Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

As Kenshin made his way home, the weight he'd carried earlier in the day had noticeably lifted. The morning had been heavy, but now, for the first time in a while, he felt a bit lighter.

The sun hung high in the sky, hinting that lunchtime wasn't far off. Quickening his pace, Kenshin turned the corner to his street, where he saw a familiar figure waiting for him by the door.

"Welcome back," Akane greeted him with a small smile. She looked relaxed but a little flushed, as though she'd just finished some strenuous activity. "I had morning training, so I didn't know you came home. And I couldn't really let Kakashi-sensei make fun of me again."

"Yeah, mom told me this morning." Kenshin replied, walking up to her.

Akane tilted her head slightly. "Did you and the Hokage come to meet me during training?"

Kenshin gave her a sheepish grin. "We did, but you were so focused we didn't want to disturb you."

Akane smirked, crossing her arms. "So, you noticed? Well, kiddo, you're not the only one with fancy new jutsu. I've been working on a couple of my own."

"Oh?" Kenshin raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"They're still a work in progress, but I should be able to finish them in time for the next chunin exams," Akane continued, her grin widening.

"Speaking of which, I met with Ino and Sakura yesterday. They wanted to meet up again sometime to discuss plans since they'll be participating as a team with Choji next year and the rest of our class are already Chunin. Interested?"

Kenshin nodded, his expression brightening. "Yeah, I was just thinking about that. Sounds like a good idea."

Akane's smile softened before she took a few deliberate steps forward, closing the gap between them until she stood right in front of him. Her gaze sharpened slightly as she leaned in. "So, Kenshin, about that mission with the ANBU…"

Kenshin shrugged casually, trying to play it cool. "It was kinda intense, but not exactly the black ops mission I was hoping for. Can't really tell you the details, though—classified stuff."

Akane leaned in even closer, her skeptical eyes now inches from his. "You went to the Hidden Grass, didn't you?"

Kenshin stiffened, his attempt at keeping a neutral expression faltering. "W-what makes you think that?" he asked, his tone betraying his surprise.

Akane straightened slightly, a smug grin tugging at her lips. "I'm planning to become a chunin and then apply for Jonin, Kenshin. That means I've developed some necessary skills—not all of which you're aware of."

She began listing off the facts. "You came back from the Shikkotsu Forest after recovering. That same evening, you went to meet the Hokage. Conveniently, you also met sensei—even though her apartment is on the other side of the village—and asked her to meet you. Not an issue, since I know you needed to reconcile with her."

She gave him a pointed look. " But she wouldn't be over there unless she had to attend a meeting with the Hokage, conveniently at the same time you went there. Then, the very next day, you go on a classified mission with the ANBU. Packed your stuff when nobody was home."

Kenshin scratched the back of his head, his expression turning sheepish. "Not my fault everyone was busy at that time…"

Akane remained unfazed by Kenshin's reaction, her sharp eyes narrowing with a glint of satisfaction. "And the 'mission,'" she continued, "took exactly five days. Funny, since that's just the right amount of time to go to the Land of Grass, handle whatever business you had there, and come back to the Leaf. Give or take a day since you can fly."

She crossed her arms, her tone casual but pointed. "Add to that the fact that you had a score to settle with the hidden grass, and the village's leader, I forgot his name."

Kenshin winced slightly, scratching the back of his head. "You're dangerously sharp, nee-san. It's kinda scary and cool at the same time."

A smirk crept onto her lips as she tilted her head at him. "You'd better think a dozen times before you even consider lying to me again, Kenshin."

Without warning, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, catching him off guard. Her voice softened as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

"I'm glad you settled it, Kenshin. And that you came back home safe. No matter what you need to do, or who you need to face, all that matters to me is that you come back—safe and sound, both physically and mentally."

She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. "I won't ask you what you did during that mission. I don't need to know. But promise me this—you'll always come back to me, to Mom, to our family."

Her tone turned teasing, though her gaze remained earnest. "And if you need help, don't just rely on Kaede and Kira. Your sister and mom are pretty useful too, you know."

Kenshin chuckled softly, some of the tension melting away from his posture.

Akane smiled warmly. "We should go on missions as a family whenever we can. After the chunin exams, Team 19 will probably be disbanded, and we'll have fewer chances to work side by side. So don't keep us in the dark like you did this time, alright?"

"Alright," Kenshin murmured, his voice gentle but sincere.

Satisfied, Akane pulled back from the hug and, to Kenshin's surprise, leaned in to give him a kiss. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they stayed like that, lost in each other. When they finally pulled back, their foreheads rested against one another, their breaths mingling in the crisp air.

This time, Kenshin took the initiative, pulling her into another kiss. His was gentler but no less passionate, a quiet promise in the way he held her.

Just as they were lost in the moment, a familiar voice cut through the quiet. "You kids just had to start kissing in front of the house, with the door wide open? Do you realize it's freezing out here?"

Startled, Kenshin and Akane broke apart immediately, their faces flushed. Standing in the doorway, Kana regarded them with an amused but exasperated expression.

Akane quickly grabbed Kenshin's arm and pulled him inside, her cheeks tinged pink as she muttered under her breath, "This is all your fault."

As Kenshin stumbled slightly, he grinned playfully. "You know, you're the one who started it, nee-san."

Akane didn't bother replying, though a faint blush still lingered on her cheeks. She yanked on his arm a bit harder, dragging him toward the living room with an air of mock annoyance.

When they reached the living room, Yukari emerged from the kitchen, her vibrant red hair catching the light as she wiped her hands on a towel.

She greeted Kenshin with her usual respectful smile. "Welcome back, Kenshin-sama. Please freshen up; lunch will be ready soon."

Kenshin nodded politely. "Thanks, Aunt Yukari. I'll be right back." He cast Akane a knowing glance before heading to his room, leaving her standing there with a bemused expression.

Meanwhile, at the Yamanaka residence, Ino and Suu had settled down at the dining table for lunch. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the air as Suu served them both a portion.

As they began eating, Suu looked at her daughter thoughtfully. "Ino, I've been thinking. Kenshin's family has been in the village for quite a few days now, and aside from the Hokage, no one has formally greeted them. Don't you think we should go meet them?"

Ino paused, her chopsticks hovering over her plate. "That's a good point, Mom. Akane did mention something about that yesterday. It's just been so busy lately."

Suu nodded, setting her chopsticks down. "I was thinking we could visit them tonight. Kenshin told me his mother will be leaving on a mission for a few days, so it would be nice to meet her before she goes."

Ino tilted her head, remembering her conversation with Akane. "Oh, right. Akane said it's some sort of evaluation mission. Her mom's hoping to get promoted to Jonin."

"They'll probably leave around midnight." Suu replied with a small smile. "Those kinds of missions are pretty standard. In that case, we should bring something along. Maybe a cake and some flowers from the shop?"

Ino's face lit up. "Great idea! I can grab some of those seasonal blooms we just got in stock. And I know Akane's mom would love a slice of your lemon cake."

"Perfect," Suu said, her warm smile matching her daughter's. "Let's plan for tonight, then."

With their plan in place, they continued their meal, each quietly preparing for what was shaping up to be an eventful evening.

As Kenshin sat with his family at lunch, he found his mind drifting back to his session with Suu. He realized he wanted to make some special memories with his family.

The timing seemed perfect—Kana had mentioned she'd get some time off after her mission and promotion, and Akane was already on leave until the Rinne Festival, which was in just nine days.

'Maybe I could get some time off too,' he thought, deciding to suggest it once Kana returned from her mission. He didn't want to raise the idea just yet, but the thought of going on a vacation with his family filled him with anticipation.

Back at the Yamanaka residence, Ino and Suu were busy preparing for their visit to the Uchiha compound. Ino carefully arranged a bouquet of vibrant winter flowers, choosing a mix she thought would make a good gift.

Meanwhile, Suu focused on baking her signature lemon cake, the sweet aroma filling their home.

As Suu checked on the cake, she suddenly asked, "Ino, do you know what Akane's favorite flower is?"

Ino paused, glancing over her shoulder. "Lilies. Why?"

Suu smiled but didn't elaborate. "Make another bouquet of lilies, then. Just trust me on this."

Though confused, Ino nodded. "Alright, if you say so." She finished the first bouquet before starting on the second one, wondering what her mother had planned.

As the evening set in, the sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink. Kenshin and Akane were sparring in the backyard, Akane overwhelming Kenshin with her improved taijutsu skills.

At the front door, Kana opened it to find Ino and Suu standing there, both holding their respective gifts. She instantly recognized Ino and greeted her warmly. "Ino-chan! And is this your mother I suppose?"

Suu smiled politely. "That's right. I'm Suu Yamanaka. It's a pleasure to meet you. And you must be Kana-san. I've heard about you."

Kana stepped aside, waving them in with enthusiasm. "Welcome! It's so nice to finally have guests over. Please, come in!" She then turned toward the backyard and called out, "Ken-chan! Akane-chan! We have guests!"

Moments later, Kenshin and Akane entered the house, both slightly flushed from their sparring session.

Kenshin's face lit up when he saw them. "Suu-san, Ino! If you guys were planning on coming over, you should've told me this morning. I'd have prepared some snacks for you!"

Akane blinked in surprise, glancing between Kenshin and Suu. "Wait a second... How do you know Suu-san?"

Kenshin froze for a moment, but Suu smoothly stepped in, handing him the bouquet of lilies. "You forgot this at our shop after buying it this morning."

Internally, Kenshin was impressed by her quick thinking. He nodded, playing along. "Oh, right. Thanks, Suu-san." Turning to Akane, he handed her the bouquet with a sheepish smile. "I went to buy you flowers this morning, but I guess I left them behind."

Akane's expression shifted from confusion to amusement. She burst out laughing, clutching the bouquet. "You're such an idiot sometimes, Kenshin! How could you forget something like that?" Without warning, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms and legs around him in an exuberant hug.

Kenshin stumbled slightly but caught her, grinning as she buried her face against his neck. "Well I guess I'll remember it next time."

"You better!" Akane said, her voice muffled but full of warmth. "And I'll give you a little prize afterwards too."

Suu chuckled softly as she observed the scene, her thoughts swirling. 'Oh, they're a couple all right. There's no way actual siblings would be that close or comfortable with each other after barely two months together, much less if they spent their entire lives apart from each other with zero interaction.' She glanced at Kenshin and Akane with a knowing smile, enjoying the warmth of their dynamic.

Meanwhile, Ino's eyes widened slightly before she quickly masked her surprise. 'These two are really pushing things. If they act like this in front of someone who doesn't know the truth, they'd definitely raise suspicions. No way does an adopted sister act like that.'

She glanced between the two, her mind recalling what the other Kenshin had told her. Deciding to lean into the moment rather than dwell on it, Ino smirked.

"If you keep hugging your brother like that, Akane, you're either going to suffocate him or make him fall over," Ino teased, crossing her arms as she raised an eyebrow.

Akane quickly released Kenshin, stepping back with a sheepish smile. "Well, it's the first time this brat bought me flowers, so I got a bit excited," she said, holding the bouquet close and glancing away as if to hide her embarrassment.

Kenshin, not one to let an opportunity slip, grinned mischievously. "A bit excited, Nee-san? You practically gave me a bear hug."

Akane shot him a warning glare before stomping hard on his foot. Kenshin winced in pain, nearly losing his balance. "Ow! Nee-san, I was just kidding!" he yelped, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Apologize," Akane demanded, crossing her arms with a mock stern expression.

"I'm sorry!" Kenshin said quickly, still grimacing.

"Good boy," Akane replied with a smirk, though her expression softened as she admired the lilies again. "But really, thanks for these. They're beautiful."

Kenshin rubbed the back of his neck, his earlier teasing forgotten. "You're welcome," he said quietly, his tone sincere, earning a softer smile from Akane.

Suu and Ino exchanged a glance, both quietly amused by the lively dynamic. It was clear to anyone who paid close attention just how much Kenshin and Akane cared for each other, whether they admitted it outright or not.

Hearing the commotion and waking up from her nap, Yukari stepped out of her room. Her sharp eyes scanned the room as she greeted the visitors with a respectful bow. "Good evening. I am Yukari, Kana-sama's attendant and a servant of the Uzumaki head family. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

Ino blinked, slightly taken aback by Yukari's formal demeanor, while Suu smiled warmly. "Oh, there's no need to be so formal, Yukari-san. Please, address us casually. I'm Suu Yamanaka, and this is my daughter, Ino."

Yukari, still bowed, responded with a calm but resolute tone, "I appreciate your kindness, Suu-sama, but I must respectfully decline."

Kana, who had been quietly inching closer to Yukari, saw her chance as Yukari lifted her head. With practiced stealth, she reached out and began pulling on Yukari's cheeks, earning a small, startled gasp from her friend.

"Yukari, how many times do I have to tell you? You're not the family's servant anymore. The clan's gone, remember? Now you're just my friend. And my kids' aunt," Kana said with a playful pout.

Yukari, still holding onto her composure, gave Kana a sharp look. "Kana-sama, kindly release me," she said sternly, though her tone held no malice.

Kana reluctantly let go, crossing her arms in a mock sulk. Yukari straightened her posture, smoothing out her expression as she continued.

"Unlike a certain someone who detests rules," she said, glancing pointedly at Kana, "it is against my upbringing and character to forgo my duties. I am your attendant, Kana-sama, and I will introduce myself as such. That does not mean, however, that I am not also your friend."

Kana's pout deepened, but before she could protest further, Yukari folded her arms, her expression turning maternal. "And speaking of rules, you must stop forcing others to do things they are uncomfortable with. People have their ways, and it is important to respect them, as long as they do not cause harm to others. You are going to be a Jonin soon, Kana-sama. You should bear this in mind."

The others watched the interaction unfold with barely contained amusement. Yukari's stern tone and Kana's exaggerated pout made the scene look like a parent lecturing a child.

Kenshin was the first to crack. His laughter bubbled out uncontrollably as he leaned forward, holding his stomach. "That pout is way too cute, Mom." he said, still laughing. "Honestly, though, it's not like you're not always like a kid."

Kana gasped in horror, her hands flying to her cheeks as if to hide her embarrassment. "Why would you say that in front of our first guests, Ken-chan?!" she cried out dramatically.

This time, no one could hold back. Suu chuckled, Ino giggled, and even Akane let out a soft laugh, while Yukari simply sighed and shook her head, though the tiniest smile tugged at her lips.

As the laughter gradually subsided, everyone found their seats in the living room. Kenshin and Yukari excused themselves to the kitchen to prepare tea and some snacks, leaving the others to chat. Suu noticed Kana still sulking slightly from the earlier embarrassment and gently patted her back.

"It's okay, Kana-san. You handled it like a champ," Suu said warmly, her voice soothing.

Kana peeked up at her, still pouting. "Easy for you to say... I was humiliated in front of guests!"

Suu chuckled lightly. "Oh, come now. It was all in good fun. Besides, you've got a lovely family. It's obvious everyone here adores you."

Kana's pout slowly shifted into a smile, her embarrassment melting away. Within moments, her expression brightened completely, and she leaned closer to Suu, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

"So, Suu-san, tell me more about the Yamanaka! What's it like running a flower shop? We never had any in the hidden rain since it's always raining. And your shinobi life—what kind of missions did you go on?"

Suu laughed, surprised by Kana's rapid mood change but happy to indulge her curiosity. "Well, the flower shop is wonderful. Ino takes care of most of it now, but I still help when I can. As for my shinobi career, I actually retired when I got pregnant with Ino. I never went back to active duty after that. Instead, I modified my jutsu and became a therapist."

"A therapist?" Kana tilted her head, intrigued.

"Yes," Suu continued. "After the Third Shinobi War, many shinobi were struggling with mental health issues. I realized there was a need for someone to help them cope with their trauma and loss. So, I dedicated myself to that."

As Suu spoke, Yukari entered the room, carrying a tray of tea and snacks Kenshin had prepared. She placed the tray on the table, her expression thoughtful as she chimed in.

"If you're a therapist, Suu-sama, perhaps you could offer us a group session?" Yukari suggested, her tone polite but earnest.

Suu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A group session?"

Yukari nodded as she poured tea for everyone. "Even if none of us are currently suffering from mental health issues, I once read that occasional therapy can be beneficial. It can help address potential issues before they become serious. Although I was never a kunoichi, I suppose a little bit of therapy could be useful even for me."

Kana, who had been sipping her tea, perked up. "That actually sounds like a great idea! What do you think, Suu-san? Would you be willing to do it?"

Suu smiled warmly. "If you're all interested, I'd be happy to help. It could be a good opportunity to reflect and connect with each other."

Kenshin, who had just returned with an extra plate of snacks, chimed in. "I guess that's a good idea and it could be a nice experience for us. But maybe go in groups instead of altogether."

Akane nodded thoughtfully. "I'm in, too. If nothing else, it'll at least be a new experience for us all."

With everyone in agreement, Suu smiled, although she actually had other motives. She was planning on suggesting the group session herself since she needed to access Akane's memories of the hidden grass incident for Kenshin's therapy.

But she lucked out with Yukari suggesting it, since she could get the whole family's perspectives for better comparison.

-----------------------------------

Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.