It has been nearly three months since Tsunade finally allowed herself to give in and give an intimate relationship with her longtime companion, Jiraiya a chance. Things have been going well for them. They shared a mutual understanding relationship fueled with love and compassion for each other. Almost every night they went out for dinner, lay in bed or just sat around and enjoyed each other's company. Ever since they became a couple, Jiraiya gave up his Habit of peeping on women for 'research' since he now had a woman in his life who provided him with enough research to publish many novels. Tsunade also limited her gambling and drinking habits since she was no longer as stressed with Jiraiya in her life. It seemed as if Tsunade was living in a perfect world. She lived a comfortable life in a fabulous mansion, enjoyed all the Hokage privileges and had a wonderful man in her life. There was no arguing between them or tension. But that was three months ago...

"Hello Master Jiraiya." Shizune said as she watched the white haired Sannin enter the doors of the Hokage mansion. She was just coming from Tsunade's office. There was a lot of work to be done today so she was busy delivering stacks of paperwork to Tsunade, collecting the completed ones and filing them into the appropriate cabinet, "Lady Tsunade is in her office but she is very busy."

"That's okay Shizune. Tsunade is never too busy for me." He said happily as he grasped the handle to the office door and proceeded to enter. Tsunade was seated at her desk reading and then signing various documents. She was so preoccupied by her work that she didn't care to look up to determine who her visitor was. A member of the Akatsuki could walk in at any moment and she would not know. Jiraiya went over to her and bent down to place a small kiss on her cheek but his actions were stopped by a feminine hand that formed a barrier between his lips and the soft skin of her cheek, "Aw come on Tsunade." He complained with a hint of disappointment in his voice while changing his bent over position to an upright one.

"Not now Jiraiya, I'm very busy." Tsunade said, still not looking up at her guest.

"You've been busy like this for quite some time now." He said while glancing down at the multiple documents that she had in front of her. There were mission requests from various villages, mission reports and Shinobi files among other documents. He then glanced over to his beautiful Hokage. She was in her usual attire but he noticed dark shadows under her eyes. They were not all that obvious but they were there. He could tell that she was stressed out and working off of numerous cups of strong coffee. She needed a break and he was willing to make that a reality for her, "I have an idea Tsunade," he started, "How about we go out for dinner tonight? We haven't been out like that in a while and you obviously need a break."

She glanced up at him for a moment. He genuinely cared about her well being but she just couldn't put all her work aside to go out with him, even if it were just for an hour, "I can't." She relied simply then signed her name on a document.

"Why not? You've been busy all day!"

"And I'm still busy. Jiraiya, I'm the Hokage, I can't just drop everything just to go out with you."

"But I'm your boyfriend Tsunade; you should at least try to make some time for us."

"Just because we're a couple doesn't mean that I must make time for us. I'll do so when it is appropriate and right now it isn't. I have my priorities straight Jiraiya, maybe you should try to follow suit."

"So our relationship isn't a priority for you?" He was starting to get angry now.

"I didn't say that idiot."

"But you implied it."

She could tell that this conversation was heading down a dangerous path. She could see that he was getting upset. It was evident by the tone of his voice and the developing redness of his skin, "Look Jiraiya, I'm in no mood nor do I have the time to engage in this conversation so I think it's best if you would just leave now." She said so desperately trying to avoid this argument.

"I can't believe that you place no significant value on our relationship! You know Tsunade, even the great Hokage makes time for the people that they care about. I know that if I were the Hokage I would as sure as hell make time for you!" He shouted before he stormed out in a fury. 'If she doesn't want to spend time with me I guess I'm just going to have to find some way to occupy my time.'

Upon hearing the argument that just took place, Shizune made her way to Tsunade's office to check on her to see if she was okay. Just as she expected, Tsunade was still seated at her desk working on the documents before her. As usual she acted as if the conflict between her and Jiraiya didn't phase her but Shizune knew better. She knew that she just put on that 'I don't care' act to look strong, "Lady Tsunade, are you alright?" She asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Tsunade replied.

"Well, you just had an argument with your boyfriend." Shizune pointed out as she settled a few more sheets of paper on the desk and collected the completed ones in her arms.

"So what? It wasn't anything major."

"I know it isn't in my place to get into your relationship but you haven't been out with Master Jiraiya in a long time. He's probably just feeling neglected. You know how men are, if they haven't gotten any attention in a while they're going to come and ask for some." Shizune has never been in a long term relationship before but she did know a lot about men. When she was a child growing up, Tsunade told her about men and their behaviors so she knew what she was talking about, "I think that you should just go out with him. I'll finish up here for you so don't worry about the work. You need a break anyway. Go have fun."

Shizune really was a loyal apprentice. She was like the daughter that Tsunade never had. Tsunade smiled and put the pen down, "Okay Shizune. I trust you enough to leave you to complete my work." She said as she rose to her feet then proceeded to walk towards the door. She paused for a moment before walking out the room and said, "Thank you Shizune."

After Jiraiya left the Hokage mansion he felt this sudden boredom overcome him. He felt the urge to go 'researching'. He hasn't been ever since he and Tsunade got together but for some reason he really wanted to go. Maybe it was because he was feeling neglected or maybe it was because he was just really bored. No matter the reason, he wanted to relapse and give in to his old habit so he did just that.

"Come on girls let's go to the hot springs!" A random civilian woman said to her group of friends following behind her as they walked through the streets of the leaf village.

Jiraiya's ears perked up and the old pervert that he hid away for three months emerged and he found himself trailing silently behind the group of women as they made their way over to the hot springs. The ladies entered and Jiraiya, who was still unknown to them, was left behind. He then started to climb up the wooden wall that separated him from the young women. When he made it to the top he could see into the women's bathing area and waited for the ladies to enter. After they undressed they went into the hot springs and Jiraiya went crazy. He saw everything that he wanted to see. In that moment he forgot all about his fight with Tsunade and just took in the sights.

"You can't be serious right now." These words caused Jiraiya to turn slowly around to face the person that caught him red handed in his perverted act. Much to his surprise he saw Tsunade standing before him with her hands folded over her chest and she was wearing an expression of total disgust, shock and hurt mixed into one disapproving look. Jiraiya didn't know what to say and he didn't know what to do. He couldn't possibly come up with a good enough excuse to get out of this one so he was basically a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He knew how much Tsunade hated his perversion so he knew that he had a beating reserved just for him.

"I turn my back for one second and I find you peeping on women!" She said as she charged at him and planted a deadly punch on him, one that sent him flying a couple of miles in the opposite direction. His body was sent crashing through the hot springs and ended up against a tree in an open field. Tsunade sped over to him sat on top of him and was ready to give him another blow until she stopped herself, "Am I not good enough for you Jiraiya?! Am I that ugly that you have to be looking at other women?!" She shouted with a hint of hurt in her voice. He hasn't peeped at another woman since they got together so she couldn't understand for the life of her why he would want to break that new trend and return to his old perverted ways.

"No Tsunade! You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!" He defended.

"Then why would you want to look at other women?!" Tsunade grabbed the neckline of his shirt and brought his face closer to hers as she shouted at him.

"I, I don't know! It's just that I felt so neglected that I decided to research a little."

"That doesn't justify your actions idiot! I know we haven't had sex in a while but that gives you no right to go out and look at naked women! How do you think I feel about this? You know I hate perverts! I find them to be sick and disgusting! I bet you just want to forget this entire monogamy thing and have sex with all those women! I bet that would make you happy!" She let go of his shirt and rose to her feet

"That's not true Tsunade! But you never make any time for me! How do you think I feel about that? Sometimes I wonder if you even want to be with me!" He said while slowly getting up, dusting his shirt off in the process. He really got a harsh blow when Tsunade sent him flying into the tree. He thought he learned by now not to piss her off.

"What was I thinking?" She said quietly

"What?" He asked with confusion in his voice. He started to walk towards her to give her an apology hug but she stopped him in his tracks with her words.

"What was I thinking when I believed that this relationship could actually work?!" She shouted. Tears refusing to fall formed in her honey-colored eyes. It was silent for a while as the two Sannin stood there looking into each other's eyes, searching for an answer, "How could I have been so stupid?" She said.

"Don't say that Tsunade! We can work this out I know we can!" He pleaded as he grabbed hold of her shoulders with his hands, gently shaking her as if to shake some reasoning into her but she wouldn't have it. She pushed him away and he almost fell to the ground again but he regained his balance.

"This is just not going to work! You will always be an old perverted hermit! Nothing can change that! If you find it so hard to not look at women that simply means that I'm not good enough for you and if I'm not enough for you what are we trying to do here?"

That hurt him. He thought that she knew that she was the only one for him. He got angry and just said anything that came to mind just to hurt her like how she hurt him, "Well at least I'm not a coward! Instead of facing your fears you ran away from them! Guess what Tsunade, death is frequent in the life of a Shinobi so just get over it and move on!"

Tsunade slapped him across his face. There was a loud slapping noise when her hand made contact with his cheek. "You don't think I know that ass hole?! Go to hell! I'm done!" She shouted and then turned away from him and walked in the opposite direction.

"I'm done too! You're now looking at a free man!" He shouted after her but she didn't respond she just kept walking further and further away. She would not allow him to hear the shakiness of her voice or witness the silent tears rolling down her cheeks. She had too much pride for that.

Tsunade's POV

I can't believe that idiot had the audacity to peep at women behind my back. I thought he was done with his perverted ways but I was obviously wrong. I thought he was satisfied with just me and the relationship we shared but I was wrong about that as well. The idiot couldn't even justify his reason as to why he was being an egg-headed pervert. He was in the wrong so he should have just apologized but instead he tried to butter me up by calling me the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Of course I did not entertain that. I continued to argue and I said some mean things but then he went so low as to call me a coward for leaving the village after Dan and Nawaki died. What a jerk. I slapped him across his face and broke up with him right then and there. I should have been happy to finally get rid of that loser but instead unwanted tears ran down my face. I have no idea why I was crying but I was just happy that the little pervert didn't see.

After my argument and break up with Jiraiya I decided to go home and drag Shizune to go out for drinks with me. I haven't had the urge to get drunk for three months now but since I just broke up with the little idiot I didn't care about my sobriety anymore. When I entered the walls of the Hokage mansion I was greeted by all my guards and assistants but I didn't say a word to any of them. That is a fault of mine. Whenever I'm upset I tend to take my problems out on people by ignoring them or shouting at them. That is something I need to change about myself. I walked into my office and saw my loyal assistant finishing up my left over work at my desk. She was so busy that she didn't notice when I entered but my faithful pet pig Ton-Ton greeted me as I entered. My office was not in the condition that I left it in. It was clean and all the scattered papers that were left on the ground were stacked into a neat pile that sat in a corner of the office. So not only was Shizune doing my work but she also cleaned the place. Shizune was truly special to me since I practically raised her and taught her everything she knows. She's like the daughter I never had and she is one of the three people that I trust whole-heatedly. Unfortunately one of those three is Jiraiya.

I approached the desk and cleared my throat in order for Shizune to acknowledge my presence. She looked up at me with curiosity brewing in her onyx eyes, "Lady Tsunade what are you dong back here so early?" She asked, "Didn't you go out with Master Jiraiya?"

"Change of plans Shizune." I said while walking towards her and holding both of her hands with mine in an attempt to get her out of the chair. She wasn't at all heavy so it was very easy to get her on her feet. After I got her to stand I took the pen out of her right hand and placed it on the desk, "We're going out for drinks."

"You mean you and me?" She asked with confusion evident in her tone.

"That's correct." I said while gathering Ton-Ton in my arms and placing her in Shizune's.

"But Lady Tsunade, I thought you stopped drinking this late at night!" Shizune exclaimed. Out of all the people in the village, Shizune was the main person who tried to get me to kick my habit of drinking and gambling. She succeeded to an extent since I only limited my addictions instead of getting rid of them completely. I could tell it hurt her to see that I was revisiting my old ways but I couldn't help myself at that moment. I was too upset with that idiot, "And I don't even drink Lady Tsunade!"

I grabbed her free hand and lead her out the door and we walked in the direction of the local bar, "You don't have to drink, just order some of those sweet dumplings that you seem to like so much and watch Ton-Ton."

"So why don't you go drink with Master Jiraiya?" She asked. She didn't know about our break up so in her mind everything was perfect in my relationship.

"I don't want to go anywhere with that baboon again for as long as I live." I stated.

"What?!" She shouted and caused Ton-Ton to squirm a little, "What happened?"

"Nothing." I replied. Shizune was lagging behind so I grabbed her hand a little tighter, increased my pace and dragged her along with me, "Come on Shizune move your ass, the sake is waiting on me!"

Shizune did her signature scream that indicated that she was apprehensive, in shock or scared. It was loud and annoying, quite comical if you ask me but that scream is what makes Shizune, Shizune.

We finally arrived at the bar and before entering I looked up at the sign over the entrance door that had the words 'Cheap Sake' written on it. My lips formed into a devious smile that did not go unnoticed by Shizune. She screamed once again, "Aiyeee! Lady Tsunade please tell me that you aren't going to go overboard!"

"No promises." I said and then entered with Shizune unwillingly following behind. We were seated at a table in the back and a waiter came up to us to take our order. He was a young civilian man with a light skin tone and dark brown hair. He readily noticed who I was and a smile graced his face.

"What would you like today Lady Hokage?" He asked respectfully.

"A round of sake and keep them coming." I said happily, "Shizune here will have," I started while looking at her, urging her to place her order.

"I'll have the sweet dumplings and Ton-Ton will have a bowl of rice." She said. I had no idea why she liked those disgusting sweet dumplings. They repulsed me and made me gag.

"Right away." The young man said before leaving to place our order.

"You know Shizune, maybe you should try the sake. It'll loosen you up!" I said while grabbing hold of her tiny shoulders and shaking her in an attempt to get her to relax. As a twenty eight year old woman, she has never in her life indulged herself in alcohol.

"No thank you Lady Tsunade. I'm fine with just my dumplings." She replied. I let go of my grip on her, clasped my hands and rested them on the wooden table. Shizune was truly an innocent soul.

After a few minutes of waiting and idle conversation, our order arrived. I immediately began to drown all my problems in sake while Shizune gracefully munched on her gross dumplings. After five swings of alcohol, I could feel my reflexes slow, my voice slur and a pink tint rise to my cheeks. Shizune looked at me with concern and I could tell that she longed to know the reason why I was with her instead of Jiraiya. After a few more drinks, I was officially drunk. I started to talk about random foolishness and laugh uncontrollably about nothing in particular. I got quiet for a moment when I thought about Jiraiya and the fact that we were no longer a couple. I then started to spill everything about our break up to Shizune, "That ass hole!" I started then Shizune looked at me with wide eyes, awaiting the story that was to come, "For three months he stopped being a little pervert, for three months! Just because I refused to go out with him he peeps at a bunch of naked women in the freaking hot springs. That horny bastard! Then he has the nerve to call me a coward because I left the village after the death of Dan and Nawaki. He said that death is a part of the life of a Shinobi as if I don't already know that! He knows how much I hate perverts!" I stopped for a second to take another shot of sake. It burned as it went down but that burning sensation was nothing compared to the pain that Jiraiya brought upon me tonight. I whipped my mouth, ridding it of tiny droplets of sake and continued, "I can't believe I allowed those grubby hands to touch me."

"You don't mean that Lady Tsunade." Shizune said. She sympathized with me by putting a gentle reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"It doesn't matter if I mean it or not anyway." I said before taking another drink of sake, "We broke up."

"What? Lady Tsunade I'm sure that you and master Jiraiya can work this out! Don't just jump into anything. Can't you just talk to him?" Shizune said before she noticed that I was passed out, face down on the table due to excessive drinking, "Lady Tsunade?!" At first she didn't know that I was just knocked out. She moved my bangs that were covering my face and noticed that I was still alive and well. She let out a sigh of relief, "Ton-Ton stay here with Lady Tsunade while I find help." She needed to get me out of there and in a warm bed. It wasn't good for people to see their Hokage in a drunken coma. Luckily nobody noticed yet. Shizune hurriedly left the bar in search of somebody who could help her carry me home. I was definitely going to have the world's worst hangover in the morning.

Shizune came back a few minutes later with one of my other assistants, Genma beside her. He carried me bridal style out of the bar. People were wondering what was wrong with me but Shizune lied and told them that I was so exhausted from performing all my Hokage duties that I fell asleep right in the bar. After that explanation they commented saying things like, "Our Hokage is so thoughtful, working so hard for all of us." "the poor thing needs to get more rest." "Lady Tsunade is so wonderful!" Little did they know that I was just a drunk.

When we finally arrived at the mansion, Shizune opened the door to my bedroom and Genma placed me gently on my bed. Shizune thanked him and he left. She then covered me with a warm blanket and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Jiraiya's POV

How did my perfect second chance at life get so messed up so quickly? The first three months were great but since our relationship isn't new anymore, the sparks are gone and it's business as usual. She doesn't want to go out with me and sometimes I wonder if she wants to be with me at all.

I admit that I said some hurtful things to her but she said some mean stuff too. Not to mention she left me with bruises and I'm sure a few broken bones. And that slap across the face, I can still feel the stinging sensation and I'm pretty sure the swelling and redness have not gone yet. She broke up with me, so be it. I don't need her anyway.

I decided to go out and meet a few lovely ladies in order to get my mind off of Tsunade. I was a free man after all so there was no crime in having a few drinks accompanied by a beautiful young woman. I entered one of the adult bars and was immediately greeted by an escort. I can't remember the last time I graced a place like this with my presence. The young woman was shorter than me but not too short, had crystal clear blue eyes and light brown hair that was at shoulder length. She was wearing a long pink dress that had a dangerously high slit on the side revealing her smooth hairless leg, the dress hugged her body showing off her hour glass figure and the v-neck of the dress cut low revealing her bountiful cleavage.

"Hey Mister I'm Misuzu, what's your name?" She said suggestively as she tugged my shirt a little and rubbed her nose on my neck. She smelled of lavender, an unfamiliar smell to me since Tsunade always smelled like vanilla essence and a hint of coconut.

"You can call me Jiraiya, Misuzu!" I said while on the verge of a nosebleed.

"We'll Jiraiya, want me to show you a good time?" She said as she put her pointing finger to her chin and had a puppy dog look on her face.

"Of course honey!" She then grabbed my hand with her small soft one and led me over to her booth where bottles of sake were waiting for us. She seated me and sat extremely close to me making sure that her leg was revealed. She played with my hair and whispered suggestive things in my ear. The booth was lit by a dim candle so the mood was very romantic. I would be lying if I said I wasn't aroused.

"So what brings you here Jiraiya? Feeling a bit lonely?" Misuzu said as she twirled a lock of my spiky hair around her finger.

I placed my hand on her thigh and rubbed it gently, I couldn't help myself, "Nothing really, just felt like spending some time with a beautiful woman such as yourself."

"Oh stop it Jiraiya, you're making me blush!" She laughed and then took a drink of sake before continuing, "it's getting quite boring down here don't you think?"

I nodded.

"Come on Mister, let's go upstairs and get to know each other a little better." She winked as she got out of the booth and grabbed my hand leading me upstairs. Once on the second floor of the building, Misuzu opened the door to a small room that housed a double bed, a little side table and some dusty curtains that were draped over a small window. The room was quite dark since only a small lantern was lit. She closed the door behind her and began to shed her clothing. She slipped out of her dress and was left only in her bra, underwear and high heels. She looked amazing but I have seen better from a certain Hokage. She walked over to me and devoured my lips in a deep kiss. I didn't kiss back though and she noticed, "What's wrong Mister? Don't you like what you see? Perhaps I should take off more." She whispered in my ear as she reached up to free her breasts from the confinement of her bra. She took it off and grabbed my hand once again and placed it on one of her breasts. I stared down at where my hand was and felt nothing, no lust, no joy, nothing. My hand was stationary there, "Don't you know what to do Jiraiya?" She asked confused, "I thought you were an experienced man."

This felt wrong. Despite the pain she caused me, I couldn't stop thinking about Tsunade. She was the best woman I have ever been with and the only one I truly loved. "I'm sorry Misuzu. This is not what I want." I removed my hand and walked out the door leaving a half naked beautiful young woman all alone in a dark room.

I just couldn't bring myself to making love to another woman but Tsunade. I still loved her and I felt as if I would be unfaithful to her if I have done what Misuzu wanted me to do. Even though we were not together anymore, I know for sure that Tsunade is the only woman for me. I had to find some way to make up with Tsunade but knowing her and how stubborn she can be, it will definitely not be an easy task.

I'm back! I hope you all enjoyed this extremely long chapter. Once I started writing I couldn't stop. If anyone reading this did not read 'Even Hokages Cry', I recommend that you do since this is the sequel to it. As usual, thank you for reading and remember to review.