Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

Back at home, Kenshin prepared the bathwater, ensuring it was comfortably warm. Once the tub was ready, he approached Kana, who was bundled up in a blanket near the fireplace.

"Mom, the bath's ready," he said, crouching down beside her.

Kana shook her head, clinging to the blanket. "I'm warm enough here, Ken-chan. I don't need a bath."

Kenshin sighed, already used to this routine. "It's freezing tonight. You'll feel better after a soak. Nee-san, help me out here."

Akane grinned and stepped in, tugging lightly at the edge of Kana's blanket. "Come on, Mom. You always say no, but you love it once you're in."

Kana pouted like a stubborn child, but between the two of them, she had no chance. With some gentle coaxing—and light dragging—they managed to get her moving toward the bathroom.

As Kenshin helped Kana out of her layers, she suddenly called out, "Yukari, you should join us! It'll be fun to have the whole family together."

Yukari, who was sitting nearby with her hands folded neatly in her lap, immediately flushed. "Kana-sama, I don't think that's—"

"Come on, Aunt Yukari," Akane added with a mischievous smirk. "It'll be fun."

Yukari fidgeted, her cheeks turning an even brighter red. "But Kenshin-sama will be there, and—"

Kenshin shook his head, waving dismissively. "It's fine, Aunt Yukari. It's not like this is new or anything in this family."

Still, the thought made him slightly self-conscious, though he kept his expression neutral. Yukari hesitated, clearly torn, but Kana's relentless enthusiasm finally wore her down.

"Alright," she said reluctantly, avoiding Kenshin's gaze. "But, Kenshin-sama, please… don't look too much at me."

Kenshin sighed with a small, exasperated smile. "I wouldn't dare, Aunt Yukari."

After washing, they settled into the warm water, the chill of the night melting away. Kana sighed contentedly, stretching her legs out under the water and poking Kenshin and Akane with her toes.

"You two," she began, her tone teasing, "need to be more careful around guests."

Kenshin and Akane exchanged confused glances. "What do you mean?" Kenshin asked cautiously.

Akane raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Mom?"

Kana gave her a knowing look. "I mean, whatever you were doing upstairs earlier, Ino-chan went to check on you. She came down all flustered and practically sprinted to the bathroom afterward."

Kenshin's face darkened, and he gave Akane a pointed look.

Akane, avoiding his gaze, gave a sheepish smile. "I just wanted to give you a little prize for buying me flowers. It was the first time you did that…"

Kenshin sighed inwardly, feeling a twinge of guilt. He hadn't actually bought the flowers; Suu had brought them along to cover his connection to Suu. Still, he couldn't possibly mention it, as it'd reveal his PTSD to her.

"Be more careful next time," Kenshin said firmly. "No… 'prizes' while we have guests over, alright?"

Akane quickly added, "I'll be more careful next time, promise. Nothing like that while we have guests over."

Yukari, meanwhile, was doing her best to avoid looking in Kenshin's direction, her focus firmly on the water. Despite his initial embarrassment, Kenshin seemed completely at ease, which only made her struggle more to remain composed.

Akane leaned into Kenshin's side with a small pout. "You should buy me flowers more often, though. It feels nice. And definitely not leave them in the damm shop and forget about it."

Kenshin wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer with a chuckle. "I'll keep it in mind. But if I buy you flowers too often, it won't feel special anymore."

Akane smirked, closing her eyes as she rested against him. "You always know how to win an argument, don't you?"

Kana laughed at the sight of her children, while Yukari quietly excused herself from the bath, her cheeks still faintly pink as she hurried out to dry off.

After the bath, as Kenshin carefully dried Kana off with a warm towel, she glanced up at him and said, "Ken-chan, help me out with my mission prep after this, will you? I need to pack my equipment."

Kenshin nodded. "Of course, Mom."

After drying off himself, he turned back to see Kana sitting on the edge of the bathtub, reaching her arms out toward him with a small, childish pout. Before he could process the sight, Akane burst into laughter.

"Mom, you're really pulling out all the stops tonight!" Akane teased.

Kenshin let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "And you get angry when I say you're not an adult," he said, bending down to scoop Kana up into his arms before she could properly wrap her towel.

Kana squealed in surprise as her towel dropped. "Ken-chan! What are you—"

Without answering, Kenshin smirked and carried her straight out into the freezing cold hallway, ignoring her protests.

"Let's go, kiddo," he said mischievously, enjoying her reaction as the cold air hit her damp skin.

Kana immediately clung to him, shivering. "Ken-chan you meanie! Why would you do this to Mommy?!"

Kenshin shrugged, still smirking. "Because you've been acting less like a mom and more like a kid tonight. I figured I'd join the fun."

He quickly carried her to her room and placed her down, helping her into her warm kunoichi uniform. Kana let out a sigh of relief once she was dressed and warm again.

"You'll regret this, young man," she muttered, though there was no real bite in her voice.

Kenshin chuckled. "Looking forward to it."

The two of them got to work organizing her mission supplies. Kenshin helped Kana pack enough food to sustain her immense appetite for a month, along with weapons, scrolls, and other necessities. Kana made a mental checklist as they sorted through everything, ensuring nothing was forgotten.

Once they were done, Kana let out a satisfied sigh, slipping the scrolls into her flak jacket's pockets. She moved to the mirror, taking a long, contemplative look at her reflection.

"It feels surreal," she murmured, her fingers lightly brushing the edge of her jacket. "Taking a test mission to become a Jonin… Just a few months ago, I wasn't even sure I'd live to see tomorrow." Her voice softened. "Those seven years… they took so much from us, didn't they? Barely surviving—it couldn't even be called living."

Kenshin stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her in a warm hug. "And yet, you never gave in, Mom. You were so tenacious. That's why we're here now. In dad's house, with nee-san and aunt Yukari. It's all because of you."

Kana's hands reached up, gently holding his arms. "When did you grow up so much?" she whispered, her voice tinged with emotion. "From my little boy to a man. A man who even dares to call Mommy cute."

Kenshin rested his chin on her shoulder, his smirk returning. "Mommy," he said with playful emphasis, "is as much a daughter to me at times as I am a son to her. And I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world."

Kana gasped, pulling back slightly to look at him in the mirror. "You just said Mommy! For the first time in years!"

Kenshin grinned and leaned in to place a light peck on her cheek. "It's something I'll only use on special occasions. Like tonight."

Kana's cheeks turned pink, and she couldn't help but laugh softly. "You really are one of a kind, Ken-chan."

"And I get it from you," he replied warmly, holding her close.

Kana stayed still for a moment, taking in Kenshin's comforting embrace. Then she turned around and hugged him properly, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso.

She rested her head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ken-chan… do you think I'll do well?"

Kenshin's arms encircled her again, holding her close. His chin rested lightly on her head, and his voice was calm and reassuring.

"Mom, you don't need to worry so much," he said softly. "You just need to be yourself. Don't try to be something you're not. Not all Jonin are the textbook ideal Shinobi, you know. The best ones are those who play to their strengths and stay true to who they are." He gave her a gentle squeeze. "If you do that, you'll pass with flying colors."

Kana's grip on him tightened slightly, her nerves easing as she absorbed his words. Kenshin pulled back just enough to look at her, cupping her face gently.

"Good luck, Mom," he said, leaning down to press a soft, affectionate kiss to her forehead.

Kana's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but her smile was radiant. "Thank you, Ken-chan. I'll do my best."

"I know you will," Kenshin replied, his voice full of confidence. "You always do."

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