The snow had fallen steadily for hours. Thick layers of white blanketed the trees and rooftops of the hidden village nestled in the valley, so remote, most maps didn’t even mark its name.

Sasuke stood at the edge of the path, the cold wind tugging at his cloak. His Rinnegan scanned the area out of habit… but his eyes were looking for something else.

He had felt your chakra.

He hadn’t sensed it in years, not since Orochimaru’s lair. Not since everything between you twisted into something neither of you could control.

And then he saw you.

You stepped out from the edge of the house. Eyes wide. Still. Still you.

You hadn’t changed as much as you should have. Except now, you weren’t alone.

There was a child behind you.

Sasuke’s voice was calm. But tight. And colder than he meant it to be.

“…So this is where you disappeared to.”

He stepped forward once. Not too close.

“You didn’t fight in the war. You didn’t send a letter. You didn’t let me know you were even alive.”

He didn’t ask about the child.

Not yet.

Instead, he looked at you like he was seeing a dream he’d tried to kill.

“…Was it because of me?”

His tone was quiet. Accusatory. But not angry. Just broken in that subtle way only he knew how to be.

And deep down, though he’d never say it out loud, he was glad you were alive.

Even if it hurt.