#{setting:gamasennin}

[peepingtoad]

// @ninaofthemist cont. {x}

Jiraiya wasn’t usually one to stop right out in the open—particularly not in a strange and famously hostile land—but there was something about the dull mauve staining the skyline, the way the sun attempted to pierce the mists with its blessed daybreak, that had him doing just that, notebook in hand and furiously scribbling away. It was exactly the sort of scenery where one could envisage a man chasing after his runaway beloved after a heated dispute, the sombre setting with the thrumming undercurrent of warm light just right for depicting the love constantly underpinning these two star crossed lovers despite all the hardships they—

H-Hello.

A simple greeting, but so unexpected that the sage visibly flinched before he could even think about maintaining his cool, his head turning slowly to look upon the one who greeted him. There was a distinct hunch to his shoulders, almost defensive, as though something precious of his was under threat of theft.

Of course, there was nothing of intrinsic value in his hands—only his notebook and pen, which he clung to with a vice grip... until registering the unfamiliar young woman’s offer for help, that is, at which point he seemed to relax, an easy grin replacing the tense and territorial look he’d worn a split second prior.

“Oh, good morning! Gorgeous day here, isn’t it? So eerie but so... heart-wrenching, don’t you think?”

Probably not the description most people would choose for a grey and dreary morning in Mizu no Kuni, but Jiraiya was without a doubt still lost in the little dramatic moment he’d crafted in his mind. Although that wasn’t the kind of disorientation that anybody could help him with, no matter how earnestly they offered...

Ah. Right. Her offer.

“Agh, where are my manners? Thanks for your consideration, but I’m not lost in the slightest... For example, I know that the nearest town is, uhhh...” He turned, and squinted in one direction, then made a complete one-eighty to glare in the other. “—Well, okay, perhaps I don’t know exactly where I am. But I have the sun to guide me in some direction, right? Even if it’s not quite making it through the fog today...”

Something in him was telling him not to admit his situation at all costs. It surely couldn’t be because the stranger was of the feminine persuasion, right? Haha... no. Of course it couldn’t be that.

[peepingtoad]

// @shattered-by-sparks​ 

Seldom did a man like Jiraiya seek out help from another, what with the vast sprawl of his experience (both as a shinobi and generally in life), and yet what he now potentially faced was something completely and utterly foreign to him. It was exciting, in a sense, but he’d also been out of this particular game for so long that he wasn’t sure how good he’d even be anymore. 

Would he be patient enough? Would he have the right technique? Would he be able to learn new ones?

Well of course he would. He was still very confident in that sense—overconfident, perhaps—but the niggling uncertainty and potential of completely messing up something this delicate was enough that he could set aside his pride. Only a fool wouldn’t, when the exact right person to assist him was right here in the village.

“Ah, if it isn’t Kakashi’s lovely friend……... Nohara Rin, is it?” Jiraiya said smoothly when he found her, cradling his chin in a curled hand and grinning roguishly as he ‘remembered’ the name. Only somehow, he didn’t think the act was coming across very convincingly. So down came the sleazy charm as quickly as he’d donned it, and with that he sank heavily into the seat beside her. 

“Okay, I’m just gonna cut to the chase here, my dear. My sources tell me that you may be the only one who can help a man in need of something… rather niche.”

[peepingtoad]

Casino Sugoi!

// @slughime {moved from Disc because a certain frog bitch can’t keep track}

Tsuna:

After a minor loss, it was on to the next casino for Tsunade, a casino titled Sugoi! She had spent a day here already and things were going... rather horribly, actually. It was as if her luck, which was already bad, had taken a turn for the worse. Trying not to let it get to her (hoping that extra bad luck meant good luck was coming, since good luck for her usually meant something bad was going to happen), Tsunade continued to stay at the casino, which unfortunately had the added effect of causing Shizune some undue stress. So the slug princess had given Shizune and TonTon a little break, and the two were exploring the village at the moment. 

 Tsunade had lost... maybe one million Yen? When she decided to call it an evening. She headed to the bar and sat down with a sigh. "Just give me the whole bottle of sake, Hoshida," she said gruffly, pushing her hair from her eyes. Then she looked past the bartender. And who was staring right back at her, but Jiraiya. She blinked. 

"Shit."

Jira: 

There wasn't any particular reason for finding himself in this town, aside from it being somewhere he just happened to come by on his travels; that and the fact it looked to be home to a number of places he could drown his sorrows, which was honestly something he sought out more the longer he went with no leads on where Orochimaru had made his new base. 

Casinos weren't usually his thing, so to speak, although he was partial to the occasional gamble. But on a night like this, where ghosts seemed to be particularly intent on hounding his every step, he could stand to stack another sort of thrill on top of generally drinking himself stupid. Perhaps followed by a night in the brothel, that would make tonight a neatly tied package of all three shinobi taboos.

The roar of a crowd--some groaning, others cheering--drew his attention while he nursed a whisky at the quiet bar in Sugoi!. With the bar encircling the bartender and his wares entirely, the drinking area was an island where happy and sad gamblers alike could still get a good view of various goings-on around them... but Jiraiya had found after playing a few slots that he just wasn't feeling the scene. Possibly something to do with only getting variants of 'Toad-X-O' no matter which machine he picked.

His attention was snatched, however, when a familiar voice (and very familiar order) from across the way had his eyes snapping up to see if his desperate senses were deceiving him. Alas, no. It wouldn't have been so bad, if he wasn't well on his way to wasted alread--or perhaps, if he didn't see the word 'shit' mouthed by pale pink lips. A fact that had him frowning with no effort to hide it. 

 Well, here we fucking go. 

"Tch. Put the lady's order on my tab, Hoshida," he said, and with a sternness to his eyes as they met Tsunade's, they then flicked to the seat beside him along with an illustrative tilt of his head. Perhaps it was a low move to rope her closer by paying, but he'd be damned if he was going to let himself be ignored.

Tsuna:

To be clear, the shit was not because Tsunade was unhappy to see him. Though Tsunade was also unhappy to see him, the shit had been in anticipation of all the emotions she knew she was bound to feel next. And Tsunade, though she was known as a princess, was a queen of her emotions. Except when ghosts of her pasts that knew her far too well for comfort sat across from her at the bar. Though Jiraiya made no effort to hide his frown, Tsunade made every effort to hide the pain that hit her like one of her trademark punches, as memories of her village and her friends, of loss especially, flooded back into her mind long pushed aside. Eyes closed briefly, hands folded in front of her mouth to hide the grimace, the slug princess took a moment to reign back control of her emotions, so to speak. 

Looking up, she saw what Jiraiya wanted. The bottle clinked down in front of her, and with a sigh, she heaved herself up and walked over to the seat beside him, sinking down with yet another sigh. Not looking into his eyes, but straight ahead, Tsunade tipped back the entire bottle of sake. In one go. She slammed it down on the table with a much louder clink. 

"You better be paying for all my drinks, Jiraiya," she said. A quick glance risked in his direction. She couldn't resist.

Jira:

How long had it been, now? Ten years, almost, since he'd left the team in Ame? Maybe he would have chosen differently then, had he known that his decision would herald the end of their friendship. Or so it would seem, based solely on the fact he returned to find just about everyone in their group of peers either dead or gone. And no matter how many times he told himself it was useless to ruminate over 'what if', it couldn't be helped. Particularly not the more he drank, and with the most guilt-inducing reminder of who he'd abandoned now sitting right by him. 

Still, no matter how heavily this all weighed in his heart, he couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the sight of Tsunade chugging the whole bottle down in one. An impressive display of dominance, that's for sure. He'd expect nothing less of her. Signalling the barman for two of the same, having finished off the last of his current glass, he idly swirled around the remaining ice in the bottom of it. 

"And since when did I ever not do that?" He drawled, his smirk holding all his usual cockiness, betrayed only by the softness of his eyes when their gazes briefly met. "And we've got a fair few years of lost drinking sesisons to make up for now, Hime, haven't we?"

Tsuna:

Tsunade chose not to think about the past. Instead, she drank and she gambled and she enjoyed Shizune and Tonton's company. She liked good food and she liked the thrill of thinking she might come out winning a lot of money someday. 

Today was not that day. Today was a drink-an-entire-bottle-in-one-go day. Which was to show that she was in control, of the situation and of everything else. But also was a way for her to try to get herself to relax.  Tsunade heard him chuckling, and she didn't know whether to smile or glare. But when she met his gaze she saw a softness there, and any harsh words or dagger-eyed glares were no longer options. He was right, of course. She looked at him, suddenly sad. Missing him, the old fool. 

And then the comment about lost drinking sessions. As if to add insult to injury. She turned away, grabbing the other bottle but resisting the urge to down that as well. She had a whole sarcastic comment prepared. Something like: You trying to get me passed out drunk, Jiraiya? But instead what came out was a low, sad sort of: "Yeah."

[peepingtoad]

WARM AND FUZZY MEME! (accepting--yes, still, even though I have 6 to write T_T) // @oc-lootcrate (Ari)

☂ YOUR MUSE SHIELDING MY MUSE FROM RAIN

In one of those unusual little twists of the summer season, the heavens opened not too long before Jiraiya reached Konoha’s gates—the timing absolutely perfect, of course. Not that he was one to immediately flee for shelter the moment it started spitting, not by any stretch, but after a long and arduous journey the last thing one wanted was the extra discomfort of clothing plastered to one’s skin, or the denser weight of one’s pack as it became saturated in minutes by the sudden downpour.

And it only got worse. Before long, the fuzzy-static sound of rain battering the trees and ground grew harsher, more cacophonous, until the raindrops seemed to resemble endless flurries of senbon rather than mere water.

Good grief, he thought with a grimace, it’s like being back in Ame itself!

… And speaking of, looked like it was high time to go back on the whole ‘not fleeing’ thing.

When he eventually bypassed the grand wooden gates—still trotting with the momentum of one of the more bracing sprints he’d had in his lifetime—the Chūnin stationed there attempted to greet Jiraiya, only to be met with a raised hand and a grunt when he finally stopped. Both hands planted on his knees, he attempted to regain his bearings… and his breath.

Was his body finally beginning to fail him? Were the decades of alcohol, smoking and all-you-can-eat buffet abuse creeping ever nearer with cruel, sharp, youth-draining fingers? Was erectile dysfunction next? And had the rain at this very moment suddenly stopped, even though the sound of it remained all around?

... Oh shit, I ran so fast I exploded my eardrums. This is it. This is…

“Um… Jiraiya-sama?” A mild voice stirred him from his brief but poignant moment of crisis, and the sage glanced upwards to be met with a familiar face. Ari was holding an umbrella over them both, and for some reason Jiraiya could detect not a single shred of judgement about him despite his… state.

“Uh. Hey,” he replied not-so-smoothly, and straightened up. He then languidly raked a hand back through his soaking wet hair, and offered a casual laugh. That usually made one appear cooler, right?

“Well, this umbrella sure ain’t big enough for the two of us~” he commented, sliiiiightly more smoothly this time, and just a touch suggestively. The beginnings of a teasing smile tugged at his lips, remembering how disastrous a misplaced kiss had turned out that one time. Oh, he could definitely get some kind of hilarious response again from Ari if he were to press up closer for ‘more shelter’... but perhaps it would be beneficial not to send his conveniently timed saviour into a panic.

“Well I reckon a good, hot bath is definitely in order. What d’you say?” He placed a hand on Ari’s shoulder, and used it as leverage to draw a little bit nearer, smiling with both eyes and mouth. “If not, not to worry—but I know you’ll at least chaperone me, gentleman that you are… won’t you?”

He just can’t help himself.

[peepingtoad]

// @maitoessensei​ cont. {x}

Jiraiya wasn’t having any of it. If he’d been in Gai’s place right now, he’d be relishing the chance to lie there and do nothing, enjoying the tender care (and low-cut uniforms) of the cute nursing staff while whittling down his seemingly endless reading pile—not attempting to run around with a freshly sealed-up wound and god knows what other sprains and fractures.

He interrupted the tangent with another soft push to Gai’s chest, giving a jovial laugh as he folded his arms across his wide chest.

“—Yeah yeah, beat your ‘Eternal Rival’ in a contest of speedy recovery, right?”

Or so he assumed, given Kakashi was currently bedridden the next ward along. That was why he’d come, initially, despite visiting hours having long since passed. Like that was going to stop Jiraiya, master of the sneaky window entry. Doors were for people far less important than him.

Besides, he simply had to deliver the draft of his current work-in-progress in time for his biggest fan’s awakening.

“Look, he’s totally sharingan’d himself out again. It’s gonna be a while until he’s up and about, so you may as well let your wounds heal up in their own sweet time, unless you want things to open up again—” He leaned down, and added gravely— “and, by extension, incur the wrath of the she-dragon.” 

And nobody in their right mind would want that—not even Captain Youth over here, surely!

[peepingtoad]

// @kagettbayo​ 

Naruto smirked quickly packing his things, he was supposed to leave with Master Jiraiya today. He didn’t really rest much that night only because of all of the excitement. He was going to learn so many awesome things from this guy and the fact he actually WANTED to take him was the best thing that could have ever happened to him at this point. The boy’s heart sped up already having had a few lessons with the old Perv; the man was awesome as far as Naruto was concerned despite his appetite for women.

Naruto’s heart raced as the boy carefully selected his items balancing it against his other things for the sake of weight. He was told he pack wisely because they only carry but so much or it would slow and weigh them down. Thankfully, Naruto saved his money all of the time for the future and therefore had the funds to take in case of emergency. Naruto spent hours giving it thought not even sure how long they would be gone. As reminder he constantly told himself that whatever he chose he would have to carry whatever he took.

The life of a nomad was fast paced and not too often did they carry much in their travels.He had already learned one lesson, not to let Jiraiya know what he had in monetary value for the sake of his masters “research”. Tucking some coins and bills into the frog he quickly shoved it into his pouch on his back. Smirking to himself, Naruto knelt down crossing his legs pulling his foot to him with a smirk. Taking the hem of his pants he slit the bottom stitches of orange with a smirk placing two strips of plastic inside it to build a foundation inside the cloth making sure they were thin enough to hide but thick enough to protect the money. He rolled up majority of his funds up sliding his fingers over it to smash it together perfectly so it was flat wrapping it into a thin sheet of plastic to protect it in case he got wet. When he slid the money into place in his pants he sewed it closed covering it with a patch on the backside of the orange cloth with double cross stitches to secure it.

When finished Naruto lifted his leg into the air satisfied studying his pant-leg to make sure it was undetectable not only to his Sensei but also to anyone they would come in contact with. Upon approval, the boy jumped up tugging his jacket on turning while zipping it closed finally finished with his checklist.He didn’t even take time to use the door his breakfast cup of ramen secured between his teeth. Taking a deep breath he looked at himself in the mirror reaching down to pull his bag onto his pack. After carefully tying his headband into place he took the ramen into his hand careful not to spill it on himself with too much movement.

Keep reading

Jiraiya left the hospital that fateful evening with a tumult of emotions in his heart. What had started as an ultimatum, telling Naruto that he would only agree to train him if he abandoned his goal of saving Sasuke, had ended with him rescinding on it entirely. Of course, there was little real conviction as he'd laid down those terms--only the dull ache of a pain he knew all too well, and his desire to protect Naruto from that very same disappointment that plagued him. But he should have known that knucklehead would stubbornly refuse to give up--that was the very same person he used to be, after all. And it only took that stubbornness to spark in Jiraiya the remembrance of that, to accept that it was no bad thing to be a hopeful fool in this world.

Not that he'd ever tell Naruto outright how he'd helped his infinitely wise master to find a little of himself that evening. He doubted the kid would really understand it, for a start, and even if he did Jiraiya would probably never hear the end of it... but it wasn't only that. It still felt like it was just too soon for him to truly hope for a chance to reconnect with his own friend, after he'd spiralled to the point where he killed their own sensei...

No--for now he would channel that unanswered desire into helping Naruto restore his bond however he could, and if one led to the other, well...

Although Naruto was still in bandages when he eventually took his leave, he still instructed him to prepare himself for their departure as soon as possible. Knowing that chakra of his, he would be fully healed soon enough; besides, there were a few things Jiraiya needed to take care of before he whisked Naruto away for three years of adventure and solid training. Connections to reach out to, intel to chase up, a safe route to map out--the sage was a whole lot more prepared than one would believe from his typically capricious behaviour.

It could almost lead one to believe that this had been the plan all along.

As it happened, however, it did take longer than he'd hoped to find himself once more within Konohagakure's walls--a good number of weeks, in fact. Without a doubt, Naruto would be incredibly impatient to get going by this point, but the tardy sage at least had the courtesy to send on a toad heralding his return, instructions laid plainly within a scroll for the boy to get his things together and meet him at a certain place and time the following morning.

Which left Jiraiya with only one thing to do--to enjoy one last night of freedom from a boisterous pre-teen. 

He chose to do so at an inn that lay several miles from the village outskirts, where he sat smoking his pipe on the chilly balcony while gazing at the crescent moon that glimmered sharply from behind rolling clouds. It was here that he reflected on that conversation once more with a serene smile, remembering the determination that shone vividly in Naruto's eyes, and his ardent promise that he would find Sasuke and pull him back from the darkness.

The following morning brought with it a crisp chill that touched the greenery surrounding the inn with a dusting of frost.

This didn't trouble Jiraiya too much, however--after all, it was at the crack of dawn that he had to leave if he was to make it back to Konoha on time, and as the morning rolled on the world would likely return to its green, sunny state. Besides, it was at times like this that he could really appreciate this specific time of day that was so rarely seen, where the sun rose blood orange and stained the sky pink and gold--although a great deal of that appreciation also came from having just slept somewhere warm and sheltered.

Again, a luxury that may not always be an option once he had Naruto in tow. It was imperative that they remain on the move, difficult for unfriendly individuals to predict or trace. But that was exactly why Jiraiya was the only one who could take him from his shinobi duties for such an extended period.

With this thought in mind, there may have been a distinct air of lamentation when he bid the pretty receptionist goodbye, leaving his room key, a generous tip... and naturally, a flirtatious note slipped in with the bills.

It was around ten in the morning by the time he made it to central Konoha. That was half an hour earlier than he'd suggested they meet up, so it was no surprise to him that there was nary a yellow head to be seen amongst the sparse crowds that milled about the high street. Jiraiya was fine with that, and took the opportunity to check out the bargain bin outside the bookshop, where he frowned upon eventually uprooting a barely-touched copy of 'The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi'.

Bargain bin. Bottom of the pile. Really.

With a slightly sour expression, he opted instead to grab some tea to go, and by the time he leaned against a wall to await his apprentice's arrival, it was already past the meeting time. Although it was much warmer now, he still had the sniffles after that bracing journey here, but a warm drink certainly helped to alleviate both that and any creeping impatience at being left hanging.

Ten more minutes, and I'll burst into his little apartment and cast Toad Mouth Trap... that'll scare the little bastard awake...

Just as the devious thought crossed his mind, his own name rang through the peaceful morning atmosphere, carried upon a most shrill voice, which Jiraiya answered with a snap of his head towards the source, and a barely withheld laugh of his own. As the orange blur skidded to a halt before him, he waved away the resulting flurry of dust.

"You trying to make your own shoes catch fire or something? Because I’ll tell you know that does not count as Katon." He said with a raised eyebrow, and extended a hand with the intention of ruffling blond spikes... only to falter as he was presented with... something. Something wrapped. He blinked dumbly for a moment, one that stretched on long enough for it to be clear that he would in fact require an explanation.

"... Birthday?"

Shit--was it his birthday? He mentally shook himself to recall the exact date. He supposed it was chilly enough to possibly be November by now, so... sure, he’ll go with it. Who would ever complain at being given a gift, besides?

"Ah. Yes. Of course it's my birthday. The big five-one... ahaha..." God save me!!! Jiraiya thought to himself with a forced grin as he accepted the mystery present and began to unwrap it. "... Well, Naruto, I dunno what to say! Hardly expected you to spoil me like this after... after I..."

With the way his jaw dropped upon unravelling the scroll, one might suspect it contained all the ancient secrets of the world--but no. It was simply a piece of erotic art. Or so it would appear to some run-of-the-mill uncultured swine. Jiraiya, however, knew--of course he knew!--that this was a one of a kind item with no known replicas, almost legendary for being the only depiction of one certain geisha in existence.

This gift... was kingly.

So stunned was the sage that he hardly realised Naruto had already wandered off--not until he finally managed to form the simple word 'how', at which point it was, of course, too late to receive an answer. He carefully wrapped the scroll once more, and placed it back within its bag, before tucking it safely into one of the pouches on his pack. He'd have to safely seal it away later. This was for private enjoyment only (and possibly framing and hanging in three years time, when he finally was able to visit his home).

Upon catching up to the young Uzumaki, his large hand finally came to rest atop his head with an affectionate ruffle.

“Thank you for that, Naruto. You have no idea just how touched I am.” And how touched I will be later, too. Touched by myse-- “However! Back to business! We’ve got a good solid day of walking ahead of us, so I hope you packed li-... light...”

... Dammit. There he goes again.

Only this time, Jiraiya wouldn’t go bounding after him. He was the sensei, he called the shots. So he proceeded to pass over the threshold of the gates all too casually, nose turned slightly up towards the air as he waved back at the ever-bored Kotetsu and Izumo. The kid would have to calm down and stick by his side eventually, he was sure... and lo and behold, he did, if only to immediately start with the requests.

“Oh, you mean like that Rasengan you’ve only semi-perfected?” He said innocently enough as he clasped his hands behind his head, but the single eye that peered down at Naruto paired with the teasing smirk spoke perfectly otherwise. “Or the fact you can only seem to summon a decent-sized toad when you’re on the verge of death?”

Oh, it was mean, but Jiraiya just couldn’t help teasing the kid.

“If you’d been listening, then you’d have heard me say that we’ll be walking a hell of a lot until we reach our first pit stop. That means we need to keep up our energy--but if you wanna practice your chakra control for the Rasengan while we do so, be my guest. The sooner you no longer require a clone to form it, the better... but you’ve gotta remember, we’ve got three years ahead of us. Three long, gruelling years, Naruto. You’ll be begging me to stop teaching you jutsu by the end of it, believe you me...”

[peepingtoad]

WARM AND FUZZY MEME! // @capteinoblivious

👐 YOUR MUSE GIVING MINE A HUG (or SIX)

It was before he’d even woken up on one particularly miserable winter’s day. 

Days like this made Jiraiya far more prone to sleeping late. In the summer, he’d be up bright and early to kick-start their training, but in weather like this it was often on Naruto to wake him from his slumber. 

At first, the blond shinobi hadn’t had much success, and in a last-ditch effort he dove right on top of the sage in a massive hug, causing him to wake in utter panic and almost fling him right out of the tent. It had taken a few moments to recover from the near heart-attack, and only then could he pry the boy off.

“Did you know, Naruto, that certain toads like to bury themselves in the soil and hibernate for the winter?” He huffed, extremely cranky from the rude awakening. “So how about you make like one and do the same?”

Next, they were having lunch in a small village, and Jiraiya had managed to engage a pair of local women, who cooed and fawned over him as he bragged about his ‘son’—or so they assumed, which Jiraiya didn’t see the need to correct them on. They giggled and said how hard it was to find someone both sensitive and manly, at which point his ‘son’ hugged him around the neck and jeered, “he’s not manly or sensitive, he’s just a pervy, peeping old sage!”

The women muttered about what sort of upbringing that poor boy was getting as they hastily abandoned Jiraiya, whose forehead was planted firmly on the table with Naruto still clinging to him and cackling.

Later on, the two found a decently sheltered spot to train, where most of the day was spent, but little progress was made. There were only so many times Jiraiya could repeat the same thing. He couldn’t do anything to make Naruto get the knack, and even if he could, he wouldn’t. Becoming stronger and more skilled required grit, just as he had learned back when he was the boy’s age. No amount of teaching or explaining the concepts could make it quicker, no matter how frustrated they both got, or how much they ended up yelling at each other.

When they made it back to the inn (because like hell was Jiraiya sleeping out in that weather another night), Naruto groaned and draped himself over him as he drank tea and jotted some ideas. The sage tutted softly, but ruffled his hair and told him: 

“You did well today, and you’ll crack it tomorrow. I can feel it!”

Another rude awakening struck in the middle of the night, this time with an accidental fist to his still-recovering chest. He rolled over, coughing and hacking up blood, which woke a restlessly sleeping Naruto. It took some time for Jiraiya to regain his breath, and only when the pain subsided enough did he realise that Naruto was holding him and frantically apologising. That hurt just as much as the wound, because the wound only came as a result of his own stupidity.

When he lay down again, sprawled flat on his back, it was with a distraught Naruto still held in his loosely curled arm.

“Hey… don’t worry about it, kid,” he assured, and gave him an encouraging little shake while he yawned. “Takes more than that to take a guy like me down!”

Everything was as normal once daylight roused them from sleep, it seemed, despite Naruto yawning more than usual. They joked and discussed plans at breakfast, and Naruto berated Jiraiya for attempting to ‘’sneak a peak’ during their morning bath. When they made it back to the room to pack up, the bloodied tissues and bandages he’d left had already been cleaned up.

It was a sunny day. They passed a stall selling ice cream while exploring the town, and without thinking  an overexcited Naruto hugged him, pressing his face into his chest and begging for the biggest one they sold. Jiraiya tensed up at the sting of it before he could stop himself, and Naruto sprang back, casting his mortified eyes to the ground.

“Hey, you gonna let this melt all over?” Jiraiya asked mock-impatiently, quirking an eyebrow, and after a moment of staring at the treat with glassy eyes, Naruto’s sunshine grin re-emerged.

The sunset was blood orange, and much warmer than expected compared to the night before. Jiraiya sat against a large tree with his student, watching as the light slowly bled into the clouds before giving way to inky blues, when he felt the weight leaning against him grow just that bit heavier.

His eyes were soft as he looked at the boy, clearly exhausted after barely catching a wink the night before.

Careful not to wake him, the sage lifted his arm and draped it around Naruto’s shoulders, hugging him just like he would his grandson. And to think that Naruto had been so grossed out the last time he gave him a hug. Called him senile, even, for calling him just that—his grandson.

If only he knew just how true that really was.

Maybe one day.

[peepingtoad]

WARM AND FUZZY MEME! // @asagao-onna

🛀 YOUR MUSE RUNNING A BUBBLE BATH FOR MINE

He arrived at Anko’s place looking like a shadow of his usual vivacious self. Shoulders slumped far beyond his usual slouch, bags under his eyes from lack of sleep—passersby could practically see the dark clouds gathering above him as he ambled through the streets of Konoha. 

This was always what prefaced a manuscript deadline (or more specifically, the daunting end of his fifth and final extension), and Jiraiya had very nearly sent back a toad telling her he’d caught a cold and couldn’t see her at all. It wasn’t a state he liked to show people if he could avoid it.

But she’d left the invitation very open in her message, saying to head over as soon as possible and let himself in, and both curiosity and his imagination had gotten the better of him. Was she preparing something for him? Some sort of sexy surprise, maybe?

As it turned out, it was even better than that—and possibly something he needed even more than a whole night of passion. 

When he opened the door to her apartment, a sweet and floral aroma of bath products greeted him, along with the steady sound of gushing water that drowned out the radio  that quietly chattered in the background. Right away Jiraiya perked up. How long had it been since he’d taken anything but a quick shower in the morning before shackling himself to his writing desk for the day?

About the entire time his editor had started making daily calls and setting her snooping, sneaky animal summon to report back on him—that is to say, two weeks of irritation and constant interference whenever he tried to sneak out to the bar for a liquid pick-me-up.

Well, it would have his own trusty summons to contend with tonight.

The weary sage made his way through the small apartment until he found the bathroom door, and leaned against the frame with a smile. Anko was there, as expected, testing the heat of the half-filled bath and wearing nothing but a casual kimono of thin floral print silk that hugged her curves enticingly.

“My darling Anko, how did you know this is exactly what I need right now?” His smile grew wider when she stood up to greet him, and his arms laced around her waist in order to pull her closer—an action that had grown more natural and familiar than he ever expected it to. “Thank you.”

And he truly meant it. For all his experience and worldliness in love of a fleeting nature, he was very unused to the feeling of someone taking care of him a little (without being paid to do so). It touched him in such a warm, fuzzy way, and he couldn’t help the way his eyes crinkled with delight as he planted a big, grinning kiss on Anko’s cheek.

“I sure hope you’re planning to join me in there for some wet, soapy fun~”

Because while desperately needed a good, long soak—possibly even more than a whole night of passion—there was no reason why he shouldn’t have both.

[peepingtoad]

// @ketsuekki​​

Minami being quiet around him wasn’t too much of a surprise in itself; whenever they did speak, it only seemed to lead to her being more furious than she had any idea what to do with, so in the end she simply decided not to. Or that’s what Jiraiya assumed was the case, given that such a thing wasn’t hugely uncommon between himself and any given member of womankind anyway.

“Uhhh... forgive me if I’m wrong, but I’m not sure aspirin’s gonna do much good against--wait, was that a heart attack you just said?!”

And just like that, there was panic. He dashed around to take her by the shoulders, and shook her--perhaps a little too vigorously. Oh man, she wasn’t looking too hot. Not too hot at all.

Don’t you die on me, woman. I need you alive! You’re not at all useful to me dead! Please don’t make me--

“DO YOU NEED MOUTH-TO-MOUTH?!” Shit. Now that he thought about it, which he had in fact found himself guiltily doing on various occasions, that shirt under her cloak was tight as all hell. If he had to give her CPR, he’d probably also have to... “DO YOU WANT CPR FROM ME, MINAMI?! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?! IF NOT THEN STOP THIS RIGHT NOW.”

[peepingtoad]

WARM AND FUZZY MEME! (not accepting) // @asagao-onna​

👶 YOUR MUSE REVEALING THAT THEY ARE PREGNANT WITH MY MUSE’S BABY

There was something unusual about Anko’s manner today that Jiraiya just couldn’t place—usually, he was pretty damn intuitive to the moods and energies of others, but this time it was a complete mystery, even to him.

She seemed… deflated? Skittish? Evasive? A combination of the three, along with some other tendencies that weren’t at all like Anko. The fact she had quite formally invited him over rather than sending him a playful note or message only added to his growing suspicion… and the way she toyed with her food when they sat and ate in front of an old movie, further yet. Usually that would be gone much faster.

“Alright,” Jiraiya stated softly, conscious of seeming pushy but wanting to make it known that he expected full honesty. “You’ve gotta tell me what’s wrong, Anko. I could cut the atmosphere in here with a knife. A blunt one, at that!”

He laughed, but there was an awkward, fluttering cadence about it. For some reason, his hands were starting to get a little clammy—the way Anko failed to meet his gaze, which was warm and gentle as ever, brought forth the immediate assumption that this was going to be one of those ‘we need to talk’ type conversations. 

Which would of course be fine. They weren’t exactly together on a serious level…

And yet…

With a sigh, her eyes finally met his properly, and he could feel his own breath momentarily stop. He was expecting the end— ‘we need to talk’, ‘I want to stop what we’re doing now’, ‘I’ve found someone else’... 

... But what came out of her mouth when she did speak up was more shocking than any of that.

Jiraiya had to pause for a second and replay her words, rewind and replay them again, several times: ‘I’m pregnant, and it’s yours’, ‘I’m pregnant, and it’s yours’, ‘I’m pregnant, and it’s yours’...

“You’re…” 

Yes, Jiraiya. Pregnant. That’s what the lady said. Close your mouth now, there we go.

But closing his mouth only served to highlight just how uncomfortably dry it had become. The last mouthful of rice he’d been swallowing was uncomfortably lodged somewhere just above his clavicle, but as it stood there was no chance of shifting it. With one shaking hand, he signalled to Anko to give him a moment, and with the other he poured himself a cup of sake and downed it.

“Right. This… this is fine,” he gasped out, slightly short of breath, and faced Anko again with a lopsided smile. To think he was worrying about something so trivial compared to… 

GoodgodI’mhavingadamnbaby.

No. That wasn’t a certainty yet. And even if it was, he could process it later—for now, he had to be level-headed for Anko. He had no idea whether she considered this good new, alright news, or absolutely disastrous news. Tentatively, Jiraiya reached over and took her hand in his own, giving it a grounding squeeze for both of them.

“S-so... what’s important right now... is you. What are your thoughts?” He moved closer to her, and put an arm securely around her shoulders. “You’ve got all my support, Anko, whatever you want to do. I hope you know that…”

[peepingtoad]

// @redlineoffate​ cont {x}

“Relax, Princess~” He said in a soft voice, his hand sliding up to hold her a little less conspicuously by the waist as he nuzzled her neck. “I’m not that bad, you know. I at least waited until their attentions were elsewhere...”

Indeed, the other patrons of the bar were more concerned with getting served, or engaged in their own conversations. The fact two of the Sannin were finally together had become old news already, it seemed.

“Besides, we are technically drinking on the job right now. But I guess that’s just us living up to our existing reputation, hmm?~” 

[peepingtoad]

WARM AND FUZZY MEME!  // @feralursus

👐 YOUR MUSE GIVING MINE A STRANGLE HUG

“Hey, if you wanna make up for it, all I’ll ask for is the pleasure of your company,” Jiraiya said pseudo-innocently, taking a swig of his drink. 

He’d caught this pretty pickpocket in the act for a change, being a little more sober and thus more on the ball than usual—but he wasn’t about to have the lady thrown out of the establishment for such a slight. Not when their continued encounters during his travels were almost beginning to seem fated (because of course, it couldn’t possibly be that fools like him made the easiest targets).

Besides, he also knew that Mayu was highly unlikely to pass up a chance of a freebie. Especially not of the alcoholic variety.

An ill-advised number of drinks later, Jiraiya’s cheeks were red enough that his famous markings barely stood out, and as his eyes drifted uncontrollably every time he tried to focus on something, his large form also swayed slowly to and fro, like a ship experiencing moderate to severe turbulence at sea.

“Hohoho, if it ishn’t to bold of me to say so, this’s almost turned out like… like sort’ve a date, hasn’t it?” He slurred and slouched over the table, grinning widely and waggling his eyebrows “Sho that bein’ the case… why don’tcha come a lil’ closer fer some quality Jiraiya cuddlin’, hmm?~”

Mayu seemed to smile at that—seemed being key here—and as she actually moved towards him, in a turn far more favourable than he could ever have expected, he held his arms outstretched and hiccuped with that same dopey smile on his face. Oh yeah! Cuddle time!

“Eeeeyyyyyyyyy that’s the stuff—ACKG-”

There was such might behind the arms that suddenly encircled his neck that Jiraiya couldn’t say whether it was a hug or an assault—but he’d take it. Unless he passed out from lack of air first, but he could cross that bridge when he came to it. Or, just let himself be choked out and wake up penniless. Wouldn’t be the first time...

“Hhhhhhck! Aaawwh~ you’re so feisty, Mayu-chan!~” He cooed sickeningly, wheezing a little as he attempted to breathe between bouts of spluttering laughter. Chalking up his increased light-headedness to booze (and not the more obvious factor), he twisted his shoulders in an attempt to get a hold around her waist. When that failed, he planted both hands on the table, and in a surprising display of power and balance, heaved himself to his full height—with a still-clinging Mayu lifted clean off the floor, no less. 

“Look!!! I know ya love me baby, but I’ve gotta take a leak! Lemme go ya crazy broad!”

[peepingtoad]

// @ladytsunadehime​

Jiraiya probably knew better than anyone in the world that whenever Tsunade put emphasis on each--syllable--of--his--name, she was in one of those bratty, demanding moods of hers. Unfortunately for him, it was guaranteed to have him bending backwards to do whatever she wanted--which the princess herself was no doubt well aware of.

But he simply couldn’t help it.

Especially with the flush of sake tinting that fair skin, it always painted the most adorable picture of her. Cheeks rounded out slightly with the force of her pout, thin eyebrows all scrunched up... how could anyone possibly blame him  for giving in to her demands?

“Cold, huh?” He said with a dopey smile, not even bothering to hide how sickeningly gooey his eyes were for her when he stopped her mid-walk. Surely the alcohol in her system should be giving her the illusion of warmth... but in her defence it was pretty late, what with them staying at the bar until they were literally shoved out.

Besides, he had no complaints. Any reason to indulge her was god enough for Jiraiya.

He wore a long-sleeved haori over his clothes tonight, which he spared no time in removing, and draping around Tsunade’s shoulders instead. It was huge enough on her smaller frame that it would probably wrap around her twice if he tried, but he was more concerned with throwing his arms around her instead, rubbing her back and shoulders to try and spark up some warmth.

“There we go! Better?” He drew back a little, and grinned in that goofy, clearly suggestive way of his. “Or d’you need to warm up somewhere a little more comfortable?~”

[peepingtoad]

// @kahenn​

Jiraiya gasped at the impressive scale of the beast in question, and leaned down to give her a gentle pet between the eyes with the side of one fingertip.

“Well hello there, Missus!” He cooed reverently, noting how quiet and seemingly calm she was in Miki’s hold, her thick legs just hanging there politely rather than trying to kick and squirm her way free as toads were so often wont to do.

“Looks to me like you just evicted your most effective means of pest control!” He commented with a raised eyebrow. Luckily he wasn’t in any sort of mood, otherwise referring to the toad as ‘this thing’ might have earned rather a passionate response. “She’s a big beauty, isn’t she? Probably goes for mice as much as insects...

“You sure you don’t want to take her back up there? My back garden makes a fine habitat for them, but she’ll probably be less than pleased with all the competition for food! Not to mention the horny males...” he added that last part with a slightly saucy curl of his lips.

[peepingtoad]

@jiruji asked: Something presses to his backside. Thin hands grip onto his clothes, pulling slightly at him. Jiruji swallows but somehow feels safer being attached to the larger male. "There's a lot of people here..." he squeaks, physically shrinking away from a passing stranger.

Jiraiya was distracted by the stall selling many secondhand books, and had spent the past ten minutes or so absorbed in the pages of some romance manga for teenage girls, giggling bashfully every so often. In fact, he’d very nearly forgotten he even had company until the flimsy weight of him pressed closer--easy to do, when said company had a tendency to grow so nervous and quiet in new situations.

“Oh, Jiruji!” He raised his arm to glance down to where he clung. “I thought this might be an alright place to find you some new clothes, but it’s probably a little busy huh?”

As if the sage hadn’t instantly gotten distracted by the manga as soon as they’d arrived at this market...

“We can find a quieter store if you want. How d’you feel about getting properly fitted?”

[peepingtoad]

// @ketsuekki​ continued from {x}

The first thing worthy of note was the reaction--far too dramatic, it was, for having merely been bumped in passing. Jiraiya was a big man, for sure, and not to mention tough... but anyone with the natural strength not to stagger backwards surely shouldn’t be in this much pain. Then, of course, there was the fatigue present in both eyes and voice as she chastised him, and it stood out to him as starkly as a black rain-cloud on a clear summer’s day; this was a woman who had recently fought.

“Ahaha! Sorry again, sorry!~” Jiraiya laughed, raising a hand to sheepishly scrub through his hair. Big bastard... how harsh! Harsh, but not untrue, even if it was a bit of a low jab to the ol’ feelings.

Upon seeing her subtle recoil, clearly under assault by another mysterious lance of pain, the Sannin’s innate (and more gentlemanly) urge was to reach out in an offer of support. He thought better of it, however, not knowing what this suspicious character could do. And truly, she was suspicious. He couldn’t let the fact she was a lady put him off-guard--not when it seemed she recognised him, subtle as the signs were. Could she have been tipped off to a potential pursuit? He’d long honed his ability to spot such small gestures and map out a range of possibilities based on it, always while putting on the demeanour of an unusual yet friendly older man, but if one of his informants was double-crossing him, then this mission may well be forfeit. 

Therefore it was with a slight dip of the head that he appeared to concede.

“I’ll bear it in mind, my dear,” he replied, and merely watched as she made to leave. The town was somewhat crowded, but not so much that he missed her fumbling for something beneath her cloak, or the fact her exit was somewhat hurried. 

Glancing downward, Jiraiya smiled with grim gratitude at what the dirt path yielded, for it was exactly what he needed: a convenient trail of crimson. Although he waited for her to round a corner first, he was soon enough hot on that route marked by occasional splashes of red. Sure enough, it seemed that fortune was on his side the further he made it without being seen, yet it lurked in the back of his mind that the stranger might be attempting to lure him into a trap. He’d have to remain on the alert.