Unbreakable Bonds 《Book 2》

Chapter 36

-Naruto-

I sit on the floor of our small living room, staring down at the bracelet in my hand. The one Mizuki just ripped off her wrist and threw at me. It's broken now, lying limp and tangled in my fingers. My heart feels like it's being squeezed too tight. Her words replay in my head like a broken record.

"I hate you."

I never thought I'd hear that from her. Not from Mizuki.

The memory of her voice, sharp and raw with anger, echoes in my mind. Her face twisted in rage, tears welling in her eyes as she screamed at me. I thought I was protecting her. That's what I've always done. Ever since we were kids, ever since I found her again. It's my job to keep her safe. But now... I don't know.

I never wanted to hurt her.

I look down at the bracelet again, my thumb brushing over the frayed threads. I gave this to her years ago, back when we first reunited. It was supposed to be a symbol of something... of our bond, of how we'd always look out for each other. And now, it's shattered, just like... just like us.

I can't get the image of her out of my head, the way she looked at me like I'd betrayed her. Like I didn't believe in her.

"Maybe... maybe I'm being too much," I mutter to myself, leaning back against the wall. My head feels heavy, thoughts swirling. I never thought that trying to keep her safe would push her this far away. She was furious tonight. Not the kind of anger that fades after a while, but something deeper. Something that's been building for a long time.

The mission tomorrow... I didn't want her to go because it's dangerous. We're going after Akatsuki. And after what happened to Asuma... I can't lose someone else. I can't lose her. I know she's strong. I've seen her fight. I've seen the fire in her eyes when she's determined. But that doesn't change the fact that she's my little sister. My responsibility.

But maybe that's the problem.

I close my eyes and let out a long breath, but the flashbacks keep coming, unrelenting. Her shouting, her trembling hands as she ripped the bracelet off. The way her voice cracked when she said, "I hate you." The words cut deeper than any kunai.

Do I really still see her as the little redhead who needs me to protect her? Am I... am I holding her back?

She's not a child anymore. She hasn't been for a long time. Mizuki's capable. She's more than capable. I've seen it with my own eyes, how she's grown, how she's learned to stand on her own. So why can't I let go? Why can't I trust her the way I should?

I rub my hand over my face, trying to make sense of it all. I don't want her to be in danger, that's it. That's all this is. I've lost too many people already. I couldn't protect Sasuke when he left. I couldn't bring him back. And now Asuma's gone, and Shikamaru is breaking right in front of me. I can't bear to see someone else I care about get hurt.

But maybe... maybe that's not what Mizuki needs.

Maybe she needs to know I trust her. Maybe she needs to hear that I believe in her strength, instead of always trying to shield her from everything.

I feel a lump forming in my throat, and I swallow hard, trying to push down the ache in my chest. Everything feels like it's falling apart. The more I try to hold on, the more things seem to slip through my fingers. My bond with Mizuki... it feels like it's unraveling, piece by piece.

"I just wanted to protect you," I whisper to the empty room. But maybe I went too far. Maybe she's right. Maybe I've been treating her like she's still that little girl who needs her big brother to fight her battles for her.

I keep replaying the argument in my head, over and over again. The frustration in her voice, the way she looked at me like I'd betrayed her. The truth is, I wasn't prepared for how strong she's become. I wasn't ready to admit that she doesn't need me in the same way anymore.

It's a bitter pill to swallow.

The room feels too quiet, too empty without her here. I glance at the door, half expecting her to walk back in, but there's only silence. I've never felt this disconnected from her before. The space between us feels bigger than it's ever been, and I hate it. I hate that I'm the reason for it.

I run a hand through my hair, frustration boiling under my skin. How did we get here? How did things get so bad that she felt like she had to walk away?

My eyes drift back to the broken bracelet, and I feel a sharp pang in my chest. It's not just a piece of jewelry. It's a reminder of everything we've been through, of the promise I made to her that I'd always be there. And now... now it feels like I've failed her.

I set the bracelet down on the floor beside me, letting out a shaky breath. I can't fix this right now. I know that. She's too angry, and maybe... maybe she has a right to be. I've been too overprotective. Too controlling. But all I wanted was to keep her safe.

I lean my head back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. The ache in my chest hasn't gone away. If anything, it's only getting worse. I don't know how to fix this. I don't know how to make things right. But I do know one thing.

I don't want to lose her.

I glance over at the floor mattress I set up earlier, hoping she might come home tonight. That she'll walk through that door, and we can talk this out. I'll tell her I'm sorry. I'll tell her that I trust her, that I believe in her strength. I'll tell her that I don't want to hold her back.

But right now, all I can do is wait. Wait and hope that she'll come back, that we can fix this before it's too late. Because the thought of losing Mizuki... of letting our bond break apart completely... I can't handle that.

I let out a long sigh and lie down on the floor mattress, staring up at the ceiling. My heart feels heavy, weighed down by everything that happened tonight. I close my eyes, but sleep doesn't come. My mind keeps racing, keeps circling back to that moment when she screamed that she hated me.

"I don't hate you, Mizuki," I whisper to the empty room. "I just don't want to lose you."

I keep telling myself that once the mission is over, I'll make things right. I'll talk to her. I'll apologize. I'll tell her that I'll stop treating her like a kid. That I'll trust her. I'll fix this.

I have to.

But as the night drags on and the house remains silent, I can't help but wonder if things will ever go back to the way they were. If Mizuki will ever forgive me for trying to protect her in the only way I knew how.

My heart clenches in my chest, and I feel a tear slip down my cheek. I wipe it away quickly, but the pain doesn't leave. It stays, gnawing at me, reminding me of everything that's slipping away.

I just hope... I just hope that when this mission is over, she'll still be here. That there's still time to fix things.

I glance at the door one last time before closing my eyes, hoping that when I wake up, things will be different.

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Dramamamamamamaa, I loooove it <3 Maybe this is the missing piece of the story! 

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Bye Potatoes

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