Chapter 109:- Apologizing to Yuki

The previous chapter was adjusted into chapter 108 since it was short. So give that a read if you haven't. It'll take away any potential confusion.

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Dinner ended quietly, and Kenshin stood, his shadow clone dissipating outside with a faint puff of smoke. Yuki was approaching, and he had to go out now.

"I'll be heading out," he said, placing his chopsticks neatly on the table. His voice was steady but carried an undercurrent of importance. "I asked sensei to meet me later tonight. There's something I want to show her."

Akane's gaze immediately sharpened, though she kept her tone neutral. "I'll come with you."

Kenshin shook his head firmly. "No, I need to do this alone."

The directness in his eyes made Akane pause. She knew that look—he was most probably meeting Yuki to apologize. Her expression softened, and she leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. "Take your time," she said, her voice steady but carrying a quiet understanding.

Kenshin offered her a small nod of gratitude before heading toward the door. He stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against his skin as he caught sight of Yuki just a few steps away. She was approaching the house, her face unreadable in the dim moonlight.

"Sensei," Kenshin greeted her respectfully, bowing low. "Thank you for coming."

Yuki stopped, startled for a moment by his formal tone, before offering a faint smile. "It's no problem. You said you wanted to show me something?"

Kenshin straightened but didn't respond immediately. His eyes glimmered faintly in the moonlight as he met Yuki's gaze. "I do. But before that, I need to apologize."

Yuki blinked, taken aback. "Apologize? For what?"

"For what I did to you in the Hidden Grass," Kenshin said quietly. His voice was steady, but there was a weight to it that made Yuki's chest tighten. "I attacked you in my rage. I attacked you, threatened you. And after it all... I didn't even have the decency to apologize."

Yuki's smile faltered, her hands clenching briefly at her sides. "Kenshin, lift your head," she said softly. "You don't need to apologize. I know you weren't in your right mind back then. It wasn't your fault."

"It doesn't matter," Kenshin interrupted, his voice firmer now. "That's not the point."

Yuki blinked, her expression turning uncertain as Kenshin continued.

"You don't look at me the same way you did before," he said, his gaze unwavering. "Not with warmth or trust. I see it in your eyes—there's fear, distrust, uncertainty. And even though you try to hide it, I notice. I saw it earlier tonight, during the meeting. You'd always look away, just for a moment, before turning back with a forced smile."

Yuki opened her mouth to protest but found herself unable to speak. She averted her gaze, her jaw tightening.

"But I want to fix it," Kenshin said earnestly, stepping closer. "Or at least try to. You're my sensei, the first real one I've ever had. Back in the Hidden Rain, I never had anyone guide me properly. You've done so much for me in such a short time, and I respect you for that. I don't want to lose that respect... or the bond we've built."

Yuki's shoulders slumped slightly, her composure cracking under the sincerity in his voice. She looked up at him, her ice-blue eyes glimmering with conflicting emotions.

"Kenshin," she began softly, her voice wavering. "I..." She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I'm not afraid of you," she said finally.

"I was... startled. And I suppose part of me is cautious now, but it's not because I don't trust you. It's my instinct as a war veteran. I've been through a lot during the third war, and it was hard for me to face you properly after what happened. But I'm still your sensei, and I'll still help you. It's my job."

Kenshin frowned slightly but nodded. "Thank you, sensei. Now then,"he said. "let me show you what I've been working on."

Yuki hesitated for a moment before a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Alright," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "Show me."

Kenshin led Yuki to an open clearing nearby, the moonlight casting faint silver patterns on the frost-laden ground. The night was cold and still, and Kenshin's breath was visible as he exhaled deeply, centering himself.

"Watch closely, sensei," he said with quiet determination.

Yuki nodded, her sharp gaze fixed on him. She crossed her arms, her curiosity masked under a composed demeanor.

Kenshin closed his eyes and began to focus, drawing on the wind chakra within him. The air around him stirred gently at first, then grew more intense as a dense layer of chakra began to manifest.

A shimmering, flowing aura of wind chakra enveloped him completely, swirling and shifting like a living entity. The layer wasn't thin or unstable as it had been before—it was steady, balanced, and powerful.

Yuki's eyes widened as she observed the transformation. As someone who intimately understood wind chakra due to its role in her kekkei genkai, she immediately recognized the sheer stability of Kenshin's Wind Chakra Mode.

This wasn't a fleeting achievement or an unfinished technique like before; it was polished, refined, and sustainable.

Kenshin opened his eyes and turned toward her with a bright, eager smile. He was clearly proud of what he had accomplished, and there was a hopeful glint in his expression as he awaited her reaction.

Yuki gave him a nod of approval, her usually reserved demeanor softening slightly. "It's remarkable, Kenshin. The stability... the precision. It's beyond anything I could've imagined."

Encouraged by her words, Kenshin focused on his feet, channeling the wind chakra downward. A steady stream of wind burst forth, lifting him off the ground.

He hovered a few feet above, then used controlled bursts from his palms to stabilize himself, rising higher with every adjustment. His control was precise, his movements fluid.

Yuki's lips curved into a rare smile as she watched him. "I'm proud of you," she said, her voice carrying genuine pride. "Kenshin, this... this is beyond anything I've seen. With this Wind Chakra Mode, you've accomplished something no Shinobi in history has achieved. You're truly in a class of your own."

Hearing those words from her made Kenshin's heart swell with pride. He descended slowly, his control steady even as he landed. Once his feet touched the ground, he dissipated the chakra mode, the swirling winds fading into the cold night air. He exhaled heavily, a satisfied smile on his face.

Before Kenshin could speak, Yuki approached him. Her movements were hesitant at first, but then she raised a hand and ruffled his hair affectionately.

The gesture was familiar—something she had begun doing freely during training, before the trust between them had been strained. Kenshin froze for a moment, startled, before relaxing under her touch.

"You've grown so much," Yuki said softly, her voice warm. "I'm proud of you, Kenshin. And I'm proud to have been a part of this, even if just a little."

Kenshin's smile widened, his gaze softening. "Thank you, sensei. That means a lot."

The moment lingered in comfortable silence, the tension that had been between them for the past ten days finally beginning to dissipate. Both teacher and student felt a quiet resolve to mend what had been broken, to rebuild the bond they once shared.

Kenshin tilted his head slightly as Yuki crossed her arms, giving him a curious look. "What about your other jutsu? Have you made any progress there?" she asked, her tone casual but her intent clear.

Kenshin gave her a small shrug, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "I didn't exactly go to the Shikkotsu Forest for training, sensei. The Wind Chakra Mode's completion was more of a... side effect." He chuckled lightly.

Yuki raised an eyebrow, a soft laugh escaping her. "That's fair. It was irresponsible of me to assume you'd been working on all your jutsu while you were gone. I should've known better." Her voice carried a playful undertone, a rare sign of her easing back into their usual dynamic.

The lighthearted moment passed, and Yuki's expression softened into something more serious. "Kenshin," she started, her voice gentler now, "how are you now?"

Kenshin blinked, visibly confused by the sudden shift in tone. "How am I?" he echoed.

Yuki nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes, how are you... really?"

Kenshin looked at her, trying to discern the intent behind her question. Yuki, seeing his confusion, elaborated. "I know what happened in the Hidden Grass took a toll on you. I know you've been struggling since then. And... I know you tried to take your own life."

Kenshin froze, his breath hitching slightly. "You—how do you...?" His voice was barely above a whisper, his normally steady composure faltering.

Yuki's expression was calm but tinged with sadness. "Maki told me. She said she caught you right before you..." Her voice trailed off for a moment before she continued. "I didn't know if I should bring it up, but... I can't just pretend I don't know."

The weight of her words hung heavily in the cold night air. Kenshin's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I..." He took a shaky breath. "I didn't know how to deal with everything. What I did to you, to nee-san, I couldn't bear it. I almost killed her."

Kenshin's expression changed, and his voice became softer as he continued. "But I'm fine now, I think. A lot of things happened in the Shikkotsu Forest, but it's helped me become better. I'll never let rage take over again."

"Kenshin." Yuki's voice was firm but kind, and she stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad. I'd hate to lose another student. I'm glad you've recovered."

Yuki's expression darkened, her eyes clouding as she recalled that fateful day. The memory of Daichi's funeral lingered like a bitter wound in her heart. She remembered the lifeless expression on his face, the weight of the defeat that had crushed her team, and her own failure as their leader.

Itachi and Kisame had been beyond any of their capabilities, and yet, Daichi, the least physical among them, had been the only one who found the strength to rise after being struck down.

Yuki could still see him standing, beaten and bloodied, facing Kisame with unwavering determination. And then, the merciless end—the same cruel scene replayed every time she closed her eyes.

The image haunted her.

Her voice, barely a whisper, escaped in a tremble. "Daichi…"

Kenshin noticed her shift in demeanor. His own expression softened as he spoke, trying to reach her. "I heard about him from Maki, sensei. What he did… standing up even when it was hopeless… I think that's really cool."

Yuki looked up at him, her eyes widening slightly at his words. "Cool?" she repeated, her tone a mixture of disbelief and something else—an ache she couldn't quite describe.

Kenshin nodded firmly, a flicker of determination in his gaze. "Yeah. He didn't give up, even knowing he was going to die. That takes real courage. But I won't end up like him. I won't die, sensei. You don't have to worry about me anymore."

For a brief moment, Yuki felt something warm bloom in her chest at Kenshin's conviction. Her lips curved into a small, almost hesitant smile. But deep inside, she cursed herself, her thoughts a torrent of unrelenting self-loathing. 'Damn it. Damn it all. You worthless fucking coward. How many more times will you run away?'

The vile curses swirled in her thoughts like venom. 'You piece of shit, sending a clone because you were too scared to face your own damn student? You can freeze an entire battlefield, but you can't hold your ground here?'

The clone shifted slightly, holding back the storm within her. Yuki's real body, far away, remained untouched by the raw emotion of the moment. The clone felt all of it, the weight of the interaction with Kenshin, the depth of his words, and the ache of her own failure.

Kenshin's sincerity twisted the knife further. He didn't know, couldn't know, that he wasn't speaking to her directly. The real Yuki had chosen the easy way out, sending an ice clone instead of coming herself. She couldn't bring herself to face him, not after what had happened in the Hidden Grass.

Every time she met Kenshin's eyes, the memory of his rage flashed before her—his hand around her throat, his expression wild and unrecognizable.

She knew his anger hadn't been directed at her, but the Hidden Grass and their actions. Still, her body betrayed her, recoiling at the thought of confronting him alone.

Kakashi had been with her earlier in the evening, offering his support. He would have come along if she'd asked, but pride and fear had kept her from speaking up. Instead, she'd sent a clone, taking the easy way out instead.

Unlike shadow clones, her ice clones didn't transfer their experiences back to her upon deactivation. They had to relay everything verbally, making the entire interaction feel distant and secondhand.

It was efficient but impersonal—an intentional choice on Yuki's part. The real her would never truly feel the weight of Kenshin's words, only hear them as a recounting.

The clone forced another smile, masking the turmoil inside. "I'm glad to hear that, Kenshin. And I'm proud of you—for wanting to be better. Daichi would have admired you too, I'm sure."

Yuki's smile lingered, though the weight of her internal struggle bore down on her. 'You've got a good student here,' she thought bitterly to herself. 'Too bad you're not a good enough sensei to deserve him.'

The clone maintained the facade, but deep down, she knew she had to find the courage to face Kenshin in person eventually.

For now, she would cling to the hope that maybe, just maybe, she could help him carry his burden, even if she couldn't forgive herself.

Yuki shifted slightly, her tone easing as she decided to steer the conversation into lighter territory. "So, Kenshin," she began, her voice casual but carrying a hint of curiosity. "How are things between you and your sister now?"

Kenshin blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in topic. "That's… sudden," he said, giving her a wary look. "I didn't think you'd bring that up, sensei."

Yuki shrugged, her expression neutral. "I haven't had the chance to talk to Akane since we got back from the Hidden Grass. She's been training non-stop with Kakashi, so I figured I'd get an update from you."

She tilted her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Besides, it's not every day a Jonin has students who are dating. Maki and Daichi were a rare exception, though…" Her voice trailed off, the weight of Daichi's absence hanging in the air briefly before she pushed past it. "…Well, it didn't last long."

Kenshin considered her words for a moment before responding. "It's not all that different from before," he said, his tone thoughtful. "She acts more like a possessive sister than a girlfriend when mom's around—apart from the occasional kissing. But even then, she tends to only do that when mom isn't looking." Kenshin chuckled lightly. "Not that mom has any problem with it."

Yuki raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And Akane? How's she doing?"

Kenshin hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "She's… definitely missed me," he admitted, his voice lowering slightly. "We haven't really had much time together for over half a month. First, during the mission, you didn't know about us, so we had to keep up the facade, and then there was the whole incident…"

Yuki nodded, her gaze steady as she listened, but Kenshin's voice trailed off as his cheeks turned slightly pink. "Uh… well, let's just say Akane's a bit pent up right now."

The realization of what he'd just implied hit Kenshin like a lightning strike. His face flushed a deeper red, and he quickly waved his hands in front of him. "I-I mean—not like that! I wasn't trying to—um…"

Yuki blinked in surprise at Kenshin's sudden embarrassment. She hadn't seen him flustered like this, not even once. He usually carried himself with a calm maturity, but now… now he seemed different—almost like a regular teenager.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips before she could stop herself. "Go on," she said, her voice warm with amusement. "I'm listening."

Kenshin coughed awkwardly, trying to regain his composure. "Right… uh, well, Akane's having some issues with my summon. Kaede, specifically." He sighed, his tone becoming more serious. "Kaede's really clingy, and Akane isn't handling it well."

Yuki's amused expression softened as she listened. "It's a hard position to be in," she said, her tone reassuring. "But Akane's a good girl. She cares about you a lot. Be careful not to hurt her, okay? She should be your priority."

Her voice carried a playful undertone as she added, "My warning still stands. If you hurt Akane's feelings, I won't let you get away with it."

Kenshin gave her a sheepish smile, remembering the sharpness of her original warning. This time, however, there were no ice daggers pressing against his neck—only the lighthearted reminder of her earlier threat. "I know, sensei," he replied. "I'll take care of her. I promise."

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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.