A/N: I'm alive and back with another chapter! Super big thank you to Sandsana and Tuvstarr's Lost Heart for beta-reading this for me!

Thank you to everyone who has read, faved, followed, liked, and supported this story by far. You guys are half the reason why I keep on writing. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto / Boruto


Sasuke scanned the ballroom. The sheer number of attendees was setting him on edge and making the room feel a lot smaller than it was. His grip on the wine-glass increased, threatening to crush it.

"Sasuke-kun." A warm hand held on to the crook of his elbow and gave it a light but reassuring squeeze. He looked to his side and was met by his wife's kind smile, and the tension in his shoulders lifted. How Sakura could have this effect on him he didn't know, but he was more than thankful to have her there with him.

Naruto was nowhere to be found and neither were Shikamaru, Sarada, and Boruto.

"They're late," he noted.

Sakura gave him another squeeze. "You can't expect the Hokage to arrive before all the other guests, right?"

"We aren't in Konoha," Sasuke grumbled. Before his wife could reply the doors to the ballroom swung open.

"Speak of the devil," Sakura giggled quietly.

Naruto came waltzing in with Shikamaru and Sarada walking two steps behind at either side, with Boruto on Sarada's tail. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Of course, the dobe had to have a dramatic entrance.

Sakura giggled and moved a little closer to him. "Shall we, darling?"

Sasuke sighed and nodded. He had to remind himself that he was here working, not just partying around. Naruto usually had his shit together for formal events such as these, but it always ended in the same scenario after dinner-Naruto would get drunk, and Sasuke and Shikamaru would have to do the cleanup. It was even worse those times when Naruto successfully managed to pull Sakura into his drinking antics. Although she had a particularly high tolerance, Sakura could get pretty difficult to manage once she had had too much. If anything, that was something Sasuke wanted to avoid. He just didn't have the energy to deal with it.


Sarada stood in the middle of the large ballroom, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. She vaguely recognized some of the people in passing, mostly from pictures, at Hokage Tower as some revered guests, or from television. She bit her lower lip and clasped her hands together behind her. Naruto and Shikamaru left her for a moment since the Daimyo wanted to have word with them. It was a nerve wrecking meeting. He really was a no-nonsense kind of guy. Even Naruto's aura changed when he addressed the Daimyo. It was unfortunate that just before they left, Boruto decided to go to get her a drink.

She swallowed and scanned the room again. Her stomach was starting to tangle into hopeless knots-she had the feeling that everyone was staring at her. Sarada released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding when her gaze landed on a mop of blond hair and bright blue eyes. His grin was so bright and so familiar that it instantly made her feel at ease. It seemed like he was in a hurry to return, the dark liquid sloshed around in the glass as he made his way to her.

"Boruto, be careful!"

He stopped in his tracks just a few feet away from her and steadied his grip on the wine glasses. His smile returned when they stabilized, and he grinned at her as he handed her one.

"Worried about me?"

She rolled her eyes as she took the glass. "Wouldn't want you making a mess. I might have to clean it up."

Boruto laughed. Sarada closed her eyes momentarily just to listen to his voice. It was amazing how much comfort he could offer just by being near-just by being himself. She opened her eyes again and offered him a small and tender smile.

"You look even prettier when you smile at me like that, ya know?"

Light pink dusted her cheeks, and she averted her gaze. "That's the third time you've called me pretty tonight…"

"Oh?" He leaned in closer and wiggled his eyebrows at her. "You've been counting?"

She scoffed. "Just an expression, you idiot. You've probably said it more times than I can count."

"So you have been counting!" He laughed.

Sarada let out a heavy sigh and thought she heard her name being whispered to another person. She looked over her shoulder and noticed two women looking their way. Even if the two were out of earshot, she couldn't help but feel like they were talking about her.

"Hey." She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and she snapped her attention back to Boruto. "Are you okay? Feeling nervous?"

She shook her head to clear it and forced a smile. "No way." He raised his brow at her and her smile faltered. "Okay, maybe a little… I don't know. I just feel like everyone's staring at me-talking about me, you know? It feels weird."

Boruto shrugged withdrawing his hand and placing it in his pocket. "You'll get used to it."

"Says Mr. Popular."

Boruto bit his lip and shrugged again dramatically. "Can't help that people love me, ya know?"

She threw her head back and laughed. It was nice to know that some things just never change. Boruto was still so confident-so full of himself. It was refreshing and comforting. Despite all the crazy things going on and changing, she could rely on Boruto to remain a constant.

"Nice to finally see you laugh," Boruto grinned and continued, "You got nothing to worry about, ya know? This party is practically for you. Dad's gonna introduce you around and brag to everyone that the next Hokage isn't going to be some fuck up."

Sarada smirked at his comment and then smiled at him.

"Nope, no fuck up here," Boruto moved closer to her and lowered his voice. "Konoha's gonna be led by the amazing and capable Sarada Uchiha. With the awesome Boruto Uzumaki by her side. All the nations better stagger back in fear."

This made Sarada laugh again. Together. They would lead Konoha together, exactly like how he promised her years ago atop Hokage Mountain. The memories made her heart flutter, and her stomach do backflips. Boruto had always been there for her since that moment, always so supportive and protective of her. Truly, with him by her side, everyone better back up if they didn't want to get fucked over by their awesome teamwork.

"Hey, we should have a toast!" Boruto raised his glass and looked at hers. Sarada looked at the glass in her hand and realized she hadn't touched it yet, too.

"What should we toast to? Fucking people up together?" She smirked.

Boruto smirked, too. "As much as I would love to I was thinking we should toast to you."

Her eyes widened, and her jaw slacked open by the tiniest bit. "To me?"

"Yeah, you. You've made it this far, right?" He grinned.

It all came crashing down to her. Boruto was right. It was happening. She wouldn't be inaugurated as the Hachidaime for at least another five or seven years, but it was happening. Tonight it would be set in stone that she, Sarada Uchiha, would be the next Hokage. Her heart swelled with happiness and pride, and it must have shown on her face because Boruto smiled at her, too. His blue eyes reflected her happiness and something else she couldn't quite pinpoint. He looked at her so tenderly, and he took a step closer to her.

Sarada snapped out of her daze and raised her glass, effectively putting some space between them. "A toast to us," she corrected. "We have made it this far."

His eyes widened for a moment, but then a sunny grin formed on his face, making his eyes close. He looked so much like the Nanadaime whenever he did that. It was too cute.

"To us," he raised his glass and looked straight into her eyes. Her breath hitched as they clinked their glasses together and lifted them to their lips to drink. Neither broke eye contact as they drank. Sarada felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Are you two done flirting yet?"

Sarada nearly choked on her drink, but Boruto literally did. He coughed and glared at the guy standing behind her. She turned around and greeted him, "Shinki!"

He had an impassive look on his face. "Father and Nanadaime-sama want to see you, Sarada." Shinki turned around and started walking away, Sarada assumed she was to follow. She faced Boruto again and giggled when she saw that he was giving Shinki a hateful glare.

"Bastard," he mumbled.

Sarada hooked her arm in his and he tore his gaze away from Shinki and eyed her hand resting at the crook of his elbow. "He's not that bad, Boruto," she whispered.

He rolled his eyes and straightened his posture. "Yeah, yeah."

She giggled and lightly tugged at his arm. "Come on. You're supposed to be my escort, right?"

It could have been the low light or the wine, but she could have sworn Boruto's cheeks turned a hue pinker than usual. "Y-yeah. Of course."

She offered him a warm smile and they both walked a few paces behind Shinki, who lead them to the corner of the room where Naruto, Shikamaru, and Gaara were waiting.

As they approached Boruto whispered to Sarada, "Save your first dance for me, alright? I'm saving mine for you." He winked.

She felt the heat flood to her cheeks, but before she could respond they were already at their destination.

Shinki placed himself next to his father, and Naruto stepped forward. "Ready, Sarada?" He offered her his arm. She squeezed Boruto's arm. It was really happening. This was it. She had waited for this for years, and of all times, she chooses right now to hesitate? Boruto nudged her and gave her a bright smile.

"Take care of her, old man." Boruto's tone was playful, but there was a less than subtle warning to the words.

Sarada chuckled as she took Naruto's arm. The Hokage laughed and offered his son a sunny grin. "You kidding me? Sasuke's here. Wouldn't dream of doing something to make that bastard kill me right here."

Naruto started walking away, but Sarada looked back at Boruto who gave her a thumbs' up.

Was it just her, or did he look sad?


Boruto let go of his wine-glass and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He stayed a good distance away from Sarada and his father. Close enough to see them clearly, but too far to hear their conversation. After a few minutes of conversation and encouragement from Naruto, Sarada looked far more relaxed, in turn making the tension ease from Boruto's shoulders.

Sarada and Naruto had been wandering around for an hour now and Boruto was starting to get bored. Other than occasionally catching his dad's corny jokes whenever he would pass by, it irked him that Sarada was right-people were staring at her and gossiping. It only added fuel to the flame when he noticed that he was getting his fair share of attention, too.

He looked over his shoulder and noticed a group of young girls giggling and looking his way. Boruto raised a brow, and then gulped when they started approaching him.

He had a bad feeling about this.


Sarada was speaking to Naruto and Shikamaru when a high-pitched squeal erupted coming from the dance floor. She turned around and found Boruto dancing with one of the younger delegates. A group of girls followed closely. There was a small commotion happening. If she was hearing it right, they were arguing about who would get to dance with him next.

"Ah, it looks like it's happening again." Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed.

Shikamaru smirked and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Always the ladies' man, huh?"

She felt like her heart had been crushed, and her blood started to boil.

"Save your first dance for me, alright? I'm saving mine for you."

So much for that bullshit. Sarada turned around so that her back faced the dancefloor. She didn't want to see his face right now. Nope. She might just punch him all the way back to Konoha if she did. Sarada felt so betrayed. Best friends always get the first dance, right? It hadn't even been her idea to save it, it was Boruto's. Yet there he was, breaking his promise.

Slowly, she looked over her shoulder to take a peek and found Boruto waltzing with a different girl now. He was smiling and it looked like he was enjoying himself. She watched them fall in step with each other, and he led her to the beat of the music perfectly. Sarada bit her lip. he had forgotten that Boruto knew how to dance so well.

"Sarada." A warm hand came to rest on her shoulder. She looked up. Naruto was smiling at her. "We should keep going, I have a few more people to introduce you to." He looked back at the dancefloor and then back at her. "You can spend the rest of the night with Boruto after that. We'll make it quick."

She shook her head. "This is important, Nanadaime-sama. We don't need to rush anything."

Naruto and Shikamaru exchanged looks.

"You're far too dedicated," Shikamaru smirked. "If Naruto offered that to me, I would take it right away, so I could sleep."

Naruto laughed, making her feel obliged to force a smile. She took one last glance at Boruto before following Naruto around again, her gaze kept firmly on the floor, feeling hurt.

Boruto never even once looked her way.


A/N: No one asked for feels, but here it is! We only have a handful of chapters left until we reach the end of Functions and Feelings. Quite surreal. I still can't believe it's ending so soon.

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Thank you again!