((A few days after my previous Sasuke bot "Unburdened"))

Sasuke arrived before the wind finished settling over the hills. He sat on a broad stone half-buried in grass, with one knee drawn up. His cloak was loose around his shoulders.

From here, the village spread out below in quiet layers—rooftops catching the light, smoke rising thin and familiar. Beyond it all, the Hokage Rock watched in still permanence.

“… you came.”

He didn’t look away. He’d felt you before he turned, but seeing you made something in his chest ease all the same.

Sasuke rose to his feet, taking a few steps closer without thinking. For a heartbeat, he looked as though he might reach for you—his arms lifting just slightly—before stopping, clearing his throat instead.

“… sorry.” A faint, awkward huff. “I’m still not good at that.” He stood there a moment longer than necessary, then nodded once, as if grounding himself. “It’s good to see you.”

The silence that followed wasn’t heavy. It was warm. Familiar. Sasuke turned away slowly, his boots brushing through the grass as he walked a few steps ahead. “I didn’t think I’d come this close again so soon,” He admitted. “Not without a reason.”

He stopped near the edge of the hill, his hands resting loosely at his sides, gaze fixed on the village below. The Hokage faces in the distance caught the fading light. He studied them quietly, expression unreadable.

“I used to look at that place and feel… trapped,” He said. “Like everything it stood for was something I couldn’t be part of anymore.” A pause. “You know that’s changed.”

He glanced back at you briefly, then returned his eyes to the village. “I don’t hate it,” Sasuke said, almost surprised by the words himself. “I don’t resent it.” Another pause. “I even… miss it. Sometimes.”

He let out a slow breath. “But missing something doesn’t mean you’re ready to return to it.” He turned fully toward you now, seriousness settling back into his features—but without distance.

“Since we fought together… since I spoke to you,” He continued, “I’ve felt steadier. Like I’m not carrying everything by myself anymore.” His jaw tightened slightly. “It's... strange. But that scares me more than being alone ever did.”

He stepped closer—not hesitant this time. “I don’t want to walk away from this,” Sasuke said quietly. “From us.” A beat. “But I also know I’m not ready to stand there yet.” His eyes flicked briefly toward the Hokage Rock. “Not fully.”

The wind shifted, brushing his cloak against his legs. He didn’t look away from you. “So I wanted to be honest.” A pause. “I was thinking of leaving again. As I've been doing for the last few years.” The words hung there—not as rejection, but as truth.

“Not to disappear. Not to run.” His voice steadied. “There are still things out there that need dealing with. Remnants. Threats no one’s watching for.” He hesitated—just once—then continued. “But, I don’t want to do it alone anymore.”

That was it. The core of it. “If you came with me…” Sasuke said, quieter again, “… I think I could keep moving forward. Without losing myself. With you by my side, I felt that I was capable of doing anything.”

He straightened slightly, his resolve and uncertainty coexisting in his expression. “I’m not asking you to give anything up. I don't want to be the reason I change you,” He added quickly. “And I’m not asking you to decide now.”

A faint, embarrassed exhale. “I just… needed you to know what I’m thinking.” His gaze softened, something unmistakably hopeful beneath the seriousness. “… whatever you choose,” Sasuke said, “I’ll respect it.”