My Friend-Naruto Fanfiction

Darkness takeover

It's late, and Konoha is bathed in the soft glow of lanterns. The cool wind blows the chimes and the scenery of the night for the leaf is very calm. Sasuke sits atop the roof of a quiet building, his eyes trailing across the village. The night has always brought him solace, but recently, he finds himself watching not the streets, but the Hokage's office.

Since returning to the village, Sasuke has kept a careful distance from everyone—especially from the boy who once saved him from himself. And yet, something has started to gnaw at him, some shadow that seems to follow Naruto like a faint ghost, growing stronger with each passing day.

Sasuke remembering a creepy smile of the black shadow and at times he'd even catch Naruto eyes souless. His once blue eyes full of energy was no longer there. Emptiness filled the blue eyes that once held electric blue.

For weeks now, Sasuke has watched Naruto at home in a ball rocking back and forth crying or either whenever anyone asked if he'd like to get ramen with them which was Naruto favorite food he's say no, but one thing Sasuke knew was that Naruto would never say no to his favorite food.  What strikes him, though, is that Naruto—usually the loud, stubborn fool who'd never back down—now seems quieter. Withdrawn. It's subtle, something only someone who knows him well would notice, but it's enough to leave Sasuke uneasy.
________________________________________________________________________The next day, Team 7 is called together for a mission briefing. Sakura and Kakashi are already there when Sasuke arrives, but Naruto walks in a little later than usual, looking drained. His eyes have bags underneath and his eyes seem more glossy, the spark once in his eyes disappeared

"Morning, everyone," Naruto greets, his voice void of the usual spark. He barely makes eye contact and when Kakashi asked if there was any question Naruto stayed silent which was unusual because Naruto usual always asked questions right after the main focus of the mission and so Kakashi just dived straight into mission details. Sasuke exchanges a glance with Sakura, who seems equally concerned.

As they listen to Naruto's briefing, Sasuke feels a surge of frustration. The Naruto he knew never held back, never lost that relentless energy, that will to make things better. But here he is, speaking like he's just going through the motions, his voice flat and tired.

After the briefing, Sasuke takes a step closer, his voice low. "Something's off with you."

Naruto gives him a half-hearted smile, but his eyes lack their usual warmth. "What are you talking about? I'm fine, Sasuke."

But Sasuke isn't convinced. He senses that Naruto's slipping down a path he knows all too well.
________________________________________________________________________Sasuke remembers a different night, long ago—a night where they had once made a promise to change things together. They were both young, still bearing scars from the past. Naruto had looked at him back then, eyes full of fire, and said, "I'll never give up on this village. And I'll never give up on you, Sasuke."

It had been enough to bring Sasuke back, to give him something to hope for. But now, watching Naruto, he feels a chill, realizing that the very person who saved him from the darkness is beginning to be consumed by it.

The same way that he was consumed by his own selfish desires and jealousy.
________________________________________________________________________The mission is harder than expected, and Naruto's strategy is colder, more ruthless. Afterward, Sasuke pulls him aside, unable to hold back.

"Since when did you start fighting like that?" Sasuke demands, his eyes narrowing. "The Naruto I knew never looked at his enemies like they were...disposable."

Naruto doesn't flinch, but there's a hint of something in his expression—maybe frustration, maybe resignation. "You don't know what it's like to carry this weight, Sasuke," he replies, voice rough. "Being the hero of the village and keeping the smile is hard and you no nothing because you ran away."

Sasuke feels the sting of those words. "And what? You think I don't know what darkness feels like? That I don't know how it eats at you?"

Naruto's eyes meet Sasuke's, a flicker of pain evident before he looks away. "This isn't about you, Sasuke. Some battles...I have to fight alone."

Sasuke wants to argue, to reach him, but he recognizes the tone, the way Naruto is closing himself off. He knows that feeling too well. It's the same way he had pushed everyone away when he was ready to burn the world to ashes. But seeing that in Naruto feels like a betrayal to everything they once promised.

As Sasuke watches Naruto walk away, he realizes that the roles have changed. Naruto is the one slipping, and now it's Sasuke's turn to pull him back. He clenches his fists, an unspoken vow rising within him.

No matter how far Naruto falls, Sasuke will be there to bring him back—or stop him, if he has to.