Anniversary…

The door to Tsunade's room slammed open, cracking the wall as the two collided… her half awake figure in an oversized T-shirt leaning against the frame as she groaned "Why are you soooo loud!" Rubbing her eyes she froze as she saw Jirayia, stiffly she looked down seeing her state of dress she let out a girlish scream as she reeled her arm back and somehow crossed the distance in an instant as Jirayia was sent fly through the door right past Shizune who just got back…

Dropping the buckets of water, Shizune rushed Tsunade back to her room to help her get dressed. Minato found Jirayia on his way to the house, Jirayia's nose was leaking an unhealthy amount of blood dyeing the front of his shirt a dark red. Seeing the goofy, almost ecstatic smile smeared across his face Minato could only sigh as he grabbed Jirayia's ankle before dragging him to the house.

Minato knocked on the door as he was told and after a few moments Shizune let him in, Minato was confused to see two buckets of water saturated with Raiton, "What are you doing?" Shirohi ignored him, Tsunade groaned at all the noise "Shirohi play some soft music pleaseeee~ I got a migr… awh thanks," as music as soft as silk filled the small house Minato was even more confused but Shizune got close nudging him, "Don't worry about it too much, Since Tsunade went off the rails a lot has fallen on Shirohi's shoulders. Right now he's purifying water so we can dilute Tsunade's alcohol, the music will slowly soothe her hangover.""

Minato nodded as he looked around the room, Tsunade sitting at a table nursing a hangover while cuddling with a saké bottle, Shirohi sitting over two buckets of water as arcs of lightning danced across his body, with two hands plunged into what looked like a typhoon of lightning. Minato was lost, when Jirayia briefed him about this mission he was told that Shirohi hadn't even finished his first year at the Academy but seeing him showing control that Minato himself barely had showed that even now Minato was falling behind all because he was focusing too much on his project.

Promising himself to work harder upon their return to Konoha, he woke up Jirayia but before Jirayia could began trying to persuade Tsunade to return Shirohi stood up lightning still arcing across his body "You won't be talking to her today, have you already forgotten today is the 14 anniversary of," whispering to avoid Tsunade hearing "Nawaki's death… if either of you make this day any worse for her you will have to deal with the consequences, there is an inn in the center of the village next to the 'Snake Grass Pub' you will stay there tonight, now if you'll excuse me I have work to do…"

Donning his cloak and mask Shirohi flickered away leaving Shizune to deal with Jirayia and Minato, Jirayia frowned "What's wrong with him?" Shizune bluntly said "He doesn't trust you, well Shinobi in general… don't take it to heart he might warm up to you," Jirayia shook his head "No, that's not what I was talking about. Why is he so focused on working, he knows why we are here and it's obvious he doesn't agree…"

Shizune sighed, "You wouldn't understand, there's a lot of weight on Shirohi's shoulders to make sure that we aren't starving especially with Tsunade's gambling habits, and with you two showing up he will probably want us to move to a new location," Shizune looked out the slightly opened window with a soft expression "He works so hard for all of us, he even make a deal with the Hidden Grass Shinobi so he can get a steady stream of jobs."

The three talked while Tsunade slowly passed out in the chair, after noticing her asleep Shizune carried her to her bed. Jirayia offered but Shizune harshly refused.

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Ginkamen was in his regular spot, he had paid for the meal he previously ordered… As he waited for a job opportunity a young grey haired girl came running out the back of the pub, with a stifled chuckle he made some room on his side of the table. The young girl leaped into the seat with a large smile on her face, excited she wrapped her arms around Ginkamen, "Ginka! Your back," a small pout flashed across her face as she gripped his cloak pulling him closer to look through the eye holes of his mask "Why didn't you tell me huh? Mom said you were here earlier but left in a rush… did those bad Shinobi come looking for you again?"

With a light laugh Shirohi slipped from her grip, ruffling her hair as he said "No no, just an old friend that needed some help. How are you doing Yumi, have you been helping your mom around the pub?"

Yumi flinched as if remembering something, awkwardly laughing as she slipped out of the seat running back towards the back room of the pub. She twisted her head, "Ginka better not run away I'll be back!"

Shirohi gave a light laugh softly speaking as he turned his attention out the window "Okay…" It didn't take long for Yumi to return with a small plate of steamed vegetables and rice, shoving it in Ginkamen's face she smiled radiantly "Try it, come on it's on the house" slowly pushing it closer and closer to Ginkamen as she spoke, "Okay okay, just give me a second alright?"

Slightly lifting his mask to reveal his mouth he sampled the vegetables, then the rice, then back to the vegetables… Yumi was intently watching, waiting on him to finish his food

Across the pub, an older women with dark grey hair rested against the bar, her chin resting on her hands as she watched her daughter enjoy herself, Yumi had always had an interest in the masked mercenary Ginkamen, something she as a mother was worried about but over the past few months Ginkamen had become a regular, and while he was here he would protect her small pub from any ruffians looking to cause trouble. He's always been respectful towards her and her daughter, while she couldn't place a face to his voice he had to be fairly young as his voice was still slightly high…

"Was it good?!" Yumi's big charcoal eyes watched Shirohi, she was nearly bouncing in anticipation as she waited, Shirohi nodded his mouth showing a smile "It was delicious, thank you," Yumi's eyes were fixated on his smile but as his voice flowed through her ears her eyes meet the floor as she began playing with the tip of her finger "Ah, well… you always help mom when bad people cause trouble so…so I-I wanted to make you a meal…"

Shirohi's smile softened as he lowered his mask, "Thank you Yumi," out of the corner of his eye he saw Jirayia and Minato approaching the 'Snake Grass Pub' "Sorry, looks like I have some business to take care of…"

"Ah! Can I stay?" Shirohi went to shake his head but Yumi pouted "You let me stay and watch last time…" Shirohi sighed "Last time Shinobi weren't involved, now please go find your mother alright?"

Yumi slowly slid out from the seat a heavy pout marred her face as she dishearteningly spoke "Okay…"