Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [2]

☾ 39 ☽

"Granny Tsunade has summoned us at the Konohagakure entrance gates," Tsukiko said as Usajii came out of his room in her head. "We're going to be heading out to for the Itachi Pursuit Mission," Usajii nodded as he sat down in his chair.

It was the following and Tsunade had finally green-lighted their mission to go pursue Itachi in hopes for getting to Sasuke, once Kakashi had managed to get together a squad. Even though the day before had been very dry, thick clouds had appeared over the skies late that night and by the time morning rolled around, it had begun to rain cats and dogs. And they were all informed to get ready accordingly.

Once she was finished dressing, Tsukiko picked up her weaponry pouch, filling it up with Kunai, Shuriken, scrolls, seals and puppets, origami papers. She strapped her Ame-no-Ohabari and tanto.

Tsukiko let out a sigh as she put her hair up into a long pony-tail, rather than putting them up in her usual dango-bun hairstyle. She looked at herself in the mirror and nodded at herself, determined.

"Remember to lock the door behind yourself," Usajii said as he smoked his long-pipe, watching Tsukiko almost leave her apartment without locking the door. "Usahime, your head is so scattered,"

"Hey, it's not my fault," Tsukiko responded. "You're the one whose smoking in my head and making it all foggy," She pulled out her keys and locked the door behind her. "Let's go,"

Pulling on the white cape with two horizontal red stripes, Tsukiko looked down at the beetle keychain that was hanging from her Obijime. She sighed and buttoned up the cloak, pulling on the hood to avoid getting her hair all wet.

"Naruto-Kun was right with what he said yesterday," Usajii spoke up, noticing the look she gave the beetle keychain. "Although your anger is justified, you cannot live your life seeking revenge,"

"Usa, I know," Tsukiko replied as she walked out onto the street and toward the entrance gates. She could see Kakashi, Jiraiya, Tsunade and Yamato in the distance. "No one else here yet?"

"They must be on their way," Kakashi assured her as Tsukiko came to a stop next to him and Yamato. "We've just got here a bit early,"

"Not something we'll expect from you, would we, Kakashi Sensei?" Tsukiko sand Kakashi let out an awkward chuckle as he pulled at her cheek.

"Aren't you being all cheeky?" Kakashi said. Tsukiko pulled her cheek out of his fingers and crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head.

"Are we sure that Naruto will be able to manage this?" Tsunade said. Tsukiko nodded, having sent a barrage of origami birds to his apartment to pinch him awake in case he wasn't.

Tsukiko stood quietly in the rain as she watched the squad that Kakashi had gathered arrive – Sakura and Sai arrived together, followed closely by Hinata, Shino, Kiba and Akamaru. Lastly, Tsukiko was relieved to see Naruto running over to them, almost slipping in the heavy rain as he reached them. Tsukiko and Sakura hurriedly steadied him.

"Good to see you again, Tsukiko," Kiba said with a grin and Tsukiko shook her head at him, knowing he was still trying to score a Daifuku Date with her.

"It's always great to see little Akamaru," Tsukiko said, bypassing Kiba and reaching out to pet the large dog on his head. "How are you doing boy?"

"I see, you thought this out well," Tsunade said to Kakashi.

"Hey, shouldn't we have more people than this?" Naruto asked.

"It's not a matter of manpower," Kakashi replied. "In this situation, we shouldn't have more than one team of two platoons. While assuming our target is squad of two people, having more than three squads would make us easily detectable, make giving orders hand, and lower mobility,"