Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [2]

☾ 61 ☽

– Land of Lightning, Southern Edge –
– Fourth Division –

"Allow me to check on you," Tsukiko spoke up softly as she walked over to Gaara, who looked at her curiously as she reached to hover her hands over his body. "Are you feeling any pain anywhere?"

"Not quite," Gaara replied truthfully, looking down at her without a care. "I have been careful as to not harm myself, either, you know? I promised you I will take care of myself,"

"You're always keeping promises through, huh?" Tsukiko muttered but she was smiling as she turned her head up at him. "It... really eases my heart to see you unhurt,"

"I feel the same way," Gaara admitted, his voice quiet enough only to be heard by her. "I hope you understand that... I just wanted you safe because of those feelings,"

"I do understand," Tsukiko assured him. "And I do promise on keeping myself safe as well... if not for me, I will do that for your sanity," Gaara raised his eyebrows. "Oh, come on, do you think I didn't notice all the stress you manifest onto your face when I get into the fight? You were calling my name out so much that it almost made me too shy to react,"

"Are you teasing me?" Gaara asked, and he watched with a flutter in his chest as the smile on Tsukiko's lips became more pronounced. "You are teasing me,"

"Only you," Tsukiko replied, trying to ease the atmosphere. "I'm a Wood Clone, and I can bet you that all of my selves are smiling right now,"

Gaara reached out to take her hand into his, looking down into her eyes, "I almost didn't recognise you when you came onto the battlefield... but your eyes... they look even bluer now,"

"... now you're teasing me," Tsukiko mumbled, and Gaara smiled.

Naruto trailed over to them just seconds later, looking around the place. Gaara gave her hand a squeeze and slowly let go of it, already missing it. But the two of them were pulled into a chat with Naruto about how exactly he had defeated the Raikage.

The Tsuchikage, Onoki, managed to free himself up from Matsuri and Yukata and walked back over to where Tsukiko, Naruto, Gaara and Temari were standing. Tsukiko glanced toward Gaara, meeting eyes briefly with him. She smiled softly at him and Gaara acknowledged it by returning it.

"What are you gonna do next, tiny old man?" Naruto asked, looking down at the Tsuchikage.

"I said I'm the Tsuchikage," Onoki told him.

"We should rendezvous with another company," Temari spoke up.

"Our enemy is not the Reanimation," Onoki told her. "It's Madara,"

"This war will not end until he is brought down," Gaara agreed and Tsukiko saw that he was looking toward her again and she bit her lower lip. "Our target is Madara!"

"Right now, Naruto, Killer Bee-San and I must be heading that way," Tsukiko said. "Or at the very least, our real versions. There's a lot I have to say to him,"

Gaara turned his body around until he was completely facing her and tried to find what she meant by that in her expression or in her blue eyes but there was nothing giving it away. Before he could ask her verbally what was going on, they were interrupted –

"Huh? What is this?!"

It was a Sensor-type Shinobi who had spoken up and Tsukiko immediately glanced at him, feeling like the feeling in the pit of her stomach was coming to fruition.

"What are you sensing?" Onoki inquired.

"Over there!" shouted the Shinobi, pointing up ahead on a rock formation.