Her shoulders ached from the straps of her back pack cutting deeply into her skin and she shielded her eyes from the glaring sun as she studied the row of shops neatly lining the street.
"Last one." Sakura muttered darkly to herself as she came to a halt in front of a tattered shop and slowly pushed the doors open. An obnoxious laugh greeted her ears and relief flooded her body as she walked silently to the corner of the room. The girls giggled while cooing his name softly and the man took a long drink from his cup. Sakura's bag dropped to the ground with a loud thud as her hands rested on her hips and a small smirk curled on her lips. "You're a hard man to find Jiraiya." She heard him splutter into his cup of sake before slowly lowering it to reveal his face. "But figuring you I thought you would be doing research as you once called it." Sakura finished and allowed herself to sit on the couch across from him while crossing her arms. The girls had stopped giggling and looked questioning from the pink haired kunoichi to their current patron.
"Sakura what brings you to this side of town?" Jiraiya asked loudly and continued to drink from his cup.
"I would like a word with you if you don't mind." Jiraiya didn't respond and Sakura continued. "Girls leave us." She demanded severely while her eyes held a dangerous glint to them and they complied immediately. Jiraiya put down his empty cup pouring more of the intoxicating substance into it and offered Sakura a drink as well. She refused and waited for him to speak.
"No." Jiraiya stated simply in between sips and Sakura remained motionless.
"You haven't even heard what I've come to ask." She rebutted in disbelief.
"No need. I won't do it." He drained his cup setting it on the table and leaned back comfortably against the couch. "Go home Sakura." Jiraiya advised and laced his fingers behind his head giving her an intent stare. Sakura shook her head letting locks of hair fall into her face.
"No." Her gaze remained locked with Jiraiya's and an uneasy silence fell between them.
"I will not send another student to their death." He voiced finally and Sakura could see the years of loss etched on his face for a moment.
"You bear no responsibility over my life Jiraiya. I need your help." Sakura's voice cracked slightly over the last few words as her throat tightened. "You'll either help me or you won't, but I'll still go either way." She finally concluded and waited tension building within her. Jiraiya remained silent and Sakura let out a small sigh before getting up from the couch and gathering her bag.
"Fine." Jiraiya laboured with an audible sigh. "You kids are so damn irritating these days. Always off to go and get yourself killed and mostly succeed at it." Sakura gave him a brief smile of gratitude as he slowly rose from the couch and came to stand by her side. "He wouldn't want you doing this ya know." Jiraiya grunted and Sakura closed her eyes seeing her friends, her family.
"That doesn't matter." She stated and followed Jiraiya out of the bar.