Tsunade
Orochimaru and Kabuto had found the third Sannin and were in the middle of trying to convince her to aid them by promising her the resurrection of all of the loved ones she has lost throughout her life. They had brought Ren along as an observer to keep them posted on whether Tsunade flees or talks to anyone about Orochimaru and, after Ren's failure to retrieve Natsuki, this was the mission that would be his redemption, not that he actually cared.
'I can't believe I'm stuck babysitting this old hag until she decides to help Orochimaru all because Dairuko interfered with my plans.' Ren thought to himself. "Dairuko." he spat 'all because of him I have pretend like I'm actually grateful for this chance to redeem myself... this could still work in my favour if I play my cards right.'
"I can return to you the two things you want the most, Tsunade." Orochimaru stated.
"No you can't... they're dead. Leave them in peace." Tsunade replied.
"What if I told you they didn't die? Instead they've been living healthy lives."
Tsunade grabbed Orochimaru by the throat.
"You're lying!"
"Orochimaru-sama!" Kabuto exclaimed but was waved off by Orochimaru.
"I'm the only person alive who knows where they are, Tsunade... kill me and you lose them, they might walk pass you and you wouldn't even know it."
Tsunade tightened her grip around his throat then released him.
"Why should I believe you?"
"You already released me so you know why... I'll give you some time to think my offer over." Orochimaru said then he and Kabuto left and soon after Tsunade did the same.
'Well that was exciting... for a negotiation... maybe there'll be some excitement after all but nonetheless I'll have to keep an eye on her while remaining unseen.' Ren thought before following Tsunade.
"Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto said.
"Yes, Kabuto?" Orochimaru replied.
"Who were you talking about? I mean from what I've gathered the two most important people to Tsunade are dead."
"Ah, Kabuto." Orochimaru sighed. "What I hold over Tsunade's head is privileged information. Perhaps when this is done I will tell you."
"Hai." and the two continued on their way.
"Tsunade-sama." Shizune said.
"Yes?" Tsunade replied.
"What was Orochimaru talking about back there?"
"It's nothing, Shizune."
"It's not nothing if you're actually considering healing him in exchange for it."
"I'll tell you once we get back to the room."
"Ok." They went to their room where Tsunade explained her dilemma to Shizune who listened intently.
"...and that's how it happened." Tsunade finished off.
"Tsunade-sama you're a-" Shizune was cut off.
"Don't say it."
"But you are."
"No, I'm not. If I was we wouldn't be here in some run down motel room with nothing but a moth in my wallet and growing debts."
"Tsunade-sama..." Shizune muttered inaudibly.
"Hell if they had to see me like this do you think they'd be proud of me, willing to run into my arms so we can live happily ever after?" Tsunade was beginning to tear up. "No! They'd be ashamed of me! Ashamed to even acknowledge me... tell me, Shizune is it selfish of me to accept this bargain and forsake Konohagakure all for a chance to see two people who I think I love but haven't spoken to, seen or even held since the day they were born?"
"Tsunade-sama this is one of those times where only you can decide what is right... but please take into consideration that he could be lying about them." a long silence took hold of them.
Itachi sat by Natsuki's bedside. He hadn't left her side in three days besides getting food or going to shower not even visiting hours being up got him to leave. All he would do is sneak back in, then use genjutsu on some doctors and nurses to leave him be.
"I'm still not sure whether you can hear me or not but for some reason the day we first met came to mind. Particularly after your fight, when I brought you home to clean up," Itachi chuckled "that was a disaster."
FLASHBACK
Itachi guided Dairuko and Natsuki to his house to clean up their faces.
"Wow your house looks so... normal." Dairuko stated.
"What did you expect, a mansion?" Itachi asked.
"Well, yeah I mean you do have your own block."
"That doesn't mean-" Itachi was interrupted.
"Don't waste your breathe, 'Tachi, Dairuko is thick headed."
"I know but I'm sure one day I can get him to think before talking."
Dairuko then put his arms around Itachi and Natsuki "Are we going inside or what? I've never been to one of these 'Big Clans' homes before. I imagine everything is like shiny and spotless." Natsuki and Itachi both sighed before going inside.
"Leave your shoes by the door please." Itachi said and the two siblings complied.
"Itachi, is that you?" a female voice called out.
"Yes." Itachi replied and a woman with long black hair appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.
"Itachi could you go-oh my what happened to you?" she came to Natsuki and began looking at her eye.
"It's nothing-ouch!" Natsuki squealed as the woman undid the headband over Natsuki's eye.
"Sorry but untying my son's knots requires a lot tugging but the worse is done now." she said.
"Thank you...I'm Natsuki."
"You're quite welcome Natsuki my name is Mikoto." she said with a warm smile. "Itachi can you go to the bathroom and get some disinfectant please."
"Right."
"And me?" Dairuko said.
"You're Dairuko right?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"Itachi has talked about you."
"Well he should. I'm his best friend."
"You're not my-" Itachi started.
"Best friend forever, my friend."
"Wow he really is-" Itachi's mother started.
"Unbelievably awesome gee, Itachi you are a good friend."
"Dairuko would you watch the food for me? And while you're there you can clean the dirt off your face." Dairuko gave a salute and said "Yes ma'am!"
"He sure is hyper."
"You don't know the half of it, miss."
"Please call me Mikoto." Natsuki nodded "Now let's get you cleaned up."
"Hey, Itachi." Ayame greeted.
"Hello, Ayame." Itachi replied.
"Is this a bad time?"
"No I was just telling Natsuki the story of how we met, or rather what happened after we met."
"Oh I enjoy origin stories. Can I listen?"
"I was getting to the important part anyway."
"Oh I have perfect timing then."
Dairuko washed his face of dirt and began watching the food 'She said about 20 minutes on low... so if I put it on high then that should shorten the time by half at least.' Dairuko then set the oven to the highest setting and waited. 'I should be a chef at this rate.' he thought, chuffed with himself.
"Itachi, could you go get some milk from the shop please?"
"Ok." Itachi then grabbed some money and went downstairs. "You ok in there, Dairuko?" he called out.
"Yeah don't worry about me the food will be ready in a heartbeat."
"So, Natsuki what exactly happened to you?" Mikoto said as she cleaned Natsuki's face.
"Well..." she begun reluctantly,"the short version is that I was being bullied and I had finally had enough so beat I them up yesterday but today they brought their older brothers for me and Dairuko then there was a big fight and Itachi showed up and scared them and now we're here." Natsuki said, out of breathe.
"I see... so who is Dairuko to you?"
"He's my brother."
"Oh I don't see the resemblance."
"Yeah it's what makes us special." Natsuki gave a big smile.
"Indeed it does." Mikoto giggled but was interrupted "Natsuki, do you smell that?"
"It smells like something is burning." they looked at each other before running downstairs to see Dairuko running with a flaming stove straight out the door without his shirt on.
One conversation earlier.
"Yeah don't worry about me the food will be done in a heartbeat." Dairuko said then turned around to see some smoke coming from the oven. "Whoa!" he exclaimed as he opened the oven door and tried to blow out the still starting fire before running to the sink and opening the tap, chugging handfuls of water at the fire which got larger. 'Think man, think! Wait why am I thinking this instead of saying it out loud? Because you're trying not to get caught. That's true.' a burst of flame that just fell short of Dairuko gave him a fright causing him to knock the tap off. "Oh, Come on!" thinking fast Dairuko tore his shirt off and stuffed it where the water pipe was spouting before putting on Mikoto's mittens, closing the oven door, detaching it from the wall and carrying it out the door.
Now
Dairuko ran with the oven across the Uchiha block to the training grounds before throwing it into the water.
"Whew that was close." Dairuko sighed.
"Dairuko," a voice said that froze Dairuko in place "what happened?"
"Heeeeeey, Itachi, uhm you know how you always complain about your oven that just don't 'oven' right... right?"
"I've never once mentioned my oven."
"Yeah well it finally went off the deep end and blew up in a burst of flames and it even caused the tap to burst so I took off my shirt and stuffed it in the pipe right then I grabbed your mother's mittens cause the oven was hot and using those mittens I carried it all the way here and dropped it in the water." he finished breathlessly.
"I... don't even know what to say."
"'Thank you for not letting my house be burned to the ground' would be a good start."
"You're the one who caused it!" Itachi exclaimed.
"Listen we can go back and forth on who's fault it was... which I believe is yours."
"What? My fault? How could it possibly be my fault? I wasn't even with you."
"Exactly. All the greatest crimes were committed when the perpetrator wasn't present, but because I'm your best friend I will not tell on you." Itachi pinched the bridge of his nose at what Dairuko had just said and began to walk back home.
"Itachi, wait up!" Dairuko called out while carrying the oven.
"Dairuko please just keep quiet and don't say a word to me."
"But, Itachi-"
"Not a word."
They continued their walk with Dairuko occasionally calling Itachi's name.
"Itachi."
"What is it, Dairuko?"
"You forgot the milk." Itachi gave Dairuko the soon-to-be-famous Itachi glare before actually letting Dairuko's words settle in. When they did it was like the last tiny string of Itachi's sanity snapped and he slowly began walking to the shop and Dairuko followed.
Itachi got the milk and they continued on their way back but were stopped repeatedly by girls and onlookers that stood in their way, literally.
"Seriously, Itachi what is everyone's problem, girls constantly asking our names and people just stopping?"
"I don't know, Dairuko."
"Hey you're talking again."
"No I've just come to realise that your company is better than this headache I'm getting."
"Fair enough." Dairuko then slipped and dropped the oven on some poor man's foot. "Oh I am so sorry mister- Hokage-sama!" Dairuko and Itachi both looked to see the Fourth Hokage's foot trapped under the oven.
'This cannot be real... how is one person this accident prone? It's impossible.'
"I'm so sorry, Hokage-sama."
"Go for a walk she said... you need fresh air she said." Minato muttered to himself before realising a child is carrying an oven with no visible signs of struggle. 'Don't see that everyday.'
"So sorry, Hokage-sama." Dairuko said for the umpteenth time.
"Dairuko, let's go before you cause anymore trouble."
"I agree."
"Wait! Dairuko broke the Fourth Hokage's foot?" Ayame said.
"Not broke just hurt it... very badly." Itachi replied.
"No way, you're kidding right?"
"I wish I was but every word is true. When we got back my mother and Natsuki had taken care of the water pipe and Dairuko and I had to clean up the rest; she even told me next time I bring my friends over, she will prepare a picnic."
"Wow. How can one person do all that?"
"I've asked myself that question everyday and until now my best answer has been because he's Dairuko."
"That sounds fair."
"But he's a good man."
"What's with you and Natsuki? Are you two an item or what?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I see how you look at Natsuki when no one's looking you sneaky peek you. I see how your eyes travel her body imagining if it was your hands caressing her and not just your eyes and questioning if she'll ever let you touch her in such a way;" Ayame stood up and began walking around."I see the longing you have to make her yours. It's almost cute but sad as well to have all that passion building up inside you."
"Amusing that you think that."
"It's amusing that you think you can deny it, but deep down, Itachi you are just as big a pervert as Dairuko. The only difference is, Dairuko is open about it."
"I object to that. Dairuko and I are not the same in that sense."
"Aha... tell me then where is Natsuki's birth mark?"
"I refuse to answer that."
"Why? You know where it is but you're too ashamed to admit it. You're the 'Great Uchiha Itachi' whose looked at Natsuki's breasts." Ayame gave a know-it-all smile.
"Why are you questioning me... or are just trying to convince yourself that Natsuki and I have something?"
"I look out for my friend's well-being."
"So we're friends now?"
"Not you; you idiot. Natsuki." Ayame looked at Natsuki "You make her happy and until such time she finds someone who makes her happier you are her boyfriend. Do you understand?"
"I don't think you understand how complicated-" Itachi was interrupted by Ayame turning toward him like an ice-queen.
"I said do you understand?" her glare hit Itachi like a giant arrow through the chest.
"Yes." he replied.
"Good... oh man my lunch break is over, I better go. Seeya tomorrow too, Itachi." Ayame happily left the room.
"You have strange friends, Natsuki." Itachi said as he leaned back into his chair.
"I heard that." Ayame called out.