Chapter 9—Messenger
It was midnight and Temari and Kankuro were little more than a day's journey out from the Sand Village when they stopped to rest.
"I'll take the first watch," Kankuro said, setting down his scrolls. "You get some rest. We can switch in a few hours."
Temari didn't argue. She was grateful for the chance to take a break and relax, though she was still worried. She removed the fan from her back and laid it across her lap as she leaned back against a tree. "The Hokage's been missing for more than two days now," she thought aloud. "It's got to be nerve-racking, not knowing what's happened."
"Cheer up," Kankuro said. "You know, it's possible everything will be sorted out before we even get there."
Temari scoffed. "That's optimistic."
"Well, you never know."
"Hey there! I finally found you two!"
Temari and Kankuro were both on their feet in an instant, fan and scrolls open, ready to attack. Then Jiraiya dropped into their little clearing, his hands raised placidly. Neither of the siblings dropped their guard.
"Temari," Kankuro said, staring at Jiraiya through the darkness. "Isn't he one of the Legendary Sannin of the Leaf?"
"Yeah," Temari said slowly. "Jiraiya, isn't it? I think I've seen him around Konoha."
"I've been looking for you two," Jiraiya said. "You're heading to Konoha, right? I was wondering if you could do me a favor when you get there." He saw Kankuro and Temari exchange a quick glance in which they apparently decided to trust him, for they lowered their weapons, though Temari did not close the fan.
"What do you need?" she asked.
"Things are really crazy back at the village – I'm sure you can imagine – so if you could just let everyone know that I've already figured out where Tsunade is and that there's no need to worry–"
"You know where she is?" Temari interrupted.
"Where is she then? What's going on?" interjected Kankuro.
"I told you, it's nothing to worry about. Still, it'd be best if everyone keeps it quiet that she's not in the village right now. It'll be a little while before she comes back."
"How long is 'a little while'?" Kankuro asked.
"A few days… should be," Jiraiya said evasively.
"Is she in trouble? Maybe we should go with you instead," Temari said.
"No, no, don't worry about it. I've got everything under control. Now, here," He pulled out the scroll with the Sand Village's reply and handed it to Kankuro. "You might need this. The border patrol is going to be extremely cautious toward ninja from other villages and they won't be expecting you, so be careful." He turned to leave.
"Hey wait," Kankuro said.
"What do you mean they won't be expecting us?" Temari insisted. "I'm sure Gaara sent a reply."
"Yep," Jiraiya said and he pointed to the scroll in Kankuro's hand. Then he took off into the trees before they could ask any more questions.
Temari and Kankuro were left slightly shell-shocked. Eventually Kankuro broke the silence.
"That was… weird," he said.
"Yeah. But you know… if he's got it all figured out already, are we still needed in Konoha? Maybe we should turn back – it might be faster to go home and send a hawk with his message."
"But Temari," Kankuro said. "They might still need our help in the village and we said we would go, so we should go. Besides," he finished a little more quietly. "I like visiting Konoha."
"Ah ha, the true motive comes out," Temari teased.
"What about you? Don't you want to see that Shikamaru kid?"
Temari punched Kankuro's arm. "Shut up."
"Ow! Temari! What was that for?"
She closed her fan and sat down against the tree again. "Keep watch, I'm going to sleep," she said.
"But we are still going, right?"
"Yes, of course," she sighed but when Kankuro turned away to gather his scrolls she smiled.
[X]
Jiraiya rushed through the trees with hardly any idea of where he should be heading.
"Why is it nobody really believes me when I lie lately?" he muttered to himself. "It's all questions and suspicion. I guess the Sannin haven't proven themselves to be very reliable…" Tsunade… Just what the hell are you doing? Where did you go?