Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [1]

☾ 55 ☽

Once Tsukiko, Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Akamaru and Neji had gotten into their positions, most of their initial journey was absolutely silent. Everyone kept their eyes on the assigned locations and as thus, Tsukiko kept alternating between their above and below. She could feel a bit of a toll on her body due to her foolishness last night but she was sure she would be able to gather enough Chakra by the time they come across their possible enemies.

There was no clear sign of Sasuke anymore, nor any Otogakure Ninjas, or even Orochimaru's. There were still grains of Chakra from month ago when Tsukiko and Naruto had fought Gaara with Gamabunta's help. Tsukiko even saw her Hotei Jutsu hands now converted into trees on the terrain off in the distance.

It was pretty neat but Tsukiko didn't even want to imagine how much toll it had taken on her body to create two hands out of nowhere for the very first time. If Okuninushi hadn't been helping her concentrate on the Chakra, Tsukiko was pretty sure that she would have never accomplished something like that.

The second time that Tsukiko had used the Hotei Jutsu, it had been considerably easier – but then again, she only had to get one hand out and she didn't have to use it to absorb the Chakra of a tailed beast. That was the most difficult part of it, in Tsukiko's honest opinion.

"Shikamaru," Kiba spoke up suddenly, breaking the silence of the surroundings. Tsukiko didn't divert her attention from her assigned duty but listened in.

"What is it?" Shikamaru asked immediately as the seven of them continued to travel rapidly through the trees. Kiba glanced over his shoulder.

"There's a smell of blood nearby," Kiba answered.

Tsukiko pursed her lips, trying to think of what might had happened. It couldn't be Sasuke, could it? She didn't want to think of that possibility. They all went silent again. Tsukiko, who usually liked the peace and quiet, suddenly felt rather agitated from it. She kept her eyes moving alternatively above and below them, trying to keep her mind occupied. Sasuke was strong, he couldn't have been hurt or killed so easily. She knew that.

"The smell of the two impinged on the five others including Sasuke," Kiba informed them. "But the five are moving away from the smell of the blood. What should we do?"

"Just as Tsukiko and I thought," Shikamaru said. "He has guides,"

At this, Tsukiko bit her lower lip. Did something about that cursed seal made Sasuke comply with Orochimaru's subordinates? What could they have suggested for him to come along, truly?

"Let's hurry up and pursue Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.

"Shut up, Naruto!" Kiba responded. "That's for Shikamaru to decide! Don't play the boss!" Tsukiko rolled her eyes at their constant bickering.

"Shikamaru?" Choji asked of his teammate's opinion as to what to do.

"The fact that there was the smell of blood probably means that a battle occurred somewhere," Shikamaru said. "If we go to that location, we should be able to gather some information... We must be attentive as we near the location, a reconnaissance pattern and approach walking slowly..."

"While all that's going on, Sasuke will cross over the Land of Fire's border," Neji added in from the back. Tsukiko sighed at the possibility.

"What do you suppose we should do, Shikamaru?" Tsukiko asked. Shikamaru was quiet for a moment, contemplating it before –

"All right!" Shikamaru said. "Let's pursue Sasuke!" Tsukiko nodded and Naruto seemed excited once more. "However, the fact that there was a battle means that they'll have their guard up. They'll certainly be aware of the fact that there might be Ninja on their tail,"