Clash 2: The Wolf and the Desertstorm - a collab with Amaterasu

Chapter 18

Tsunade's eyes widened at the small scroll she had just finished reading. "They..."

Shizune nervously twisted at the end of her sleeves as she held Tonton close. "Is it...are they...?"

Tsunade let out a breath of air, before a small smile came to her lips. From beside her, a familiarly obnoxious raven ruffled his feathers happy to not be in Ame for any longer. "Hisayo and Taryn are both safe. They are headed to Suna as we speak."

"Suna? Why Suna?"

"Apparently Myukyu wasn't the only one to send out reinforcements. That boy..." Tsunade smiled fondly. "Another team from Suna was sent out and has joined them. They're taking them all to their village."

Shizune gasped in surprise and worry of the obvious. "But wouldn't that be dangerous in Hisayo's case?! They should just come home where it's safer."

"On the contrary," Tsunade gave a cunning smirk, knowing she was being spied upon by the council. "She is safest with our allies at this time. The Kazekage will see to it that she and the others are recovered enough to travel back home safely. Taryn will make sure of that too, I'm sure. And depending on the situation, it may be a good while. They could use vacation time, don't you think?"

"Y-yes, I suppose you're right, Lady Tsunade."

"Good." Tsunade looked to the bird. "Karasu, you tell Akio to take their time. I want him and Hisayo especially to be in good health by the time they get home. Understand? He knows it's safer that way."

Karasu nodded and flew out through the window.

"Lady Tsunade, is she and Akio really still..." Shizune stopped herself upon being hushed by Tsunade.

"Yes, they are." She informed before looking up at the ceiling. "So you three can stop scheming. You can tell them that."

The shinobi spies of the Council of Elders all froze in their hidden spots, looked at one another, then disappeared without a word.

Tsunade let out a content breath of air at the feeling of their departure. "I won't let those old weasels take advantage of my shinobi."

***

Taryn groaned as she slowly came to. Her entire body felt sore and her left arm still felt a little numb. Her eyes fluttered open slowly and she winced at the bright light that fell into them. Carefully she turned her head to the side.

"Sensei?" Daro's voice was soft and filled with concern. His face appeared in her vision. "Are you alright? You probably shouldn't move around too much just yet. Suzume did the best she could, but we can only get you more efficient assistance once we're back home."

"Where are we?" Taryn muttered.

"About a day away from the border with Wind Country," Daro answered.

"Hisayo?"

"Back to normal, but still unconscious. The wolves are watching over her. Akio-san and Kakashi-san are keeping a close eye on her too. They sat with you too for a while."

"Losses?" Taryn mumbled, though she wasn't sure she wanted an answer to that question.

"We're all here," Daro smiled.

A sigh of relief escaped her mouth and she closed her eyes again.

"Is sensei awake?" Kuro quietly approached them and sat down next to Daro. It had been a close call. She had suffered internal bleeding again and damaged the muscles of her left arm. Suzume had healed three broken ribs. Though Taryn was still covered in cuts and bruises, Suzume had only so much chakra to share and it was being used for the more urgent injuries only, the worst was over.