Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [2]

☾ 24 ☽

"Why did we come all the way out here?" Naruto muttered as he, Tsukiko, Sakura and Sai followed Yamato off of the main pathway and deeper into the woods. Tsukiko continued to look around, staring at the creatures that were coming out as the dusk was setting in. She felt like she knew why they were here, but not quite.

"Captain Yamato!" Sakura called out. "What's the meaning of this?! I think the path we were on was the right way. Captain!"

"I'm sure Lady Tsunade has told you," Yamato said without looking behind. Tsukiko pursed her lips and ran her hand over the beetle keychain.

"What is he talking about?" Naruto asked, looking at Tsukiko and Sakura. Yamato stopped walking but didn't turn to look at the four of them.

"The information Tsukiko and Sakura got might be a trap," Yamato answered. "There's a possibility that the Akatsuki might be waiting to ambush us at the Tenchi Bridge. They might be after you two, Tsukiko and Naruto,"

"It can't be..." Naruto said. Tsukiko looked at him with concern. She knew that he was really looking forward to getting something on Sasuke. And truthfully, she was, too.

"I think the probability of that is low, though," Yamato admitted. "But still, we'd best be careful," They nodded and followed him. "From here on, we'll go along a cover route as to avoid being spotted,"

"Got it," Naruto replied.

Tsukiko continued move silently through the forest, her far ahead of her, already on the Tenchi Bridge. She wondered what she might discover... and if Sasuke was still okay. She was looking forward to meeting him. Would they be able to convince him to come back?

"Hope for the best but don't get distracted," Usajii spoke up quietly. Tsukiko knew what he meant and she sighed, knowing she really was distracted. "Sasuke might not be who he was... and you must not be scared of fighting him,"

"Please don't say stuff like that..." Tsukiko muttered back to him. "I don't want him to be bad... I'm sure we will be able to convince him,"

"I have seen many men like Sasuke," Usajii said, knowing that she was going to get annoyed with him but he wasn't bothered about that. It was better for her to be annoyed than heartbroken.

"I know, but I would rather think of Sasuke as the one I remember," Tsukiko replied. "It was just the curse that Orochimaru gave him that was acting up so much,"

"I don't know about that," Usajii responded as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever you feel for him, don't let it come between protecting your comrades,"

Tsukiko fell silent as she walked behind Naruto, Sakura and Yamato – and shoulder-to-shoulder with Sai to keep an eye on him. She knew Usajii was correct. If they managed to get enough information and come across Sasuke, he might try to hurt them. In that case, they might have to fight. It was a possibility, not a certainty, however.

As they came out on a clearing, Tsukiko looked up at the moon – it was very thin today, given that the full moon had been just a few days ago. Yamato stopped them.

"This place should be good," Yamato said.

"You don't mean..." Sakura trailed off, thinking what each and every one of them was thinking.

"We'll be sleeping here tonight," Yamato told them.

"Come on!" Naruto complained. "If we need a place to sleep, there was a nice place just a little bit back where we could –"

"Everyone, please stand back," Yamato said. Tsukiko stared at him as he went through his hand signs, recognising the Jutsu before he even uttered it. "Wood Style: Four-Pillar House Jutsu,"