Gaara meanwhile was taking time to wonder around his village 'meeting the people' as Temari would put it.

The air was strangely cool with a light breeze that was unusual. Gaara gladly breathed it in.

"Kazekage-sama"

A well spoken voice brought him out of his revere and he mentally controlled his urge to attack. He turned to find a group of the Thean clan standing in front of him.

Recognising their headman and woman he inclined his head "Greetings – are you well?"

"Hai Kazekage-sama - we are just headed to the hospital" an elder answered over the leader of the clan. Looking closely Gaara noticed the man and his wife looked tense and unhappy

"Thean-sama, allow me to walk with you"

The man nodded taking his place beside Gaara.

"Your daughter has a heart transplant today?"

"H, how did you know that?" He asked in a hoarse whisper

"I care for my people; it's natural that I should be concerned for the heir of one of my most prestigious clans"

"I only wish our elders were as concerned" he said tearfully

"What's wrong?" Gaara asked not liking the way the elders were trying to listen in he used his sand to push them back – they took the hint.

"If my daughter cannot sing by her 9th birthday she forfeits the right to be heir, this heart coming up the week before is too, convenient but she needs a new heart, and this medic nin from Kanoha, I have paid for her because I trust no one!" He looked close to crying "I don't know if she'll help my daughter live, or if she'll be swayed to helping kill her!"

Gaara gripped his shoulder "Hyat-san…I know this medic nin – she would not kill a charge, she will do everything she can to protect your daughter, and so will I"

"Thank you Kazekage-sama……I'm sorry to burden you with these thoughts….I've just been so worried then praying at the shrine…."

That explains why his voice is so hoarse "come let us proceed"


Sakura meanwhile was sat talking to Aelea. She spoke in fluid sign language which a nurse translated to Sakura.

After she had explained the operation Sakura sat herself down on the corner of the bed.

"How are you feeling today?" Sakura askedFacing the tiny child.

White teeth were revealed as the little girl smiled and moved her hands

"She says that she's fine but very hungry because I'm mean and won't let her eat" said the nurse, who was called Sarai.

Sakura chuckled "Well, soon you'll be able to get up and play, and eat….that will be worth today ne?"

Brown curls bounced as Aelea nodded he green eyes shining. There was a knock on the door and her smile got even bigger as she reached out her arms to the people who entered.

"Ah Thean-sama…" The nurse said bowing, Sakura taking the hint also bowed.

The woman smiled as she embraced Aelea both parents looked tired but signed back with Aelea quickly.

Sakura glanced at Gaara who had entered at the same time "What happened to 'I don't do hospitals'?"

Gaara shrugged

The man let out a laugh "She thinks your hair is very strange" Aelea gasped and let of some more quick signs "papa papa that was very rude she says!"

"It's rude to talk about people just because they can't understand you Aelea" the mother who looked a lot like her child gently scolded.

"Gomen" Sakura said with a grin as Aelea made another sign "I know that one at least" she responded to their startled looks "I know some basic sign language" she dragged her hands across her cheeks "Cat right?"

Aelea nodded grinning

"Look at the time!" Sakura gasped "I need to go get ready for the operation; I also want to check the heart over"

"There is no need for that" An old man blocked Sakura's exit.

She raised her eyebrow "I beg your pardon….?"

"Sakura-san, this is Terak one of my clans elders" the man spoke with a grimace

"Indeed I am, the heart is fine, but I will not allow such as your self to operate on Aelea"

There was a silence

"Such as myself?" Sakura asked in a low tone "Please explain"

"You…"

Gaara interrupted "It cannot be because she is a ninja of the leaf our beloved allies..."

"No…but…"

Gaara had stood and was approaching Terak who seemed suddenly frightened "And it certainly cannot be concerns of her skill, the apprentice of the Hokage of the leaf cannot be incompetent…."

"Its not…." Terak tried to gather himself

"And it certainly cannot be because she is a woman…..after all I am aware of how much you enjoy the 'assistance' of your nurse at home….."

Terak gaped like a fish, his face lightly coloured with rage or embarrassment Sakura couldn't tell…..she was glad Gaara was on her side though!

"So tell me elder Terak – what is your objection?"

"I, I……I have none" he finally managed to say before scuttling out of the doorway.

She turned and bowed to the family and Gaara "There will be someone to come collect you shortly"

She didn't see the dark look the remaining elders gave her as she left.


Gaara walked beside her as she moved towards the operating theatre.

"Thanks"

"Its alright, you wouldn't know where it was"

Sakura grinned "No I meant for back there, standing up for me"

Gaara paused "Don't friends do that for one another?"

"Hai… but you didn't have to so –thank you" Sakura pushed open the operating theatre door and turned "I really appreciate you being so kind to me" Quickly she kissed his cheek and entered the room leaving a confused Gaara stood outside.


I cannot believe you just kissed him inner Sakura yelled as Sakura carefully wiped some sand grains from her lips

What of it? He's my friend, and I'm grateful to him for helping me out back there, kissing him on the cheek is a perfectly innocent action!

NOT when you loved every second of it!

Ack, go away I have an operation to do!

Yeah yeah...


Quickly scrubbing up she saw some more medic-nin enter the room, one was a nurse the other looked to be an anaesthetist.

"Hello" Sakura greeted "Have you scrubbed up?"

They both nodded pointing to a shower room just outside of the theatre.

"Has someone gone to get Aelea?"

"Hai Haruno-sama" the nurse spoke "she's outside now"

"Hey Aelea" Sakura greeted as she picked the girl out of the wheelchair and gently placed her on the operating table. "This nice man is going to make you go to sleep for a bit while I put your new heart in ok?"

She nodded and the anaesthetist put a mask over the girls face. Once her eyes closed and her breathing regulated Sakura went professional.

"Right, you….name?"

"Geo Haruno-sama" the nurse said

"Geo-san, please begin prep whilst I unpack the heart"

"Hai"


The heart itself was fine, and as Sakura began the task of opening Aelea's chest she began to wonder what exactly was wrong with the girls own heart.

When Aelea's heart came into view Sakura had to choke back rage. Geo and Sayo (the anaesthetist) shuddered as she released her anger as killer intent. Aelea stirred.

Sakura immediately calmed down breathe; finish the op, anger later, focus.

"Five minutes starting now"

Aelea's tiny almost dead heart was removed from her chest beating its last small beats before going still. The new heart was placed carefully into its place and Sakura began to attach it quickly and carefully with strong chakra threads. With the heart finally in place and moments to go she used a small electric based jutsu to set it going again.

Come on

She did it again

Yes!

The heart beat spreading blood throughout Aelea's body, still she seemed to take only shallow breaths. As Sakura finished sewing her up she frowned and began to run her chakra through the girls body to see if there was something else the matter. There was.

Sakura ground her teeth as her earlier anger came back full force. This time Geo actually took a few steps back.

"Haruno-sama?"

She shook her head forming her blooding hands into seals damn clan politics! Damn them for ruining a child's life placing the hands over Aelea's throat Sakura spoke "Release seal!"

Aelea coughed and took deeper breaths, "mama…." She mumbled

Seyo's eyes widened "She spoke!"

Geo frowned "there was a seal on her voice?"

"Think what you will" Sakura said angrily "I need to wash up and report to her family, can you take it from here?"

"Hai Haruno-sama, you were truly amazing to watch!"

Sakura smiled painfully "I just wish I felt that way"