Sorry for not updating lately! A lot's been happening. I finally got my driver's permit! WOOT! Not that it matters really. Anyway, this chapter is short, but it has some drama and comedy in it. It seems short and may be subject to a rewrite...but ah well! I hope you, the readers, enjoy. Please review for me and thanks for reading!!!

Chapter 4: Quit Being Difficult!
The night chilled the air with an uncomfortable atmosphere. If one had been in the hot springs, it would have been tolerable, but Orochimaru didn't care for being warm or cold. The man had to think and this required being away from his old teammates and people in general. The solemn man sat upon the building's roof, wondering why he even made this deal with Tsunade. Never did he think she'd win and had invested all his confidence into it. Of all times for her to actually win...what made him mad was he had to give up something. Sasuke or the name from the bingo books. The choice there was clear. There was no way Orochimaru would give up his future container. Sadly, his name would have to remain in those books. However, this only was a tiny chip of the man's anger. The bulk of annoyance laid in having to spend "quality time" with his old teammates. There was too much confidence in the bet that he allowed such a term.

"So there you are...Jiraiya and I were beginning to think you ran off."

"I already told him I wouldn't go back on my word."

Tsunade took a seat next to Orochimaru, looking to the night sky. A silence came between them, Tsunade not knowing what to talk about and Orochimaru not wishing to talk at all. The serpent Sannin came to the roof to get away from the two in the first place. A foolish attempt, seeing as Tsunade had sought him out anyway. Orochimaru predicted there would hardly be a time to himself.

"What are you doing out here anyway, Orochimaru?...Jiraiya thought maybe tonight the three of us could have some fun and talk."

"You know I'm not the talkative kind."

"Why must you be SO difficult!"

An amused smile broke the pale one's calm facade, and Tsunade then began to understand he was being difficult to be entertained by her reactions. The woman gave a huff and looked back to the sky without another word. He had always been the quiet one, mysterious yet overly talented and strong. As they say, it's always the quiet ones you must watch out for. Ones like Orochimaru and Sasuke. All these years, she'd asked herself the same question...and she knew Jiraiya did the same thing. Why?

"You know...leaving Jiraiya alone in a hot springs place like this...may not be the best of ideas. Though mediocre, a man his age peeping IS a crime."

Tsunade turned her sight to Orochimaru, then gave the slightest of smiles to her old comrade's joke.

"Well, I'm not going back unless you come back with me. Can you respect my wishes and at least pretend you're happy being with us? After all, you are great at acting."

"As her "majesty" wishes."

"Don't take that tone with me! You have no idea what I been through!"

"I guess I don't. All that drinking and gambling masks it, I guess."

Orochimaru stood and disappeared, going back to his room. Tsunade sat still, shocked at what he had said. Her fingers soon curled into fists, the body shaking with overwhelming anger. It didn't bother her so much as it was an insult...as it was the truth. Was she really so weak as a ninja and as a person? Or was Orochimaru just pulling one of his elaborate tricks on the mind?

Jiraiya was in a white robe, readying to go to the hot springs. He had his towel, his robe tied around him and the inner pervert cheering for the luck of this onsen being mixed. For him, this meant being able to slip into the scalding waters next to the girls and it wouldn't be wrong. And considering he'd seen two beautiful, young girls pass by the room not even a minute ago...well, he didn't want to miss them. Just as the pervert made his way out the door, Orochimaru appeared before him, blocking his exit. Jiraiya was caught by surprise and bumped into the snake ninja, who in retaliation pushed Jiraiya back with a loud hiss.

"Watch where you step!"

"Well, don't just appear before people and startle them! Damn..."

Jiraiya smoothed down the white robe and picked the dropped towel back up, hastily trying to fold back the way it had been. As he looked back to Orochimaru who just entered, he noticed there was a aura of annoyance about him.

" If you're pissed about something, we are at a hot springs. Just relax, eh?"

"Relax? Me? I'm sorry but there is no way for me to. And really, no reason to."

"Will you take the stick out of your ass? Is it really that hard for you to be around your old comrades? If you're as strong as you claim to be...suck it up and ACT like you give a damn. You're good at acting like that, so act like it. It's only two damn weeks."

Attacking the pride Orochimaru had in his own strength was not a very wise route for anyone to take. The statement Jiraiya gave, made Orochimaru cringe with anger. As much as you think you know me, Jiraiya...you will never understand me. Neither will Tsunade. Jiraiya left the speechless comrade there to contemplate about what was just said. Once the other had left, Orochimaru slammed his fist against a decorative vase in the room, shattering it to tiny pieces. Why was he so angry? Orochimaru then calmed, trying to come to resolve the issue.

Jiraiya had come to the hot springs, his mood anew with the promising aspect of meeting those two lovely ladies. Orochimaru shouldn't mind if he asked him to share Tsunade's room while Jiraiya invited the two girls back. He certainly didn't think Orochimaru would want to stay and watch. That'd be too creepy. Upon arriving at the hot springs, he indeed did see those two ladies at the far end, but something else caught his eye. Tsunade had beaten him there! She sat closer, a white towel over her head and eyes closed as she relaxed. Her toned arms rested on the edge she was against. Some immaturity robbing Jiraiya of rational thought, he quietly snuck up behind her...

"BOO!"

Tsunade nearly leapt out of the hot water. The woman let out a startled scream. Jiraiya was laughing about it, happy to see his prank had worked. However, Tsunade didn't see any humor in what he pulled. A low growl was given as she grabbed the hem of his robe and yanked him into the water, making a large splash. The two girls at the far end had been watching and now laughed aloud at the scene before them. Jiraiya resurfaced with a yell at being so suddenly emerged in the steaming waters.

"You deserved it! That was rude to sneak up on me like that!"

Jiraiya slipped off the soaked robe and tossed it out of the water, muttering. But soon, a smile came to his face. Here they were fifty-three years old, and acting so young. It felt great to be able to cut loose all the responsibilities, worries and pressures of being an adult. Jiraiya swam to the other side and sighed in relief.

"Have you seen Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya stared at her. So much for being in a good mood. From her now fidgeting attitude, he could only suspect the idiot said something to upset her. Where does he get the idea he can be such an ass?

"Yeah. Saw him coming in while I was heading here. Something up?"

"I just want to make sure he won't back out and run. It'll be fine if he stays away, just as long as he doesn't betray us."

"But you wanted the three of us to spend time together...I may be immature, but I can count to three...and I only see two sannin."

Jiraiya gave a wide grin, hoping his little joke worked to ease her nerves. Earning a small smile from her, he grew content and began to strike up a conversation with her about Konoha. Indeed they needed refreshed forces. With Orochimaru lending aid, he was confident they could trust the man to have some Sound nin stationed in Konoha and help out. Amidst the vivid chatter about important matters, Orochimaru came walking down the walk in a white robe. Jiraiya stopped talking to Tsunade, grinning. About time the snake brain joined us...