Takes place not long after Minato and Kushina die, leaving baby Naruto. Meaning both Jiraiya and reader have signs of depression and are grieving.

Ugh! Being sick is absolute misery. You trudge back to the path, where your husband is waiting for you. Jiraiya grinned at your return and picked up your backpack from the dirt. He didn't mind carrying it. Especially if you keep dropping it to tear cheek into the underbrush by the road to go throw up. You've been doing it all morning. The last couple of weeks as a matter of fact. You are just nauseous all morning and wobbly on your feet for the rest of the day. It made traveling slow. It was making him worry. It's an... odd sickness. Like clockwork, you are sick from waking up at five am until about eight. Not wanting to be a burden, you insist that you'll just deal and to keep going. Little did you know, Jiraiya was guiding the way to a small village. One he knows has a good doctor. It's an isolated place that barely knows the troubles of the world, so that helps... kinda. No one knows him. It's worrisome to see you in such a state everyday. He doesn't want to see you fall to a flu. A quick visit won't hurt.

He offers his free hand. You take it and groan as you lean against his arm. This is honestly the worst. All you want to do is curl up and die. If only you had a bed to curl up in and sleep this gross flu away. But no! You just gotta throw up every god damn day, don't ya? Yuck. It's not even food you're throwing up anymore. You smack your lips and cringe at the lingering taste of bile.

Jiraiya doesn't really say anything. He hums in acknowledgement when you say something. But he seems distracted as he walks. That, or he just doesn't want to talk. Sometimes he gets those moods. He gets quiet when he's lost in his thoughts. You accept the silence and let him lead the way. The sights and sounds of civilization was a great comfort. Finally! People! Real food and beds! You just want to flop down on a big comfy bed.

"It looks like they got an inn!" You say as you point to the quaint little building.

"Heh, you tired already?" Jiraiya asked with a small chuckle. "I want to do something first before we check in."

He grips your hand tighter and pulls you along. You roll your eyes and follow willingly. After walking the small main street of the town, he turns and stops at the door of a small building. It had the word 'clinic' carved into it.

"Oh come on!" You complain. "I'm not dying or anything! It's just the flu."

"Please?"

His somber response surprised you. It was then you realized Jiraiya looked... stressed. Well yeah, you've been waking him up early from puking in the bushes every morning. He nicely held your hair out of the way most times. He comforted you every time with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. He assured you that he didn't mind. But perhaps he's not as chill about is as you thought. He's worried. It seems he's really taking the whole 'in sickness and in health' vow very seriously.

"I quick check up never hurt anybody." You say and knock on the door.

He sighs with relief and smiles. Good, he's happy you agree. The town was more conservative and wouldn't allow Jiraiya in during your appointment. Which is a shame. He likes seeing you naked after all. He wouldn't mind playing doctor. Due to your lingering sickness, you and him haven't had adult fun in a long time. It's also been a few weeks since hitting up a town. Having sex in the woods isn't all it's cut out to be. Last time, he got his hair tangled in a bush and a stick poked you somewhere inappropriate. It killed the mood since both you and him caught a case of the giggles. Jiraiya tried to keep it going. He held and stroked your thighs as you untangled his hair. He was enjoying the view with his head between your thighs. But you only laughed harder. Especially when he goosed you. It surprised you and you lost your balance, where you landed on his face. He didn't really mind, but he was a little blue in the face from the sudden cut of oxygen. You must love him, because after that display of absolute fuckery, you always mention that you miss the sex too. It just ain't in the stars when you're as sick as you are.

After only a handful of minutes, you exit the building. Jiraiya stood from his little post on the stairs. You stand in front of him. You're very quiet. A distant, but content look in your eye. Like you are lost in a pleasant memory or thought. There's a light blush on your cheeks and the faintest of smiles pulling up the corners of your mouth. You don't say anything. Just let out a quiet laugh before embracing him. Your grip light as you hold onto him and press your face against his chest.

"What's wrong? What did they tell you?" Jiraiya inquires as he returns your embrace. This was an odd reaction. You dying or something? Should he be more terrified or worried for your health? But you promised you wouldn't leave him... "Are you okay?"

"What did they tell me?" You repeat his words quietly. You hold on tighter and nuzzle your cheek against him. "I'm more than okay." You kiss between his pecks and look up at him. "I'm pregnant."

It felt like the world stopped for a moment. Jiraiya halts completely. You feel him tense with surprise. You watch your husband with a slight bit of amusement. He's eyes were huge! His face stuck in an expression of shock. The subject of babies had come up a few times. He's older than you and had the idea in his head since the first time he realized he loved you. But you are younger and wanted to wait. Which worked out well. You got to enjoy being a couple with him for several years. It's about time isn't it? He relaxes and laughs. It starts out small, then grows into that loud and unapologetic laughter you know and love. It's been a while since you've heard his laughter. That laugh he hadn't made in about a year. It's pleasant to see him happy. Jiraiya squeezes you in a hug and even lifts you up to spin you around. A baby! He's gonna be a dad!

"About time I knocked you up! Don't ya think?" He asked jovially.

"Yes!" You agree wholeheartedly.

You began to laugh along with him. He puts a big kiss on you. It was hard to kiss him as his lips were pulled tight into a smile. It's the happiest he's been in a long time. Jiraiya put you down and run his hands along your cheeks. He stops them behind your ears and he just holds your face. He kisses you in a more loving and serious way. Tilting his head to make it deeper, pushing his tongue against your lips for a moment as if to guide his lips.

"I can't even explain how happy I am." Jiraiya whispered. "The woman I love is having my baby! I can't believe it's finally happening."

You hold his wrist just to turn your head towards it and put a quick kiss on it. You look at him. He's not so stressed or unhappy now. That big grin on his lips. A light blush on his cheeks from the rush of excitement. His eyes bright and sparkling with happiness. You grab his other wrist and guide his hand to rest on your middle. No signs of the life you are harbouring are there yet. But soon! Soon you'll be getting rounder and heavier. There's things to look forward too like the kicks your little one will give you. You get to watch Jiraiya go bananas over these things. He never kept his cool when it came to you. Ah man he was gonna absolutely freak! You can see him getting excited about the little things and give into all the new parent jitters. Talking to your big belly, pressing his ear against it and his focus so intense on whatever sounds that he may hear. Or him laying down with you, talking to the unborn infant and pressing kisses on your belly. And him being the big spoon, face nuzzled in your hair, body pressed firmly against yours, and hands protectively holding your middle.

Already, Jiraiya could feel his cheeks starting to hurt from smiling so much. Those muscles haven't been used in a while. He stares at his hand on your abdomen, right above your womb. A baby... his baby... he'll do anything to protect them. Both you and baby won't leave his sight or care. He'd much rather give his life then ever see his family harmed. It's all he's got left in this world. He won't let anyone else precious to him die.

"What would you want, my dear?" You interrupt his more somber thoughts. You put your hand over his. "A boy or a girl?"

"Hm..." he hums a laugh. "I don't care either way. Whatever it is, I hope they take after you."

"Don't be silly! Any spawn of you will be your little mini me! I just hope they don't do half the shit you did!"

Jiraiya looked slightly offended at your crude summery of his childhood. He wasn't that bad! Okay, he stole shit for fun and underage drank. But come on! Who didn't?

"But they'll also be intelligent, funny, and devilishly charming." You add with a laugh. "All the best qualities you have!"

"Oh? Sounds dangerous. Whatever shall the world do?" He asks in his flirtatious voice he kisses you. He moves his hands to squeeze your butt. Right now, you've never been hotter to him.

"I think it just might explode! The world is in for a shock when your kid hits the ground running."

He laughs. "True! I think we're in for one hell of a time!"

Slowly, the smile drops on Jiraiya's face. It drops to barely a faint grin. It's like he was accepting something. Something sad... and it dragged him down. He looks you up and down slowly. He took in a deep breath and let it out.

"I... I guess we have to go back to Konoha, don't we?" He asked with a hint of bitter sadness.

You shake your head. "We don't have to. I'm fine to stay on the road."

"No... I don't think that's a good idea."

"Jiraiya, nothing is going to happen. The two of us are more than capable to handle this by ourselves."

Jiraiya doesn't look so convinced. He's grimacing like something bad was already happening. Anything could go wrong. He can't handle it if something does happen to you. Your safety is his first priority. Out here on the road, traveling from land to land meant all kinds of danger. There's enemies hunting his head, there's general unfriendly strangers, nature can be a bitch sometimes, and half the time there's no real shelter. If any of these things compromised your health or the baby's he would never forgive himself.

But the village... it also puts him off. It holds so many memories. Too many bad ones. The death of his student still fresh in his mind. His home destroyed and people left tired and battered. It's the whole reason he left. It was over a year ago but it still hurts! And what would they think? He left to abandon the responsibilities. As well as the staring and condolences. He can't look them in the eyes. A part of him deep down knows they blame him. They would eat him up alive for showing back up with his pregnant wife. But, if you wanted it, he would do it. He'd face all the criticism and battery if it meant his family would be safe.

You know what he's thinking. It's not good for him. Jiraiya wasn't in the best mental state already. The news of Minato's death destroyed him. It still hurt him. It's the type of pain that doesn't heal, not fully anyways. You can still clearly recall his reaction when you delivered the news. The transition in his expression going from contentment to horror before settling on despair was a terrible thing to watch. For days afterwards he barely did anything. Most times you found him just... blankly staring at the newly marked graves. He was stuck in a haze. It was hard to watch him like that. Going back to the village would only do him bad. You firmly hold both his hands on your belly. You squeeze his hands firmly. He was beginning to get that faded look in his eyes as he contemplated the option.

"Everything will be just fine." You assure him. "We don't have to go back. We don't ever have to go back if that's what you want. I want you to be happy."

"I just want you to be safe." He looked away from your face and stared at your belly. Seeing his hands on it with yours holding them was comforting. His baby was in there after all.

"I think I'm more than able to take care of myself." You half force a laugh. You don't like seeing him so worried. It was mostly justified, but some of it was paranoia due to recent events. "And I know you'll protect me."

"I will. I won't let anyone harm you."

"Exactly!" You were a little overly enthusiastic. You lean forward and cling onto his neck. He held you before you pulled him off kilter. "I know that no one can touch me if I got my big scary papa bear with me!" You giggle and rise to your tippy toes to give him a peck. "Or is it papa toad?"

Jiraiya scoffs and cracks a bigger smile. "Papa is just fine!" He pokes his nose against yours. His crass nature comes back out as he sneaks a hand down to squeeze your butt again. "But that's Daddy to you little girl!"

You burst into a series of giggles. He joins you. Now there's the Jiraiya you know and love! Dirty jokes and very hands on. He holds and kisses you. He picked you off of the ground and turns around. Jiraiya adds a cheeky spin before moving on down the path. He heads down to the inn, practically skipping with you in his arms. A new wave of familiar nausea took over. He had to set you down and you puked in the bushes before heading inside. But the morning sickness was worth it! You're having a baby!

You spend the day laying in bed with Jiraiya. Half laying on top of him. Your head on his chest. Your eyes closed. His hand is combing and playing with your hair. It's quiet and peaceful. Occasionally, you'll break the quiet with a question. He'd answer. But they began to die into hums as he became lost in his thoughts. You cuddle against him and decide to just enjoy the quiet company. There's a lot to think about now.

The most important part? Jiraiya felt like his life wasn't a waste of time anymore. He wasn't dragging you down into his slow decent any longer. It was time to stop mourning, and time to focus on getting better. He lives for someone else now. Well... two people actually. You and his little one. The two most brightest things in his world.

Still weak and nauseous, you fall asleep quickly. Jiraiya stays awake for a while. He stares at the ceiling as he draws a safe path in his head. His eyes looking around the stucco as if it were a map, his gaze following an invisible route as he imagined what he'd do. One to Konoha, just in case. One to a few locations he knows. The safest being Mount Myōboku. Yes... that would work. The toads already love you. They would protect you. They would be alright with the surprise visit and childbirth. Some more thrilled than others. Maybe he could convince you to stay a year or so on the isolated mountain. Yeah... it'll all work out. Don't overthink it... it'll only make it worse. Just think about the good. He shuts his eyes and steadies his nerves with a deep breath. It's all about the good right now.