Hello all! So sorry I haven't updated :( I have no internet as we have moved house, but I'm hoping to be back online soon! In the meantime, please enjoy this chapter to help carry the story along (which may or may not be ending soon. I have had an upsurge in ideas for this story ;) ) Read, review, enjoy!

Chapter 10.

Neji opened his eyes gently to a clean white room and an open window, the breeze softly blowing the curtains into the room. Turning his head slightly to the left, he saw Gai sleeping in a chair. The poor Jounin looked awful, pale and tired out. Neji instantly felt bad. Did Gai look this way because he had been looking for him, sick with worry? Because Neji had foolishly believed he was strong enough to take on a member of the Akatsuki? As if reading Neji's troubled mind, Gai awoke, sleepily rubbing his eyes. Seeing Neji awake too, he yelped and gently pulled the Genin into a hug.
"Neji! Thank goodness you're awake, I've been so worried! I will never let anything happen to you again, I'm so sorry! You must hate me for letting you get kidnapped, as a Sensei and as your lover." Gai's eyes held so much worry and pain, Neji instantly felt angry and ashamed for being so idiotic.
"Gai, I could never hate you. It's my own fault they captured me; I rushed into battle and wasn't thinking. I was so concerned about you and anybody else getting hurt that I didn't think of my own safety and how little I could help. It would have been better if I had just helped move the kids into safety, instead of going against the Akatsuki alone." Hugging, the two vowed never to be so foolish in battle again. It was important that they kept emotions at bay when fighting; then they would never suffer this way anymore.

After resting up and some medicine, both Neji and Gai were fine to leave Konoha Hospital. Walking back through the village, they met up with Tenten and Lee.
"Morning everyone." Lee chimed in. "Neji, I am glad that you are feeling so much better." Neji gave a weak smile, suddenly feeling very guilty for all the years of abuse and name-calling he had given Lee, who in return gave the Hyuga nothing but kindness.
"Thank you Lee. I do feel much better. How are you?" Lee's face suddenly turned downcast and Neji mentally kicked himself – Gaara was still missing. How could Lee be feeling when his boyfriend was being held hostage by the Akatsuki? Tenten jumped in, shooting Neji an 'It's not your fault, you weren't here' look that only made him feel worse.
"Lee, we're gonna find him. It'll be okay, Gaara is strong enough to take care of himself there. Knowing him, he'll be wrapped up in his sand shell, thinking about home and his family and you." Lee gave a small smile and sighed.
"I know he is strong Tenten, but that does not stop me from worrying about him. The more time passes, the more afraid I am that we are too late to rescue him." Neji stepped in, suddenly fierce and battle ready. Lee's words had him thinking about how painful and lonely his life would be if Gai was ever missing from it.
"Lee. Let's go get Gaara back."

After the initial shock, Team Gai went to ask Lady Tsunade for permission to return to the Sand village. Agreeing, she also sent Kiba and Sakura along with them, for tracking and medical purposes. Kiba also wanted to be there for Kankuro, to make sure the puppet master was not alone in the search for his younger brother. Heading out away from the village, they were stopped by Naruto, who demanded he come with them. Kakashi pulled the struggling blonde away and apologised to Gai.
"Naruto seems to think he has some right to be on every mission involving the sand. But do tell them we are here to help if they need us." Gai nodded in thanks and the team set off for Suna on their important rescue mission.

Sitting out and watching the stars on their way, Neji was suddenly joined by Kiba.
"Hey man. Don't mind if I join you here?" Neji nodded that it was okay and Kiba sat down. "Some awesome stars out tonight. Akamaru thought it was gonna be a clear night. Maybe I got a weather predicting pup!" he joked. Neji smiled and looked at the sky. He wished he could keep his spirits up like Kiba, but he was sick with worry – about Gaara, about his next battle and about Gai. If he lost Gai… it didn't bear thinking about. Kiba, noticing his friend's discomfort suddenly piped up, "Worrying about Gai-Sensei?" Neji stiffened immediately. How did the dog ninja know! Kiba chuckled slightly and lay down, hands behind his head. "Relax man, I've known since you two came back. You smell like each other now and the pheromones you give off when you're together – phew it was some powerful stuff! Made me miss Kankuro the most!" Neji instantly relaxed again. Of course, Kiba's excellent canine sense of smell. The boy wouldn't have missed the unmistakeable scent of another person on Gai and Neji. "Plus, I reckon the whole village knows about you two. Gai was so upset and worried when you were found outside the hospital unconscious; he never left your room! But don't worry everyone cool with it. Seems our village is the most open minded you can get! That sure is neat." Neji smiled, a full on smile this time. Freedom to be alive at last!
"It feels much better now, being out in the open." He admitted. "I was so worried about what people would think, I didn't think they would just accept it. I am so terrified of this upcoming battle though. I just can't lose Gai – I really can't." Kiba turned his head a little to look up at Neji.
"What do you mean, 'upcoming battle'?" He questioned. After fixing him a look, Kiba laughed. "Okay, okay, so the Akatsuki aren't going to give Gaara back without a fight, but we may not have to battle for him back. If we can be sneaky enough, we'll be long gone before they even notice we have him!" Neji hoped Kiba was right. It would certainly make what was coming up so much easier…

Suna still looked sunny and sandy, but there was no time to relax as they had done days before. Temari ran straight up to the group, hugging Tenten tightly. Kankuro followed her, shortly behind.
"I'm sorry but there's no time to rest from your journey. We have the Akatsuki location, we need to move now!"

CHAPTER 10 ENDS. INTERMISSION FOLLOWS.