Chapter 18:
– Blake –
Konan and I touched down gently in front of the Senju compound, the rush of wind from our wings disturbing the dust around us. The moment my feet touched the ground, my four black wings vanished, fading silently back into my body.
Next to me, Konan's elegant paper wings folded gracefully and disappeared into thin air.
"Well," I chuckled softly, stretching my sore leg, "that was definitely an experience."
Konan gave me a small, wry smile as she adjusted her cloak. "Don't forget to tell Tsunade about the Sand Jinchuriki. It's important—especially since she's the Hokage now."
I froze in mid-step, her words hitting me out of nowhere. Spinning around to face her, I gaped openly. "Wait, what the hell did you just say? Tsunade is the Hokage now?" My voice came out higher pitched than I'd intended. "Since when!?"
Konan immediately looked sheepish, pressing her lips together. "Ah…they might have been keeping that a secret. Possibly as a surprise for you." She shifted awkwardly on her feet, looking genuinely sorry. "Maybe pretend I didn't say anything?"
I let out a deep sigh, rubbing my forehead in exasperation. "I'm honestly a pretty bad liar, Konan. But I'll try my best." Truthfully, I was excited for Tsunade, even if I knew she wasn't exactly thrilled about all the paperwork she'd have to do. Still, being Hokage was a massive honor. At least now no one would dare pick a fight with us without expecting major consequences.
Together, we approached the massive gates of the Senju compound. They swung open smoothly, then quickly closed behind us with a soft hum of chakra, re-sealing the powerful fuinjutsu wards Tsunade had reactivated recently. The place felt safer than ever now.
As we walked toward the mansion itself, I couldn't help but notice how immaculate everything looked. The garden was neatly trimmed, the paths clear, and even the windows sparkled.
Someone had obviously been busy cleaning while I'd been in the hospital.
I followed the delicious aroma drifting from the kitchen, my stomach rumbling. It smelled like something amazing was cooking in there. Quietly, I entered and spotted Shizune standing by the stove, humming softly to herself as she stirred something in a large pot. Her hips swayed gently side to side with the rhythm, completely lost in her own world.
My eyes lingered appreciatively on her backside, watching her movements closely. Even though Shizune was a jonin and could easily sense my presence, she didn't give any indication that she'd noticed me yet.
Or maybe she was deliberately teasing me…
I stepped forward silently, closing the distance between us, and wrapped my arms gently around her waist from behind. Leaning in, I pressed a few soft kisses along the back of her neck, enjoying how she shivered slightly in response.
"I'm home," I murmured softly against her skin.
Shizune giggled warmly, relaxing fully into my embrace. She tilted her head back slightly, exposing more of her neck to my kisses, letting out a soft, inviting moan. "Mmm…welcome back, Blake," she whispered happily, pressing herself even closer against me. "I've missed you."
"I missed you too," I replied quietly, tightening my hold around her waist.
Shizune giggled sweetly when I gently spun her around in my arms, quickly silencing her laughter by capturing her soft lips with mine. She immediately melted into me, her arms sliding around my back, her fingers gripping my shirt as she kissed me passionately.
My hands rested comfortably on her waist, drawing her body tightly against mine. For a long, heated moment, we completely forgot ourselves, tongues intertwining as the kiss deepened. Shizune let out a quiet moan against my mouth, her body pressing even closer, making it perfectly clear how much she'd missed me.
We kept at it for several minutes, completely lost in each other, only stopping once it became painfully obvious we were both moments away from heading straight to a bedroom…
Shizune pulled back slowly, her breathing slightly ragged, cheeks flushed with desire. She placed her forehead gently against mine, smiling lovingly up into my eyes. "I'm really glad you're okay," she whispered softly. Her hands lightly stroked my chest. "But...we should probably stop. I still have to finish making dinner, and we have guests coming tonight—along with a very important announcement."
I raised an eyebrow at that, deciding to play along despite already knowing the big secret thanks to Konan's slip-up earlier.
"Announcement?" I asked, faking curiosity. "What kind of announcement? And who is coming over?"
Shizune paused, biting her lower lip nervously as she hesitated. "You'll...find out later," she finally said, clearly choosing her words carefully. She glanced away briefly before looking back at me, smiling shyly. "Anyway, would you like to help me cook dinner?"
I grinned broadly at her offer. "Of course. I'm always happy to help you."
Shizune giggled again, gently poking my chest with a finger. "Such a gentleman. Helping your girlfriend in the kitchen—exactly how it should be."
"Damn right," I replied playfully.
She smiled warmly before gesturing towards the sink. "Alright, first thing's first—wash and prepare the rice for me. Make sure to rinse it until the water runs clear. I'll keep an eye on the soup."
I nodded obediently. "Yes, ma'am."
She rolled her eyes at my teasing but smiled nonetheless as I carefully followed her instructions. Shizune clearly knew her way around the kitchen better than I did, so I listened carefully, determined not to screw anything up.
As we prepared the meal side by side, Shizune occasionally glanced at me with concern. Eventually, she spoke up softly. "Hey, Blake... Are you feeling alright? Is your leg still bothering you?"
I shrugged lightly, rinsing the rice one more time. "It's still a little sore, but nothing serious. I'll be fine."
Shizune nodded slowly, eyeing me thoughtfully. A playful smirk suddenly formed on her lips. "Well, I'll definitely take a closer look at that later tonight," she teased, her voice dropping lower. "Though, I'll probably have to take your pants off first to give you a proper examination."
I paused for a moment before smirking right back at her. "I'm definitely looking forward to that."
Shizune laughed softly, her cheeks reddening once more as we continued working together.
After a moment, I glanced at her curiously. "So, how was your day at the hospital? Today was your first official day there, right?"
She groaned dramatically, instantly looking frustrated. "Don't even get me started! Blake, you wouldn't believe how incompetently that place has been run. There were patient files mixed up, supplies improperly labeled, and some staff members didn't even know basic medical jutsu!" She continued her rant passionately, and like any good boyfriend, I simply smiled, nodded, and listened supportively.
It felt good to see her so animated, even if it was due to frustration. "It sounds like Tsunade made the right call putting you two in charge," I said finally, once she paused for breath. "If anyone can whip that hospital into shape, it's definitely you and Tsunade..."
– Tsunade –
Evening came around…
Tsunade stood at the main gates of the Senju compound, arms folded patiently across her chest, waiting for their final guest of the evening. The sky was already dimming, a soft glow illuminating the large wooden gates from the lanterns above. She didn't have to wait long before the heavy doors slowly swung open, revealing a masked ANBU operative standing quietly at the threshold.
Raven stepped forward hesitantly, her body tense, clearly anxious. Tsunade raised a curious eyebrow, noting the absence of Naruto by her side.
"Where's Naruto?" she asked gently, tilting her head slightly.
Raven shifted on her feet, her voice somewhat uncertain beneath her mask. "I thought it would be better if Naruto joined us a bit later. You know...after we get through all the drama."
Tsunade chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. "Good thinking. Tonight's already going to be enough of a shock for Blake without Naruto's energy added to the mix." Her expression softened. "Are you alright?"
Raven sighed softly beneath her mask, clearly nervous. "How...how is Blake doing?"
Tsunade smiled warmly, hoping to reassure her. "He's perfectly fine. He's currently helping Shizune prepare dinner, actually. Last I checked, they were having a pretty good time and managing not to flirt so much that they ruin the food." She laughed softly, enjoying the blush that spread across Raven's neck, visible even beneath her mask.
Slowly, Raven reached up toward her mask, fingers trembling slightly. She hesitated, frozen with uncertainty. Tsunade stepped forward quietly, gently resting her hand on Raven's shoulder.
"You don't need to be nervous," Tsunade said softly, offering a comforting smile. "We're all going to be family soon enough. Blake's going to be so happy once the shock wears off. Trust me."
Raven drew a shaky breath and slowly removed her mask, revealing Shuri's youthful face beneath. Her expression was tight with anxiety, but the gentle encouragement from Tsunade seemed to calm her nerves a little. "You're right," Shuri finally said, letting out a soft sigh. "I guess I'm just scared about how he'll react. It's not exactly every day you meet your mother, especially after you thought she'd died a long time ago."
Tsunade nodded sympathetically. "Honestly, I won't lie—it freaked me out at first, too. But once I had some time to really think it over, I realized that you being alive is probably the best thing that could've happened for Blake. You being here will make him happier, and in turn, it'll make everyone's lives easier and happier too."
Shuri smiled, visibly relaxing for the first time since she'd arrived. "Thank you, Tsunade-san. Your support means a lot to me."
Tsunade smirked mischievously. "Besides, I absolutely cannot wait to see the look on Blake's face when he realizes you're here. And just when he thinks things can't get any more surprising, I'm dropping the bomb that I'm the new Hokage, too!"
Shuri's eyes widened slightly, clearly impressed, and she quickly offered a respectful salute. "Oh, that's right—I nearly forgot! Congratulations, Hokage-sama!"
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, rolling her eyes playfully. "Oh, please. You can just call me Tsunade, unless you'd prefer I start referring to you as my mother-in-law."
Shuri immediately grimaced, crossing her arms defensively. "Ara, I'm definitely not that old, thank you very much. I'm still just a beautiful sixteen-year-old girl."
Tsunade snorted, but didn't bother arguing the point. After all, she herself was clearly still a beautiful thirty-year-old woman—and if anyone dared question that particular "FACT," she had no qualms about punching them through the nearest wall.
Remembering something Shuri had mentioned earlier about the unusual benefits of intimacy with angels and fallen angels, Tsunade's lips curled upward, a subtle smirk forming. According to Shuri, she and Shizune would both begin physically growing younger after properly starting their sexual relationship with Blake. She licked her lips absently, warmth rising in her chest as anticipation swirled inside her. She knew very well that Shizune felt exactly the same.
Clearing her throat to get rid of those dirty sex thoughts, Tsunade gestured invitingly toward the mansion. "Come on, Shuri. Let's head inside. Dinner's almost ready, and we've got a very… interesting evening ahead of us."
Shuri laughed softly, her tension melting away as she stepped forward alongside Tsunade.
– Blake –
I walked into the dining room alongside Shizune, carefully carrying plates of food that we'd prepared together in the kitchen. Thankfully, both Tsunade and Shizune had a taste for modern comforts, which meant actual tables and chairs instead of kneeling on the floor. I wasn't a big fan of sitting cross-legged during meals, though I never voiced it out loud in case it offended anyone's tastes.
Shizune helped me set everything down, each dish covered carefully. She'd told me earlier we'd be having guests tonight, though she hadn't mentioned exactly who. At the moment, it was just Tsunade, Shizune, Konan, and myself sitting around the large wooden table, waiting for our mystery visitors.
I noticed Tsunade clearing her throat softly, grabbing our attention.
"Before our first guest gets here," she started carefully, looking directly at me, "is there anything important anyone wants to talk about? I have a feeling we'll all be a bit distracted once they arrive."
I raised an eyebrow, curious at her odd choice of words. Something about her tone seemed off, but I couldn't quite place it. Shrugging, I glanced at Konan, remembering the odd encounter we'd had earlier.
Konan nodded to me in understanding and turned toward Tsunade. "Actually, there is something important. On our way back from the hospital today, Blake-sama and I encountered someone unexpected: the Sand Village's Jinchuriki."
"Yeah," I added quickly, noting the sudden seriousness in Tsunade's eyes. "We figured you'd want to know about it. We're not even sure if Konoha's leadership realizes he's in the village, even if it is the Chunin Exams."
Tsunade's expression hardened slightly, and she pursed her lips in thought. "You're right—I wasn't aware of that. I'll speak with the old man tonight and find out what's going on." She glanced between Konan and me, offering a reassuring nod. "Thank you both for telling me."
I smiled briefly, glad we'd thought to mention it before anything serious could happen. However, Tsunade's expression shifted again, becoming strangely intense and cautious as her eyes settled back on me.
"Blake," she started slowly, her voice calm yet firm, "there's something else you need to know before our guest arrives. I need you to promise not to freak out, okay?"
I blinked, completely caught off guard. Shizune fidgeted nervously next to me, which only added to the growing tension in the room. Even Konan seemed to tense slightly beside me, although I got the impression she already knew more than I did.
"Uh...okay?" I replied hesitantly. "Now I'm officially confused. What's going on? Who exactly is coming tonight?"
Tsunade exchanged a brief look with Shizune, who gave her a reassuring nod. Tsunade took a deep breath before continuing. "I just want you to trust me. The person you're about to meet is very real. Shizune and I have both spoken with her multiple times, and we've thoroughly heard her story. This isn't some kind of trick or illusion."
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, feeling everyone's eyes focused solely on me. "Okay, you're really starting to freak me out," I said, trying to sound calmer than I actually felt. "Who could possibly be coming over to make you all this serious?"
Tsunade offered me a gentle smile, but there was unmistakable sympathy in her eyes. "You'll see soon enough. Just remember what I said—no matter how surprising it is, everything will be okay."
I swallowed, my throat dry as I nodded reluctantly. "Fine, I'll try not to freak out. No promises though."
Tsunade chuckled softly, but I could still sense her tension beneath it. "Fair enough."
At that exact moment, the door to the dining room slid open slowly, causing my heart to pound harder. I turned my head quickly, and the instant I saw the face of the person stepping through, my breath caught painfully in my throat.
Because standing right there in the doorway—looking anxious, hesitant, and very much alive—was the one person I'd never expected to see again.
My mother.
For a moment, my brain simply froze. I stood there in stunned silence, staring at the woman standing in the doorway. My heart hammered against my chest, and I felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room.
It was impossible. Completely impossible.
Yet there she was—my mother, Shuri. The woman I'd lost so long ago was standing right in front of me. Alive, breathing, smiling at me with that gentle, loving expression I'd desperately missed since the day my memories returned.
She looked exactly as I remembered, with the same soft eyes and warm smile, except somehow she appeared younger—even younger than me. That didn't make any sense, but I couldn't bring myself to care about logic at that moment. All I saw was the one person I'd been aching to see for years.
Before I even knew what I was doing, tears blurred my vision. They spilled down my cheeks freely, unchecked. My legs moved on instinct, and suddenly I found myself across the room in seconds.
My mother's eyes filled with tears as well. "Akira…" she whispered, voice breaking slightly as she reached for me, pulling me into her arms.
I held her tightly, burying my face into her shoulder, my entire body shaking from the overwhelming emotions. The warmth of her embrace felt painfully familiar, comforting, real—everything I'd longed for all this time.
She began gently running her fingers through my hair, her voice trembling softly in my ear. "I'm so sorry, Akira. I'm here now. I promise, everything's going to be alright."
I squeezed her tighter, not trusting my voice just yet. I could feel her tears soaking into my shirt, mingling with my own. "Mom," I finally managed to choke out, barely louder than a whisper, "I thought…I thought I lost you forever."
Her arms tightened around me. "I thought I lost you, too. But we're here now. You're safe. And I'm never leaving you again, Akira. Ever."
My chest felt painfully tight, relief flooding through me like a tidal wave. It felt as though a weight I'd carried for years was finally lifted away, replaced with something warm, gentle, and reassuring.
I slowly pulled back just enough to look at her face clearly, cupping her cheek gently with my hand. "How is this even possible?" My voice was thick, shaking slightly. "How are you even here?"
She smiled gently, fresh tears glistening on her cheeks as she leaned slightly into my touch. "That's a very long story, sweetheart. But for now, just believe me. I'm real, I'm here, and I'll tell you everything. I promise."
I nodded, my hand trembling against her cheek. "Okay. Later is fine. I just…I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, my beautiful boy," she replied softly, stroking my cheek affectionately. "So very much."
Behind us, I could faintly hear the sound of someone clearing their throat, reminding me that we weren't alone. I glanced back, suddenly remembering Tsunade, Shizune, and Konan. All three women wore warm, relieved smiles. Tsunade's eyes were suspiciously shiny, though she quickly blinked away any tears.
"Tsunade, Shizune," I started softly, trying to find the words. "You both knew? How…?"
Tsunade smiled warmly, her voice gentle. "It's a long story, Blake. Let's all sit down. There's a lot to talk about."
I looked back at my mother, feeling a small smile form on my lips despite the lingering confusion. For now, nothing else mattered. My mother was alive. She was here, holding me, and I wasn't about to let her go again…
XXX
A/N: Sniff… Who's cutting onions.
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Here is the list of Current Advanced Chapters on there:
The Fallen Gamer ch 329-333
The Fox Hole 83
A Systematic Tale: The Hero 7
The Fox Hole 82
Thunder and Black Wings 21
The Blood Queen 44
The Fox Hole 81
A Systematic Tale: The Hero 6
The Fox Hole 80
Thunder and Black Wings 20
The Fox Hole 79
Thunder and Black Wings 19
The Fox Hole 78
The Blood Queen 43
A Systematic Tale: The Hero 5
The Fox Hole 77