A/N: Y'all like JiraTsuna?
Night had fallen over the countryside by the time Jiraiya snuck back into camp. The rebels nodded his way as he passed, stepping aside out of respect for the sannin.
The white-haired man gave them a smile before making his way towards Tsunade's tent. Luckily as he approached it, a warm yellow glow came from within, casting shadows of the people inside against the walls. If Tsunade was awake, his job was easier… and he doesn't get slapped into the sky like a home run due to a misunderstanding.
One woman smiled to her companion as they both watched him slip into their leader's tent. Nudging him with her elbow, she jested, "How long do you think they'll last this time?"
Sparing the tent a glance, the man replied, "One week. Tops."
"You honestly think he'll muster up the guts that quick?" An eyebrow raised skeptically. "Don't you remember that one trip to Yugakure? The one where Ayame-sama found out that Jiraiya was still alive?"
"I think we're still banned from that inn, yes." The other guard shuddered at the memory. "Between her nearly drinking a drought and the one-sided slapfight they got into… how on earth could I forget the one trip that nearly bankrupted us in a single sitting?"
Faintly, they heard Tsunade's light laughter emanate from the tent, and both snuck glances only to see the two of them sitting close together, Jiraiya's larger form reaching over to pick up something as Tsunade's head went back.
Both exchanged worried stares.
"She's drinking again," the man sighed, rubbing his face with his weary hand. "I hope he doesn't do anything stupid this time."
"It's Jiraiya; chances are, he'll end up doing something stupid." She agreed glumly, shaking her head. "Hasn't he hashed it out yet that she hates when he treats her like everyone else?"
"Maybe he does know, but just acts on habit."
"That's a dangerous theory to have, y'know," she cast him a frown. "Especially considering Ayame-sama could level a swath of forest with just a sweeping kick."
"Well what else could it be? You know, I know, hell the entire camp knows." The guard's lips pressed together into a line, looking once more at the illuminated tent. "They'd have to be completely blind to miss the way they look at each other when nobody's looking. I'm more surprised he hasn't actually properly tried to act on it."
A hush came over them then, in tandem with the sudden silence from the tent. The guards looked over again, only to find it dark.
"If he still thinks she's infatuated with… him , of all people," she said slowly, a hint of disgust in her tone. "Then I almost feel sorry for him."
Her friend shook his head, a sour look on his face. "He's oblivious to a lot of things, but I highly doubt he's that socially-unaware. We all know Ayame-sama hates his guts. After that sorry excuse of a scientist helped the Uchiha kill Sarutobi before he turned tail and fled Fire…"
A tense silence fell over them again, this time more uncomfortably thick. Sneaking one last glance towards the dark tent, their shoulders loosened a fraction when they heard soft murmuring coming from within, only interrupted by a huff of deep, throaty laughter only a fraction louder.
The woman sighed heavily, massaging her temples with both hands. "I just hope they end up talking about it sometime , y'know? None of us are gettin' any younger here, least of all either of them. None of us know for sure when, if ever, this little disagreement is gonna end. I'd hate to have to attend a funeral or two before they ended up coupling."
The older man was quiet, but no less contemplative as he slowly nodded his head. "Yeah… man, feels like yesterday we were both new, doesn't it?"
"Learning the ropes, subject to the horrors of civil war?" A wry smirk crossed her lips. "I can't say I miss it, yet the thought is strangely…"
"Nostalgic?" They both chorused in unison, and as their eyes met they shared soft chortling laughter.
"The levity helped ease their tightly-coiled nerves as they glanced up at the moon, its slowly-returning light gently illuminating them.
She looked at him.
He looked at her.
A smile crossed her face, exasperated and fond, as Tsunade let out a short bark of laughter. The answering deep chortle made her companion look away with a huff through his nose, his lips curling in an almost invisible upturn.
Hushed whispers behind them, peaceful quiet before them, Lady Tsunade's most trusted agents stood vigilant, blissfully ignoring the hopelessly-romantic wiles of their leader and her closest confidant.
