Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [3]

☾ 11 ☽

Tsukiko rubbed her forehead as she browsed through the books that were set in front of her on the library table. She was supposed to be on her lunch break, which was skewed due to Shikamaru being gone but Sakura had showed up the second the younger female had left the Office, asking her to quickly come and help her with some stuff since she hadn't taken her hospital shift today.

In the end, Tsukiko agreed and followed Sakura to the library where they needed to do the research. Especially since it was also Sakura's time off and she was doing so much. Tsukiko also felt like she wouldn't be able to enjoy her food anyway, not with the worries weighing her down.

Everything had been nice and quiet, aside from Tsukiko rustling through the books and Sakura's light steps rushing around, pulling out more and more books to browse within.

That was so until Naruto showed up as well, complaining to the pair of his female teammates.

Supporting a sullen face with both hands, Naruto stared at Sakura's back while she raced around busily along the bookshelves lining one wall while Tsukiko sat nearby. Tsukiko was looking at the books upon which his elbows were resting, the mountain piled so high they reached his chest.

"C'mon, hey!" Naruto exclaimed. "Tsukiko-Chan, Sakura-Chan, you listening to me? Haven't seen Sai in more than a month already, and that Shikamaru was seriously ice cold,"

"You're taking it the wrong way, Naruto," Tsukiko replied. "Shikamaru was just busy and didn't expect to get hounded by us on his down time,"

"Are you guys hiding something from me or what?" Naruto asked.

"We're not!" Sakura shouted, hackles raised, her words smacking the pout off of Naruto's face. "Don't you have a mission or something?"

"I'm done for today," Naruto replied.

"Well then, just go and eat your ramen at Ichiraku, go home, go to bed!" Sakura told him, and Tsukiko rubbed her forehead at their loud tones.

"Whaaaat?" Naruto asked as he pursed his lips, looking at her. "But I mean, you haven't been at the Hokage Office in ages, and I came all the way over just to say hi. That is a seriously cold attitude for a former Team Seven member, dattebayo,"

Sakura stopped in front of him and glared, hands on hips. Tsukiko bit her lower lip, wondering if they were going to argue. She understood why their feelings but her ears were ringing.

"I am incredibly busy right now working with Tsukiko and Tsunade-Sama to systematize medical ninjutsu and build an organisation within the Alliance!" Sakura burst. "We just came today to get the materials Tsunade-Sama left here when she was Hokage! I don't have time for this! Not to mention I'm doing all this in my private time! I only have time after I'm done with my missions. I'm actually really busy! Which is why I don't have time to listen to your dumb stories! Okay?!"

"Do you know anything, Tsukiko-Chan?" Naruto asked, glancing at her as Sakura turned back to the bookshelves. Tsukiko lied by shaking her head no. "But you're always with Kakashi Sensei!"

"That's true, but Kakashi Sensei is not always with me," Tsukiko pointed out.

"What's happening with you and Hinata lately anyway?" Sakura asked, changing the topic. "Wouldn't she be way more willing to listen to you than Tsukiko-Chan and I would?"

"What?" Naruto asked. "You jealous?"

Racing back over to him, Sakura rapped Naruto on the head. He dropped headfirst to his knees on the stone floor, and Sakura stared down at him, face twisted up in demonic rage. Tsukiko fell back in her chair, watching the two of them rather wearily.