Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

For the rest of the night, neither of them could sleep. Kana's inner conflict grew with each passing moment, as on one hand, she knew how wrong this was and as a responsible adult and their mother, she shouldn't allow this.

But on the other hand, part of her wanted to support her children. She loved both of them dearly and having raised Kenshin herself, she knew that he was speaking the truth.

Kenshin had always been responsible and never asked her for anything. And he usually never lied. And this was the first time he asked for her support with something.

She knew that he truly loved Akane, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered telling Kana about it. But how was she supposed to accept this? When they're both her children? When she gave birth to them both?

Even if she did accept it, she would never be able to look at them in the same way as before. She couldn't bring herself to talk to Kenshin, even though she knew that things might resolve somewhat through conversation.

On the other hand, Kenshin himself was feeling deep regret for telling Kana like this.

"Damn it! I could've said it better! Maybe mom wouldn't have reacted like that if I did. Today was the first time she raised her fist on me. Ever since I was born."

A few silent tears fell from his eyes as he lay awake, on the opposite side of the fire, facing away from Kana.

Throughout the rest of the journey, Kana didn't talk to Kenshin except only out of necessity. Whenever she did speak, her voice clearly carried her feelings of hurt, betrayal.

But for the most part, the tension between them is palpable. Kana remained silent, her inner conflict evident in the furrow of her brow and the tense set of her shoulders.

Despite the effort to focus on the journey, her mind is consumed by the turmoil of reconciling her role as a mother with the reality of her children's situation.

Kenshin, meanwhile, feels the weight of the silence like a heavy burden. The lack of communication feels like a stark reminder of their fractured relationship.

But he held on to a glimmer of hope that stemmed from the fact that he knew Kana better than anyone else.

He hoped that the mother he always knew to be understanding and compassionate would eventually come to terms with it and hopefully accept their relationship.

Every night, Kenshin lied awake as the pain of their estrangement cut deep into his heart.

Kana, from a distance, watched Kenshin's quiet suffering with a heart full of anguish.

Though she wanted to reach out, her internal struggle and sense of betrayal paralyzed her. The conflict between her maternal instincts and her understanding of the situation left her in a state of emotional paralysis.

The journey became a torturous mix of physical travel and emotional confrontation, each mile a step closer to resolution but also a reminder of the fractured bond between them.

Amongst this, Kenshin had bandaged his left eye, hoping to cover it up so that Pain wouldn't see it when he used it on him.

Despite everything, Kenshin didn't lose sight of their goal, to make Pain allow them to leave the rain.

And after ten days, they eventually encountered heavy snowfall, signalling that the hidden rain is not far.

They both stopped to take a short break and when Kenshin turned to Kana to say something, she turned away from him and sat down beside a big tree.

"I guess it'll take time." Kenshin sighed, speaking just enough for it to reach Kana. "But I won't give up. Whatever you decide, I'll accept it. You're my mom after all." He sat down on the other side of the same tree.

After some time, Kana got back up again and began walking towards the village, and Kenshin followed her.

Once near enough, they saw their house outside the village and there was someone standing in front of it.

'Who the hell would greet us?' Kenshin thought as they walked closer.

And when they reached the house, it was Konan herself that greeted them. "Welcome back, you two. Kana, I'm glad you're okay now."

Saying that, she hugged Kana.

"Thank you, Konan-sama." Kana's eyes welled up with tears in Konan's embrace, as she remembered once more how close she was to losing her life.

And in that moment, realization hit her. Maybe the reason Kenshin never got over his past life love was because he never had the chance to.

Ever since Kenshin was 8, he had to take care of Kana, because of which he never spent time with others except only for missions. And even those were relatively short since he was a genin.

'Perhaps I was too harsh on him.' Kana thought as she turned her head to look at Kenshin who looked down the moment their eyes met.

"Is everything okay? You seem distraught. Both of you." Konan asked, noticing the tension between them.

Before Kana could say anything, Kenshin answered. "It's nothing, Konan-sama. It's just that we're a bit tired. Mom hasn't walked for over 7 years so it's especially tiring for her. That's all." Kenshin said, forcing a smile.

"Oh, I understand. In that case, come inside." Konan smiled and brought the two of them inside.

Kana felt a sense of peace wash over her at the familiar sight of her house and she sat down with Konan while Kenshin lit a fire to warm themselves.

"You stay here, I'll make some food for you." Konan got up, but Kenshin stopped her.

"How could we make the angel of the rain cook for us? I brought food from the leaf. You and mom can relax."

"Come on, I told you guys not to call me that. I'm fine with everyone else calling me angel but you guys are different. You're like family to me." Konan said with an annoyed smile, though it was more playful than serious.

"Also, what happened to your eye? It's bandaged."

"It's nothing much really. I just got an injury on the way here." Kenshin shrugged.

Kenshin went to his room to change out of his bloodied jacket and to take out the food from his storage scroll. And also, the scroll that contained the request from Tsunade.

"I hope this works." Kenshin murmured, taking out both scrolls.

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