Artifact

At this point, Yashamaru was no longer just a stranger to Gaara. He had become the figure Gaara never had—a substitute for the motherly love he'd been denied, along with the comfort and camaraderie that siblings often provided. In some ways, Yashamaru was everything to Gaara—brother, uncle, mentor, and, in moments of vulnerability, even a mother. Gaara's heart ached with the bond they shared, though he seldom expressed it openly.

For Yashamaru, the connection was just as meaningful. Losing his sister, the one he had once fought beside, had left a gaping hole in his heart. Being with Gaara and supporting him filled that void in ways he could not fully explain.

"Gaara, I had to tell Lord Kazekage about the training we've been doing," Yashamaru said gently, his tone laced with the weight of the decision. "If I didn't, he would've found out eventually, and it would've been worse for you."

Gaara remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground, the emptiness of the space around him matching the void inside his chest. The pain from Rasa's words still lingered, but it was something he had learned to bury under the layers of his cold exterior.

Yashamaru sighed softly, his voice taking on a more reassuring tone. "To put it plainly, he already knew you were learning medical ninjutsu. He was just asking to tie up loose ends."

"I understand," Gaara replied, his voice distant as his thoughts churned in his mind. He wasn't speaking to Yashamaru, not really—not in that moment. His father's words still echoed in his head, the sting of disappointment and rejection haunting him.

Then, Gaara finally posed a question that had been eating away at him. His voice was tinged with curiosity, a hint of frustration just beneath the surface. "Why do you think my father wants me to make contact with and control the One-Tails? I've never even seen it. What if I can't control it?"

Gaara's words were calculated, though Yashamaru could see through the façade. Gaara wasn't truly seeking an answer—he already had some suspicions. He simply wanted confirmation, a deeper understanding of what was at play.

Yashamaru's gaze softened as he realized the true question Gaara was asking. He could see the complexity of the boy's thoughts—he wasn't just wondering about the One-Tails. He was wondering why Rasa wanted to control him through it. What was the real motive behind his father's actions? Having a tailed beast was one thing, but the One-Tails was only a single beast. Other nations had more powerful ones. Gaara's confusion was understandable.

But before Yashamaru could respond directly, he shifted the topic, sensing the danger in speaking too openly about Rasa's plans. There were things Gaara didn't need to know—at least, not yet.

"Let's talk about something else for now," Yashamaru said with a gentle tone, trying to divert Gaara's attention to the object in his hands. "What's that you're holding?"

Gaara glanced down at the gourd in his hand, his eyes narrowing in thought. It was a small, unremarkable item, yet something about it felt familiar. He had seen it before, but it didn't immediately click.

"Oh? It's… a gourd?" Gaara answered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Yashamaru smiled lightly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "It's not just any gourd. This is an artifact, made specifically for you."

Gaara blinked, his interest piqued. "Artifact?" he repeated, unsure of what that meant. The term didn't immediately resonate with him.

Yashamaru chuckled softly at Gaara's confusion. "It's a special item, one created for a specific purpose. But its full meaning... that's something you'll discover as you use it."

Gaara's curiosity deepened, and he instinctively started to focus his chakra on the gourd, as Yashamaru suggested. As soon as he did, the gourd seemed to pulse with energy, expanding before his very eyes. What had once been a palm-sized object grew to ten inches, its surface vibrating with newfound power.

Gaara's eyes widened. How could I forget? The gourd. It was his signature item—an artifact connected to his very being. The realization hit him with force, and he looked at Yashamaru with a mix of surprise and confusion.

"Wait... what's an artifact?" Gaara asked, his tone shifting from disbelief to intrigue.

"I don't know much more than you do," Yashamaru admitted, his voice gentle. "They're specially created items for specific reasons. This one is yours. But its true purpose… you'll have to discover that yourself, through usage."

Gaara nodded, absorbing the information, though his mind still buzzed with questions. The gourd—this artifact—was a part of him now, and that much was clear. But what was it really for? What kind of power did it hold?

"What is it used for?" Gaara asked, more focused now.

Yashamaru hesitated before responding, a guarded look in his eyes. "It's known to store an unknown amount of sand, Gaara. Beyond that, you'll have to learn through experience."

Gaara could sense Yashamaru's reticence, but the mystery only deepened his curiosity. What else was hidden in this simple object? What other secrets did his father and Yashamaru know that he wasn't yet ready to uncover?

"Use it, Gaara," Yashamaru urged gently, his voice reassuring. "Keep experimenting, and you'll find its purpose. Just remember—this is yours, and it will guide you in its own way."

Gaara's mind raced as he clenched the gourd in his hand, ready to uncover the secrets it held. But as he stepped forward with Yashamaru at his side, one thing remained clear: the path ahead wasn't just about controlling the One-Tails. It was about understanding who he truly was—and how to control the power within him.