Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

Kenshin moved closer, his hands shooting out to clasp Tsunade's tightly, desperation evident in his trembling grip. His dark red hair fell into his face as he lowered his head, his words spilling out in a rush.

"Please, Hokage-sama. Don't tell her—don't tell my mom either. I can't put this on them. I'm fine, I swear. It's just the blood. It startled me, that's all. It's not as severe as PTSD. It can't be." His voice cracked, and he tightened his hold on her hands, as if trying to ground himself in the moment.

Tsunade's gaze didn't waver. Her expression was unreadable as she watched him, letting his words hang in the air for a moment.

Then, with a firm pull, she freed her hands and crossed her arms, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Kenshin, I absolutely cannot do that. And you're lying to yourself if you think this is just about the memories."

She took a step forward, her voice softening but still carrying the weight of authority. "I've been there, Kenshin. I know what it's like. I've lived with PTSD for decades. I lost people very close me during the second war.

And let me tell you something—if you don't address this now, it will haunt you. It doesn't just disappear because you're stubborn. If anything, it'll dig its claws in deeper."

Kenshin tried to argue, but she raised a hand to stop him. "Listen to me. You're a shinobi, Kenshin. You're going to be a Chunin soon, and that means leading others on missions—dangerous ones. You'll likely be working with Akane.

What happens if your PTSD is triggered in a crucial moment? What happens if it's not just you in danger, but her? Or the rest of your team? Do you really want to carry the guilt of someone else's death because you were too proud to admit you needed help?"

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. Kenshin opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He looked away, his hands clenching at his sides.

The weight of her statement pressed down on him until he could no longer meet her gaze. After a long moment, he murmured, "No… I don't want that."

The tension in Tsunade's shoulders eased, but her expression remained firm. "Then stop pretending you're fine. But I'll respect one thing: if you don't want your family to know, fine. For now. But only if you promise me that you'll take this seriously."

She exhaled, rubbing her temples in exasperation. "Why are Uzumaki always so damn stubborn? You're just like Naruto. He'd say the exact same thing." she muttered, more to herself than to him.

Tsunade sighed, shaking her head. "I'll set you up with Suu Yamanaka. She's Ino's mother and the best therapist in the Land of Fire. She'll know how to help you. But you need to attend regularly. And if you don't…"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, a warning gleaming in their amber depths. "I'll tell your mother."

Kenshin's face paled. The mere thought of Kana finding out sent a shiver down his spine.

Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground at her feet. "Please, Hokage-sama, don't tell her. I'll do whatever it takes—just don't let her know. She's been through enough already."

Tsunade's expression softened as she looked down at him. With a sigh, she knelt down, placing her hands on his shoulders and gently urging him to sit up. "Kenshin," she said softly, "lift your head. There's no need for this."

When he did, she studied his face—the vulnerability there, the fear that went beyond just the moment. A strange, familial affection stirred in her chest, a connection she couldn't quite ignore.

Maybe it was because she knew what it was like to be young and burdened. Or maybe it was the Uzumaki blood they shared. Either way, she couldn't turn away from him—not when he was like this.

Without thinking, Tsunade pulled him into another gentle embrace, her hand cradling the back of his head. "It's going to be okay," she murmured, her voice unusually soft. "If you listen to me, if you get the help you need, I promise you'll heal. But don't make the same mistake I did. Don't run from it. You're family, Kenshin. And I take care of my family."

Kenshin remained still in her embrace, her words settling into him like a balm. He didn't speak, but the way his trembling eased and his breathing slowed spoke volumes.

Kenshin's breathing began to steady, and he let himself sink into Tsunade's comforting embrace, feeling a rare sense of safety. But the moment was abruptly shattered by the sound of a calm, familiar voice.

"Am I interrupting something?" Kakashi asked, his tone as casual as ever. He leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed, his visible eye fixed on them with mild amusement. "If you don't want your sister to find out, you need to leave. She's resting for now, but it's only a matter of time before she senses you two here."

Kenshin stiffened in Tsunade's arms, quickly pulling back and rising to his feet, his face flushing in embarrassment. "Kakashi-san…" he muttered, unable to meet Kakashi's gaze.

Kakashi pushed off the tree and approached with his hands in his pockets, his ever-present mask obscuring his expression.

"I was observing Akane's training when I saw you in the distance. Red hair sticks out like a sore thumb, you know," he said, his tone light but his words sharp enough to make Kenshin flinch. "Akane didn't notice—she was too focused—but I saw what happened. That little.... episode of yours."

Kenshin opened his mouth to protest, but Kakashi raised a hand to stop him. "Save it. I'm not here to judge, Kenshin. I've been through this myself. I know how it feels." His visible eye sharpened slightly. "Listen to the Hokage. She knows how to handle this better than anyone."

Tsunade gave Kakashi a grateful nod before turning her attention back to Kenshin. She placed a hand on his shoulder and guided him gently but firmly.

"Come on, Kenshin. Let's get you out of here before Akane senses us. Kakashi," she called over her shoulder, "tell Akane to meet him later, but don't mention what happened here. And make sure she wipes that blood off before she goes home."

"Understood," Kakashi replied, his tone neutral as ever. He watched as Tsunade supported Kenshin, an arm across his shoulders, and began leading him away.

As they walked, Kakashi sighed softly to himself. "PTSD? This guy just keeps on surprising me. But I suppose considering what happened, it makes sense. At least she's still alive, that should help." he murmured before heading toward Akane, already mentally preparing himself for the sharp-tongued response she was likely to give if she sensed anything unusual.

As Tsunade led Kenshin away from the training grounds, her steady presence grounding him, Kenshin glanced down at the dirt path beneath his feet. The silence between them was heavy, but he finally broke it, his voice quiet and tinged with guilt.

"I'm sorry… for making you worry," he murmured, his crimson hair falling over his eyes as he kept his gaze averted.

Tsunade stopped walking for a moment, tightening her grip around his shoulder and pulling him even closer. "You don't need to apologize," she said firmly, her voice filled with a rare warmth. She tilted her head to meet his gaze, her amber eyes resolute. "Like I said, you're family, Kenshin."

Kenshin blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Family?" he echoed hesitantly.

Tsunade gave a small nod and began walking again, her steps measured. "My grandmother was an Uzumaki. Ashina Uzumaki's younger sister, to be exact. And from what I heard, Kana's grandfather was also Ashina Uzumaki."

She glanced at him, her lips quirking into a faint smile. "That makes me something like an aunt to you. A cousin to your mom. We're connected by blood."

Kenshin looked up at her, his wide eyes searching her face for any trace of insincerity. He found none.

"That's why I feel responsible for you," Tsunade continued, her voice softening. "I've seen enough loss in my life. If there's anything I can do to help you through this—to make sure you overcome this PTSD—I will. And not just as the Hokage. As family."

Kenshin swallowed thickly, his voice barely above a whisper. "...I don't know what to say."

Tsunade's grip on him tightened slightly as they walked, her tone growing even gentler. "Then listen," she said. "If there's ever a moment when you feel confused, or if you need someone to talk to about things you can't share with the others in your family, you come to me. No matter the time or reason, I'm here. Understand?"

Kenshin nodded slowly, his heart heavy yet comforted by her words.

"And one more thing," Tsunade added, her gaze sharpening slightly. "No more of this 'Hokage-sama' nonsense when it's just the two of us. From now on, you can just call me by my name. Drop the unnecessary formality."

Kenshin blinked, momentarily stunned by her casual tone. He hesitated before giving a small, tentative smile. "...Tsunade-sama," he said, the words unfamiliar but strangely comforting.

Tsunade's lips twitched into a grin, and she gave him a playful nudge. "See? Doesn't that feel better already?"

Kenshin nodded quietly and leaned his head against Tsunade's shoulder as they walked back to the village. The warmth of her support was comforting, something he hadn't realized he needed.

As they reached the village, Kenshin immediately straightened up and pulled away from Tsunade, his face tinged with a faint blush. Tsunade chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"You don't need to be embarrassed," she said lightly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But I get it. You're not used to this kind of situation. It's fine."

Kenshin gave her a small, sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. Together, they made their way to the Yamanaka flower shop.

The air inside was fragrant, filled with the aroma of fresh blooms. Behind the counter, Ino was arranging a colorful bouquet for a customer.

"Good morning, Hokage-sama! Kenshin…" Her greeting faltered slightly when her gaze fell on Kenshin, her cheerful demeanor momentarily replaced by a flicker of hesitation.

Memories of her encounter with the "other" Kenshin surfaced in her mind. She quickly regained her composure, though her smile had an edge of nervousness. "What brings you two here so early?"

Tsunade stepped forward, her presence commanding yet calm. "Is your mother home, Ino?"

Ino paused, her hands stilling as she studied Kenshin, who was offering her an awkward smile. It wasn't hard to piece together the situation. Kenshin's unease, the Hokage's serious expression—it all pointed to something deeper.

"Mom's upstairs," Ino said carefully, turning her attention back to Tsunade. "She's with a client right now, but she should be finishing up soon. You can wait if you'd like."

"Thank you," Tsunade replied, motioning for Kenshin to follow her. They ascended the stairs and entered a quiet sitting area. Kenshin sat down stiffly, his discomfort evident.

Sitting beside him, Tsunade gave him a reassuring glance before delivering a light smack to his back. Kenshin winced slightly—her idea of "light" was still enough to make him feel it.

"Relax," she said with a smirk. "Just be honest with Suu. She's the best at what she does. If anyone can help you recover from this, it's her." She paused, her tone softening. "If I'd had someone like Suu in my time, maybe things would've turned out differently for me."

Kenshin glanced at her, surprised by the honesty in her words. Before he could respond, the door opened, and a man stepped out, thanking Suu warmly. "I'll see you next week, Suu-sama." he said with a grateful nod before heading downstairs.

Tsunade straightened, nudging Kenshin gently. "That's our cue. Let me talk to her first, and I'll ask you to come inside once we're done."

Tsunade stepped inside the room, closing the door softly behind her. Suu Yamanaka greeted her with a professional yet warm smile, motioning for her to take a seat.

"Well, this is a surprise," Suu said, leaning back in her chair. "To what do I owe the honor of the Hokage herself paying me a visit?"

Tsunade sat on the plush couch across from her and crossed her legs, giving a small sigh as she rubbed her temples. "I assume you know about Kenshin Uzumaki?"

Suu raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "The boy is rather famous these days. Not every day you hear about someone tied to both the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans. Not to mention his mother, Kana Uzumaki, was a hidden rain Chunin, and is in training for becoming a Jonin in our village.

And let's not forget his father, Ichiro Uchiha, the war hero who was even considered for fourth Hokage." Suu's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Of course, I've heard of him. In fact, my daughter seems to have quite the impression of him after their little training with his team."

Tsunade shot her an unamused look. "I didn't need the entire genealogy. A simple 'yes' would've sufficed."

Suu chuckled, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "You should know better than to ask the wife of the Yamanaka clan head such a simple question, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade sighed deeply. "Kenshin has developed PTSD. It's recent—just about two weeks ago—and it's something I want you to handle before it becomes worse."

Suu's expression immediately shifted to a more serious one, her usual warmth replaced by focus. She leaned forward slightly, her elbows resting on her knees. "PTSD? What happened?"

Tsunade hesitated for a moment, then said, "It was during the incident in the Hidden Grass. You're aware of the situation."

Suu nodded knowingly, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Tsunade continued, her voice softer but firm. "It left a deep scar on Kenshin. He… nearly killed Akane. And he doesn't want his family to know about his condition. That's his request, and I need you to respect it."

Suu sat back, taking in the information. After a brief silence, she spoke carefully. "I'll agree to the terms. But, Hokage-sama, if I'm to take this on, I'll handle it my way. No interference from you or anyone else.

I won't provide you with reports beyond a general 'he's improving' or 'he's not.' My sessions are strictly one-on-one, and his progress will remain confidential."

Tsunade frowned slightly, clearly not pleased with the idea of being kept out of the loop, but she gave a resigned nod. "Fine. I'll trust you to handle this. Your results speak for themselves, after all."

Suu's lips curved into a faint smile as she rose from her chair. "You won't regret it. Now, shall we bring him in?"

Tsunade rose from her seat as well, smoothing out her robes before walking to the door. She opened it slightly and called out, "Kenshin, come in."

She stepped aside as Kenshin entered hesitantly, his crimson hair glinting in the soft light of the room. Tsunade placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder as she passed him. "She's the best there is, Kenshin. Just be honest with her, and she'll help you."

Kenshin gave a small nod, glancing briefly at Suu before looking back at the floor. Tsunade smiled faintly and stepped out, closing the door behind her.

As she walked away, she muttered to herself, "Time to find Shizune before she drowns in all that paperwork…"

Suu smiled warmly as Kenshin entered, her tone light and inviting. "Kenshin-kun, it's nice to finally meet you. My daughter, Ino, has mentioned you a few times. Seems you left quite the impression."

Kenshin gave a respectful bow, his posture stiff with nerves. "It's an honor to meet you, Yamanaka-sama."

Suu waved her hand dismissively, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Oh, please, just call me Suu. No need for formalities here."

As Kenshin settled into the plush couch, Suu took the seat across from him, studying him with a kind but discerning gaze. "First things first. Do you prefer tea, coffee, or maybe some hot chocolate?"

Kenshin blinked, caught off guard by the casual question. He hesitated, his fingers gripping the edge of the couch. "Um… hot chocolate, I guess?"

Suu's smile brightened as she stood. "Great choice! You're in for a treat. Ino makes the best hot chocolate. Let me call her real quick."

She walked over to the door, cracking it open slightly. "Ino, can you whip up some hot chocolate for us? Thanks, sweetie!"

Closing the door, she turned back to Kenshin with a playful grin. "You're going to love it. She's got a secret recipe or something. Honestly, it's the best thing to drink when you need to relax."

Her cheerful demeanor seemed to chip away at Kenshin's stiffness. He nodded slightly, offering a small, tentative smile. "That… sounds nice."

Suu returned to her seat, crossing her legs and leaning forward slightly. "Good. That's the whole idea. We're here to take things slow and easy. No pressure, no rush."

She folded her hands in her lap, her tone still light but with a hint of seriousness creeping in. "Now, while we wait, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself? No need to go deep—just whatever you feel comfortable sharing."

Kenshin fidgeted with his fingers, his gaze darting to the floor as he struggled to find words. Therapy wasn't something he ever thought he'd need, and sitting here now felt both alien and uncomfortable. Suu noticed his unease and decided to take the lead.

"Let's start simple," she said warmly. "Your family. You lived alone with your mom in the Hidden Rain, right? What was life like there?"

Kenshin's expression shifted, a mixture of emotions crossing his face. "Life in the Hidden Rain was… okay," he began hesitantly. "The villagers didn't really talk to us unless they had to. They knew my dad was a Leaf shinobi, and the whole situation wasn't… ideal."

Suu tilted her head. "Because of the Uchiha clan?"

Kenshin nodded, his fists clenching tightly. "Yeah. Because of their stupid values or traditions or whatever, he couldn't marry my mom. So, I grew up without him—or my sister. He couldn't even be there when I was born."

Suu reached out gently, placing her hand over his and giving it a light squeeze. Her voice was calm but firm. "Take a breath, Kenshin. There's no point in getting angry about something that's in the past. It's not easy, but holding onto that anger won't help you."

Kenshin glanced at her, then took a deep breath, letting his fists relax. "You're right," he said quietly.

Suu gave him a reassuring nod. "Good. Now, tell me more about your mom."

Kenshin's face softened, and a small smile tugged at his lips. "She did. She's kind of an airhead, though," he admitted, a touch of fondness creeping into his voice.

"She'd fall asleep making breakfast sometimes. I used to wake up early, and I'd have to shake her awake so she didn't burn anything."

Suu chuckled lightly. "Sounds like she was an interesting lady."

Kenshin's smile grew. "She is. She also had this habit of spacing out while watching the rain. It was like she could sit there forever, just staring at it."

He paused, his gaze distant as a particular memory surfaced. "When I was three, I was lying on her lap, and she was trying to put me to sleep. But then, for no reason, she just looked out the window and kind of… forgot what she was doing."

Suu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Forgot what she was doing?"

"Yeah," Kenshin said, chuckling softly. "Her hair's almost as long as her height and it all fell on my face right when I was starting to feel sleepy. I started tugging at it, and it wasn't until I pulled a bit hard that she snapped out of it and remembered she was trying to get me to sleep."

Suu smiled, seeing the warmth in his expression. "Sounds like she's quite the unique person."

"She is," Kenshin agreed. "It's part of what makes her who she is. Because she's so… childish sometimes, I get to be the grown-up. It's actually kind of endearing. Even more so now that there's more people in our family—my sister, and now Aunt Yukari."

He looked down, his voice softening. "I wouldn't trade her for anything. She's the best mom I could've asked for."

Suu's smile deepened as she watched him. For the first time since he'd entered the room, Kenshin seemed truly at ease, his love for his mother shining through. It was a promising start.

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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.