Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [1]

☾ 54 ☽

"So, all we have to do is bring Sasuke back?" Shikamaru questioned. Tsukiko looked back at Tsunade, wondering if Orochimaru sent his lackeys again this time.

"Yes..." Tsunade replied. "However, not only is time of the essence on this mission, but it may turn into something quite difficult. There is a strong possibility that those under the control of Orochimaru are guiding Sasuke,"

"It's not a strong possibility," Tsukiko muttered. "I'm sure that Orochimaru has sent his men out to get Sasuke. There is no way he could've been coerced otherwise," Shikamaru glanced at her once more. Her eyes were stern.

"In that case, please give us a four-man team composed only of Jonin and Chunin," Shikamaru said. Tsukiko nodded. She was sure her Chakra levels were low but she wanted nothing more but to get Sasuke back.

"I'm afraid I can't do that..." Tsunade said, shocking both Tsukiko and Shikamaru. "You both already know the answer to that... Right now, only the barest minimum number of Jonin have been left behind and the others have all left the village on mission.

"Within the next thirty minutes, I want you two to gather all the Genin you consider the best, and leave this village!" Tsunade ordered. Tsukiko pursed her lips but motioned Shikamaru to hurry along with her.

The male stopped at the door.

"It's troublesome but... I know the guy, so I just can't let the matter go," Shikamaru said, glancing at Tsukiko once more. "What shall be, shall be..."

"There's one guy I want to recommend," Tsunade spoke up, and Tsukiko already knew whose name was coming out, and she nodded immediately.

☾

"What?!" Naruto screamed into Tsukiko and Shikamaru's faces as soon as they had finished informing him about what had happened overnight. "You've got to be kidding me!" Tsukiko and Shikamaru both recoiled back from the blond.

"You are so troublesome starting so early in the morning..." Shikamaru complained as he checked his ear. Tsukiko sighed, looking around impatiently. She wanted to set out after Sasuke immediately. She couldn't have him out there alone.

"Hey, just wait here!" Naruto shouted as he rushed back into his house, dropping his pyjama hat on the way. "I'll change my clothes immediately!" Tsukiko threw his hat inside after him and waited for him to get done with changing.

The sun was rising higher and higher by the time Naruto got changed and he, Tsukiko and Shikamaru quickly set off down the street at the next person that they, Tsukiko and Shikamaru, had agreed upon: Akimichi Chouji.

"So, do you two have your eyes on any other guys besides me who are excellent?" Naruto asked as he followed after them unknowingly to Choji's house. Tsukiko had never been there but Shikamaru led the way for them.

"Yeah," Shikamaru replied. They reached the house and the Chunin male quickly knocked on the door to alert the inhabitants. "Wake up, hey!" Naruto looked around and realised where they had arrived.

"You said excellent guys, right..." Naruto muttered. Tsukiko looked around but there was no sign of Choji coming to the door. She turned to look at Shikamaru.

"Can't be helped..." Shikamaru said as he turned around and sat down onto the ground, pulling out a bag of potato chips. "They're barbecued meat flavour... You two help out too!"

Tsukiko, Naruto and Shikamaru hurriedly began to eat through the potato chips, with it being their breakfast pretty much, until the last potato chip was left in the bag. Shikamaru pulled it out and held it on the palm of his hand. Tsukiko looked up in shock when Choji suddenly appeared out of the house and snatched the potato chip.