The next morning, Kenshin stirred awake to find himself still cradled in Akane's arms, her warmth and steady breathing grounding him. He stayed there for a moment, savoring the moment, before faint sounds from the kitchen reached his ears. Yukari was already up, likely preparing breakfast.
Turning his gaze to Akane, he leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She stirred, her hands instinctively finding his head and pulling him closer. When they broke the kiss, their foreheads rested together, and he whispered, "Good morning, nee-san."
"Good morning, Kenshin," Akane replied, her voice soft and still tinged with sleep.
Kenshin rested his head on her chest for a few moments, finding comfort in the rhythmic beating of her heart. Eventually, he sighed, "We should probably get up now."
Akane nodded, a small smile on her lips. "It's been a while since you woke me up with a kiss."
Kenshin chuckled, sitting up. "You're the one that usually does that. Among… other things."
With a playful nudge, Akane got up and headed to her room to change, while Kenshin did the same in his. Once they were both dressed and ready, they met downstairs.
Before heading to the kitchen, Kenshin went to Kana's room to check on her. Opening the door quietly, he peeked in and saw her still sound asleep. He closed the door gently and walked to the kitchen, where Yukari was bustling about.
"Good morning, Aunt Yukari," Kenshin greeted, moving to her side.
Yukari glanced at him with a warm smile. "Good morning, Kenshin-sama. Breakfast will be ready soon, so please wait at the table."
Kenshin shook his head. "Let me help."
At first, Yukari hesitated, but seeing the determination in his eyes, she relented with a soft laugh. "Very well. Thank you for helping."
Side by side, they finished preparing breakfast and carried it to the table, where Akane was already seated. Kenshin glanced toward Kana's room, noting her absence.
"Mom's going to have one hell of a hangover when she wakes up," he said with a slight smile.
Yukari nodded, her tone slightly amused. "Let's hope she doesn't remember what happened last night."
Both Kenshin and Akane exchanged a look, agreeing, "It's better if she doesn't."
With that, they began their meal, the conversation light and pleasant. Once they were done, Akane excused herself, heading out for training with Kakashi.
"I'll just head to the training grounds nearby," Kenshin said, stretching. "Get some quick exercise in and work on my new jutsu. After that, I'll stop by the flower shop."
Yukari nodded, her usual soft gaze following him as he left. "Be careful, Kenshin-sama."
As he disappeared out the door, Yukari glanced at her hand, realizing she had waved instead of bowing like she usually did. For a moment, she was confused, then smiled softly to herself.
"Maybe they're right," she murmured. "I should try being less formal. After all, I am their aunt now."
The thought warmed her heart, and she turned back to the dishes, feeling a subtle shift in her place within the family.
After a couple of hours of practicing his Wind Clone Jutsu without much progress, Kenshin decided it was time to head to the flower shop.
He weaved through the busy streets, and eventually arrived at the Yamanaka Flower Shop. The bell above the door chimed softly as he stepped inside, the scent of fresh flowers immediately washing over him.
Ino, tending to a row of vibrant orchids, stood up at the sound. Her customer-service smile faltered momentarily when she saw Kenshin, though she quickly masked it. Kenshin noticed but chose not to comment.
"Good afternoon," he said. "Is Suu-san in her office?"
Ino shook her head. "She's not there right now, but you can wait for her. I'll let her know you're here."
Kenshin nodded, offering a small, "Thank you," before he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Ino tilted her head, confused. "Is something wrong?"
Kenshin bowed his head deeply. "Ino, I'm sorry for what happened the other day. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Ino blinked, surprised, before quickly waving her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, Kenshin. You panicked—it happens. I'm fine, really. I'm just glad you're okay now. That's what matters."
Kenshin straightened up, offering a sincere, "Thank you," before heading upstairs to Suu's office.
The room was quiet, the faint hum of the shop below barely audible. Kenshin sat on the couch, fidgeting with his fingers as he waited. He stared at the floor, his mind wandering, when the door opened, and Suu walked in carrying two mugs of hot chocolate.
She set one in front of him with a warm smile. "How have you been? Ready to pay up? Therapy isn't cheap, you know. But first, you've got to finish this hot chocolate. I made it myself. Extra cream, and no sprinkles. And I used a different dark chocolate too."
Kenshin chuckled softly, taking the mug. "Thanks." He took a sip, the warmth spreading through him.
Suu settled into the chair across from him, sipping her own drink. "Any issues with your sister after yesterday's session?"
Kenshin shook his head. "No. After leaving the Hokage's residence, I went to pick her up from the training ground. We sparred a little, and at the end of it, I wiped some blood from her mouth. Her blood was the trigger, so… I think it's safe to say I'm fine now."
Suu raised an eyebrow, studying him. As she did, she noticed something. "Your hair looks brighter today. Almost like your mother's."
Kenshin blinked, looking up at her. "It's the same as it's always been," he said, brushing off the comment.
Suu tilted her head, her curiosity piqued, but she said nothing more, taking another sip of her hot chocolate.
As they sipped their hot chocolate, Kenshin glanced up and asked, "So, how much do I owe you?"
Suu paused dramatically, tapping her chin with a playful smirk. "Let's see… between the five sessions, my near-death stroke, using that banned Yamanaka enhancement drug twice, and having my license revoked by my husband…" She trailed off, pretending to calculate. "I'd say you owe me quite a bit."
Kenshin nearly choked on his drink. "Wait, your license was revoked? Why?"
Suu shrugged, her smile turning mischievous. "Well, I used the drug my husband banned. To be fair, it's extremely dangerous—it can lead to brain failure if not handled properly. Add in the stroke I had the other day, and, well, I guess Inoichi's patience finally ran out." She chuckled, as though she were recounting an amusing anecdote instead of a life-threatening ordeal.
Kenshin's chest tightened with guilt. He set his mug down and bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to go through so much just to help me."
Suu's tone turned firm. "Raise your head, Kenshin. This isn't the first time, and it won't be the last. I value results over methods, and that often puts me at odds with my husband.
But I'll admit, I may have been a bit too reckless this time. Inoichi was really angry, but don't worry about my license. I'll get it back soon enough." She waved off his concerns with an air of confidence. "Now, you owe me 400,000 ryo. That'll cover everything."
Kenshin nodded, pulling out his chequebook without hesitation. He quickly filled it out and handed it to her.
Suu raised an eyebrow, looking at the cheque. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "I told you 400,000, and you wrote me a cheque for 500,000. What's the extra for?"
Kenshin smiled. "The extra hundred is to cover a bit of your losses while you sort out your license."
Suu chuckled, shaking her head. "You're thoughtful, I'll give you that. But you didn't have to."
"I insist," Kenshin said firmly.
Suu tucked the cheque into her pocket with a small smile, leaning back in her chair. "Alright, fine. I'll take it."
Kenshin relaxed slightly, then hesitated before asking, "Are you planning on going anywhere before the Rinne Festival?"
Suu tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Kenshin clarified, "I was thinking of taking my family on a short trip before the festival. Akane mentioned that you and your family usually go somewhere every year, so I thought you might have some suggestions. We've never been on a trip before."
Suu nodded thoughtfully, swirling the last bit of hot chocolate in her mug. "I'm planning on a trip, actually. I've got some business to handle in the capital city, so I was planning on taking Ino along. She wanted to invite her friends, so we've got quite a group shaping up.
And since Inoichi has to stay here in the Leaf for work this year, he can't join us. If your family wants to come, having a couple more adults to help manage the kids might actually be a good idea."
Kenshin leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "Who else is coming?"
Suu tapped her chin, considering. "Let's see… Shikamaru and Choji are coming, of course. Ino managed to convince Hinata's father to let her come, which is no small feat. Maki and her little brother will also come.
I'm not sure about anyone else yet, but Ino's already gone out to ask Lee and Tenten. Sakura decided to spend time with her family, and Kiba and Shino said they're busy."
Kenshin nodded slowly. "That's a lot of people."
Suu waved dismissively. "It's not a problem. I've got equity in a few businesses in the capital, including a really nice hotel. Accommodations are all taken care of."
"Still," Kenshin said, leaning back slightly, "what kind of budget should I have to cover my family's expenses?"
Suu chuckled, shaking her head. "It's on me. You won't have to pay a thing for the hotel, so your only costs will be whatever you want to spend on shopping, food, or other activities. That's entirely up to you."
Kenshin smiled appreciatively. "In that case, I'll head home and talk to my family. Once we've packed, we'll meet you at the west gate."
"Perfect," Suu said, standing up and gathering the mugs. "The capital's westward, so the west gate works best. I'll see you all there."
Kenshin nodded and made his way out of her office, heading home with a spring in his step. Suu, meanwhile, carried the empty mugs downstairs, smiling softly as she thought about the trip ahead.
Kenshin headed home to find Kana sitting in the living room, her head resting on her hands as she rubbed her temples with a groan. It was clear she was suffering from a hangover. When he stepped inside, Kana perked up slightly, forcing a weak smile.
"Ken-chan, mommy has a terrible hangover," she complained. "My head feels like it's about to burst, and my body's all weak and wobbly."
Kenshin chuckled softly as he walked over to her. Without a word, he leaned down and began pulling her cheeks gently.
Kana whined, "Ken-chan, let mommy go!"
But Kenshin smirked, continuing to tug. "This is your fault for drinking too much. And besides, your cheeks are really soft and satisfying to pull."
Kana's protests grew more urgent. "Ken-chan, my cheeks are hurting! Let go, let go!"
Finally, Kenshin released her, plopping down on the couch beside her. He let her rest her head on his shoulder, a fond smile on his face. "You'll feel better soon. Just take it easy for now."
Kana let out a small sigh of relief, closing her eyes. "I hope so. I feel awful."
Kenshin gently patted her head. "Anyway, about that trip I mentioned yesterday. It's happening."
Kana's eyes fluttered open slightly. "Oh? Where are we going?"
"To the capital city of the Land of Fire," Kenshin explained. "Ino's mom is organizing the trip, and she's bringing some of Ino's friends along. She said it'd be helpful if our family joined to help manage everything."
Kana nodded lazily, closing her eyes again. "Okay, okay. Mommy will trust Ken-chan to pack my things. I'm not in the condition for thinking right now."
Kenshin chuckled again. "Alright, but make sure you rest and drink lots of water. Your headache will go away soon. And from now on, no more than five drinks during a celebration."
Kana's lips puckered in a pout. "Five drinks? That doesn't even count as a party, Ken-chan."
His voice became firm, though there was still a gentle edge to it. "Mom, from now on, you're a Jonin. You're going to be a sensei soon, and if you're hungover, you won't be able to train your Genin team properly."
Kana's pout deepened, but she nodded in understanding. "Fine, fine. Mommy understands."
With that, Kenshin stood up, leaving Kana to rest. He decided to find Yukari to let her know about the trip and see if she needed any help packing.
Once Kenshin told Yukari about the trip, she immediately began packing her things, though there wasn't much to pack.
Kenshin followed her to her room, offering to help. As he looked around, his chest tightened; Yukari didn't seem to have anything suitable for a vacation. After all, she couldn't exactly afford anything beyond the bare necessities back in the hidden grass.
Forcing a smile, he said, "Aunt Yukari, you can borrow some of Mom's clothes for now. Once we get to the capital, I'll buy you some new ones."
Yukari paused, looking at him with a mixture of gratitude and hesitation. "Thank you, Kenshin-sama," she said softly.
Kenshin smiled warmly. "You don't have to worry about anything anymore, Aunt Yukari. Whatever you need, just ask. I'll handle it."
She nodded, her expression softening. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."
With that, she finished packing and headed back to her usual chores, while Kenshin left her to it and went to Kana's room to start packing her things.
He quickly created two shadow clones, sending one to his room to pack his stuff and another to Training Ground 7, where Akane was training under Kakashi's guidance.
The clone arrived at the training ground to find Akane working on a technique. She was practicing what seemed to be a variation of the Chidori, increasing its intensity, spreading the focus outward, and then slamming it into the ground.
The technique was causing small craters with each impact, but Akane looked dissatisfied, muttering under her breath as she prepared for another attempt.
The clone watched silently for a moment, the technique sparking a faint sense of familiarity. Unable to resist testing her reflexes, the clone suddenly launched a fireball at her.
Akane reacted instantly, leaping aside to dodge the attack. She spun around, her eyes narrowing when she spotted Kenshin's clone stepping out from behind a tree. "Damn brat!" she snapped, crossing her arms with a frown. "I told you not to spy on my training! How long have you been standing there?"
The clone grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of its head. "I just got here, nee-san. I didn't see much, I promise."
Akane raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing him, but ultimately seemed to believe him. "Fine," she said. "What do you want?"
"The trip we talked about last night is happening," Kenshin's clone explained. "We're leaving this afternoon, so I need you to head home as soon as you can."
Akane nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face. "Alright. I'll finish up here and be back in an hour or so."
Suddenly, without warning, she hurled a shuriken at the clone. The clone smiled but didn't react, and the shuriken struck it dead-on, dispelling it in a puff of smoke.
Akane raised an eyebrow as the clone dispersed, then sighed with a small smile. "That brat's probably already packing," she muttered. "That's why he sent a clone."
Kakashi stepped forward, his expression calm but curious. "And what if that wasn't a clone, Akane? What if you actually hit him?"
She shrugged nonchalantly. "Then it's his fault for not dodging. Besides, it's Kenshin. There's no way he'd get hit by something so simple."
Kakashi sighed, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Fair enough. Still, try to be a little less reckless. You don't want to accidentally injure your little brother."
Akane gave him a cheeky grin before turning her attention back to her training. She formed another Chidori in her palm, the lightning chakra crackling as she increased its intensity. Slamming it into the ground, she carefully observed the way the energy spread outward.
Kakashi studied her work, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It's an interesting concept," he admitted. "But it wouldn't be viable for most people. Even for someone like me, a technique like that would drain my chakra too quickly, probably after just a single use. You're lucky you've got Uzumaki stamina. Still, your control needs work. Otherwise, you'll end up electrocuting yourself."
Akane paused, considering his words. "You've got a point," she said. "It's winter, so the ground is dry, and the air isn't humid. But if it were wet or rainy, this would be a problem."
Determined to test further, she created a shadow clone and instructed it, "Stand barefoot and form a normal Chidori this time. Let's see how it works under controlled conditions."
The clone nodded and did as instructed, slamming the Chidori into the ground. A sharp crackle sounded, and the clone dispelled immediately, sending its experience back to Akane. She frowned, realizing the clone had been electrocuted despite her adjustments.
"Dammit," she muttered. "I thought my chakra control was better than this."
Kakashi crossed his arms. "Chakra control's important, but some techniques require more than that. You're trying to manipulate lightning—it's not going to obey easily."
Akane nodded, her frown deepening as she created another set of clones to continue experimenting. For the next hour, she worked tirelessly, testing and refining the technique while Kakashi observed. Finally, Kakashi clapped his hands together.
"Alright, that's enough for today," he said firmly. "Remember, you've got a trip to prepare for. You need to head home and pack."
Akane sighed but relented, dispelling her clones. "Fine, fine. I'll head home," she said, brushing off the dirt from her clothes.
As she walked away, she glanced back at Kakashi. "Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep working on it."
Kakashi gave her a nod. "Just don't overdo it. Have fun on your trip."
With that, Akane made her way back home, her thoughts swirling with ideas for improving her technique.
But before that, Akane made her way to Tenten's weapon shop, a small smile tugging at her lips. Kenshin's katana should be ready by now, and she was eager to see it. As she entered, she saw Tenten slouched behind the counter, looking tired but perking up immediately when she noticed Akane.
"Ah, Akane! Perfect timing," Tenten said with a proud grin, reaching under the counter and pulling out the katana. The blade was nestled in its familiar black sheath, its polished surface catching the light.
Akane's eyes lit up as she took the weapon, unsheathing it to examine the craftsmanship. The blade glinted sharply, its pattern flawless, but something near the guard caught her attention. Engraved on one side was the Uchiha clan symbol, and on the other, the Uzumaki spiral.
Tenten grinned wider, leaning on the counter. "What do you think? I added those engravings as a little touch. If you ever mess up yours, let me know. I'll give it the same treatment when I remake it for you."
Akane smirked, running her fingers over the engravings. "Not bad. I'm not planning to ruin mine anytime soon, but I'll hold you to that engraving promise."
The two shared a grin before Akane thanked Tenten and handed over the payment. Sliding the katana into a storage scroll to keep it hidden, Akane gave Tenten a wave and left the shop.
As she arrived back home, she found Kana sprawled on the couch, her arm draped dramatically over her eyes. A faint groan escaped her, but she managed to greet Akane with a tired smile when she noticed her daughter walk in.
"You look like you've got a terrible hangover," Akane said with a chuckle, crossing her arms.
Kana sighed, waving her hand dismissively. "It was much worse this morning. Felt like my head was going to explode, but I'm fine now."
"Good. Just rest," Akane said, her tone soft as she headed toward Kenshin's room.
Pushing open the door, she found him zipping up his bag, clearly already finished with his packing. She approached him quietly, tapping his back to get his attention.
When Kenshin turned around, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a quick kiss, her voice light as she asked, "So, what are the details? Where are we going, and what's the plan?"
Kenshin smiled, his hands resting gently on Akane's waist. "You know," he teased, "you probably won't be able to kiss me like this for the next five days."
Akane raised an eyebrow, confused. "And why's that?"
Kenshin chuckled. "Suu-san's taking Ino to the capital for some business, and Ino's bringing along Shikamaru and Choji. She also convinced Hinata to come, and even Maki and her little brother are joining.
Apparently, Ino is asking Lee and Tenten too. That's already six of your friends, possibly eight. So, you're going to have to keep yourself in check."
Akane frowned, her lips pursing in mild annoyance. "That's a bummer. But... we could always sneak out, leave behind a clone or something."
Kenshin nodded with a playful grin. "That's an option." He leaned in, giving her another kiss, this one slower and more affectionate.
When they finally pulled apart, Kenshin smiled. "Now go pack your things."
Akane chuckled as she headed to her room. "Fine, come and look later. In case I forget something."
"I will," Kenshin promised, watching her leave before turning back to double-check his and Kana's bags. Once satisfied, he sat down on his bed to wait.
A short while later, Akane called for him from her room. Kenshin got up and went over, finding her with her belongings spread out on the bed. He carefully looked through everything, ensuring she had packed the essentials.
As he started organizing her things into her bag, Akane suddenly noticed something. "Hey, Kenshin... where's Aunt Yukari's bag?"
Kenshin's expression shifted slightly, a hint of sadness crossing his features. "She doesn't really have anything suitable to take. So, I told her to borrow Mom's stuff for now. Once we're in the capital, I'll buy her new clothes and anything else she needs."
Akane nodded, her gaze softening. "Don't let it bother you, okay? You're doing everything you can."
Kenshin smiled faintly, appreciating her words. "Thanks, Akane." He patted her head lightly. "Alright, let's head downstairs now. Everything's packed."
Akane nodded, taking his hand as they left the room and made their way down together.
They walked downstairs to find Kana still sprawled across the couch, though she looked noticeably better than before. The faint sounds of cooking echoed from the kitchen, which made them pause.
It wasn't usual for Yukari to be cooking this early. Sharing a curious glance with Akane, Kenshin headed toward the kitchen to find out what was going on.
Inside, Yukari stood by the stove, her hands deftly preparing the final touches for their meal. Kenshin leaned against the doorway and asked, "Aunt Yukari, why are you cooking so early? You usually start later."
Yukari turned to him with a gentle smile. "Since we're leaving in the afternoon, I thought it'd be better if we had lunch earlier. That way, we can all rest for a while before heading out. The capital city, if I'm not mistaken, must be quite far away."
Kenshin nodded, agreeing with her reasoning. "It is. Even when I flew there, it took me over five hours to get from the Leaf to the capital. Taking breaks makes sense—especially for you, Aunt Yukari, since you're not used to traveling."
Yukari gave a soft laugh. "Exactly. And I don't want to slow you all down or cause trouble for the others accompanying us."
Kenshin smiled. "That's a good plan. Do you need help with the cooking?"
Yukari waved her hand dismissively. "I'm almost done, so there's no need."
Despite her refusal, Kenshin stepped forward and insisted. "I'll help finish up. It'll go faster."
Relenting with a chuckle, Yukari let him assist, and the two worked seamlessly to wrap up the meal. Once they were done, they carried the dishes to the table and set everything up.
Kenshin turned to Akane, who was lounging nearby. "Nee-san, can you bring Mom to the table?"
Akane nodded and went to the couch, nudging Kana gently. "Come on, Mom. Lunch is ready."
Kana groaned but allowed herself to be helped up, and the three of them soon joined Yukari at the table.
As they ate, Yukari turned to Kenshin, curiosity evident in her voice. "Kenshin-sama, you mentioned flying to the capital before. When was that?"
Kenshin shrugged nonchalantly. "It was for a mission."
Yukari nodded, respecting his boundaries, and didn't press further.
After lunch, Yukari stretched, glancing at everyone. "We should all take a bath before we rest. It'll help us relax before the trip."
Kana nodded tiredly, standing up and starting to unbutton her pajama top right at the table. Kenshin, seated beside her, immediately grabbed her hand with a small cough.
"Mom, be mindful of your surroundings," Kenshin said, his tone half-scolding, half-embarrassed. "You can't just take your clothes off anywhere, even if it's just us."
Kana blinked at him, confused, but eventually nodded. "Alright, alright. I thought the water was already ready." She shuffled back to the couch, flopping down with a sigh. "Just let me know when the bathwater's ready."
Yukari chuckled at the scene, standing up from her seat. "I'll go prepare the bathwater. Kenshin-sama, Akane-sama, can I trust you two to handle the dishes?"
"Of course," they both replied in unison.
With a nod, Yukari headed off to the bathroom while Kenshin and Akane gathered the plates and carried them back to the kitchen. As they washed up, Akane smirked at Kenshin.
"Good job back there. You just need to keep this up for a few months while she sorts out her feelings," she said.
Kenshin sighed, shaking his head. "I guess so."
After finishing the dishes, Kenshin and Akane returned to the living room, where Kana was still sprawled on the couch, her pajama top half unbuttoned from earlier. She hadn't even bothered to fix it, much to Kenshin's exasperation. He sighed, sitting down beside her. Kana shifted, resting her head on his lap.
"How's your headache now, Mom?" he asked, glancing at her with mild concern.
Kana groaned dramatically, but then waved her hand dismissively. "It's better now. Almost gone. But I feel so tired."
Kenshin smiled softly, patting her head. "After the bath, you should rest for a bit. You'll feel better if you do."
Kana nodded lazily, letting out a small hum of agreement. Just then, Yukari's voice echoed from the bathroom, calling out that the bathwater was ready.
Kana sat up reluctantly, pulling her pajama top off entirely. Before she could start unbuttoning her pants, Kenshin cleared his throat, shooting her a pointed look. Kana froze for a moment, then chuckled, picking up her discarded top with a teasing grin.
"Right, right. Got it," she said, heading off toward the bathroom.
Kenshin and Akane followed close behind, with Kana dragging a hesitant Yukari along. Yukari still seemed slightly uncomfortable sharing the bath with Kenshin, but Kana insisted, saying it was something the whole family did together and that Yukari needed to get over her shyness.
Once in the bath, Kana tied her hair up before getting into the tub, and then she immediately relaxed, stretching out her arms and legs in the water until only her head remained above the surface. She sighed in contentment, her exhaustion melting away.
Turning to Kenshin, she asked, "How many people are going to be joining us, anyway?"
Kenshin leaned back slightly, his hair damp from the water. "Seven people for sure, and two more might come along."
Kana raised an eyebrow at that, her expression skeptical. "That's a lot of people." She then turned to Akane with a mischievous but pointed look. "No funny business, young lady. I'm not going to tolerate you two messing up everyone's vacation just because you can't handle your heat."
Akane flushed slightly, looking away sheepishly. "I'll keep that in mind," she mumbled.
Kenshin chuckled at her reaction, but before he could say anything, Kana nudged him with her foot under the water.
"That goes for you too," she said, narrowing her eyes at him.
Kenshin raised his hands in mock surrender, laughing softly. "Alright, alright. I'll behave."
Kana smirked, leaning back further into the water. "Good. Let's keep it a peaceful trip, okay?"
Yukari chuckled softly, leaning back against the edge of the bath. "You two are very mature, really. But you're young. You made a mistake once, and that's fine. I'm sure you won't repeat it again."
Kenshin and Akane both nodded sincerely, gratitude in their expressions. "We won't," they said in unison.
As Kenshin glanced at Yukari to thank her, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly crossed her arms over her chest, averting her gaze. "D-Don't look at me like that, Kenshin-sama," she stammered.
Kenshin immediately looked away, his ears burning. "Sorry. This is… really awkward," he muttered, keeping his gaze fixed on the water.
He sighed internally, thinking, 'It's so much harder to keep my composure when it's aunt Yukari. Mom doesn't care about modesty around me, so it's easy to stay unfazed. But aunt Yukari is different. She's actually embarrassed, and it's making things weird.' Shaking his head, he forced himself to clear his thoughts.
The moment of awkwardness passed when Kana, having fully relaxed in the warm water, dozed off. Kenshin noticed her slipping lower into the bath and quickly got up, scooping her up in his arms just before she got completely submerged.
"She fell asleep," he said with a fond sigh.
Akane got up as well, grabbing a towel to help dry Kana off. Between the two of them, they managed to wrap Kana securely before Kenshin carried her to her room. Once there, Akane helped him dress Kana in something more comfortable before tucking her into bed.
With that done, Kenshin headed upstairs to get dressed himself. However, just as he was about to enter his room, Akane suddenly appeared, still in her towel, and grabbed his hand.
"Akane?" he asked, a bit surprised.
She didn't respond, simply pulling him toward her room. Kenshin followed, raising an eyebrow in confusion but allowing her to lead him. Once they entered her room, she closed the door behind them, her expression unreadable.
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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.