Chapter 5: Ichiraku Ramen!

It was three hours after the training session. Tsunade was sitting at the ramen shop waiting for Jiraiya to come for the date. Tsunade wasn't sure why she had agreed, but she had decided that it was the right thing to do to come. Besides, Jiraiya wasn't THAT bad.

"Hey, Tsunade-Chan, how's it goin'?" The boy with the silver mane of hair sat down on the stool next to Tsunade.

"Not bad. Just thinking about what Sarutobi-Sensei told us earlier."

"You afraid?" asked Jiraiya, mockingly.

"Sorta." Tsunade admitted. She didn't want to admit it but she was terrified at the thought of having to go after an A rank criminal, who resided in the bloody mist, along with all of his followers.

"heh heh me too." admitted Jiraiya. It was obvious he was just saying this to make Tsunade feel better. Honestly Jiraiya couldn't have been more excited. Tsunade thought it was sweet though. "Two miso ramens please!" Jiraiya shouted at the waitress behind the counter who was about to take the children's order.

After some joking and talking (which to her surprise Tsunade very much enjoyed.) the two genin got the ramen. Jiraiya bit his thumb, pulled out a scroll, and did a couple hand signs under the table, while Tsunade was in the bathroom washing her hands. "This is going to be hilarious." Thought Jiraiya, trying to conceal a laugh.

When Tsunade got back to the table Jiraiya heard that voice inside his head say "Don't do it Jiraiya." Jiraiya knew what he had to do. He pointed his finger at the Hokage's tower and shouted "LOOK OVER THERE!" at that moment he switched the two bowls of ramen.

"What was it?" asked Tsunade.

"Oh I thought it was, erm a um uhh, I thought it was Nidaime-Sama, doing one of his Suiton jutsus.

"Riiiight" thought Tsunade though she just went back to talking and joking with Jiraiya regularly, after Jiraiya had (Tsunade knowing none of this) released his summoning.

When the spring sun had set on Konoha, and the crisp night air started to make Tsunade cold, Jiraiya gave Tsunade his cloak and the two parted. Tsunade was both amazed and ashamed. She was amazed because she never knew she could have this good of a time with the little pervert who had always begged her for a date. She was ashamed because she wondered how Jiraiya must've felt every time she turned him down.

When Jiraiya got home he went to the bedroom he wanted to sleep in that night, and started jumping up and down on the bed in happiness. That was the first time in a while where Jiraiya was really, and truly happy. His parents had died long ago, when Sunagakure had invaded Konoha. The sand had been repelled easily but a few of the best ANBU and Jounin had died. Two of those unlucky shinobi were Jiraiya's parents. Jiraiya layed down on his bed and simply thought. He thought about his date, the invasion of konoha and the description of the mission his sensei had given the three genin, a mere 5 hours ago.

Flashback, 1 hour and 18 minutes ago

"Jiraiya, this is really turning out to be a great time." Tsunade said in a calm voice.

"And you're surprised?" Jiraiya asked in a cocky way.

"Well, Yeah!" said Tsunade, blushing now.

"Anyways, Tsunade-Chan, Whaddya say we go for a little stroll along the village?"

"That sounds like fun." Tsunade said, trying to conceal the fact she was happy. The two walked around the village till the got tired and sat down on a bench. Not a mouse was stirring. The village was quiet. "Jiraiya, I never knew you could be so nice." Tsunade said as Jiraiya flung his cloak around her. Instead of saying something sarcastic or cocky Jiraiya just embraced Tsunade. When the two had split the both had broad blushes on their faces.

End Flashback.

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"Yeah that was pretty great." Thought Jiraiya. But instantly his thoughts turned to what had happened before the two met at the ramen shop.

Flashback, 5 hours and 23 minutes ago

"Tomorrow we leave." The middle aged man said, calmly. "This man is an A ranked criminal, he will have many followers stationed around him and when we do get past them he will be a match for even me." Jiraiya looked excited, while Tsunade looked scared. Orochimaru looked like he didn't have a care in the world. "Soriu Keido is a dangerous man. Prepare ALL of your jutsus, tomorrow we go on our first mission above a D rank. Dismissed!" The three genin all went home to train, rest and in Jiraiya's case, Prepare for his date.

End Flashback

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"I hope I'll be good enough." Thought Jiraiya out loud. Jiraiya's thoughts then jerked in another direction again.

Flashback, 5 years ago

Jiraiya was sleeping. BOOM. "No! What!? Who! Sand! JIRAIYA WAKE UP!" the woman with the blond hair shook the 7 year old Jiraiya.

"What's up mom?" asked Jiraiya, unaware anything was going on.

"GO JIRAIYA! GO HIDE YOURSELF! THE SAND IS INVADING!" BOOM! "GO JIRAIYA, GO! I'LL SEE YOU LATER! And Jiraiya. If your father and I don't come back. Just remember to follow your dreams. Have a happy life. Be the best you can and be a true shinobi! We must leave! Goodbye Jiraiya! Goodbye!"

Tears trickled down the boy's face. He ran after his mother and father.

End Flashback

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Jiraiya had fallen asleep before the memory had time to finish. Jiraiya had fallen asleep smiling, even though those terrible things had happened to him.