Return to Konoha

This story takes place about two weeks after The Breaking Point.

Chapter 1—News from a Friend

Orochimaru walked into the room, a look of disgust and anger fixed on his face. A toad was squirming against the firm grip he had around its neck.

"Tsunade, what is this doing here?" Orochimaru asked.

"Hm?" Tsunade turned toward him and he noticed the paper in her hands. "How should I know?" she answered. "I figured he'd leave after he delivered Jiraiya's letter."

"I was on my way out," it croaked. "Honest! So, you know, you could let me go n – geh!"

Orochimaru's hand tensed and the toad's squirming became wilder.

"Oh, let him go," Tsunade said. "I'm sure he won't stick around this time."

Orochimaru considered her request for a few moments. "I hope you understand the position Jiraiya has put you in, toad," Orochimaru said sharply. "Tsunade's presence here is a secret, and if that secret gets out, I won't bother figuring out who is responsible. Very few people know about this. I won't hesitate to kill everyone who does to prevent it from happening again." He dropped the toad and it hit the floor hard.

"See if I take this job again," it groaned, rubbing its throat. "I'm outta here." It vanished with a small pop and a puff of smoke and Tsunade turned her attention back to the letter in her hand.

"Why is Jiraiya sending letters here," Orochimaru asked irritably.

"Relax," Tsunade answered. "I doubt he's planning to make a habit of it."

Orochimaru watched her as she stared down at the letter. The little smile she had as she read it frustrated him. Finally, with a light laugh she folded up the letter and looked over at Orochimaru. His severe expression startled her.

"What's wrong?"

"What makes you think he won't make a habit of it?" he asked stiffly.

She immediately recognized his frustration and sighed. "Here." Tsunade handed over the letter and Orochimaru took it. He began to read as she explained. "I asked him for a favor before he left. He was just letting me know how our plan went setting up the new Hokage."

"…Kakashi Hatake," Orochimaru murmured, skimming through the lengthy letter.

"That's right," Tsunade said, her smile returning. "Everything's taken care of."

"Hm," Orochimaru folded the letter and set it on the table. "Does that mean we can put all of this behind us?"

"…Actually," Tsunade began. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something, Orochimaru." She stepped forward and took his hands, looking at them instead of meeting his eyes. "I understand how you feel about this. I know I've been… preoccupied lately, worrying about this, and you just want it to be over, but there's one last thing I want to do."

"What is it, Tsunade?" Orochimaru sighed.

"I want to go to the village one last time…"

Orochimaru's expression went blank with disbelief before anger flashed across his features. Tsunade cut him off before he could speak. "I won't go now," she explained quickly. "I'll wait until things die down. I'll go in disguise. I'll be careful–"

"Tsunade," Orochimaru groaned, pulling away from her. "I told you when you were making this decision that it would mean never going back."

"I know, but why shouldn't I? No one will know. It won't be for long. Just a few hours. Just this once. I promise."

"It's insane," he hissed. "What could be worth risking discovery like this? What could you possibly be thinking? It would ruin the whole plan–"

"No, it wouldn't," Tsunade snapped. "I'm not going to get caught. And it's important to me. I've already made up my mind about this, Orochimaru, and you're not going to change it."

"…Do you plan to go alone?" he asked, glaring at her.

"Yes," she answered curtly.

Orochimaru sighed and turned away from her. "Honestly, Tsunade… When you asked if I would wait for you, I didn't realize you'd make me wait this long."

"That's not fair–!" Tsunade started.

"Tsunade," Orochimaru moved toward her again and pulled her closer with a hand on her waist. "Relax. …When do you want to go?"

"…December," she murmured, not looking at him.

Orochimaru nodded. "That's not for some time yet. Now," he tilted her chin up so she would look at him again. "I have two requests."

"Requests?" she repeated.

"Demands, really," he amended, smirking. "First is that we go back to my hideout in Otogakure. Tomorrow. Second is that I accompany you at least as far as this hideout when you leave to do this."

Tsunade smiled. "I'd like that."