"Why are you back so early today?"
Kurenai opened the door, saw Kitazawa standing there, and asked in surprise.
"Missed you, so I came back to see you."
Kitazawa stepped forward, hugged her, and gave her a playful smack on the butt. Her hips quivered, springy to the touch.
"Cut it out. Talk."
Kurenai lifted a leg and kicked him. She obviously didn't buy his line.
"Has Yakumo come by?"
Kitazawa lowered his head, resting his chin on her shoulder, breathing in her faint scent.
"What would she be coming here for?" Kurenai shot back.
"Our psychological medical-nin program is basically in place," Kitazawa's hand slid down her waist to the bandage on her thigh. "We're going to see our first patient today."
"Who is it?" Kurenai asked, curious.
"I'll tell you, but don't tell anyone," Kitazawa said gravely. "It's Tsunade-sama."
"No way."
Kurenai's first reaction was disbelief.
"Do you want to come with us?" Kitazawa kneaded her thigh lightly.
"You two go." After a moment's thought, Kurenai declined. "I'm not a psychological medical-nin, and I shouldn't be in on something this sensitive."
"With Tsunade-sama's personality, she won't mind," Kitazawa looked up at her with a smile. "Besides, once she's better it won't matter."
"I'll just stay home and work on my jutsu," Kurenai said, still not wanting to cause trouble for him. After the trip to the Land of Fire's capital, even though the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and the Rasengan helped a lot, she still felt underpowered.
Once the enemy was jōnin-level, she was completely outmatched. She really did want to get stronger fast.
"New Year's is in a couple of days. I still need to go out later to buy supplies," she added after a pause.
Kitazawa blinked. New Year's already? He'd been in the Land of Fire's capital all week on missions and had forgotten.
"Alright, thanks for taking care of it, Kurenai."
He heard footsteps, turned, and saw Yakumo Kurama.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Yakumo greeted quickly.
"Come with me."
Once Kurenai shut the door, Kitazawa turned and headed out. Yakumo followed, full of curiosity. She really wanted to know who her first patient was—especially since Kitazawa had been so secretive yesterday.
Then her eyes suddenly widened—Kitazawa was walking to the place next door. If she remembered correctly, Tsunade and Shizune lived there. What was going on? No matter how bold her guesses, it couldn't possibly be that her first patient was Tsunade… right?
Kitazawa raised a hand and knocked.
"You're here? Come in."
A moment later, the door opened and Shizune appeared. They'd spoken beforehand, so their arrival didn't surprise her.
Kitazawa stepped into the living room and saw Tsunade sprawled on the sofa like a dead fish. Lying on her side, gravity tugged her neckline open, revealing pale skin and the suggestion of curves.
"Tsunade-sama."
Kitazawa cleared his throat and forced his eyes away. Hard not to—hers was a dangerously alluring, mature figure.
"Why didn't you come yesterday?" Tsunade sat up, yawned, and asked.
"Kurenai and I took a mission. We only got back yesterday afternoon, so I didn't want to bother you," Kitazawa explained.
"Shizune, you two head out for now," Tsunade waved.
"Okay." Shizune took Rina Uzumaki back to the room. As for Karin, she was at the academy practicing water-walking.
"Yakumo, your first patient is Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa said, ruffling Yakumo's hair. "Start the intake."
"Huh?" Yakumo froze. Tsunade was always the one treating her; now she was supposed to treat Tsunade? Her head spun under the pressure. And how could Tsunade have a psychological disorder? She was one of the Legendary Sannin, the finest medical-nin in the world.
"No need to be nervous," Tsunade glanced at her, voice calm. "Just follow the steps we taught you."
"Y-yes, Tsunade-sama." Yakumo took a deep breath and sat down opposite her.
"Kitazawa, sit next to me," Tsunade called suddenly.
Kitazawa blinked, puzzled, but complied. Once he sat, Tsunade turned and leaned in close to his ear. His body went slightly rigid; he felt her breath at his ear and soft weight against his shoulder.
"If I lose composure, don't let Yakumo see," Tsunade whispered.
"Understood," Kitazawa replied at once.
He'd never seen Tsunade's hemophobia flare up in person, but he had seen it depicted in the anime. It would seriously undercut her image. He understood why she didn't want Yakumo to witness it.
Tsunade sat back and suddenly realized something: why didn't she mind Kitazawa seeing her at her worst? Was it because he had already seen her a few times drunk and sloppy? Or because during the clash with Root he'd stepped in to spare her the sight of blood? Somehow, without noticing, she'd come to trust him deeply.
"Tsunade-sama." Yakumo employed the Talk Therapy Technique, making her voice sound extra soothing.
"Mm." Tsunade could dispel it, but she didn't.
"What did you have for breakfast? Grilled fish? I had ramen today." Yakumo chatted about seemingly unrelated topics. Under the technique, Tsunade relaxed and they bantered for half an hour.
"How have you been sleeping lately?" Yakumo asked smoothly. "Any nightmares?"
"Not long ago, I had a nightmare," Tsunade paused for two seconds. "I dreamed of Nawaki."
"Nawaki?" Yakumo didn't know who that was, but she was sure he was pivotal. If Kitazawa was having her treat Tsunade, it meant there was indeed a psychological issue—and close loved ones are often the trigger.
"Mm." Tsunade nodded. "He's my younger brother."
Her own brother? Yakumo had never heard of him. That left one explanation—Nawaki must have died long ago.
"I didn't know you had a younger brother, Tsunade-sama," Yakumo asked gently. "Would you tell me about him?"
"Alright." A distant look came over Tsunade's face. At the same time, she drew up her legs, feet on the sofa, hugging her knees. Yakumo's gaze tightened—defensive posture.
As she considered whether to use the Truth-Telling Technique, Tsunade began to speak about Nawaki—his childhood, graduating the Academy, becoming Orochimaru's student, and finally dying on the battlefield.
When Yakumo finished listening, she hesitated. Tsunade still hadn't said what the disorder was. A sibling's death is a huge blow, but everyone manifests it differently. Should she use the Dreamscape?
"It's hemophobia," Kitazawa said, glancing at Tsunade.
A psychological disorder—fear of blood? Yakumo was taken aback, but she could understand why. To be the top medical-nin and still be unable to save your own brother—what despair that must be.
"What exactly are the symptoms?" Yakumo steadied herself and got back to business. As a psychological medical-nin, she needed to see specifics to tailor treatment.
"When Tsunade-sama sees fresh blood, she starts trembling uncontrollably and can't move," Kitazawa answered.
"A physiological response triggered by psychology?" Yakumo mused.
"You can use the Dreamscape," Tsunade said suddenly, looking up. "Seeing it firsthand will make the treatment more precise."
"Tsunade-sama—" Kitazawa started, alarmed, shaking his head. "That's not necessary."
"Kitazawa, you're a medical-nin too; you know I'm right," Tsunade bit her lip. "And since I agreed to this, I won't back down."
Kitazawa fell silent, moved by her resolve. She'd been running for so long—now she was choosing to face the fear head-on.
"Yakumo." Kitazawa turned to her.
"Dreamscape!" Yakumo formed the seals immediately.
Tsunade's eyes glazed as a flood of blood filled her vision. Her body began to shake.
"Blood… so much blood…"
Her hands opened reflexively, pupils quaking, her face a mask of terror. The decisive woman from moments ago now looked like a startled rabbit.
Yakumo's eyes widened. Seeing Tsunade's intense reaction, she realized the condition was more serious than she'd thought.
Kitazawa stood and stepped between them. Facing Tsunade, he raised a hand, released chakra, and dispelled the genjutsu. Tsunade instinctively gripped his hands. As the technique lifted, the bloody vision faded. Her tremors eased; she drew slow, deep breaths, chest rising and falling. Kitazawa's gaze dropped—and he quickly looked away.
"Thanks." Tsunade let go. Then she noticed the red marks on his wrists and paused—she'd squeezed too hard without realizing it, leaving finger imprints in his skin. Luckily there was no bleeding; not even a minor injury.
"Yakumo, anything else you want to ask?" Kitazawa sat back down beside Tsunade.
"Besides Nawaki-sama's death, is there any other cause?" Yakumo asked, hesitant.
"Th-there is." Tsunade closed her eyes as a fresh wave of panic rose—then felt warmth cover her hand. She looked down; Kitazawa was holding it.
"Call it returning the favor," Kitazawa said evenly—after all, she'd just squeezed his hand too.
"During the Second Great Ninja War, I proposed at one meeting that every squad include a dedicated medical-nin," Tsunade continued, not pulling her hand back. Yakumo watched, puzzled.
"At the time, only one jōnin responded—Kato Dan," Tsunade said slowly.
Kato Dan? Yakumo searched her memory—no impression. Then, as with Nawaki, there was only one explanation: he was dead. A jōnin tied to Tsunade who'd survived to now would be famous.
"Because of that, we became kindred spirits. I even thought… after the war…" Her voice faltered. "But he died in battle soon after." Her grip on Kitazawa's hand tightened as the blood-drenched memories surged again.
"I… I watched him die right in front of me," Tsunade stammered, voice shaking. "He… he was too badly wounded. I… I couldn't…"
Kitazawa looked over; her eyes were wet. Remembering her request not to let Yakumo see her break down, he raised a hand and covered Tsunade's eyes. With precise chakra control, he whisked away her tears.
"…" Yakumo opened her mouth but couldn't find words. The bold, brash Tsunade… with a past this tragic?
"I'm okay," Tsunade said after a few seconds, moving his hand away—though she still clasped his other hand tight, as if drawing courage from it.
"Yakumo," she said as evenly as she could, "to treat the hemophobia, we have to start with these two memories."
"Understood." Yakumo nodded. "Do you want to keep those memories, or seal them?"
"Keep them," Tsunade said after a pause. Sealing them was no different from forgetting—and she wasn't going to run that far.
"Then we'll need the Emotion Substitution Technique," Yakumo said thoughtfully. "Swap out or weaken the emotional weight those memories carry."
"Mm. Let's try that first," Tsunade said, then added, "But also plan for what to do if the substitution wears off."
"I'll draft a treatment plan when I get back," Yakumo said—then, embarrassed, added, "But… I haven't mastered the Emotion Substitution Technique yet."
"It's fine. Today isn't a good day for treatment anyway," Tsunade shook her head. With her emotions unstable—and her power high—Yakumo's techniques might not take full effect.
"Yakumo, how long before you can learn it?" Kitazawa asked.
"A week at most!" Yakumo promised.
"Good," Kitazawa nodded. "Right after New Year, then."
"New Year…" Tsunade froze for a moment, a complicated look on her jade-like face. The last time she'd truly celebrated was with Nawaki.
"Mm." Yakumo exhaled in relief.
"Good work today. You can head back," Kitazawa said, not standing—Tsunade still held his hand.
"Goodbye, Tsunade-sama, Kitazawa-sensei." Yakumo didn't pry, stood up, and left.
Kitazawa looked back to feel a weight on his shoulder. He turned—Tsunade was leaning on him, her body pressed close. Her eyes were unfocused, lost in thought. He opened his mouth, then said nothing, and simply leaned with her in silence.
Time slid by.
"You saw an unflattering side of me today," Tsunade said suddenly.
"Are you going to kill me to keep the secret, my lady?" Kitazawa asked in mock terror.
Tsunade burst out laughing. She sat up, stretched. "I won't go that far, but you'd better watch yourself." As she moved, her clothes threatened to slip, her figure especially prominent.
"I've rendered great service, you know!" Kitazawa said solemnly. "If you're going to kill someone, it can't be me!"
"I really couldn't bear to," Tsunade's lips curled. "Someone as entertaining as you is rare."
Most ninja shuffled meekly around her. Only a few—like Jiraiya and Orochimaru—treated her normally. The former was lecherous, the latter brooding. By comparison, a handsome man who wasn't afraid of her and could crack a joke—Kitazawa—was easy on the eyes.
"Then I'm relieved!" Kitazawa patted his chest.
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"New Year's is in a couple of days," Kitazawa grinned. "Why don't we all ring it in together?"
"Sure," Tsunade said casually. She'd usually spent New Year's with Shizune anyway.
"Great. Then Kurenai and I will do the shopping, and with Shizune the three of us can cook."
"Mm." Tsunade was back to normal, her voice lazy and self-mocking. "Not like you'd dare eat my cooking anyway."
"I'm sure your cooking isn't bad at all," Kitazawa said reflexively.
"If you're that interested, I'll cook just for you sometime," Tsunade turned and smiled at him.
"No need to trouble yourself!" Kitazawa stiffened and waved it off.
Tsunade laughed again. When she laughed… it was quite a spectacle—hard for him not to auto-lock his gaze.
"You've got Kurenai. What are you staring at?" Tsunade teased. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell her?"
"That's not on me!" Kitazawa protested earnestly. "It's your overwhelming charm, my lady!"
"Honestly… slick talker!" Tsunade shot him a look. "No wonder Kurenai's wrapped around your finger."
"I'm just sacrificing myself to cheer you up," Kitazawa said with a wink.
"Alright, go do what you need to do," Tsunade said, then smiled. "Or if you're bored, come with me to the casino."
"I've got to train my students at the Academy," Kitazawa stood. "See you next time, my lady."
Tsunade watched him disappear through the doorway, and drifted into a daze.
~~~
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