I hate what I see in the mirror

A Brother Bond pt.3

[A/N- kinda long chapter but oh well! Have fun with all my traumatized characters 😜]

3ed POV-

Kushina ran her finger through Itachi's tangled hair as he trembled in her lap. It had felt like hours to her and her legs had long since gone numb, but she didn't dare to move. To nervous that anything could set this child off again. He was certainly a mess. One that may never be fixed. With a quiet sigh she kissed the top of his head, still rocking back and forth.
"Darling, do you think you can stand?"
She asked softly. With a shaky breath he leaned away nodding ever so slightly.
"Let's get you in a bath then"
Honestly he still reeked of alcohol and rain water. She could only imagine how grimy and dirty he must feel. As she started to move away she could feel the child's grip tightening. Kushina paused, looking at him with worry as his eyes stayed hidden from her.
"What is it darling? Do you feel sick? Can you not move?"
She did her best to not pressure an answer out of him, but to every question he hesitantly shook his head.
"What's wrong?"
Kushina tilted her head and cupped his cheeks.

"I- I... I don't want to bathe."
He mumbled, looking ashamed.

"But, darling, you must feel sick and dirty. Your sink is clammy and your hair is damp with sweat. A bath will do you good!"
She did her best to sound cheerful. He shook his head, not showing any signs of moving.
"Darling"
She said calmly stroking his raven hair.
"Whatever is the matter? You can tell me it's completely alright!"
He shifted slightly his trembling hands finding a grip on his loss shirt.

"I-..."
He looked down as if embarrassed to say.
"I don't like... being alone like that. I-I don't like feeling so exposed!"
He gripped his shirt tighter, pulling it around him like a blanket. Kushina pressed her lips together, forming a thin line. Pushing back the urge to strangle a man she forced a gentle smile on her face, and ruffed Itachi's hair.

"Would it be better if I stayed in there with you?"
He looked up at her, seeming a little taken aback, before he nodded hesitantly. Her smile brightened and she helped Itachi to his feet. It wasn't all the difficult seeing as Itachi, unlike most of the other boys is this house, was the same size as her. Maybe even a little smaller. He practically clung to her as they walked, seeming afraid that he could be ripped away at any moment. It was a short walk from the far corner to the bathroom attached to Kurama's bedroom. When they got there Kushina managed to escape the ravennets grasp and started the bath water. She kept her back turned as she allowed him to undress. As she faced the wall she heard a small gasp behind her.
"Darling? Is everything alright?"
She asked, not daring to turn around.

"M-my binding..."
He stuttered and held an arm over his chest. His chest was almost that of a woman's so his father always made him wear binding to hide such a feminine feature. But when he took off his shirt he realized he wasn't wearing any.

"Do you need your binding?"
She asked again.

He slightly shrugged as he mumbled.
"N-not particularly... b-but it just doesn't feel right w-without it"
She nodded in understanding.

"Well then we'll just have to get you some."
A small smile spread across his face at the tender words, making him feel safe. Itachi stepped into the warm, soapy, water. Feeling his muscles relax if only slightly. As she heard the water moving Kushina turned around and came to sit at the edge of the tub. He kept his hands over his chest as the soap covered everything else. There was comfortable silence as she gently washed his long hair. He had tried to do it himself but she insisted that she would do it. The water that ran down his face burned the scratches on his cheeks. Itachi did his best not to show it but every now and then he would hiss at the pain. When Kushina ran her fingers through his hair she noticed the bruise that ringed around his neck. She put her hand under his chin tipping his head back. He tensed, grabbed her forearm, she didn't mind, if holding on to her made him feel better then that was alright. With her other hand she carefully touched the yellow and purple skin. He grimaced, wincing at the pain.
"Does it hurt?"
She asked looking up at him.