CHAPTER FOUR

Tsunade entered Jiraiya's apartment cautiously, wincing at the loud creeking noise the door made as she shut it. The Hokage tiptoed through his kitchen and towards his bedroom, where she found the gallant old man slumbering away. He was snoring so loudly that the blonde Sannin could hardly stand to lean closer to him. She took a brief moment to admire him, his strong jaw rising and falling in tempo with his broad chest. Tsunade ran a few painted fingers along his face gently before she placed a light kiss upon Jiraiya's lips.

Startled, the old man awoke, seeing Tsunade's smiling face in front of him and thinking he may still be dreaming. She eased her way next to him, getting under the covers as she snuggled next to him.

"I wanted to stop by this morning and give you the talk you deserve after what happened yesterday," she said softly, making sure to look him in the eye. Jiraiya picked up on her serious tone and cleared his throat, his mind tracing the events that occured the prior day. Of course, he hadn't forgotten how both student and teacher gave him two of the most mind-blowing services only moments apart.

"I was going to talk yesterday, but you made that close to impossible for me, hime. But I am glad you stopped by," he said, placing an arm around her, bringing them closer together. Tsunade's bare foot played with Jiraiya's larger one underneath the covers.

"Well I'm here now, so let's talk."

The old man sat up, leaning on one arm as he turned his full attention to the woman next to him. "All I want to know is why," he stated bluntly.

Tsunade closed her eyes, knowing that he would ask that right away. She cleared her throat and grasped for one of his hands, taking it in both of hers and squeezing tight.

"Well Jiraiya...I'm not sure where to start. I loved what we had, it was nice. But when you left on your mission, I couldn't stand to be alone. I've never felt that way before, the feeling of needing someone and not being able to have them. Not since Dan died, anyways," she drifted off, trying to steer her mind from the memories of her first lover.

"And when we got report that you'd be staying on mission a few weeks longer, I became erratic. I didn't even mean for it to happen, but the next thing I knew, Asuma and I went from Hokage and Jonin to bedmates."

Jiraiya's hand pulled away from hers as he sat all the way up, peeling back the covers and getting up from the bed. His mind flashed back to that scumbag Sarutobi, leaning over Tsunade in her office. He wondered if that's how he looked at times. Arrogant and animalistic. He saw in Asuma's eyes nothing but need, and he felt betrayed that Tsunade would give him that satisfaction. He pulled on a shirt and turned back to face her.

"I just don't understand, hime. I thought we felt the same about each other, but when I returned, I found a different Tsunade," he said, trying to voice the sadness he had felt.

"I was scared," she said, her voice shaking. "I didn't know how to react and I knew you wouldn't be calm enough for me to explain things at that moment so I panicked."

She got out of the bed and strode over to him. "You have to believe me when I say the only reason it was him was because he reminded me so much of you. Big, strong, and"

"But he's NOT me," Jiraiya yelled, cutting her off. He despised the fact that Asuma resembled him in any way. The Sannin cared not for her excuses, however close to the truth they may be.

"I know, and I am so sorry," Tsunade said, her face beginning to tremble. She hung her head, accepting defeat.

Jiraiya could sense that her words were sincere, and he wanted so much to just embrace her then and there. But there was a piece of him that couldn't do it.

The Toad Sage placed his hands on her shoulders and drew her to him, embracing her. But this was a different embrace than their usual one. Void of warmth and roaming hands, Jiraiya held her only to show her what he wanted to say.

"I still cannot bring myself to forgive you, however selfish that may sound," said Jiraiya, almost whispering the words into her ear. Tsunade brought her lean arms around him, clenching his back. She didn't want him to ever leave.

"Where are we, then?" Tsunade asked, fearing the older man's response.

Jiraiya held her at arms length now. How odd it felt, to look at her this way, full of regret and sorrow.

"We are as we once were. Friends, leaders, Sannin. But my heart won't allow me to love you anymore, Tsunade."

He left her alone in his room as he slid on his headplate and his trademark red vest, walking through the kitchen and out of his apartment. He had made up his mind. He would move on.


"Sensei!"

Kurenai jolted back to reality, staring at Kiba, who had been trying to get her attention for the past few minutes.

"Er, yes Kiba?" she said, her thoughts still floating around in her mind. She had been thinking about him again.

Before Kiba could respond, two figures zoomed past them so fast that dust kicked up all around the area. Kurenai placed her hands over her mouth and coughed as some of the dust infiltrated her throat.

Only a few seconds later, one of the figures came running back to them. His silver hair was windswept, his one uncovered eye scanning the people standing before him.

"Kurenai-chan! How nice to see you!" Kakashi said, smiling with his eye. "Guy! I give up, you win this round!" he shouted at the other figure, who jumped into the air and shouted in victory before zooming off, becoming a shadowy spec in the distance.

"Oh, Kakashi! Were you two racing again?" asked the brunette. Kakashi nodded, running a hand through his hair.

"Kiba, could you give us a minute?"

The young man shrugged, clearly not interested in their conversation anyways. Akamaru followed him as the two headed off into town away from the training area they were currently at.

"So what's new?" Kakashi inquired. "I haven't seen you or Asuma around lately, I take it something happened?"

Kurenai blushed, still surprised at how the other Jonin could read her as easily as one of his perverted books. She cleared her throat nervously.

"I uh...don't really want to talk about it," she said, dodging the tall man's hawkish gaze.

Her body jolted in surprise as Kakashi suddenly took hold of her, hugging her. Kurenai was glad that her face was buried in his chest to hide her reddening face.

"K-Kakashi!" she said.

"I find most problems seem less complicated when you hug them away," he whispered, squeezing her reassuringly.

Kurenai laughed and Kakashi joined her, her head vibrating against his chest.

"That was an extremely cheesy line, Kakashi. Did you get that from one of Jiraiya's novels?"

Kakashi looked down at her. "No, but speaking of the old man, has something happened between him and Asuma? I don't mean to bring up the subject again, but Asuma's been hinting at it every time we speak and I want to know."

Kurenai met his gaze, stepping back from him a little. She nodded her head. "Kakashi...Asuma's been unfaithful," she blurted out, not able to surpress herself any longer.

The silver haired Jonin stayed silent for a minute. Kurenai knew she shouldn't have said anything. The man suddenly embraced her again, but this time felt different. She couldn't identify what it was, but there was more to the hug this time around.

"I'm sorry, Kurenai," Kakashi said firmly. He placed a light kiss through his cloth against her head. Her cheeks flushed as red as her eyes as she looked up at him with a questioning glance. She saw in him now, someonew who was willing to be with her after hearing of her situation. It meant even more considering that Kakashi was good friends with Asuma.

Taking the initiative, she streched her hands up to his face, grasping the fabric covering it on each side. Kakashi made no moves to stop her. Pulling down the dark blue cloth, she leaned up and pressed her lips against his in a searing kiss.

Kakashi responded immediately, bringing her closer against him with his arms as his tongue darted out to taste her lips. Kurenai felt his manhood brush against her belly, causing her to gasp. The taller Jonin wasted no time, his tongue slipping past her red lips and into her mouth. She brought her hands from his face to the back of his head, pressing their heads closer together.

"Hmmph." Kakashi tried to speak, but words failed him as Kurenai's lips closed around his tongue as she sucked at the wet muscle. "We should move somewhere more privately."

Kurenai broke the kiss, breathing heavily. She couldn't believe she had just kissed Kakashi! And beyond that, he kissed her back! He grabbed her hand in a hurry and led them further away from the village. He tried to pick a fairly remote location, but he still was unsure that nobody would find them. He would have thought about it further, but the issue at hand made it impossible to think.

Stopping at the base of a tree, Kakashi pulled Kurenai back against him, but this time so her back was to his chest. He dropped his head and ran his hot tongue along the back of her neck. Kurenai moaned as his hands snaked around, cupping her breasts through her shirt. Kakashi licked and kissed his way along her neck and jaw, his hands massaging her mounds in circuar motions. His cock pressed against her ass, his growing need apparent. He nudged her head to the side and captured her lips, their tongues meeting for a duel.

Kakashi pulled at her shirt, Kurenai stepping forward to allow him. She threw the fabric aside and turned around, her petite hands going straight for his belt. Unbuckling it in seconds, she pulled his leggings and underwear down, his now very hard cock bouncing out. Kurenai took him in her hands, marvelling at how much longer and skinnier Kakashi's cock was compared to Asuma's thicker one.

Suddenly, leaves crunched as the sound of footsteps echoed through the patch of trees the two Jonin were at. Kurenai gasped and flung herself towards her discarded shirt, hastily shoving it over her head. Kakashi bent over and brought his pants back up, running a hand through his hair calmly. He leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to Kurenai's lips.

"Until next time," he said, before he leapt up into the tree and disappeared within seconds.

Kurenai flattened her own hair as the footsteps reached her location. She looked around the tree to see a certain pink haired shinobi looking back.

"Hi Kurenai-sensei!" Sakura said. Excitement was apparent in her tone. "What brings you out here by yourself?"

Kurenai blushed, trying to think of a good excuse. "Oh well um, I was looking for..." she trailed off, failing to come up with anyone that would make sense. She muttered a slur of words under her breath, hoping it would sound like someone's name.

Sakura raised an eyebrow at this, but chose not to pursue it any further.

"Oh, really? That's nice. I'm also looking for someone!" Sakura said. "Have you seen Jiraiya-sensei around?"

Kurenai shook her head, thankful that she seemed to have dodged any awkward mentions of what she and Sakura's team leader were just up to.

"Oh, that's too bad," the younger shinobi said. "I guess I'll check the ramen shop then quick, he's gotta be there."

Sakura began to take off, but Kurenai halted her. "Wait, Sakura! Why were you looking for Jiraiya-san anyways, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I have a note from the Fifth for him. I wasn't supposed to read it, but I did anyways since it's not an official letter or anything," began Sakura, "It's just a stupid little note asking Jiraiya-san if he wanted to join her and I at dinner tonight. I'll probably just ask him myself." Kurenai noticed Sakura form a small, wolfish smile. "He can't say no to me."

Kurenai thought for a second. She had been wanting to talk with Jiraiya as well, but just to thank him for revealing Asuma's betrayal. She felt that she owed him that, otherwise she probably wouldn't have confronted him as she did. Memories of the argument that followed swarmed into her mind, but she shook them away, reminding herself that she was much better off now.

"Do you, er, mind if I accompany you?" asked the Jonin. "I actually need to speak with him as well."

Sakura beamed at the request. "Sure, let's go!"

Confused by her excitement, Kurenai followed the young woman towards the village, rehearsing her thanks under her breath. She couldn't explain it, but she felt slightly nervous thinking about talking with Jiraiya.


Jiraiya knocked his head back, letting the hot and tasty remains of the ramen slide into his mouth. Gulping down the final bits, he sighed happily, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He patted his stomach, shouting a word of thanks to the chef. Waving his hand in farewell, the Sannin stood up from his seat and began his journey back to his apartment. 'Maybe I'll write outside today, with the weather being so nice' he thought.

As his thoughts began to discuss what he wanted to write about today, he was completely unaware that there were two women following him a few yards back. He had been on alert for Sakura still, as he would much rather forget about their encounters all together. Normally he wouldn't complain about such a young woman frequenting him for sex, but with all that had happened with Tsunade, Jiraiya preferred that the Haruno would leave him alone.

But that would not be the case, as his ears picked up on the women behind him. He turned his head around lazily to see who it was.

"Jiraiya-sensei!" Sakura shouted as he finally noticed them. The old man sighed, hoping that since Kurenai was with her, Sakura would have something normal to tell him.

"Hi Kurenai, Sakura," he said, putting much more enthusiasm into the first name than the second one. He caught Kurenai blushing lightly, but thought nothing of it.

"Hello, Jiraiya-san," Kurenai said.

"Sensei, I'm supposed to extend an invitation to you," said Sakura. He hated when she didn't get straight to the point, which she always happened to do when she talked to him.

"From who?" he asked, genuinely curious as to what this invitation was. In the back of his mind, he sincerely hoped it wasn't from Tsunade. He thought he had made himself clear on their relationship, and he did not want her to keep trying to reforge it as anything romantic.

"From our Hokage, of course," Sakura stated. "Her and I will be having dinner tonight at her place to celebrate my birthday. I know it's sort of belated, but Lady Tsunade felt bad that she was too swamped with work to do anything for me so she's cooking dinner tonight. You're more than welcome to join us!"

Sakura leaned closer to Jiraiya, cupping a hand around her mouth as she whispered into his ear. "But don't worry, you already got me a present," she said, giggling as she leaned away. Kurenai stood there, slightly confused, but she decided to just stay out of it.

"Oh, and you're invited too if you want, Kurenai-san," Sakura said.

Kurenai knew she was just being polite. "Oh that's alright, I have some other things I need to take care of tonight."

Jiraiya folded his arms, taking the distraction as an opportunity to think. If he declined this request, which he very much wanted to do, then Tsunade would probably get mad. It appeared nothing more than a friendly invitation for dinner. And if he refused to show up, he would look like the bad guy this time.

"You know what, tell Tsunade that I'll be there," he said, clenching his teeth as he saw Sakura's face light up. 'It's not for you' he thought to himself. 'Ah whatever, let her think what she wants. I'll prove to them both that I'm capable of remaining simply friends with Tsunade and perhaps less than friends with Sakura.'

"Okay then, show up at Tsunade's apartment at seven tonight," she said, turning around and setting off. "Oh, and try and wear something nice!" she shouted behind her.

Kurenai waved goodbye to Sakura, still puzzled at how she handled that conversation. She was usually much more reserved when she talked with Jiraiya, if at all.

Jiraiya smiled at Kurenai. "So how have you been, Kurenai?" he asked.

The brunette smiled back. "Good, I was hoping you'd have a minute to talk?" she asked hesitantly. For some reason, she knew she would be slightly disappointed if he said no.

"Sure, what do you got for me?" he said, folding his arms behind his head.

"I just wanted to say thanks, you know, for uh...for helping me realize a few things about the people around me."

Jiraiya was taken aback. He had never had a woman thank him for butting into their private lives. In fact, it was always quite the opposite. If he ever noticed a woman being treated poorly by her man, the woman would normally slap him for getting involved.

"I don't know what to say," Jiraiya said honestly. "I suppose I should say I'm glad that things are working out for you, but are they?"

Kurenai hung her head, thinking back to her encounter with Kakashi in the woods. She realized now, after a while, that the feelings she had when he had hugged her were not real. Asuma would do the same thing. He would fix everything that was wrong by hugging her tightly and then coaxing her to sleep with him, and then the next day, everything was alright again. She felt foolish for falling for that again.

"I thought I was going to be fine," she began, "but now that I think about it, I don't think that happened. I'm still hurt."

Jiraiya nodded, knowing that she felt the same way he did when he learned of Tsunade's betrayal. He thought about hugging her in comfort, but thought she may take that as something else. He placed a single hand on her shoulder instead.

"Look, we both got screwed over by the ones we thought we loved. I know how you're feeling and believe me, it's not fun. But if you ever need to talk or if something ever happens, I'm here."

Jiraiya saw her eyes widen in surprise. She smiled and fidgeted with her hands. "Thank you, Jiraiya-san."

He smiled back at her and patted her shoulder lightly. "Anytime. Now if you'll excuse me, I should like to get a few things taken care of now that I have limited time until dinner," he said. Kurenai nodded.

"Of course, and thanks again," she said before she set off for her own home.

Jiraiya turned back around and headed in his original direction. He was nervous about tonight, but so long as he didn't drink as much as he had that one night, he should be able to recognize any advances both Tsunade and Sakura would make. Stone determination spread across his face as he reassured himself. Tonight would pave the way for new opportunities. All he had to do was play the friend card and he would walk away the victor.