KITSANA'S P.O.V

I sighed for about the thousandth time as I looked out the window of Rin's room. She'd been gone for three whole days and we still had no leads as to where she was.

'You really should stop sighing, it doesn't suite you.'

Shukaku said through our link and I sighed again and heard him growl, but it wasn't through our link, it was right next to me. I lifted my head and turned to see him standing in the doorway, his tail swaying back and forth and a smirk on his face.

'Shu!'

I yelled as I jumped up and sprinted across the room. I tackled him to the ground and heard him laugh.

'I take it you're glad to see me.'

He said and I nuzzled his neck until he tried to sit up.

'Well if me just being here makes you this happy then what I've got to say might just get me laid tonight.'

I sat up and stared at him.

'Not gonna happen.'

I said and he smiled at me as if he knew some big secret.

'We found her.'

He said and my eyes widened.

'Don't play with me Shu.'

I said and heard him laugh.

'I'm not Sana. Gaara and I found her, she's back in Suna. Gaara doesn't want anyone else to-'

I cut him off when I tackled him to the ground in a hug. I pulled back and he laughed.

'So am I still not getting laid tonight?'

He asked and I rolled my eyes at him.

'If you don't start leading the way you're not.'

I said and he jumped to his feet before running out the door. I laughed before running after him.

'You guys really found her? Is she alright?'

I asked as we ran through the village. Some people screamed when they saw Shukaku, but he ignored them and kept running.

'I wouldn't lie to you Sana. She's in Gaara's office right now, though she's pretty beat up. Though I have a feeling she'll heal quicker with you there. I can tell her powers get cut in half once you two separate.'

He said and I smiled.

'You really do pay a lot of attention don't you?'

I asked and he just laughed.

'Only when it comes to you.'

He said and I shook my head at him as we entered Suna.

Shukaku led the way through the streets and I followed closely behind.

'What was that earlier about Gaara not wanting anyone else to…?'

I asked and heard him laugh.

'Gaara doesn't want anyone else to know she's been found until she wakes up.'

He said and I nodded as he jumped onto a balcony. I followed and he pushed open the doors to a room and I saw Rin asleep on a couch the size of a bed.

'Rin!'

I screamed through our link and started to run towards her only to be stopped by a wall of sand and I heard a growl. I looked up to see the red haired Chunin that Rin was in love with but refused to admit it.

"It's alright Gaara, Sana just wants to see Rin. She's not gonna hurt her."

I heard Shukaku say and Gaara growled again before letting me through.

I walked up to them and put my forepaws on the edge of the couch and saw Rin was asleep with her head against Gaara's chest. She was covered in cuts and bruises and I could tell by her scent that she was almost defiled.

'She….she's still pure right? I mean, he wasn't able to…..'

I trailed off unsure of how to ask.

'Gaara got there just in time.'

Shukaku said and I sighed in relief. I looked at Gaara, his teal colored eyes were watching my every move.

"Thank you."

I said and he nodded.

"You can help her heal quicker right?"

He asked and I nodded. He didn't have to say anything else, I could tell what he wanted. I took a step back before running and jumping at Rin. Our auras mixed and I entered her mind. I walked over to my cage and saw her curled up in a ball. I walked over to her and wrapped myself around her. She shivered before curling into my fur.

'You're safe now little one. You are with those who care about you.'

I said and she stopped shivering and fell into a peaceful sleep.

I used my aura to wrap around her and heal her. By morning, she'd be completely healed. I sighed before nuzzling her and going to sleep.

GAARA'S P.O.V

I watched as Kitsana jumped at Rin before disappearing in a red light. I felt Rin's chakra pick up, but she still didn't wake up. I went to get up, but Rin tightened her grip on the front of my shirt and I laid back down.

'You're quite protective of her. Have you realized your feelings for her then?'

Shukaku asked and I smiled as I brushed back Rin's bangs and tucked them behind her ear.

'I believe I realized how much I cared for her when I entered that cave and saw Orochimaru about to take her. To begin with I thought I liked her as an opponent, but then I realized I liked her more than that. Then, when she stopped you from reeking havoc and made you go back into your cage and I realized she'd been through the same things I have I realized I liked her more than just a friend. And tonight, when I saw what Orochimaru had done to her and what he was planning on doing to her. It gave me satisfaction in killing him the way I did. It seemed like I wouldn't be satisfied until he was dead by my hand. I believe that's when I realized it.'

I said and saw Shukaku smiling at me.

'Realized what?'

He asked, though from his tone I could tell he already knew the answer but he was going to make me say it.

'That's when I realized I love her.'

I said and Shukaku smiled before jumping at me and I felt his chakra mix with mine again as the white flash died down.

"Gaara…."

Rin mumbled in her sleep and I looked down at her. She relaxed her grip on my shirt and moved her head so that it was beneath my chin. I sighed as I laid my head against hers.

"I'm right here Rin. I'm not going anywhere."

I said and heard her sigh in her sleep.

'Come back to me Rin.'

I thought before closing my eyes and for the first time in a long time, I fell asleep.