Well folks…2 chapter for the price of one. I've been slacking a bit lately, so I decided to post chapter 6 and 7. I know, I know, some are going to think this is OOC for Jiraiya, but again I stand firm in my opinion that he's the sensitive one of the Sannin. (God know it ain't Orochimaru!) So again I hope you enjoy, leave some kind of response please!!!! (on her knees practically begging!!!) I've started chapter 8 but I don't know…let me know if I should keep going. Any opinions as to the direction you want to see the story take? Just don't ask me to kill Jiraiya, it ain't gonna happen! ; )

Chapter 7

Parting the flap as he rushed in a panting Naruto saw the long tail of white hair perched on a stool already waiting. A bit taken back at the sight of his sensei in a black Gi with a green flame pattern along the edges, Naruto couldn't help staring. Even the Toad Sage's customary Hiat'ate and gauntlets were missing; the only consistent thing was the mesh underclothing. "What are you wearing Ero-Sennin?" A laugh escaped Jiraiya's lips at the obviously confused look on his hyperactive student's face. "I was in the mood for something different today," he replied simply, patting the stool next to him motioning for the blonde to take a seat.

"What can I get you Naruto?" asked Ayame smiling sweetly at one of their best customers. "The usual" chirped Naruto happily, "Make that 2" noticing that his sensei hadn't ordered. The proprietor's daughter quickly returned with two steaming bowls for the pair. Jiraiya finally broke their awkward silence "Sooo…I guess you're wondering about what you saw this morning?" Sheepishly Naruto admitted "Just that I don't want you guys to break up in a week and then I'll never see you again" The older man chuckled softly and drew a deep breath knowing his explanation to this concern would be a lengthy one.

"You remember a couple years ago when I had to tell you about the birds and the bees?" the Sage began. His student nodded slightly blushing indicating that he indeed remembered very well. "There's a bit more to it than just anatomy I'm afraid. Unfortunately, I probably haven't been an ideal role model in this particular area" his mind starting to drift away.

The moment he'd seen her he felt like he couldn't breath; as though she made the air itself disappear. Golden locks pulled out of her face in a long ponytail exposing her large amber eyes. It was all he could do to restrain himself from running straight at her and hugging her as hard as he could. Unfortunately for him she caught his transfigured stare and angrily asked what his problem was. They were only seven, but right then and there he decided he was going to marry her even if he didn't know her name. "Well" she asked impatiently, but never received a response as the snowy haired boy was struck suddenly mute. Utterly annoyed she huffed and stormed off amidst the giggles of her girlfriends.

Some years later he finds himself in a classroom sitting, amazingly, next to said girl still clearly smitten. "Are you trying to copy off of me!!" she hissed when she caught him staring…again. As usual he can't find the words to express what his heart yearns for her to know. She angrily scoots her chair over closer to the creepy looking boy with the black hair stirring up pangs of jealousy which the young boy still doesn't recognize.

A few more years pass and our little hero's prayers are answered and upon graduating the academy ends up on her team. Unfortunately, that creepy boy somehow did too which makes him question the judgment of the deity who orchestrated all this. All she would ever say to him was "Don't screw this up like everything else. Really I don't know how they let a loser like you graduate!" turning her adorable little nose in the air as she finished. "Tsunade" their sensei said exasperated "Be nicer to your teammate, one day you're going to truly need one another." Years later these words would come back to haunt them over and over again.

They saw the world together side by side working seamlessly much to her dismay. She still thought of him as the weird pervy boy who always stared at her, much to his dismay. They were 17 now, ten years passing since their fateful meeting, and if possible his yearning for her had grown exponentially since. He vowed to keep her safe even if it cost him his life because without her what good would living do. Fate decided that, today, Jiraiya would make good on that promise.

They moved silently through the brush hoping to lose the cloud nin that were after the strange artifact they had been contracted to retrieve. Sarutobi silently beckoned them to quicken their pace when out of nowhere a Kunai pierced the flesh of their sensei's outstretched palm. Orochimaru was the first to attack as always silently and without a hint of fear. Tsunade immediately tended to the injured Jounin carefully trying to heal him through a barrage of shurikan. The recently mended man ran to assist his favorite pupil leaving the remaining two behind. Back to back they circled waiting as the forest went silent, the proverbial calm before the storm.

Too soon the quiet was gone and a dozen ninja were coming at them for the kill. This was his chance to prove himself he thought. If he could be as cool as Orochimaru and as strong as sensei she would be sure to fall for him. She wasn't some weak girl waiting to be rescued though, if anything she worked twice as hard to not be seen this way. 'POOF' they realized all too late that these were merely shadow clones and their creators were safely tucked in the shadows leaving hundreds of explosive tags. Jiraiya finally moved like the devil himself was at his heels, which considering the circumstances he may as well have been. A flurry of hand signs as he wrapped his muscular arms around his love calling out "Needle Guardian". The two were encased by his steely white hair protecting them from the blast. In the dark and heat of their cocoon he finally found the strength to tell her his feelings, but when he opened his mouth the only audible noise was the gurgle of blood and Tsunade's screams. The hair receded and he collapsed falling forward into her arms. Dozens of knives stabbed into his back, his blood spilling everywhere.

When he finally awoke he was in a hospital bed safe and sound, but wait he thought Is she okay??? He called her name and fought the wires to get up, desperate to find her. A hand clamped down on his shoulder, when he realized who it belonged to his struggling ceased. She was okay; he let out an exhausted sigh and noted a tear rolling down his beloved's cheek. "Why are you crying Hime?" he asked softly. She looked a bit taken back by the affection in his tone. Not knowing how to thank him or express all the strange though and feelings going through her heart and mind she did what any woman would do. Her soft pink lips grazed his cheek and landed squarely on his lips much too both their surprise. It ended quickly when the monitors connected to his heart went off causing nurses to come running. She disappeared into the crowd of medics and they never talked about it again.

The old man laughed heartily again at his pupil's open mouth and rapt attention. The boy had barely touched his now cold noodles afraid he might miss something over his slurping. "Well" Naruto anxiously asked. "Well what, kid?" the Sannin teased. "C'mon Ojiichan, what happened next?!?!" Jiraiya almost toppled off his stool from the shock. Naruto calling him grandpa instead of Ero-Sennin was a stretch for a kid wouldn't even call him by his name. A hopeful smile appeared on the teen's face wondering if this change in their relationship would be allowed by the older man. Jiraiya smiled tenderly, after all he considered his father to be the closest thing he'd ever have to a son, it was only natural that his child be his grandson. He took a drink of his tea and continued on with his tale.

A funeral later and he felt like he could no longer reach her. She raised Nawaki lovingly dotting on the boy. His death shattered her world leaving her sobbing in Jiraiya's arms for days. One day she recovered and now instead of confessing her love for him she confessed it for another. He died that day, his heart was completely crushed. This was the primary reason he was able to complete almost 2,000 missions. Anything so he wouldn't have to happen upon them in town holding hands and kissing. When her lover died in her arms months later she was back in his. He was determined not to fall back under her spell, but her sobs destroyed his resolve. After their teammate defected she finally snapped and left the village with her pupil vowing never to return.

Here the mighty ninja paused, the ghost of pain forgotten stirring in his chest. Naruto sensing this reached his hand out and grasped his massive shoulder. The boy's touch brought him back from his suffering. His onyx eyes looked into young man's and said "I pray your heart never has to feel that kind of rejection Naruto, especially for as long as mine has endured" Patting the blonde's hand softly to let him know it was okay to let go now. "So what changed?" Naruto asked clearly confused how their relationship had moved to the level he caught them at.

"For me…nothing, but for her," he paused unsure of how to answer. "Well we still haven't really talked about that I guess. I'm just afraid to bring it up and have her throw me out of her life again. I love her in a way that's almost verging on ridiculous. To feel love in return from her was more than I ever hoped for. That's why I never married. You're supposed to marry your other half, but mine always eluded me until now." Naruto chuckled and said "Wow, who knew you had real feelings under all that pervyness" The comment earned him a prompt smack upside the head.