A/N: If you've seen the comment from someone who likely hasn't read beyond Chapter 1, I'd like to address this question (because it made me think too hehe):

Does Hinata have Stockholm Syndrome?
Not entirely. While some aspects of her growing affection for Sasuke might seem similar to Stockholm Syndrome at first glance, there are key differences:

(1) Sasuke's Role: Sasuke evolves from being a captor to becoming a partner in survival. Though initially coercive, his actions later shift toward protectiveness and respect, moving away from a typical captor-victim dynamic.
(2) Hinata's Agency: Hinata consistently retains her independence and moral clarity. Her feelings for Sasuke develop from understanding his pain and their shared experiences, not out of fear or dependency.

So, Hinata does not display Stockholm Syndrome in the traditional sense. Her emotional connection to Sasuke grows naturally, shaped by their mutual hardships and gradual trust, rather than being a coping mechanism for mistreatment. It's worth noting that once they settled in the village, Sasuke neither physically nor mentally abused Hinata, nor did he force himself on her. Their first intimate moment was consensual, and Sasuke never again reminded her of the "role" she was meant to fulfill after their initial arrival (even the thought of bearing children faded from her mind, as she had admitted back in Chapter 20). By Chapter 22, even Hinata observes how Sasuke had shifted into a peaceful, cooperative mode, allowing her to live without constant reminders of their earlier arrangement.

That said, I genuinely value different perspectives—it's always fascinating to see how readers interpret the story. Feedback like this highlights how storytelling can be layered and subjective. However, it's unfortunate when criticism is presented in a deliberately offensive or provocative way. Still, we can't control how others choose to express themselves.

Thank you so much for taking the time to engage so deeply with my work! I have to admit, stepping into this story has been a challenge for me. I'm more accustomed to writing fluffy, sweet, and short moments, so shifting to a serious tone (especially for fight scenes) has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I apologize if those scenes don't feel fully polished; I'm still working on refining them. For now, I'm sticking to the basics (Sharingan and all) since their abilities can get reeeeeally complicated. I appreciate your patience and support.

Moving on... Thanks cherrymarce, I'll try to write longer chapters for you :)

CHAPTER 25

Hinata's hands trembled slightly as she folded the last of their belongings, carefully tucking away her herbs and salves. Her lavender eyes swept over the small house they had called home for the past few weeks. The simple, cozy space had grown dear to her—the scent of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling, the warmth of the fireplace they had built together, and the gentle murmur of the lake just outside. Everything about this place whispered peace, a fragile dream now slipping through her fingers.

She turned her gaze to Sasuke, who stood near the door, his katana resting against the wall. His dark eyes were fixed on the horizon, unreadable as always. Yet, Hinata had come to know the subtleties of his expression—the slight tightening of his jaw, the almost imperceptible shift in his stance. He was as affected by this as she was, though he'd never admit it.

"Where will we go?" Hinata asked softly, breaking the heavy silence.

Sasuke turned his gaze to her, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. "Somewhere farther. More remote. We can't risk staying close to villages anymore."

Hinata nodded, though her chest tightened with the weight of his words. "Do you have a specific place in mind?"

"There's a valley a few days from here," Sasuke replied after a moment of thought. "It's isolated, surrounded by mountains, with rivers and forests. Few people venture that deep into the wilderness."

Hinata's brow furrowed slightly. "Will we... be safe there?"

Sasuke's gaze darkened for a moment. "For a while. It's defensible and hard to reach. If anyone finds us, we'll have the advantage."

Hinata's heart sank further. A life on the run, always looking over our shoulders. Will this ever end?

Despite her sadness, she knew Sasuke was right. Staying in the village would only endanger the kind people who had taken them in. With a deep breath, she finished packing her belongings and straightened, her gaze meeting his.

"I'm ready," she said quietly.

Sasuke nodded, picking up his own pack and securing his katana at his side. "Then let's go."

The trek was long and grueling, the terrain growing more rugged as they ventured deeper into the wilderness. The path led them through dense forests, rocky slopes, and narrow mountain trails. Despite her sadness, Hinata found solace in the beauty of their surroundings—the towering trees, the sound of rushing water from hidden streams, and the vibrant wildflowers that dotted the landscape.

Sasuke moved with purpose, his steps steady and confident as he led the way. He glanced back at her occasionally, his sharp eyes assessing her condition. Though he didn't say much, he slowed his pace when he noticed her faltering, silently ensuring she could keep up.

After three days of travel, they reached the valley Sasuke had spoken of. It was a secluded haven, surrounded by towering cliffs and thick forests. A clear river ran through the center, its waters glinting in the sunlight. The area was teeming with life—birds sang in the trees, and the air smelled of fresh pine and wildflowers.

"This will do," Sasuke said, his gaze sweeping over the valley.

Hinata nodded, her heart aching with a mix of relief and sadness. It was beautiful, but it didn't feel like home. Not yet.

Over the next few days, they worked to establish a new routine. Sasuke constructed a small shelter near the river, using the resources around them to create a simple but sturdy home. Hinata helped where she could, her delicate hands surprisingly adept at weaving reeds and arranging stones.

The valley offered an abundance of food—fish from the river, edible plants from the forest, and small game that Sasuke hunted with ease. Hinata began planting herbs and flowers near their shelter, determined to create a sense of normalcy in their ever-changing lives.

Yet, despite the peace of their surroundings, a shadow lingered over Hinata's heart. She couldn't stop replaying the events that had forced them to leave the village. If only I had turned a blind eye… The thought made her chest tighten with guilt. If she hadn't stopped to help that stranger, they could still be in the village, safe and at peace.

But how could she have done that? Ignored someone in need? It went against everything she believed in, everything she stood for. She had found a new purpose in the village, healing the sick and helping the injured. Even Sasuke had begun to soften, his once-icy demeanor thawing as he adapted to the rhythms of village life. He wasn't as cruel or as cold as he used to be. Deep down, Hinata knew he had learned to love the peace as much as she had.

And now, it was gone.

As Hinata sat by the river, her hands idly weaving a garland of wildflowers, she stared at the horizon, her lavender eyes misty. Sasuke didn't blame her—he had never once said a word about it—but she blamed herself. This is my fault.

The quiet murmur of the water and the distant call of birds filled the air. Sasuke joined her, his presence quiet but grounding as he sat beside her, watching the water flow.

"Do you miss the village?" he asked suddenly, his voice breaking the silence.

Hinata looked up, her lavender eyes reflecting the fading light. "Yes," she admitted softly. "It was... peaceful. I liked the people there. They were kind."

Sasuke nodded, his gaze fixed on the flowing water. "We couldn't stay."

"I know," Hinata said, her voice tinged with sadness. "But I still miss it."

Sasuke was silent for a moment before speaking again. "This place... it can be ours. If we make it."

Hinata blinked, surprised by his words. She looked at him, her heart softening slightly. "Do you think we'll ever stop running?"

Sasuke's expression darkened, his voice low. "I don't know. But I'll make sure you're safe, no matter what."

Hinata smiled faintly, her chest tightening with unspoken emotions. "Thank you."

Sasuke's gaze lingered on her, his expression softening in a way that was rare for him. Without a word, he leaned closer, his hand brushing against her cheek as he tilted her face toward him. Hinata's breath hitched, her heart pounding as their eyes locked. Then, slowly, he kissed her.

The kiss was gentle at first, a quiet reassurance, but it deepened as Hinata responded, her hands coming to rest lightly on his chest. For a moment, the weight of their struggles faded, leaving only the warmth of their connection.

When they parted, Sasuke's gaze was steady, filled with an unspoken promise. Hinata's cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. "Sasuke..." she began, but the words caught in her throat.

Ever since that night in the village when they had first made love, their intimacy had grown. Hinata didn't know when it had started to change, but now it no longer felt like duty or obligation. What had begun as a demand—Sasuke's intention for her to bear his children due to the scroll's prophecy—had transformed into something deeper. Their shared moments now carried tenderness, a quiet understanding that neither of them could fully articulate.

As they sat together by the river, Hinata felt the faint stirrings of hope. Perhaps, even in the midst of their exile, they could carve out a life together. A fragile peace, but theirs nonetheless.

The days in the valley passed in a peaceful rhythm. The serene surroundings and absence of immediate threats allowed Sasuke and Hinata to settle further into their new life. They found a fragile comfort in their routines—Sasuke hunting and fishing while Hinata tended her growing herb and flower garden. Their small shelter by the river began to feel less like a temporary refuge and more like a home.

Though they spoke little during the day, the quiet moments they shared at night became more meaningful. Sasuke's stoic demeanor softened, his usual sharpness giving way to a quiet protectiveness. Hinata, in turn, found herself opening up, her shy and hesitant nature gradually replaced by a quiet confidence in his presence.

The valley was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the distant sound of the river. Sasuke crouched near the edge of their small shelter, sharpening his katana with precise, deliberate movements. The rhythm calmed his restless mind, but his gaze kept flicking toward Hinata. She was kneeling a few steps away, arranging herbs she had gathered that morning. Her delicate hands moved with a practiced grace, and the soft hum of a tune under her breath drifted toward him.

He frowned, the blade pausing under the whetstone. Why did she always look so at ease, even in a place like this? Didn't she understand the danger they were in?

But that wasn't true, he admitted to himself. Hinata understood the risks better than most. She had stayed despite everything—despite him. That thought stirred an unfamiliar weight in his chest, one he had been trying to ignore ever since they fled the village.

His jaw tightened as he resumed sharpening the blade, trying to bury the thoughts. Feelings like this were a distraction, a liability. Caring for someone meant giving them the power to hurt you. He had learned that lesson long ago, and yet…

She looked up suddenly, catching his gaze. She offered him a small, tentative smile, and something inside him softened before he could stop it. He grunted and returned his attention to the katana, feigning indifference.

Later, as they prepared for bed, Hinata paused by the small pallet they shared. She hesitated, then turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Sasuke… do you ever regret leaving everything behind?"

He stilled, the question catching him off guard. He didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the katana he was laying against the wall. Finally, he said, "Regret is useless. It changes nothing."

She nodded, though her eyes held a glimmer of sadness. "Still… it must be hard."

Sasuke clenched his jaw. He hated how her voice softened when she spoke of his struggles, as though she could see right through the walls he had built. He hated it even more because a part of him wanted to hear that softness, to feel the reassurance it carried.

"It doesn't matter," he said gruffly. "I'll do what needs to be done."

Hinata didn't press him further, but her quiet presence lingered as they lay down for the night. As sleep crept over him, Sasuke found himself instinctively shifting closer, the warmth of her beside him an odd comfort he couldn't bring himself to resist.

The next morning, he woke to find her by the river, weaving flowers into a garland again. The sight was almost jarring in its simplicity. How could she find the time for something so frivolous when their lives were balanced on the edge of a knife?

Yet, he didn't interrupt. He stayed back, watching as her fingers moved deftly, her expression serene. When she finished, she turned and saw him.

"Sasuke," she said, her voice gentle. "Good morning."

He didn't respond, his dark eyes fixed on the garland in her hands. Without thinking, he stepped forward and plucked it from her grasp. Hinata blinked, startled, but didn't protest as he studied it, his brow furrowed.

"You waste time on things like this," he said, his tone gruff. But instead of discarding it, he set it down carefully on top of her head.

Hinata's lips curved into a small smile. "It's not a waste. It makes me happy."

Sasuke didn't answer. He turned away, his hands curling into fists at his sides. Happy. The word felt foreign to him, almost foolish. And yet, for a fleeting moment, he wondered if such a thing could exist for them, here in this quiet valley.

If he could give it to her.

"I'll be back later," he said.

Hinata nodded and stood up, brushing the grass from her skirt. "Lunch will be ready when you're back," she said gently, a small, hopeful smile tugging at her lips.

Sasuke glanced at her, his expression softening just enough to be noticeable. "Hn," he replied, stepping closer to flick her forehead lightly with two fingers.

Hinata blinked in surprise, her hand instinctively flying to the spot. Before she could say anything, Sasuke was already turning away, his usual stoicism slipping back into place.

They went their separate ways, a quiet understanding lingering between them— something unspoken and fragile, like the first spark of warmth after a long winter.

Hinata stirred the pot of stew over the fire, her hands steady despite the storm of emotions that often churned within her.

As the stew bubbled gently, Hinata felt it—a sharp, familiar pulse of chakra slicing through the calm like a blade. Her heart skipped, her senses on high alert. She stood abruptly, wiping her hands on her apron, and stepped out of the shelter.

The presence grew stronger, closer, and then he appeared.

"Naruto," Hinata breathed, her voice trembling.

The orange-clad shinobi stepped into the clearing, his bright hair catching the sunlight, his blue eyes blazing with determination. His presence, as always, was both a comfort and a challenge.

"Hinata," he said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "I finally found you."