*Huh? Is this the legendary 'Sannin takes an apprentice' plotline?*
Though it wasn't stated outright, if she stayed with Tsunade, wouldn't she receive guidance? Even if Tsunade wasn't from the Yuki clan and couldn't use Ice Release, her experience and insight alone could help Touye avoid countless pitfalls.
A wave of elation washed over her. "I am willing! If you would have me, my lady, I would be honored to serve you!"
The blonde woman gave a sly smile. "I don't have any money to hire you, though..."
"I will work hard to earn money to support you, my lady!"
"Hehehe..." Tsunade chuckled but said nothing more, merely taking another sip of her tea.
*That's a yes!*
Touye quickly bowed to the floor again. "Thank you so much!"
Beside them, Shizune's expression was a little strange.
***
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Touye slowly approached the clearing where she had parted ways with Chun, her gaze complicated as she looked at the traces of the life they had shared.
After a long moment, she sighed.
She had promised to find Chun, but they hadn't even set a place to meet. Thinking back, she realized she had been prepared to die. Yet, in the end, it was the Kirigakure ninja who died. She had been lucky enough to be found by Tsunade and survive. The thought sent a shiver of fear down her spine. If Tsunade and Shizune had arrived just a little later, she would have been done for.
The scene of her battle with the ninja was unchanged. A few snapped trees stood nearby, and a large crater scarred the earth—all stark reminders of the fierce fight that had taken place.
She wandered the clearing aimlessly. After sending Chun away, she had fought and fled, leaving a trail of clues. Knowing Chun's personality, she was sure she would have come back. It seemed Chun had followed her trail but lost it at the final battle site. Tsunade and Shizune, fearing pursuit, had erased their tracks. Chun, unable to find her, could have gone anywhere...
*Sigh...*
After thinking for a long time, Touye still couldn't come up with a way to contact Chun.
*It's fine. Chun is strong now... and smart. As long as she's careful, she should be okay.*
She tried to comfort herself, though her expression was grim.
Following the path of her escape, Touye retraced her steps. She discovered that Chun had indeed passed through here a couple of days ago, not long before she herself had arrived. If only she had come two days earlier, she thought with a pang of regret.
Finally, she reached the site of their final battle. The snow had covered much of the evidence. Touye searched for a long time but found no more traces of Chun. Unwilling to give up, she spent another night there, but Chun never appeared. The next morning, she could only leave in sorrow.
***
Touye slowly walked back into the town where Tsunade and Shizune were staying. The bustling market felt alien to her, a world away. She lowered her head and headed toward the inn.
"Hey! Young man, how about a mask? I made these myself, you know. I can give you a discount!"
Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm. It was a man, a vendor.
"A mask?" she repeated, discreetly retracting the tip of the ice blade that had begun to form in her hand.
Seeing that Touye wasn't trying to leave, the shopkeeper's smile grew wider. "These are all top-quality masks! No one in this town makes them better than me!"
Touye glanced distractedly at the masks on the stall and took out her coin purse. "I'll take one." She pointed at a simple one. "The faceless mask will do."
"Excellent choice, young man! That's one of the best I have. It may be a simple faceless design, but it's absolutely a masterpiece!"
She toyed with the mask in her hands. She had given the owl mask from the Underground Exchange to Chun and hadn't used one since.
Tilting her head, she silently placed the mask over her face. The shopkeeper may have been asking a steep price, but he wasn't lying. The craftsmanship was excellent; it felt smooth against her skin.
Back in the inn room, Tsunade was drinking cup after cup of sake. When Touye walked in, she merely showed a flicker of surprise at the mask.
Though she looked young and beautiful, Tsunade was over fifty years old. What hadn't she seen? She had witnessed enough partings and deaths to last a lifetime. She didn't comment on the girl's quiet turmoil, knowing that words from others were useless in such matters. It was something Touye had to figure out for herself.
"You're back. Go help Shizune pack in the next room. We've stayed here long enough. It's time to leave."
"Yes, my lady. I'm very sorry to have delayed you..." Touye apologized.
"It's fine... Go on."
"Yes... I'll take my leave, then..."
Touye backed out of the room and went next door.
Shizune looked surprised to see the mask on Touye's face but managed to restrain her curiosity.
They didn't have much luggage, so packing didn't take long.
After bundling everything up, Touye slung the pack onto her back. Shizune saw this and hurried over. "Hey, Touye, your injuries haven't fully healed. I can carry that."
Touye sidestepped Shizune's outstretched hands. "I'm sorry, but please, I must..."
Shizune paused, then said no more. She quietly gathered the remaining items and led Touye back to the other room.
"Lady Tsunade, everything is packed. Shall we depart?"
"Mm. If it's packed, let's go."
Without any delay, Tsunade stood and led them out of the inn.
"Miss Shizune, where are we going now?" Touye turned to ask the dark-haired girl beside her.
Shizune scratched her head. "I don't know. We usually just wander wherever the road takes us... Oh, right! You don't have to call me 'miss.' It sounds so strange. Just call me Shizune."
"Oh... may I?" Touye asked softly.
"Of course!" Shizune replied cheerfully, affectionately ruffling Touye's hair.
"Hey! What are you two talking about? Keep up!" Tsunade, who had gotten a ways ahead, called back impatiently, waving them over.
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