Chapter 6: A Glance In The Future

Furious with the older Kankuro, she shouted, "Why didn't you inform me about this scheme to invade Konoha?"

"We didn't want you to risk your life for our sake, Sakura. We're okay. We came back home without any life-threatening injuries," Kankuro earnestly explained.

"I don't care. The Kazekage endangered his children for his political schemes to help this village. I'm going to the Hidden Leaf Village."

Kankuro groaned in frustration. "No, you're not."

Stomping away resolutely on her two feet, Sakura was determined to leave the village for the first time. However, an Iron sand rope suddenly caught onto her waist, yanking her back forcefully. She was forced to meet Shinki's gaze, her beautiful red eyes reflecting sorrow.

Shinki frowned deeply. "I can't allow you to put your life in danger." 

"Let go of me," Sakura insisted, her voice quivering with determination.

Even as Shinki held onto his mother, she somehow slipped through his Iron sand and dashed toward the village exit. Her mind raced with a flurry of memories of her time with these boys, like a movie playing in her head. Suddenly, light blue chakra strings lashed out, immobilizing her joints and rendering her body stiff, as if she had been poisoned.

All the blue chakra strings converged at Kankuro's fingertips. "I can't let you go. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is outside the walls of this village? Wild animals and insects as big as houses will attack you out there. You have no chance!"

"I'm not useless," Sakura protested vehemently, her voice tinged with frustration.

Kankuro released her, and she swiftly drew a Kunai knife, gripping its handle tightly against her chest. He instinctively dodged, recognizing that she was wielding the Kunai he had given her years ago. The blade gleamed menacingly as she swung it towards Kankuro.

  In the blink of an eye, a woman's desperate cry shattered the tension, her voice cracking from the intensity of her pleas. She pointed frantically to the peak of a nearby building. A window opened, and a little boy climbed out without regard for how he would get back down.

"Shinki!" Kankuro urgently called out.

"Right!" Shinki responded without hesitation.

Kankuro briefly turned his head to give Shinki a direct order to save the boy. However, Sakura had already rushed to the scene. Blood streaked her nails and fingers as she clawed up the wall, her eyes filled with agony. Shinki attempted to follow her, but Granny Chiyo blocked his path with an outstretched arm, preventing him from advancing further.

"Leave her be. She won't give up without a fight. Someday, Sakura will find her place in this world and abandon her dream of becoming a Shinobi," Granny Chiyo advised.

"We used to help her pretend she was a Shinobi by manipulating sand in front of her, or I'd let her control my puppets with my fingers. I didn't want her to feel useless," Kankuro lamented.

"She was never useless..." Shinki said.

Sakura, now on the rooftop, was clearly drained of energy. She reached for the child's hand and firmly clasped his tiny fingers. On the roof's edge, Shinki employed his Iron sand to assist in lifting the child to safety. The boy was returned to his mother without any issues. However, some timeline elements had become twisted due to the ripple effects of future events impacting the past.

Kankuro sprung up to the roof to collect Sakura. Cradling her in his arms, he carried her down, his face showing genuine concern. Sakura's cheeks turned red and protested, "I could get down on my own..."

"Yeah," Kankuro replied, "but I'd rather you didn't go down alone."

"I'm safe now, you can let me go..." Sakura insisted, her blush deepening.

Granny Chiyo waved her arms over Sakura's injured hands, channeling her healing abilities to mend the broken tips and cuts, stemming the flow of blood from the gashes between her skin and where her nails should have been. Her arms were scraped from dragging herself up the roof to avoid falling.

"The Kazekage initiated this mission for our benefit. He wouldn't have done so otherwise," Granny Chiyo explained.

"Why?" Sakura asked, her voice trembling with pain.

"Hey, it was terrible how he treated us. But that doesn't counteract how wonderful our future was because we became a family. Thanks to Naruto and all of us, the villages are at peace now," Kankuro added.

"Fine. I'll be at home if anyone can find a use for my existence," Sakura replied, her voice tinged with resignation.

"Sakura..." Kankuro sighed, concern etched on his face.

Shinki frowned deeply, his voice accusatory, "Wow, you guys really messed up her life."

Sakura turned her back to them, her vision blurred by the tears that flowed freely. With her eyes brimming with water, she had almost no visibility, but despite that, Sakura ran as far as her legs could carry her. As she arrived home, she found that her family was away on missions, leaving her isolated again.

With no one else in sight, Sakura sat by her front door, her gaze fixed, contemplating any way out of this situation. Her backpack lay wide open beside her, spilling out books about her ninja studies. Panicked, she sprung to her feet, tossing the books back into her bag. She hurried to the kitchen fridge to collect food, a journal, a family photo, and snacks from her room. She also took Ninja Tools from her parent's bedroom and puppet poison from her collection, crafting a plan for her great escape as she fixed the purple makeup on her face. She was determined to become the ultimate ninja, relying solely on her skills without any chakra.

As she ventured outside her front door, she ran through the houses instead of taking the main street. Sakura knew that if she used the main road, someone would likely catch her and report her for leaving the village. She cloaked herself in black robes and moved beside older adults, matching their pace to avoid drawing suspicion.

Once she reached the village gates, Sakura accidentally collided headfirst into someone's chest. She recognized the Ironsand robes and realized she failed. Kankuro removed the hood from her head, chuckling, "I'll give you credit for successfully sneaking out."

"Sorry, Mother. We can't allow you to leave," Shinki said resolutely. He reached out and seized her with his iron sand, holding her down with an insurmountable force. Anger surged within Sakura, triggering a flicker of chakra she had managed to unblock. The iron sand engulfed her, but she took a deep breath and sang the loneliest song she knew. Brilliant lights erupted from her body, dispelling the iron holding her captive and sending Shinki and Kankuro tumbling. They landed on their sides, gasping for air.

Kankuro swiftly pulled out a scroll, spread it on the ground, and performed a series of hand signs. His puppets emerged from the scroll, ready for action. He glanced at Shinki, his expression filled with uncertainty.

"What's happening? I thought she didn't have any unblocked chakra," Shinki asked, bewildered.

Kankuro's brows furrowed in deep concentration. "Something isn't right here."

Kankuro manipulated his puppet Crow, sending blue strings and puppet limbs swinging at Sakura from all directions. But she skillfully dodged them all, her hands expertly knocking down the puppets individually with her fists. The Iron sand chased her towards the village gates, where large torches had been placed to illuminate the perpetually dark pathway inside the village. No matter how bright the sun shone, the path remained in shadow.

Sakura seized a torch pole from the entrance and swung the flaming torch in a circular motion as the Iron sand closed in on her. Droplets of Shinki's Iron sand melted over the molten landscape. Shinki, surprised by Sakura's skill, glared at Kankuro.

"I thought you said she was weak before she became a shinobi," Shinki remarked.

Kankuro chuckled, watching Sakura with a mixture of pride and surprise. "She must have been training on her own."

Through the blaze, Sakura made her escape, running towards the desert. Kankuro's puppets disappeared in puffs of smoke before he followed after her, with Shinki joining the pursuit.

"What are you planning, Uncle?" Shinki questioned, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

"If there's one thing you need to know about your mother," Kankuro began, his voice carrying a tone of deep admiration, "it's that she never gives up."

Shinki pondered this for a moment. "So?"

"So we'll join her," Kankuro replied firmly. "This war embarrassed the Land of Wind. Your grandfather destroyed so many families, including his own."

Shinki's eyes narrowed inquisitively. "Why didn't you stand up to him?"

Kankuro sighed, his expression heavy with the weight of history. "It wasn't my place, nor was it anyone else's. My father made his choice, and it killed him. Now we know never to make the same mistake he did. Let that be a lesson to your generation of shinobi."

Shinki shook his head in understanding. "As shinobi, we follow orders. We can't judge the choices our leaders in war make..."

"Mother, wait up!" Shinki called out suddenly, breaking into a burst of speed.

A burst of Iron sand created wings over Shinki's shoulder blades, propelling him forward to catch up to Sakura shoulder-to-shoulder. Kankuro, his grin returning, decided to run beside them.

"We should probably find another way around inside the village," Kankuro suggested.

Shinki nodded. "When we brought Mother to Konoha, we discovered a bridge that led us inside the village. It's a passageway most civilians have never heard of. I believe the shinobi of Konoha heavily guard it."

"We can get through; we have to," Sakura declared with determination.

As they journeyed together, the first night brought a breathtaking display of stars. The night sky was adorned with twinkling sparkles, raining down their gentle light. Lying beside Kankuro and Shinki, Sakura smiled, pointing out constellations in the sky. Kankuro rose from the sandy ground, his eyes fixed on the starry night sky above. He looked down at Sakura and Shinki, then said, "I'm going to scout. Stay put." The two young companions nodded in agreement as Kankuro leaped into the enveloping darkness, moving away from the campfire.

Sakura gently smiled at Shinki. "I can't believe I have such an extraordinary son. You must be as strong as Gaara."

Shinki stood beside her, watching the sun go down, blushing as he replied, "I've seen how he reacts to meeting you after the incident. You shouldn't let him treat you that way."

"Gaara has been through so much. I don't want to upset him," Sakura explained.

"That's a lame excuse. I'll talk to Father," Shinki said.

"No, it's alright. Don't anger Gaara. He might transform into the tailed beast. If he transforms, his father will hide him away again, or worse, he might kill him."

"You can't be serious?"

"Yeah, Kazekage Rasa is feared by everyone in the village. He's dangerous, and he always gets what he wants. He's ordered multiple shinobi to kill Gaara, but none survived."

To see his mother in such a fragile state gave him chills. It felt strange to become a safety net for her. Shinki held his mother's hand and said, "Everything is coming together like a puzzle now. It makes so much sense. Listen to me, okay? If Rasa ever comes close to you, don't tremble like that. Stand tall and respond respectfully to him, no matter how much you might despise him. If you want to stay alive, don't provoke him."

Sakura blushed and turned away, "I'm not trembling."

The Iron sand from Shinki's cloak enveloped her body like a protective jacket. Before her, the vibrant colors in the sky faded into an inky blackness. This was the strangest experience she'd ever had, with her son now protecting her when it should be the other way around.

"Shinki, why did you come here?" Sakura questioned.

"In the future, you have a daughter, and after she was born, it was like you forgot about me. I was so used to you doting on me as I grew up that I forgot how much I still need you."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Shinki blushed, his words coming out a bit awkwardly. "I came here so I could spend more time with you."

"I'm sorry. I guess I messed up..."

"No, it was never your fault," Shinki reassured her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and the black sand receded from his body like a retracting snake until he was again covered. Sakura gently wiped the remnants of red paint from his delicate young face, revealing his pretty teenage features. She rested her head on his chest.

"Can you answer a question for me?"

"What?" Shinki asked.

"I know you are my son, but I don't think Gaara is your father. You wear a lot of face paint, and your hair…" Sakura smiled.

Shinki sighed, "Yeah, Kankuro is my biological father. You had a hard time choosing between Uncle or Father."

"You sound a lot like Kankuro, too."

"Don't be ridiculous."

Sakura chuckled, "It's true."

Shinki carried Sakura in his arms the next day as he soared across the sky. Kankuro taught them how to fish for food at sunset. For three days, their life was perfect. On the last night, they spread out to camp together. Shinki lay beside Sakura, gazing up at the stars. Kankuro sat on the other side, monitoring their surroundings and ensuring their safety through the night.

Shinki rested his head on Sakura's stomach and turned to face her, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Why are you so desperate to bring Father home?"

Sakura paused momentarily, her gaze drifting upwards as if searching for the right words. "I'm afraid of losing my boyfriend. I'm afraid of losing my soulmate, and I'm afraid of losing my best friend."

Shinki furrowed his brow, trying to understand. "Are you lonely?"

Sakura nodded, her voice softening. "More lonely than you could possibly understand."

"I prefer to be alone most of the time," Shinki admitted.

"Being alone is freeing," Sakura began, "but once you realize how big the world is and how small you truly are... I feel empty. If I lose them, then I would have nothing to live for."

Shinki blushed slightly and replied, "Love you too, Mother..."

War had engulfed Konoha, involving shinobi of every rank. Right outside the town, sand particles filled the air. Shinki and his family followed this path of sand back to its source. A colossal beast made of sand loomed in the distance, taking up fields of space. Shukaku roared above the treetops, with Gaara visible sticking out of his head. On the opposite side, Naruto stood tall atop a massive chief frog in a fierce battle to defend his village. The frog's heavy sword fell, causing the ground to crumble beneath their feet. It was a scene, unlike anything they had ever witnessed.

Kankuro explained, "This is the day Naruto changed Gaara's perspective on the world. He defeated him in battle and changed him emotionally."

Sakura's concern deepened. "Wait, if Gaara is here, where are you and Temari?"

Kankuro replied, "I don't know where Temari is, but I can lead you to where I am lying down. I was hit pretty bad, so I was unable to continue fighting."

"Show me," Sakura urged, her voice filled with determination.

As they jumped over treetops, carefully avoiding the battlefield with the colossal sand beast, Kankuro finally pointed out his location amidst the trees. Landing gracefully nearby, he and Shinki waited to see Sakura's reaction as she spotted him. Little Kankuro was covered in a disarray of blood and dirt, lying flat on a nearby tree branch. He maintained a perfect view of his surroundings, using this moment to recover his strength. Kankuro observed Sakura's approach as she leaped over every obstacle to reach him.

"Sakura, is that you?" he rasped.

"Kankuro, are you alright?" Sakura inquired with genuine concern.

Kankuro let out a sigh, his voice heavy with fatigue. "No, I lost. Why are you here? It's too dangerous."

"I left the village because you lied to me, and I wanted to come save you from making a big mistake..." Sakura confessed, determination burning in her eyes.

Kankuro couldn't help but smile weakly. "I can't argue with that..."

Sakura leaned in and kissed him on the forehead in a heartfelt moment. "Don't lie to me again."

Kankuro's brows furrowed with worry. "We lied to you so you wouldn't come after us. You're not a shinobi; you can't be here! I'm bringing you back home right now!"

Sakura's gaze remained unwavering. "I won't sit at home waiting for you to come home in a body bag."

Kankuro's resistance waned as he gazed into her eyes. He softly uttered her name, "Sakura..."

With Sakura's support, Kankuro raised his arm over her shoulder, allowing her to assist him in leaping from one tree to the next. As she examined his injuries up close, she noticed small bug bites randomly dispersed across his body, alongside bloody cuts and purple bruises that adorned his shoulders and torso. The extent of his injuries was evident.

Following closely behind them, Temari jumped in to lend her aid by taking Kankuro's other arm for support.

"Sakura, what are you doing here?" Temari's voice carried a mix of surprise and concern as she shouted.

Sakura exhaled heavily. "You three lied to me about the exams..."

As the battle between the two colossal creatures raged on, Sakura couldn't help but voice her concern amidst the chaos.

"Why is our village attacking Konoha?" 

"We don't know..." Kankuro replied, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

"As shinobi, it's our duty to follow orders without question or resistance..." Temari replied, echoing the sentiment.

Suddenly, a thunderous explosion erupted, unleashing powerful, strong winds to bend even the mightiest trees. The force of the blast shook the very ground beneath them. Tall grass and bushes were reduced to ash near the beasts as they continued their brutal clash. The shockwave caused Sakura to lose her footing, and she slipped on a tree branch, desperately trying to regain her balance. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Kankuro as they plummeted towards the forest floor.

Temari, demonstrating her agility, hopped gracefully back up to the trees with the help of her chakra. Kankuro, on the other hand, quickly and skillfully caught Sakura in his arms, preventing her from crashing to the ground. Landing safely before his older self and Shinki, he gently handed Sakura to them.

While Temari watched the final moments of the battle between the tailed beasts, she pointed out Shukaku in the distance. The immense beast seemed to melt away like ice cream, returning to its original form, becoming one with the earth from which the sand had arisen. Simultaneously, Naruto's chief frog disappeared into thin air.

Resolute and determined, Sakura stood tall, tying her hair back into a practical ponytail. "I have to go help Gaara. Stay here."

Younger Kankuro, concerned for her safety, extended his arm in front of her. "No. I won't let you go out there alone. It's too risky."

"I'll be fine. I'll stay up high in the trees where nobody can find me," Sakura reassured them.

Kankuro facepalmed himself in frustration. "That's exactly where they will be looking for you. They'll attack you if they find out you're from Konoha."

Temari interjected, attempting to maintain a level-headed perspective on the situation. "She's right, Kankuro. Our mission has failed, and we have to find Gaara and escape."

"We'll come too," Shinki said, eager to help.

"Fine, but stay behind me," Kankuro grumbled, reluctantly agreeing.

"Fine by me," Sakura replied with a soft giggle.

Meanwhile, not far from Sakura's group of Sand shinobi, a pair of Genin emerged from the forest, leaning on each other for support. One had spiky yellow hair, and a bloody wound adorned his forehead. The other Genin had black hair and appeared to have taken quite a beating. Their clothes were stained with sand and blood, and they struggled with each step they took together.

"No way..." Temari whimpered, her voice filled with disbelief and concern.

"What?" Sakura asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Nobody has ever fought Gaara and survived before... The Chunin exams don't count, by the way... I just have to put that out there," Temari explained, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

"Are you saying my father was a murderer?" Shinki asked, his voice quivering with a mix of anger and shock.

"What? You haven't told him?" Kankuro complained to his older self.

"It's not a time in Gaara's life he likes to talk about," Kankuro said, rubbing his head to convey the situation's complexity.

They found Gaara sprawled out on the forest floor, his condition dire. He was barely conscious, blood oozing from a deep stab wound on his shoulder. His forehead was smeared with blood that trickled down to his nostrils, and his cheeks bore bruises and dirt. Gaara had been soundly defeated in battle by the formidable nine-tailed fox.

"Oh my god, Gaara!" Sakura cried out, her heart aching with worry. She rushed to his side, hastily checking for fatal injuries, her hands trembling with fear. Thankfully, none of his wounds appeared as grave as they initially seemed. Gaara was battered and bruised but still alive, his eyes fluttering open.

His siblings gathered around him, helping to lift him from the forest floor. Gaara's future family stood there, witnessing one of the most vulnerable moments of his life. He was unresponsive but awake.

"We have to take him back right away!" Sakura cried, her voice filled with urgency.

"I've never seen him so messed up before..." Kankuro added, his concern mirroring Sakura's.

"Let's hurry before Konoha shinobi arrive," Temari urged, aware of the danger they faced.

Tears streamed down Sakura's muddy cheeks as she cradled Gaara. "Come on, we'll be home soon. I promise," she whispered softly, determined to keep him safe.

"Uncle, can you teleport us back to the village?" Shinki implored, his voice tinged with urgency.

"That might be a problem. The device we used to teleport here in the past has vanished," Older Kankuro admitted.

"You lost it?" Shinki questioned, concerned, etching his features.

"I think the device teleported itself back to the future somehow," Kankuro explained.

"In other words, you sent back the teleporter to alert Father and Mother of what we're doing here. What have you done?" Shinki panicked, his worry deepening.

"I didn't do it on purpose if that's what you think."

"For all we know, Father could be here in the past searching for us," Shinki pointed out, his mind racing with the possibilities.

Leaf shinobi began to appear out of the village gates, closing in on the children of the sand. A light gust of wind blew as Temari unfurled her massive fan. The bright blue lights of Kankuro's chakra strings illuminated the battlefield, ready to defend everyone if necessary. Sakura clutched her Kunai knife, preparing to fight despite her limited chakra control. Her only option was to use her chakra through singing. Gaara put his foot down as he struggled to stand, resolved that no one would go down without a fight.

"Why did you come here?" Gaara asked firmly, his tone unhesitating.

"I already told you I'm willing to fight for you. I'll fight by your side. I'm not giving up! I—" Sakura's words were cut short as Gaara slapped her across the face, pushing her away. She staggered from the force of the blow.

"Go home. I won't repeat it," Gaara ordered, his voice carrying the weight of his responsibility.

"Gaara!" Temari shouted in protest.

Kankuro unleashed a brutal punch, striking Gaara across the face. Gaara fell face-first into the soil, struggling to move. The shock of Gaara's actions rippled through the group. Older Kankuro and younger Kankuro moved swiftly to shield Gaara from further attacks as Temari and Shinki rushed to Sakura's side.  A round black time void circled before everyone, and shinobi came from the future, including Gaara, Sakura, Sasuke, and Temari. Sasuke held the lost device Kankuro had mentioned. Their younger counterparts were momentarily speechless when facing their taller, more experienced future selves.

"What's going on here?" Older Temari demanded, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Oh, well, would you look at that. I'm still better than you boys," Younger Temari quipped, trying to maintain her composure.

Gaara used his sand to encircle his younger self, locking eyes with him in an intense stare-down. Kankuro raised his three puppets defensively, and Temari gripped her Japanese three-mooned fan beside him. Their younger selves couldn't move, captivated by the incredible sight of their older counterparts.

"Kankuro, care to explain the situation?" Older Gaara's tone was firm.

"To keep it short, you slapped your girlfriend, so I hit you," Older Kankuro laughed, trying to break the tension in the air.

Gaara gently tilted his head toward his wife, casting a concerned gaze upon little Sakura, whose tear-streaked face revealed the aftermath of a harsh slap. Hidden beneath his long, dark red robes, he discreetly retrieved a crimson handkerchief from his pocket. With utmost care, Gaara approached Sakura, kneeled before her, and tenderly wiped away her tears, his actions silently expressing his remorse. He knew his younger self was too stubborn to admit his faults.

Shinki stood steadfastly by Sakura's side, resting his head gently against her petite shoulders, enveloping her in a protective hug.

"Are you alright?" Gaara inquired, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Little Sakura's cheeks flushed crimson, her voice soft as she responded, "Gaara...?"

"Thank you for not giving up on me," Gaara expressed sincerely, his gaze drifting momentarily toward his younger self engaged in a heated argument with Kankuro. 

"We had a challenging childhood, but together, we forged a brighter future." He paused and then added, "Don't take it too personally. I can be quite selfish when it comes to you."

Sakura stood there, her eyes widened in astonishment. She had never imagined that Gaara would grow so incredibly handsome. Her cheeks flushed a bright crimson, and then she fainted in Shinki's arms. Shinki rolled his eyes, and his father let out an awkward chuckle. Gaara glanced over at Sakura's older self, who was watching with an amused expression, clearly embarrassed by her younger self. Meanwhile, Temari laughed heartily at the scene.

Gaara stood up, allowing his son to take care of Sakura while he finished speaking to the others. Shinki reached into his leg pack and retrieved a small perfume-sized bottle, opening it carefully. He gently placed it under her nose to help her regain consciousness. Sakura slowly woke up, leaning on Shinki and feeling slightly dizzy.

Meanwhile, hordes of Konoha shinobi were rapidly approaching, their attention consumed by the tumultuous events unfolding. Temari swiftly unfurled her fan, positioning herself protectively before her younger self as she alerted the others, "We've got incoming."

"Sasuke, teleport us to Sunagakure," Gaara commanded.

A dark figure loomed above, casting a shadow that obscured the sun. It was Sasuke, dressed in his long, black cloak, with one hand over his eye. With a radiant glow, his eye ignited, creating a swirling void that enveloped everyone. Younger Gaara scooped up younger Sakura in his arms and leaped through the dark portal. The others followed quickly, just in time to evade the pursuing Konoha shinobi. They emerged at the front gates of Sunagakure, where the future faced the past. Gaara and Sakura descended gracefully on sand platforms while Kankuro and Temari alighted on their own two feet, weapons ready. Their younger counterparts stood behind Shinki, their expressions a mixture of fear and awe at their older selves.

Older Sakura gratefully embraced older Kankuro. "Thank you, Kankuro."

He smiled warmly at her and replied, "Anything to make you happy."

Gaara, however, wore a stern expression as he turned his attention to his son. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't strip you of your title as a shinobi," he demanded.

Shinki found himself at a loss for words, unsure how to defend his actions against his family. Little Sakura stepped forward, extending her arms protectively around him. All eyes were on her as she spoke.

"Gaara, please don't punish him. Shinki came to the past to spend time with me. He was feeling lonely in the future and wanted to meet me."

Future Sakura leaned down and kissed her younger self on the forehead. "You know, even when our family members were alive, you and I were still always lonely. We didn't have many friends. No one wanted to hang out with a regular, fragile girl who fell in love with the most hated person in Suna."

"We were so lonely..."

"Not anymore," Sakura said, gesturing to the sand siblings. "I guess not."

"Alright, we should probably head home, back to our time," Temari suggested with a smile.

Younger Temari hugged her older self tightly. "I'm glad we have nothing to worry about. Our future looks brighter than I could ever dream of. Thank you for looking out for our brothers. They're not that bright, but they're the best."

"This is too weird for me, but I'm glad I made you happy," older Temari laughed.

Sakura still held Gaara's handkerchief in her hand. She returned the cloth to him with a bashful blush and a kiss. As they walked together, younger Sakura waved goodbye to them. Before Shinki disappeared into the portal, he rushed to his mother for one last bear hug, tears streaming down his face.

"I'll treasure the time we had, but you belong in your own time."

"Goodbye, Mother," Shinki said before passing through the portal.

Only a few people remained in the world of the past. Sasuke stood by the portal, waiting as Kankuro was the last to say his goodbyes. Little Sakura approached older Kankuro with curiosity. "What happens to us?"

Kankuro took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "We fall in love, but in the end, you chose Gaara over me. I'm sorry I was such a horrible person back then. I was a real ass."

Younger Kankuro couldn't help but mumble, "Hey, I'm standing right here, idiot."

Sakura chuckled, and they ignored the younger Kankuro, who had a fit behind them. She said, "I can't blame you. I was afraid of you until you opened up to me. You must have felt the need to take all this anger in your heart and take it out on others, but I'm glad you've become a better man."

"I'm a better man because of you."

Sakura blushed, "You are much more attractive than what you look like now... just like Gaara."

"I actually have a picture of all of us. Do you want to see it?" Kankuro smiled as he pulled out a family photo and handed it to Sakura. There they were, sitting on a dark red couch in the future. Shinki was seated close beside her, smiling happily. Gaara, with his strangely straightened hair, stood above her next to Kankuro. Together in the family living room, they looked cheerful, as if the world couldn't get any better. Sakura giggled; it felt like an impossible dream come true.

"I can't believe how different we look. Why am I wearing a shinobi headband?"

"Shinki didn't tell you?" Kankuro asked.

"No..."

"You are one of the strongest shinobi in the Land of Wind."

Sparkles of light glistened in her eyes as they widened. She looked at Kankuro with the biggest smile since meeting Gaara. She was forever grateful for her shining, bright future. Sakura blushed and handed Kankuro back the family photo.

"So, my daughter..."

Kankuro, feeling a bit embarrassed, rubbed the back of his head. "She's not mine. It's Gaara's and your birth daughter."

"Temari?"

"She moved to the Hidden Leaf Village after she married Shikamaru."

"Shikamaru?"

"You'll know who he is when you see him," Kankuro laughed.

Sakura blushed and handed Kankuro a bento box. "Before you leave, I wanted to give you this. I already gave one to Shinki..."

"Ah, your famous bento boxes," Kankuro said as he sniffed it. "Thank you, Sakura. Not just for this, but for everything."

"Thank you for always looking out for me. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you and Gaara. This family means everything to me."

"Stop. Nothing in the future was your fault. I dragged you along, forcing you to love me. It was all me. Besides, those adorable puffy cheeks are even more irresistible than I remembered."

Sakura's face turned bright red. "Alright, Jeez! Get out of here already."

"See you in the future," Kankuro waved.

"Yeah, whatever," Sakura said, her blush still evident.  Sasuke from the future was the last to go through the portal. He lingered momentarily, gazing at the Kazekage siblings and the young Sakura with her bold, crimson-red eyes. Finally, he spoke, "Unfortunately, I'm going to have to erase your memories so our future doesn't change."

Young Sakura nodded resolutely. "We understand."

Sasuke swiftly performed a series of hand signs, and suddenly, the kids fell into a deep slumber on the ground. He gently lifted Sakura into his arms and carried her to the bridge overlooking the bustling marketplace. Then, like a phantom, Sasuke disappeared into thin air, entering his black void portal to return to his own time. He left the siblings behind, who would later wake up at the village's front gate without recollecting how they had produced. The last memory Gaara held was passing out after his fierce battle with Naruto.