finally || naruto and tsunade

viii

Tsunade felt the dread in her stomach turn into a chunk of ice the instant realization dawned on Shizune's face.

All the insecurities and self-doubt came raining down on her head like a ton of bricks, physically holding her in place.

Her fight-or-flight instincts kicked in and all she wanted to do was run away, but she couldn't. She was numb and cold and couldn't even breathe.

She waited like this for many seconds, and then minutes, until she thought she was going to burst into a thousand pieces.

That's when Shizune finally spoke.

"It's Naruto, isn't it?" Her voice was so devoid of emotion that Tsunade seriously thought about denying the question and moving on to another topic, never to bring her love life up ever again.

But then she remembered Naruto's smile. The smile that washed away all of her worries. The smile that made her warm and cool at the same time. The smile that made her heart flutter.

She remembered how he never gave up on the things and people he loved. How he never went back on his word.

... How he loved her.

... How she loved him.

Denying that love wasn't something she was willing to do. Not now, after everything. Not ever.

She felt strength and confidence she almost forgot she possessed return to her, and it almost made her cry. Naruto was still helping her, even now.

She straightened her back, lifted her chin, and stared her previous student square in the eye.

"Yes." She said. And almost immediately she felt relief. Like a huge weight was lifted off of her shoulders. It was freeing.

Shizune didn't speak for many moments, simply staring at her master with an unbetraying expression. Tsunade knew that Shizune was really thinking about this revelation. Her next words wouldn't be in the heat of the moment. They'd be her true feelings on the matter.

"Tsunade-sama." Shizune started.

Tsunade braced herself.

"I have always looked up to you as a role model. As the ideal kunoichi and woman. I've always wanted to be just like you; powerful and beautiful in equal measure."

The confidence Tsunade mustered up was slowly ebbing away, nervousness creeping into her heart with every passing second.

"You took me in when my uncle died, and raised me like I was your own daughter. We both shared the same pain when he died, and because of that, we developed a bond."

Tsunade wondered if she really should have confessed to Shizune. Dan was her uncle and one of the most important people in both of their lives.

"You taught me how to be the kunoichi I am today. I wouldn't be the woman I am right now without you."

Tsunade's heart was pounding. It felt like it was going to hop out of her chest. Just before it did, however, Shizune smiled.

"Who you love, no matter how strange it may seem to the world, would never change how I feel about you. You're still the powerful, beautiful kunoichi that I've always admired."

Tsunade blinked. Did the room just flip upside down? Because it sure felt like it.

"Naruto has become a fine man and is no longer a child. The age difference means nothing now."

Again, Tsunade just blinked.

"You shouldn't feel ashamed or frightened about it, either. You deserve happiness." Shizune smiled softly. "You both do. Many times over."