Tsunade kicked her legs back and forth impatiently as she sat outside the operating room with her grandmother. The cold plastic blue chair dug into her back as she fidgeted. Everything just seemed so suffocating at the moment. The bright white lights, the steely grey-blue light wallpaper, the narrow hallway... it felt like a giant white room for prison.

"Tsunade!"

Hearing Jiraiya's voice, she let out a sound of relief as her two teammates pop into view. Jiraiya was at her side immediately and he asked, "Is your mom ok? You sounded frantic on the phone. How long has she been in there? And where's your dad?"

"Jiraiya." Orochimaru cut in calmly. His white hair friend was not making things easier by being so nervous. He then bowed to Tsunade's grandmother, deciding to ask her instead. "Lady Mito, how is Tsunade's mother doing?"

Lady Mito smiled tiredly as she patted him and Jiraiya on the head, her elegant pink kimono with its glorious green ribbon obi crinkling from the movement. "It's only been an hour or so but I'm sure they'll be fine." She looked down at Tsunade worriedly as she made a muffled sound and continued kicking her legs back and forth.

"Hey... you hungry?" Jiraiya bent down and asked. "Need anything to drink?" When she didn't answer, he straightened up and said with a grin, "Who knows how long this will take really. You should have the strength to greet your new baby sibling when it's over. I'll grab you some snacks and stuff!"

Orochimaru watched quietly as he ran off. He then turned back to Tsunade and glanced over at her grandmother from the corner of his eyes. Slowly, he said, "Tsunade, come with me."

She shook her head. "I want to be here."

"Then I'm going back home."

Her eyes widened slightly before she yelled angrily, "What the hell Orochimaru?! What kind of friend would say something like this at this time?!"

His expression was unreadable as he stared back at her. "A friend who came all this way at 3am." When she hesitated, he continued. "You called me and Jiraiya here for support. If you don't want to accept my help, then why should I be here?"

Tsunade bit her lips and lowered her head. After a few minutes, she finally got up and said, "Fine."

"We'll be right back, Lady Mito," Orochimaru said with another half bow as he took his friend's hand. Even though it was late, the hospital was still bustling as staff, doctors and nurses head to and fro while patients sat waiting in the main waiting room. As they walked, he said, "You're afraid. It's because you saw your mother in pain, right?"

Tsunade couldn't help but wonder why he was always so good at reading people. "My mother is a great ninja. She's used to pain and hardship. But I've never seen her so..." Tsunade sniffed. "I almost wish she wasn't pregnant anymore. What if something happens to her? I know that you can die in childbirth."

Orochimaru tilted his head and said, "Don't you wish at this moment, you're more grown up and a medical ninja, so that you can be inside that operating room to help your mother?"

"Hmm? Uh... yes," she said hesitantly. Looking back in the direction they came from, she said, "You're right. I feel terrible just sitting there and feeling all helpless. Waiting just isn't enough."

"Good. You've finally realized that." He pulled her along the hallway and they came to a stop in front of the main desk. While the nurse was busy helping a visitor, he snatched a pencil and paper and held it out towards her. "If you truly feel that way, sign up to start your training to be a medical ninja. You can start building the future where you'll be able to be there for anyone you care about who's in pain, at this hospital." When she gaped at him, he said impatiently, "You keep telling us you want to be a medical ninja. But you never actually go through with it."

"That's..." She gulped and said, "I wanted to work more on my taijutsu and ninjutsu first. After all, I'm a tank remember? I have to be on the frontline. If I become a medical ninja, I'll have to be in the back-"

Orochimaru pushed the paper and pencil into her hand. "You're smart, you'll be able to figure out a way to heal and fight alongside us. Don't make excuses." His eyes narrowed slightly as she grinded on her teeth. "You have talent but you are incredibly lazy. You care but you are also afraid of taking the responsibility if you fail. Being a medical ninja is hard, I know you understand that. Which is why even though you want to become one, you're afraid." He lowered his face towards her. "But you can tell now, that being helpless feels even worse."

"Shut up!" She made to run from him but he quickly caught up and blocked her path.

He said sternly, "You're a powerful fighter. But I can tell, your hands are more suited for healing."

"What the heck does that even mean? How can you tell?" she shot back.

"No one knows you more than I do, Tsunade." He drew back, his golden eyes almost glittering. "We've been together for nearly four and a half years. Anytime I and Jiraiya got hurt, you'd wish that you can take our pain away. You don't seek revenge or think of ways to take out the enemy. You think of ways to reduce the damage to our side. You are a healer, Tsunade. I can see it even if you can't."

"I tried," she said, her voice barely audible. "But the fish I was trying to heal got split apart because I couldn't control my chakra. There were blood and guts everywhere. I was terrified of the idea that you and Jiraiya might end up dying by my hand because I failed at healing you. It's scary."

"I trust you."

Her heart stopped as he said that. She remembered how just half a year ago, he'd rather suffer than trust 'an amateur' medical ninja (Momo) with his body. "But why? I just told you I failed-"

"Tsunade." Orochimaru held up the pencil and paper towards her. "I'd rather you tried and fail, then not try at all and just let me die." When she still seemed hesitant, he said, "You don't know the future, so you must prepare for it. One day, it might be me in that operating room. You can wait outside for me, but it's not like it'll help me. And then... you'll sit there, full of regrets and hopelessness like now. Do you want that?"

"N-no."

When she still looked hesitant, he said, "Do this for yourself, the village and for your family. Never feel helpless again, alright?"

"Orochi..." Taking them from him, she said quietly, "Why do you always know what to say to me? Not only that, you always make me better or improve me."

"Because I am your dark mirror," he answered solemnly.

Before she could ask what he meant, Jiraiya popped into view, holding up a big bag of snacks. "Hey! The hell were you two? I looked everywhere-" He quieted down when a nurse shushed him. "I looked everywhere for you two."

Tsunade wiped at her eyes and smiled. "Sorry. I just wanted... to leave for a minute and sign up for medical ninja training." She added cheerfully, "I think my mother and baby sibling would be happy to hear such a thing. Right?"

Orochimaru smiled from behind his curtain of black hair, as Jiraiya nodded and eagerly congratulated her.

In two hours... Tsunade's new baby brother, Nawaki Senju was born. Tsunade was beside herself with joy and Jiraiya already started trying to make funny faces at it. Soon though, they had to let Tsunade's mother rest and the baby was taken to the nursery. Tsunade was still not done gushing over her brother, and they stood with her, peering through the window of the nursery.

"Isn't he adorable?" Tsunade said cheerfully. "He even has a full head of hair already!"

"I'm sure he'll grow up to be a lady killer under my tutelage," Jiraiya piped up.

Orochimaru gave the nursery room a once over and said, "They all look ugly." He saw stars in the next second as Tsunade cracked him and Jiraiya on the head.

Time flew after that... they went on missions, continued training, and basically doing everything together. By the time they realized it, they were all twelve years old. Of course, Orochimaru still considered Jiraiya to be a two years old. This was especially true on the day Jiraiya earned himself the title, The Village's Madness.

At the small but warm and lively Dango shop, Team Hiruzen were currently relaxing on their day off and enjoying the great variety of sweets offered there. Sitting at the wooden table that was near the open doorway, where one could see the bustling street and chatter of the people walking around, the three twelve-year-olds were eating their way through their ordered dishes of syrup covered mangoes, sweet bean paste with ice cream, and red bean soup.

"Hey hey! Guess what guys?" Tsunade said happily, biting into some mangoes. "A bunch of travelling caravans is at the outskirt of the village!"

Orochimaru sipped his tea and adjusted his seat at their wooden table. "What about it?"

"They have tons of cool stuff to sell from all the places they've visited. And there's apparently some weird animals too." She took another bite of her fruit and said, "We should go and check it out. There's music, storytelling, shopping, and I heard they have a fortune teller with them as well!"

Jiraiya finished off his dango stick and smiled dreamily. "I bet there'll be exotic girls too!"

He let out a low breath. "In case you two forgot... we have a very important B rank mission in three days. We need to get an important scroll to the Hidden Village of Sand and we are sure to be attacked. Therefore, I'd like to prepare."

Jiraiya snickered. "It's like you're afraid of sunlight or something." When Orochimaru rolled his eyes at him, Jiraiya added, "Oro, I know I and Tsunade are like your only source for a social life, but it's just getting really sad."

Orochimaru scowled. "Most conversations with you end up with me losing brain cells, chosen of the frogs. I'll pass on you being a source of social relief."

Tsunade pouted at him. "Orochi, it won't be any fun if you don't go."

Jiraiya snorted bean soup up his nostrils and began coughing horrendously. "Him fun?!" He hacked and coughed into a napkin before laughing again. "He is the most boring kid in the village!"

Orochimaru crossed his arms and huffed, looking rather offended. "I am not boring."

"You so are."

"Am not."

"Yes you're boring."

"No I'm not."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

Orochimaru pointed and said, "Alright, Jiraiya. Tell me how I'm boring."

Jiraiya nearly snorted more bean soup up his nose once again. Once he calmed down, he began ticking off his fingers. "One, you have boring hobbies. All you ever do is read and study. Second, you can't tell jokes and you don't understand most of them when they are told. Third, you don't show much emotions most of the time. Fourth, you never take any risks and always play things safe. That's why you're boring."

"What do you mean I don't take risks?" Orochimaru asked as he ate a piece of mango.

Jiraiya replied with a grin. "You're predictable. I bet you even have have a checklist of stuff scheduled for every day of your life."

He turned over to Tsunade. "Am I boring?"

"Errrr..." She nibbled on her spoon. "I think you're just very mature, Orochi."

The word mature was usually a compliment but from the way Jiraiya was cackling behind his hand, it seemed more like an insult at the moment. Almost as if he was being called old or something. "Hmph." He stuck his chin up. "Alright then. Jiraiya, I'll prove to you that I'm not boring tomorrow."

"Oh really?" Jiraiya wiggled his eyebrows and snickered.

"You heard me," Orochimaru said with a displeased expression. "I'll even bet my next mission's paycheck. Tomorrow, I'll be the most fun person in Konohagakure."

This time, Jiraiya sprayed his entire bowl of bean soup across the table and out the doorway.

"Orochi," Tsunade said worriedly as she walked beside him as he browsed the bookstore. "Are you sure about this? Being the most 'fun' person in the village by tomorrow is stretching it abit."

"Hmph." He eyed the tall shelf that was labeled 'humor and comedy'. "You don't sound very confident in me, Tsunade."

She sighed. "I've known you for a reallyyyyyyyyyyyyy long time now. You really don't have a sense of humor." Moving ahead of him, she began scooping out books. "Before you can even try to be funny, you should learn how to you know... seem approachable."

Orochimaru blinked his large golden eyes at her in puzzlement. "Approachable?"

"Funny people, are naturally charismatic and approachable," she said, holding up a book labeled 'How to Charm and Converse for Dummies'. "You need to improve on that. So sleepover at my house tonight Orochimaru. I'll try and help you be funny and approachable." When he showed surprise, she giggled, "It's not every day I get to teach the smart genius something."

Five hours later...

In her white and blue pyjamas that showed smiling little slugs all over it, Tsunade pulled out a large futon and laid it on the ground beside her golden bed. "Here you go Orochi."

"Thank you, hime." Sitting on her white and gold sofa, he took another sip of his tea and continued reading.

When she was done setting his bedding, she hopped onto the seat beside him. "You know, being funny isn't exactly something you can study."

"I don't believe that anything can't be learned through study," he replied evenly, looking over her from the top of his book. He leaned back on the comfortable sofa and adjusted the collar of his silk grey pyjama. Catching her staring at him, he said, "What?"

"Even your pyjama is boring." Realizing what she said, she quickly put her hand over her mouth. "Oops."

Orochimaru exhaled loudly before saying, "Hime, just leave me with these books and comics. I don't want to keep you up with my boringness."

Tsunade poked him. "Hey Orochi, I just want to let you know, I don't think you're boring. You're smart and know so much stuff that no one else knows. I think you're interesting." She gasped when she saw his pale cheeks color. He tried to hide it by lowering his head and letting his hair hide it, but she had already seen. Shaking him, she said happily, "Hey hey, don't be embarrassed! I think it's cute."

"Great. So now I'm boring and cute."

Tsunade beamed and said, "Don't think I don't know. You can actually be very cute sometimes. I caught you playing with my baby brother the last time you were here."

He pursed his lips at her. "No hime, as usual, Nawaki just likes to play with my hair. I was trying to make him stop by glaring at him. But for some reason, he just kept laughing." In a slightly pouting manner, he rested his chin in his hand and muttered, "That baby isn't scared of me."

She giggled and picked up a book. "Well, he is my brother. If I'm not afraid of you when we first met, why should he? Anyways, try this joke Orochi."

They spent the rest of the time reading and cracking jokes at each other. He never seemed to improve. He'd either laugh at the wrong time, or waited too long and things got too awkward after she said her jokes. When it was his turn to crack jokes, he would have to redo them since he showed zero emotion in saying them. So after that, they decided he should just invent his own jokes and try to dig deep to find his inner humour. After tons of bad jokes and failed comedy lines, they finally stumbled upon a gold nugget.

"Your girlfriend is so ugly, Jiraiya gave up on girls," he tried hesitantly.

Tsunade burst out laughing, holding her hands to her stomach. "There you go! Keep trying!"

After some more tries, she realized how he can be funny. Orochimaru delighted in sarcasm, witty banters, and slightly mean but funny comments. With a dose of confidence, he had everything he needed to be funny in his own unique way.

Tsunade yawned as she flipped through another page of the book she was reading. By now, the outside of her windows were dark and the candle on the table was quite low. "How about this... one, Orochi? Something something... about pie." She leaned on him drowsily and mumbled, "Y'know, being fun just means you're not dull or uninteresting. I think you're perfectly fun to hang out with."

He blinked and said, "Then what the heck were we doing for the past five hours?"

She giggled. "Making you learn how to start conversations... know at least two jokes, know how to... something something pie?"

Orochimaru sighed as he put aside the joke book and reached for real reading material. "I'll start preparing for our mission then."

Yawning, Tsunade asked, "What are you so worried about?"

"We aren't exactly on good terms with the Hidden Sand," he said with an edge to his voice. "This is one of the few missions invested by Sarutobi-sensei to improve relations. A month from now, there'll even be a meeting between the Kazekage and our Hokage."

Seeing how worried he looked, she edged closer to him. "What's wrong Orochimaru?"

"War... consumes an abhorrent amount of lives. I pray that we'll never have to experience it again. You and I both, have lost enough in the first Shinobi World War," he said bitterly. Feeling her hand twine into his, he turned to face her.

"Don't be so pessimistic," she said encouragingly. "I'm sure there won't be a war. We're trying to establish relations right?"

"You don't be so optimistic," he replied back. "Attempts at relations can easily backfire, hime." Tugging his hand free, he returned to reading his scroll.

"I'll help." She picked up one of his scrolls on puppet techniques that was a speciality of the Hidden sand.

Orochimaru paused at her action. Slowly, he said, "Hime."

"Hmmm?" She tilted her head at him.

"Don't hesitate to kill while we're on this mission."

"What's going on?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes at him. "You're hiding something from me and Jiraiya. This is more than just a delivery of a gift scroll to the Hidden Sand, isn't it?"

"It is a gift," he said evenly. "However, it's more like an apology."

"Apology for what?"

Orochimaru closed his scroll and said quietly, "I didn't want you and Jiraiya to worry and Sarutobi-sensei thought it'd be better if I alone knew. But..." He let out a long breath. "A mission that involved our village and the Sand... failed. I don't know the details, but the only ones that died were the ninjas from the Sand. Now they're suspicious of our village. This mission is an appeasement. We're to give them a scroll with a technique they've been wanting for some time."

"Why... why is something like this B rank?" asked Tsunade. "This should be an A rank mission."

"Sarutobi is sending an elite team of Jonin ahead to serve as a decoy. If all goes as planned, they'll be the ones attacked," explained Orochimaru. "We'll be attacked too, but because we're young and only Chunin, we'll bypass the tougher enemies and we have a higher chance of escaping notice."

"But who would want that scroll exactly? It must be a valuable and powerful technique but it's not worth risking the wrath of two villages," Tsunade pointed out.

"Those who don't like the peace we currently have," he answered. "There is still much mistrust and hate on both sides and those people are the ones who'd like to see another war break out, and see their village come out on top." He held up his hand and spread his fingers. "Of the five great ninja village... we are the strongest. But prosperity breeds envy. Economic failure breeds desperation. There are plenty who would love to see war break out to reap the opportunities."

"Then..." Tsunade raised her fist up. "We'll just have to do our best to prevent that. I'm going to give it my all for this mission." When he looked at her with sorrowful eyes, she added, "Don't worry Orochi. I'll protect you."

A low chuckle rumbled in his throat and he replied, "I am flattered... Tsunade-hime."

"Can I have a good luck kiss?" she asked, her cheeks slightly pink. As usual, he didn't comment since he knew that she always felt better afterwards, and just silently complied. She touched her forehead where his cool lips had brushed there and said, "For sure now, the mission will be a total success and I'll be the main star."

He just reopened his scroll and smiled in reply.

"Good morning, Jiraiya."

At the village main gate, Jiraiya rubbed at his eyes. Something seems off with Orochimaru this morning.

Coming up to him, with Tsunade beside him, he smirked and said, "This is the part where you reply, 'Good morning to you too, Orochimaru'."

Tsunade laughed while Jiraiya eyed him suspiciously. "Oh, so trying to be funny early in the morning, are you?"

Orochimaru's smile widened. "Nonsense. You provide the amusement with your usual antics, and I just comment in the background." He waved a hand, flourishing the sleeve of his white yukata. "Shall we be on our way?"

Jiraiya glared at him. He wasn't sure if it was possible, but somehow, Orochimaru had boosted up his jackass level by 9000.

The open field was bustling with people from their village who had also gone out to visit the caravans and the travellers who were selling their wares. They all wore loose voluminous pants, light silky scarves, opened vests and intricately stitched shirts. A few of the women even wore transparent face masks that only showed their eyes. Blankets were laid out, shielded by the sun with fabric propped up by sticks to serve as makeshift roofs, to display a wide variety of merchandise. One would sell accessories, another sold rings and necklaces, two others sold beautifully carved wooden boxes, and the more they walked around, the more variety of items they saw. In another section of the area, was where the horses were grazing and walled off when they weren't being borrowed for horseback riding. To their surprise, there was even an elephant.

Some of the travellers were also playing music for entertainment. But loveliest of all was the three big tents with their great multicolour canopies fluttering in the breeze, where stories and food were being shared. The smell of cooked food was heavy in the air. Combined with the fragrance of the blossoming trees, their noses were in heaven.

Jiraiya rolled his shoulders and said mischievously, "So, what are you going to do today that will make you the most fun person ever, Orochimaru? I highly doubt you can be more fun than me in the first place."

"Hmph." His golden eyes glinted in an equally mischievous manner. "Good things comes to those who waits, Jiraiya."

"Before you two go on and on about your rivalry," Tsunade started, "let's go shopping!" She bent down and said hello to the woman and child selling a wide variety of bracelets. The gemstones were glittering and the rare rocks were beguiling. She picked a silver one with a rose carved as a centerpiece and tried it on. "Does it look pretty on me?" she asked the two.

Jiraiya gave Orochimaru a snide look before saying, "Tsunade, you're so beautiful that everything you wear is pretty."

"Eh?" she said, wearing a dumbfounded expression.

Orochimaru put a hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter before saying, "Hime, that bracelet doesn't compliment your skin color or outfit." He bent down and picked up a gold bracelet with a precious stone in the middle, and a little chain dangled at the end near the clasp. "Imperial topaz. Notice how it's yellow, orange, pink and gentle red? And how the colors merge so smoothly into each other? They highlight your hair, and the colors are opposite of green on the color wheel so it would give your outfit contrast."

She beamed with delight, always so pleased by how knowledgeable he was about absolutely everything. "I'll take this one please."

While Tsunade paid, Orochimaru walked off to another vendor, ignoring the death glare Jiraiya was giving him.

"Oki..." Running after the two boys, she paused and shouted, "Hey guys! Come here!" Standing before a dark purple tent, she said, "I think this is where you can get your fortunes read."

Orochimaru shook his head, not wanting to waste money on something like this. "I'll pass."

Jiraiya grinned. "It would be boring if I knew what my future is like. I'll pass too."

Tsunade was disappointed by their lack of interest. "Fine, I'll go in myself. You two wait for me here."

Entering the dark and cool tent, she gulped slightly. A sweet smell of perfume met her nose the further in she went, and occasionally, the silky purple fabric would brush against her skin as she walked. Finally, in the center, was a demure blind woman sitting before a crystal ball. Her hat was intricate and big, with two bells hanging off on the ends. Even her purple outfit was uniquely fashioned, and she wore a number of large rings on her hand.

"Welcome," she murmured, smiling pleasantly. "Have you come to read your fortune, dear?"

Tsunade gaped. How did she know she was a girl if she was blind? Nervously, she nodded. But realizing how dumb it was, she quickly said yes and dropped the money on the table.

"Sit down." The woman tapped on her crystal ball and said, "Young lady, what would you like to know? I can tell your overall future, or I can reveal characteristics about a certain person and your relationship with them."

"Can I pick both?" asked Tsunade, sitting at the edge of her chair.

The woman's red lips widened. "Unfortunately no. You may only pick one. I can't answer more than one question for you until ten years have passed."

Tsunade inwardly gulped, thinking that this might just be the real thing. So did she want to know about her future, or did she want to know... more about Orochimaru? Biting on her thumb, she thought back about his eyes last night, and the first time she stared deep into those golden orbs and slowly answered, "I want to know more about a friend."

"Give me your hand sweetheart. And then think about the person you want to know more about."

Letting the lady take her hand, she squeezed her eyes closed and thought hard about Orochimaru. Seconds passed... and then minutes passed... and she was starting to wonder how much longer it would take when the lady finally let her go and said, "Very interesting."

"What did you see?" she asked eagerly.

The woman smiled and said, "A brilliant mind, but damaged faith and heart. Nonetheless, I've rarely ever seen such a heart that can love so deeply. He still misses his parents, correct?"

Tsunade nodded rapidly. "Yes! How do you know that?"

She put a hand to her mouth and laughed demurely. "I'm no fraud. My sight may have been taken by the gods, but I've been given an even better gift in return."

"Can you tell me more?" Tsunade asked.

"Your friend... how should I put this." She paused before saying carefully, "Though his actions are wrong, his feelings are pure. He may hurt you, but he'll do whatever is best for you."

"How is hurting me best for me?" she said, her shoulders drooping.

"You might have to do the same to him," she said with a slightly sad smile. "Still, no matter how much hurt, how much distance or how much time, you'll never stop missing him."

Tsunade felt even more depressed. Was he leaving her or something?

"No matter what he does or how different he may seem, you'll never truly believe he's beyond hope. That is why you'll miss him," spoke the lady. "I can sense that he is cared deeply for by two others as well. They too, won't truly believe he's a lost cause."

"Can I hear something abit more... positive?" Tsunade sulked.

She smiled. "You are the one he understands best, the one he never truly wants to hurt, and the one he'll love forever. It's almost ironic since another will always love you till the end of time as well."

In her delight, she completely missed the last sentence, only really hearing that Orochimaru would love her forever.

Orochimaru and Jiraiya nearly jumped out of their skins as Tsunade ran out the tent screaming in joy. "Yay! Yay yay yay!"

Jiraiya removed his fingers from his ears and asked, "Did she say you'll win the lottery or something?"

"Oh it's even better than that!" Tsunade gushed dreamily. "But I'm not telling. Teehee."

"Let's be on our way then," Orochimaru replied, turning on his heel and walking away.

"So Oro," Jiraiya piped up as they continued browsing. "When are you going to show me how fun you are?"

He smirked for a moment before walking over to where the little group of musicians was performing. One of the women were playing on a mandola, another played flute, there was a drummer who was using his hands to create music from a set of tall drums, and the last one played tambourine. They paused as he approached them and he gestured to the flute. After some words were exchanged, one of the ladies smiled behind her transparent red face mask, her green eyes crinkling up in amusement. She nudged the flute player, who beamed and handed it over. After he wiped the mouthpiece, Orochimaru began to play.

Tsunade's jaw dropped to the ground. "He knows how to play a flute?!"

Jiraiya's eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets at what he was seeing. "I thought he was tone deaf!"

Tsunade glared at him. "Where'd you get that idea?"

"Uhhhhh... cuz he's monotone most of the time?"

She stared at him for a whole minute before saying, "That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard, pervy no brain."

Orochimaru played marvellously well, and soon enough, the crowd that was already watching previously, expanded in number. His slim pale fingers moved expertly, producing sonorous clear tones and he never missed a single note. Tsunade clapped her hands together and said, "Orochimaru said that his mother was talented with music, remember? He even has all of her instruments at home still. Maybe he practices them when he has time."

"But... but," Jiraiya protested. "He's always studying or reading or training. This can't be."

"Well, he's proving you wrong," Tsunade laughed. She plopped herself down in the grass and listened, greatly enjoying herself with the performance. The song was breathtakingly beautiful and it brought her images of sunset and calm orange waters. It felt like the very notes were wrapping her up in a warm blanket. The elephant in the distance was even swaying and flapping its large ears, obviously happy with what it was hearing.

When he finished to a round of great applause, he politely handed it back and walked over to them. Tilting his head, he said wryly, "I hope that shows you that I'm not as boring as you think."

Jiraiya said crossly, "What the heck? How come you never told us you actually have some musical talent?"

He was slightly offended by the 'some' musical talent part but he decided to let it go for now. "I never felt the need to, especially since I don't much care for an audience when I play. But since you said that I'm predictable and that I never step out of my comfort zone, I decided to prove you wrong, Jiraiya."

"Peh." Jiraiya stuck his nose up. "You're going to have to do more than play a flute to prove you're not boring."

Seeing his friend's angry red face, he gestured to the nearby horses and smiled. "Let's go horseback riding then."

"Don't tell me you know how to ride a horse as well!" Jiraiya yelled.

"Of course not." He shrugged. "But I feel like stepping out of my comfort zone. I've taken a few notes while watching some ride around, so it should be fine." He put a hand over his mouth and laughed quietly. "If you want, I'll even let you hold on to me from behind so we can ride together. I wouldn't want you to miss out on the fun."

Jiraiya pulled on his bottom eyelids and stuck his tongue out. "That would be the most unfun thing to do! I'd sooner eat dinner at Mount Myoboku than ride around on a horse with you!"

"My my, look at who is being boring today," Orochimaru said with a smirk.

Tsunade jumped up and down. "I want to ride the pony!"

"Let's go then, hime," he said silkily, ditching Jiraiya behind.

The white hair boy scowled and tapped on his chin rapidly. It was then... he caught a glance at the elephant grazing in the distance and he smiled mischievously.

After they paid, got riding pants (so their skin wouldn't chaff) and were helped up, he navigated the brown mare out of the restricting fence and began trying to get used horseback riding. Behind him, Tsunade held onto his shoulders and asked nervously, "Errrr are you sure about this, Orochi?"

"Just give me five minutes," he replied, looking over his shoulder at her. After awhile, he figured out how the horse reacted to the reins and the pressure he would apply to its side. Soon enough, they were riding pretty smoothly around and away from the crowded area. When he saw the open land and space, he flicked the reins and they shot off.

"Eeeek!" She switched from his shoulder to his waist as they rode through the grassy plains. "You could have given me a warning!"

"Uh-huh."

She turned her gaze back to the blue skies and green gas, unable to help but smile. "This is fantastic. The wind feels so nice."

"Are you having fun?" he asked delicately, pulling on the reins to make the horse jump over a fallen log.

"Yea! This is great," she chirped. "Orochimaru, why are you good at everything?" He just chuckled in reply and didn't answer. Thinking back on the fortune teller's words, she blushed and rested her cheek against his back. "This is... really really nice." They rode for the next half in hour in comfortable silence with the wind running its loving fingers through their hair and clothes. The landscape was gorgeous and the ride was smooth. "Wouldn't it be nice to be this free, and not have to think about any worries all the time, Orochi?" she asked.

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "You want to live out in the middle of nowhere? That's the only way that's possible, hime."

"That wouldn't be so bad actually," Tsunade said brightly. "Imagine, some house on a nice mountain. We can wake early and see the sun beginning to shine, have a simple breakfast, take lazy strolls and talk, and just enjoy whatever the day has to offer. Maybe we can even stumble on baby bunnies or something. No one to bother us or ask us to go on dangerous missions... yea!"

Orochimaru smiled. "Hime, you don't wake until the sun is halfway up the sky on your days off. And why are you using the term 'we'?"

She pouted at him. "Wouldn't you like such a simple and pleasant life?"

"I'm not exactly sure I want to be a hermit."

"Even if it's with me?" When he chuckled, she turned red and said, "Fineeeeee. Don't-"

"If it's with you, I wouldn't mind." He coughed when she squealed and hugged him tightly. With her immense strength, it felt like she was cracking his ribs. "Hime... too tight."

Once their time was nearly over, he pulled on the reins to head back and she made sure to absorbed every last second on the ride. But all of a sudden, Orochimaru yanked hard on the reins and they came to a shuddering stop.

"Tsunade!"

That was Jiraiya's voice. Leaning over to see, her eyes bulged out. "JIRAIYA?!" He was riding on top of the elephant they had seen earlier.

Orochimaru said dryly, "Do you even know how to control that thing, idiot?"

"Course I do!" He childishly stuck his tongue out before grinning. "Tsunade! Come ride with me!" He patted his elephant on the head. "Mine is bigger too!"

"You're as dumb and cheerful as always," Orochimaru said emotionlessly.

Tsunade tapped on her chin nervously, wondering if Jiraiya had even asked for permission to ride the thing. "It would be a pretty cool experience... but I don't want to die. Are you sure you know how to control that thing, Jiraiya?"

He went into his Kabuki pose and nodded vehemently. "I am the great Jiraiya. Of course, I can control a little silly beast like this." Sitting back down, he pulled on the ropes that served as reins. "Hyah! To the left."

Orochimaru watched blankly as the elephant stayed motionless. After several more attempts, he said, "You don't know how to control it, do you?"

"How the heck do you think I got here if I didn't know?" Jiraiya shot back. "It's just... being fussy at the moment." He patted it on the side. "Over here." When it didn't respond, he figured its skin was probably just really thick and it couldn't feel it. So he slapped it. "Here please AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"It's not every day I can finally have some time to relax," Sarutobi said, leaning back in his purple couch and sipping a cup of tea. All of his paperwork's were done, and today was another day off for him and his students. As he took another sip, he briefly wondered what they were doing. Probably something cute and amusing as usual. His door suddenly slammed open and an Anbu ran in. "Lord Hokage! It's terrible!"

He straightened up in his chair immediately and adjusted his Hokage hat. "What is it? Is the village being attacked?"

"Jiraiya has crashed through the main gate with a rampaging elephant," the Anbu replied frantically.

"Did you dispatch a team to go deal with the animal?" Sarutobi ask.

"We're trying but..." The Anbu gulped. "It's apparently a ninja elephant."

Sarutobi facepalmed.

"Enma! Adamantine Prison Wall!" After imprisoning the elephant, Sarutobi's right eye twitched at the destruction that laid before him. Thank the stars no one was hurt but this was going to cost alot of time and effort to repair. He crossed his arms and said angrily, "JIRAIYAAAAA! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!" The entire village behind him angrily yelled as well.

All of a sudden, Orochimaru and Tsunade zipped out and stood beside their teammate. "Sensei," Orochimaru began quietly. "You can't fault an idiot for being stupid. Don't be too hard on him."

"He was just..." Tsunade looked over at Jiraiya and sighed. "He just wanted to ride the elephant with me."

"Still!" Sarutobi gestured to the ruins before them. "That is no excuse! Jiraiya, do you know how insane you are sometimes? This is worst than that time you unleashed a bee bomb on all of us during that one mission. I heard you didn't even ask for permission to ride that ninja elephant."

Jiraiya brushed back his hair and said loudly, "No, sensei. I'm not simply insane sometimes." Putting his hands on his hips, he puffed up his chest and laughed. "Kakakaka. I am... the Village's Madness!"

Orochimaru forgot to blink, Sarutobi stared with an aghast look and Tsunade cracked him over the head. "Don't make something like that into a title! You're already well known all over the village as a pervert!"

An even derpier expression crossed Jiraiya's face as he wiggled his fingers. "I'm not just any pervert either. I'm a super pervert! Hahahahhaa!"

Orochimaru put a hand to his eyes and watched as Tsunade sent Jiraiya flying. "Another day... another fun day," he said with a slight smile. "You win this one, Jiraiya."

Darkwings13:

-In episode 94 of Naruto, Orochimaru said Jiraiya used to be called the 'Insanity of the Village/The Village's Madness'. With the way he proudly called himself a super pervert when Naruto called him a pervert, I decided to go in that direction to present this title.

-As a white snake of fortune and rebirth, I want all you dear readers to note this carefully and see how Orochimaru actually does make her better every time they're together. From passing the bell test as a start. ;) will show more in my fic as I relate it to the canon universe.

- In chapter 91, page 9 of Naruto, you can see the derpy expression Jiraiya wore when he called himself a super pervert.

-The three legendary Sannin are finally at the same age as Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura when the anime first started. ( • ̀ω•́ )✧

-This chapter ended up way too long. Do you guys think so or think it's fine? Let me know.

-Will of course, expand on the fortune teller's words in future chapters.

(✿╹◡╹) Hi hxshigaki76! Ahaha I'm glad you asked. The answer is YES! This story, I try to make as canon as possible. For sure it will be linked. Actually, I'm super happy once I read that one shot that came out. Especially when Orochimaru said 'If there is one single thing which all humans should be forgiven for regardless of circumstances, that is acting out of love is it not? *squeals*.That will be a very important line as I work on my character analysis fiction of him. Special hint since I love to answer questions by my reviewers. Him suddenly wanting a child in that oneshot and Tsunade wanting to quit right after the 4th shinobi world. *hint hint* They way too old to make babies the normal way anyways bwahahhaha.

(人◕ω◕) JigokuShoujosRevenge, lol, Jiraiya has no honor when it comes to women. He only developed a healthy fear with Tsunade after she nearly killed him. But yes, the date was nice while it lasted.

(ﾉ≧U≦) ahah, thank you sagar hussain.

(*≧▽≦) oooh another new reader. Hi Felikowy! Not sure if you'll see this since you've just started reading friend. But I thank you kindly for the kind review, fav and reading.

v(´∀｀*v) I'm glad you like the fight ileangie23! I promise the chunin fight with Tsunade will be epic as well in the future chapters. Ahaha his luscious long hair ruinedddddd. I agree, I'd love to see him once with a different hair cut. He'd probably work a good old side cut with framing bangs on one side. And yes! He's so romantically challenged it's cute. XD Guess he needs to pick up one or two romance novel one of these days. Right now, Oro is of the opinion that all babies are just ugly haha. But I will show later, cute little Nawaki messing with Oro's hair.