Chapter 34: Painful Road Ahead

With her Shukaku sand hand cloaked in blue curse marks hand, she pressed him against the wall, initiating a suffocating grip. Sakura leaned in, her lips near Kenjiro's ear, whispering a silent melody that lulled him into a peaceful slumber. As he slowly closed his eyes and breathed gently, Sakura released his body, leaving him in a serene state. Walking down the hallway deliberately, she left a trail of sand in her wake. Groaning and roaring, she struggled to escape the emotional pain that gripped her.

Kankuro raised his arms, manipulating the blue chakra strings connected to his Black Ant Puppet. The puppet's stomach opened, releasing a torrent of blue chakra strings that swiftly entangled Kenjiro, trapping him within the puppet's chest. With a strained tone, Kankuro declared, "It's over, Kenjiro. I hope I never have to lay eyes on your face again."

Kankuro turned to Gaara, a worried frown etched across his face, and inquired, "I'm at a loss on how to help her. What should I do?" 

Gaara shifted his gaze towards Sakura, pondering the question. The truth was, he didn't have a clear answer. Each Jinchuriki faced unique challenges, and Sakura's recent trauma triggered a chakra manifestation unlike anything they had witnessed in years. Temari approached Kankuro, letting out a sigh. She advised: "If your love for each other is genuine, you'll find the right words. Go to her, Kankuro."

Kankuro traced the sandy path that led directly to her, the enormous Shukaku's body shifting and dragging along. Passing her, he turned back and knelt in front of Sakura. His hands, tender and gentle, touched her peachy skin where the sand flaked away. Sakura's pupils resembled frying pans; she seemed absent, overwhelmed by the unbearable pain.

With a sorrowful expression, Kankuro whispered, "I should have never left you alone. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I should have tried harder to find him."

Sakura's body continued to move forward as if she were in a trance controlled by Shukaku. Her lack of response indicated that Shukaku had taken over her body, her heart pounding visibly in her chest.

Kankuro cried out, "Why won't you answer me? Sakura, please wake up!"

Gaara's eyes widened in concern as he hurried over to assist his older brother. Temari remained frozen in place, her childhood trauma resurfacing as she wondered what had happened to her beloved friend to turn her into the monster they had all feared.

"How can we help her?" Kankuro pleaded.

Ignoring his brother's distress, Gaara knelt in front of Sakura and calmly asked, "Why are you possessing her body like this? Is she resisting?"

Shukaku's voice sounded weak as he replied, "No, she isn't resisting. I feel her pain, and it overwhelms me. It's like the night you were betrayed by your own family. She refuses to emerge."

Gaara frowned and closed his eyes, delving into his inner turmoil. Then, when he heard the slow, rhythmic sound of raindrops falling, he slowly opened his eyes again.

In Shukaku's dimension, Gaara discovered the unchained beast nowhere in sight. His eyes scanned the darkness until he spotted Sakura in the distance, curled up on the floor, naked and in tears, struggling to gather her thoughts.

Kneeling beside her, Gaara gently moved her hair away from her face, cupping it behind her ear. He softly inquired, "What's troubling you?"

"He drugged and raped me," Sakura whimpered. "What if I become pregnant in the following week? I don't want to." 

"Stop, don't think like that. We will handle it if the time comes. Did he say anything to you?" 

Sakura nodded and wiped away her tears. She sat up, using her long hair as a shield, and uttered, "He told me nothing I didn't already know."

Gaara ran his fingers through her hair and said, "I'm sorry you had to endure such a harrowing experience. I should have been there with you instead of leaving you alone. You're a precious asset to our village, and I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you."

Concerned about Kankuro, Sakura whimpered, "What if he never speaks to me again?"

Gaara reassured her, "If he truly loves you, he won't abandon you. You're not alone in this."

Expressing her fear, Sakura whispered, "I'm scared."

Gaara, emphasizing her strength, said firmly, "We were scared too. Don't play the victim; you're a Shinobi, a survivor. Remember that." He extended his hand, urging her to rise. "Come on, let's go home."

Sakura smiled, nodding at her best friend. They opened their eyes, and the sand that covered Sakura's body gracefully descended to the solid wooden floor. As Sakura opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by her family.

Sakura gradually regained consciousness, cradled in Kankuro's protective embrace, a soft white robe draped over her body. The brilliance of the light momentarily overwhelmed her senses, but she adjusted swiftly. Tenderly stroking his cheek, she murmured, "I'm sorry if I frightened you. I fear I've disrupted our vacation."

Kankuro sighed, his concern palpable as he responded, "None of that matters. I'm just relieved you're safe. We'll stay here tonight and head back tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan," Gaara concurred.

"Please, take me to our room," Sakura requested gently.

With utmost care, Kankuro carried her to their designated space in the family room and laid her down on the Tatami mat.

The Okami entered, clad in pink robes, and knelt beside them. "My deepest apologies, Lady Sakura. We won't charge you for the additional night," she offered.

Sakura turned her head to address the Okami, her tone gentle yet firm. "You've suffered a loss, too. There's no need to cater to us. Take time to mourn with the others. She was precious and deserves a proper farewell."

The Okami bowed in gratitude before departing, leaving the family in solitude. As she retreated down the hallway to grieve with her fellow attendants, news of the girl's tragic fate in the garden emerged.

Seizing the moment, Temari voiced her concerns to the family, settling beside Sakura's head. "When were you planning to tell us about Shukaku? What's happening?" she inquired.

Before Sakura could respond, Gaara stepped in. "She confided in us after our arrival, and we agreed to keep it discreet. But now, it's no longer a secret."

Kankuro rubbed the back of his head and said, "We intended to inform you, but we were waiting for the right moment."

"How?" Temari pressed for clarification.

Gaara rose to his feet, beckoning Temari to follow. "Let's discuss this outside. We have rumors to address and an unexpected visitor to deal with."

"Fine," Temari agreed, joining him in the hallway. He left Kankuro and Sakura to their quiet reflections in the family room.

Kankuro tenderly kissed Sakura's lips and enveloped her in his arms, holding her as if she were the most precious treasure. His heart swelled with gratitude that she had returned safely to him.

"I'm okay, Kankuro, I promise," Sakura whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

"You did something incredible back there. That explosion led us right to you. Smart thinking," Kankuro praised, his admiration evident in his voice.

Blushing at the unexpected compliment, Sakura admitted, "It wasn't exactly a planned strategy. I just... lost control."

Kankuro gently silenced her, his touch comforting. "Don't dwell on that now. The doctor will be here soon. We arranged it in advance, anticipating something like this might happen."

Sakura's eyes softened with affection as she murmured, "I love you."

A warm smile graced Kankuro's lips as he replied, "And I love you too. We'll plan another spa day once we're home."

Shaking her head, Sakura insisted, "No need for that. I just want to get back to our normal missions. It's where we belong, amidst all the chaos."

Chuckling at the irony, Kankuro hugged her tighter. "I know, right? Our missions have a knack for finding us, don't they?"

Sakura's gaze lingered on the door, anticipating Gaara's return, yet he had not yet crossed the threshold. She hesitated to confront Kankuro with her tumultuous emotions while he grappled with his sense of guilt.

Sitting beside her, Kankuro's voice was soft as he broached the subject: "What transpired back there? If you're not ready to discuss it, I understand. But I believe we must piece together the events, both for our understanding and to present a cohesive narrative to the council."

Sakura took a deep breath and replied, "I'm not sure you're ready to hear that. Besides, I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Kankuro nodded, respecting her decision to remain silent about her ordeal. Glancing at the door, he noticed Gaara and Temari entering the family room. Keeping his head down, he avoided making eye contact with them.

Gaara and Temari glanced at the wall behind Kankuro, their expressions revealing their concern at seeing the damaged wall. They were about to ask what happened but may have already guessed the answer.

Temari frowned and remarked, "You need to learn to control your anger, Kankuro."

Gaara stepped in to defend him, saying, "He showed restraint with Kenjiro, so I believe he is doing his best under the circumstances."

"Fine," Temari sighed, relenting, "Let's go, Kankuro. The doctor has come to evaluate her. Let's give them some privacy."

Without a word, Kankuro followed his siblings out of the room. As they passed a kind female doctor in a white coat, she brought in a heavy bag of supplies and sat beside Sakura. Speaking softly, she asked, "Are you ready?"

"I'm ready," Sakura responded quietly.

The room fell into a hushed silence as the doctor prepared for her examination. The siblings stood on the other side of the room, silently waiting for her to finish. None of them exchanged words, understanding the gravity of the situation and the need for privacy. Soon, they would have to return to the village and ensure that justice was served for the harm inflicted by the criminal upon them and those who cared for them. Sakura succumbed to exhaustion during the examination, and the weariness of the long days finally overtook her. The doctor, understanding the need for rest, approached Sakura gently, careful not to disturb her slumber. From her swollen ankles to her throbbing head, the doctor assessed Sakura's condition meticulously, noting the telltale signs of bruising on her wrists, ankles, and internal throat injuries.

Completing her examination, the doctor gathered her belongings with a soft smile of relief, grateful that Sakura could find solace in sleep. She delivered her assessment by addressing the siblings with concern and reassurance. "She will need time to heal," she explained, her words carrying a weight of responsibility. "Ensure she receives the rest she requires for a full recovery."

Temari nodded solemnly, her commitment unwavering as she vowed, "We will see to it."

As the doctor departed, the siblings offered their respects, acknowledging her expertise and the care she had provided. With her departure, they entered the room, their fatigue evident from the day's trials. Without a word, they settled beside Sakura, finding solace in each other's presence as they drifted into a well-deserved sleep, united in their determination to support Sakura on her journey to recovery.