Ch 136

"No, I do. Because no matter how dark things get, you're still my family. And that means something. No matter what the world says or how far you go, I'm not leaving you behind. You're not alone." 

I didn't realize how much I needed to hear those words until they left his mouth. You're not alone. It echoed in my chest, washing through me like a tide. My legs almost gave out from the relief. 

For years, I'd carried the weight of silence, guilt, fear, convinced no one would want me after everything I'd become. But Naruto... he didn't turn away. 

Just his smile, just those words, and I felt the years of tension and stress unravel from my heart. Like I could finally breathe again. He wasn't going to leave me behind. He still saw me. And that saved me. 

Naruto looked so much like his father now. His yellow-blond, spiky hair had grown longer, wilder, and his blue eyes held that same fierce ambition I remembered. 

But the shape of his eyes, the softness of his face... that was all his mother. He was the perfect blend of them both, a living echo of their legacy. 

It felt like looking at them, both of them, all at once. 

And those three whisker-like marks on his cheeks. They hadn't changed at all. Still so him. Still so Naruto. Familiar, comforting, like a piece of home I'd lost. 

For the first time in so long, I felt at ease, truly at peace. Like the storm I'd been trapped in for years was finally beginning to clear. The weight, the torment, the endless nights of regret... they didn't vanish, but they quieted. 

With Naruto standing here, smiling like I was still someone worth loving, it felt like a new day could actually come. 

I felt young again. Like maybe I hadn't lost everything. Like maybe I could still find my way back. I wanted to tell him everything, every broken piece, every secret. Because with him, I wasn't afraid anymore. 

"Naruto," I smiled, wiping some new tears that escaped my eyes. "I cherish these bonds we've made, I am so happy to have met you again. I am so sorry for coming back after all these years." 

Naruto didn't interrupt, he just listened, his eyes locked on mine, steady and patient. That look alone gave me the courage to keep going. 

My words started tumbling out faster than I could stop them, my voice shaking. Regret, memories, fragments of everything I'd held in. I couldn't stop rambling. 

"You were a joy in my life, you and many people..." 

I saw a flash of many people's faces in my mind. Everyone who I cared for, many who were no longer with us. But I need to worry about the one in front of me. 

"When I was young, I had many people who were there, the ones who mattered. The ones I choose for myself. You, a little kid who just came into the world didn't know how to walk the path of life yet. I wanted to help you, I wanted to be your guide and walk alongside you. We don't share any blood but I don't think of you as any less than my family." 

Naruto listened without saying a word, his expression soft, his eyes never leaving mine. He nodded slowly, each movement filled with silent understanding. 

I could see the memories stirring behind his eyes, old emotions flickering just beneath the horizon. Then, his smile faltered, just a little, and his gaze drifted downward. A subtle sadness crept into his features, like something I said had struck a deeper chord. 

He looked away for a moment, lost in thought, his brows knitting together slightly. It wasn't rejection, it was reflection. Like he, too, was remembering the past. 

"The last time I saw you..." I could hear the pain in his voice, the slight tremble of his lip. "I had called you mom. I was so, so happy that I finally found someone. That I finally found a family. Then..." 

He trailed off, but he didn't need to say the rest. The Uchiha massacre. When everyone thought they lost me. When I lost myself. My home, my family, and my identity. 

Before I could think about more memories of the past, Naruto suddenly grabbed my hands, holding them together in his with a deeply apologetic look. 

"Shishi," he started, but cringed slightly once the words left his mouth. "I am sorry." 

I raised a brow, confused about the sudden apology. 

"Whatever for?" I didn't understand. 

Naruto shook his head, "when I was younger, I called your mom." 

I did remember that, But I don't see the problem with it. I was about to ask again before he answered for me. 

"I know I called you mom, but that's how I felt. You were the only person in my life who cared for me, so I thought that you were what a mother would've felt like. I'm sorry I pushed that on you, you were only a kid too." 

I gave his hands a gentle squeeze, smiling through the emotion building in my chest. 

"I didn't mind the name," I murmured softly, "but it's not my place to claim it." 

My voice was steady, but inside, I was reeling. I'd forgotten, so many times, that I was just a kid back then too. I carried so much responsibility—guiding others, protecting, pretending I knew what I was doing. 

But I was just as lost as everyone else. Just a child trying to feel useful. Trying to matter. I looked at Naruto, at the guilt in his eyes, and shook my head. 

"You didn't do anything wrong," I added, gently. "I wanted to be there for you. I still do." 

The memories came flooding back. Me holding his tiny hand, brushing his hair back, keeping him close like he was mine to protect. Maybe I needed him too, more than I ever realized. 

"It was a tough time, being half an Uchiha and a child. We both suffered years of hatred and social isolation, the circumstances definitely made our bond stronger. I'm glad it lasted all these years. I'm so very happy that it did." 

Naruto and I hugged it out once more, clinging to each other like the fear of us breaking away was a fear come true if we let go. 

But I didn't feel entirely free from guilt. I am not strong enough to tell him the whole truth, but he will learn it. He will understand me, understand in time that I was doing this to protect him. 

Well, it isn't the full truth. It is to protect myself. I am not strong enough to tell him, but I am strong enough to admit that I know it. 

Before, I couldn't see it, I was blinded by the situations I was in. But now my eyes are clear, and I will deceive everyone with a clean mind. 

Naruto, I haven't seen you in a while. But even though I was threatened into leaving the village, I knew I couldn't see you for a while. 

It's not because of Obito's words. It was me being a coward. I knew I hurt you, I hurt many people. But I couldn't bear to see the look on your face if I showed up alive again. 

I knew you would welcome me back with open arms, I knew you would be mad. I knew you would be sad, so very sad. 

And I couldn't bear to see that look on your face. The relief of me being alive, all those emotions, it would make everything worth it. 

But I still couldn't do it. I was a coward and I was selfish. I knew if I came back, I would never leave again, and I couldn't do that. I still had things I needed to do. People I needed to take care of. 

I had many people after me, and many more threatening me. Now I know how Minato felt when he didn't give you his last name. 

He did it to protect you. He also had many enemies and he didn't want you to have a walking target on your back. He didn't want those who hated him to hate you just for being his son. 

I felt the same. I didn't want those who knew me to go after you even more than they are doing right now. You are already a walking target, I didn't want to make it worse. 

But in time, you'll be strong enough to know the whole truth. 

"Kakashi said I had a say on whether you came back or not, whether you could be trusted." Naruto didn't sound too happy when talking about my coming back to the village and how everyone was against me. 

"And what will you say?" I asked, sounding curious. 

"Was there a doubt? Even before I saw you I was going to bring you back. If I bring you back, that means I'm one step closer to bringing Sasuke back." 

I smiled at his ambition, "You promise?" 

There wasn't a doubt in his eyes. "Of course! That's my nindō, my ninja way!"

A/n Are y'all happy? Enjoy~