Chapter 16: Written Exam

The following day, Sakura awoke, rolling out of bed like last night was only a bad dream. She sat beside Gaara on his side of the bed and gently rubbed his red hair. Gaara looked up at her, his gaze lingering momentarily before he sat up.

"Morning, are you worried about the exams?" Sakura inquired.

"No, I'm strategizing about what I can do to protect the villagers and the exam participants. The desert isn't safe for those unfamiliar, so that we may need more help out there." Gaara replied.

"Kankuro's got it covered, don't worry too much about it." 

Gaara couldn't help but avoid the conversation. He changed his clothes and said, "Temari already left last night. Go to the village entrance, and we will meet you and the other teams there."

Sakura nodded, changed into her usual Shinobi outfit, and rushed out the door. She couldn't bother Gaara anymore. He was preoccupied with the exams, so it was better not to bother him. 

At the village entrance, Sakura spotted the group of Suna Genin standing by, waiting for Gaara to deliver his farewell speech. Yukata broke away from the crowd and enveloped Sakura in a hug tighter than she had ever given her.

Yukata inquired, "We were so worried about you last night. Are you okay? What happened?"

Grateful for her friend's concern, Sakura replied, "I'm not entirely sure. Thanks for helping me out of there..."

Mikoshi quickly joined them and stated, "Fortunately, our jutsu allowed us to rescue you in time. But why were you so drawn to Shukaku's temple?"

Sakura explained, "I think I saw a vision of the future. Something terrible will happen, but I couldn't tell if it was during the Chunin exams or afterward."

Yukata questioned, "What's going to happen?"

Sakura lowered her voice, "I become a Jinchuriki..."

Mikoshi slid his glasses up his nose and responded, "That's impossible. That would mean Lord Kazekage would be dead."

Sakura reiterated, "As I said, I don't have all the answers. But for now, we have more pressing matters to address."

The Kazekage siblings' team, except Temari, arrived to find Sakura and her team ready to set out for Konoha. The brothers couldn't have anticipated that Sakura would willingly participate in the Chunin exams, yet there she was, proving them wrong.

Gaara kissed Sakura passionately before speaking, "Stay safe out there, my love. Remember to reveal your true strength only when necessary."

Sakura replied playfully, "We'll show them that we're the best among all the great nations."

"I'm sure you will," Gaara chuckled. With Sakura by his side and Kankuro in the vicinity, Gaara addressed the assembled group of twenty-seven Genin. The young Shinobi, anticipating the Kazekage's words, remained in quiet anticipation.

"Good morning, Genin of Sunagakure. We chose you to represent our village in the Konoha and Suna joint Chunin exams. The first stage, as you already know, is a written test that will take place in Konoha. The second stage will occur here in Suna, within the Demon Desert. The third stage will be held in our gymnasium. Succeed, and you'll earn the rank of Chunin. Fail, and you'll remain Genin and have another opportunity, should you still be Shinobi by then. I wish you all the best. Show the other villages what we're made of!"

The Genin roared excitedly, their spirits high as they journeyed across the desert. The first few hours passed in silence as they made their way through the vast expanse of sand. However, Shira matched Sakura's running pace and initiated a conversation.

"Lord Kazekage is head over heels for you," he remarked. "He never stops talking about you when I trained with him in Taijutsu."

Sakura smiled warmly, her love for Gaara evident in her eyes. "We've been together for so long; I can't imagine my life without him."

Mikoshi chimed in, curious about her unique living situation. "You've lived with Lord Kazekage since you were thirteen, right?"

Slightly uncomfortable with the personal questions, Sakura replied, "Yeah, it's a long story."

Yukata joined the conversation with a rather bold statement. "There's no way you're not sleeping with him."

Ameno, mischievously, winked at Sakura and asked, "So, how big is his...?"

Sakura interrupted, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "What? That's not something I'm going to discuss."

"Ameno, don't ask questions like that. It's disgusting," Koji shouted.

"Yeah, I'd rather not vomit on my way to Konoha," Shira added.

Three days later, the Suna Genin arrived at Konohagakure, touching down a dirt path surrounded by towering trees. The Takigakure team, consisting of only three members, followed them, proceeding in a single-file line. Behind them, two teams from Kusagakure arrived. Amegakure had a substantial representation, with Genin donning hats to conceal their faces, although they didn't appear intimidating.

Yukata whispered in Sakura's ear, "Who's that guy standing on top of the entrance gate?"

Sakura, catching sight of the figure she hadn't initially noticed, looked up to see Shikamaru waiting at the entrance gate. She smiled at Yukata, reassuring her, and said, "It's okay; he's one of the good ones. That's Temari's crush, Shikamaru."

Yukata giggled, "That's him? Not bad."

Before they could enter the village, Shikamaru leaped from above and landed in front of them.

"Welcome, participants of the Hidden Villages, to Konohagakure," Shikamaru greeted. "Please follow me to our Shinobi Academy."

The Genin complied and walked through the peaceful village's stone and dirt pathways. The academy was a large Japanese-style school building with a front yard covered in sand and gravel. Its size impressed Sakura, though her nerves didn't dampen her excitement. Shikamaru stood at the open doors of the school and informed them, "Only one team at a time can come through to receive their assigned classrooms and submit their participation slips. Good luck."

The teams formed a solid line beside the academy, and the wait seemed interminable, lasting for more than an hour.

Yukata clapped her hands, exuberant and filled with cheer. "We're representing Suna, so we must become Chunin, okay?"

Sakura's response was tinged with nervousness, and she spoke sternly, "Why are you getting so worked up?"

Mikoshi crossed his arms and tried to calm the atmosphere. "Calm down, Yukata."

One of the Kusagakure teams ahead of them stepped into the building. Sakura observed their interactions as they approached two Jonin seated at a table with a box. When they were done, Sakura's team approached the desk.

"Participation slips, please," one Jonin requested.

Sakura's team happily placed their slips on the table, grateful not to carry them any longer. Losing them would have been a disaster.

"Take one of the three sticks from the box," the other Jonin instructed.

Sakura and her teammates each selected one of the sticks. The end of Sakura's stick had a round disc marked with the number two. She soon realized that her teammates' sticks also bore numbers.

The first Jonin pointed to a small corridor on their left and instructed, "Now head down that hallway and look for the classroom with the corresponding number."

The three proceeded at a measured pace toward the hallway, occasionally glancing at rooms filled with Genin. Sakura had to suppress her nervousness and project an air of excitement about the exams so as not to alarm her teammates.

Sakura mused aloud, "I wonder why they separated us."

"I don't want to be separated from you guys," Yukata expressed, her voice tinged with anxiety.

With a weary expression, Mikoshi raised his hand to his face and responded, "Go to your assigned rooms and stop worrying. It will only be for a few hours."

Sakura nodded, and they went their separate ways into the designated classrooms. Upon entering, Sakura scanned the room, spotting familiar faces like Koji, Mujin, Minojin, and Sen. The presence of these fellow Suna Genin helped her feel less alone. The classroom was spacious, leaving her wanting to figure out where to sit.

Mujin, his face flushed a bright red, waved to Sakura and stammered, "Hey, I don't have anyone sitting beside me. So, only if you want to, you can sit down here... Not that I'm forcing you to."

Sakura chuckled softly, recognizing that Mujin had a crush on her. In a gesture of kindness, she sat beside him to put him at ease. As she glanced around the room again, she noticed the faces of Konoha Genin she recognized, such as Ino, Rock Lee, and Shino. She recalled Gaara mentioning that he faced Rock Lee during his Chunin exams a few years back. Meanwhile, Mujin appeared nervous, averting eye contact.

Sakura offered some encouragement, saying, "Good luck with the exams. I hope you pass."

Mujin made eye contact and hesitantly replied, "...you too."

As the room filled with Genin, Sakura took a moment to survey her surroundings. In the left-hand corner, a television set was stationed, while on the green chalkboard, someone had inscribed "no authorized fighting" in white chalk. The desk beneath it was piled high with papers. Yet, Sakura couldn't help but notice that someone essential was conspicuously absent.

A sense of unease hung in the air as the door abruptly swung shut, and her fellow Genin began to murmur. Rock Lee, seated at the front of the classroom, vocalized their collective concern, asking, "What's happening?"

Ino voiced the question on many of Genin's minds, "Isn't the proctor coming?"

The television screen blinked to life, and amid the static, Shikamaru's image materialized as he reclined in a chair. Shikamaru cleared his throat and began, "I am Shikamaru Nara, your proctor for the first round of the Chunin exams. Please, be seated and take a single sheet from the stack on the teacher's desk."

Chairs scraped against the floor as the Genin rose from their seats, forming a haphazard line that snaked its way to the teacher's desk. Each participant collected a sheet of paper and hurriedly returned to their seats, creating a disorganized symphony of shuffling bodies. Sakura maneuvered through the crowd to sit beside Mujin, who appeared nervous and apprehensive.

Shikamaru's tone, calm as ever, continued, "Are we all comfortably seated now? I'll keep this short; round one is the written test. Pay close attention to the questions."

Before he continued, Sakura couldn't help but notice that the paper contained just three questions. Her apprehension grew as she found all three questions relatively straightforward, which struck her as odd. Shikamaru's intentions in providing such simple questions left her puzzled.

Unperturbed, Shikamaru said, "The three questions correspond to thirty, forty, and fifty points, respectively. Each team member is required to answer one of these questions. Your team's cumulative score will determine your fate—exceed 100 points, and your team will be disqualified."

Inside the classrooms, the Genin were dumbfounded, their expressions ranging from confusion to sheer overwhelm. Many uttered cries of disbelief, fearing they were already out of the running before they'd even begun. Sakura ran her fingers through her hair, scanning the seemingly elementary questions on her sheet.

Shikamaru's smirk remained intact as he continued, "Then, we'll calculate the average of the remaining teams' scores. Teams falling below the average will be disqualified, while those surpassing it will proceed. Commence."

The room became eerie as the clock on the wall buzzed loudly, projecting a precise thirty-minute countdown. The Genin were left to contemplate the seemingly simplistic test's significance.

Sakura glanced at the first question, her fingers gently massaging her temples. It was a multiple-choice question about the first Kage to hold the esteemed title. She quickly recollected her time in Konoha and knew Hashirama Senju to be the first Kage.

The second question demanded knowledge about how the Third Shinobi World War ended. Sakura could recall Kankuro's explanation, which went like this: "The war, which had ensnared Shinobi from all corners, reached its conclusion with an armistice agreement between Konoha and Iwagakure, the primary aggressors."

While more intricate, the last question proved relatively straightforward compared to the first two. Sakura was beginning to read it thoughtfully when Rock Lee sprang up from his seat and exclaimed, "Yes, I did it!"

Ino lifted her head from her desk, curiosity piqued. "Really? You figured it out?"

Rock Lee, beaming with excitement, offered her a thumbs-up. "Yeah! I've finished the fifty-pointer!"

So, appearing mellow, merely sighed and said, "I see..."

"I won't be showing you, Ino."

"I won't be looking, Lee. No need."

The room's atmosphere shifted as the clock relentlessly ticked to twenty minutes. Some of the Genin leaned forward on their desks, nervously twiddling their pencils and massaging their temples in dismay, while others opted for a more laid-back posture, reclining in their chairs.

Amidst this collective tension, the girl from Takigakure caught Sakura's attention. With a curious gaze, Sakura examined her more closely, intrigued by the fact that her team was the sole representative from Takigakure in the exams.

The petite, tanned Shinobi rose from her chair and made her way to the back of the room, and Sakura watched her intently, studying her features to decipher her intentions. Her curiosity was piqued further by the girl's distinctive appearance: her short, layered mint-green hair held in place with an orange clip that harmonized with her striking orange eyes. She donned a white, sleeveless midriff shirt, sporting fishnet armor beneath it, long white armlets, and fishnet shorts paired with a short white apron skirt. Her forehead protector was distinctively worn on her right arm, and a cylindrical object wrapped in vibrant red was slung across her back.

With a sense of curiosity and intrigue, the young Shinobi touched the back wall with the palm of her hand, her eyes closed briefly before returning to her seat, leaving everyone to wonder about her actions.

Mujin, noticing Sakura's curiosity, inquired, "Who are you looking at?"

Sakura replied, her voice filled with intrigue, "That girl from Takigakure, back there. I'm just curious about what she's up to."

Mujin contemplated briefly before adding, "I find it strange that the proctor hasn't asked her to return to her seat, though."

After the initial commotion subsided and the room fell into an uneasy silence, voices from other classrooms began to seep through. At first, it was only a few individuals shouting, but as moments passed, those few voices multiplied into a chorus of Genin raising their voices to communicate with other classrooms.

Rock Lee raised his head and inquired, "Do you hear that shouting?"

One Konohagakure Genin stood up and confirmed, "Yes, it sounds like they're communicating with the other classrooms."

The Genin from Konoha initiated a raucous exchange of shouts within the room. Sakura pressed her palms firmly against her ears to muffle the racket, which threatened to rupture her eardrums. Mujin, on the other hand, buried his face in his test paper and shielded his ears from the noise. The room was silent, and a sense of normalcy was restored. 

The clock on the wall ticked away relentlessly, each second amplifying the rapid beating of Sakura's heart. She was already feeling defeated during the first part of the exam, and Shikamaru's test perplexed her. Doubts crept in, making her wonder if she truly belonged as a Shinobi. A heavy sadness washed over her, threatening to shatter her resolve. The entire school quivered as she contemplated setting her pencil aside, torn between the urge to quit. Sakura counted five such tremors on her fingers, and a thought struck her: maybe five meant fifty?

Rock Lee exclaimed, "What's happening now?"

Shino's lips curled into a knowing smile, and he calmly stated, "Those who signaled in that classroom will receive zero points. The two remaining members selected the fifty-point question."

Sakura finally understood, and Rock Lee echoed her sentiment. Meanwhile, a Genin from Konoha crossed his arms and muttered, "Opting for zero points is rather bold."

Sakura immediately proceeded to the next question, which required listing the Five Basic Chakra Natures and their strengths and weaknesses. As she started jotting down her response, a wave of relief washed over her, dissipating the headache haunting her like an unwelcome specter. The answer was straightforward, and she knew she could tackle it confidently.

However, a sudden, shrill, screeching noise erupted from the speakers at the room's front, where the wall met the ceiling. Shikamaru's voice echoed through the room, addressing the unruly Genin. "I made it clear earlier that this is a written exam. Fighting is strictly prohibited! Stop that commotion and focus on answering the questions before time runs out."

Mujin propped his head up with his hand and muttered, "I'd bet it was Mijin or Shishio."

While Sakura diligently wrote down her response, she giggled and remarked, "Those two always seem to find trouble, even in Sunagakure. Let's hope they behave here."

The piercing buzzer marked the end of the first part of the exam, and Shikamaru's voice resonated through the room as he announced, "Time's up, everyone. Flip your sheets over to begin the second part of the exam."

A collective groan rippled through the Genin as the stress of Shikamaru's cunning test weighed on their shoulders. Sakura lay on her desk, the tension causing her to feel as if she might melt into it, like ice cream on a hot day. It was becoming clear that Shikamaru was no ordinary Shinobi; Sakura had gained this insight through his unique examination.

Shikamaru continued, "Now, for the next part. Imagine you're on a mission, and the enemy has detected your team. To escape, one teammate must remain behind as a decoy to divert the pursuers. This decoy will face certain death. Write down your answer on the reverse side of your sheet. To pass, all team members must select the same teammate as the decoy, and that member will be considered eliminated from the exams. You have three minutes for this. Begin."

With three minutes displayed on the wall timer, the ticking clock's incessant rhythm amplified the collective anxiety in the room.

Sakura whispered, her voice filled with inner turmoil, "I'd sacrifice myself, but I can't afford to fail the exams, and I can't bear to write down anyone's name either for the same reason. Wait... Gaara speaks fondly of Naruto and how he'd go to great lengths to save his friends. He believed that no one should be left behind. That's it."

A single tear flowed down Sakura's cheek as she made her decision. She gently dropped her pencil, choosing not to write anyone's name. She steeled herself to accept the consequences if she got into trouble. After all, her conviction was clear: no one should be left behind.

As the double doors to the classroom swung open, a Jonin from the Leaf Village entered. He calmly stated, "I'll collect your papers. Please remain in your classrooms until the papers are graded. Those who pass will be called out to the schoolyard."

In less than an hour, the atmosphere was fraught with anxiety as each participant eagerly hoped they had passed, while some had already surrendered to their doubts. Finally, the Jonin began calling names individually, and relief washed over Sakura when she heard her name called. She stepped outside into the courtyard, embracing fresh air against her skin.

On a small makeshift stage, she spotted Temari and shared a wink with her. Pride radiated from Temari's face, knowing that Sakura had successfully cleared the first round of the exams. Beside her, Shikamaru calmly stood with his hands in his pockets, maintaining his casual demeanor. Other Suna Jonin flanked the stage, watching with interest.

From the crowd, Yukata and Mikoshi made their way to Sakura, wearing warm smiles. They embraced each other in triumph, celebrating their impressive accomplishment as a team. It was evident that most teams had also passed the round, with only a few losing members due to the challenging sacrifice question.

"I'm sorry I couldn't figure out the question," Yukata sighed, her shoulders slumping with regret.

Sakura shrugged and offered a reassuring smile. "It doesn't matter anymore. We passed."

Mikoshi chimed in, emphasizing their teamwork. "We coordinated things with that in mind."

Yukata chuckled nervously and admitted, "I trusted you two and didn't write anything."

Sakura couldn't resist a teasing smirk and quipped, "Didn't you just admit you couldn't?"

Yukata blushed, scratching her head as she confessed to her little white lie.

Temari's fan hit the floor with a resounding slam, instantly grabbing Genin's attention. Conversations came to an abrupt halt, and they quickly gathered around the stage, their eyes drawn to the horizon where the light of the afternoon sun was gradually fading, casting the surroundings in gentle hues of pale pink.

"I'm Temari of the Sand, in charge of round two of the exams. Too many teams passed the first round, so we'll narrow it down some more. First off, round two is also a team battle. Any team without its third member will be disqualified. Furthermore, round two will be held in the village of the hidden sand. We will meet at the Demon Desert checkpoint. Although there is a clear route between the hidden leaf and the hidden sand villages, it will take a shinobi three days, no matter how fast he or she may be."

A Sunagakure shinobi stepped onto the stage, carrying a small scroll. He gently placed the scroll inside a small pouch attached to a messenger bird's leg. With a swift, practiced motion, he raised his arm, signaling the messenger bird to take flight, carrying the scroll toward its intended destination.

Temari's voice filled the air once more, her words commanding the Genin's attention. "A messenger hawk has been dispatched to Hidden Sand with these instructions: 'After the first thirty have arrived, all subsequent participants will be disqualified.' Additionally, like in the first round, engaging in combat on your way to the destination is strictly prohibited. Save your enthusiasm for round two, where you'll have the opportunity to fight to your heart's content."

With Temari's instructions ringing in their ears, Neji and his teammates, Rock Lee and Tenten, were the first to break into a sprint, dashing towards their next challenge.

  "He's quite efficient in sizing up situations," Shikamaru remarked.

Temari responded with a smirk, "What's the matter? You're all free to go."

In the wake of her statement, the Genin entered a frenzy, racing past the stage to exit the village as quickly as they could. Sakura and Mikoshi led the way, sprinting ahead. At the same time, Yukata lingered behind, bewildered by the commotion and turning to those nearby for answers, as she was entirely in the dark about what was happening.

Sakura and Mikoshi soon turned around, beckoning Yukata and calling her, "Hey, Yukata! Come on!"

Mikoshi added, more urgently, "Hurry up!"

One by one, the Genin streamed out through Konohagakure's gates. They embarked on spectacular tree-to-tree leaps, traversing the dense forest for miles until the trees began to thin out and the sandy desert terrain merged with grass and dirt. After a full day's journey, the teams finally descended onto the desert's vast expanse at the border. They hit the ground running, their speed and agility resembling Shinobi charging into battle, leaving a swirling plume of dust in their wake like a herd of stampeding rhinos.

Sakura turned to her teammates with a mischievous grin and proposed, "I've got an idea that can get us there ahead of the rest. What do you say?" 

Yukata, puzzled, inquired, "What's your plan?" 

"We're Shinobi from the Land of Wind, remember?" 

Eager for a faster route, Mikoshi said, "I'm on board if it means getting to round two quicker." 

Still bewildered, Yukata asked, "I'm lost here."

With all the chakra Mikoshi could muster, he conjured up swirling winds, forming windballs for his team to ride on. They zipped past most of the struggling teams slogging through the sand. By the end of the day, they had reached Sunagakure. 

Kankuro, who had just arrived, turned to see the wind-driven team landing effortlessly on the sand. With wide eyes and a shocked expression, he asked, "How did you get here so quickly? I already know the answer, but that seems like overkill." 

Mikoshi, wholly drained, collapsed from exhaustion while everyone else watched, aware that such a fate was inevitable.

Sakura bent down to gently roll Mikoshi onto his back. Carefully, she took his glasses and handed them to Yukata, who, taller than Sakura, quickly lifted Mikoshi off the sandy ground and carried him. With a playful wink and a smirk, Yukata turned to face Sakura before walking away. "I've got him. Go celebrate your victory." She then strolled off through the village, headed for the Sunagakure hospital.

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As the sand rustled in the wind, Sakura waved them goodbye and smiled at Kankuro. She inquired, "Where's Gaara?"

Kankuro replied, "In his office. I was on my way there. We can walk there together."

"I'd love that. Are you mad we got here too fast?"

"No, it's okay. I was just surprised."

The two entered the pitch-black building, proceeding upstairs down the eerily quiet hallway. The silence seemed almost oppressive to Sakura, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease in the unfamiliar darkness of a place where she was used to being well-lit.

Kankuro guided her through the darkness until they reached Gaara's office. Two Jonin stood guard by the door, and they respectfully bowed to Sakura, stepping aside to allow her to pass. 

Turning to Kankuro, Sakura asked, "Are you coming in too?"

Kankuro replied, "I want to change first at the house. I'll come back when I'm done."

Sakura nodded and entered the brightly lit room where Gaara was seated at his desk, gazing out at the moon.

Gaara lifted his head to find Sakura standing just a few feet away. "How did you get back so early? Did you pass the first round?" he inquired.

Sakura couldn't resist a dramatic nod before she replied, "We harnessed the power of the wind to return on time."

Gaara ran his fingers through his hair in contemplation. "I can't believe I never thought of using my jutsu for transportation... I'm impressed."

Sakura playfully prodded, "So, what's my reward, Lord Kazekage?"

Gaara smirked, "Come here." 

  Despite the audience on the other side of the closed door, Sakura did as he commanded. Facing him, she sat on his lap and kissed him. Gaara twisted their tongues concurrently while he reached two fingers inside her vagina to fold them like a hook and played with the G-spot. Sakura moaned, grasping his arm to pull him out. His muscles bulged out while the two pushed. "Wait, it's too much. I'm gonna…" 

An audible burst of fluids spattered on Gaara's grey pants. She heavily hyperventilated in his loving arms, expecting to be done for the night.

Gaara whispered, "I haven't cummed yet, so get on the table."

As Sakura's breathing settled, Gaara hoisted her on the desk. He unbuckled his pants, watching her lay back, spreading her legs, begging for more.

"Fuck, why are you so good to me?" Gaara moaned. He thrust inside her, listening to her desperate cries for more. 

The door swung open suddenly, and in walked Kankuro, urgently stating, "Hey, you have to halt the exams—what the fuck!" 

Sakura blushed, shrouding her eyes from confronting embarrassing consequences. The silence directed Gaara to extract himself. He swiftly pushed his penis back into his pants and sat on the chair. Kankuro remained silent, standing by the door. Sakura gradually leaned forward to stand from Gaara's desk. She quietly stood beside him. 

Kankuro locked eyes with Gaara, their glares unwavering. Slowly, he entered the room and pointed a finger at Gaara's desk in front of him. Kankuro whispered, "How often do you have sex with her here?" 

Gaara casually shrugged off his earlier request, remarking, "The exams will continue as planned."

Kankuro stuttered, "I don't… I don't care anymore."

Concern filled Sakura's expression as she inquired, "Did something happen?"

Kankuro reluctantly explained, "Someone attempted to assassinate Gaara a moment ago, but we took care of it."

Sakura's frown deepened, "Gaara, you could have died…"

Gaara, however, remained unfazed, replying, "I doubt it."

As Kankuro turned his back, gripping the doorknob, he muttered, "Do what you want."

Once the door closed, the celebratory mood had evaporated. Gaara began sorting through the papers on his desk, accumulating documents. Sakura was relieved to see him finally decide to head home and get some rest before the exams.

She wrapped her arm around his and said, "Let's go home and rest, okay? I'm tired."

"I can't believe he blue-balled me…" 

"The assassination attempt doesn't bother you. Only the blue-balling, okay." 

The night felt nearly endless as the two went home in silence. Everyone returned, including Temari, and they all retired to rest for the big day ahead.