Author's note: I do not own Naruto or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list beta. This is AU. Theme 8: Strings.


Unexpected Consequences

To say that the past two years had been interesting would be an understatement. Tsunade had adjusted somewhat, but it was still rather odd to think she was physically twenty years old. Konoha had needed to adjust too. She knew that she didn't look all that much different, but most of these people had never met a young Jiraiya. Tsunade couldn't help smiling at that thought. She was glad that Jiraiya had been affected by the jutsu as well. It was nice not to be alone in this. And she had to admit that being young again had its advantages. Especially when it came to things like all night meetings. However, she should have known there would be strings attached.

Tsunade was in denial. She could guess what the cause of her symptoms was, but she didn't want to believe it. For the past two weeks she had been nauseous every morning, more tired than usual, and having odd cravings. She also was almost a month late for her period. Tsunade was too good of a medic not to know what the most likely cause was. However, she wasn't ready to face it at all.

Her new romantic relationship with Jiraiya had been a nice side effect to being young again. Or at least it had been until now. They had both taken it as an opportunity to change some decisions they had made, and Tsunade had been extremely happy. They weren't married or anything, but it was a serious relationship. Jiraiya lived with her now when he was in Konoha, and truthfully, for all intents and purposes, they acted like they were married. Of course, Sarutobi-sensei had long ago claimed that they had always bickered like a married couple.

But children were not a topic either of them had discussed. Tsunade hadn't exactly planned on children. Of course, she hadn't planned on being twenty again either. Truthfully, she hadn't really thought about it much. At least until her birth control failed. Now she didn't exactly have a choice. She was pregnant. Tsunade sighed. The idea of aborting this child was completely abhorrent. However, her having a child would change things once again, and Tsunade wasn't at all sure how to handle it. There had never had been a pregnant Hokage before. Of course, there had never been a female Hokage before either.

Tsunade sighed and glanced down at her paperwork. She was going to have to make some decisions sooner or later. She wasn't going to be able to keep this to herself for much longer. It was something of a wonder that neither Shizune nor Sakura had mentioned anything. Tsunade finished with the current report and reached for another one. Her morning sickness chose that moment to strike, and Tsunade dashed from her office, ignoring anyone she passed on her way to the bathroom. Kneeling over the toilet, Tsunade heaved up what little she had eaten for breakfast.

"Hime?" A familiar voice came from just outside.

Tsunade just moan slightly in response to Jiraiya's inquiry. The door opened then shut again. She felt one of his hands smoothing her hair back from her face. His touch was soothing, even if it didn't make her feel that much better.

"Tsunade, what's wrong, Princess?"

She heaved again. Jiraiya ran water in the sink and offered her a cool, wet towel to wipe her face with. When she didn't throw up again, Tsunade decided it was safe enough to move away from the toilet. She stood up carefully and turned to face Jiraiya. His eyes were concerned, and he carefully wrapped his arms around her.

"What's wrong, Tsunade? I don't think I've seen you this sick since we were in the academy."

Tsunade leaned into him. "Can we talk some place else?"

He gave her a long look. "Yes. In fact, I think you need a break from the office too. Let's go home."

She wasn't going to argue the point with him. Besides, Tsunade would rather have this conversation in the comfort of their home. There was less chance of someone eavesdropping on them there as well. The two of them managed to slip out of the office unseen. Once home, Tsunade sank into a chair and tried to figure out how to begin. She still hadn't decided how to deal with this when Jiraiya had found her. Jiraiya settled on the floor in front on her.

"So, Princess, what's going on? Because we both know you don't typically get sick."

"I'm not sick. Not really. The nausea is a side effect."

He frowned. "A side effect of what?"

Tsunade bit her lip. Her words came out in a whisper. "I'm pregnant."

Jiraiya blinked. "You're pregnant. As in having a baby?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Our baby? Yours and mine."

Tsunade nodded again. The next thing she knew Jiraiya had carefully gathered her into his arms. He kissed her forehead then her cheeks and then her lips. Tsunade let out a soft sigh and relaxed into him. This was a good reaction to her news, and she could feel some of her worries leave her. Parenthood wasn't quite as scary when she knew she wasn't alone. Jiraiya pressed a gentle hand to her stomach.

"How long do you think?"

"I'm probably only four to six weeks along. That gives us about eight months before the baby is due."

"Does anyone else know?"

She shook her head. "I don't think so. I haven't told anyone besides you, and if Shizune or Sakura have any suspicions, they haven't mentioned them to me."

"Hmm." He nuzzled her neck.

Tsunade placed on hand on top of his where it touched her stomach. "I'll probably have to make an official announcement about it in another six weeks. Once the first trimester is over, most pregnancies are fairly risk free."

It would mean changes for both of them. Tsunade was fairly safe. She was Hokage, and as such she had quite a bit of protection. But Jiraiya was often out on missions on his own. He was not the type for senseless heroics, but he would do what he needed to in order for Konoha to be safe. And Tsunade didn't want their child to grow up without a father. Jiraiya kissed the top of her head.

"Stop worrying so much, Tsunade. We all are going to be just fine. You, me, and our baby. Our family. So," she could hear the grin in his voice, "boy or girl?"