Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [2]

☾ 41 ☽

Tsukiko sat in the Dango Shop, playing aimlessly with the bamboo stick that was previously skewered with three dango. She moved it over to her tea, stirring it with it and causing ripple effects on it. She let out a sigh and thought about what had gone on recently.

Where was Sasuke now?
Now that he had killed Itachi?

What was Itachi going on about there? Was he concerned that Sasuke would come to attack Konohagakure? But if he was sure of that enough to come visit her and Naruto, was there a greater than chance that it would definitively happen? What would even cause Sasuke to attack his village?

Letting out another sigh, Tsukiko flipped through the notebook that Kabuto had given them, looking at the details he had left of the people currently or formerly on the Akatsuki roster. That man wasn't there... that man that they had run into.

Who was that man with the Sharingan?

"Tsukiko," Kakashi's voice called over and Tsukiko turned around to see her Sensei and Naruto standing in the entrance to the Dango Shop. "Come on, the Godaime Hokage has asked for you,"

"I thought Granny Tsunade said I didn't have to come in today?" Tsukiko asked as she quickly drank her lukewarm tea and stood up. "Oba-Chan, I'm leaving the money on the table!"

"It was a sudden and urgent request," Kakashi told her as Tsukiko joined the two of them outside. "Let's go," Tsukiko and Naruto shared a look as they followed after him.

Everything was normal.

The sky was light blue and people were normally going on with their day.

Whether that was for the better or worse – people were living their lives as normal. Tsukiko wished that her village would continue to live like this... yet she felt a strange sense of unease when she thought how unprepared they could be if things went wrong for them.

"What?" Naruto spoke up as they neared the Hokage Building. "Boss Toad and Gamakichi?" Tsukiko noticed the two toads on the side of the building.

"Hey, Naruto," Gamakichi said. "Oh, Yurihime is here, too!" Tsukiko sighed at the unexpected nickname but then returned them with a smile.

"What are you guys doing here so early in the morning?" Naruto asked as Tsukiko looked over in interest as well. "Did something happen?"

"Well, actually..." Gamakichi trailed off.

"Gamakichi, that is not for you to say!" Gamabunta interjected. "It's better to leave it to the boss and Tsunade,"

"What the heck's going on around here?" Naruto said. Tsukiko turned to look at their Sensei for any clue but he didn't give in.

"It's nothing, just keep moving," Kakashi said, walking ahead. Tsukiko and Naruto shared a look but followed him inside the building.

The Hokage Building was silent and Tsukiko felt strange as she followed Kakashi and Naruto up the stairs and toward the Hokage. Entering Tsunade's office, Tsukiko and Naruto noticed Sakura, Sai and an elderly toad gathered there.

Tsukiko didn't like the look on their faces.

"Is that kid Jiraiya-Chan's student?" Fukasaku said. "And that girl... she looks just like Tsukimi-Chan, is she her daughter?"

"Yes, this is Uzumaki Naruto and Otsutsuki Tsukiko," Tsunade answered. "The Children of Prophecy we spoke of earlier, right?"

"A toad geezer, seriously?" Naruto asked while Tsukiko looked intrigued.