NaruSasu (Naruto and Sasuke)

The forest was silent when Sasuke finally found Naruto. After months of being missing, the former member of Team 7 stood alone among the trees, his expression cold and distant. Sasuke stopped in front of him. For a few seconds, neither of them said anything; they both knew that this encounter would eventually happen. Sasuke had imagined this moment countless times, but now that he finally had it before him, he didn't know what to say. Naruto didn't seem surprised either. As if, deep down, he had known that Sasuke would eventually find him.

"You found me."

"After a long time," Sasuke replied, clenching his fists. Naruto looked away. He wasn't the same man he had known in Konoha. His resentment had consumed much of what he once was, and his actions against the village had made him a hunted man by his former comrades. "I'm not coming back." "I'm not asking you to. "Naruto looked at him again. Between them remained that connection that neither had been able to define, even after their paths diverged. Sasuke took a step toward him. "How many more shinobi must fall?" "Enough," Naruto replied . Naruto remained silent. For the first time, his cold expression showed a hint of doubt. "You shouldn't be here, Sasuke." "I know. "Neither of them moved. For a few moments, they simply stood facing each other, aware that there was still something between them that neither dared to name.