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1 year old. Boruto lifted his tiny chubby hand off the ground, picked himself up, and took a step. Everyone around him started cheering loudly. He grinned, enthralled with the praise.
But when the little girl on the right tried to do the same thing, she took a step. And fell onto her nose.
After bursting into tears, Sarada was scooped up, patted on the back, bounced around. Boruto crawled over to the woman. Tugged on her pants leg.
His own mother picked him up. He reached out towards the girl, tears pouring down her face. His mother carried him closer. Just when he got in reach, he patted her raven head two times with his chubby little hand.
And she stopped crying.
. . .
2 years old. Boruto was playing tag. He clumsily ran away from Sarada, a grin on his face, laughing. She ran after him, not quite as fast. Begging him to wait.
And that was when she tripped. She fell. She tried to hold back her tears, but her knee was scraped pretty badly.
He stopped. Turned around. Looked for an adult. Saw no one.
So, he crouched down in front of her. Patted her head.
Tears dripped over her eyes, but she didn't make a sound.
. . .
3 years old. Sarada was in the park, playing with her parents. She had a doll with her, humming happily as she arranged its hair.
Boruto appeared, on his father's shoulders. laughing with his arms outstretched. His mom was carrying a small baby, a mere six months old.
Sarada walked up and tugged on Hinata's skirt. She wanted to see the baby. But the baby was more interested in her doll. Reluctantly, she shared. And the small baby took the doll. And she threw it.
It landed in the dirt, a few feet away. Sarada picked it up. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
Suddenly, Boruto was next to her. "Gonna cry?"
She shook her head no.
"It's ok," he said, holding out a ninja toy. "Wanna share?"
Sarada shook her head no.
After patting her back, Boruto ran over to his dad and got scooped right back up. Sakura helped her wash her doll, and she stopped crying.
. . .
4 years old. Sarada waved goodbye to her father. Her father gently tapped her forehead with two fingers. She covered up the spot, tucked her bottom lip into her mouth, and hid behind Sakura's leg. "Where are you going?"
"On a mission," he said, bending down to talk to her. "But I'll be back."
"Okay..."
Three months passed. He wasn't back. Sarada watched Himawari laughing from her father's shoulders as they ran through their backyard. Her head slumped, toe blurring as she kicked the dirt. "Papa..."
"Hm? Sarada?"
Boruto was home. She turned away and rubbed at her wet eyes.
"Ya crying?"
"No."
"Did your dad come back yet?"
She turned further away.
Boruto shrugged and walked inside his house. "Dad! That's not fair! Pick me up too!"
Sarada curled into a ball outside of their fence gate with her head in her knees and let herself cry. And before she knew it, Naruto came around to the other side of the fence and picked her up along with Boruto, one kid per arm, with Himawari on his shoulders.
"Better?"
Boruto nodded. "Thanks dad!"
. . .
5 years old. Sarada was watching Boruto balance on the edge of a wall as he walked.
"That's dangerous!"
"So what," he replied, holding out his arms.
"You could fall and hurt yourself!"
"You wanna try? It's fun!" He smiled.
Sarada looked around. She found a familiar adult. "Konohamaru nii-chan! Boruto is doing something dangerous!"
"Ah, hey! Boruto! What did I tell you about walking on top of those things?! If your mom catches you, she's going to throw a fit! Get down!"
"Ch..." Boruto jumped down, landing perfectly on his feet. He put his hands in his pockets and kicked a pebble. "I was having fun. Thanks a lot for ruining it." He stuck his tongue out at her and ran away.
Sarada lowered her head. "That's not... I just didn't want you to get hurt..." Tears prickled the corners of her eyes. She squeezed them shut and yelled. "Dummy!"
. . .
7 years old. A blonde kid with a ponytail had his hands in his pockets, getting increasingly closer to Sarada.
"Hmm? Glasses at this age? What are you, blind?"
"I... My vision is blurry... I need them to see better..."
"Oh," he said, a smug grin on his face. "Is that so? My dad is teaching me how to throw shuriken already. What is your dad teaching you?"
"P... Papa is... Papa is on a mission right now... An important mission..."
"So he hasn't taught you anything?"
"I... I can't remember..."
"If you can't remember, sounds like he hasn't been home for a while. You sure he's coming back?" Inojin taunted.
"Papa will come back!"
"I bet he left you. Probably didn't want a kid that couldn't see the target well enough to throw a shuriken."
Sarada's vision was now blurry, even though she was wearing glasses. "That's not... I can..."
"Oi. Inojin."
Sarada let the tears drip over her eyes. It was Boruto. He was probably going to make fun of her too. She shouldn't have left the house today.
"Hm? Boruto. What are you doing here?"
"That's enough... Leave her alone."
Sarada's squeezed eyes opened ever so slightly. She lifted her head and looked at her feet. Huh?
"What, can't you see I was just trying to have a friendly conversation?"
"Ah! Inojin!" This time the voice belonged to a girl, slightly behind her. Sarada turned, forgetting momentarily about her tearstained eyes. "You made her cry! Is he bothering you? What's your name?"
Sarada sniffled. "I'm... Sarada..."
"Sarada huh? Unique name you've got there. I'm Cho-Cho. Nice to meet you."
"Cho-Cho..."
"Want a potato chip?"
"Of course, the fatso is going to try to make friends with potato chips. When are you going to learn that the way to everyone's heart isn't through a bag of junk food?"
Cho-Cho's eyebrow twitched. "Body expansion jutsu!" Her fist enlarged, and she punched Inojin in the face.
"Ow!"
"Leave her alone, you stupid bully. Anyways," continued Cho-Cho, "these are Consume. My favorite flavor! I'll share with you... Just this once! So don't cry because of that idiot over there, kay?"
Sarada nodded her head. She crunched on a potato chip. It wasn't the best thing she'd ever eaten, but the smile on her face would have made Cho-Cho think otherwise. "Thank you!"
"Mmm! Seems like you understand the goodness of potato chips! Let's be friends."
"Okay."
Sarada turned to look for Boruto on her way out. But he was already gone.
. . .
9 years old. Boruto was walking along the street when he saw Sarada slightly in front of him. He was just thinking about what prank to play on her when he saw the look on her face. An empty forlorn smile.
He followed her line of sight to a little girl on her father's shoulders, taiyaki in hand. They were smiling, laughing, enjoying being together.
Ch, he thought with a somewhat narrowed gaze. Stupid old man... Went and became the hokage... Now he doesn't even come home... Ah! Sarada?
Was gone.
Thinking she couldn't have gone far, he decided to search for her. And not too long afterwards, he found her at the training grounds behind her house.
She was throwing shuriken. As usual, her form was perfect. Not a single one missing the target.
Boruto snuck up to the tree line, thinking about jumping out and scaring her so she missed. But before she could throw the next one, she stopped. Fell back into the grass on her back, her arm over her eyes. "Ahh... He's never coming back, is he?"
Boruto watched as she rolled over on her side in the grass, a glossy sheen by the bridge of her nose just under her glasses. And when he turned around to head home, he decided he wouldn't play any more pranks directly on Sarada.
. . .
11 years old. Boruto was on his way to run an errand for his mom when he ran into Sarada. He trailed slightly behind her, not particularly feeling like encoring her wrath on this fine Tuesday evening. And then he noticed. The people in the streets were whispering as she walked by.
"Isn't that the Uchiha girl?"
"They say her father hasn't come back to the village in 7 years... I wonder if he went rogue again?"
"I never did like that clan..."
"I heard one of their members slaughtered the entire village... Terrible red eyes and--"
Boruto walked into their conversation. "Excuse me ma'am, do you know where I can find the apples?"
"Ah! If it isn't Boruto. Staying out of trouble?"
But the look on Boruto's face was less than happy. He eyed the fruits in front of them. Picked up a few.
"Ah, out shopping for your mom? That'll be 900 ry--"
And then he jumped up on top of their stand, hopping onto the roof. "The hokage's family thanks you for your patronage!"
"Ah! Hey! Get back here! Someone stop him!"
As Boruto leapt to the other side of the roof, he realized no one was going to chase him, and snuck around to see the result of his started chaos.
But to his surprise, he saw Sarada, bowing in apology, handing the lady the money he should have owed. Hm. He thought. Serves them right. Who has the terrible clan now?
He jumped off the roof. And unfortunately, his foot landed in a bucket. A loud clanging sound resounded throughout the alleyway.
"Ah! Boruto!"
"Geh. Sarada?"
"Get back here and apologize to those people!"
He turned around and stuck out his tongue. "No thanks!" Making a few shadow clones as a diversion, he leapt back up on the rooftops.
But she was able to keep up with him.
"Ha," he smiled, "seems like you've been training. But you still can't guess which one is the real me!"
Sarada took out a few shuriken.
"Hey! That's cheating!"
She smirked and threw them, but Boruto easily dodged.
"Throwing at a moving target is harder than a still one, huh Sarada?"
"Will you shut up and get back here already!?"
Boruto smiled and dropped into the alleyways, successfully losing her. But instead of completely running away, he headed back in the direction of the store. He had to sneakily return the fruit and pick up what his mom wanted for dinner... Or else he'd have to read another three pages of a world history textbook.
"Tch. Stupid Boruto. Now I can't get what I wanted for dinner..."
He peered over the edge of the roof. It was Sarada. She was walking along, her head down.
"Even though today was mama's birthday..."
Her voice was shaky. Fists clenched. Boruto looked down at the fruit. He looked at the money he'd been given. And he looked back at Sarada ...I guess three pages isn't that bad.
With a sigh, he hopped down in front of her. Tears prickled the corners of her eyes.
"Ah! Boruto!! What are you doing--"
He took her wrist. Pulled it down. Slapped the money into her hand. Turned around. And waved. "See ya."
"Wha-- What is this for??"
"You paid for it didn't you?" he called back. "Now we're even."
"Hey! Get back here and apologize for the..."
She trailed off. But he wasn't quite out of hearing range.
"Did you hear me complaining just now??"
"I don't know what you're talking about!!" He called back, a smile on his face.
"Ugh! Boruto! You idiot!"
"Thank me later!"
"I still hate you!"
When Boruto got home with stolen fruit and no money, he was forced to read the entire rest of the book. All 30 pages of it.
Geh. I shoulda just let it be...
"Boruto!" His mother's voice called from downstairs. "Focus!"
He straightened his back immediately. "Yes ma'am!"
. . .
12 years old. The night after Boruto returned with a new black mark on his chest. He couldn't sleep and wandered over to see if Mitsuki wanted to play cards. But on his way to Misuki's room, he passed by Sarada's.
"It's not fair..."
He could barely make out her muffled whimper through the other side of the door. He halted. She was clearly crying.
"Why... Why is it always him? Why doesn't... Why don't they tell me anything?"
His chakra was already erased for precautionary measures against the security team and Kawaki. Boruto leaned his head up against her door, his bangs flattening against the wood. Sorry Sarada... But I know you'd be on constant guard against Kawaki if I told you. You'd try to stop me at all costs if you knew I asked for it...
"I'm their captain... And I'm useless..."
His palm curled into a fist. I just don't want you to get hurt. This level of fighting... Is more than you can handle.
"I hate this..."
He smiled wearily. Maybe once I'm gone... And then he gritted his teeth. Picking up his head, he walked back to his own room. On his way, he looked down at the diamond mark on his palm. And he closed his fingers into it. I'll put an end to this... And protect you.
. . .
18 years old. Sarada leaned against the wall in the Hokage's office, a red and white cape on her back. Despite the momentous occasion... She couldn't find it in herself to be happy.
Boruto walked into the room. "Ready?"
"Boruto??"
He smiled at her. And then she hid her face. She didn't want him to know she was crying.
"Nervous?"
"I... I didn't think you'd be here..."
"Ha, how could I miss you becoming Hokage? Even if the entire village despises me and everything I stand for..." Boruto stood in front of her. "What's wrong?"
"I just..." It felt wrong of her to cry. But at the same time. They'd lost so much. They'd nearly lost everything.
His hand brushed her shoulder, taking hold of it. "Hey. You saved the majority of the village. You deserve this more than anyone."
"But I... What if... I'm not like them. Like your dad, or Shikamaru oji-san, Kakashi-sensei or Tsunade-sensei..."
He knelt down. "But they picked you. Sarada... You don't have to be like anyone else."
"I don't think I can..."
Soft.
Gentle.
Warm.
Of the few kisses she'd received from Boruto, this would be in her description of all of them. "You'll be fine," he muttered, eyes still on her lips.
He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. His were so ridiculously blue. "And if something happens... I promised didn't I?"
The tears that had been prickling the edges of her eyes dripped over. "Mmm..." She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, melting into a hug. "You'd better protect more than just me..."
He laughed into her neck. "I suppose I should think about the village too..."
As they broke apart, the gloom was wiped off her face, replaced by a smile she showed to him and only him. He reached up and gently wiped the tearstains from her face. "Congratulations, lord ninth."
She leaned into his hand. "Thanks."
. . .
Bonus!
22 years old.
"Again?"
"It's just so sad," she sobbed, staring at the TV screen. "They killed the little mouse..."
"Sarada..." Boruto stopped what he was doing and walked over to his pregnant wife, turning off the TV. "I think you should stay away from the cooking channel for a while."
"But I like learning about food because I want to be better at cooking and why am I crying? Ugh! These emotions are so..." She looked at her hands. Tensed then. Crumpled them. "So annoying!"
He laughed. "Come here."
Sitting next to her on the couch, he put his arm out and pulled her closer. She tucked herself into his side. It was rare for him to be home, but he'd been making much more of an effort since Sarada's stomach started looking like the size of a small watermelon. And it was fun to tease her about all of the random things that had been happening to her as of late.
Just the night before, she was craving pickles and yogurt. And while revolting in disgust at the food in front of her, she ate the entire cup.
She cried the day before because the flowers in the garden outside looked pretty. After she said that, he went and got her flowers and made her cry even harder. And now she was crying over a dead mouse, likely one caught running through the kitchen.
As her sobs turned to sniffles, she wrapped her arm around his waist. "Hey Boruto."
"What?"
"I'm craving food."
"...What is it this time? More spray cheese?"
"I think you'll be happy with this one."
Boruto furrowed his eyebrows. He thought for a long time. "Pudding?"
"No," she said with a smile, lifting her face just enough to look up at him. "Kaminari Burger. A really spicy one."
"...You're kidding."
"Nope," she said with a huge smile. "Can you go get one? Pleeeasse?"
He kissed her forehead and got up off the couch, a bit of a spring to his step. "You don't even have to ask twice. Where's my wallet?"
The smell of burgers had been making her nauseous for the past three months. He had to take a shower every single time he went to eat there. Finally. He was finally going to be able to enjoy a burger without feeling guilty. Finally.
"I think it's on the counter... Ah, wait. No, it's in your coat pocket. By the door. Don't forget to transform yourself before you leave."
He threw on his jacket and saluted her with his hand on the door. "Roger that!" But instead of walking out, he ran back up to her, leaned over the couch, and kissed her upside-down. "Bye."
She smiled and trailed her hand through his hair as he pulled away, a glassy look in her eyes. "Hurry back."
THE END.