Tsunade strolled along the path home, a wide grin plastered across her face. Her afternoon at the gambling den had been exceptionally fruitful. She'd won big, a small fortune lining her laden pockets. Perhaps I'm finally getting the hang of this gambling thing, she mused.
The thought of that annoying little Uchiha brat leaving tomorrow brought another smile to her lips. The money wasn't bad, but having her peace and quiet returned would more than make up for it. Especially now that she'd been on a little winning streak. Let someone else have all the burden, she thought, a touch of malice creeping into her thoughts. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, that Uchiha kid… their misfortunes are none of my concern.
Humming a cheerful tune, she entered the grounds of her house. She noticed the familiar figures of Anbu agents lurking outside. She knew why they were there; they were Kushina's unofficial bodyguards. Though she still didn't understand the reason for such heavy protection, she didn't particularly care. As long as her grandmother was happy… well, that was good enough for her.
Tsunade passed through the gate, her thoughts turning to Kushina. She quite liked the girl. Despite her carefree exterior, Tsunade was perceptive enough to sense the loneliness and fear hidden beneath Kushina's cheerful facade. Such a sweet kid, she thought. It's understandable that she'd be scared in a new place. She decided to check on her, wondering if she'd settled in for the night.
She approached Kushina's room, noticing that it was dark. Asleep already? She gently pushed the door open. The room was empty. Kushina's presence was nowhere to be felt. Tsunade touched the bed. The covers were cold.
Crap! Had Kushina been taken? A wave of panic washed over her. She rushed out of the room, intending to check with her grandmother in the backyard. As she hurried past Tatsumi's room, she noticed a light still on. She also heard a faint sound – a girl crying.
What the heck? Tsunade cautiously approached the door, pressing her ear against the wood. She could hear voices now, muffled but distinct.
"I… it…" It was Tatsumi's voice, stammering.
"That… I… not on purpose." He seemed to be apologising profusely.
What's going on? Tsunade's anxiety spiked.
"Just now… the split second… shouldn't hurt."
Split second? Hurt? Tsunade's imagination ran wild. Her thoughts veered into decidedly inappropriate territory. What could possibly happen in a split second that would… hurt? She decided she definitely needed to invest in better soundproofing.
"That… I… will… be responsible…"
Tsunade's face paled. Responsible? The implications were clear. Kushina was missing from her room, she was in Tatsumi's room, and he was talking about being responsible. Even a fool could connect the dots.
What am I going to do? Tsunade's mind raced. Tatsumi, despite being an Uchiha, was her first student. She'd wanted to guide him, to mentor him. And now… this. If she reported this, he'd be dragged away by the Anbu and probably tossed into some dark, watery cell. But if she didn't report it… Kushina was practically family. She was her grandmother's precious charge. Tsunade was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Unable to wait any longer, Tsunade, her mind a whirlwind of panicked assumptions, kicked the door open with a resounding crash.
The scene that greeted her was… unexpected. Kushina sat on the bed, dishevelled and clearly distressed, but not in the way Tsunade had imagined. She looked nervous, almost frightened. Beside her lay a kunai, suggesting… suicide? Oh no, Tsunade's heart sank.
And then there was Tatsumi. The little demon was close to Kushina, his face contorted in what looked like… concern? He was holding a piece of paper and gently dabbing at Kushina's tears. Kushina, for her part, was staring at him, her face flushed crimson. Was it from fear?
"Kushina, don't be afraid! I'm here to save you!" Tsunade announced, her voice ringing with false bravado. I can't let her see what's about to happen, she thought. This poor, sweet child doesn't need any more trauma.
Tatsumi, startled by Tsunade's dramatic entrance, looked up, his eyes widening. Tsunade's usually neat ponytail had come undone, her golden hair cascading around her shoulders, carrying the faint scent of shampoo. He glanced at the shattered door, his eyes narrowing slightly. Another sneak attack? How predictable, he thought dryly, even as his mind raced to analyse the situation.
"Tsunade-neechan… I…" Kushina stammered, her voice trembling.
"Uchiha Tatsumi!" Tsunade roared, her voice laced with fury. "Prepare to meet your maker!"
"Huh? What? This is a misunderstanding! Wait, wait, wait! I didn't do anything—waaah!"
Tatsumi had never felt such intense murderous intent. Tsunade's eyes, usually playful, now burned with a terrifying seriousness he'd never witnessed before.
What followed was beyond anything Tatsumi could have imagined. Tsunade moved with lightning speed, a blur of motion. Is this the true power of a Jonin? he thought, his body frozen in fear. I can't even move.
Tsunade's fist hurtled towards him, a devastating blow aimed directly at his face. How? What happened? Why is her fist so close? Why am I here? Who am I? His mind was a blank.
Suddenly, Tsunade's soft skin brushed against his lips. Before he could process what was happening, his body was launched off the bed.
Is this… flying? he thought vaguely.
Then, a searing pain exploded in his cheek. Pain? He finally registered the sensation. Yes, pain. I feel pain. I understand pain. Those who do not understand pain cannot understand true horror! In that instant, Tatsumi felt utterly insignificant, a tiny speck in the vast universe. A wave of loneliness washed over him.
He saw Tsunade's contorted face, a mask of fury. He saw Kushina, tears streaming down her face, reaching out towards him. What a beautiful picture, he thought dazedly. My death is approaching.
And then, darkness. The split second was over. Tatsumi's consciousness plunged into oblivion.