The Parent Trap

by MemoryWriter

Sakura's on a business trip, so Sarada decides to run away & finally meet her father. When he doesn't recognize her & with his company in need of a child to house for the public eye to repair their image, she becomes the Uchiha charity case overnight. Can she keep her identity secret long enough while living with the Uzumakis and Sasuke in the Uchiha Mansion? (some BoruxSara)

25. Operation: Black Out Pt1

Chapter 25: Operation: Black Out Pt1

It's finally the day - the final presentation of everything Sasuke Uchiha has molded from his summer protegee. Alongside all the prep for the ball there's also a ton of loose ends to take care of. Do Sakura and Sasuke really not stand a chance? Sarada is willing to pull every stop to make sure Sasuke's engagement never happens. Between all the strategic underhanded plots by the kids, Boruto finally comes to terms with his feelings. Will Sakura walk away or take a chance to make things right with the man she was meant to be with? Can Sarada and Sasuke really be just father and daughter for once in their lives?

---

Early the next morning, I was already up at 5 a.m. We'd gone to sleep a little past midnight, but I've never been able to sleep long and well in new places. It took me days to get used to sleeping in the Uchiha Mansion when I first started living in Japan. Even in a luxurious hotel suite like this it still didn't feel like home.

Mom however slept like a rock. In fact she's still in the bed, hogging all the newly required space since I'd left.

I sit at the vanity dresser brushing my hair in front of the mirror. Not having my cell phone, I just remained quiet with my reflection waiting for the sunrise to complete. In all honesty I've been mentally preparing myself for today. The grand ball to be held in Sasuke Uchiha's mansion was this evening, and it was so unnerving to think about. How this entire day ends could very well shape the rest of the course of my life.

As if that wasn't already enough to think about, spurts of thoughts of Boruto will flutter in and out of my brain. I still have to face him eventually. About that kiss he gave. And I gave. Ugh. I don't know what's worse to think about.

Eventually a quiet ring from the hotel phone starts to go off. I get up to answer as quickly as I can before it can disturb my mom. "Hello?"

"Yes this is room service. There's someone by the name of Naruto Uzumaki here to pick up a Miss Sarada?"

"Yes you can send him up," Sarada answers before hanging up the telephone. My mom stirs in bed, her groggy face turning towards me in her pillow. "That was Naruto. He's here to pick me up," I whisper low.

"I miss you always being the first up," she drowses on affectionately. Oh Mom. I remember back home in our New York apartment, most times I'd be the one to get up first. If Karin wasn't around, I was usually the first one showered and dressed and making breakfast. Getting up early for school was already a routine for me, but Mom getting up early after long nights in her studio drawing or running paperwork was never a consistent thing.

Before too long there's a polite knock on the doors. "Alright Mom, get up." My mom puts her face back down in her pillow and groans as I go to get it. Opening the left of the double doors I see Naruto standing right outside.

"Morning, Sarada," Naruto smiles.

"Good morning," I grin, happy to see him. Boruto's not with him I notice, and then I remember he must still be sleeping over at Inojin's with the rest of the guys. "How's Sasuke?"

"Stressed. Doesn't suspect a thing," Naruto smiles confidently. I let him come in just as Mom gets out of bed. She has bed hair and a groggy pose, sitting on the bedside with one sock and a hanging bra strap. A huge contrast to Naruto's neatly ironed slacks and shirt. Geez Mom have some decorum.

He also looks between mother and daughter, somewhat shocked to see the dynamic difference as well. "Do you usually get up early?" Naruto asks curiously.

While I answer yes, at the same time my mom answers no. Naruto stares for a minute for chuckling to himself. "Oh," he says, reaching into his pocket. It's my cellphone from Sasuke. "Snagged this for ya."

Sakura watches him toss it to me, which I receive happily. "Sarada has her own cellphone here too?" she asks from the bed.

"She came to Japan without one, so Sasuke eventually got her one to keep in touch easier," Naruto explains as I look back sheepishly. I can see her in a somewhat irritated stare that she must realize I left my phone behind at home on purpose. "Say Sarada, the limo's parked outside by the lobby entrance. Why don't you head down and I'll be there in a bit. I'll just talk to Sakura for a minute," Naruto requests.

"Sure thing," I nod, somehow not being too comfortable with Naruto and my mom talking alone without me.

Naruto shuts the suite doors after me and Sakura fixes her bra strap, standing up and walking over to Naruto. "Alright. I'm all ears," she supposes as she stands casually in her sleepwear.

Naruto accidentally eyes her up and down, a little caught off guard at how shameless she is standing before a male stranger like this. Was she really a world-renowned fashion designer? "I'm gonna explain what's going down today okay?" Sakura nods at him. "The Uchiha Ball is taking place at Sasuke's mansion at 6pm this evening. We're just taking Sarada there to get hair and make up done; last minute dress fitting. Some photography before the guests start to arrive. That's all." Sakura looks skeptical. "H-Hey don't look like that. We're not forcing her to do anything she wouldn't want to do. She's under watch from house staff at all times, and my son's going to be at the mansion too. He always makes sure she stays out of trouble." Though I'm pretty sure it's the other way around.

Sakura eventually lets out a sigh, crossing her arms. "Sorry if I come off a little abrasive. This is all still a big shocker to me."

"I can't blame you."

"Plus, I can barely imagine my daughter willingly going along with all these rich-people shenanigans," Sakura goes on, her expression a little more gentle. "She has so much stage fright and doesn't do very well with crowds. She'd rather run home than deal with public speaking. Sarada used to be so self-conscious in dresses. It took everything I could to even get her to try one of my designs back home sometimes, much less wear one out."

"That's not the Sarada I know," Naruto laughs, trying to imagine such a girl.

"She grew up," Sakura shakes her head, a small proud smile creeping on her face. "So fast over the summer. I had no idea."

"Hey," Naruto cuts off, giving her encouraging arm rub. "You were a great mom. Not that I have any liberty to say this, but she turned out great. Seriously, Sarada's a great kid. You should be proud."

"Really?"

"Flying out across the world to go meet her own father? I don't know any kid brave enough to pull off a stunt like that," Naruto scoffs. "Not that, I'm encouraging deceiving one's mother at all." She laughs. "But she's brave. Smart. I don't know what she told you last night when she stayed with you here but that girl did so much for my family just living in the mansion with us," he tries to explain, pointing at the door I just walked through. "Hell Sasuke's a way different person now from when Sarada first moved in. She did that." He gives off this charming sincere Naruto-smile. "She must've gotten it from somewhere."

There's a small bashful blush coming onto the proud woman's face. "Thank you, Naruto."

"Of course," Naruto says with gracious open arms.

"And how's Sasuke?" Sakura brings up hesitantly, but sincerely curious about his well being as well. "He doing okay?"

"As okay as an asshole can be," Naruto says difficulty, scratching his head with a laugh. "To be honest I have no idea how you put up with a dumbass like him for so many years."

"Oh trust me, I was well aware," Sakura laughs, causing the two to finally connect on something. "He's engaged, you say?"

Naruto feels for the woman before him. Her eyes show it all. "It's an arranged marriage, if that makes it any better. Mm, not really I suppose." Both faces drop a little at the topic. "...Why don't you come?" Naruto says suddenly. "Come to the ball. No one's told Sasuke you're here out of privacy but, he should know."

"No," Sakura politely declines with a hand nervous laugh. "It wouldn't be right. Coming to my ex's engagement party? It's probably best Sasuke never knew I was here."

"I disagree." Naruto reaches into a pocket in the jacket he's holding and pulls out a pearlescent envelope. Handing it to her she opens the flap and finds a fancy invitation to the ball. "Think about it," he suggests. "It'd mean a lot to Sarada for you to see how far she's come. Personally I don't think the marriage is right either."

Sakura looks up from the invitation.

"The only reason Sasuke is going through with the marriage is to protect Sarada."

"What are you talking about?"

"He's been working for years on ways to buy up the other parts of the Uchiha company, we wouldn't be in a position to have to merge to survive. These past few weeks he's been on it non stop," Naruto tries to explain. "If Sasuke could have 100% ownership of the company like he was meant to, the merge wouldn't be necessary and Sasuke could easily say no to the board about an arranged marriage."

"His dad only handed him down 65%," Sakura recalls nostalgically.

"How do you know that?"

"H-He used to complain about family stuff when we were kids," Sakura starts remembering form high school. "He had a lot of pressure inheriting his dad's position, knowing he'd be going in not owning all of it. I didn't really get it back then but I'm starting to now."

"Because of that, if the board finds out he has an heir," Naruto points out, "Sarada's going to be the one stuck in an arranged marriage for the merge instead. That's the last thing he wants."

Sakura stares ridiculously at Naruto, half trying to process Sasuke's position and also comprehending Sasuke actually going so out of his way to protect his own daughter like this.

"He doesn't want to marry that woman," Naruto restates, to reassure her. "He's trying his best to go behind the Konoha Enterprise's back and buy up the rest of his company slowly, but he needs time. Once this engagement happens tonight though it's going to be tough tuning back."

"So he's had this back up plan all along?"

"He wasn't sure it was going to work in time, so he hasn't told Sarada or anybody," Naruto admits. "At the rate I've been watching him, I don't think he'll be able to do it by tonight either, especially with all the prep he has to do for tonight. But," Naruto holds her hand holding the invitation," if you came and gave him a reason to postpone the engagement, he'd have more time."

"Wait wait, hold up," Sakura steps back with a crazed laugh. "Are you seriously suggesting I party crash one of the most expensive balls in Japan and home wreck an engagement proposal?"

"Am I not being obvious enough? What," Naruto argues.

"You're insane," Sakura smiles disbelievingly, pointing at the Uzumaki. She turns around to go to her vanity mirror and lean on it for a minute. There's a moment of silence while she thinks to herself. "I'll think about it," she finally lets out.

Naruto holds his hands up from where he was standing. "That's all I ask for," he says. Sakura can see him in the vanity mirror reflection. "Oh," he remembers, and she watches him leave the room momentarily. Sakura stands straighter and turns around to see what he's doing, and he walks back into the suite with a hotel luggage rack. Hanging on it is a grand ballgown. Her eyes bug out.

"I never got to play fairy god mother before," Naruto grins, standing beside the rack. She slowly walks up to him, staring at it. "If I'm gonna play the part I'm gonna do it right. Oh come on you design dresses just like this. Don't look so shocked."

"N-Naruto what are you doing with this?"

"Itachi organized it," Naruto blames. "He got you a gown he said was your size, and there's shoes and accessories in this bag." He turns the gown hanger around, revealing a shopping bag from one of Japan's biggest brands."

"Why are you doing all this?" Sakura asks shaking her head. "Aren't you just like his business partner or something?"

"He's also one of the best friends I've ever had," Naruto mentions, "so why he never bothered to mention you to me I'll smack him for later. But if it wasn't for Sasuke, I wouldn't be where I am today; happy and with my own family? It's crazy. And Sasuke deserves the same thing. He's a good guy."

Sakura's smile flattens distraught, unsure how to feel about everything happening around her.

"And for what it's worth, despite all the magazine and web articles, I've never seen Sasuke date another woman in his life or get remotely close to it. And I went to college with the guy." Naruto leaves at that and proceeds to the door. He looks back one more time before shutting the door. "Think about it!" he yells again, pointing a childish arm and then leaving.

Sakura groans thoughtfully, sitting back on her vanity chair and staring at the gown and shopping bag.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Once we pull up to the mansion run straight out and the maids will show you were to go."

"We wouldn't be in such a rush if you didn't take so long talking with my mom. What the hell were you doing? Telling her your life story?"

The limo pulls up in front of the mansion. "Shut up and get going," Naruto bum rushes, pushing me out of the limo. There's a familiar butler and maid waiting there who hold their hands out, and I rush to meet with them as they show me in. The ballroom is a storm of staff help setting up. Musicians and food vendors and florists setting up and whizzing all over the place. I've seen events happen at the mansion before but this was the most prep I've ever seen before. And it's only 8:30.

The maid leads me to another parlor room on the same floor, and inside the naturally-lit room there's Tsunade and a team of women. There's some working on a dress on the other side of the room I can't quite see, and the other half by a set up vanity with lights and make up and all this other equipment. It was intense.

"Sarada you made it," Itachi comes around the corner from another door. He nods at the maid who bows and leaves me with them.

"Good morning," I smile, looking like we're getting ready for a big show. I guess we are in a way. "Is all this really necessary for just me?"

"Yes," Itachi and Tsunade both answer, her coming up beside him. "Morning kiddo. Get some good sleep?" I nod confidently, and she grins. "Good girl. Come here there's some people I want you to meet." She comes back to her work area where three women are setting up. Itachi remains by the door. "Sarada this is Kurenai, Tenten and Shizune. They'll be doing your make up, hair and accessories."

"Hi," I greet shyly.

This girl Tenten eagerly shakes my hand with both of hers. "Oh my god you're adorable," she squeals. "I can't wait to work on you!"

"Thank you," I grin, loving her bubbly personality so early in the morning.

Itachi watches content by the door as Sasuke appears at the entrance behind him. "I see she's all set," Sasuke notices, seeing the women charismatically fawn over his daughter. "You ready? We have some things to take care off before rehearsal in my office with Naruto."

"Alright," Itachi nods. "Sarada! Will you be okay on your own? We have rehearsal downstairs in fifteen minutes so after Tsunade explains to you what you'll be doing meet us in the ballroom okay?"

"Psh she's in good hands," Tsunade answers for me, a hand over my head. "And we'll be fast."

Sasuke walks over to me as the women get their equipment ready. "Get some good sleep? Sorry to have you up so early for something like this."

"No I don't mind."

"How was the sleepover?"

"It was fun," I lie. "The guys were silly as usual but they slept like rocks, haha."

"Naruto told me Boruto slept in when he got you and will be coming in later. Tsunade mentioned girls need a bit more gimme to get ready anyway. Hinata's down the hall getting her hair and make up planned with the family stylist."

"Wow," I smile. And part of me is glad Boruto isn't here yet. With everything going on I don't know if can face him again, yet. I don't now how the hell I'm facing Sasuke right now. The longer I look him in the eye, the more I remember that he's aware I'm his daughter. Yeah he told me in the limo yesterday but we haven't actually had a moment yet to sit down and really talk about it.

"Sasuke," Kanna's voice chimes. She comes into the parlor passing and completely ignoring Itachi. She comes up to the two of us. "Here you are. I was looking for you all over the mansion for the past ten minutes-" She spots Tsunade by the vanity to the right of my chair. "Oh my gosh," she whispers, clasping onto Sasuke's arm. "Is that the Tsunade? How the hell did you get her?"

"Personal friend."

Kanna's eyes start to sparkle. "Babe you got Tsunade to do my makeup and hair? You shouldn't have!" she goes on, leaning her head on my father's shoulder. I couldn't help but grimace, not even bother trying to hide it.

"Actually she's here for Sarada," Sasuke responds factually. "I hired her as Sarada's personal stylist for the day. Yours is in the room down the hall with Hinata."

I bite my lip to keep down the chuckle trying to come out, and I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Alright I've got to get to work. Everyone out," Tsunade begins to shoe, not even bothering to hide her smoldering glare at the woman who came barging in. Kanna sends a pout before walking out arm in arm with Sasuke.

"Actually I'll be the one to escort you to the family stylist," Itachi says at the door. "Sasuke has more important things to attend to for the morning before rehearsal."

I stifle another laugh as the adults disappear, Kanna clearly displeased.

Tsunade scoffs. "That's enough entertainment for one morning. Alright kid. I'm going to show you a couple examples of hair and make up we thought would work best for you. Mind going over them so we can plan what we'll do for you later?"

"Sure."

Tsunade ends up sitting me down in a chair by the glowing vanity mirror as she hands me a digital pad. We begin going over looks she and her team have prepared in a little file presentation, to help narrow down my look for the ball this evening.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"And the transfers are working?" Naruto asks, working in private with Sasuke in his office. Doors closed.

"Not fast enough for them to happen tonight," Sasuke admits in defeat, closing his laptop at his desk. He looked beyond exhausted. He barely got any sleep. On the edge of the desk sits an engagement ring in a purple velvet box. The two met wait around quietly in thought. "As of right now I only own about 70% of the company. It's better but still not enough. I don't have enough time to go through the process by tonight."

"I understand," Naruto nods, not liking the idea of giving in.

"I appreciate the idea," Sasuke half smiles, out of character and trying to comfort his partner. "It just wasn't meant to be."

"Are you really going to go through with this?" Naruto tries one more time. He glances at the ring beside Sasuke. "Don't you want more time with Sarada?"

"I don't have that choice and you know it," Sasuke admits, shaking his head. "Besides, I told her yesterday."

"What. Told her what?"

"That I know we're related, on our way to the hotel," Sasuke says, and Naruto's face distorts. "That I'm her dad."

"You just up and told her?!" Naruto freaks out, recalling the events going on yesterday. "Of all times then?!"

"I don't have a lot of time left with her," Sasuke frowns. "Whatever remaining days she has here in the mansion before we return her home, I'd rather everything be out and open between us. Even if I'm not all that present I changed my mind last minute and thought it'd be best."

"Well you're not wrong," Naruto frowns too. "But still..."

A knock from the office door, before a small blonde head pops in. It's Boruto. "Hey Dad, Sasuke."

"You're late," Sasuke notes as the boy closes the door behind him.

"Sorry, my alarm didn't go off," Boruto lies sheepishly, scratching his head. "The maids also said that the instructor is here in the ballroom. He's ready whenever everyone else is."

Within a few minutes, the rest of us were all brought out into the ballroom. When walk out from the hall way beside the ballroom staircase, I see Sasuke, Naruto, Kanna, Hinata and Boruto all scattered around the base of the main stairs - alongside a man with a mustache and big heavy glasses. He must be the organizer the family hired.

"Ah, the Uchiha protege," the skinny old man greets, holding his arm out to me to join the group. He sounds so friendly, and looks old and fragile enough to be a great grandfather. "It's such a privilege to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

"Aw that's so sweet," I smile, shaking his wrinkly hand. In the corner of my eye I can see Boruto a little further away. My breath hitches and I feel my heart start to beat a little harder, so I look away. What the hell am I feeling?

"Now that we're all here, I'm going to lead you all through the procession of the announcement tonight," the instructor begins to explain. "Master Naruto will be escorting Lady Hinata. Following will be Itachi escorting Miss Kanna. Afterwards Master Boruto, Miss Sarada and Master Sasuke will come out, and he will give a speech to welcome guests once the family has presented themselves. At that Miss Sarada will step forward to Master Sasuke's right and he'll be introducing his protegee as well."

I gulp a little, realizing how ceremonial this is beginning to sound. I feel Sasuke come up behind me and put a comforting arm around my shoulder, as if to assure me. "After that, Naruto and Hinata will come down the stairs, followed by Itachi and Kanna, then Sasuke. And then Master Boruto," the instructor turns to the crossed-arms boy standing against the stair railing. "You will escort Miss Sarada down."

"M-Me?" Boruto stammers out, suddenly flustered.

The oblivious instructor nods, and I feel my shoulders tense as I fold my hands together in front of me. A nervous tick. Oh my god why am I going to be walking down of everybody with Boruto of all people? Why not Sasuke? "After all the introductions are over and down with, the orchestra will be performing a waltz and the first dances will begin. Shall we?" he gestures his hand to the dance floor of the ballroom.

We all come around as the instructor pulls me forward. I feel awkward and clumsy, even standing in front of my own family. "Technically this is your party. As tradition, you will be dancing with all the men of the household. Every young male in the ball you owe at least one dance."

"Every guy?" I repeat, caught off guard.

"As a bachelorette yes, is per tradition," the old man nods with a smile. "Sasuke has the first dance. Sasuke you're familiar with the waltz yes?"

"I'm not that rusty," Sasuke laughs.

He nods. "Very well. Let's have the kids dust off the waltz then. Come Boruto."

With a hand behind my back the instructor invites Boruto to come forward, and he has us assume the familiar dancing position. Immedietly I feel my whole body warm and my heart start beating a little faster.

He plays from a nearby music player an example of the waltz music, and Boruto and I sway to the song. He and I are silent the whole time, mostly because the instructor is pointing out small changes in our steps or posture the whole time. All I can remember however is the heat in my face and the sweatiness in my palms I pray Boruto doesn't notice - as well as the lack of eye contact I just can't bring myself to have.

At the same time though, I find myself liking this moment despite that.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Once the quick fifteen minute rehearsal was over, everyone was dismissed to continue preparing for the ball. That meant me and the women were back off to hair and make up. Itachi and Sasuke had loose ends to tie up work-wise, and Naruto was escorting his son to the guys' stylist across the mansion for a final suit fitting.

"What happened?" Naruto speaks up casually. "You're great at the waltz. You stepped on Sarada's feet like twice."

"Shut up," Boruto blushes, hands deep in his pockets as he glares away from his dad.

Naruto rolls his eyes. Teenagers. "I picked Sarada up this morning from the hotel. Her mom's still undecided about tonight."

"Is she."

Naruto nods. "I tried my best to persuade her to come, but to be honest it's fifty/fifty. She's hard to read."

"She's a scary woman," Boruto shrinks, remembering all of the day before. "I don't know how a person like her can overpower someone like Sasuke. Or if he could make her as timid as Sarada."

Naruto shakes his head. "I can't imagine. That's love I guess," he shrugs. Curiously he looks down to his son. "So... anything going on between you and Sarada?"

"DAD," Boruto shouts accidentally. But the reddening in his face says it all. Naruto's smile slinks into a teasing look, so Boruto shoves the man -n ot that it does much. "She's just a friend!" Boruto says defensively.

"Really?" Naruto grins.

"I'm not having this discussion, Dad."

"Just sayin', don't wait man," Naruto advises casually.

The two Uzumaki's walk together in silence down the long halls before Boruto finally breathes out. "I... sort of kissed Sarada," Boruto admits.

Naruto's face cracks. "You what." Naruto stops walking, and Boruto has to do a double take back to his dad. "R-Really?!"

"You asked!" Boruto argues back, all red again and completely regretting his decision to open up to his father.

"AgHGGGHH!" Naruto groans, holding his head with both hands in agony. "Sasuke and Sakura are gonna have my head for this." He looks back to his son with a crazed stare, slightly intimidating him. "So? What happened?!"

"We haven't had a chance to talk about it yet!" Boruto manages out, holding both hands up and stepping back. Really really regretting opening up to his dad. Now he's just running all information out his mouth and he can't stop. "I mean, I think I like her but, I don't think she likes me back. We've just been friends this summer, nothing else has really happened."

"Well did you tell her you like her?" Naruto interrogates, suddenly in front of the kid.

"N-No." Naruto wanted to rip his hair out. "Now isn't really the right time, Dad." Naruto couldn't help but agree. "After the ball or once things settle down maybe."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

By 2:00 Tsunade is putting the final touches on my dress. I'd stood on the pedestal as Tsunade's staff of women stitches and added tiny details to the dress. Every sequin, diamond; every stitch. Done by hand. The embroidery and the attention to detail as it flit like a glove over my body. This was truly the work of a master of their craft. Tsunade is amazing.

Once the dress was finished it was taken off and I was put back onto the chair. Kurenai put on my makeup. It was painless, almost soothing. She plucked my eyebrows and did my lashes, assuring me when she warned she'd be putting on fake lashes as well. They didn't turn out as bad as I thought. And then Tenten did my hair. Again, it's short. I still never think there's much you can do to it. However Tenten too was very skilled in what she did for a living. My face looked like it was wet and glowing. My hair not too overdone but elegant. It was me.

And then Shizune helped me into the dress once again. She helped me into my shoes - which by her recommendation were comfortable to stand in for hours on end. I believed her whole heartedly. She gave me a pendant to wear, did my nails a clear glossy coat, put a beautiful hair peace to the left of my hair. And she let me wear my glasses. Most make overs I get done for any of Sasuke's events prefer me to remove them, so I like that I can keep them on now.

When Tsunade shows me the final look on the pedestal surrounded by different angled mirrors, I'm amazed once again. Not to sound conceited or anything, but this was by far the best I've ever felt in regal wear. Not because it was the most expensive make over or anything, but I looked and felt like me. I felt beautiful for being me.

"Like it?" Tsunade asks behind me, her calm hands on my shoulder and her face close to my ear. She looked proud.

"I feel pretty," I smile, wanting to cry.

"You're amazing," Tsunade assures. "Whatever you end up doing, blue blood or not, you'll succeed no matter what." Hearing that from such a strong apparent woman like Tsunade hit me hard. I sniffled back a little and put on my proudest grin before giving her a nod. "Alright. You're free to go. The ball starts at six but guests will start arriving at four, so stay out of the ballroom and don't let anyone see you."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Abiding by Tsunade's request I stay on the second floor of the mansion. I end up picking a spot by a tall window on the side of the house at the end of a hallway. It's next to a small decorative table with a lamp and a vase of fresh flowers, with two fancy chairs beside it. careful not to mess up the ballgown I'm wearing, I pick up one of the chairs and set it beside the window. There's so much natural light here.

I sit for a long time, a small clutch at the bottom of my chair. It has my phone, and a pen and a notebook I'd fetched from my bedroom. With my end of the ball-prep done, I could get back to focusing on the real deal today: Sasuke's engagement and my mom.

I wonder if Mom will really show up. I write various notes, many already crossed or ripped out of the lined notebook. In the event that my mom doesn't come to stop Sasuke's engagement announcement, then I'm going to be the one to do it. No matter what. I have nothing left to lose now. Pages upon pages in my tiny notebook are different bullet points on ways to sabotage the announcement. Electricity blow out? Getting rid of Kanna all together (like trapping her in a closet)? Flooding the basement with laundry detergent again and disrupting the ball? Hiring fake kidnappers to disrupt the party? That definitely threw the Gala for a loop last time.

Am I just insane now?

Amidst all the contemplation, Boruto is walking down the same hall. The taps of his fancy shoes echo down a little as he walks deep in thought. His appearance prep for the ball didn't take as much time as it did for the girls of the household. While walking around the mansion, also keeping out of sight from any potential early birds to the place, he doesn't realize at the end of the beautifully lit dead end hallway the graceful picture of a girl sitting in the sun.

"Sarada," Boruto says out loud, stopping in his walk. What's she doing? He looks upon the girl who hasn't noticed him yet, sitting in the most beautiful gown he's seen yet, looking every bit the part of an Uchiha. At that moment of his adoration, Boruto remembers his dad's advice from not too long ago. Should he tell her his feelings now? This was the first (and perhaps last) opportunity alone to do so.

With determined thoughts Boruto steps forward to make himself known, but the closer he walks he notices the notebook and speedy handwriting. "What're you doing?" he asks antagonizingly instead.

That patronizing tone could only come from one person. I look up from my notes and see Boruto in the light. Even though I knew it was him, I wasn't expecting to be so impressed by his appearance. I'd seen Boruto in tons of fancy outfits, but this particular time I couldn't stop staring. And likewise, I could sense he felt the same when I looked up.

Does my make up look weird? "H-Hi," I say instead, pushing some hair behind my ear on my right side. Despite all the self-love I felt earlier in front of the mirror, I suddenly feel very small and self conscious. "What, do I look weird?"

"No not at all," Boruto clears his throat, snapping out of it. I think he's going to say something else, but he stays quiet instead. I do too unintentionally, and it becomes awkward fast. "It's been crazy," he eventually says. "I know all this went down yesterday but it feels like it's been forever."

"Yeah right?" I agree easily. "Thanks for covering with me with Sasuke. I really needed that night with my mom."

"How was it?"

"It was nice," I smile, thinking of her while looking at my messy notebook. "We got to catch up on like, everything. Her work in Paris, all the designs she's been working on, my whole summer in this mess of a house. I told her about you and Shikadai and Inojin and Mitsuki."

"When you called yesterday," Boruto remembers, standing before my chair, "you said we have a week to break Sasuke and Kanna up?"

As much as I have in the forefront of my mind to talk about the kiss with Boruto, I know this is more important. I nod. "My mom planned on taking me home right after the ball tonight. We were going to drive to the airport but, I managed to persuade her to give me a week instead."

"How?" Boruto asks. "When I met her she seemed pretty set on getting out of here as fast as possible."

"Mm." I rub my neck, wondering how to put this. "On my way to the hotel yesterday, Sasuke picked me up from the mansion to have dinner with Kanna and her parents."

"I remember," he laughs.

I can't bring myself to. "Sasuke told me that he knew he was my dad." Hesitantly I look up to Boruto. How he looks must've been a clue to how I must've looked when Sasuke told me. "Not the whole time. Just recently. Itachi, Naruto and him had a talk."

So my dad was right. "Naruto mentioned that," Boruto admits guiltily, "on our way to the hotel that morning. I wasn't sure when to tell you but I guess Sasuke beat me to it."

I shake my head, so confused. "Either way, I argued with my mom enough to give me a little more time so I could be with my dad. Not tonight anymore, but a week from today, I'm on a plane heading for home." I sigh out, feeling the pressure. "I need to break them up. As much as I'd like my mom and dad to reconcile and be together, I can't leave with Sasuke marrying that woman," I shudder. "He'd be miserable."

"Is that what all this is?" Boruto asks, looking at the notebook in my hands again. I give it to him, and I can already see his judgmental thoughts coming through his face as he reads. "'Flooding the basement' really?"

"Clearly I'm desperate," I exasperate. "I thought my mom would be the romantic type to come to the ball and dramatically proclaim her love to Sasuke and stop the engagement announcement, but I'm beginning to think she won't. In that case, it's up to me to stop it. Or at least postpone it." I bite my lip. "Is it too crazy? Am I being silly?"

Boruto flips a page or two in the notebook. "The blackout idea isn't too bad," he eventually replies.

"Really."

He nods, overlooking my notes. "I know the entirety of the mansion's electricity wiring. What leads to what and what powers where." He gives my notebook back to me. "With the other guys' help we can cause a mansion-wide power outage at the snap of a button easy - If I start setting up now anyway."

He's insane. "You're not joking."

He shakes his head innocently. "Nope."

"You're really smart you know that?" I say seriously. "Probably smarter than the others combined. And Mitsuki and Shikadai are like geniuses." He laughs a little. "How well do you do on testing at school?"

"I've had a 4.0 since the first grade," Boruto answers. "And none of that is from money. The academy the guys and I go to is pretty intense."

I shake my head, not believing it. "You certainly don't act like a straight A-student here."

Boruto shrugs. "There's more to life than perfect scores, you know."

"Well yeah I know that." I look up at him from my chair straight in the eye. "You're a genius who just plays dumb. I'm surprised you're not moved up a grade or graduating high school already or something."

"I know being really smart isn't going to get me far in the business my dad and Sasuke partake in because of how I'm judged from being my father's son. You've seen how my aunts and uncles on my mom's side treat us."

"That's not fair," I frown.

"I could succeed in anything I wanted if I tried," Boruto states. "Knowing how limited I am anyway, I just don't have any intentions or expectations of running big money when I grow up. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a while actually. If I wanted to run a big company like Sasuke I could, but it's not my dream."

"What do you want to do then? When you grow up?" I ask curiously. "Do you have a dream?"

"No, I don't," Boruto answers. "Or I didn't. But after meeting you? I realized I want to travel. Understand the world outside being a sheltered rich kid. That's my dream," he nods with that Uzumaki grin. "It's cool knowing what I want to do now. You just have that way of making people think I guess. And that's just one of the tings I like about you." Crap what did I just say?

One of the things... he likes about me...?

Realizing what he just said I blush a little, blinking at him. He turns red in the cheeks as well, and that familiar hard chest-thumping sensation returns. I clutch my notebook and look down, kind of smiling.

"We um, better contact the guys and set up the black-out back up," Boruto reminds, bringing us back to the earlier conversation. "In case your mom doesn't show up."

"Right," I nod, taking a deep breath. I stand from the chair, now eye level with Boruto. "Just tell me what to do and I'll help."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

It's later in the afternoon. Back at the hotel downtown Sakura is at the lobby computer for guest use. They are decently up to date desktops, and Sakura's been busy online trying to get her bank money back in place with the one card she has in Japan. All the while she's on her cell phone talking to Karin.

"I can't believe you flew to Japan, found my daughter and flew back without her," Sakura lectures, more annoyed than pissed. She's typing fast into the keyboard while switching her phone to another shoulder held by her cheek. Instead of her sleepwear or her one fancy flying outfit, she's wearing her sweats and hotel slippers. "Do you have any idea how insane that sounds?"

"I said I'm sorry! How many times do I have to say it!" Karin argues over the line. "Besides you know me. I wouldn't have left her there and not told you everything if I didn't think it was for a valid reason."

"Oh so there was a valid reason," Sakura scoffs, finding it an amusing possibility.

"The kid wanted to get to know her father. Come on," Karin argues. "And you! How the hell could you not tell me or the guys you're the baby mama of a freaking UCHIHA. Like, SAKURA WHAT THE HELL?"

Sakura had to hold her phone away from her ear and pause in her bank work. "That was a different point in my life. And don't change the subject."

"Look I brought Jugo and Suigetsu with me over there. We found her, and that dude Naruto you talked to talked to us too," Karin informs. "You want someone to blame, blame him. He's an idiot but a persuasive one."

"Naruto you said?"

"I've helped you raise Sarada since she was in diapers, Haruno. Would I really leave the kid with a dude who I didn't trust with her well being?" Karin argues. "He said him and Sasuke were taking care of her. Hell they proved it. The guy sent me to jail thinking I was kidnapping Sarada."

Sakura almost laughs. "Karin you went to jail?"

"Shut it," Karin warns. "Can we just let bygones be bygones? You had Sarada over last night didn't you? She's good."

"She is good," Sakura admits, recalling our first night together in weeks. "Fine. You're forgiven." A new window pops up on the computer, showing Sakura her card's been re-approved for future charges in Japan. She sighs in relief.

"So, what about that big Uchiha Ball you mentioned earlier?" Karin brings back up.

"You mean his engagement party?" Sakura rewords, sitting back in her computer bar stool. "No way."

"Girl go get your man!"

"I'm not going," Sakura laughs, logging off the computer and heading back up to her suite room.

"Sakura. You've pulled of the independent single mom act pretty well. You're at the top of your industry and career. You have nothing left to prove," Karin rushes. Sakura upstairs enters her room, coming face to face again with the giant ballgown Naruto left her, hanging on the hotel luggage rack by the window. She hadn't had the heart to get rid of it all day. "Sarada's right girl this could be TRUE LOVE."

"He's engaged."

"To a BITCH," Karin mouths off, causing Sakura to slant smile. She was never too foul mouthed, so she admired Karin's non-filtered vocabulary and lack of care for others' opinions on it. However arguing can be heard in the background of the phone call, and Sakura waits for it to resolve.

"Sakura?" Suigetsu's voice comes on instead.

"Suigestu hey," Sakura says.

"Just go to the fucking ball so Karin can shut the hell up. In case you aren't aware it's 3am over here and some people are trying to catch up on their beauty sleep."

"Sorry about that," Sakura chuckles, sitting on the end of her bed. "It's good to hear from you guys though. I'm glad you're doing okay."

"Yeah yeah cut the crap we all know we're good. Go," Suigetsu reminds, rounding back to his point. "I know you've kept that photo of Uchiha in your dresser all these years."

"Hey-"

"If you walk away from this now you're gonna regret it," Suigetsu points out. Sakura can already imagine his body language for his common-sense advice. She glances one more time at the dress Naruto gave her. "I overheard Karin say that Uzumaki dude gave you a dress and some neat kicks. The hell with it go. Can you really live the rest of yours and Sarada's lives having never talked with Uchiha? Walking away from him forever?"

Sakura's breathing had slowed to a stubborn pace. She had goosebumps. This was going to be a life-altering decision: leaving this hotel or staying. There's more fighting on the line as Karin and Suigetsu seemingly get into an altercation for the phone again.

Ignoring the noise, Sakura leaves her phone on the bed and walks up thoughtfully to the window where Naruto's dress is. "Sakura?" Karin's voice comes from the phone. "Sakura? Sakura you there?"

Unknown to them, Sakura was stripping and tossing her slippers across the room as she rushes to fit into the dress and prep her face for any amount of makeup she managed to keep in her duffel bag. Her shadow from the sun at the window jumps around as she struggles to put on the perfectly-sized shoes that came in the fancy box and the expensive cold jewelry personally picked out just for her.

She was going to the ball.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

The announcing of the family and my title as Sasuke's 'protege' begins at 6 o'clock. The engagement announcement is at 7 o'clock sharp. The gates to the mansion open at 4. This was all info from Naruto and the event coordinator/instructor.

It had been a hectic evening, getting ready before the guests were coming in. Even as they were, and Boruto and I had to remain hidden until our announcing - Mitsuki, Inojin and Shikadai had gotten the texts from Boruto and came as soon as they were ready. Suited up once more, they were allowed access to the rest of the Uchiha Mansion to 'hang out with us until the ball began'.

Unknown to the adults and the help of the house (which was tripled for tonight's event), we've been busy sneaking around the mansion preparing for the 7 o'clock electricity blow out. According to Boruto, it would cut all lights and power within the mansion and a good portion of the block as well. A little extreme in my opinion. And probably illegal. But it was either all the way or no way he said. I had no problem with that.

Various rooms and power boxes throughout the mansion were visited by our group. Inojin and Mitsuki had snuck a couple tools a their disposal in their homes to help out, while Shikadai and Boruto worked on rewiring one of their gaming devices into a wireless remote that would blast the power at the push of a button. How? I have no idea. I'm no genius, but I trusted their process. Besides, it was too late to turn back now.

"We're gonna be in so much trouble," Boruto murmurs out loud, working at his desk in his room with Shikadai. The back of their handheld game was open, revealing microchips and little wires they were tinkering with.

I meanwhile was sitting on the bed (unable to sit anywhere else because of the size of my dress) with Mitsuki, and Inojin in the beanbag chair. My stomach felt queasy. I've never been this nervous - even during that whole hostage situation at the gala. Mitsuki looks over at my twiddling thumbs. "You are anxious," Mitsuki states, the only way he can.

"Yes," I admit uselessly. "I am."

"If this insane plan works then you'll have nothing to worry about," Shikadai says form the table. Boruto's desk table is usually against the wall, but they'd moved it to the center of Boruto's bedroom for more room to move around. His room was a mess of tools and wires and papers as of the last hour and a half. "When I read your text asking for this stuff I almost didn't believe you."

"Are you guys almost done?" Inojin asks, leaning back.

"Yeah," Boruto nods, heavily focused. "They'll be starting the family procession in a bit so we'll have to head out soon before the adults notice the five of us are missing."

"Now that my dad and Naruto know the whole situation if they realize we're gone they'll get suspicious," I add.

"So they know everything?" Inojin turns.

"The only one out of the loop is Sasuke about my mom," I repeat. "He doesn't know she's in the country."

"Or that she might come to the ball," Boruto adds.

"She's not coming," I frown, not getting my hopes up.

Mitsuki's phone alarm goes off, signaling for us to start heading down. Shikadai and Boruto stand up straighter, revealing their remote complete. "Here," Shikadai says, handing it to me. It's a double screen handheld, so it's folded shut right now and all the buttons inside are unpressable at the moment. "Press the X button and all the power will shut off," Shikadai instructs, caution written all over his face. I take it from it. "All the power. Please be careful please."

"Always am," I reply, putting it into my gown pocket. I love that Tsunade added them.

The gang of us proceed out of Boruto's bedroom, and the other guys make our their down a side staircase to help seamlessly blend into the ballroom crowd. Boruto and I remain behind and go to meet our parents at the top of the main staircase, where our instructor had us agree to meet for the processions.

If I peak around the corner of the hall, I can see down below. I've never seen this many people in our ballroom before. A good amount of the adults I recognize from my outings with Sasuke to his events. It's still a little nerve wrecking.

"Sarada you look fantastic," Hinata commends, coming over and looking at me. She looks beautiful as well. The true matriarch of the Uchiha mansion. Counteractively I can see Kanna over by the wall with my dad and Itachi. She's dressed in a black mermaid gown, showing off a ton of cleavage. Really?

"Everyone ready?" the old man from early proceeds. We all give our nods and the two footmen on either side of the top of the staircase bang their long batons on the floor. It echoes throughout the ballroom, and the lights dim and the spotlights focus to the top of the staircase.

I sink back in the shadows, suddenly recalling a time in elementary school when I had my first play. The lights darkened and the single spotlight shone on stage similar to this. It was my cue to go out and read an except from this fairy tale book, and I totally chocked and held up the play a good fifteen minutes.

"Hey," Sasuke whispers, suddenly behind me with a comforting hand behind my back. "You'll be fine."

I smile, remembering my mom was out in the audience with the other parents as a kid. I knew she'd be comforting me if she were backstage with me and the kids. And now here, being encouraged by my dad, I feel totally at easy. I hold his hand on my shoulder, and our fingers intertwine affectionately.

The music begins, and the instructor ques for Hinata and Naruto to head out. Arm in arm the couple walks out as applause erupts from the public. Shortly after, Kanna reluctantly takes Itachi's arm and walks out with him. I snicker a little at Itachi's bemused smile. He was totally enjoying Kanna's misery at not walking out with Sasuke.

"You and Boruto will enter out on both sides of Sasuke," the old man whispers. I take my position at his right and Boruto at his left. "Go on..!"

With that, we walk out standing straight, with the poise of royalty. Applause comes about again, and I can see everyone below the stairs. I remember my first ball in the Uchiha mansion and how much of a mess I was, versus now. Sai's advice from the gala comes around again, and I look across the room with a dignity and pride of an Uchiha. Sasuke isn't just announcing me his protegee. He's announcing that's he's taken me under his wing. I am Sarada Uchiha.

To Boruto's left are his parents. To my right are Itachi and Kanna. Sasuke stands in the center in between Boruto and I as we face our guests.

"Welcome," Sasuke begins, silence resuming. "I thank you all for coming. It truly is a pleasure to have the highest of blue bloods under one roof again. My family and I are proud to host such an event. At that-" He extends his arm as rehearsed, and I take two steps forward into Sasuke's spotlight. "It's with great pleasure that after two and a half months, I present the protegee I have been schooling. Her stay under my watch has produced not just another member to our noble ranks, but a true debutante. A kind soul," Sasuke pauses, as I try to keep face. I didn't know he was going to say all this. "A true blessing to the Uchiha household. Someone I'd be proud to call my own daughter." Oh my god I'm going to cry. "Presenting my protegee Sarada Haruno of the United States."

The applause is deafening. It's not just from Sasuke's speech. A good portion of these people genuinely know me. Know of me even. I didn't realize how popular I've become among the rich of Japan. While processing all that, I'm also realizing this is the first time Sasuke's said my last name. My mom's last name. Is he even aware my mom added his last name to my birth certificate?

Once the cheers die down, Naruto and Hinata proceed down the staircase to the center clearing of the ballroom. They join the crowd sidelines, followed by Itachi and Kanna doing the same. I stand still as I was instructed until Boruto comes up to me and offers his hand - as Naruto and Itachi had as escorts. Boruto smiles at me as I anxiously take his hand, and he escorts me down the stairs. Sasuke follows shortly behind.

I hold Boruto's hand a little tighter than I should. My other hand holds the hem of my gown as I carefully make my way down the stairs. Boruto stays at my pace, which I appreciate. Walking down stairs looking straight not able to see your feet remains the most terrifying rich-people experience ever. As I'm going down though, I scan the room for my mother. I feel a little disappointed she isn't here - partially because she's missing me doing all this craziness right now.

Boruto politely hands my hand to Sasuke, and as we were told the orchestra changes the song. The spotlight changes to something lighter, warmer. The light and the flowers illuminate the ballroom into something magical as Sasuke- no, my father- takes me into a dancing stance. He holds one of my hands out and another on my shoulder. My hand not holding his rests on his arm as I look up admiring him.

This is my very first father-daughter dance.

We waltz, and I can't keep back my smile as I relish this moment. Despite the onlookers, to me it's just the two of us. I never knew I wanted this so much until now. "You're glowing," Sasuke compliments, looking down at me.

"Thank you for the best summer ever," I say first, wanting to before I forget. Sasuke looks genuinely taken aback. I wanna cry or grin like an idiot, but I need him to know I mean everything I'm saying. "I can't imagine not having you around when I go back home. I'll... I'll miss you."

He holds me closer as we dance together. His breathing is unsteady too. "I'll miss you too, kid," he says, low enough for me to hear. "You have no idea how much you've done for me. This was the most amusing summer I've had too."

I laugh, chocking back some tears behind my glasses. I look up higher at him. "I've dreamed of this you know," I mention. "When I was in the third grade, there was a school fundraiser, and all the girls in my class got to have a father-daughter dance in the gym." Sasuke looks down at me sympathetically. "I stayed on the sidelines in the bleachers by myself. My mom was away at a conference that day so I didn't even have her. I still wanted to dance with you though, even if I didn't know you yet."

Sasuke frowns a genuine frown. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"It's not your fault," I forgive. "You coming out and telling me you're my father? That's definitely being there for me."

He shakes his head, smiling. "You deserve so much better."

"You do too, Sasuke."

I've heard the waltz song at least three times when practicing with Boruto earlier this afternoon, so I can tell it's coming to an end. This dance I've dreamed of - more than my wedding day - is going to end. I pull myself into something of a hug as Sasuke and I sway out the rest of our dance. "I love you, Dad," I say against his suit.

His heartbeat is as unsteady as his breathing, and I feel the warmest hug Sasuke's ever given me. We're still unconsciously swaying until the end of our song, and the clapping amidst the crowd signals the end of our dance.

"That was great," Naruto says, walking up with Hinata. I can see Boruto and the guys in the background, respectfully keeping their distance.

I let go of Sasuke and we retain our composure once more. "I'm gonna have to borrow Sasuke," Kanna says, taking his arm. "Why don't you go scurry off with your friends while the adults do some business talk?" Why don't you stuff those silicone stuff-ins back into your dress they're practically showing?

Biting my tongue and keeping a smug smile, I bow out and walk over to the guys as the parents walk away to mingle. I'm sure I'll have to join them soon enough too. "That was really nice," Inojin commends, giving me a pat on the arm.

"And I took a pic," Shikadai adds, handing me his phone. I look at it and see a picture of me and Sasuke in the most perfect lighting, looking right at each other in our dance. "Oh my god," I smile, eyes wide. "Please send that to me!"

"Of course," he laughs, taking his phone back. "You still have the handheld?"

"Yup," I say, patting the side of my dress.

"Why don't you come mingle with our kind for a little bit," Inojin suggests. "Blue blood kids. There's a couple more here at your ball than the average event."

I go along with my little 'entourage' as Inojin puts it and meet a couple other kids of the rich, most if not all already knowing the guys' in some way. They're more popular as a group than I thought.

"Boruto?"

Me and the guys turn around, coming face to face with a fair-skinned girl with long luscious purple hair braided behind her headband. She too is in a gown that matches her hair color. "Sumire!" Boruto brightens as the group and me walk towards her. The guys have introduced me to other kids before but they're much more enthusiastic this time around. They all take their turns hugging her, which they haven't done with anyone else here yet.

After hugging the last of them she sees me and bows her head. "Hi! I'm Sumire, it's so nice to meet you Sarada. I can't believe I'm really meeting you; you're like a celebrity."

"Ah, don't say that," I respond sheepishly.

"What've you been up to this summer? It's been a while!" Boruto says enthusiastically.

I stand awkwardly in the back of the group as Boruto Inojin and Mitsuki surround her, catching up on old times. I feel a little weird and out of place, watching on.

"Sarada and I are gonna go grab some drinks," Shikadai says suddenly next to me.

"No problem!" Inojin says.

Shikadai politely offers his arm, and hesitantly take that as my que to hook on and walk away with him. We walk a little further away to a server holding a tray of alcohol-free drinks, to which he offers us and we take. "She's a classmate of ours," Shikadai keys in, sipping his juice.

"Oh," I say, looking back in their direction. They appear to be laughing about something. "That explains it."

"She's pretty cool," Shikadai gives. He's been whispering little bios of each kid I've met at the ball all night. Sumire is no exception. "Class president. Good people person. She's pretty chill for the daughter of the biggest brewery in Japan." No way. "Her family has been looking at Boruto as a potential for an arranged marriage with her actually, but arrangements were never made with Naruto yet."

"What?" I react too fast. Shikadai's expression seems to look a little regretful for telling me, and I bite my lip. I'm being too obvious how concerned I am.

"It most likely won't happen," Shikadai assures. "Her family's pretty pushy, but Naruto isn't one to succumb to the customs of the rich and marry off his son."

"He sold his daughter out to the Hyuugas at a prison boarding school," I point out. He frowns, and we look on at our friends catching up with this super pretty and charismatic girl. What's worse is I can't find anything to dislike about her. She's sweet.

"Shikadai, Sarada." We look up and see a familiar face. It's his uncle, Gaara, and another boy beside him.

"Uncle," Shikadai greets, bowing his head.

"I'm so happy you could make it," I smile, greeting him politely. I really was happy to see him here.

"It's been some time," Gaara notes. "I see things have been progressing well for you. I'm quite proud." I'm not too sure what he's referring too, but I know not to underestimate his knowledge. I smile in thanks anyway.

"Ah," Shikadai remembers, referring to the boy beside his uncle. "This is my cousin Shinki. He's Gaara's adopted son."

"Nice to meet you," I say instantly, shaking his head.

He holds it a little longer and kisses it politely. "It's nice to finally meet you, Miss Sarada," he says with a similar serious expression to Sasuke. "I've heard a lot of stories from my father about you and your amazing mother."

A blush creeps on. He knows-knows? I look at Gaara, and back at Shinki. "H-How flattering," I grin shyly. "I'm not all that, really."

"No, you're definitely something," Shinki chuckles. "Bombarding your way to the front of first class. Not every commoner's that incredible."

Shikadai watches warily our interactions before he gets called over by Sumire. It seems they've finally noticed their extended disappearance. "Would you excuse me," he says.

"Allow me to keep her company," Shinki offers.

"Yeah," Shikadai says with a look before finally going off. He does one more look back, watching his Uncle excuse himself as well, leaving me and his cousin alone.

When Garra disappears, getting called away by other adults, I end up watching Shikadai return to our friends as Sumire catches up with the Nara as well. I'll admit, I do feel a little left out, but maybe it's best I stay back here instead of awkwardly standing nearby.

"She's a popular one," Shinki notes beside me. "It's hard not to like her."

"You know her as well?"

"I'm class rep of another homeroom. We work together every now and then," Shinki replies. Ah, I see. "You however I'm more intrigued by. Those guys are dolts for leaving you alone. Not every kid around here is as earnest as us."

"What do you mean?"

Shinki points, and I follow his finger and look across the ballroom. Somehow my eyes automatically connect with this dude's, sipping a glass. He notices my stare and smirks before looking away. "That guy? He's the son of a big contractor in the shopping district. Also a total dochebag." I'm a little taken aback by his loose language. Besides the guys I haven't met anyone yet tonight who speaks as casually as we do behind closed doors. "The guy's been eyeing you all night like food. The second you're alone I swear he would've asked you to dance and it'd be over."

"Ah." Looking at him now, I can see him staring down an older woman's ass. Oh gross. The disgust is evident on my face and Shinki laughs. "What a creep."

"Hopefully you don't think I'm one for sticking by," Shinki adds. "But word down my family's grapevine is that you're a commoner from New York. My father advised me you'd be a little different getting to know and to not treat you with that fake decorum we're taught to have."

Ha. That's rather nice of Gaara. Subtle. "You're pretty different too," I say with an amused arched brow. "Shikadai said you were adopted?"

"Taken 'under a wing' like you? Yeah," he confirms. Besides the adopted part of course. "I'm from Italy. My dad met me there as a little kid while doing some work out there, so I know a thing or two about how normal people function."

"That makes two of us," I laugh, finding comfort in a fellow 'commoner', even if he has grown up financially comfortable out here in Japan.

"Blue bloods though think all high and mighty to parents who adopt, but they don't really praise the kid-adoptees," Shinki explains as we watch the party-goers. "Boruto's a guy who can relate, whose dad was born a commoner. That's why I respect you for everything you've been doing."

"And what exactly have I been doing?"

"A little sneaking around here and there," Shinki answers vaguely. "Some running away, a bit of sleuthing and delinquinizing the top four marks of the academy." He must be referring to my friends. He must be implying he knows. "I hope everything works out for you, Sarada," he whispers.

"Thanks, Shinki," I smile. I appreciate being able to talk to someone about this that isn't the guys.

Interrupting our talk, my phone inside my gown pocket buzzes. The tulle is so thick I can barely feel the vibration from the phone. I pull it out and see a text from the guys in a group chat.

Apparently there's a small problem with the wiring in one of the second floor closets. If it isn't fixed then the remote won't work. They're all to preoccupied to go all together, the text says from Mitsuki.

I know which closet it is. I knew we messed up on that one. I text in that I know which closet it is, but I don't really know how to fix it. Boruto texts back that he does and says he and I will sneak away from the party while the guys stay to keep suspicions at a low. "Great," I sigh, not sure if I want to go and be alone with Boruto again right now.

"Everything okay?"

"Can you do me a favor?" I ask Shinki. "If anyone asks, I'm still around okay? I just have to go take care of something."

"No problem," he nods. There's something in his eye that makes me feel like he can read my mind. As if he knows I'm running off to do this big forbidden thing. I shoot a trusting smile and gather my dress and run off. Soon after I get another text from Boruto saying to meet in the side stairwell going up to the second floor, and that's exactly where I go.

In the side staircase I run into Boruto, and we both rush up before anyone can notice us leave. At the safety of the second floor which should be empty, we stop to catch our breaths. "So," Boruto pants. "You know where the box is Mitsuki was talking about?"

"Yeah it's the fourth closet around the corner," I pant, pointing my arm steadily. "You guys were tinkering with it a little earlier and before I closed the door I saw it spark a little."

"That must be why. It's that damn small closet where the box is so high I couldn't reach," Boruto curses. "Alright let's make this quick before someone sees us."

"Right."

Holding my dress again we run down, then around the corner. I take the lead and slow down in front of a tall closed door. It's a rather old storage closet. More like a tiny pantry. Barely enough room to fit one person, much less supplies. However there was one power box in there responsible for a good portion of the mansion.

Boruto pulls out some small tools from his jacket pocket but I hear something down the hall. "Someone is coming," I whisper.

"Shit," Boruto curses, stuffing his tool back in his jacket. We could see their shadow coming around the corner. Without thinking, he pushes me into the tiny pantry closet with himself and shuts the door. It's extremely cramped. Smaller than a bathroom stall, and rather uncomfortable because of the uneven shelving from the floor up. I'm leaning against the back with my elbows supported on a shelf. And Boruto is awkwardly pressed in front of me, one arm extended to the wall to keep him steady and his other hand on my shoulder to keep from leaning right on me.

Our faces are one inch a part.

Too close.

Oh my god too close.

Boruto can see me about to panic and his hand comes to my mouth to cover it. "Shh," he begs urgently. Suddenly the voices and footsteps appear right outside the door. It wasn't just one person It was a handful - probably the house help. They seem to be conversing - something about supplies or more food for the party. But they don't seem to be leaving the spot outside the closet any time soon. God why?

After a minute Boruto's hand leaves my mouth, but we still have to wait as the voices outside were still there. He seems to be looking anywhere but at me and I don't blame him. I'm doing the same thing.

Kinda hard to do though when our faces are three inches apart.

"How hard is it to organize finding food trays?" Boruto mutters, eavesdropping faintly on their conversation. He looks back to me slightly. "Sorry for this being such a tight space."

"No it's okay," I assure, not wanting him to feel guilty. "I needed a break from downstairs. Could be better circumstances but his is nice."

My trying smile persuades him I'm not making this up, and he smiles back comfortably, taking away the awkward tension in this claustrophobic space. "Sorry I disappeared for a while down there," he eventually mentions after some more waiting. "We were catching up with a friend. She left school early for a family vacation so it's been a while."

"You don't have to apologize. I don't need a babysitter twenty-four seven," I say, but there's a slight twitch in my mouth as I think about that perfect girl.

"What, jealous?" Boruto jokes. He almost expect me to laugh back, but my face warms a little in shy admittance. His goofy grin fades a sinch.

"A little," I admit, looking to the side. My instinct was to say no, but something in my told me to be honest. I don't hear him saying anything and I wonder if that was a mistake.

"S-She's just a classmate," Boruto begins to explain, flustered himself now. "And a long time family friend, but that's all. Honest." There's this not defensive, soothing way he's saying it, that makes my chest swell even more. "So um, I saw you talking with Shikadai's cousin."

"Shinki," I remember. "He's nice."

"Yeah he's a good guy," Boruto agrees. "He and I get along pretty well. We used to play as kids at school." I can feel the heat of our breathing since we're so close. It's hard not to talk though. It's the only thing keep this not awkward, until the coast is clear outside. "To be honest, I felt a little jealous he got to have some alone with you during the ball," he whispers near my ear while I'm looking away. D-Did he just say that? "Again, could be better, but I'm happy I at least have this moment alone with you right now. Between planning sabotaging the mansion and mingling downstairs, I haven't been able to catch a break. I can only imagine how it is for you."

"Y-Yeah," I manage to say. What can I say? What the hell are we even talking about? Do I really want to think about this right now? On probably the most important night of my life? Boruto's hand loses stability a little and he falls a bit over me. I catch up and push him up a little. "You okay? Sorry we're so close."

"Not your fault," Boruto groans, looking up over my head. The electricity box is right there for him. "I know it's cramped but lemme work on the box. The longer we wait the more likely the grown ups will find out we've gone."

"Alright," I say, bracing myself for possibly more awkward physical tension. At least he asked.

"Sorry in advance." Boruto leans more forward, if that's even possible. His arms, no longer supporting him, reach up to open the power box. As a result he's leaning purely on me. His chin rests on my shoulder near my neck as he struggles to be tall enough to do what he needs to do. Ideal we'd switch places, but it's just so cramped we can barely move. I hold my breath and pray he can't feel how fast my heart is pumping.

God I hope she can't feel how fast my heart is beating, Boruto thinks. He tiptoes, ignoring the fact he's completely lying his whole weight on me to get to this box.

I can hear tinkering behind me, and little buzzes of electricity going on. It's super close to my head, so I wince every now and then when I hear a buzz.

"Pull your hear towards my shoulder so you're not so close to the box," Boruto says, so close to my ear not on purpose. "So you don't get electrocuted."

"A-Are you sure?"

"Yeah just put up with it a little longer. I'm almost done," Boruto says apologetically, trying to remain focused. I do as he says and lean into him, resting my chin as far onto his shoulder as I can. I end up hugging him with one of my free arms so I don't slip. This whole gown taking up all this closet space is going to be the death of me. "Almost..." The tinkering sounds continue as the buzzing comes up every now and them from the box. Suddenly out of no where I hear a loud spark and Boruto muffles a groan into my shoulder.

"Boruto?" I panic quietly, not able to see him. "What happened?"

"Agh," he winces, and I feel his weight lift a little off me so I do the same. We back up (not too much) and he pulls his hand back to see it between us. There's a little burn mark in the middle of his palm after he unclenches it. Immediately I hold his hand in both of mine to apply pressure.

"Oh my god," I whisper, looking at it and him and back and forth.

"It's okay, just got electrocuted a little," Boruto whispers back. I massage his hand to try and make the immediate pain subside, a little panic-stricken. "Hey hey I'm good. It's fine," he reassures, using his other hand to brush one of mine off, and this leaves his burnt hand and one of mine together, close to latching.

Boruto and I look up at one another, back to our normal three-inch close distance. His hands and mine are warm, and he doesn't seem to be pulling his hand away. Mine's a bit shaky, but I don't quite want to retract my hand either. I rest it a little into his as they sink to our sides, and somehow our fingers find their way to entangle loosely together at the side of my dress.

He never breaks gaze with me somehow. I blink behind my glasses, trying to figure this out. If there's anything to figure out. My uneven breathing. My sweaty palms. Boruto's scent and little face twitches. His thumb, rubbing along the side of my hand.

In an attempt to look away from his ever blue eyes I glance down a little, at his lips. Not wanting to look at them either I look back at his eyes. He does the same.

We seem to repeat this reluctant pattern as his breath comes closer. And I tilt my head slightly.

Our noses are getting too close they might bump.

My eyes are closing.

Our loose fingers finally clasp together into a holding grasp, with his thumb still grazing my skin in circles. At the same time our lips meet.

It's... soft. And, warm. So, so soft. I've never kissed anyone before, and I definitly never pictured it happening in a closet like some dirty secret. But nothing about this second felt dirty. Just... innocent. Our lips come apart slightly, but before I can fully open my eyes they close again and we lean in together again. It's another tiny kiss, and they repeat two or five more times. I can't remember. But the only think processing through my head is that Boruto's lips are so moist, and timid. Whenever he kisses me back, I feel a shot of butterflies barrel inside me. But, I want to do this.

Slowly Boruto pulls back, and I can feel cool air over my lips that I open my eyes. I forget how close our faces are that I wince a little. He's just as shocked as I am I think, and our hands are still held together, his burn mark settled in between our palms. Did we, just...? There's every single butterfly in the world fluttering in my stomach right now, and for every butterfly a bazillion questions. Because of that, a tiny smile twitches at the end of my mouth. Boruto does too slightly, as much as we try not to.

I just had, my first real kiss with Boruto.

Before I can register what's happening, white light fills my vision as the sound of the door swings open. I wince before I force myself to see who's caught us. Boruto also whips his head back as we adjust to the light. And standing at the door is Mitsuki, Shikadai and Inojin, all wide eyed and mouths agape.

Ohooo my god. "H-Hey!" Boruto starts to panic, "It's not what it looks like-!" The door shuts back closed, and the two of us take a second to realize what's just happened. Did they just close the door back on us?

The door slams open again (this time Boruto's doing) and Boruto shoves himself out of the closet, followed by me. The guys stand still in shock a few steps back, all with their own bewildered reactions. Shikadai looks petrified, Mitsuki dumbfounded, and Inojin disgusted. "We don't speak of this," Boruto warns each of them, holding a pointing finger up.

"W-We thought we should look for you guys," Inojin stutters, not sure what to say. But looking at all their faces they definitely had shit to say.

"Okay we're going back down now," I interrupt, starting to push them all down the hall. Boruto also joins in as this becomes a large vocal argument about a ton of different things.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Back down in the ballroom, I proceed to start my dances witch virtually every male bachelor between the ages of ten to twenty-five. It was enough to keep me occupied, and unfortunately I had left Boruto to the mercy of Shikadai, Mitsuki and Inojin to answer whatever they just saw. Sorry Boruto.

The dances were overall pleasant. Some weirdos here and there, but luckily a waltz with someone I didn't like didn't last too long. Maybe a minute or two.

Scratch that. Now I'm dancing with Kanna's son Izumi. Of course he's here. When we waltz however, I make sure to make my distaste and disdain for him obvious. My glare never ceased during our dance. "Come on Sarada lighten up. We've put that stuff that happened during the gala behind us right?"

"I should've let you get kidnapped by yourself," I pout, very annoyed with this situation here. "And why's your mom so-" I glance to the side, seeing her talking it up while latched onto Sasuke. "S-So..."

"Desperate?" Izumi frowns, not even hesitating. "Believe me. I live with her. She's a lot to handle."

"Well take her back. We don't want her either."

He rolls his eyes. "Believe you me I'm against this marriage just as much as you are. Having the riches of the Uchiha name sure, but living here with you and that blonde mess? Euck, I'd rather date a commoner than associate familial ties with you people."

"What a nice way of putting it," I say flatly. At least he's on our side. Sort of.

And just like how all my unpleasant dances end- "Hi," Boruto cuts in. "May I?"-someone else comes to put an end to it.

Boruto glaces imploringly at Izumi before he drops my arm and lets go of my waist. Izumi walks off as Boruto slides in to take his place seamlessly. It's been a good while since I've seen Boruto, but I can't help the awkwardness that comes out in me again. "I-" I lick my lips, suddenly like a robot. "About what happened earlier."

"Let's just enjoy the dance," Boruto suggests softly. I swallow all my words after that. "And for the record I cut in to save you from that idiot, not to be weird or anything."

"No, I'm glad," I reassure, making him blush a little. I can see Sasuke in the background, watching us while he talks to these suits.

We dance in silence together among other couples waltzing to this romantic instrumental. I've waltzed with Boruto dozens of times over the summer, but this feels different. Good different. Special different.

I can't stop thinking about what happened in the closet. I know for sure that was a spur of the moment thing. Oh god and I kissed him too. He definitely thinks I'm a creep. I could've totally made the effort to move around so we wouldn't have been so awkwardly pressed like that.

And my breath. God did it stink? I can't tell. I brushed my teeth at like five in the morning. I'm sure that mint smell is completely gone by now.

Knowing the guys they probably grilled the hell out of him. Knowing Boruto he wrote it off as a spur of the moment thing. I mean two teens stuck in a closet? What else is a guy going to do? Of course it happened. Hormones and stuff like that. He doesn't feel that way about me. We're friends.

And now he's about to bring it up and gently let me down before I even get the chance to figure out how I feel about the whole situation. Why? Because Boruto's a nice guy who's not the type to lead a girl on. He'll shut me down fast enough before I can get ideas in my head. I've never told a guy I liked him before, so in turn I've never really gotten rejected either. Chouchou has before, and I've comforted her with far too many ice-cream tub Sundays to be unfamiliar with how terrible rejection must feel - even from someone you never had intentions with.

Oh god this is going to suck really bad. I'm going to lose my dad, and my cool relationship with probably the best guy friend I've ever made-

"Sarada I have feelings for you."

I look up blinking. He's... not joking. His face is completely stern and serious. Nervous as hell but serious, and I'm brought back down to earth in our waltz. It takes everything in me to not lose my footing and trip over my dress or his feet. "Wh-"

"Let me finish," Boruto insists. He hesitates before letting out a breath. I'm so tense."About what happened earlier in the closet, I'm sorry if I was too forward. I don't want that hanging over us for the rest of your time here so, I just wanted to tell you. How I feel." He's trying. I can see how hard it is for him. "You don't have to give me an answer right now. Do it after we fix things between Sasuke and your mom. Okay?"

Boruto... likes me? "But what if it doesn't work out between them?"

"Just stay focused," he persists, holding me more sternly. "I don't want to distract you. I know it's too late for that but," he clears his throat. "Just... think about it, so you're sure of what you think. I'm sorry for being selfish and dropping a bomb like this on you so suddenly. And now of all times. I wanted you to know how I feel. That, I can't think straight when you're not around because you're always in my head or something. I used to love spending time alone in my room and now whenever you're out with Sasuke or something and I'm stuck here I feel like, I miss you. And then when I imagined you leaving for good I..."

I didn't realize I was holding my breath.

"I'm... not just, trying to pick up some last minute summer fling or anything like that..."

"I know you're not," I say. "Can I ask you something?" I manage out, trying not to faint. "When did you know?" I ask quietly, and curiously.

Boruto ponders over it. "A while actually," he concludes. "For the longest time you were just this annoying girl freeloading in my home. And then one day I woke up and realized you were my best friend." I blush, hanging onto every word. "And then after that... I was denying it for a while but, I just knew I liked you." Boruto's thumb rubs along my hand. "I didn't know when was the right time to tell you what with your whole secret undercover Uchiha heir thing going on, haha. And then my dad said your mom was on her way to Japan."

"Right," I recall.

"And, that's why I kissed you then in your room," Boruto finally explains. "I got scared. I wasn't sure if I was ever going to see you again. I... wasn't sure if I'd ever get the chance to tell you everything I wanted."

I purse my lips together, not sure how to react. I've never been confessed to by a boy before. How do I even feel?

"But like I said just think about it," he repeats seriously. "You have a lot going on. This thing with me definitely isn't a priority."

"Don't say that," I lecture back. Boruto jolts in surprise. Come on English work. "Boruto I-"

His watch starts to go off in a quiet alarm. There's a buzzing from my phone as well. It's almost seven. Boruto and I look at each other with wide eyes, as if we've just woken up from a dream. It's almost time for the engagement announcement. Any minute Sasuke's going to be called up to the top of the ballroom staircase again with Kanna. "We should go find the guys," Boruto whispers, putting my arm down as our dance stops.

I nod anxiously and we depart off the dance floor.

Right on que, one of the foot-men taps his baton scepter staff thing, and all attention is on him. "Your host, Sasuke Uchiha, has an announcement to make!"

"Excuse me. Pardon me." Boruto and I whiz through the crowd holding hands as to not lose each other, trying to find any of the others. Soon enough all three of them bump into us somewhere near the center. "Geez where the hell were you guys?" Shikadai argues.

"Where were we? Where were you!" Boruto waves off.

"Off making kissy faces I bet," Inojin shoots. Boruto looks ready to tackle him so I hold him back as Shikadai and Mitsuki get between them.

"Not now!" I scold.

"Ahem." I turn around, seeing Sasuke holding Kanna at the top of the staircase. I knew what was going to happen. We rehearsed this earlier. But seeing it all now happen before my eyes, there's this pang of pain in my heart. Mom isn't going to come.

I'm stuck watching Sasuke's speech about 'true love' proceed, and Shikadai shoves his way beside me and shakes me. "Hey," he snaps, pulling the game-remote makeshift from my dress pocket and putting it in my hands. "Are we gonna do this or what?" he whispers harshly.

My hand is shaking. I look at each of the guys, who look cautious and as nervous as I am. Am I really going to do this? Mom's not coming. Sasuke's getting engaged. I'm not going to let my family fall apart right when they're so close. I flip open the game device and have both hands on it. My right thumb hovers over the button as I wait.

"-I knew it was meant to be when she returned to me here in Japan. Our love took time, but I knew this time around I couldn't let her go," Sasuke continues, all acted emotion evident in his voice. It was convincing that's for sure. She watches longingly, holding his hand and standing all pretty. He lets go of her hand and reaches into his pocket. "She is my life. My world." Sasuke glances in my direction, and the heartbreak in my eyes is as clear as light. "And I'd give anything so she could have the life she deserves."

A tear drips down my face, and I aggressively wipe it away with an arm. He bends down on one knee and holds the box up with two hands, facing Kanna. Gasps wave about the crowd and I brace myself. I'm gonna do it!

Literally a second before Sasuke can ask the dreaded question and before I can press the button, a loud slam of the front doors rings about the entire ballroom. It echoes like a cannon, and when the two corridors hit the walls in full opening, a second 'boom' erupts. Everybody's head turns as do ours. As does Sasuke's.

And panting at the foot-kicked double door entrance stands Sakura Haruno, holding the hem of her gown and panting like she'd ran a marathon. Oh god she did it.

Everyone's shocked into silence. No one would dare be the first to say a word. She scans the room aggressively, looking for the yellow-haired idiot who dragged her all the way out there in the first place. Her gaze soon lands up above at the familiar man who was the cause of all this. His image on one knee holding a ring box to another woman though is enough to bring her to silence as well.

"Do it now!" Shikadai reminds me, pressing my thumb over the button and snapping me out. I press hard on the X button, and within the next three seconds. Portions of the ballroom light switch off. And off. And then we're in complete black. The rest of the mansion's power can be heard shutting down, until even the lights outside run dark. All that's left illuminating the room is the moonlight from beyond the windows. It's pitch black.

Time has stopped. Even for a little bit.

---

NEXT CHAPTER:

"Wow," Boruto stares, completely exhausted after the mansion evacuation. It was almost eleven by now.

"Yeah," I say shaking my head. "I can't believe what just happened."

x-x-x-x

"I, I-I knew I saw you," Sasuke blinks, looking at her. He's almost laughing in disbelief, like this is a prank from Naruto or something. One, he had no idea she'd be there. Two, she looked beautiful. Three, he felt like a kid again completely at a loss for words because of the same woman that always left him speechless. "I was afraid you'd left during the black out evacuation, or I was just imagining you, kicking down the door. Which you dented by the way."

"Sorry," she laughs, putting some hair behind her ear, feeling like a mess. "It wouldn't open and then I realized it was push not pull. Then I was so frustrated I just kicked it an, broke my heel." She holds up her shoes, one with a broken heel. Sasuke looks down, revealing she's barefooted from her teacup length ballgown. He laughs too, causing her to laugh.

I stand behind my mom, grinning as I watch this whole scene happen.

x-x-x-x

"I'm staying at that fancy hotel for a week."

"I see," Sasuke says.

Hinata comes up to the group finally, Naruto's blazer around her shoulders. "Sakura you should stay with us at the mansion." If a record scratch sound effect were real, it'd be hitting hard. Right now. "Naruto mentioned she'd lost most of her belongings while traveling in a rush over here."

"Please no," Sakura politely declines. "I have money back in my card and I can manage just fine on my own."

"We insist," Itachi smiles charmingly, coming up behind Hinata with a team working arm around her as they hold their front.

x-x-x-x

Sakura shakes her head in disbelief. "You've become unusually better at communicating your feelings. It's almost like a totally different Sasuke Uchiha standing in front of me."

"You too. You're a lot more brash and unphased than I remember you being," Sasuke says, unable to figure her out. Yet, he could. Years of thinking being left, it can only harden a person he imagined. The same way grief did for him.

The only difference was, he had a chance for his daughter to reverse that completely. Sakura however, he thought, despite raising her she hasn't had a chance to heal yet from this whole messed up situation.