Author's Note: Hey guys, it's been awhile. Currently have two stories going on right now. Rather Be and this one are connected but you don't have to read that one to understand this one and vice a versa. This is about 10 chapters and it's finished. i'll post probably biweekly, depending on reviews. Happy New Year. What a great way to start. Haven't written anything in five years and I'm coming out with 2!

Chapter 1

It's hard being a teenager. It's even worse when parents were on the verge of a divorce. Parents stop paying attention to their kids. They think their children are blind to the arguments and the subtle biting comments. Parents think children don't pay attention to the roll of the eyes or the blank looks. But teenagers are masters of awareness. They know. They always know.

Sarada was no different. She knew something was happening. And it's been slowly happening for years now. When her father didn't show up to her fourteenth birthday, there was a hint of sadness in the reflection of her mom's green orbs. For the past few months now, Sarada had noticed it more and more. She wondered if it had always been there and she had simply been ignorant of it.

But being fourteen had changed her perception of things. Perhaps it's the awareness of boys in general but she realized what kind of relationship her mom and dad had. It wasn't a pleasant one. Why would anyone want a relationship where they were separated for months at a time? Her dad, Sasuke Uchiha, one of the most celebrated, famous and talked about Shinobi of all time, had spent a total of three days with her in the past year.

Great guy…lousy father.

So imagine being married to that?

Sarada was proud of her mother. She never once heard mom cry, whine, or complain about her dad's absence despite how much Sarada herself had cried, whined, and/or complained. She always wore a smile on her face, always pretended how wonderful it was that Sasuke was out there protecting the village. But it was that hint of sadness that was recently being witnessed that made Sarada realize, mom wasn't entirely unharmed throughout all of this.

Why did Sarada think divorce was in the future?

Boruto.

That devil of a boy!

He opened his big fat mouth and talked about it like it was the next big thing to hit Konoha. Shikadai Nara's parents had separated a month ago and he had gone about talking about divorce and now Boruto's going around saying everybody's parents were going to do it.

But wouldn't that be good?

Sarada stared at a photo of her parents. She had never seen them hug or kiss. She had never heard the words 'I love you'. When they were together they only talked about village stuff or Sarada's grades and skills. They never talked about the important stuff, like their problems! Normal couples have problems, right? She's not an expert, true. She's never had a relationship herself but there must be more to a relationship then this emptiness that she sees between her mom and dad.

What has kept her mother by her dad's side this whole time?

Sarada exited her room walking to her mother's room where she was currently putting on makeup. "Mom?"

"What's up, honey?"

"Why do you love dad?"

Her brows drew upward, and she stalled, turning her green eyes. "What's that?"

"What do you love about dad?"

She smiled and went back to applying eyeliner, "What's this all of a sudden? You aren't mad he didn't come to your birthday, are you? You know he's busy-"

"No. I don't care. Just answer the question."

She 'tsk', dropping the eyeliner and picking up lipstick, "This is silly. I'm not playing your game. Now, you know the rules. No leaving the house. Keep your cell phone near you at all times. And don't answer the door for any stranger."

"Where are you going again?"

"I told you my friend's having a party tonight."

"Which friend?"

"Lee. You know where he lives right? If there's a problem, you come and get me."

"Why can't I come?"

"Because it's a grownup party."

"I'm fourteen."

Sakura fixed her dress with one last look in the mirror before she turned and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "That's my point. Be good."

"Don't be late!"

"Don't wait up!" The door shut quickly after.

Sarada rested her fingers against her forehead.

Boruto watched his dad from atop of the stairway. It was near ten at night and Naruto was only now getting home. The Hokage had his eyes closed as he sat on the step untying his shoe. Every so often his head would bob, and he would snap awake only for him to shut his eyes once more as his fingers continued to wrestle with the knot. It was a scene Boruto had witnessed hundreds of times over the course of ten years. There was a party tonight to celebrate his decade anniversary, so he had either forgotten or sent a clone to go in his stead.

Eventually, Naruto toed the shoes off and crawled up the staircase. It was only then he noticed his son. He gave a sheepish smile and dropped a heavy hand on his head. "Go to bed, son." He whispered. Leaning against the wall, Naruto continued down the hall to his bedroom. He turned the knob only for the door to be locked. His forehead rested on the door. Perhaps he had forgotten Boruto was there watching him, but he made no excuse for his mother's denial and walked past his bedroom to his sister's. Himawari was away on a mission for school. He went into the room and seconds later, Boruto heard his father drop on the mattress.

Boruto hung his head.

Divorce. Isn't that what happens with unhappy couples? How long did they have to remain unhappy until they gave up? Boruto wished they'd surrender already. He was tired of it.

If anything, he was tired of the secrets. They pretended like he didn't hear the angry remarks, or the whispered arguments. When he walked into the room, they acted happy and smiling. Even while his mother had tears in her eyes, she still freaking smiled. It was pissing him off. He was fourteen. He wasn't a child anymore. He wasn't stupid. Why were they lying to him? Why were they being so fake?

The thing that made him confused however was why his mother was upset.

Over the course of ten years, his dad had missed birthdays, holidays, gone missing for days on end, sometimes with no phone call, and left on numerous occasions in the middle of a meal. All of which always pissed Boruto off but never his mother. She seemed to understand and even accept the life of a Hokage better than anyone else. She didn't mind being second.

Yet something had changed in the last few weeks.

His sister recently started the academy leaving his mom home alone. Boruto was only going off pieces of conversations but his mom wanted to get a job. For some reason, Naruto didn't like this idea and Boruto had walked in a very wrong time.

"It's just part time." HInata sweetly stated.

"I said no."

If he had just stayed around the corner and listened in a little longer he wondered if his mother would have slapped on her angry face and tell him what's what. But instead the moment Boruto came into the room, she backed down like a little pup.

His mom is strong, independent, and usually the boss of their family and to see her lose a battle makes him hate his dad even more. His mom should never be sad. She deserves the world and Naruto should be giving her anything and everything to make her happy.

Boruto hopped out his bedroom window. With his hands tucked into his pockets, he tiredly went walking. With so much on his mind he knew it would be pointless trying to sleep. How could he get his parents to either breakup or make amends? It needed to be something drastic and it needed to be something soon because he didn't want to live in that house another day.

Yanked off his feet, Boruto cursed and grabbed a Kunai but it was swiftly yanked out of his hand while a finger pressed against his lips. He looked up at his attacker only to find Sarada glaring down at him. It was dark in the alley, but the moonlight reflected off her glasses exposing her Sharingan.

"What are you doing out here?" He whispered to her, getting back to his feet.

"Shh…" She pointed around the corner.

There was a couple walking down the lit street however sloppily. They were obviously drunk.

Boruto gasped, "That's your mom!"

"Shh, shut it, I know," Sarada grabbed his hand and they darted down after them to the next alley making sure to stay in the dark.

"Who's that with her?"

"That dog lover, Kiba." She spat. "He's always around."

"I thought he was your friend."

Sarada glared down after them, "I did too."

"Maybe he's just walking her home."

"That close?"

Kiba had his arm wrapped around her shoulder. There was laughter as they tripped but they kept ahold of one another.

"They're friends."

"We're friends. We don't ever stand that close."

Boruto's cheeks reddened and he was thankful for the darkness. They were pretty close right now. Not that he would tell her that.

They darted to the next alleyway, never getting too close but not so far away that they couldn't hear their conversation or their laughter.

"What was Lee thinking?" Sakura wondered, "A keg party! Are we eighteen?"

"I thought it was great! I never would have imagined Konohamaru could drink that much. I got to party with that guy more often."

"I got to get home. Sarada's going to kill me if she finds out I'm….tipsy."

"Drunk."

"Tipsy!"

"Drunk."

Sakura pushed Kiba away, stomping her foot on the floor, only to break her high heel. She let out a squeal as she fell except Kiba fell with her. She was laughing as they both struggled to get their feet. Kiba held tight, helping her stand. She grinned brightly, meeting his gaze.

And then the laughter died off. And they stood there staring at each other.

Sarada could feel the rage building in her chest. Her breath came in heavy pants and she almost wished they would kiss so she could go out there and use her Sharingan and hurt them both in ways they would never recover.

But Sakura pulled away, "I'm sorry, I better go. I'll see you tomorrow at the seminar?"

Kiba stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled, "Wouldn't miss it."

"Bye."

He watched her walk away before he turned around, throwing his hands behind his head and silently murmuring a curse word. He seemed sober enough now and jumped up to the next building, disappearing.

Sarada sat back against the building, quiet.

Boruto had to act. What could he do to help Sarada's parents, and his parents? What options were there?

Boruto knelled down, "Listen, I got an idea. Go home, pretend to be sleeping. Once she's asleep, grab only your backpack, we'll buy anything else we need on the way. We're gonna run away."

"What?"

"I got a plan. Just trust me."