Kisses and Touches

By Ero Kyuubi no Kitsune

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


Naruto raced through the streets of Konoha. His destination was the Hokage tower. Today was a big day for him; because today, a few moments from now, he would depart for his first S-ranked mission. For month, he had wanted this. He had wanted to test his strength against S class criminals without any help so that he would be able to gauge whether he is prepared to face off Akatsuki. But right now, those thoughts were far from his mind. He knew that he may not return from his mission. It was possible that this mission would be his last. So that's why he had to hurry.

He had to see her at least once.


Tsunade poured yet another cup of sake and downed it at one go. Her cheeks were flushed and visions were blurry. She knew she was drunk but did not care. Earlier, Shizune had come in and tried to get her to do her work. But she refused straight out and made it clear to Shizune that today she would drink and do nothing more and Shizune could not do anything about it. She was the Hokage after all and that had its own advantages.

And disadvantages too: it was her who had to assign all those S-class missions.

The more she thought about it, the more the fear of loosing him gripped her heart. And the fact that her cursed necklace was with him just amplified her fears. She knew he was a very capable ninja and went to numerous A-ranked missions. But one S-ranked one was way different than multiple A-ranked ones. She knew she was the Hokage and she should not get emotional about her soldiers. But she could not help.

One day, just for one day, she wanted to be a normal woman and not the Hokage.

The worst part was that if his death certificate came, she would have to sign it herself.


Naruto slowly opened the doors of the Hokage chamber only to find Tsunade sleeping on her desk. She looked so peaceful while sleeping. A trace of her blonde hair was on her face while her back rose and fell in the rhythm of her breathing. Naruto slowly closed the door and made his way towards Tsunade. A small smile formed on his lips as he watched her sleep. He had prepared many excuses is she asked why he was there instead of preparing for the mission. But it seemed that they would not be needed anymore as he did not plan to wake her up from her peaceful slumber. Naruto took a chair and sat down beside her.

"You look so beautiful when you sleep, do you know that?" He murmured. "And here I thought you will blast me away through a wall." He chuckled softly before his face grew serious. "I just had to see you once before I depart. Probably you will be there with many others, but I needed to see you alone, away from other prying eyes, when I don't have to behave like a shinobi and you don't have to look like a Hokage."

Silence fell again as Naruto stopped talking. He thought that he was lucky because he would not be telling this if she was awake. He just could not.

"I will try my best to come back, Tsunade-chan," He slowly stood up before reaching to her face and brushing the bang off it, "for you. You inspire me. You lost your family more than once. I can only imagine what kind of pain you suffered from. But still you are so strong." He continued whispering. "So I will be strong for you. And I will come back." His voice was low but full of confidence. He exhaled deeply and bent down carefully as to not wake her up.

"But in case I can not…" a tender kiss was placed on her cheek, and with that he was gone.


A few minutes later, Naruto was at his designated position preparing to leave the village for a long term mission. A few of his friends were there along with Sakura who tried not to show any worry but failing. He exchanged good bye's with them and was about to leave when Tsunade appeared in a swirl of leaves. She looked refreshed there weren't any sign of drinking at all. Her face all stoic and business like.

"Hokage-sama…" Naruto greeted. This was important and he did not want to fool around.

"Are your instructions clear?"

"Yes."

"Very well then." Tsunade stepped forward. "Do you still have it?"

"I do." Naruto brought the necklace out.

"Do you…" Tsunade paused briefly before speaking again, "want to give to me for safekeeping? I will return it to you when you come back."

Naruto understood what she was asking. Her eyes betrayed her. She did not take any chances. To her, that necklace was the curse that had taken her family away, twice. Now, she could not do anything about the mission but she would try to keep that curse away from him. Naruto shook his head.

"Don't worry." He smiled. "I won't die that easily."

Tsunade almost flinched. She wanted to say many things but could not. She was the Hokage, damn it; and Hokage was not supposed to be emotional while giving missions. She touched the necklace and then slowly proceeded to smooth out the crease of his jacket for couple of seconds before stepping back, her soft touch still lingering on him.

"Be careful."

Naruto smiled softly. He put the necklace inside once more and with a hand seal he was gone.

Tsunade stared at the space before her for a couple of a moment before making her way back to her office. Why did she accept the job again? Why did she have to keep her emotions to herself? Could not she be a normal woman who would able to worry and when her loved one departs for a dangerous job? Then she remembered: the reason was Naruto. It was his courage that seeped into her to make her take the job. She could not be a normal woman, because no normal woman could love him for who he was.

And for that she was glad that she was not one.

So she, Tsunade the Godaime Hokage, retreated to her office. She had a village to run and protect. But she would wait for him, for his return. And one day she would express her emotions to him, openly. That may be as well her last day, but she would do it.

But for now, tender kisses and lingering touches were the only signs of their love for each other.


A/N: A late update. Sorry people, I have lot of work to do. But here it is: drabble no. 3. Please let me know what you think.