A/N: This is my way to say happy new year to all of you, including everyone from dicord (guys i love you). Special thanks for shikastemari mirachaann - and abbypdg, ofc - for stand my complainings about this oneshot during the last days of the year and for making me go to sleep when needed... anyway, love you guys too much to put in words.

Beta reader: abbypdg, thank you so much for being always there for me. please know that i'm also always here for you.

Warnings: things may get a little nasty at some point, not that much but still. be warned.

Word count: 3,283

THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR

On the last day of the year, Sarada woke up earlier than usual. She wanted to train before she had to attend to her commitments with her friends and teammates; that's why she started the day with a cold shower and putting fresh clothes right after. She went out before either of her parents woke up and she got to the training fields noticing her loneliness. Sarada didn't mind, this only make her happier. Nobody to bother her, but also nobody to make company. She was used to it by now.

It was a special day after all. It was the last day of the yea.

Probably everybody was in the warmth of their homes, heat fed not only by the fire in the chimneys but also by the feeling of being with someone you love. It was a day to recall memories and pray for the incoming year and Sarada knew that she just… didn't believe in any of that crap. Her training was more important, her dreams were more important, being fully concentrated was more important. And she did that. She focused on them. Although she knew there was a lot that deserved celebration, the time couldn't stop for that.

"I knew I would find you here."

"What do you want, baka Boruto?"

"There's no need to be rude, Sarada." A blond-haired boy got by her side, his blue eyes looking at her. She didn't stop her shuriken training, not even for a moment to look at him. "Why are you training today? We should be having fun."

"What do you mean?" She stared at him and he blushed, noticing the double meaning of his last statement.

"N-not me and you fun, dattebasa, all of us, I mean, our friends…" Boruto sighed. "What I'm saying is that we should hang out with our friends, that's all." He could feel the blush get even redder.

Sarada smirked. "Why not you and me fun?" She winked at him and he felt the cold sweat down his spine.

"Stop messing with me, dattebasa!" Sarada started to laugh and once she stopped, she concentrated on her training again. "You really won't stop, right?"

"I can't stop, different of you I have a goal to achieve. I cannot simply stop." When she was about to throw another shuriken, he held her wrist.

"No, stop." She turned to look at him. She could feel his touch leaving her wrist and slowly getting into her hand and taking the shuriken, while the other hand removed a strain of hair away from her face. "Not today, Sarada. You need to give peace to yourself. Today is a nice day to do that." Sarada only nodded, incapable of saying actual words due to his touch. She swallowed hard when his left hand slowly left her hair behind the ear and moved to caress her face, giving up in middle way. She wanted to say that he didn't need to stop, that she wanted his touch, that she wanted him. But it was the last day of the year, not the "truth" day so she only sighed as both acted as if the floor was suddenly the best thing around. The silence that fell between them said more than they wanted.

Sarada breathed heavily, knowing she was about to regret her decision. "Maybe you're right."

"I'm what?" Boruto grinned unconsciously while looking at her again.

"I shouldn't spend this day here." She smiled at him. They looked each other in the eyes for a while and then she proceeded to gather her equipment. Soon they were heading back to the village.

He had both his hands behind his head. Sarada stared him, walking a little behind. They grew up together and she saw his funny face every day, but still she couldn't deny that he had become even prettier through the years. Every single detail of him made her heart beat faster, and it was getting harder staying by his side without thinking about stuff she didn't want to. She shook her head.

"Did you come here just to pick me up?"

Boruto tilted his head to the side. "Isn't that obvious?" Sarada did nothing but smile.

He always cared so much about her and her well-being… Sometimes, before going to sleep, she thought about him and wondered if he was still planning to be by her side and protect her. Deep in her heart she wanted him to do all he promised and more. Sarada was only worried about what more could mean. He was her best friend after all.

"Today is the last day of the year, right? Any new years' resolution?" Sarada started. They were still relatively distant from the village so she thought she could use the time to talk.

Boruto chuckled. "I guess so. What about yours?"

"What was that chuckle for?" she smirked.

Boruto eyes widened and that did not left unnoticed by the girl. "Nothing, nothing."

"You're hiding something. Spit it." She narrowed her eyes and she pointed him with her index finger.

Boruto couldn't hide the smirk. Actually, he was not even trying. "I'm not! You are the one hiding something, why don't you tell me your resolutions?"

"I have none." She crossed her arms. "But I asked for yours first."

"What about I tell you mine tonight and you think about yours so you can tell me too?" Boruto turned to face her.

"Why tonight?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Cause we are going out together." Sarada thought she was going to faint. Her heart was beating fast in her veins and her arms fell on the sides. "What do you say?" He smirked even more if it was possible.

"Out? Are you playing with me?"

"Not at all. I want to go on a date with you." He stared into her eyes intently. He wanted to know how she truly felt, not what she would say about the limits they should have or so. At that point, Boruto could read her body language like no one else and he was totally ready to use it in his advantage. He also knew she was about to give an excuse to escape the date as always.

"But that's not how we work. You know how we work."

"I know, I just think we deserve better than that. You should give us a shot."

Sarada breathed heavily. She already gave many shots. They were working fine at the way they were at the moment, why changing it? She shook her head and giggled, not believing in his words. She sure wanted to say yes, but at the same time, dating was not for them. Not now, at least. Sarada had a lot to focus on and dating was far from focus, but at the same time, it looked like he really wanted to take them seriously.

She sighed. "Okay, I accept your request. But only because I don't want us to spend the new years' start alone and my parents are going to be out of town so it's you or nothing."

"I'm happy you said yes." He gave one of his bright smiles. "And I'm winning from nothing, that's a good sign."

Boruto got closer. Sarada didn't shiver or avoid his touch when he got his arm around her waist and his other hand started to play with her hair. The opposite happened and she hugged him back, relaxing the head against his chest. She took a deep breath, his good smell getting quickly into her head. Did he always smell so good? Since they defined their boundaries that was the first time she felt that she was the one willing to disrespect them. He rested his chin above her head.

"You know you win from most things."

"Really?" Boruto chuckled. "Then why aren't we together?"

Sarada sighed. Why weren't they together? She couldn't find a way to say this. She wanted to experiment things and achieve her dreams before settling down. It may sound too confident, but she only knew she would settle down with Boruto as soon as they started to get serious. Why the wait then? She couldn't find a way to say this. Of course, the games they played together were tiring sometimes, but it always paid off when they were together-alone in a dark room doing what they did best as a non-couple. The best part was that she knew there was no need to worry about calling the other day – even though they always did, she didn't need to – nor having to be romantic on special dates. She didn't get the hands holding or the title but, what use is possible to get with those? Sarada had what she needed, and Boruto had what he needed. It was supposed to be enough.

Sarada moved a little so she could look at her little problem. They usually didn't kiss if not when having sex – that was rule number two – but if the dating had become a thing now – which disrespected rule number one – a kiss would not be that bad. They were still in the training grounds, no one was around and he was just so hot. She couldn't find a reason why not. One look, that was all it took for him to understand what she wanted. Their faces got closer and she closed her eyes. Their lips were brushing nicely against each other and she could feel his smile. It felt like they were going to have their first kiss and even though that was not true, that was how it felt.

"So there you are guys." They broke apart quickly before their lips met. Mitsuki appeared out of nowhere like, well, Mitsuki. Sarada was hiding her face with both hands and Boruto had a hand resting on his hip, doing his best to avoid facing his teammates. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No." Sarada answered.

"Yes." Boruto said.

"Everyone is waiting for you, you're late." Mitsuki replied tilting his head to look at Boruto who – Mitsuki was pretty sure – was cussing really low.

Sarada glared at Boruto. "No, Mitsuki, don't worry. It's fine. We were going anyway."

When they started to walk again, Mitsuki thought it was a nice moment to share his thoughts. "I always thought you guys made a nice couple."

"SHUT UP!" The 'nice couple' shouted.

In the last day of the year, after the encounter with her friends Sarada did what Boruto asked her and thought about her new year's resolutions. She didn't buy that shit about making promises impossible to keep for one whole year. She decided to make a list of possible things like, help her mother more, drink more water, read at least four nonfictions. Don't fall in love. You know, possible things. When he knocked on the door, she was prepared. Both mentally and physically.

She opened the door. He knew she was all alone.

"You're stunning." He said after a moment of losing his words at the way she dressed.

"You too." She managed to say without stutter.

"I'm not saying you look stunning now. I mean you're always stunning." Sarada felt her cheeks burn but Boruto seemed satisfied by his words and their effect on her.

He handed her a flowers' bouquet and, well, she wasn't waiting for that. "You… Thank you." A smile spread on her face. She opened more the door so he could enter. "I'll put these on a vase with water. Come in."

Boruto entered through her door and acted as if it was his house, which was somewhat true nowadays. He was nervous; he'd been planning that for weeks by then. He felt like it was a different day, the last day of the year, so she could give him a chance he never had before. Sarada entered the kitchen and took too long to go back to him. Out of anxious, he started to pace around. The kitchen door opened. They almost bumped into each other.

Eyes met. Unconscious smile.

A new feeling grew in her heart. Is that how love feels like? She wasn't ready for that. She wasn't even sure what that was. She just wanted to kiss him and make the pain in her chest go away – pain probably caused by the distance between them. This was the last day of the year and for once she wished the rules didn't existed.

"Sarada, we should go now." His gaze never left hers.

"Yes, we totally should." She whispered giving a step towards him, who unconsciously mimicked her act making them get closer.

"I'm being serious right now." Another step and they were only inches apart.

"I know." One more step and Sarada was feeling his hot breath on her face.

Boruto cautiously guided his hand to the small of her back while her hands started to travel through his chest, intending to get into his shoulder. Sarada was almost raising her body on the tips of her feet only to finally feel how he lips tasted, when there was no needy screaming behind it. She was finally close to find out how he really wanted to kiss her. She needed to know if it was slow and passionate or filled only by desire as she was used to. He made their bodies get closer than she thought it was possible. His other hand slide through her hair and finally, when their lips were - once more - brushing against each other they heard a knock.

"WHAT IS IT NOW?" Both shouted, frustration drawing in their voices.

Sarada rolled her eyes and walked to the door. Himawari looked young and innocent.

"Hello, Sarada, is onii-chan here?"

Sarada smiled. "Yes." Then she shouted to Boruto informing about the girl's presence.

Sarada didn't stay to hear the subject of their talk, her mind far from there, attached in what happened moments before and earlier on the training field. She wondered if that was some kind of sign and they should give up. No, not giving up today.

"Ready? We really should go." Boruto said, keeping the door open behind him.

"Yes, of course."

They left the house and walked side by side. Sarada didn't know to where, but she blindly trusted him so everything was fine. The streets were calmer than expected for such a day, and the couple wasn't talking much.

"Did you think about your resolutions?"

Sarada giggled. "Maybe." In that moment, Sarada felt a touch in her hand and she just let their fingers intertwine – getting over with the rule number three. She never felt so good by breaking rules. Boruto smiled at her, his cheeks slightly pink, and she returned the smile, also blushing.

"I thought about it all day, to be honest. But you really want to share? I don't know about it anymore."

"It's your call, I guess."

Sarada wasn't aware that holding his hand would mean so much to her. She knew him in every possible way, but all this was still new for them. Almost all rules were broken at that point, but the girl kept trying hard to deny that the fourth and last rule was broke; not today, years ago, even before this rules started. They fell in love and they weren't supposed to.

The date was a simple deal, to be honest. Boruto knew Sarada too well to mess up with something too fancy or too expensive that she would only pretend to like. After the dinner, they were supposed to meet with their friends to wait for the fireworks as a group. They left the restaurant holding hands, making the empty street echoed their soft voices and giggles. Sarada didn't care if someone saw them anymore. She wanted them to be a serious deal from now on, no more little games or stupid rules. The girl was aware that the last years of hiding were her fault, and Boruto only did it because it didn't matter how, he only wanted to be by her side. If following rules and hiding it from everyone were what it took, he'd been ready for it.

"Sarada, how do you feel about me?"

"You're my best friend." Sarada said bluntly without even think twice.

"That's not what I'm asking." He rolled his eyes breathing heavily.

"You are the best friend I've ever had. I don't want to screw things up."

He sighed and let the silence hang a minute before speak again. "No, Sarada. You won't screw anything up. I love you. I'm saying that not as friends." She stopped mid pace, pretty sure her heart skipped a beat in that exact moment. She forgot how to speak, how to walk, her eyes couldn't be more widened. He also stopped and faced her, a bit of despair hanging in his voice. "You don't need to say it back if you don't want to, it's okay."

She tried her best to say something perfectly but it was no use. She stuttered, blushed and could feel her heart beat in her skin. Sarada wasn't sure if she liked him until then, when he shared his true feelings towards her. Boruto stood, continuously avoiding her gaze. Damn it, rule number four. "I love you." She smiled. "Yes, I love you. It feels so good saying this."

Boruto released a breath he didn't notice he was holding. "I love you." They looked in each other eyes smiling. "We should go, now. We can't let people waiting." Nevertheless, none of them moved. Sarada was lost in his blue eyes as much as Boruto was lost in her black ones.

Sarada smiled and held his hand. "I think we can leave people waiting."

Boruto smirked while she dragged him. "What are you talking about?"

"My house is empty."

It didn't take them long to get there.

That time, none of them had the wish to go slow. They were frustrated by the almost kisses and all they wanted was to finally feel each other in every possible way. Sarada threw her arms around him and Boruto held her with a strong embrace. His smell was intoxicating, his touch addictive and Sarada didn't want to let go. She'd had to let go enough for the year that didn't even started yet. The best thing was that she didn't have to let go anymore. She could stay all night there, together. They kissed reckless and passionately, desire talking higher than any sense of limits. For a moment, they forgot where they were and who could find them. It didn't matter - the risk was exciting.

That time it felt like it was meant to be, as if they have never did anything before. He pressed her back against the wall and automatically her legs curled around his waist, low moans escaping her throat while he kissed her neck. Why I wasn't like this before? Raced heartbeats, lungs in need for air, sweat running down their backs.

She would say yes to him a thousand times. No, a million times. Better yet, infinite times.

The fireworks started to burst, and both smiled.

"Happy new year, Sarada." Boruto said.

"Happy new year." She answered back.

In the last day of the year, she broke all her laws instead of making new ones.

In the last day of the year, she accepted that she was in love.

In the last day of the year, she knew she was ready to melt into his arms every day from now on.

The last day of the year started like any other day of the year.

The first day of the year began different from any other day of her life.