DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. THIS IS JUST A FAN-MADE STORY!
Tsubaki was returning home from her daily training session, Naruto and Sakura on each side of her. Sai had left a bit early since the Hokage had requested his help on some mission. The skies were steadily darkening and the sun had already departed beneath the Earth. Few people were left on the streets and rain was threatening to pour.
"Such an ugly evening huh?" Sakura pointed out.
"Yeah, but it'll probably open up by tomorrow," Naruto said in a carefree voice, both arms clasped behind his blonde head.
"Rain..." Tsubaki murmured suddenly, stretching out her arm to feel the occasional water drop. All of a sudden, she had a fleeting memory of a young cheerful boy, grinning cutely and showing her his liquified arm, before he turned into a splash of water himself.
"Huh?" Naruto turned to stare curiously at her, and both he and Sakura realised that Tsubaki seemed to be in a daze.
"Suigetsu..." Tsubaki sighed, fisting her hand around the raindrops that had gathered within.
"Who?" Sakura asked.
"Uh, um n-no one," Tsubaki seemed to realise that she wasn't alone and sadly dropped her arm by her side.
"Hmmmm," Naruto squinted curiously at her, his lips pursed.
"What?" Tsubaki shrugged, staring back.
"You're acting weird all of a sudden," he said.
"Leave her alone Naruto," said Sakura. She didn't want to press her friend. Maybe Tsubaki didn't want to talk about it.
"Yeesh, fine," Naruto drawled childishly, turning his eyes on the road.
"Sui-chan..." Tsubaki whispered to herself. What on earth had become of him? If he was even alive...
Dead? No way, he couldn't be! There was just no way...
Or...was there?
"Hey, um I don't mean to pry in or anything but...well if you wanna talk about it..." Sakura suggested timidly.
"Um, thanks but I, Uh, I-I'd rather not..." said Tsubaki.
"Love problems?" Naruto said suddenly.
"NARUTO!" Sakura screeched.
"I was just wondering!" Naruto raised his hands in defeat.
They walked on in silence, feeling the rain pelt down on their shoulders. At the mention of the word 'love', Sakura's memories had travelled back to another boy...
"Sasuke..." she whispered sadly, her delicate green eyes clouded by sadness.
This time, Naruto was responsive.
"Yeah...Sasuke huh," he said unhappily.
"Sasuke," Tsubaki repeated dryly.
"Y-you were never kinda fond of him, huh Tsubaki?" said Naruto.
"Well, I gotta admit it, I never really considered him a friend. I'm sorry to say this, it's just that he's way too, y'know..." she didn't really know how to say it.
"Kinda cold huh?" Naruto remarked.
Tsubaki nodded: "Yeah. He was never friendly like you two...and he was always picking on you Naruto...I didn't approve of that, calling you loser all the time."
Naruto giggled, then said: "Yep, that's Sasuke. But still, he was a good friend..."
Tsubaki personally couldn't see how someone who continuously insulted you and made you feel like a useless insect could be a good friend, but then, she wasn't gonna go out and say that now was she?
"We'll get him back, you'll see," she said instead.
"Hmm, yeah," Sakura didn't seem so convinced.
"Sure we will Sakura! Tsubaki's right, we'll have him back before you know it!" said Naruto, grinning in a cheesy way.
"Yeah, y-you're probably right," Sakura nodded, trying her best to smile.
Tsubaki went back to her own thoughts: At least these two have a chance...what chance of ever seeing Suigetsu again have I got?