Author's note: so I was planning to write a short, light chapter including more of the other characters and their childish/cute arguments, but then it ended up a lot longer and not quite so light...don't ask me what happened.
"My friend can fly. In fact he's zooming around above us now as we talk. He's the coolest and his name is Super Ninja R2500."
"His name is what?!" Sarada threw her hands in the air, rolling her eyes. "Boruto, that's not even a proper name."
"It is so!" the blond shouted back, his face growing a tinge of red. "He told me himself, he fights monsters and he's even stronger than dad."
"I'm not sure if I believe that, Hokage-sama is supposed to have stopped the war, after all." Mitsuki mused, stroking his chin.
It was a calm autumn's afternoon, and the children had decided to head to the playground instead of waiting at the restaurant for their parents to finish their catching up. Grown ups talked about the most boring of matters, after all.
"Well, I definitely don't believe in imaginary friends. It's so troublesome having to make them up." Shikadai's voice floated from his position on the slide.
"Super Ninja R2500 is not imaginary!"
Sarada rolled her eyes again, adding more fuel to Boruto's fire.
"Just cause you don't have any friends Sarada."
Sarada narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "I do so, and my one's real. He's super strong and he lives in my house, he plays with me all the time and protects me from scary things -"
"Whatever, what's his name?"
"His name is –"
Sarada stopped short. His name? She had never asked for it. Sarada frowned, why had it never occurred to her that she didn't know his name?
Boruto snorted, "You don't even know your friend's name? Obviously fake then."
Sarada flushed angrily. "I just never asked! I don't need to call him cause he's always there! I'll go home and ask him tonight and - "
"Yea whatever. I bet he's not as strong as Super Ninja R2500 anyway."
"Why did you even give him such a long name?" Shikadai mumbled from his spot.
"He's strong!" Sarada stomped her foot. "Super strong!"
"He's fa-ake."
"Is not!"
"Is so!"
"So is yours, Boruto." Mitsuki pointed out.
"Shut up!" Sarada and Boruto shouted, their voices so loud the brown leaves shook loose from their branches.
Both children glared at each other until Sakura's voice reached them through the wind, "Kids! Home time!"
Sarada scowled and began to stomp her way across the playground. She didn't make her friend up, he was real, so real she could touch him. He had always been there by her side, he couldn't be imaginary. But...her heart sank, there was so much she didn't know about him, she didn't even know his name! Sarada suddenly became horrified that maybe she was crazy in the head. She couldn't have imagined all of it, could she?
She felt a small hand tug at hers and Sarada looked questionably down at the owner.
"I believe you Sarada, Neji-nii-chan told me that you probably have a friend in your house too." Himawari said cheerfully, smiling.
Sarada blinked. "Neji? Who's that?"
"He's Himawari's made up friend named after our Uncle cause she has a crush on him." Boruto called over his shoulder, "Girls are stupid."
Sarada was about to give him a piece of her mind when Himawari squeezed her hand and whispered, "Don't worry Sarada, Nii-chan is just jealous since he can't see him, only I can. I don't think Neji-nii-chan wants to be seen."
Sarada's eyes widened as the younger girl's words sank in, "That's the same as my friend!" she whispered back desperately, "I don't know why but I'm the only one that can see him in our house! Papa and Mama both can't see him! But..." Sarada trailed off as she remembered the expressions on her friend's face, "Isn't it lonely?"
Himawari smiled, "Neji-nii-chan says he doesn't mind, he just wants to protect us. He's real strong you know, although he said he's not as strong as dad, he said dad is the strongest person he knows!" Himawari said, beaming.
Sarada smiled and patted her hair, a million thoughts racing through her mind. "I bet he is..."
XXX
Sarada stopped dead in her tracks, her hand outstretched, ready to slide open the shoji door to the room that she knew her friend would be in, but something was holding her back. She realised with a pang that it was doubt, a cold, heart-sinking feeling of doubt.
Because what if the room was empty?
It was almost midnight and Sarada had been trying for hours to fall asleep, but her mind was so awake, running through all her memories and thoughts and causing her heart to race. It was impossible to sleep without finding out the truth.
She gritted her teeth. Her friend had to be real, she had trusted him since the first time she saw him, relied on him whenever she was in trouble, there was no way she could have made everything up.
But what if she had? What if everything was just a figment of her imagination because she was so lonely from being left alone at home? Had she gone crazy? Had the darkness from under her bed, in between the cracks of the floorboards and in the depths of her wardrobe, finally gotten to her?
Sarada didn't realise she was shaking until her fingertips finally brushed against the door. She took a deep breath; she was going to grow up to be a strong ninja like her parents, she can't let something like this get to her.
With one fluid motion she yanked the door aside.
He was sitting cross legged on the floor next to a shogi board with his arms folded as he surveyed the game. She felt her legs weaken when the familiar warmth, almost like sunlight, brushed softly against her skin.
He looked up from his game and greeted her with a smile.
Can't sleep Sarada? I think you're becoming a little too old for bedtime stories though.
Sarada couldn't help it, she started crying.
...I don't mind telling you one if you really want me to...?
The look of helpless bewilderment and horror on his face made her laugh right through her tears and it took all she had not to throw herself at him.
He motioned for her with an outstretched arm and she walked obediently towards him, allowing him to gently poke her forehead before falling into his embrace, his hand patting her hair until her sobbing slowly subsided.
Did you get teased by Boruto again?
Sarada scowled as she brushed her face off with her palm, settling herself down in a sitting position next to him. "He's so annoying."
Hn. Tell him you can kick his butt any day.
She let out a weak giggle. "How do you know?"
Because your father could beat the crap out of his father when they were your age.
Sarada's stopped giggling and eyed him suspiciously. "Really? Did you see them?"
His eyes fell back onto the shogi board.
No, but I knew.
Sarada frowned. "You always say you know things, but you never tell me properly."
He chuckled, shoulders shaking slightly.
I suppose it's a bad habit of mine.
As if she knew what that meant.
Sarada huffed and crossed her arms, casting him glances from the corners of her eyes.
It didn't matter, she finally realised as she watched him reach out to move the knight across the board, it didn't matter that she didn't know what his name was or who he was, as long as she knew that he was real, sitting right here next to her. Her shoulders relaxed as she felt an invisible weight lift from her chest. Who cared if Boruto didn't believe her anyway? He was an idiot.
There was one thing she was curious about though.
"Ne, you're really strong right?"
He turned towards her, eyebrow raised.
Come again?
"Are you stronger than Boruto's dad?"
She could almost feel his amusement; it was as if the warmth projected on her was dancing with laughter.
Why do you ask?
She shrugged, "I just want to say it to Boruto's face."
He chuckled.
I don't know about that...the Hokage is really strong after all.
Sarada pouted, disappointed. "What about Papa? Are you stronger than him?"
This time he laughed.
Your father, huh.
Sarada waited impatiently as he stroked his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
I suppose he is stronger now.
Sarada first felt disappointment. She had always thought her friend was invincible, but then if her Papa was ever stronger...a rush of pride enveloped her body and she beamed up at him. But hold on – was that annoyance she saw on his face?
But I AM smarter.
Author's note: and so the plot thickens...*dramatic music*...or something like that. A few of you wanted to have Sarada find out more about Itachi, I think I would like that too, but not quite yet and in not such a way. In any case this definitely means she's growing curious.
On a another note, you guys are amazing! *Makes Itachi glomp everyone* Appreciate your support for this fic! :D Please continue to RR!
