Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [3]

☾ 23 ☽

Tsukiko went with Sakura to go and meet with Ino, getting everything ready for their trip to Sunagakure the following day – they were all set to go early in the morning. Evening had fallen thickly over Konohagakure by the time they were finished with their work, and Tsukiko informed Sakura that Tsunade wanted to have a talk with both of them.

Tsunade had summoned them to the bar where the blonde was a regular. Sakura let out a contented sigh, likely due to being able to sleep after this. Tsukiko did not say anything, understanding that the girl was tired... in ways more than one. She didn't mention these thoughts.

"I don't actually have anything particular I wanted to talk to you about," Tsunade said. "I heard you two were off on a trip tomorrow, and, well, I suppose this is a bit of a send-off," She laughed. "The truth is, I just wanted to have a drink,"

From Sakura's expression, Tsukiko knew that she figured that Tsunade was trying to cultivate a light tone to keep Sakura from feeling any obligation to report in.

With Tsukiko, Tsunade was much franker, especially since Tsukiko herself was always easy-going. But with Sakura, it seemed like Tsunade also thought Sakura was working too hard lately, so she had likely decided to drag her out to let off some steam.

It wasn't wrong to think so as it had been Tsunade, after all, who pushed the girls to set up the children's therapy centre. Maybe she felt a bit responsible for how much they were working now. Tsukiko looked around the bar from their corner.

"But you've really turned out wonderfully, my little apprentices," Tsunade continued. "I mean, setting up a therapy centre for children. I can certainly hold my head high as your teacher,"

As she drained one cup of sake after another, a hint of red rose up on Tsunade's cheeks. She had hurried through dinner to start drinking at a brisk pace.

"But in the end, all we did was set up a contact point," Sakura pointed out, looking at Tsukiko but the girl was thinking elsewhere. "The ones actually working with the children are specialists,"

"No need to be so humble," Tsunade told her. "A lot of children have mental issues that they can't really put into words. So, it builds up and makes things hard for them in all kinds of ways. It's very reassuring at a time like that to have someone reaching out a helping hand. And you created a structure for that. There's plenty of meaning in that,"

"Yes ma'am," replied Sakura.

"Tsukiko," Tsunade said, and Tsukiko hummed as she turned to look at them. "I'm sure you're going to go visit Gaara as well?" Tsukiko nodded. "Of course... it's setting into me now,"

"That I'm going to move away from Konoha?" Tsukiko asked. Tsunade nodded. "Well..." She smirked as she leaned over. "Are you going to cry, Granny Tsunade?"

"It's such a waste talking to you sometimes," Tsunade retorted, causing Tsukiko to laugh and Sakura to smile lightly. "Never mind you and Gaara then, how are things with Naruto and Hinata?"

"Good," Sakura replied. "Tsukiko and I ran into them the other day, just as they were on their way out for a date. It looks like things are going really well,"

"And Hinata's no doubt the type to hold the reins unexpectedly tightly when it comes to that sort of thing," Tsunade commented and Tsukiko nodded.

"I think so," Sakura agreed. "If he were in a relationship with someone more wilful and determined, Naruto would probably be butting heads with her all the time. But I doubt anything like that will happen with Hinata,"

"It might have been difficult with a woman like you," Tsunade said, flashing a grin at Sakura, causing her to laugh and scratch her head.

"I suppose it's true that negatives attract and work out well," Tsukiko said lightly, glancing at the sigh that Sakura had exhaled. "Although, Gaara and I are not quite opposites... it's a strange thing, I think, you just have to find someone that you click with,"