Author's Notes:
Hey everyone! I'm glad seeing so many of you enjoying the story still and showing your support. Those of you who have submitted your reviews, I have messaged you back with a thank you and to let you know that your reviews have been entered the Monthly Reviewer Raffle! Remember, ANYONE can enter, and ANYONE can win! I The deadline is SAT. October 26th, 2019! So, keep submitting your reviews and pick a bonus chapter you would like to see! Thanks for the support, guys! Love ya!
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Chapter 43: Drunken Twilight
Normal P.O.V.
Having left Naruto in Sasuke's care, the group of men teleported their way back to the Hokage Tower in the Hidden Leaf. Once there, the men rushed to a worried Tsunade's office.
The frazzled, blond Slug Queen stood up as the men enters her office.
"Jiraiya, the Akatsuki are~"
"On the move. I know,"
"What do you mean, you know?"
"A little while ago, I called in a favor from some of the frogs from my blood contract and sent them to gather intel. One of them reported in before Sasuke arrived,"
"And when were you going to inform me of this?" Tsunade glares while grinding her teeth; a vein visibly threating to pop in her left tempo.
"When I received the report Tsunade, calm down,"
The room was filled with both the couple's arguments and the silence from the other men. Sensing the awkward silence spreading, Tsunade smacks her red lips before plopping down in her chair.
"So, does your intel match ours, then?"
"It should. My intel companion said that they're not too far from here and that they're looking for the Nine-Tails, or Naruto to be more correct. It had been a spreading rumor for a while now; hence the reason I had Naruto and Killer B moved to Turtle Island," Jiraiya explains.
Frustration sinks in as Tsunade leans forward while rubbing her temples, "You know, it would be nice if you would advise me of your decisions pertaining to our godson/grandson,"
"Noted,"
"Lady Tsunade," Kakashi steps forward to speak, "if the Akatsuki are so close, what is our next course of action?"
"I have already sent Asuma, Anko, Shizune, Sakura, and Kurenai out with an evacuation plan and their duties during the possible attack,"
"And what about us?" Guy asks.
"You guys will stand at the front lines with me," she coolly answers, causing everyone to gasp.
"Tsunade, you can't be serious,"
"I have to agree with Master Jiraiya. Lady Tsunade, you are the Fifth Hokage. You can't endanger yourself! And besides, who would take your place should you die?" Captain Yamato argues.
Tsunade tightens her lips together before standing tall, folding her arms, and looking away.
Seeing this, Kakashi slams his left palm to his face, "You were gonna force the title on Naruto, weren't you?"
"What are you and Sasuke on the same brainwave link?"
"Tsunade, you know he's not ready. He needs more time before he can assume your place. And he sure isn't going to be forced that title one him because you can't make good decisions," Jiraiya says, confronting her while leaning in on his fists.
"Oh, and what do you propose I do, smart ass? Give it to someone else who hasn't been training for the position?!" Everyone stiffens at the angry vibes Tsunade is sending out. Through glaring, hazel eyes, Tsunade retracts herself into her office chair. Slender fingers raising to ease the migraine forming in her temples, "I'm getting too old for this shit,"
Deciding to go about this in a different manor, Jiraiya whispers to the other men to join their teams and fellow jonin. When asked what he was going to do, Jiraiya sends them a confident smile and a thumbs up. Taking this as a final answer, the three men exit the room; leaving Jiraiya to try and calm his frustrated mate.
He moves to stand behind her chair. Allowing his arms to slide down to fair skinned, tense shoulders, Jiraiya applies enough pressure to work out some of your kinks.
"You're stressing too much again. You know you need to watch your blood pressure at your age,"
"I wouldn't be so stressed if I didn't have all this shit piling up on my plate. And don't even get me started about the paperwork. But seriously, you can't keep doing this,"
"Doing what?" he asks in confusion.
"Undermining me in front of others. You may be my alpha, but I'm still the Hokage. What I say goes and no one is to be making moves without my permission,"
"I know. However, as your alpha, it's also my duty to protect and serve both you and our godson/ grandson. If that means taking a few silent steps to accomplish this, then so be it,"
"Asshole," she sighs while leaning into his relaxing touches. "How was he? Do you think he suspects anything, yet?"
"I don't know. Hard to tell with that boy. There was a moment where it looked like a possibility, but I didn't' think about it again after he entered the Falls of Truth,"
"I don't like that he's merging with the Nine-Tails. He's always wanted for being its vessel. And now that he's bonding with it and they're going to be infusing with each other, it's only going to put him in more danger,"
"Tsunade, you can't protect him forever. Yes, he is the Nine-Tails' vessel, but he's also a shinobi with the determination to become Hokage someday. He's going to be in danger even if he gives up to just go be a hermit. That's something we all must accept,"
"Damn Kushina and Minato. What were they thinking? How could they force this life on their child without protection? How is that fair to Naruto?"
"The same way you're forcing the Hokage title on him,"
This silences Tsunade. Her top row of teeth sinks into her bottom lip. Everything she thought she was doing for Naruto and the village was right. But now, all her decisions are called into question.
Uneasy feelings seep into the room's atmosphere, causing Jiraiya to shift uncomfortably. Having had enough of her moods, Jiraiya spins her chair around to face him. Hazel eyes stare into deep brown ones. He offers a gentle smile. She reaches up to play with the ends of long, shaggy white hair. He leans in close, just enough so their noses touch and their breaths warm each other. A thickness filling with desire and love surrounds them. Fair, slender fingers leave the hair strains to grip the front of Jiraiya's vest. They pull him close enough to close the gap.
Red lips move cautiously against thin ones. Even though the air buries them in love and desire, their hearts allow the gentleness to rebalance them.
Pulling only centimeters apart, Jiraiya's commanding stare keeps her in place, "Let's get out of here," he whispers.
"And go where?"
"How about a bar. You look like you need a drink or five," he chuckles as her eyes return to their bright hazel coloring.
With a playful, but annoyed smirk, she pushes his face away, "You sure know how to ruin the mood. Besides, it's the middle of the day and I have paperwork to do,"
"When has that stopped you before?" he chuckles, earning a glare, "I'm just saying, you can sneak away for a little bit with me. Come on, let me take you out, wine and dine you a little bit, eh?"
She was about to deny him again, but her instincts got the better of her. She nervously bites her bottom lip again, "Just dinner and one drink?"
"Just dinner and one drink." He says with his right hand on his heart and his left fingers crossing behind his back.
She stands with a sigh and her arms crossing, "Dinner and one drink, but then I have to be back at the office,"
This causes a large smile on his face. Without another word, Jiraiya leads her out of the Hokage Tower and to the nearest restaurant with the strongest sake and wine they sold in all Konoha.
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"Ahhhh! Barkeep, another round!" Tsunade yells as she slams the bottle of sake onto the table.
"Damn Tsunade, take it easy woman. What happened to you have to be back to the office?"
"Yeah, yeah. Shizune will cuss me out even if I have just a small cup of sake. What's the different if I drink in my office or come back drunk when I have my niece as a babysitter," she says sternly.
"Hm. That sounds like an alcoholic confession to me," he says while leaning back with his arms crossing.
While the waiter switches out a new bottle of sake for the emptied one, the two remain silent. Jiraiya keeps his intense gaze while a tipsy Tsunade plays with the remainder of her steak meal.
Shifting uncomfortably, Tsunade breaks the silence, "Are we going to talk, or do you plan on staring at me all night?"
"I can't admire my beautiful mate?"
"Not when there's political matters to discuss. So, go ahead and just say what's on your mind already,"
"I was just thinking about the Akatsuki and their remaining members. Based on my sources, said that not all the remaining Akatsuki members were close by, only two of them. Neither one being the actual guys trying to start the war."
"So, they're lower on the Akatsuki chain?"
"I wouldn't say that, especially considering that their entire organization is pretty much wiped out,"
"Hn. This is going to be tricky. What I don't understand is why they would choose the Hidden Ran Village? I mean, Amegakure's defenses are so tight that they literally and intensely screen anyone and everyone who enters and leaves that village. Hell, they even keep track of the length of their visits. In fact, holding the Chunin Exams there are extremely difficult and time consuming because of this process. It just doesn't make sense why these particular members would use this village as a home base,"
"I agree, it is strange. But it also makes for a great place to lay under the radar; especially with all the hidden shame,"
"Hidden shame? What do you mean? What shame do they have to hide?"
"Apparently, Amegakure broke out in another Civil War and divided the village. It would also seem that one of the side's leader is one of the said Akatsuki members,"
"And you're absolutely sure about all of this?" he nods. She takes another shot of sake before picking at her food again, "That poor land. It's been war-torn for as long I can remember it," she takes a bite of her steak, chews it slowly, and swallows it along with the lump in her throat. "Being caught between three of the nations can't be easy. The Earth, Wind, and Fire Nations have often used it as a common battleground. Many have suffered and the casualties continue to increase,"
"Yeah. I've heard the number of fleeing refuges has climbed to an all-time high. With there being no political stability, it's left some holes in their defenses. They just don't want others knowing it,"
"Alright, so we know this information, what should we do from here?"
"What you're going to do is stay within the village and protect yourself. I'm going to try to infiltrate Amegakure and gather more intel. And, with some luck, I may be able to create a delay for you to carry out the rest of your plans,"
"Have you lost your mind?! You can't do that! No, I won't allow it and that's final!" she huffs with her arms crossing tightly under her chest.
"Tsunade, you and I are both Legendary Sannin. You know just as well as I do what that means. The difference between you and me is that you're the Hokage and one of the greatest medical-nin. You need to be protected at all costs, especially without a true successor,"
"But Jiraiya," she clenches her fists, nails digging into her palms, "It's not fair. You always get all the shitty missions while I must sit back and watch you go. Yes, I maybe Hokage, but it's not fair to make me send out my mate to do the village's dirty work. I couldn't do anything about it when it happened to Itachi Uchiha, but I'll be damned if I keep sending you out there it be killed all the time, especially alone,"
"You've had too much to drink. You're getting emotional again,"
"It's not the alcohol talking. Well, most of it anyway," she whispers the last part.
"It's not like you to be in confession mode this early into drinking,"
"It's just that," she sighs while running a hand through her blond bangs, "You were supposed to be the original Hokage. Hiruzen-sensei always wanted you to be the one to succeed. You were his original successor, not me,"
"You know I ain't cut out for that job. Too much stress and not enough freedom. It isn't worth it in my eyes; especially when there are people who would literally kill to have that title,"
"Hn. I guess,"
The both sit in an uncomfortable silence. Memories of old plaguing their minds. Jiraiya is the first to push his down first. He reaches across the table to grip his mate's hands.
"You know, I still can't believe it… Flat-as-a-board Tsunade is now the Big Bosomed Hokage. You were a feisty child back then. And an even feistier woman now. The strength you've gained. The way you've mastered it is astonishing. Hell, you even made yourself the Top Medical-nin Sannin in all the Great Nations. How does it feel?"
"Like I never thought I would get here. But, what about you? I mean, you've done just as much as me, if not more. You should be proud of yourself too,"
"I am. But, watching you grow into the woman sitting before me today, makes me appreciate that I became your mate. People say that I'm the bravest in the land for having tamed the heart of the famous Slug Queen. And I would say that they were right too," he smirks.
Tsunade was going to scold him but felt her stomach grumble. Without thinking, she runs to the bathroom to vomit, narrowly missing the toilet when the door closes.
"Even with dinner on her stomach, she's still a worse drunk than me,"
Chuckling to himself, Jiraiya pays for their dinner and drinks before retrieving the drunken Fifth Hokage from the restaurant's bathroom.
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For the third time that night, Jiraiya holds Tsunade's hair back as she heaves into the toilet bowl. He managed to get her home and changed into one of his shirts and some sleeping shorts. She would change from giggling to crying to throwing up the entire time. Now, with her head in the toilet bowl for third time, Tsunade begins to question her drinking choices.
"I'm never drinking again," she groans with her head hanging over the side.
"You always say that,"
"I think I mean it this time. No more sake. In fact, I'm banning it from being sold within a 1,000 miles radius of this village,"
"Oh, don't be a drama queen. Come on, let's get you back to bed," he bends down to pick her up by her underarms. While standing, he adjusts her so that she's leaning against his side. Usually he would try carrying her, but afraid of being vomited on, he chooses to not make sudden movements. When they reach her bed, he slowly and carefully drapes her onto the bed before adjusting her under the blankets. "There. I'll be right back. I'm going to find a bucket in case you have to throw up anymore,"
"Doubt it. I think my body is empty. Can you just bring me some water and a kunai so I can kill myself," she groans, trying to make the spinning room stand still.
He ignores her to retrieve the items. When he returns to the room, she managed to twist her body within the blankets. He smacks his lips before setting the water and medicine onto the nightstand and readjusting her to sit up against the headboard.
"Wake up and take your damned medicine, Drunky,"
With her body and head rolling, Jiraiya knew he had to force the medicine down her throat. He holds her head still as he drops the white tablet into her mouth. After, he grabs the water to pour some of it into her mouth. Instinctively, she opens her throat to swallow. Satisfied knowing she swallowed the tablet; he puts the glass back on the table while using one arm to hold her limp body up.
"When I come back, I'm taking you to an AA meeting,"
"I'm not an alcoholic and you're not going anywhere. I thought I already told you that," she slurs.
"This isn't up for debate, Tsunade; especially while your drunk like this,"
She gives him her hardest glare while clenching her fists, "Stupid Akatsuki. You must do stupid, dangerous missions because of them. But it's my fault for always sending you into the line of fire like that… I'm so sorry, Jiraiya,"
Tears gather in the corner of her glazed eyes. One lone tear dares to roll down her cheek. He lifts his fingers to wipe it away.
"Now, now. Can't have you crying, Fifth Hokage. What would the others say?"
"They'd say I was right and that you're not going; at least not by yourself,"
"I can take care of myself,"
"Our grandson says the same thing, but he always comes back half dead,"
"A common trait passed down by both his parents," Jiraiya chuckles while still rubbing her cheeks.
Tsunade giggles at the memories of the two loved birds. Her laughter quickly turns to sadness at her next thought.
"I don't know… what I would do… if I lose you too. I can't lose you. Please, don't leave me…"
He stares into her eyes. Dread and guilt take over his senses. He leans in to kiss her forehead. She grips his biceps to pull him closer.
"You know," Jiraiya starts, trying to keep the silence away, "I think Naruto will grow up to make a fine Hokage, just like Minato,"
"Yeah, although he would lead differently, he could be labeled one of the greatest Hokages ever,"
"Didn't his mother want to be the First female Hokage?"
"Yes. Kushina was a spitfire spirited little girl. She managed to become a great beauty within the Hidden Leaf. I was so excited when she announced became Minato's mate and was pregnant with Naruto. They so much planned for that boy. It's just too bad they won't get to see his achieve his dream or become the hero they wanted him recognized as,"
"Yeah, even though young Naruto was full of mischief, he's grown into a fine shinobi; one everyone can be proud of,"
"I wonder what they would say once they found out he's mated to the youngest Uchiha leader?" she chuckles at the thought.
"Well Kushina did want them to be friends after all; especially with them being so close in age. But I think no matter what, they would have accepted Sasuke into their family, just as we have,"
"I'm just sorry we couldn't be there for his birth or the early years of his life. He must have been lonely," she sighs into his chest.
"Hey now, there's no point in thinking about the past or what didn't happen. We need to focus on the now and everything to come…" for the first time tonight, Jiraiya allows the silence to settle. With the mood becoming serious, he breathes out his next words, "Tsunade…" she lifts her head to lock eyes with her mate; dread and depression filling and spinning her head, "If I were to die… please make sure you take care of our boys, Sasuke included,"
She violently pushes away; having to catch her heavy, drunken body, "Do you take me for a fool, of course I'll take care of them. They are like my own grandsons. But, I'm not about to be the only grandparent they have seeing them grow up. You're going to be there two. And, when they have kids, we're going to be there to see them grow up too. We're going to watch Naruto become the most famous Hokage throughout history. We're both going to be there for him. He needs us, Jiraiya. Their future needs us… I need us… So please, put these silly notions to the Akatsuki to bed tonight. We'll work on a strategy in the morning,"
Sad eyes bore into glazed hazel ones. Choosing not to say another word, Jiraiya moves Tsunade into a comfortable position onto the bed. With little resistance, he tucks her under the covers before changing into his sleepwear. As soon as he finishes, he climbs into bed behind her. A strong arm wraps around her slender figure. With one final squeeze, he breathes in her scent.
"I know this is usually the time of the night where you try to sexually molest me, but I won't last tonight. Don't worry though, there's always tomorrow," Tsunade says before finally passing out.
Jiraiya bites his bottom lip as he tries to calm his racing heart. Tsunade's drunken words echoes throughout his brain; bouncing off the sides of his skull. That feeling of pain and guilt overwhelms him; almost making him chock on them. Through the darkened room, Jiraiya remains awake, trying not to think about just how wrong Tsunade is…
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To Be Continued…
Author Shout Out:
Just wanted to give a huge shout out to a fellow writer: Fangirlandiknowit. If some of you may know her as the author of the amazing story "The sun within me". I have been obsessed with this story for the past few weeks and even cried after I put it down. So, if you guys haven't already, go check out her story and let her know what you think. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Also be on the look out for another posting from me. You guys might have remembered that I will be posting some one-shot stories to break from this story and push out some more of my work. They're not all NaruSasu stories either, so be on the lookout for them too!