It was late at night, and Tsunade and Jiraiya had talked for hours.
At last, Jiraiya looked at Tsunade's alluring, drunken face and wanted to say something.
But Tsunade mumbled in her sleep, "Dan, I raised Shizune for you. How are you going to thank me?"
Jiraiya sighed soundlessly. Tsunade still couldn't forget Dan.
Forget it.
At our age, wasn't all this romance a little childish?
"Shizune, stop hiding around the corner and eavesdropping. Come help Tsunade back!"
Caught, Shizune stepped out from the corner, looking a little embarrassed.
Still, she helped the thoroughly drunk Tsunade to her feet.
"Lord Jiraiya, see you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!"
Jiraiya waved to Shizune, gave Tsunade one last look, and sighed again without a sound.
If I hadn't stayed in the Land of Rain to teach Nagato and Konan back then, Dan probably wouldn't have stolen her away from me.
How many chances at love were lost simply because of bad timing?
See you tomorrow, Tsunade.
Sunagakure.
A faint cool breeze lingered from the night before, gently sweeping away the stillness that had settled after dark.
The morning light softened the endless yellow sands. Gone was their usual fury, leaving only the peculiar peace of a desert dawn.
The Kazekage Building stood at the heart of Sunagakure. Gaara's office was quiet and solemn, its furnishings sparse, much like his reserved nature.
The young Kazekage sat at his desk, the skin above his browless eyes drawn into a frown.
Temari pushed open the door to the Kazekage's Office and found Gaara deep in thought.
"Gaara, is something wrong?"
Kankuro followed close behind Temari and sternly corrected her. "Jonin Temari, please use his title when we're working."
"You should call him Kazekage!"
Temari turned, raised her hand, and gave him a menacing look.
Kankuro's stern