It was a beautiful day in the Leaf Village. The sun was out in all its glory, the skies were clear without a cloud in sight, and birds were chirping a melodic tune happily. The villagers were bustling around the town going about their daily lives, while the Ninja Academy was in full session. It seemed to have been a quintessential day in the Leaf and everyone seemed to be enjoying the weather. However, all the Hokage wanted to do was crawl back into bed and fall into a sleep induced coma.
"Do I have to go to this meeting?" Tsunade whined as she approached the building where an important meeting with the village council, and highly ranked ninjas would take place. She didn't necessarily want to attend such a meeting, for she knew without a doubt that it would be long and tedious. She already had to complete all the paperwork she put off in order to spend time with Jiraiya, an act that she surely got scolded for by Koharu, and now she had to sit in yet another meeting. She was exhausted to say the very least, and lately she felt as if her mind was elsewhere. Ever since the afternoon she spent with Jiraiya, she could not stop thinking about him. Every time he came to mind, her cheeks would redden, her heart rate would increase, and she could not prevent a smile from emerging on her face. Maybe it was the way in which he held her close that caused her every thought to consist solely of him, or perhaps it was just the mere fact that he knew her better than she knew herself. Whatever the reasons were, she could not stop herself from longing to see him again.
"You know you have to go Lady Tsunade." Shizune reminded her mentor while standing next to her, holding TonTon in her arms. Unlike Tsunade, Shizune did not have to attend the meeting. However, Shizune had some free time on her hands and decided to accompany her on the walk over to the meeting's venue.
"It's going to be such a bore." Tsunade complained, feeling physically and mentally drained. It was as if her feet were glued to the ground as she could not seem to get herself to walk even an inch closer to the building where she would have to spend the next few hours.
Shizune walked closer to Tsunade and placed a reassuring hand on her tense shoulder, "Maybe it won't be so bad." She smiled which only caused Tsunade to roll her eyes. Shizune's caring, rational nature was something Tsunade always admired about her, but at that moment it only annoyed her. Just once she wished her apprentice could be on her side when it came to administrative events such as that meeting.
Shizune took note on the look on her mentor's face. It was an expression that was somewhat hard to read. It was if Tsunade was in deep thought and Shizune knew for sure that she was not thinking about the meeting she had to attend, "Are you okay Lady Tsunade?" She asked.
Tsunade turned her attention to the raven-haired woman beside her, "Of course I'm not. I have to go to this damn meeting with the village elders." She whined again.
"No, that's not what I'm talking about." Shizune started, "It just seems as if your mind is on something."
Tsunade was not surprised that her adoptive daughter picked up on the change in her persona. After all, she has been by her side for years and therefore should know how to read her like a book. However, Tsunade didn't have the desire to unfold the truth that she has been thinking about her long-time companion and father of her child quite frequently. She wasn't quite sure what her emotions were regarding him and until she figured them out, she didn't see the need to get Shizune all worked up, "It's nothing." She lied.
Shizune was about to say something until the door of the building swung open and standing in the door frame was no other than Koharu, glaring at Tsunade as if she wanted to kill her where she stood. Tsunade just looked at Koharu, unimpressed by her stares, "What is it now Koharu?" She grumbled with her hands folded in front of her chest, "Keep staring at me like that and you might strain your eyes."
"Tsunade!" Koharu shouted and walked over to the Hokage and grabbed her hand in a violent manner, "You know the meeting was to start thirty minutes ago and here you are conversing with your apprentice instead of being in attendance at the meeting!"
Tsunade was now being drug in the direction of the meeting and despite the fact that she hated to be pulled in any direction by another person, all she could do was cringe at the fact that Koharu's dry, wrinkly hand was touching hers. When the discomfort she felt reached its breaking point, she freed herself from the old woman's grasp and spoke up for herself, "You don't have to drag me to the meeting, I can walk on my own."
"Well get moving!" She yelled, "You had all of us waiting!"
Tsunade decided to hold her tongue instead of thoroughly cursing out the old woman who she immensely despised. Therefore, without saying another word, she rolled her eyes and walked into the conference room. Upon arriving in the room, she saw Homura, another village advisor and Koharu's partner in crime sitting at the long table. Kakashi, Naruto's sensei was also in attendance, along with the other Jounin ranked ninjas in charge of the Genin ninjas. Among these Jounins were Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai Yūhi. The other people in attendance were a few members of the village council who consisted of elderly ninjas who have been in office since Sarutobi's reign as Hokage. Tsunade sat on the empty seat at the head of the table that was reserved for her while Koharu, much to Tsunade's dismay, sat next to her.
"Tsunade is sorry she's late." Koharu said to the population of the room which only earned her a deadly stare from the Hokage.
"Actually, what Koharu meant to say was that because I'm the Hokage it doesn't matter if I'm late or not." Tsunade spoke up, ensuring that she put the old woman in her place, "So let's get this meeting started with."
Tsunade was not briefed on what the contents of the meeting would entail since the elders didn't bother to tell her. Therefore, she was waiting on the people who called the meeting to come forward and say what they needed to say. Her patience was running thin and they certainly would not want to end up on her bad side.
"As you know the Leaf Village recently held the semiannual Chunin exams." Homura started in his usual monotone voice, "That was when chaos ensued due to Orochimaru's endeavors."
Tsunade remembered hearing about the series of unfortunate events that occurred not too long before she took on the role of Hokage. The village was in shambles after Orochimaru wreaked his havoc. Therefore, Tsunade walked into the position during a time when the village was at its lowest point. In fact, it was still trying to recover from the calamity it had to face. In the end however, the Leaf survived and its ninjas became stronger. Tsunade just wished that she was there to lend a helping hand when it was needed the most. Perhaps there could have been something she could have done to help her late sensei. She banished those thoughts to the back of her mind, not wanting to feel the regret she had inside for not being there. The only thing she could do now was to follow in her teacher's footsteps and be the best leader she could possibly be for the village.
"Yes, I'm quite aware of that." Tsunade said.
"Due to the events that unfolded that left the village in turmoil, the council has decided not to promote any Genin ranked ninjas to Chunin this time around." Homura explained, "They will all have the chance to retake the exam in another two years." He then handed the book that was resting on the table in front of him to Tsunade so that she could read its contents, "However, these were Sarutobi's notes on the matter."
Tsunade accepted the book that was handed to her and felt her heart swell with emotion upon seeing the familiar handwriting. She was peering into the journal that belonged to her beloved sensei and couldn't help but feel somber. She kept her emotions at bay, trying to remain professional in the presence of the council and other well-respected shinobi. As she read the notes her sensei left behind, she then realized why the meeting was called in the first place.
"It seems as if the Third Hokage was quite fond of a Genin by the name of Shikamaru Nara." Tsunade said, "He was quite impressed with his match against a kunoichi from the Sand Village."
"Shikamaru is my student." Asuma interjected, "He's a bit of a slacker but he's a genius."
Tsunade looked at Asuma, the son of the Third Hokage, and remembered him as just a little boy. In the past Asuma always yearned for his father's attention, but because of the job Sarutobi held, he could not spend a significant amount of time with his son. She could hardly believe that the young boy she used to see around the Hokage building was now a Jounin ninja in charge of a student who Sarutobi held in high regards.
"It seems as if you trained him well for your father to be impressed by him." Tsunade complimented him and only wondered to herself how the death of his father affected him.
"Thank you Lady Tsunade." Asuma said respectfully.
"The reason this meeting was called is to make a decision on the Nara boy." Koharu explained, "I am still of the belief that nobody should be promoted, but it seems as if Sarutobi wanted to acknowledge that particular ninja."
"As the Hokage, the decision belongs to you Tsunade." Homura stated dryly.
Tsunade did not know much about Shikamaru other than the fact that he hailed from the Nara clan and led the team she sent out to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha. Even though that mission was a complete failure, she did not blame the young boy for its outcome. However, her sensei saw something in him that perhaps others didn't see. She held the journal tightly in her hand and made the decision to honor her sensei's wishes. She trusted him wholeheartedly and knew that she was making the right call, "I say we promote the kid." She started, "It's what the Third wanted. Who are we to go against that?"
"It's settled then. Shikamaru Nara will now be ranked as a Chunin." Homura announced and then turned to Asuma, "You can go get the boy so we can inform him of his promotion."
Asuma politely excused himself from the room in order to find Shikamaru. He felt proud that one of his students was the only one to be promoted to Chunin. He agreed with his father's decision. Shikamaru was truly an exceptional young ninja.
"Kakashi, Kurenai." Koharu said to the other two Jounin ninjas in attendance, "This time around your students will not be promoted." She reminded them, "Be sure that they understand the reasons behind this decision."
Kakashi was Sakura and Naruto's sensei. Tsunade was certain that Sakura would be understanding of the decision the council made, but she wasn't positive on how Naruto would react. More than likely he would be upset and would probably find himself in Tsunade's office demanding answers. She made a mental note of that probability.
Kurenai and Kakashi understood what needed to be done so they left the room, no longer being needed for the duration of the meeting. Tsunade thought that she would be able to leave too, thinking that the meeting was adjourned, but her hopes were crushed when Homura moved on to yet another topic.
"We now need to discuss the security of the village." He stated and Tsunade felt as if she could have strangled the man for prolonging the meeting, "There is no telling that Orochimaru won't try to strike again especially because of the altercation he had with Tsunade and Jiraiya not too long ago."
"What are your thoughts on the matter Tsunade?" Koharu asked, taking note at how annoyed Tsunade looked. She figured it had something to do with the length of the meeting.
Tsunade remembered the battle she endured with Orochimaru. She never thought that she would actually have to face the man who has been a longtime companion of hers. However, ever since he betrayed the Leaf, almost killed Jiraiya, and succeeded in killing their sensei, they were no longer comrades. In Tsunade's reality they were bitter enemies and she would not hesitate in putting his life to an end if she were given the opportunity again. She couldn't help but feel as if something was strange when she fought Orochimaru. It was as if he was almost invincible. There was no telling what he would do to the village if he got the chance. What would he do to the villagers, or even Jiraiya? Surely he would not hesitate in killing him this time around and if he succeeded, Tsunade would be broken. She had to do whatever she could to prevent that thought from becoming a reality.
"We should tighten security in not only the village itself but around our borders as well." Tsunade started and the council proceeded to write everything she was saying down, "Nobody will be allowed to enter the village without proper documentation proving that they have clearance to be here. We can't be too careful. Orochimaru won't hesitate to make an attack and we also have the Akatsuki situation to worry about."
"We will also increase the ANBU Black Ops assigned to you, Tsunade." Koharu added.
Tsunade gave the old woman a dirty look. Surely Koharu knew how much Tsunade hated to have security around her at all times. She was just doing this to be spiteful and Tsunade knew that she would come up with an explanation to make her decision seem legitimate, "There's no need for that Koharu." Tsunade said, "I can take care of my damn self."
"Watch your language Tsunade." Homura scolded and rubbed his temples out of annoyance for her foul mouth, "A Hokage shouldn't speak like that. Koharu is right, we must up the security assigned to you."
"We are well aware of the fact that you can fend for yourself and hold your own against any enemy, but as the Hokage you shouldn't have to." Koharu explained and Tsunade watched as the members of the council nodded their heads in agreement with the old woman. She knew she was not going to be able to get out of this one.
"Fine." She sighed, realizing there was nothing she could do or say to prevent them from giving her an entourage of guards, "Meeting adjourned." She announced while rising to her feet. She almost made it to the door when she heard Koharu's shrill voice ring through her ears and caused every hair on her skin to stand up.
"Not so fast Tsunade!" Koharu said, "We have more topics to discuss."
Tsunade let out a sigh of defeat and reluctantly walked back over to her seat and sat down. This meeting was going to be longer than she expected and all she wanted to do was fast forward in time when it was all over.
The sun set on the Leaf Village and the street lights were turning on one by one when Jiraiya was walking through the town with Naruto draped over his back. The two just completed their training for the day and Naruto overdid it as usual and passed out as a result. Jiraiya was trying to teach the boy how to intensify the impact of his rasengan technique, and while they made some progress, Naruto had a lot further to go.
Usually, if someone passed out due to chakra exhaustion they should be rushed to the Leaf's Hospital. However, Jiraiya did not see the need for that. Naruto was not like the general population. He had the nine tailed fox demon within him and as a result, he possessed incredible healing and recuperation capabilities. Jiraiya knew that with a good night's sleep, Naruto would be as good as new once again.
As he was walking through the streets with a sleeping Naruto on his back, he couldn't help but feel a strong connection to the boy. Afterall, he was Naruto's godfather. Of course, Naruto did not know this truth and for now, for his own protection, it had to remain that way. Nevertheless, Jiraiya knew what his relationship with the blonde boy was and that was good enough for him.
His destination was Naruto's apartment building, where he would put the boy down to rest. Naruto was quite heavy and that was probably due to all the bowls of ramen noodles he consumed on a daily basis. However, Jiraiya was not too far away from his intended destination, so he carried on. In a few short moments, he arrived at the apartment. He knew that Naruto always left a spare key under the doormat since he was quite forgetful, so he reached under it and retrieved the key. He then opened the door to the small apartment and when he entered he turned the light switch on. Once the room was illuminated with light, he noticed how messy and small the apartment was. It was big enough to fit a bed, a side table that was home to a lamp, a small kitchen area that also had a small wooden dining table with two chairs, and an enclosed bathroom. Naruto's clothes were scattered around the room and draped over the furniture. An empty cup of noodles sat on the dining table with a few flies circling it like vultures over prey, and Jiraiya took note of the pile of dust sitting in the corner of the room. He wasn't surprised at the condition of the boy's apartment since he didn't have parents to tell him to clean up after himself. Therefore, Naruto was free to do as he pleased. Jiraiya made a note to take it upon himself to teach the boy how to maintain his apartment and live a healthier, cleaner lifestyle.
He laid the boy on the rather small bed, untied his forehead protector, placed it on the side table, unzipped his jacket and slid it off his shoulders to ensure the boy was comfortable during his slumber. He then retrieved the blanket that was balled up at the end of the bed instead of neatly folded and covered the Genin over with it for warmth. As he stood there, looking at the sleeping child, he couldn't help but feel as if he was staring at Minato. The two resembled each other so much that it truly warmed Jiraiya's heart to be in his company. Despite the fact that they looked almost identical to each other, their personalities were so different. Naruto did not inherit his father's calm, rational demeanor. Instead, he was rambunctious, and loud like his fiery mother Kushina. It was as if Naruto was the perfect blend of his parents, both of whom Jiraiya held close to his heart. He vowed to himself that this time around, he would protect his student at all costs, and he would see it through that all his dreams and aspirations become realities. No matter what he would protect his student.
"Minato, Kushina." Jiraiya said in an almost inaudible whisper, "Do you see how much Naruto has grown?" He then put his hand on the boy's head, crushing his spiky hair down, "You would be so proud of him." He smiled.
Without another thought, he left Naruto's side and reached into his pocket to retrieve his wallet. Once it was in his hand, he took a few bills out and placed it on Naruto's kitchen table. He figured that the boy didn't have anything substantial or something that was not expired to eat the following day, so he decided to help the kid out and provide him with the funds to go out and buy something. He then took a final look at Naruto before he turned the light off in the small apartment and locked the door behind him.
It was getting late, so he decided to head home for the night. On his journey home, he came across the Hokage mansion. He stopped in front of the large building that was home to the Hokage and felt the urge to go inside and pay a familiar blonde a visit. He wasn't sure if she wanted to see him, but he definitely wanted to see her. They had such a good time the last time they saw each other that he figured she wouldn't mind being in his company for a few moments. He couldn't explain why, but all the old feelings he had for her were starting to reemerge and he would be lying if he said he wanted to keep them away. The truth was, that ever since they bonded over their son, he gained a strong appreciation for her. Therefore, without thinking about it for another moment, he walked towards the gate.
"Can I help you Master Jiraiya?" The guard in charge of manning the gate asked.
"I came to see Tsunade." He explained.
At first the guard was not going to allow Jiraiya permission to enter since it was getting quite late and he wasn't sure if Jiraiya had a scheduled appointment to see the Hokage. However, Jiraiya stared him down in a manner that was quite intimidating so reluctantly the guard let him through.
Once Jiraiya was granted entrance to the building, he walked through the familiar halls until he made it to the door of the Hokage's office. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door twice and waited for permission to enter. He heard a voice he knew to be Shizune's come from inside the room and then he opened the door and walked into the room. He was expecting to see Tsunade sitting at her desk with the usual annoyed look on her face, but instead he saw TonTon laying on the empty desk and Shizune filing away documents in the appropriate cabinets.
"Hello Master Jiraiya." Shizune smiled upon seeing him, "What brings you here?"
Jiraiya scratched the back of his neck, not sure what to say to the younger woman, "Tsunade isn't here?" He asked, trying to evade her question.
Shizune shook her head and reached for another set of documents to file, "I'm afraid not Master Jiraiya." She said, "She's been in a meeting with the village council for the entire day." She explained and then looked up at her visitor, "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." He said quickly and tried to leave the room but was soon stopped by Shizune.
"What's going on with you two?" She asked and abandoned her task at hand to fully focus on the white-haired Sannin.
If he were being completely honest, he wasn't quite sure what was happening between them. Afterall, he has not seen nor heard from Tsunade since their last encounter. He figured that it was because she has been incredibly busy with all the paperwork she had to complete and all the meetings she had to attend. He had no clue how she was feeling towards him, but he felt the desire to know, "Has Tsunade said anything to you?" He asked.
"She hasn't told me anything." She said, "Are you two together?" She asked hoping that her assumptions were correct. That would explain Tsunade's behaviors. She wasn't certain, but that was all she ever wanted when she was just a young girl. It was still what she wanted for her mentor. She knew that Jiraiya could make her happy.
He started to blush furiously upon Shizune's question, "No it's not like that!" He said while shaking his head.
"But do you want to be together?" She asked with a smile on her face.
Jiraiya didn't know how to answer that question. In the past he would have answered that question positively immediately after being asked. However, it was entirely different now. They have been through good times and bad together on multiple occassions. Did he really want to attempt at being with her again? The last time he tried he was left completely heart broken. Was he willing to leave himself open to rejection and heart ache once again?
"Tell Tsunade I said hello." Jiraiya said, "It was nice seeing you Shizune." He gave her a quick hug and then left the office.
He had much thinking to do and needed some time to himself. He then decided to make his way over to his home, but he silently wished that he had the pleasure of seeing Tsunade.
Tsunade walked out of the meeting feeling as if all the life inside her had been drained out by the two advisors who caused her nothing but a great deal of annoyance. After they discussed the topic of the security of the village, they moved on to several other subjects. Among the items that were discussed was the issue of repaving some of the roads in the village, then they spoke about finetuning the staffing at the Ninja Academy and also refurbishing some of the classrooms. Afterwards, Shikamaru appeared in the meeting and Tsunade had to inform him of his promotion. Then Koharu wanted to talk about training more people in the art of medical ninjutsu in order to employ more people at the hospital. That was perhaps the only topic Tsunade was keen to discuss. Being a medical ninja herself, she saw the value in having more people out there who could aid in the medical care of others. Other than that, the meeting was nothing but a long, drawn out bore to her. She was counting the minutes, the seconds to when she could escape the confinements of that stuffy, formal room and go home.
Finally, she was free to leave. At least that is what she thought. Koharu didn't hesitate to summon three members of the ANBU to escort Tsunade home. She then had to wait on them to arrive before she could go home for the night. She wanted to strangle that old lady. Who did she think she was to tell her that she couldn't leave without people walking her home? She couldn't even leave on her own free will due to the fact that Homura was standing on her left side, with Koharu on her right. They were not about to leave her alone until her security arrived. A look of pure rage was plastered on Tsunade's face, but she kept telling herself over and over not to make a spectacle of herself in the middle of the village and to keep her cool. Her patience was running thin, however.
After what seemed like forever, the ANBU black ops arrived on the scene. Tsunade then thought that it was time for her to finally leave. However, Koharu, being the annoying old lady, she was decided to pull them to the side to inform them of the new security plans they formulated in the meeting. Tsunade felt her anger reach its boiling point and before she could unleash her wrath on the frail woman, she excused herself to the bathroom. Once she was in the privacy of the bathroom, she weaved a few hand signs and then after a puff of smoke, a shadow clone of herself emerged. She then instructed the clone to go back out to where the guards and the advisors were situated outside the building. After her clone went to her assigned location, she took the opportunity to escape through the bathroom window. Once she was outside, away from all the people who caused her day to be a living hell, she started her journey home.
As she was walking through the village that was illuminated by the full moon, the twinkling stars above, and the street lights, she felt at peace. The roads were empty due to the fact that most the villagers were asleep in the safety of their beds. Not a person was in sight and she silently thanked the Heavens for that. She felt no desire to mingle with the population of the village. All she wanted to do was go home and sit in a tub of soothing, hot water for hours with a bottle of sake in hand. She marveled at how beautiful the village was and how tranquil everything seemed. She recalled that many years ago, the village was anything but peaceful. So long ago, it was on edge due to the raging war between the Great Nations. Things have definitely changed for the better and she had to thank all the heroes who made that possible. She chuckled to herself when she remembered the fact that she helped to make a significant contribution in the conclusion of the war. How could she possibly forget that?
She continued her walk until she stumbled upon a familiar face. What was he doing out so late in the night? She hoped he wasn't visiting some perverted night club. If she found out he was, she surely would kick him into next week, "What are you doing out?" She asked.
The person she knew to be Jiraiya walked closer to her and smiled, "I should be asking you that question Lady Hokage. Where's your entourage of security?" He said playfully.
"My shadow clone is currently with them." She explained, "It's only a matter of time before they come looking for me. And don't call me that you know I hate it when you do." She said and gently punched his arm, "I just needed to get away from them for a little. I wanted some time to myself."
Jiraiya nodded his head, understanding why she would want to escape all her security and the village council, "I'll leave you be then." He said understandingly but she held his hand in order to stop him from leaving.
"I don't mind company." She said with eyes hopeful that he would join her.
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, silently telling her that he would accompany her and then proceeded to walk through the village with her. They journeyed on in silence, both unsure about what to talk about. However, with each step they took they were inching closer and closer to the Hokage mansion. Tsunade didn't want her stroll with him to end, so when they came across an empty park bench, she didn't hesitate before she walked over to it and sat down. While she was seated she looked up at Jiraiya with her question from earlier still circling in her mind.
"Why are you up and about so late anyway?" She asked again, determined to get an answer this time around.
He sat beside her and proceeded to speak, "I took Naruto home after our training. The kid overdid it again and passed out but I'm certain he'll be fine once he wakes up." He started. At first he was not going to let her know that he tried to visit her in her office to no avail but figured that as soon as she made it home Shizune would inform her of his rather unexpected arrival, "I also stopped by the mansion."
"The mansion?" She repeated, "Why would you go there?"
"I wanted to see you." He said with such sincerity in his voice.
She blushed furiously upon hearing his words. However, she tried her best to conceal her evident blush by hanging her head down to allow her bangs to conceal her face.
"Shizune told me you weren't there though." He explained and then quickly changed the topic, "So how's training with Sakura going?"
His sudden change of the topic of conversation did not go unnoticed by Tsunade. It was quite obvious that he didn't want to talk about his reasonings for showing up in her office with no reason to do so. Therefore, out of respect for him, she decided to participate in whatever idle conversation he wanted to have, "She's doing well. It seems as if she has a natural talent for medical ninjutsu."
"The knucklehead is coming along nicely too." Jiraiya added, "He's an idiot for sure but every time I look at him I see Minato."
"I didn't know Minato very well, but I'm certain that he would have been happy to see you take such good care of Naruto."
"I'm not sure about that Tsunade." He said and she looked confused, "I was supposed to take the kid when he was just a baby, but I refused. I didn't know if I was capable of raising a kid, of being a father."
Tsunade didn't know what to say. She had no idea that Jiraiya was supposed to step in as a father figure for Naruto when he was only a baby. It wasn't until he spoke again that she felt as if her heart was about to burst out of her chest.
"Back then I doubted myself as a father but after meeting Riku, I'm confident that I would have been a great father." He smiled, remembering the face of his son, "I would have taught him the rasengan and he would surely have inherited your strength. He would have been a great ninja, with my dazzling personality of course."
"If you corrupted our son and made him a perverted idiot I would have killed you." She said and nudged his shoulder.
"You would have been a great mother Tsunade." He looked at her with honesty evident in his dark eyes. He truly believed that she would have made a wonderful mother for their child, "After all, you were so good with Nawaki."
She couldn't explain to him how much his words meant to her. When she first discovered that she was pregnant she had no idea what kind of mother she would have been. She was so scared to potentially ruin her child's life that for a split second she thought about not going through with the pregnancy. His kind words made her feel as if she would have been the best mother possible to her child and that made her smile and genuinely feel a sense of relief wash over her being.
"Nawaki would have been so happy to see you become the Hokage." Jiraiya said, remembering the trouble-making little boy he came to know.
"Really?" Tsunade asked sarcastically, "I think he would have been jealous more than anything else." She laughed and remembered that becoming the Hokage was the young boy's life long dream. Unfortunately, his life was cut short due to the raging war. She remembered that day as if it just occurred yesterday. It was one of the most devastating days in her life that changed her permanently. However, she could now look back in time without crumbling to pieces. She survived it and she knew without a doubt she had the white-haired man sitting next to her to thank for that.
"Thank you for being there for me that day Jiraiya." She said, trying her best to express her appreciation, "I didn't tell you that before, but I'm very thankful for everything you've done for me."
"You mean when Nawaki died?" He asked, trying to confirm the day she was referring to.
She just nodded her head and he smiled softly at her, feeling overwhelmed with strong emotions to her. She truly changed for the better.
"It's getting late, we should probably get you home now." He said, noticing just how late it was.
She sighed, not necessarily wanting to return to the mansion, but knew that it was only a matter of time before Koharu sent out a search team for her. She reluctantly rose to her feet with Jiraiya and headed back to the familiar red building with him by her side.
It wasn't too long before they arrived outside the Hokage mansion. Not too many lights were on in the great building and Tsunade took that as a sign that Shizune was more than likely asleep. She turned to Jiraiya, feeling somewhat sad that she would have to part from him again. She genuinely enjoyed spending whatever time she could with him, and she was certain that perhaps he did too.
"I brought you home safe and sound Lady Hokage." He smiled and then dodged her fist that was coming his way.
"Idiot." She grumbled under her breath.
"Just kidding." He laughed, trying to avoid making her upset, "I'll see you later then."
He turned around and started to walk away from her. She watched as he moved further and further away and felt as if her heart was tied into multiple knots. She felt as if he were a magnet that was drawing her closer for somehow she found herself running towards him, attempting to stop him in his tracks.
"Jiraiya wait!" She called out, and he turned around to see what she wanted. As soon as she was close enough to him, she wrapped her slender arms around his robust body and enveloped him in a hug full of longing. He was shocked to say the least that she was hugging him in such a manner. Words failed him in that moment so without saying a thing, he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame. During their hug, he inhaled her familiar scent and felt completely at home within her embrace.
She pulled away from him and looked at him with an embarrassed look on her face, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that."
"Don't be sorry, it was nice." He said.
She looked at the ground, too embarrassed to look up at him and nervously tucked some hair behind her ear, feeling the overwhelming need to be doing something other than feeling embarrassed in that moment. He noticed that she was nervous and quite pensive and wanted to know why. Against his better judgement, she placed a caring hand on her cheek and guided her face so that she was now looking at him. Her eyes locked onto his and she felt as if she could just melt under his touch.
"What are you thinking about Tsunade?" He asked in a soft voice that was almost like a whisper.
Without another thought, she took hold of both his hands with hers, while still looking deep into his eyes, searching for permission to do what she had the great desire to do in that moment. She propelled herself up on pointed toes and moved her face closer to his, so close that she could feel his breath upon her face. Their lips were only mere inches apart at this point, and all she wanted to do was crash her soft lips down on his. She was about to claim his lips with hers until a voice came from behind her that caused her to let his hands go and break away from him.
"There you are Lady Tsunade!" A member of the ANBU Black Ops assigned to her said in relief, "We realized you left us with a clone, and we've been searching for you ever since."
Tsunade muttered a few expletives under breath not just at the fact that she was found by one of the guards she tried so desperately to evade, but because her chance to show the one she cared about so much how much she cared for him was essentially ruined.
"I don't need to be watched by you guys for every second of the day!" She shouted, still facing Jiraiya.
"But it's Lady Koharu's orders." The guard said.
"I'm so going to kill that old lady." She said in an annoyed tone of voice. She then looked at Jiraiya, unsure of what to say to him. She was embarrassed yet again and didn't know how to act at that point, so instead of saying anything, she gave him a quick smile then turned to enter the Hokage building.
Jiraiya felt as if he couldn't move. He was shocked at what was about to happen between them. He wished the guard never interrupted them, because he was so eager to find out what exactly would have happened if they were never forced apart.
Once Tsunade was in the privacy of her living quarters in the mansion, she immediately let herself into Shizune's bedroom. Shizune was asleep with TonTon curled into a ball at the foot of the bed. Without questioning it, she crawled into the raven-haired woman's bed and gently shook her shoulder until she woke up.
"Lady Tsunade, what are you doing in here?" Shizune asked through a tired yawn. She rubbed her tired eyes and looked at the clock sitting on the table beside her bed and noticed how late it was, "It's so late why aren't you sleeping?"
"Shizune I need to talk to you about something." Tsunade said and earned the undivided attention of her apprentice.
"What is it?" She asked, curious as to what it was Tsunade wanted to talk to her about.
Tsunade took a deep, calming breath before she spoke, "I think I'm in love with Jiraiya and I need you to tell me if I really am."
Shizune just looked at her mentor his wide eyes. There was no way she was going to go back to sleep now.
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