21

Sarutobi-sensei is clearly proud of them all as they are promoted to ANBU. About time, Tsunade thinks. Then again, being jounin for so long has its advantages. They are all confident in their abilities, especially Jiraiya, who has spent some time "training with the frogs" as he claims. She doesn't believe him all of it, he tends to exaggerate a lot, but she cannot deny his improvement either. Still, that doesn't mean she will accept his offer to date. There's a difference between being a good shinobi and being a boyfriend material, at least in her eyes.

Tsunade knows she is picky but she thinks she has a right to be. A man who is worthy of her has to be more than just her equal in battle. He has to be something special, has some kind of spark, some idea that she can relate to. In short, she wants a prince to her princess. She once thought it could be Orochimaru but he crushed that dream as easily as he crushes enemies.

"We are shinobi, hime. We live in shadows, kill in shadows and die in shadows. We are tools of war and when a tool is broken, we discard it. You don't cry when a tool is destroyed. You find a new one."

"That's a cruel way to think, isn't it?" she retorts stingily because arguing philosophy and morals with Orochimaru always leaves her unsettled.

"It's a shinobi way to think, Tsunade. The mission is absolute. We have been taught that, don't you remember?" he is so cool and confident in his opinions and Tsunade envies him a bit. She envies his ability to remain detached and focused on what needs to be done. She is like that most of the time but not when it comes to her friends. Ever since Nawaki's death, she has been pushing herself to become the best in her field, so she can save lives around her.

"I also remember being taught to cherish my comrades and protect them."

"Even if they are weak?"

"Especially if they are weak!" she fires back at him, incensed by the veiled contempt in his voice.

"So much passion, hime," he says and she isn't sure whether he's mocking her or not. "You better put that to use in your training, if you really insist on going around and saving lives."

She finishes her sake and watches him do the same. How their promotion celebration turned to this debate she doesn't know. Jiraiya is flirting by the bar otherwise he would back her up. Then again, if he was here, she wouldn't ask her next question.

"So you would leave us then?" at his puzzled expression, she clarifies, "If we were unable to finish the mission, Jiraiya and I, you would leave us behind?"

Orochimaru glances away for a moment and she waits for his answer, praying he would say that no, he would never leave them behind because they are a team and they stand and fall together.

"Yes," the word drops on her as a thousand pounds and she almost ceases to breathe. "But it's useless to think that way," he continues and suddenly looks her in the eye. "You aren't weak. I would never have to leave you behind. That's why we're on the same team. Because we can never be defeated. We're the best Konoha has to offer. If it wasn't true, than the last fifteen years would have been a waste."

And Tsunade finds herself smiling. Because he is right. They are the best and will remain so. The brightest team the Village Hidden in the Leaves has ever seen. They will never fall as long as they stand together. The slug, the snake and the toad. Together, forever, never broken.

Jiraiya arrives at the table and they clink their glasses together. They are young and tonight they drink to their future successes. And Tsunade thinks her sake has never tasted so good.

Meh, sorry for the long pause. I'll get the next one out sooner. And the rating will finally kick in...