Chapter 12:

flashback

-« So, are you gonna say anything? » Asks Sarada.

-«mhm» gives Kawaki as an answer.

-« Maybe you just came here to see me. Do you? »

-« It's me who's making you a favor. » With a smirk.

-« oh, you're making a favor? How? »

-« Obviously, you have something for me... »

-« Is that true? »

-« Yeah, and you are lucky because I find you attractive too, Princess. »

Sarada could not hide her smile.

-« You're pretty confident. So tell me what's telling you that I have something for you? »

-« You wanna know my secret? It's your eyes, I can't help but look at them, so, I know exactly when they are looking at me. »

-« Ok, stop it! You're ridiculous. » She turns to face him, pretty amused.

-« You're sure, you want me to stop? »

Kawaki approaches her and locks his gaze on her, leaning his head to nearly meet her forehead. They stay that way for a few seconds, then Sarada gets on the balls on her feet to kiss him.

Next flashback

Sakura was dining with Sarada.

-« So... » The queen started.

-« So what? » Respond the princess with a smile on her face knowing that her mother wants to have some details about Kawaki who left earlier.

-« Kawaki? How things are going between you two?

-« Mama! »

-« Oh give me something. I know you want to talk about him. I know my daughter. »

-« I surely want to talk about guys with my mom. » answers ironically Sarada.

-« Why not? I'm happy for you, and I like him. He remains me so much of Sasuke. He seems sweet but with a bad boy attitude. » Dreaming Sakura.

-« ah ah, don't tell me I'm looking for my dad in men. »

-« You get that from me, I always fell for the bad guys when I was younger. But Kawaki seems like a nice guy. That's really cute how he comes visiting you. »

-« Kawaki ain't like papa! Please tell me I didn't choose a guy like my father. » complaint Sarada.

-« choose... so, you're together then? »

-« mmmm... I don't know. Do you really like him? He's definitely not a prince »

-« Oh honey, what I want for you is to find the right person, don't care about other people may think. »

In the back of her mind, Boruto reemerges. Sarada did not tell her mother about the relationship she had with the Uzumaki prince. Why would she? It's not like it was really serious. Although, his sudden disparition shocks Sarada, and she had a hard time being approch by other men. Maybe she was waiting, she could not really explain it, but she could not explain how Kawaki could change her feeling. Kawaki makes her forget more and more about Boruto. Sarada finds her position uncomfortable: She knows that she will have to make a decision, turns Kawaki down or gives Kawaki his chance.

-« Well, it's not that simple... I have to choose if that's what I want... how you know it's the right one. How did you know father was the one? »

Sakura smiles softly.

-« Well, in the bottom of my heart I knew that your father was the one. So, I don't know what advice to tell you. »

-« You're lucky it was that simple. »

-« I would not say it was simple. You know, your father was not really interested in me at the beginning. I think love was not in his plan. »

-« Really? He really said no? And you did not give up on him? »

Sakura ponders.

-« I don't know if I should tell you that. Anyways, unfortunately, they're both dead. Yeah, your dad just said no to me, and I had a hard time being rejected by him and then, Naruto came to me and confessed. »

-« King Uzumaki? He confessed his love to you. You're kidding me? » Says Sarada shock.

-« No, no it's true, it was a long time ago. And, trust me, it's not because Naruto was not cute... well, basically he looked like his son. And you knew him, he was always so sweet. »

-« I can imagine. »

-« I had to make a decision. I imagined that my life would have to be easier with Naruto since we were friends and had fun together. I knew that he loved me and would take care of me. It's probably the choice that everyone who is rational would have made. Therefore, I chose the hard path and followed the guy who was cold and who everybody had warned me about. My parents were so upset... »

-« Mama, I did not know that. But, why did you choose papa? King Uzumaki seemed like such a nice man. »

-« Honey! Because my heart told me to, and it pays me greatly. I was so happy with your father and I'm still happy that he gives me the greatest daughter... So, what I want to tell you, Sarada, is don't do things because they're expected of you. Love will find its way. »

Her mother rejects the Uzumaki although people expected them to end up together: just like Sarada. A prince captures a princess and she falls in love with him... It sounds like a story heard before.

-« I hope, it helps you a bit. » says Sakura.

-« Actually, yes. »

end of the flashback

-« So, it's here? Kawaki's parents are supposed to live here? »

-« Yeah, it looks empty. Doesn't it? »

As expected the house was empty, letting Sarada perplexed. Later, the Uchiwa princess and the Uzumaki prince arrived at Suna. They could feel the tension, there was a lot of movement in the streets of the village since the kara member, Code, took total control of the nearby village. They reach the house where the son of Ino lives to spy for the Byakugan empire. The door opens after Boruto knocks.

-« Hey Inojin, it's been a long time! »

-« It's you? Quick come inside. » Says Inojin, he lets them enter while he checks to make sure they weren't followed. When he turns back to his guest, Boruto hugs him.

-« Prince Uzumaki, it's really you? »

-« Yeah of course. Your mom told you I was back? »

-« Yeah, she did. Happy to see you. She did not tell me about your new face. It suits you. And who's with you? »

-« It's princess Sarada Uchiwa of the Sharingan empire. »

-« Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, princess. »

-« Me too. You can drop the titles. We want to be as discreet as possible. »

-« I understand. What bring you here? »

-« Actually, Inojin, we're on a mission and we need your help. »

-« Of course, if I can help I will. »

-« You're ok? »

-« yeah, yeah, I'm just surprised to see you, wasn't expected that. You must be tired, do you need anything to eat or to drink? You can explain what is that mission. »

-« Yeah, I'd like to eat something. »

-« We have a room upstairs if you want to stay for the night. It's for guests. Make yourself comfortable I'm gonna cook something for you. »

-« Thank you, Inojin. In fact, we don't know how long we will stay in Suna... »

-« Stay as long as you want, it's my job to help you. »

-« I'm gonna get our stuff then. » Says Sarada, before leaving them.

Boruto follows his friend in the kitchen and sits on a stool.

-« It's been a long time since we see each other, that's cool that you let your hair grow. You need me to do something?»

-« No, it's ok. and I doubt your cooking abilities. » jokes Inojin.

Sarada gets the luggage they left with horses and goes upstairs when she gets back in the house where she finds two rooms. She opens one door and there was a messy room, basically, it was a bed surrounded by colorful paintings. The one on the easel draws Sarada's attention. It contrasted with the other ones, it was an abstract piece, paint in different hues of gray. It was less polish than the others, rawer. Sarada concludes it was Inojin's room. The princess tries the other one was a plain room with no decoration. « So, that room was really for guests» thought Sarada. As she expects, there was only one bed. She opens a drawer, and surprisingly there were already full of clothes. The princess closes it and just puts their luggage in the corner of the room. Sarada goes back to the two friends.

-« Hey Sarada, Uzumaki-sama... Boruto... told me a bit about your mission. So, you're going after Code? Here have some! » Says Inojin, putting a plate in front of the Uchiwa.

-« Thank you! My plan is still in progress... they clearly outnumbered us, so we have to be meticulous and hits Code directly.»

-« Fair enough, but it will be harder than you think. Suna did not intervene in Code's affair., don't count on them.. So, what do you plan to do? » Asks Inojin, leaning on the counter.

Sarada crosses her arms and looks around.

-« I will need a moment to think about some details before sharing. We will need more information and preparation. »

-« So, it's ok if we stay with you for a couple of days, Inojin? We don't want to impose. »

-« Yeah, it's really not a problem. I'm alone here anyway. » answers Inojin not looking in Boruto's eyes.

Sarada frowns. On the other side, Boruto starts feeling bad for his friend thinking about the relationship between him and his sister. So, the prince quickly changes the subject.

-« It's really nice here. I understand why you choose to live here. »

-« Yeah. I thought it would be nicer tho. I choose Suna because I heard they did not work in the afternoon because of the heat, but after all, they are more strict than Konoha. It kinda sucks. »

-« If you don't like it, you should ask to go somewhere or to come back. »

-« nah, I'm complaining but I get used to the village and I liked my job. It leaves some time to paint. »

-« That's nice, you're still painting. »

-« Of course... Are your sister still drawing? »

-« oh... good question, I think so. »

-« I heard she got married to Shikadai, I could not make it to the ceremony. It should have been nice. »

-« yeah... »

-« Who could have known that Shikadai would have been the first to get married? »

-« yeah... »

-« Are you ok? You stop talking, you're worrying me. »

-« I just don't know what to tell you. It's awkward talking about Himawari with you. »

-« There's nothing awkward between her and me. »

-« Well, you did not show up at her wedding. »

-« I told you, I just could not come. I would have liked to be there. » assure the Yamanaka.

-« Just know that I had nothing to do with that decision. I was against it. »

-« It's ok. She's gonna be fine, it's Shikadai we're talking about. I'm happy that she has someone as kind as him. »

-« I still think she should have wait for you. »

-« Uzumaki! » Interrupts Sarada while Inojin has a little smile. « The princess made her decision, why can you just respect it? » continues Sarada.

-« I respect her choice but it does not change my opinion. It's my sister... »

Boruto and Sarada look at each other, silent, defiant.

-« Are you two together, by the way? » asks Inojin.

-« We're not together. Long story short, Sarada knows a lot about marriage. »

-« Uzumaki! »

-« Oh Sorry. » says Inojin.

-« Don't worry, we get that question a lot. » continues Sarada.

-« Well, I'm sorry there are only two beds upstairs. Boruto, you can sleep with me. »

-« You know Boruto, Inojin. He was kidding, I'm not married and it does not bother us sleeping in the same bed, we are used to it. »

Boruto turns to her really surprised but tries to hide it from his friends.

At night, Sarada reaches the room where Boruto was waiting patiently on the bed, reading. She was drying her hair in a towel.

-« I don't complain, you take less space in a bed than Inojin, but I know you have an agenda for sharing a room with me. So, what is it? »

Sarada puts the towel away and takes her brush to do her hair. She sits on the bed.

-« Yeah, I need to talk to my partner. »

-« ok, I'm listening. »

-« Do you trust Inojin? »

-« Yeah, of course. You don't trust him?. »

-« He does not tell us the truth. »

-« What are you talking about exactly? »

-« He lives with someone here and tries to hide it. »

-« Who else is living here? »

-« I don't know, but the drawers of that room are full. That room belongs to someone. And sometimes when he talks about the house, he says 'we'. Seems like there was another man living here »

-« You're sure? Where would that guy be? »

-« I don't know and I don't like that. »

-« You worry too much, he must have a good reason »

- « Just try to think of a good one. I don't know, I don't have a bad feeling but it bothers me.»

- « mmmmm. ok I have to tell you... earlier I saw him sending a bird in the backyard. »

- « You're kidding!» She turns to him suddenly.

- « No, but it still means nothing. Maybe he was just contacting his mother to tell her we safe. »

-« Even that, ain't ok. That can put us in danger. It's really weird. You have to keep your eyes open on your friend. I know he is your friend but you haven't seen him in years. You may not know him as well as you think. »

- « I'm gonna take care of that. Are you done? »

- « You don't want to talk anymore? »

- « I want to turn the light off. »

- « Yeah I finish. » She puts her brush away and gets under the sheets. Boruto blows the candle and joins her.

- « So, what do you want to do about Inojin? » asks Sarada.

- « I will figure out something. »

- « I want to be with you when you talk to him. »

- « You don't trust me? It's my friend I prefer to clarify that by myself »

- « mmmm... »

-« You don't like that? »

-« Just be subtle, if there's anything suspicious we will change our plan and leave. »

-« Yeah, I'm not born yesterday. Don't worry. »

Boruto turns to face her.

-« So, tell me about your plan. »

-« mmm. let's just wait. »

-« Gosh, we're teammate only when it pleases you. »

-« That's not true, let's just wait to see how things go with Inojin. He's handsome tho, he does not have a girlfriend. »

-« Did you really ask that? You are still married. »

-« I'm not asking for me either. Just wondering who his roomie is. You know, he did not seem affected by your sister's wedding. So, maybe he has someone »

-« It's true, he was not really affected, but Inojin is the proudest guy I know. I would not be surprised that he was just faking it... I never see him with a girl. The only one was my sister. When she was younger she was obsessed with Inojin, she was really annoying. »

-« That's cute. »

-« She was always asking him to draw with her and I was telling her to leave us alone, but he was always nice to her. He was a better brother than me. » kids Boruto.

-« She was lucky to have you both. I wished I had siblings. »

-« I could not imagine my life without my sister. Your parents did not want more children? »

-« I wish they did, they would have put less pressure on me. »

-« Your father was strict too. »

-« Yeah, and he was way too protective. Now, I'm glad that he spent all that time with me but back then he was always on my back, giving my lessons, it was making me crazy. »

-« The exact opposite of my dad, before I was 14 years old, I was so mad at my dad for not spending time with me. »

-« He was the king, of course, he was busy, that's huge responsibilities. »

-« Yeah, and I could not understand him, and I thought he neglected me and my sister, putting his role before us. You know I even wished that I was not born in the royal family, so I could have a father. »

-« That's sad... It was not easy. There's a lot of expectations. »

-« Exactly, and we haven't chosen anything. I know I can't complain: I had friends that were orphans or were really poor, so I know I'm lucky to be born in a castle, but... I don't know, I would have traded some privileges for more freedom. »

-« mmm... »

-« You wouldn't? It's true that you are a real princess. »

-« I can't really see myself to be someone else. It's just me. What would you do if you are not you? »

-« That's the fun of it. Look at Inojin, he could be whatever he wants, lives wherever he wants. He's just free. »

-« Yeah, what is freedom if you have no purpose. I just could not run away from what my family built. I can be part of something bigger than me, and, you know, we can make life better for a lot of persons. It's true for me, but even more for you. There's a lot more people under the Byakugan empire who is counting on you.»

He smiles.

-« It's nice hearing you talking passionately about something, when you speak your mind. »

-« You don't have to think like me. »

-« No, you're right. We have the power to do great things and help people... »