Now comes the next couple and song for your reading pleasure. Enjoy. Disclaimers at the end.


1000 Words

Jiraiya and Tsunade

It was a beautiful day when he left. The two just sat on a bench as he informed me that he was leaving for the rain village. He had a feeling that he could get information on the Akatsuki there and he was going to go alone. I just sat there thinking about how dangerous this mission was and I could not seem to tell him I wanted him to stay for selfish reasons. I could not tell him that I wanted him to stay because I loved him and that I, as Hokage, could send another group of ninja on this mission. He was, like me, a legendary sannin and well I knew he could probably handle himself against a member of the Akatsuki as he was a rather skilled ninja. Still I had this feeling...

I Know That You're Hiding Things

Using Gentle Words To Shelter Me

Your Words Were Like A Dream

But Dreams Could Never Fool Me...

Not That Easily

He was telling me how easy the mission would be and that he would be back as soon as possible to give me the report. I wanted to tell him, but why..why couldn't I say anything? He might not come back from this mission. No, I refuse to think that. He would come back. He wouldn't leave me all alone. I know I might have had a crush on Orochimaru when we were younger but my feelings for Jiraiya grew as we got older. I never told him though. I have always treated him like a friend or even someone that didn't matter much to me besides friendship, but that was wrong.

I Acted So Distant Then

Didn't Say Good-Bye Before You Left

But I Was Listening

You Fight Your Battles Far From Me...

Far Too Easily

I just told him to be careful and did my best to hold back tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. No matter how much I tried not to think about it, I had a feeling that he may not be coming back to me. 'Say something Tsunade', I thought to myself but still couldn't mouth the words and he would be gone soon and then I may never get the chance.

Jiraiya turned and looked at her. He had known her long enough to know when she was about to cry. He just looked into her eyes. The eyes of the woman whom he had loved for so long, the woman who was in his dreams always. Sure, he did a lot of 'research' for his books but not one of them even compared to the woman that stood before him. He touched her face gently wondering why she didn't immediately smack him before placing a soft lingering kiss on her lips. He pulled back, looked deep into her eyes and gave her one last smile before leaving. I watched as he went away wishing I could have said something.

'Save Your Tears 'Cause I'll Come Back'

I Could Hear That You Whispered

As You Walked Through That Door

But Still I Swore To Hide That Pain When I Turn Back The Pages

Shouting Might Have Been The Answer

What If I Cried My Eyes Out And Begged You Not To Depart

But Now I'm Not Afraid To Say What's In My Heart...

I went back to my office drowning myself in work for the next week or two. I hadn't heard anything from Jiraiya and even though I feared the worst I tried not to think about it. I opened the drawer and looked at a lotto ticket I had bought just in case to show me that I lost and that everything was alright in the world. I checked the numbers in the paper and then the ones on my ticket. "Oh god.", I said in a whisper, gripping the desk, and suddenly feeling my age. That is when the messenger came and told me the bad news. Jiraiya had been killed.

Oh One Thousand Words

Have Never Been Spoken

They'll Fly To You

Crossing Over The Time And Distance Holding You

Suspended On Silver Wings

And A Thousand Words

One Thousand Confessions

Will Cradle You

Making All Of The Pain, You Feel Seem Far Away

They'll hold you forever

Everything was crashing down around me. He was never coming back. He would never come back to me. The memory of his final kiss was still vivid in my mind as I touched my lips. Why hadn't I told him how I felt? Now I would never have the chance to do it. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I told everyone in my office that I needed some time alone. When everyone was gone, I slipped out of my chair and on to the floor crying and holding myself as I rocked back and forth.

The Dream Isn't Over Yet

Though I Often Say I Can't Forget

I Still Relive That Day

You've Been There With Me All the Way

I Still Hear You Say

Over the next few days, I planned for his funeral even though there was no body. There was only one person in the village who I knew was taking this almost as hard as me and that was Naruto. Normally, I would have had something to say to try and cheer him up, but how could I when I felt like this?

"Wait For Me, Ill Write You Letters"

I Could See How You Stared With Your Eyes To The Floor

But Still I Swore To Hide The Doubt When I Turn Back The Pages

Anger Might Have Been The Answer

What If I'd Hung My Head And Said That I Couldn't Wait?

But Now I'm Strong Enough To Know It's Not Too Late

The day of the funeral, I was dressed in all black as were all the ninja of this village. One by one I watched as they paid their respects to the once great shinobi. I did my best to look strong for my people, even though it was so hard to keep my composure. None of these shinobi knew how much Jiraiya met to me though I am sure some like Shikamaru figured it out.

'Cause A Thousand Words

Call Out Through The Ages

They'll Fly To You

Even Though I Can't See, I Know They're Reaching You

Suspended On Silver Wings

One by one they all left until there was only one of them left. Naruto Uzumaki looked at the grave of his sensei with tears streaming down his face. I admired that about Naruto, the fact that he always showed his emotions no matter what. Even though its bad in battles, for situations like this it is just perfect. I waited for him to leave so that I could pay my respects to Jiraiya, though I was unsure of the point since he could no longer hear my words.

Oh, A Thousand Words

One Thousand Embraces

Will Cradle You

Making All Of Your Weary Days Seem Far Away

They'll Hold You Forever

I must have been staring off into space, because I didn't realize that Naruto had walked up to me. He looked at me with a soft sad smile.

"Its ok to cry Granny Tsunade.", Naruto said to her.

I said nothing and just nodded to him.

"You know when we were training for those two years, he would often tell me a story at night. He would talk about this beautiful woman and how much he loved her and only once he wanted to hear her tell him that she loved him too.", Naruto said. "Even though he is not here with us right now, I am sure his spirit can still hear you. Please tell him that you love him Granny Tsunade.", Naruto said to her.

I looked at Naruto. He may not seem like the best ninja but somehow he always seems to know what to say to someone. Its strange this power he seem to have with words to make the most cold hearted have a heart. "Yes Naruto. I think I will.", I told him.

Naruto bowed and then left me there alone. Just me and the grave of the man I loved.

Oh, A Thousand Words

Have Never Been Spoken

They'll Fly To You

They'll Carry You Home And Back Into My Arms

Suspended On Silver Wings Ohhhh

I walked over as lightning streaked in the skies above. It started raining as if the heaven's were also telling me that it was ok to cry. So I did cry. I hugged the gravestone we had made for him and cried my eyes out. After a little bit I started to pour my heart out to him, hoping indeed that his spirit could in fact hear me.

And A Thousand Words

Call Out Through The Ages

They'll Cradle You

Turning All Of The Lonely Years To Only Days

They'll Hold You Forever

Ohhhhhhhhhhh

A Thousand Words

I don't know how long I was there, but it was probably hours. My clothes were soaked and I knew I needed to get back to the village and change at least. As I got up and started walking, I stopped having this strange feeling come over me. I looked back the grave to see a ghost of Jiraiya looking at me with that smile he had worn on the day he left.

"I love you Tsunade.", the ghost of Jiraiya said to her.

"I love you too Jiraiya.", I said with a smile.

The ghost smiled more before disappearing and I continued on to my place to change glad that he had heard me.


A/N: Hope you liked it :)

The song: 1000 words, Koda Kumi, Final Fantasy X-2

Naruto belongs to Kishimoto not me