Hi all! New Chapter!
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Tsunade finally remembers why she hasn't gone to a party in so long.
She keeps herself as far away from the crowd as possible, face obscured and a stiff drink in hand.
She stays at the back of the crowded city hall and watches the party unfold.
Naruto invited everyone in Konoha to celebrate with him- and more than a handful of his friends from other villages. The Kazekage and his sister were chatting pleasantly with Killer Bee, and Naruto is excitedly talking the ear off anyone who'll listen to him. She spots Kabuto hiding out in a corner, fidgeting uncomfortably, as if he'd rather be anywhere else. Kakashi is off on the sidelines as well, looking rather stern as he spoke with a beleaguered Sasuke.
Sasuke seems thinner than the last time he was in Konoha. Dark circles ring darker eyes, and his skin has an unhealthy, almost gray tinge to it. A worried expression marrs his handsome face. Overall, he looks like he might be ill as Kakashi delivers what must surely be a stern lecture; though about what, Tsunade can only wonder.
She slips out of the main hall and heads upstairs, hoping to get away from the worst of the noise. The crowd thins out a bit on the second floor- she might actually get a minute alone now.
I'm turning into some crotchety old woman, she thinks to herself, smiling wryly. She tucks herself away on a deserted balcony, looking out at the partygoers in the yard forerornely. Draining the last of her drink, she surveys the legion of happy faces with envy.
She remembers when she used to enjoy parties. When she adored loud music and dancing like nothing else in the world. She and Jiraiya could while the night away drinking and starting fights with anyone who looked at them funny. Then, once they'd been kicked out of every bar in the village, the two of them would crash at Orochimaru's place. If Orochimaru was home, he'd greet them with a halfhearted lecture, always with the same amused grin. And in the morning, without fail, he'd give them something for their vicious hangovers.
God, she misses those days.
Hopefully Naruto doesn't come to find her. He'd surely pick up on her bad mood, and she couldn't bear to have him turn those big blue eyes on her and ask her what was wrong. Couldn't bear that heartbroken look when Naruto asked her why she wasn't happy.
A sharp dagger rises up in her throat, her eyes welling up with white-hot tears.
She doesn't feel joy like that anymore. She hasn't felt joy like that in years. In fact, Tsunade can't recall the last time she's genuinely enjoyed anything in life.
She hears a sudden uproar from the floor below, and her heart clenches.
The tears spill over and run down her face in an unstoppable torrent, before she even realizes what's happening. Helpless to do anything but let them overwhelm her. She buries her face in her hands and lets out a shuddering sob.
"Oh dear. That won't do at all."
Tsunade snaps to attention, glaring at the blurry figure perched in the tree in front of her.
Orochimaru joins her on the balcony with a short leap. He reaches out and dries her eyes. As the world comes back into focus, she catches the man's pitying smile and almost feels angry at him.
But she can't be angry at him. Not now, at least.
"What are you doing here?" She growls, praying her voice doesn't come out childish.
"I missed you," Orochimaru answers, tucking a lock of Tsunade's gold hair behind her ear. His hand is cold enough to make her shiver when it brushes against her cheek.
Tsunade can't think of a witty retort.
"Come now, Tsunade. Pretty girls like you shouldn't be crying."
A jolt runs through Tsunade's body, the words ringing through her mind in a distant voice.
A child's voice.
Does he even remember he's said that before?
"What's got you in such a state?" Orochimaru asks, smile fading into a frown. "It's supposed to be a happy night, isn't it? It's a party, after all."
"It is," Tsunade grumbles. "But let's just say I don't feel much like partying."
Orochimaru lets out a sympathetic hum, but doesn't say anything more yet.
"At least Naruto's having a good time," Tsunade laughs halfheartedly, hating the tense atmosphere between them.
"Yes, he seems to be enjoying the company of a very lovely Hyuuga girl downstairs." Orochimaru remarks, with a laugh of his own. "I didn't know Naruto-kun was such a romantic."
"Huh?"
"Naruto-kun just asked that girl to marry him. Did you not hear the commotion?"
Tsunade's eyes widen, a grin creeping onto her pretty face.
"That little brat," she mutters in gleeful disbelief. "Of course he'd do something impulsive like that on a night like that."
Orochimaru shrugs.
"That poor girl seemed ready to faint," he says wistfully. "I think he caught her off-guard."
"Well, what'd she say?" Tsunade demands impatiently.
"She said yes, of course. I've never seen anyone so infatuated with a boy before."
"Is that so?"
"Hm?"
Orochimaru quirks an eyebrow.
"What about Anko?" Tsunade asks.
"What about her?"
"Don't tell me you never noticed." Tsunade chastises. "She was completely head-over-heels in love with you!"
Orochimaru tilts his head, and Tsunade can tell he was completely clueless.
"Anko was in love with you, idiot!" She snickers, playfully punching him in the shoulder. "How the hell did you not pick up on that?!"
The look on the man's face is a combination of surprise and horror. He fidgets uncomfortably at the thought.
"The thought never even crossed my mind."
"Don't gimme that crap!" Tsunade chides. "She followed you everywhere! She was always buying you those stupid little presents, and she clung to you like she was worried you'd fly off! What did you think that was about?"
"I-"
"Wow, you're so dense it's actually funny! I thought you were the smart one!"
Orochimaru opens his mouth to retort, but is cut off by a flying mess of blond and orange .
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?!" Naruto snaps, stepping between Orochimaru and Tsunade and flinging his arms out to shield her.
"Naruto-" Tsunade mutters ineffectually.
"I swear, if you hurt granny Tsunade I'm gonna kill you!" Naruto growls ferally, glaring daggers at Orochimaru. If looks could kill, the man would be struck dead right there.
"Naruto!" Tsunade snaps, louder this time. "He didn't hurt me!"
"Well, what the hell is he here for?!" Naruto demands, gesticulating wildly as he spoke. "I can't believe he'd come here and crash my party dattebayo!"
"Shut up, moron. You're making a scene."
A sly grin spreads across Orochimaru's face.
"Oh my, Sasuke-kun. You've looked better."
"Shut up," Sasuke repeats, making his own way onto the now crowded balcony, Sakura hanging on his arm and looking frightened.
"Nobody invited him!" Naruto whines. "And if everyone else knows he's here they'll freak out!"
"They will find out if you keep shouting," Sasuke retorts. "Stop making such a big deal out of it."
"Sasuke-kun...isn't he dangerous though?" Sakura mumbles. Through her lovely green eyes, Orochimaru can practically see her mind going back to that day in the Forest of Death all those years ago. Back when she'd been so frightened she could barely move. It's pitiful, really.
"He's harmless," Sasuke assures her, giving her an awkward pat on the head with his free hand. "Nothing to worry about- trust me."
Though he says those words, the Sharingan springs to life in his black eyes.
"Isn't that right, Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru raises his hands in a placating gesture.
"I only came to say hello to an old friend. That's all." He assures the boy. "I have no intention of ruining your celebration."
"Fine. You said hi, now get out of here!" Naruto snaps. "Thanks to you granny Tsunade didn't get to see me propose to Hinata! I've been looking all over for her!"
It seems like he's always looking for me, Tsunade grumbles inwardly.
"You say that like it's important," Sasuke snarks.
"It's important to me!" Naruto snaps back.
"Oh would you two stop!" Sakura intervenes. "That's not what Sasuke-kun and I are here for!"
She bows her head and turns her attention to Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, there's something Sasuke-kun and I need to tell you in private." she says, her tone becoming sheepish. Sasuke pulls a face as if he's been struck.
"Oh? Are you gonna finally tell Tsunade Sasuke knocked ya up?"
Dead silence crashes over the balcony. Sakura's jaw practically hits the floor. Sasuke looks ready to throttle Naruto right there. Tsunade looks absolutely mortified.
"...You weren't supposed to tell anyone, jackass," Sasuke hisses through teeth gritted so tightly they might shatter.
Tsunade's fingers start to twitch, eager to wring that damned boy's neck for fooling around with her student.
"Hehe- I guess it kinda slipped out. Sorry…" Naruto stammers, pulling at the back of his neck nervously.
Out of nowhere, Orochimaru bursts out laughing- a loud, boisterous laugh that shakes his entire being,
"What's so funny?" Sasuke demands.
"How scandalous of you, Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru chuckles. "My oh my, what would your dear brother think?"
Sasuke's eyes narrow dangerously. He makes an attempt to lunge for Orochimaru, but Sakura throws her arms around him before he can, effectively restraining him.
"Don't you dare say a word about Itachi!" Sasuke snarls, tense with suppressed fury.
"Sasuke-kun, please…" Sakura mutters softly, leaning her head against his shoulder and squeezing him tighter.
Sasuke shuts his eyes, heaving a great, shuddering sigh to compose himself. He relaxes just a fraction, and when he opens them again, the scarlet has faded back to charcoal.
"...Let's go back inside," he mumbles to Sakura, taking hold of her hand to steady his nerves. "I need a drink."
"Wait just a damn minute," Tsunade barks, making the boy flinch. "What exactly are you planning to do now that you've got Sakura pregnant?"
Sasuke withers under the intensity of her glare. He opens his mouth, but can't find words.
"We uh- we haven't talked about that yet," Sakura admits, turning red from embarrassment.
"Well, you're gonna get married, aren'tcha?" Naruto demands, poking Sasuke in the arm repeatedly. "Like me and Hinata? Huh, Sasuke? Are ya gonna get married?"
"Naruto-" Sakura squeaks, before Sasuke cuts her off.
"Of course we are," he interjects, looking like Naruto just offended his ancient ancestors. "What kind of man do you think I am?!"
Sakura's eyes nearly pop out of her head, all breath escaping her body at once. Sasuke grasps Sakura's hand in both of his and looks- not into her eyes, per se, but close enough.
"I mean- if that's what you want." He adds, almost timidly.
"Sasuke-kun...of course...I…"
Orochimaru claps gleefully, looking very pleased.
"How noble, Sasuke-kun!" He exclaims.
"Why are you still here?" Sasuke asks curtly, not even turning to look at him.
"Alright, alright. I suppose I must be going, before anyone else catches me around."
He sweeps down and lays a kiss on Tsunade's cheek before she has a chance to react. Her face turns magenta from humiliation, and she strikes him across the face.
Unruffled by the blow, Orochimaru jumps back into the tree, offering a farewell wave.
"I'll be seeing you again," he chirps, before disappearing into the darkness.
"Eh?! What was that about?!" Naruto shouts, shaking his fist in the general direction of where Orochimaru had been. "Ya can't just go kissing people like that, asshole!"
"It's alright, Naruto." Tsunade assures him, hiding her shock behind a smile. "Let's go back inside, huh? I wanna congratulate that girl of yours."
"Alright!" Naruto squeals, darting back inside. "Come on, come on!"
"And hey, Sasuke-"
Tsunade catches hold of his sleeve.
"Huh?"
"You'd better take care of Sakura-" she warns, still wearing her friendliest smile- "Or I'll kill you."
Though her tone was perfectly polite, Sasuke knows she isn't bluffing. He swallows audibly, and nods. Tsunade wraps an arm around his shoulders, squeezing a bit too tightly just to hammer her point home.
"Glad we understand each other. Now, let's go get a drink, shall we?"
~oOo~
"What the hell kept you so long?!" Jiraya shouts, waving a kunai in Sarutobi's direction as he approached them, accompanied by another man about his age- though considerably more imposing. "You're late!"
Sarutobi merely laughs, and opts to address his companion rather than the boy.
"That's Jiraiya," he chuckles. "This lovely young lady is Tsunade, and Orochimaru is skulking over there thinking we won't notice him."
Orochimaru peers out from behind an oak, only emerging when Tsunade prompts him to. Sarutobi gives him a reassuring pat on the back and laughs once more.
"Ah. It seems like you have a fine group of students, Hiruzen." The man says amicably, surveying the three children with a hawkish gaze, before settling on the dark-haired one. "And did you say that one's name was Orochimaru?"
"...I am," Orochimaru mumbles, when Tsunade elbows him to get him to speak.
The man lets out a barking laugh, startling the boy.
"I've heard a lot about you, boy!" He remarks, smiling in a way that didn't seem cheerful at all. "You have quite the reputation from what I've heard!"
"I-I do?" Orochimaru asks, blinking.
"Oh yes. I've heard all sorts of horror stories of your exploits at the orphanage. With how well you sneak about at night, I have no doubt you'll be an exceptional shinobi."
Tsunade glances over at Jiraiya, who is practically glowing maroon from envy, and has to stifle a snort.
"Oh...thank you, uh…um..."
"Call me Danzo." The man says, briefly ruffling Orochimaru's black hair.
Orochimaru nods shyly.
"Well, I'd best be off, Hiruzen-" Danzo says, in a clipped tone. He grants one last appraising look at Sarutobi's students.
"I expect great things from you three," he says meaningfully, "and especially from you, little Orochimaru."
"Huh? Why me?!" Orochimaru whines, turning pink in the cheeks.
.
"Instinct, boy," Danzo responds, tapping his nose. "I'm good at smelling out special talent."
He turns to leave, and Jiraiya flails his arms impotently.
"He's not the only one with talent!" He shouts toward the heavens. "Just you wait! I'm gonna be Hokage! I'm gonna be the best Hokage you've ever seen! Watch me!"
Tsunade and Orochimaru burst out giggling in unison, and Sarutobi affectionately rolls his eyes.
"Now then, we have a big day today. It's our first official mission as Team Hiruzen. I hope you three are ready."
"Damn right!" Jiraiya declares, pumping his fist in the air.
"I'm ready!" Tsunade proclaims, beaming.
Orochimaru hesitates, fixated on that man as he recedes into the distance. An uneasy feeling wells up in his stomach, making him queasy. Something just feels wrong, but he can't put a finger on why.
"...I'm ready," he finally says timidly.
"Alright! Let's go!"