Chapter Fifty-Five
Jiraiya stared regretfully toward his mistress as he held Tsunade's warm body to him on the cold December morning. It had been his constant companion for the past fourteen years, worn and leather-bound; his notebooks were a collection of stories from his many travels on the long journey that had started only about halfway into Kushina's pregnancy with Naruto. Whether drunk, hungover, indoors, or outdoors, Jiraiya had written faithfully an entry a day for over a decade.
As Jiraiya held the love of his life, he reflected on that great adventure as traced fingers gently along the milky skin of Tsunade's arm. Almost a full quarter of his life to date was sitting in stack of notebooks on the desk in Tsunade's room. It once had been so easy to write his story out one day at a time, but lately, it was getting harder and harder to make new entries. He had moved in with Tsunade just after Part Two of the Chunin Exams, after the first time they'd made love. That was when the journal entries started to it was missing a night here and there as he and Tsuande spent more time with Minato's family and the Hyūga Clan. Pretty soon, he was missing whole weeks at a time, only making an entry with events like the invasion and some of the strange aftermath that followed.
Jiraiya's wandering hand soon slid over Tsunade's tummy, rubbing in gentle circles. She was the first lover in any recent memory that had lasted more than one night – that alone made her special.To think, you could be out there, filling out that journal with adventures. All you'd have to give up is this. The song of the open road now played out like the record that was playing the first time he'd taken a lover. It once had been a favorite song, but now he couldn't remember the lyrics or the rhythm. Tsunade was now his favorite song, and there would be no others.
He rolled onto his back, away from Tsunade, but his wandering left hand did not stop until it found a smooth curve in her butt to find rest. His lips tightened as his fingers traced the well-formed feature. As his fingers wandered, his eyes wandered to an innocuous object on the nightstand. Tsunade and he had made love last night, and it had been sitting out mere inches from her at times without her noticing. Can't wait to see the look on her face.
As he indulged in the fantasy, he also remembered there were responsibilities much as he didn't want to go, he had to go to Mount Myoboku this spring with Naruto; the boy had to be ready for an uncertain future. Sadly, that meant leaving Tsunade and his son; he didn't know which was worse. Having only just bridged the gap with Tsunade, it felt cruel to separate from her. Strangely, she wasn't even remotely upset over it. She reasoned he had planned this a long time, and there was no reason to call it off. They had endured worse while not a couple, and they could endure it again as a couple. She has an awful lot of faith in you, don't screw up!
Jiraiya pulled back the cover and sat up on the edge of the bed. For a long moment, he stared at a photo on the nightstand of an incredibly young Minato, Kushina, and himself taken almost twenty years ago. A guilty stone sank in Jiraiya's belly. At that time, a small part of him resented Kushina for being a floozy, luring his apprentice away from the open road. Seeing what Minato and Kushina had built out of nothing in such a short time, Jiraiya had come to understand that Minato had never been meant to walk the path of a wanderer. Imagine what you would be missing if they weren't here.
The invasive thought plagued him since a confused, beer-intensive night following Lord Third's all the two had endured, he and Minato needed to laugh, needed to cry, and needed to confess their misdeeds. Somewhere around beer four or five, Minato told a fantastical tale that even Jiraiya had a hard time swallowing after beer five or six. Minato had spun the tale of a granddaughter from the future, the premonition that saved his life, and the hellish alternative world without Minato and Kushina in it.
The last point has sobered both of them considerably. At first, Jiraiya thought it was just the alcohol talking until Minato produced a photograph dated twenty years from now. Jiraiya's great-granddaughter had slipped it into Minato's jacket at some point. The photo contained older versions of Naruto and Hinata, a young boy resembling Naruto, and girl who looked like Hinata. If it was fake, it was damn convincing, and he could find no telltale indication that the photograph was forged.
The implications had moved Jiraiya to tears, as did at the foul treatment Naruto would have faced had his parents died. Soon, an alcohol-fuel cascade of dominos fell in Jiraiya's mind – Danzo slaughtering the Uchiha Clan, the already screwed up situation in the Hyūga Clan getting impossibly worse, and the thought of Tsunade never reconciling with him. More harmful, Jiraiya realized he must have been a terrible godfather to Naruto in whatever hellish existence that was. This family has been here for you for the past year; could you have been here for them in return? Would you have run away like you used to do?
"Babe, you're letting all the heat out," Tsuande moaned as she pulled the covers back over her perfectly formed ass.
"Sorry, gorgeous," he chuckled away his melancholic thoughts at the briefly impressive view. If this Himawari girl had changed the past, had altered the present and future, Jiraiya didn't want to know how this was supposed to end originally. This life was a gift he'd never take for granted, and it was time to start living it the right way. "I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?" she mumbled, half-asleep.
"To finish what I started," he said with purpose. Jiraiya walked over to the desk, not caring about walking around in the cold morning in the nude. He opened the notebook from the entry he had started last night. In it, he had chronicled a trip to a department store for an important Rinne Festival gift, a romantic dinner, and Tsunade approaching in her black baby-doll negligee.
He took pen to paper: And thus ended the Adventures of Jiraiya the Wanderer. He felt the weight of the past fall away.
He paused, feeling like it was incomplete. All of this centered around your grandson, the child of destiny. Jiraiya smiled; he resumed writing a final entry: And so, begins the Adventures of Naruto, the Hero of the Leaf.
He smiled at his work, closing the notebook on his adventure. Before he left with Naruto, he'd need a new notebook for his grandson's adventure. He'd also have to edit his own adventure before sending it to his publisher. So much to do, so little time. A quick glance out the window confirmed snow was falling in fluffy tufts – the perfect day to stay late in bed. Jiraiya scanned back to Tsunade. There was still time to kill; he didn't need to be at the Hokage's office until midday. He grinned as he sneakily slithered back into bed with her.
"Practicing your morning wood-style release, perv?" she chuckled as he pressed himself into her and pulled the covers back over him.
Jiraiya laughed, "I'm keeping that one, going to have to write it down!"
"You can use it," she replied, amused.
"I certainly can," he took her earlobe in his lips and began nibbling.
"J-Jiraiya!" Tsunade heaved as her cheeks stained themselves pink. Ears were her turn-on, nearly impossible to resist; Jiraiya could do this all morning and never be sick of it.
"Yes, dear," he swirled his tongue around the ear as his steamy breath teased his words to her.
"If I have to explain why I am walking funny later," her best effort to sound serious was betrayed by her amused gaze, "you'll be in a body cast, you fiend!" She rolled over and kissed him desperately.
Jiraiya rolled her onto her back, not stopping his lips for a moment. His lips gently sucked hickeys into her neck as she heaved breathlessly, "Jiraiya!" Undeterred, he made his way to her one hundred- and six-centimeter bosom before migrating along her stomach and back up her midline to her lips. "This isn't fair!" she protested.
"What isn't fair?" he traced his tongue over the front of her neck as he made his way back to her lips.
"You know all my turn-ons, you jerk!" her body shuddered.
"How is that not fair, you know all mine?" he chuckled.
"That's because, you sex-fiend," she tapped him on the nose with her index finger, "everything is turn on for you! I walk down the street, you're turned on! I sign my name on a check, you're turned on!"
"But your penmanship is so arousing," he protested.
"Somehow," Tsunade chewed her lip as he guided his hands over her breasts, "you managed to win over my heart," her legs clamped around him, forcing intimate contact, "and my body!" Tsunade heaved in pleasure as he entered her body, arching her head back as she moaned.
Jiraiya savored the moment, committing her to his memory. He soon stared at the small box on the nightstand, suddenly feeling reassured in every fiber of his body. Tsuande had been special to him beyond the physical bond they were sharing, and tonight it was time to make things official. Of course, first thing is first. He grinned as he indulged in her every last pleasure.
White tufts of snow dropped from the sky as Temari sat at the window in her room in the Nara Compound. Snow rarely feel in Suna, and she'd only seen it once in a trip to the mountains with her father when she was very little, before Gaara was born. She thought back to the Kazekage's residence, massive and imposing, as she eyed the backyard, now an ocean of white. While not as sprawling as her family's home in Suna, it was pleasant, and it was a home. As much as Shikamaru lazed about and complained about his mom being overbearing, she could sense love in this house. Even though she wasn't truly part of this household, she at least appreciated being near it.
Her teal eyes sank to the snow collecting on the ground. Temari tried remembering the last time she had felt love or something like it as she let her breath fog up the glass. Gaar and Kankaro loved her, she knew that, but it wasn't the same as the love she had had with Mom before she died bringing Gaara to life. It had been so long since she'd felt love from father that she couldn't honestly remember if she'd ever felt it from the man. Even in the trip in the mountains, he had frequently been distant. He had to have loved me at one time, but I guess I'll never know. Just thinking of father formed a profound emptiness where her heart was.
When the spring thaw happened, she'd begin the trek back to her village, back to the empty Kazekage's residence. She looked back toward the plush room. The bedspread and curtains were royal purple, just like her room at home. Lady Nara had taken great caution to provide Temari extra blankets as a bulwark for her desert blood against the cold of a Hidden Leaf winter. She'd even taken Temari clothes shopping for appropriate winter gear, something rarely needed in the desert, except at night. When the time came, she would miss the cold snow, and she would miss having the closest thing she had had to a mother or father in years. A knocking came at the door. "Come in," she sighed, not moving from the window.
"Temari," Shikamaru leaned his head in through the door.
Yes, I'll even miss him. "What's up, crybaby?" she regained some of her old fire as she smirked. She still enjoyed teasing Shikamaru, even in cases where he hadn't fully earned it. In the past few months, Shikamaru had been an attentive bodyguard, even occasionally showing signs of real companionship, despite the fact that she teased him. A few winter's nights he'd even let her go and stargaze in his telescope – a high honor according to his mom.
"Nice to see you, too, troublesome woman," he said, averting his eyes. His foot was tapping rapidly. What's got him on edge? "T-Temari, I have something for you," he said with some red pooling in his cheeks.
"For me?" she tilted her head, curiously, "What's the occasion?"
"The Rinne Festival starts today, friends and couples typically exchange gifts," Shikamaru broke into sudden nervous laugh, "not that I'm saying we're a couple or anything!"
"Oh," Temari didn't know if he was downplaying the situation because he was nervous or because he didn't have feelings. Bullshit, you know how he feels; he even admitted it. "If that is the case," she walked over to room's desk, retrieving a small cardboard box, "I have something for you, too."
"Ummm…" he fidgeted as she held out the box, "I think," he handed her the box, "you should go first." Whoa, he must be ready to die of a heart attack; his heart is in his throat!
Temari set the gift for him down and took the rectangular box, breaking the tape with her fingernail, and pulling off the lid. Inside, beneath tissue paper, was an elegant mauve sweater. "Shikamaru!" her eyes opened wide as she felt the material between her fingers – pure wool, not cheap cotton, and hand knitted. This is the same expensive sweater I was eyeballing at the department store with him! "This is almost thirty-thousand yen!" Her jaw dropped and her heart thundered. He got this for me!
"I kept the gift receipt if you don't like it!" he raised his hands, turning bright red, "and the tag is still on!"
Temari hugged it to her body. Even in her arms, the garment felt like warm heaven on a cold December day. "This is for me?" she was still disbelieving.
He nodded with a slight , "Try it on." The sweater slid over her smoothly like she was wearing a warm, fluffy fit was loose, some room to grow without flowing off her in patches. Temari turned, admiring her reflection on the dresser mirror as she spun, hugging the treasure to her. "It might be a bit big," Shikamaru explained nevously, "Mom suggested getting you a size slightly larger, so you'd have some room to grow into it…"
"I love it…" Temari whimpered, holding back tears.
"Huh?" Shikamaru's face washed over in confusion.
"I love it!" Temari vice-gripped him in the hug. He let out a few choked moans as she almost crushed him.
Temari released Shikamaru, now a dark shade of red. He gasped a few times, but he eventually smiled, "I guess it's a good thing I didn't go with roses," he laughed sheepishly.
Even Temari snorted in laughter at the stupid comment. Oh, my idiot! "Really, thank you, Shikamaru," she stared longingly at him, "with all my heart!" He eyes soon moved to his gift, "I suppose," she mock-scowled, "you probably earned this, too!" She chuckled as she handed him the small box.
He eyeballed the smaller box. "I promise, it doesn't bite," she teased.
Maybe a bit reassured, Shikamaru tore off the simple green paper on the box, revealing a brand-new eyepiece for his telescope. "Temari!" he said breathlessly.
"I hope it's the right type. The guy at the shop said it was the best money could buy for your telescope." Temari's heartbeat began accelerating gradually. "We can test it out later tonight."
"Actually," his voice cracked.
Normally, Temari would take it as an opening for a good teasing, but she relented this time, "Actually, what?"
"Temari, there is something else I had in mind tonight."
"Oh, I see," she felt herself sink.
"Temari," he sounded like he was summoning every bit of courage in his lazy heart, "do you know about the lantern ceremony? At the Rinne Festival, I mean?"
"I know of it," she said, puzzled, "Something about ending the year and saying good-bye to those you've lost along the way."
"It's not as prominent an event as it once was, now the festival part is the big event," he explained, "But a lot of my friends will be there this year. I made a lantern for Lord Third… and…"
"And?"
"I made one for your father, too," he choked, "If you want to say good-bye, that is! I didn't know how you felt about it!"
Temari placed a hand on her hip, "You're asking me on a date to say good-bye to my dead father?"
"Ah… I guess…" his throated bobbed up and down, "all right, it was a lame idea, I get it!"
"Thoughtful," she said.
"Huh?"
"Thoughtful, Shikamaru, it's extremely thoughtful of you," she said as she hugged him again. The sweater was holding the warmth of his actions and words closer to her. "My father made a lot of mistakes," she began to cry, "but he tried his hardest to do what was right in a terrible situation!"
She felt his arms, uncertain at first, draw around her. He was gently running his fingers through her hair. To think, I once threated to kill him if he touched me. Temari let her tears go, and Shikamaru rocked her, almost imperceptibly. She remembered Mom and Dad doing this for her after a terrible nightmare. This boy gave her that same feeling, of being safe, a feeling she thought had disappeared forever. Temari took her head off his shoulder and stared into Shikamaru's deep brown eyes, warm like desert granite. He said nothing – his one saving grace – knowing when words would ruin a moment. A strange magnetism brought closer to his eyes until their lips were touching. Temari closed her eyes and felt the ache of the past few months melt away as she shared a warm kiss with Shikamaru.
He was strong, but not forceful, and he was innocently shy without being naïve. As Temari's eyes opened, her heart nearly exploded. His mom was standing in the hallway behind him. Ah shit! Lady Yoshino stood statue-still in shock. As Temari prepared to break away, his mom brought an index finger to her lips with a coy twinkle in her eye. She stalked away with an thumbs up and spreading grin. At least if the unthinkable happens, I don't have to worry about hostile in-laws.
Kakashi eyed his watch, looking out the Hokage's window, he'd swear it was already 2000 as winter's dull grey was dispelled more by countless holiday lights than the overcast sky.The only thing moodier than the weather is the Hokage. "How many times are we going to have this conversation?" Minato leaned back in his chair, protesting an item that had come up on the agenda several times since this summer.
"As far as I'm concerned, until I get to a 'yes' on the issue," Itachi tented his hands as he leaned back in the chair before the Hokage's desk, "And I have more than enough support this time, Lord Fourth."
"Jiraiya," Minato turned to the slack-eyed sage, the room's other occupant, "please tell me this is a joke, and you are not supporting this course of action."
"I'm not the only one," Jiraiya winked at Kakashi. Dammit, man, way to throw me under the wagon!
Minato spun in his chair, "No way!"
"I'm afraid so, Lord Fourth."
"Dammit, Kakashi!" Minato heaved, "How many times do I have to tell you it's 'Minato' when we're in this type of meeting!" He sank back, massaging his forehead, "And now you're determined to land me in hot water as well."
"Lord Fourth, I need an infiltrator, and she'd be perfect for the job," Itachi chimed in. Sadly, he's not wrong, but Minato will never go for it!
"Itachi, she's a clan leader, dammit!"
"So is my father," he replied, amused, "and someday so will I. That's not what is bugging you, is it?"
"Lord… Minato," Kakashi stumbled, "If you're worried about her safety, Itachi and I would both be looking out for her and training her the way Jiraiya will be training Naruto."
"Making her an ANBU would be keeping her safe!"
"Only as a reservist," Kakashi reminded him, "She'd officially be an agent of the Konoha Investigation Bureau. She'd be doing internal security and training to better manage her unique chakra." Go for it, or don't. Go for it! "It is no different than what you have planned for Naruto in a few months."
"No different!" Minato slapped a hand on his desk.
"Son, I know this is a hard thing to deal with, especially with Naruto leaving, but the original plan is blowing us off course. If we don't change our sails to match reality, we only have ourselves to blame if something goes bad." Jiraiya's words caused Minato to deflate.
Kakashi knew the original plan had been to transfer Kushina's quarter of Nine-Tails into Naruto when he came back from Mount Myoboku and spend the time between finding a way to safely transfer Hinata's quarter into Naruto. The events of last year threw that plan out the window – there was no way of transferring the now half of Nine-Tails from Hinata to Naruto without killing her in the process. Every plan since then had been in reaction to that unexpected change.
Kakashi eyed the photo of a grown Naruto and Hinata and the two children of the a grown woman, Hinata looked her usual sweet, shy self before the camera. Itachi and he had poured over the photo after Minato confided in them what happened. Nothing suggested it was fake or altered."Minato, you're not opposed to this because of principle, are you?" Kakashi asked.
"What makes you say that?"
"You're one photograph," Kakashi jutted his chin toward it. "You're worried if we do this, that sweet little girl who grows up to be your son's wife and the mother of your grandkids won't be in that photo anymore."
"Maybe," Minato picked up the photo, staring at it intently, "Knowing what we know about the future," he stared at Kakashi, "are you not afraid that some decision we make now will erase the people we love from it?"
"Son, consider a decision from that future erased that entire future possibly" Jiraiya said grimly, "Perhaps the future we are so worried about changing by accident is not as pleasant as that photograph suggests. Remember, your granddaughter said she came back because she wanted a better world for her father." Jiraiya's tone became somber.
"What are you getting at?" Kakashi asked.
"She said she has an older brother, but he didn't come back, neither did Naruto," Minato's face wrinkled in thought.
"Would Naruto have sat still in the name of some stupid space-time continuum crap if there was a chance to make the world a better place?" Kakashi asked. "Himawari was just as surprised as we were at Hinata becoming clan leader or jinchuriki." Minato nodded in some strange realization.
"Lord Minato," Itachi added, "Are we not doing her a great disservice if we don't give her the additional training her situation calls for?" Itachi raised his hands, palms up, "We're sending Naruto away to train for three years because he's carrying half of the tailed-beast. If what your granddaughter suggests is right, there won't be long after Naruto returns from Mount Myoboku until another Great Shinobi War breaks out. What if not specially training Hinata means the difference between that photograph coming to pass or someday being erased from time. There might not be time to train her then."
Kakashi watched Minato's eyes sink, but suddenly flutter open wide as they scanned the photo. From his angle, Kakashi couldn't tell what had him suddenly spooked, but Minato blinked twice in disbelief before putting the photograph face down the desk, hiding it from everyone's view. Did something change? "All right, you sons of bitches," Minato turned serious. "You got me, leaving Hinata to be a plain shinobi or a clan leader for the next three years is probably more dangerous than what you propose."
"Lord Fourth… what… just happened?" Itachi stumbled, "You were diehard against this until about ten seconds ago."
"That is for me to know," he replied. "That is my condition of saying yes. Fair?"
"I wouldn't argue with it," Kakashi exchanged glances with Itachi.
"But, you have to convince her, and it has to be her decision," Minato demanded.
"Of course," Itachi said, nodding dumbly.
"Well, if that's all said and done," Jiraiya clapped his hands, "I say we grab our significant others,"
"Perv!" Kakashi, Minato, and Itachi said in unison.
"—and we get some hot cider before going down to the river."
"Jiraiya," Kakashi asked skeptically, "are you sure about this?"
"Of course!"
"He's right," Minato joined in, "You'd better get Shizune," he turned to Itachi, "Will Izumi be joining us tonight?"
"Of course," Itachi nodded.
"All right, we all know our stuff, let's get going!" Minato adjourned the meeting.
As Kakashi walked out of the office and down to the lower levels of the mansion, he felt a bit conflicted. He and the others had laid into Minato hard, and they were plotting out Hinata's future without her direct input. He'd ask her, and she'd say yes. One thing Kakashi knew, Hinata would not refuse a chance to serve her village.
"Kakashi!" a soft, feminine voice called as we walked out of the building. He turned to see Shizune, bundled up in a long, stylish white jacket, ear muffs, and black leggings.
"Hey!" he hugged her, "how was the hospital today?"
"Quiet," she smiled, "and that's how I like it!"
"You ready for tonight?" he asked.
"Oh yes," she regarded him. "You do realize, this means you'll have me hanging around unattached more often." She grinned.
"We can't have that now, can we?" Kakashi laughed as he took her arm in his, feeling the weight to today off his shoulder. "Let's get something to eat, and let's get in place."
Naruto pulled the rubber hip-waders up around his legs before stepping into the frigid water of the stream that ran through this part of the village. He walked hand in hand with Hinata into the cold blackness, feeling the current swirl around his legs gently until they were both he was younger, Mom, Dad, and Kakashi would take him out here for this event and left eight lanterns go into the wasn't until he was about eight that his parents explained the significance of the floating lanterns drifting in the water. One for each person that died giving me life. Despite the normally festive occasion most people associated the Rinne festival with, Naruto always felt somber about the holiday.
He stared at Hinata, illuminated by the pink and blue lanterns she held - one for Hizashi, one for Lord , himself, carried three: one for Lord Third's wife and two for the ANBU in his protection detail. Mom, and Dad each- carried two, as well as one for Lord Third. Konohamaru carried one for his grandfather. Hiashi and Akemi carried two. Itachi and his girlfriend, Izumi, carried their lantern. Sasuke, still on crutches, stood on the riverbank as Sakura held their lantern. Finally, Kakashi and Shizune arrived, with their lantern. "Sorry, we're late!" They quickly put on hip-waders and made their way into the stream.
In the dark, Naruto felt tears trickling down his cheeks in the cold night. It had to be loss that brought us all here tonight. Hinata clutched him close. "You okay?"
She was wearing a dark navy-blue overcoat and a sailor-style cap with a red pompom on top. Cute as a button, as always! The weight of tonight lifted away as he stared at her mysterious beauty in the dark, "Yeah," he saw three lanterns in the distance, the signal to release their lanterns, "Yeah, I think so," he smiled. Let go of those you lost, but don't forget to make new memories in their place. They let their lanterns go, and he snuggled closer to her as the magnificent beauty of the lanterns floating along illuminated a most curious sight.
Tsunade felt odd for a number of reasons, chief among them was the fact that she was in the middle of a reservoir, freezing her ass of in the December cold. I'd be a lot happier with a bottle of warm sake, a warm bed, and trashy book right about now. "Jiraiya, what are we doing out here again?" she asked.
"Letting go," he said with a nod, "and giving thanks to those we loved, those we lost along the way." He held one of three floating lanterns out, focusing his chakra to ignite the candle within. The first one glowed blue, "Nawaki," he stepped to the edge of the small island they stood on, setting it in the water. I don't remember there being an island here. "Dan," the lantern glowed a brilliant gold and floated along the black water. "Sensei, Lord Third," he bowed his head as the lantern glowed red.
"I haven't done this in a long time, not since before Dan died," Tsunade shook her head.
"He was very special to you," he took her hands, massaging them gently. Tsunade felt the air temperature warm slightly despite the chill in the air.
"I never thought I would do this again after losing him," she felt a tear running down her cheek. "I know…" she took a moment to clear away tears, "I know he would appreciate us doing this for him, so would Nawaki and Lord Third."
"I never thought in a million years," he took her chin in his hand, "I'd be out here with you, watching the lanterns float by." Tsunade soon saw a parade of lanterns floating closer, glowing like fireflies in the night.
She hugged herself closer to Jiraiya. "In a million years," she sighed, "I never thought I would feel anyone else's touch," she rested her head on his shoulder, "or be intimate ever again. Thank you, for reminding me that there was more to life than just being alive. Thank you for reminding of what it was like to be on an adventure."
"Thank you," he ran his fingers through her hair, "for being the end of one adventure," he kissed her forehead, "and for being the start of the next one."
The island shifted suddenly rising out of the water, "Dude," a deep, croaky voice spoke, "I'm freezing my ass off here! Can you just pop the damn question and get it over with!"
"Gamabunta?!" Tsunade giggled, "You used your toad sage buddy to set this up?"
"It worked, didn't it?" Jiraiya shrugged, "Sort of, at least!"
"Yeah, so hurry up, already!" the impatient toad sage demanded, "Before I drop your ass in this freezing water!"
"Jiraiya…" Tsunade twisted her head to the side, "… what question were you going to pop?"
"Well, after everything we've been through this year," he cleared his throat, "I don't think I could ever go back to the life I had, not that I want to," he took her by the hands, "and I don't think anyone else could make me want to stay in one place more than you."
Oh god, is he going to do what I think he's going to do! "Jiraiya?" she gasped.
"Tsunade," he dropped to his knees, "You made me understand what love is, and I won't be able to share it with anyone else, ever!" His eyes stared desperately, illuminated by the lanterns that floated around them, "Will you marry me!"
Before she could think of anything to say, he pulled a small wooden box from his robes. The box opened to reveal a platinum setting with an insanely-sized diamond mounted in the middle. "My god!" tears streamed freely, stinging her cheeks; Tsunade brought her hand to her mouth. "Jiraiya!"
"Yes, love?" he smirked.
Tsunade choked on tears, struggling to put words together. "Y-y" her throat closed as some reluctance to move on stopped her. "It's okay, Tsunade! Be happy!" Dan's voice sounded with a gentle touch on her shoulder. As soon it was present, it was gone. "Jiraiya… YES!" she sobbed.
Jiriaya's jaw fell to his feet. "You will?!" he asked incredulously.
"Yes!" she shouted, "I'LL BE YOUR WIFE!" A chorus of triumphant hollers came from the darkness.
"That's beautiful," Gamabunta croak, "now put the damn ring on it, and let's go home!"
The cool metal slid over Tsunade's ring finger. When she'd been with Dan, she'd fantasized about this moment. When he died, she never allowed herself to believe it would come again, and now it was here again. Her pervy sage's persistence had finally won out. Better late than never!
Author's notes: Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As previously stated, the next chapter will be the last chapter in volume one. For everyone that has been with me from the start to everyone just joining this story, thank you for taking this adventure with me. I hope this alternative take on Naruto and Hinata's world has been as much fun for you to read as it was for me to write. Thanks again! Stay safe, stay healthy!
- Adam
Updated 9/5/2020 2114 central time: for some reason this uploaded with a series of omissions and errors. I hope this saves properly. Sorry everyone for the unpolished version getting published.