Naruto x Sasuke back together

Chapter 7

As Naruto's rut approached again, I could sense the shift in his behavior, even before he realized it himself. He was becoming restless, agitated, and his energy was growing more intense by the day. My mind kept flashing back to the last time this happened, to that night when everything changed for me, even if Naruto couldn't remember a thing.

I tried to stay focused, but it was impossible to ignore what was coming. Sakura had also noticed Naruto acting differently, but she seemed more concerned about me than him. She had been trying to spend more time with me lately, offering to help with training or check in after missions. I knew she still had feelings for me, even though I didn't feel the same way. It was hard, seeing her so hopeful, but I couldn't force feelings that weren't there.

One day, as we gathered for a mission briefing, Naruto stood unusually close to me, his body heat radiating in waves. He glanced over at me with a mischievous smile, the same one that had once caught me off guard, and I knew—his rut was starting.

Sakura was right next to us, her attention on the mission details, but I could feel her glances in my direction every now and then. I knew she was worried, but there wasn't much I could say. Not without explaining things I wasn't ready to admit.

After the meeting, Naruto walked ahead with me, his voice low. "Hey, Sasuke, you free later? Thought we could spar... or maybe hang out?"

I hesitated. The way he looked at me, the intensity in his eyes—it was just like last time. "Naruto, I think... it's happening again," I said quietly.

Naruto blinked, confused for a moment, then realization dawned on his face. "Oh... you mean the Nine-Tails thing? The rut?" He scratched the back of his head, a nervous laugh escaping him. "Guess I forgot about that."

"You need to be careful," I warned him, my voice a little sharper than I intended. "You remember how it was last time. If it gets out of control again—"

"Relax, I'll be fine!" Naruto interrupted, grinning as if it was no big deal. "Besides, we got through it last time, right? What's the worst that could happen?"

The worst that could happen? I clenched my fists, trying to keep my emotions in check. I wanted to protect him, to stop him from getting hurt—or hurting me again, even if he didn't know it. But before I could respond, Sakura approached us, her eyes flicking between Naruto and me.

"Sasuke, are you okay? You've been acting distant lately," she said softly, her concern clear. "And Naruto, you seem... different too."

Naruto laughed it off. "I'm fine! Just a little more energetic than usual, that's all."

Sakura turned her attention back to me, her expression more serious. "Sasuke, if you ever need to talk... I'm here for you."

I nodded, knowing that she meant well. But talking wasn't going to help me now. Not with the way things were between Naruto and me—things she couldn't understand.

As we parted ways, I realized that Naruto's rut wasn't just a physical challenge—it was an emotional one too. The feelings I'd been trying to bury were rising again, and soon I would have to face them, whether I was ready or not.

Naruto had been locked up in a secure chamber at the Hokage's request. After his last rut, Kakashi and I decided it was best to keep him under control before things escalated again. A couple of trusted guards were posted at his door, and I was doing my best to avoid thinking about the situation too much. Naruto's rut brought up too many unresolved emotions for me, and it didn't help that Sakura had been acting strange lately.

As I finished training alone, wiping the sweat from my brow, I heard footsteps approaching. Turning around, I saw Sakura standing there, looking more nervous than usual. I could see in her eyes that she had something to say, and deep down, I had a sinking feeling I knew what it was.

"Sasuke," she began, her voice soft but determined. "I need to talk to you."

I nodded, silently bracing myself.

She hesitated for a moment, as if gathering her courage, then took a step closer. "I've been thinking about this for a while now... and I just can't hold it in any longer." Her hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together. "Sasuke, I still have feelings for you. I've had them for a long time, and I just needed to tell you."

My chest tightened at her words, and for a moment, I couldn't look her in the eye. I had known this was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. I respected Sakura, and she had always been a good friend, but my feelings for her had never been romantic. Especially now, with everything that had happened with Naruto, I was more conflicted than ever.

"Sakura," I began, my voice low and careful, "I understand how you feel. And I respect you for being honest with me... but I don't feel the same way."

Her face fell, and for a moment, there was a flicker of hurt in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with a sad smile. "I... I see. I kind of expected this, but it still hurts to hear."

"I don't want to hurt you," I continued, forcing myself to be as clear as possible. "You've always been important to me, but not in the way you're hoping. I'm sorry."

Sakura swallowed hard, her hands shaking a little. "It's okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just needed to say it... to get it off my chest."

There was an awkward silence between us, and I wished I could say something to make it easier, but I knew there was nothing I could do. Sakura had been brave enough to confess, but I couldn't return those feelings. I had to be honest with her, just as she had been with me.

She took a deep breath, composing herself. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me, Sasuke." She smiled again, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I guess I'll just have to move on."

I nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief and guilt. "Thank you for understanding."

Before I could say anything more, Sakura turned and began to walk away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I knew it had taken a lot for her to confess, and I couldn't help but admire her strength. But as I watched her go, I couldn't stop thinking about Naruto—locked up and struggling with his own battle.

While Sakura had laid her feelings bare, I still hadn't. My feelings for Naruto were a mess, tangled up in confusion and frustration. And the worst part was, Naruto didn't even realize what his rut was doing to me.