Hello again everyone! This has been the longest hiatus due to the film shoots I was working on. For your patience, I am giving you the longest chapter to date. Over 4,000 words! That's like 2 chapters for me.

PS: When the films are complete, I promise to share them with you through an unlisted link while they are submitted to festivals.

REVIEWS:

Ceasare: Thank you for your honest feedback! I'm trying to make things fit within the Naruto universe, which can be challenging at times. Hopefully this chapter gives Ruri a little more relatable substance. Let me know what you think.

Silvermane1: It's always a pleasure to read your comments. I feel the love!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto!

On with the show!


Paralyzed by the notion that Jiraiya knew her secret, Ruri was beyond dumbstruck. Ruri's mind reeled as Jiraiya spoke. She could tell he was speaking by the rumbling of his chest against her smaller frame, but she couldn't understand a word he was saying. It was as if they were too close to the waterfall they'd so recently left behind, with its gushing waters drowning out all other sounds. A familiar panic started to rise within her.

She was a child again, thrown back into the uncertainty of her earlier years. Memories poured in from every direction. Her parents yelling, the villager's cursing, and her teacher's warnings all filled her ears at once.

Jiraiya stopped speaking at sensing her stillness and cautiously looked at Ruri's face, chancing eye contact.

She had gone pale, her eyebrows were arched in surprise, and lips were pressed so tightly that they'd gone white. He could feel her heart beating as fast as a rabbits in the clutches of its predator. And I've done it again, he thought in alarm.

He didn't want to let her go. She felt so right in his arms, but he knew he had to calm her. It was obvious to him by now that her fear was directly linked to her mysterious ability. Intentionally or not, Ruri had been taught to fear discovery.

Jiraiya untangled one of his arms and slid his hand up towards the back of Ruri's neck. He could feel his energy flow through his fingertips as he massaged her stiffened neck muscles.

"It's alright," he assured her. "I won't say a word. You can trust me."

He murmured the same words over and over until he felt her relax. After a few more moments, she leaned into his embrace. Her cheek was pressed against his bare chest and Jiraiya had never felt so complete.

Ruri had been embraced by men before and had even felt meaningful connections with some lovers in the past, but as Jiraiya held her, Ruri felt a calm wash over her she hadn't felt in some time. The only embrace that ever came close was Sachi's that she missed so much. She made her decision then. She would be open with him. Trust him.

"Where did you go?" he asked softly into her hair.

Ruri took a deep breath.

"The past."

She leaned back and looked straight into Jiraiya's eyes.

Jiraiya had still been reveling the touching moment between them when he suddenly realized Ruri's eyes were open and staring right into his.

"Aw crap!" he exclaimed as he jumped away from her while shutting his eyes.

"That wasn't necessarily the reaction I was hoping for," Ruri said drily.

"It's too late isn't it? I'm necking with an oak or a wild animal or something already, aren't I?

Ruri gave a curt laugh before replying.

"I'd never subject another innocent to that again, and I mean the trees and wild animals not you."

Jiraiya could hear the annoyance in her voice. He opened his eyes slowly and saw that Ruri had turned away from him and had her arms crossed at her chest. She shifted from one foot to the other hinting at her uncertainty. From the brief eye contact, Jiraiya had seen what her eye's had looked like. They'd been white, with no irises or pupils that he could tell. The only features he noticed were the small lines that crisscrossed within, as if she had broken glass in her eyes.

"They're not what you'd call attractive, are they?" she said with a scoff.

If he wasn't under her genjustu, then she had chosen to trust him with her secret. And he was off to a bad start.

"Can we try that again?" he asked sheepishly.

He walked towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Please?"

Ruri only grunted and let him turn her around. At first she avoided eye contact until she saw his lips turn up into a smile.

"Well?" she asked impatiently.

"Thank you," he said sincerely.

"For what?"

"For trusting me."

"Please, don't tell Naruto."

"I already promised I wouldn't say a word and that means to no one, including Naruto. Come on, let's walk to camp and actually get to know one another. What'd ya say?"

Ruri smiled at the notion and nodded in agreement.


On their way to camp, Jiraiya picked some edible plants and Ruri watched him in silence. She had been expecting dozens of questions, but he had mostly just stayed quiet or hummed lightly. She thought she'd be relieved not having to divulge her past or the details of her dōjutsu, but she had actually started to feel frustration instead. Just like a man. So, pretending we're not interested in my ability are we? We'll see about that.

"There's some butterbur about fifty feet to your right, near some rocks. Should be a nice addition for dinner tonight."

Jiraiya faced Ruri and gave her a mischievous grin.

"I was wondering when you'd start spilling the beans."

"Well, if you would have shown more interest earlier, then maybe I would have—"

"No, you wouldn't have," he interrupted her dismissively.

Jiraiya went in the direction she had mentioned and could hear Ruri huffing in annoyance.

"Look, Ruri, we haven't known each other very long, but I've noticed that the more direct approach doesn't work with you. You just shut down. So, I've been patiently waiting for you to open up on your own."

"You think me cold."

Just like a woman, he thought.

"No, I think you're guarded. Sachi taught you to protect yourself, but that doesn't mean keeping people out. That's what you've learned to do. Keep people out."

"Don't pretend to know anything about me."

"I know you've isolated yourself by pretending to be something you're not your whole life and you dread having people find out who you really are."

Ruri's jaw dropped. She struggled to say something, but she could find no words. In one sentence, he had summed up her entire life. She hung her head in defeat.

"What do you want from me?"

Jiraiya walked towards her and tickled her chin with the butterbur he'd just picked. She looked up at him in confusion.

"Simple," he replied. "I want in."

Now that she was free to watch Jiraiya as he spoke, she could see his sincerity along with hearing it. He had such a gentle look on his face that she could almost forget his buffoonery of the previous day. She was starting to appreciate that side of him too, however. After everything this man must have seen and experienced in his life, his smile can still reach his eyes. He still has a passion for living, she thought.

"Alright," she relented. "First, tell me how you figured out my trick."

Jiraiya chuckled.

"I'm sorry if I made out your dōjutsu to sound unimpressive, it's just a Shinobi who's lived as long as I have is bound to run into visual jutsu's from time to time. Although, I've never come across anyone with eyes quite like yours. From what I can tell, you may have the visual abilities of the Byakugan and the genjutsu ability of the Sharingan. How am I doing so far?"

"Impressive. So, you've seen both in action?"

"Well, both the Byakugan and Sharingan can be found in clans back where I'm from."

Sullenly, Ruri turned away from Jiraiya and started to walk towards camp.

"Yes, so I've been told."

Jiraiya followed.

"What have you heard?"

"Both clans were attacked, one basically wiped out… because of their abilities."

"Yes, that's true."

"And you wonder why I fear people finding out?"

Jiraiya stayed silent for a moment wondering how to phrase his response.

"I understand why, but not everyone means you harm. I don't."

Ruri pondered for a moment.

"I think you're very perceptive, Jiraiya. I think you've probably surmised that I've learned to mistrust people from a very young age. The people in my village disliked me. My parents didn't know how to take care of me. My parents loved me, I came to know that as I matured, but for a long time I couldn't understand why they'd left me with a stranger."

"They did what they thought was best for you."

"Of course they did. I feel no resentment towards them, believe me. Sachi was the perfect guardian and teacher."

"You had said that Sachi believed your 'genetic disposition' would make you a perfect student for her trade… does that mean your visual ability extends to seeing the future?"

"Like I said, you're perceptive."

"Well, that is quite incredible. I haven't run into that, I can assure you."

"It's not as impressive as you think. What was your first impression of how my eyes looked?"

Jiraiya had not expected that question and he tried his best to say something that wouldn't result in insulting her.

"Broken glass, but - you know - beautiful broken glass."

Yeah, that was some smooth talking, Jiraiya, he chided himself internally.

Ruri only laughed.

"That's not a bad description! It's one of my specialties actually."

"What is?"

"Making people see how I see. It causes some confusion for lack of better word."

"Show me."

Ruri immediately halted, which made Jiraiya crash into her and almost dropped the plants he'd gathered.

"I don't think that's a good idea," she said seriously.

"Why not?"

"It'll disorient you for some time. I can't stop it at will. It has to fade on its own."

Jiraiya was immediately reminded of the after affects from her genjutsu of the previous night. It had taken a long time for his foggy vision to clear. He'd take her word for it for now, but he also wanted to show her that he wanted to know everything about her.

"Maybe after Naruto nod's off tonight?"

Ruri turned around to assess his sincerity. She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe," she replied.

They reached camp to drop off the plants. Jiraiya changed his wet clothes and they set off to look for firewood around the campsite. Ruri was more open now and shared freely.

"So, you can see the future?" Jiraiya asked.

"My visual abilities only allow me to see a person's perspective on things, whether it be the past, present or future. Many people have a vast array of choices floating around in their mind. I can see those choices and sometimes their immediate consequences. That's only moments and usually they're so many choices, it's hard to say which one the person will make."

Jiraiya was starting to catch on and became slightly embarrassed.

"So, I'm guessing you can then use those choices to make someone believe it's actually happening… like making someone believe they are kissing a real person when in fact…" he trailed off.

Ruri looked at Jiraiya's blushing face and winked at him.

"You got it!"

"I see."

Ruri laughed at his bashfulness. Jiraiya laughed along with her and quickly brought the subject back to Ruri.

"Okay, okay, as fascinating as your visual abilities are, what's really been on mind is the chemistry we got going on."

Ruri had been waiting for Jiraiya to bring up the subject, but had hoped against hope he wouldn't.

"I assume it only happens when you and I touch, but if I'm wrong, please say so," Jiraiya continued.

Ruri cleared her throat that had suddenly gone dry.

"You are correct… again."

Jiraiya smirked with pride.

"Interesting," he mused.

Ruri found the courage to face him after he'd been quiet for some time. It was clear he was pensive.

"Humph, oh well," he said thoughtfully as he hoisted some logs onto to his shoulder.

When he offered no other words on the matter, Ruri questioned him.

"Oh well, what? Can the great Toad Sage offer no wisdom on the matter?" she teased.

"One thing has come to mind, yes."

"And what is that?"

"That we're just meant to be together," he said matter-of-factly.

Jiraiya turned his gaze to Ruri, gave her a playful wink and made his way to camp. Ruri lingered for a few moments and when Jiraiya was a safe distance away, she held her blushing face in her hands. She felt like the teenager again.

After Sachi had told her of her prophesy, she'd dream about the day she'd meet her Sage. So many years had gone by that she wondered later on in life, whether Sachi had been mistaken. By the time Ruri had hit her 40's, she was sure she'd end up just like Sachi… an old spinster. And now look, Sachi, I've finally found him… true he's not what I'd imagined… he's silly and a bit pervy… but he's gentle, strong, intelligent – when it counts and so much more. Jiraiya, she thought, I've been in love with the notion of you for so long… Now that we've finally met… the more I learn about you, the less I understand what's happening to me.


Ruri finally arrived at camp to find Jiraiya building a fire. It was getting dark when Naruto finally arrived on his hands and knees, breathless.

"Stop…" Naruto rasped "…make it… stop…"

"Oh my, what's wrong, Naruto!" Ruri exclaimed at the sight of him.

At that moment, Jiraiya's shadow clone appeared ready to attack Naruto. Naruto scrambled away just in time to avoid the attack and hid behind the real Jiraiya.

"Done already?" Jiraiya asked.

"Yes! Yes! Please!" Naruto begged.

Both Jiraiya's laughed before the shadow clone disappeared with a POP. Once Ruri understood there was no real danger, she quickly shut her eyes and hoped Naruto had not noticed she'd been staring at him in concern. It was lucky for her that Naruto was not as perceptive as his sensei. At the shadow clones disappearance, Naruto sighed with relief and collapsed.

"Really, Jiraiya?" she said accusingly.

"What?" he asked innocently. "He can take it. Right, Naruto?"

The word "insane" was the only thing either of them could make out when Naruto mumbled something incoherently.

"See? He's fine," Jiraiya dismissed. "As soon as he eats, he'll be alright."

"Food," Naruto squeaked.

Ruri shook her head and fished out some healing balm from her pack. As she fussed with Naruto's bruises, Jiraiya could only wonder if he should let Naruto beat him up next time. Jiraiya was fresh out of reasons to touch Ruri and there was nothing he wanted more than her hands all over him. As he prepared their dinner, he pondered on ways to make that happen, but all his ideas were too perverted – even he knew that.

Then there was the fact that he couldn't stall their journey for much longer. He hadn't replenished his provisions at the previous village in his hurry. There was only so much he could stretch, and food pills would probably not be an option for Ruri. That led him to wonder what Ruri would do once they reached their destination. The thought of them going their separate ways thoroughly bothered Jiraiya, especially after making so much headway with her today.

Jiraiya announced that dinner was ready and Naruto's body seemed to move of its own accord, his eyes still closed. Practically floating on the waft of stew that had penetrated his nostrils, Naruto sat by the fire and reached for his bowl. In two gulps, he'd finished his serving and blinked awake.

"MORE PLEASE!" he exclaimed.

Jiraiya served him seconds and watched him as he ravenously gobbled his food.

"What'd I tell ya?" he said to Ruri. "He's fine."

"That's some stamina," she murmured as she focused on his energy.

Ruri was noticing that his bruises were healing quickly. Must be the nine tails chakra, she thought. Naruto finished his second serving and was ready for more.

"Alright, wait until we have our fair share, will ya?" chided Jiraiya.

Naruto laughed nervously.

"Oops, right, sorry," he offered. "Hey I think I tasted some curry in that."

"At the rate you were going I'm surprised you tasted anything, but yes, it has some curry."

"Reminds me of this curry place back in the land of rivers-"

At that thought, Naruto felt like a lightning bolt struck his brain. Another thought crossed his mind, but he was too late to grasp it. Ruri was intrigued that Naruto had been to her birthplace and prodded him.

"Curry place?" she asked.

Naruto tried again to figure out what idea had almost formed in his mind, but in the end he shrugged it off.

"Yeah, it was crazy spicy…"

When Naruto offered nothing else, Ruri laid it to rest. She wanted to know more, but was also eager for some more one on one time with Jiraiya. Naruto was able to get his third helping and almost didn't get to his tent fast enough, he was so tired. Not long after he disappeared into the tent, they could hear him snoring.

"Was that your plan all along? Beat Naruto up so bad that'd he'd pass out quickly?"

"Maybe," Jiraiya replied devilishly.

"You're horrible," she said.

She looked away from him so she could hide her smirk. The moon was full enough to illuminate the clearing and its wildflowers, giving it a mystical appearance. Jiraiya watched her as she took in the view. He took the opportunity to sit next to her and handed her some tea.

"What do you think?" he asked softly.

"It's beautiful here."

"I thought you might like it…"

Confused, Ruri looked at Jiraiya.

"Wait a minute… how long have you known I could see?"

Jiraiya shrugged.

"I had my suspicions from the very beginning, but I was sure once when I figured out you possessed a dōjutsu. And then, you kind of made it obvious when you mentioned that factoid on scorpions, earlier today."

Ruri thought about earlier in the day when she'd thought that Jiraiya would have brought here to this spot to woo here had he known she wasn't really blind.

"Why you…!"

Ruri punched Jiraiya in the arm, hard, but her fist crashed into pure muscle. Jiraiya laughed and feigned injury.

"Ouch! What?!"

"Oh, please, you know what."

Jiraiya chuckled.

"I'm sorry," he offered. "Like I said, I've been waiting patiently for you to open up on your own."

"Well, I feel like a fool," she pouted.

"Please don't. It's not your fault that I was overly suspicious of you. I needed to figure you out."

"Right."

Jiraiya could tell she was embarrassed and tried to move the conversation along.

"There's still more I need to figure out…"

Ruri smiled.

"Like what?"

"I want to see how you see the world."

Ruri's smile faded.

"Come on! You said you would," he prodded.

"No, I said 'maybe.' I don't think you understand what you're asking. I use that specialty as a diversion to confuse an enemy."

"So, I guess I'll have to attack then…" he said playfully. "I already know you're ticklish."

He moved in as if to tickle her, but Ruri was quick to escape.

"Alright! No tickling," she warned. "You're going to regret this."

Jiraiya was slightly disappointed that he didn't get his hands on her, but was eager to experience her jutsu. He'd perfected releasing himself from genjutsu since genjutsu had always been his weakness. He had little worry that'd he'd fail to release himself from hers. He stood up and placed his hands on his hips.

"Hit me," he said confidently.

"You might want to sit back down."

"I doubt it can be that bad."

"Oh, really? Alright then…" she said as she looked into his eyes "Shattered Gaze!"

In an instant Jiraiya's world broke into pieces and he lost his balance. His arms shot out in front of him for stability, but it only made things worse as he witnessed dozens of his own arms flailing before him. Somehow he managed to bring his many hands together into the releasing sign.

"Release," he said as he grew dangerously dizzy.

His broken and confusing world stayed the same. He tried to release himself again, but to not avail. Finally, he lost his balance in earnest and fell on his back.

"Oh no…" Ruri rushed to his side. "I'm so sorry," she apologized, but then grew furious, "I warned you, you fool. I said it had to wear off on its own!"

Jiraiya was watching the many faces of Ruri change from worry to anger over and over again.

"There're so many of you…" he mumbled. "I think, I'm gonna be sick."

"Close your eyes, it'll help," she said hurriedly and placed her hand over his eyes.

Jiraiya groaned as his stomach lurched, but was able to close his eyes before he could follow through with throwing up. With his world now in darkness, his queasiness began to fade slowly. He groaned again when his stomach threatened retaliation. Ruri placed his head in her lap. He could feel Ruri's fingers running through his hair and her thumbs gently massaging his forehead. Well, he thought, she's got her hands on me. Jiraiya could almost laugh were it not for the threat of getting sick all over her. Instead, he focused on steadying his breath and the feel of the tingling energy flowing from her fingertips through his skull.

"Better?" she asked.

"Mhm…"

"You should have just taken my word for it."

"Mhm."

"This was a dumb idea."

"Mhm."

"Are you listening…?"

"….mhm…?"

Ruri shook her head in disapproval. Jiraiya opened his eyes slightly and regretted it.

"Keep your eyes closed!" Ruri scolded.

After awhile of some more groaning and squirming, Jiraiya was finally able to speak.

"How long does it take to wear off?"

"I'm not sure. I usually don't stick around to find out," she said apologetically.

"Fantastic," he replied humorlessly. "How do you manage… seeing this way?"

"Well, you can imagine the trouble my parents had to go through. Sachi a had hard time as well until I accidently placed her under the same jutsu you're in now. After that, she understood how to teach me. With my eyes closed, the world is one. With my eyes open, I had to discover my center… I guess the best way to describe it is that I had to choose a 'window" on which to judge distances and such. It didn't take long actually, but then again, I've never known any other way to see."

"You weren't kidding about those 12 eyes," he smiled.

"No, I wasn't," she smiled back. "How are you feeling?"

Ruri's fingers were still working his scalp and Jiraiya didn't want to say anything that would make her stop. The ground had stopped moving for him, but he also knew it may have been too soon to open his eyes.

"Oh, you know… still a little nauseated, but whatever you're doing with those fingers of yours is helping a lot."

"I'm sure it is," she said with light sarcasm.

Jiraiya grew pensive for a moment.

"How old were you when you're parents…" he trailed off.

"Six," she replied openly.

"Did you ever see them again?" he questioned.

"In a dream… I saw them. I dreamt they had another child. Another girl, but… normal."

Jiraiya lifted his hand to find Ruri's and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Normal's nothing to brag about, you know," he said.

"Thank you. We should probably get to bed."

"I thought you'd never ask," he said in his most sultry voice.

Ruri thumped Jiraiya's forehead with her fist, but couldn't help but laugh.

"Ouch, how could you strike an incapacitated old man?"

"Well, any perverted old man would have deserved it."

Jiraiya chuckled and got into a sitting position.

"I'd keep your eyes closed. I'll help you to your tent."

"As long as you keep those amazing hands on me, I'll do anything you say."

Ruri shook her head in disbelief.

"Come on, Pervy Sage."

Arm in arm they made their way through the camp and Ruri helped Jiraiya into his tent. Before she left, she heard him whisper something about needing help with his pajamas. She feigned outrage and then giggled all the way to her tent. Their smiles only faded when sleep finally overtook them.