Chapter 9: Sibling Rivalry

After many months of honing their leadership skills, the Kazekage siblings finally returned home. As Kankuro stepped through the door into the mudroom, he promptly removed his shoes and gently leaned his puppet against the doorframe that led to the living room. A broad smile graced his face as he reunited with Sakura after their long separation. However, before he could take another step, Sakura leaped into his arms, planting a passionate kiss on his lips.

"So, you're finally back," Sakura exclaimed with joy.

Kankuro smiled, spinning her around momentarily before gently setting her down. "Yes, I'm finally home."

Laughter filled the room as their happiness overflowed, their bond more vigorous than ever. Kankuro carefully carried her to the living room couch, cradling her on his lap, a gesture reminiscent of a child eagerly awaiting Christmas presents from Santa. He showered her with tender kisses and ran his fingertips through her hair before addressing her question.

Sakura raised an eyebrow and inquired, "So, does that mean you're the Kazekage now?"

Kankuro shook his head, his expression becoming serious. "The final decision rests with the council elders. I just hope they don't choose Temari."

Gaara entered the house with his usual calm demeanor, his gaze drifting towards the living room where he found the couple. Awkward stares were exchanged between them, leaving Sakura to wonder about the thoughts racing through the brothers' minds as they observed each other like creatures in a zoo.

Temari interjected, her tone carrying an air of finality. "They've made their decision."

Sakura remarked, "That didn't take too long."

Kankuro nodded in agreement. "No, they didn't need much time to make up their minds. Come with us, Sakura. I want you there when they announce it."

"I'd love to!" Sakura exclaimed enthusiastically.

They hastened to the imposing building guarded by vigilant Genin. Inside the Kazekage's office, they found two senior officials buried under mountains of paperwork. Upon their arrival, the officials paused their work to address them.

"So, the previous Kazekage left us with a lot to finish, including establishing a Ninja Academy," one of the officials mentioned.

Gaara nodded. "Father must have drawn inspiration from Konoha for that."

Kankuro expressed his reservations. "Are you seriously asking us to teach kids around our own age to fight?"

"Yes, I am. Starting this afternoon, the three of you will begin training the next generation of ninja."

Temari cut in, reminding them, "Hold on! I thought you found out who the next Kazekage is."

The other official said, "Oh right, yes, we know the next Kazekage, and we'll announce the decision soon. We just need to sort out all this paperwork first."

A formidable assembly had gathered in front of the Suna Academy, comprising over thirty students and Gaara and his siblings. The three Sand siblings stood united at the forefront, with Sakura behind them. These young, eager students faced them, their determination emanating from within, ready to fight for the people they held dear. Temari assumed her role as the instructor and addressed the eager class. Her words were vital as she began, "Before we delve into combat training, it's crucial that you carefully select a weapon that resonates with both your physical abilities and mental disposition."

Amidst the students, a young girl politely raised her hand, seeking clarification. She voiced her concerns, "I apologize for interrupting, but is it mandatory for all of us to choose a weapon?"

Kankuro, curious about her inquiry, inquired, "Why do you ask?"

With sincerity, the girl responded, "I'm concerned that if everyone wields weapons, accidents might happen. Someone could get seriously hurt."

Gaara, customarily reserved, attempted to explain, "Your connection to your weapon is like... never mind." 

The growing speechlessness drove everyone, including him, to be uncomfortable. Temari glanced at Kankuro, not knowing what to do next. Kankuro continued, "Your weapon isn't just an object; it's intertwined with who you are."

Temari, resuming her address, emphasized the seriousness of the training, cautioning, "Remember, this isn't a game. We're preparing you for real-life situations."

Kankuro chimed in with a reminder, "If you approach this with a negative mindset, you won't survive out there."

The girl who initially questioned the need for weapons offered a soft-spoken apology, "I'm sorry."

However, a fellow student beside her seemed less sympathetic, "Look, if you're going to rile up Gaara with silly questions like that, you're on your own."

Temari then disclosed the group dynamics for their training, stating, "For your combat training, you'll be working in groups with one of us. You have the freedom to choose your preferred instructor."

She leaned closer to Gaara, offering some lighthearted advice, "By the way, could you smile? You seem quite intimidating right now. No one will want to be in your group otherwise."

A calm conversation ensued among the students. One girl couldn't contain her awe as she whispered, "I overheard my dad say that Gaara is the Hidden Sand Village's ultimate weapon."

Another child whispered with fear in their voice, "I've heard that if he loses control, he could level the entire village. He's really scary. I don't want to be in his group."

The children quickly divided, choosing Temari or Kankuro as their instructors, leaving Gaara alone. Pride gleamed on Temari's and Kankuro's faces as they realized how much they were looked up to.

Feeling empathy for Gaara, Sakura stepped toward him, her cheeks rosy. She asked hesitantly, "Would you mind if I became your student?"

Gaara's lips curled into a warm smile as he replied, "But you're not a student at the Academy. Are you certain about this?"

Overwhelmed with joy, Kankuro suddenly realized that Sakura hadn't approached him yet. He glanced over and saw her talking with his little brother. His initial elation faded as he hoped that their relationship wouldn't evolve into anything more than friendship. Kankuro sighed and asked, "Sakura, what are you doing over there?"

Sakura smiled and replied, "During our mission together, I noticed Gaara's coaching skills were quite encouraging. I want someone who can push me to be better, not hold me back, no offense."

Kankuro sighed again, chuckling softly. "Fair enough, but just be careful."

The other children began selecting weapons from the tables and eagerly began practicing with their new tools. Sakura surveyed the remaining weapons thoughtfully, feeling a bit out of place among the younger children. She stepped aside, eyeing the unusual array of weaponry on display – heavy bats with menacing spikes, various types of swords, and more.

Concerned, Gaara asked, "Is something wrong?"

Sakura picked up a slender, lightweight sword lying on the table's edge. She said, "I'm not entirely sure what to choose, but I suppose this will do."

Gaara gently removed the sword from her hand and placed it back on the table. He then selected a smaller weapon and introduced it to her, saying, "This is called the rope javelin."

Surprised, Sakura admitted, "I've never heard of that before," feeling somewhat unprepared for this field exercise.

Gaara positioned himself a short distance away from her with a graceful leap. Holding the handle of the rope weapon, he swung the rope around with a sharp edge attached to the end. His movements were fluid and precise as he continued to explain, "The blade at the end of the rope isn't primarily for the offense. Its purpose is to keep your enemies at bay, allowing you to use the cord to immobilize them."

Sakura nodded, absorbing his words. She glanced at the crowded practice area where children wielded sharp-edged weapons nearby. Understanding the potential danger, she turned to Gaara and suggested, "This place seems a bit crowded. Could we find somewhere else?"

Gaara, his arms crossed, surveyed their surroundings and agreed, "Yes, I can arrange that."

With his command, a platform of sand lifted them both and glided silently through the village, transporting them to the familiar field where they had once met secretly. As the platform gently placed their feet on the ground, Gaara used his sand manipulation to create several sand dummies. He positioned himself beside them, silently watching Sakura as she continued training.

Sakura felt embarrassed as she noticed Gaara's gaze fixed on her during her practice. This awareness made it challenging to swing the rope with total concentration.

Gaara's voice broke her focus as he spoke, "Keep it up. I'll check on the others to see what our next step should be."

"Alright," Sakura replied, her voice slightly strained from the effort. "But don't be gone for too long. I'm afraid I might accidentally cut myself swinging this blade around like this."

Gaara cautioned her, "Do not let fear control you or the weapons in your hands. Otherwise, there will be consequences. With Shukaku inside me, I do not sleep, nor do I exhibit weakness or fear towards him. If I did, he would threaten to take control."

Understanding his message, Sakura nodded and watched as he walked away from the training field. She continued her practice diligently, swinging the rope repeatedly until she finally managed to wrap it around the target. A triumphant smile crossed her face, but her joy was short-lived as the rope unraveled. With a sigh, she retrieved it, determined to try again.

Suddenly, a woman's voice echoed from above, from the village's desert cliffs. Sakura gasped and saw strange figures standing high on the village wall. The woman addressing her had an unusual shinobi headband from a village Sakura didn't recognize. Her distinctive appearance included short blue hair with yellow highlights, pale purple eyes, and an unsettling smile. She continued, "I'm sorry, but you must come with us."

Sakura couldn't help but smirk defiantly, "I don't know who you are, but you don't belong here. Fuck off."

The Shinobi with the white headbands quickly closed around her, leaving her no means to defend herself. She instinctively pulled out her Kunai, but her attempts at self-defense were abruptly interrupted. A man with short, black hair and heavy bags under his eyes emerged. Sharp, mobile blue tentacles shot out from his back and attacked Sakura. She tried to dodge them but could only evade one of the tentacles with just one Kunai. From behind, another tentacle struck her, rendering her unconscious.

With a certain level of satisfaction, they gently placed Sakura on a metal stretcher wrapped in fabric. While she remained in deep slumber, they carefully carried her away from the Land of Wind, venturing as far as the Land of Rivers. Days passed, and Sakura continued to sleep soundly. When the group finally arrived in the Land of Fire, the man suddenly dropped Sakura onto the ground, jolting her awake.

Blinking to clear her confusion, Sakura shifted her gaze to see Gaara standing alone, facing off against the man who had kidnapped her. She hadn't realized he cared for her this deeply.

The group leader taunted Gaara, "You think a ninja without a weapon scares me?"

A light beam surrounded the leader's body, revealing a mysterious metal chest piece. It appeared to be some advanced device. Suddenly, from behind the leader, the device unleashed a network of blue tentacles that spread menacingly across the battlefield. Although visibly pained, Gaara pulled out his Kunai and tried to evade the tentacles. One, however, managed to slice through the long white scarf wrapped around his body, cutting his flesh underneath. He grunted in pain as he clutched his wound.

Weakly, Sakura called out, "Gaara..."

Gaara responded with a gritted determination, "I'm fine; worry about yourself. Kankuro is on his way with Temari."

The man continued to taunt Gaara with a sinister smile. "I've heard about the monster inside you. Is that true?"

Gaara, his patience wearing thin, emitted a low growl in response, refusing to dignify the man's question. He clutched his bleeding wound tightly.

Suddenly, a young boy with spiky blonde hair, clad in an orange jacket and sweatpants, dashed onto the scene. His vibrant blue eyes gleamed, and the dark blue headband across his forehead marked him as a shinobi from Konoha. He shouted defiantly, "Back off!"

As the metal man began to form hand signs, Sakura felt herself losing consciousness due to her injuries. She could only watch helplessly as a powerful gust of wind was unleashed at the young boy.

When she awoke, she found Gaara meticulously untying the fabric that had bound her to the metal stretcher. The metal man was still locked in combat.

Sakura whimpered in pain, her voice trembling, "Gaara... What's happening?"

Gaara leaned in closer to her, his face etched with concern. "One of the Jonin informed me that four Shinobi, who call themselves the Celestials, are after me to take Shukaku. They threatened to kill someone close to me every day until I surrender. We've requested backup from Konoha. We've managed to defeat all of them except for this one named Seimei."

With whatever strength she could muster, Sakura inquired, "Is that...?"

Still grappling with his injury, Gaara replied while wincing in pain, "Yes, that's Naruto Uzumaki."

Sakura helped Gaara move further from the ongoing battle, guiding him to lean against a substantial boulder. She applied pressure to his wound, trying to alleviate his pain.

Seimei's words rang out with conviction as he addressed Naruto, "In times of war, our village is constantly targeted and attacked, all because of the fear that our unique ninja tools might be used against others. You take our inventions and repay us with bloodshed. Despite our mastery, our people are forced to bow to the will of the so-called 'Great Hidden Villages.' We intend to use Shukaku to defend ourselves."

Without a moment's pause, Seimei expertly wielded his weapons, summoning fire, ice, and wind aimed at Naruto, who lay on the ground, battered by the previous onslaught. Gaara, displaying remarkable resilience, gently pushed Sakura away so that he could kneel on one knee. He clapped his palms together, forming a protective sand shield around Naruto. Seimei, however, refused to relent, launching a relentless assault against the security with all his might.

Gaara's weakened voice resounded with determination as he declared, "Your feeble attacks are far too weak to break this defense. I will protect him with everything I've got."

Beneath them, the ground trembled, causing Sakura to scream as she collapsed onto the grass next to her injured best friend. Metal structures began to rise from the earth, forming a protective barrier in sections. Gaara knew he couldn't allow Sakura to get caught inside it, so he pushed her aside, relinquishing the sand shield that was safeguarding Naruto.

Fury coursed through him, and he unleashed his frustration by pounding his fist against the unyielding metal barrier. "Damn him," he muttered.

Sakura, her hands pressing into the earth for support, fought to rise and reached inside the metal cage for Gaara. The battle was far from over. Naruto's calls resounded as the metal panels began to close, one after the other.

Sakura's voice quivered with panic, "No, what do I do?"

"Don't worry," he assured her, "This isn't over. Konoha has strong Shinobi."

The round metal cage now completely encased Gaara. His laughter echoing through the cell, Seimei began to perform hand signs. Chakra radiated with a blue glow all over the cage enclosing Gaara.

Naruto, a mixture of desperation and anger in his voice, yelled, "What are you doing?"

Seimei's laughter continued, sinister and haunting. "You'll see."

The blue chakra blazed like voracious flames, and inside the cage, Gaara covered his ears, letting out a guttural scream in his deep voice. Seimei then revealed a white casket before Naruto. In a flash of blinding light that left Sakura temporarily blinded, she saw Seimei vanish and reappear, his entire being glowing with a pure white aura. A golden halo adorned his once-short black hair, which had grown long and white. His attire had transformed into flowing white robes as if he had become a divine entity.

Desperation gripped Naruto as he attempted to leap over the metal cage and force it open with his bare hands, all while engaging in a fierce battle against Seimei.

Tears streamed down Sakura's face as she pleaded, "Gaara, don't give up."

Summoning every ounce of her strength, she moved closer to the barrier, mirroring Naruto's efforts to try and pry open the cage. Together, they called out to him as Gaara's sand shield began to crack, fractures webbing across his face. Seimei's malicious blue tentacle whizzed around the cage and struck Sakura's arm. She let out a piercing scream and crumpled onto the sand. The sand beneath her quickly stained red as she clenched her wounded arm. Naruto spun around, his eyes aflame with anger, and yelled at Seimei, "Damn you! She has nothing to do with this. Leave her alone."

Inside the cage, Gaara's screams transformed into a thunderous roar. The cell ruptured open, and from the swirling smoke, a colossal Shukaku claw adorned with eerie blue markings emerged. Naruto swiftly scooped Sakura up, pulled her away from the battleground, and shielded her from the ensuing onslaught of sand and metal fragments. Sakura peered through the dust-choked air toward Gaara. Half of his body had morphed into Shukaku, but it seemed he was no longer Gaara. The creature's appearance and behavior were nothing short of monstrous.

Battered and bloody, Naruto faced Sakura, his voice determined, "Go, get out of here, will ya."

"Not without Gaara!" Sakura exclaimed.

Sakura Haruno smiled and said, "Glad you made it here safe, Ino, Choji." 

A male shinobi with long dark hair and a white coat with pale eyes, like Hinata, had the skin around his eyes bulging as he viewed the battle. He said, "What in the world is going on there?" 

Another man with a green body suit and short black hair asked, "What do you see, Neji? What is it?" 

"I have no idea, Lee."

Beside them, a strange male shinobi with sunglasses and an overly large coat said, "Nothing, good." 

Hinata said, Looks like Rock Lee, Neji, and Shino are here too." 

Sakura of Suna painfully watched Sakura Haruno heal her wounds with her chakra. A green aura surrounded her wound. In a lot of pain, Sakura said, "That one called himself Seimei and said he was the founder of the village of artisans."

Rock Lee said, "We battled one with similar armor with the power to absorb one's chakra."

Frustrated, Shikamaru frowned, "We've got to do something."

Seimei said, "I never imagined I would be fighting Shukaku himself."

In agonizing pain, Gaara contained Shukaku, and the sand on his body collapsed. He's become weaker than he was before. Sakura of the sand called out to Gaara, but he could not answer her. 

Temari said, "He's using all of his strength to fight odd the transformation."

Shikamaru asked, "But why?" 

"Not without Gaara," Sakura declared through gritted teeth, her arm still oozing blood.

Suddenly, two figures materialized behind them. One of them was Temari, her clothes in tatters, but her spirit unbroken, ready to rejoin the fray. Beside her stood a young man of similar age, his dark eyes focused on the ongoing battle, his long black spiked hair pulled up into a messy knot. His dark green vest bore the marks of previous skirmishes.

Observing the chaos before them, the male companion mused, "Oh, man. Is that what I think it is?"

Temari confirmed with a grim nod, "Yeah."

From a distance, a young girl with short dark blue hair and pale eyes appeared, her tan puffy coat contrasting with her blue ankle-high shorts. Her Konoha headband was casually draped around her neck. She rushed to Naruto, calling his name. Alongside her was a girl with short pink hair, donned in a striking red dress.

Naruto shifted his gaze from the concerned girl with short blue hair to the girl with short pink hair and said, "Hey, Hinata." Then, turning to the other Sakura, he added, "Sakura..."

Sakura of Suna remarked in a quiet tone, "Your name is Sakura too..."

Sakura Haruno beamed and giggled, "Yeah, I've heard. Shikamaru told us. He's our squad leader today."

Shikamaru and Temari approached their respective teams, clearly concerned about everyone's well-being. Temari knelt beside Sakura from Suna to assess her shoulder wound. She asked, "Are you alright? Haruno, can you help?"

Sakura Haruno nodded and began to channel her healing abilities to tend to Sakura from Suna.

In the distance, three more Shinobi from Konoha stood on guard, vigilant and ready to assist. Among them was a blonde Shinobi with one portion of her hair tied back while the other half concealed her left eye. She wore a purple dress. She reported, "We're here."

A larger, rotund Shinobi, sporting a green jacket and a white scarf, trailed behind her. His brown hair had an unusual pigtail-like spike poking from under his Konoha headband.

Emerging from the dense forest, Kankuro rejoined the group, accompanied by a male shinobi distinguished by his striking white jacket, sharp fangs, and cat-like eyes. A small white puppy nestled within his coat added an unusual touch to his presence.

Kankuro hurried over to Sakura, his concern palpable. He inquired, "What happened?"

Sakura from Suna offered a grateful smile. "Kankuro, I'm relieved you're unharmed."

Kankuro let out a weary sigh, his worry evident in his voice. "Did you try to help Gaara? You could have been killed."

Sakura from Suna's voice quivered as she explained, "His life was in danger. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

Kankuro's tone softened, mixed with a hint of exasperation. "I swear, every time we leave you alone, something dangerous happens to you."

The Shinobi shifted their attention towards the battlefield, where Gaara was still undergoing his transformation into Shukaku. Seimei stood there, his laughter echoing across the desolate landscape, his patience unwavering as he awaited Gaara's complete transformation.

Seimei said, "A Shinobi must abandon emotion if he's ever to obtain ultimate power."

More sharp tentacle blades aimed to strike Gaara, but he dodged all three with no more than torn clothing. Once he landed back on both his feet, he smiled at Seimei. 

Seimei asked, "Why so cocky?" 

Gaara replied, "When I was trapped in that cage, do you think I was just sitting on my hands doing nothing?" Once again, Gaara slapped his hands together, "Sand tsunami!" 

The cliffs surrounding everyone crumbled and became sand. In complete shock by Gaara's power, Sakura watched as the tsunami of sand came tumbling down towards the group. Kankuro lifted Sakura in his arms and leaped away from danger with all his chakra strength. Soon, nothing was left but Gaara standing out in the field on top of his creation. Seimei somehow survived and burst a gust of wind out of the sand to escape. 

Neji said, "He's draining the last of Gaara's chakra."

Sakura of the sand asked, "What, how?" 

Kankuro answered, "Neji can see what we can't with his Byakugan."

Sakura replied, "Incredible." 

Using the sand particles in the air, Gaara formed a Shukaku spear with red markings and chucked it toward Seimei. Once it struck his chest, the metal on his body shattered, leaving him still wearing white robes. 

Seimei panicked, "How did you?" Seimei crumbled into the sandy ground before finishing his sentence, allowing Gaara to bury him deep within the earth, up to six feet below. At that moment, tiny sparkling particles seemed to dissipate from where Seimei had fallen, as if his soul were dissipating into the void. The battle ended, but Gaara, weakened and drained, couldn't remain standing. He collapsed, though he managed to stay conscious.

Sakura, from the Sand Village, rushed to his side, joined by Gaara's elder siblings. With gentle care, Sakura cradled him in her arms as he trembled from weakness. She asked with concern, "Are you alright, Gaara?"

Still shivering from the depletion of his chakra, Gaara replied, "I'll be fine."

The young Suna couple succumbed to exhaustion as the adrenaline rush faded, falling asleep atop a mound of heavy sand. The Konoha Genin arrived and, recognizing the severity of the situation, decided to transport the Suna Genin to Konoha, where they could receive the medical attention and rest they desperately needed. 

Upon waking, she found herself in a hospital bed, three other empty beds scattered with tossed sheets beside her. Temari occupied a mattress on the opposite side of the room while Kankuro fiddled with a box of broken puppet parts nearby. Positioned near the doorway, Gaara, shirtless and bandaged, fixed his gaze on her.

"So, you're awake," Gaara said, his voice soft and concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Thanks," Sakura replied, offering a grateful smile.

Relieved to see Sakura okay, Kankuro turned his head and breathed a sigh of relief. He stood up and joined her in the bed, planting a loving kiss on her lips. From the nightstand, he retrieved a small gift he had purchased in Konoha. A faint blush tinted his cheeks as he said, "I got you something small. I know it's not much, but I wasn't sure what to get you."

With anticipation in the air, Kankuro handed her the neatly wrapped box. Sakura carefully removed the red bow and opened the box, revealing a delightful assortment of strawberries coated in various types of chocolate. There was white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, bacon chocolate, chocolate with nuts, and even caramel chocolate. Sakura's face lit up with joy.

"No, it's perfect. I love strawberries. How did you know?" Sakura asked, genuinely touched by the thoughtful gift.

Kankuro admitted, "I had a little help," glancing at Temari. "But I didn't expect them to go this far. You've grown quite the man, Kankuro."

"I'm just glad everyone is okay," Sakura said, munching on the strawberries.

"Are you really that hungry? You're going to eat them all now?" Temari teased.

"Save some for later. Wait until you're out of the hospital," Gaara added, gently pulling the strawberries away from her.

"You really do have a strawberry addiction," Kankuro chuckled, realizing she was fond of them like someone who loved alcohol.

Kankuro placed the strawberries on the table beside her and checked Sakura's wounds to see if they had healed correctly. However, Sakura had different plans. Playfully, she pulled him into bed with her, and their affectionate gestures quickly escalated into a passionate kiss.

Temari couldn't help but playfully chide them, "Oh my! Get a room, you two."

Gaara smiled, enjoying watching his best friend find someone she really liked, and it happened to be his brother so they could become a real family. Gaara remarked, "Can you two wait until we at least get back to the village this time?" 

Feeling awkward, Kankuro sat back on his bed, gathering his broken puppets into a small bag. He avoided eye contact with everyone, feeling helpless as his beloved puppets had been destroyed in battle. His own injuries were a result of not having their protection. 

"Damn it, what am I doing lying around? I've trained with Granny Chiyo. I should be helping out here in the hospital," Sakura declared, feeling restless.

"Sakura, get back in bed!" Kankuro scolded, worried about her health.

"No, I need to redress all of your wounds and—argh!" Sakura began to say before she suddenly felt weak and started to collapse.

Kankuro acted swiftly, using his sand to gently lift her back onto the bed. A Konoha nurse rushed into the room, immediately noticing that Sakura's wounds were bleeding.

"You mustn't move," the nurse urged. "You've reopened those fresh wounds, and they took quite some time to repair. Let me call someone to tend to this."

"You see what you did," Gaara sighed in frustration.

"We'll give you all new bandages, and then you'll be safe to leave. But please, make sure she doesn't move around too much," the nurse advised.

"Give us a sedative or three, and we can guarantee that," Temari suggested with a smirk.

"Fine, whatever!" Sakura exclaimed.

A medical ninja arrived to tend to Sakura's injuries while the rest of the group helped replace bandages. The room fell into silence, with no one mentioning the people they had killed or the intense battles they had fought.

The following day, Gaara created a comfortable sand bed for Sakura, ensuring she was well-rested and relaxed during her recovery.

"Will you promise to stay still?" Gaara asked, his concern evident.

"I can't promise that if something happens..." Sakura started, but Kankuro interrupted.

"Nurse, we need some tranquilizers for the road," Kankuro said, his tone firm.

"Kankuro!" Sakura exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration.

"We don't want you to hurt yourself," Kankuro stated firmly, emphasizing his worry.

Sakura relented and agreed to take the medication. The three siblings promptly returned to the Sand Village, and Sakura spent three long days recovering. Finally, she awoke in the Suna hospital, greeted by an angry Granny Chiyo. Sakura sat up, avoiding eye contact, clearly unhappy with her waking circumstances.

Granny Chiyo's voice conveyed anger as she scolded Sakura, "Trouble doesn't find you, dear. You find trouble for yourself. Why didn't you run when you saw those rogue Shinobi?" Sakura pouted and crossed her arms defensively, retorting, "No, this time I was targeted, and they were after Gaara and Shukaku. Somehow, they knew about him and managed to infiltrate the village without being detected."

Granny Chiyo let out a weary sigh, her expression reflecting a mix of frustration and disbelief. "I am still trying to piece together what happened, but I suspect some of the council members orchestrated the attack, hoping to eliminate Gaara so they wouldn't have to appoint him as the Kazekage. How disgraceful. The Kazekage's children are here to see you. I'll inform them that you're awake."

Granny Chiyo abruptly stood up and left the room without another word. Sakura reclined on the bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Suddenly, Kankuro entered, his usual bright smile adorning his face. Today, he had decided to forgo his face paint.

"Oh, hey, Kankuro," Sakura greeted him with a shy blush.

"Are you ready to go home tonight?" Kankuro inquired, his eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah, you bet," Sakura replied with a hint of eagerness.

Kankuro gently kissed her on the lips and lovingly stroked her black hair. He said, his voice filled with emotion, "I don't know what I could have done if I lost you."

Sakura blushed and, tapping her forehead to his, whispered, "I know, but I'm okay."

Kankuro helped her prepare to leave the hospital, carrying the necessary supplies and medications. The two of them smiled, relieved to be reunited again. Temari and Gaara had also returned and were accompanied by gardeners to restore the gardens at their home. Kankuro and Sakura settled onto the couch, Sakura cuddling up to him and running her fingers through his hair affectionately as she continued to recover.

"When do you think the elders will make a decision?" Temari wondered aloud.

"After everything we've been through, I expected at least some word from them," Kankuro added, his frustration evident.

"The council of elders mentioned they would announce something today," Gaara explained.

"Be patient," Sakura advised, her giggle lightening the mood.

"Easy for you to say. It took them so long to decide I finally finished repairing both of my puppets," Kankuro complained with a wry grin.

An elder arrived at their house and entered on his own, a bright smile illuminating his aged face. The four eagerly looked at him, their excitement palpable.

"We've made a decision. Head over to the Kazekage's office," he informed them. His announcement met with a rush of anticipation.

The four exchanged smiles, their hearts pounding with anticipation, and quickly made their way to the Kazekage's office. Inside, they found the elders surrounded by stacks of laws, policies, and plans aimed at improving Suna's quality of life.

"Gaara! You are the next and fifth Kazekage," the elder sitting in the office chair declared. "Your strength and leadership have impressed us, and because you are the fourth's strongest child, congratulations."

"Really? But the eldest sibling..." Temari began, expressing her disappointment.

"Don't look at me. I had nothing to do with this. I am as disappointed as you are. I would have been a better Kazekage, but whatever," Kankuro lamented. Sakura reached out and gently grabbed Kankuro's arm to comfort him. She felt bad he didn't become the Kazekage, but she believed the elders had made the correct choice.

"I'm not finished," the elder continued. "Sakura will be your assistant, handling scheduling and everything else you need. Use her as you see fit."

Kankuro gasped in frustration, his voice filled with exasperation, as he yelled, "You're going to use my girlfriend to be my little brother's second-in-command and assistant?"

Gaara couldn't help but smirk at his older brother's outburst. He said, "I requested Sakura as my assistant in case I became Kazekage, as she is my student, and it would make sense for us to work closely together."

Sensing Kankuro's distress, Sakura chimed in, her tone reassuring, "Kankuro, please calm down. Gaara and I are friends, honestly."

Gaara interjected again, offering a solution, "I can appoint you to lead our Counter-Terrorism Division, Kankuro. That will be one of my first tasks as Kazekage. Additionally, I'll work on revising my father's policies for Shinobi recruitment to ensure a fair and just system."

The elder in the room nodded in approval and said, "A great start, Gaara. I'll inform the village so we can plan a ceremony."

In a matter-of-fact tone, Gaara pointed out, "With all due respect, sir, you are sitting in my chair."

Sakura couldn't contain her excitement and joy, squealing as she clung to Gaara's arm. The elderly man sighed and left the room, wisely deciding not to get involved in the sibling rivalry over a girl. Sakura then walked over to his chair and kindly helped him sit down, displaying her graciousness and maturity.

As the elder took his seat, he placed his hands on the desk, meticulously flipped through some paperwork, and scanned the room. His gaze wandered over the framed photos of previous Kazekages neatly arranged on a nearby shelf. Stacks of Allied Agreements with other villages were organized on top of filing cabinets, and a pile of well-organized paperwork rested on the floor nearby. Perched on his lap, Sakura stared out the window behind them, taking in the breathtaking view of their beloved village. The sand siblings and Sakura shared a resolute commitment to safeguarding Suna.

Kankuro, his frustration boiling over, slammed his fists onto the desk and threatened his little brother fiercely, "If you fuck her, I'll make you regret it."

With an exasperated tone, Temari immediately intervened, pulling Kankuro away from Gaara. She scolded him, saying, "Kankuro, stop."

Sakura kept her head down, attempting to stay out of the escalating argument to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Gaara couldn't resist saying, "I am the Kazekage now. I can do whatever I want."

Kankuro swung his fist at Gaara in response, but Temari swiftly intervened, preventing the two from coming to blows. Kankuro growled, attempting to break free and reach Gaara, but his sister held him back. Gaara, still seated in his chair, maintained a calm demeanor with a smirk on his face.

Temari chastised Gaara, saying, "That was completely uncalled for."

Gaara couldn't help but giggle, saying, "Don't worry, Temari. I won't do anything. I just wanted to see his reaction."

Sakura gently grasped Kankuro's hand, noticing how red his face was from fury over Gaara's comment. She led him out of the room into the quiet hallway to help him calm down. Kankuro vented his frustration in the hallway by punching the wall, creating a hole in it. He then turned to Sakura, realizing that his outburst had frightened her. She looked genuinely scared by his display of anger. Kankuro sighed, "I'm sorry, Sakura. I didn't mean for all of that to happen."

Sakura blushed and chuckled, saying, "Actually, I thought it was kinda hot how you defended me like that."

Kankuro's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting that response from her. His cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, and he looked away, focusing on the conference room ahead as he replied, "I told you I'd protect you from him."

Sakura giggled and continued gazing out the window, where the setting sun painted the sky warmly. Her hand rested on Kankuro's chest, and she said, "What are you doing?" Her voice was teasing, causing Kankuro's cheeks to redden even more.

"You're in charge of the Counter-Terrorism Division. That's a powerful responsibility, handling missions involving Chunin and Jonin. I think you deserve a reward," Sakura whispered seductively in his ear. She grabbed his black suit and playfully pulled him into the conference room. Kankuro smiled, willingly closing the door behind them as they shared a private moment.

A feverish make-out led to a quick stripping. Sakura pushed Kankuro onto one of the chairs and sat on him, sensing his penis become rock solid from the weight of his feelings for her. They swirled their tongue around in each other's mouths. He massaged her thighs, tugging off her stockings. With each breath growing heavier, Kankuro couldn't maintain his lust. He lifted her in his arms, locking tongues, then slanted her over the conference table doggy style, controlling her wrists behind her back. Kankuro picked up her stockings and shoved one in her mouth as a gag. Ramming his penis inside raw, humping her like an excited rabbit. The other stocking he used to tie her wrists together and turned her around, perforating it inside as far up as he could to release his little swimmers. Exhausted, he rested his head between her breasts. They lay there catching their breath. 

Temari entered the room with a curious expression as she noticed the closed door. She questioned, "Why is the door closed?"

  Gaara responded with a casual shrug, saying, "How am I supposed to know?"

However, as Temari pushed the door open, her eyes landed on Kankuro and Sakura, wrapped in each other's arms on the wooden conference table. Before Gaara could fully realize what was happening, Temari acted swiftly. She rushed over to her little brother, covered his eyes with her hands, and smirked at the couple.

Turning her attention to Kankuro, Temari teased, "Feeling any better, Kankuro?"

Kankuro's face flushed with embarrassment as he retorted, "Shut up and go away already."

Still laughing at the situation, Temari gently turned Gaara around and led him out of the room, ensuring his innocence remained intact. Kankuro stood back up in relief, releasing a puff of air. Sakura chuckled at Kankuro's embarrassment because, from this day on, their lives had become a little bigger.