Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [3]

☾ 4 ☽

No one had yet noticed the three stars in the distance trailing along to the west of the total chaos of Hozuki Castle. For all intents and appearances, they were falling stars, but unlike normal falling stars, the three shining bodies were not falling from the sky, but steadily rising up into it. Tsukiko's eyes were upon the direction where the Tobishachimaru was to land.

The Tobishachimaru was heading into the grassy plains of Kusagakure surrounding the Blood Prison, the season for winter cherries long past. No longer needing Hand Seals to do something of this calibre, Tsukiko raised the two Wooden hands that erupted from the ground.

Tsukiko focused her strength and attention on heading the hands on capturing the Tobishachimaru within her grasp before it could crash and she brought it down to the ground as the hands buried themselves back into the ground. Tsukiko felt a large strain release from her shoulders and head when she realised that she managed to avoid going into Land of Earth.

And without missing another beat, Tsukiko was practically flying toward the Tobishachimaru as fast as she could, followed by Sakura from within the Hozuki Castle, running out of the gate to go and help the people left in the flying boat with any medical care needed.

On the other hand, Lee was using his Konoha Whirlwind to pull the fleeing prisoners into it on the south side of the Blood Prison. Meanwhile, the shadows stretching out and shrinking back in the courtyard gave away that Shikamaru was holding firm there. A large ball beyond the courtyard mowed prisoners down – Chouji's Human Juggernaut. And the two figures tearing along the straight path from the castle were definitely Tsunade and Shizune. Shino's insects, Tenten's ninja tools, Kiba and Akamaru were all working overtime to ensure rescue.

The rain descending upon them had finally stopped, and the dark clouds were swept away on the wind. The chaos at Hozuki Castle began to settle, for the moment at least. The fires inside the castle were extinguished, and the prisoners who continued to try to escape with admirable persistence were gradually rounded up by the ANBU.

Now, wind gusted through the dry winter field, and the Ninja of Konoha cautiously surrounded the remains of the Tobishachimaru, now on its side on the ground by Tsukiko's hands.

In front of all others, Tsukiko surveyed what had remained of the boat after the ordeal it had gone through – the air bladder envelope had been completely burned away. The skeletal frame supporting it had been smashed and scattered.

Wood chips scattered and fell whenever a gust blew through the passenger gondola, which looked as though it had been ripped apart by a giant hand, although, it was certainly not Tsukiko's hand that had done so. She bit her lower lip, concerned for those who may be onboard.

When the first human figure staggered out from the broken side, Tsunade's roar echoed across the plain. "Put both hands up and come out slowly!"

Taking that as their signal, Kiba, Chouji, Shino, Lee, and Tenten carefully approached the ship. They couldn't say with certainty that the enemy wasn't mixed in with the passengers. Sai was standing by in the sky above. Tsukiko and Sakura were in the lead, moving through the passengers.

"Are you alright?" Sakura asked as she and the younger female checked the people to see if they had sustained any injuries. "Is anyone injured?! Tell us know!"

One after another, exhausted and haggard, the passengers came out of the ship. Many of them looked up at the sky in amazement, walking slowly, as if confirming that they were no longer trapped in that deadly sky with every step they took. Some of them collapsed the moment they set foot on solid ground. Tsukiko surveyed them and gave Tsunade the thumbs-up.

When Tsunade nodded, the shinobi wrapped the passengers in blankets and gave them water. Tsukiko and Sakura divided their work and went around to treat those people who had broken bones or who were bleeding after the ruckus in the air.