Oops. Sorry everyone didn't realize the title would sound like a hiatus and scare all of you! I took a break from my nanowrimo project (Kakashi/Oc with a feel not unlike this one in humor and crazy) to work on another chapter to make up for it!

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"It's cold," Orochimaru grumbled as they went by the grocery store near their apartment. A whole section in the back had damaged and blemished items for half or more off and since they actually had a paycheck from the last mission, they were looking at their options. One of the local prostitution spots was an inn that had a good enough kitchen. Said cook in it had let them sleep on the floor there when it rained and they were kicked out of the orphanage for a night. Jiraiya had bribed a stolen necklace chain of real silver in exchange for some simple cooking lessons as Tsunade and Hiruzen clearly would just stick to ration bars which cost a good deal.

That same cook had scratched the necklace on a black slab he had pulled out and dribbled a few drops of solution on the left behind mark before nodding. After all, it wasn't unheard of for someone to pay one of the girls in pawnable items. A few bills in change and instructions on what to get for soup before he had shooed the two orphans off. They weren't sure they could actually cook at home, but there were no shortage of those who did have gas on at their apartments whom would loan use out for a fee. If nothing else, being able to hunt and scrounge if they learned those skills too for in the wild would maybe let them get by.

Not that either had figured out how they could do such things without a pot of some kind when traveling but small steps at a time. It was going to be cold soon, they could figure this out. There were even supposedly ways to cook such things in a rice cooker.

"Yeah. That's why we are tryin to learn to make soup." Jiraiya finally responded as she frowned at the wilted and spotted vegetables. How did she know if any of them even tasted any good? Back a the orphanage everything was various stages of mush and bland enough, so at least being accustomed to that they wouldn't be spending any money on the highly expensive spices. Truthfully, they had eaten the best at the Academy but those days were gone now.

"We need blankets. Maybe rugs as well, cover the walls." Orochimaru sighed, he hated being cold. Jiraiya just nodded, squeezing a carrot lightly only to grimace as it gave way under the soft pressure. The potatoes were all green and thus not safe to eat, and they just weren't sure about the other items. "Get onions, and that bit of garlic. Those at least will hide the flavor."

"Kay." Jiraiya paused then, noticing the expression Orochimaru had as they looked at the pitiful options they could afford. Buying lessons was necessary though if they wanted to not have inedible items, hot items, to get through the winter that would be coming soon. She'd have to beg, borrow, or flat out steal the rice cooker though. They really needed one. "Orochimaru?" When her best friend looked up, already weary at the idea of another cold season where they'd be huddled together and miserable, out on missions would only be worse and without the excess garments to help them keep out a chill. They'd need to steal gloves and hats already, scarves, they could cut the arms off their old jackets to make vests and at least extend them that way but it was not ideal. Jiraiya sighed and gave a sad smile.

"We'll get through it," Jiraiya promised him and Orochimaru just nodded, eyes tired. They'd been grilled mercilessly on their report about the bandits and the village and both of them were just so tired. The slew of D-ranks was needed and Tsunade and Hiruzen humored them in it but truthfully it was no secret that they were taking them just to help the orphans have a little pocket change. They had written for permission to take some of them on their own but it would be at least a week before the proper channels reviewed it, and then another to get an answer.

Jiraiya pursed her lips and then sighed. She needed to break into a house, there was no way around it. And it needed to be one that was decently well enough off they wouldn't miss their rice cooker, and if at all possible, some towels and blankets.

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It was the next day that both of the Orphan's were startled as Tsunade pounded on the door and stood there, awkwardly shuffling from side to side before she shoved a pile of fabric at them. "We don't use these and they were going to throw them out but I thought.."

Whatever else Tsunade was going to say was silenced as Jiraiya threw herself at the other girl and grasped her tightly in a hug, Orochimaru even blinking at them before smiling.

"Don't bring this up." He said but there was no bite to his words and Tsunade relaxed. It seemed, she really was forgiven this time. She'd wracked her mind trying to figure out if they had poor weapons, ate everything, were so wary, would they have blankets? She hadn't remembered seeing many when she'd been over and was glad it hadn't backfired.

"Not even if it means we can totally guilt trip Sensei into getting you each a good coat?" Tsunade asked and then two pairs of eyes were locked onto the Senju princess. This, however, she had been ready for. Instead the girl grinned wickedly. "Konoha does have a hot springs, and sensei has been known to visit. On the wrong side of the fence. My grand uncle was complaining about it."

Two wicked grins met Tsunade then and they nodded.

Time to blackmail their sensei, again.