..Chapter Twenty-One..
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The white of her sake glass was held carelessly between her perfectly manicured digits. It was full to the rim, nearly overflowing as she paused before bringing it the rest of the way to her lips. She could feel her young apprentice wringing her hands out next to her. She wanted to roll her eyes at the eighteen year-old girl's sense of practicality. Would it kill her to get drunk now and then? It would certainly alleviate the stress she brought the older Sannin on a regular basis. She resisted the urge to rub the bridge of her nose and instead downed her drink in one quick shot.
The small glass was set down on the bar with a resounding pound, signaling to the bar keep she wanted another hit. Wasn't that what every drunkard trying to will away their painful memories did in order to signal the need for another shot? Wasn't it a universal sign? Or, was it just her?
She almost chuckled bitterly at her own sense of humor. Did she really care? Was there much to care about after the death of your brother and betrothed? Pitiful fools she'd stupidly thought would one day make Hokage. Stupid, hopeful, dream filled, wretched fools she'd loved with all her heart. The small glass nearly cracked under her grip.
She didn't care. It's not like the small little glass would be missed; even in a well known place such as Yin's. Although, she would admit it didn't deserve her spite.
No, it didn't. And now to add more worse for wear to her sad existence, another man she cared about died who once carried the title Hokage. Another stupid dreamer who gave everything he had for his village. Fool. That's what he her old sensei was; dying for a cause. That's what they all did, right? All the foolish men in her life. All the idiots who ever aspired to the title Hokage.
She watched as the bar tender poured her another glass. This time, the smart man left the bottle. She resisted the urge to smile ruefully and merely waved in some half attempt at a thank you. The next drink was sipped carefully. No need to overdo it, huh? It's not like she was celebrating or anything, right? And she sure as hell wasn't playing the mournful student. Sarutobi wouldn't want that.
No, she mused painfully. The old man would have wanted her to smile tonight. To find a way to get over her damned fear, grow up, and take over the hospital like he wished of her... like he'd written down in his will and testament. It wasn't like he was leaving the damned building to her. No one could own it. It was Konoha's. However, it had been his final request that she someday return home and take her rightful place as director.
She took another sip, ignoring the white maned shinobi who sat down next to her. Damned pervert. She almost snorted. But all she did instead, was say, "If you've come to comment on my flat chest just go the fuck away, Toad."
Jiraiya arched a tentative brow and let out a low whistle. "Spiteful are we, Slug-hime?"
A nerve above her eyebrow twitched and her eyes half shut. "Only in regards to you, old man."
He snorted, resting his forearms on the bar. "No older than you, beautiful." He waved the bar tender over and asked for what Tsunade was having.
She blinked at him a moment. Beautiful? Her eyes suddenly narrowed in paranoia. "If this is some stupid, half baked attempt to get in my pants tonight--."
Jiraiya's laughter interrupted her and she stared blankly at him, feeling slightly off kilter. "Slug-hime," she chortled, "love," he corrected as he smiled at her, filled with mirth, "if I was trying to get in your pants, believe me, you'd know it."
"Hn," she muttered, sipping at her drink again. Her eyes half searched for Shizune, wondering just what had seemed so much more important at that moment which for once didn't include her in her apprentices worries.
"She's fine, Slug-hime. I introduced her to a young Jounin named Genma." He smirked. "Other than an odd fascination for senbon, he's a good kid."
She shrugged. "At least she's off my back for a few moments."
Jiraiya resisted the urge to sigh and took a sip not from the small cup in front of him, but the small white bottle instead. Why waste his time pouring the stuff into a cup when he'd be filling it every minute or so? Didn't make much sense to the Sannin; not in the least.
"Why are you bothering me, Jiraiya? Is it so much to ask for a woman to have a few quiet moments to herself?" She was trying to level with him now. After all, this was Jiraiya, her partner. If anyone could see past her bitchy guise it'd be him.
He arched a brow at her, beginning to reply with a smart remark, but paused as he locked his eyes with her. He noted, for the first time in a while, Tsunade was being honest with him. The pain in her amber eyes was evident. He sighed, giving into the urge he had earlier. His smile was faint. "No lady, even one was grouchy, domineering and obstinate as you, Tsunade-hime, should ever be left to herself at a bar... wallowing in her own regrets. It doesn't suit you. And it disgraces the men who came before you."
She paused at his heart-felt confession and turned back to her drink. She felt her lower lip quiver and closed her eyes tightly. She refused to break down here; and especially in front of him. "Things like that are better left in your books, Toad," her voice was soft, a little accusatory and a little defensive. She took another sip of her drink.
He smiled sadly and took a sip of his own drink. "Perhaps..."
"Sasuke, you're such a bastard!" Laughter was heard from the same voice that called out that accusation and insult.
Both Sannin turned to see what the commotion was about. There, across the room, were two young men. One was on his fourth bowl of ramen while the other sat lazily next to him, a hawk on his shoulder. The ebony haired male looked bored and slightly amused all at once at the antics of his comrade.
The other, the blond, was grinning like a fool as his friend replied. "You know, you keep this shit up and you'll never make Hokage, dropout." He snickered slightly.
The 'dropout' in question snorted as he pointed his chopsticks at Sasuke like a weapon. "Like I said, you're nothing but a bastard. Some best friend. Of course I'll be Hokage one day."
"Hn... you've said it enough to be a broken record, Naruto."
Jiraiya blinked and touched two fingers to his lips. So, this was the boy the Fourth was going on about? His eyes narrowed slightly. Minato had failed to tell him the boy looked so much like him. It was like staring at his student from years ago. How was that possible? Sure, he figured the kid might have a serious case of Minato envy... but this? No, he was sure that wasn't a dye job in his hair. And he doubted it was anything but natural...
His thoughts were so caught up in a haze he hardly noticed Tsunade stand up and walk across the room to the two boys at the table. Shit, his mind scrambled as he hurried to stand. But he knew he'd be too late. He only hoped Minato's young student was good with words, otherwise this whole this might turn into a mess.
She didn't exactly understand what made her stand up and walk across the room. But, there was just something about the way the blond had said it. The boy named Naruto who proclaimed, without reservation, that he would one day be Hokage.
Her lips twitched and her hands found their way to her hips as she glowered down at the boy. "Hasn't anyone ever told you only fools aspire to the the title Hokage?"
Naruto blinked and turned his gaze over to the older woman. He nearly fell out of his chair. Granny! Shit! He willed away his sense of shock that she'd approached him. Aw damnit, he said to himself, a weird sense of deja vu coming over his body. Hadn't they done this song and dance once before?
"Well?" She prompted.
His eyes narrowed slightly. She actually expected him to respond? To something like that?
"Tsunade," Jiraiya spoke as he came up next to her. "Leave the boy alone. He doesn't--."
"Shut up, Toad," she snapped and kept her eyes on Naruto. "I asked the kid a question."
Naruto snorted and stood, chair dragging behind him as he faced her. "Do you take some sick pleasure if trying to squash people's hope, Granny?"
Jiraiya wasn't sure if she should laugh at his response or prepare to hold Tsunade back for the onslaught that was sure to come in her wake at his reply.
"What... what did you say, brat?!" The blond yelled at him.
Naruto's eyes narrowed a fraction as his arms crossed over his chest. "You heard me, Granny. Everyone knows about you, what you lost during the war, and your... fear. Out of respect for the Sannin and what they represent to Konoha I'll not go into the details... although... just because you lost someone doesn't mean everyone else has to see your stupid sense of logic." He paused. "Being Hokage will always be my dream. And if I die one day under that title? If I'm privileged enough to achieve it? To be recognized for my duties? Well, it's better than rotting in some hole somewhere, drunk as a skunk with nothing but my own weaknesses to sooth my pain."
She stared at him, not entirely sure what to say. Part of her wanted to hurt him for his insolence and lack or respect. Really, she did. What kind of fool was he? Why had she come over her to approach him in the first place? "You're more of an idiot than I thought," she muttered. "Rude, disrespectful--."
"Me?" He cried out. "I'm disrespectful?!" He reached out, nearly poking her in the chest as he pointed at her. "You were once one of the greatest heroes to ever live in Konoha. Hell, people around her still whisper your name like some holy mantra. And look at you?" He spat. "You're no golden god, no hero. Just some washed up old woman who's let the horrors of her life get the better of her."
"How dare you," she whispered painfully. "You know nothing about me."
"Funny," Naruto muttered, "I could say the same in regards to you." At her shocked expression he continued. "You're so much better than this, Granny." His eyes softened, no longer narrowing as he almost looked past her. "They wouldn't want to see you this way... Either of them." His eyes locked with hers. "I might be a fool. They might have been fools. But they were fools who you believed in. And they died with your faith consoling them. It's not a disgraceful way to go." He paused, reaching out and placed a hand on her shoulder, half expecting her to stop him. He smiled at her, grinned even, almost childishly, as if he'd known her for ages. "I promise you I'll do it one day. And then, you'll see, I'll get that recognition I want. It's a promise..." Before he gave her a chance to reply he was sitting back down, reaching for another steaming bowl of ramen.
Sasuke just sighed, shaking his head as he scratched Stalker's neck. His partner could be such a drama queen.
Tsunade said nothing more. Instead she walked back to the bar, grabbed her bottle of sake as she slammed down a wad of bills. With another huff and a muttering about 'fools' she was left the bar.
Jiraiya sighed and shook his head as he wiped down his face with one bare hand. "I know she can be a handful... but... did you really have to go and push her buttons, boy?"
Naruto shrugged. "I didn't start it, Ero-Sannin."
Jiraiya blinked at the familiar term. Perhaps Kushina was rubbing off on the boy... he didn't know him well enough to say otherwise. "Mind if I sit down?"
"Sure," Sasuke offered, "We're just waiting for Sakura."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly on the ebony haired boy. "You're the Uchiha. Sasuke, right?"
He half chuckled. "Last time I checked."
Jiraiya nodded and turned to the blond. "And your Naruto, right?"
The boy nodded between bites and took a sip of his cold drink to down the noddles. "Yup..."
He nodded. "Minato told me about you."
Naruto smiled. "Sensei is a great man..." his voice was full of awe.
Jiraiya nodded again. His bottle of formally forgotten sake was placed in front of him and he thanked the waitress, not even bothering to take a shot at her. No, for once he was more concerned with something besides women. "I was told you perfected the Rasengan."
Naruto blushed slightly. "I did..."
Jiraiya chuckled. "No need to be shy, boy. Can't you take a compliment?"
"Not often..."
"Hm... well... " He shrugged, deciding to change the subject. "You know you share a name with one of the characters in my first book?"
Naruto blinked, slurping the last of his bite into his mouth. "No... I didn't."
"Yes, well, it is rather amusing, considering Minato decided to name his boy after that same character." Jiraiya blinked as Naruto dropped his chopsticks and an expression of disbelief came over his features. "Are you alright?"
"W....What did you say?"
He blinked again. "I said it was amusing, considering Minato named his boy Naruto because of my book... " His eyes narrowed in concern. He barely noticed any reaction in Sasuke. But if anything the other boy seemed to tense up at the information.
Naruto swallowed, feeling his chest expand. Suddenly he couldn't breath. Everything was closing in around him. He shakily stood up and leaned forward, hands on the table to steady himself as the information assailed him.
Jiraiya moved to stand as well. "Naruto?" He watched in a flash as the boy stepped back, turning swiftly and headed for the bathroom door.
"Fuck," Sasuke grunted, standing and followed after his best friend. That old Toad just had to blurt out what he'd been trying to hide for two years from Naruto. What were he and Sakura suppose to do now? The blond numskull wasn't like them. He never dealt with his own emotions the same way. Sasuke never knew what to expect from him at times like these.
ooo
Sakura barely managed to avoid a pissed off Tsunade as she stomped out the door and off into the night. What the hell had that been about? Her green eyes trailed after her, curious. While she was use to her shishou's temper... well, this reminded her all to well of those drunken nights they shared together, musing over their regrets. The look on her face had clearly been one of pain. Had she spied tears...? Damn... Her eyes darted to the bar door. They narrowed as her good intentions nagged at her. Her friends were waiting...
She sighed and turned around, going after her future teacher. Why did she have to feel like she owed her so much? Damn her guilty conscious. She really wanted to try that new strawberry drink Yin's had boasted a month ago. Sure it was nonalcoholic... but she wasn't going to complain. One more year and she'd be back to enjoying he moments of weakness at the bar. In the meantime? Back to playing lonely psychiatrist to a woman who had no idea what she'd be to her in the years to come.
"Tsunade-sama!" She cried out to her retreating back. She nearly grit her teeth as the woman increased her pace, obviously ignoring her. "Tsunade-sama!" She began to jog, slowly catching up to her. She almost ran into her again as the woman turned around, bearing down on her with a growl.
"Damnit, Shizune, I don't---Oh..." She blinked at the young pink haired female, not entirely sure what to say to her. Anger made her respond though, her face a wash of spite. "What do you want, chit?"
Sakura blinked at her. However, after momentary shock wore off, she too took on the tone and body language of a formidable woman wronged. "Nothing really. You bumped into me back there and..."
"And what? You wanted to try and get an apology out of me?" She snorted. "You're about as naive at that Naruto boy."
Sakura's eyes narrowed, hands on her hips. "No! God, do you have any idea how much of a jerk you are? And, hey, that's my team mate your talking about! I know he can be a little abrasive and... annoying... but Naruto isn't naive..." she ended it with a mutter.
Tsunade rolled her eyes and turned, walking onward. "Whatever. I don't have time for you."
Sakura snorted, following her. "No, but you seem to have plenty of time for that bottle under your arm."
"Is everyone on your team this annoying and nosy? Jiraiya's bad enough. Kami knows he's been trying for years to get me to quit drinking and come back home..." She shook her head. "I'm a grown woman," she muttered, talking more so to herself, "if I want to throw my life away on gambling and drinking it's my damned business..."
Sakura chuckled despite herself.
Tsunade eyed her out of the corner of her eye. "What's so funny?" she snapped.
Sakura shook her head. "Nothing... you just..."
"Just what? Out with it, girl," she griped impatiently.
Sakura smiled and tucked her hands behind her back as she fell in pace with her shishou. "You could say you remind me of someone I know..."
"Hm..." was her only reply as they walked on in silence. There was something about the girl's presence she didn't entirely mind. "I should tell you to go home," she muttered.
"Oh?" Sakura arched a brow at her.
"Yeah..." she sighed. "But what do you say to have a few drinks with me instead?"
Sakura smirked, knowing full well she could still drink her teacher under the table, even in this body. "You are aware I'm still a year under the drinking age?"
"Formalities," Tsunade responded with and idle wave of her hand. "I hate drinking alone anyway. It's depressing."
Sakura half smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "Then I can't refuse." She resisted the urge to swat away the older woman's hand from ruffling her hair.
"That's a girl. Come on, we'll go to my place. That way when we pass out at least there's a bed close by." She placed her arm over the girl's shoulders. "What's your name anyway?"
"Sakura. Kaioh Sakura."
"Well, Sakura, I'd say this is the beginning of a interesting friendship," her words slurred as she popped the cork on the bottle of sake and took a long drink.
"I couldn't agree more, Tsunade-sama," her voice echoed softly with a knowing smile.
ooo
A few hours later, a heartfelt conversation, plus one passed out Sannin and Sakura was leaving her hotel room. She sighed as she locked the door behind her, closing it with a click. If she hadn't been assured Shizune had a key she would have left it unlocked, as unsafe as that was. But really, who was going to rob Tsunade, risking her violent temper?
She began to take the short staircase down to the street and exited the the hotel property. She was so caught up in her thoughts she nearly jumped as Sasuke appeared in front of her. Her hand flew to her chest as she gasped. Then she scowled. "Kami, Sasuke! Don't scare me like that!"
"We've got a problem," he muttered seriously.
"How so?"
"Naruto found out about Minato."
"You mean..."
"Yeah."
"Shit."
"My sentiments exactly."
She sighed and ran a hand through her short strands. "How did he take it?"
Sasuke sighed as well, turning to fall in step with her as they walked along the barely lit road. "As well as anyone can finding out their father is the Fourth Hokage. I mean... I calmed him down and took him home. After everything settled in... he was happy."
"That's good," she admitted.
He nodded. "He's still worried though. Like we all are."
"About losing him to the fight with..." The name went unspoken between the two of them and she sighed again. "I wish we could go home soon. When is Eon going to show up again? Either we have another mission or we don't."
"Yeah, I know. But, don't we need to take out Mr. Mysterious?" He dug his hands into his pants pockets.
She grunted. "It would so help if we knew who he was." She hazarded a glance over at him. "Did you guys get any clues about it while fighting him?"
He shook his head. "Nah, I told you everything I could remember. He acts like he had a vendetta against Konoha... I mean, that could be any number of people."
"True," she agreed as she touched her fingers to her lips. This was so unfair. How were they suppose to keep fighting an enemy they didn't know or understand?
"Where were you anyway? We waited hours for you to come back. Even Minato was a tad worried after I took Naruto home and came back," he admitted softly.
"Ah..." she sighed. "Well, I had a nice long chat with Tsunade-shishou."
He visibly winced. "Yeah... Naruto kinda pissed her off. Although, I can't really blame him. She just kept going on about fools and the title Hokage like he was idiot for wanting it. Frankly, I didn't get it at all. And I didn't bother asking Naruto about it later."
"Well," she sighed, tucking her own hands into her skirt pockets as she spoke, "it's no real surprise you don't. Hell, I wouldn't even get it myself if I hadn't spent so much time with her." She kept her gaze ahead as her mind drifted back. "You see, Tsunade lost a lot in this war. Just like Kakashi would have if it weren't for us." She paused as they rounded a corner. "You know that necklace Naruto wears?"
"The blue one made of crystal?"
She nodded.
"I never really thought much about it." He shrugged. "Then again I never really asked him about it. But, now that you mention it, he does always seem to be wearing it. And since coming here he's pretty much hidden it from sight."
She nodded. "That's because it was given to him by Tsunade. You see," she continued, her voice soft, "it once belonged to her grandfather, the first Hokage. It was passed down to her. Her brother, Nawaki was a lot like Naruto." She smiled softly, her gaze drifting downward. "He wanted to become Hokage too. So, Tsunade placed all her hopes and dreams in her younger brother and gave him the necklace, one day believing it would give him the power to accomplish his dream."
"And?"
"And he died," she said with a sigh and a slump of her shoulders. "She was heartbroken. The necklace found it's way back into her possession. Then, not too long after, while Tsunade was trying to convince the Third to train more medical nin for the field because of her brother's death, she met Dan. He agreed with her, having lost his younger sister to the war as well."
"Don't tell me..." he trailed off, not liking where this story was going.
"Well, you see, Dan felt so strongly about Tsunade's ideals for medical nin he too wanted to become Hokage. And he told her so. They fell in love not long after... and as you can imagine, Tsunade once more gave away her necklace, placing all her hopes and dreams in her hands of her lover." She hated that sad feeling that crept over her each time she relived the story of her teacher. But, Sasuke needed to know. "Not long after Dan died too. But this time, unlike with her brother, she was there to witness it." Her jaw clenched. "She told me there was so much blood. And she tried, for minutes after his death, to save him. Nothing worked... " She gazed over at Sasuke, sad smile on her features.
"She's afraid of blood because of that. And she was until Naruto convinced her to come home and help you and Kakashi. You see, his resolve and determination convinced her being Hokage really wasn't a pipe dream only for the fools who wanted it. And now, once more, she's placed her hopes and dreams in him... knowing this time, he'll be the one to do it."
"Damn..." Sasuke whispered. "Well... no offense... but with Minato continuing to be the Hokage... if he does survive that fight... what reason will she have to come back to Konoha? Will she be your teacher?"
Sakura shrugged. "Who knows? Eon seems to have a plan despite all the changes. And there's no way in hell I can see myself being anything but a medical nin." She smirked. "Hell, if I have to track her down myself and force her to teach me all over again, I will continue being the woman I am."
He chuckled. "I'm not doubting your resolve, trust me. I'm just wondering, you know."
"Aren't we all?"