A/N: Hello, dear readers! Hold on to your hats because this is going to be one hell of a chapter!
We don't own Naruto/Boruto.
Now that her parents were gone, she could breathe easily. Although it was stressful, she was happy that they both warmed up to Boruto, and her Papa made no move to murder Boruto on the spot, too. Her papa was protective, and she liked introducing her friends to him so he wouldn't worry about who she was hanging out with. Her mama warmed up fairly quickly to Boruto, even teasing her about him.
The way Boruto hugged her when they were gone relieved her. She knew he was just as stressed—if not more—as she was. It was horrible, to be ambushed by her parents, just when they were in the middle of not so wholesome activities. But he pushed through, had good conversations with them, and even had a drink with her papa.
As promised, he stayed the night with her, and they went out for breakfast the following day, did some shopping for groceries and he bought her a light pink sweater, teasing her that she had to stay warm more often. In return, she bought him a hot pink one. He loved it and kept talking about wearing it on Monday, along with the tie she got him for Christmas.
Things were looking up.
Until Monday hit, and she heard a new rumor going around, one that she didn't appreciate too much.
"Hey, Sarada," Shikadai strolled to her desk, hands in his pockets. He had a cigarette tucked upon his ear, and she could hear him playing with his lighter inside his pocket. "I got some news for you, and I don't know if you'll like it. Thought you might want to hear it before I go and tell Boruto."
"Hey," She smiled. "Out for a smoke? What is it?"
"Yeah," he sighed. "I figured I'll need one after telling Boruto. Or might tell him while I'm outside. I can already hear him screaming." He rubbed the back of his neck.
Oh. This didn't sound good.
"What is it?" Her brows pulled together.
"Well… People have noticed you guys are friends again and they're saying you'll be up for a promotion because of it." He shrugged. "Not so bad, if you think about it, but I don't think a lot of people are happy for you."
Sarada rolled her eyes. "Since when are people happy for others getting promoted if it isn't them?" Seriously. Some people really needed to stop being so toxic. "And a promotion? Really? I just had one."
"Seeing how chummy you two are again, people are saying this will be bigger, you know?" Shikadai then held his hands up. "I mean, I know you get shit done. You always do. People know it. It just adds another reason for them to be jealous, I guess."
"Who're even saying these things?" Sarada was really getting fed up with all of this. "And who said I would even get a promotion?"
"Finance got a request from Konohamaru for a quotation request. Confidential stuff, so that's all I know."
Sarada sighed. "Geez, it could be for anyone. Besides, I just asked for an extra headcount, that might be it."
Shikadai shrugged and started strolling away. "Yeah, just be careful, alright?"
She pouted. She was always careful. And people really needed to shut up about things. If the quotation was really confidential, whoever leaked it would be in big trouble.
Later that evening, Boruto was pouting by the time he came by her table to bring her home.
"What's wrong?" She asked him, a small smile on her face as she packed up. "You're pouting again. That'll start to be permanent if you don't stop, you know?" Not that she would complain. He looked so cute.
"I'm not pouting." He argued weakly, only pouting worse.
Looking around and seeing no one in sight, she touched his lower lip with her index finger and grinned at him. "Yes, I suppose you're not."
"Definitely not." He huffed, opening his mouth to nip at her finger.
Sarada giggled, and let him bite on her finger as she finished packing up. "You could be pouting much more than you are now."
"I'm not pouting." He groaned and then kissed her finger when she didn't pull it away.
Finished up gathering her belongings, she walked around her desk and followed him out of the office, keeping a safe distance between them until they got to the parking lot. He opened the door for her and she settled in, putting her seatbelt on and waiting for Boruto to start the car. He wasn't speaking, he only took her hand in his and rested it on his lap as he drove straight to his house.
Sarada didn't speak as well. Silence with Boruto was always comfortable but she knew he wasn't okay. Something was bothering him and she wasn't sure if she should ask about it or not. Once they arrived, Boruto opened her door for her and helped her out. He picked up her bags and opened the door for her, letting her come in first.
Again, not saying anything.
At first, she thought it was about the gossip Shikadai mentioned, but for him to be this quiet, it was probably more.
"I'll go get dinner ready," she said, removing her shoes. "You can go get changed."
"Okay. I think I'll shower." Boruto said, looking at her for a moment as if debating something before he walked away.
"Okay," Sarada gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and a soft smile before heading into the kitchen. She opened the pantry and took a few ingredients before opening up the fridge and taking the vegetables out. Cooking for Boruto was always a delight for her, and since he had been so pouty, she thought of making something a little more comforting for him. Baked chicken with cheese and vegetables was always good, even if it would take a little longer than usual to prepare.
While the chicken baked, she set the table and checked if there was anything in the fridge she could use for dessert, and felt sad there was none. She made a mental note to go grocery shopping for him the following day, not liking how empty his fridge was looking, save for some eggs and bacon.
Sarada heard him coming back out of his bedroom, hair damp and wearing joggers and… a shirt. She grumbled internally, half wishing he kept the shirt off. He was still pouting. "Feeling okay?" she asked casually, not wanting to upset him further by prodding.
"Yeah, great. Want me to keep an eye on things while you change?" He asked as he walked over to her.
"Yes, please," she smiled before disappearing into his room. As usual, rummaging through his drawers for something to wear. It was nice that he let her wear whatever she wanted, and usually, Sarada went for the oversized sweaters—even if everything Boruto owned was oversized for her—she still liked to choose the bigger ones so she could opt not to put on shorts. Settling for another university sweater, Sarada padded out back into the kitchen and found Boruto leaning on the kitchen counter, staring at the oven.
She smirked and stood next to him, hips brushing. "If you're thinking this hard, I'm afraid to ask what's going on."
"Hm? What… nothing is going on." He looked at her, his pout still prominent, brows furrowed. "Why do you think something is going on?"
"I don't know," Sarada responded, and wrapped her arms around his waist and looked at his blue, blue eyes. "I'm just worried about you. Do you want to talk about it?"
"It? There is no it." He denied it quickly but embraced her in return, blinking slowly as he met her gaze. "Is there an it?"
Her brows shot up and she couldn't help but smile in amusement at his incessant talking. "When you say it like that it makes me think there is." She rested her head on his chest, worry doubling when she heard his heart pounding fast and hard against his chest. "Is it about what Shikadai said?"
"He said something to you?" Boruto stiffened, arms tightening their hold on her.
Sensing his tenseness, she kept her voice soft and collected. "Just some gossip about me getting a promotion because I'm sleeping with my boss," she laughed. "Nothing out of the usual."
"I'll kill his ass." Boruto spat. "I will find out who's behind this… rumor."
Sarada laughed and hugged him tighter. It was definitely an unsettling rumor, but she tried her best not to think about it. "I think they saw my request for extra headcount and thought that was for me," she replied casually. "I just got a promotion, besides," she pulled back and grinned at him. "If you are giving me a raise, then I won't reject it."
His eyes darkened slightly and he smiled. "I bet you won't." He hummed, loosening his hold to rub her back instead. "It's really nothing to worry about, though. Okay? I won't let anybody talk down on any of your achievements."
Sarada leaned into him again and sighed, feeling a lot better. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."
"I know…" Boruto said then, his voice barely a whisper and trailing off as if thinking deeply about something.
Even if she couldn't see his face, she knew. "You're still pouting." She tickled his back, satisfied that he jumped at her touch, disrupting his sulking.
"Hey!" He whined, pushing at her hands. "That's not funny!"
Sarada laughed and released her hold of him to check on their dinner. "It so is." Satisfied with the color, she took his oven mitts and pulled it out of the oven, walking over to the table to place it down and prepare for their meal.
.
.
.
"It huuuurts," Chocho whined and slumped over her desk, one hand holding on to a hot bottle on her stomach. "Why don't we have period leaves? This isn't fair!"
Inojin rolled his eyes and placed the lollipop back in his mouth, picking up his pen tablet and drawing another mockup. "Get over it, Chubbs. Shouldn't you be used to it by now? Happens every month, right?"
Chocho growled at him. "When you get your period, I'd like to see you get used to it!" She screamed.
"Glad I'll never get it, then," Inojin snickered.
Sarada took in a deep breath and winced at the oncoming cramp, a little more painful this time. She and Chocho were period sisters, and even though she didn't like people knowing that she had her period, she couldn't help but join her colleague in complaining today. "I know what you mean," she agreed. "Mine's being weird. More painful and heavier than usual."
Inojin ignored them but couldn't help but mutter under his breath that they usually used it as an excuse to bitch at him.
Too bad Chocho heard him. "Try having a uterus!"
Sarada snickered at Inojin's mortified expression, probably imagining how bad his life would be if he did. "I'll leave making babies to the women, okay?" he held his hands up and went back to work.
Thankful that the day wasn't so hectic for her, but also agreed with Chocho about having period leaves. This one left her feeling far more lethargic than usual, and the heavier than usual flow really put her off, using more pads than she normally needed.
Sensing her discomfort, Boruto offered to let her go home early, and even if she wanted to take it, she declined, needing to finish more work, and looking for a gift for her mother online in between emails.
"I want to shop for my mom," she told Boruto. "I need to look around before deciding. Her birthday is coming up."
"Oh? When is it?" He asked curiously.
"March 28," Sarada answered. "Getting too close for comfort, honestly. I usually already have a gift idea by now."
"Oh shit, it's the day after mine." Boruto gasped. "That reminds me! I have dinner with my family that night. You should come… I mean… if you're hungry… that day."
Her eyes went wide. "Why didn't you tell me sooner!" She gasped, thinking now that she didn't have a present for him, too. And shit, he was her boss. She should plan something. Her hands came up to her temples to massage it. "I can't believe you're only telling me now." Totally glossing over his invitation for dinner and stressing about planning already. "That's on a Friday, right?"
"Calm down, yes it's on a Friday but it's still forever away and yours is right behind it but I don't hear you making announcements." He huffed and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Not that I need them because I already know these things."
She pouted at him, still feeling betrayed and bad she didn't know sooner. One more thing to stress about and her period was not helping. "My birthday is in the middle of the week, it's not like I can do anything on the same day. Maybe the weekend after, though…"
"Don't worry, I'm already on top of it." Boruto pulled his left hand out of his pocket and patted her head with a soft smile.
She narrowed her gaze at him. "You better not be pulling any surprises."
"Me?" He moved his hand to point at his chest, feigning offense. "Please, I am your surprise and it's not a surprise since you already know."
Her brows lifted at that and she couldn't help but grin slyly. "Did you just say you're my gift?" She faked a gasp, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Took you long enough to confess."
"What the hell would I need to 'confess' for? As if you don't know." He muttered.
Sarada rested her chin on her palm and didn't even bother to hide her grin. "No, I don't know. Do tell."
"I can show you better." He smirked, poking her nose playfully as he winked at her.
Sarada giggled. "Okay, okay." Her good mood didn't last until she felt a wave of cramps. She took a sharp breath in and hissed. Such a weird period. She almost never had cramps.
"Sarada, get your shit. I'll take you home." Boruto said with a tone of finality.
Once the cramp disappeared, she packed up her stuff, including her laptop, intending to work at home instead. It was still fairly early and she had yet to find a gift for her mother.
Once they were in Boruto's apartment, she put on his pajamas and a shirt, upset that he took the laptop away from her and insisted she rests. With a pout on her face, she laid down and scrunched up into a ball, holding on to her tummy. It didn't take too long for her to relax, as she could smell him on the sheets. She had been spending more and more time at his place, only stopping by her apartment to get more clothes. Sarada didn't mind staying over one bit and enjoyed his company.
Boruto came back to the room, holding a cup of tea for her. Sarada sat up and took it eagerly, leaning into him as he joined her in bed.
"I'd love to go to your birthday dinner," she said with a soft smile. "I don't think I've ever met your mother." With the number of events the company had, Sarada couldn't ever recall Naruto bringing her to any. "I hope she likes me."
Wait, why did that matter again? It was just dinner. In his parents' house. On his birthday.
No big deal, right? Normal friend things to do.
What a load of bullshit.
"You'll love her. Mom is really sweet but also scary. A lot like Hima." Boruto chuckled as his fingertips trailed up and down her arm, his eyes on nothing in particular. "She wants to meet you… and she already likes you."
"She knows about me?" Her voice getting an octave higher. "W-what did you tell her?"
"Me?" He asked, lips parting and eyes looking at her momentarily. "I didn't… I said nothing. Not anything. And she is just happy I finally have a girl who is a friend…"
For some odd reason, that kind of… stung. "Oh." Sarada nodded and sipped her tea. "Right."
"It will be the first time I've taken anyone to dinner at my family's home so… they're definitely going to embarrass the shit out of me. Don't believe anything they say. Especially dad."
Sarada laughed lightly. "I highly doubt they will fail their mission."
"Hey!" Boruto groaned. "Don't laugh at me. Maybe you should just go without me."
She kept laughing and tucked herself on his chest. "No, I'd never leave without you."
Wait, what?
"I mean, it would be rude for me to go without you, you know? It-it's your house and everything."
"Right." He laughed. "I guess we'll survive it together."
.
.
.
After getting to work, Sarada dropped her things on her desk to go fetch her morning coffee. She took her time, knowing her morning was free from any meeting or anything urgent. Once she got back to the desk, she was surprised to find an urgent meeting invitation from her boss.
Hi Sarada,
I need to speak with you, urgently. Come to my office when you're back.
Cheers,
Boruto.
Lifting a brow, she took her coffee and a notebook and pen before heading over to his office. He was looking at his screen, a smile on his face.
"You called for me… sir?" unsure why she added the last word, but it was perhaps because it was Monday and he was in his best suit and that pink tie she got him. Taking a seat on the chair across his desk, she waited for him to speak.
His smile only widened and he placed both hands on his desk, clamped together. "I'm really pleased with your performance as of late, Sarada. The Burger Ramen launch is coming together beautifully and I know we couldn't have done it without you. You've finished developing a new recipe in half the time as well and coped with all the pressure with grace."
He sounded so formal that it put her off, but her heart soared with his praise for her. "Oh," she smiled. "Thank you, I'm just doing my job."
"And you do it remarkably well, and I'm sure you know we reward our employees accordingly."
Boruto was being too formal… it was really creeping her out. She tilted her head away from him but kept her eyes on his. "I am not sure where this is going, sir."
He grinned. "I've discussed with HR and the President, and we all agree it was time you received a promotion. One that we knew you were going to get sooner rather than later."
So the rumors were true…
"I just received one," Sarada laughed nervously. "I don't understand. How else could you promote me?"
"Sarada," Boruto leaned a little closer to her. "I think you'll like what we're proposing to you."
Like it? Sure, more money was always good. But his formality and excitement were starting to unsettle her. "I will?" Her voice was a lot smaller than she intended it to come out.
"Yes!" Boruto beamed. "We want you to be the new Marketing Director here in ICHIRAKU RAMEN CORP!" His smile was so wide, and judging by his body language, he expected her to be happy. Jump for joy, even.
Sarada was happy, but her brows tugged together and she asked with suspicion. "But that's your job. What're you supposed to be doing now, then?" She swallowed, feeling her anxiety raise. "Are you leaving?"
Instead of happiness being the overarching feeling, she felt betrayed.
His smile slowly melted away. "I thought you would be happy to receive this… Naruto and Konohamaru are waiting in their office to have you sign, and I looked at your package myself, it's great."
She gasped and shook her head. "I'm sorry, thank you." She cleared her throat. "It's just a lot to take in, and yes, I am grateful for the opportunity but my question still stands." She looked at Boruto, hurt flashing across her face. "Are you leaving me?"
Being professional with him in the office was something she always maintained at all times. But that last question she asked, she knew it was far from having a professional meaning.
"No, I'm not leaving you." He said softly. "My position here was temporary from the beginning, Sarada. It's rightfully yours… and with me no longer being your boss, things will be easier. Right?"
She couldn't form any words, her mouth opened and closed but she was still feeling so confused. "I—" she swallowed, looking at him. Still so afraid he was going to leave. "Since when did you know?"
"Since before we even met, Princess." He said, smiling sweetly at her. "Your promotion was being discussed before Dad came to me about this position. Why do you think we put you over the team? Dad has always had a lot of faith in you. I came to make sure he wasn't wrong."
"I thought you did that because you didn't want to handle Chocho and Inojin," Sarada muttered. Perhaps this wasn't the time for blunt honesty but it just came out and she retracted it immediately. "I mean—they're great but they can be… a handful."
Boruto laughed and stood up from his seat, slowly walking around his desk to stand next to her. "That's true, but you handle them well. This position belongs to you, Sarada. I don't think you ever needed me."
No, I do need you. "Why would you say that?" Her sudden outburst surprised even herself. Again, quite sure she wasn't speaking professionally. "I mean… it's a big responsibility. I've only handled two people and oh my god," now she knew that rumor was true. "That thing finance was handling wasn't for my intern request, was it?"
"No, it wasn't." He sighed and knelt down to be eye level with her. "Why are you not happy, Sarada? It's not like you to doubt yourself."
"I am," she assured him, leaning closer to his face. "I'm happy, and I have been wanting this position since I found out the previous director left but…" I've grown attached. "I don't want you to leave, either."
Boruto's face and eyes softened and he laid his hand over hers on her lap. "I know we've had a lot of fun, but this isn't where I belong, Sarada. This is your place. I have my own dreams. But you'll still have me here for this whole month."
Her lips pouted. It was like they had a mind of their own. "That's so short."
Complaining? Getting clingy? Totally not together.
Boruto chuckled and got back up on his feet. "It's standard turnover time, Sarada. I know you'll pick things up before the month even ends."
So soon.
"Who else knows?"
"Only Dad and Konohamaru… and well, Shikadai kind of got it out of me." He said as he slid his hands in his pockets. "They're all excited for you."
Sarada laughed. "Couldn't resist his questioning?" She also stood on her feet. "Thank you so much for the opportunity, sir." She extended her hand for a shake. "I'm excited to see what you have in store for me."
Boruto smiled at her and took her hand in his for a firm shake. Just when she was about to pull her hand back, he held fast and brought it to his lips for a soft kiss, blue eyes looking right at hers.
Sarada smiled and walked up to him, planting a kiss just as soft on his lips. Professionalism be damned. When they pulled apart, she pointed a finger at him. "You better not leave me."
"Heh. You couldn't get rid of me even if you tried."
She giggled and gave him a quick hug. "Shall we go to your father now? I feel like I have the edge to negotiate further."
Boruto snorted. "I think you'll find the package promising, but you can always try."
Sarada grinned and led the way out of his office, and entered Naruto's with him in tow. The talk went a lot better than she imagined and Boruto was right. The package was more than generous. Looking over her new contract, Boruto offered his sunflower pen for her to use, and she accepted it happily. Signing her name over her new position.
Sarada Uchiha
Marketing Director
It felt so surreal. But it was great and she was more than grateful to have the position. Naruto and Konohamaru clapped when she signed and she was all grins. Despite Naruto and Konohamaru congratulating her, all Sarada could do was look at Boruto and feel her heart soar.
Things were looking up, indeed.
A/N: Oooh. Things are definitely going to be changing for the two now that Boruto isn't going to be around so much. And now she's going to meet his family. Just some friend stuff, right? Teehee.
Now that Sarada got promoted, Boruto will be leaving, and she will be meeting his family, what do you think will happen in the office? Will Boruto and Sarada's dynamic change? Let us know by leaving a review!
The next update will be on Boruto's birthday, and we will have another shortly before Sarada's birthday, and another on her birthday.
BoruSara week is happening from March 25 until March 31. We have a filler/entry for the event week that we will be adding to this main fic, as it happens in this AU. We will be calling it out both in the chapter title and the A/N at the start. Expect a lot of updates from me that week as I'm targeting to write a fic per day, and some may double since I'm also collaborating with Tyy. I'll put the details on my profile for the event week in case you want to join. :)
Stay safe and healthy, darling.
Cheers,
Kairi and Tyy
