A/N: My apologies for the long wait and short chapter.

"I think I just got a better idea!" Naruto suddenly announced, and grabbed Garra's wrist. On pure instinct, sand rushed out of the Kazekage's gourd and wrapped around the other's wrist. Seconds later, the redhead looked embarrassed. "My apologies, Naruto," he said, releasing his friend.

"No worries," the kitsune replied, still holding onto his friend and smiling. "Anyway, me an' Gaara are gonna get something to eat. You guys can go do whatever."

"Pfft, you're welcome," Sakura sneered. The blonde's face was suddenly inches from hers.

"Thank you, Sakura," he said. "And I'm trying to return the favor."

And then it hit her.

Naruto knew how hungry and tired she was. He was making an excuse for her so she could go do whatever she wanted. And he probably wanted to talk with Gaara more too, just without an audience.

'How sweet!" Inner Sakura swooned. "Oh," was the only outward reply she could muster.

"I'm sure you and Kakashi-sensei want some 'alone time,'" the blonde teased.

'I take it back! As soon as I have the energy, he's dead!' Inner Sakura declared.

"Come on, Gaara!" the oblivious blonde yelled, dragging the reluctant redhead behind him.

"Sakura, you're fuming," Kakashi noted.

"Naruto has that effect on me," she replied.

"Come on, he laughed. "Let's get you home so you can rest."

"Ok. But I will be eating first. You're… you're welcome to join me… if you want…"

"Thank you, but you should take care of yourself. I'll find you later, alright?"

"… Ok."

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"Where are we headed?" Gaara inquired.

"Back to my apartment," Naruto replied. "You're gonna help me find all bugs Kakashi-sensei planted!"

"And you still refer to him as 'sensei," the redhead mused.

"Yeah… He said we didn't have to anymore, but…"

"I would have thought Sakura, not you, would be the one desperately attached to the past."

"Gaara?"

"Yes?"

"When did you get so blunt?" the gennin (yes, still!) asked.

"About a year and a half ago. It works well in meetings."

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'I know that look,' Kakashi sighed inwardly, walking back to his own apartment. 'It was only there a second, and she probably only let it slip because she was so tired, but it was there. It'll only be a matter of time…"

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"Gaara?"

"Yes?" Gaara, currently searching under the flipped couch, looked up at the kitsune currently chakra-attached to a wall.

"I'm wondering… How exactly do I 'let go' of a ghost I never wanted to begin with?"

"How are you evading it at the moment?"

"Sasuke's never here when others are."

"Then why do you force solitude upon yourself?"

"He gets louder and angry the less often I'm alone."

'Aways did have an ego problem,' the redhead mused. "I've told you already," he continued aloud. "For whatever the reason, you feel guilt about Sasuke's death. Let the guilt go, and Sasuke's voice will as well." He stood. "I think that's all of them. Let's go."

"Where?" Naruto asked, jumping down off the wall.

"You need to train. I can tell just by looking at you."

'Sasuke will be REALLY loud tonight if we stay out too long,' the blonde thought. "For awhile, I guess," he replied. "But let's get something to eat first, ok?"

The Kazekage rolled his eyes. "I suppose." 'He completely ignored that insult about him needing to train,' he thought. 'That Uchiha really is taking over his mind.' The redhead wasn't sure why, but the idea of it really pissed him off.