Chapter 6
The dawn painted the village rooftops gold as Naruto stirred in bed, squirming between the sheets.
Sunlight streamed through the window of his room in Sasuke's house, lighting up his face as he stretched with a yawn. His nightcap slipped off his hair and fell to the floor.
It had been several weeks since he'd started training with Sasuke, and although the process wasn't easy, he was beginning to notice improvements. Days passed in repetitions of taijutsu and ninjutsu, and the number of times Sasuke slammed him face-first into the ground had drastically decreased.
Naruto scarfed down breakfast alongside Sasuke, his energy, as always, at full blast. The other boy walked calmly beside him, already used to his friend's hyperactivity.
When they arrived at the training grounds, the black-haired boy shoved his hands into his pockets and said:
—We've trained a lot in taijutsu and ninjutsu, right? I think today we could do something different, since it's the weekend and we've got time.
Naruto looked at him, a little confused.
—Something different? —he asked, frowning. —Like what?
Sasuke took a step back, sat cross-legged on the ground, and pointed at the empty space in front of him.
—Meditation.
Naruto blinked several times, as if he hadn't understood what his friend had just said.
Then, his expression shifted into a mix of confusion and disdain.
—Meditation? What does that have to do with being a ninja?
Sasuke gave him a calm look, as if he had already anticipated that reaction. He adjusted his posture, closed his eyes for a moment, and continued:
—Meditation is an important part of chakra control, Naruto. It's not all about being physically strong. A ninja needs to be able to stay calm in any situation, even when things get tough. If you don't know how to handle your thoughts and emotions, it's easy to lose control. And when that happens, you could put yourself and your teammates in danger.
Naruto frowned, thoughtful. Sasuke was right, of course, but the idea of sitting still doing nothing wasn't appealing. Still, he decided to give it a shot. He sat in front of Sasuke and mimicked his posture.
—Alright, fine, I'll try. But after this, you're coming with me to Ichiraku for some ramen, seriously! —he said with a grin.
Sasuke nodded with a faint smile and closed his eyes. After a few seconds, Naruto did the same, though with some discomfort.
—Close your eyes, relax, and feel your chakra —Sasuke began. —Don't force it or try to control it at first. Just let it flow and feel its presence in your body. Your chakra is in your whole being, but first, you have to recognize it. It's like the exercise Iruka-sensei gave us, except this time you're focusing on feeling it, not directing it anywhere.
Naruto tried to follow the instructions, but his mind kept wandering.
—I'm sorry, Sasuke, I don't get how to do it. I can't feel my chakra —he said, lowering his head.
Sasuke studied him for a moment and replied:
—Let's try something else. Close your eyes and focus on the sound.
Naruto nodded and tried again. As he concentrated on the sounds around him, his breathing began to slow, and little by little, something shifted. At first, he could only hear the wind and the birds singing, but then... something else. A subtle feeling inside his body, a faint tingling he hadn't noticed before.
His eyes flew open.
—Sasuke... I think I felt it.
Sasuke gave a slight smile and nodded in approval.
—That's better. Meditation won't make your punches stronger, but it will help you make clearer decisions, even in the middle of a fight. In combat, the mind and body have to work together.
Naruto looked at his hands, still sensing that trace of energy running through him. Maybe he didn't fully understand it yet, but for the first time, he felt like he was on the right path.
When Sasuke finally opened his eyes, he looked at Naruto with a slight smile.
—That was better —he said, getting to his feet.
Naruto nodded, still a bit puzzled by what he'd experienced. He stood up too, stretching.
—Wow, Sasuke, is there anything you're not good at? —he asked, a little envious.
Sasuke chuckled softly.
—Come on, Naruto, don't be like that. If you train hard, there's no reason we can't be equally skilled. Besides, I've been meditating for four years... since my parents... well, since they taught me when I was five.
The mood turned a bit darker and more melancholic. Sensing the sadness in Sasuke's voice, Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder.
—Thanks a lot for teaching me, Sasuke. I promise I'll keep practicing.
Sasuke shook off the gloom with a slight smile and replied:
—You better, idiot. Or I'll have wasted my time talking to thin air.
—Well then, let's go get that ramen.
—Hold on, Naruto, it's still too early.
—But, but, you promised you'd come with me.
Sasuke sighed, exasperated.
—Fine, let's go, or you'll keep whining like a little kid.
—For your info, you're a kid too, dumbass —Naruto replied immediately.
They were just about to reach Ichiraku when a brown-haired boy chasing a paper airplane tripped and flew forward through the air, scraping his knee as he hit the ground.
He immediately started crying, and a woman rushed over to comfort him, smiling with unimaginable sweetness as she wiped away his tears.
The image was heartwarming, but it also reminded Naruto of what he never had: that safety, that love. Still, he stepped forward with his usual energy, laughing under his breath to hide how he really felt, and shouted:
—Come on, Sasuke! After all that hard training, Ichiraku's waiting for us!
But when he turned to look at his friend, he found Sasuke frozen in place, eyes empty, locked on the scene they had just witnessed. It was as if the world around him had disappeared.
Naruto, feeling slightly uneasy, tried to step closer, but Sasuke only murmured, voice cracking:
—It's too much... I can't, I'm sorry...
Before Naruto could say anything else, Sasuke turned and ran, disappearing into the crowd.
Naruto stood still for a moment. It didn't take him long to piece it together and realize what had just happened. He clenched his fists and, with a faint smile, muttered to himself:
—I can't leave him like that, —and ran off after the black-haired boy.
Naruto chased Sasuke, weaving through people in his path, heart pounding.
—Sasuke! Wait! Sasuke! —he shouted as his footsteps echoed against the ground.
Finally, after a short chase, he found Sasuke in an empty alley, standing still with his back rigid and head down.
Naruto stopped just behind him, breathing heavily. He put his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
—Sasuke, you don't have to do this alone... —he said, voice softer than usual, lacking his typical exuberance.
Sasuke slowly lifted his head, his dark eyes reflecting a storm of emotions. A mix of frustration, anger, and something deeper—something even he didn't understand. He looked at Naruto, and for a moment, the silence between them was heavy.
—You don't understand... —his voice came out hoarse, like he was fighting not to break. —I don't want to be weak. I don't want to feel like... like a child needing comfort... unable to do anything... like I was two years ago when I couldn't save my parents.
Naruto watched him for a moment, searching for the right words. He'd never seen Sasuke like this—so... vulnerable. In his mind, Sasuke had always been the strong one, the unbeatable one. But here he was, a boy trapped in his own pain, a boy just like him.
—Sasuke, I know it's not the same... but I also know what it's like to be alone. Pretending everything's okay when it hurts inside. I'm not saying you should forget... or that we feel the same. I'm just saying you don't have to carry it all by yourself. You don't have to act tough with me.
Sasuke clenched his fists, as if trying to keep Naruto's words from breaking through his defenses.
He trembled for a moment, his lips tightening into a tense line, and he looked away, as if meeting Naruto's eyes made him feel even more exposed.
But the truth was that Sasuke suddenly felt furious—and he directed that fury at Naruto, who was forcing him to face his emotions.
—You don't know what I feel... what I've lost! —his voice cracked slightly before hardening again. —You've always been alone—how can you miss something you've never had?
Naruto flinched. Those cold words hurt more than he cared to admit, but he didn't give up.
—It's true. I've never had a single meaningful connection in my life, always despised, hated, forgotten by everyone... until you came along... and here's one thing I do know: you're stuck with me, whether you like it or not, Sasuke Uchiha, because we're friends, and I can't stand the idea of losing you.
Sasuke went silent, chest rising and falling quickly. His shoulders, once as tense as a taut wire, began to loosen.
—I... I don't know if I can trust others as easily as you do.
Naruto gave him a sad smile.
—You don't have to. Just stop trying to carry the weight of it all alone.
There was a pause between them, like an entire world waiting to shift.
Finally, Sasuke looked back at Naruto, his expression unreadable.
There was a pause between them. Sasuke took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, letting Naruto's words sink in.
Finally, he murmured quietly:
—Thanks.
Naruto nodded without saying anything else and gave him a light punch on the arm.
—Now, let's go get that ramen.
Sasuke didn't say anything, but for just a moment, the shadows clinging to his soul seemed to recede, even if just a little.
—Naruto, I'm really sorry about what I said earlier—he added. —I was hurt and... I lashed out.
—It's okay, Sasuke...
—No, it's really not, the black-haired boy insisted. —But I don't expect you to notice. You're so used to being looked down on... You shouldn't have to tolerate that. Especially not from a friend.
Naruto felt a lump in his throat but shook his head with a smile.
—Alright, alright, drop it already. I'm not mad at you. I'm just glad we... worked it out.
Sasuke nodded, looking away, and they kept walking in awkward silence.
After a couple of minutes, Naruto broke it.
—Hey, Sasuke... what do you think of Sakura?
Sasuke gave him a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow.
—What about her?
Naruto grinned widely.
—She's gotta be the prettiest girl in the whole academy, seriously!
Sasuke snorted in amusement, grateful for the change of topic.
—Hmm, he replied noncommittally.
—She doesn't know it yet, but one day, when I'm Hokage, she's gonna be my wife, Naruto continued enthusiastically.
—Come on, Naruto... you can't be serious, Sasuke scoffed.
—What? Why not?
—Tell me one thing about her that isn't about how pretty she is. Have you even talked to her?
—Hmm... good point. I should probably talk to her.
Sasuke groaned in frustration.
—You're gonna overwhelm her, idiot.
—B-but why?
—Look, first find out if you even get along as friends before thinking about anything else. Maybe you don't even like each other. I'm just saying, don't get your hopes up too much before really getting to know her. I don't want you to get hurt, okay?
Naruto stopped in his tracks, staring at him, impressed.
—Wow, Sasuke. I thought you were jealous, but you actually... care about me—the blonde boy muttered, blushing.
—Of course I do, idiot. You're my friend. It's my job to care about you, and that includes your impulsive heart— Sasuke said sarcastically, ruffling his hair.
—Hey, cut it out!—Naruto said, swatting his hand away playfully.
The rest of the walk to Ichiraku was quiet and comfortable, something that rarely happened when they were together. Naruto, with his usual smile, walked ahead but made sure Sasuke wasn't lagging behind, aware of everything that had just happened.
Sasuke wasn't saying much, but at least his steps were more relaxed.
When Naruto and Sasuke entered the small ramen stand, the warm air and smell of fresh broth welcomed them instantly.
Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku, smiled brightly.
—Naruto, Sasuke! Great to see you!—he said as he served a bowl of ramen to another customer.
Naruto sat down quickly, like he hadn't eaten in days, and Sasuke followed with his usual calm, scanning the menu before ordering.
—Ramen for both of us, Teuchi!—Naruto shouted, impatient.
Sasuke nodded without much comment, and Teuchi happily began preparing their meals.
Just then, a familiar sound made Naruto glance to his left. There was Iruka, sitting with his own bowl of ramen, quietly enjoying his meal.
—Iruka-sensei!—Naruto called out, waving. —What a surprise to see you here!
Iruka looked up and smiled when he saw them.
—Oh! Hey, Naruto! Sasuke. How are you guys doing?— he greeted warmly.
—Great, Iruka-sensei! We're training harder than ever. Today's ramen is our reward!—Naruto said with a wide grin, rubbing his hands together.
Iruka chuckled softly, as if he had expected that answer. He liked seeing Naruto so motivated.
—I'm glad to hear that. But remember, Naruto: training is important, but so is rest. You don't want to wear yourself out.
Naruto leaned back on the bench with a dramatic grimace, pretending to be exhausted.
—Rest? How can I rest? If I'm going to be Hokage one day, I have to work twice as hard—he replied with his trademark playful tone.
Sasuke, though not as talkative as Naruto, couldn't help but glance at him. Sometimes, his friend's energy was so contagious it lifted everyone's spirits, and Sasuke couldn't help but feel a little better in his presence.
Iruka-sensei smiled and said:
—Well, I hope that shows in your results. If you want, I can help you refine some techniques but that'll be tomorrow.
—Really, Iruka-sensei? Awesome! Did you hear that, Sasuke?
Sasuke finally looked at Iruka, his expression calmer than before, and nodded solemnly without saying a word.
The ramen stand buzzed with the sounds of bowls clinking and Naruto's animated chatter with Iruka, while Sasuke ate in silence, his thoughts still drifting elsewhere.
Naruto, however, kept glancing at his friend. Even though Sasuke was there physically, sharing the moment, Naruto knew part of him was still trapped in a dark place.
He didn't say anything about it. He didn't push.
But he didn't take his eyes off him either.
And when the bowl of ramen was finally empty, when the day wore on and the sun tilted a little further in the sky, Naruto smiled with his usual energy.
—Sasuke! Tomorrow we're training twice as hard! We gotta take advantage of Iruka-sensei's offer.