After having defeated Tsunade, Araki took his grandfather's necklace since it was something he won if the previous bet was to be considered.
Meanwhile, Tsunade just laid down on the ground, seemingly reflecting on what had happened.
Araki didn't plan on comforting her. Though he wasn't as angry at her as before, he still didn't forgive her completely.
After having entered the Senju Clan Manor, Araki suddenly turned towards Kushina. He neared her with a small smile on his face.
Kushina was a little confused at this, but she didn't really oppose him. She was curious to see what he was up to.
He raised his arm and gently slid around her neck. Soon enough, he was done…
Kushina lowered her head and was surprised to see Senju Hashirama's necklace around her neck. The pupil of her eyes widened, and she looked at Araki who merely shrugged, "I didn't really find anything appropriate to gift you when we do marry. This is my family's heirloom, it should suffice."
"Thanks, Araki!" After she heard him, she went forward and kissed him on his lips.
Araki was utterly stunned when he felt Kushina's rosy lips on top of his own. He didn't expect Kushina to kiss him so suddenly. However, he soon placed his hand behind her head and got lost in the kiss.
~~
Meanwhile, Tsunade was reflecting a lot after her defeat at Araki's hand. She went to the usual place where she would calm down.
It was a bar in Konoha where they served one of the best sake. It had been some time since she had started drinking sake. Maybe an hour or so…
Around this time, a white-haired man joined her and ordered some sake as well.
"I want to be alone for some time, Jiraiya," Tsunade said, not even needing to look at him to know this was Jiraiya.
With a huge grin spreading on Jiraiya's face, he said, "You have finally returned to Konoha. I don't intend to let you drown in your sorrows again. Last time, I was helpless to stop you but not this time!"
His voice gradually got serious and said, "Alright, now tell me what happened. You know you can trust me with anything."
Tsunade couldn't really hold it in her for a lot of time. She decided to share it with Jiraiya. She knew he was a trustworthy friend during a crucial time.
Jiraiya kept on hearing Tsunade's words while drinking sake. Hearing about Senju Araki from her mouth gave him another insight into what sort of person he is.
Since Tsunade's mind was in a confused state, she didn't hide anything from Jiraiya. She spilled everything to him.
After she had finished speaking, Jiraiya started speaking with an unnaturally grave voice, "Tsunade-hime, don't take my words to heart. I will be giving my honest opinion about this."
To this, Tsunade just nodded as she laid her head on the table while staring at him before asking him to speak.
"In this matter, I believe you both are at fault. You are at fault that you didn't visit your grandmother's grave even after all these years. Actually, it isn't that big of a deal for us people, but Senju Araki is a child, so he can be rather emotional about it. Moreover, I did hear from Sensei that Senju Araki lived with Mito for 1 year and loved her a lot. He must be quite sensitive about anything relating to her."
"The Uzumaki Clan's matter wasn't that big of a deal. But even though it wasn't that big of a deal, he still unconsciously added them as reasons to be angry at you just because he was dissatisfied with you. You also didn't come to meet him even after all these years, simply drowning in your sorrow when you did have one family member left from your family line. It must have displeased him a lot. You also returned to the Senju Clan after all this time just to become the Senju Clan head when he has done all the work in these years."
This did make Tsunade a little sad. She realised that Jiraiya was right in this. Maybe this was all her fault.
However, Jiraiya wasn't finished speaking, "However, I also wouldn't say that he isn't at fault as well. He didn't try to even think about your emotional state. He didn't completely understand the situation of why you have returned."
These words did lift up a bit of Tsunade's stress.
"He is quite an emotional child. Take it in yourself and wait, I assure you that he will forgive you soon enough. I don't think he will be angry at you for long since you are his only family left from the Senju Clan. He may have adopted a lot of people into the Senju Clan, they, after all, don't share his blood. Don't forget you are the only other granddaughter of Uzumaki Mito. If not for anything, just this fact alone will make him come to you." Jiraiya said with a confident tone.
His positive outlook and confidence did lift up Tsunade's spirit.
She honestly muttered, "Thanks, Jiraiya." With that, she stood up and left the bar.
"Anytime, hime… Anytime…" Jiraiya said while finishing his drink before leaving as well. He was pretty happy that he could help out Tsunade.
After Tsunade had left though, there was a glint of serious look in his eyes, "Sensei… You are poking too much in the Senju Clan. I never expected you to recall Tsunade for such a reason."
With that, Jiraiya also disappeared from the location. It was unknown where he had gone. Maybe to meet his apprentice, Namikaze Minato.
Meanwhile, Tsunade returned to Senju Clan Manor. The first thing she did was sleep soundly that night. Better to forget everything after this sleep than to meet Araki right now.
The next day, the first thing Tsunade did was visit the ancestral graveyard of the Senju Clan. It wasn't just because of wanting to visit her grandmother's grave, but also because of her other relatives who had been buried here.
The first one she visited was her fiance, she said a few things while facing his grave before moving towards her little brother Nawaki's grave. Speaking a few more things on Nawaki's grave, she moved towards her father and mother's grave.
After that, she went to her grandfather, Senju Hashirama's grave, the man who had spoiled her rotten when he was alive.
Next was Senju Tobirama's grave before she finally moved on to Uzumaki Mito's grave. She remembered her grandmother much clearly than any of her other family members, maybe it was because she lived a lot longer than them.
When she had received the news of Uzumaki Mito's death, she had been broken even more. She didn't even have the energy or spirit to return and face their graves.
However, now that she did come here, she felt as if this was some sort of release for her. As if a lot of feelings which had been choked up inside of her had flown out with words.
She never expected she would feel so much better after talking in front of a grave… She returned after having her heart to heart talk with her deceased family.
Araki did know about this fact, but he remained indifferent to her. Nothing significant happened on that day.
The next day though… it was different. It was the night time of this second day since Tsunade had returned. Araki heard someone knocking his room's door. Without even opening the door, he knew it was Tsunade.
He opened the door and stared at his cousin sister, "Something you need, cousin?" His voice was emotionless just as before.
[A/N: I would like to thank you all for supporting this fanfic.
I wanted to tell you all that I have published an original Novel on A.ma.zon K.indle, for all those who want to check it out can do so at the link:
http://bit.do/risingwarriors
Well, I won't tell you much but can just say, if you liked this fanfic, then you are going to absolutely love it!
Oh and before someone asks it in comments, I won't be dropping this story. xD
Thank you!]