"He chose vengeance," Madara Uchiha said confidently, his voice cold and sure. "Sasuke's goal now is to take revenge on the Hidden Leaf—and destroy it."

The masked criminal stood calmly and aloof. He had appeared suddenly, without any sound, interrupting Naruto's morning routine, after some much-needed sleep.

Naruto stood frozen, his mind spinning. Destroy the Leaf? The words ricocheted through his thoughts, colliding with images of Sasuke—the friend he trained alongside, once called his brother. The truth struck him like a physical blow, but a part of him resisted. Is this really what Sasuke wants?

Madara's presence filled the room with a suffocating weight, his dark, masked figure looming by the window as if he were a shadow come to life, slipping effortlessly through the night.

Naruto's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. He could feel Samui beside him, her body tense, ready to strike at a moment's notice. She had instinctively stepped closer when Madara had appeared, positioning herself between Naruto and the Akatsuki leader. Her usually calm, composed eyes were now narrowed, every muscle coiled with alertness.

"Whether or not you choose to believe it is up to you," Madara continued, amusement threading through his voice. "Would you believe me when I say all I did was retell Itachi's story? Funny, isn't it? He became everything Itachi hoped he wouldn't." Madara chuckled.

Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, his feet rooted to the floor. "Why are you telling me this?" he demanded, his voice strained. "What do you get out of it?"

Madara shrugged, the movement casual, almost dismissive. "Nothing. Consider it… curiosity." His tone darkened, his gaze piercing through the mask. "You think you can save Sasuke? Like you saved Nagato?" He chuckled softly, the sound cold and sharp. "How selfish of you."

Naruto's breath caught, his mind reeling as Madara's words sliced through him. The comparison to Nagato stung in a way he hadn't expected. Was he really being selfish, trying to save Sasuke? Was it all just for his own sake? Madara's laughter grew, low and mocking. "I can't wait to see how this ends," he mused, savoring the idea. "A fight between yourself and Sasuke. Sounds predestined, in a way. I imagine it will be quite the spectacle."

His gaze flickered to Samui for the first time, as if he'd only just noticed her. "And you," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "What's a Cloud Shinobi doing here? Aren't you a little out of your depth?"

Samui's eyes hardened, her grip tightening around the kunai she had drawn the moment Madara appeared. She held her ground, her posture firm, unyielding. "That's none of your concern," she said coldly, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Madara chuckled again, his amusement clear. "Protective, are we? How noble."

Samui didn't respond, her gaze locked on him, unblinking. Her presence was like a shield between Naruto and the twisted figure before them. She could feel Naruto's turmoil behind her, the storm of emotions swirling inside him, but she remained focused, ready to act if Madara made a move.

Madara's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, then he turned his attention back to Naruto. "You can chase Sasuke all you want, but it's already too late. He's chosen his path, and it's one that leads to the destruction of everything you hold dear. That's the reality of it all. Now we can both agree reality is trash, no?"

Madara's form began to flicker, his body dissolving into the shadows around him. "Enjoy the last moments of your delusion, Naruto. Soon you'll realize the folly of it all."

With a final, mocking chuckle, he disappeared, leaving the room empty and cold once again.

Naruto stood frozen, staring at the spot where Madara had vanished. The room felt suffocating, the echo of Madara's words heavy in the air.

Samui released a slow breath, her grip on her kunai relaxing but her eyes never leaving the spot where Madara had been. She could feel the weight of Naruto's emotions pressing in, his inner conflict palpable in the silence that followed.

"Are you alright…" she asked quietly, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of concern, "Naruto?"

Naruto didn't respond at first. His fists remained clenched, his mind racing with Madara's taunts, Sasuke's choices, and the suffocating doubt that had taken root. Finally, he shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know."

Samui watched Naruto closely, her gaze softening as the weight of his emotions pressed heavily on the room. She took a slow step closer, her voice quieter, but with an edge of urgency. "Naruto… you have to stop this."

He turned slightly, though he couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. "Stop what?"

"Chasing him." Her words came out firm, but there was a hint of something more—something deeper, conflicted. "You're putting everything on the line for someone who's already chosen his path."

Naruto's head dropped, his fists still clenched by his sides. "I can't give up on him." His words were uttered, yet lacking in belief.

Samui took another step forward, her breath steady as she fought to keep her composure. "Naruto, Sasuke isn't who you remember anymore. You heard Madara. He's consumed by hatred, and that's something you can't just pull him back from."

Slowly, she reached out, her hand hesitating just above his before gently resting there, her grip firm but comforting.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't care," Samui said softly, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability she rarely allowed herself to show. "But sometimes… saving someone means stopping them before they go too far. Sasuke's chosen a path that could destroy everything you've worked to protect."

Naruto exhaled heavily, his shoulders slumping as he finally met her gaze. "I know…" he said, his voice low, strained. "But it's hard to accept. I always believed that I could bring him back, you know?"

Naruto's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. "I keep thinking maybe… if I just try harder. If I get through to him, I can pull him back. But…" His voice cracked slightly, and he let out a frustrated breath. "Madara's right, isn't he? Sasuke's already chosen his path."

Samui's heart clenched at the pain in his voice. She could see the cracks forming in the wall he had built around his hope for Sasuke, and she knew that the truth was sinking in, even if he didn't want to face it completely yet. She moved closer, reaching out and gently placing a hand on his arm. Her touch was steady, grounding.

"He has," she said quietly. "Sasuke's gone too far. He's made choices that can't be undone, hurt people who did him no wrong. And if you keep chasing after him, you're going to get hurt, Naruto. You'll lose yourself trying to save someone who doesn't want to be saved."

Naruto looked down at the floor, the weight of her words settling over him like a heavy blanket. "But if I give up on him… I'll be no different from everyone else who abandoned him."

"You're not abandoning him," Samui said firmly, her voice carrying a quiet strength. "You've done more for him than anyone else would have. You gave him chances—more than he deserved. But at some point, you have to protect yourself, too. The village. Your friends. Everyone you care about."

Naruto hesitated, the conflict in his eyes still present, but the fire that had fueled his relentless pursuit of Sasuke was dimming. "I just… I didn't want it to end this way," he admitted, his voice quieter now, more resigned. "I didn't want to be the one to stop him."

Samui's heart softened, and she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle embrace. He stiffened for a moment, surprised, but then slowly relaxed into the comfort of her presence. "I know you didn't," she whispered, her voice soft against his ear. "But sometimes, the people we care about go down paths we can't follow. And stopping them is the only way to save them."

Naruto closed his eyes, leaning into her embrace. He could feel the truth of her words, even though a part of him still wanted to hold onto the hope that Sasuke could be saved. But that hope felt more distant now, more like a fading memory.

Naruto exhaled, his breath shuddering as the weight of everything—the years of chasing Sasuke, the constant hope, the pain—began to settle into something more manageable. "Maybe you're right," he said quietly, though the admission felt heavy in his chest. "Maybe… maybe it's time to stop."

Samui pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze. Her eyes were steady, her expression gentle but serious. "You're not giving up, Naruto. You're doing what you need to do to protect everyone. That's what being a Hokage is about. Great leaders will sacrifice things dear to him for the benefit of the majority."

Naruto swallowed hard, his throat tight, but he nodded slowly. "Yeah… I guess you're right." He paused, his voice quieter now. "I just think…No. You really think I'm not betraying him?"

Samui shook her head gently, her hand resting on his cheek, her thumb brushing softly against his skin. "You're not betraying him. You're doing what you have to do. And that's harder than anything else."

Naruto stared into her eyes, his own still clouded with the pain and conflict of everything weighing on him. For the first time, though, he felt the smallest spark of relief—like a burden he'd been carrying for so long had begun to lighten, even if only a little. He exhaled softly, the tension in his chest easing with every breath.

"I… I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you here right now," Naruto said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. The vulnerability in his words hung in the air between them, raw and honest.

Samui's expression softened, her eyes flickering with something she hadn't allowed herself to fully acknowledge before. Her hand still rested on his arm, and she gave it a gentle squeeze, offering silent reassurance.

Without thinking, Naruto leaned in ever so slightly, drawn toward her warmth, her calm presence in the midst of his storm. There was no urgency, no pressure, just a quiet moment of connection.

Samui hesitated for a heartbeat, feeling the shift between them. The pain, the worry, and the weight of their shared emotions brought them closer, but there was something unspoken lingering between them. Slowly, almost tentatively, she closed the distance, her lips brushing softly against his in a small, fleeting kiss.

It was brief—delicate, like a whisper.

When they pulled apart, neither of them moved far. Their foreheads pressed together, eyes closed for a moment longer, just breathing in the quietness of that shared space.

Naruto's heart pounded, not from uncertainty, but from the surprising comfort the kiss had brought him. He hadn't expected it, but it didn't feel wrong. It felt… grounding. Like for the first time, in the middle of all his confusion and guilt, he wasn't alone.

The quiet lingered between them, the weight of their shared emotions filling the space, but it wasn't suffocating anymore. For the first time in what felt like forever, the tension that had gripped Naruto's heart began to ease, replaced by the warmth of Samui's presence.

Samui was the first to pull back, though she stayed close, her hand still resting gently on his arm. Her calm, composed mask had slipped slightly, revealing a vulnerability she rarely showed. Her blue eyes, usually so steady, now flickered with uncertainty as she searched Naruto's face for some kind of reassurance.

"Samui," Naruto began softly, his voice hoarse from the weight of everything they'd been through, "why are you… doing this? Why are you helping me so much?"

Samui blinked, caught off guard by the question. She hadn't expected him to ask—hadn't expected him to even notice how far she'd gone for him. She looked away for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to gather her thoughts.

"I…" She hesitated, the words not coming as easily as they usually did. She wasn't used to explaining herself, wasn't used to feeling this way. "I don't know."

Naruto frowned slightly, sensing there was more to it than that. "You've always there for me ever since we started our journey together. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you. But why?"

Samui exhaled softly, her gaze dropping to the floor. She didn't want to admit it—not even to herself—but the truth was undeniable now. She had grown to care for the teen, despite their short time together. She had been there for Naruto, not just because it was her duty, but because something about him had broken through the walls she had built around herself. His vulnerability, his determination, his willingness to care so deeply for others—it had stirred something inside her that she had long since buried.

"I'm not… good at this," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "At getting close to people. I've spent most of my life keeping everyone at arm's length, focusing on my duty. It was easier that way. Safer." She swallowed hard, her throat tight as memories of her past flickered at the edges of her mind.

"People… they try to get close, but I never let them. They'd say the right things, but there was always something underneath it. A motive. A desire for something else."

She exhaled, her gaze briefly flicking up to meet Naruto's before drifting to the side again. "I've dealt with men who only see me as a challenge. Someone they want to conquer, to break down. And I could always see right through them—because they weren't interested in me. They were interested in what they could get from me."

Naruto's frown deepened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Samui held up a hand, stopping him. "But you… you're different." Her voice softened, and she turned to look at him fully now, her eyes searching his for a moment before continuing. "From the moment we started this journey, you've been persistent, even though I used you. You never once backed down — not from me, not from your beliefs. But you weren't pushing because you wanted something from me. You weren't trying to break down my walls to see what was on the other side for your own gain."

Naruto's breath caught as Samui's gaze stayed on him, her expression unguarded in a way he had never seen before.

"The way you care, it's genuine. Every word you say, every action you take, it's real. There's no ulterior motive, no hidden agenda. You wanted to know me, not just what I could give you. And that…" She swallowed, her voice lowering, almost as if she were afraid to admit the truth. "That touched me more than I thought it ever could."

Samui's words hung in the air between them, the weight of her admission settling in the silence. She glanced down at her hands, her usually steady fingers trembling slightly. It wasn't just that Naruto had gotten close to her — it was that he had done so without even trying to. He had simply been himself, and that had been enough to break down the walls she had spent so long building.

"You made me realize that there are people who see me for more than just a skilled kunoichi or someone to conquer. You saw me as a person."

She paused, then added quietly, "And you made me see myself as a person again, too. It's…new, but it feels good."

Naruto's throat tightened at her words. He could see how hard this was for her to say, to let her guard down like this. The stoic, cool-headed Samui he had begun to admire had always seemed untouchable, unreachable in a way—but now, she was standing before him, raw and vulnerable.

Naruto's voice came out soft but steady. "I never wanted anything from you, Samui. I just… I wanted to be there for you. Like you've been there for me."

Samui's lips quirked into the faintest of smiles, though her eyes remained serious. "I know," she whispered. "And that's what makes you different."

The silence between them was comfortable now, filled with a mutual understanding that didn't need words. Samui was the first to break it, her voice a little stronger, though still tinged with vulnerability. "I don't let people get close, Naruto. I've never let anyone in, not like this; which was why I threw myself into my career, because that was all I knew."

Her hand, which had rested lightly on his arm, squeezed gently as she added, "I've never met anyone like you. Someone who's so persistent, but not because you want something from me. You just… care."

Naruto's heart thudded in his chest, his breath catching slightly. "I do care about you, Samui," he whispered, his voice full of sincerity.

She gave a small nod, her voice quieter now, but filled with more certainty than before. "I know."

"Naruto…" Samui said, after what seemingly felt like an eternity of silence.

"Yes?"

"Seeing that your room is no longer suitable for having a good night's rest…Come stay over in mine. The bed's enough for two."

Naruto's eyes widened as he stood bewildered.

Samui chuckled. "Are you coming?"

The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the village as Samui and Naruto stood at the gates. The air between them felt heavier than before, filled with unspoken words and emotions neither of them was ready to fully confront.

Samui stood with her hands loosely at her sides, her usual calm expression betraying a hint of hesitation. It was time to leave — time to return to her duties, to the Cloud, to the life she had always known. But after everything that had happened between them, it didn't feel the same.

Naruto turned to her, his gaze steady but softer than usual. "So… this is it, huh?" His voice was light, but there was an underlying heaviness as if he was unsure of how to say goodbye.

Samui nodded, though her eyes remained fixed on the horizon. "Yeah. It is." She paused, feeling the weight of the moment settle in her chest. "I'll be returning to the Cloud… my duties are calling."

There was a long silence, one that neither of them seemed eager to break. Finally, Naruto cleared his throat, his voice quieter now. "You've been there for me, Samui. I don't know how to thank you for everything."

Samui shifted slightly, her gaze finally meeting his. "You don't need to thank me. I was doing what I thought was right. But…," she hesitated, unsure if she should continue, "I should be the one thanking you."

Naruto blinked in surprise. "Me?"

Samui gave a small, rare smile. "Yeah. You've given me a lot to think about and made me see things differently. About myself. About people. And I don't forget things like that easily."

Naruto's lips quirked into a small smile of his own. "Well, I'm glad. I guess that makes us even, huh?"

Samui nodded, but something inside her tugged at her heart—a small, persistent feeling that she wasn't used to acknowledging. She took a step forward, her voice quieter, more vulnerable. "Naruto… whatever happens next, just… be careful, okay?"

Naruto's expression softened, and for a moment, the weight of everything between them seemed to dissolve into something lighter. He nodded. "I will. You too, Samui."

Slowly, almost cautiously, she reached out, her fingers brushing gently against his jaw. His skin was warm beneath her touch, and for the briefest of moments, Samui's heart stuttered in her chest. She had never been one to make bold gestures like this — never allowed herself to be so open, so exposed. But right now, with Naruto standing there, vulnerable and genuine as ever, she couldn't hold back.

Slowly, almost cautiously, she reached out, her fingers brushing gently against his jaw. His skin was warm beneath her touch, and for the briefest of moments, Samui's heart stuttered in her chest. She had never been one to make bold gestures like this—never allowed herself to be so open, so exposed. But right now, with Naruto standing there, vulnerable and genuine as ever, she couldn't hold back.

Her hand slid softly along his jawline, her thumb lightly tracing the curve of his chin. There was a quiet tenderness in the gesture, one that she hadn't allowed herself to show before. His breath caught, his eyes searching hers for a brief second, and then she pulled him closer.

The world seemed to slow as she closed the distance between them. Her lips met his, softly at first—tentative, almost questioning. It wasn't hurried or desperate, but filled with the quiet, unspoken emotions that had lingered between them for so long. Her grip on his chin remained gentle, guiding him into the moment, but never forcing.

The kiss was warm and lingering, a silent farewell wrapped in vulnerability. She could feel the tension slip from her shoulders, her usual guard crumbling away as she let herself be present, just for a moment, with him.

When she finally pulled away, her hand lingered for just a second longer on his cheek, her thumb brushing the edge of his skin. Samui's expression softened, her eyes catching him with a quiet intensity. "Take care of yourself, Naruto," she whispered, her voice low but steady.

She stepped back, the space between them now filled with the weight of everything unspoken, but for once, it didn't feel so overwhelming. The kiss had said what words couldn't.

Naruto watched her go, the finality of her words settling in his chest. He knew this wasn't the last time they would meet. It couldn't be. But for now, he could only watch as Samui, calm and collected as always, disappeared into the distance.

The wind whipped through the high cliffs of the Cloud Village, carrying with it a biting chill that matched the cool stillness in Samui's chest. She stood alone on a high ridge overlooking the vast expanse of mountains and clouds, the village resting quietly below her. This spot, far from the hustle of her duties, had always brought her clarity, but today the usual calm eluded her.

Samui wrapped her arms around herself, though not from the cold. The silence felt heavier than usual—heavier because of the absence she hadn't quite been able to shake since leaving Naruto behind at the gates of his village.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to him, despite her efforts to bury them beneath layers of practicality and duty. It had always been so easy to focus on her responsibilities. She had built her life around them, becoming the model kunoichi—strong, composed, focused. That was her purpose, wasn't it? To serve her village. To be the calm, dependable protector the Raikage could trust.

The sight of her home reminded her of her purpose. She had never allowed herself to entertain thoughts beyond her duty. Relationships, attachments—they were weaknesses, distractions that could cost lives. She had seen it happen. She had felt it happen when she lost her first team and nearly lost herself in grief. She had learned the hard way that attachments only led to pain, and pain was a liability. So she had built her walls, dedicating herself to the one thing that wouldn't betray her: her duty.

But now… now those walls were cracking. Naruto had slipped through them without even trying, his persistence, his sincerity, and his genuine care stirred emotions she hadn't felt in years. The way he had looked at her—not as the skilled, detached kunoichi she presented to the world, but as a person, as Samui—had touched something deep inside her.

She closed her eyes, breathing in the crisp air, willing her mind to steady itself. It should have been simple. They had parted ways. She was back in the Cloud, where she belonged. She had a mission to prepare for, responsibilities that required her full attention. She should have been able to push these thoughts aside, to bury the feelings that Naruto had awakened in her.

But every time she tried, she could still hear his voice, soft and sincere, telling her he cared about her—not for what she could do, not for what she represented, but for who she was.

A small, bitter chuckle escaped her lips. Who I am... She wasnt even sure who that was anymore. For so long, she had been defined by her role, by her duty to the village. There was comfort in that, in knowing exactly where she fit, in having a clear purpose. But now that Naruto had glimpsed beyond the mask she wore so carefully, she wasn't so sure she liked what she saw in herself.

She thought of her childhood, of the young girl who had been told to keep her emotions in check, to prioritize her training, her skill, and her duty above all else. Her father had always said that emotions were dangerous distractions, and her mother—while kinder—had echoed those words. Samui had internalized them, believing that keeping her distance was the only way to stay strong, the only way to protect herself.

But what if… what if she had been wrong?

Samui opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the endless horizon. Could she truly live her entire life like this? Always on the outside, always keeping herself detached? She had always thought it was the best way, the only way to survive in their world. But now… now she wasn't so sure.

For so long, she had been content to live in the safety of her isolation, but now that she had glimpsed something beyond that, something warmer, she wasn't sure she could go back.

She had always thought emotions would make her weak, but standing here, feeling the stirrings of something new, something fragile but undeniably real, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she had been wrong.

Was busy doing research, projects, and final exams :3

A shocker I made it out in one piece.