Tsunade met with her genin team earlier that morning.
She trained them for a few hours before letting them go home for the day.
She spent the rest of her time at the library, studying medical ninjutsu and chakra theory. When the sunset, she went home in hurry.
Her family always had dinner at 7.
It was 6:55 when she got home and she sighed in relief.
Her grandmother maybe be an old woman, but she didn't dare test her patience or offend her for that matter. She didn't show it often but an angry Mito was terrifying.
As soon as she opened the door, a wonderful smell filled her nose.
Her mouth watered and she gulped, stopping herself from drooling.
She quickly walked inside and shut the door behind her before removing her shoes.
"Tsunade, is that you?" She heard Mito call out.
"Hai." She responded.
She heard some footsteps approaching her until her grandmother finally came into view.
Mito looked down at Tsunade with a smile and motioned her over for a hug.
Tsunade gladly hugged her, loving the warmth of her grandmother's arms.
"Obaachan." She sighed.
"Hello, Tsu-chan." Mito said. "How was your day?"
"It was good, obaachan." Tsunade said.
"Well I'm happy to hear that." Mito said, pulling away. "Go ahead and clean up. Dinner will be ready in 10."
"Hai." Tsunade nodded.
She also wanted to take a bath, wanting to wash off today's work.
Tsunade went upstairs to get cleaned up.
After a hot bath and some fresh clothes, Tsunade felt refreshed and was in a good mood.
When she got downstairs, she went straight to the dining room.
Upon her arrival, the last plate was sat on the table.
"Onee-chan!" Nawaki beamed at his older sister.
"Hey, squirt." Tsunade smiled and tousled his hair.
Nawaki didn't look to pleased and swatted her hand away.
Tsunade grinned while Mito smiled at their interaction.
After teasing her little brother, Tsunade took her seat at the table.
It was only then when she noticed the stranger sitting across from her.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"Tsunade." Mito lightly admonished as she cleared her throat. "Don't be rude to our guest."
"Yoshitatsu Uzumaki." He answered, meeting her gaze.
Tsunade heart nearly skipped as she took a good look at him.
Slim face, high cheekbones, a slender nose, a strong brow ridge, symmetrical features, full lips, a defined chin, a sharp jawline, perfectly arched eyebrows, and a pair of deep set eyes that were a calm, oceanic blue.
He had long vermillion red hair with clear, fair skin.
With his upright posture and manner, he looked very princely.
He was beautiful, through and through.
"I am a distant cousin of Mito-sama." He told her.
Tsunade nodded but began to feel uncomfortable in her heart.
"Tatsu-kun will be staying with us for a little while." Mito said. "After his test, he'll be an official Leaf shinobi."
Tsunade frowned.
This meant that this guy was likely here to stay if she was becoming a shinobi.
"Why?" Tsunade looked at her grandmother.
Mito glanced at Yoshitatsu before speaking.
"Let's enjoy our meal, first." She said, picking up her chopsticks. "Tatsu-kun has worked hard and eager to try such delicious smelling food."
Tsunade's frown deepened and she looked at Yoshitatsu, who had started to eat.
He even ate elegantly.
Tsunade reluctantly picked up her chopsticks and started to eat.
At the first bite, her brows shot up in surprise.
She subconsciously looked at the guy across the table from her.
"Wow, onii-chan." Nawaki seemed equally surprised and beamed at the red head. "This is really good! Even better than obaachan's!"
"Nawaki!" Tsunade hissed at him.
"No, he's right." Mito chuckled and looked at Yoshitatsu. "You can just stay in our compound, you know. We have plenty of room for both you and Kushina."
Tsunade ears perked at her words.
'So that's why he's here...' she thought to herself. 'Wait...who's Kushina?'
The more she listened to them talk, the more irritated she became.
Then finally, she exploded....
SLAP!
She slammed her chopsticks on the table, making everyone jump.
All eyes fell on her as she stood up.
"Tsunade Senju!" Mito looked angry.
"What the hell is going on?!" Tsunade stood her ground. "Why is this guy here and who the hell is Kushina?"
Mito felt her temper flare and was about to give Tsunade a good tongue lashing when Yoshitatsu stopped her.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
Once he saw Mito simmer down, he turned to Tsunade who was glaring at him.
"Can you please sit back down?" Yoshitatsu said calmly. "We can talk while we eat."
"I don't want your damn food." Tsunade sneered. "I want answers!"
"And you'll get them." Yoshitatsu said. "But please respect your family and finish your meal."
Tsunade glanced at her brother and grandmother.
With a sneer, she went to get another set of chopsticks before sitting back down at the table.
She took a bite of her food and stared at him.
"Start talking." She said after swallowing her food.
Yoshitatsu nodded.
He poured everyone except Nawaki a glass of plum wine, much to the little guy's annoyance.
"Take a sip. It's my baachan's homemade recipe." He raised his cup to drink.
Mito followed suit and Tsunade was right behind her.
"It's really good!" Mito said happily.
Yoshitatsu smiled.
Tsunade just downed it in one go.
"To answer your question, Tsunade-san, Kushina is the next jinchuriki of the Nine Tails'." Yoshitatsu said.
"She will be arriving in the village next year. I'm here as her guardian and care taker. They needed someone they could trust and had enough knowledge in fuinjutsu in case something goes wrong with seal. With the Shodaime gone, there's no one else that can keep the beast at bay in the event it gets out."
Tsunade slowly took in the information before she finally turned to look at Mito.
"Obaachan...." She frowned. "What will happen to you?"
Mito didn't answer at first and finished her wine.
She looked at Nawaki before looking at Tsunade.
"When the Kyuubi is extracted and sealed into its new host, I will die." Mito replied.
A solemn silence fell over the table.
Nawaki suddenly stood, looking at his grandmother with watery eyes.
"You can't..." he said in disbelief, raising his voice. "You can't! You can't die, obaachan! You can't leave us!"
"It's nearly my time, child." Mito said sadly. "We all have to meet the Shinigami one day."
"But I haven't become Hokage yet!" Nawaki had tears running down his face. "It's not fair!"
He left the table and ran away outside.
Mito felt her heartbreak and places a hand over her heart.
Tsunade hadn't said a word, frozen in her seat.
She couldn't process the fact that the only person in their life. Their last immediate relative....was leaving them.
"There another reason Yoshitatsu is here. Something that he left out." Mito broke the silence. "Tsunade, meet your fiancé."
At the sound of fiancé, Tsunade's head snapped toward Mito.
Her eyes then fell on Yoshitatsu.
"What?" She said dumbly.
"He is your fiancé." Mito repeated. "Your betrothed."
Tsunade was quiet for a long time.
So many emotions flashed across her face.
There was so much going through her head, she felt overwhelmed.
The blonde slowly stood.
"I'm going to bed." She said.
She left them in the dining room and made her way upstairs.
A minute later, a door slammed shut.