Chapter 28: Sunagakure's Future

Sakura walked the familiar path home, carrying a hint of weariness. Once inside, she went straight to rebandage the stab wound on her lower abdomen. As she carefully tended to herself, she couldn't help but focus on the seal mark on her chest.

"Shit, if I'm not careful, Kankuro will see it. I'll have to bandage my entire torso," she whispered, mindful of the potential revelation.

With a determined sigh, Sakura used the remaining roll to conceal the seal on her chest, ensuring it remained hidden. Taking a deep breath, she stood up to embark on her usual chores, preparing dinner for her family's return later in the evening. The gang typically arrived one at a time, with Gaara always being the last to come home.

As Sakura immersed herself in her tasks, Temari entered the kitchen and spotted her pulling ingredients from the fridge. She spoke kindly to get her attention without startling her, "Hey, I'm home."

Sakura turned with a warm smile. "Hey, I wasn't expecting you home for another few hours."

"I had to come home to make sure you were alright. Let me give you a hand," Temari offered.

Sakura smiled, juggling ingredients in her hands. "It wouldn't hurt to have some company while I cook. Would you mind chopping these into big chunks for me?"

Temari picked up a knife from the counter and skillfully sliced the onion into four sections. Curious, she asked, "What are we making?"

"We're making sauce for the chicken teriyaki," Sakura replied, setting up a saucepan with mirin, soy sauce, sake, and brown sugar. Despite her excitement to create a comforting meal, a wave of discomfort washed over Sakura as she realized how quickly everything had returned to normal as if the recent events had never occurred.

The sisters seamlessly collaborated on the preparation of the four chicken teriyaki meals. Temari skillfully chopped green onions and cabbage while Sakura focused on readying the chicken for the stove.

Kankuro entered through the front door in their culinary endeavors, lured by the enticing aroma of teriyaki sauce wafting through the air. Sakura paused, her attention captured by Kankuro's silent gaze as he observed the kitchen. He proceeded upstairs to his room without uttering a word, seeking solace and respite from the evening's toil. The room fell into an awkward silence, leaving Sakura to decide that addressing him could wait until he was ready to talk.

Temari sighed heavily as she placed the green onions on the stove to be gently fried. She offered comfort assurance, saying, "Don't take it personally, okay? He blames himself for what happened to the baby and for allowing you to leave the village to save Gaara."

In a calm tone, Sakura replied, "It sounds like he blames me for trying to sacrifice myself to protect everyone. The blast may have destroyed the shield, but the shield prevented it from reaching the others running for cover."

Temari's brows furrowed, a subtle wrinkle forming between them. With a downturned expression, she said, "You don't have to lie to us, Sakura. A part of you wanted to die with Gaara. It's okay to feel that way, but we won't allow you to pull the same stunt twice."

"I'll keep that in mind," Sakura replied, a sly smirk gracing her lips as she deftly removed the chicken from the frying pan, transferring it to the cutting board.

Before a new conversation could 

take shape, Kankuro 

hiked into the kitchen, leaning casually on the doorframe. His gaze directed towards Sakura conveyed an unspoken desire for a private conversation. The trio exchanged meaningful looks, understanding without the need for words.

Observing the silent exchange, Temari took the initiative, relieving Sakura of the knife and 

cutting the cooked chicken. She assured them, "Don't worry about dinner. I'll take care of the rest. The two of you need some time to talk."

Sakura nodded in agreement, her body tense with nervous anticipation. As beads of sweat formed on her forehead and her heart raced, she walked out of the kitchen into the hall, waiting for Kankuro to initiate the conversation.

With a blank expression, Kankuro gestured towards the staircase. "Let's go to our room."

Nodding in compliance, Sakura followed him; her head lowered, avoiding eye contact. It wasn't fear gripped her but rather the suspense of what he might say.

As they entered the bedroom, Kankuro closed the door behind them. "First of all, why didn't you tell me you lost the baby? When you left, I told everyone how excited I was for our kid to be born. It motivated me to get better quickly to care for both of you."

"I couldn't tell you because I needed you to get better. Besides, I didn't want you to blame yourself for what happened," Sakura replied, her gaze unwavering.

Kankuro sank onto the bed, releasing a heavy sigh. "Baki told me you helped hold me down as I screamed in agony. It's possible I accidentally struck you. He said there was so much blood, and he could see the life fade from your eyes."

Sakura whispered in response, "Everyone was watching me. I felt so embarrassed," as she joined him on the bed, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Tears welled in Kankuro's eyes. "Shit, I can't believe I did that to you. I endangered your life and killed my unborn child. If I hadn't run after Gaara… we wouldn't have lost the kid, and you wouldn't have tried to kill yourself. Why would you do that? Did you ever stop to think how I would have felt if you did that?"

Sakura erupted, her emotions pouring out, "No, I didn't have a moment to think about it. I wasn't sure if you'd be alive when I got back. You scared me."

Kankuro swiftly enveloped her in his arms in response, offering comforting whispers as she shed tears. "Okay, it's okay," he reassured.

A knock on the door interrupted their moment. Temari's voice pierced through, "Hey, dinner is ready. Are you two okay?"

"Yeah, we will be right out," Kankuro responded.

Sakura took a moment to compose herself before opening the bedroom door. Together, they descended the stairs to the dining room, where Gaara's distant glare met them. His unwelcoming expression almost tempted her to retreat, but her affection for him as a brother assured her he was grappling with jealousy. The eldest sister had set the table, plates already laden with food.

As the couple settled into their seats, Gaara couldn't resist probing. "What did you say to Sakura? Her eyes are all red."

Kankuro, wearing a frown and crossed arms, leaned back in his chair. "That's none of your business, little brother."

Gaara smirked, adopting a kneel with his elbows resting on the table and his chin cradled in the palms of his hands. He taunted, "I'm the fifth Kazekage; you can't treat me like that."

Temari swiftly seized Kankuro's ear with her right hand, simultaneously grasping Gaara's with her left. Applying maximum pressure, she yanked on their ears and declared, "Both of you are wrong. Eat the dinner or go to bed hungry."

Amused, Sakura chuckled as the siblings bantered over dinner. The lively boys devoured their food with the gusto of hungry wolves, though considering the trials they had endured in the past week, who could blame them? Sakura felt profound gratitude that the family was reunited thanks to Naruto.

Tidying up after the satisfying meal, Sakura engaged the family in a heartfelt conversation. Meanwhile, she diligently attended to her tasks in the kitchen, aware that their concern revolved around her mental well-being.

Kankuro was the first to start the conversation. "Does she hate me?"

Temari shook her head and replied, "No, why would you say that?

"When I was screaming in agony during the procedure, I might have accidentally struck her," Kankuro whimpered.

"Hey, we don't know that," Temari replied.

Gaara crossed his arms, interrupted, and said, "You two aren't married yet. Why are you trying in the first place?"

Kankuro defended, "We weren't trying; it just happened, okay."

"A part of me knows not to believe a word you say. The other part of me knows you don't use protection because you don't like to," Gaara remarked.

Kankuro sighed and replied, "Okay, Gaara, we get it. It's my fault."

Temari asked Gaara, "Would you allow her to work again?"

"Yes, but she won't be allowed on missions until we can confirm she's emotionally fit to do so," Gaara stated.

"That's not going to work for me," Kankuro said. "She's part of my puppet recovery team."

"Not," Gaara complained, "The two of you together are restless on missions."

Kankuro stood from his chair, waving his arms around, and said, "So, what?"

Gaara confronted his older brother by standing up from his seat, standing only inches away. He said, "Every mission I'm on with the two of you, I catch you guys having intimate moments in the middle of the night. The both of you are like rabbits."

Temari shouted, "Stop; I don't need to know this information."

Sakura entered the room, keeping her head down, and asked, "What's going on?"

The sand siblings stared at one another, trying to devise a good enough excuse. Kankuro shrugged and said, "I picked you to be part of my puppet recovery mission, but Gaara doesn't think you're ready."

"What, how come I can't come with him?" Sakura asked.

"You've suffered serious injuries from your last mission. It's not right for me to send you back out there," Gaara said.

"She's the only one who could help us identify and find all the puppets quickly and efficiently," Kankuro explained.

"Fine," Gaara said, frowning at the couple, "But I expect you to return sooner than a week. And send out our mission report at the Aviary tonight, no excuses."

"Thank you, I won't let you down," Sakura cheered.

Gaara removed a small scroll from his pocket and passed it on to Sakura for safekeeping until she sent it by bird. She hurried out the door with the scroll. The tower was only a mile away, but she wasn't willing to casually walk that distance. It would take her too long to get home, and it was already dark outside. Sakura raised her left arm to manipulate the sand and formed a small platform to stand on. She leaped onto the sand and hovered through the village's side streets. Once she reached the tower, she soared high to reach the top and landed on the platform.

A bird in the distance flew in fast with a new scroll tied to his back. Sakura stepped up on the wall of the bird perch and reached her arm out to the bird. The brown hawk stretched out his legs and then latched onto her arm. He squawked, which brought a smile to Sakura's face.

"Hey, Takamaru," Sakura whispered, petting the handsome fellow. "I know you've only recently returned, but would you mind flying to Konoha for me? It's an urgent message."

The messenger hawk, Takamaru, screeched in response to her favor. He was more than willing to assist the Princess of the Land of Wind. Sakura removed the scroll from his back and swapped it with the message for the Hokage. She released him and said, "Off you go, and have a safe journey, my friend."

Takamaru flew far past the massive walls of the village. To take this flight from Sunagakure to Konoha would only be a day's journey for this unique creature. She floated back to her home a mile away without waiting to see him vanish. She crept into the house as quietly as possible to avoid waking Kankuro and Temari.

At the top of the stairs, Kankuro sat and waited restlessly for Sakura's return. His elbow pressed against his thigh, supporting the weight of his head on the palm of his hand. They stopped to stare at one another.

Kankuro asked, "Will you be okay tomorrow? Try not to push yourself too hard, okay."

"You waited for me?" Sakura asked.

"You didn't come to bed when Gaara entered his room, so I asked him where you went. I decided to wait here because I couldn't sleep. I was worried about you," Kankuro said.

"The village is a safe place; I was perfectly fine outside alone."

"Deidara managed to slip through our defenses and kidnap Gaara. I can't let what happened to my little brother happen to you, too. I'm never letting you out of my sight," Kankuro sighed.

"The Akatsuki don't have a reason to go after me," Sakura replied.

"It doesn't have to be the Akatsuki. They are not the only organization of rogues waiting to strike. Sasori took our child away from us, but I won't let anyone take you away from me either," Kankuro said.

Sakura ascended the staircase and sat on his lap, facing him. She held him tightly in her arms to comfort him while he shook like a leaf in the wind. Kankuro's face was paler than usual, and tears poured down his cheeks like rain. Recognizing that his trauma would catch up to him eventually, Sakura gently lifted him to his feet and guided him to the bedroom. They collapsed on the bed sheets together, staring at each other's eyes as if it were the last time they'd ever see each other again.

"I love you," Sakura whispered, "Please try to get some sleep."

Kankuro kissed her and slipped his hand into her pants. He rubbed her clitoris and stuck his finger inside. Immediately, he noticed how dripping wet she was. Sakura moaned when she grabbed his arm and squeezed it. She whimpered, "Don't stop."

"Get on your hands and knees," Kankuro ordered, "I'm done being told what to do by my little brother. I should be in charge. I'm in charge." 

Without speaking, Sakura rolled over her stomach and pushed herself on her hands and knees. She felt him pull up her skirt and shuffled around to pull his pants down while on his knees. The moment he stuck his penis inside of her, she felt a rush of sexual tension coursing through her body. She heard and felt the sounds of suctioning and fluids swooshing around at every thrusting noise and couldn't help but groan. 

Kankuro covered her mouth and said, "Shut up, Gaara will hear you." 

He lunged faster until he climaxed, his penis twitching as it released. His body collapsed beside Sakura, and he panted as he stared at the ceiling. 

Sakura whispered, "I love you."

Kankuro remained oblivious to Sakura's whispered words, his eyelids flickering until he succumbed to slumber. She couldn't help but giggle softly as she caressed his face, eventually drifting into sleep herself as the first rays of dawn graced the horizon.

Temari swung open the bedroom door the following day, flooding the room with daylight and exposing the sleepy couple. Sakura groaned, seeking refuge beneath the sheets to shield herself from the intrusive light. Temari, noticing the less-than-fresh aroma, pinched her nose closed and exclaimed, "Why does it smell in here?"

Wrapped in his covers, Kankuro protested, "Temari, what are you doing?"

She explained, "Gaara received a letter from Naruto to meet at the village entrance; their team is leaving with team eleven."

From beneath the covers, Sakura muffled her voice to ask, "Why are they leaving? They've only been here a few days."

Temari declared, "We'll meet them and find out, so put on some clothes." She closed the door, leaving the couple in the dim room.

Kankuro, awakening, rolled out of bed and illuminated the room by flicking the switch at the door.

 He pulled the covers off Sakura to expose her to the light of day. She had fallen back asleep already. Kankuro's eyes focused on her chest; his face turned bright red. He reached for her breasts and groped them. The sudden squeezing was unbearable, so the pain sensors in her brain woke her. 

"What are you doing?" Sakura groaned. 

"Sorry, I love touching them," Kankuro said. He released his grip and helped her out of bed. The siblings and Sakura dressed up in traditional Jinbei. Together, they rushed out the door to ensure they arrived on time to meet their friends at the village entrance. 

Kankuro, Sakura, and Temari joined Gaara at the village entrance to welcome team seven. The atmosphere was filled with bright smiles, knowing that both teams from the respective villages were now out of harm's way. Feeling the gentle sand breeze, Sakura held onto Kankuro's arm for warmth, the delicate gusts sending shivers down her spine.

Concern etched on his face, Kankuro queried, "Wait, you're leaving already? You should stay a little longer."

Sakura nodded and said, "At least one more day until you've rested."

Temari added, "It's not an easy trip back to the Village Hidden in the Leaves."

Kakashi replied, "We'd love to, but we must report to Lady Tsunade immediately."

Kankuro acknowledged, "I see, and if the Akatsuki have begun to attack the villages, you feel uneasy bringing them away. That's why you want to get back as soon as possible, right?"

"Yes, that's exactly right."

Concerned about Kakashi's physical condition, Sakura inquired, "Are you sure, Kakashi?"

"Not to worry," Kakashi assured, gazing at Might Guy, "I have comrades I can rely on."

Might Guy affirmed, slapping his fist on his chest, "Yeah, leave it to me."

Smiling with a hint of worry, Sakura continued, "We have already sent the first report out through Takamaru, but there's nothing written about whether the two Akatsuki members are dead or alive. Shouldn't you inform your village about it?"

Kakashi nodded, "I'll report that directly to the Hokage. There are other things I'm concerned about too…"

Naruto interjected softly, "Before we leave, we'd like to pay our respects to Granny."

Sakura smiled and said, "She would appreciate that very much. Come with me."

Sakura led Team Seven and Team Eleven through a quick shortcut to the Sunagakure cemetery. The sand siblings walked beside her, basking in the pleasant weather.

Upon arrival, they found Ebizo standing solemnly over his sister's grave, seemingly unmoved since yesterday, suggesting he might not have left the spot. Approaching him, Sakura gently rubbed his back and asked, "We brought the Konoha Shinobi who wanted to say their goodbyes before returning to their village, if you don't mind?"

Ebizo tenderly touched his sister's grave and replied, "That's okay. Chiyo said she didn't want a grave, but I thought it would be better to have one. I felt that everyone needed a place to gather. Everybody, say your farewells."

The Shinobi lowered their heads and closed their eyes, paying respects to the late Chiyo. Although some had only known her briefly, they were equally in awe of her strength to overcome obstacles.

Once the silence subsided, Kakashi asserted, "We should leave before the afternoon to make good time." The teams nodded in silent agreement. However, Naruto and Sakura chose to stay behind, standing directly in front of Granny Chiyo's grave. The others paused, staring at them, recognizing the depth of their respect and love for Granny Chiyo. The time spent with her they warranted more than a small stone by the village's wall.

"You three go ahead," Gaara instructed, "I'd like to spend some time with Granny Chiyo before I return to work."

"Okay, we will see you at the office, don't take too long," Sakura replied. Gaara smiled and nodded back at her. They parted ways when the graveyard route separated from the main road. It was not a short walk, that was for sure.

On the path to the Kazekage's office, Kankuro stated, "Those joining our puppet recovery team will meet us at the entrance, but I'd like to be prepared in case we run into another Akatsuki member."

"All I need is my instrument, and I'll be ready to go," Sakura said.

"I'll stay in the village in case anything happens, and I will inform you if anything does," Temari added.

"Right," Kankuro said, "Let's go to Gaara's office so you can show us on a map what we are dealing with."

"Yeah, it's not hard to get there," Sakura replied, "But it would be helpful if we had some people who could use Earth release."

"I'll keep that in mind," Kankuro said, leading the way.

Many villagers bowed respectfully to the family, grateful and happy that everyone returned safely to the village despite the loss of Granny Chiyo. A little boy with light brown hair snagged on Sakura's skirt to keep her from walking. She turned around, confused, as did Temari and Kankuro.

"Hello, sweetie," Sakura said, kneeling on the ground before him. "What's wrong?"

The boy handed her an Omamari decorated in Sunagakure-tanned colors. He said, "Here, my mommy said I couldn't help because I'm too young, so I hope the charm I made you will keep you safe. You are my favorite Shinobi, after all. Thank you for keeping me and my mommy safe from danger."

Sakura blushed and replied, "You're so sweet, thank you. I'll bring this with me on my next missions."

The boy blushed, nodded, and returned to his mother with the brightest smile. Sakura held the charm in her hand, warmly adding it to her Shinobi pouch. The villagers' admiration took her aback.

Kankuro chuckled and said, "Cute, the kid has a crush on you. Are you going to keep that charm?"

Sakura nodded, "Of course I will. I had no idea the villagers watched us and knew who we were."

"It's essential to be emotionally close to the community," Temari said, "It builds trust, and they feel reassured that we're here to protect them."

Sakura nodded, appreciating the kind gesture from the child. With Gaara safely back in Sunagakure, it was time to embark on the next chapter of their lives. The world might not be at peace, but the Land of Wind was safe from harm's way.