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Chapter 95: Tender, Love, and Care

Normal P.O.V.

As the days carried on, the loud buzz around the hospital soon died out. Some of the worst-off shinobi finally woke up but were told they had to remain until their injuries were not as bad. Mei was the only Kage to awaken so far. A remained in critical condition while Oonoki barely showed signs of being alive. Things did not look well for the 3rd Tsuchikge. Depressed over her failure to do more for her comrade, Tsunade tried to focus on the others she could save. For now, all she could do was pray that he pulled through in the end. Luckily, Tsunade had her main assistances: Sakura, Ino, Hinata, and Shizune, by her side through these difficult times. However, it didn't stop the Slug Queen from working herself to the point of exhaustion.

The sound of pen scribbling on paper and intense grunts filled the room as Tsunade filled out her 10th report in the last hour. The time was 20:43 (8:43 pm), and the sun had long set during the time change. A soft light lit the room and caused her eyes to strain to see. A soft, pink tongue flicked out and licked her chapped lips. Beads of sweat dripped from her hairline. Strains of dull blond hair stuck out in various directions as her black hair ties barely hung onto the ends of her ponytails. Needless to say, the famous beautiful Slug Queen had seen better days.

Finally, thin fingers closed the patient's chart with a loud sigh and placed it on top of the pile to her right on her desk. She clicked the pen closed and placed it down in front of her, ignoring the tall stack of patient charts to her left. She downed the rest of the cold coffee in her mug before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Deep, dark bags hung from her dull eyes, making her look even worse for wear. Without thinking, Tsunade swung her chair enough so her tired eyes could look out the window.

How long has it been since she went home? She wasn't sure. Hell, at this point. Tsunade wasn't even sure if she had ever been home since they returned from the war. Her mate Jiraiya has tried many nights to plead for her to come home. And every night, she would throw him out of the hospital. She appreciated that her alpha was worried about her, but he needed to understand that she had a job to do. Romance and his leeching needed to wait. Unfortunately for her, Jiraiya was never the person to learn his lesson the first twelve times. And, based on the chakra signature on the other side of her office door, thirteen wasn't going to be the time either.

Tsunade gave a tired sigh and mumbled, "Come in." The door swung open as Jiraiya and Shizune entered her office with determined looks on their faces. "This had better be important. I don't have the strength to throw you out tonight," she said while giving the best glare she could muster.

"You're coming home. No ifs, and, or buts about it. We've had enough of you working yourself to exhaustion. You need to take better care of yourself before you drive the rest of us insane. So now, what's it going to be, Tsunade? Are you going to come without a fight, or am I going to have to drag you out of here kicking and screaming?" Jiraiya glared in a serious tone.

Despite her glare not faltering, Tsunade was surprised at the tone her mate took with her. It is rare for Jiraiya to have a serious tone, even during a fight. Tsunade could tell that he meant business, but so did she.

"Shizune, would you be a dear and get me a refill of coffee, please. As dark as you could get, it would be great too. Thanks, hun," she asked before throwing the cup at her niece and turning the back of her chair towards them.

The short-haired woman gasped as she lunged forward to catch the cup. Jiraiya's glare intensified at his mate's stubbornness. The Toad Sage knew he had a fight on his hands.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" he asked with a growl.

"How could I not? For the past few days, you've come to the hospital and pleaded with me to go home. And every time I told you no. But today, it seems something crawled up your ass and gave you an extra dose of testosterone." She growled as she turned her chair back towards them and slammed her hands on her desk as she stood up. "Who the hell do you think you are barging into my office and barking orders at me?"

"Your mate. The same mate who cares so much and is worried about your stupid ass."

"Hn. If you truly cared about me, then you'd stop bothering me so I could finish my work in peace," she said as she stood up straight and folded her arms over her massive chest.

The tension between them was so thick that it suffocated Shizune. The younger woman came as support to hopefully get her aunt to understand their concerns. However, by the way the conversation was going, Shizune was worried that both Jiraiya and her would be on the receiving end of the Slug Queen's wrath. Or she would be caught in between the two of them, based on how tightly Jiraiya clenched his one fist.

Finally deciding to intervene, Shizune took a brave step in between the two mates and cleared her throat, "Lady Tsunade, if I may?" The blond's gaze suddenly fell on her, causing the pig woman to slightly tremble. But she shook off her nerves and continued. "Please, you must understand that what Lord Jiraiya was trying to say was out of concern for you. The entire hospital staff has been concerned about you since your return. Day in and day out, you've slaved over the patients and paperwork to this point. And, although we appreciate everything you've done for us, you need to take care of yourself too,"

"Shizune. Not you too," Tsunade sighed as she massaged her temples.

"Yes, me too. Milady, please take a look at yourself. You're depleting your chakra reserves to keep up with all the work you've put on yourself while also letting your appearances go. When's the last time you even took a shower without someone telling you to?"

"I will not sit here and be lectured by the two of you. Why can't the both of you understand that I can't just take a break! There are still many shinobis that need to be cared for and found. On top of that, I have been caring for and monitoring the well-being of my fellow Kages. I am the Hokage of this village and the current leader of the post-war events. If I falter, so does everything we've worked towards. I just wish you two would finally get it through your thick heads and leave me alone. I'm fine…" she whispered the last part as she turned her gaze away from them and hugged herself tighter.

The pose she took made Jiraiya's expression soften as the vision of a younger Tsunade, covered in blood, appeared before him. He walked towards his mate with gentle steps and placed his hand on her shoulder. It was alright if she didn't look at him, for he knew she was listening.

"Tsaunde… you don't have to do this…."

"Yes, I do…."

"No, you don't. You're not that younger woman who blames herself for the death of Dan and her brother," she gasped as she looked at him with wide, teary eyes. "Your eyes… just as wild, scared, and desperate as the days you came to me, covered in their blood. If I recall, I wiped your tears then too," he smiled as he did just that before pulling towards him and kissing her cheeks.

"Tsunade, no one doubts your capabilities or expertise except you. You're the only one who thinks that you have to push yourself so far to ensure no one else is lost. But love, you need to remember that death is an unfortunate part of life. No matter how strong, fast, capable, or smart someone is, death eventually comes for us all. And, as long as you have done all you can do, then there is nothing you should regret. But, you must remember that you need to care for yourself before doing so for others. So please… come home with me. Let me take care of you, and I promise to bring you right back here after breakfast, ok?"

Hesitation was present in her honey-colored eyes as they shifted to Shizune.

"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade. Sakura, the girls, and I will take care of everything while you're gone. And, if things are too much for us, we will call you, I promise," she gently smiled.

For a few more moments, Tsunade debated her options before finally giving in with a sigh. Her arms fell to her sides as she leaned into her mate's broad, muscled chest. Jiraiya wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her head's crown before leaning down to grab her long disregarded black heels.

"We'll be back in the morning," he said to Shizune as he grabbed his mate's hand.

The tiredness started to settle within her body as she followed her mate back to their home.

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Once they got home, Jiraiya put her heels by the door and toed his off before leading her into the kitchen. He told her to sit at the kitchen table while he made dinner. She declined dinner and asked if she could go to bed instead since she ate earlier. He chuckled at her request before convincing her to bathe first. Reluctantly, she agreed and walked upstairs and towards the bathroom with her mate.

Once they got upstairs, he had her sit on the edge of the tub while he ran the water to her desired temperature and poured in soap. As the water ran, he went into their bedroom and laid out some pajamas for her to wear. It didn't take long for the tub to fill with lavender soap bubbles and hot water before he turned off the water. Both stripped out of their clothes and slid into the water when they were ready. Jiraiya sat behind her, removed her hair ties to let her hair float on the water, and wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her close. Tsunade sighed as she relaxed into the water and against Jiraiya's broad, muscled chest. Nothing was said as he adjusted them comfortably to massage her shoulders and neck before working on her fingers too. Soon, he asked her to turn around and face him to massage her feet. Once he was done, Jiraiya had her shift back towards him so he could wash her hair. His hands were magic as they eased her pain and stress away.

Tsunade was surprised when she felt herself become even more tired. She knew that she was exhausted from working so much, but Tsunade had no idea she was this tired. Maybe coming home and relaxing was the best thing for her, especially if her mate would cater to her. But, before she could relax too long, he helped her out of the tub and dried them off. Once they were dried, he ushered them into their dark bedroom.

He gave her the pajamas he set out earlier to get dressed in while he did the same. However, she was slowly putting her clothes on by herself due to her tiredness. Jiraiya chuckled as he helped her before they climbed into bed together. With little resistance, he laid them down so that he was on his back while her head was on his chest and her body curled into his side.

Both sighed in contentment as they relaxed into the cool, white sheets and under the thick comforter. Then, with the sound of his heartbeat and her exhaustion finally taking over, Tsunade's soft snores filled the quiet room. Once again, Jiraiya gently chuckled as he kissed her head's crown and held her closer. He would make her breakfast in the morning and tease her about how right he was. But for now, having her close and smelling the lavender on her was enough for the Toad Sage. And soon, his light snores joined hers as the hours of the night washed over them.

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To Be Continued…