Chapter 3: Looking For You

AN: So this part takes place when Jiraiya and Naruto go on their adventure to find Tsunade and Shizune. They are at the bar where both parties run into each other. Some Dan-bashing. I do not own Naruto.

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"Jiraiya? What are you doing here?" I was kind of surprised when he showed up; I haven't seen him in years.

"Tsunade! I have been looking for you!" He came and sat down across me and Shizune, that little blonde kid following him.

"Tsunade, Konoha has come to a very important decision, they have decided to name you as the Fifth Hokage." I was shocked, and anyone could see that. The little boy that had come with Jiraiya must have been surprised too, for he was choking on his fish. I really didn't know if I wanted to be Hokage or not. Sure, it would be nice to see the Village again, but I know that the paperwork and meetings would be living hell. On the plus side though, I'd get to be with Jiraiya again. I truly missed him all these years that I had been away from Konoha.

"You don't have to decide until the end of the week, so sleep on it…" I heard Jiraiya's voice in the distance as I weighed the pros and cons of going back to Konoha.

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Later that day…

Shizune was sleeping in the bed closest to the window in the small inn we were staying at. I couldn't sleep, I was thinking about Konoha and Sensei's death. Did I really want to go back to the village that I had lost basically everything? A knock on the door startled me out of my train of thoughts. I quietly walked over to the door, praying that whoever was outside didn't wake Shizune.

"Tsuna-" I quickly slapped my hand over Jiraiya's mouth, effectively shutting him up. "Quiet!" I softly hissed. As I let Jiraiya in, he glanced behind me and mouthed 'sorry' to me as he realized Shizune was sleeping. I just rolled my eyes. "So, what did you come here for?" Me being blunt as usual…

"Well, I haven't seen you in a while so I was hoping that we could catch up and maybe get a couple of drinks." Jiraiya smiled, knowing he had hit my weakness. Damn him! As he saw me sigh in defeat, he just smirked.

"Sure, just let me write Shizune a note." He nodded and patiently waited for me to join him. Huh, I normally don't use 'patient' and 'Jiraiya' in the same sentence. We slowly made our way outside and into a cozy bar. The bartender brought us a bottle of warmed up sake and two sake cups…weird, he seemed like he was expecting us. "You stopped here first to let him know we were coming, didn't you?" Jiraiya's somewhat-embarrassed blush was evident in the dim light. "Well, at least I was right…" The rest of the time spent in the bar was used catching up, just like Jiraiya had promised. He shared what he has been doing in the 20+ years we've been apart and I did the same, telling him what Shizune and I have been doing. I was surprised we weren't drunk by the end. Normally, when the two of us went out to drink together, we got wasted, and I mean wasted! It was nice though. After our drinks, which Jiraiya so gallantly paid for, we walked around the small village in the moonlight. Eventually, we found ourselves overlooking a lake. We both sat down and I leaned against him, something he obviously wasn't expected if his tense muscles and quickening heartbeat we any giveaways. As we sat there, I came to a conclusion. Sure, I may have lost a few people I love in Konoha, but I ran away from the rest of the people I cared about.

"Jiraiya, I-"

"Tsuna-"

We both blushed at the sudden awkwardness of the situation.

"Go ahead, Tsunade-hime, ladies first." Jiraiya flashed me that smile that I have always adored. I mean—oh I give up, maybe falling for that pervert isn't so bad.

"Jiraiya, I missed you, but I'm glad you came for me." If Jiraiya was shocked before, this was a whole new level. "W-w-wha-at?

"I don't think I ever really loved Dan, and I feel guilty because I feel like I used him to distance the closeness between you and me, Jiraiya."

"I don't think so, Tsu, because I was sure you loved Dan, I mean you were distraught when he died."

"I know, but after a while I began to see you in him. You were kind-hearted, determined, and quite the gentlemen. I cried because I felt like I was losing you in a way, and because he was a good friend of mine who understood me and my ideas. Now, I realize after being away from you that I really missed you." After that, we were both quiet. I stood up, fearing I had ruined the mood and friendship between us. I started to walk away when all of a sudden I heard Jiraiya cry out. "Wait!" I turned around to see what Jiraiya wanted when I abruptly found his arms embracing me in a hug and his rough, thin lips pressing against my own softer, plumper lips. My eyes were wide as he pulled away. He must have been ashamed for acting on instinct, "Tsunade, I am so sor-" I pulled him down into another kiss, this time both of use moved our lips against the other's.

"I love you, Jiraiya."

"I love you too, Tsunade-hime."

We both walked back to the hotel, hand in hand. It was ironic that both of us had booked rooms in the same hotel. As they say, 'great minds think alike.' As we reached my room, Jiraiya gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

"So does that mean you will come back to Konoha with me?" I just smirked and winked at him, shutting the door behind me. I could just picture the triumphant smirk on Jiraiya's face from both getting me to go back to Konoha and for finally getting to claim me as his girl. I got rid of the note about my whereabouts seeing as how Shizune was still asleep. Slipping into my bed, I glanced at the clock next to me, realizing I only had a few hours before sunrise. Oh well, I fell asleep with a soft smile on my face, something I had not done in a very long time.