medicalpunch | [Luceti] Appointments

[He's got friends here.

Her heavy heart lifts a little and she finally manages a small smile, grateful that he does have people like Sakura and the rest of his friends. Grateful that they would want to help find him too-

-If he's still in Luceti.]

Right.

[They're the same willful words she said to Minato only a few hours ago. It wasn't 'he's still here' or 'he's okay' like she expects. It's if he's here, they would damn well find him and nothing is going to stop her.

Or Sakura.

She's glad Naruto likes a person like Sakura. He did follow some of her advice, after all.]

Let's go!

[And even better that Sakura is learning to like him back.

But there's always that if. Luceti is a place of impermanence, in its own way -- all the ways in which someone could just leave with no warning, no preparation, no chance to say goodbye.

All she can hope is that if Naruto's gone, it's temporary; even if getting home is urgent, more time with his family is what she dearly wants for him.]

You got it! We'll take this whole place apart.

[~~YES GOOD YES~~

Easily excitable and now with a goal in mind with someone who was a woman after her own heart, Kushina feels her determination take precedence over everything else.

That Naruto might have gone home and she wouldn't see him again... or worse.]

Hell yeah!

[Gone is the exhaustion in her eyes.]

Who's nearby here?

[Seeing Kushina perk up with new energy gives Sakura at least a small sense of comfort. Even if she can't bring Naruto back into the enclosure (if he's gone), she can at least boost Kushina's spirits.]

Well, pretty much everyone on this floor is from our world. Shikamaru's right across the way, Lee and Neji are here too, Temari, Ino....

[As Sakura trails off, Kushina looks around the floor. Without another word, she turns and heads over to one of the other doors, raising her hand to knock.]

[And Sakura does much the same, gathering together people who are willing to look for Naruto, asking after the last time he's been seen.]

[She searches for Sakura after she's asked everyone if they've seen him, if not forced them to help Sakura and Kushina in their hunt.

Despite being awake all night, worrying herself sick, and hiding her turmoil, Kushina's smile is a little brighter and more genuine.

Because Naruto had great friends.]

I think we asked everyone on this floor. Do you want to come with me to ask Mikoto and Sasuke and Itachi?

If anyone's seen him, I bet Sasuke has. [She nods, falling into step with Kushina.]

If we have to, we'll ask everyone in the village!

[SOUNDS GOOD TO HER]

I was planning on it.

[Finally (after a lot of thought about it) she admits something to Sakura that she hasn't admitted to Minato, the determined narrowing of her eyes softening.]

If he's gone home though, that's okay too. That's where he belongs. That's where all of you belong.

[She turns and grins.]

I can't be upset if he's in Konoha again, ya know? [So why is she?]

It... it is, yes. [In truth, Sakura wants them all home.

But that's a hard thing to think about, when Naruto's parents are here and not there]

If he's home... well. I'll be glad and grateful for him that he's had the time here with you. That's a really special thing.

[A bit speechless, Kushina can only stare in surprise at Sakura. That their conversation took a turn like this. Of course, she's grateful for that time too and she knows it's special. She felt the same.

It's bittersweet.

It's obvious how much she cares about Naruto (might even return his feelings) with how much she wishes happiness for him like she does.]

Sakura, I'm glad Naruto has someone like you for a teammate.

Thank you for being there for him. For caring about him.

[It's definitely been a process, and one that still holds a lot of backsliding. Sakura colors a little, remembering some of her comments from years ago, and lets her gaze fall to the side.]

I... I have to admit I haven't always been good to him. He gets on my nerves a lot. But he's also... he's pretty special, when he's not being an idiot. [And maybe even sometimes when he is. Sometimes.]

[Despite their troubles, she can see that Sakura is a really good friend of Naruto's. Along with a lot of other people she's met.

She chuckles to herself.

Might as well be the Pink Habanero.]

Your temper must be as bad as mine.

[Her laugh has a little embarrassment mixed in with it; she's really not the most ladylike.]

Well... it can get pretty bad, I guess. And Naruto is good at being frustrating.

[What a relief that Kushina doesn't seem to see the admission as anything bad. Sorry ma'am, I kind of beat up on your son sometimes.]

[Peas in a pod.

It's her turn to look embarrassed, sheepish for the trouble her son has caused.

It's not like I don't give him a good thwak every now and then too...]

Yeah. Sorry.

[They really are a lot alike, aren't they?]

There's nothing to apologize for! And he's... well, he wouldn't be him otherwise.

[Her tone says a lot, the mix of exasperation and strong affection.]

[Thinking about the troublemaker, irritating mess her son is reminds her that he's missing. It's funny that he's gone and he's still making a mess for Kushina and Sakura with his disappearing act.

As much as Naruto wouldn't be Naruto without the frustration, Kushina wouldn't be Kushina without the red hair.]

We are who we are.

[~~/ke$ha plays in bg~~]

[Luceti] Appointments

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