There is no one in the entire world who knows Tsunade better than Shizune. She had stuck by Tsunade's side through her worst years as a wandering, gambling drunk and her best years as the Fifth Hokage. She had helped her run from, if not forget, her frequent strolls through hell, and stood firmly by her side as she adjusted to her new responsibilities and duty.

But there is a large part of Tsunade that Shizune knows nothing about...the part of her molded, forged, and broken by the shinobi who were strong enough to stand at her side.

Tsunade talked about Nawaki, when nostalgic and the sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. She talked about Don, when tipsy as they ditched another town under the gaze of the stars. She talked about her grandfather and granduncle, when she was drunk enough to forget to hate the village they built. She talked about her sensei, when complaining about paperwork and the burden of mentoring others and sending ninja off to die.

But she never, not once in their thirty years together, talked about her once-teammates.

The were the Legendary Sannin, renowned warriors of Konoha. The Triple Deadlock: known for their outstanding victories and teamwork. The only three of their generation to make it through both Great Wars. They fought and defended each other for over two decades through the most turbulent ages of recent shinobi history and came out triumphant, strong, and, most importantly, together. No one besides Shizune herself had occupied such a large part of her life. What happened that was more traumatic and unspeakable than the deaths of those most precious to her? How could she gloss over the two people who featured most prominently in her ninja career and the first half of her life?

Shizune didn't have the courage to ask and risk whatever extreme reaction she was sure Tsunade would have. Not for thirty years.

But here they were in one of Konoha's few bars. It was a particularly good day in the Hokage's office with very little paperwork and many teams returning safe and successful from missions.

Tsunade had just finished a particularly long story about her granduncle, a pig, and some chocolate, when Shizune decided that Tsunade was sufficiently drunk and pleasant enough to risk it. She finally spoke, pouring her another drink and noting her thankful smile.

"Tsunade-sama? What about your old teammates? You never talk about them."

Tsunade's thankful grin morphed into a slightly confused, slightly annoyed expression and she seemed to be thinking very deeply about the topic.

"Huh those guys. Hmm. Well, at the end of the day..." Tsunade became motionless, lost in thought. Watching Tsunade's eyes glaze over, Shizune was just happy she didn't get punched or used as a human tissue for her question. But ten minutes passed without Tsunade moving, not even for another drink, and Shizune gently touched her shoulder. Tsunade came back to herself, took the shot that had been sitting there untouched, and poured and downed another. "At the end of the day those two aren't worth mentioning at all."