#my art computer exploded a lil

“I–very quickly–began to wish you had managed to break every bone in my body and drag me home,” Sasuke said, his voice rough and tinged with bitterness. “That would have been more humane than what he’d done.”

Naruto lowered his head, closing his eyes solemnly. “You changed after that.”

Sasuke nodded. “You felt it.”

“I did. You weren’t yourself. Your chakra was even different.”

The conversation lapsed. Sasuke didn’t respond immediately. It seemed to Naruto that Sasuke wanted to say something, but was having some difficulty. While he waited for his friend to speak, Naruto tried to relax, envisioning his worries flying away, borne lightly upon the wind. Finally Sasuke found his words, and they were quiet.

“Is it bad, how my chakra has changed…”

Sasuke gave a long sigh, trying to dislodge the ache deep in his chest. It hardly budged.

“It was bad, at first,” said Naruto. “Cold and vast, like a lifeless universe. I was desperate to feel what I once knew of you. But I was sure you were still in there, and I guess, it turns out, I was right.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your chakra’s still changing, Sasuke. Haven’t you felt it?”

He shrugged. “I guess not.”

“Even right now, it’s changing, bit by bit. It’s not bad. Not at all.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say he loved how Sasuke was changing. Naruto was aware his friend was healing; and as he healed, the best parts of him were beginning to shine through the shadows cast by his experiences. Naruto was happy for Sasuke, and proud of him. I’ll tell him one day, he resolved.

It wasn’t that he’d have to say it aloud, but that he wanted to; Sasuke, he was certain, already knew.