A/N- Did you guys enjoy the cliffhanger I left at the end of chapter 17? ;D Sorry about the long wait, I'm gradually becoming more and more busy, so bear with me please! Just thought I needed a disclaimer at the beginning, since obviously, considering the position they're in…well… yea. So to clarify, it isn't that bad, but it is a bit limey, so if that type of stuff disturbs you, RED FLASHY LIGHTS AND LOUD SIRENS DON'T READ THIS CHAPTER! If you don't read this chapter, you'll still be able to understand most of the rest of the story. Without further ado, I give you, the long awaited, chapter 18 :D!

Reborn watched in amusement as Tsunade's foggy brain attempted to process his words.

"Wha-what do you mean, 'that was one'?" she asked between deep breaths of air, still attempting to catch her breath.

"Think about it," said Reborn teasingly. He leaned in closer, his amused obsidian black eyes staring into her confused honey golden ones. Reborn felt Tsunade stiffen, but she held his gaze as calmly as she could. "I know you're smart enough to figure it out," he said softly.

Reborn almost laughed at Tsunade's expression as the realization dawned upon her. The emotion in her eyes quickly changed, and now she was glaring at him with something that wasn't quite fury, but dangerously close.

"Your wager," she growled, "You didn't bet any normal gambling prize, did you? You used my curiosity to play a risky game so that I would agree to whatever it was you were betting without me knowing what it was."

"Right on the mark," said Reborn, bending down and giving her a quick peck on the lips, causing her to blush again. "Two."

"H-hey!" stammered Tsunade, trying to maintain her angry tone, "Y-you can't do that!"

"And why not?" said Reborn, close enough for Tsunade to feel his warm breath on her lips with every word, "I lost, so I'm paying up what I owe, simple as that. Plus," he leaned back slightly to take in her whole face, "you look cute when you're mad."

Tsunade flushed even darker. "Technically, this bet could be considered invalid," she muttered, trying to look away from Reborn, fearing that if she kept staring, all the anger would drain out of her.

"Both parties agreed to the bet, whether they knew what was being wagered or not," said Reborn, "so the bet is valid. Besides, you're not quite in the right position to argue."

If Tsunade could flush any darker, she did as she finally took notice of the fact that her arms were pinned above her and that Reborn had effectively trapped her underneath. She fell silent.

Reborn gently turned her face back towards him, and she surprisingly complied. The anger had disappeared from her eyes, replaced by many questions instead. She was unusually unguarded, her normally suppressed thoughts and feelings reflected in her eyes. Tsunade stared at Reborn evenly for a few moments. Then, she spoke in a soft voice that hid so much more.

"What if I lost, Renato?"

Reborn's breath hitched at the sound of his given name, the name his parents had placed all their hopes and expectations on, the name that his parents learned to associate their bitter disappointment with, the name he could never live up to, the name he escaped to finally be free. He hated that name, but hearing it from Tsunade, the way it fell so smoothly from her lips, the way she pronounced it perfectly without a single nuance off, nothing ever sounded more…right.

"I think it would've ended this way anyway," Reborn whispered. He leaned in and kissed her again, this time met with no resistance, but with hesitant acceptance instead. Tsunade closed her eyes and relaxed her jaw, allowing Reborn to slip his tongue in and explore her mouth even further. A familiar feeling flooded him, making him feel almost, giddy.

The thrill, he thought, it has never felt so exciting before. I feel like I can throw away the company, my fame, my fortune, my whole lifestyle, if it meant I could feel this way for just a moment longer. Kureko was right; those fleeting chances really mean nothing to me. I don't need those things, I just need this thrill. No,

I just need her.

Reborn pulled away with a soft 'three' when it seemed like Tsunade needed air. He couldn't help but smile lovingly at her flushed features as she gasped for air once more. The more he looked at her, the more he desperately wanted her to be his, solely his.

But I can't make her completely mine yet, he thought sadly, seeing a flicker of fear in Tsunade's turbulent expression.

"Don't worry," he said gently, guiltily feeling a stab of disappointment, "I am a man of my word. Forty-five was our bet, no more, no less."

He could see relief in her eyes, then guilt for even thinking that he would try such a thing. Reborn could feel his heart tug longingly.

So bright, so beautiful.

He traced her jawline with a slender finger before leaning in and replacing his finger with his mouth. Reborn felt Tsunade shiver and let out a small moan, and he smiled.

"Try to breathe through your nose this time," he said, before kissing her once again.

Tsunade was lost.

She couldn't think straight, her normally sharp mind moving sluggishly. Her body no longer seemed to be in her control, responding and reacting in a way that was utterly foreign to her. Tsunade had completely lost control of the situation and herself, her voice of reason completely gone.

And she liked it.

She had long lost track of how much time had passed, her internal senses and instincts shut down. All she knew was Reborn, no, was Renato. Tsunade had thrown out his name as sort of a last defense, a last denial of what she really wanted, because she knew there was a painful history behind that name that he prohibited others to even touch upon. But he had let her whisper that name, her and only her, and she could feel the soft and passionate aura that shrouded him with every loving touch, every gentle word, and every adoring look. Tsunade had seen couples with that delicate, yet strong, aura, but she never thought she would feel that way towards anyone else, let alone anyone would ever feel that way towards her. She may have been conflicted before, but now she finally knew,

She loved Reborn with all her heart, and nothing would ever change that.

Her fears and worries melted away, leaving nothing but Renato, and she knew that was all she'll ever need.

Tsunade vaguely noticed that Reborn had loosened his hold on her arms, and she propped herself up without breaking the kiss. She obviously was new at this, but Tsunade was known to be a fast learner in everything, and, as she tentatively began to kiss him back, this was no exception. Reborn faltered for a second, slightly surprised, but then he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, kissing her even more fervently. She ran her fingers through his jet-black hair, marveling how soft it was despite its sharp appearance.

Sort of like Renato himself, she thought.

All her life, she had been second just because she was born a few seconds behind her brother. While her brother grew and flourished in the spotlight, she had trained in the shadows where no one could care less about her. She had been expected to stay out of her brother's path, to forever hide in his shadow, unknown, insignificant. Her brother was the one fated for greatness, while she was nothing but a tool who had to do anything to make sure her brother would succeed. Tsunayoshi was the brilliant pure white rose, and she was the black rose, tainted by the things the light wouldn't dare touch. Tsunade admitted it, she had been bitter, twisted from being ignored and treated as inferior, but her brother knew one thing no one else did, not even her. He knew that she wanted to be happy, to be number one to someone else, and he had given her a chance to do what she really wanted. Because of her brother, she had met Reborn. This fedora-wearing, suit-donning, ebony black-eyed and spiky black-haired saw her as his world, his everything, his number one, and she felt the exact same way towards him.

Tsunade was finally, truly happy

And she knew what her final decision was.

Reborn gently pulled away and whispered, "43," quietly into her ear. He moved down to where her jawline met her neck and lightly bit her caramel skin, causing Tsunade to wince slightly. (A/N- Again, totally ruining the mood of the story, but I would like to point out that the sentence after "43" is technically "44". Just wanted to point that out since after proofreading this chapter, I think that the numbers may have gotten a bit confusing.)

"What was that for?"

Reborn looked at her with his telltale smirk on his face. "That was a little souvenir," he said playfully.

Tsunade flushed dark red again. I hate it when he says little things like that that make me so flustered, she thought, though she couldn't contain a burst of fondness for his wit and charm.

They shared one last sweet kiss before reluctantly pulling away with a regretful "45." Tsunade couldn't contain the small twinge of disappointment she felt, but her eyelids were already drooping from fatigue. She laid down on the bed with Reborn's arms curled around her. Before she fell asleep, she mumbled, "Renato," and felt Reborn's arms squeeze her just a tiny bit tighter. Tsunade smiled, and enjoyed the sense of warmth and security that followed her even in her dreams.

A/N- YAYYYYY! I'M FINALLY DONE WITH THIS CHAPTER! XD I actually had a lot of difficulty writing this chapter and am super glad to have finished it, even if it is almost 1 am (apparently all my creativity shows up late at night =_=). I'm pretty sure the next chapter will be shorter, but you know me, it'll probably become pretty long. Thank you so much to Freedom of Trapped for reviewing the story so far!

R&R GUYS! :D