destination. She had officially left the Leaf Village. He saw her look back, her eyes immediately landed on him. She blew him a kiss and waved before disappearing over the hill.

"These two years will go by faster than you think," a voice said. Lee looked to see Ino standing out of view at the gate. "You really love her, don't you?"

" I don't know what you are talking about," Lee quickly denied scratching the back of his head.

"Your cheek is still red from when she kissed it," Ino said. "Besides, I know love when I see it, I am an expert."

" I-" Lee began.

"Do me a favor," Ino said. "When she gets back, tell her how you feel."

"How I feel?" Lee asked as his face grew red. He looked down, his eyes located a small grass heart in his hands. 

"Trust me, it will go better than you think," Ino said. 

"What makes you think she won't fall in love out there?" Lee asked as held picked up the grass heart. "There are most likely better people out there than me, a ninja that doesn't solely rely on taijutsu."

"You know Aceso doesn't care about that kind of stuff," Ino laughed. "She would date a carpenter, somebody with no ninja skill." Lee couldn't help but agree. "But, she won't be falling in love out there, she already gave her heart away."

"To who?" Lee asked uneasily.

"Boys are so dumb," Ino shook her head as Lee look back out the village gates.

Aceso was walking down a path, her first stop is going to be the Land of Waves.