The next day, Gaara was able to move more easily, although he was still limited to what he could do.

"How much did they use on you?" Akina asked him jokingly as she helped him stand up. Gaara just rolled his eyes at her.

By the time they got to where the other village, there was a message from Suna already there.

"So what's going on?" Kankurou asked while Akina read through the message. A few minutes later, she rolled the scroll back up.

"Temari and another Chuunin were deployed last night," Akina explained. "We are to continue on and escort the prisoner. We'll meet up with the other 2 on the way back."

"We should probably get moving then," Kankurou sighed. Akina nodded and shoved the scroll in her knapsack.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

They completed the mission and returned to the village late the next afternoon. Akina was exhausted by the time they returned and was immediately called into the hospital. Apparently another team had experienced some difficulty returning from their mission and were in intensive care. One had even elapsed into a coma.

Gaara, Kankurou, and Temari had just finished being debriefed and were now walking home.

"Poor Akina," Temari sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. "I really think the council is working her too hard."

"What do you mean?" Kankurou asked, raising an eyebrow at his older sister. "She hasn't had near as many missions as we have. In fact, this was her first mission for Suna since she has been here." Temari looked at him as if he were hopeless.

"First of all, she doesn't have to take any missions from the Sand council. Her mission was to come and help out in the hospital. She works in the hospital most of the day, and sometimes even stays there late into the night."

"Is it that bad?"

"It is when you have to use up so much chakra. She's a medical ninja, remember?" Kankurou nodded.

"I guess I didn't really think about that." Temari sighed, and kept quiet. She knew it was pointless to try and get Kankurou to understand something if it took more than 5 minutes.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

It was 1 in the morning before Akina finally left the hospital. She was beyond exhausted and wasn't feeling very great. Still, she slowly walked down the streets of Suna, looking down at the ground as she walked.

"You look horrible." Akina looked up to see Gaara standing in front of her, frowning.

"I didn't even sense him," she thought to herself, "And he was right in front of me." Akina smiled slightly and nodded.

"Yeah, I kind of figured as much," she replied sleepily. Gaara looked at her with concern in his eyes.

"You shouldn't be walking alone while you're in that condition." He made it sound as if he really didn't care, but Akina knew he did. He wouldn't be bringing up anything like that if he didn't.

"I'll be fine," she insisted. She took a few steps forward before her legs gave out from beneath her. Gaara caught her and turned her over so he could see her face. She was out cold.

Gaara sighed to himself and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her, bridal style, back to his home. He didn't know where she was staying, and he couldn't just leave her there. Well, he could have, but he wouldn't do that to her. Not after everything she had done for him. Plus, even though he didn't like admitting it, he liked her. She was different and treated him like he was an actual person. She was kind to him, unlike the other villagers.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Gaara quietly entered his home, being careful not to wake his sleeping siblings. He took Akina into his room, leaving the door open just a crack. Not even bothering to turn on the light, he carried her over to his bed. He didn't need the light. He knew his way around his room like the back of his hand.

Gaara peeled back the covers to his bed and gently laid Akina down. He sat down on the edge of the bed and proceeded taking her sandals off, setting them next to the bed. Finally, he tucked her in beneath the covers.

"Is she alright?" Temari asked sleepily. Gaara looked over his shoulder and saw his sister standing in his doorway. Gaara nodded.

"Why are you up?" he asked softly.

"I'm getting a glass of water. Why isn't she sleeping in her apartment?" Gaara sighed.

"She passed out on her way home. I didn't know where she lived, so I brought her here." Temari nodded.

"I'm going back to bed," she yawned. "Goodnight." Gaara watched as she disappeared from his doorway. He quickly turned his attention to the stirring girl.

"Gaara?" she moaned softly. "Where am I?" Gaara smirked.

"You passed out," he told her softly. "I brought you to my home. Just go to sleep, okay." Akina nodded and closed her eyes.

"Thank you Gaara," she sighed as she fell asleep. Gaara sat there a few moments longer, until her breathing evened out. He then slowly got up and took a seat in a chair on the other side of the room. He sat there, watching over his sleeping friend until the sun began to rise and start the new day.