Tobirama wakes up. More specifically, he wakes up unable to breathe. Due to lack of chakra, his reactions are all so horribly sluggish that he can't have the proper stab first, ask questions later response. This, he finds, is actually quite good because the reason he can't breathe is that Matatabi is curled up as a cat on his face and Shukaku is curled up as a child on his chest. He has a feeling if he stabbed either of them, on purpose or not, it would not end well for him. Tobirama braces himself with his hands and takes the deepest breath he can manage. Then he sits up, sending both tumbling into his lap. He's honestly sort of surprised he didn't get any claws in his face. Matatabi snarls at him, shifting smoothly to her child form. Shukaku is blinking, tired and confused, up at him.
"Hello," he greets politely. Shukaku makes an inhuman noise that he thinks indicates happiness and throws his arms around Tobirama's waist, burrowing his face into Tobirama's stomach. He glances at Matatabi. Her expression has softened, fond as she watches her brother. Tobirama understands the feeling. The idea that something so, so good could love him, willing spend time with him. Matatabi meets his eyes and an understanding passes between them. For Shukaku, at least, they will get along.
"How long was I asleep?" He asks quietly, unwilling to disturb Shukaku, who he's fairly sure has fallen back asleep.
"Just two days. Shukaku insisted on giving you chakra," Matatabi explains, just as quiet. Tobirama hums. He glances around at his surroundings, aware his chakra sense is less helpful with two bijuu by his side.
"You moved me?" Matatabi huffs.
"Shinobi were getting curious," she explains flatly. "We couldn't move you far, though, if we wanted to stay in these forms." Tobirama blinks.
"You still have the same strength, don't you?" Matatabi, giving him a look, raises her arms as if that explains everything. It takes Tobirama a moment before he realizes that, yes, it does.
"A bit hard to lift someone three times your height," she adds, in case he didn't get it. Tobirama sighs. He stretches as best as he can without disturbing Shukaku. His admittedly quite dangerous stunt getting himself out of Uzushio had left him sore and tired. Of course, that might also be an effect of sleeping on the ground for two days. With Madara probably still in or around Uzushio, this is his best chance to visit Konoha without getting caught. He wants to see how these versions of his students are doing. And maybe kidnap them for a bit to teach them if he finds their sensei lacking. He refuses to even contemplate the idea that maybe they aren't on the same team. With a sigh, he gets carefully to his feet, cradling Shukaku to his chest. The bijuu shifts to bury his face into Tobirama's shirt but thankfully doesn't wake. Matatabi eyes him for a moment before huffing.
"Sentimentality," she says distastefully. Tobirama smiles at her.
"Sentimentality," he repeats. "Quite annoying, isn't it?" She sniffs haughtily, turning her nose up at him as she crosses her arms over her chest.
"I have no such weaknesses." He snorts at the predictable response. No matter what she says, he knows she loves Shukaku as much as he cares for the people of his former life. She can't fool him that easily. She sighs and stretches.
"You do, though, and I saw your face. To some stupid village then?" She asks, the distaste firmly back. Tobirama smiles and hums, crouching so Matatabi can clamber easily to her perch on his shoulders without disturbing Shukaku.
"To Konoha," he agrees. Matatabi huffs.
"Let's go, then." Tobirama hums again and takes off without further fanfare. If he goes at a steady pace, he should be able to get there rather quickly. By tomorrow afternoon, if they're really lagging. Of course, there's no reason for them to rush... he'll plan on arriving sometime tomorrow to accommodate for a decent amount of time for Shukaku to play like any kid his age should (ignoring, of course, that Shukaku isn't actually a kid his age).
