Naruto x Sasuke back together

Chapter 18

Sasuke blinked as his surroundings slowly came into focus, the haze of unconsciousness lifting to reveal Naruto's intense gaze fixed on him. He could feel Naruto's grip around him, firm yet gentle, his touch sending a warmth through Sasuke's entire body. Naruto's face was tense, his blue eyes blazing with worry and something deeper, something protective and fierce.

Sasuke barely registered his own exhaustion as Naruto lifted him, carrying him away, away from Kakashi and Sakura, and into a secluded part of the forest. Each step Naruto took felt deliberate, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. When they reached a quiet clearing, Naruto set him down gently, his gaze never leaving Sasuke's face.

Naruto's expression shifted, his eyes flickering with red for a brief moment as Kurama's presence emerged. Sasuke's pulse quickened. He could feel the immense chakra emanating from Naruto, blanketing the clearing in an overwhelming but strangely comforting energy. It was Kurama—the ancient fox spirit that Naruto held within him—who now seemed to take control.

"Relax, Uchiha," Kurama's voice rumbled through Naruto, steady and somehow reassuring. "I need to check if you're alright. Don't fight it."

Sasuke swallowed, feeling a strange shiver as Kurama's chakra enveloped him, settling over his body in a way that was both powerful and unexpectedly gentle. The sensation was almost... intimate. Every pulse of Kurama's energy felt warm, coaxing a pleasant, tingling sensation that swept over Sasuke, leaving him breathless. He could feel the fox spirit's chakra moving slowly, lingering in certain areas, probing with a sensitivity that surprised him.

Heat flushed across Sasuke's cheeks as Kurama's chakra pooled around his abdomen, the warmth settling deep within him in a way that felt almost overwhelming. Sasuke's body reacted instinctively, the unfamiliar pleasure stirring something within him he couldn't fully understand. His pulse raced, his breathing quickened, and a strange sensation of contentment washed over him, a feeling of being cared for, of being... wanted.

Kurama seemed to linger, his energy swirling intimately within Sasuke, as though he were checking something incredibly precious. Sasuke couldn't ignore the thoughts flooding his mind—was there something Kurama knew, something he was safeguarding? He didn't fully understand, but a feeling—a distant, elusive feeling—seemed to tug at him, almost like a whisper. Whatever Kurama was checking, he was careful, possessive even, and Sasuke's heart pounded at the thought.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kurama's chakra retreated, leaving Sasuke feeling strangely empty without the comforting warmth. Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind, soft and satisfied. "good... you're safe."

Naruto's face softened as he regained control, the fierce protectiveness melting into something gentler, more vulnerable. Sasuke watched him, feeling that same pull—an undeniable bond that seemed to go deeper than anything he'd ever known.

"Sasuke..." Naruto's voice was low, hesitant, as if he were struggling to find the right words. His gaze was fixed, almost searching. "I... I need you to know something."

Sasuke's heart hammered, anticipation crackling in the air between them. He could feel the weight of Naruto's emotions, the intensity of his stare sending a shiver through him. Sasuke knew he had loved Naruto for a long time now, though he'd tried to bury it deep within him, believing it was something he could never express. But hearing Naruto speak like this, Sasuke felt those emotions well up, raw and unrestrained.

"Naruto," Sasuke began, his voice soft, his eyes dropping for a moment. "I know how I feel about you. I always have." He took a shaky breath, the memories flashing in his mind. "I didn't leave just because of Itachi. I knew that if we both tried, we could take him down. But... I also knew that no matter how much I cared about you, no matter how deeply..." His voice faltered, a hint of pain seeping through. "I was afraid you'd never feel the same. It was too much, and I thought I had to leave. That I'd never deserve you."

Naruto's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and something unspoken shining in them. He reached out, placing a hand on Sasuke's cheek, his thumb brushing gently against his skin. "You're wrong, Sasuke. You always were."

Sasuke's heart pounded, his pulse roaring in his ears, but he didn't pull away. Naruto's words, his touch, seemed to dissolve every barrier he'd built, every wall he'd put up to protect himself from the pain of being rejected.

"I..." Naruto took a breath, his voice barely a whisper. "I have feelings for you, too. I thought maybe... maybe they were just the kind of feelings you have for a brother. But I was wrong. I only understood when I thought I might lose you."

He reached out, his trembling hand on Naruto's cheek, feeling the familiar line of Naruto's jaw under his fingertips. "I first thought it was brotherly, too," Sasuke murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "But... but it's not. This... it's more."

Naruto's expression softened, and he reached up to cover Sasuke's hand with his own, the warmth of his touch sending a thrill through Sasuke's veins. They gazed at each other, the connection between them tangible, electric.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, Naruto leaned forward, his breath warm against Sasuke's lips. Sasuke's heart pounded, his pulse roaring in his ears, but he didn't pull away. When their lips finally met, it was soft, tentative, as if they were exploring the depth of their feelings for the first time. But it didn't take long for the intensity to grow, their emotions spilling over as they lost themselves in each other.

Sasuke's hand slid up into Naruto's hair, pulling him closer, the kiss deepening, becoming slow and consuming. Naruto's arms circled around him, holding him firmly, grounding them both. Sasuke felt his body respond, warmth pooling in his chest, filling every inch of him with a sense of belonging he hadn't realized he was missing.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Sasuke couldn't stop the small, dazed smile that crept onto his face. He could barely believe what had just happened, but he felt an overwhelming sense of contentment, a peace he hadn't known he could feel.

Naruto watched him, his expression mirroring Sasuke's, his eyes soft and full of warmth. "You're smiling like an idiot, Sasuke," he teased, his tone gentle, affectionate.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, though he couldn't hide the grin tugging at his lips. "Shut up, dobe," he murmured, feeling that same warmth settle deep in his chest, grounding him.

Naruto chuckled, brushing his thumb over Sasuke's cheek in a tender gesture. "I've never seen you this happy before."

Sasuke felt his cheeks warm, glancing away with a hint of embarrassment. "Guess that makes two of us," he mumbled, unable to keep the smile from his lips.

They sat in comfortable silence, Sasuke resting his head against Naruto's shoulder, the peace of the clearing enveloping them. He closed his eyes, feeling Naruto's steady heartbeat beneath his ear, the warmth of his body soothing. There was no need for words now; their connection, their love, was enough.