To Walk Alongside You-

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto!

Chapter Ten-

Insecurities

It had been five months since Boruto was discharged after his wreck and now there was only a month left until he was well enough to drive. I wasn't worried about him driving, but I was worried about what that opened the door to. He was determined to race again. Every time it was brought up, he would look so happy that I lost my nerve to say anything. I was holding back so I could focus on helping him get better. However, now he was better, or extremely close to being so. I didn't know what to do. More than anything I didn't want him to race anymore, but I wasn't sure if I could stop him. I knew that I had to say something. I couldn't just keep putting it off forever . . . . I needed to tell him soon, before he got back on the track.

I was going back to school and picking back up my hours at work. Boruto was alright on his own now, but I still decided to stay with him. Even if he would soon not need me to be his personal nurse, I was still his girlfriend. School was just the way I remembered it, insightful but not overly difficult. Work, however, had changed since I had last been there. Most of my female co-workers had been let go and replaced by men. Seems like the flirting hadn't worked in their favor. In the medical field it was more important that you knew what you were doing rather than what you looked like. The flip side of that, however, means I had more men undermining my opinion and arrogant attitudes to deal with. Not all of them were bad, it was mainly the younger nurses that were near my age that had a stick up there butt. Today was not one of the better days.

I walked in to the break area and spotted Chocho, sighing as I sat across from her.

"Uh oh, I know that face." Chocho and leaned forward. "Talk to me."

I pushed up my glasses and sighed again. "I got paired up with Akagi." I hissed.

"The one with broad shoulders?" She asked. "Haven't worked with him yet."

"You're not missing out on anything. Every time I made a decision or gave him an instruction, he would ask 'are you sure' over and over again." I complained. "Tch! It really rubs me the wrong way."

"What's his problem?" She huffed and I shook my head.

"I have no idea, but he's ticking me off. Then when I said something about it he said I was overreacting."

Chocho cracked her knuckles. "Want me to handle his ass?"

I cracked a smile at her overprotectiveness. "No, not yet at least, but thank you."

"You're welcome. Maybe I should get paired with him next." She grinned evilly and I chuckled.

"I see. Hopefully I can straighten him out before then, I'd hate to have to end up being his nurse after you beat the crap out of him."

The rest of the day wasn't much better and I was close to punching the annoying butthole myself. I got home and dropped my bag next to the couch Boruto was sitting on. Then I sat on Boruto's lap and buried my face in his chest, his arms immediately coming up to hold me.

"What's wrong little dove? Bad day?"

"Hmm. This guy at work was just-ugh." I groaned, tucking my hands between us.

"I'm sorry... I think I heard you wrong... This what at work?" He asked and I snuggled closer.

His chest was really comfortable. "Every time I said something he questioned me, like I didn't know what I was doing. He kept challenging me all day and told me I was overreacting when I tried to talk to him about it." I ranted. "I'm stuck with him for the rest of the week."

"Fucking prick. Just ignore him. He's probably jealous because you're so good at your work." He said and started rubbing my back.

I smiled, remembering why I fell so hard for him. Not that it was difficult to, he reminded me everyday. "You think so?"

"Yeah." He sighed loudly. "You're too damn good honestly. Those stupid fuckers need to leave you alone before I go up there."

I sat up and kissed him. "I love you."

"And I love you, little dove."

I kissed him again and wrapped my hands around his neck. "I can always count on you to take care of me."

"Always." He promised.

Four more weeks passed and Boruto and I went on more dates on my days off, spending time together and getting him out of the house when no one could drive him anywhere. However, I used that time to distract myself from my own thoughts. Boruto was cleared to drive and I had waited until the last possible second to tell him how I felt. I need to tell him. He was driving us to the shop to meet Junior. He had texted me telling us to come over as soon as we could, that Dad said he needed to see Boruto. Needless to say, Boruto was more than a little worried about that and said it sounded ominous. We entered the shop to find Dad and Junior standing in front of a large curtain.

"Uh, what in the world is that for?" I asked, point to the red cloth.

Dad crossed his arms and Junior grinned. "It's a surprise." He said and looked at Boruto. "So, I know you've been looking for a new car to race in."

I had a bad feeling about this.

"What the fuck did you two do?" Boruto asked, grinning from ear to ear as his eyes stayed trained on that red cloth.

"Say hello to your new car." Junior said and pulled back the curtain to reveal Dad's mustang.

"What the fuck?" Boruto squeaked, only glancing at the car briefly before turning wide eyes to Junior and then Dad. "That's not fucking funny, you assholes."

"You better not wreck this one." Dad said, giving Boruto a smile. "Don't make me regret my decision."

I couldn't believe it.

Boruto stared at him, face fallen and a hand laid over his chest. "Are you fucking serious right now?" He asked, not believing him. His eyes moved to Junior and he forced himself to take a deep breath. "Y'all are fucking with me hard… I think I'm going to have a heart attack."

Junior laughed. "No, he's serious. I'm jealous, don't get me wrong, but I'm all for it. You should have it." He said and shared a look with Dad.

"No… this is not fucking funny… no way." Boruto shook his head again and again, still holding a hand over his chest as if he really and truly feared having a heart attack. "Shit… This is a prank from hell."

Dad chuckled and dangled the keys in front of him. "If you don't want it, I'll take it back." He warned.

"I can't… you're not… I don't… I mean… for real?" Boruto was beside himself, looking to Dad in amazement as well as bewilderment.

"Hn." Dad said and walked over, taking Boruto's hand and placed the keys there. "You deserve it."

Tears welled up in Boruto's eyes before he pulled Dad into a strong hug and buried his face in his shirt. "You bastard."

"Damn brat." Dad shot back and returned the hug. "Make me proud."

"Oh shit… Fuck… I can't…" Boruto leaned back to look at Dad, sniffling. "I fucking love you."

Dad ruffled his hair fondly. "I love you too."

"Told you he would cry." Junior said, coming to stand next to me. I was speechless. This was wonderful and I knew how much it meant to Boruto and Dad but, part of me didn't like it. How was I supposed to keep him off the track now?

Boruto turned around suddenly, world's biggest grin on his face as he looked at me, wrapping both his arms around me. "Sarada can you fucking believe this shit?" He asked, bouncing up and down with me in his arms.

Despite that part of me, I smiled. "It's really amazing." I said and meant it. I may not want him racing, but I was more than happy with him driving Dad's car.

He spun me around in his excitement before setting me down and going to the car, running his fingers across the hood. "Damn." He sang, unable to keep himself still. "This is a fucking dream come true… I just… I need a minute."

"Man, I can't stop smiling." Junior said, a wide grin on his face. "I hope you know I'm gonna want you to give me a ride, Boruto."

"Well let's fucking take a ride now. Right now. Come on!" He yelled, looking from Junior to me and then to Dad. "Um… you don't mind?" He asked dad a bit worriedly.

"Of course not, it's yours now." Dad said and then smirked. "But Junior,"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Shotgun." He said and Junior groaned.

"Not cool, Dad, not cool." He whined but was still grinning. "Come on, Sis, let's sit in the back."

Boruto was nearly squealing as he ran and got behind the wheel as we all loaded up. He was still bouncing away as he started up the car. "Shit. I can't believe it. This fucking power… my car didn't hold a candle to it."

Dad gave him a smug expression. "Don't sound so surprised. Though I'm sure you can handle it."

"Damn right I can." Boruto smirked as he drove the car out of the shop and got on the road. He looked briefly at Dad, the look in his eyes not settling well with me. "So… I want you to get me into the next upcoming race. This fucking car is flawless and I'm beyond ready."

My heart stopped and I gripped my seatbelt. I knew this would happen, I should have brought it up sooner. Junior raised a brow at my worried face but I shook my head, hoping he would drop it.

"Cocky little shit, aren't you?" Dad asked and chuckled. "Already done. I figured you would ask." For once, I hated that my Dad was so smart.

"Yes!" Boruto yelled, punching Dad in his arm. "You always fucking know everything. For once it's not a bad thing. When is it?"

"The week after next, on Monday." Dad told him and I held the seat belt tighter. This was all happening too fast.

"Hell yeah." Boruto grinned, driving the mustang as if he'd been driving it his entire life. "I can't fucking wait."

After the ride was over, I pulled Dad to the side while Junior and Boruto talked.

"Don't you think it's too soon for him to be racing again?" I asked, trying to keep my temper down. "He just got finished recovering, Dad."

"It's been over six months, Sarada. And it's not your decision to make." He told me, tone firm. "I know what this is about and you need to talk to him soon. Then your mother."

I furrowed my brow. "Why would I need to talk to Mom?"

He gave me that knowing look. "Just do it." He said and walked away.

I sighed in frustration and watched him join Boruto and Junior. I wasn't looking forward to telling him, but I knew I had too. I wanted to. When we got home later that night-Boruto's new mustang in the driveway-he was still really excited. He went on and on about how he couldn't believe it and how much he loved the car. We were up most of the night before we finally went to bed and I chose to talk to him in the morning. I waited until after breakfast to drop the bomb and I was so nervous I couldn't stand it, I knew it would end in a fight, but I had to tell him.

"Hey, Boruto . . . we need to talk." I said, taking a deep breath.

"Hm?" He looked at me curiously, though he hadn't stopped grinning since he'd gotten Dad's car. "What is it?"

The best thing to do was just come right out and say it, stalling wouldn't make everything go away and frankly, I had stalled enough. "I . . . I don't want you to race anymore."

His brows pulled together and his eyes left mine to look around as if he was trying to process my words. "Sarada… you don't mean that." He said, sounding taken aback.

"No . . . I do, Boruto." I told him. "I'm sorry."

He remained quiet for a moment before he looked back to me, his blue eyes dull compared to how brilliant they were only a moment before. "You're… you're just afraid. That's all. I understand. But that fear won't last."

"Of course I'm afraid!" I yelled, not meaning to raise my voice. "You almost died! That feeling . . . that fear, it won't ever go away."

"Sarada." He said, getting up off the couch and walking closer to me. "I know how you must feel, but I can't help what happened… the chances of something like that happening again are highly unlikely. You know racing is in my fucking blood."

"It's in mine too. Sure I don't answer the call to the track, but I can understand it. You might not get sabotaged again, but . . . I don't know what will happen." I said, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "Please, I'm asking you not to do this. I'm scared."

Boruto shook his head, his hands grabbing my upper arms. "Don't let fear control you and your words. You're fucking scared? Try fucking heart broken. Can you imagine how it feels to hear you talk like this? Racing is my life."

"And you are mine!" I yelled, the tears falling. My breaths came quicker as I cried and I put my hand over my mouth, turning away.

His hands fell away from my arms and his eyes cut to the side as if he couldn't look at me for another moment. "You're taking this too far, Sarada. You've supported me… since the beginning… forever… and you're going to bail on me now. Fucking now… when I need you the most?"

"I can't . . . . I can't do it." I whispered. "I can't watch something like that again, I can't watch you die. I won't."

"Did you…" He trailed off, blue eyes returning to me and never had he ever given me such a cold look. "Did you really fucking think this would change anything? Support me or not… watch or not… I'm still going to fucking race."

I turned around, all the hurt I was feeling showing on my face. "Boruto." I cried and shook my head. "I knew it wouldn't." I admitted and walked away.

Boruto was right behind me, his steps heavy. "Don't walk away from me, Sarada. You're making a huge fucking mistake here. I love you… and if… if you love me you wouldn't want me to give up something that means so much to me."

I stopped to look at him. "I love you too . . . . but I have to wonder, do you love racing more than you love me?"

His face fell, lips flattening as he looked me over slowly. I'd never seen such a broken look on his face. "Wow… I can't believe you just said that." He said, turning away from me then. "I'm not going to fucking do this shit. I won't let you do this to me… no matter how much I fucking love you." He took a few steps away, head falling as he stopped. "You were the last person… that I ever thought would make me feel this way."

"I could say the same." I said and continued walking, leaving his house and getting into my car.

I drove home and went straight to my room, locking the door. It was only then that I allowed myself to full on sob, my heart breaking. I didn't know what to do and I didn't want to think about it anymore. He wasn't going to change his mind and I couldn't change mine. Why didn't he understand? I didn't know how long it had been before I was finally able to collect myself. Then I peeked outside my door and went into the kitchen to drink some tea. I hated this. I hated all of this.

Mom walked in just as I sat down with my tea. She gave me a soft smile but I could tell from the look in her eyes that she wasn't happy. She came to sit next to me, her hand rubbing my back soothingly.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked carefully.

"No . . . . yes." I said. "It's hopeless."

"Tell me all about it… I'm sure there's a solution."

I sniffled and took a sip, setting it back down afterwards. "He wants to race . . . he always wants to race and I know, I knew he wouldn't listen. But I just-I can't do it mom, how can he ask me to still support the thing that almost took him from me?"

Mom sighed and smiled at me. "You know… when I met your father he wasn't racing. He told me he was a mechanic and that was all I knew… I didn't know anything at all about his racing career for a while. He seemed to love working on cars, even if he complained all the time about Naruto crashing them or messing them up in some way or another. Then one day I found out that he used to race too… and not only that, but he was good… really good.

"Everyone talked about how amazing he was… and I couldn't help wondering… why wasn't he racing anymore? Then I found out that he'd been in an accident and your uncle Itachi was obviously destroyed. I know he must have been afraid because he got your father to promise him that he'd never race again.

"But you know… your father loved it so much but he loved and respected his brother enough that he gave it up for a while. I saw how deeply this affected him and it wasn't easy… I mean, he could go out there any time and get into an accident. But we all stare death in the face every day. Don't we? Anything could happen, anytime. It scared even me because, I loved your father so much… I couldn't stand even the idea of something happening to him. But I also couldn't bear the thought of trying to take it away from him when it was a part of who he truly was. That's something someone has to decide on their own… and when he did retire from racing for good, he was the one who decided it."

Mom tucked my hair behind my ear, looking at me with her green eyes so full of love. "Why am I saying all this? Because… Boruto is the same as your father. He loves racing… and I know he loves you and you him. You're a smart girl, Sarada… so I think you know what's the right thing to do here."

I took in her words and sighed. I had no idea Dad had went through that, that he had promised not to race. Mom had been in the same position as me, she truly understood and she had chosen to support the man she loved.

"I said some awful things . . . ."

"Oh, we've all been there sweetheart. Boruto will understand. It's your support that he wants more than anything." She told me, giving me a gentle hug.

I hugged her back and gave her a small smile. "You know . . . Dad told me to talk to you before I even said anything to Boruto."

Mom giggled then. "Well your dad knows better than anyone how Boruto feels. Even more than Naruto. But he's not as good with talking about these things. Don't you think your dad understands? I mean… why else would he go so far as to give Boruto his car? He's had that car since he was a teenager."

"Oh wow." I said, surprised. That made it even more special and none of us had any idea. "Is it manageable, Mom? Do you think I can handle it? Seeing him race again? Were you able to?"

"Hm…" Mom raised her hand to her chin and a dreamy look appeared in her eyes. "When he took that first practice run against Naruto… I was nervous, but I couldn't wait… I'd never actually seen him race before. I'd just heard a lot of talk from the guys. But then when I saw him race for the first time, I fell in love with him all over again. He was so good, so comfortable. He was something else honestly. I always supported him. But you should ask your uncle Itachi about that."

I nodded and snuggled into her embrace. We stayed there for a little longer while she stroked my head. I decided to see uncle Itachi tomorrow and lazed around the house, Mom spoiling me with food and tv dramas. We hung out for the whole day and talked. I hadn't realized how much I missed her. Dad and Junior popped their heads in, but gave us some space for the most part. Mom's talk had really put things into perspective, but I didn't want to make a decision just yet.

I needed more time and I still needed to talk to uncle Itachi. I didn't spare a glance to my phone and slept in my room. The next morning, I drove to uncle's house while the twins were at school. He took me to his study and Izumi made us a snack. I hadn't been over here in a while and missed the house my dad grew up in. I used to come here all the time when uncle babysat and here and there after I went to med school.

"What brings you here, little Sarada?" Itachi asked. "Not that I'm not pleased to see you, you are my favorite."

I smiled and laughed. "I'm starting to think you say that to everyone. Aunt Izumi was right, you have no favorites because we all are your favorites."

He smirked. "Perhaps."

"I came to talk about Dad." I told him, getting straight to the point. "Boruto wants to race and . . . well, Mom said you had Dad promise?"

"Hn, interesting." He hummed. "It seems you're going through what I did. You don't want Boruto to race."

"I'm not sure what I want." I said and he nodded.

"I'm sure you know how protective I am, all Uchihas are really. I couldn't handle Sasuke being on the track and manipulated him. Our parents had died when we were young and it was up to me to take care of him. I wanted to protect the only family I had left and I would have gone to any lengths to do so. Losing my mother and father was hard, but losing my little brother was unthinkable. His accident hadn't been as severe as Boruto's, not nearly as much head trauma. However, seeing someone you care about crash at high speeds is a scary thing.

"He ended up with multiple fractures after another racer had run him off the road. It goes without saying that that racer was . . . dealt with. Luckily none of Sasuke's wounds were fatal, but I didn't want the next crash to be the one that killed him. Sasuke could have been as careful as he could be, but that didn't mean an accident couldn't still happen. I couldn't take that chance.

"I had him promise to never race again and he didn't. Naruto tried for years to get me to release Sasuke from his vow, but he wasn't successful. That is, until your mother came along. That woman was born to be an Uchiha. Everything changed when she came into the picture and Naruto took that chance to strike. He and I talked and finally came to an agreement. However, I wasn't ready for Sasuke to admit that he still wanted to race.

"You see, little Sarada, I realized something. You have two choices, just like I had. You can stop him from racing and he'll never be truly happy, or you can support him and he'll be happy for as long as he lives. I chose my brother's happiness and it was the best decision I ever made. I was scared to see him behind the finish line again, but once he took off, everything fell into place. I couldn't be scared of something that was so right, he belonged out there."

I hummed and thought about what uncle Itachi said. I couldn't believe that there was so much I didn't know about my family, what had happened in the past. I was grateful that I had Mom and Uncle to talk to, people who knew exactly that I was going through. Now I had more to think about.

"Ready to eat?" Izumi asked, poking her head in.

"I'm famished." Itachi grinned and she smiled warmly at him. "Come, little Sarada, you don't have to decide now." He said, looking back at me.

"Right."

It was fun to visit with uncle Itachi and aunt Izumi and I was glad I came. Both he and Mom had made it a lot easier and I realized that maybe it wasn't hopeless. It had taken a lot off of my shoulders to hear what it was like for them, how it was with Dad. I had to take everything I've learned and decide what to do. I needed to talk to Boruto and tell him how I felt again. I had made my decision.

A/N:

We're back with another update! Took us a while with the holidays upon us but we wanted to update for Christmas!

Thanks for reading and for supporting us, it really means a lot.

Happy Holidays from KanaTyy!