DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. THIS IS JUST A FAN-MADE STORY!
The hours rolled past as Suigetsu, Jugo and Karin lounged around the nearest forest, as far as possible from the demonic Sasuke who seemed intent on killing even them. They were not only recovering from the wounds he had inflicted on them, but also from the shock of witnessing his blood rage.
"It's getting dark," Jugo commented, stroking the blackbird perched on his shoulder.
"Yeah...An' I'm getting rather tired," said Suigetsu, leaning against the rough bark of a tree, his arms behind his head.
"Sasuke said he wants to see us again tomorrow...at that same dreaded hour..." said Karin, seemingly more to herself than to the others. Her blood red eyes were dull with the sadness and worry that plagued her mind. Of the three of them, she had taken it the worst.
"Ah it'll be fine," said Suigetsu, even though deep down he knew it was a lie. But seeing her in such a melancholic mood wasn't exactly making them feel better.
"Hang on! I sense someone's chakra approaching!" Karin stood up suddenly, placing her fingers on her forehead as if to focus better.
"Who is it?" Suigetsu instantly made a grab for his sword, but his grip loosened when he saw her face relax.
"It's okay, it's just your girlfriend," she said, turning to face the direction where Tsubaki was coming from.
"Yey! Alright, at least something came well today!" Suigetsu got up on his feet, his sunny grin back on his face.
"It will be nice to have some company," said Jugo. Even though his voice was always flat and his face rather blank, something about his manner could hint at his inner feelings in a way his tone couldn't.
A couple of minutes later, the sound of rustling leaves reached their ears and Tsubaki herself emerged.
"Hey guys!" she said warmly.
"Tsubaki!" Suigetsu cried, running over to her and pulling her in a tight embrace.
"Sui-chan!" she said happily, planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Karin told us you were coming," Suigetsu explained, ruffling her black locks affectionately.
"Aaawww really? I wanted it to be a surprise!" Tsubaki whined in a playful tone.
"Sorry, no surprises with me here!" Karin grinned proudly.
"Man, that's such a cool ability you got there," Tsubaki flung herself down against the tree Suigetsu had been leaning on mere minutes earlier.
"It's extremely useful, which is why Sasuke personally handpicked me," she had said it before realising. At the mention of Sasuke's name, both Suigetsu and Jugo seemed to tense up.
"You like Sasuke too huh? Everyone I know likes Sasuke," said Tsubaki, oblivious to their tension.
"Is that so? Well, he's gonna be mine anyway, so they can all just back off," said Karin, choosing to pretend that nothing had happened. Following suit, the others decided to play along as well.
"That's what they all say, but Sasuke's never been a gentleman. Pardon me of course but it's how he's always been around us. Very outspoken dude isn't he?" said Tsubaki.
"Yeah...but still, no matter what he does, I still think he's beautiful..." said Karin. Tsubaki thought she had imagined it, but Karin's voice choked up on the last word.
"Hey Jugo, Tsubaki likes animals too, don't ya Tsubaki?" Suigetsu promptly decided to change the subject.
"Do you?" Jugo turned to face her.
"Yeah, you bet! I always have and I always will!" said Tsubaki: "Wow! I've never seen birds sit on anyone's shoulder before! That's some trust they've got in you!"
"I can communicate with them, it's a sort of gift I was born with. Nature keeps me sane...I suppose Suigetsu took the liberty of explaining things to you?" he said, approaching them.
"Yeah, he did. Wish I had that gift, man it's pretty awesome!" said Tsubaki, reaching up to stroke the blackbird on Jugo's shoulder. Strangely enough, the tiny creature made no move to escape.
"How cute!" she gushed happily as Suigetsu secretly adored her.
"We make an awesome team..." he said suddenly: "Wish you were a part of us. You're a really good friend."
"Why thanks Sui-chan!" she said happily, winking at him.
"It's true," Karin chipped in, walking towards her: "Friendship isn't so common amongst us rogue ninja. Even though you're from the Leaf and none of us are, even though you don't know our goals, you trust us and make us your friends. I appreciate that."
"She's right," said Jugo: "It's good to be able to have a chat with someone that has nothing to do with killing or attacking."
"I agree, and I'm glad you feel that way guys. Call me naïve, but I trust easily. Perhaps too easily, but still, I kinda like making friends with people that others push away. It's fun to make others happy," said Tsubaki.
"That's my flower!" said Suigetsu.
"Guys wait! Someone else's chakra is approaching! And it's not Sasuke's or anyone I'm familiar with! In fact, it feels so dark...so evil...Ugh it's almost stifling!" Karin said suddenly.
"Great, and just when we were actually having a good time for once," said Suigetsu.
"Dark? How dark?" asked Jugo.
"It feels terrible, so menacing, so rotten to the core. And it feels kinda strange, like a double presence within one body," Karin reported.
"Great. What kinda monster are we expecting, a two-headed creep?" Suigetsu said as he whipped out his gigantic sword. Tsubaki couldn't help but snort at the remark. Even in a tough situation Suigetsu was always able to make them laugh.
But the joke was fast over when the dark figure emerged into the clearing.