Chapter 26: The Return of The Kazekage

As the sun ascended over the colossal cliff shielding the village, its warm rays cast a gentle glow upon Granny Chiyo's freshly laid grave. A stone marker adorned with the Sunagakure hourglass logo and her name was a testament to her legacy. Clad in an exquisite black Yukata with a matching Obi, Sakura stood gracefully beside Gaara, her attire accentuated by a single white embellishment on both sides of her collarbones. Gaara, donning a white Haori over his black Yukata, wore his Kazekage hat with quiet dignity.

The elder siblings, dressed in solemn black Yukata, inclined their heads respectfully as they paid their final respects to Granny Chiyo. In the forefront stood Ebizo, the last surviving direct family member, his grief palpable in the lingering moments of the seemingly eternal funeral. Still reeling from the recent battle, Sakura stood steadfast as Gaara's trusted Advisor.

The crowds dissipated, and the only figures remaining were the village elders, casting their gaze toward the Kazekage family. Gaara's attention, drawn behind, prompted the others to turn in unison. Addressing the elders, Sakura acknowledged their patience, expressing gratitude for their understanding of the significance of fallen Shinobi.

Baki, a nod of acknowledgment in response, assured them that the Konoha Shinobi were recuperating in their hospital rooms. The elders offered the freedom to return after the meeting, but Gaara, with quiet determination, declined. "No, it won't be necessary. We will meet you there."

The Sunagakure Council of Elders retraced their steps to the village, leaving the family alone with the solemn grave marker. After Granny Chiyo's sacrifice, Gaara, grappling with newfound perspectives and changed beliefs, felt a profound rebirth. The weight of her sacrifice left him speechless, and Sakura, sharing in the sad moment, sighed before accompanying her fellow Shinobi to the Kazekage office building, where the meeting awaited.

On one side of the expansive meeting table, the dignified council of elders of Sunagakure took their seats. 

At the table's endstanding behind them, Baki overseeing the gathering, where the young couple sat, still cloaked in bandages. On the opposing side, the elder siblings shared the space with a few remaining wise council members. Baki initiated the conversation, carefully broaching a delicate topic.

"Before we begin, I'd like to apologize to all of you for the loss you've endured," Baki offered with sincere empathy.

Facing the elder siblings, Goza nodded and added, "Indeed, our sympathies are with you. However, I mean no disrespect when I assert that we have pressing matters to address."

Understanding the urgency of the situation, Baki redirected the focus diplomatically: "While acknowledging the importance of our present concerns, let us not forget the seriousness of the recent events. Sakura, the sole witness to the mission, has survived to share her report."

Gesturing toward Sakura, Baki continued, "Her firsthand experience holds valuable insights that we cannot afford to dismiss."

Sakura felt nervous, with many eyes staring back at her. She knew some would judge her actions while others would agree with her selfless gestures. Sakura bellowed to the crowd so all could hear, "Before we left on the rescue mission, Baki informed us of your plan to prioritize the village over Lord Kazekage because the Konoha Shinobi took on the mission to rescue him."

Gōza asked, "Would you truly choose to rescue one life over a hundred thousand?" 

Gaara argued, "Let her finish speaking before you ask questions." 

Gōza turned his head away and frowned. He chose not to argue with the Kazekage, knowing how much he cared for Sakura. 

Continuing the story, Sakura said, "At the end, we decided I would go with the Konoha Shinobi, but Granny Chiyo argued to tag along to see her grandson one last time. We ran for days to the Land of Rivers to the Akatsuki hideout. When we arrived, Guy and his students were waiting to help invade the hideout. Neji Hyuga confirmed that the Kazekage was inside, but his sight couldn't see what was happening inside the cavern."

Gaara clasped his hand in front of his face to attempt to comprehend her story comfortably. He asked, "That doesn't make any sense. The Byakugan has the unique ability to see through anything. How could he not know?"

"You'd have to ask him what he meant. Anyway, we opened the cave, and Sasori was standing beside Deidara, who was sitting on Lord Kazekage's corpse."

Everyone in the room reacted disgusted except for Gaara, who shrugged it off. Deidara was dead anyway, so why should he care? 

Temari growled, "He leisurely sat on him, waiting for you to arrive to test your emotions. Regardless, sitting on a Kazekage's corpse should be punishable by death." 

Kankuro argued, "We should add his name to the Bingo book to hunt him down." 

Sakura shook her head. She replied, "No, he's dead. After Gaara tore off his arm, Kakashi tore the other arm off. Without it, Deidara could no longer perform his clay jutsu. When we surrounded him, he used that final opportunity to use himself as a clay bomb by consuming it."

Kankuro crossed his arms. "Suicide bombing; that's very clever. Did you find pieces of him anywhere?" 

"No, the explosion disintegrated his body," Sakura said.

"A small suicide bomb would have been no more extensive than a hand Gernade or a landmine. There would have been large chunks of him everywhere. He most likely escaped." 

Gaara interrupted, "We have yet to discuss Sasori's unlawful action. As a fellow puppet master, you'd want to hear the details." 

 Baki nodded solemnly, recounting Granny Chiyo's final confrontation with her grandson, Sasori. He delved into the unsettling details of how Sasori had managed to defy time, maintaining his youthful appearance throughout the years, and described his macabre collection of human puppets. The battlefield, strewn with lifeless puppet corpses, painted a grim picture that left everyone in shock at the inhumane actions of a seemingly human Sasori.

But the narrative didn't end there. Baki continued to unfold the aftermath of the rescue mission. Kakashi's account revealed Sakura's courageous decision to stay behind with Gaara's body, shielding them from an impending blast using her sand. Naruto executed a daring rescue with his shadow clones just before the explosion obliterated the fortified sand shield.

However, Gaara's eyes bore disappointment as he addressed Sakura with concern and reproach. "You knew the sand shield wouldn't hold. Why would you do something so reckless?"

Sakura, her voice tinged with remorse, whimpered, "I'm sorry, I couldn't live in a world without you in it. If I had returned alive with your body, Baki said they would have chosen me to be the next Kazekage."

Kankuro forcefully pushed his chair back, rising to his feet with intensity. He confronted Sakura with a stern question, "You were planning on leaving me here to defend the village alone?"

Crossing her arms, Temari interjected, "Hello, I'm here too if you haven't forgotten."

Despite Temari's input, Kankuro disregarded her and continued to vent his frustration at Sakura. His voice resonated with anger and hurt, "Why would you be so selfish to do that to me out of all people?"

Trying to steer the conversation back to the matters, Baki intervened decisively, slapping his hand on the table. "We all can agree that a recovery mission for every puppet on the battlefield is mandatory. We can finally lay Lord Third to rest."

Maintaining a calm yet authoritative tone, Gaara nodded and directed Kankuro, "Pick a team to go with you on the recovery team. I expect you to take no more than a week to complete your mission. Would anyone else like to add anything before we conclude this meeting?"

Unwilling to engage further, Kankuro forcefully pushed out of his chair, clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth, and exited the room. The elders followed suit, leaving the remaining siblings behind with Sakura in a tense atmosphere.

Temari gracefully excused herself, stating, "I'll leave the two of you alone."

The room fell into an eerie silence, stretching for an eternity. Sakura patiently waited for Gaara to break the quietude. As he stood up, he gently grasped her chin, tilting her head from side to side, his concern evident.

"Are you alright?" Gaara inquired.

"I'm okay, I promise," Sakura assured him.

"Sasori stabbed you in the fight. You should take it easy for a few days."

"Deidara is still out there. I should be hunting him down."

"That's Kankuro's job, so stay out of his way. Besides, he doesn't appear happy with you right now."

Sakura sighed heavily, contemplating how to occupy her mind. She responded, "I'll talk to him when he's ready. For now, I should finish some permit requests."

Gaara shook his head with a firm resolve. "I don't want you doing that. Please go home and rest, or try to spend some time with Ebizo."

Sakura silently nodded and left the meeting room, retreating to organize her thoughts. Amidst her reflections, she couldn't shake the realization that, despite the genuine concern of her siblings, she would willingly sacrifice her life for their sake.

It took Sakura some time to locate Ebizo. He stood in a daze, fixated on his sister's grave. Sakura could only fathom the difficulty he experienced without his sister's constant presence. Approaching him, she gently asked, "Did the two of you spend much time together?"

Ebizo's gaze shifted slowly towards her, and he replied, "Yes, we did. We knew the day would come, but it always happens when we least expect it."

"She didn't go down without a fight, I assure you. Sasori poisoned her, so she used the last vial to save my life."

"So either way, she wasn't planning on making it home alive."

Sakura groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I can't believe she's gone. Now, I can't become the village Jinchuriki."

Ebizo then revealed a scroll from his robes, disclosing that he held the sealing scroll. "Never have I heard anyone say they wanted to be a Jinchuriki until Chiyo told me everything about you and how you would do anything to protect the Lord Kazekage and the village hidden in the sand."

Sakura's eyes widened, and her heart raced as she asked, "How did you get that?"

"Chiyo gave it to me before she ran off on the rescue mission. She told me we had another Shukaku, but how we obtained him was top secret."

"I'm Gaara's Advisor; I would have known about this if it were true."

Ebizo smirked and remarked, "Did I say top secret? I meant only she had knowledge of it. She said something about it being given to her by a Shinobi in the future. Strange, isn't it?"

"Why does that sound so familiar to me? I don't remember."

"That's not important anymore. Follow me; we have a lot of work to do."

Silently, Sakura trailed behind Ebizo as they left the village. The anticipation weighed heavily on her as she remained uncertain about his plans. They walked beyond the hidden sand village, and Sakura realized he was leading her towards the temple of Shukaku.

An eerie emptiness pervaded the air inside the temple, accentuated by the cold within the solidified sand walls. Whispers echoed as they ventured further into the chamber. An unusual symbol adorned with Japanese characters caught Sakura's attention on the north wall. Ebizo gently touched his palm to the wall, waiting for it to glow before withdrawing his hand. A set of stairs materialized beneath them, inviting descent.

Despite the intimidating atmosphere, Sakura proceeded with unwavering confidence. At the end of the day, she was determined to become the strongest Shinobi in Sunagakure. As they entered what seemed to be an empty room, Ebizo halted a few feet from the door and extended his arm to prevent Sakura from passing.

"Be careful where you step. You might release Shukaku accidentally," Ebizo warned.

"What?" Sakura asked, her eyes gradually adjusting to the darkness until a massive figure loomed before her, slowly revealing itself. Stepping back, she beheld Shukaku's giant face, making eye contact with him in the human dimension. Sakura quietly called out his name, and he stared into her eyes as if their connection spanned over two dozen years. She cautiously raised her hand, anticipating his response.

Shukaku tapped his nose on the palm of her hand and asked, "What took you so long?"

"You could have told me where you were all this time," Sakura replied, giving him a stern glare.

Slowly, Shukaku raised his head, laughing at the ceiling. Sakura realized he had communicated this to her many times before, but she hadn't fully grasped it.

"I hate to interrupt, but we should get started before anyone notices we left the village, other than the guards at the entrance," Ebizo said.

With a triumphant fist pump in the air, Sakura's eyes twinkled in the dark. She exclaimed, "Okay, let's do this."

Ebizo nodded and unraveled the scroll on the ground, performing specific hand signs to summon the eight trigram seal. Around Sakura, eight candles surrounded her on a small, round brick platform. Chakra chains shot out of her chest, attaching themselves to Shukaku. His physical form transformed into Chakra, seamlessly entering her body. A round seal manifested on her chest before her heart, signifying Sakura's newfound role as the Jinchuriki she wanted to be. 

As the sky transitioned into hues of orange, the two stealthily made their way back to the village, retracing their steps to Granny Chiyo's grave. After bidding their farewells, Sakura walked home, a solemn journey that allowed her time to reflect. Upon arriving, her immediate concern was tending to the stab wound on her lower abdomen, her attention drawn to the sealing mark on her chest.

Whispering to herself, she acknowledged the potential risk, "Shit, if I'm not careful, Gaara will see it. I'll have to bandage my entire torso."

With careful consideration, Sakura utilized the remaining bandage roll to conceal the mark on her chest. Taking a deep breath, she rose to her feet, ready to engage in her usual chores and prepare dinner for her returning family. Typically, the gang arrived individually, with Gaara always being the last to come home.

Sakura was engrossed in pulling ingredients from the fridge in the kitchen when Temari entered. To subtly garner attention without startling her, Temari spoke, "Hey, I'm home."

Turning to face her with a warm smile, Sakura greeted, "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's smile persisted as she juggled white and green onions with her left hand while carrying garlic and ginger with her right. She suggested, "It wouldn't hurt to have some company while I cook. Would you mind chopping these into big chunks for me?"

Temari gracefully took a knife from the counter and sliced the onion into four sections. Curious, she inquired, "What are we making?"

"We're preparing the sauce for the chicken teriyaki," Sakura cheerfully responded. She combined mirin, soy sauce, sake, and brown sugar in the saucepan, anticipating the delight of crafting a warm, comforting meal for everyone. Yet, a subtle unease crept over Sakura as she realized how swiftly things seemed to revert to normal as if the recent challenges had never occurred.

In seamless collaboration, the sisters worked on their chicken teriyaki, a meal tailored for the four of them. While Temari focused on chopping green onions and cabbage, Sakura readied the chicken for the stove.

Unexpectedly, Kankuro entered through the front door, his gaze immediately drawn to the enticing aroma of teriyaki sauce. Sakura paused, observing Kankuro observing her, his mouth watering in response to the savory scent. Without uttering a word, Kankuro ascended the stairs to his room, seeking relaxation after a challenging day. The room lingered in an awkward silence, but Sakura chose not to confront him until he was prepared to engage in conversation.

Temari sighed as she turned her attention to gently frying the green onions on the stove. She offered comforting words, "Don't take it personally, okay? He blames himself for what happened to the baby and holds himself responsible for allowing you to leave the village to save Gaara."

In a hushed tone, Sakura expressed, "It seems like he holds me responsible for attempting to sacrifice myself to shield everyone. The explosion may have shattered the shield, but it also ensured the safety of those who managed to seek cover."

Temari furrowed her eyebrows, a subtle wrinkle forming between them. The corners of her mouth downturned as she responded, "You don't have to deceive us, Sakura. A part of you wished to be with Gaara in that moment. It's understandable to feel that way, but we won't permit you to attempt such a dangerous act again."

"I'll keep that in mind," Sakura replied with a smirk, deftly removing the chicken from the frying pan and transferring it to the cutting board.

Shortly after that, Gaara entered the house. His gaze lingered on Sakura through the kitchen doorway, silently signaling a desire for a private conversation. Sakura glanced over her shoulder, meeting his gaze, sensing an unspoken need to communicate.

Temari picked up on the unspoken message and remarked, "I'll finish dinner, go on. You two need some alone time."

Sakura chuckled appreciatively and followed Gaara to the dining room, where they settled together. Gaara fixed his hollow blue eyes on Sakura and inquired, "How are you doing? Did everything go okay with Ebizo?"

"Ebizo is coping as best he can without his sister. He spends hours at her grave. You realize that could have been me, right?" Sakura shared her words, carrying a weight of contemplation.

Gaara maintained his stoic expression, staring back at her like an empty shell until he eventually spoke, "I'm sorry for what I put you through. Next time, I will talk to you before deciding about our future."

"I am sorry, too. I'd prefer not to discuss the unborn child, if that's alright. I was so excited to be a mom, but it will take time for me to recover from this emotionally. Do you want to talk about it?"

Gaara shook his head and replied, "No, it's alright. We shouldn't have one so soon before a possible war. Besides, we're not even married yet. As much as I'd hate to say it, it wouldn't be right politically."

Sakura widened her eyes, acknowledging the truth in his words. The Akatsuki posed a potential threat, and the geopolitical landscape added complications. She whimpered, "Yeah, I guess."

Gaara gently held her hand and kissed it, sensing the weight of remorse for his actions. All he desired was safety for his family and homeland. Their private moment was interrupted by Temari, signaling the start of a small family feast— the first since Gaara's kidnapping. Temari served their plates with a touch of love, using the recipe Sakura had guided her to make.

At that moment, Sakura felt a flood of emotions. Her family's love and concern were evident, offering a sweet conclusion to a harrowing mission.