Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [1]

☾ 50 ☽

"I gathered the Chakra in my stomach, and before I received the Jutsu, I had started healing," Kabuto answered smugly. "The reason why Orochimaru-Sama favours me is not because of my use of Jutsu or my sense for Jutsu... it is because my recuperative power. The power to energise cells and make new cells.

"That Jutsu... seems like it was Naruto-Kun's last effort..." Kabuto tried to continue walking toward her but he suddenly collapsed and Tsukiko knew that he had depleted all of his Chakra in the defence against Yawarakai Te and Rasengan.

"What's wrong with him?" Tsukiko asked Tsunade as the older woman pressed her ear against Naruto's chest. The blond was still breathing heavily but was passed out now. Tsunade's eyes widened. "What's wrong?!"

"Arrythmia!" Tsunade said as she quickly unzipped Naruto's jacket. "His heart muscle is in tatters!" Tsukiko froze and Tsunade placed her hands over Naruto's chest. "Why did it happen?!" Tsukiko didn't care for that right now.

"Do something for him, please, Usa!" Tsukiko said. Tsunade hurriedly cut Naruto's shirt open and began to heal him with her Chakra. Naruto's Seal was apparent on his stomach, too.

"It's all over for Naruto-Kun," Kabuto choked out. "I cut his heart's Chakra Network which restores the strength... through the Nine-Tail's Chakra... with all my strength! In order to eliminate the possibility that he would heal with his own power. There's no way he can recover... even with you!"

"Shut up!" Tsunade and Tsukiko both snapped at him. Kabuto stared at them as Tsukiko glared at him and Tsunade continued, "I'll kill you later..." Tsukiko turned to look at Tsunade when the elder woman gasped slightly and began tearing up.

"Naruto...?" Tsukiko whispered when he raised his hand and grabbed at the necklace hanging from Tsunade's neck. Tsunade herself seemed very surprised, and her tears halted for a few seconds before she quickly healed Naruto's hand.

Tsunade took off her necklace and put it around the unconscious Naruto's neck, and Tsukiko helped the shaking blonde with it. Tsukiko had barely looked up when she saw Orochimaru coming directly toward them, extending out a sword from a snake in his mouth.

"Get out of the way, Tsukimi!" Tsunade shouted, pushing Tsukiko out of the way before the white-haired girl could attempt any Jutsu and the older woman covered the two before Orochimaru could get to either one of them.

Tsukiko stared in shock as her face splattered with blood. In front of her, Tsunade had gotten in way of Orochimaru's attack, and Orochimaru stabbed his old teammate through the chest. Tsunade gasped in pain as Orochimaru moved back and swallowed the sword back inside.

"Tsunade... You're the only one I wasn't going to kill," Orochimaru said. "If those children live, there will be trouble in the future on a variety of levels. Let me kill the boy and take the girl. Don't get in my way,"

"These two children," Tsunade replied. "This boy and girl... I will absolutely protect!" Tsukiko sat frozen as she stared at Orochimaru and trembling Tsunade.

"Trembling at the sight of blood, why would you, one of the Yonnin, risk your life to protect those Genin kids?" Orochimaru said. "Is it because the girl is –" Tsunade spat out blood.

"To protect.... my hometown... Konoha!" Tsunade replied angrily. Tsukiko couldn't understand what was going on. Did Orochimaru really know her parents? Did Tsunade accept...?

"To protect Konohagakure?" Orochimaru repeated. Tsunade looked over her shoulder at the unconscious Naruto and shocked Tsukiko.

"Because... because..." Tsunade whispered. "This little boy is the kid who will become Hokage someday... and this girl... is going to be greater than her mother," Tsukiko stared at Tsunade as she looked back ahead. Did she also know?