Chapter 63:- Gratitude

After Yuki left, Maki stretched her arms and sighed. "Well, I guess I'll head back to my apartment. See ya later?"

"Yeah, okay." Akane replied with a smile.

They waved as Maki walked off, leaving Kenshin and Akane to make their way back home. The walk was peaceful, the streets of the Leaf Village lively but calm as they passed by shops and familiar faces.

Once home, they settled into the living room, Kenshin grabbing the remote while Akane sprawled on the couch beside him.

They flicked through the channels aimlessly until a nature documentary caught their attention, but before they knew it, they both drifted off to sleep, still exhausted from last night's activities.

Kana walked into the room after a while, spotting them curled up together on the couch. She shook her head with a gentle smile, her childlike side showing in her affectionate gaze.

"What am I going to do with these two?" she muttered to herself before grabbing a thick blanket and draping it over them.

She moved quietly into the kitchen, humming as she began preparing lunch. As she chopped vegetables, Kana glanced at the door leading to the living room. "Those kids... always running around. Still, it's too quiet without a bit of action. Maybe it's time I head back to work. This housework is getting boring..."

A few hours later, when lunch was ready, Kana walked over to the couch and gently shook both Kenshin and Akane awake. "Come on, sleepyheads, time to eat."

They stirred, blinking groggily as they sat up. "Huh, we fell asleep?" Kenshin asked, rubbing his eyes.

Akane stretched with a yawn. "I guess we were more tired than we thought."

Kana chuckled. "Maybe try not to go at it for too long next time. An hour or two is good enough."

At the dining table, the three of them dug into their meal. Kana watched them for a moment before speaking. "I've been thinking... I want to get back to kunoichi duty. Sitting around the house all day is just too boring."

Kenshin frowned, pausing mid-bite. "But, are you sure? Your body... especially your legs... I'm not sure if you should get back yet."

Kana huffed in annoyance, lifting her legs and pointing them towards him. "You think mommy's weak, don't you? Look, these legs are perfectly fine! And you remember how hard I punched you back in the forest right? I'm better than I was before I got sick."

Kenshin glanced down under the table, where Kana raised her legs in a way that gave him a clear view of her legs. His right eye Mangekyo Sharingan activated, a faint glow surrounding his pupil as he scanned her legs.

Seeing no blue glow, Kenshin relaxed. "No injuries, not even a trace. Guess you're fine after all."

Kana smirked. "Told you."

Kenshin smiled, though there was still a hint of concern in his voice. "You should talk to the Hokage, though, before jumping back into it. And don't forget about your promotion to Jonin. It was part of our deal for moving here."

Kana grinned, clearly pleased with the idea. "Oh, I haven't forgotten. I'll head there first thing in the evening."

After lunch, Kenshin and Akane headed to their respective rooms to rest. As Kenshin settled onto his bed, he couldn't help but reflect on the conversation with Kana. His concern for her lingered, but there was also a sense of pride—seeing her back to her usual energetic self was comforting.

In her room, Kana was busy rummaging through her closet. Her hands moved swiftly, pulling out her Hidden Leaf kunoichi uniform, neatly folded. She had never worn it, but everything about it felt familiar.

She slipped into the uniform, adjusting the sleeves and straightening the fabric with care. Her next move was automatic—reaching for her Hidden Rain headband. She picked it up, running her fingers over the metal plate. The rain symbol stared back at her, and for a moment, her gaze softened.

"They never attacked us... even when the other villages did. They took me in, even if the people weren't very nice." she muttered, a sense of gratitude welling up inside her. The Hidden Rain hadn't participated in the destruction of the Uzumaki clan, something Kana couldn't forget.

She clearly remembered the fateful night, when, from far away, she witnessed her grandfather Ashina Uzumaki being attacked by the third Raikage, Tsuchikage, Mizukage and fourth Kazekage. Even when facing four of the five kage, Ashina still prioritized their safety.

Her parents were fatally wounded while escaping, and all the while, Kana was being protected. Just outside the border of the hidden rain, she was discovered by rain shinobi alongside her deceased parents. And Hanzo gave her a place to stay in the hidden rain.

Tying the headband around her neck, she adjusted it just beneath her flak jacket. The headband would be hidden from view, but its presence gave her a sense of connection. For Kana, it wasn't just a piece of metal—it was a reminder of her past, of the lives they had left behind in the Hidden Whirlpool.

Upstairs, Kenshin stirred in his sleep. His own Hidden Rain headband rested under his jacket, tucked away much like Kana's. His attachment to it wasn't as deep—he felt no loyalty to the village.

But the headband had been a gift from Konan upon his graduation, and that made it special. It was a symbol of his bond with her, even if it wasn't tied to the village itself.

Kana took a final glance in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance. She was ready. In the evening, she would head to the Hokage's office to discuss her return to duty. The thought excited her—after over a decade of being out of action, she was eager to step back into the world of shinobi life.

As the afternoon wore on, the sun began to set, casting warm orange light through the windows. Kana gathered her things, straightened her uniform one last time, and headed out of the house.

The streets of the Hidden Leaf were bathed in golden light as Kana made her way toward the Hokage's office. The village was peaceful, the air fresh with the scent of the trees surrounding them. Kana walked with purpose, her Hidden Rain headband hidden beneath her flak jacket, and her mind focused on the tasks ahead.

By the time she reached Tsunade's office, the village had quieted down as most people were either heading home or winding down from the day's activities. Kana knocked on the door, and a moment later, Shizune answered.

"Kana-san," Shizune greeted with a warm smile. "Are you here to see the Hokage?"

Kana nodded. "Yes. I'd like to discuss resuming my duties as a kunoichi."

Shizune motioned for her to enter. "I understand. Come in."

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