Chapter 32: Gone Missing

The family room lay in serene stillness as the sun ushered in a new day in the Land of Wind. No murmur echoed through the space, and the bedrooms remained silent. Roused from her slumber, Sakura cautiously emerged from her bed to investigate.

The Nakai-San had not tended to the empty dishes and utensils from the previous evening. The nagging worry compelled her to wake everyone immediately.

She shifted her gaze toward the bed, where Kankuro lay sprawled like a twisted starfish. His soft snores delicately broke the silence of the night. Clad only in black sweatpants, he presented a relaxed figure with a clean-shaven face. Sakura approached and tenderly brushed his hair, whispering, "Good morning, Kankuro."

Barely awake, Kankuro mumbled, "Hey, you're up early. What's wrong?"

"The Nakai-San never came back last night. We should look for her and see if she's okay," Sakura replied.

Kankuro propelled himself out of bed, exclaiming, "Wait, what? She didn't come back? Come on." Snatching her hand, he urged her out of the bedroom, his gaze scanning the unkempt table as they exited.

Sakura stepped into the hallway, a sense of urgency gripping her as she caught sight of the Okami darting frantically through the corridors. Concern etched in her voice, she said, "Hey, is everything alright?"

Breathless and visibly distressed, the Okami replied, "I'm sorry to disturb you, Lady Sakura. One of my Nakai-San went missing last night after she served you dinner. We found her tray abandoned on the ground, shattered ceramics strewn everywhere. It appears she's been kidnapped."

"Kidnapped?" Sakura's heart raced with worry. "We must find her before something terrible happens."

The Okami nodded, her determination evident as she resumed her search. Sakura turned to the siblings in the room, finding a shared resolve in their expressions.

Taking charge, Gaara instructed, "Temari, check all the bedrooms, including the staff quarters."

"Understood, I'll report back with any findings," Temari affirmed. She deftly secured her oversized fan to her sash, ready to begin her search from the front bedrooms and progress systematically.

Gaara's authoritative voice cut through the tension. "Kankuro, investigate the kitchen, laundry room, and all other service areas."

"Already on it," Kankuro responded, a hint of determination in his tone. With a sly grin, he retrieved his puppets before Sakura kissed his cheek.

"Take care," Sakura urged him.

Kankuro flashed a confident smirk. "Don't worry about me. I won't be caught off guard again."

With that assurance, Kankuro left the room, prepared to scour every service area as instructed.

Instructing Sakura, Gaara maintained, "Your task is to check all the Onsen rooms for any signs of trouble."

Curious, Sakura inquired, "And where will you be?"

"I'll be checking for any external intrusions. If anything occurs, notify me immediately," Gaara explained.

"Okay, be safe out there!" Sakura's voice echoed as she swiftly collected her puppet and dashed away. The quest for the missing girl led her to the first Onsen, where an empty locker room greeted her. No Yukatas adorned the area. Sliding open the door to a serene and quiet Onsen with a breathtaking view of the sea of sand, Sakura's heart succumbed to the tranquility. Yet, her mission pressed on, urging her to continue the search for the missing girl.

After hours of relentless searching, Sakura found herself in the staff area, discovering indoor public staff Onsens and more. Stepping into the women's staff Onsen, she surveyed the quiet room. Spots for pre-bathing cleanliness surrounded the large bath, with buckets and wooden stools scattered like remnants of an abandoned mall. Though the room bore signs of frequent use, it was eerily devoid of occupants. Only one place remained unchecked—the male Onsen, a seldom-used sanctuary reserved for the male staff.

Sakura cautiously stepped into the room, initially feeling a bit uneasy. As she entered, it became evident that the space was rarely used, impeccably maintained like a pristine Onsen untouched by time. The warm Onsen water whispered soothingly in the dim light, offering a different outdoor view than what the guests enjoyed.

Sighing, Sakura muttered, "I guess this is it. I couldn't find her. I hope the others had better luck."

Before she could turn around, a large hand suddenly covered her mouth from behind, sending a shiver down her spine. Her eyes widened, beads of sweat forming on her skin. The man chuckled and remarked, "What took you so long?"

She recognized the voice but couldn't place it into words. Her heart raced, and uncertainty filled her mind. Attempting to break free, Sakura squirmed, but the man firmly held her wrists.

"Let go of me!" Sakura exclaimed.

In his other hand, he brandished a device with a menacing red button. The man coldly stated, "If you disobey me again, I'll detonate this building and everything in it. Understand?"

Sakura whimpered, "Okay."

The man forcefully pushed her to the ground, tearing her top to shreds. He licked his lips, drooling on her back, and said, "Let's see how much you've grown up."

Sakura gasped, "It's you."

"Did you really think I'd return to the village after you put my name in the Bingo book? I waited for you to leave, and I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

"Dad, please let me go," Sakura whimpered.

"I have to make you pay for what you did to me," Kenjiro yelled menacingly.

He extracted a syringe from his pocket and swiftly jabbed it into her neck. Sakura felt the sudden, piercing sting, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of the sizable syringe protruding from her neck. Her father let go of the syringe, releasing his tight grip on her arm.

Sakura clutched her neck tightly, half-expecting blood to spill out. Weakly, she inquired, "What did you do?"

"Nothing you didn't deserve," Kenjiro retorted.

Stumbling backward, Sakura lost her balance, her feet betraying her. She collapsed onto the cold, unyielding Onsen floor, a tear streaming down her cheek. Her vision started to blur as she closed her eyes, the only image lingering being her father manipulating the yellow fabric around her. Sakura knew she was trapped, and there was no one to come to her rescue.