I wanted to do a mass release today, but I don't have enough stock and I need some leeway for writing the coming chapters. The transitions between arcs throw me off, since I suck at those.
Remember how long I dragged Kenshin and Kana's last week in the hidden rain? I'm desperately trying not to do that again. But anyways, back to the story.
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An hour later, the quiet murmur of voices reached Akane as she entered the house, a smile spreading across her face at the familiar warmth of home.
Kakashi had been summoned to the Hokage, so she'd taken the chance to check on her aunt Yukari. But her step faltered when her eyes fell on Kenshin, standing there in the living room, looking healthy and strong.
Without a second thought, Akane threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. After a long moment, she pulled back, meeting his gaze.
He wasn't avoiding her eyes as he once had, her bloodied face no longer flashing in front of his eyes, and a mixture of relief and joy washed over her. Cupping his face gently, she searched his eyes, feeling the depth of his presence.
He held her hand, his voice soft and steady. "I'm back, nee-san," he said, a faint smile in his eyes. "I can finally look you in the eye now… and I'll never let what happened back then happen again."
Akane let out a soft, relieved laugh. "Brat," she murmured fondly, brushing his hair back from his face. "Next time, I'll stop you. I'll be stronger." She pulled him back into a warm hug, and Kenshin let his head rest on her shoulder, savoring the quiet peace of her presence.
From the side, Sakura watched the two, a puzzled look crossing her face. She knew they were step-siblings, but the way they held each other and the warmth in their voices felt… different.
She looked between them, her brows furrowing as she tried to put a finger on the sense of closeness that seemed beyond simple sibling affection.
Kana's gaze flicked to Sakura, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. She could tell Sakura was beginning to piece things together, and though the adoption story was meant to ease concerns, she knew she needed to step in.
Smiling, Kana came over and pulled both her children into a hug, interrupting them just as Akane was about to kiss Kenshin.
Kana wrapped her arms around both Kenshin and Akane, bringing them into a warm, encompassing hug. "I'm so glad to see my two kids back to their old selves again," she said, her voice light yet comforting.
She leaned close, her voice a soft whisper meant only for them. "Try to show a little restraint, hm? No kissing in front of Sakura-chan, alright? Unless you're planning on blowing your little secret so soon."
Akane's cheeks flamed red, suddenly aware of Sakura's presence. She'd been so lost in the moment she hadn't even noticed her there.
Kenshin, on the other hand, chuckled quietly, his voice barely a murmur. "Mom, you're a lifesaver."
Turning to the others, Kenshin gestured toward Kira and Kaede. "Let me introduce you both to my sister," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Kira and Kaede here are my summons." Kaede, already returning to her confident composure, spoke up.
"We're technically his servants," Kaede added with a small, proud smirk.
Kira bowed slightly, her face warm with a welcoming smile. "It's an honor to finally meet Master's sister. I've heard a lot about you, Akane-sama."
Akane's attention shifted to Yukari, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of her aunt. For a moment, she didn't recognize the woman standing there, vibrant and full of life. But the red hair and the familiar warmth in her eyes gave her away, and Akane's mouth opened in amazement.
"Aunt Yukari…?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "How… how is this possible?"
Kaede tilted her head slightly, a faint smile of satisfaction on her face. "As Yukari-sama is my master's aunt, I thought it only fitting to bestow my regenerative abilities to her. A loyal and loving servant, after all, knows how to assist her master."
Kenshin turned to Kaede, a mildly exasperated look on his face. "Kaede… you didn't have to say all that. I planned to use your ability anyway. There's no way I'd pass on using something so convenient."
Kaede's smirk didn't waver, though a blush crept up her cheeks. "Oh, master, our bond is so deep that I merely anticipated your wishes," she said smoothly, masking her pride.
Kenshin rolled his eyes slightly, his tone light. "Kaede, we both know you just wanted a chance to show off in front of the humans."
Kaede's expression turned playfully wounded, her hand coming up to her chest in mock heartbreak. "Master..."
Kira, unable to resist, sidled up to her, patting her shoulder in mock sympathy. "Seems today just isn't your day, Kaede. Looks like in front of family, master's a bit more strict. And your antics aren't helping."
Akane's brows rose slightly as she watched Kaede's face redden at Kenshin's words. With a subtle nudge, she leaned close to Kenshin. "Kaede's blush is suspicious. You owe me an explanation tonight, among other things, brat."
As they all sat down, Kenshin recounted his time in the Shikkotsu Forest. He made sure to omit certain details—like how Aruna gave him nature energy through… her mouth, or how Kaede had a habit of kissing him every chance she got.
He'd given Kaede a pointed look, telepathically instructing her not to mention those parts, to which she gave an almost imperceptible smirk but stayed silent.
Everyone listening seemed captivated by the tale, yet both Akane and Sakura looked particularly envious. Sakura, as Tsunade's apprentice, knew how unbelievable it was to even enter Shikkotsu Forest without being overwhelmed by its intense nature energy.
And Akane, who had sworn she would surpass Kenshin one day, could only feel that she was somehow falling behind. Neither voiced these feelings aloud, but their silent determination was clear in their eyes.
When Kenshin finished his story, Sakura excused herself, saying she'd return with Shizune in the evening. As she stepped out of the Uchiha compound, she muttered softly to herself, "Still a long way to go if I want to be Tsunade-sama's successor."
Her hand drifted up to her forehead, where she had been carefully storing chakra for the Byakugou Seal for the past two years. It was a technique even Shizune had not fully mastered, and Sakura was determined to get it right.
Her thoughts briefly wandered to Sasuke and Naruto. She hadn't seen either in over two years, but she hoped she'd grown strong enough that Naruto would no longer have to protect her.
Back in the living room, Yukari suddenly remembered something. Her eyes widened slightly as she turned to Kana. "Kana-sama, do you remember the storage scroll that holds all the our clan's sealing jutsu and ninja tools? Where is it now?"
Kana's face reflected brief confusion before lighting up with realization. "Oh! I almost forgot! The scroll requires two adult Uzumaki to activate and that now, with Yukari all better now, we have the perfect opportunity."
Kana dashed to her room, returning with a summoning scroll. After a brief series of seals, she summoned a huge scroll, nearly six feet tall, with "Uzumaki" inscribed in bold letters across it.
With careful hands, she set it up in the center of the room and unrolled it horizontally until there was enough space for several people to stand in front of it.
Kana and Yukari stepped forward, placed their hands on the scroll, and, in unison, introduced themselves.
"Kana Uzumaki."
"Yukari Uzumaki."
They focused their chakra into the seal, which shimmered slightly. Before anyone could react, both Kana and Yukari were pulled into the scroll.
Stunned silence filled the room as everyone stared at the empty space where Kana and Yukari had stood.
Kenshin approached the scroll, placed his hand on it, and leaned forward. Without warning, he was sucked in as well. Akane followed suit, her determined gaze suggesting she wasn't about to be left behind.
Kira and Kaede, who had watched the others disappear one by one, exchanged a glance. They quickly stepped forward to try, but neither of them could do it, the scroll rejecting them outright. It seemed the seal only accepted those with Uzumaki blood.
Kira crossed her arms with a huff and pout and sat on the floor, legs crossed, while Kaede settled beside her, muttering about the unfairness of "genetic requirements."
Both glanced at the scroll, impatience evident on their faces, waiting eagerly for their master and his family to return.
Inside the scroll, the group found themselves enveloped in darkness. As their eyes adjusted, a massive stone library slowly lit up before them, its vast structure illuminated by soft, flickering lights that seemed to glow from within the stone itself.
Towering shelves carved from ancient rock held countless books, scrolls, and intricate sealing formulas, an endless repository of Uzumaki knowledge.
Kana took a hesitant step forward, instinctively reaching for Yukari's hand on her right. On her left, Kenshin held her hand firmly, while with his other hand, he took hold of Akane's. The four huddled together, inching toward the library in awe-stricken silence.
As they approached, the sheer magnitude of the place settled over them—a treasury of knowledge passed down through generations, secrets carefully guarded by the Uzumaki Clan. But then, the quiet was broken by a voice, one that Kana and Yukari recognized instantly.
They spun around, faces pale with shock, and found themselves looking at Ashina Uzumaki.
Standing there in ghostly form, Kana's grandfather wore the same gentle yet unyielding expression she remembered, his gaze wise and compassionate.
"Kana... Yukari…" Ashina's voice resonated softly, a mixture of pride and sorrow. His gaze drifted over each of them in turn, finally resting on Kenshin and Akane. "So our bloodline survives, even now. I suppose your parents had passed away before they could get you to safety, since it took you thirty long years to come here."
Kana took a step forward, her voice trembling. "Grandfather… but how? The kage... they k... killed you..."
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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.