Chapter 18 – Embers of Bonds
"Even broken bonds can still burn — they just light the night differently."
Morning rose softly over the forest. Mist still lingered above the springs, and the air smelled of rain and ash.Sasuke sat near the edge of the water, his sword resting beside him, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
Behind him, voices stirred.
"Could you not make that noise while I'm trying to meditate?" Karin's sharp tone sliced through the calm.
Suigetsu snorted. "Meditate? You mean sulk because Sasuke isn't paying attention to you?"
A splash. Then a yell.Karin had thrown a bucket of water straight at his face.
"Idiot! You haven't changed at all!"
Suigetsu wiped the water from his head, laughing. "And you have? Still screaming about Sasuke every ten seconds. Honestly, it's impressive. You're like a shrine maiden devoted to the Church of Uchiha."
Karin's face turned crimson. "Shut up! I'm not—"
"Oh, please." Suigetsu leaned closer, grinning wickedly. "You're madly in love with him. Everyone knows. Even Jūgo's birds probably know."
The clearing fell silent. Jūgo looked up from his quiet breakfast. Sasuke turned slightly, his expression unreadable.
Karin froze. Her heart raced, her fists clenched.The words had escaped before she could stop them.
"Fine! Yes! I'm in love with him, alright? I've always been! Happy now?!"
Her voice echoed through the valley.Then she turned away, trembling, angry at herself, angry at Suigetsu, angry at the world.
Suigetsu's grin faded.He opened his mouth to say something — probably a joke — but Jūgo gave him a look that made him shut it immediately.
The silence returned, heavier this time.
Sasuke rose slowly.He looked at Karin, her back still turned. For a moment, something almost human flickered in his eyes — guilt, pain, maybe even warmth.
But he said nothing.
He walked past her and sat by the campfire, picking up an apple.
Jūgo joined him. "You should say something," he murmured.
Sasuke stared into the flames. "If I do, I'll only hurt her more."
Jūgo nodded quietly. "Then don't say it. Show it, one day."
For a long while, no one spoke. The only sound was the crackle of fire and the whisper of wind through the trees.
Eventually, Suigetsu sighed and flopped down near the water. "This team's as messed up as ever."
Karin glared at him from afar. "And it's your fault."
"Probably," he admitted with a grin.
Sasuke looked up at the sky. The morning clouds were clearing, revealing a pale, fragile sun.
For the first time in a long time, the four of them were together again — broken, scarred, but alive.
He didn't know what waited ahead — the Root of Ashes, his past, his own doubts — but for now, he allowed himself to feel it:the faint warmth of bonds reigniting.
That night, as the campfire burned low, Sasuke looked toward the sleeping figures of his team.He whispered into the dark:
"…I won't let any of you fall again."
The wind carried his words away —but for once, it carried hope instead of sorrow.