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Chapter Thirty-three


Love seemed to become more of a mystery, day by day, for Sakura.

She lived with a child who claimed her affection and attention. She couldn't even fathom the thought of destroying that which had so much life in him. He smiled, he laughed, he played, he considered, he dreamed.

One day, he would love.

And oh how abundantly clear was it to her that Gaara would care and love one day. If she thought deeper on the idea, she was sure Gaara, many others as well, viewed her just the same way.

That she loved.

Never in her life would she imagine to meet her opposite. A man with no regards to those who he should be closest with. A man who would order, who he could, to be rid of his youngest son. A man who took no time to teach Gaara his past errors and lead him down a path of perseverance. The man in front of her, who only stared Sakura straight on as she made claims, was her opposite.

This man hated.

At least, that was the sort of man Rasa had shown himself to be in front of Sakura. That's what was outwardly displayed as he sat behind his desk full of papers instead of sitting at home with his children. But she had looked, and she had learned, and she met the right people that made her finally delve in deeper to understand the man in front of her. So repulsed was she she by his distant display, especially to those who needed him most, his children, that she purposely pushed the cold man from her thoughts. Never did she want to understand a man who never smiled at his children.

Lucky, for Rasa, that had been exactly what he wanted from Sakura. For her to play her role, and leave him and his business alone; she had inadvertently become Rasa's perfect pawn.

...But from his game did she now stop and reevaluate her opponent. She stepped back from that happy, little corner he was driving her into to rethink her move. She now understood Rasa's ulterior motive.

Her strength and wisdom meant so much more to him placing her with his son than it would assigning her work at the hospital or the labs. She realized now, Rasa put her with Gaara not only to protect others from him, but to protect him from others.

From Chiyo's charts she just shared with Sakura, the rosette would learn of Rasa, along with Yashamaru, begging Karura not to go forth sealing a monster inside the baby to come. She would read of the countless nights Rasa spent awake caring for his son, as a baby, when no medical team dared draw near before his uncle took up the task for his sister's sake. And as Sakura replayed in her mind the numerous, countless, of times Rasa informed Sakura over and over not to leave Gaara alone or out of her sights, she began to understand the concern behind those words came for Gaara's sake instead of his people. He had found his loophole around the council's orders through her. She knew now...

Rasa loved.

"Sakura," he finally replied to her accusation. "...Would you care for some tea?"

To this, Sakura sighed lightly. She should have known better to see the man admit to her claims, but she also noted that he didn't rebuttal them. He continued his act, she liked to think, and said nothing as he poured himself a cup. She watched him sip at the warm liquid, smacking his lips some before turning his head to the side of him. He stared out towards the window, watching the setting sun.

"There is not a more beautiful view of a sunset than in this country," he whispered.

Surprising to her, he even looked back at her and drew her attention to follow where he was pointing.

"Tell me," he began, "where you've seen a more colorful sunset, I don't think you could."

Sakura was silent and only glanced at the sun before looking at the man. He continued to stare longingly towards the orange and pink glow while sipping on his tea quietly.

"Now..." he whispered. "If only I could match the village with that beauty."

Sakura swallowed hard, not from the man's words, but instead bracing herself for the argument she was sure to follow.

"I would like to take Gaara with me to visit Konoha."

Her stare on him was hard. She expected a quick refusal, she expected wide eyes filled with anger and surprise, she expected a disgraceful laughter on his part as he pointed out to her that his answer would forever be no. Instead, he continued to stare out towards the window, sipping his tea again before speaking.

"Konoha..." he whispered, with almost a hiss.

Despite this, he spoke loudly with words meant for her to hear.

"Why Konoha?" he asked before turning his chair back around to face Sakura.

His unsettling smirk returned, and it was aimed towards her. Like a predator watching their prey, his fangs eventually showed as he asked with a smile.

"Do you have ties with that village, traveler? Secrets you'd like to share with me?"

Rasa could love, Sakura decided then, but she knew his love didn't proceed towards her, and he was still looking for whispers to help keep this village from crumbling any more. He was, and never would be, looking out for her best interest. So, to his question, Sakura shook her head, trying to keep her demeanor calm.

"I understand you're low with certain supplies for your greenhouse. I was going to offer my services to retrieve the specimens, but only if Gaara can accompany me."

"Ah, that's right," Rasa said. "Baki had told me you were the one to save Ken'ichi."

Sakura's eyes went round. Baki had led her to believe he wanted to keep her help a secret just as much as she had wished.

"Baki came here requesting I place you on the team, or place you in the hospital instead of with Gaara," Rasa continued.

He stared up at Sakura then, once again smirking at her somewhat shocked features.

"Something tells me that isn't what you want… Nor do I," he whispered. "You can only imagine what humiliation it brings me knowing you saved someone my medical team couldn't. You, who I know nothing about. You, who came here claiming you're tied to no village. Do you know how frustrating it is knowing the rest of the world is so far more advanced outside my home?"

Sakura was quiet, and could somewhat sympathize the man's words then. She, too, had once felt so behind. Behind Sasuke, behind Naruto, with no idea how to reach their level. Luckily for her, she had found her path, making her the strong woman she was today. Luckier for Rasa, even if he would be gone before it happened, it would be Gaara to better the village.

As Sakura kept silent, Rasa decided best to return to her question.

"And the reason to bring Gaara along would be..." Rasa murmured, ushering Sakura to reveal what the true intent here was.

To which, Sakura sighed again. She could elaborate the important role she had with the boy. That he listened to her more than others, that she was the only one who had a means to control his mood swings. But then, she thought, he would easily dismiss her saying that he didn't need her, and would instead send another one of his men to retrieve the items, or ask Konoha to send one of theirs. So, instead, she spoke a far more important reason why. A reason she felt more true to her heart.

"I want to show him what is outside the walls," she spoke clearly. "I want to show him the world his mother wanted him to see."

Her words had manage to freeze Rasa for a moment, holding his cup still on his parting lips, before he composed himself and downed the warm liquid again. Sakura knew then Rasa was well aware of the words written by Karura in her song for her children.

"I see," he answered her before setting the cup back under him.

After that, he was quiet for some time, and Sakura's heart raced watching the man actually considering her request. Yet, it would only take a few seconds longer before even he realized his foolishness for absorbing her words, and he began to snicker before rubbing his temple.

"This..." he murmured before opening his eyes towards the rosette. "This can't be why the reason you came here, Sakura. Even you should be able to see the extremity of what you're asking for. Gaara's acts would lead to war."

Sakura balled her fingers to fists then, eyes narrowing at the man. Yes, she understood the danger Gaara could be. If the release of Shukaku, or if Gaara's sand made any attempt on someone important, inside of Konoha happened she was well aware the consequences to come.

"I'd take responsibility," she told them then. "If something happens let their punishment fall onto me."

Rasa sighed.

"Sometimes that solution is not so simple-" he began before Sakura cut him off.

"Gaara will do no harm there!" she claimed, placing her hand on her chest. "That is something I can promise! He behaves with me. He listens to me. He knows what would be expected of him if he is allowed to go."

She watched as Rasa closed his eyes and began rubbing his temple hard. He groaned loudly before speaking.

"Sakura, just when I think you can't surprise me anymore by saying, or asking for, something more stupid, here you are now."

Sakura grounded her teeth to his undermining words.

"There will be a day Gaara will go outside these walls regardless whether you allow him to or not!" Sakura yelled. "Would you rather him do it alone, or with someone who has been capable to keep him check?!"

Rasa sighed again, turning his eyes once more towards the sunset. By now, twilight was disappearing, and the stars and moon were awaking. He remained quiet, seconds turning into minutes.

"Karura would want Gaara to see the beauty of the world."

"Please," Rasa suddenly whispered, and it was his manner that made Sakura's eyes widen. "Speak no more of Karura with me, Sakura. It is a wound still."

The pain was more than evident in his words, and it hit Sakura hard knowing how much this man had loved his wife. She couldn't imagine being placed in his shoes, knowing she had lost someone so dear to her like Sasuke or Naruto.

"Then let me instead fall back to your promise. The one you made when you ordered me to watch Gaara."

To her words, Rasa turned his head back to meet her eyes somewhat.

"Help me and I will help you, that's what you said. I had no intention of asking for anything when it came to helping Gaara, but if this is something you'll give me, than I ask you reward me now for doing all I have done for your son. Or at least let this be your thanks for saving Ken'ichi," Sakura spoke, crossing her arms.

Rasa simply blinked at her before turning his eyes once more back towards the sunset.

"You know..." he began after sometime. "Today is the anniversary."

Sakura blinked, unsure what his words had meant.

'Anniversary?' she thought, trying to pinpoint this date.

Yet, the more she dawdled on the thought in silence, in answer came to her and her eyes widened in surprise and whipped fast to stare at Rasa's back.

'Could he mean today is the same date Karura died all those years ago. Then it's Gaara's…!'

"You would need to be gone and back before the council even realizes Gaara is outside of Suna."

Sakura's thoughts vanished as she heard Rasa begin explaining to her. Had he just agreed? Her heart began to race so fast then, and she strained her ringing ears to here Rasa's demands.

"There will be a date I expect you to return," he told her. "If you two are not back by that date then I'll send my men after you and treat this as a kidnapping. Wherever I find you, whether it be Konoha or somewhere else, I'll assume your ties with them and hold them responsible as well."

Rasa turned to face Sakura then, his stern, apathetic gaze returning.

"I don't think I need to remind you how serious of a crime it is considered kidnapping the Kazekage's child. Let alone the one who hosts the Ichibi."

Sakura could barely control her emotions then, and even despite his warning, despite his words, a grin formed across her face.

"No Sir!" she replied ecstatically.

Yet, despite her gaze, Rasa remained unmoved.

"Stop by the hospital to see what they are in need of from Konoha, or what requests Konoha has made from us. Make yourself a list, and I'll work on the paperwork and your passports. You'll depart as soon as all that is ready, do I need to repeat?"

Sakura shook her head, still unable to contain her smile.

"No," she smiled. "No, I understand completely."

Rasa would be silent staring at Sakura's smile for some time, falling back to Baki's words from long ago.

"She will smile in his direction."

Naive, foolish, time would change her, Rasa had these thoughts at the time. Gaara would show her his dark path, and he expected her to run away at any given day. Only was it now, he realized, she still had her smile.

'Karura,' he thought to himself. 'Let this be what you want for our child.'

He tried to give himself strength through his late wife's wishes. For how big of a mistake this could all possibly turn out. Yet, before his second thoughts could overturn his decision, he ushered the girl away.

"You're dismissed," Rasa told her before turning back to the papers under him.

"Thank you," Sakura whispered. "Thank you so much. You don't realize how much this will mean to Gaara."

Rasa only swallowed upon hearing those words. He remained silent working on his papers still.

"Go, the boy should not have been left on his own."

Sakura understood then the underlying message, taking one last look at the man.

"Thank you, Rasa."

Before his eyes could even find hers, Sakura was out the door and back on the streets. She still couldn't contain the smile of her face, and swore she had a few skips to her run back home. She grinned and chuckled to herself as she realized she had won the battle.

'I did it!' she thought happily. 'We can go to Konoha with nothing to worry about. I can show Gaara the cherry blossoms. I can get the scroll and go back home!'

Yet, to that last thought, her steps slowed until she completely stopped. She stood there, frozen, in the sandy road as her eyes tracked the grains under her.

"I can go home."

She repeated these words not because of the importance, but because, for the first time of thinking this thought once again in her mind, her heart ached gravely. Even the thoughts of her friends and family back home, who were probably anxiously looking for her now, wasn't strong enough to push the image down of Gaara's sad face when she said her final goodbye.

"I can go home," she repeated, trying hard to find the joy in that.

Instead she saw the little boy desperately reaching for her.

"Back to my family."

She could see his eyes watering.

"Back to my friends."

She could see him shaking as tears rolled down his face.

"Back to Naruto."

She could see him wailing and begging her not leave him all alone.

"Back to Sasuke-kun."

She could see the hurt she would do to him.

"Gaara."

Sakura sighed, finally forcing her slow steps to return her back to the little boy. She reminded herself that the scroll was not an absolute answer, that she may be wrong that the small parchment held any significance to her time travel. She did this not only to prepare herself for disappointment, but because the thought of Gaara sunk her spirits. She told herself then not to think of it now, that as soon as she was certain she would be able to return home she would prepare the boy so that he understood her goodbye. All of this needn't happen until after their return from Konoha.

'Smile,' she told herself as she approached Gaara's room. 'This is a happy moment! You can show Gaara Konoha without any worries.'

She did force a smile, and only did it turn genuine when she watched Gaara's door opening before she even knocked, and to her did the little boy with red hair run and embrace her with a smile of his own. He buried his head into her, and she stroked his messy, red locks before speaking.

"Did you behave and listen to your brother and sister?"

Not pulling back from the hug, the boy answered with a nod of his head instead of verbally replying.

"You're a good boy, Gaara. Thank you for waiting for me and listening to your older siblings." Sakura murmured, still stroking his hair.

Time moved, but the boy didn't, and Sakura sighed with a smile.

"Will you let me go now? There's something I need to look for."

He answered her with a shake of his head, and his hug tightening.

"Fine," Sakura told him. "Have it your way."

Sakura began using her feet to pick the boy's feet on top of her own and carried his weight back towards the room. The boy pulled his head back then and laughed to the action. Once in the room was when Gaara released Sakura, and the rosette turned her eyes to the other children. Kankuro's eyes brightened like Gaara's upon seeing her, and even Temari had a small glimmer of relief shine to her return.

"Welcome back, Sakaasan," Kankuro grinned.

Before Sakura could reply, Gaara was tiptoeing his way back towards his brother with wonder in his mind.

"Why do you call her that?" Gaara asked his brother curiously. "It's not Saakasan, it's Sa-ku-ra."

The older boy blushed to Gaara's teaching, and he blustered at the small boy.

"I know that! It's a nickname. Nick-name!" he huffed.

To Kankuro's tone, Gaara sneered.

"I don't like it. Quit using it."

As the two boy's bickered, Sakura knelt down to Temari's sitting position.

"Leave him alone, Kankuro!" the girl scolded before turning to meet with Sakura.

"Did he behave?" Sakura asked.

Temari hummed in thought, turning her eyes towards the gourd.

"Some of his sand came out once you left, and he seemed scared and just waited by the door for you."

Despite her troubling words, Temari smiled lightly while watching her brother's yell at one another still.

"-But Kankuro just took his hand and led him back to play, and everything was alright after that."

Sakura grinned as she imagined the scenario Temari just explained before the blonde lifted an eyebrow towards Sakura. Despite what Sakura imagined of Temari earlier, a little girl trying to push herself into the adult world, the rosette realized then that Temari might actually teeter more closely to her world of understanding than she initially thought.

"Everything is alright?" the girl asked.

Temari, still a little vague as to what it was Sakura needed addressed, had her assumption that it had been her father Sakura went to but she couldn't be clear on the thought unless Sakura told her so.

'More than alright,' Sakura thought on her mind.

Instead of saying that though, she leaned in to whisper to the girl.

"It's Gaara's birthday."

She expected the girl's eyes to light up some to the idea, but alas, Temari only smiled sadly towards the ground quietly. It was then Sakura realized that Temari was just as aware as the anniversary today as much as their father ha been by her glum smile. Yet, the girl offered an explanation.

"I suppose this day always held one meaning for me growing up," Temari murmured before her eyes fell back towards her brothers. "But...I'll be sure to remember the other from now on."

Temari turned to offer a sheepish smile towards Sakura, hoping the rosette could sense her sincere change. Of course, Sakura smiled back, nodding approvingly to Temari's words of wisdom.

"I'm sure Gaara wants to remember what this day is for his mother as well now."

Temari nodded with a simple reply.

"Un."

Only after did Sakura pick herself up, and began reaching for a bag she had secretly hid. Though finished long ago, only now did she pull out the blue object she had once feverishly worked on for days.

"It's so tiny," Sakura mumbled, cradling it in her hand.

She had been creating a stuffed bunny. The idea had struck her the first time she watched that obnoxious video alongside Gaara. It had been the first time she had seen Gaara's eyes shine in awe as he stared at that rabbit superhero, and she was quick buying supplies and gathering what help she could into creating the little thing. Yet, even if she purposely made the doll look differently than the one in the video, she grimaced at its size and obvious flaws. One ear was longer than the other, it's legs were different lengths, and one of his arms had more stuffing than the other. She was surprised the simple small beads that were its eyes had continued to hang on as they jostled to the slightest of movement. Not to mention, the doll itself brought back a painful thought. Memories of Annaisha guiding Sakura onto its creation danced in her mind suddenly, and the rosette had to swallow hard to cast the brunette out of her mind.

"This is pathetic," Sakura chuckled at herself.

Yet, it was all she had. So, even if the option to go out and return with something crossed her mind, or the chance to start anew and making something better presented itself, she decided the doll would have to make due for now as the day was already coming to an end. Not to mention, she still had one more present to share with him. One she was sure he would be enthusiastic about.

Sakura called to the boy, beckoning him to come near. She hid the small toy in her hands, behind her back, and smiled as Gaara's cautious stare tried to decipher whatever it was Sakura was aiming to do.

"Come closer," she told him as he took a step away from her.

Still cautious of the hate-filled world, still wary that hands hidden behind backs held daggers, he drew close to Sakura from her call. With her, there were no worries, and his forwardness was rewarded as soon as she opened her hands to show off the doll in her palm. Gaara said nothing staring at the small toy, but to ease some of Sakura's worries, she was glad to see the boy's eyes light up to the new toy. Despite his intelligence, Gaara was still a child who saw no flaw in a plaything.

"That's a tiny rabbit," he commented, still not taking the toy from Sakura.

"It's yours," Sakura replied.

She smiled at him as Gaara's eyes looked up towards Sakura. She could see him grin appreciatively.

"I made it. Just for you."

Now his eyes twinkled with amusement.

"You made this...When?"

Despite the question, his hands reached for the small, blue bunny, and he cradled it gently against his chest before looking back up towards Sakura. To his question, Sakura hummed a little. For the doll had taken up lots of her time. Lots. And she realized just how fast time was passing her. She had started this small project of hers with a selfless heart. She had made this toy long before she had gained the boy's full trust. Once upon a time, when she first began pulling needle through blue fabric, Gaara still glared at the rosette without trust. Yet, even if she was aware of his distaste towards her, she continued to do her best simply to watch the little boy's smile and eye's light up like they were now, even if it meant just for a brief moment.

Even back then she had enough heart in her to try to make a sad little boy feel just a little bit better.

Fast-forward to now, and the thought of Gaara now, so sweet, so kind, so appreciative towards her made Sakura gently smile towards the boy.

"Not that long ago," she lied. "I made it real quick for you."

More selfless words, for she didn't want to trouble the boy into thinking her small project had been tedious and strenuous for her. Gaara turned his eyes back towards the doll, staring at it quietly. Sakura's heart melted as she watched the boy give the small bunny a tight hug.

"Thank you, Sakura," he spoke as he turned his towards her.

"You're welcome, Gaara," she told him.

She was happy to see, despite its many flaws, that Gaara continued to stare down at the doll with admiration and a smile. As he continued to stare at it, Sakura used the moment to kneel down to his level. His eyes didn't go to her until she reached for him. His gaze widened as Sakura slowly dragged the boy towards her and embraced him tightly. He nestled his head against her shoulder as she sighed in content to the embrace. It was almost too perfect of a moment for her; His siblings were by his side. He was finally given good recognition from others. He knew of his mother's love. His father was going to allow them to visit Konoha soon. Above all of that, he was happy.

Gaara was happy.

Time had helped change him. In her mind, could Sakura picture the confused, angry, scared little boy who she met sitting on the bed. His father telling him who she was, and her role to him now. Never would she have thought her teachings and affection would lead up to his point as he too sighed in contentment at Sakura's hold.

He grinned.

He smiled.

He laughed.

He showed emotions.

Time had changed him, and as Sakura thought more on this, she realized he wasn't the only one who had changed. She had wanted nothing to do with the boy in the beginning. Not because she held distaste for Gaara, but simply because she knew of the man he would one day be. Gaara had found his place without her, and she instead focused on a way to return home. Despite her goal remaining the same, the thought of ever ignoring the boy's pleas now like she had in the beginning made her stomach twist painfully in a knot.

Time had changed her. It had given her guidance and love in outlet to a once sad, lonely boy who clung onto her, and while she would call the Gaara of her time an ally and nothing more, she would forever call this little boy one of her best friends. She had learned to selflessly put aside some of her priorities just to make a small child smile and laugh even when she knew he didn't need her for that.

She had changed. He had changed.

They had become a better person through one another, and time.

Even with one another, time had become their next ally along with growth.

Time had been wonderful to them, and even manipulated itself to give these two a happier story.

Even as it continues to tick, threatening to change it all with every passing second, time lets them smile now while holding each other.

"Happy Birthday, Gaara."

Her whisper to him made him gasp and open his eyes. He even pulled back from her hold, just to make sure her eyes held truth.

"It's my birthday?" he asked, surprised Sakura's aware of the date.

She nodded with a smile, and Gaara couldn't help but turn his eyes towards his sister then. Even if Sakura had wished him a happy birthday, he expected ill eyes to look towards him for what he had stolen this day years ago. Yet, from Temari, the girl smiled gently.

"Happy Birthday, Gaara," Temari said. "Let's have a big party for your next one!"

'Party? Next one? You'll be there by my side still?' he thinks, still unbelieving that he is given smiles on this day.

Despite his questions, he remains silent, this time turning to Kankuro just to be sure there is no sneer from his big brother. After all, it wasn't that long ago they were willing in their minds to trade Gaara back for their mother. However, as he spots Kankuro's giant, toothy grin, Gaara's eyes grow even more round.

"Happy Birthday, Gaara," Kankuro chuckles before placing his hands behind his head. "Show me your doll later and I'll make it dance for you!"

Kankuro fidgets his fingers, showing Gaara what he means by his words.

At all of these smiles and wishes, Gaara turns his head back down to the doll in his hands. He is quiet for some time, pursing his lips some before jumping towards Sakura and initiating the hug this time.

"Thank you!" he cried loudly, holding her tighter with the passing seconds. "Thank you so much, Sakura."

It is then, Sakura realized, that Gaara is thanking her for so much more than just the doll in his hands.

So, so much more. And as he will learn later, she still has so much more to give.

Sakura kept her voice quiet the rest of the night, watching and laughing along with the children instead as they played together and teased one another. Even Sakura sneaked away to bring them all back a sweet treat to celebrate Gaara's knew age. There is no reprimand from the woman tonight as she allows them to indulge and stay awake late into the night with treats and loud laughter.

Eventually the two children grew tired, despite protests they are not, and Sakura convinced them to return to their beds, but not before they have said their peace.

"Goodnight, Sakura," Temari speaks first, and she is surprised the girl reaches her for a hug. "Thank you for always listening to me."

Temari bids her youngest brother another congratulations, and hugs him tightly while wishing him good night. It will be the first time she does this, but she also gives Gaara a small peck on his cheek. She and Sakura chuckle as Gaara's eyes widen to the act, and he becomes stiff. The faintest of pink lights up his cheeks, but he says nothing and only moves again to be rid of his blush once he hears his brother mumble.

"Gross! Why do girl's always want to kiss? It's nasty!"

Kankuro comes next to Gaara, and everyone is surprised to see him pull his brother in for a hug.

"Thanks for always playing with me, Gaara. Happy Birthday," Kankuro tells him.

And Gaara thinks it ironic that his brother is thanking him. Him. It should be the other way around, with him thanking Kankuro. However, Gaara remains quiets, and watches his brother pull away to turn to Sakura.

"Goodnight, Sakaasan," Kankuro tells her.

"Goodnight, Kankuro," Sakura speaks while kneeling her face close towards the boy.

Before the brunette can even ask what it is she is doing, Sakura plants a gentle kiss of her own on Kankuro's cheek. Like Gaara, the boy's eyes round, and he is frozen by Sakura's kiss. It is Temari and Sakura once again giggling to the boy's response.

"You don't look that grossed out, Kankuro," Temari mocks him before grabbing his hand and leading him back to their rooms.

"S-Shut up!" Kankuro cries as he pulls his hand away from Temari. "It was different that time!"

Sakura smiles, watching the two children disappear down the hall before closing the door behind them.

Now that she is alone with Gaara, Sakura can barely contain her excitement as she grins towards Gaara at the thought of the news she is about to share with him. She kneels to him, waving her hand to bring him closer.

"Come here," she tells him.

And he comes, eyes curious as he knows the woman has something suddenly important to tell him.

"I have another present for you," Sakura smiles.

"Is-is it a kiss too?" he asks sheepishly.

Sakura laughs then.

"No," she tells him before taking a hold his hands.

Despite his secret wish then, Gaara continues to smile as Sakura holds their hands up together. For her, the act is just routine as she is about to relay good news. For Gaara though, who stares at their embrace, her touch is so much more meaningful, yet his eyes do fall up towards the woman eventually, and he shows off his biggest grin yet as she tells…

"I'm taking you to see the cherry blossoms!"