Chapter 2

The Two Common Places

It was already morning and Tsunade at her house was already prepared to go to the Hokage tower.

Jiraiya on the other hand is already at the tower, to Tsunade's office. Shizune was there earlier and so she already knew that Jiraiya was alive. Kakashi on Jiraiya's way to the tower saw him and so he knew it already too.

"Good morning Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama is here". Shizune smiled and walked out the room.

"Ahh I know, I saw him already last night."

"Paperworks again Tsunade."

"Yeahh, this is your fault for making me hokage Jiraiya". Tsuande said as she walks towards her desk and sitted. Jiraiya walked also and stand facing Tsunade.

Jiraiya smiled. "Anyway you do great here, protecting our village I heard from Kakashi a while ago, sending Lady Katsuyu all over the village. If I had been the hokage, I cannot do that you know. Besides I am not the type of being hokage."

"Ahh I know you pervert".

Jiraiya grinned and laughed.

"Thank you for letting me lose to our bet." Tsunade started.

Jiraiya knows where this conversation would go so he managed to divert it to the current state of Konoha, Ahh yeah, as I know you are the legendary sucker, hahahhahaha! He lauhghed and then wear a serious face, how's the village? Are the losses were recovered?

"Ahhh, yeah turning to that point already."

"Where is Naruto and others?"

"They are now in a vacation. They're coming back next week. That Naruto, did a lot for this village. He is now a hero, who would have thought." Tsunade smiled. "He managed to defeat that Pain together with the toads from Mount Myoboku. He already surpassed you Jiraiya."

"Just as I have thought, that child is really something. Besides I am his sensei." Jiraiya laughed.

"Idiot".

"Ok see you around. I guess, I'll continue my research." Jiraiya grinned.

Tsunade somehow got hurt. After saying last night that he loves him as if he acted he heard nothing at all. As if she didn't say that. She lowered her head and unfaced Jiraiya. "Huh".

Jiraiya knows that Tsunade is hurt, he can see through her. "I guess we should have a talk, just the two of us right now." Jiraiya said with a serious face.

"I thought you are going to your research?"

"Nevermind that. I want to talk to you."

Tsunade affirmed and stand walking towards the door.

Jiraiya then followed.

At the restaurant they both sat on the same row at the corner. They are the only customers of the restaurant.

"What a twist of events." Jiraiya started as he poured the sake to Tsunade's glass. "It was just lately when our village was in danger." He added.

Tsunade just listens to Jiraiya.

Silence fill the them. They both know that this conversation is going about them.

Jiraiya take a sip on his glass and began talking, "I clearly heard what you had said to me last night Tsunade. I'm sorry I ignored it. I know your heart is for Dan only. We both know how you love that man. The last time we talked I just tried to push my luck. I guess this is it. I know I always wanted you maybe, it's just that I was not used to hear and to see all of your emotions pouring for me."

"Then be used to it." Tsunade uttered in a firm serious voice staring at her glass filled with sake.

Jiraiya looked at her and got really shocked. She seems very serious about all of what she had last night with him. "Look Tsunade, we are now already old hags. We aren't supposed to act like..."

"Okay I got it. I guess this conversation is over." She looked so pissed as that she was about to cry. She stood up and about to exit but Jiraiya hold a tight grip on her wrist. She pulled her hands away from her as much as she could but she cannot.

"Jiraiya! Let me go!"

"I'm sorry Tsunade we are not yet done."

"What else do we need to talk about?! You clearly indicated it!"

Jiraiya can't help and so he stood up hold her waist with his hands and put her face to his chest. "Do you know how hard is this for me? The woman I only loved in my life... I'm hurting because I do not want her to be hurted more." He whispered to her left ear.

"I just cannot understand you Jiraiya."

They escape from their hug.

"What if there are missions that is similar to what I had done, it's just that I had my luck to survive last time. You'll be left alone again and that would really cause you so much pain and you'll just keep those inside your big chest".

Tsunade brows furrowed remembering Nawaki and Dan, her too great loves.

"I love you too Tsunade, but I am not worthy for you, I am a perverted hermit you know that. Even you the woman I deeply love, I had managed to always be pervert at you. It just feels not so right, I should have respected you more Tsunade back in our old good days. I hope you understand, I am no good for you." Jiraiya suddenly said and sit down again to his chair.

It is quite evident that there is guilt to Jiraiya's serious face and Tsunade saw that.

"Yeah, ok then you deserve all the punches I sent to you back then." She sat down quitely facing their table and take a sip on her glass.

"You know before I came here I was able to investigate that the Akatsuki is still making their move to ruin all the villages not just Konoha. I guess we need to be allied with the other great villages because there is a huge threat for everyone."

"Ahh so the reports are true then. That Akatsuki very persistent."

"That is why we should all be ready. Tomorrow morning I'll continue gathering more information about it."

"!". Tsunade is alarmed. It seems a deja-vu with just a different scenario.

"Jiraiya! Is this why.. Is this the reason?"

Jiraiya did not respond.

"I guess this is why." Tsunade's mood drop low.

"Again, this is my duty as a shinobi, to fight for our existence and to seek peace." Jiraiya said.

Tears swiflty flows to Tsunade's cheeks. She is now completely fall out crying. She remembers the last time they went out drinking him saying almost exact message to her.

Jiraiya heard her sobs and mumbles of why. Why does her fate to be like this, to always lose someone she loves.

"I promise you I'll come back safe. Don't worry." Putting his hand to her shoulder. Jiraiya comforted her.

"Promise me if you come back, we will spent the remaining of our days together." Tsunade said in a weak voice.

"I will."

Next Chapter: The Night Visitor

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