"Akatsuki is here! Akatsuki is here!"

The cry of warning echoed throughout the whole of Sunagakure, immediately sending hoards of ninjas running towards the front of the country. Within a building where they could see everything, Baki stood stoutly next to Gaara, his arms folded, forehead creased into an enormous frown.

"So they come at last," Baki said softly.

Genma and Shizune had not left Sunagakure yet. In private, they had conferred about the matter, and finally reached the decision to stay on in Sunagakure until Gaara was safe from Akatsuki's threats. Returning to Konoha did not feel right, somehow, when their ally was in clear danger.

Now they stood amidst the ninjas of Sunagakure, frowning hard as a yellow-haired youth clad in Akatsuki's black and red robe casually walked forward next to a dark-faced, masked man hunched over himself.

"This should go well for Sunagakure," Genma said quietly to Shizune. "Two against all those ninjas…"

"Will not go well for Akatsuki," Shizune finished. "Precisely. I hardly think we'll even be needed. Two ninjas won't make much difference."

"You never know," Genma replied gravely.

"Well, here they come now," Shizune murmured, watching as Akatsuki now approached, smiling smugly as though they already thought they had the victory.

Genma's lips tightened as the two black-clad rogues separated and begin to rush forward. The yellow-haired man took the lead, his hands moving swiftly. An arm lunged forward, flinging forth several white objects, and then there was a terrific explosion which shocked everyone considerably.

"So he uses explosive clay," Genma mused, leaning over further to observe.

The battle raged on as the other Akatsuki member approached the ninjas now to join the furious battle. This one seemed to be a puppet master, and had no problem in controlling endless puppets at once. Genma and Shizune watched with open mouths, startled at the amazing display of skills on both sides.

"Looks like we've underestimated Akatsuki," Genma muttered, as the yellow-haired man hurled another explosive bit of clay, bringing down at least five Sand ninjas. "Considering they're up against just two ninjas…they're doing shockingly well."

"Let's hope the Sand ninjas can endure," Shizune responded.

By then, it was too much for Gaara, who had been watching on throughout the entire time with Baki, Temari and Kankuro. No way was he just going to watch while endless men died just to save him.

Even now, despite having long lost his murderous nature, Gaara was still a force to be reckoned with. Genma and Shizune watched with open mouths as Gaara displayed a startling amount of skills, utilizing a wide range of sand-based attacks, his teeth gritted with barely concealed rage. Temari and Kankuro did not fail to help him, Temari using her wind-based jutsus and Kankuro, his puppets. Baki fought viciously by their side, his eyes burning with hatred. Akatsuki fought their best, but, as Genma suspected, one of them obviously lacked enough strength to do the job properly. More and more ninjas from the Sand Country poured in like rain, not seeming to care that they were facing Akatsuki themselves.

Bit by bit, Akatsuki was forced to retreat from the heavy attacks of the Sand ninjas. Genma and Shizune could not stop themselves from smiling broadly, as the yellow-haired ninja barked out an order sharply, undoubtedly an order to retreat. Cursing and swearing, with promises to return for Gaara, Akatsuki finally backed away and fled.

"Gaara-sama, should we pursue them?"

"No!" Gaara commanded sharply. "They're not Akatsuki members for nothing. Stay here and tend to the injured. Bury the dead with honour and regroup our forces. Akatsuki will be back."

"Yes, Gaara-sama."

Genma turned to Shizune and gave her a huge hug, laughing with relief and glee. Their mission had been far more successful than they had anticipated. They had managed to warn Gaara in time, directly helping to save his life. Never would they forget how they had overcome their dislike of each other and turned it into teamwork, friendship – and success.

Gaara would not let them stay on to fight again, but told them to rest and return to Konoha soon. Everything was under control, he said. If Akatsuki did return, they would be ready.

In the evening, Gaara got Baki to show Genma and Shizune the rooms they would be staying in for the night, before returning to Konoha the following day. Exhausted, both of them thanked Gaara and Baki and flopped down onto their beds, falling asleep in minutes.

Shizune slept for more than eight hours straight, and then awoke to the sound of someone knocking on her door. Smoothing down her hair, Shizune headed to the door and pulled it open.

"Genma?"

"Sorry to disturb you," Genma sighed. "I – I just had a – a…"

"A what? Nightmare?"

Genma nodded gravely. "I saw grave danger for Gaara-sama in it. Akatsuki came after him again, sure enough, and the yellow-haired fellow caught him. I know it's just a dream, but…"

"I understand," Shizune responded. "Tomorrow, we'll tell Gaara-sama about it, and warn him not to approach the yellow-haired Akatsuki fellow. That's the best we can do for now. Tsunade-sama will definitely be expecting us soon."

"Agreed." Genma shuffled his feet slightly, staring down at the floor. Shizune sensed he had something to say that he couldn't quite get out of his mouth.

"Anything more to say?" she enquired politely.

"I…" Genma licked his lips, his eyes darting around nervously. "Remember the first time we met?"

"How is it possible to forget?" Shizune grinned. "You and I, perpetually clashing back then."

"Mmm-hmm." Genma nodded in agreement. "Funny, what a long way we've come since then. Never thought I'd grow to lov – like you that much."

"Uh-huh. Do you mean that, or are you simply trying to get on my good side?" Shizune teased.

In reply, Genma seized Shizune by the waist and gave her a full kiss on the lips. For a moment, Shizune stiffened with shock, and then Genma felt her relaxing again, her arms wrapping themselves around his neck. By the time they pulled apart again, they were both flushed and breathless.

"Now, that was uncalled for," Shizune remarked.

"Did I offend…"

"Don't even mention that," Shizune interrupted.

Genma laughed aloud, running his hand through his hair. "Wouldn't want to get on your wrong side again, that's why I mentioned it."

"Had that been offensive, you'd be lying half-dead on the floor now with two black eyes."

"Remind me never to clash with you again."

Shizune laughed and pulled Genma close, kissing him hard and passionately. Genma cocked his head slightly, as if to say, wow, never expected that either.

"Well, I think we'd better get back to bed now," Shizune said finally, after a long, awkward silence. "We've got a long journey tomorrow. Good night, Genma."

"Good night, Shizune." Genma was looking anywhere but at her now, evidently too shy to look into her eyes. For half a minute more, he lingered on, as if reluctant to depart, and then he finally picked up his feet and left.

Shizune shut the door and leaned against it for a long time, still as a statue. Even now, she could barely believe that she had actually kissed Genma, who she had once loathed so much that even the sight of him was pure torture. What a night! Even if she grew old and senile, she already knew she would never forget this night, the day she and Genma had been bold enough to display open signs of their love for each other.

Sighing a sigh of pleasure, Shizune returned to her bed and slept almost immediately, dreaming very sweet dreams.

Ok, finally got down to the fluff. Phew! Yes, the story's very close to being completed. Only 1 chappie's left, plus an epilogue, and then it'll be done! Whooo hooo! Please review and tell me what you think! Thanks!