Setting: The Village Hidden in the Leaves after Pain's Assault, Hokage Tower

A dark silent and somber night gripped the Village Hidden in the leaves the night of Pain's assault. The damage, significant and extensive. The rebuilding of the village would have to commence immediately the next day. Bigger things, however, rattled the Hokage's mind. First and foremost, what to do with Naruto?

It was clear from today's fight that what the Akatsuki were truly after, was the boy. I have to keep him from falling into their hands, she thought, but how?! She tried to think as she reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of sake just as her office door opened. "This doesn't seem like the best moment to be drinking does it Lady Tsunade?"

She glared daggers in the direction of the door and the nin it was aimed towards cringed beneath the glare. "Cram it Kakashi, after a day like today, now's the perfect time." She stated as she popped the cork and guzzled straight from the bottle. "It's time we talked about Naruto."

"About that," Kakashi stated as he looked at his Hokage chug down the sake. "I think I have a great idea." A knowing look spread across his face. "I'm sure that our friends in the land of wind will be more than happy to help." His features softened to a knowing smile.

Tsunade thought for a moment, "our friends in the land of wind?" She wracked her brain until it clicked. A grin spread across her face. "This could work. See to it he receives his orders as soon as he comes to. By the end of the week I want Naruto to be in the Hidden Sand!"

"WHAAAT! What do you mean I have a mission already?! I should be here helping rebuild the village!" An outraged Naruto cried out. Kakashi sweat dropped as he tried to calm him down and with Naruto beating on his chest, it wasn't easy.

"Look, right now the Hokage needs you in the Hidden Sand. Your mission is to be the personal guard of the Kazekage." Kakashi paused as he saw the look on Naruto's face change immediately from outrage to contemplation.

"So, you mean I'll have to spend a lot of time with the Kazekage? So, Gaara?" A smile spread on his face as he said it, then darkened. "Why?"

Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, Lady Tsunade thought it would be great for you to receive private training from another Kage." He paused as he watched Naruto's expression change from doubt to pure joy.

"You mean she wants me to get training from a Kage? Because she's considering me for next Hokage isn't she?!" His fists balled up in excitement. His face was pure joy as his eyes sparkled.

Oh boy thought Kakashi. He scratched behind his neck. Well that was easy. "You set off tomorrow morning and will be gone for a month. Within that time you should receive some good information while providing extra protection to their village for the Kazekage for the time. You got it?"

"Got it. I won't mess this up . I promise." Determination steeled Naruto's gaze.

Soon after Naruto began to pack and decided now would be a perfect time to take a break for some ramen. He began to think as he waited for the water to boil. Since I'll be Gaara's personal guard and he'll be training me, I'm going to be spending a lot of time with him. He rubbed his chin as he sat in front of his ramen cup on his small table. He proceeded to slurp the noodles as he thought deeper into it. Gaara. Those eyes. The loneliness. His thoughts of the old Gaara interrupted by the flashback of their most recent encounter. That beautiful moment where Gaara came back to the land of the living and the only thing that existed in that moment was them two.

He paused at that moment. He had never been more happy in his life than at that moment when he knew... he hadn't lost Gaara.