Child of the Moon

Rooftops

It was dinner time in the bridge builder's home, once again. Two seats were noticeably empty.

"Now they're both late," Sakura sighed.

"Having a rival is an excellent tool for improving yourself," Tsukiko commented, helping herself to some food.

Almost immediately after that, the door opened to reveal two exhausted boys, filthy and supporting each other.

"What have you been up to?" Tazuna questioned. "You look like something the cat dragged in."

"We both made it," Naruto grinned. "We climbed all the way to the top!"

"Good," Kakashi said. "Now we move on. Starting tomorrow, you're both bodyguards for Tazuna."

"Nice, welcome to the party, you're late."

Naruto got so excited, that he tried to jump up and cheer, and only succeeded to knock himself and Sasuke over.

"You are such a loser!" Sasuke yelled as everyone else cracked up laughing.

Tsukiko smiled to herself, resting her chin in her hand.

"There you are again, little brother."

While he tried to stay sulky, Naruto joined in with the others as they laughed, though even he couldn't help the smile that found its way onto his face.

Talk eventually turned to the bridge, once the food had been consumed.

"The bridge will be finished in a few days," Tazuna said, smiling warmly to each shinobi individually. "I have all of you to thank for that."

"You've all done great, but we've still got to be careful," Tsunami insisted.

"And sis was gonna make us go back," Naruto grinned.

"I still might," Tsukiko warned. "The Hokage wasn't happy when I sent word that I decided to let you stay on, even with everything I sent back. Do you have any idea how much work I'll need to do to make him forgive me?"

Kakashi chuckled.

"You're helping me," Tsukiko said, pointing at him.

"On that subject," Tazuna said. "I've been meaning to ask, why did you decide to stay on, even after finding out that I lied to bring you here? Especially after you got orders to go back?"

"Those who stray from the path of justice have no courage," Kakashi said. "But under the wing of a strong leader, cowardice cannot survive."

"Did you get that off a fortune cookie?" Tsukiko questioned, a bored expression on her face. "You sound old."

"I do not."

"Absolutely do," she yawned. "Except when you argue with me like a child."

Kakashi threw her a subtle glare, but otherwise maintained his usual air of disinterest.

"That was a quote from the First Hokage," Kakashi said, in answer to her out loud question in regards to the fortune cookie comment.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the table, things were becoming depressing. Tsukiko eventually just stood up, and wordlessly left.

"Sis?"

"Tsukiko-sensei, Kakashi-sensei wasn't trying to-"

"Sakura," Kakashi said. "Give her a minute."

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She was sitting out on the roof, watching the water ripple gently way below her. Eventually, she sensed Naruto's upset mind, and subtly guided him to her without revealing herself.

"Sis?"

"It's okay," she said, patting a spot next to her. "I'm here."

He curled up next to her, her arms wrapping around his shoulders.

"Thanks, sis," he whispered as he drifted off. "Thanks for being here."

"Anytime, little brother."