Sparks 6

"Say it, reader. Say the word 'quest' out loud. It is an extraordinary word, isn't it? So small and yet so full of wonder, so full of hope."
― Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

Warning: THIS chapter has Tami display a little why she has to have a warning with her sass. She may not be as nice as she usually is.

Telling Sasuke that I was going to be away for a time was probably the easiest conversation I ever had with him. He wanted to know when I'd be back, and how long I would be gone. I gave him a key so he could let himself in, to check on the gremlins I told him (he gave me the smallest little smile at that).

Ibiki was just as easy. He only told me to keep up on my learning, training and told me "see if you can get Jiraya to help train you."

I scoffed at that - until learning that Jiraiya was currently the strongest Shinobi Konoha had to offer. He had turned down the offer to be Hokage twice. I already knew there were Four Hokages - there was a monument to them. However I hadn't quite realized the Fourth had been killed in action and Hiruzen, the Third, had to resume responsibility. I barely knew anything about the Fourth Hokage - but from what little I gleaned he was widely regarded as a national hero. There were no details about his death, however. Mum was the word on quite a great many things in Konoha.

However, what I hadn't expected was Naruto's reaction. I found him wandering the street. He greeted me happily enough, however the moment I told him my news he changed.
"You're leaving me?!" Naruto roared when I told him. He stared at me in horror. "You - you can't do that!"

"Naruto, I-" I tried to speak up but he immediately interrupted me

"You're leaving." Naruto hissed as if I betrayed him.

"Not forever." I denied, wondering how he would take it when I finally did leave. "Maybe about a week."
He still glowered at me, his anger radiating throughout the atmosphere.

"I'm just going to help a friend. Then I'll be back. You'll barely notice." I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't have any of it.

"I'll notice." Naruto huffed. I held back a sigh. I needed to get to the bottom of this. Did Naruto know why he was upset? Probably, with how focused his anger was.

"What are you upset about?" I knelt down, staring him in the eye. He crossed his arms, staring me down. I stayed quiet, waiting for him to tell me. He would do so, eventually.

"What if you find your family?" Naruto muttered under his breath.

Oh.

It made sense. Naruto knew enough to know I didn't know my past and was looking for a way back to my true home. What he didn't know was that my true home was worlds away. He had nothing to worry about right now. I didn't know how to even get back yet. But he didn't know that. Was this a sign of things to come with him?

"I won't leave without saying goodbye." I promised. He still didn't look happy.

I sighed, and nodded towards my apartment. Maybe if I gave him reassurance I would be back he would be okay with it.
"Come." I told him, "I think I know exactly what will help."

I led Naruto to my home and pulled out my backpack from its hiding place. Naruto watched quietly as I pulled out the only other thing I had from my world that needed to be hidden. It was in a black fabric case.

"This, lovely, is something very very important, and very very expensive." I told him gently.

"What is it?" Naruto asked, looking at the black case in my hand.

"This is a camera." I pulled out the device gently.

"That don't look like a camera." Naruto said, eyeing it carefully.

"Look close, o' Padawan. I'll show you." I grinned at him, and turned it on. "Point the lense at what you want, and click this little button here. It'll instantly capture anything. When I get back, I want to hear about all your adventures. Just show no one. It's our secret. Not even Sasuke can know. I'll have to come for this, ah?"
I gently placed the camera in his hands and put the strap over his neck. It took some time to show him how it worked but it did the trick.

"So you have to come back." Naruto murmured.
"I'll have to. To hear about your adventures without me. And for the camera." I nudged him playfully. "Keep it secret. Keep it safe."

Naruto stared up at me awe. He held the camera like one would an ancient relic.

"Not even Sasuke?" He asked, a gleam in his eye shimmered. He seemed excited about that fact.

"Not even Sasuke. This one is between us, ah? Not a peep." I warned him. Naruto grinned widely.

"I'm gonna take tons of pictures! Lots of 'em!" Naruto promised enthusiastically, "An', an', you gotta come see when you get back!"

"Exactly. When I get back. I promise I'll be back. This isn't goodbye, this is just… I'll see you later."

With that, he was satisfied and didn't make much fuss after.

Naruto nearly ran off with the camera, forgetting the case. When I called him back I pressed an extra house key into his hand.
"If there's ever a reason you feel the need to stop by, you're welcome to come." I told him quietly. He looked so very serious when I gave him the key. Almost like he knew something I hadn't quite said yet. He never did say what it was he thought, but he left soon thereafter. He was so very excited as he left.

"I won't tell anyone, Tami-chan!" He yelled as he went. I could hear my door slam when he left.

That kid. I hoped by the time I had to return home, he would be able to cope with it. Hopefully he and Sasuke would be better friends and he wouldn't mind as much. Maybe by then the villagers wouldn't hate him as much? Maybe? When did the series begin? Certainly by then he would be better suited?

I smiled weakly at his antics and quietly began to put together my backpack with extra clothes. Who knew how long I would be gone for. I double checked everything, making sure I had anything I needed. The only problems were that I didn't know what to bring. This wasn't a normal for me. It was definitely not my usual kind of case.

Soon enough, I would be out of Konoha. I would have to make a plan on how to get Jiraiya ready for his Lady Love and not arouse suspicion. The woman sounded - she sounded like she knew what she wanted. Jiraiya certainly didn't make her ever guess about his affections. However, with the way he went about it. I cringed. I had my work cut out for me.

Essentially, I would have to teach Jiraiya to curb his perverted tendencies. I didn't know if that was possible. He'd been living that way for years, probably for longer than I had been alive. I couldn't do anything monumentous like update his wardrobe - the woman would catch on far too fast. She sounded like the type. If he changed anything about his clothing, insta-red flags. I didn't even know if he could get away with cologne.
Unfortunately, I still had to ensure everything was going smoothly back in Konoha with those I cared about.

I couldn't find Guy - maybe he was having another contest with Silver (I seriously hoped so. It kept the one out of my hair). Kurenai was out on mission and Asuma was the only one I could find.

He was out by the Academy, a cigarette in his mouth. I don't think I'd ever seen him without one.

"That kills, you know." I stared pointedly at the cigarette.

"An' so does half the people here. Your point?" Asuma challenged.

"Touche," I muttered, "I'm heading out with Jiraiya, in case inquiring minds wish to know."
Asuma grunted.

"Would it be too much to ask to check up on Sasuke or Naruto while I'm away?" I breached gently. Irritation flashed in his eyes before he looked away, taking a long drag of his cigarette. I supposed that would be a no way, then.

"Just 'cause you got a bleeding heart don't mean the rest of us share it." Asuma grumbled.

"Right then. So it would be too much." I stated boredly, "I am thankful for being spared the don't you get close to the outcast speeches. I'm rather tired of the looks."

"You're too stubborn." Asuma told me.
"Tenacious. Methinks you mean tenacious. Sounds much better, don't you agree?" I grinned at his withering stare.

"You can paint it up however you want. It ain't gonna change facts." He told me.

"Charming." I said dryly. He smirked at me.

"Better get running, Hatake's on his way." He said it in a way I couldn't quite tell if he was giving me fair warning, or if he was just teasing me about yesterday. There was a playful look in his eye; for all I knew, it could be both.

"Oh, so you're a comedian now?" I said in feigned shock, "I wouldn't quit the day job. I think you're more deadly with a weapon than humor."

Asuma chuckled. He flicked his cigarette and stomped it out. I couldn't help but watch. Ugh - those sandals were hideous. I really hoped they weren't required wear. There were a handful of things I refused to do: wear those sandals, wear that appalling jacket (should I earn the right) or run like them (it was the most ridiculous run I had ever seen). A girl had to have her standards.

"Better come back in one piece, Kurenai will be - what was it?" Asuma scratched his beard thoughtfully.

"Cross. Kurenai will be cross if I don't." I corrected. "I'll do my best, ah? Keep that spunk - it'd be pitifully boring around here without it."

I sent Asuma a playful salute before leaving. He was rather fun, over all. Most of Konoha rarely gave their opinion so freely. It was refreshing that he did.

I went on my way, feeling kind of out of sorts. With Uncle, I knew exactly what to do and what to bring. Now? I didn't know. To be fair, never have I went on a quest of the heart. I kept going through in my mind what I should bring and all I could think of was trail mix.

Perhaps, I was over thinking the whole event. It was nothing after all. Just seeing how Jiraiya and his Lady Love interacted. I didn't have to worry about interviews, threatening men - nothing. It was probably the easiest thing I could have ever done. And yet... here I was feeling so very unsure about it all.

I met Jiraiya later on that day at the gate. From what I understood, he went to get clearance for me to go with him. I had my pack over one shoulder, leaning on the guard's post. I had everything I could think of - including a change of clothes, a notebook, my study material and even the Trail Mix that was bothering me.

When he arrived, he looked like he was two seconds from running away. He didn't seem to know what to do with his hands. He kept fidgeting. When he saw me there he hid his nervousness. He gave me a big grin and striked the best Kabuki pose I had ever seen.

"Ready?" I asked him in an amused tone.

"Let's go!" Jiraiya said with a laugh. He marched out and I followed him. He kept up his cheerful demeanor for some time.

We marched - or rather, I walked behind a marching Jiraiya as we went kicking up the snow (I can't believe he still wore those sandals). He continued his march until we arrived in the next small town. He got a two bed hotel room - I didn't know if it was his perverted nature that decided it or if he was still afraid I would leave. I realized later it was because Jiraiya was cheap.

He walked me to the room, set his things down and nearly walked right out the door.
"What are you doing?" I asked. He froze and laughed nervously.

"I thought I could go and get some sake and-" He cut himself off with another laugh.

"And…?"

"And there's this place with some friends." Jiraiya explained, seeming to sidestep what he was really up to.
"Friends." I repeated, "Would they be of the female persuasion?"

Jiraiya laughed nervously again. This man. Was he so set on ruining his chance at happiness?

"What are you worried about, Tami-chan! It's not even a big deal." Jiraiya waved off my concern.

"If you're so set on this one woman, why are you heading out to engage with others?" I challenged. "If you aren't serious about this, I'm sure I can find my own way back to Konoha."

Jiraiya frowned at me. "This isn't going to work. I've tried for longer than you've been alive in either world."

"So then why try again?" I asked.

"I guess I never learned when to quit." Jiraiya muttered. He rubbed the back of his neck

"We need to come up with a plan." I insisted. He turned to me and frowned. Without a word he turned around and walked out.

There goes my plan. Here I am, with a man who doesn't even believe in himself and I'm pretty much stuck until Jiraiya was able to return me. Maybe it was all a mistake? Perhaps. But I would have to see if he was still willing to try. I needed what only Jiraiya could do at this point.

I decided to stick it out. Maybe something could be salvaged from this trip. I tried not to let my anger get the better of me. I still couldn't believe it.

Instead, I spent my time pouring over the history texts and rules I would have to abide by.

The rules were standard to any job involving potentially highly classified intel. That was the simple part. The history text was far more intriguing to me. Konoha's history was complicated, as I assumed much was with the Ninja. The Uchiha, Sasuke's clan, were part of the very foundation of Konohagakure - the official name of Konoha. They had been through three world wars, the tailed beasts were at the center of many of these conflicts. Konoha housed one but the name of which was blacked out; as was the clan name who housed the tailed beast.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Jiraiya arrived late that night, reeking of alcohol and cheap perfume. I didn't acknowledge him as he walked in. Which was fine, he didn't seem to take note of me either. That was until I spoke up while he was readying for bed.

"Do you know how to dance?" I asked, my eyes never leaving the pages before me.

Jiraiya froze, turning to me slowly.

'What?"

"You heard me. Do. You. Know. How. To. Dance?" I reiterated, licking a fingertip to turn the page.

"Do I know how to dance?" He repeated in a mocking tone hollowly, "Of course I know how to dance. Why wouldn't I know how to dance?"

"You've no idea, do you?" I challenged, glancing at him from the corner of my eye.

"I know how." Jiraiya bristled.

"Can you waltz?" I questioned.

"... What?"

"That's a no." I said softly, "I'll teach you tomorrow. You'll need more in your arsenal than a love of cheap booze and cheaper women."

Jiraiya glared at me, the lines on his face becoming more pronounced. "I'm nearly done with your tone."

"Understood." I said; I closed my book and set it down. "I'm rather done myself. You said you wanted this one woman. You wanted her, and we're off to see if it's a possibility. The first night, you're off galavanting with random women of whom you have no personal connection with nor wish to. Besides a cheap thrill."

"It's not going to happen. What's the use of trying again?" Jiraiya stated coldly.

"Have you ever thought that maybe it's this very behavior that has staved off any affection she could possibly have for you? Because that's what's running through my mind." I stated. Jiraiya opened his mouth to retort before leaning back and sitting on the bed. He sat there, frozen for some time before his hand found his jaw again, his thumb working comforting circles into the muscle.

"You're a better man than you give yourself credit for. Perhaps you're not giving her your best foot forward." I told him gently. Jiraiya slouched down, he looked so very tired and so much older than he was.
"Women don't - women don't like me." He confessed, he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't even know how we're talking about this. I don't even know how I agreed to this."

"We're not after all women liking you. You're after one. Let me tell you; personally, I prefer a good man who has no idea how to deal with women than a womanizer. And I dated a self-professed womanizer." I said as I pulled legs up against my chest, "You agreed because you're in love and want a shot at happiness. It's worth the fight."

"You're young and an idealist. What if this goes wrong again?" Jiraiya asked, watching me with hard eyes.

"Then you cut your losses and we'll find you someone who suits you better. You're a good man." I shrugged.

"You really think that, huh?" Jiraiya scoffed.

"Until you show me otherwise. You're a pervert and rather cheap - but where it counts, you're there. That's good in my book." I said.

"That's not that good." He denied.

"I've met worse." I paused for a moment. I breathed in evenly, knowing I would have to bare some of my soul. Jiraiya was going through things. I might have to even the ground, so to speak. "Father never wanted me. Begged my mother to get rid of me. Mother had enough fight in her to deny him that but no more. I was sent off to live with a nanny after I was born. He didn't find value in me, until I was old enough to look good in front of his betters. I would go to his events and be felt up by perverts who didn't care how old I was or what I wanted. I acted out and the first thing he did was reject me. Mother wasn't strong enough to argue then either. I was sent off and Uncle took me in."

I took a steadying breath and sent him a charming grin. "I know what bad men look like, Jiraiya. I know what dirty old perverts look like too. You are neither. Well, you're perverted but not the worst. If a dirty rotten man like my father found someone, there is certainly hope for you."

Jiraiya rubbed the back of his neck quietly.

"You really think I got a shot?" He asked.

"I think you got a good one. I don't know if it'll be with Tsunade, but with someone. Why not live a romance instead of only writing them." I challenged him.

He fell quiet again and shook his head. Slowly he turned to me and smiled. I could see a determined fire burning in those eyes of his. He made a decision.

"I'm crazy for considering this." He said with a grin, "But why not go down in a blaze of glory?"

"Well, I suppose that's one way of looking at it." I replied good naturedly.

"I still prefer it when I didn't understand you." He said playfully. I scoffed, and picked up the book once more.
"And miss out on this lovely repartee? I should think not." I grinned at him and he smiled back.

"Don't push it." He warned with a wagging finger, "You should learn to be a little more respectful."
"You don't feel me up tomorrow when I'm teaching you to dance and you'll have that respect." I countered.

Jiraiya rubbed his jaw again and hummed. He eyed me carefully. I could practically see the gears whirling in his mind.
"If Ibiki doesn't have you on his staff by the end of this, I could have use for someone like you." He told me seriously. I decided against a joke and instead settled back with my book and hummed quietly.

The next morning came. I decided to take a shower before Jiraiya proved himself to be awake. I may have taken extra precautions to ensure I wasn't spied on. I didn't know how good Jiraiya was at his, ah, past time and I was always pitifully bad at knowing when I was being followed, let alone watched.

When I got out of the shower, already dressed and prepared I found that Jiraiya was already up and out. He arrived later with breakfast and news of his Lady Love.

"She's a little ways out, we can reach it in a day or two." He told me.

"When did you get news?" I asked.

"I was finding out about where she was last night. They got the news this morning. I wasn't just having fun, you know." Jiraiya replied with a smirk.

I stared at him surprised, "Color me shocked."

He grinned at me. "So when can I expect this dancing lesson? I'm guessing it's a trade off."

Jiraiya indicated the military strategy guide in my hand. He assumed I was going to ask him to train me? I suppose a man like him got that question often. Although it was a tempting bargain, I wasn't interested. It was hard enough to get Jiraiya to agree to do what he wanted to do - I didn't have the energy to try to get him to do what he didn't want to do.

"Guess again. This one is free. I'm thinking tonight, or maybe at a mid-day break. I'm rather open to ideas." I told him. It was his turn to be shocked, his mouth fell open but only slightly.

"Just when I think I understand you." He murmured.

"I am a woman. We're rather elusive creatures, or so I'm told. Tend to change the rules every other day." I said playfully, "there's a meeting every Tuesday to make sure we're all on the same page."

"Every Tuesday, huh?" He replied .
"Yes - but now that you know we'll have to change the day again." I sighed in regret. He chuckled at that.

We set out soon thereafter (thankfully the day was a tad bit warmer). It wasn't until we reached the next city and got another room that I was able to try to teach Jiraiya how to dance.

I pushed the beds on either side of the room, he only sat in a chair watching me from the other side.

I then pulled out my phone and started flipping through the songs I had saved on the device.

"What are you doing?" He asked, watching me work the small thing. It must look strange to his eyes, my being on a small little brick that lit up.

"Trying to find a song." I murmured.

AH. Good old Norah Jones and Come Away With Me. That worked well enough. I tapped to play the song and set the device off on the bed-side table.

"I have it on good authority you're an excellent Shinobi." I began, studying him while worrying my thumbnail, "How's your Taijutsu?"

"How's my Taijutsu?" He repeated, his eyebrows shooting upwards. I waved a hand, dismissing the idea that any ill-intent was meant.

"I hear that the best fighters make the best dancers. If your Taijutsu is good you should be able to pick this up incredibly fast." I explained.

"It doesn't matter if I can if she can't." Jiraiya sighed. "I don't even know if Tsunade knows how to dance."
"Doesn't matter. The men lead anyways. All the women have to do is look pretty and follow. Well, nearly." I waved him over. He groaned when he stood and came lumbering over.

"Right, so - footwork first. It's a box step, and it's on the count of three." I pointed to my feet, and began to show him exactly what I meant.

Jiraiya watched my feet carefully and soon began to echo. He was clunky, but he had the idea. We both were muttering the one-two-three's so that he could memorize the steps.
"Right then. You're going to have to get comfortable sliding into the steps. You're not challenging your partner to a showdown." I corrected him.

"Ha-ha, Walker." Jiraiya muttered. He did side more into the steps, however. Once I thought he had it, I waved him forward.
"Alright. That's good. Now we're going to try to dance together." I eyed him warily, "grope me and I'm stepping on your toes. By-the-by, my boots are steel-toed."

He winced and I could see he understood what I was getting at. I moved towards him, his arms were open but unsure.

It was understandable, considering the threat I just delivered. I took his hand and placed it on my waist.
"This hand goes here. Any higher and it says you just want to be friends, any lower - well, I'm sure you know what Tsunade would do." I told him carefully. He was turning a bright red color but nodded seriously. I placed my hand on his shoulder and my other hand in his.
"Usually, you lead, but I will until you're comfortable." I told him but he frowned, "What? Do you wish to?"

"Well - yeah." He grumbled, "This is easy."

"Mm… lead away then."

He led me in a simple dance. He stared at our feet the entire time, counting under his breath. It took him all of an hour to get comfortable enough to add in other dance steps.

That was where we left off for the night. I had to continue my studies. I had pushed the beds back into their respective places before lounging on the bed to read.

I could feel his eyes on me. It was getting to be distracting. Finally I peeked up, "What?"

"I haven't seen you even try any jutsu's. All you do is read - history and now battle tactics. Are you going to do anything? Being a Shinobi is a being, not a reading." He complained.

"I'm studying, if you must know. I'd rather get the basics down first before plunging in. And I'd rather not make myself out to be a fool in front of the one I've been told is the most powerful Ninja Konoha has to offer. Truly, I'd rather a hole in the head." I told him sharply.

"Yeah, and I just spent the better part of the night learning how to dance." He said dully. "You're not going to take advantage that I'm here. At all?"

"No. I had no plans. I had to fight you to even get you this far for this woman and you wanted to do this. I can't imagine the battle to get you to agree to something you don't want to do." I stated bluntly.

Jiraiya frowned at me.

"Get over here. You're practicing now." He told me as if I had no choice in the matter. My mouth fell open.
"Wha- why?" I gaped, "Just - no. I'm sitting right here and reading."

He glared at me. He then crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat on the bed beside mine.

"I never took you as a coward."

My jaw practically hit the floor. He said what now?

"I'm just doing this at my own pace." I defended. What on earth?

"And you're just afraid." Jiraiya said boldly.

"And why wouldn't I be?" I countered, "Never have I seen this sort before. Never."

Jiraiya stared at me hard.
"I'm taking things at my own pace." I reiterated. He stood slowly and crossed his arms.

"You're not getting off that easy, Walker. Get over here." He told me, with a no-nonsense tone in his voice. I frowned - there would be no way to talk him out of it. I didn't have the energy to argue with him.

"I ain't training you. But for you to not even try to take advantage of me being here and learning something - I'm kinda insulted." Jiraiya griped, "Go through your basics, here. I'll give you pointers."

I slowly closed my book and moved over to where he stood.

It was probably the most awkward position I had ever been in, knowing who this man was. I went through the basic hand seals I knew. He watched quietly, only handing out ways to improve.
"You create a clone yet?" He asked, "You can't just do hand seals for the rest of your life."

"Not yet. Again, I'd rather the basics be down first." I explained.

"Gotta try some time." Jiraiya said, looking at me expectantly.

"Oh - no, no, no. I don't think so." There was no way I was going to try something like that now.

"Professional courtesy." Jiraiya grinned, repeating my words back at me. "Don't make me whittle you down, Tami-chan."

Ugh.

I did so hate it when people used my words to argue with me. It's rather hard to argue well against yourself. I glowered at him while he gave me an even wider grin.

Jiraiya seemed set on making me out to be a fool and I didn't have it in me to argue with him. And so, for the next half hour, I spent my time making myself out to be that absolute fool. It took some time to get it down right. Between the delay (I timed it at 5 seconds) and my general ignorance, my growing frustration was wearing me thin.

The clone I made didn't even move, much less do what it was supposed to do (which was to imitate me). It stood there like a bump on a log with dead eyes.

"You give it a job?" Jiraiya asked, staring at it. He looked absolutely puzzled.

"I don't - what?" I stared at him, trying to understand what he was talking about.

"Gotta give it a job. To defend, to follow, to be, even if it's just pretending to be you. It's your chakra. Tell it what to do." Jiraiya advised.

I popped my jaw in irritation and opened my mouth to tell my clone what to do. If that was how it was done than do be it.
"No - not like that. It's too late now, release it and try again. Gotta have the idea before you send it out." He glanced at me and grinned, "You got the strangest ideas, Tami."

"Forgive me, I've never even seen this before." I said, embarrassment coloring my tone. Jiraiya chuckled.
"That's why you find people better than you at this. They been through this part of the training." He said knowingly.

"You're going to be ridiculous about this, aren't you?" I huffed. He laughed at me again, and I could feel my embarrassment rising.

Well. Worse things had happened - at least Ibiki wasn't here to see me flounder. I would only hope the ground would swallow me whole. He had seen me fall on my face enough with Taijutsu, I could only imagine the humiliation with this. At least I knew I was pitiful at fighting.

For not much longer did Jiraiya allow my torment to continue. I think he was getting back at me for the dancing lessons and my general attitude. It was fair enough. Even with all of my rudeness, Jiraiya was a decent traveling companion.

Well, besides the obvious.

All in all, the next day we left and arrived in the city where the illustrious Tsunade resided.

I didn't know what to think when we strolled upon a large gambling hall. It was similar to what I assumed Las Vegas was - without all the flashy lights, that is. There were gambling tables everywhere, a bar off to the side - even a band and singer. It was a nice little place, overall. It wasn't my scene in the least, but it was decent.

"Where is she?" I asked him, leaning in close. Jiraiya pointed her out.

Tsunade - I could see her in the distance at a poker table in the back. She was the blonde woman I vaguely remembered from the show. She didn't look nearly as old as Jiraiya, but there was something in her eye that gave her away. I could practically see pain written there. Were all the people in this world emotionally scarred?

"Ground rules, luv." I told him quietly as I looked away, "No flirting. No even pretending to. I just need to see how she acts with you."

His eyebrow quirked at me, glancing over at Tsunade then back to me.
"But I aways-"

"Exactly. We're going to keep things subtle right now. I want to see if she notices." I turned to him with a grin. "By-the-by, we haven't even discussed who I am to you. I'm thinking - assistant? Perhaps your editor sent me to ensure your next work is turned in on time?"

Jiraiya rubbed his chin and grinned suddenly. A deep blush appeared on his face. He opened his mouth to tell me and I cut him off.

"If you say anything about me being with you, you had best kill that idea. Tsunade doesn't seem the sort to deal with a man who doesn't know what he wants." I interjected dully. Jiraiya deflated with a deep sigh.
"You're destroying all my best ideas." He grumbled.

"Save it for your next hit, luv. We've other goals today than literary hijinks." I told him, "We're keeping this simple. You've tried to impress her with a great number of things. Methinks something far less… bold may prove to be more profitable."

Jiraiya breathed out slowly and stood tall.

"Okay. Okay." He repeated, staring at his life long goal. "An honest approach."

"That's all you have left, ah?" I told him.

He nodded, I could see the nervousness growing as he again seemed not to know what to do with his hands.

"Come, we'll get drinks and make new friends. Let her see us first." I looped my arm around his and practically had to pull him away.

This was going to be interesting. Once again, I found myself wishing I knew more about the anime I never watched. Had Maya come with me, perhaps I would be better able to navigate? No, it was best Maya hadn't come. She wasn't suited to this. I would have to navigate this alone, and make what little friendships I could along the way. I only hoped that I would be able to let them go once time came.

AN: Sooooooo - I will say out of all the characters I write, Jiraiya is the hardest. I don't understand why he does half the things he does in this story o_o He kind of has a mind of his own, and I'm always second guessing him. I can't tell you how many times I've second guessed this part of the story itself (with him trying to woo Tsunade again with the help of someone else, or anything with him). Quite literally, I had no plans of him ever even teaching Tami or training her or even her doing anything remotely Ninja-like around him besides reading. And yet :| He pulls a thing.

If he seems off or OOC, I'm so sorry! I barely understand why he interacts like he does with Tami, or why she interacts the way she does with him. I believe he DOES know Tami saw him similar to her Uncle, which curbed some of his perverted tendencies with her and they do have a unique relationship besides that. So, again - I'm sorry!

I'm doing the best I can with him, tbh. I have his wiki pulled up nearly constantly, but it doesn't help. Oh well.
Thank you guys again - and again, I don't know when next chapter will be up. I don't know how long this pace can be kept, but I'm having fun with this for right now. :)

Tami fact #6: kinda outta Tami facts, sorry :P