Chapter 25: The Honorable Grandmother

Once everyone safely escaped the explosions, the dust blasted from the forest, casting a horrid wind nearly knocking them off their feet. Silence gave Naruto and his shadow clones time to frown in Sakura's direction. She wasn't in the mood to argue. 

"Hey," Naruto yelled, "That explosion could have killed you."

Refusing to make eye contact with anyone, Sakura said, "I was giving the team time to escape while using my jutsu to shield everyone. I didn't have time to escape with the rest of you." 

"Stop lying. You wanted that explosion to kill you," Naruto argued. "Did you stop to think how that would make any of your friends feel?"

Kakashi glared at him and said, "Naruto, that's enough." 

"No, I want to know why," Naruto said. 

Sakura curled in a ball, leaning on Gaara's cold corpse to cry. No one judged her except for Naruto for attempting to take her own life. The space between everyone was awkwardly quiet. Granny Chiyo kneeled beside her and rubbed her back. Her loss was undeniably devastating. 

"Gaara and I were inseparable. Now that he's gone, I'll be the next Kazekage, and Kankuro will be my Advisor. My life would be a constant reminder of what Gaara missed out on. I don't want to go through that." 

"If you don't want to be Kazekage, tell your elders to shove it," Naruto said. 

Neji kneeled by her side and said, "As you already know, I am a Hyuga, meaning I am a member of the clan's branch house. I was born to serve the Hyuga's main household when my time came, and if I didn't, I'd be severely punished."

"Punished how?" Sakura asked. 

Neji removed his Shinobi headband to reveal a colored curse mark across his forehead with an 'X' at the center and said, "When I was young, my uncle Hiashi branded me with this customary cursed seal. My life felt like I was a bird trapped in a cage for the rest of my life. If my father or I ever disobeyed my destiny, Hiashi would activate the seal, and it would cause me tremendous amounts of pain."

Sakura placed her palm over her mouth. She gasped, "I had no idea; I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. Naruto, out of all people, taught me that I can choose who I want to be. My fate would be my choice. That's why I decided to continue my path as a Shinobi. Don't allow the elders in your village to cage you like a bird, or else you'll be miserable for the rest of your life and die with regrets," Neji said.

"Thank you, Neji," Sakura said. 

"Well, I'm glad we didn't lose you, too," Kakashi asked, "Is everyone else okay now?"

The team silently nodded to one another while Sakura decided to spend as much time as possible with Gaara. Changing her mind did not change the past. He was gone, and he was never coming back. It was the last time she would be able to embrace him. The time she would be able to touch his messy red hair and see his handsome skylight eyes. At this moment in time, she would do anything to hear his voice again. Sakura silently whimpered on Gaara's chest, knowing she would never hear his heartbeat again. Her hands trembled as they reached out to touch his cold, unmoving face, tracing the contours of someone she cared for deeply. Tears streamed down her face, leaving glistening trails on her cheeks as she leaned over him.

Her sobs were filled with profound sadness, the weight of loss and the pain of knowing she couldn't bring him back, settling heavily on her heart. Sakura's body quivered as she clutched Gaara's still form, her fingers intertwining with his lifeless ones. The world around her seemed to blur as she let the depth of her grief consume her.

In that poignant moment, surrounded by the echoes of battle and the stillness of death, Sakura's cries were a raw, emotional expression of the love and connection she shared with Gaara. Each sob conveyed a sense of heartbreak, aching for the presence that was now forever absent. The forest listened to the symphony of her grief. Everyone lowered their heads respectfully and lowered their eyebrows, expressing their deepest sympathies for her loss. Sniffling, Sakura sat on her legs to carefully lay Gaara's head on her thighs. She caressed his hair and kissed him on the forehead. Gaara truly loved Sakura with every ounce of his heart. 

Crying, Naruto approached them, staring at Gaara's face. He clenched his fist and shouted, "Why did he have to die like that? He just became the Kazekage for fucks sake." 

"Calm down, Naruto Uzumaki," Granny Chiyo calmly replied. 

Naruto quickly turned around to face Granny Chiyo with tears pouring down his face like rain. He yelled defensively, "Shut up. This wouldn't have happened if you and Shinobi hadn't put a monster inside Gaara. Did you even ask Gaara at all about how he felt?"

Sakura stopped whimpering and quietly said, "Don't speak to her like that, Naruto. Don't blame the village for the wrongs of the Fourth Kazekage. He wanted his son to be a Jinchuriki for purposes of war and destruction. We didn't want that." 

Naruto tightly closed his eyelids, sobbing as he turned away from them. He said, "Jinchuriki, my ass. You've no right to act so important by labeling us with that word you created. I can't save Sasuke, and I can't save Gaara. I trained so hard for three years; nothing changed since three years ago. 

Granny Chiyo quietly limped past Naruto while he sobbed in his right arm. Her pace was quick, like she had a goal in mind. He stopped crying to stare at her, approaching them with the most sorrowful look in her eyes. 

With swollen, tearful eyes, Sakura wiped her face and asked, "Granny Chiyo, what are you doing?" 

The old, retired, honored grandmother did not respond to her pupil. Instead, she kneeled to see Gaara's head gracefully resting on Sakura's thighs. She placed her hand on his chest, and her Chakra raged like a fire around them. 

Sakura yelled, "Granny, that jutsu will kill you."

Granny Chiyo lifted her head to Sakura and smiled. 

Naruto stepped forward to try to stop her and asked, "Hey, what are you doing?"

The wind blew through Sakura Haruno's pink hair as she raised her arm to stop Naruto from further walking. She knew precisely what Granny Chiyo was trying to do. In exchange for her own life, she wanted to rewrite the wrongs she had done. 

Naruto frowned and asked, "Sakura, what?" 

She did not hesitate for a second to quickly give him a deadly glare that expressed her profound sorrow and understanding of what Granny Chiyo had to do as the village elder hidden in the sand. She said, "Granny Chiyo will bring Gaara back to life." 

Her words brought chills down his spine as he said, "Are you serious? Is that possible?" 

The princess of the sand, Sakura of the Kazekage Clan, replied, "Granny Chiyo is the only one other than myself who possesses this unique jutsu. She taught me years ago, hoping I'd never have to use it someday."

As her vision blurred, Granny Chiyo grunted in agonizing pain as she began to fade away. It would have been all for nothing if she passed out before completing the jutsu. She groaned, "I don't have enough Chakra." 

Over a hundred Shinobi from Sunagakure surrounded them slowly but maturely upon their arrival. Sakura had begun to notice them but had not realized Temari and Kankuro were standing behind her. In her weakened state, Granny Chiyo couldn't see the family who had come to watch her say her final goodbyes, including her brother, Ebizo. They quietly listened to their conversation to understand what they had missed while on the way to rescue Gaara. 

Like a flame about to go out, her Chakra was flickering from her hands. Sakura gently laid Gaara's head on the warm grass to kneel across from Granny Chiyo. She gently placed her hands over her fading Chakra to supply her with massive amounts of flowing Chakra. 

Granny Chiyo gasped, "Sakura, what are you doing? How is this possible?"

Sakura smiled and replied, "When Gaara's mother passed away after childbirth, you came to the fourth Kazekage household to supply the siblings with dinner every night. After Gaara lost control, Shukaku threw me off that roof, and we thought my Chakra was blocked permanently until you saved me. You'd ensure I'd do my physical therapy every day no matter how much I complained, and you helped me find the Hyuga clan to unblock my Chakra after my sister was killed in Konoha. I had no one left until Gaara and his siblings told me to live with them, and every night, you'd support us, knowing we were a household of crazy orphans."

Granny Chiyo said, "I don't understand. Why are you bringing that up now?"

Sakura sniffled and said, "Because you've already paid for the mistakes you've made in the past. Shukaku came to me and lent me his Chakra, so let me help you."

Granny Chiyo's eyes widened, "He did what?" 

Kakashi asked, "Did you say Shukaku? The one-tailed beast who was extracted from Gaara. How was that possible?"

"I couldn't answer that, but it might have had something to do with an old relative who happened to be the Third Kazekage." 

Everyone in the field standing and watching them was speechless from everything she had spouted in detail. Sakura continued to tell how Shukaku had been watching over her family for years and how she could perform with enormous amounts of Chakra and not become too exhausted, like when Kakashi used his Sharingan. 

Directly to Granny Chiyo, Sakura said, "Gaara was forbidden to go outside, but every day, he managed to meet me at our secret hiding spots across the village. To the day he was kidnapped, he refused to reveal how he escaped his uncle's watchful eyes. He always told me that I would someday come to learn how he did it. Was that your doing? Despite the awful politics enforced on us, we managed to be happy, which drove Kankuro crazy. Someday, I'll have to choose between the two of them."

Granny Chiyo smiled and replied, "In this Shinobi world created by us foolish old people. Being part of your life was one of the greatest pleasures after the things I did in the past that were nothing but mistakes. But up until my last hour, it seems I shall finally be able to do the right by you and Gaara. It was an honor to fight by your side, princess of the sand." 

The color in Granny Chiyo's eyes faded away. Her blue chakra flames had gone out, and she fell back in Ebizo's arms. He had only gentle tears fall from his eyes to her cheek with all the love in the world for his sister.

Temari gently kissed Sakura on the forehead and said, "You did good, Sakura."

With tears rolling down her face, she glanced at Temari with relief and said, "She's gone…"

"She did what she thought was best under the circumstances," Temari replied with her hand on Sakura's shoulder. She gave her a gentle smile. 

In the moments of silence, Sakura gently laid Gaara's head back on her thighs so he could wake comfortably. Everyone surrounded him, anticipating he would get up. Gaara flickered his eyes slightly ajar. He widened his eyes in shock, staring back at Sakura, her face swollen red like his hair. She said, "Gaara, you're okay now." 

Gaara weakly replied," Sakura...."

Naruto had placed his hand on Gaara's shoulder, and Gaara looked up at him with amazement. For the first time, he was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about him. In the moments of silence, Sakura gently laid Gaara's head back on her thighs so he could wake comfortably. Everyone surrounded him, anticipating he would get up. Gaara flickered his eyes slightly ajar. He widened his eyes in shock, staring back at Sakura, her face swollen red like his hair. She said, "Gaara, you're okay now." 

Gaara weakly replied," Sakura...."

Naruto had placed his hand on Gaara's shoulder, and Gaara looked up at him with amazement. For the first time, he was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about him. The Chunin and Jonin cheered like drunken bafoons while other grown men cried in their sleeves. 

Kankuro strolled over and, with a bright smile, said, "Good grief, you're such a bothersome little brother making us worry like that."

Temari frowned and said, "What's with you guys acting arrogant like that? Gaara is the Kazekage, you know. Don't be so disrespectful. You're nothing but subordinates."

Sakura chuckled and said, "Yeah, as a matter of fact, stop calling him by his first name. He's Lord Kazekage, the lot of you." 

Kankuro and Naruto glared at the girls for acting and enforcing old traditional rules nobody truly cared about at a time like this one. 

Sakura asked, "Are you alright, Gaara?"

Leaning on Sakura for support, he tried painfully and slowly getting back on his feet, but Sakura had eased him back on the grass. She said, "Don't get up so quickly. Your body hasn't completely healed yet." 

Unable to stand, Gaara, for once, listened to his older sister and sat back down. He was squinting and panting in distress from being dead for so long and suddenly brought back to life.

A male, Jonin, whimpered in the background, "Thank heavens, I thought Lord Kazekage might die." 

One female Chunin smacked him and yelled, "There's no way that Lord Gaara would kick the bucket that easily. Gaara is reserved, calm, strong, handsome, an elite..." 

Another female Chunin beside her clenched her hands, blushing, and said, "Yes, yes, but he's still kind of cute somehow, and yet, he is the Kazekage..." 

The first female Chunin punched the male Jonin out of the way to walk towards Gaara with her friend and said, "This time, I'll show them that I can protect Lord Gaara in a crisis." 

Her friend pushed her out of the way and yelled, "No, I will." 

The two fought back and forth to Gaara, pushing Naruto and Sakura out of the way. 

Sakura glared at the girls and yelled, "Hey, I'm his girlfriend and Advisor. Do that again; neither of you will be on missions for weeks."

Temari chuckled in her hand and asked, "Oh, are you jealous, Sakura?" 

Sakura crossed her arms, frowning, and replied, "I'm not. Gaara and I are in a healthy and happy relationship." 

Kankuro chuckled, "Well, if it all goes up in flames, you'll know where to find me." 

Sakura's face became bright red, and she said, "Shut up."

Lying on the ground, Naruto quietly murmured, "Come to think of it, I am still a Genin. 

Kankuro wrapped his arms around Sakura's waist and said, "Don't feel so depressed. It's a well-known fact that women have a weakness for the cool, elite types. Right, Sakura?"

Sakura blushed, struck him, and said, "Shut up."

Naruto stood up and replied, "I think Shikamaru was saying something like that too." 

Sakura chuckled, staring at Temari. She said, "Oh, you don't say?"

Temari growled, "Shut it." 

Naruto smiled and added, "That old lady saved Gaara's life with that cool jutsu she used. She got tired out, and she's sleeping now, but when she returns to the village, she'll contact well again."

Sakura frowned and replied, "She's not sleeping, Naruto."

Most of the crowd had gone silent to give their respects to Granny Chiyo, who had laid in Ebizo's arms. He whispered silent prayers in her ears as he held her tightly. The female Chunin stopped bouncing around with joy and had gone quiet. They glanced toward where everyone was looking at Granny Chiyo. Naruto 

Kankuro lifted his head, giving Ebizo a sad expression, feeling bad for him. After everything Granny Chiyo had done for him, he believed she deserved so much better than that. He faced Sakura and asked, "She used it... didn't she?"

Naruto frowned and asked, "What are you talking about?" 

Sakura lowered her head and replied, "The Jutsu Granny Chiyo used drained her of all her Chakra, and she placed it inside Gaara. Granny Chiyo is dead."

"What do you mean?" Naruto whimpered.

Sakura replied, "It Is ninjutsu to bring a dead person back to life in exchange for your own." 

Kankuro's eyes began to water as he said, "At one time, in the Sand Puppet Unit, they were researching to develop a Jutsu that could bring puppets to life. Granny Chiyo headed up the project. They succeeded in developing the Jutsu in theory, but midway, they decided the risks were too great. Before it reached the stage of human experiments, it was designated as a Forbidden Jutsu, and it was sealed."

Silently, Naruto had lifted himself off the ground, staring at Granny Chiyo's body. She was leaning on her brother as if she was sleeping soundly. 

Ebizo said, "Just like that, she looks like she could start laughing at any minute. Her face looks so peaceful."

Tears poured down Sakura's eyes as she nodded and replied, "Yes, she does."

Temari turned her head to Naruto and said, "Granny Chiyo always used to say she didn't care about the village's future. She was not the kind of person to do such a thing for Gaara. She entrusted the future to Gaara, Sakura, and you. Her death was befitting for a wise Shinobi."

Gaara attempted to stand alone, so Sakura snagged his arm and supported him. 

Gaara attempted to stand alone, so Sakura snagged his arm and supported him. Naruto caught his arm on the other side and helped him stand on two feet. All three of them stood before Granny Chiyo to pay their respects to her. 

Gaara spoke from the heart, saying, "Everyone, let us pray for Granny Chiyo."

One after the next, everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes. It was a time to mourn one of the greatest Shinobi who's ever lived in the village hidden in the sand. 

"Lord Kazekage, the villagers are awaiting your return," Baki announced.

Gaara raised his hand, signaling a momentary pause. He turned his head back, his gaze meeting Granny Chiyo's body tightly secured in a bag on a stretcher.

Sakura's eyes welled up with tears as the villagers formed two crowds on either side of the village entrance. With reverence, Granny Chiyo's stretcher was ceremoniously carried down the path as if she were royalty. The entire assembly bowed in unison, offering silent prayers for the soul of the Shinobi who had sacrificed her life for the future of Sunagakure.

Swiftly, the medical Shinobi arranged a stretcher to transport Granny Chiyo back home. Determined but weakened, Gaara found support in Sakura and Naruto, their arms enveloping him. For two consecutive days, they traversed the vast expanse until the towering walls of their home came into view.

Temari's eyes widened as she observed the village, sensing an unusual sight. She remarked, "Is that what I think it is?"

Sakura smiled, exclaiming, "I've never seen anything quite like this."

At the village entrance, thousands of eager villagers awaited the return of the Kazekage. A united front of sand Shinobi and civilians had gathered to celebrate his homecoming. Baki skillfully maneuvered through the crowd, positioning himself front and center as the sun painted the horizon with its early morning hues.

Kankuro smirked with a sly comment, "Heh, what a lavish welcome."

Rock Lee keenly observed, noting, "There are so many people."

Neji added stoically, "Just as expected for the Kazekage."

The crowds erupted in cheers, fists raised in jubilation, surging forward to greet the returning heroes. Baki took the lead, stepping up to Gaara, and expressed, "I'm glad you're safe."

Gaara glanced back at his comrades and replied with gratitude, "It's thanks to everyone."

Baki nodded and turned to Naruto, stating, "Naruto Uzumaki, I am truly grateful."

Modestly, Naruto responded, "No, I wasn't able to do anything."

Sakura smiled as she remarked, "I thought I'd never see the day where the whole village would be this happy to see him come home."

At the village entrance, an enthusiastic crowd of thousands eagerly anticipated the Kazekage's return. A harmonious assembly of sand shinobi and civilians united to celebrate the triumphant homecoming. Baki navigated the crowd with finesse, securing a central position as the sun cast its golden hues upon the awakening horizon.

Kankuro, with a sly smirk, playfully commented, "Heh, what a majestic welcome."

Rock Lee, ever observant, noted, "There are so many people."

In his composed manner, Neji remarked, "Just as anticipated for the Kazekage."

The crowd burst into exuberant cheers, fists raised in joy, as they surged forward to greet the returning heroes. Baki led the way, approaching Gaara with a heartfelt sentiment, "I'm glad you're safe."

Gaara glanced back at his comrades and replied, "Thanks to everyone."

Baki nodded sincerely, saying, "Naruto Uzumaki, the village is truly grateful."

Modestly, Naruto replied, "No, I wasn't able to do anything."

"Lord Kazekage, the villagers are waiting for you," Baki informed.

Gaara paused, asserting, "Wait, we have something we need to do first." He tilted his head back to see Granny Chiyo's body in a tightly roped bag lying on a stretcher.

Sakura's eyes welled up in tears as the villagers formed two crowds on either side of the village entrance. Granny Chiyo's stretcher was carried down the path with solemn dignity as if she were royalty. Every villager bowed, offering prayers for her soul to rest in peace—a poignant moment of silence and reflection for a Shinobi who sacrificed her life for the future of Sunagakure.

The Kazekage, flanked by his devoted Advisor and siblings, solemnly trailed the stretcher bearing their departed grandmother. Villagers and Shinobi watched in admiration from a distance. The funeral procession wound its way to the Sunagakure hospital, offering solace for the day. With assistance from Sakura, Naruto gently placed the Kazekage on a hospital trauma bed. Nurses, with practiced care, inserted a needle and connected him to vital fluids, ushering the bed into a private room for treatment.

Kankuro gently seized Sakura's arm at the nurse's station, his usually composed demeanor replaced by genuine concern. She had never witnessed such worry on his face before. Placing her palm on his chest, specifically where Sasori had stabbed him, she expressed her fear, "I was so scared I'd lose you."

Kankuro covered her hand with his, reassuring her, "Are you kidding? You almost died out there."

A cautious female nurse approached, acknowledging, "My apologies for intruding, but I must admit you to the hospital for observations."

Sakura sighed, stating, "Can it wait? I have to report to the elders."

However, Kankuro, gripping her hand, asserted, "No, it can't wait. Lay on a gurney, or I will make you."

"I'm fine, really," Sakura insisted, releasing her hand from his grip to touch the healed stab wound.

Frustrated, Kankuro slammed his fist on the nurses' station, his voice raised, "No, you don't get a say on whether or not you are fine anymore."

The dramatic argument unfolded, freezing a few nurses on the other side in fear. Civilians and Shinobi attempted to mind their own business while a baby nearby began to wail in her mother's arms. The nurse beside them discreetly walked away, stating, "I'll give you some privacy. In the meantime, I am going to prepare for your intake."

Sakura turned to him, her expression forming a frown as she responded, "What's gotten into you lately?"

Kankuro waved his arms defensively and replied, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to yell at you. Baki told me everything."

Confused, Sakura asked, "What are you talking about? What did he tell you?"

Kankuro lowered his head, avoiding direct eye contact with her. "He told me you had a miscarriage during my procedure."

The traumatic memory hit her like a train. Sakura turned her head toward the nurses' station, clenched her teeth, and tightened her fist. "We should find that nurse and ask if we can pick a quiet room upstairs."

Kankuro sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He decided that perhaps it wasn't the place nor the time to bring up such a sensitive topic. Instead, he summoned the nurse, who brought them to a private room meant for the Kazekage and his closest relatives. Both Sakura and Gaara were hooked up to fluids, and blood was drawn to ensure her well-being. The nurses provided them with hospital robes for their extended stay, and in the meantime, Kankuro and Temari kept a vigilant watch over them. On her left, Sakura noticed Gaara lying on the hospital bed beside hers, his gaze fixed on the sky, lost in deep contemplation.

"I feared I had lost you," Sakura whispered. 

Gaara turned to face her and replied, "Your actions were reckless in pursuing the Akatsuki, but waking up to your beautiful face made me feel like it was all worth it." 

Sakura sighed, "I couldn't stand by and let those bastards kill those I care about." 

"I couldn't agree more," Baki said as he entered the room. The Sunagakure council trailed behind him, arranging themselves around the beds, ready to discuss formally with the Kazekage. 

Temari crossed her arms, stating, "This is unacceptable. Lord Kazekage needs rest." 

"It's alright, Temari," Gaara assured, sitting in bed. He continued, "Much as it pains me to agree with my older sister, she's correct. Sakura and I are in no condition to delve into the village's political matters. Give us at least today to recover." 

Baki nodded respectfully, acknowledging Gaara's request. "Understood. The meeting will be postponed until tomorrow morning."

Sakura discreetly retrieved a photograph, cradling it in her hands. Tears welled in her eyes as she reminisced about the future she could have shared with the lost child. While she had intended to wait for the right moment to reveal this to Gaara, she found herself unable to disclose it to Kankuro, fearing the weight it would add to his already burdened heart. 

Baki observed her actions, realizing the moment's significance, and felt compelled to speak. In a somber tone, Baki conveyed, "I deeply regret that we could only save the three of you. If I could turn back time and rescue all four, I would."

Kankuro nodded, responding, "None of us could have foreseen it, but we're just thankful Sakura is alive."

"You knew?" Sakura asked.

Kankuro admitted, "Baki filled me in on everything during my procedure after you left. He used it as leverage to make me stay."

"Why didn't you tell me you knew?" Sakura questioned.

Kankuro, avoiding eye contact, clenched his fist and raised his voice, "Because I was angry at you for not telling me yourself."

Temari swiftly pinched Kankuro's ear and pulled hard. "Don't raise your voice at her. She didn't tell you because she didn't want to upset you, so give it up."

Kankuro pulled away, arguing silently with Temari while everyone in the room maintained a tense silence. Gaara looked up in confusion, attempting to discern who the fourth person was. The elders calmly exited the room, leaving Gaara in suspense. 

Gaara asked, "Did someone else pass away besides Granny Chiyo?"

Temari discreetly ushered Kankuro out of the room, stating, "We'll give you two some privacy."

Gaara patiently awaited Sakura's readiness to share her burden. It seemed crucial she shared her endeavors with him.

Sakura, with a hesitant pause, revealed, "The day you were abducted, I visited the local doctor due to the persistent illness I've had lately. After the tests, she informed me I was pregnant."

Gaara raised his non-existent brows and asked, "What were the results?"

Sakura admitted, "I stopped taking care of myself so that It may have led to a miscarriage."

Gaara, struggling to contain his emotions, whispered, "Are you certain? Perhaps we can run more tests?"

Holding a photograph tightly, Sakura climbed into bed beside him, touching foreheads. Gaara fought back tears, the idea of losing a child weighing heavily.

In a calm tone, he pleaded, "There has to be something we can do."

Stroking his cheeks, Sakura whispered, "No, I wish there was." 

Temari and Kankuro entered the room with a medical Shinobi entered the room, clutching two folders of paperwork. The quartet patiently awaited his words. He began, "Lord Kazekage, you were clinically dead for almost seventeen hours—the damage to your cerebellum resulted in a temporary loss of some motor skills. With therapy, a full recovery is expected in due time."

Sakura expressed concern when asked, "How long until he fully recovers?" After a thoughtful pause, the medical Shinobi responded, "At most, it might take a year, but I've witnessed recoveries in as little as two months."

Gaara silently groaned, grappling with the prospect of extended physical therapy yet remaining grateful for his survival. Shifting the focus, he questioned, "Enough about me; what is Sakura's diagnosis?"

The Medical Shinobi met the gaze of the Kazekage family, stating, "Her labs show elevated white blood cells, but no signs of infection from the miscarriage."

Kankuro, arms crossed and wearing a frown, inquired, "And Sasori's toxins?"

A reassuring smile played on the Medical Shinobi's lips as they responded, "No traces of toxins remained after she administered the antidotes."

Temari's smirk surfaced, "In short, they're going to be fine."

Affirmatively, the Medical Shinobi nodded, "Yes. The poisonous blade that pierced her vital organs was healed in time, but we recommend she stays for at least one night for observation."

Gaara assured, "We'll ensure she does."

The doctor exited, leaving the family in a peaceful atmosphere. Looking out the window as the sun dipped, Sakura pondered Granny Chiyo's fate and the looming possibility of a funeral.

Breaking the silence, Sakura inquired, "How is Ebizo?"

Kankuro sighed, responding, "He's laying Granny Chiyo to rest in the cemetery, following her wishes against a formal funeral."

"I'd like to pay my respects before we leave," Sakura expressed.

Gaara nodded, suggesting, "Tomorrow, as a family, we can bid our final farewells."

Acknowledging the family duty, Sakura added, "Despite our love for Granny Chiyo, we owe the elders a meeting at sunrise."

The family silently agreed, reminiscing about their earliest memories of Granny Chiyo as the day unfolded. As the sun set, they prepared for rest, knowing that ahead lay challenging days.

"Kankuro, we should head back to the house; evening is approaching," Temari stated, making her way to the door.

"No, I'll stay here," Kankuro insisted. "I can keep watch in case of anything and be here for them if needed."

Temari nodded, responding, "As you wish."

She quickly exited the hospital to brief the elders, leaving the family to support each other. Kankuro pulled up a chair, settling between them, and an awkward silence hung as they confronted his unsettling smile.

"You really should consider using protection," Kankuro sighed. 

The young couple shot him aggressive glares, aware of his jealousy toward his younger brother. Recognizing the tension, Kankuro backtracked, admitting, "Sorry, too soon."

"If you weren't my brother, I'd squish you like a bug," Gaara retorted.

Leaning back, Kankuro placed his hands on his head and chuckled, saying, "Love you too, little brother."

With a smile, Sakura requested "Permission to beat him up."

Gaara, granting permission, leaned back and said, "I couldn't say no."

"Come on, don't joke around like that; I said I was sorry," Kankuro protested.

Sakura swiftly attached her chakra strings to Kankuro's hand, forcing it into a fist before he could react.

"You wouldn't dare," Kankuro panicked, pleading, "Please, Sakura. After everything we've been through together. I am begging you, please."

His hand swung up, hitting his lower jaw, eliciting laughter from Gaara and Sakura. At that moment, the recent hardships seemed to disappear, replaced by shared amusement.