Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [1]

☾ 43 ☽

Tsukiko frowned to herself as she, Naruto and Jiraiya walked down the road to their next destination. She was rather worried about Sasuke, and Kakashi Sensei, and about everything that had happened in that town. She looked up when she heard Jiraya ask, "What's wrong?"

"Pervy Sage," Naruto said. Tsukiko stopped when she saw that they had stopped behind her. "Why are they after Tsukiko-Chan and I?" Tsukiko looked at Jiraya as well, and she wasn't sure she liked the serious look on his face.

"You know something about it, don't you?" Tsukiko asked him. "Even back then, Uchiha Itachi said that you've been the person who got the information about their movements. Can't you tell us what is going on...?"

"They're not really after you two," JIraiya answered finally. "They're after what is inside the two of you," Tsukiko felt her shoulders slack a bit. They're after them because they're both Jinchuriki?

"What on the earth is this thing?" Naruto asked, holding onto the front of his jacket. "It's a horrible demon that attacked Konoha, right? And was dreaded by everyone. So, why do they want it so much, dattebayo?"

"Indeed, the Nine-Tailed Fox is a demon that appears at each critical juncture throughout the ages, destroying everything in its path," Jiraiya admitted. "And people feared it like an act of nature," He glanced at Tsukiko. "The Jade Rabbit had vanished centuries ago when none of the Otsutsuki lineage could create a suitable or powerful enough vessel for it – until you were born,"

Tsukiko looked away, bit her lower lip anxiously. She knew that, but how did he know that? Jiraya continued, "The reason why they want that thing... for what purpose, honestly, I cannot say for sure. Just that now that Kyuubi and the Reibi are sealed up inside of you they might be thinking they want that power in their control.

"It must be difficult for you to know that Ninja like them would keep coming after you, but is your destiny," Jiraiya told them. Tsukiko sighed. "Now, don't you two worry, I'm going to protect –"

"Then there's nothing to do but hurry up and get stronger!" Naruto cut in. Tsukiko glanced at him. "I've got to! Okay! Let's go find that Tsunade person, have her save Sasuke and get down to some serious training!"

"Well, that was easy..." Tsukiko muttered as they set off. But her mind was now occupied by the thought of members of Akatsuki following her and Naruto all over the place. How many were there, anyway? She wondered if they always wore those cloaks...

"I don't have a good feeling about that organization either," Okuninushi muttered in her head. Tsukiko looked at him in wonder. "Whether they're trying to make their own men the Jinchuriki or less, none of that is any good news for the humans around here,"

"That's for certain," Tsukiko replied. "But Usajii, you said that you cannot be sealed into a person who is not from the direct lineage of Otsutsuki and haven't had whatever the abilities you say that I have, so what will they do with you then?"

"That is true," Usajii replied. "But humans never learn, do they? I do not believe any human has the capability to counter my seal. But they can certainly kill you to get me out of you. If any one of them tries to put me within them, they will certainly be destroyed. I know for certain that there is no one like you alive in this world. I would've felt them,"

"Is that how you found me?" Tsukiko asked. "Usajii... Please tell me about everything... I want to know about my parents, too, and how I came into this world. I feel... rather lonely without knowing all of that," Usajii was quiet for a moment.

"I will tell you once we're in seclusion back from this trip," Usajii muttered. "And I'm pretty sure that the new Hokage would prefer to know about your lineage. Sandaime had been a little too accepting of my behaviour, I'm afraid. But I have to remind you, Tsukiko, that the knowledge may cause you more pain,"