Chapter 20
I stood alone in my room with Kushina, who wore the oversized shirt I had given her. The other three had already left to complete the tasks I had assigned them. It was just the two of us now.
"Naruto," she called softly, her voice gentle yet filled with emotion.
I turned to look at her, and before I could say anything, she was already standing close. She reached out, placing her right hand on my cheek. Her touch was soft and warm, but I stayed quiet, waiting for her to speak.
"You've truly grown, my child," she said, her thumb brushing against my skin as she stroked my cheek. Her smile was soft, but her eyes held a sadness I couldn't ignore.
Her hand's warmth made me feel calm, a sense of peace that I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Yeah, it's been fifteen years after all," I replied, trying to match her gentle tone, but there was a weight in my chest I couldn't shake off.
She swallowed hard, her eyes becoming red as tears threatened to spill. "I'm so sorry, Naruto... that I wasn't there to see you grow."
"It's okay, I understand what happened," I said, trying to ease her guilt.
Her eyes widened slightly. "You... you know? But how?"
"I know everything," I replied, my voice calm but firm. "I know about the masked man who attacked the village, the Nine-Tails being released... and I know how you and Dad sealed her inside me."
Kushina's face paled. "Naruto, I—"
Before she could continue, I cut her off. "I know there wasn't another choice, and I don't blame you for that." A brief look of relief crossed her face, but I wasn't finished. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to forgive anyone for what happened to me afterward."
Her relief evaporated, replaced by guilt as she looked down, her lips trembling.
"Because of that night... my life has been..." I trailed off, unable to finish. The weight of all the years of loneliness and suffering caught in my throat.
She couldn't look at me anymore. Her face was filled with regret, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Naruto. We never wanted this for you, never meant to cause you pain."
Suddenly, she stepped closer and pulled me into her embrace. Her arms wrapped around me, pulling my head to rest against her chest, her warmth enveloping me. Her heartbeat was steady, calming the storm that had begun to brew inside me.
"I'm sorry," I whispered into her chest. "I didn't mean to let that out."
She stroked my hair gently, her voice a soft lull. "You don't need to apologize, Naruto. It's us who should be apologizing. I failed you as your mother. But from now on... I will stay by your side. Whether as your mother, or anything you need me to be."
Her words struck something deep inside me. I didn't say anything in response, only held her tighter, pressing my face into her chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breath. It was comforting, more than I'd like to admit. For once, I felt safe, like I could let my guard down.
After a few moments, I raised my head and looked up at her. She was staring down at me, her expression gentle but filled with emotion.
"You know things have changed, right?" I asked softly, searching her eyes for understanding.
She hesitated for a second before nodding, her face a mix of emotions—uncertainty, acceptance, and something else I couldn't quite place.
I let my hand slide beneath the shirt she was wearing, my fingers brushing against the smooth skin of her back. Her body tensed slightly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she looked at me, her face flushed but calm.
I leaned in closer, watching her carefully. Her lips parted slightly, her breath shaky. I could see the conflict in her eyes, but she didn't stop me. Her eyes fluttered closed, and a faint tremble passed through her. She was hesitant, but still... she didn't pull away.
Our lips met, soft and tentative. There was a brief moment of hesitation on her part, but then she accepted it, letting the kiss linger for just a little longer.
---
### Kushina's POV:
Standing in Naruto's room, my heart felt heavy with regret. The sight of him, all grown up, reminded me of everything I had missed—every moment, every milestone that I had lost because I couldn't be there. He had grown into such a strong young man, but that strength was built on a foundation of pain and loneliness. And I wasn't there for him.
When I touched his cheek, I wanted to pour all my love into that simple gesture. He had suffered so much, more than any child should have, and it was my fault. The warmth of his skin against my hand made my heart ache with a mother's love—a love I hadn't been able to give him when he needed it most.
As I stroked his cheek, I smiled, but behind that smile was a deep sadness. "You've truly grown, my child," I said, my voice shaking slightly.
When he said he knew everything, my heart sank. How could he possibly know? I had wanted to shield him from that pain, but now he carried the weight of that knowledge, and I could see the anger simmering just beneath the surface.
His words stung, but I couldn't blame him. How could I? He had every right to be angry, every right to be upset. I had failed him.
When he told me he wasn't going to forgive anyone, I felt my heart shatter. The pain in his voice, the weight of those years alone—it was unbearable. I wanted to take all of that hurt away, but I knew I couldn't. All I could do now was hold him, offer him the comfort I should have given him years ago.
I pulled him close, holding him to my chest, hoping that somehow my embrace could heal a fraction of the wounds he carried. His head rested against me, and for a moment, it felt like I was holding him as a child again—only this time, I couldn't protect him from the world.
When he finally raised his head to look at me, there was something in his eyes. Something had shifted between us. I knew things had changed. I wasn't just his mother anymore. I was bound to him in a way that went beyond blood.
When he touched my back, his hand warm against my bare skin, my breath caught in my throat. It felt wrong, yet... right at the same time. I couldn't move, couldn't stop him. I had promised to be whatever he needed, and now I could feel the shift in our relationship. I closed my eyes, waiting for him to make the next move, and when his lips touched mine, I didn't pull away.
I accepted it, because now... I was his. Whether as his mother or something more, I belonged to him.
Certainly! I've merged both parts and adjusted Kushina's reactions to reflect her personality from the Naruto series: loving, protective, but also strong-willed and direct when it comes to Naruto and the people she cares about.
---
As our lips parted, Kushina's flushed face quickly shifted into confusion, her gentle expression now clouded with worry and curiosity. Despite the moment we shared, something lingered in her mind, nagging at her.
"Wait… Naruto..." she whispered, her hand resting on my chest, brows furrowing as if she were piecing something together. "When you said you *knew* what happened… how did you know all that?" Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of suspicion and uncertainty in her tone.
I held her gaze, knowing she wasn't going to let this slide without an answer.
"You said 'through her'—who were you talking about?" Kushina's eyes sharpened, her protective instincts kicking in. Her motherly warmth was still there, but there was now an edge of concern as she demanded answers. It was the same strength she showed in life, always looking out for me, never letting anything slip by her.
Before I could reply, a familiar voice echoed through the room, carrying an air of authority and grace. "That would be me, Kushina."
Kushina's entire body stiffened, her grip on my shirt tightening. Her eyes darted around the room, her face going pale as recognition dawned on her. "T-That voice… No, it can't be…"
I turned my head slightly as Kurumi, in her human form, stepped out of the shadows. Her long, white hair cascaded down her back, her elegant yet powerful form shimmering into visibility. Those piercing red eyes—once feared and hated—now watched Kushina with calm intensity.
Kurumi stood tall, her appearance nothing like the monstrous fox Kushina once knew. Instead, she was regal and striking, her human form as beautiful as it was terrifying.
Kushina's eyes widened in disbelief, her breath caught in her throat as she took an involuntary step back. "W-Who… What…? No, this can't be…" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared at Kurumi in shock. "Nine-Tails?!"
Kurumi's red eyes gleamed, but her expression remained calm. "Kurumi," she corrected softly, "is my true name."
Kushina blinked, frozen in shock, her mind racing to process what was in front of her. "Your *name*…?" she repeated in disbelief. "You… You have a human form?!" Her voice wavered with confusion, as if the concept was beyond her grasp.
Kurumi nodded slightly. "Yes. Though I never had reason to use it before. Back when you knew me, I was nothing but anger and hatred. But things have changed."
Kushina's expression twisted into something of frustration mixed with bewilderment. "Changed? How could the Nine-Tails have changed? You nearly destroyed the village! You killed so many people!" Her eyes flashed, her protective nature flaring as she tried to make sense of it all. She turned to me, her gaze searching. "Naruto, how could you—how could you trust her after everything?"
I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, sensing her turmoil. "Mom, a lot has happened since you were gone. Kurumi isn't the same being she once was. She's not just a beast anymore. She's more than that."
Kushina stared at me, her face a mixture of confusion, disbelief, and fear. "More than that? Naruto, she's the Nine-Tails! She was sealed inside me… inside you! How could this be possible?"
Kurumi stepped forward, her presence both gentle and commanding. "I won't deny my past, Kushina. I caused much destruction, but I am no longer the monster you once knew. Naruto… helped me change."
Kushina's eyes darted between us, her breathing quickening. "Helped you change? I don't understand… How could you, Naruto…?" She cut herself off, still reeling from the shock of seeing the Nine-Tails in human form, speaking so calmly and… respectfully?
I sighed, knowing this was hard for her to hear. "Mom, it wasn't easy. We fought for control at first. But over time, we started to understand each other. She's not just a beast sealed inside me anymore. We're partners. We're… connected."
Kushina's expression softened slightly, but her confusion didn't wane. "Connected…?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "But how? How could you even…?"
Kurumi looked at Kushina with a softer expression. "Kushina, Naruto did what no one else could—he saw through my anger, through my hatred, and found the part of me that wanted to be free of it. He reached out to me, not with fear, but with understanding."
Kushina stood there, her hands shaking as she tried to take in everything. "Naruto… this… this doesn't make sense..." she muttered, her protective nature warring with her maternal instincts. She wanted to protect me, but she also didn't want to believe I could be deceived. Her strong-willed nature refused to accept what was being told so easily.
I hesitated, but before I could explain further, Kurumi's next words took Kushina completely by surprise.
"And more than that," Kurumi continued, her red eyes gleaming with an unreadable emotion, "I'm not just his partner… I'm his wife."
Kushina froze, her breath catching in her throat as she stared at Kurumi in utter disbelief. "W-What?" she gasped, her voice barely audible. Her face paled as she took a step back. "You… you're married?! To *her*?!" Her voice rose in shock, tinged with the fierce protectiveness she always had as a mother.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's… complicated, Mom."
Kushina's eyes darted between me and Kurumi, her voice full of disbelief and confusion. "Naruto, how could you—This is the Nine-Tails! She nearly destroyed the village! How could you marry her?! This has to be some kind of joke!"
Kurumi's expression remained calm, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I understand this must be difficult for you to accept, Kushina. But Naruto and I are bound now. Our connection goes beyond what you may think."
Kushina's hands clenched into fists, her body trembling. "This is… I don't..." She looked at me, her eyes pleading for an explanation. "Naruto, how did this happen? Why…? How could you—?"
I let out a long sigh, knowing this wasn't going to be easy for her to hear. "Mom, it's not as simple as it sounds. Kurumi and I… we're soul-bound. She's not the same as she was before. I don't see her as just the Nine-Tails anymore."
Kushina's face was a mix of shock, horror, and confusion. "But Naruto… she's—"
"I know who she was, Mom," I said softly, cutting her off. "But she's different now. We've been through a lot together. She's not just a beast trapped in my body anymore. She's my wife, and we share a bond deeper than anything I've ever known."
Kushina's expression wavered between disbelief and helplessness. She struggled to comprehend how her son, who had once been burdened by the Nine-Tails, could now call her his wife.
Kurumi's voice softened, her tone gentle. "I understand this must be difficult for you to accept, Kushina. But I've chosen to stand by Naruto, not as a monster, but as his partner in every way. I am no longer your enemy."
Kushina looked at Kurumi, then back at me, her face filled with disbelief. "My son... married the Nine-Tails..." she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief.
I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know it's a lot to take in, Mom. But things have changed. Kurumi and I… we're in this together now."
Kushina blinked, staring at us for what felt like an eternity before finally letting out a deep, shaky breath. "This… this is unbelievable. My son… and the Nine-Tails…" she muttered under her breath, clearly overwhelmed.
Kurumi stepped forward, offering her a small smile. "I promise you, Kushina. I'll protect Naruto with everything I have. I will never be the source of his pain again."
Kushina gave a soft, half-hearted chuckle, her face still pale with shock. "This… this is going to take some time to process..." She placed a hand to her forehead, clearly struggling to wrap her mind around the revelation.
I couldn't help but chuckle slightly at her reaction, though I tried to keep my tone gentle. "Yeah… it's not exactly the most normal situation."
Kushina sighed heavily, shaking her head in disbelief. "No… definitely not. But if you trust her, Naruto… I'll… I'll try to understand. It's just…" She trailed off, glancing at Kurumi again, clearly still trying to process everything.
Kurumi bowed her head slightly, her tone respectful. "Thank you, Kushina."
Kushina blinked, still in shock. "I never thought I'd hear the Nine-Tails thanking me…" she muttered, rubbing her temples again.
As the room fell silent, Kurumi's eyes glinted mischievously. She stepped closer to Kushina, her presence exuding a playful yet provocative aura. "Well, Kushina, after what happened… it seems our priorities have shifted quite a bit, don't you think?" Her voice carried a teasing lilt that seemed to amplify the tension in the room.
Kushina's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her eyes widening in shock and embarrassment. She stammered, trying to find words. "W-Wait, what are you—"
Kurumi's smirk widened as she continued, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "Oh, come on now, don't act so surprised. We're both in the same boat here. And judging by your reaction earlier… I'd say you've had quite a taste of the new reality."
Kushina's face turned an even deeper shade of red, her anger rising. "How dare you—!" she began, her voice breaking into a shout. Her hands clenched into fists, her eyes blazing with a mixture of outrage and embarrassment.
But before Kushina could act on her fury, Kurumi's form shimmered and she went back, inside Naruto with a teasing laugh that echoed through the room. The sound was both haunting and mischievous, leaving Kushina fuming and flustered.
Kushina stood there, her face burning with humiliation and anger as she watched Kurumi's retreating figure. Her breathing was heavy, her heart pounding from the intensity of the situation. "I can't believe… she actually—"
I placed a calming hand on her shoulder, trying to ease her frustration. "Mom, I know it's a lot to take in, but Kurumi's trying to make a point. We really are in this together now."
Kushina took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "I-I get it," she muttered, though her face was still red from the encounter. "It's just… it's all so overwhelming". I Just let out chuckle at that.
[An : comment your views on the chapter and tell me if you think the pace is good or should I fasten it a bit.]