23: The Love That Burns in Silence (Sasuke's POV)

Falling Harder in Secret (Sasuke's POV)

Sasuke had fought countless battles, but this—this—was different.

Naruto stood before his erased self, fists clenched, determination burning in his stupidly bright blue eyes.

The forgotten version of Naruto, hollow-eyed and flickering like a dying flame, stared back.

"I don't want to be saved."

The words sent a chill down Sasuke's spine.

Naruto, as stubborn as ever, refused to step back. "Yeah? Well, I don't care what you want. I'm taking back what's mine."

The shadows writhed, the abyss shifting as if the realm itself rejected Naruto's existence. Dark tendrils shot forward—Sasuke was already moving. His Sharingan burned as he cut through the void, placing himself instinctively at Naruto's side.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue. "You really are a reckless idiot, dobe."

Naruto barely glanced at him, grinning despite the danger. "Yeah, yeah. But you're still here, bastard."

Sasuke wanted to look away.

He couldn't.

Even now, even in the middle of this nightmare, Naruto's presence burned brighter than anything. Even in a place where time had tried to erase him, he still existed so fiercely.

And Sasuke—he was powerless against it.

The battle began.

The erased Naruto attacked first, moving like a shadow. His blows were fast, unpredictable. For a moment, Sasuke saw it—what Naruto would be like if he ever truly abandoned hope.

It was terrifying.

But Naruto refused to yield. He dodged a strike, then countered with a Rasengan. The attack collided with the void, sending a shockwave through the abyss.

"You think I'm just gonna leave you here?" Naruto growled. "You're me! I don't abandon myself!"

Sasuke almost scoffed.

That was just like Naruto—trying to save even the version of himself that had been lost.

"He doesn't get it," the erased Naruto murmured, voice hollow. "He never does."

Sasuke's grip on his sword tightened.

No. Naruto understood far too well. That was the problem.

He saw it in the way Naruto fought—not just with brute strength, but with his whole heart, his whole existence. He refused to accept a world where he couldn't reach someone, even if that someone was a lost fragment of himself.

And Sasuke…

Sasuke hated it.

Because no matter how long he had stood beside Naruto, no matter how much he had given, Naruto would never fight that hard for him.

Not like this.

He clenched his jaw. Now's not the time. He pushed the thought away, focusing on the fight.

Naruto struck again, weaving through the shadows. But the erased version was relentless, matching him blow for blow.

Sasuke's Sharingan picked up a shift in the void. He cursed under his breath. "Naruto! Behind you—!"

Too late. The shadows lashed out, wrapping around Naruto's wrist.

Sasuke moved before he could think—because of course he did. Because if it was Naruto, his body always acted before his mind could stop it.

A flash of his Rinnegan. A surge of chakra. He was there in an instant, slicing through the darkness, grabbing Naruto's wrist, pulling him free.

And then—

Their faces were inches apart.

Naruto's breath was ragged, eyes wide. "Sasuke—?"

Sasuke swallowed hard. He needed to move. He should move. But his fingers were still wrapped around Naruto's wrist, his heartbeat was too loud, and he could still feel the warmth of Naruto's skin against his own—

He let go.

"Tch." He turned away, forcing his voice to stay even. "Be more careful, idiot."

Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Heh. Thanks, bastard."

And just like that—so easily—Naruto went right back to the fight.

As if Sasuke hadn't just felt like his entire world had cracked open for a second.

He exhaled sharply, shoving down whatever this was. There was no time for it.

Later. He would deal with it later.

For now, he would fight. He would protect Naruto's back. He would stand at his side.

Just like always.

And Naruto would never know.