After some time, Kushina went to her room, and Haruto and Naruto went to theirs. Hana, too, retired to her room for the night. But inside the house, Kushina couldn't sleep.
As she gazed at the moon, memories of that night came flooding back—the massacre of the Uzumaki Clan in the Village of Whirlpools. She had been escaping with a red-haired man, his eye bearing a single tomoe Sharingan. They ran into the forest, pursued by enemies. She remembered clearly—three elite jōnin and one low Kage-level ninja chased them. The man had almost taken down the three elite jōnin but was ultimately slain by the Kage-level ninja.
Before the fight, he had made her hide in the bushes. She obeyed, watching him fight with unwavering resolve to protect her. He died a tragic, miserable death—an image that still haunted her in her nightmares. Afterward, she found refuge in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, supported by Tsunade Senju, the princess of the Senju Clan, and her own grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, who guided her in sealing techniques and gave her strength.
A sudden knock snapped her back to reality. She walked to the door and called out, "Yes? Who's there?"
A voice replied, "Mother, it's me—Haruto."
Kushina opened the door, dressed in her red nightwear: a pair of shorts and a sleeveless shirt.
"Come inside, dear. What can I do for you?" she asked.
Haruto smiled. "Mom, you know I love you... no matter what happens to us. But I want to tell you something."
"Yes, dear?" she said, her curiosity rising.
Haruto took a breath. "Mom, I love you... not as a mother, but as a woman. Please forgive me for this."
Kushina stood frozen, stunned by his words. After a long pause, she softly replied, "Okay, dear... but I need time. I need to process this in my mind. Please don't come in front of me right now... I don't want to hate you while regretting myself."
Haruto only nodded and quietly left her room.
The next day, Haruto woke up early, made his own breakfast, and ate alone. Before leaving, he left a note that read, "I already ate breakfast. I've gone for training."
Some time later, Kushina woke up, intending to prepare breakfast for her children. But then, last night's memory came rushing back—Haruto's unexpected confession.
Kushina stood still in the kitchen, her hand hovering over the stove as her thoughts drifted again to Haruto's confession. Her heart ached—not with anger, but with confusion. She had always seen him as her child, someone she raised with love and care. But the look in his eyes last night… it wasn't the look of a son. It was something else. Something deeper. Something forbidden.
She sighed and turned off the flame before it even started. Breakfast could wait.
The house was unusually quiet. Naruto was still asleep, and Hana hadn't stirred. That silence only made the memory louder. She walked over to the living room and sat down, curling her legs under her on the couch, staring out the window at the cloudy morning sky.
"Is it my fault?" she thought. "Did I raise him wrong? Or was he just… always like this?"
But deep within her heart, Kushina knew Haruto had always been different. He was more protective of her, more attentive, more... affectionate. She had brushed it off as motherly attachment before. But now she couldn't.
She remembered when he used to help her in the kitchen, stealing glances and giving compliments that seemed too mature for his age. The way he'd touch her hand a little too long or stare a little too hard. She always ignored it. Refused to see it.
But now? He said it out loud.
As she sat there, drowning in her own emotions, the front door opened and Naruto yawned loudly.
"Morning, Mom," he said, rubbing his eyes. "Where's Haruto?"
"He left early," she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Said he went for training."
Naruto blinked. "Oh. Okay… I'll go wash up."
She nodded without another word. As he disappeared into the bathroom, Kushina stood and walked toward her room again. She needed to be alone. She needed to think.
Hours passed, and the sun had risen high above the trees. Outside the village training grounds, Haruto was drenched in sweat, his fists bleeding slightly from hitting the log post over and over again. His mind was a storm, filled with guilt, longing, and the sound of his mother's voice telling him to stay away.
"Why did I say it?" he growled to himself. "Why now? I ruined everything..."
But deep down, he didn't regret loving her. He only regretted hurting her. His fists slammed harder into the wood.
Back at home, Kushina stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. She touched her lips, her heart heavy with emotions she couldn't name. Not love—not the kind he felt. But not disgust either.
"What do I do with this, Haruto?" she whispered. "What am I supposed to feel?"
Just then, a gentle knock came from the hallway.
It was Hana.
"Mom," she said softly, "are you okay? You didn't eat anything."
Kushina managed a weak smile. "I'm fine, sweetheart. Just not hungry."
"Haruto looked upset this morning," Hana added, eyes worried. "Did something happen between you two?"
Kushina hesitated, then walked over and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Some things… are hard to explain. But I'll figure it out."
Hana nodded slowly, sensing the heaviness in the air but not pressing further.
Later that evening, as the orange sky dipped into twilight, Haruto returned home quietly. He didn't expect to see Kushina waiting at the door for him.
She looked at him—not as a mother looks at her son, but as a woman trying to understand a truth that shouldn't exist.
"Haruto," she said gently, "we need to talk."