Love Triangle: Kakashi vs. Genma

69 | Long Time, No See

"Well, well, well. Look who it is! It's been a while!" Jiraiya's loud, booming voice was familiar and [Y/N] had never been so happy to hear it. After her journey, she was tired, hungry, and lonelier than she'd like to admit. Her thoughts had driven her mad and she decided she needed a break from herself.

"Master Jiraiya, thank goodness! I thought I'd never find you." [Y/N] said, approaching him. Jiraiya, like Tsunade, was family. She'd grown up around him, watching her father train him. Jiraiya became something of an uncle to her, though he was rarely in the village anymore. Seeing him now was relieving.

"Good thing you found me when you did, too. I was just about to head out. I've got a new lead, [Y/N]. Before I forget, here." Jiraiya pulled out a scroll and handed it to her. "This is all the data I have so far. It's got information about my lead, too."

"Wait, you're not going to let me come too?"

"As much as I'd love the company, Tsunade sent strict orders to send you back right away. She wants this information as soon as possible, given the Akatsuki's movement in the Land of Fire."

"Right... Well it's at least going to have to wait long enough to let me eat."

Jiraiya laughed. "Of course. I've got time to treat you to lunch, what do you say?"

[Y/N] nodded and the two made their way into a nearby restaurant. Jiraiya took the time to fill her in—quietly, of course—about everything he'd learned: how many members he thought the Akatsuki had left, who he knew for sure was still an active member (Itachi was still among those listed he listed, which still broke [Y/N]'s heart), their recent movements, what he suspected to be their goals...

"Well, there's two of them in the Land of Fire now." [Y/N] said, sipping some of her soup.

"No doubt hunting Naruto. Is he alright?"

"Naruto is fine. He's on Kakashi's watch right now. They're doing some kind of chakra training. They want to enhance the Rasengan."

"I see. I wonder how that's going."

"Well, Naruto has the patience of a rock—none. So I'd imagine it's quite the challenge." [Y/N] finished off her soup, feeling completely refreshed.

Jiraiya laughed and nodded. "Right, of course. Say, speaking of Kakashi... how is he?"

"Kakashi? He's... fine."

"Fine, huh? What's that tone I hear? Last I heard you two were on pretty good terms, if you know what I mean... I'm talking Make Out Paradise terms." Jiraiya said, wiggling his eyebrows and making [Y/N] blush.

"Master Jiraiya! That is highly inappropriate!"

"What? I'm just saying. Is my information wrong?"

"I wouldn't say wrong, just... old."

"So it's true then! You and good old Kakashi, loving like rabbits!"

"Jiraiya!"

"Sorry, sorry. I just never imagined! Sarutobi-sensei's very own daughter and Kakashi of the Sharingan! Some kids you two would have!"

[Y/N] gave up on reprimanding Jiraiya. There was no stopping him anyway. He is the famed Pervy Sage, after all. Instead, she stood up and pushed her chair in under the table, signaling that she was done with that conversation.

Jiraiya laughed and stood, heading to pay for their lunch. He turned and followed her back outside, still chuckling to himself. "I swear... I'll have to have a word and maybe a drink with Kakashi when I'm back in town."

[Y/N] groaned, slinging her bag back on her shoulders. She was more than ready to head back out and go home and stop this nonsense with Jiraiya. He must've sensed her newfound mood and turned to her, more seriously than before.

"[Y/N], I don't mean to put a damper on our afternoon, but listen to me. If you're caught, destroy that scroll no matter what. It's better no one has that information than for it to fall into the wrong hands."

She nodded. "I could always tag along with you, you know... Get Tsunade the most up to date information."

"No, she wants you back soon. Besides, I'll be making my way over there before long." Jiraiya grinned. "I've got to come and see Naruto's training for myself!"

"Very well then. Be safe, Jiraiya."

"And you, [Y/N]."

Jiraiya ruffled her hair like he did when she was younger before and turned to make his way up the road. [Y/N] watched after him before turning her own way. She made sure that the scroll was secured in her bag before finding the path back toward the border.

It had taken her just a few days to get here and she intended that it only take a few days back. She needed to focus and avoid any enemy ninja at all costs, especially the Akatsuki themselves if her comrades hadn't taken them down.

She suddenly bent over and heaved, her lunch making it's way back up her throat. She hadn't felt well since she'd left the restaurant anyway, so she assumed it was just food poisoning. The noodles she'd eaten tasted a little funny, so of course, it had to be just bad food.

She sighed and made her way back onto the path, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. The last thing she needed was food poisoning this far from home.

"I can't be getting sick now!" She groaned to herself.

"You aren't sick. You've just had the wrong turn of luck."

[Y/N] gathered her wits about her and drew her kunai, flipping to face the newcomer. When she came to face them, her eyes widened...

"You..."