Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [1]

☾ 59 ☽

Tsukiko breathed heavily as she pressed her hand against the wound again, creating another crystal over to protect it while it continued to heal. And Usajii had already warned her to keep it out of harm's way so her low Chakra levels could heal it.

"Wake up already!" Naruto yelled as he went rushing back toward Sasuke.

Sasuke jumped down at Naruto and kicked him in the head, stealing his weapon pouch and sending the blond falling back into the water. Tsukiko groaned as the blond slammed into her, making them skid back in the water and against the rock.

"I woke up a long time ago," Sasuke replied. "From my idiotic self who dreams about a lax peaceful future... hanging out with comrades. That's why I left the village! That's why I sought power! My dream is not in the future. My dream is in the past... That's the only place that exists..."

"Naruto..." Tsukiko said as the blond pushed himself back onto his feet on the water and pulled out his Shuriken. She was still apprehensive about attacking Sasuke. Can't they just convince him more peacefully?

Naruto threw a Shuriken at Sasuke, who dodged it and returned fire with the Kunai he had stolen off of Naruto. The Uzumaki male also dodged and Tsukiko barely moved out of the way as the Kunai sunk to the depths of the water where she stood seconds ago. She grimaced at the sheer mental, emotional and physical exhaustion she was feeling.

"Naruto, watch out!" Tsukiko shouted as Sasuke threw Kunai at the blond and sighed in relief when she saw that Naruto had managed to do the Substitution Jutsu.

The actual Naruto moved to attack Sasuke again but Sasuke, clearly skilful with his usage of the tools, easily tied Naruto against the rock with wire strings. Naruto glared at Sasuke, "Sasuke... You really are..."

"I told you... I don't need a future with you guys anymore," Sasuke replied. Tsukiko's eyes widened as she pushed herself completely out of water and began to rush at Naruto. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

"Water Style: Water Wall Jutsu!" Tsukiko shouted, going rapidly through the hand seals, and water rose from the waterfall and drew up around Naruto, extinguishing the fire before it could even reach Naruto and scorch him.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted as he went rushing up the strings that he had gotten out of, and he punched Sasuke across the face. But Sasuke showed no emotion and Naruto continued to punch him. "You punk!"

"Is this the best you've got," Sasuke taunted Naruto, wiping the blood of his chin. Tsukiko stared up at them as she landed at Suzuran's head, trying to calm herself down. "If this is all you've got, I still don't need to use that... You haven't realised it? I haven't even used my Sharingan,"

"Don't mock me!" Naruto shouted as he went to punch Sasuke again but this time, Sasuke caught his fist and chuckled to himself. Tsukiko felt her body pressure her to rest but she stood frozen.

"You don't have enough strength or desire..." Sasuke said. "If I kept playing comrade with you guys..." He kicked Naruto down the statue and rushed at him, kicking him rapidly. "I wouldn't have... been able to get..." He kicked Naruto ruthlessly into the ground. "...this much power!"

"Naruto," Tsukiko grunted as she rushed toward the blond, trying to make sure that he had not hurt himself badly, or worse. Sasuke nonchalantly threw Naruto's pouch back.

"That's right... I need..." Sasuke continued. "Both power... and hatred... in order to catch up with him," Sasuke looked at Tsukiko and she glanced at him. "You. Sakura said you've created a Jutsu. Why don't you try it at me?"

Tsukiko pursed her lips as she stared at Sasuke. It wasn't that she didn't have the Chakra to perform it right now – it was the fear that she would definitely end up hurting him, rather than it going seamlessly through him. Was he a friend? Was he a foe? What was he to her right now? Could she ever hurt him in anyway? Tsukiko knew she could not.