A/N: Ah let's see…. Right, I do not own Naruto or any thing related to it.

First time writing a fanfic…so constructive criticism is loved and appreciated. And I'll try my best to keep the characters in the right personalities. I hate it when people ruin a good character. Sigh. Right…I should stop rambling now.

Warning: May contain Spoilers for those who have not read up to date manga. This takes place about a few months after they rescue Gaara but before Naruto and Sakura are sent on the mission with Sai.

Sakura sighed, closing her eyes once again to shut herself away from the heat. It always got so hot in Konoha. However, she could sympathize for those that lived in the hidden village of the sand. It wasn't nearly as hot here as it was there.

Opening her emerald orbs once more, she glanced around the small noodle shop. Where was that boy? He should have been here by now; it wasn't like him to miss a meal. Besides, they had so much to catch up on.

It seemed so weird that their third wasn't there. A part of her ached to see him, but another pushed it aside for her current problems. Food. Finally after what seemed like an eternity under the sun, she heard the familiar voice yell out,

"Sakura!" The boy shouted out running towards the noodle stand frantically, sweating and panting as he did so. Sakura grinned slightly but put on an annoyed expression.

"What took you so long?" she asked him mock angrily. He started to explain in-between breaths.

"I slept in. But I ran down here the moment I woke up." He said defending himself. To no avail, a fist was met to his hopeful face.

"Moron." She muttered not liking his reason. After feeling satisfied with the punch, she turned and began to order. "You're paying." She said with a grin, happy with his punishment.

Naruto groaned and opened his wallet. Empty. Shit. Not wanting to cause her any more anger, he decided not to tell her about his empty wallet. And just wait till the bill came.

Sitting down nervously, the boy started to order, careful not to pick an expensive one, only to be greatly disappointed as Sakura ordered the biggest order. She wasn't like this before, what got into her?

"Why eating so much Sakura?" He asked annoyed. Earning a glare and a slight growl.

"I skipped eating breakfast." She muttered angrily to the boy, making him feel even guiltier. The wait was short, however during it, they conversed about many things, how well their training had been going, the way everyone seemed to have doubled their strengths since their last encounter with them.

"That was good. I wonder how much it cost?" Sakura asked smugly eyeing Naruto, who seemed to start to choke on his water.

"Naruto Are you okay?" She asked him putting a hand on his back. After his recovery, he put on a smile. "Uh…Sakura Chan…. I don't exactly have…uhh." He started to mutter. She grinned.

"Money? I know. You never do. I've got money, don't worry." She told him with a grin.

"I scared you eh?" She asked the now relieved boy. He nodded. "Yeah…since when did you get so mischievous?" He asked her. She shrugged and took out her wallet, placing the money on the counter.

"Well…I have to go see the Hokage for some training. Shall we get together tomorrow?" She asked him with a smile. He nodded, "Yeah…I'd like that." Smiling the Naruto smile, he blushed slightly. It had been so long since he last saw Sakura. She was still the object of his affection, though he was pretty sure he had chances slim to none.

Sakura waved bye to the boy before starting to walk away, and soon found herself face to face with her mentor.

"Morning!" She said cheerfully. The Hokage turned around and smiled. Though something was troubling her.

"Something wrong?" Sakura asked her worriedly. Tsunade nodded.

"It's the Kazekage of the sand…he's been found near Konoha…poisoned." She said writing on a scroll at the same time.

"What? Gaara-san? When?" Sakura asked slamming her hands on the desk. He wasn't a personal friend but it hurt her to see someone she knew in pain.

"Just now. The moment you entered my office. Now Sakura, get your supplies and get to the east side of the forest in front of Konoha. A villager found him and contacted us. " Before she could finish her phrase, Sakura had rushed out.

The hokage smiled slightly, her apprentice's love and care for people would push her far, but however, it might drag her down as well.

Following the chakra levels of the boy, Sakura found him in no time. She knocked on the hut and was soon lead in by the man who had found Gaara. She set to work immediately, setting different herbs in containers and mashing them together.

It was simple work but needed to be done with care and precise measurements. Soon after the herbs were taken in to the system, she began to mold her chakra, to pull out the poison form his body. This was more strenuous work.

Around an hour later, she did all she could do. Glancing down at the peaceful body, she sighed. "Get up Gaara-san…you are stronger then this. I know it." She muttered resting her hand on his forehead.

Not knowing of course that Gaara could feel it, as he was starting to awaken. He felt the warmth and the voice of someone but could not tell whom. As instinct, he rose up and his sand wrapped around the figure in a threatening hold.

Sakura gasped in pain and glared at the boy. Great thanks. Gaara loosened once he recognized the leaf headband around the pink haired girl.

"What are you doing?" He asked letting her go. She glared back. "I was healing you. Until the attack." She muttered to him, and started to gather her stuff.

"I'll tell the Hokage that you've recovered." She added with a smile. Gaara stayed silent. So…they caught him.

"But first, you have to come and report to her. You are on Konaha land after all, and a poisoned Kazekage is rather suspicious." She noted putting away her bottles and whatnot.

"Fine. Let's leave now." He said wanting to get back to Suna soon. Sakura glanced over surprised. She knew she had skills, but this fast of a recovery on such a large dosage?

"You…fully recovered?" She asked him wide eyed stopping her cleaning. He glanced over with the same expression. "Surprised at your own skill? Don't doubt yourself." He said before standing to leave, ignoring her as he did so.

Sakura blinked surprised. Was that his way of thanking her? Well, what ever it was, it was the closest thing she had. Once she was ready, she found Gaara was not so rude and left her behind. He was simply waiting for her outside.

"Gaara-san? Why...were you poisoned?" She asked him, as the walk was too silent for her liking.

He didn't answer at first. But his lips parted and he did mutter something.

"Suna isn't doing so good." He said simply. This puzzled Sakura. They were allies, why didn't he send a distress call? Maybe because Gaara thought he could handle it…She thought.

The rest of the walk was silent until,

"Sakura? Is Naruto in Konoha?" He asked her as they made their way to the gates of Konoha.

"Yes. He is. He's staying to take the Jouin exams. I am too…I suppose you have passed." She said dumbly. At this Gaara nodded.

"He has not yet?" another question came. Sakura shook her head. It was strange. Gaara wasn't so talkative usually.

"I see." He said and to her regret, stopped talking.

" Thank you for the healing Haruno." Gaara finally said as they entered the gates of Konaha. Sakura blinked and said a small 'Your welcome.'

It felt good. Being thanked by a Kazekage is a great feeling. But was that the only reason she felt happy?

A/N: Okay, first Chapter. A tad short and kind of a boring start. It will get better soon. I promise. Please read and review! See you soon.