A request from a reader! Where once long ago you and Jiraiya were an item but things didn't work out. When he walks into a little town and is pestered by a child, he had no idea he'd have the chance to see you again.

Sorry for no uploads in a while. I don't got much of an excuse other than I was kinda depresso and unfocused.

Ah… civilization.

Jiraiya sighs as he walks deeper into the little town he entered. It's been the only one for days. He's hungry. Tired. And in desperate need of two things. Supplies and a shower. Like a real shower. As much fun as it is to live like a mountain man that washes in the river whilst traveling in these remote little corners of the world it's crappy in the hygiene options. Soap and shampoo would be greatly appreciated.

He scratches at his scalp and rubs his cheek, feeling kinda greasy. He keeps his eyes focused on the buildings as he seeks out a shop. Even tiny little hamlets like this got a shop.

Ah ha. There it is. On the corner of the only four way break in the path this village got. It's cute. Very serene. Must be kinda boring to live here. That's how one knows it's a peaceful corner of the world when the most exciting thing happening is who planted the wrong type of flowers together. He enters the shop, eager to get his errands done.

As expected it doesn't got a lot. But it'll do. Jiraiya walks around the small selection, dodging a young boy who was distracted by a flavour of chips standing so conveniently in the middle of the quite thin walkway. He grabs this and that. Some snacks. Bandages. His emergency meds expired and need replacing. How lucky that there was one bottle left of the strong stuff. The type that'll beat the crap out of a cold and congestion. A necessity for on the road. A cold could kill him if he's not careful. But so could taking too many of these meds. It can be a cheap high it's so strong. Alas that's the price for clear noses, no sniffles, and concentration.

He buys his stuff and leaves. Perhaps there's an inn around here or a house designated for taking in travellers. It's getting late and he doesn't wanna sleep outside if he doesn't need to. A crappy cot would be heavenly over some dirt and grass right now. Also most of those host families are great cooks. A nice home cooked meal sounds way better than wild game.

"Wait!" Someone called.

Curious, Jiraiya stops and looks around to see if anything wild was happening in this little haven. To his surprise and slight annoyance that chip looking, aisle blocking boy was barreling towards him. Great. A child younger than twelve is too squirrelly and easily distracted for him to wanna talk to. And this kid looks about ten or eleven.

"I need that medicine." The boy insists.

"Tough. I got it first." He replies.

"Wha…? But it's important!"

Jiraiya rolls his eyes and turns back around. He waves his hand to the side in a shoo motion that the kid could see.

"You're too young to get buzzed off of meds, kid. I'm saving you from yourself."

"It's not for me."

"Yeah huh. Whatever you say."

He stops as that now bratty kid ran ahead and cut him off. A look of determination on the boy's face as a fistful of money is being held out towards him. He sighs deeply. Stubborn.

"I'll pay for it! Please give it to me!"

"It's not for sale."

He steps around the pesky child and keeps moving. But that punk didn't give up. Jiraiya was irked. He picked up his pace, wanting to loose his tail. The little crap almost coped a feel trying to pickpocket him. He can outmaneuver a country bumpkin! Especially a country bumpkin that's already melting their brain with medications and god knows what else!

"Beat it, boy!" He shouts.

"Itsuki."

"What?"

"My name is Itsuki."

"I didn't ask. And I don't care!"

Much to Jiraiya's shock, Itsuki has moves. Shinobi moves. Basics like chakra assisted running and jumping. A sensor too. Which is rare as all fuck and extra annoying to lose! He tried to stealth and transformed into something inconspicuous only to be kicked in the shins.

"I can see you, jerk!" Itsuki said before punting the older man. "I'll pay you! I need that medicine!"

It's been a good hour. Night had fallen. It's cold. Jiraiya is really hungry now. And pissed enough to throw this child into space. He wants a nice peaceful night away from this brat. This is why he doesn't like kids! They pester. And he's thoroughly done.

"Fine! Tell me what the hell is so important that you have chased me all evening?!" He shouts as he tosses off his pack. It landed beside him with a dull thunk against the ground. "That's my one condition. You can even keep your money."

"Really?" Itsuki was surprised and really appreciative already.

"Yes. Spit it out before I change my mind."

Itsuki shifts on his feet for a moment. He sighs sadly. His head bows.

"My mama is really sick. She hasn't gotten better."

Jiraiya's brows raised. He wasn't expecting that. The annoying brat in front of him wasn't so annoying anymore. It's a scared kid trying to take care of their caretaker. A caretaker who was at some point a ninja by the way their baby can move. There's a genuine sorrow there that a liar can't conjure. He can clock a lie a mile away and Itsuki is innocent.

He crouched down and opened his pack. After moving some things around he found his new purchases. He pulled out the bottle and handed it over. Itsuki grabs it with big teary doe eyes and a quiet thank you. The sob sorry was at least short.

"Can I ask you something?" Jiraiya asks.

"Yeah. It's the least I can do, stranger."

He pauses for a moment. For a moment he considers asking something prying. Perhaps mama's name. Or maybe what creed they served. If he knows it then he can at least mark it down that maybe a run away or a rogue is down with sickness and… they have a child. It's a little cruel but it does mean a paycheque.

Now that the sage is eye level with Itsuki there's something familiar about the boy. It's the eyes. Those eyes are so… well… familiar. Kind. Smart. Certainly very stubborn. Whoever this kid's mom is she's one hell of a catch. He smiles and picks a much more simpler question.

"Is there an inn or host house in this place?"

"No such inn. But there's a host beside the place me and ma are staying."

"Great. Lead the way."

"Okay, stranger."

He scoffs a little. The way Itsuki said stranger was baiting. The whole 'I introduced myself therefore it's polite for you to do the same' type of deal. Okay. Fine.

"Jiraiya."

Itsuki reacted strangely. Recognition mixed with something else. Well it's nice that he's got a rep even in the boonies. The child frowned before turning and guiding the way. Odd.

Jiraiya grabs his bag and follows quietly. This had taken a weird energy. The chatty boy was now quiet and thinking loudly. Unfortunately why Itsuki is contemplating Jiraiya so hard is a mystery to the latter. Just what could a child be thinking about so heavily about him?

At least it was a short trip. A pair of houses in the middle of a block of houses. Very homey and close knit type of community. Not a bad thing. So far everyone here has looked his way with a friendly smile and greeting. Town pride isn't a bad thing. At least he is being welcomed. Some small towns are all glares and convenient full occupancy of housing.

Itsuki introduced Jiraiya to the host family that had a spot for him. He was welcomed in and that curious boy let him be. He got a nice meal and decent company. Yet this lingering feeling wouldn't leave. It's this sensation of incomplete. Something was weird here. Itsuki knew him somehow. He looks over at his pack.

He excused himself and grabbed one of the snacks he bought. Maybe it's nothing. But his gut is hardly ever wrong. He left and went to the neighbour house. After a few knocks he was greeted by an elderly woman.

"Sorry. Hope I didn't interrupt dinner." He said.

"You didn't." The woman said rather stern. She looks him up and down critically. "Who are you?"

"I'm the traveller Itsuki showed around town and to the neighbours." Jiraiya thumbed in the direction of the other house. "I didn't get a chance to really thank him and I got these chips earlier I thought he would like them."

The sour frown on the woman's face lifted. It seems Itsuki was her weak spot. Jiraiya was invited in to give his offering.

"He's with his mother. She'll wanna hear about it. She's mighty proud of that boy."

"Thanks."

He gets motioned to a room separated by a shoji screen. If anything at least he's a good liar. All he wants to do is know who this sickly mother is and go on with his life. If it's a stranger then cool guess that funny feeling was just gas.

"Oi, kid. It's me."

Jiraiya waited for an answer and got it in Itsuki pulling the screen open. Thankfully wide enough to see the woman bundled up under a whole granny quilting club worth of blankets.

Everything went numb. He suddenly couldn't feel his extremities. The chips fell from his hands and bounced to the floor.

Never did he ever expect to see your face again.

"Jiraiya?…" Your croaky voice whispers his name.

Why is it so hard to breathe? Why?… Why can he barely move? Staring at you staring at him. You look like hell. He doesn't know what to do. Every stage of grief slaps his emotions silly in a fraction of a second. Without much choice due to his legs feeling of jelly he collapsed to his knees.

"I thought you died… I…"

"Sorry." You reply.

Anger finally settled and Jiraiya grit his teeth. Sorry? Sorry!? Twelve years and all you gotta say is sorry?

"You disappeared." He said.

"I know."

"You left! You said nothing! I-!" He stopped and put his face in his hands. "Why?"

"I tho-!" You are cut off by your own horrible sounding coughing. You double over, burrowing your face in the blankets. Once it stops you flop back down onto your back. "I think it's pretty obvious as to why."

"Wha-?"

Jiraiya followed the way your eyes darted to. Itsuki. Oh. You got pregnant.

"Itsuki, honey?" You call. "Why don't you go enjoy your gift in the kitchen?"

"Okay, ma." The child sighs.

Jiraiya scooted further inside and Itsuki shut the screen after leaving. It's thin and hardly soundproof but it's at least more private. He stares at the floor as he tries to piece together the past.

"Did you leave because of me?" He asks.

You nod. He rakes his fingers through his hair as he tries to breathe through these incoming bombs he's about to experience. The question is inevitable. It's obvious if you left like that.

"Itsuki's father… is me?"

He opens his eyes to hold your gaze. You are holding it. You confirm it.

Suddenly dizzy, Jiraiya propped his elbows against his knees and kept his fingers supporting his head around the temples. He is still just numb. He has a child. His ex he thought died is the mother of his child. The urge to puke is growing.

"Why?" He asks again. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I was just…" You trail off. "Sick of it all."

"Sick of what? Me?" Again anger steeled his nerves and he raised his voice. "I don't care how mad at me you were! I have a right to know as the father!"

"Come on, Jiraiya. We weren't exactly in paradise."

He grunts. So what if that's true? You kept something important from him.

"So it was rough. I would've done the right thing."

"I didn't want that."

"Why? Would I be so horrible as a father?"

"I knew you never wanted kids. And I just… knew."

"Knew what?"

You pause and look at him squarely.

"I knew you were cheating on me."

Jiraiya clutched at the roots of his hair. Guilt opened a pit in his stomach. It's true and he's not proud. There's no excuse for it. It's just horrible. He only gripped it harder as you went into the story.

Back then you and him were fighting constantly. On the verge of breaking up but not making it official out of the weak hope that it would work. You were exhausted. Fighting with him and fighting in the field had rung you dry. Then add a positive pregnancy test on top of it and you were just in tatters. You weren't sure how to feel about it. You weren't even completely sure about keeping it.

You came back to the apartment you shared with him one day and caught him in the act. Being a sensory type all you had to do was enter the threshold and seek out his chakra signature. But he wasn't alone and it was all located in the bedroom. He brought someone to yours and his home. In the bed you shared with him and fucked someone else just to hurt you.

"At that point I just hit a wall." You say with a sigh. "I wanted to tell you so we could figure this out. But I just was so hurt and sad. And I remembered how you said you didn't want to be a father. I didn't want to fight anymore. I also knew that I had no one else in the village. I couldn't stand being there anymore."

"So you left that day?"

"Yeah. I let you be with whoever that was. I turned around and left. Before I knew it I just kept going." You pause, cough and hack on something, then continue. "I decided I didn't need anyone. I'd go it alone."

Jiraiya released his head and folded his arms. He dropped his gaze to the ground again. He feels so… rotten. Guilty. He drove away his pregnant girlfriend because he was so horrible to her. He did everything wrong. He was childish and angry. At you. At himself. Clearly he wasn't ready for a relationship.

Then you didn't come home that night. Or the next day. Or the week after. No messages. No sightings. He was terrified. Search parties brought up hardly a thing. Only your headband was found tangled in the branches of a tree at the border. He had to sign papers that declared you missing in action. He felt bad. Hindsight is often very cruel. It all seemed trivial when you left.

He couldn't bring himself to sign off the declaration of death six years later. It was his responsibility. You had no one else. He felt awful. The last thing he said to you was so horrible. There was no goodbye. He marked the end of the relationship with a screaming match and sleeping with someone else. That stuck with him ever since. The regret of how he treated you ate at him. He just hated himself. And this whole time… you were alive raising his child.

He pushed away a very different life.

"You take leaving a guy to a new level." Jiraiya spoke softly.

"A joke? Really?"

"Sorry."

It grew quiet. Jiraiya was at a loss. In the span of an hour he suddenly had a family. He has a child. A son. A son named Itsuki.

"I don't like not knowing my child." He spoke his mind.

You nod in understanding. It was far from saintly to run away from everything. But you were so exhausted. Of him. Your life. It was so crappy. It was too draining and dramatic. Raising your baby in it all would be awful. Traveling with Itsuki was freedom.

"I don't like seeing you sick." He raises his head to face you. "How long have you been like this?"

Your lips flattened into a tense line. You don't want to say. Your fingers are fiddling with the edge of one of the blankets cast over you.

"Four months." You admit.

Worry churned his stomach. You look about twice as long that sick. You never did like it when people pried into your health. But you are worryingly thin. Clearly months worth of no appetite has taken its toll. You smell too. It's that really sharp musk of old sweat and illness. It's hospital smell without the sterile hand sanitizer mid notes. You are really sick. If this goes on you won't make it. Not with this medical care.

"I want to take care of you."

You watch quietly as he reached out and grabbed your hand. He's warm. Really warm. Or are you really cold? You can't tell anymore. You stare at his face. You missed it. He aged good. He's not mad at you anymore. That's always been easy to see. He's concerned. You dragged his heart all over the world and raised his child without his knowledge. But that didn't matter to him. Right now this matters.

"I'm a different person now. I don't know if I'm a better one, but I'm different." Jiraiya said. He strokes his thumb over your knuckles. "I'll treat you better. All I want is a chance."

A small smile grows on your face. He's certainly much sweeter than he was twelve years ago.

"You'll only get sicker if you stay here."

"I know." You reply sadly. "And I don't want Itsuki to be alone in the world."

"He won't be."

He raised your hand and put a kiss on your knuckles. You turn your hand and run your fingers against his cheek. You are cold.

"You need a shower." You comment.

"Well wanna shower with me?"

You scoff. He scoffs. To your surprise he leans down. Your field of vision is filled with his face. Heat rises to your cheeks. This time it's not from illness.

"You shouldn't kiss me. I don't wanna get you sick." You whisper.

Jiraiya grins before placing a very soft kiss on your lips. Then he moved up and put a more firm kiss on your forehead. It's something both you and him missed. There was a time when the relationship you had with him was wonderful like this. Someone cared about you. Someone cared about him. It's the type of rhythm anyone would be happy with while dating.

"Tomorrow. Let's get out of here and get you the help you need." He says.

"Alright."

After some catching up with you, he was kicked out. The old lady doesn't allow men to stay in her house while a single woman is staying there as well. So he returned to his host's house and went to bed. But he would have much rather continued to stay by your side. You got Itsuki to look after you but he's still worried.

It's all still surreal. Maybe it hasn't sunk in fully yet. It's so rare to find someone who was lost. Yet here you are. Alive. Breathing and living on this plane of existence. Maybe it's just because you are so ill that it hasn't hit him yet. Or he really has chilled out that much. Maybe it's his long lost family man instincts or something.

There's people who depend on him. He's got a plan and he needs to stick to it. You need stronger medicine. You need healthcare. He can't let it all sink in until he knows just how bad this is.

In the morning, Jiraiya took charge. He packed up. He got your backpack packed. You can't hardly move. You nearly bowed in half when he put your pack on you. With a deep sigh he accepted his fate for the travel. Walking would be way too slow. You need care as quickly as possible.

So he pulls out a stop he only uses in emergencies like this. Your head lands against his arm. Your eyes shut. A quiet groan escaping you as you succumb to your need to rest. He's already squatted down and you decided to slump against him. It broke his jutsu mid seal. You are distracting. But it's alright. It's nice having you close.

He tries again. The whole time Itsuki was watching with fascination. He planted his hand on the ground and a puff of smoke clouded everyone's vision. It dissipated and perched on the spot he placed his hand was a toad. One of normal size and colour.

"A frog!" Itsuki gasps.

"Do you like frogs?"

"Yuh huh! They're so cool!"

Jiraiya smiles to himself. Even if he doesn't know a lot about his estranged son it's nice that they at least have that in common. He beckons the boy closer. Itsuki crawls over and he puts his arm around his child and you.

"Eat us. Then summon yourself back to the mountain and then take the portal to Konoha." Jiraiya ordered the toad.

The summon nods before opening its mouth. A long tongue shot out and wrapped around the trio. Itsuki squeaked. It's a really weird feeling the first time. It's some kind of space size warping jutsu. It feels like someone is squeezing one's head like juicing a lemon. There's pressure in the ears that hardly pop. But it at least happens fast.

Everyone lands safely in the toad's belly. Itsuki quickly escaped and was curiously feeling around. It's dim in here. It smells like old cut grass and bile. Alas most boys aren't bothered by such things and the young one wanted to get to know this strange little realm before settling down. Jiraiya sat down and guides your head to rest on his lap. Your arms wrap around his thigh as you curl up and snuggle him. Even in here you are shivering. He removes his red haori and places it over you.

Doing it this way is far quicker than on foot. He found you in a small territory beside the Land of Iron. It would weeks. Possibly months if you deteriorated further. As you slept, Jiraiya pet your head. It's comforting to do something with his idle hands. Especially since he can't do anything else to ease your pain. Being near you again is damn near close to heaven. With no where to go for about a half hour, he and Itsuki spoke.

It's cruel in a way. Because when that boy ain't pestering him Itsuki is similar to him. They like similar things. Itsuki has big dreams to become a good person. He wants to do things that makes a difference. Most of all he wants to make you proud.

"Maybe I could show you a thing or two? To help you achieve your goals." Jiraiya offers.

"Really?! Could you show me how to summon a toad? Or do that fireball thing?"

"You can use fire?"

"Yuh huh! My mama says I got that from my papa."

He smiles and nods. That could be fun. He has to occupy his time with something while you are hospitalized and Itsuki certainly can't be left alone. This is all so… nice. Really nice. The opportunity is golden. So long as you are okay with it. He's still just some kind of old friend of yours to Itsuki. It's not really his place to spill. It's too soon.

It's a tad complicated for now. Even if it is it would be fun just to talk more with Itsuki. The one thing Jiraiya wants right now is to understand this other person. This young boy shares his flesh, blood, enthusiasm for toads, fighting, peace, and girls. Weird. Surely the world was to implode upon his procreation of a mini him.

He doesn't stop smiling.

A warm feeling in his chest flutters and grows as he gets along with his company. Guess that's love. It feels good to be wanted by someone again.

The toad came to a stop. Jiraiya beckons Itsuki again and pulls you up into a protective embrace just a moment before the toad retches up it's passengers.

He carries you the rest of the way to Konoha. Itsuki stays close beside him. People are curiously watching them. Jiraiya came back with more than expected. It's a story he doesn't have time to tell right now. He gets you admitted to the hospital. While you were being examined he had to wait outside with Itsuki, who was anxious about your diagnosis. So was he.

"Your mama is pretty tough. She'll get out of this okay." Jiraiya promises him.

He ruffles the boy hair and it gets a relieved look and smile. Eventually the doctor came and explained. You have a severe chest infection. The type that can't be treated with normal cold medicine. Most infections like that can't be treated with over the counter stuff. With some painkillers you should be able to eat. With some strong antibiotics and steroids they expect you to recover quickly. Had Jiraiya not found you there's a good chance that you wouldn't have survived.

Due to your physical condition they wanted to keep you for a couple of days to monitor you closely. You are allowed visitors. You are awake and fairly alert. The meds are being pumped into you through iv solutions and worked quickly. Already you look better. Itsuki was quick to crawl into your bed to get in some much needed cuddles. Jiraiya picked the chair that was close beside your bed.

You held your growing boy closely and rubbed his back to soothe his worries. When you raise your gaze it meets Jiraiya's. It's hard to determine what you want him to be right now. You do want him involved in your life. He saved your life. He's the father of your child. He proved his worth. He isn't the man he was back then. He's grown up quite a bit.

You move your free hand outstretched to him. He was quick to grab it. He raised it up and rested it against his lips. His dark eyes are on you in a way that makes you smile. He missed you. And he's not mad. All he wants is that second chance. This is his opportunity for that life he's always wanted. It came in an unexpected way.

This time he won't fuck it all up.

Perhaps the years apart is exactly what you and Jiraiya needed. The pain is long in the past. To have the father of your child around would be good. To have you around would be nice. There's something here to explore and discover. Konoha could be a home again to you, Jiraiya, and Itsuki.

The bitterness of it all faded.

For the first time in a long time the future was very sweet.