The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow over the campsite. The fire had died down hours ago, leaving only faint wisps of smoke curling into the crisp, cold air. Samui stirred from her bedroll, blinking sleep from her eyes as she pulled Naruto's cloak tighter around her shoulders. The chill of the morning was sharp, biting through the fabric of her clothes, but the warmth of his cloak helped stave it off.

Across from her, Naruto was already awake, sitting near the embers of the fire. His knees were pulled up, his arms resting on them as he stared into the distance, clearly lost in thought. Samui watched him for a moment, noting the tension in his body, the way his expression seemed more subdued than usual.

She sat up, adjusting the cloak around her, and let out a quiet breath. "You didn't sleep."

Naruto blinked, turning to look at her. He gave a small shrug, offering a faint smile. "I'm fine."

Samui raised an eyebrow, her gaze steady on him. "Liar."

He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, maybe I didn't sleep much. But it's not like I'm tired or anything."

She studied him for a moment, then shook her head as she stood up, brushing off the dirt from her clothes. "You should have rested."

"I know. I just… couldn't stop thinking about the Raikage. About what's coming next." He glanced at her, his blue eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Do you really think there's a chance I can convince him?"

Samui looked away, pulling the cloak tighter around her as the cold morning air pressed in. "The Raikage isn't easily swayed. He's not like your Hokage."

Naruto frowned, standing up as well. "I know he's angry about Sasuke, but… if I explain things, if I show him how much I believe Sasuke can change, maybe he'll listen."

Samui sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "Belief isn't enough, Naruto. The Raikage is focused on protecting his village, and right now, he sees Sasuke as a threat. He's not going to change his mind just because you care."

Naruto's shoulders slumped slightly, frustration clear in his eyes. "But I have to try. I can't just give up on Sasuke."

"I'm not saying you should give up," Samui said, her voice soft but firm. "But you need to be prepared for the fact that he might not listen."

Naruto stared at her for a long moment, the weight of her words settling over him. "So, you think I'm wasting my time?"

She shook her head, stepping closer. "No. I think it's important to try. Your capacity to care for others is something I admire of you. But you also need to protect yourself. The Raikage… he's lost his brother. He thinks Sasuke killed Bee."

Naruto looked down, his fists loosening as he absorbed her words. "I just… I don't know how to make him understand."

Samui let out a quiet breath, stepping even closer to him, the warmth of the cloak she still wore reminding her of the small, unexpected moment of connection from the night before. She glanced down at the cloak, feeling its soft weight on her shoulders, and then looked back at him.

"You're always thinking about others," she said quietly, her gaze softening. "But you have to think about yourself too, Naruto."

Naruto looked up, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Samui hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "If Sasuke keeps going down this path… he might turn on you. And if he does, you need to be ready for that."

Naruto blinked, his expression faltering. "Sasuke wouldn't attack me."

"You don't know that," Samui said, her voice even but laced with concern. "He's working with dangerous people. If they tell him to take you out, or if he thinks you're in his way…"

Naruto shook his head, his voice strained. "But I don't want to fight him."

Samui's gaze softened further. She stepped closer, reaching out to place a hand on his arm, her touch light but steady. "I know you don't. But if it comes to that… you need to be ready to protect yourself."

He stared at her, his eyes wide, and for a moment, she saw the vulnerability beneath his usual bravado. He was strong, and determined, but he was also scared—scared of losing someone he cared about, scared of being forced to make an impossible choice.

"I don't want to lose him," Naruto whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "But I don't want to hurt him either."

Samui felt a tightness in her chest, a pang of empathy she hadn't expected. She glanced away for a moment, then looked back at him, her voice quiet. "No one said it would be easy. But you're not alone in this." She paused, her next words soft, but sincere. "I'm with you."

Naruto blinked, surprised by her words. "You are?"

Samui gave a small nod, her eyes steady on his. "Yes."

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the cold morning air swirling around them, but the warmth between them—unspoken but present—was enough to ward off the chill. Samui hadn't expected this, hadn't expected to care about someone like Naruto, but here she was, standing beside him, offering him something she hadn't offered anyone in a long time—her trust.

Naruto let out a slow breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thanks, Samui. I didn't think… I didn't expect you to be here with me."

She gave a small shrug, her voice calm but genuine. "Maybe I'm not as cold as you think."

Naruto chuckled softly, his smile returning. "I never thought that."

Samui felt the corners of her mouth lift slightly, a rare smile tugging at her lips. "Good."

There was a brief pause, and then Naruto reached out, taking the edge of the cloak that still hung around her shoulders. "You can keep this, you know. It looks better on you anyway."

She raised an eyebrow, giving him a sidelong glance. "Don't read too much into it."

He grinned, his eyes bright again. "Too late."

Samui shook her head, but there was no bite to her words. "You're impossible."

He laughed softly, and for the first time that morning, the tension between them eased. It wasn't much, but it was enough—a small moment of connection, a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty and danger, they could still find warmth in each other.

"Come on," Samui said after a moment, pulling Naruto's cloak tighter around herself. "We should get moving. The Raikage won't wait for us."

Naruto nodded, his expression more resolved now. "Yeah. I'm ready."

As they packed up their camp and prepared to head out, the morning sun began to break through the trees, casting long shadows over the forest floor.

The wind howled outside, rattling the wooden shutters of the inn, its icy breath seeping into the room. Naruto sat on the edge of the bed, his head hanging low, hands gripping his knees. His usual energy had up and went away, leaving behind a heavy silence. Samui stood by the door, arms crossed, her expression calm but thoughtful as she watched him.

"I really tried," Naruto muttered, finally breaking the icy silence. "I bowed my head…I begged, and all they did was laugh. I just wanted them to see that Sasuke isn't too far gone. I thought if they saw how much I believed in him, they'd understand.

Samui stayed quiet for a moment before speaking, her voice soft yet steady. "They don't see him the way you do, Naruto. For them, the Uchiha's not just a missing nin. He's a national enemy."

Naruto looked up towards the other blonde, frustration flashing in his eyes. "S-Sasuke's just lost…" Naruto let out, yet day by day those words became harder and harder to believe.

She stepped forward, opting to sit by him on his bedside. "To the Raikage, Sasuke's not lost. He attacked his brother. It's not something we can just forgive."

Naruto shook his head, standing up and pacing. "But Sasuke isn't evil! He's just… I can bring him back. I know I can."

Samui's eyes softened, but her tone remained steady. "Naruto, not everyone can be saved."

He stopped pacing, turning to her, his expression hardening. "I don't believe that. There's always a way."

"Sometimes there isn't," she replied quietly, her words like a calm, steady stream. "Sasuke's choices have led him down a dangerous path. He's working with the Akatsuki, hunting jinchūriki. He's crossed too many lines."

Naruto's hands shook slightly, his voice low. "So, what am I supposed to do? Just give up on him?"

Samui shook her head. "Letting go isn't giving up. It's accepting that there are some things—some people—you can't control. You've done everything you can."

"But it's like betraying him if I stop trying," Naruto said, his voice cracking, the emotion raw in his words.

Samui let out a soft breath, her eyes focusing on him as he struggled with the weight of his emotions. She could see the battle inside him, the desire to save his friend warring with the reality of what Sasuke had become.

She stood up and held his hand, her voice calm but carrying an edge of concern. "Naruto… you need to think about yourself, too."

He looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

Samui held his gaze, her face serious. "Sasuke isn't the person you remember. He's not the same boy you grew up with. If you keep chasing him, trying to pull him back, you might end up in his path. And I don't think you've considered what happens if he sees you as a threat."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly, his expression flickering with disbelief. "Sasuke wouldn't attack me."

"You don't know that," she said, her voice firmer now. "He's working with the Akatsuki, following their orders. If they tell him to take you out, or if he thinks you're standing in his way…" She trailed off, letting the gravity of her words sink in.

"Let me ask you something, Naruto," Samui said, her face hardening. "If he decides to destroy the Hidden Leaf, what would you do? Would you continue to turn a blind eye and let him do whatever he wishes like an obedient dog?"

Naruto's eyes widened. Just as he was about to object, Samui continued. "Your village needs you. Your friends… need you." Her voice softened further, "Will you abandon your friends just because you don't want any harm to Sasuke?"

Naruto clenched his fists, his expression hard and resolute. "If I have to fight Sasuke, I will. I don't want to, but if he comes after the village, I'll stop him. Even if it means going up against him."

Samui studied him quietly for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle between them. She could see the determination in his eyes, the same stubborn fire she'd seen when he stood before the Raikage. But beneath that fire, there was something else — a conflict that he hadn't yet faced

"You're prepared to fight him?" she asked, her tone calm but pointed.

Naruto nodded, his jaw clenched. "I won't let him destroy the Leaf. If Sasuke's really gone down that path, then I'll do whatever it takes to stop him."

Samui stood from the bedside and moved closer, crossing her arms as she looked at him carefully. "But you still believe you can save him. You've spent all this time fighting for him, believing that you could bring him back."

"I do believe that," Naruto said, his voice tight. "I have to believe that. But if he doesn't stop, if he keeps attacking people—then I'll have no choice."

Her eyes softened slightly, but her tone remained steady. "You see the contradiction, don't you?"

Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"You can't save someone and fight them at the same time," she said simply. "You're preparing yourself to battle Sasuke, even kill him, but you're still holding on to the hope that you can bring him back. Which is it?"

Naruto's expression tightened, his gaze dropping. "I don't know… I want to believe I can save him, but I'm ready if I can't."

"Are you?" Samui asked quietly, stepping closer. "Are you really ready to face Sasuke knowing that you might have to stop him for good?"

Naruto stared at her, the weight of her question hitting him hard. "I—" His voice wavered for the first time. "I don't want to kill him."

Samui nodded, her gaze steady. "But if it comes to that, you might have to. That's what you're preparing for, isn't it?"

Naruto swallowed, his hands trembling slightly at his sides. He hadn't fully allowed himself to think about that part—not deeply. The idea of fighting Sasuke was one thing, but ending him? It was too much, too final.

"I won't let it get that far," Naruto said, shaking his head, as if trying to convince himself as much as her. "I'll stop him before it reaches that point."

Samui's voice softened, though her words remained firm. "But that's the thing, Naruto—you don't get to decide how far Sasuke's willing to go. You can only control your own choices. And right now, you're trapped between two different paths: saving him or stopping him. You can't do both."

Naruto's face tightened in frustration, his fists trembling. "But I have to try."

Samui let out a slow breath, moving to stand directly in front of him. She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle. "I understand that. But you need to be honest with yourself about what's really happening here. If Sasuke's chosen this path, if he's working with the Akatsuki… he might already be too far gone."

Naruto stared at her, his eyes full of conflict and confusion. "I can't believe that. I can't accept that he's… gone."

"I know," Samui said, her voice softer now. "But the longer you hold onto that belief, the more you're putting yourself at risk. And that worries me." The last part she hadn't meant to utter.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by her words. "Worries you?"

Samui hesitated, realizing the weight of what she had just said. She wasn't used to revealing her emotions so openly, especially not on a mission like this. Her calm exterior had always been her shield, but now, standing before Naruto, she felt that shield slip. She looked into his eyes — confusion, exhaustion, and a flicker of hope — and suddenly felt more vulnerable than she'd ever allowed herself to be.

"Yes," she admitted quietly, her hand still resting on his shoulder. She hadn't planned to let it show, but now it was out there, and she had to face it. "It worries me."

Naruto blinked, clearly caught off guard. He wasn't used to people worrying about him like this — he was used to being the one who carried everyone else's burdens. "Samui…"

She could see the confusion on his face, but instead of pulling away, she let her fingers tighten slightly on his shoulder, grounding herself. "You've been pushing yourself so hard, Naruto. First to save Sasuke, now to stop him if you have to. But what about you? Have you stopped to think about what this is doing to you?"

Naruto opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. His fists, which had been trembling with frustration moments ago, were now unclenched as the weight of her words began to sink in.

"You've been so focused on saving Sasuke," Samui continued, her voice softer, yet still carrying that steady calm, "that you're losing sight of yourself. The more you keep chasing him, the more you're putting yourself in danger—emotionally and physically. You're prepared to fight him, but have you really considered what it'll do to you if you lose that fight?"

Naruto's gaze fell to the floor. "I… I don't know. I've thought about it, but… I can't just stop."

Samui's heart tightened at his words. She had seen this kind of loyalty before, the kind that blinded people to the dangers in front of them. She admired it, but it also terrified her. "There's a difference between trying to save someone and sacrificing yourself for them. You have to see that, Naruto."

Samui's gaze softened, and she let out a small sigh, her own emotions bubbling up in ways she hadn't expected. "I know this isn't easy for you. You're carrying the weight of your village, your friends, and Sasuke all on your shoulders. But sometimes, Naruto, you need to think about yourself too."

Naruto looked up at her, the confusion in his eyes replaced with something more vulnerable. "I've always fought for others… it's what I've always done. I don't know how to stop."

"I know," Samui said gently, her hand slipping down his arm, her touch lingering. "And that's why I'm worried. You give so much of yourself that I'm afraid you'll lose sight of who you are."

Naruto stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. "But… why does it matter so much to you?"

Samui's breath caught, and she found herself at a loss for words. Why did it matter? Why had her usual detachment slipped away when it came to him? She hadn't allowed herself to care about someone like this—not for a long time.

She looked away for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. "I don't know," she said quietly, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability she wasn't used to showing. "I didn't expect it to. But… it does."

Naruto's expression softened, and he reached out, gently placing his hand on top of hers. "Samui…"

Samui felt her heart skip at the warmth of Naruto's hand resting on hers. She wasn't used to this, to the quiet connection that seemed to pulse between them in that moment. Her usual steady composure threatened to crack, but she held on, fighting the urge to pull away.

"I didn't plan on this," she admitted softly, her gaze flickering between his hand and his eyes. "I didn't expect to care. I've spent most of my life keeping people at a distance. It's easier that way… safer."

Naruto's expression softened, his voice gentle. "You don't have to keep everyone out, you know. You're allowed to let people in."

Samui let out a shaky breath, her eyes drifting to the floor. "It's not that simple. I can't afford to let my guard down, not with everything at stake."

Naruto's grip on her hand tightened slightly, his voice full of understanding. "I get it. I really do. But that doesn't mean you have to shut yourself off. You don't have to do everything alone."

Samui swallowed, feeling the truth of his words hit her in a way she hadn't expected. She had always been the calm, collected one—the one who didn't get too close. But now, standing here with Naruto, she was starting to realize just how much she had let him in, and it scared her.

"You're different," she murmured, barely audible, as if speaking more to herself than to him. "I've never met someone like you."

Naruto's eyes stayed on her, unwavering. "Is that a good thing?"

She hesitated, her emotions swirling inside her. Part of her wanted to pull away, to retreat into the safety of her usual detachment. But another part—a part she hadn't acknowledged until now — wanted to stay close to him, to let herself feel the connection that had formed between them.

"I… don't know yet," she admitted quietly, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "It might be…"

Naruto's smile was soft, full of warmth and sincerity. "I'm glad to hear that."

Samui cleared her throat, feeling the need to restore some of the distance between them—but not too much. "You should get some rest. We still have a long way to go tomorrow."

Naruto nodded, his expression still thoughtful but lighter. "Yeah, I will."

She turned toward the door, ready to leave, but paused just before stepping out. Without looking back, she added, "And Naruto… don't forget what I said. You matter too."

Naruto's voice followed her as she stepped into the hallway. "I won't. Thanks, Samui."

As she closed the door behind her, Samui leaned against the wall for a moment, letting out a slow breath. Her mind was racing with emotions she wasn't ready to confront, but she couldn't deny it anymore—something had shifted between them.

And for the first time, she wasn't sure if that scared her or comforted her.

Originally, this chapter was part of the previous one, but I decided to split it into two chapters instead. Naruto's slowly breaking, and then healing, while Samui's starting to open up. Very wholesome. Plus, Naruto's getting a taste of his own medicine. Seeing Naruto himself get talk-no-jutsu'd. How ironic.

Thanks for reading.