Neji woke in what he could only assume to be the hospital. It didn't look like much of a hospital and the medical staff was scarce. The village of Suna was well behind Konoha's own medical ward. He sat up to get a better look at the room he was resting in.

Moments later, Sakura entered the room. She had made a big fuss over her being the only one allowed to work on Neji. The girl had a slight trust issue.

"How are you feeling Neji? Does it still hurt anywhere?" she asked in a surprisingly motherly tone.

"I feel fine, just a little sore. What happened to the girl?" concerned, pale eyes looked up into bright green.

"We didn't find any trace of a girl. What happened? It's not like you to be beaten so easily."

"…I just…let my guard down, that's all…" He didn't even notice Sakura going on about his injuries. He was too lost in his own thoughts. What had happened? What could have possibly distracted him enough to make him drop his guard like that? It seemed his infatuation with Naruto was beginning to affect his mind as well as his body. He hadn't gotten enough sleep last night because he couldn't stop thinking about his blonde angel. Something had to change or the Hyuuga might not be so lucky next time.

"Neji, did you hear me?" Sakura asked when she eventually realized he wasn't listening.

"Yeah, sure; rest and recovery, blah blah blah." The brunette was in no mood to listen to anyone (even someone who could easily bash his pretty little face in for saying something like that). He rolled over on his side away from Sakura. But, instead of getting mad, the pink-haired girl simply sighed and said something that even Neji Hyuuga would never have seen coming, "You'll have to get over him sooner or later."

Neji shot up and stared at her in bewilderment. She new! How could she have known? He thought he had kept it so well hidden…

"Oh, don't look so surprised. I've seen the way you look at him. It's so obvious you have a crush on Naruto… Well, that coupled with the fact that you talk in your sleep, I'm pretty sure that's the case." She gave him a comforting smile but Neji only looked down at his clenched fists, "…Neji, I know what you're going through, believe me. But everything will work out in the end, I promise." She placed a hand on one of his and it seemed to ease him just a little.

It was true Sakura had sworn up and down she was in love with Sasuke Uchiha. In fact, she had confessed to him multiple times. But the raven just simply was not interested (more or less because of Naruto, but still). Neji remembered the girl moping about the village for some time but never really knew why. At the time he was still in utter denial about Sasuke and Naruto's partnership. At least her bad mood made sense to him now; there was only the reason why she was so happy all the time currently.

"…How? How did you get over him?" I was clear Neji still held some disapproval of Sasuke.

"Easy; I found someone else. Someone who makes me happy because they accept me for who I am instead of miserable because they want someone else." She answered with a solemn smile. She patted the brunette on the shoulder, lightly, and left without another word.

She thought about having a word with Naruto but figured it was better to just let things work out on their own. For now, the kazekage wanted to speak with the rest of them about the most recent kidnapping. It wouldn't be a good idea to move Neji just yet so one of them would have to fill him in on any updates.

"Oi, you're so slow Sakura-chan!" Naruto whined, a few feet down the hall, "How's Neji? Is he going to be able to complete the mission?"

"He'll be fine with a little rest. He should be up and working again in no time." She said, smiling.

"That's a relief." Naruto responded with a sign.

With that said the group (Naruto, Sasuke, Sai, and Sakura) all migrated toward the kazekage's office. The sand siblings were already there, waiting for them.

"Finally, I've already informed Kankuro and Temari of the change in plan. It seems there is more than one kidnapper. We will have to in couples from now on, for safety reasons… How is Neji Hyuuga?" Gaara hesitated with his question but it the vague hint of a caring tone did not go unnoticed.

With a gentle smile Sakura told the young kazekage that Neji would be alright and that he would be back to work in a week. Gaara was barely able to hide his relief. For some reason, he felt a sense of responsibility to the brunette's wellbeing.

"I've already asked for re-enforcement. The hokage has agreed to send a second, small squad to help track the multiple kidnappers while Hyuuga in resting." He continued.

"…How many?" Naruto asked, hesitantly.

"We aren't completely sure but we think there are at least three other culprits than the one that attacked Hyuuga." Gaara answered.

The blonde was feeling more nervous than usual. If these people could catch Neji off guard, what hope did he have? Would Sasuke be forced to save him? If his beloved raven was injured or even killed because of him, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.

Sasuke's keen senses picked up on the blonde's distress and laced his fingers through the others in a comforting gesture. It seemed to work. Naruto was instantly more relaxed and gently squeezed the raven's hand in return. Sasuke smiled slightly and returned his attention to the kazekage.

"The new squad will be here in a day or two. Until they arrive, everyone will have to pick up the slack and work in pairs. This means twice the ground to cover on patrol. As for the night shifts, I don't expect any of the leaf shinobi to participate but it would be greatly appreciated." Gaara was in full kazekage mode now. He had everyone's full attention. The red-head was only eighteen years old but he had matured well beyond his years.

The meeting was dismissed and the shinobi of the leaf broke up into pairs. With the new teams made, there were only two groups (Sasuke with Naruto and Sakura with Sai). Kankuro and Temari had agreed to help but it would still be a hand full. And though she didn't let on, Sakura had a sinking feeling about this mission.

. . .

Night fell quickly and the patrol team for the day shift retired to their beds. All slept peacefully, except for Gaara. Though the shukaku had been gone for several years, the young red head was still plagued by nightmares. Occasionally, he would fall into a dreamless sleep but those seemed to be no more restful than the nightmares. He had stayed late in his office to finish off a bit of boring paperwork to avoid his own sleep but the work was just a temporary escape that he exhausted quickly. With nothing else to do but no desire to go to sleep, he felt a sudden desire to see the Hyuuga boy.

When Gaara had seen Neji again for the first time in years, it was refreshing to say the least. He had to stop himself from pulling the brunette into a welcoming embrace. The truth was, Gaara had always been fond of the older boy but never really understood his own feelings well enough to actually confess anything to him. He still didn't quite understand his feelings. All he knew was that he only needed to be near Neji to get a warm feeling somewhere deep within him. He enjoyed the feeling but sense he had been separated from the Hyuuga for so long; he had forgotten how addictive the feeling could be.

He quickly found himself in front of the medical ward and decided he had come all this way; it would be stupid to turn back now. Neji would be asleep by now anyway. He would never know he was there. He leisurely walked down the halls until he found the room the older brunette was staying in.

The moonlight caressed his pale skin, his mouth just slightly open in a deep sleep. The warm feeling returned to Gaara with full force and he felt his cheeks turn hot. Just a little closer… He only wanted to be a little closer to the older man for just a little longer. The closer he got to Neji the warmer he felt. He couldn't help but think if the feeling would intensify even more if he touched him. A pale hand reached over to brush against an even paler face. His skin was so smooth and soft…

'Just a little more…' Gaara chanted to himself.

He pulled his face down toward Neji's. Crimson hair mingled with long dark brunette. Their lips brushed against one another and the heat within Gaara was so great he felt he might pass out. He wanted nothing more than to continue nursing his addiction but beneath his touch, the Hyuuga stirred and Gaara sprang away as if he'd been burned.

When Neji's eyes fluttered open he was alone. For some reason, his loneliness stung even more. He couldn't recall any dreaming of Naruto so why would he feel this way? He sat up and scanned the room, half expecting to see someone, anyone but no. He convinced himself that he had dreamt of Naruto but didn't remember. There was nothing more to it than that. He lay back down and attempted to sleep but the ache in his chest was too much. Sleep would not return to him tonight.

He slipped out of bed and wandered down the halls for no apparent reason other than shier boredom. There was no one around in the halls, no one to tell him that walking may only make things worse, no one to make him lay back down. He kept walking, ignoring the sharp pain that shot up his spine and the burn that radiated through his muscles. He kept walking; vainly hoping his beloved Naruto would come for him. But he didn't come.

His legs began to shake and he couldn't hold himself up any longer. With just one more step, he tripped and closed his eyes, waiting for his face to make contact with the floor. When that pain didn't come he opened his eyes and looked up into pale green ones.

"You shouldn't be up at this hour." He said calmly.

"Neither should you, Kazekage-sama." He responded in a dull tone.

"I'm not the one with injuries"

"Heh…"

Gaara could only thank God it was too dark for Neji to see his reddened face. The red head had been contemplating whether he should go back to the Hyuuga's room or turn tail and run when the brunette wandered over and made the decision for him. The young kazekage couldn't believe what he had just done and to someone completely unaware of his actions no less. Fact that Neji was another male didn't bother him as much as the fact that he had nearly kissed a sleeping person. But he just couldn't help himself.

The brunette had looked so beautiful in the moonlight and the heat that the mere sight of him caused was all to tantalizing. Gaara began to feel the familiar warmth once more only this time it was in his loins…

That had never happened before.

The kazekage suddenly found his self in a hurry to get out of the uncomfortable situation as quickly as possible. He knew Neji couldn't see anything but it was still embarrassing. With one arm holding Hyuuga's around his neck and another on his waist, he quickly helped Neji back to his bed and began to leave when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He turned to see Neji as the culprit.

"Um…do you think," he looked away; a faint blush dusting his cheeks, "that you could stay a bit longer…" the light blush had become much more vivid now.

Gaara didn't say anything. He simply sat on the bed, next to Neji, and waited for the other man to fall asleep. When he finally did, however, he looked as though he was in quite a bit of pain and in turn caused Gaara great discomfort. He couldn't help himself. He reached over once more to caress the cheek of this beautiful man.

At that moment, Neji's pained expression turned to something a little more peaceful…

AN: Wow, sorry for the long wait all. I don't even have a good excuse. Again, sorry for the short chapter. I am getting a little better though. Don't forget, reviews are love! 3

~Yuki-chan