For the next few days, Tsunade babied Keiko. She let Keiko do whatever she wanted. One of those days, Tsunade started packing up Keiko’s things. Keiko was confused on why Tsunade was putting her toys in boxes.

“Mommy, what you doing?” Keiko asked her mother. Tsunade looked at Keiko and pulled her closer to her. Keiko gave her mother a confused look.

“Keiko, you’re going to be going over to a friends house for a little while, okay” Tsunade tried to explain to Keiko. Only Tsunade knew it wasn’t going to be for a few days, it was going to be for a few years. Tsunade started to cry.

Keiko reached out and grabbed her mother. Tsunade hugged Keiko. Keiko didn’t like Tsunade being upset. Keiko tried to playfully push Tsunade over, hoping that would make her feel better. Tsunade picked Keiko up and set her in her lap.

“Hey! Calm down,” Tsunade chuckled, “You want to help Mommy put your toys into a box?” Keiko nodded, got off Tsunade’s lap and helped her. Soon they were finished. As a reward Tsunade play wrestled with Keiko.

Soon, Tsunade decided it was time to drop Keiko off at a friend’s house. Tsunade went into the kitchen and made Keiko a bottle to drink on their way. Then Tsunade got Keiko ready, and they went on their way.

Soon they got to a good-sized house and Tsunade knocked on the door. A lady who looked about Tsunade’s age opened the door.

“Hello Tsunade! How have you been?” the lady said, “Come in! Come in!” The lady held the door open as Tsunade stepped inside.

“I’m doing good Ami. I’m a bit stressed out about leaving Keiko though. Even though I know it’s for the better, I’m worried about her,” Tsunade told Ami. Keiko was looking around at everything. Ami showed Tsunade into the living room, where they both sat on a couch. Tsunade set Keiko on the floor.

“Tsunade, she’s going to be fine. I’ve told my daughters about her. Remember, Ritsuko is only a few months older than her. Here, I’ll go get her and introduce her to Keiko, how does that sound?” Ami asked Tsunade.

“Okay, Keiko should meet her before I leave,” Tsunade replied. Ami went off to find Ritsuko and Tsunade picked up Keiko and held her.

“Mommy, Froggy,” Keiko told Tsunade. Tsunade handed Keiko her stuffed toad. Soon, Ami returned with Ritsuko. Ritsuko was slightly bigger than Keiko. She had jet black hair and blue eyes. Ami set Ritsuko on the floor in front of her. Tsunade did the same with Keiko.

“So, that’s Ritsuko?” Tsunade asked. Ritsuko was trying to get Keiko’s attention, and Keiko was ignoring her.

“Yep, that’s Ritsuko. Don’t worry, she usually gets along with other kids her age. I’m sure Keiko will get along with her too” Ami explained to Tsunade. Keiko was finally paying attention to Ritsuko. Keiko was being cautious with Ritsuko though.

“Okay, I just want to make sure Keiko is safe,” Tsunade told Ami, “I don’t want her being around Jiraiya. The only way I can prevent her from being around him, is by giving her up to you.” Keiko was still watching Ritsuko carefully. Ami reached down and picked Keiko up. Keiko started to get upset.

“Shh, hello Keiko,” Ami was trying to get Keiko used to her, “Hey, who do you have there?” Keiko held out her toad for Ami to see.

“Froggy,” Keiko told Ami. Tsunade smiled. Keiko was getting along with Ami fine. Tsunade picked up Ritsuko and handed her to Ami. She wanted to see how the two girls would get along, being held by the same person.

At first Keiko cried for Tsunade, and then Ami started talking softly to her. Keiko calmed down right away. Ritsuko tried to play with Keiko. Keiko wasn’t used to Ritsuko yet. Keiko tried to push Ritsuko away, but Ami softly grabbed Keiko.

“Hey, Ritsuko isn’t going to hurt you. She just wants to play with you,” Ami tried to explain to Keiko.

“I’m going to get going then,” Tsunade interrupted. Keiko saw her mother leaving and she started to cry for her. Ami set Ritsuko on the couch and took Keiko over to Tsunade.

“Tsunade,” Ami started to say, “I think you should say good-bye to Keiko.” Tsunade understood and took Keiko from Ami.

“Keiko, Mommy is going to leave now. You stay here with Ami and Ritsuko, okay?” Tsunade tried to explain to Keiko. Keiko wanted to go with Tsunade.

“No, I go with you!” Keiko started to cry. Tsunade held Keiko while she cried. Soon Keiko calmed down enough for Tsunade to leave. When Tsunade left, she hugged Keiko and set her down right next to the door. After Tsunade closed the door, Keiko cried for Tsunade to come back. Ami watched Keiko for a few minutes and when Keiko calmed down, Ami went and picked Keiko up.

“Hey, do you want to go play with Ritsuko?” Ami asked Keiko. Keiko didn’t respond. Ami knew it would take Keiko a while to get used to her new life, but she hoped she would get used to it soon.

For the next ten years of her life, Keiko lived with this family. She forgot about Tsunade and Jiraiya and started calling these new people Mom and Dad. But she would meet up with Tsunade and Jiraiya again. She was bound too.

THE END