A/N: As usual, thank you so much for your continued support for this story! We both appreciate it very much. :)

We don't own Naruto/Boruto

After her talk with Himawari, Sarada felt a lot lighter, and things were a little clearer… sort of. She still couldn't figure out why Boruto always made her so crazy but one thing was for certain, she wanted to be with him, and she missed him so much. Himawari was such an angel and encouraged her to go to him at the office, insisting that Boruto would be more than happy to see her again. He had been worried out of his mind, and the reason why he came running to her to help.

Himawari was like a mafia boss. And she could see why. Behind that sweet face was a scary girl. No wonder Boruto was whipped.

Shisui drove Sarada to the office and dropped Himawari home.

For the life of her… she couldn't explain what happened in his office. Seeing him after a few days, he was riled up and worried, even yelling at her—not out of anger—but because he was so worried.

Himawari was right. Boruto cared about her. Perhaps even more than he would like to admit. He kept on talking, demanding answers from and didn't even give her the opportunity to talk and explain herself.

Then again… who needs words to explain themselves?

Sarada threw herself at him, going in for a kiss and she knew it was wrong but it felt so right.

Everything about Boruto felt right.

One thing kept leading to another and next thing she knew, they were having sex. Totally by accident. Not that she didn't like it… Having all those clothes on wasn't fun, but there was a promise of next time that she had no idea where it came from, but it excited her, just as much as it excited him.

Spending the night in Boruto's apartment was a nice change of pace, and she was glad that he liked the dinner she cooked. It was one of those fast and easy recipes that she adored and wondered to herself why she hadn't even prepared it for him back during their secret Santa event.

December seemed so far away but it had only been a few weeks. Everything was going by so fast but Sarada wished that everything would slow down to prolong her time with Boruto. She was happy enough to have him spend time with her, and every moment they spent, she cherished. She slept over the previous night, falling asleep in his arms. He kept his apartment colder than she would have liked but having him as her own personal heater was a treat.

The next morning was a little different from their routine, as Boruto had to wake her up a little earlier than usual to get back to her apartment for her to get ready, but took their time as soon as they got there. Boruto even got ready with her, and they enjoyed breakfast in her apartment and more making out before leaving for work. The entire drive, Boruto wouldn't let go of her hand, always keeping it close to his chest or bring it up to his lips, placing soft kisses along her knuckles.

Things were looking good.

That is… until she got to her desk.

Chocho and Inojin were already there, and though Sarada found it weird that they got there before she did, it was because she was later than usual. It was already past ten in the morning.

"Saradaaaa!" Chocho cried and engulfed her in a big bear hug, shedding comical tears as she screamed about how worried she was for her boss, and how much work she and Inojin had to do.

Inojin was there, too, watching their exchange and also gave Sarada a quick hug. "Where the fuck were you? You didn't even tell us if you were okay! Some asshole came here and took your things and I was about to beat his ass."

Sarada snickered. As if Inojin could take her uncle on. "I'm sorry," she smiled and hugged them both. "I really needed some time to think about things, and I wasn't feeling well. But I'm fine now, and I'll take care of everything I left behind, okay? Just tell me what's the most pressing matter first." She put her bag down on her desk and started unpacking her laptop and notebooks. "What's urgent right now?"

Chocho and Inojin exchanged looks and nodded at each other. Each of them took hold of each one of her arms and swept her away to the closest meeting room and shut the door. Sarada didn't even get the chance to protest, as Inojin sat her down and he and Chocho stood in front of her, worried looks on their faces.

She knew that look… and it unsettled her. "What's going on?" Sarada asked cautiously, almost not even wanting to know.

"Ummm…" Inojin looked at Chocho and then back at Sarada, and then back at Chocho. "Chubs, I think you should say it."

Chocho glared at the blond and sighed. "Okay. Fine." She then looked at Sarada and gave her an apologetic look before saying it. "Sarada…"

Oh no. Not that tone. "What is it? You're scaring me."

She took a deep breath and groaned, looking back at the closed door and pulling a chair to sit close to her, and lowered her voice. "Listen, people have been talking while you were away. And like, even if Inojin and I intervene…" she bit her lower lip. "It just doesn't sound right, you know?"

People were gossiping? About her? "Because of my absence?" Sarada asked. "I was on sick leave…"

"Yeah, about that sick leave…" Inojin intervened and puckered his lips before continuing. "There was the other one you had and coincidentally, Boruto was out sick, too…" He bit his lower lip before proceeding. "Kagura said Boruto was there, to answer your door… Is that… you know, true?"

All the blood drained away from her face. Oh no.

Chocho looked pained and pissed at the same time. "Boruto's also been taking you home and you two have been coming in at the same time…" the poor girl looked like she didn't want to continue anymore because Sarada looked like she had already stopped breathing.

This was it. It was starting.

"It's not so hard for people to spin up a story with all of these things, you know?" Inojin laughed sardonically. "And those gifts he got you during Christmas… Someone overheard Naruto and Konohamaru mentioning that Boruto doesn't do that for just anybody… not even his own mother is that spoiled by him." Inojin rolled his eyes to that. Sarada would have laughed, knowing how much Inojin spoiled his own mother, but this was all no laughing matter…

"Who did it?" Sarada asked… "Who said anything about all of this?"

The two of them looked at each other and then at her.

"Sarada…" Chocho started slowly. "Aren't you going to tell us that… it's not true?"

Oh fuck.

"It's not…" she buried her face in her hands. "It's not—it's not what you think it is." Sarada took in a shaky breath. This was it, her career was over. "We're not together or anything like that." She looked up and faced them, looking right into their eyes. "We're not together."

It wasn't a lie.

It was the cold hard truth. Even when Chocho and Inojin laid all of the evidence in front of her, it was still the truth. She and Boruto never spoke about it or even acknowledged just what it was they had… if they really had anything, to begin with.

"He takes me home, because when he found out how cramped the train was and that I'm on the way, he offered, to be polite. And I get to save money, too," Sarada explained. "Same reason for picking me up. I'm on the way."

Inojin raised a brow but did not say anything.

"The gifts…" She sighed. "I don't know, he's new to the whole Feel Good Friend thing, and he did it the only way he knew how which is how he spoils his sister. You know, the one we thought was his girlfriend?"

"I was on sick leave because I really wasn't feeling well, and neither was he. He dropped me off and crashed on my couch. I couldn't really kick him out, right? He's my boss."

Everything had a logical reason behind it.

Boruto didn't drive her home and bring her to work because he was worried about her safety and wanted to spend more time with her. It was all about convenience.

The gifts he gave her weren't because he thought she deserved to be spoiled, that's just the way he is, and Sarada being Sarada had nothing to do with it.

And that not date sick leave… He's a stalker. That's all there was to it.

"I can explain all of this, and you will find there is nothing going on between us." Sarada pressed her lips into a fine line and then gave them a tight smile. "Can you help me put these rumors to rest? These kinds of… office romances with their bosses really ruin someone's reputation and career."

Chocho nodded her head solemnly. "They do, Sarada, they do. And I know you're smart, you won't fall for someone like that… I mean, he's hot and all, and even if he does like you, you won't go for it because… well, he's your boss."

Inojin crossed his arms across his chest. "Yeah," Inojin agreed. "I mean, it's not like you like him or anything right?"

Sarada did not respond, still caught up with what Chocho said. Boruto likes her?

"What?" She shook her head. "Boruto likes me?"

"Ho-ly shit," Inojin dropped his arms. "You like him."

"Wh-what? No, I don't!" Sarada raised her arms and flailed it around. "I don't, you're crazy."

Chocho covered her face. "Oh em gee!" She squealed. "He likes you, I know he does. And you like him. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"

"Shut up!" Sarada screamed. "I don't! Lower your voice, someone might hear you!" Her panic started rising. Chocho was freaking out and she couldn't stop talking, saying something about she saw the signs early on and how upset she was for not doing something about it sooner.

"Boss," She looked at Sarada pointedly. "This changes everything."

Her face was dangerously red. "It doesn't change anything, and I don't like him. Stop it."

Inojin had a sly smile on his face, shaking his head from side to side in amusement. "Yeah, you do. Holy shit."

"Guys…" Sarada slumped in her seat and hid her face. "Please, this is serious."

"OH, IT'S SERIOUS!" Chocho screamed. "I can't believe you! Having an office romance and not telling me. I thought we were friends first!"

Sarada wanted the ground to open up so she could jump in and disappear. This was too much. That good day is starting to look horrible. There was a rumor going around about her and Boruto and now her two colleagues are accusing her of an office romance.

What she and Boruto had wasn't an office romance… right?

When they were in the office they never did anything to merit that… right?

Images of her sitting on Boruto's desk filled her mind, his mouth between her legs, and then his dick. Her cheeks burned and she willed those thoughts away.

No. Absolutely nothing.

.

.

.

After the ordeal with Chocho and Inojin, they all went back to their desks and brushed off the shouting match as a passionate discussion among marketers. Nothing out of the usual.

Shikadai pulled her to the side during lunch and profusely apologized for what happened, explaining that he really didn't mean to upset her and it was his fault for jumping to conclusions, again promising that he didn't say anything about her and Boruto and that he felt awful a rumor about them was going around. Sarada was quick to forgive him.

Later in the afternoon, Boruto swung by her desk, car keys in hand. They had barely spoken to each other all day. Boruto being busy with work and Sarada doing her best to catch up. It was still early, he couldn't possibly have wanted to drive her home at five in the afternoon.

"Need to head out early today. I have dinner at seven. How about you stay at my place again… wait on me there?"

Sarada looked around, thankful no one was in their area. She stood up and pulled him to his office and shut the door behind them. "I don't think that's a good idea," she started. "I can take the train, and I'll go back home today… you have fun with your dinner. Don't forget to pick up the flowers at the Yamanaka Flower Shop before heading over… sir."

Boruto cocked a brow while the rest of his face fell. "Sarada, you're not taking the damn train. I'll take you home. To my place. Where you can wait for me."

She shook her head vigorously. Oh god, no. This is exactly why people were talking. "No, that's not a good idea, sir." Sarada couldn't even look at him. She knew he would be confused—hurt—even. Boruto may mean well but she needed to stop these rumors… and it meant no more car rides, no more time together.

"Why the hell not?" He scoffed, narrowing his blue eyes on her.

Sarada covered her face. Oh god. She had to tell him. "Because… because people are talking about us." Spreading lies… "Saying there's something between us, that we're together." And the truth is… "When we're not."

"People talk, Sarada. Who cares? We do what we want and I want to take you home so I will."

She gritted her teeth. "Who cares?" She repeated and looked at him, narrowing her eyes at him. "I do."

"So what are you saying?" Boruto asked, looking shocked and hurt.

"I'm saying you should go enjoy your dinner, and I will take myself home," Sarada replied evenly. "We're not together, and we shouldn't be giving people the idea that we are. I care about my job, and I don't want to lose it." Her knees were feeling weak. Saying it all out loud just made it all too real and it was too much.

The past three months were all starting to look like a dream instead of reality.

"Do you think I would ever risk something affecting your position, Sarada? Is that the kind of man you think I am?"

She bit her lower lip. "No, of course not." He hadn't been the best boss, but he wasn't a bad one either. "I just don't want this affecting our reputation." And Sarada meant that. It wouldn't just look bad on her, but on Boruto as well… even if he transferred elsewhere.

"Oh," Boruto said quietly. "I see." He pulled in a slow breath, staring at the floor before looking to his side, away from her. "I'm sorry."

Stunned… that was the only way she could pinpoint how she felt. He said so little… his voice was so soft… It was scary. Sarada watched him walk around her and leave his office, both of them not saying another word.

Shit.

What just happened?

.

.

.

The following days were… painful.

Boruto didn't come to fetch her in the morning. He didn't greet her, or even look at her when they bumped into each other in the hallways. To put it shortly… they were no longer speaking. But during meetings, they would address each other, curtly and professionally. He still wrote her emails and gave her instructions, but they were void of emojis and any sort of warm pleasantries and praise.

This was it. The kind of space they needed to make people stop talking. And it was… strangely working.

Sarada went back to her regular routine. Commuting home, and making dinner for one. Waking at a later time and only having coffee for breakfast.

Things were back to normal but… why did it feel so much lonelier?

That weekend, Sarada asked her parents to come over, not liking how empty her apartment was starting to feel. Nothing changed… except she no longer had someone knocking on her door at six in the morning, and no one to come in and watch movies with her after work.

It drove her crazy and weighed her heart down.

Seeing her parents by her door, holding their bags and bringing her food was such a welcome sight, and sooner rather than later, she felt so much better, thankful that she wasn't so lonely anymore.

"I was starting to worry about you, Sarada," Sakura said. "You usually call almost every day, complaining about something or telling me you miss my cooking. But you just… stopped."

Sarada dropped the cookie on her plate. "S-sorry. I was just… busy."

"Doing what?" Sasuke asked.

It was so like her Papa to go right for the throat. "I was… working and spending time with friends."

"Which ones?" Sakura asked, pulling a chair and looking at her daughter eagerly.

She bit her lower lip. It didn't feel right… lying to her parents. She was busy, and she was feeling lonely. But the reason why she didn't call was that there was another person who was taking up her time and filling the spaces that were empty during her day.

But not anymore.

"Boruto," She responded, with downcast eyes. "I think I did something wrong."

Sasuke and Sakura looked at each other and then back at their daughter. Sakura placed a hand over hers. "Darling, you know you can tell us anything."

She nodded, a salty tear falling on her cookie. "I know…"

"Did he do something to you?" Sasuke asked, voice strained.

"No…" Sarada responded and wiped at her eyes. "I did something."

"What is it, dear?" Sakura was stood up from her chair and went to stand behind Sarada, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Tell me, please."

And she told them everything. All the times they spent together, how Boruto would smile at her and make her feel things she had never felt before. How nice he was to her, and how much he cared.

But now… they were no longer speaking.

It had only been a few days, but it ate away at her, and she hated it. She hated the way Boruto wouldn't even look at her face. "He hates me…" and she couldn't blame him.

"I highly doubt that, Sarada," Sasuke responded. "Far from it."

"How would you know, Papa?" Sarada couldn't believe her father. Was he even paying attention to what she was saying for the past two hours?

Sakura giggled. "I think your father's right, Sarada. I don't think he hates you at all."

Now her mother wasn't listening? What the hell.

"He's so annoying," Sarada pouted and took a sip of water. Crying was hard work.

Sasuke froze in his seat and Sakura laughed, her shoulders shaking. "Oh my. Sasuke-kun, did you hear that?"

"Hn." Sasuke looked away, taking a sip from his tea. "I didn't hear anything."

"You're not listening to me!" Sarada cried. "He's annoying and now he hates me."

Sakura couldn't help but grin at her husband and flick his ear lightly. "Will you tell her or will I have to tell her what you said to me?"

"Sakura…" His eyes narrowed at her, and she only smiled brightly in return.

She giggled. "Sarada, dear, you take after your father so much."

"I don't see how this is funny, Mama." She glared. Honestly. Her mother was acting weird.

Sasuke sighed and stood from the table. "Fine, I'll leave it to you." He poked his daughter's forehead before leaving the apartment.

Although Sarada appreciated the gesture, she was still bewildered. Her parents had this thing wherein if they looked at each other, they had secret conversations going on. It could last from a split second to a full minute and Sarada always felt so disgusted as a child whenever she saw it. As she grew older, she found it sweet. But right now?

It was hella annoying.

"Mamaaaa," She whined. "What is it?"

Sakura placed her arm on the table and rested her chin on her palm. "Darling, I think you know exactly why you're feeling this way. You just have to stop denying it, and please, don't be like your father because Boruto sounds like he isn't half as perceptive as I am."

Her lower lip jutted out. No one was ever as perceptive as her mother was. "What is it? I don't get it… What did Papa tell you?"

"Your papa…" she giggled like a love-struck school girl. "Back when we were younger, I thought your father hated me, too. You know what he always told me?"

Her heart started beating a little faster. "What?"

Sakura smiled. "He always told me I was so annoying."

Sarada's eyes went wide and she felt like the whole world crashed on her.

No way…

She did not… She was not in love with Boruto Uzumaki.

A conversation they had in his house replayed in her mind. She had called him annoying so many times, and he teased that she was saying something else. He was delusional, and she still thought so. But now that her mother was explaining this to her…

It was all making sense.

Sarada pouted. "Can we change the topic? I don't like this… I don't like what it's insinuating." She was such a pouty baby it was making Sakura laugh.

"Okay, okay…" Sakura giggled. "Your father and I are planning to go to a lake for Valentine's Day. Do you want to join us?"

"Valentine's Day?" Sarada asked… "I think I might have plans." With Boruto. Wait, no. They weren't speaking anymore. "I mean, no, I don't have plans."

Sakura hummed. "Alright, well, it's not too late to make plans, you know?"

"Do you think I… can make plans?" Sarada asked her mother.

She smiled widely. "I don't doubt it one bit, Sarada."

A/N: She is her father's daughter, therefore this really shouldn't have been a surprise. Don't you just hate it when rumors get the better of you? Mix it up with fear and insecurity and you got a whole lot of bad things coming for you. Being in denial is so hard. It's easy to tell people to suck it up and confess, but if you were in this situation, would you have the courage to brush it all off and carry on?

How do you think Boruto would cope? Was it fair for him to simply let her go? Let us know in the reviews!

Cheers,

Kairi and Tyy