In Tsunade's living quarters, the atmosphere was heavy with concern. Shizune sat beside Kenshin, who lay unconscious on the bed. Every so often, his body would tremble slightly, his expression tightening in fear or distress.
Each time it happened, Shizune would gently place her hand on his forehead or shoulder, her touch seeming to reassure him. His trembling would subside, his features relaxing once more.
She sighed softly, her fingers brushing through his hair in a comforting gesture. 'Poor boy,' she thought. 'What did he do to deserve this?'
When the door opened, Shizune looked up to see Tsunade enter, followed by Suu. Immediately, she rose from the bed and moved to help Tsunade take off her coat.
"Has he woken up?" Tsunade asked, her tone brisk but tinged with worry.
Shizune shook her head. "No, Tsunade-sama. He hasn't woken up, but… he's been shaking from time to time. Probably from fear or something else in his mind. But he calms down when I try to soothe him, almost like he just needs to know someone is here with him."
Tsunade's expression darkened as she walked over to Kenshin. Sitting beside him, she gently placed a hand on his cheek, her thumb brushing over his skin. His face was calm now, almost peaceful, but the sight of him like this twisted something deep in her chest.
Quietly, she murmured, "Did I do this? Is this my fault?"
Shizune opened her mouth to protest, her tone urgent. "Tsunade-sama, it's not your fault—"
But Suu interrupted, her voice steady and matter-of-fact. "It is. In a way."
Tsunade stiffened, her jaw tightening, but Suu continued before she could respond. "But none of that matters now. What matters is what we do from here. We need to wait for him to wake up, and then I'll resume therapy. I have an idea that might motivate him to move past this, but I'll need to be forceful about it."
Suu shrugged off her coat, walking over to the coat hanger to hang it neatly. Turning back to Shizune, she added, "In the meantime, could you make some tea? Sitting around all gloomy like this won't help anyone. I'll use the time to prepare a new simulation for Kenshin."
Shizune tilted her head, confused. "Simulation? What kind of—"
She stopped mid-sentence and turned to Tsunade, whose subtle nod signaled agreement. Understanding her silent directive, Shizune nodded back and left the room to head toward the kitchen.
As the door closed behind her, Suu pulled out a small notebook from her pocket and began scribbling notes, her focus entirely on her task. Tsunade remained seated by Kenshin's side, her hand never leaving his face as her thoughts churned.
As they sat, sipping on freshly brewed tea, the room was steeped in a heavy silence. Shizune finally broke it, her voice soft but curious. "Suu-san, what exactly are you planning to do with Kenshin when he wakes up?"
Suu leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she replied, her voice tinged with weariness. "I'm going to show him a scene, constructed using Akane's memory. Something that will help him understand that the incident he's holding onto didn't happen the way he believes it did.
Hopefully, it'll show him that Akane is strong—strong enough to grow on her own without him constantly protecting her. And in a way, it will help him realize that his overprotectiveness is stunting his own growth as well."
Shizune nodded, though didn't quite understand the full depth of Suu's plan. She trusted Tsunade's judgment in bringing Suu in, and that trust was enough to keep her doubts at bay.
Suddenly, Kenshin began trembling violently, his entire body convulsing as if he were being strangled in his sleep.
Tsunade quickly leaned over, placing a firm yet gentle hand on his forehead. The moment her hand made contact, his trembling stopped, his breathing steadied, and his body relaxed once more.
Tsunade's heart sank at the sight of him like this. She averted her gaze, biting the inside of her cheek as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Seeing someone so young, someone so close to her, in such a state of distress was almost unbearable.
Suu observed the scene quietly before exhaling softly. She realized she needed rest herself if she was to be of any help later. Her fatigue, both physical and mental, was catching up to her, especially after staying up most of the previous night to prepare simulations for Kenshin's therapy session.
The extreme strain from the final simulation had left her nearly incapacitated, and she couldn't risk a repeat of that.
Shizune noticed Suu's exhaustion and asked, "Have you had lunch yet?"
Suu shook her head, her tone laced with dry humor. "I was a bit busy recovering from a stroke, so no."
Shizune frowned but didn't push. "Wait here. I'll grab you something to eat. You shouldn't be on an empty stomach."
Without waiting for a response, Shizune left the room. A short while later, she returned with some takeout, opting for speed over cooking.
Suu ate quietly, her expression softening slightly as the food restored some of her energy. Once finished, she took a pillow from the bed and stretched out on the couch.
"I'm going to have a nap now. Wake me when he wakes up," Suu murmured before closing her eyes.
Shizune nodded and then excused herself to attend to the paperwork waiting in Tsunade's office. For a time, the room was quiet save for Kenshin's steady breathing and the occasional sound of Suu shifting in her sleep.
A few hours later, Kenshin finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the blurry figure of Tsunade hunched over him, her head resting on the edge of the bed.
At the faint sound of movement, her eyes shot open, and she sat up straight, relief flooding her expression.
"Kenshin!" she exclaimed softly, her voice a mix of joy and concern.
He turned his head away, guilt flickering across his features. "I'm sorry for making you worry… for no reason."
Tsunade frowned but didn't respond immediately. Kenshin's gaze then shifted to the couch, where Suu was asleep. His eyes widened in shock as memories flooded back—Suu, lying unconscious on the floor of her office, blood pooling beside her head.
"She's okay," Tsunade reassured him, noticing his expression. "She's just tired, so let her rest. She wasn't hurt too much, and she wants to help you."
With her help, Kenshin sat up slowly, his body still feeling the aftereffects of his mental turmoil.
"You want some cake?" Tsunade asked, her tone light in an attempt to ease the tension. "Shizune baked a really nice chocolate cake this morning, but we didn't really get a chance to finish it. You should try it."
Kenshin blinked at her offer, caught off guard. Then, for the first time in what felt like forever, a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah… I think I'd like that."
Tsunade smiled in return, her relief growing as she saw a glimmer of the boy she knew return. For now, it was enough.
Kenshin's gaze remained fixed on the bed, his thoughts dark and heavy. The memory of Suu lying in a pool of her own blood replayed in his mind, a cruel loop that he couldn't escape.
He knew how serious the damage had been, how close she'd come to dying. It was only because of his right eye's ability that she was alive now, and even that felt like a hollow victory to him.
'I almost killed her… I hurt Ino… I can't protect anyone,' he thought bitterly, his hands clenching into trembling fists on his lap. But he said nothing.
He didn't want to burden Tsunade with his self-loathing. She was already doing more for him than he felt like he deserved.
Tsunade handed him the slice of cake, her warm smile cutting through the oppressive guilt he felt. He reached out to take it, but his hands betrayed him, trembling uncontrollably.
Tsunade's sharp eyes noticed immediately, and she placed the plate down on the small table instead. "Relax, Kenshin," she said gently. "You don't have to push yourself."
She picked up the fork and sat down in front of him. Without hesitation, she began feeding him, a tenderness in her actions that made Kenshin's heart ache.
She didn't know him well, not yet, but the familial bond they shared made her want to care for him like he was one of her own.
Kenshin quietly accepted the bites of cake, his throat tightening with emotion he refused to let show. Tsunade's concern, her warmth, the way she treated him like family—it was almost too much to bear.
When he was done, she stood and brought him a glass of water, holding it to his lips to help him drink.
"Thank you," Kenshin said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Tsunade smiled again, but she didn't speak, sensing that words might overwhelm him. She placed the glass back on the table and sat beside him, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
As the room settled into quiet again, Suu stirred on the couch. Her eyes fluttered open, and she groggily pushed herself up, realizing Kenshin was awake. Her sharp gaze softened when their eyes met, and she gave him a small, tired smile.
"You're awake," she said, her voice hoarse but steady. She sat up fully, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she assessed him. "Good. We've got work to do."
Kenshin frowned, guilt flashing across his face. "Suu-san… I—"
"Don't," Suu interrupted firmly, holding up a hand. "We'll talk about it later. For now, let's focus on getting you back on track."
Her tone was brisk, but there was no anger in it, only determination. Kenshin nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to his lap.
Suu climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged before Kenshin, her expression unwavering. She extended her hands toward him, her gaze firm but gentle.
Kenshin hesitated, his brows furrowing. "Suu-san, I don't know if—"
"It's okay," Suu interrupted softly, her voice calm and steady. "It's going to be fine this time."
Kenshin's hands twitched, but he didn't move them. "This is a bad idea," he muttered. "We shouldn't... not right now."
Suu's patience snapped. Without warning, she delivered a hard slap to his cheek, the sound echoing in the room. Kenshin's head jerked to the side, his eyes wide with shock.
"Man up and deal with it!" Suu snapped, her tone sharp and unrelenting. "You think sitting here brooding, beating yourself up, is going to fix anything? Even now, you're thinking you failed yourself. Like you're the only one who gets to decide who needs protecting!
Have you ever thought about how we feel? About how it feels to watch you destroy yourself trying to carry a burden no one asked you to?"
Kenshin's mouth opened, but no words came out. Suu wasn't finished.
"Running away won't help. You need to face the core of your problems, Kenshin, and work through them. Now stop making excuses and give me your hands!"
Still, Kenshin hesitated, guilt and fear warring in his eyes. Suu huffed in frustration and reached into her pocket, pulling out a small vial of purple liquid. She held it up for both Kenshin and Tsunade to see.
"This," Suu said, her voice steady, "is a Yamanaka enhancement drug. It was banned by my husband because of its fatal side effects if not used properly. But right now, I don't have time for subtlety."
Tsunade's eyes widened in alarm. "Suu, don't—"
But before Tsunade could finish, Suu uncapped the vial and downed its contents in one swift motion. She grimaced, sticking her tongue out in disgust. "Ugh, that was disgusting. The taste by itself is enough to make someone pass out."
"Suu, this is reckless!" Tsunade scolded, stepping forward.
Suu held up a hand to stop her. "If I don't use up this drug's effects quickly, it could make my brain shut down entirely. So, Kenshin," she said, locking eyes with him, "you wouldn't want that on your conscience, would you?"
Her words hit their mark. Kenshin's shoulders slumped, and though his movements were hesitant, he finally reached out, his trembling hands finding their way to hers.
Suu's grip was firm but warm, grounding him. She gave his hands a gentle squeeze, her expression softening. "I won't rest until you're able to face your past properly," she said. "No more running, Kenshin. We'll do this together."
Kenshin swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Okay," he whispered, barely audible.
Tsunade stepped back, watching the scene unfold with a mix of anxiety and hope.
In the mindscape, the cherry blossom petals swirled gently in the air, creating an almost serene atmosphere that contrasted with the tension Kenshin felt in his chest.
As the simulation unfolded, showing Akane's fight, his body tensed with every blow she received.
When Akane was knocked to the ground, Kenshin flinched, his breathing quickening as his memories of the berserker incident surged forward.
The enemy Jonin in the simulation began to distort, his features twisting into Kenshin's devilish figure from before, but Suu tightened her mental grip on the jutsu.
"Stay with me, Kenshin," Suu said firmly, her voice cutting through the rising chaos in his mind.
In the real world, Suu's physical strain was evident. Her body trembled slightly, and the veins on her forehead bulged dangerously.
Tsunade, watching closely, immediately placed her hands on Suu's temples, channeling her medical ninjutsu to ease the blood flow and lessen the strain. Slowly but surely, Suu felt the relief, allowing her to maintain control of the simulation.
Inside the mindscape, the enemy Jonin approached Akane, his smug demeanor that of a predator about to finish off his prey.
Kenshin's hands clenched into fists, but then, just as the enemy moved to strike, Akane's leg shot up with precision, connecting with his jaw and sending him flying.
Kenshin's eyes widened, his breath hitching.
Akane didn't stop there. While the enemy was still in the air, she hurled two shuriken, perfectly striking the man's arms to render them useless. She closed the distance quickly, her movements calculated and efficient. Without hesitation, she drove her kunai into his neck, ending the fight instantly.
The sight left Kenshin momentarily stunned. He had expected her to lose. To need saving. Instead, she had played her opponent, biding her time to ensure a quiet and decisive victory.
"She didn't need me," Kenshin muttered, his voice filled with both awe and guilt. "I… I didn't trust her. I assumed she was..."
Suu smiled gently, her tone soothing yet firm. "You didn't fail her, Kenshin. You love her. That's why it's hard for you to see how strong she is. But you need to let her fall sometimes. Because she will get back up."
Kenshin looked at her, the conflict in his eyes softening.
"And when she can't," Suu continued, "she's not alone. Akane has an incredible family and team. Kana, your mother, is about to become a Jonin, despite being out of duty for nearly two decades.
Yuki, her sensei, is one of the strongest kunoichi in the village, with the rare Ice Release kekkei genkai. Maki, her best friend, is a master of the Eight Inner Gates and the second-best taijutsu user in the Hidden Leaf.
And her first Jonin sensei, Kakashi, is not only the strongest Jonin in the village but one of the strongest in history. I assume you don't need to be told more about Kakashi, the kid's pretty famous these days."
Suu leaned closer, her grip on Kenshin's hands tightening. "And that's not even counting you, Kenshin. You're her brother, and she loves you. But you're not the only one protecting her. Your family is stronger than you think, and they're all here for her—and for you."
Kenshin's gaze dropped to their hands, his mind processing Suu's words.
"So, stop trying to carry everything on your shoulders," Suu said, her voice softening. "Focus on yourself, because you have a family and friends who are ready to carry you when you need it. You're not alone, Kenshin. You never were."
Kenshin felt a lump in his throat, his chest tightening with emotion. For the first time in a long while, the weight on his shoulders felt just a little lighter. He nodded slowly, his voice quiet but resolute.
"I'll try," he said. "I'll try to let go."
Suu smiled warmly, her exhaustion masked by her relief. "That's all I ask."
In the real world, Tsunade saw Suu relax slightly, a small smile forming on her lips. Kenshin's expression softened, his breathing steadying as he began to confront the burdens he'd carried for so long.
The cherry blossom garden shifted slightly as Suu's jutsu expanded, conjuring rough but vivid simulations of Team 19's past missions.
Kenshin watched intently as the scenes played out before him, each mission showcasing Akane's perspective as part of the original team.
The group's dynamic was evident. Akane's Sharingan and Uzumaki stamina provided the team with an all-rounder that never ran out of gas, and Yuki's Ice Release controlled the battlefield.
Maki's raw strength turned the tide in physical confrontations, and Daichi's Yamanaka abilities provided a tactical edge when brute force and regular strategy alone weren't enough.
Together, they were an unstoppable force on countless B and A-rank missions, becoming the most active team of their generation and completing more missions than any of the others from their generation.
As Daichi's image appeared, Suu's expression softened, a faint sadness shadowing her features. She paused the simulation, letting the moment linger before speaking.
"Daichi," she said softly, her voice laced with both pride and sorrow. "I'm sure you've heard about him from Akane and Maki, but he was my nephew. Ino's cousin. And in a way, Akane and Maki are like family to me. So, by that logic, you're family too, Kenshin."
Kenshin glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her words, and nodded quietly.
"He wasn't the strongest physically," Suu continued, a small smile tugging at her lips. "And he didn't have any flashy talent as a Yamanaka, but he was hardworking.
He had this unshakable resolve that drew people to him. Maki… well, she's the type who admires that kind of strength—the kind that doesn't come from muscles but from the heart."
Suu's gaze lingered on the image of Daichi in the simulation, and she added, "He treated Akane like a sister. Protected her, joked with her, and gave her the kind of sibling bond she needed."
Kenshin took a moment to process her words before saying softly, "He must've been a great guy. Maki and Daichi sound like they were a good couple."
Suu nodded, her smile bittersweet. "They were made for each other. But fate's got a cruel sense of humor, doesn't it? The poor kid died trying to carry out a mission that was doomed from the beginning.
Even when his teammates were taken out like they were nothing, Daichi still tried to fight back. He knew he didn't stand a chance, but he didn't hesitate. And he lost his life because of it."
The somber tone hung in the air for a moment before Suu shook her head, brushing it off. "But there's no point in dwelling on the sad stuff. Daichi was a nice kid. And if he were here, I think he'd approve of you, Kenshin. Especially after finding out about your 'secret' with Akane."
Kenshin let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's… oddly relieving to hear, but it feels weird being happy about it."
Suu chuckled, her somberness giving way to a warm smile. "Well, you should be. Akane means the world to him, just like she does to you. He'd want her to be happy, and you're a big part of that."
Kenshin nodded, feeling a strange sense of peace settle over him.
As the hours passed in the cherry blossom garden of Suu's mindscape, Kenshin watched more memories unfold—each one showing the camaraderie and strength of the original Team 19.
From harrowing escapes to narrow victories, he saw Akane grow stronger, more capable, and confident with every mission.
Suu carefully crafted the narrative, ensuring Kenshin absorbed every moment, every lesson, preparing him for what was to come.
When she finally deactivated the jutsu, the shift back to reality was sudden. Suu sat up, blinking as the aftereffects of the drug hit her—but they were far milder than expected. She frowned, processing the unexpected result.
"The drug burned through faster than I thought," Suu muttered, stretching her arms and lying back on the bed. "Guess that's what happens when you're wrangling someone with an unstable mind like yours. Anyway, tomorrow's the big one."
Kenshin looked at her, puzzled.
"The Hidden Grass incident," Suu clarified. "The moment that started it all. I think you're ready to face it now."
Surprisingly, Kenshin nodded, his expression calm but resolute."I'm ready."
Tsunade, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on Kenshin's shoulder. "You've come a long way, Kenshin. One last step, and you'll be on the other side of this. I'm proud of you."
Suu pushed herself upright, shaking off the lingering effects of the drug. "Well, I'm heading home for the night. I'll be back first thing in the morning." she said to Tsunade before turning to Kenshin.
Kenshin rose to leave as well, but Suu stopped him. "Hold on. I think you should stay somewhere else tonight. You need to be in the right mindset for tomorrow. Being with Akane right now… well, let's just say it might complicate things."
Kenshin hesitated. "But—"
"She doesn't know what's going on with you, Kenshin," Suu said gently. "You need to focus on yourself for this last step."
Tsunade chimed in. "Stay here tonight. Suu can come back here in the morning."
Kenshin reluctantly agreed, though the idea of staying with Tsunade made him feel awkward. "Alright, but this feels… weird."
Tsunade smirked and gave him a playful punch to the shoulder. The force, while controlled, made him stumble slightly. "Loosen up, Kenshin. You'll love the food. Especially Shizune's."
Meanwhile, back at the Uchiha compound, Akane and Yukari sat in the living room. The table had already been cleared from dinner, and both of them had bathed and changed.
"He still hasn't come home," Akane murmured, glancing at the door. "And he didn't even show up at the library. That's not like him."
Yukari sipped her tea, her expression calm. "Perhaps he's training and had some sort of breakthrough. You know how dedicated he is—he might not come home until he's refined it."
Akane crossed her arms, her worry evident. "Or maybe he's in the Shikkotsu Forest dealing with that Kaede. That wouldn't surprise me."
Yukari nodded. "That's also possible. Kaede-sama can be… demanding."
"I just hope he's okay," Akane said, her voice soft. "He could've at least sent a shadow clone or something to let us know."
Yukari smiled gently. "Don't worry so much, Akane-sama. Kenshin-sama is more than capable of taking care of himself. And you should focus on taking care of yourself too—especially if you plan on surpassing him."
Akane huffed but nodded, though her concern lingered.
Back at Tsunade's quarters, Kenshin sat awkwardly at the table as Tsunade and Shizune prepared dinner. Despite his initial reluctance, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of comfort in their company.
"You're in for a treat," Tsunade said, setting plates on the table with a grin. "Shizune's cooking is second to none. Even I'll admit that."
Shizune blushed lightly but smiled. "I hope you like it, Kenshin-kun."
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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.