Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Bound by Threads
The sun hung low over the horizon as Sakura, Naruto, and Kankuro made their way through the rocky borderlands toward Suna. Kankuro had insisted they accompany him back to the Hidden Sand, his expression uncharacteristically serious after the battle with Shiroku.
“We need to figure this out,” Kankuro had said earlier, his voice firm. “Shiroku isn’t just a rogue puppeteer—he’s dangerous, and his techniques are only the tip of the iceberg. You’re coming back with me.”
Sakura had hesitated, glancing at Naruto, who gave her an encouraging nod. “It’s fine, Sakura-chan,” he’d said. “Gaara’s your friend, right? We’ll sort this out together.”
The journey to Suna was quiet, tension hanging in the air like an unspoken question. Kankuro remained ahead of them, his expression unreadable, while Naruto tried to keep things light with stories and jokes that fell flat in the heavy atmosphere. Sakura’s thoughts, however, were elsewhere.
The Shadows of Suna
When they arrived at Suna, the village was bathed in the golden glow of twilight, its sandstone buildings shimmering like an oasis amidst the desert. Gaara was waiting for them at the gates, his expression calm but his green eyes sharp as they scanned the group.
“Kankuro,” he greeted his brother with a nod before turning to Sakura and Naruto. “Welcome.”
“Thanks for letting us come,” Naruto said, offering a grin. “We need all the help we can get with this Shiroku guy.”
Gaara’s gaze lingered on Sakura for a moment longer than necessary, his expression softening. “It’s good to see you again.”
Sakura felt her cheeks warm under his steady gaze. “You too, Gaara.”
Kankuro cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “We need to talk, Gaara. Privately.”
Gaara nodded, gesturing for them to follow him. “Come inside. We’ll discuss this further.”
Inside the Kazekage’s residence, the group convened in a spacious chamber with high ceilings and walls adorned with maps of the Land of Wind. Kankuro immediately launched into a detailed recounting of the battle with Shiroku, emphasizing the sophistication of the rogue puppeteer’s techniques.
Gaara listened intently, his expression thoughtful. When Kankuro mentioned Sakura’s chakra and its resemblance to Sasori’s, Gaara’s gaze shifted to her, his brow furrowing slightly.
“I want to hear from you, Sakura,” Gaara said, his voice calm but firm. “What’s going on?”
Sakura hesitated, her heart racing as all eyes turned to her. She could feel Sasori’s presence in the back of her mind, his voice a low hum of irritation.
“Tell them the truth,” Sasori said, his tone sharp. “Let them see how far you’ve come.”
Sakura took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. “I’ve been studying chakra threads and puppetry. It’s a... skill I’ve been developing for a while now. But it’s my own. I haven’t stolen anything from Suna.”
Kankuro’s eyes narrowed. “Your own? Don’t lie to me. Your movements, your precision—they’re Sasori’s techniques. How did you learn them?”
“I didn’t—” she began, but Kankuro interrupted, his voice rising.
“Don’t insult me, Sakura! Sasori’s work is Suna’s legacy. If you’ve been stealing from us, you need to explain yourself.”
“Kankuro,” Gaara said sharply, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “That’s enough.”
Kankuro glared at his brother but fell silent, his jaw clenched tightly. Gaara turned back to Sakura, his expression softening.
“Sakura has always acted with integrity,” Gaara said firmly. “If she says her techniques are her own, I believe her.”
Sakura’s chest tightened at his words, gratitude and guilt swirling within her. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Kankuro’s gaze, but she felt the weight of his suspicion pressing down on her.
A Moment Alone
After the meeting, Gaara asked Sakura to stay behind while Naruto and Kankuro left the room. She watched them go, her nerves fraying under the tension that still lingered. When they were alone, Gaara stepped closer, his expression soft but unreadable.
“I’m sorry about Kankuro,” he said. “He’s protective of our village’s heritage.”
“I understand,” she said quietly. “He’s right to be cautious.”
Gaara studied her for a moment, his green eyes searching hers. “But he’s wrong about you.”
Her breath caught, and she looked away, unsure how to respond. “Gaara, I...”
“Sakura,” he said softly, stepping closer. “I know you. I trust you.”
The sincerity in his voice made her heart ache. When she finally looked up, she found herself lost in his gaze, the rest of the world fading away. Before she could think, before she could stop herself, Gaara leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was gentle, yet it carried the weight of everything left unsaid between them. Sakura froze for a moment, her mind racing, but then she found herself leaning into him, her hands resting lightly on his chest.
When they broke apart, Gaara’s gaze remained steady, his expression soft but serious. “I’ve missed you.”
“Gaara...” she began, her voice trembling, but she didn’t know what else to say.
Sasori’s Fury
As Sakura walked back to her quarters later that night, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She hadn’t expected Gaara’s confession, nor the feelings it stirred within her. But as she closed the door behind her, she felt Sasori’s presence surge within her, his voice sharp and cold.
“What was that?” he demanded, his tone dripping with disdain.
“What was what?” she replied, her irritation flaring. “You’ve been eavesdropping?”
“You let him kiss you,” Sasori spat, his voice low and venomous. “How... disappointing.”
Her cheeks flushed with anger. “You don’t get to tell me who I can or can’t—”
“I’m not telling you,” he interrupted, his tone dark. “I’m reminding you. You’re mine, Sakura. Or have you forgotten?”
She froze, her heart pounding as his words sank in. “You don’t own me, Sasori.”
“Don’t I?” he said softly, his voice laced with an unsettling intensity. “You’ve taken my techniques, my legacy, and made them your own. You carry my presence within you. Tell me, Sakura, where do I end and you begin?”
Her breath hitched, her hands trembling as she tried to push him from her mind. “Get out.”
But Sasori’s laughter echoed in her thoughts, low and mocking. “You can’t escape me, Sakura. And neither can he.”
A Fractured Alliance
The next morning, tensions ran high as the group prepared for their next move. Kankuro kept his distance from Sakura, his suspicion evident in the way he avoided her gaze. Naruto, ever the peacemaker, tried to lighten the mood, but even his energy couldn’t dispel the unease that lingered between them.
As they discussed their strategy for locating Shiroku, Sakura couldn’t shake the weight of Sasori’s words. She felt his presence more acutely than ever, his influence seeping into her thoughts and actions in ways she couldn’t fully control.
And as they set out into the desert once more, she couldn’t help but wonder: was she truly her own person, or was she becoming something else entirely?