Chapter Twelve:
Return to the Desert
Before they knew it three days went by. During that Sakura had to stay home to recover so she couldn't go and show Gaara the village like she wanted to. Even so Gaara didn't leave the house either even if Sakura told him he would but only for a short period of time. Gaara was fine talking to Sakura while she stayed in her room since he already recovered on the second day.
"I want to get out of this room" Sakura thought out loud as she laid on her bed looking at the ceiling. She felt fine as long she didn't move too much or gets hurt. "Now Sakura" she turned her head to see Yumi next to her "You know you cant exactly do that yet. Your body still has the effect of the Shadows. Now the more you rest the quicker you'll get better" She told while getting the nearby chair to sit next to her. "But I feel fine I don't feel any pain." Sakura told her as she sat up demonstrating her point. Yumi gave off a smile 'Good to know that she's healing quicker than expected'. "Sakura" Yumi said as stood up "Okay you win you can get out of bed and play." Sakura sat up quickly smiling "Yay" she said as she off her bed and was finally standing. She gave out a stretch as saw Yumi took out some papers. "Sakura I got a question for you" she asked the little girl who was listening. "Do you want be a ninja? Like me, Sora, and your uncle?" Sakura's face lightened as she nodded. She wanted to became a ninja since years ago. "Yes!" she said happily. Yumi gave off a smile "Why?" Sakura asked. Yumi kept smiling as she said "Oh just wondering" she said as she opened the door. "Come on now lets go to the village before we leave back to Suna in a couple of hours. Sakura nodded as she ran next to her.
They were coming down the stairs as they saw the siblings of Gaara. They stopped and both said hello to them politely giving a small bow. Sakura stood behind her female Guardian she didn't exactly know them other than their names. They came in her room once while Gaara was gone with his uncle. They only came to wish for to get well soon and soon after they had a small talk. It was a pleasant chat they had but they left because she had to sleep. "Hello to both of you as well. I hope you enjoyed this place while your father had his meetings." They both nodded and looked at Sakura. She hid more "we were about to go into town right now to do some walking around if you'll like to join us" Yumi offered they stood quiet until one spoke softy. "Is Gaara coming?" the boy named Kankuro asked. "No he's with his uncle who is also in the village doing some errands for your father at the moment when they return is when we leave back to Suna" she told softly. A small smile lit up on their faces. "We''ll like to go see the village" the girl named Tamari said.
They were all walking down the streets of the leaf village as they started to pass the park. Sakura stopped and looked at the park it was empty like always. When she lived here she would always go to the park since it looked hidden. She would play by herself on the swing and she was fine with it to once in a while she'll do her homework there since it nice and quiet or read a bit. But that was until a kid followed her there and then soon after they claimed the park picking on her if she ever stepped foot on it. She was now picked on in school grounds and at the park so she now only had her backyard. That's when the Cherry Blossom tree became her favorite. She kept thinking of the past until she heard a voice say "Do you miss this place?" she turned to see the girl next to her. Sakura looked down and nodded. "This is a nice little village" she said looking around "It has a lot of green plants here and it's not hot like it is in Suna." She told her giving her a small smile. Sakura gave back a small smile "I'm glad to know that your enjoying your stay here" she told her. Tamari nodded as they both looked behind them to see Yumi talking to Kankuro in front of a stand across from them. "So your my little brother's friend right?" she asked her. Sakura looked at her 'little brother?' she thought then she remembered the day when she gave Gaara her ribbon he told her that he had two siblings she must be his sister. "So your Gaara's sister?" she asked as Tamari was a bit surprised. "huh?" she said then it hit her "Oh well it seems he already you then" she said smiling "Yes im his older sister Tamari" She pointed to the boy "That thing you see over there is also my brother Kankuro" Sakura gave out a small laugh at hearing her calling her brother a thing. "What its true" Tamari said "He likes dolls lot like a girl does!" they both started laughing.
"Whats so funny?" They both heard behind them to see the other boy. "Well?" he was looking at both of them. "Oh nothing Kankuro just telling Sakura that you like dolls that's all" she started to giggle a bit. "They are NOT dolls" Kankuro said waving his hands around "There puppets!" He said. The girls started laughing at his small blush which told them he was embarrassed. "It's okay Kankuro I wont tell anyone" Sakura said catching her breath. Kankuro stood there in defeat. He only nodded as he he gave of an embarrassed smile "ok" he said. Yumi walked up behind him smiling like always "Now then kids do you want to meet with your Father or want to wait for him at the house?" the two sibling looked at Yumi then at each other then down. "Um" Kankuro started "Lets wait at the house" Tamari finished for him. Yumi nodded "okay then lets get going then" She started to walk back as the trio of kids followed her. Since the road to the house was straying from the village it had the forest on both sides in which the kids took advantage of. "Now children don't wonder off okay?" Yumi told the three kids playing with each other ahead of her. It didn't take them long to reach their destination after they entered they all sat down. "Welcome back" Clarie told them as she closed the door. Their bags were in the living room as Yumi put the items she purchased on the table. She took them out and went to the backyard.
"It shouldn't be long for your Father to be here." Claire told the siblings as she sat herself on the couch. The backyard door opened and Yumi came in. "Sakura" she called out as Sakura poked her head out from the couch "Go check your room and look towards the window. She nodded as she ran up stairs. She opened the door to see nothing. She went to the window and looked out to see the tree it was normal she couldn't see anything out of the ordinary she kept looking around until she opened the window and she poked her head out she looked down see nothing. "Oh its gone now" Yumi told her from below "It was a wild animal but I guess it ran away now" Yumi told as she nodded. She closed the window and was starting to exit the room she used to be in. As she closed the door she got one last look at the tree that was on the wall decoration it with petals from it's flowers. She went downstairs to hear the door open. She looked to see Sora with her uncle and they were with Gaara's father come in. "Now then is everyone here and ready to leave?" the Kazekage asked. "No Yashamaru is not here with your son Gaara" Sakura noticed that he twitched a bit at the word 'son'.
"No were here" They turned to see Yashamaru standing next to Yumi. Sakura heard a little noise next to her she turned to see Gaara standing there. "Hey Gaara" she said with a smile on her face. Gaara smiled and nodded at her. "Well then we are off" Yumi said walking away getting her's and Sakura's bag. They all left the house as they walking away Sakura couldn't help but keep looking behind her as she was walking. "Are you okay Sakura?" she heard Gaara ask her. She looked ahead and nodded she was sad because of what happened she spent most of the time in her room recovering. She gave out a small sigh "I'll be fine Gaara I just hope that I can come back again" she looked up at him. He had a worried expression on is face as gave off a small smile "Don't worry then I'm sure you'll come again." he said to her. She gave him a smile "Your right I just got to wait again." she said giving off a small laugh. The whole day the group was talkative as the sun was passing by in the sky. It was very peaceful during the night. Sakura stayed up with her friend by the fire. Then the next day they were off again it was a pleasant day the wind was blowing gently and the sun was shining brightly on the road they were on. The rest of the trip back to Suna was great nothing happened.
Finally they spotted the gates coming into view. When they finally entered Suna it was time to split ways. "Well then once again we thank you for your services" the Kazekage told Sora and Joseph. "I'll see you later Gaara" Sakura told him as he had a frown on his face. "What's wrong?" she asked him. He looked up "Can.. Can I get one more hug before you leave home?" He asked lowly. Sakura smiled "Sure" she told him as she gave a big hug. Gaara hugged her back. When she let go he let go and saw her run off to her group. She was waving at him and he waved back.
Once they finally arrived at the house they all entered. They all sat down on the sofas. "So" Clarie said to Sakura "What did your little friend tell you at the gates? hm?" she said with a little smile while petting her head. "Nothing really he just wanted a hug before I left that's all" Sakura told her as her face had a big smile. Sora and Joseph ,who were in the background, looked at each other with a shocked expression. "Oh how cute!" she exclaimed "I had a feeling that was the case with him!" She said while jumping with joy. "Now Clarie" Yumi said next to her putting her arm over her shoulder "I known that was his feeling since some time now." She let out a laugh. "What! Why didn't you tell me?!" Claire started to playfully hit Yumi on the shoulder as she kept on laughing. "Wait wait wait a minute here" Sora said at the two women ,they stopped and looked at him, "So you mean to tell me that Sakura's friend Gaara is actually in..." Joseph stood up "It appears so Sora" Joseph said as he walked and stopped next to him. He put his arm on his shoulder as he leaned. "In love" Sakura kept looking at the adults around her. "What's love?" she asked them. They stood silent and looked at her confused face. "hahaha oh Sakura you'll understand one day" Sora said as Joseph nodded. "Oh how adorable!" Claire said hugging Yumi ,who was unfortunate to be next to her still, "Gaara the great Kazekage's son!" she said as she hugged harder. "Air... air..." Yumi said with the little breath she had. "Oh whoops" Clarie said letting go. Yumi took a deep breath and once again smiled. Claire was still jumpy with joy at first she was terrified of Gaara even the mere mention of his name made her shiver but after whats been happening she lost fear. "Now then Sakura you go wash up and straight to bed because tomorrow we are going to do some shopping for school!" Clarie told her as Sakura nodded and exited the room.
"I cant believe it" Sora said sitting back down "I didn't expect this to happen" he looked at the people. "Oh brother you say it like it's a bad thing!
Claire said trying to cheer him up sitting next to him. "Well he does have a point" Joseph said as leaned against the wall. "If it's true that he's in love then there could be negative consequences to this. For instance he would lose control more easily and quicker since it is most likely anger will help it therefore making it harder to stop him." Joseph put his hand on his chin "hmm" he said. "Of enough worrying you two" Yumi said putting her hands up "I have been observing how Gaara treats her and as well other people. They don't seem to be harmful aside from the time where she was beaten it seemed that the people of this village have learned not to harm her. Besides if she's with him not only will they have fun together playing but it will also benefit us."
"Oh how so?" Claire asked. "His demon" Yumi stated. Everyone went silent "Like I said before I have observed how he is and as you are all aware of my special ability is able to see a person's mind. I seen Gaara's when I first saw him when he attacked Sakura and I saw his demon at first I thought it posed a great threat to her but as time went on and the more I got to know Gaara I noticed his demon was softening with her. It's strange really since it would growl at everyone even at me but at Sakura it would be silent. But however," she sat down "When the attack happened days ago... I saw his demon not angry but it had a murderous energy to it. Just like Gaara's expression when he yelled at the 'Shadows' to give Sakura back." She leaned back "I know it sounds crazy but now that i'm thinking more about it maybe the demon accepted her" Everyone was shocked at what she was saying but that wasn't all she all to say "Remember how he battled sand appeared out of nowhere." Joseph spoke up. "Not exactly. Sand follows him because of the demon." Yumi nodded "That explains it."
"Oh poor things" Claire said "Then what will happen to them?" Sora patted his sister's back "Don't worry sis you can take Yumi's words to heart she only speaks the truth when speaking about her ability." Claire gave a sigh and then put on a smile. "Ok brother" she replied. "But still" Sora continued "I was speechless when he fought all those things by himself too. They all were all defeated by him alone. I can only image how much stronger he'll get when he grow older. Poor kid he fought until he was out of breath then with the little to no energy he had left went back to Sakura and passed out next to her." they all nodded. "Did you all see how he grabbed ahold of her hand?" Yumi was the only one who nodded. "I saw and it only confirmed what I thought about his feelings." Yumi said. Joseph walked and sat down "I cant believe it though... Remember when we told him right before everything happened?" Clarie and Sora stood quiet and looked down. "Told him what?" Yumi said leaning forward. "oh right you werent there" Yumi was getting annoyed "Tell me Joseph as one of her Guardians I need to know. What did you tell him? Because before Sakura 'died' Gaara was hugging her while crying his heart out." Joseph was shocked. "He was crying?" he asked as Yumi nodded. "Yes he was now What do you tell him?" Joseph sighed and looked down "Alright I'll tell you." he said as he looked at her in the eyes.
Hello. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This is by far one of the most longest chapters that I typed within a day. Well then I hope you been enjoying the story as it is now going to start to reveal some things that have to do with the past as well as the present and future. If you want me to continue then please let me know.
