Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [2]

☾ 13 ☽

Tsukiko let out a small breath as she laid on the bed, watching the sky light up outside the window as the sun appeared over the horizon. Sleep had been uneasy and Tsukiko just wanted the sky to turn blue. Could Gaara see the sky? Was he all right? He was holding up, right? She wished that they could get to him as quickly as possible.

Once it was obvious that she would not be getting any more sleep for the day, Tsukiko got up and began to change out of her pyjamas and into her normal getup. Sakura was still asleep and Tsukiko made sure to be as quiet as possible as she moved around the room, gathering her stuff. Tsukiko strapped her Honjo Masamune's steath to her waist.

Making a roundabout trip, Tsukiko headed to the direction of Gaara's office. She hesitated but then opened the door and walked inside. The room was empty and she felt a pain in her chest when she didn't see Gaara's figure in the chair or looking outside the window behind it. He rarely smiled but Tsukiko remembered his green eyes whenever she visited.

Tsukiko neared the desk and ran her eyes over the books that were sitting there, and in the dark, she caught sight of the letter sitting on his desk. She didn't have to pick it up to know that it was her last letter to him, for she could see the red string sitting next to it. Tsukiko moved her eyes forward and looked at the flowerpot holding white lily flowers. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Come in," Kakashi said when Tsukiko knocked on the door to his and Naruto's room. Tsukiko walked inside and found Kakashi consulting a map with Pakkun, who seemed to have returned from his search for the enemy's scent.

"What's going on?" Tsukiko asked as she walked closer to look at the map. Pakkun's paw was pressed on a location somewhere in the Land of Rivers. "Is that where the Akatsuki have their hideout?" Kakashi glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.

"Most likely," Pakkun responded, looking at the white-haired girl curiously. Tsukiko was somewhat satisfied that they would be surrounded with water. "I could detect Gaara's scent inside,"

"I see," Kakashi said, turning to Pakkun. "I need you to do one more thing," Pakkun nodded. "Go look for Guy and his team, and inform them about Akatsuki's hideout and about our further action,"

"The Land of Rivers is located between Konohagakure and Sunagakure," Tsukiko said. "Are you thinking of sending them ahead of us there?" Kakashi nodded. "I wonder if the Akatsuki are aware of our knowledge..."

"I would hope not," Kakashi admitted. Tsukiko nodded and was about to continue when Naruto snored loudly and rolled out of the bed and onto the ground, waking up from the fall.

"Oh, you're awake, Naruto?" Pakkun said. Tsukiko sighed as she reached out to help him up from the ground. Naruto gladly took the help.

"Pakkun...?" Naruto said. "Tsukiko-Chan...?" Tsukiko wondered if he was still out of it. Kakashi turned to look back at his tracking dog.

"I'm counting on you, Pakkun," Kakashi said. Pakkun nodded at Kakashi and looked at Tsukiko and Naruto.

"See you later, Naruto and Tsukiko," Pakkun said and jumped away. Naruto went over to the window to watch Pakkun hurry away.

"Did they find Akatsuki's hideout?" Naruto questioned. He looked at Tsukiko from the corner of his eyes but she had no expression on her face. It was strangely subdued.

"Yeah," Kakashi responded. "We need to head out immediately," Naruto nodded and Tsukiko left the room for Naruto to get ready while she went and woke Sakura up regarding what was going on, and Kakashi went to Baki.

Not long after, Tsukiko found herself with Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi once they had all gotten ready to leave the village go in search for Gaara. Tsukiko looked through her pouch to make sure that she had everything she need. She brushed aside the necklace belonging to her grandfather and made sure she had all her scrolls.