Some time after Tsunade became Hokage ...
"Reports have been coming in that shinobi with rare or powerful kekkei genkai are disappearing," Tsunade explains.
"How many has gone missing?" Dan asks.
"We don't know but we do know that almost every village is being targeted. Luckily nobody has disappeared from here but we've to take precautions."
"What do you suggest we do?" He asks reading the scroll.
"I've assigned a team to go to the villages and investigate. Meanwhile I will put every available shinobi on high alert here in the village," Tsunade sits back in her chair.
"That sounds like a reasonable plan," he puts the scroll down.
"This will be your mission. I've elected you as team leader. You and three members of the Anbu black ops will team up to investigate," she folds her arms.
"Understood."
"Just be careful Dan. You have a pretty unique kekkei genkai as well and if they don't already know I'm sure they'll target you," she sighs.
"Don't worry I'm sure I'll be fine," he smiles.
"Well your mission takes effect immediately," she gets up.
Suddenly three members of the Anbu Black ops appear what seems to be out of thin air. They were already briefed on the mission.
A few minutes later ...
"Good bye Tsuna," he cups her chin and gently kisses her forehead.
She closes her eyes smiling,"good bye my Love."
He turns around and walks off with the Anbu members. Tsunade watches them as their figures get smaller and smaller in the distance.
Eventually they disappear. She hugs herself with a sigh before deciding to head back to the office. I wonder how Akira is doing? I haven't heard from her yet.
Six weeks later ...
A,brown colored,hawk flies in over Konoha. Shizune,who is carrying a bunch of scrolls to Hokage mansion,looks up. The hawk soars down.
Holding out her free hand the hawk lands on it. On his left leg is a little capsule. Opening the capsule Shizune finds and reads the letter.
The hawk flies away ...
Shizune drops the scrolls and immediately starts running. Her body barely being able to keep up with her legs.
"Lady Tsunade!" She runs up the stairs.
"Lady Tsunade!" She runs through the hallway.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune bursts through the door.
Tsunade was busy reading a scroll. A frown appears on her face as she looks up.
"What is it with all this racket?" Tsunade asks annoyed.
"This is for you," Shizune holds out the crushed piece of paper.
Tsunade takes the paper from her hand. Tonton jumps onto her lap and climbs onto the desk curiously sniffing the piece of paper.
Tsunade's worst fears come true as she reads the letter.
It reads ...
This letter is addressed to the Lady Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Authorised by shinobi Rikī Yamaha.
Code: 345-021
Lady Hokage,
We've located the bodies of three Hidden Leaf shinobi on the outskirts of our village. As far as we know you sent four shinobi to investigate.
Unfortunately we could not identify the three deceased shinobi but the fourth,missing,member is identified as Dan Katō.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. The bodies of the three shinobi will be sent to you.
Arigato.
Shizune carefully studies Tsunade's face knowing the news will hit her hard. She swallows a ball of spit.
"Milady are you okay?"
"Please excuse me," Tsunade gets up clutching the piece of paper in her hand.
Without so much as another word Tsunade walks out the office. Tonton looks at Shizune confused letting out a sad oink.
"Oh,Tonton life is cruel," Shizune pets the little pigs head.
Tsunade walks down the hallway many thoughts rushing through her mind. She has no idea how to react. Missing. Not dead or alive. Just missing?
She wanted to cry but forced the tears away. Tsunade leaves the mansion and wanders through the streets. Eventually she decides to push her sorrow aside.
Sitting on a bench she reads the letter over and over. Missing. What does that mean? Is he dead? Alive? Oh what will I tell Akira?
The wind tries to rip the paper from her hand. She watches some kids as they run around tripping each other;laughing.
"I heard what happened and came as quick as I could," a familiar voice speaks next to her.
"Hey Jiraiya," Tsunade greets not looking at him.
"I'm sorry Tsunade. I know sorry does not bring him back," he sits next to her.
"You say that as if he's dead," she says bitter.
"If it's any consolation I came to offer my services," he sits back.
"I don't understand what you mean," she avoids his gaze.
"I will find him," he looks at her.
"Jiraiya you don't --"
"I'm doing it for you. I've never liked it to see you sad and heartbroken," he places his hand on her shoulder.
Deep down it pains Jiraiya to see her so broken and miserable. He has always cared for nothing more than her happiness and would do anything to make her smile.
"Thank you Jiraiya," she smiles sad.
"No need to thank me. I'll jump right to it but first we need to get you home," he smiles.
"I've to get back to work," she suddenly gets up still holding the paper.
"I'll walk you back," he stands up.
A few minutes later ...
Jiraiya takes his leave from Tsunade. Leaving her office he exits the Hokage mansion. Outside where nobody can see him he summons a medium sized toad.
"Look after Tsunade for me."
"On it Jiraiya."
"If she does anything reckless let me know," he starts walking.
Jiraiya takes his leave and walks off. The toad casually jumps towards where Tsunade lives.
Some time later ...
Tsunade walks home. Tonton hot on her heels pacing after her master. Taking off her shoes she opens the door allowing Tonton to enter.
The house is dark a cold breeze flowing through it. Silent. Dead. Lifeless and empty. Tsunade drags her feet as she walks to her room.
She slumps down on her bed. Tonton sits on the floor looking up at her master. Tsunade stares at the side of the bed where Dan used to sleep.
Using her hand she feels the empty space. Finally the tears and the sorrow which she pushed back emerged. She cries into a pillow.
Tonto jumps onto the bed and nudges Tsunade with her snout.
"Oink."
"Why is life so cruel?"
"Oink?" Tonton turns her head.
"Life is always trying to take him away from me," Tsunade admits through the tears.
Her heart is filled with sorrow and something that feels cold. She did not understand why it always happens to her? Her heart cannot bear any more sorrow.
She feels as if someone had taken a sharp,cold,knife and wrenched it through her heart.
I don't want to feel anymore sorrow. No pain. Nothing.