A Master's Wish

"Didn't expect me to be here," Orochimaru said, finally breaking the awkward silence.

"No, I'm surprised they even allow you out," she responded.

"Well you have the man on your left to thank for that. This is a mission after all. I guess I'm just here because Yamato wants me in his line of sight at all time."

"Tch," is all she managed.

Silence ensued.

"Still hate me after all this time? Here I thought we were finally warming up to each other."

She didn't respond. 

"Are you proud of her?"

"... I am."

"She looks just like you. You've molded her into the perfect mini-tsunade."

"Jiraiya said the same." 

And suddenly he was quiet.

"And you? Are you proud of him?"

"I suppose I have no right to feel anything on the matter. But yes, I'm happy for him."

"Bet you are. He reminded me of you."

"Hn?"

"One could even say he resembles you a little."

Orochimaru laughed. "Perhaps it was just the clothes."

"Perhaps."

"That could have been us up there."

She turned to look at him. He smiled not moving his eyes to look at her in return. 

"What?"

"In another world it could have been us. Perhaps if we had all stayed together you would have opted for me. Certainly not for Jiraiya."

"That's absurd."

"Hmm? There was a time you thought otherwise," he said with a cheeky grin.

"Don't be ridiculous I was twelve. I just wanted to get back at Jiraiya."

"I know," he said. "But is it really such a terrible thought."

She turned to face forward again. Her eyebrows drawn together. 

"It would never work between us. Not after everything..."

"...Everything I've done?" he said turning to look at her. "Don't shy away from saying it now I know what I am."

She turned to look at him once again. "It's silly to think there could be any other outcome than the one we have lived."

"It's quite hilarious to consider though."

"Perhaps it is."

"Perhaps."

"..."

"And what of you?" he said leaning a bit to the right to gaze over at Kakashi. "What do you think of all this, Kakashi? You taught both of them after all."

"I'm happy," is all he said as he turned to face his students once again. 

"Well I suppose that's all one can be," Orochimaru said. 

"They'll be fine," Kakashi said. "Not that you care that much. You were his teacher. Some of his most important years were spent with you hence you know better than anyone that no matter what happens... they will be fine."

"Perhaps you're right."

"Is that not a master's wish?" Tsunade said. Orochimaru and Kakashi turned to look at her. She had stripped those words right from their minds. "That those we've passed our wisdom to will be fine, long after were gone, that they'd be happy?"

"Yes, I suppose it is."