Chapter 28: The Third Kazekage Comes Home

In the vast expanse of the desert, a canvas of stars painted the night sky with celestial brilliance. The tranquil landscape resembled an exquisite work of art, the dunes beneath mirroring the cosmic beauty above. Sakura reclined on a blanket spread across the soft sand, her fingers forming an improvised frame to capture the alignment of stars on her hand.

Meanwhile, Kankuro maintained a vigilant watch from atop a giant boulder; his concern focused on Sakura's safety. Descending gracefully from his stony perch, he joined her on the blanket, drawn by the allure of the starlit spectacle reflected in her eyes.

While engaging in the night's calm, Kankuro reflected on their shared experiences. "You've always loved watching the stars during our missions," he remarked, acknowledging the familiarity of the moment.

Captivated by the celestial display, Sakura replied, "If you observe closely, some stars align to create objects or even animals."

Kankuro, mindful of their mission, issued a cautionary reminder, "Don't get too comfortable. We'll be entering the Land of Rivers soon."

Expressing her concerns, Sakura admitted, "The land itself doesn't scare me. It's the possibility of encountering the Akatsuki. After all, it was their hideout."

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Kankuro emphasized their primary objective. "Our priority is to retrieve the Third Kazekage and bring him home. While we aim to rescue the other puppets as well, if trouble arises, we have to be prepared to retreat."

Sensitive to Kankuro's emotional struggles, Sakura inquired about his well-being. "How are you holding up?" she asked with genuine concern.

Struggling to move beyond the recent harrowing events, Kankuro confessed, "I'm doing my best to leave behind the past few weeks."

Understanding the depth of their shared pain, Sakura, tears streaming down her face, empathetically admitted, "It feels like a part of me was torn away, and I can never heal from it."

Kankuro smiled and added, "Speaking of children, that boy from earlier reminded me of Hikaru." 

A dozen flashbacks struck Sakura's mind. She had forgotten entirely about Hikaru—the sweet little boy who loved to spend time with them. Sakura whispered, "I miss him." 

"I do, too," Kankuro replied, enfolding her in his arms, offering solace in the silent acknowledgment of shared pain. In that embrace, they understood it was a lingering ache that time might soften yet never truly erase. As the moments unfolded, the pain would dull, becoming a part of them, a faded scar on the canvas of their lives.

Sakura remained in Kankuro's embrace until the sun painted the horizon with its warm hues. Sleep eluded her that night as she pondered the fragments of her past, yearning for the moments she wished she could reclaim. Sensing the weight of her thoughts, Kankuro gently lifted her from the sand, urging the group to press on.

Recognizing the challenges awaiting them in the Land of Rivers, Kankuro understood the importance of an early start. With a silent resolve, they moved forward, leaving the shadows of the night behind and embracing the new day and the trials it held for their mission.

The team progressed toward the Land of Rivers, a region renowned for its intricate waterways and dense forests; natural and artificial challenges awaited them.

Navigating the landscape, they gracefully leaped over expansive rivers and towering trees, utilizing the branches to traverse the terrain swiftly. Amidst the seamless movement, a calm conversation unfolded among the Shinobi.

A young female shinobi began to whisper, "Hey, I heard a rumor that Lady Sakura is pregnant. Do you think it's true?"

In response, another female shinobi, her voice lowered, disclosed, "She was pregnant, but unfortunately, she had a miscarriage."

Expressing disbelief, a male shinobi interjected, "No way. Who's she sleeping with, Kankuro? The last time I can recall, she was dating the Kazekage." 

Kankuro, catching wind of the conversation, glanced behind him and retorted, "Our personal lives are not up for discussion. Focus on the mission at hand."

An uneasy hush fell over the team as they remained silent, steering clear of Kankuro's potential wrath. The younger members refrained from uttering words as they trailed the Shinobi couple. 

Kankuro retorted sharply, "No, we're not lost. Let's proceed to the next mark on the map. If it's not there, we might have taken a wrong turn, but this lake isn't on the map."

The male Shinobi retrieved his map to verify Kankuro's statement and suggested, "Perhaps our maps aren't up to date with the rest of the world, or maybe the two of you are distracted by your personal problems."

Kankuro surged forward, meeting the Shinobi eye to eye, and bellowed, "What did you say?"

Sakura intervened, placing her hands on Kankuro's chest to push him back. She urged, "Calm down, Kankuro. We have to retrieve the Third Kazekage's remains before the Akatsuki seizes them."

Kankuro patted Sakura's shoulder, turned around, and declared, "You heard Lady Sakura; let's keep going. We'll reach our destination by tomorrow."

He surged ahead unexpectedly, channeling his frustration into a vigorous run rather than venting it on his teammates.

The team gracefully leaped over the moss-covered rocks lining the riverbank, and the tranquil sounds of the river's reeds echoed in the wind. In the serene atmosphere, there were no signs of the Akatsuki. Sakura couldn't help but ponder the unknown members of the notorious organization. Having encountered only three so far—Sasori of the Red Sand, Itachi Uchiha, and Deidara—she understood the formidable adversaries they posed. The fourth member she glimpsed seemed less imposing, yet Sakura couldn't shake the apprehension about the concealed threats they might pose. Fueled by anxiety, she quickened her pace to match Kankuro's, driven by the fear of encountering another Akatsuki member. Despite Shinobi's extraordinary skills, the limitations of a day's journey were a reality they couldn't escape.

Kankuro abruptly halted the team and declared, "We should call it a day."

"What? Why?" Sakura inquired.

Kankuro smirked as he pointed behind her where the exhausted Jonin and Chunin had collapsed in the grass. Some were audibly gasping for air while perched on nearby rock formations.

A young Chunin apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, Lady Sakura. We can't push ourselves much further."

Sakura kneeled beside her fatigued comrade, offering a comforting rub on the back. She reassured, "Don't worry; we're only human, after all. I can't expect any of you to be perfect."

"I'll keep watch while you guys start a fire," Kankuro volunteered, strolling away from the group.

Sakura grabbed his shirt and exclaimed, "You kept watch last night. It's my turn."

"Are you sure?" Kankuro asked, complying with her request.

"Yes, I'll be fine. Get some rest," Sakura insisted.

Kankuro joined the group of Shinobi, diligently scouring the area for firewood and various food sources. Some Shinobi focused on catching freshwater fish in the river, while others foraged for natural resources like animals and fruits in the surrounding environment. As they worked together to create a fire and cook, they shared stories about their missions and expressed gratitude for Lord Kazekage's safe return to Sunagakure, courtesy of Konohagakure.

Meanwhile, Sakura sat atop the tallest rock, covering her eyes with one hand. With her other hand, she created an eyeball out of the sand, allowing her to survey the area without needing to move.

Kankuro, having successfully caught two fish from the nearby river, expertly cooked them to perfection. Climbing onto the tallest rock, he joined Sakura and offered her one of the freshly cooked fish.

Sakura laughed and teased, "Is that for me? How many did you catch?"

Kankuro grinned, "Yeah, I figured I'd catch one more for you. Sitting here in the cold makes you not want to eat anything."

Sakura nibbled on her cooked fish, savoring its soft texture. She playfully remarked, "It's delicious. I should make you cook for me once in a while."

Kankuro chuckled, "No way, that's your job."

Sakura gazed at her fish chunks, a wave of nostalgia washing over her as she remembered Gaara's fondness for her cooking. She sighed, "I miss Gaara so much. I wanted to stay with him, but I was the only one who could help on this mission. He used to love eating the fish I cooked whenever he took a break from training."

Kankuro smirked mischievously and teased, "That's not all he liked to eat."

Sakura burst into laughter and playfully retorted, "No, stop. Gaara is so insecure about that. I don't want to embarrass him before all these other kids."

The two shared a brief laugh until the whispers of the other Shinobi from below interrupted their romantic moment. Kankuro glared at them, rolled his eyes, and shouted, "You guys should be sleeping."

A male Shinobi retorted, "What about you?"

Kankuro argued, "Enough, go to bed. I don't want to hear any complaints tomorrow about not getting enough sleep."

Sakura rubbed Kankuro's back, "You've been on edge these past few days. Seriously, you should sleep, too."

Kankuro sighed and replied, "I can handle a few nights of not sleeping, but if it will make you feel better, then I will."

"It would," Sakura affirmed.

"Okay," Kankuro sighed. He slid down the rock formation and nestled beside Sakura's bag, leaning on his massive puppet scrolls.

At the break of dawn, the recovery team gathered their belongings, preparing for the final leg of their journey—the remains of the battlefield. They found it had caved in and crumbled as they approached the colossal red shrine gate marking the water pathway leading to a cavern's entrance.

Eager to investigate, Sakura had already moved ahead, climbing the debris. She said, "This is it; the puppets should be here."

Intrigued, Kankuro leaped onto the rubble to join her. He questioned, "What happened to the cave?"

"The cavern collapsed in on itself during the battle. I was so focused on Sasori that I don't exactly recall what happened," Sakura replied.

Kankuro shrugged, "Damn, we underestimated you all this time."

"Yeah, you guys weren't the only ones," Sakura sighed.

Amid the heaps of rubble, Sakura delved deeper into the tangled aftermath of the battlefield, retracing the confrontations between Sasori and herself. She reached Sasori's lifeless puppet, hanging like a macabre ornament between his parents. Her hand gently moved his soft red hair aside as she stroked his face. The idea that this puppet was once a living being seemed unbelievable. Sakura murmured, "Sasori and I could have been friends in another lifetime, and I could have saved him."

Kankuro, with a solemn expression, replied, "Trust me, no one could save him."

Turning her attention to the Jonin and Chunin present, Sakura commanded, "Collect all the remains of Granny Chiyo's puppets in white cloaks. Pile them up outside the cavern."

"Yes, Lady Sakura," responded the Shinobi, attentive to her instructions.

In pairs, the Shinobi systematically gathered the numerous puppets scattered across the area. Sakura employed her chakra puppet strings, connecting one hand to the mother puppet and the other to the father puppet. It was her first attempt at controlling two simultaneously, and she handled them with gentle precision, coaxing their blades out of Sasori's chest, causing him to collapse on the floor. Seizing the opportunity, Kankuro lifted Sasori's arms over his shoulders.

"What are you doing?" Sakura inquired.

"I'm adding the asshole to my puppet collection. I'm sure Granny Chiyo would appreciate it if you took her puppets as well," Kankuro replied.

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows and clenched her teeth. "I've never controlled two at the same time."

Kankuro smiled and reassured, "It's easy once you get the hang of it. I'll teach you."

With her sand manipulation, Sakura lifted Sasori's parents and carried them out of the rubble. Meanwhile, the others worked diligently, lifting heavy stones, clay, and mud to uncover the final and most crucial puppet.

As dusk descended, Kankuro joined forces with Sakura to unearth the puppet she had painstakingly built from scratch. Despite being broken and in pieces, Sakura remained determined to rebuild it. Together, they gathered all the fragments and brought them outside the cave.

Sakura whispered, "We've found all of them, but the Third Kazekage. Where could he be?"

"Don't worry, we'll find him," Kankuro assured, approaching the cavern again.

"You don't think the Akatsuki took him, do you?" Sakura questioned.

"I can't say for sure, but I doubt they would have any purpose for him unless they had another puppet user," Kankuro replied.

A female Chunin Shinobi yelled, "Hey, we found him."

Sakura widened her gaze at Kankuro, a sense of relief washing over her. Together, they rushed over with the other Shinobi to find the Third Kazekage puppet lying under mounds of debris. Everyone stood and stared, awaiting the next course of action.

Sakura yelled, "What are you waiting for? Get him out."

The Shinobi diligently dug him out of the rubble. Once released, Sakura enveloped the puppet with sand, ensuring a secure hold without causing further damage. Kankuro smiled and directed, "Alright, good work, everyone. Let's bring the Third Kazekage home."

The team cheered, having accomplished their mission to locate the puppets. Sakura took it upon herself to carry the Third Kazekage and the puppet she had created while Kankuro hoisted Sasori over his shoulder. The other Shinobi employed their jutsu to carry the remaining puppets. Fueled by adrenaline, they journeyed through the night, covering the remaining distance in a few more days until they reached Sunagakure. There, Sakura eagerly revealed their findings, and they hurried through the village to the Kazekage's office, where Gaara impatiently awaited on the roof.

Sakura leaped for joy, enveloping Kankuro in a mighty hug. Her exuberance and relief radiated through the embrace, a tangible sense of triumph in steering clear of yet another grueling encounter with the Akatsuki.

She exclaimed, "Mission accomplished, and no run-ins with the Akatsuki!"

Simultaneously, Gaara descended from a sand platform he had created, gracefully lowering himself from the rooftop. Temari swiftly emerged through the entrance of the Kazekage building, eager to greet her brother and Sakura.

Gaara faced his older brother, eyeing the draped puppet over his shoulders, and asked, "Is that Sasori?"

Kankuro's expression soured, and he responded, "Yeah, now it's just an empty shell of what he used to be. We narrowly avoided a skirmish with one of them before reaching the battlefield."

Temari gasped, curiosity etched across her face, and pressed, "You encountered another Akatsuki member? Who was it?"

Sakura, reflecting on the moment she glimpsed the mysterious figure in the Land of Rivers, recounted, "We were by the lake, and across from us in the trees, I spotted the distinctive black robes with red cloud patterns. The person wore an orange swirled mask covering the entire face, featuring only one eyehole. Thin with black hair, they appeared less menacing than the ones I've encountered. He observed us, but by the time I tried to point him out to Kankuro, he had vanished. Instead of pursuing, we decided to move on."

Temari remarked, "That would have unnerved me."

After contemplating the situation, Gaara stated, "I can only imagine their motives. Perhaps they've found a new hideout nearby."

Sakura, her curiosity piqued, inquired, "How many Akatsuki members are there?"

"Nobody knows," Gaara replied with a heavy sigh. "For now, let's concentrate on safeguarding the village."

The trio nodded in unison at Gaara's direction. Sakura delicately lowered the sand beds that cradled the puppets, allowing the sand to disperse and unveil the wooden figures. Gaara couldn't help but notice the substantial number of puppets they had retrieved. Intrigued, he inquired, "How many puppets were there? It seems like it was quite a remarkable battle."

"For now, we need to store the Chikamatsu's Ten," Sakura gestured toward each puppet. "Kankuro intends to keep Sasori as a kind of trophy. The father and mother puppets were Sasori's parents, and I might consider using them. However, my immediate focus is on repairing and rebuilding my puppet. As for the Third Kazekage, what should I do with him?"

"He's your grandfather," Gaara remarked. "You have the freedom to decide how you wish to honor him."

Sakura's expression turned somber as she spoke, "He served as the Kazekage and was one of the finest Shinobi to defend this village. A proper burial in the cemetery is fitting, and I suggest an open invitation to everyone in the village to pay their respects. However, attendance will be voluntary; I won't impose it on anyone."

Temari nodded in agreement, adding, "I'll notify the villagers promptly. Once you deliver his body to the morgue, they'll handle the necessary arrangements. As for the rest of you, you can rest after ensuring these puppets are safely delivered to Kankuro's puppet room."

"Understood, Lady Temari," affirmed the other Shinobi.

Kankuro nonchalantly handed over Sasori to the capable hands of the other Shinobi. He had more pressing matters than playing with his newly acquired "toys."

Kankuro offered, "I'll accompany you. You shouldn't be alone in a place like that."

Gaara shot a disapproving glance at Kankuro, stepping before him to address Sakura. He stated, "No, go with the others, Kankuro. Sakura and I will take care of this. He's a former Kazekage, after all. So, it only makes sense I accompany her."

Kankuro walked away, muttering, "Whatever."

Sakura blushed and replied, "I appreciate the company. Let's go; we should reach there before the morticians wrap up for the day."

She deftly manipulated her sand to encase the body, lifting the Third Kazekage and cradling it beside her. Gaara followed alongside her as onlookers halted and gazed at the somber procession, eager to discover the identity of the fallen figure.

Amid the curious eyes, Gaara adjusted his head to catch a clear view of Sakura illuminated by the sunlight. He reached for her hand in this solitary moment, holding it firmly as they strolled together through the village towards the hospital.

Sakura softly admitted, "I hated that we were apart for so long during that mission. I was so worried about you, and I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. I want to spend more time with you alone, if that's okay."

Grabbing his arm and squeezing it over her chest, Sakura responded, "What do you have in mind?"

"Maybe we could take on a mission within the village together," Gaara suggested, "Something that doesn't require us to leave."

"That sounds like fun, okay," Sakura blushed.

The couple entered the hospital together, eliciting surprise from the staff and curious glances from civilians. Due to their high ranks, they easily bypassed the nurses on the first floor, making their way to the morgue below. Sakura gently laid the Third Kazekage on the table, closing his eyes. She felt sincerely sympathy for him, having met such a tragic end. The fourth Kazekage held little significance to her; the fifth Kazekage, however, was the love of her life. Gaara held her in his arms, gently rubbing her upper arm, and said, "I'm sorry you had to find out he was your grandfather this way. If I had known, I would have told you."

"All that matters is that he's at peace now," Sakura said.

A mortician entered the room, gloving his hands in latex. Already dressed in scrubs, he approached the table and inquired, "Alright, who do we have here?"

His mouth dropped, and his eyes widened at the unexpected sight. The man stood speechless, gazing upon an individual he thought he'd never encounter again. Stumbling over his words, he uttered, "It's been over twenty years; how did this happen?"

Gaara responded, "After Sasori and Deidara kidnapped me, they took me to the Land of Rivers. Terrified for my life, Sakura chased after me to confront the Akatsuki members who had abducted me from the village."

Sakura added, "I battled Sasori of the Red Sand, and he confessed to killing the Third Kazekage, turning him into a puppet as he deserted our village. I'm his granddaughter, and I'd like to give him a proper burial."

"I see," the mortician said, "Would you like some time with him before I begin?"

"I've already spent a lot of time with him during these past few missions. I'll be okay, thank you," Sakura replied.

"Alright, I will inform you when I'm finished so he can be buried properly," the mortician assured.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. We will be on our way now," Sakura said.

Gaara followed her out the door and said, "Take good care of him; we're counting on you."

The young couple exited the morgue and ascended the stairs. Gaara couldn't help but reflect on their previous visit and the events. He asked, "Should we double-check with the doctors to ensure you're alright?"

Sakura comfortingly rubbed Gaara's back and assured, "I'm okay, I promise."

As the two approached the nurse's station at the front door, a voice called out, "Lady Sakura." They turned to find a group of nurses holding a basket of handmade goodies. One handed it to Sakura, saying, "We wanted to give this to you to show how sorry we are for your loss. We don't want you to give up on having children."

"Thank you," Sakura cried, "Gaara and I won't give up, I assure you. However, due to the Akatsuki's sudden attacks, we would like to wait until they're dealt with."

The nurse bowed and replied, "We understand, and we're always here for you if you need us."

The young couple nodded and left the hospital in better spirits than when they arrived. The nurses' caring gestures touched them deeply. Walking briskly, Sakura urged, "Come on, let's go home. I want to see what's inside."

Gaara called out, "Hold on, wait for me."

The couple leaped onto sand platforms and raced each other home. Sakura ensured the safety of the basket within her created sand clump formation. They reveled in the joy of being together again.