Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

Kenshin created two shadow clones, each taking up the task of cutting the carbon steel Tenten had marked. As they worked, he glanced at her. "Do you have another anvil?"

Tenten pointed to a corner of the forge. "Yeah, there's a new one over there. Haven't used it much yet."

Nodding, Kenshin made a few more clones, instructing them to bring the second anvil over. They lifted it carefully and placed it next to the first, ensuring there was enough space for both Kenshin and Tenten to work side by side.

With the setup complete, Kenshin and Tenten heated two pieces of steel in the forge, while the clones stood ready with additional pieces. Following Tenten's instructions, the clones placed the next pair of steel pieces into the forge shortly after, and sometime afterwards, the first two were taken out.

Kenshin and Tenten hammered and shaped the blades in tandem, their movements almost synchronized. Each clang of their hammers echoed through the forge, creating a steady rhythm. When their blades cooled, they placed them back into the forge and took the next set from the clones.

Hours passed as they worked tirelessly, completing four blades in total. By the time they had set the fourth blade to cool, the smell of dinner wafted into the forge. Tenten's mom appeared at the doorway, smiling warmly.

"Dinner's ready," she called. Her gaze shifted to Kenshin. "You should join us. Thank you for helping Tenten."

Kenshin looked up from the blade he was working on, wiping his brow with his forearm. "Thank you, ma'am. I'd be happy to."

Tenten nodded in agreement. "We'll be up as soon as we finish this batch."

Her mom smiled, nodded, and left them to their work.

As they resumed hammering, Tenten found herself glancing at Kenshin. Something caught her attention—the way his tongue slipped out slightly whenever he was completely focused. It wasn't playful or exaggerated; instead, it rested naturally on his lips.

At first, she brushed it off, thinking it was just a random quirk. But then she noticed it again, and this time, it looked like he was about to drool.

"Kenshin," she called out, raising her voice slightly over the clanging of the hammer.

He looked up, confused. "Yeah?"

"Your tongue," she said, pointing. "It's... uh... out."

Kenshin blinked, and his tongue immediately darted back into his mouth. He touched his lower lip, feeling the dampness, and chuckled sheepishly. "Ah, yeah. That happens sometimes."

Tenten tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Why does it happen?"

"When I'm, like... totally, unconsciously focused on something, my tongue just kind of comes out," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's a weird habit. I don't even realize I'm doing it."

Tenten smirked, folding her arms. "Well, it's definitely not something I expected from Mr. genius.'

Kenshin chuckled again, this time with a slight blush. "If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll try to stop."

She shook her head, laughing softly. "No, it's fine. Just don't start drooling on the blades, alright?"

"Deal," Kenshin said with a grin, picking up his hammer again as they returned to their work.

As the last blade they were working on for the moment cooled, Kenshin and Tenten headed upstairs for dinner. Kenshin created two additional shadow clones, instructing them to handle the forge while they ate.

Tenten's mother had set the table, and the warm, comforting smell of home-cooked food filled the room.

"Thank you for the meal," Kenshin said politely, bowing slightly before sitting down.

Throughout dinner, Tenten's mother chatted with Kenshin, expressing her gratitude for his help and curiosity about his skills. Kenshin answered humbly, keeping the conversation light and friendly.

After dinner, the two returned to the forge. Kenshin dismissed his earlier clones, allowing them to rest, and set the new ones to monitor the forges while he and Tenten worked at the anvils. They quickly fell into a rhythm, working side by side under the glow of the forge.

Four hours passed, and they'd managed to finish five more blades. Kenshin focused on ninjato and tanto—shorter, simpler designs that took less time to forge.

Tenten, however, had been working on a katana and wakizashi set. The process was painstakingly slow, taking over two hours per blade to ensure the proper curve and balance.

When Kenshin's shadow clone offered to take over the next set, Tenten smiled but shook her head. "These are for a samurai client. The blades need to have a specific curve to fit their sheath properly. As good as you are, Kenshin, I can't trust you with this. It's against my policy as a bladesmith."

Kenshin nodded, understanding her stance. "Fair enough. Just let me know when you're ready to rest." He returned his focus to the blade he was starting, hammering the heated steel with precision.

As they worked, Tenten noticed Kenshin's tongue sticking out again, more often now as he became increasingly focused. She didn't say anything, though she couldn't help but chuckle when he'd instinctively pull it back in whenever he was about to drool.

Finally, she broke the silence, smirking as she spoke. "I didn't expect Mr. Genius to have such a weird habit. It's the total opposite of the perfect guy impression I had of you at first. But... it's kind of nice to see you're not perfect."

Kenshin paused mid-swing, glancing at her with a lopsided grin. "Perfect? That's a lot to live up to." He chuckled softly, setting his hammer down for a moment. "I just do what I can, Tenten-san. It just so happens that what I can do is a lot of things. But trust me, I'm not perfect. I've got plenty of flaws... and limits."

Tenten glanced at him thoughtfully, her smile softening. "Yeah, I guess that's true for all of us."

Kenshin nodded and returned to his work, the sound of their hammers filling the forge once again.

After four more hours, Kenshin and Tenten managed to finish another four blades, including the katana and wakizashi set Tenten had insisted on making herself.

She carefully marked each finished blade so her father would know which ones were for which clients. Once satisfied, Tenten stretched, exhaustion evident on her face.

"Well, that's it for me. Goodnight, Kenshin. Don't overdo it, alright?" she said with a tired smile, heading up to her room.

Kenshin nodded. "Goodnight, Tenten-san. And don't worry, I've got this."

As Tenten disappeared upstairs, Kenshin turned his attention back to the remaining six blades. Determined to finish them before dawn, he summoned a few shadow clones to speed up the process. Together, they worked tirelessly for five more hours, but progress was slower than anticipated due to the occasional mishap.

His clones kept accidentally touching the heated blades, dispelling instantly and leaving the metal dirty. Each time, Kenshin had to cool the blades, clean the surface with a grinder, and start over. By the time he completed the last blade, the sun was well up, and it was nearly 9 a.m.

Kenshin leaned against the anvil, yawning heavily. He had worked for over 16 hours straight, and fatigue was taking its toll. He thought about the others, who were probably already at the capital, and weighed his options.

If he used his Wind Chakra Mode to travel in his current state, he risked losing control and falling. But if he rested first, Tenten would lose an entire day of the trip instead of just half.

An idea struck him, and he decided to reach out telepathically to Kaede.

"Kaede," he called.

Kaede's voice responded with an audible huff. "Finally! Do you know how boring it's been without you? Kira and Aruna are insufferable, and Sora's just a brat. All of them are weak, young, and no fun to fight... I mean play with."

Kenshin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I need your help. I'm summoning you now."

Kaede laughed, her tone teasing. "Help? You don't need to ask for permission, master. I'm always ready for you."

With that, Kenshin performed the summoning jutsu, and Kaede appeared in a puff of smoke.

Kenshin's eyes widened as he took in her appearance. She was barely dressed, her loose robe doing little to cover her naked figure. Kaede smirked at his reaction, a mischievous glint in her bright red eyes.

"What?" she teased, laughing. "I was in bed. Did you expect me to come fully dressed? Or do you want me to take this off too?"

Kenshin sighed, shaking his head. "Just come here, Kaede."

Kaede tilted her head, curious but willing, and stepped closer. Without hesitation, Kenshin leaned up, cupped her face and kissed her.

Kaede's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly melted into the kiss, her arms snaking around his neck, her tail wrapping around their bodies as she leaned down eagerly.

Kenshin felt his fatigue ebbing away, replaced by a renewed sense of vitality as Kaede's regenerative abilities flowed into him through the saliva in the kiss.

After a moment, Kenshin pulled back, though Kaede seemed reluctant to let go. Her face was flushed bright red, and a satisfied smile played on her lips as she licked them, savoring the lingering taste.

"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Does this mean you're finally admitting that you enjoy kissing me?"

Kenshin raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile. "I just needed you to fix my fatigue," he said. Just as he was about to add that it didn't matter whether he enjoyed it or not, he froze, his senses flaring. Turning slightly, he noticed Tenten standing at the entrance to the forge.

Her arms were crossed, her expression one of disbelief mixed with a hint of awkwardness. Judging by her face, she'd clearly seen the kiss.

Kaede, unfazed, crossed her own arms, her tail swishing lazily behind her.

Kenshin grinned sheepishly, trying to diffuse the tension. "Kaede's just my summon," he said, scratching the back of his head.

Tenten raised an eyebrow, her skepticism plain. "What kind of person kisses their summoning animal after making it transform into a human?"

Kaede huffed indignantly, stepping forward, puffing up her chest as she spoke. "Transform?" she repeated, her voice laced with offense. "This is my natural form, infant. And I am not just an 'animal.' I am a proud member of the cat tribe.

We share a closer resemblance to humans than you think, and many of our ancestors were once human. But, of course, a mere child like you wouldn't understand such complexity."

Kenshin quickly stepped between them, turning to Kaede and hastily adjusting her robe so it properly covered her figure. "Enough," he muttered before turning back to Tenten.

He raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Look, Kaede has powerful regenerative abilities. She can share that through a kiss. I was exhausted and didn't want to rest since we're already late for the trip. That's all this was."

Kaede gasped dramatically, her hands clutching her chest as if she'd been mortally wounded. "So that's it?" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with mock hurt. "You summoned me from bed just to use me to fix your fatigue? And here I thought you missed my lips!"

Kenshin shot her a glare. "Shut up, Kaede."

Kaede huffed, turning her back to him with an exaggerated pout. "Fine! I won't kiss you next time. Not unless you apologize properly."

Kenshin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright, I'm sorry," he muttered.

Kaede smirked triumphantly but said nothing as she folded her arms.

Kenshin turned back to Tenten. "Go get ready. We're leaving after breakfast."

Tenten gave him a nod but couldn't resist adding, "You should take a bath first. I'll heat up the water. My mom's already making breakfast."

Kenshin nodded in agreement, only to feel Kaede suddenly hug him tightly from behind. Her arms wrapped around him, and he paused, glancing over his shoulder.

But something was off. Kaede's usual smug demeanor faded suddenly as her grip faltered, and a look of confusion flickered across her face. Her bright red eyes seemed distant, as though her thoughts had wandered somewhere beyond the moment.

Kenshin's heart sank. He knew what was happening. Kaede's mind was grappling with Kotoamatsukami's influence.

He couldn't let her piece it together. Not yet.

His fingers twitched at the thought, but he forced himself to stay calm. 'I can't let her find out. I'm not strong enough to restrain her, let alone defeat her.'

Hoping to shift Kaede's focus, Kenshin grabbed her hand and gently led her outside the forge. The crisp morning air wrapped around them as he turned to her, his tone teasing yet serious.

"If you enjoy kissing me so much, then I'll allow you to do it. But," he added, locking eyes with her, "you'll have to follow certain conditions."

Kaede's expression brightened instantly, her ears twitching with excitement as a wide smile spread across her face.

The familiar flush of deep red on her cheeks made her look almost childlike in her joy, and Kenshin found his heart skipping a beat. He quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing on the moment.

"What conditions, Master?" Kaede asked eagerly, her voice carrying a rare softness.

Kenshin's brow furrowed thoughtfully as he replied. "First, you need to learn how to read the room."

Kaede tilted her head, confusion evident in her expression. "Read the room? How? It's not a book."

Kenshin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried not to laugh. "I mean, you need to understand the situation before acting. You can't just kiss me in front of Akane or anyone else. Only when we're alone. I don't want to deal with unnecessary misunderstandings."

Kaede nodded slowly, her ears twitching as she absorbed the rule. "I can do that," she said confidently.

"Second," Kenshin continued, "you can't kiss me every time we meet. Limit it to a few times a day." He glanced at her, noticing the slight pout forming on her lips. "And during battles, if I need healing, you need to ask first. Only if the situation is dire or I give permission can you go ahead."

Kaede's pout disappeared as her face lit up again. She nodded enthusiastically, leaning down with a bright smile. "Understood, Master!" she chirped, before gently pressing her lips to his in a kiss that caught Kenshin off guard.

This time, her kiss was softer, slower, and more careful. Kenshin felt the difference immediately. Where Akane's kisses were fiery and dominant, Kaede's felt layered—tinged with longing, vulnerability, and a sadness she likely didn't even realize.

To Kenshin, it all made sense. Kaede's existence, her endless search for purpose and an equal, was burdened by the weight of her near-immortality.

Her desperation to end her eternal cycle of loneliness and futility had given her hope in Kenshin. She saw in him the potential to be the one to challenge her and end her seemingly neverending existence, even if he wasn't ready yet.

But the kotoamatsukami's lingering influence only complicated things, blending her admiration with devotion and creating the turmoil she couldn't escape.

For now, Kenshin hoped his conditions would help keep her emotions in check. He knew this was just a temporary solution, a fragile barrier holding back the storm that would inevitably come.

Even so, in this moment, he chose to lean into the kiss, rising on his toes to close the height difference between them. Kaede was only four inches taller, but it was enough to make the gesture feel significant.

He kissed her back, his lips meeting hers with a rare gentleness as he silently vowed to one day give her what she'd been yearning for all these years.

Kaede clung to him, her arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders. For the first time in eons, she felt a strange comfort, a fleeting happiness she couldn't explain.

Though her heart remained conflicted about being his servant, every kiss, every moment like this, made her feel less like a demoness bound by pride and power, and more like a woman allowed to hope. Hope, that the boy she was following would one day give her what she yearns for. Death.

Kaede's tail coiled warmly around Kenshin as they kissed, her body leaning lower, pressing closer to him. Kenshin remained risen on his toes, meeting her with equal gentleness.

When they finally pulled back, both breathless, Kaede rested her forehead against his, her bright red eyes softened by a grateful smile.

This was different—something she'd been silently longing for. Kenshin hadn't kissed her reluctantly, nor had he pushed her away immediately after being healed. This time, he'd accepted her completely, and the sincerity in his actions brought a rare warmth to Kaede's heart.

"Thank you, Master," she whispered softly, her voice trembling with emotion.

Kenshin raised a hand, cupping her cheek as he met her gaze. "You don't need to thank me, Kaede," he said with quiet resolve. He leaned forward, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I promise you… I'll grow stronger. And when I'm ready, I'll give you what you've been searching for all this time. That's a promise."

Kaede nodded silently, her tail slowly uncoiling from around him as her expression shifted to one of quiet determination.

"Now, go back to the Forest," Kenshin said, stepping back. "Have breakfast with Kira, and I'll summon both of you when we get to the capital."

Kaede hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I'll be waiting, Master." With a puff of smoke, she disappeared.

Kenshin went to the living room, where Tenten was waiting for him. She handed him a towel and motioned toward the bathroom. "Don't take too long," she said with a teasing smirk. "And… does your summon eat, too? I mean, since she's apparently 'closer to humans than cats.'"

Kenshin shook his head, chuckling softly. "No, she went back to her home. She'll have breakfast there, and I'll summon her and the other one once we're in the capital."

Tenten nodded, satisfied with the explanation, and Kenshin stepped into the bathroom. The warm water helped ease the remaining tension in his body, and he quickly washed up, mindful of not taking too long.

After breakfast, the two headed out to the backyard, where Tenten crossed her arms, looking up at him with curiosity. "So," she began, "how exactly are you planning to fly us to the capital?"

Kenshin tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I'll need my hands free to fly with you," he muttered, considering his options. He turned to Tenten. "Wait here. I want to try something."

Activating his Wind Chakra Mode, Kenshin rose a few feet off the ground, the translucent aura of wind chakra flowing around his body. Typically, he used small bursts of wind from his hands and a steady stream from his feet to balance and steer himself, but that wouldn't work if he needed to carry someone.

Focusing, he experimented with releasing chakra from other parts of his body—his torso, back, and sides. The wind chakra adjusted, creating gentle bursts that kept him stable. A grin spread across his face. This could work.

Hovering steadily, Kenshin glanced down at Tenten. "Looks like I've figured it out," he said confidently, lowering himself back to the ground.

Tenten raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying you can carry me without dropping me halfway?"

Kenshin smirked. "Trust me, Tenten-san. You'll be safer in the air with me than on the ground."

"Bold claim," Tenten quipped, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Alright then, show me what you've got."

Kenshin approached Tenten, scooping her up effortlessly in his arms. Her startled gasp turned into a sharp scold. "What the hell?! You could've warned me first!"

Kenshin smirked. "Force of habit," he said with a playful shrug, as if carrying someone and flying was an everyday occurrence.

Before Tenten could respond, he activated his Wind Chakra Mode and launched them into the air. The sudden ascent drew a surprised squeal from Tenten, and she instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders, shutting her eyes.

"Slow down!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and exhilaration.

Kenshin chuckled softly. "Relax, Tenten-san. I've got this. My chakra control is top-notch—should I say so myself—and I'm not running out of chakra anytime soon. Manipulating the wind is almost second nature to me, and it's everywhere."

Tenten wasn't convinced, gripping him tighter. "That doesn't mean you have to go this fast or this high! I can't handle this, Kenshin! Slow down, or at least fly lower!"

But Kenshin shook his head. "It's easier to maintain stability and speed at this altitude. If I fly low, we risk hitting the ground quickly. Up here, I can save us from anything unexpected." His tone was calm, reassuring, but firm.

Tenten kept her eyes shut, muttering complaints under her breath, until finally, half an hour later, the fear ebbed just enough for her to open one eye cautiously.

And what she saw took her breath away.

The late winter sun bathed the forests of the Land of Fire in a golden glow, dew on the trees glistening like scattered jewels. The endless sea of green stretched out below them, blending with the distant mountains and rivers like a painted masterpiece.

Forgetting her fear for a moment, Tenten marveled at the scene. "It's… beautiful."

Kenshin glanced at her, smiling softly. "I told you, I've got you. You're safe with me. I wouldn't let anything happen to a friend."

Tenten looked up at him, his confidence and sincerity calming her nerves. She allowed herself a small grin. "Alright, Kenshin. I'll trust you—for now."

With that, she turned her gaze back to the breathtaking view, her earlier fears melting away.

For the next four hours, Kenshin flew without stopping, maintaining a steady pace. Tenten couldn't help but marvel at his stamina. He didn't seem fatigued in the slightest.

She thought back to something Akane once mentioned. During Naruto's Chunin Exams, he had maintained the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu for an entire night and still had the energy to fight.

'How is it possible for Uzumaki to have this kind of monstrous stamina? Naruto's apparently from his clan too.' she wondered, her curiosity piqued.

Looking up at Kenshin, she asked, "Hey, Kenshin. Is this insane stamina thing just an Uzumaki trait? Or is it you?"

Kenshin chuckled, glancing down at her. "A bit of both, I guess. Uzumaki naturally have ridiculous chakra reserves. Combine that with training and the fact that my body's naturally strong… Well, you get this."

Tenten raised an eyebrow. "Ridiculous is an understatement. You've been flying nonstop for four hours. Do you ever get tired?"

"Of course I do," Kenshin said with a grin. "I'm not completely invincible. But right now, I'm fine. Besides, we're almost there."

Tenten nodded, still amazed. She relaxed further in his arms, letting herself enjoy the journey as the capital of the Land of Fire came into view on the horizon.

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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.