The forest was quieter today.
Not safe.
Never safe.
But calmer.
Kushina walked ahead, her steps uneven but determined.
Her body still ached.
Every movement reminded her of the fight.
Of the escape.
Of how close she had come to losing everything.
"…you're slower…"
Kushina rolled her eyes.
"I'm injured, genius."
"…excuses…"
"Shut up."
A low rumble.
Almost amused.
Behind her—
footsteps.
Steady.
Annoyingly steady.
Kushina didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"You're walking too slow."
Daichi's voice.
Calm.
Neutral.
Like he hadn't just dragged her out of a forest full of enemies.
Kushina didn't stop.
"Then walk faster and leave me behind."
Silence.
Then—
"I would."
A beat.
"If you could survive it."
Kushina snorted softly.
"Rude."
They walked a few more steps.
Kushina's leg tensed again.
Pain flared.
Sharp.
She didn't react.
Didn't slow down.
"…you're pushing too hard…"
"I'm fine."
"…liar…"
Before she could answer—
Her foot slipped slightly.
Just enough.
Her balance broke—
for a split second—
And then—
A hand caught her arm.
Firm.
Steady.
Annoyingly reliable.
Kushina froze.
"…I had that."
"No."
Daichi let go immediately.
Like it hadn't happened.
"You didn't."
Kushina frowned.
"I would've."
"You didn't."
She turned slightly.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"No."
A pause.
"…maybe a little."
Kushina stared at him.
"You're terrible."
"And you're predictable."
She scoffed.
"Please. I'm very unpredictable."
"You trip when you're tired."
"That's not predictable, that's human."
"…you're barely that right now."
Kushina stopped.
Turned fully this time.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Say that again."
Daichi didn't hesitate.
"You're barely human right now."
Silence.
Sharp.
Heavy.
The air shifted.
Just slightly.
Kushina's hand twitched.
"…careful…"
"…don't start…"
She exhaled slowly.
Forced it down.
Not reacting.
Not snapping.
Not this time.
"…better…"
Kushina rolled her shoulders slightly.
"You're testing me."
"Yes."
She blinked.
"You're not even hiding it?"
"No."
A pause.
"…I want to see where you break."
Kushina stared at him.
Then—
She smirked.
"…good luck with that."
Daichi's gaze didn't change.
"…we'll see."
Silence stretched between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Not hostile.
Just—
there.
Then Kushina turned again and kept walking.
"…you didn't snap…"
"…I noticed…"
"…interesting…"
She ignored him.
Mostly.
They reached another clearing.
Smaller this time.
More hidden.
Daichi stopped.
Kushina didn't.
She walked right past him.
A few more steps.
Then stopped.
"…what."
Daichi raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You're continuing?"
Kushina shrugged.
"You said I'm slow. I'm fixing it."
"…that's not what I meant."
"Too late."
A pause.
Then—
"…fine."
Kushina turned back.
Walked toward him again.
More controlled this time.
Less limp.
More focus.
"…better…"
"…I know…"
She crossed her arms.
"So what now? Another 'don't die' lesson?"
Daichi looked at her.
Long.
Then:
"Balance."
Kushina groaned.
"Oh great. That sounds exciting."
"It isn't."
"Even better."
Silence.
Then—
"Stand."
She did.
"Focus."
She sighed.
"Again?"
"Yes."
Kushina lifted her hand.
Slowly.
The chain appeared.
Weak.
Shaky.
But there.
"…you're tired…"
"I noticed."
"…you'll lose it…"
"No."
Her breathing slowed.
In.
Out.
The chain steadied.
Just slightly.
Daichi stepped closer.
Too close.
Watching her.
Not the chain.
Her.
"You're holding your breath."
Kushina blinked.
"…no I'm not."
"You are."
She inhaled sharply.
The chain flickered.
Almost broke.
"…told you…"
Kushina narrowed her eyes.
"Stop distracting me."
"Then stop relying on tension."
A pause.
Kushina adjusted.
Just slightly.
Her shoulders dropped.
Her breathing changed.
Slower.
Controlled.
The chain steadied again.
"…better…"
Daichi nodded once.
"Hold it."
She did.
One second.
Two.
Three—
Her arm trembled.
Her focus slipped—
The chain flickered—
Then—
stabilized again.
Kushina blinked.
"…wait…"
She didn't move.
Didn't react.
Just held it.
"…you corrected it…"
"…yeah…"
"…without forcing…"
Kushina smirked faintly.
"Don't sound so surprised."
"…I am…"
A low rumble.
Not mocking.
Not annoyed.
Interested.
Kushina held it another second—
then let it go.
On purpose.
The chain faded.
Calm.
Controlled.
Daichi watched her.
"…again."
Kushina groaned.
"You're obsessed."
"Yes."
"…that's concerning."
"Do it again."
She lifted her hand again.
Still tired.
Still hurting.
But this time—
she knew what she was doing.
Not perfectly.
Not completely.
But enough.
The forest remained quiet.
But something had changed.
Not outside.
Inside.
And for once—
Kushina wasn't just reacting to it.
She was working with it.
"…you're adapting…"
"…yeah…"
"…I don't like it…"
Kushina smirked.
"Good."