Boruto returned to his mother, who was waiting for him in a private room a few rooms away from the Hokage office. When she came to touch his face in greeting, he felt unhinged, his eyes wide. The sight of long golden hair kept replaying in his head.
Ayame.
Ayame.
That's who he saw. After all these years of keeping his distance, of being safe and cautious, he could feel himself slowly unravel.
She's grown so much without him. She looked happy. She was safe. But the sight of her has begun to slowly rip itself into him, leaving him feeling raw, and wild.
"Boruto?" His mother eyeing him nervously, "What's wrong?"
He blinked and tried to keep his face neutral, "I've saved your friend and her daughter. And it looks like we've run out of time for you and I to speak. I don't need Kakashi to contact me. If you want me to save someone, tell me yourself next time. This unscheduled meeting was a waste of my time."
Sakura smiled, "Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't know about this until a few minutes before you appeared. I'll notify my Hokage of your condition for next time. Forgive me Boruto. I know how you feel about using your powers this way. Thank you for doing it for my sake. And don't worry. We still have a few minutes."
"Minutes."
Pulling her hand back, she took in a deep breath, "I know how much our time together means to you. I'll make sure we spend more time together next time. Alright?"
Avoiding eye contact from his mother, Boruto hesitantly asked, "How's my sister?"
"What...I...She..." Sakura stuttered, "You haven't asked about her in a long time."
"..."
Sakura sighed at his silence, but smiled at his concern for his sister, "What can I say, my love? Her happiness is as blinding as always. The list of the people she loves only grows longer and longer. You don't have to worry dear, she is joyful and safe, and very happy."
"...Of course she is. Joy and safety is all she's ever known."
Sakura frowned, worried, "Boruto, long ago, you asked me to never bring up your younger sister. You told me was too dangerous. Why is it, I wonder, that you've decided to ask about her after all these years?"
"I felt like asking. Does that make you suspicious of me?"
A burst of laughter escaped her lips, and she smacked her son's arm, "Of course not you paranoid tree! I was just curious."
"..."
She smiled up at him, "Did you know that she searches for you?"
Boruto's eyes snapped up to look at her, "What?"
"Without knowing, she searches for you. In her training, in her studies, in the empty chair at our dinner table, she looks for you. All that you taught her, are all things she's never forgotten. She even remembers those phrases you two shared. It's all in her Boruto. The memories, and the love she had for you have not left her. One day, she will go and search for you. What will you do then? Will you take the hand she offers you?"
A piercing glare was his reaction, "She can't reach out to where I am."
"As your mother, I can only hope you're mistaken."
"...I brought a gift."
"Ah, I see. For her fourteenth birthday? How thoughtful of you." Sakura smiled, "What is it this year?"
Boruto reached in his pocket, and held out a small wrapped box, "Here."
She took it, and looked at the box confusingly, "You've always given her clothes. What is this, I wonder?"
"An anklet."
To that, she laughed, "You truly are a dedicated brother. I can't wait to give this to her."
"Update me on her current status."
"Ah...well, let's see. She's recently joined a private school, who seems to be training her well enough in her studies. Naruto and I took a tour of the school before as well. It seems to mostly concentrate on increasing strategists in the village. You know Naruto, of course he wouldn't allow anything too dangerous. Ever since she joined that school, I also haven't seen her spar with Naruto at all. Not once actually."
"For the best." He said.
Not pushing the subject, she changed the topic, "How's Mi-Joo?"
"She's well. Her training complicates things. Her powers are different than my own. But she completes every task I give her. I'm lucky I found her in time."
"Ah yes. I remember those wounds. I too, am glad you found her in time," she looked out the window, "What did you do with the people who hurt her?"
Boruto looked at her with no emotion, "I killed them."
There was silence between them for a while, "...You know, I remember a little boy who believed in what his father taught. I know your heart is not cold."
"Father would never forgive me. But in this life I've chosen, I was left no other choice."
"Your father would understand."
Boruto sighed, "Not that it matters. I've made it clear that I won't be leaving Mi-Joo's side."
Sakura smiled, "That makes me happy. No one would ever dare lay a hand on her now that you protect her so aggressively."
"I wish hiding her identity wouldn't be such a pain."
"Yes. You have to be careful who you show your attachments to. Or they will use those you care about against you."
"It isn't just me. The ones I trust help protect Mi-Joo. But they seem a little too obsessed with her though. I might have to send one on a death mission just to give her some space."
His mother giggled at him, "They protect her, just as you protect Ayame."
Boruto's eyes widened and looked at his mother, "Mo-"
"You must love Mi-Joo. A great deal, I might add."
"..."
"You take her with you wherever you go. You never allow her to leave your side, like a shadow. Your brother and sisters all seem to love you just the same. I know you cherish them all so deeply."
"They're a bigger handful than I'd ever imagine when I first met them."
She was about to make a joke, when she noticed something, "Boruto! Your hair is turning dark. Just look at your roots!"
"The Demon Children's power is reflected in our eyes and hair Mother."
She chuckled, "Well, that explains it! Your hair is turning black. And...I think your eyes might be darkening too."
"It's still better than white hair."
Sakura laughed, "Oh yes, that reminds me, how's Valentia?"
A dark chuckle escaped his lips, "Arrogant. Foolish. Useful. Irritating. Powerful. Clever. That's all the personality she seems to have."
"Please let her know I'm looking forward to our next encounter. She had such a colorful personality."
Boruto looked out the window, "As you wish. Our time is over. I'll be leaving. I've increased the protection around our house, and our family. Be safe Mother." He said, then vanished.
A young thirteen year old girl with long black hair and eyes of purple galaxies observed as she guarded the other thirteen year old with golden hair and eyes of teal waters, from her cliff far away.
She was quite the opposite of herself. Where her skin was a caramel color, her's was porcelain. Where her eyes were as bright and clear as water, her's were dark and mysterious. She didn't know how to feel, or how to respond. But she felt a unnatural desire to reach out to her. To look into those eyes and see those eyes looking back.
She stared too long. With her mind going blank, she stood up from her crouch, and took a step towards the girl. One step to the cliff. Her mind momentarily shutting off, and blindly walking to her in a daze.
"Mi-Joo."
Snapping out of her trance, she turned around and found her brother standing behind her, "Your eyes are flashing." He said, then looked out at his sister, "Do you feel it? The pull?"
Mi-Joo blinked, and looked down at her hands, "..."
"You've never felt it before because your senses were dormant until I found you. They only awaken when you come into contact with one of your own."
"Does she yearn for me too?" She asked, looking up at him.
"If she doesn't notice us, neither do her powers. The only exception to that rule is if we're close by, which we are not at the moment."
Mi-Joo turned back to look at the girl with golden hair, "...Will I meet her?"
"Not if you stay with me."
If she was hurt, or confused, she gave nothing away. Boruto was never able to guess what she was feeling, or thinking. She kept her emotions hidden behind closed doors. All she did, was blankly look back at Ayame.
He turned too, and looked at her from a very great distance. As he watched, a deep and old longing bubbled it's way through him as he watched his sister. She was so close, and yet so far away.
He clenched, and unclenched his fists over and over again in order to gain some self control. How long has it been since he held her small little hand? Stayed up until all hours of the night teaching her things he learned about in school, reading her stories, making up fairytales, pretending to get annoyed with her overly attachment? How long since she's cried for him because he was busy studying? There were too many memories locked up inside him that were slowly resurfacing. The future he could've had with his family ripped away. Who is she now? Who has she become after all these years? Was she the same? Or has she grown into someone he would no longer recognize? He had to leave before he acted recklessly.
"Let's go." He spoke, then turned into the darkness of the forest, vanishing within the shadows.
Mi-Joo heard his soft footsteps on the grass while she stayed a moment longer looking at the girl with golden hair. That was his real sister. His true sister bound to him by blood. Mi-Joo didn't know her, but she didn't have to. If Boruto would throw away his life to protect her, then so would she.
She reached behind her neck, and unclasped her silver necklace. She looked at the embellished cross, and briefly remembered the memories held within it. Then, carefully released a small amount of her power within it, and extended her arm towards the girl with golden hair.
Slowly, her fingers released the necklace, and let it fall beyond the cliff. As if nothing happened, Mi-Joo silently turned back, and went to follow her brother into the forest.
Valentia welcomed her brother back to the city and into her home of royalty, "How long were you planning to keep me waiting?"
Boruto immediately noticed the bruise on her leg she tried to hide with her dress. But he turned his attention back to her, his lips quirking up just slightly, revealing a ghost of a smile, "Was I away from you for too long? Honestly Valentia, your desperation for my company does get so tiresome."
"If you weren't so weak and foolish, it wouldn't unnerve me to be apart from you for long periods of time." She turned and walked forward, her long black strapless dress floating behind her, slightly revealing her bruise.
"You think my power is weak?"
She waved her hand in the air gracefully, showing off her soft porcelain skin, "Who cares for your strength? I have a reason to celebrate. Would you care to hear why?"
"You've finally taken the hair off your face that resembles a man?"
Valentia gasped and threw a golden bracelet at him, which he caught easily, "I do not have facial hair!"
He shrugged, "Could've fooled me."
Valentia began toying with her jeweled silver crown, "How awful I'm treated. And after all I've aided you." She said dramatically.
Boruto smiled, "You poor girl. Tell me, is your life difficult now that you have riches and comfort?"
"You forgot beauty."
"I also forgot fool."
Valentia rolled her big icy blue eyes, "Don't tell me you still haven't forgiven me for my announcement. Why won't you stop being dramatic and forgive me already? It happened ages ago!"
"It happened just a month ago and I'm still cleaning your mess."
"Well clean it up faster. We don't have time for you to be concentrating on trivial matters." She said casually, still toying with her crown, "Everyone knows I'm your sister. What's done is done brother. You cannot change the events that have transpired."
Boruto shrugged, "I'm not angry. I don't agree with your decision, but overall, no one was really affected except you."
She smiled, "Then may I go on with my celebratory news?"
"Oh the suspense is killing me."
"I've stolen much money from my personal target, and invested them in fields of his interest."
"Is it noticeable?"
"Of course not. At the very least, not yet."
"What about-"
Valentia flipped her beautiful long silver hair dramatically at Boruto, "Yes, our shared target. We've begun. But do please remember that what you request is a slow process."
"I'm aware."
"I've also linked the embezzlement money to our shared target from my personal target as well."
"When will you tell me this mystery target of yours? And why you're even targeting him in the first place?"
Her cherry lips lifted into a mysterious smile, "I will reveal it to you when the time has come. But I WILL share that I was contacted a little while ago. Her name is Little Bird, and she gave me an offer only a fool would refuse."
"What offer was that?"
But Valentia lost interest in the conversation when she glanced at Mi-Joo, "Hello my little one. Come." She spoke gently, opening her arms.
Mi-Joo's eyes softened, and she ran to Valentia's open arms, "You seem to have gotten your beautiful hair dirty. And just look at these torn silks. Has our barbarian brother not kept you clean? Shame on him. May I get you different clothes?"
"Yes sister."
"Ah, but your voice remains ever so beautiful. Come sister. I will teach you more from the last time you came to me." She said, and they disappeared through a marble arch, and into the bathing rooms.
Boruto turned around and began walking away until he heard his name, "What do you want?" He asked, "I have a lot of work to do."
Valentia appeared at the exit, looking sadly at her brother, "That sword anklet. With the small diamonds. You gave it to your blood sister, didn't you?"
Boruto showed no signs of surprise or confusion. Valentia's powers ranged from shape shifting, healing, and seeing the future. So she knew, that no matter how long she stood there, Boruto would remain silent.
"Brother-"
But he surprised her, bypassing her power and speaking, "Isn't it strange? We all have weaknesses we can never truly overcome. I am no different. My weakness is the girl, tied to me by blood. Mi-Joo's weakness is an innocent one. And yours..." he trailed off.
Valentia didn't say anything for a moment. He may be a villain to most, but she knew how much he truly suffers from the kindness he shows. He is not haunted, or miserable, but his yearning and anger swallow him. He allows them to. To remember what he sacrificed, and why.
"Seeing her has undone you." She whispered, taking a step to him and gently touching his arm.
He glared at her fingers on him, but she ignored it, "If I were not who I am, you would've crippled me for my sin of touching you. But you will not harm those you care for. So allow me to remind you, it isn't considered weakness to allow those who love you to attempt to soothe the jagged edges of your heart."
"Soothing won't complete my missions, or eliminate my enemies."
She gave him a sad smile, "Your weakness may have compromised us. Like a shark, she may smell blood in the water."
"That girl has received no such training. I've made sure she becomes nothing more than a pretty bird in a locked cage."
"And yet," she spoke, squeezing his hand, "She has rained down merciless memories so unforgivingly. You may have locked her in a cage, but it is you who suffers from they key you hold."
"Merciless memories, huh?" He chuckled darkly, "Of course, she was always much crueler than I."
"Let me ease your pain." She insisted, lifting both her hands, and placing them on both sides of her brother's cheeks, "I will absorb it from you."
Boruto closed his eyes, and gently squeezed her fingers to pulled them away, "This pain is mine. I will not share it."
Valentia's beautiful icy blue eyes filled with tears, "Why must you insist on forcing us to watch you suffer? You breed only more pain."
He wiped her tears with his thumb, "Always offering me wisdom," he said offering a smile, "Don't cry Valentia. You're with me, it eases my pain more than enough."
"Why do you hold on to your agony?"
"To remember how I will make my enemies pay for what they've done."
Valentia smiled at that through her tears, "What an evil man you pretend to be."
"You don't believe with my reputation? I'm a dangerous man Valentia."
This made her laugh, "Dramatic is what you are."
He smiled and patted her head, "Don't cry for me anymore Valentia. I will be back in the morning."
As soon as he walked past her, his smile vanished and returned to it's cold demeanor. The tears of his sister twisting a knife in his chest, raising his raw and violent fury.
He silently made his way through the cobblestoned city until he got to his destination. His powers smoking him out of sight, and rematerializing him within his target's quarters.
Boruto!" Jumped a yellow toothed smuggler, but then he frowned, at his unexpected guest, "I went to drop off the supplies last night with Valentia. Is there something else you want to talk about?"
Boruto unleashed his powers without warning, and immediately the screams pierced the night, "Yes Dugo." he spoke with an alarming calm, "Let's talk about the bruises on my sister."