Chapter 41

Then the prince's father walked up behind him.

"Thin nose, strong jaw, high cheekbone's, fair skin. You'll have beautiful children together!"

"Father!" The younger man gasped, appalled and blushing furiously.

Tsunade didn't meet their eyes and didn't say a word, instead she raised up her hand, showing off the ring.

The Daimyo's face contorted in pain. "Oh my girl you wound me." He patted his son on the shoulder as though consoling him on the loss. "Who is the lucky man. I must meet the man who ended up taking away my dreams of beautiful heirs."

"You're a shameless flirt, you know that?" Tsunade chuckled as Dan coiled his arm around her waist, bowing as best he could while keeping a hold on her.

"Don't tell my wife." He quipped in response before he looked at Dan.

He frowned.

Dan became nervous.

"I don't recognize you." He said after a moment, then he smiled. "But you are the luckiest man in the world."

The white haired ninja nodded and bowed again with a smile. "I know it."

"Still, you didn't invite me to the wedding. So you'll name your first born after me to make up for it."

"We haven't celebrated the wedding yet."

"Oh good, then we'll celebrate it in my summer home, or wherever you want! I'll pay for everything and you'll name your first child after me in gratitude."

"You are dead set on this first child thing aren't you? Tsunade crossed her arms.

"I wanted you married to my son! You've shot that down so I'm aiming a little lower." He laughed.

He turned to look and saw his soldiers still holding the crates.

He blinked at them curiously. "Have you all been standing there this whole time? Give out the gifts! What are you doing waiting? Go go go!" The men immediately began moving towards the various nobles and clans they could recognize and the gifts/chests had been designated for.

Koutou shook his head. "Have to tell them when to breathe or they'll forget." He muttered.

-0-

It was morning when he arrived at this place, the sun barely peaking over the horizon. He and his team would be leaving the village with the Daimyo's entourage that day.

But before that, one last little contingency...

He marched through the familiar halls that hadn't changed in thirty years. Passing by doors of class rooms before he finally opened one.

Its lone occupant turned and looked at the sound. A small smile of crooked teeth lighting her face. "Ahh" she said turning her eyes back to her work. "To what do I owe this exactly? Did you break something."

Orochimaru snorted. "I didn't do that even when I was enrolled here." He looked down at the desk where multiple strips of cut up paper were spread throughout. "What's this?"

She took a second to release the scissors and adjust her grip before pulling the thing in her hands apart to reveal...

"Paper dolls!" Zae exclaimed laughing at the string of small girl shapes hanging from her fingers. "My great granddaughter she was just born two days ago."

"I hadn't heard."

"We didn't say. So what brings you to my neck of the woods? Make it quick I've only got a few minutes before I have to go get ready.

Orochimaru shrugged and held out a letter. "I find myself woefully low on people who can keep a secret."

"Gee thanks. Nice to know I'm first choice here." She reached out her hand to grip it, finding the envelope sealed. "What's going on?"

"Taking something of a dangerous mission. I've argued with Sensei. It was...slightly more heated than normal. And I simply figured I'd leave this here with you in case something happens.

"And not Tsunade or Anko because-"

"Tsunade and Anko are both curious, they'd open it. My words are for Sarutobi-sensei not them. Kakashi is an Anbu Shinobi. He's ethically bound to not keep secrets from his Hokage no matter what they are if they involve village affairs."

"Gee what the hell am I? Chopped liver? If your gonna go out and do something stupid I have to tell him too."

There was silence after that before she opened up a drawer, stuffed it in and slammed it shut. "I'll keep my mouth shut in one condition."

"What's that?"

"Whatever stupid thing you're planning doesn't involve the dismemberment or death or poisoning or whatever else can happen of your students. If you're the one putting your neck out to be chopped off that's your problem. The kids are mine!"

"I promise" He answered.

She nodded "Alright then. Go and be a productive citizen." She leaned forward. "Don't make me regret trusting you."

He nodded, stood up and left.

She went back to cutting up her paper dolls.

-0-

Naruto washed his face and brushed his teeth, feeling a smirk gracing his lips.

The chuunin exams.

Right. On. Time.

He was one step closer to be where he needed to be.

He got dressed, double checked his supplies and made ready to walk out the door when he stopped.

There was someone there.

"An-chan." He greeted with a smile. It was...less weird calling her An-chan. At least for now while he still got used to the idea that Itachi was a girl.

She nodded. "You're leaving today."

"Yeah, chuunin exams." He answered.

She nodded again, reached into her cloak and pulled out a pencil thin scroll.

"I can't follow. I heard too late to file the proper forms. So...you're without me for a while."

Naruto's smile was sad, but genuine, it was nice to know she cared.

"If you're in trouble, and near Konoha's border, use it."

"What's it do?" He asked blinking as he took it in his hand.

"You don't need to know. Just be withing ten miles of Konoha's border, and activate it if you're in trouble."

Naruto smiled, looking at the rolled up parchment before stuffing it in his pocket.

He looked up at An-chan.

Then he spread out his arms and stepped forward, hugging her at the waist.

He'd worry if this made him gay later.

"Wish me luck An-chan."

"You don't need it." She answered patting him on the head. "Use what brains you have and you'll be fine."

He looked up and smiled at the expressionless mask. She tilted her head to the side, reminiscent to that first 'mouse and hawk' feeling he'd had when they first met.

"When I return as a chuunin you're treating me to Ichiraku's!"

She nodded, even though he knew she hated ramen.

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