Chapter 29: The Open Ocean of Sand

Before the sun came up and the village became busy with people, the Kazekage family sat outside the walls to travel on a beautiful vacation. Gaara stood beside Sakura, awaiting their ride across the desert while Kankuro and Temari talked about specific Shinobi from the Bingo book.

Sakura turned to Gaara and asked, "What's going on?" 

"An incident happened in the village earlier, and they are trying to figure out if one of the Bingo books," Gaara replied. 

Sakura whined, "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

"I didn't want you to worry," Gaara said, holding her in his arms. "We're on vacation now, after all."

Sakura sighed, "Okay, I trust you. Where are we going anyway?"

Gaara smiled and replied, "That's a surprise." 

"Okay, I guess I have to wait and find out," Sakura said. 

Four men hauled a couch covered with curtains and held up with solid bamboo wood. They placed it beside the couple and waited for them to settle inside. Kankuro crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at the stupid Litter contraption. Temari glanced over at him and chuckled. She asked, "You are the most jealous person I have ever met." 

Kankuro whined, "Shut up, Temari. No one asked you to talk." 

He walked on ahead of her and followed the Litter on the left side where Sakura sat, while Temari walked on the right side to walk beside Gaara. 

On the first stretch of traveling through the desert, Sakura stared at Kankuro, noticing he wasn't in a good mood. She poked his cheek and giggled.

Kankuro blushed and looked up at her. He asked, "What?"

"Why do you look so angry?" Sakura asked.

Kankuro sighed and replied, "I'm not mad; I have to focus on protecting you right now. We're in the open ocean of sand; It's dangerous."

"I can't deny that, but the view is beautiful," Sakura said.

"After our first break, I need you to close the curtains for your safety," Kankuro said. 

Sakura groaned, "Aww, man. But I like the view. Suppose I pull out the curtains. I won't have much to look at." 

Gaara, listening to the conversation, chimed in, "I'm not much to look at?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Sakura cried, "Don't put words in my mouth." 

Gaara quietly chuckled and replied, "I know, I was only teasing you." 

Sakura smiled and said, "You've changed a lot over the years in a good way, and I'm glad you're happier than before."

Gaara's eyes sparkled when his head adjusted to watch the horizon. He smiled and said, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

The family arrived at a Ryokan in the Land of Wind a few days later. The building was more expansive than it was tall. It was made with traditional Japanese tatami mats, wood, and paper walls. Some sliding doors had intriguing designs of cranes and flowers, like on a Yukata or a Kimono. Sakura had never seen the inside of a Ryokan before, but she loved being pampered on occasion.

The attendants carefully lowered the Litter to the ground upon their arrival at the Ryokan. With precision, a few men opened the Litter doors, allowing Lord Kazekage and Lady Sakura outside. In a synchronized gesture, they left their shoes at the entrance and entered the establishment.

Inside, an Okami and her attentive staff greeted the family with a graceful bow, extending a warm welcome. "It's an honor to host you tonight, Lord Kazekage and Lady Sakura. We welcome you and your family into our care," the Okami expressed with genuine respect.

"We're happy to be here," Gaara responded.

"Please take a seat in our lobby while we ensure your rooms are ready for you," the Okami continued, offering another bow. Her loyal attendants moved with haste.

Sakura snuggled beside Gaara, finding comfort in leaning on his shoulder. A delicate yawn escaped her lips as she flickered her eyes closed. The gentle strains of the Koto music in the background added to the soothing ambiance, gradually lulling her into a restful state. The adrenaline rush that had accompanied her earlier activities now dissipated.

A young woman wearing a soft pink Yukata gracefully entered their seating area, presenting them with green tea and sweets. She bowed courteously before leaving them to delve into discussions about village politics.

"You must be exhausted," Temari remarked, sipping her tea. "We've had so much drama in the village; it's mentally draining."

With her eyes closed, Sakura responded, "I wish that wasn't the case. Our new Shinobi school has seen more students entering than in the past few years. I've been on the hunt to hire new teachers."

"One of them even requested a field trip outside the village," Gaara added. "Thankfully, they respected my decision when I denied the request."

Kankuro leaned back, crossing his arms. "It's too dangerous for anyone to leave the village. The Akatsuki are targeting only the Jinchuriki, but who knows what else they're up to."

"We lost so many Shinobi during Deidara's attack that we have to be careful," Temari noted.

"Sakura will have to do more fieldwork with us now," Kankuro added.

Gaara frowned, turning his gaze to the garden. "I'll think about it."

Temari sighed, "We care about her as much as you do, Gaara. She won't ever go on a mission without either of us."

"I mentioned that I'll consider it," Gaara retorted sharply.

Kankuro clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and averted his gaze from Gaara. "Seriously, what a tool."

"What was that?" Gaara challenged.

"You heard what I said," Kankuro replied.

"Enough, both of you. We're in public," Temari interjected.

Both brothers maintained their heated gazes, resembling two stubborn adolescents. In the middle of the tension, Sakura sat in silence. She harbored concerns that expressing her opinion might ignite a dispute between her soulmate and best friend, a conflict she had no desire to engage in.

Gaara turned to Sakura, his pale eyes meeting hers, "Let's go see what our room looks like."

"Great idea," Sakura responded, intertwining her fingers with Gaara's as they headed towards the bedroom on the left side.

Meanwhile, Kankuro boiled with pent-up rage, mumbling to himself. Though he struggled to control his temper, he kept his words from escaping. Unfazed by her brother's frustration, Temari rolled her eyes at him, walking off to inspect one of the bedrooms. "Give it up, Kankuro."

Upon inspecting the room, the couple noticed neatly folded futon bedding in the corner. Aside from that, the room housed a modest dresser and decorated its walls with paintings depicting the landscapes of the Land of Wind.

"This isn't bad; I like it," Gaara commented.

Sakura kissed Gaara's cheek sweetly and expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for taking me on this adventure, but I thought we'd end up at the hotel close to the village."

Gaara blushed and replied, "The hotel doesn't have an Onsen. Besides, it's quieter here without the tourists."

"You've always liked quiet spaces," Sakura giggled.

"I want to see the garden!" Sakura cheered.

She gracefully dropped her slippers at the massive doorway and scampered through the stone paths. She was free as she twirled around, savoring the warm summer breeze. It was a moment of pure joy; she couldn't recall the last time she felt this optimistic. The garden, similar to an oasis in the desert, intrigued her. The pond boasted an array of Koi fish in various hues—black, orange, white, or a blend of all three. The space felt like magic, with blossoms gently cascading onto her clothes.

Gaara joined her by the pond. The Koi fish gathered eagerly at the surface, their excitement noticeable as they jostled for food.

Sakura knelt before the pond and softly remarked, "Aww, the poor Koi are hungry."

"Here," Gaara said, sitting beside her. He presented a handful of green pellets with his sand, each about the size of a quarter but much thicker. The sand dropped the pallets in her hand. Sakura giggled and hugged him before tossing the algae pellets into the water. The fish joyously devoured the food but remained perpetually greedy for more.

Gaara observed her caring for the Koi fish, grateful to witness her radiant smile after their challenging experiences. The Ryokan was the perfect haven for them to mend emotionally and physically.

A sudden chill traced a delicate path down Sakura's spine, prompting her to rise from the ground swiftly. Her eyes scanned the garden, an uneasy sensation lingering within her, the source eluding verbal expression.

A sudden chill traced a delicate path down Sakura's spine, prompting her to rise from the ground swiftly. Her eyes scanned the garden, an uneasy sensation lingering within her, the source eluding verbal expression.

Gaara remained unmoved, his expression unchanged as he asked, "What's happening?"

Sakura sighed, resettling on the rocks. "Sorry about that. I felt something strange, and I thought it might be Shukaku trying to convey a message."

Gaara replied, "I lost connection with him when I died, so I have no idea how it's even remotely possible for him to speak to you. You're not a Jinchuriki."

Sakura forced a laugh, attempting to ease the tension with a lie. "Yeah, no. That would be impossible. If only we knew where he was, I'd volunteer to rescue him and return him to Sunagakure."

Gaara, still skeptical, squinted at her. "Why do I feel you know more than you're letting on?"

Thinking quickly, Sakura replied, "I have no idea where the Akatsuki took him, but I vaguely remember him mentioning being confined in an unfamiliar place. Not in human form, but within an object designed to contain the tailed beast."

Gaara acknowledged the grim reality, "We can't do anything for any of the tailed beasts. We're too vulnerable as it is. I don't know what you're planning, but our priority is our village, not Shukaku."

Perched on the rocks, she observed the siblings conversing at the Zataku table in the center of the room; she calmly replied, "Yeah, I know." 

Temari gestured for Gaara and Sakura to come back inside, her movements inviting them to return to the room's warmth. The Nakai-San gracefully entered, carrying a tray laden with exquisite delicacies. The couple re-entered the spacious room, with Sakura seated between Gaara and Kankuro, unable to suppress a noticeable blush. Though she attempted to conceal it, Temari, perceptive as ever, couldn't be fooled.

The Nakai-San delicately placed ceramic cups filled with green tea and miniature steam bean jam buns in front of each person, ensuring no drop spilled in the room.

Curious, Temari inquired, "So, what services do you provide here?"

The Nakai-San replied, "We offer various Onsen options, including standard indoor and open-air hot springs. Additionally, there's a private open-air hot springs bath. Yukatas are available in your rooms, and we also offer massages and other aesthetic treatments."

"Fancy," Temari chuckled. "We'll take a private open-air bath."

Kankuro, scratching the back of his head, chimed in, "I do love family baths."

Temari aggressively pulled on his ear, prompting a yelp from him. "Make that two private onsen rooms."

The Nakai-San nodded, sensing the discomfort in the conversation, and excused herself, leaving the trio to their banter.

Temari released Kankuro's ear, and he protested, "What was that for?"

"I'm not walking into an Onsen naked with either of you two babies. Sakura and I need peace and quiet for once," Temari declared.

Tapping her fingers nervously, Sakura blushed and added, "Actually, I don't mind."

Kankuro grinned, "See, she's cool with it."

Temari sighed heavily, resting her elbow on the table and her palm on her hand. Smirking, she replied, "Now, why doesn't that surprise me?"

Sakura's face turned an even brighter red as she discreetly waved to Temari to drop the subject. Leave it to Temari to enjoy embarrassing her younger siblings and her friend.