Naruto noticed Sasuke's expression then. Ever since entering Sasuke's dream through the Sheep Talisman that day and learning of his pain, Naruto had worried about him.
So, hoping to comfort him, Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder and flashed his trademark sunny grin.
Sasuke jolted, yanked out of his painful memories.
He hated being touched without warning. He hated even more that someone had seen him at his most vulnerable.
Instinctively, he jerked his shoulder and violently threw off the hand, letting out a warning snort. "Hmph! Don't touch me, Dead Last!"
But when he turned and met those eyes, every vicious word he had ready caught in his throat.
Naruto Uzumaki was crouched beside him. Gone was his usual idiotic expression; in its place was unmistakable, heartfelt concern.
His bright blue eyes shone brilliantly in the sunlight, like flames that would never go out. There was no pity in them, only genuine concern.
He even wore that familiar, slightly goofy grin that somehow seemed able to chase away every shadow.
"Hey, Sasuke, thinking about that nightmare again? It's okay! I'm the guy who's going to become Hokage, remember? I'm here! I'll protect you!"
Naruto thumped his chest as he spoke, saying something hopelessly stupid and laughably childish.
Ordinarily, Sasuke would have mocked him without mercy.
But now, those foolish words and that brilliant smile were like a faint ray of sunlight piercing the thick walls of darkness around his heart.
He could still feel the touch on his shoulder.
Sasuke abruptly turned away, showing Naruto only his cold profile, as though that moment of weakness had never happened.
That idiot Naruto. He's always coming over for no reason.
It's infuriating!
Yet beneath his outward irritation, a warmth he refused to acknowledge slipped through his heart, briefly driving off