So just to clarify - this is when they are teenagers. You can thank Kaiser969 for the idea for this! *Has been so wrapped up in Bleach fic there's no room for any other ideas!*

The Darkness

"Tsunade!" Jiraiya ran to catch up to his blonde teammate, ignoring the disinterested glance she sent his way. "Wanna get a drink?"

Tsunade's whole demeanor perked up at the mention of alcohol – technically they were still forbidden from drinking it, but that hadn't stopped the two from getting their first taste of the liquor last week.

"Where and when?" She lowered her voice conspiratorially, bringing her head closer to his.

"Tonight, behind Training Ground 7," he whispered back, enjoying her nearness. "I'll supply."

With that the white-haired boy tweaked his teammate's pigtail before running away, to a screech of "Jiraiya! Get back here!"

The training ground was dark and silent when Tsunade arrived, and she couldn't feel Jiraiya's chakra anywhere. But she knew he had to be there – he had promised he would arrive early.

"Jiraiya?" she called softly, her eyes roaming all around. She didn't particularly like the dark. Too many things could hide in it. "Jiraiya?"

She could barely suppress a scream when something grabbed her ankle from below, pulling her down into the earth. When they reappeared out of the earth a few seconds later, the first thing Tsunade did was deck her teammate.

"You baka! You know I hate the dark! How dare you do that!"

"Hey hey hey!" Jiraiya quickly backed up, waving his hands in a pleading gesture. "I brought the sake! Don't hurt the supplier!"

"Fine." With one last punch Tsunade settled down, grabbing a proffered bottle from the teenager.

It didn't take much to get them both drunk, only a few bottles each. Their second time lasted them one bottle longer than their first, however.

"Jiraiya?" Tsunade slurred, weaving a little where she sat.

"Yeah?" he asked, trying to focus his eyes upon her.

"You know I'm really afraid of the dark, right?"

"Don't worry about it, I'll protect you!" Jiraiya declared, standing up despite his unsteadiness.

"Aw, that's so sweet!" Tsunade tipped forward, sliding against one of his legs and grabbing it for support. "Jiraiya-kun."

Even she seemed surprised to hear the honorific come out of her mouth, and the white-haired boy stared down at her, shock painted across his face.

"Hm?"

"Jiraiya-kun," Tsunade tried again, liking the sound of it.

This time the teenager's knees gave out, plopping him down right next to his teammate. Now instead of leaning against his leg, Tsunade was leaning against his chest, and she rather liked it there.

"So you'll fight the darkness away for me, Jiraiya-kun?" She placed a little pop on the honorific, nuzzling into him.

"Always, hime," he responded, arms slipping around her. He had wanted to hold her for so long. Check. Now about the next item on that list: kissing…

Her head tilted up at him, eyes wide and trusting. "You promise?"

"Always, hime." He lowered his own head, lips brushing against hers tentatively. He knew she had never kissed anyone before, and neither had he. That honor had been saved for Tsunade…

That kiss was awkward, as neither knew exactly what to do, so their lips simply remained pressed against each other.

When they both pulled back their eyes stared into each other: Jiraiya's happy and warm, and Tsunade's in shock.

"I'm –" Jiraiya began, with the full intention of apologizing to his teammate.

But he was interrupted when she moved forward again, pressing her lips to his. "Don't be sorry."