I finally did it! I wrote the chapter! I'm so sorry for the wait. I hope you guys enjoy :)

Chapter 34: Miracle Healer

As soon as they arrived at the Sunagakure gates, Guy and his team were greeted by a group of Sunagakure shinobi. Riko couldn't stop herself from looking around in hopes of spotting Gaara.

"Welcome to Sunagakure. Thank you for taking our request and helping us out."

The leader of the Sunagakure shinobi said with a formal tone.

"It's our pleasure to be of service!"

Guy said energetically and gave them a thumbs up.

"May I ask who the medic is?"

Riko stepped forward from behind Guy and looked up at the shinobi. He cleared his throat, not expecting such a young medic.

"Please follow me. We require your services immediately. My men will escort the rest of you to your accommodation for your stay."

The shinobi said.

"I will accompany her."

Neji stepped up and said.

"As you wish."

The shinobi retorted. Riko smiled at Neji who smiled back. She felt kind of relieved that he'd be with her in the unfamiliar environment.

As soon as they arrived to the Sunagakure hospital, Riko was stunned at the high amount of wounded people. There was even enough beds for all of them. So many were just waiting outside, even sitting on the floor.

"So you… are the extra help they sent?"

A man said with a condescending voice. Riko noticed how he was wearing a medic outfit. She bowed politely to him.

"Not going to introduce yourself?"

The medic was getting visibly annoyed.

"Ah…"

"Her name is Riko. She can't speak, but I will do my best to speak for her if you have anything to ask her. My name is Hyuuga Neji."

The man sighed heavily.

"A mute… I knew we couldn't count on Konohagakure."

He mumbled. Neji frowned, not happy with how the man was undermining Riko. She, on the other hand, tried to keep a pleasant smile to avoid any conflict.

"I am Saboten, head medic. Make yourself as scarce as possible, I don't want you slowing any of us down. We don't need the help of a disabled child."

On that offensive note, he left the two behind. Riko noticed how Neji's fists were balled up. She held his hand and sent positive energy through him to calm him down. He jumped a bit at the unexpected touch, but then gradually relaxed.

"So what do you plan on doing?"

Neji asked Riko. She motioned to all the people who were just waiting around.

"You want to take care of those who haven't received proper attention. Alright, I'll help you with whatever you need."

Riko smiled at Neji and began getting to work. Neji went up to the injured and sick people, explaining to them what Riko was planning on doing. Most of them were skeptical, but those were in too much pain agreed to get treated immediately. Using her unusual powers, Riko cured them one at a time. The more people she healed, the more the others trusted her and she soon had them all lined up for her. The sheer number of people was draining her quickly, but she was determined to help out every single one of them.

After a while, the head medic came back out to check up on the patients who were still waiting. To his surprise, their number had diminished by more than half.

"What is happening here?"

He noticed Riko holding a man's hands with her eyes closed. He then noticed that the man's wounds were closing up at an unnatural speed.

"What the devilry…"

She was done treating him in minutes and was starting to treat the next person.

"You! What are you doing?"

That didn't break Riko's concentration. The head medic walked up to her, but Neji blocked his way.

"What do you think you're doing?"

He spat out the words at Neji.

"Do not interrupt her. She is doing this for these poor sick people who haven't had proper care."

"We don't need help from Konohagakure! Now, leave my hospital!"

"No! Don't make her leave! She needs to heal me next!"

One of the patients said. The others joined in in defending Riko.

"She's done more in the small time she's been here than you have ever done!"

"Don't take her away from us!"

The head medic was appalled at how Sunagakure citizens were so willingly accepting help from Konohagakure.

"I can't believe this…!"

He mumbled as he left. Neji then turned to the patients and gave them a polite bow.

"I thank you on behalf of Riko."

It was already night when Riko healed her last patient. She was visibly exhausted and covered in sweat. She was slightly trembling and panting, but she tried to hide that. Neji went up to her and placed a hand on her forehead.

"You have a fever. You need to rest."

Riko slowly nodded.

Neji smiled at her and carried her in his arms.

"You did well. You can rest now. I'll bring you safely to the room."

As soon as he took her in his arms, Riko fell into a deep sleep. On his way out, he found someone running his way.

"Hm?"

He said to himself as he quickly recognized who it was.

"Gaara?"

Gaara had just come back from a mission when he heard that there was a miracle healer from Konohagakure who was treating the patients in the Sunagakure hospital. As soon as he heard that, he knew that it was Riko and rushed to the hospital only to find her in another man's arms. He knew there was a good explanation for this, but he couldn't help but feel a little bit annoyed at how close she was to a guy other than him.

"Is Riko alright?"

He said as he noticed that she was paler than usual and covered in sweat.

"She overexerted herself trying to cure everyone who wasn't receiving proper attention from hospital staff. She'd been at it for hours."

Gaara got closer to her and brushed away the hair that was sticking to her forehead because of the sweat.

"She has a fever."

Gaara said as calmly as he could.

"She'll be fine if she rests. I'll bring her back to where our squad will be staying for the night."

Neji answered. Gaara nodded.

"Can I… come along?"

Gaara's voice sounded so vulnerable that it took Neji by surprise. He then closed his eyes and smiled, starting to grasp what was going on.

"Sure. You can carry her back yourself if you want."

Neji knew that Riko wouldn't have minded that. Without saying anything, Gaara reached out to carry Riko. As soon as Neji put her in his arms, Gaara felt his heartbeat get faster. Riko wasn't doing anything this time around, but he still felt a rush of comfort and warmth run through him. Neji then walked ahead, leading the way.

As soon as Riko was in Gaara's arms, a smile formed on her face. She was still asleep, but subconsciously, his scent made her happy.

"Gaa…"

Her voice was but a whisper, but it caused Gaara to stop in his tracks, astonished by what she said. She said the first part of his name.

"Is everything alright?"

Neji turned around and asked Gaara. He then noticed the gentle smile on Gaara's face as he looked at Riko. Neji smiled at the scene.

Gaara knew that it was just another noise that Riko did, but it meant she was trying to actually say his name, even if it was just in her sleep. He felt a rush of emotions unfamiliar to him. All he understood was that he wanted to protect her precious smile for as long as they lived.

Tell me what you guys thought in the reviews! I'll try to update more often!