Chapter Text
Sometimes things happened in Sarada's life that she felt were a sick joke that not even the most creative author could come up with. Honestly, on the day they decide to tell people that they're not going to get married anymore, the main reason for their breakup is missing? As if every moment would come back to Boruto, no matter what she did.
Today, even though they were breaking off an engagement, would be a day of relief, and Sarada could even imagine celebrating with Shikadai after winning the battle to talk to her father. But now she was standing there with Shikadai in the gardens of her house, with concern vibrating in their gazes and a not unpleasant tightness in her chest.
At first shock had prevailed, then worry and then anger.
The anger, Sarada thinks, is an indigestible feeling. Not only in her mind and heart, but her body feels it intensely and disgustingly. It's a feeling that Sarada abhors and hates when it overwhelms her. Her mouth becomes dry, her face starts to burn and it's almost impossible for Sarada to stop her whole body from burning. So she hated being held hostage by such a bad feeling. She hated it because, in a moment of anger, she had already said things that she deeply regretted. Since then, she had treated anger cautiously, a challenging opponent who had the power to make herself her own worst enemy.
But at that moment, knowing that Boruto had been in contact with her father all this time, anger flooded her again.
All that time. Absolutely all that time. And no, not a single, insignificant contact with her.
And now he was missing.
And then worry mixes again with anger and other feelings just as indigestible. Sarada sighs tiredly as she looks at Shikadai restlessly, he runs his hands through his hair, his eyes are distant and Sarada knows that his mind is working at full throttle. He had been like this since they left her father's office, and she let him think while she also tried to organize her own thoughts. They had known each other long enough to understand how their minds worked.
"What do you consider to be the worst-case scenario?" Sarada finally asked.
And as if Shikadai had read her mind word for word, he described exactly what Sarada had been thinking:
"Arrested, kidnapped, dead."
Uh. Someone giving voice to your worst nightmares hits differently. Sarada gasped, closing her eyes for a few seconds.
"This is Boruto we're talking about, he always finds a way, Sarada." Shikadai added, seeing Sarada's reaction. "He's used to this life, and his father and Naruto have trained him well for difficult situations."
"Yes, for diplomacy, law, advocacy, agreements, winning clients, managing assets, difficult clients, not surviving criminals." Sarada complained.
An unsolicited reminder beeped in Sarada's mind. But he actually survived once. Yes, he had survived thieves before and the flashback of that night he thought Boruto was going to die invaded her mind again.
"So, what would be the best case scenario?" Sarada asked, diverting her thoughts.
"Incommunicado for some reason, maybe traveling, sick, lost or...being reckless."
Sarada shook her head, denying it. Boruto would never willingly put his family in danger. He could indeed be reckless, stubborn, and so many other things, but not like that with his family.
"A while ago I would have agreed with you, today I don't know anymore."
Shikadai didn't say it, but Sarada could almost hear the unspoken phrase: we don't know him anymore.
"Never with the family." Sarada reaffirmed, and Shikadai nodded.
They were silent again. The restless silence of people who simply think too much.
"I'll go after him." Shikadai finally said. "Neither your father nor Mr. Naruto can be away, and my father has work to do, so I must go. He... is still my best friend, I must go."
Sarada nodded, as she had expected. Of course. And Shikadai's determined gaze left no room for other options. He had already decided this in his mind the moment he heard about this.
"If anyone can bring him back, it's you, Shikadai." Sarada sighed.
"I promise I will. I'm afraid we'll have to keep our engagement a little longer." Shikadai added.
Sarada laughed lightly, more out of despair and contagiously began to laugh together at the absurdity of their lives. Everything seemed so absurd.
"God, it's all so absurd. But yes, my dear future ex-fiancé, we'll have to keep this up until you come back. So please come back in one piece, as I now have two people to worry about."
-
It was already evening when Sarada stopped in front of her father's office door again. She felt like a little child, watching the huge door. She sighed deeply as she knocked on the door and entered the room. Her father was sitting in one of the armchairs, he had a wrinkle on his forehead that only appeared when he was worried and his dark eyes looked more tired than she had seen in a long time. He raised his head slightly to look at Sarada and in a split second his face softened a bit
"Any news, Dad?" Sarada asked, sitting down in the armchair next to him.
"No, peanut. Shikadai will leave tomorrow at sunrise, we hope to have news soon.
Sarada nodded, she knew it would be like this. But there was still something burning in Sarada's mind.
"Dad," Sarada called out, uneasy. "Why didn't you ever tell me you were still talking to Boruto? I thought he'd gone to take over some of Mr. Naruto's business, I didn't even know he was still working with you..."
Her father cleared his throat as he placed the papers he was reading on the table in front of him. They had never talked about it frankly. Sarada had never told him about her feelings for Boruto. But even if he hadn't known what kind of feelings, Boruto's leaving had been devastating enough for anyone to realize that there was an intricate suffering in Sarada. Any father would know.
"He's indeed taking over Mr. Naruto's business, but on some clients we continue to work together... One in particular, we've been working on since he was still living here."
"You still haven't answered my question." Sarada sighed.
"Sarada... since Boruto moved away, he's changed too. Our contacts have been solely about work and he hasn't been open to talking. Even with Naruto, most of the conversations were about work and little letters saying that everything was okay for Hinata."
Letters for her dad. Letter for Naruto. Letter for Hinata.
It's amazing how many times your heart can break and still keep beating.
"Dad, I'm asking why you never told me? I never... I never heard from him again. No contact all these years.
Talking to her father so frankly was very difficult, as he had never been a very communicative person. It was a different kind of vulnerability. For both of them.
"Sarada..." it was his father's turn to sigh deeply. "I can't lie and say I didn't know you'd want to know news, daughter. I know it's a question for you."
"Then why?" Sarada asked in exasperation.
Her father took a few minutes to elaborate and Sarada allowed him his time.
"When I was your age, I also left this city, left under horrible circumstances, and never wanted to return."
Sarada felt a chill run down her spine, sending shivers down her back. She knew her father's story, but hearing him talk about himself and what he had experienced was rare.
"In the meantime, I've made the worst possible choices and hurt your mother terribly. If it hadn't been for Mr. Naruto, I probably wouldn't be here today, and that part you know. Boruto left too, under different circumstances of course, but the point is that I didn't want you to suffer any more than you already have with any hope for such brief contact I had with him.
"There's nothing more painful than not knowing, dad."
"I know. I care about him as much as you do, for all these years. I've tried to find him, without success every time I've been traveling. We don't know Boruto's reasons, but he's my pupil and he's the son of who he is. I know he'll find his way back when the time comes, I just didn't want you to suffer on this path of his life. I want you to walk your own path."
The truth, Sarada thinks, however painful it may be, is what it is. Omission and lies, on the other hand, are worse because they give her imagination room to complete the scenarios with the most diverse ideas, from false hopes to terrible situations. The truth only hurts once, and then, knowing what you're dealing with, you can go on your way.
"I understand. But the truth is always better. Always, no matter what, I'll prefer the truth." Sarada said, standing up. "And since we're being truthful and you want me to walk my own path, Shikadai and I don't want to get married, and that's non-negotiable. When he comes back, we'll tell everyone and I hope we can get your support.
Unlike what she had imagined, her father didn't show the slightest reaction of surprise. His expression remained the same, but his eyes seemed a little more tender this time.
"What?" Sarada muttered, a little perturbed by the lack of answers. She thought her father would be so difficult, he wanted her to get married so badly, after all.
"Do you truly think that your mother and I believe these misadventures of the last few months that you and Shikadai have performed for us? One second you had no interest in anything and the next you set out to hate all the preparations that had already been made. Very curious for two such quiet people. Inescapable for those of us who know you like the back of our hand, Peanut."
Sarada felt herself blush with embarrassment. She thought they were doing so well.
"Aren't you mad? Why didn't you say anything?"
"Well, I know you haven't wanted to get married for a long time, but I was hoping you'd make that decision for yourself. Your mother was very angry, as you can see, about your behavior, but never because you didn't want to get married."
"That's it? Without a whole lecture on why I should get married?" Sarada asked, incredulous.
"Security and stability have always been very important to me, you know. However, your mother had very strong opinions in our conversations about your reasons. You have your reasons, Sarada. We have good enough conditions for that to be enough for us and to support you.
For a few seconds, Sarada's eyes filled with tears at the love her parents were showing, each in their own way.
"I strongly doubt that you married mom with security and stability in mind, right?"
His father gave a sincere brief half-smile.
"There was never anyone else except your mother. That's why, despite this concern, I have to believe in her strong reasons."
"That's what I thought." And with that Sarada left the office, after a brief nod smiling at her father, wondering if she would ever be as lucky.
-
She's had problems with the night for years, many, many years. She'd gotten used to it, it even got better when Boruto found her that fateful night in the library, but her ghosts never went away and the night was when they appeared the most.
Sarada didn't know if it was daring to say that she had, in a way, gotten used to it and learned to deal with it well. But today, in particular, it was worse.
She had walked around the house three times. She'd already been to the kitchen for cookies, into her father's office, into the library, into the living room, into the corridors near the library.
She looked like a zombie wandering around.
Damn it, even the library wasn't fulfilling its role as a refuge today. She was too agitated to read, or to sit still for that matter.
She sneaked out onto the balcony of her bedroom hallway as she was in need of some fresh air, since she had been afraid to go outside since her house had been invaded years ago, so none of this was an option.
She sat in the chair feeling particularly grumpy. The last time she had looked at the clock, it was almost 1 a.m., which meant at least another four hours until Shikadai started his saga and who knew how many more hours until they had any news.
Her heart almost stopped when she heard the balcony door open and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of her mother's unique hair. She looked tired, with the slightly crumpled face of someone who had been asleep, wearing her white robe and her short pink hair tied up in a small bun.
"Mom!" Sarada whispered, placing her hand on her heart. "What are you doing here? You scared me!"
"I could ask you exactly the same question, Sarada Uchiha.” Her mother gave her a stern look, then winked with a smile as she sat down beside her with a sigh. “Apparently some of the staff of this house strongly believe that there's been a ghost in our residence for some years now, and I'm going to pretend I don't know that my beloved daughter not only spread such a rumor, but collaborated with it with her nightly exits from her room."
Oops. She'd finally been caught.
"Especially today, this ghost is being seen on the balcony of the top floor and his footsteps are being heard in the hallways of all the floors, causing a commotion among the staff. That said, I thought it best to come and check on such an important matter.
Oh no. Things had gone a little deeper than she had expected
"They woke you up for this?" Sarada asked, shocked. I guess her rumors had finally gone too far. "Did they wake dad up too?"
"They woke both of us, but your father also knows who the ghost in question is and has gone back to sleep."
"But you also knew and wanted to come." Sarada said, looking into her mother's green eyes, which were gazing at her sympathetically.
"I was worried that tonight might be a difficult night for you. Tell me if I'm right," she said, pulling Sarada to lean on her shoulder.
"You usually are, mom. Tonight would be no different."
"They'll be fine, sweetie." Sakura whispered, more like a prayer than a certainty.
I hope so.
"Your father said you'd finally made up your mind about Shikadai. I guess I could say that you both have."
"Yes." Sarada sighed. "I'm sorry for driving you crazy recently. I know Shikadai is sorry too. We hated it as much as you did."
"Oh, I do have my doubts about that last part." Sakura laughed and lightly cheered Sarada, who snuggled closer to her mother's shoulder.
"Dad was talking about you two this afternoon... He kind of said he didn't want me to suffer what you went through with him when you were younger. Like… with Boruto. Do you think that too?
"Hum... I understand why your father sees it that way. We were extremely stubborn and temperamental, just like you two are. But you're you, Sarada. You have strong convictions, you love deeply, you're intelligent, and you care too much about things. You love to read, have your moments of solitude, are critical and philosophical like your father, and are interested, curious, loving and intense like I am. You are the combination of the best of me and your father and more. "
The best of both.
"And of course, Boruto is Boruto. He's the best of Hinata and Naruto. He's kind, intelligent, caring, and sweet like Hinata had always been and he's loyal, stubborn, strong and persevering like Naruto is, and many more of his unique characteristics." her mother continued. Sarada could tell that her mother was far away, revisiting the place of the past in her memories as she spoke.
"So, I understand where your father's concern comes from, and I understand where he sees the similarities and also the similar mistakes we've experienced, but you're different people, in different situations."
"I'd like to be that. I mean, the best of you. But I'm glad you see it differently from dad" Sarada replied.
Sometimes it just feels like a mess. Not stunning like her mother, not brilliant like her father.
"Yes, you really are ." Sakura said, playfully slapped Sarada's head, switching between her sweet and angry personality with extreme ease. "Don't be stubborn with me."
"Ouch." Sarada retorted, placing her hand on her head where she felt the tap. Her mother had never been aware of her strength, even when she was just playing around like she was now.
“When I met your father, we instantly clicked. For me, there was no one else and I know, years later, that it was exactly the same for him. It was overwhelming, because I had absolutely never felt anything like it. And unfortunately for him, we met at one of the worst times of his life and when a lot of anger was hanging in the air. He had lost his entire family in one terrible night and his older brother, the only family he had left, had abandoned him. So you can imagine what anyone's head would be like."
When they talked about it, his mother always spoke openly and directly. In fact, about everything, her mother was always extremely honest. Things were the way they were. Life had taught her that.
Sarada nodded, a slight sorrow hanging over her chest. It was always sad to hear how her father had suffered. It made her a little melancholy to think of all the family she had never met. But there was a lot of admiration for her father for being who he was today, despite the beatings his life had taken.
"So," her mother continued. "Your father spent many years at war with himself and, because we were both immature, I found myself desperately trying to be his shield. Of course, that didn't work and we were both very hurt, because on top of everything else, life was happening all around us. Your father had to live his own journey, heal himself and only after that did we work out. To answer your question: our stories are very different, and you two have your own.
"I think our history has been hopelessly dead for a long time, mom."
Sarada felt her mother shudder behind her and didn't say anything more, just wrapped Sarada in a tighter embrace. She knew her mother thought differently, but she was right. And Sarada remembered exactly when this story had come to an end.
She would never forget.
VII- The breaking point
The Yamanaka mansion was distinctive. Not just for its wealth, but for the touches that vibrated in the personalities of its owners. Sai Yamanaka was a great painter, well known in the artistic world, and his wife, Ino Yamanaka, had an exuberant personality, which made them an extremely interesting couple. Their son, Inojin, had inherited his father's gifts and his mother's charming personality. Today, they were hosting a large charity event, where they were going to auction off some paintings for charity, and put them on display inside their luxurious home.
Sarada walked through the corridors with the paintings on display, admiring the artwork with Chocho by her side. For the first time, she didn't complain when her parents gave her this public appearance. After all, she had always had a passion for the arts and the Yamanakas were very talented. And she also hoped to cross paths with Boruto again, maybe.
Since the day he had left her at home last week, they hadn't really talked. Just a few intense glances when they crossed paths at her house, but Boruto quickly went about his business. Nor had he sought her out in the library at dusk, as they usually did, or waited for her in the hallways or gardens, trying to guess what she was up to. It sounded a lot like a bad feeling that something wasn't quite right, but Sarada didn't want to intervene in something she wasn't sure about.
She may not have had much experience, but disappearing is never a good sign, especially after a kiss.
"Well then, just to make sure I understand you correctly: you and Boruto had a romantic moment and probably the best kiss of your life, and right afterwards, you said it would be your worst nightmare to marry him?" Choco said incredulously, blinking her long eyelashes as she fanned herself with a golden fan, waiting for an answer from Sarada, who only nodded positively. "God Sarada, you really don't have the slightest inclination for this."
Sarada sighed deeply, straightening her long blue dress. She was more used now to the corsets, the posture, the jewelry, to always making big appearances. And having Chocho by her side made everything easier. Except when she was glaring at Sarada with her furious light eyes, as she was now.
"I never said I had. And I apologized afterwards..." Honestly, until Boruto, it had never been something she had longed for or dreamed about. Never had someone messed with her judgment so much either.
"Why would you say something like that? I thought you liked Boruto, after all."
"I... I don't know? It was just a joke with Himawari at first. But then, this week that we haven't spoken, I've been wondering if it's what I'd like for my life?"
"What?" replied Chocho in disgust. "Love? Happiness? Happy ending? Please, Sarada.
Sarada couldn't hide a laugh.
"None of that matters in the end and I can list several reasons why."
She had indeed several reasons.
"Oh please, I'd love to know such reasons that are preventing my dear friend's happiness, except the ones you've created in your own head."
"I wish they were only actually in my head, Chocho! We kissed, yes, but that doesn't change the fact that he likes Sumire. There's also the fact that my father would kill me to be with his student. Boruto definitely doesn't want to marry me either. Or he wouldn't have disappeared after the kiss, right? Anyway, I don't know why he's so upset about something he doesn't want either."
"If you don't tell him how you feel, you'll never know how he feels, Sarada!"
"I know how he feels. He's told me so many times, a kiss doesn't change anything."
"As far as I'm concerned, you're extremely wrong." Chocho retorted.
"Are you sure, Chocho?" said Sarada, turning Chocho towards the entrance door, just as Boruto arrived at Sumire's side.
Chocho's "I'm sure" died on her lips before she could finish.
The way Sumire smiles at him. The way she leans on his arms to climb the stairs. The gentle way Boruto lets her, with his polished smile. Sarada suddenly found it a little difficult to breathe.
She already knew and he had the right to come with whoever he wanted. There's no room for drama or sadness if you already expect it, right?
Chocho ran to accompany her, but Sarada was a little too far away to actually pay attention to what she was saying. She vaguely heard some excuses like "It doesn't mean anything.", "Maybe they just arrived together", "You don't know what happened."
Sarada was about to rudely ask Chocho to stop defending Boruto when Mitsuki stopped to greet them. God bless Mitsuki's timing and Sarada silently thanked him.
"Oh please, Mitsuki. You arrived at just the right moment. Chocho was just telling me how she'd like a drink. Can you join her?
"Oh no, I do not want any drink." Chocho interrupted Sarada, annoyed, then turned to a slightly stunned Mitsuki in the hostile atmosphere. "I'm so sorry Mitsuki, I absolutely adore you, but we're kind of having a moment here.”
Mitsuki turned over his entire glass of champagne before whispering "I'll find you later" and walking in the opposite direction.
"You made me dismiss the lovely Mitsuki, Sarada Uchiha. You stubborn girl ."
"I didn't. I even offered to leave you two alone. I'd like that privilege too. To be alone ."
Chocho was about to give Sarada a rude reply when she noticed that there were tears in her eyes.
"Oh Sarada... please don't cry.” Chocho's eyes grew softer. “At least, don't cry here.”
"I'd rather die." Sarada said, doing her best to stop the tears from flowing from her eyes. "Come on, let's find the poor Mitsuki. I think I need a drink or two as well.
-
Sarada was finally able to be alone, leaving Chocho, a little annoyed, with Mitsuki.
She'd had two glasses of champagne. She wasn't sure if it had been a good choice. She was feeling calmer, so maybe it’s okay.
Calm might not be the right word. Perhaps distracted would fit better.
She knew it would hurt to think about it later, but right now her focus was on paying attention to the paintings. After all, she had a mission to buy a frame to help with the noble purpose of the Yamanakas. That was her goal there.
She entered one of the rooms where Inojin's paintings were on display. It was curious to note that, unlike his father (who painted mostly in black and white, except when he painted his wife), Inojin's paintings were much more colorful and less abstract. Sarada stopped in front of a large painting that had caught her eye. It was a field of sunflowers, with a big blue sky in a gradient of clouds and a young woman smiling. This girl looked so familiar... long black hair, blue eyes, a smile... Himawari!
Inojin had painted Himawari in a large field of sunflowers. Her eyes instantly filled with water.
Sarada looked at the painting again. A love that could be felt through a painting . Himawari's perfect smile, her blue eyes of the same shade . Inojin must have spent months working on it.
" That item is not for sale." Boruto's husky voice took her by surprise, her eyes still full of emotion over the painting.
"Have you decided to speak to me again, Mr. Uzumaki?" Sarada replied formally, making Boruto roll his eyes.
He remained silent, staring at the painting. He had a slightly more serious expression today. Sarada wondered why .
"Have you bought it?" Sarada asked, a little uneasy at Boruto's serious attitude. She also ignored her desire not to speak to him a few minutes earlier. It was very difficult to maintain that when you were around Boruto like that.
"No... Inojin will give it to my sister as a present after the exhibition." Boruto sighed. "He came to show me when I arrived."
"He's a good boy, you know? Hima will be in good hands." Sarada replied, reading Boruto's unspoken thoughts.
Boruto stopped staring at the painting and turned to look at her. He was dressed all in black this time. For some reason, she thought it contrasted even more with his blond hair and blue eyes. He was so handsome that it hurt. She took a step forward towards him involuntarily. It was as if her body desperately wanted to close the distance between them.
"Sarada, can we talk, please?" Boruto asked, his voice lower than usual, taking a step towards her too.
Sarada winced as she realized she was staring without saying anything. She had been lost for a few seconds in her own world.
"I don't think now is a good time, you seem to have other plans." Sarada said, coming to her senses, lightly pointed at Sumire, who was watching them from across the corridor with a strange look on her face.
I'll never understand this woman.
And because she was feeling bold enough, she frowned back, making Sumire look away and go back to talking to the people around her.
"Sarada..." Boruto began, awkwardly.
"You don't have to... do that, you know. There's nothing to explain and nothing to talk about."
Boruto sighed, looking a little exasperated.
"I don't want to explain. I just need to talk to you, Sarada."
Sarada frowned at this response, annoyed. She didn't know why she was acting like this. If he didn't want to explain, what the heck did he want to talk to her about?
Perhaps seeing him with Sumire affected her in a way she hadn't imagined. Suddenly, whether out of anger or hurt, she didn't want to anymore. She didn't want to know Boruto's reasons, she didn't want to hear him talk about Sumire. Let them be happy and leave her alone.
Sarada could feel the tears coming, so she entered the first door she saw, not wanting to cause a scene. Thank goodness there was no one there. It must have been a private room for the Yamanakas. Sarada sat down on one of the couches, putting her hand to her temple, trying to calm down. Boruto appeared soon after, closing the door and walking up to her in silence.
"Sarada, don't be like that..." Boruto asked, his blue eyes gentle. He tried to hold her hands, but Sarada abruptly withdrew them. She felt her own heart ache as she saw a flash of pain in Boruto's eyes.
If he touched her, she wouldn't be able to stand it. She knew that.
"I don't want to talk and you have someone waiting for you. Let's put it simply: you don't owe me an explanation, Boruto. We don't have anything"
"We don't have anything?" Boruto repeated, looking disbelieving and hurt for some reason.
"No. We kissed, out of need, out of insanity, I don't know. You're my best friend, it's easy to confuse things. We don't need to make this any more complicated than it already is."
"Out of need?! Sarada, you're lying and you KNOW it. If that's all it was to you, why are you so upset?" Boruto retorted, looking so deep into Sarada's eyes that she shuddered.
He was visibly hurt. She couldn't remember ever seeing him like this.
"I'm not! You like someone else and so do I ." Sarada said, anger throbbing through her body. Her head was dizzy with rage.
"That's nonsense! One of the things I've always admired about you is your honesty and courage. What a shame to witness you being a coward with what matters most."
Sarada felt her face burn with anger. A coward?
"I'm not being a coward for wanting what's best for me." Sarada replied, sharply.
"But what do you want from me, then?" Boruto asked, the agony clear in his voice. "First, you avoided me like the plague, then I became your best friend again.You come and go as you please. You look at me with love, but say you like someone else. You kiss me, but the next minute I'm your worst nightmare. You say we have nothing, but you're upset that I'm bringing a friend to the event. Get me out of this agony. Tell me what you want from me and I'll do it. I swear I will."
"I want you to leave me alone!" Sarada burst out. "That's all I want. You know I would never be with you . We'd never work out!"
Sarada would hardly forget the look of pain that crossed Boruto's blue eyes, but it was too late. She was red with anger, she was hurt and the words came out like sharp knives. Boruto, who had once seemed on the verge of exploding, now looked as expressionless as a stone.
"I'm sorry if I've caused you any harm. You won't have to see me again. " Boruto whispered, turning towards the door.
"I never want to see you again." Sarada cursed softly as she sobbed, but Boruto heard her.
"You won't."
-
It took a while.
It took Sarada some time.
It takes time to take a deep breath, for the blood to stop bubbling and for her mind to gradually return to reason.
It takes a while to admit, reluctantly, that you're wrong. Wrong in what you said, how you said it, and how you acted. It's difficult, especially for those people who rarely let themselves get carried away by anger or who run away from their meticulous care and mental organization.
Sarada knew, deep down in her bones, that she had her reasons for being upset with Boruto, but that wasn't the way she would have liked to deal with it. Not without listening to him. Not with explosive anger and words thrown to hurt someone she's known all her life. Not with someone who has always been nothing but sweet to Sarada.
She knows she hadn't been fair that day. Nor with him. Not to herself.
Sarada needed time that she didn't know she didn't have. And deep down, she thought Boruto would look for her.
So, when Sarada finally went to see him after a few days, Lady Hinata told her that he had gone on a business trip with his father
That wasn't out of the ordinary, right? A matter of a few days or weeks?
But life doesn't always sing in our chorus
-
And the days turned into weeks, which turned into months, which turned into years. Not just the time, but the anger turned into sadness, which turned into guilt, which turned into frustration, which turned into a whole bunch of feelings together.
3 long years.
And a great love was left with nowhere else to go, but impossible to disappear.
-
Fear no longer made sense, nor did the well-founded reasons. Her mind was mercifully stuck in so many "What ifs?"
The last thing he had said to her echoed in her head:
"You won't"
And she truly never saw him again.
The sixth time Boruto broke her heart was when he left.