Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [3]

☾ 31 ☽

Tsukiko arrived in Konohagakure by the time sun had begun its journey down the horizon, and she had been met at the familiar front green gates of the village by her old teammates Naruto and Sakura, followed by Sai, and Konohamaru, who was excited to see her after such a long time.

"Usa!" Tsukiko called out to her friends happily as she jumped down from her Summon, allowing the Water Dragon to vanish before she even touched the ground. "Naruto! Sakura! Sai! Konohamaru!"

"Tsukiko-Chan!" shouted Naruto as he jumped over and before Tsukiko realised it, the blond had wrapped his arms around her and picked her off the ground, spinning her around. "You're here!"

"It's good to see you again, too!" Tsukiko replied, laughing, patting his arms to let her down. Naruto did so and she grinned at them. "It's so good to see all of you again, actually,"

"You as well, Tsukiko," Sakura said, smiling as Tsukiko moved to give her a hug as well. "You're glowing! You were on your wedding, too, but even more so now... it's good to see you again,"

"I was worried that me leaving so suddenly may have increased your burden," Tsukiko said. "But I'm glad to see and hear that you've got everything by the reins – I knew you could handle anything,"

"You're not having a hard time, are you, Tsukiko-Chan?" asked Konohamaru suddenly. "I heard from the Hokage that you're doing all these sorts of things in Sunagakure!"

"Did you keep asking him when I'll visit?" Tsukiko asked intuitively and Konohamaru blushed. "Yes, I have been working at the Hospital and Academy there, it has been wonderful, too,"

"Can you imagine Tsukiko-Chan taking it easy?" Naruto asked, shrugging. "There's no point in talking about that unless you want to get you scolded – Gaara and I tried,"

"Of course, I have to do all that because you wouldn't do it," Tsukiko pointed out. "That is why I'm here – to help you out with your wedding, Naruto, so get ready!"

Then, ignoring them, Tsukiko moved to greet Sai, "It's good to see you as well, Sai, I haven't heard much from you at all, is your work with the ANBU really taking up that much of your time?"

"... there's a lot of work to do after the war," Sai admitted. "It's good to see you, too,"

"Kakashi Sensei has been waiting for you," Sakura informed Tsukiko. "Also, Tsunade-Sama said that you need to come straight to her once you've finished with all the formalities,"

"Looks like it is going to get busy," Tsukiko said but she couldn't help but smile widely at being back.

Kakashi was in the Hokage's Office when Tsukiko arrived there, having left Naruto with his mission and Sakura at the Konoha Hospital. It appeared as if everyone was busy, which was a bit sad for her since she was visiting after so long but it was also true that all of them were at important positions.

"Good evening," Tsukiko greeted as she arrived into the round office, waving to Kakashi and Shizune, who were inside. "Looks like you are quite busy, Sensei, you didn't greet me at the gates,"

"Oh, finally, you're here, Tsukiko!" Kakashi said and Tsukiko gave him a bland look at the reaction. "I mean, it's so good to see you again!" He laughed awkwardly. "Did you have a good trip?"

"Would you like to something to drink, Tsukiko-Chan?" Shizune asked. "We've all been really missing you... it feels rather lonely without you at the Senju Compound,"

"No, thank you, I'm doing good," Tsukiko replied. "I miss spending time with you and Granny Tsunade as well but I have to keep myself rooted with Gaara now," She turned to Kakashi. "Which reminds me, you should avoid calling at meal hours, Gaara doesn't like my food getting cold,"