Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [3]

☾ 15 ☽

The Rinne Festival was only a few days away, and Tsukiko finished up with all of Gaara's presents. She had placed them in boxes and neatly wrapped them up with white wrapping paper. She had also sent away the letter to Sunagakure, informing him about her plans and by what hour he could expect her to come by. She had yet to receive a response but it was not a hurry.

In the meantime, Tsukiko found herself with her teammates Naruto and Sakura at the Ichiraku Ramen. Sai had been away but Team Ten – Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji – had joined the Team Seven as they sat lined up at the counter, having some delicious Ramen.

"It's getting to be the season when Ramen really hits the spot!" Naruto said happily.

"You only eat Ramen all year long," Sakura pointed out.

"You really like Ramen, don't you?" Ino asked. Naruto nodded. "It's the same as Tsukiko always looking for sweets and Chouji wanting to visit the same BBQ spot,"

Outside was a snowy landscape, but thick steam shrouded the inside of the warm shop. It was warm enough to flush their cheeks as they ate the ramen, served right off the stone and almost hot enough to burn their tongues if they handled it incorrectly.

Excited about the upcoming wedding of Tsukiko just three months away, Ino was talking about having a bridal shower, bachelorette party and all that for Tsukiko.

"Do we have time for all these parties?" Tsukiko asked, both amused and embarrassed by the idea. "I think it will be a lot to have such stuff only for one person..."

"You're the first girl getting married from our class, you know?" Ino said, pouting. "I want you to have a good time! We should go out for drinks and dinner!"

"Rather than a bridal shower," Tsukiko said, who didn't want any presents. "I'll treat you all out to dinner. We can go have drinks and finish up at the bathhouse,"

"I like that idea!" Sakura pitched, intrigued. She looked at the blonde. "Just don't get too drunk, Ino, we're not going to hold you up from drowning!"

"Let's match up our dates then," Tsukiko said before Ino retorted. "The three of us, and I'll also talk to Hinata and Tenten, see when they're free. All five of us can go,"

By the time the three girls finished up planning their day, Tsukiko's bowl was already finished, and Naruto was getting himself more. It was his treat again, and the white-haired girl was wondering why he was so keen on giving out so many treats these days.

"Hey, Shikamaru," Tsukiko said as she looked over at him, and he lifted his head from his bowl. "Before I forget to ask, did you go to the Hokage's Office today?"

"Huh?" Shikamaru said. "No, Kakashi Sensei's gone on a Kage meeting – he left early in the day,"

"Kage Meeting?" Tsukiko repeated. "And he didn't take you? Who did he take if we're both here?"

"He said he'll be fine with an ANBU," Shikamaru replied. He frowned as he remembered the time that he had seen Kakashi leave. "He did have an astronomer with him for the journey,"

"An astronomer?" Tsukiko asked, confused.

"Yeah... and he was in a hurry, didn't even dress for the weather properly," Shikamaru commented. "I wonder how he'll do when you're gone, even his scarf was jumbled up,"

"Oh, right... I don't want to ruin it," Naruto muttered as he took the bordered scarf from his neck, folded it carefully, and put it under the counter. "Six more orders of gyoza!"

"Coming right up!" replied Teuchi.

"Six more orders?" Chouji asked, looking at Naruto. "I can't eat that much,"