The burial for Chiyo-basama had finished a little over an hour ago. Naruto and Kankurou had taken Gaara to the hospital for further examination. Naruto and Kankurou sat in a chair while Gaara sat on the examination table, shirtless. He was glaring at the other two, obviously upset about them dragging him to the hospital.

"I told you that I feel fine," he grumbled. Kankurou looked up from the magazine he was reading and smirked at his little brother.

"I know you do," he chuckled, "But we need to be sure." Gaara sighed in aggravation.

"Don't worry Gaara," Naruto assured him. "I'm sure it won't take long."

On that note, there was a small knock on the door. A few moments later, the door was opened and Akina walked in. Gaara's eyes widened slightly and Naruto jumped out of his chair in joy.

"Akina-chan!" he exclaimed. Akina grinned as the blonde wrapped his arms around her waist. "Where have you been?! I haven't seen you in ages." Akina laughed and patted his head.

"My word, you have gotten a lot taller," she told him playfully. Naruto let go of her and grinned. Akina turned her attention to Gaara and smiled softly at him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked him.

"I feel fine," he sighed, "But they dragged me here anyway." Akina smirked and nodded.

"They're just concerned about you." She placed her hand on Gaara's back, shuddering when her hand came in contact with his bare skin. She concentrated all of her chakra into her hand. Akina moved her hand to the middle of his back, making him shudder once again. Kankurou and Naruto noticed this and smirked at each other. Akina walked in front of him and put a hand on his chest. She kept it there for a few more moments before pulling it away.

"You seem to be fine," she told him. "I highly recommend that you take it easy." He nodded and thanked her. Kankurou threw Gaara's shirt at him and he quickly put it on. He got off the table and almost fell to the floor. Akina caught him by the arm and struggled to keep him up. Naruto and Kankurou got up and put his arms over their shoulders. "I said it once and I'll say it again. I highly recommend that you take it easy." Gaara sighed in aggravation and nodded once more.

"Thanks Akina-chan!" Naruto told her happily. Akina grinned and nodded. "I told you that it wouldn't take very long," Naruto told Gaara as they left the room.

Once the trio was out of sight, Akina frowned and heaved a sigh.

"Is something wrong Akina-chan?" Sakura asked, standing in the doorway.

"I don't really know anymore," Akina told her, sitting down in one of the chairs. Sakura walked over and took a seat next to her.

"It's about Gaara, isn't it?" The white haired girl looked up her, seeing a smirk on her face. Akina sighed again and nodded.

"Yeah, it's about him." Sakura chuckled and wrapped and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm not one to give advice on relationships," she began, "But I really don't think you have anything to worry about. If you and Gaara were meant for each other, it will all fall into place." Akina smiled and nodded.

"I know that already. Now that he has become Kazekage, his main focus has been on the village, as it should be of course. I still can't help but feel that we're growing apart." Sakura looked into her friend's sad green eyes.

"Then talk to him," she suggested. "Do something. If this is really causing you this much inner turmoil, then you need talk to him." Akina nodded and sat back in the chair.

"I know that Sakura. I don't mind us just being friends, but it seems like he's even cutting off our friendship. If this keeps up, then I'll talk to him. I don't want to say anything right now, especially not after everything he has been through recently." Sakura frowned and nodded sadly.

"I hope everything works out between you two. I know that you've been working hard to become friend with him again, and I really think that you deserve it." Akina grinned and gave her friend a quick hug.

"Thank you Sakura," Akina told her softly. "I enjoy being able to talk to you. I love Naruto to death, but sometimes there are some things that I'd rather talk to another girl about." Sakura laughed and nodded.

"I understand completely." Sakura and Akina stood up and exited the room.

"We're probably going to be leaving tomorrow," Sakura informed Akina.

"You guys are going to be leaving so soon?" Akina asked, raising an eyebrow. Sakura smirked and nodded. "We want to get back as soon as possible so we can report the events to the Hokage-sama personally." Akina nodded in understanding.

"You should go get some rest then," Akina told her. Sakura smiled and nodded.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The next day, everyone was meeting outside the village gate. Akina and the Sand Siblings were saying goodbye to Team Kakashi and Team Gai.

"Be sure to come and visit us," Sakura told Akina, giving her one last hug.

"I will," Akina replied, smiling. "Try and keep Naruto out of trouble for me." Sakura nodded and stepped back over to her teammates.

Gaara and Naruto were off to the side, everyone watching the two as they said their goodbyes.

"I guess this is when you normally shake hands and part ways," Naruto said bashfully, "But I'm bad at that kind of thing….." Naruto stared in shock as Gaara held his hand out to him. Everyone smiled at this, although Naruto looked slightly uncomfortable. A soft mist of sand gently guided Naruto's hand upwards. Naruto was a little shocked at first but smiled. Naruto grasped hold of Gaara's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. At that moment, the world seemed to come to a standstill. The two of them were the best of friends, whether it was confirmed by words or not. It was just something that couldn't be explained. It was something that seemed as if it were meant to be that way.