Naruto x Sasuke back together

Chapter 26

Life after the ambush took on a surprisingly calm rhythm. For Naruto and Sasuke, the days passed with an almost surreal normalcy, as though the chaos that had once defined their lives had finally decided to give them a reprieve. The quiet was strange but not unwelcome. They slipped into routines that felt disarmingly domestic—light bickering over meals, training sessions under the afternoon sun, and evenings spent side by side, the silence between them no longer awkward but companionable.

At the center of their quiet world was Hikari, the golden-orange fox that had become their unofficial third housemate. Agile, mischievous, and fiercely intelligent, Hikari darted around the house and yard with boundless energy, its shimmering coat catching the light like fire. Naruto couldn't get enough of its antics, often laughing until his sides hurt. Sasuke, however, had become the fox's clear favorite, a fact that both amused and irked Naruto in equal measure.

Wherever Sasuke went, Hikari followed, trailing him like a shadow. It perched by the training grounds, tilting its head in curiosity as Sasuke practiced his forms, and often nuzzled its way onto Sasuke's lap during rare moments of rest. Naruto didn't miss the way Sasuke's normally stoic expression softened when the fox was near, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Looks like he's picked you as his favorite," Naruto teased one lazy afternoon, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, his grin wide and mischievous.

Sasuke, crouched to tie his sandals, didn't look up. Hikari nosed his hand with a soft whine, earning an absentminded scratch behind its ears.

"Yeah, yeah, you're adorable," Sasuke muttered, his tone dismissive, though the faint smirk on his lips betrayed him.

Naruto pushed off the doorway and sauntered closer, his grin widening. "You know, you're kinda soft on him, Sasuke. Maybe I should be jealous."

Sasuke straightened, fixing Naruto with a sharp glare. "Jealous of a fox? You're more pathetic than I thought."

"Hey, I'm serious!" Naruto replied, though his teasing tone remained. "First Sakura, now Hikari. Guess I'll never measure up, huh?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and brushed past Naruto, heading for the porch. "You're an idiot," he muttered, though he didn't walk far. Instead, he leaned against the railing, his gaze softening as he watched Hikari chase a butterfly in the yard.

Naruto followed, standing close enough that their shoulders almost touched. "You're not denying it, though," he said, his voice quieter now.

Sasuke glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Denying what?"

"That you're kinda... different these days," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head. "Softer, maybe. Like, I dunno, you're letting your guard down."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but there was no real heat in his glare. "You think too much."

Naruto chuckled, his gaze shifting to the horizon. "Maybe. But I like it. Seeing this side of you." He glanced at Sasuke again, his blue eyes warm and earnest. "It suits you."

Sasuke looked away, his cheeks faintly pink. "Don't get used to it."

Naruto smiled. "Too late."

For a moment, the world seemed to quiet around them. Hikari eventually tired of chasing the butterfly and trotted back to them, curling up at Sasuke's feet with a contented sigh. Naruto leaned closer, his arm brushing against Sasuke's.

"You know," Naruto said, his voice softer now, "I don't really care if Hikari likes you more. I think I get it."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, his expression guarded. "Get what?"

"Why he's drawn to you," Naruto said, his grin turning almost shy. "You're steady. Strong. You make people feel safe, even if you don't realize it."

Sasuke's gaze softened, his dark eyes searching Naruto's face. For a moment, it looked like he might say something, but instead, he leaned down to scratch Hikari behind the ears again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Idiot."

Naruto laughed, the sound bright and warm. "Yeah, yeah. But you didn't deny it."

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting golden light across the yard, Naruto reached out, his hand brushing against Sasuke's. It was a fleeting touch, but Sasuke didn't pull away. Instead, he let the moment linger, his hand warm and steady against Naruto's.