A/N: Sorry for the delay! I've been busy and things have not been doing so well for me lately. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

We don't own Naruto/Boruto.

After getting her now limited to one cup a day coffee, Sarada went to the pantry to put her lunch in the fridge, and that's when she saw Denki and Wasabi talking, and having breakfast. She greeted them cheerfully and they both immediately stopped talking, looking awkward, rather than happy to see her.

Sensing the tension, she smiled and asked casually, "What's up?"

Denki laughed nervously and took a sip of his coffee. Wasabi tried looking away but Sarada took the seat next to her and put her tumbler down. And waited. Wasabi wouldn't look her way, but Denki was easier to break so she turned her gaze towards him.

He looked at her nervously, sweat beading on his brow. She felt a little bad to exploit his nature this way, but she had a feeling they were talking about her and she wanted to know what it was this time. Taking a sip of her coffee, her lips curved up as she watched him, knowing he would break any minute.

Denki bit his lower lip to stop it from quaking, but he broke. "It's your wedding date!" He burst. "People are talking about how late the date will be!"

Slowly, Sarada sat up and placed her tumbler down. "And what's the big deal if it is?"

People really needed to start minding their own business. Gossip was normal, and it was her own naiveness that made her believe for a second that once Boruto left, people would shut up. But in truth, it just made things worse. Even the Lily incident made rounds for a week, even at their factory, people heard and talked about it.

The poor boy was still shaking. "S-someone commented that it means Boruto doesn't really want to marry you."

Now that made her mad. Boruto doesn't want to marry her? What a load of bullshit.

Her brow lifted and she struggled to keep her voice even. "That's a lie," she growled. "How could anyone even come up with something that ridiculous?"

Wasabi now looked at Sarada and inched away. "Usually, when people have an… unplanned pregnancy, they get married right away. For… legal purposes and whatnot."

Unplanned. Usually families would want them to get married to secure their daughter and baby. But Sarada didn't need any legalities to know that Boruto would stay with her. The office people really needed to shut up. It didn't sit well with her that they were dragging her fiance's reputation in the mud.

"I don't need a piece of paper to be assured Boruto won't leave me, or our son," she replied evenly. "He's not like that." It was a cold kind of fury that overtook her. "Who said that?"

"Well, it wasn't really said that way…" Denki turned away, feeling so nervous and it showed.

"Inojin was just telling us about how it went when he painted the nursery, you know? It was all in passing." Wasabi waved her hands up to placate her.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me. I asked, who said that about my fiancée?"

Wasabi turned her face away and held her breath. Denki shut his eyes and bit his lower lip. Sarada's calm exterior wasn't fooling anyone. She was angry, and this time, it was personal.

Denki opened one eye to look at her and jumped to find her looking intently at him. Despite doing his best to resist, he cracked under her glare. "K-Kagura said it."

Kagura.

Perhaps he wasn't as prince-like as he showed. She still wasn't over him kissing her hand at the engagement party, and neither was Boruto. The gift he got for their "baby" didn't sit well with her, either.

A pink robe. For her size. Who does that?

Sarada rose from her seat, gave them a tight smile, picked up her coffee, and walked back to her office. She stopped by Inojin's desk and asked him what happened and who were the people present when he was telling them about the previous weekend.

He claimed it was nothing too serious, but Kagura was there and made a comment. "Something about Boruto not being too serious if he was delaying." He shrugged. "Does it really matter, though? I think he made it clear he wanted to marry you."

"I know he does," Sarada replied. "But I think it isn't clear to everyone."

Inojin raised a brow. "Wow, are these rumors finally getting to you?"

"No." Yes it was. Boruto wasn't here to defend himself and it was a low blow to say things about him, even when he was no longer connected to the company. "I just want people to know that it's my choice to delay, in favor of our baby's wellbeing."

He shrunk into his chair. "I… didn't say anything like that, okay?"

She only gave him a look and started walking towards the Sales department. Once she left, Inojin got on his laptop to warn people about her.

Kagura wasn't at his desk, but his laptop was, a fresh cup of coffee there. Instead of waiting for him, she left a note on his keyboard, telling him to come to her office.

She needed to calm down, even just a bit. From experience, her temper always got the best of her and having another thing for people to talk about wasn't what she wanted. This talk was to clear the air and to put Kagura in his place. Perhaps she really should have done this sooner. In a way, Sarada felt responsible for leading him on. But even if… she was living with, engaged to, and pregnant with Boruto's baby. What more did he need to back off?

Trying to busy herself, she opened up her laptop and tried to work. But negative thoughts kept invading her again. She needed to stop and get a breather, before Kagura got to her office. Thinking of needing something positive made her pick up her phone and text Boruto.

Sarada: what are you up to?

It was such a random text. One that should be normal but she almost never checked up on Boruto when they were both working. Sarada hoped she wasn't bothering.

Boruto: I'm not up to anything… why do you think I am?

An unusual text called for an unusual response, right?

Sarada: I need a distraction. If you were still my boss I would barge into your office. Lol.

Boruto: Sometimes I wish I still was your boss. Quick question, you've watched Lady and the Tramp, right? Which do you like best, Lady or Tramp?

It was weird, but she did ask for a distraction.

Sarada: I have. Hmm… I like both of them, but leaning towards Lady because she was such a sweetie to her owners.

Boruto: She was my pick too. She was a cute pup, don't you think? Do you like cute dogs?

Sarada: I do! Lapdogs are cute, but so are big dogs. Such big babies!

Boruto: Especially the ones with the long hair!...?

Sarada: Yes! And so playful and friendly. Some breeds are also good for families.

Boruto: Well that's a must. I'm glad we're in agreement.

The conversation was distracting her well, but it only made her miss him.

Sarada: Can you send me a voice mail?

It was only a few seconds later before the recorded message came through and she played it. "Hey, Princess. I love you."

She played it three times and listened closely before sighing. Sarada held her phone up to her mouth and recorded, "I love you too, Boruto."

Before she even finished, Kagura walked in, hearing what she had recorded.

He smiled brightly at her and closed the door behind him, taking a seat in front of her desk. "Good morning. I got your note."

Sarada put her phone down and ignored Boruto's next voice mail. She looked at Kagura's eyes, wondering where should she even begin. Lashing out right away wasn't a good option. She could ask for his side of the story, or perhaps go right for the throat and ask what his problem was.

"Kagura, we're friends, aren't we?"

"Yes, of course. Why do you even have to ask?"

Sarada swallowed. "Because I want to be honest with you, and I expect the same from you."

He blinked, and his smile faltered. "I'm always honest with you, Sarada."

She hummed. "Thank you, but I'm afraid I wasn't as honest with you in the past. Whatever happened and didn't happen, I'm sorry."

"I don't understand, what are you apologizing for?"

Sarada grimaced. Kagura wasn't stupid, and him asking was just irritating her more. "You've never said anything, which is why I never did as well. But I'm engaged and I don't appreciate your advances on me. It disrespects Boruto and it isn't fair for you, too."

Kagura went quiet. "I'm sorry, I never meant for that. I was just looking out for you."

"I appreciate it, but I don't need it." Her smile was tight, shoulders tense. "I've heard something go around, too. About my wedding plans. What was it that you said? I would rather hear it from you."

There were already two people who told her a gist of what he said. Both of which were present when Kagura said it. She hoped that he wouldn't lie.

"I said it was a shame to have to wait, if it were me, I would have married you by now," he laughed it off, but Sarada didn't find it funny one bit. He must have sensed it, as he cleared his throat and clarified, "I only meant to say that for the baby, being married before he was born would be easier for his legal documents. I'm just speaking from experience." Kagura shrugged and offered her a small smile. "I'm sorry that I offended you and Boruto. I'm just… sad that he got to you first."

Silence washed over her, and for a while, the only thing she could hear was her own heart beating. Perhaps she should have felt some remorse for Kagura, but she didn't. They had known each other long before she met Boruto. If he really liked her, he would have done so sooner.

The quiet was disrupted by her phone. It rang and displayed a photo of Boruto, smiling that smile that he only gave to her. Sarada licked her lips and looked at Kagura. "Would you please excuse me? I need to take this."

Kagura rose from his chair and nodded before leaving her office. Once her door clicked, she answered her phone.

"Hello?" Her voice was a little too shaky for her liking.

"Hey, I'm in town now. What would you like for lunch?"

She didn't really feel like eating, but knowing how much of a fuss he would make if she said so, Sadara said the first thing that came to mind. "A salad and steak."

"Whoa, my princess is hungry today. Okay, I got it… is everything okay? You sound a little… frustrated."

"I'm fine." She bit her tongue the moment the words left her mouth. "Just work things." It was better if she told him later. If he was driving, she didn't want him to get worked up and speed his way over.

"Well… I'll be there soon, okay? With food!"

"Okay. Drive safe."

"I will. Always. I love you…"

"I love you, too."

Sarada ended the call and sighed. The emails were piling up, and she needed to secure the details for Chocho's promotion, a raise for Inojin, to pull through with the intern request and then hire someone to take Chocho's place. It would be a busy day, and so she picked up her notebook and walked over to Konohamaru's room to discuss.

.

.

.

Sarada and Konohamaru spoke all throughout the morning, she wanted what was best for the team and she made sure she got it all for them. A well-compensated bunch was always more productive that way. They both talked over Chocho and Inojin's package, as well as what she wanted in an intern and new Social Media Manager.

It wasn't long until she heard a loud and familiar voice outside. Forgetting her manners, she left Konohamaru and peeked outside to find Shikadai and Boruto laughing together.

She missed this. Seeing him in the office, just like old times. Come to think of it, it was only a few months ago but it felt like a lifetime. They used to hate each other and argue all the time. Now they just kept telling each other mushy things. It was weird, and certainly if she told her younger self this, that Sarada wouldn't believe her. Things were different now, but she liked it and couldn't imagine where she would be without him in her life anymore.

"Boruto," she called him and smiled.

He brightened noticeably at the sound of her calling his name, slapping Shikadai on the shoulder as he told him a quick goodbye before shuffling over to her with her food in hand. "Hey there. Been thinking about you all morning." He teased, brows wiggling as he backed her up into her office.

Sarada laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, coming to her tiptoes to give him a kiss. This was nice, her earlier bad mood evaporating. "Don't you have anything better to do than stay in my head all morning?"

"Ooh, that's cheesy for you… I love it." He laughed too and gave her another kiss. "You can tell me more later. I can't stay long today, so let's get you eating."

She must have looked hurt because Boruto immediately gave her a hug. "Why? Are you seeing Mitsuki today?"

"Well… not exactly. I'm seeing someone else."

Her blood ran cold. "What?" And to think she just defended him so valiantly a few hours ago. "Who?"

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down!" Boruto huffed as he ushered her back to her desk and forced her to take a seat. "It's business… kinda."

She pouted and waited for him to talk more, crossing her arms across her chest. "So it's a boy, then?" He said he wasn't gay… but preferences can change, right?

"Oh… no. Actually, it's a girl and she's waiting on me…"

"A girl?" Like earlier, she struggled to keep her voice even. This day was trying her. "Younger?" This whole conversation felt so familiar.

"Definitely." He confirmed with an amused tone.

Her frown deepened. "Then get to it, then!" She stuck her nose up in the air and took a violent bite of the bread roll that came with her steak. Being angry was apparently making her hungry.

Boruto ignored her outburst and watched her for a moment before he spoke again. "Bumped into the bastard in the hallway. He's so weird, apologizing to me out of nowhere. Guess he should though… nobody likes him."

"Who?" She asked, with her mouth full.

"The hand kisser." He huffed, refusing to say his name.

"Oh." She swallowed. Best time to tell him, then. "He apologized because I confronted him this morning. I spoke to some people and a rumor started. He thinks you don't really want to marry me because I'm delaying." Sarada could feel her anger bubble up again. But damn, this salad was good. She took another bite. "I got mad and told them off."

"So you're saying he had something to do with the rumor?" Boruto asked casually, tone giving away nothing.

She nodded and took another bite, not really paying attention because this steak went well with the salad. "He told me if he were you, he would have married me already. Oh, and something about it's easier for Ita-kun, legal wise, if we were already married before he was born."

"Excuse me?" Boruto scoffed, voice quiet and incredulous. He gaped at her in complete disbelief.

"I know," she sighed loudly and got up from her desk, leaving her food. "I got really mad when people told me. I cleared it up though. And besides, I know you've been wanting to marry me since the day you murdered my coffee." She grinned cheekily.

"Exactly!" Boruto snapped, not bothering to tone down his anger. "Just who the hell does this guy think he is?"

Sarada wrapped her arms around his middle and laughed. "Boruto," she looked up at him and smiled. "You've been in love with me since day one? Really?" Her smile grew to a grin so wide her eyes shut.

"Yes. I mean, what—no!" He groaned and hugged her tight, dropping his head against hers. "Okay fine. Yes."

Her hold on him tightened and she rubbed his back soothingly. "Nice to have you admit it." Sarada inhaled through her nose and relished having his scent fill her senses. "You don't have to worry about Kagura anymore, love. I put him in his place, and it's clear it isn't by my side."

"He's crossed too many lines with me. I'm over his shit. I think it's time I really put him in his place myself." Boruto sighed and moved his head to place a soft, lingering kiss to her temple. "I really should be going. You finish your lunch, okay?"

Sarada didn't want him to go but nodded anyway. "Okay."

"I'll see you in just a few hours okay?" Boruto offered her a smile and kissed her lips fully before releasing her to take a step towards the door. "And I'll have a surprise for you by then."

Another surprise. "Okay, then." She pulled him for another kiss before letting him go.

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.

.

Finishing up her work, Boruto bounced into her office at exactly half-past six. His blue eyes were bright with excitement, and it was contagious. Sarada adored that happy look on his face, and sooner rather than later, she was grinning from ear to ear, too.

"What are you so excited about?" She asked. "What did you get me this time?"

"You'll see when we get to the car." He said with a grin as big as hers, already helping her gather her things.

This relieved her. If it fits in the car, it meant it wasn't a car. Boruto no longer driving her around was the last thing she wanted. "Okay, okay."

They both packed up her things and walked hand in hand to the elevator. Sarada was glad this day was almost over, and Kagura didn't show himself to her anymore. Neither did Denki. Sarada made a mental note to apologize for terrorizing him tomorrow.

Sarada leaned on Boruto's shoulder and inhaled. She noticed something was off with his scent. His usual smell was there but it was also… powdery and something else. Sticking her nose to his shoulder, her brows furrowed. "You smell different."

"Do I? Damn that pregnant nose of yours. Do I stink? What do I smell like?" He was a little worried about the way she was sniffing him.

"Like… powder and something else." Sarada kept sniffing his shoulder and moved on to his chest. Taking a deep breath, her mind went wild with what he really smelled like… it wasn't as familiar as something she would smell every day. But she was sure she had smelled it before. "Where were you earlier? Who did you meet up with?"

"I've been to a lot of places!" He huffed and pulled himself away from her, ready to get going. He couldn't wait to show her, and keeping himself in check was proving to be extremely difficult.

"Why won't you tell me?" She frowned. It wasn't like her to keep tabs on him, but it also wasn't like him to keep secrets.

"Because I'd rather just show you."

Sarada harrumphed and kept a few steps away from him as they walked. Why was today trying her patience? It kept her on a rollercoaster of highs and lows and her pregnancy hormones weren't helping.

They reached his car and Sarada walked over to the passenger seat and opened the door. A high pitched yelp greeted her and she stumbled back. A cute little golden puppy was sitting there, looking at her with a happy face and a wagging tail. A large pink bow was around the puppy's neck, too.

"Oh my god!" Sarada covered her mouth and watched the little puppy circle around the passenger's seat, wanting to come down or be picked up. She looked at Boruto and asked, "You got us a dog?"

"Of course I did. Don't you love her? She's been keeping me busy almost all day now." He chuckled.

Sarada cooed and picked the puppy up. "It's a her." She thought she might just cry. Bringing the puppy closer to her face, she recognized the powdery smell on Boruto. "She's so cute. What's her name?" She didn't even give him a chance to answer. "Can we name her Cookie?"

"Oh my god! I was thinking Cookie too!" Boruto gasped.

Sarada squealed and rubbed her cheek on Cookie's head. "Cookie! Such a good girl." The little puppy kept licking her cheek, making Sarada coo and giggle. "I love her."

"Me too." Boruto smiled. "I knew she was the one."

Sarada walked over to Boruto to kiss his cheek. He always made her so happy and did so much for her. It made her want to do the same for him, but even just the small things, like her kissing his cheek already made him happy. "I love your surprise. Thank you. I love you."

"You're welcome. I love you too, ya know. I gave her her own room for now… until we need it for the kids." He snickered, giving her a few chaste kisses.

"Her own room?" Sarada laughed. He really was too extra. "Are you looking for an excuse to give away uncle Shisui's room?"

"It's not like he can't share with Cookie." Boruto scoffed.

Sarada shook her head and hopped in the car. She was fine with that if it meant keeping Cookie. Once the car started, she stayed still on Sarada's lap, seemingly afraid of the motion. But when Sarada let her up to look out the window, her tail wagged and seemed so much calmer. Both of her hands were full, so Boruto left a hand on her thigh instead as he drove them home.

As soon as they got inside the house, Sarada let Cookie down and the little puppy went wild, running around the house and slipping on the floorboards. She sniffed everything and kept looking back at the two of them, making sure they were still there before exploring the first floor again. When she wandered into the kitchen, she slipped on the marble floors a few times and learned not to run too fast.

Sarada kept following her around, making sure Cookie wouldn't hurt herself. She was beside herself with glee, taking pictures of Cookie and sending it to her parents.

Sakura: She's so cute!

Sasuke: Good training for your baby.

Sakura: Taking care of the baby is harder!

Sasuke: That depends.

Sarada laughed and put her phone away when she felt Boruto wrap his arms around her and rest his chin on her shoulder. She leaned her head on his and cupped his cheek. They stood in the middle of the kitchen for a few moments like this, and Cookie came back from the living room to go and see them. She nibbled Sarada's slipper and ran around them.

As much as she didn't want Boruto to let go of her, their little puppy wanted to be held, so she bent down and picked her up. Boruto was quick to wrap her back up in his arms, making it so that Cookie was snuggled between them. He tenderly ran his fingers through her hair, smiling that smile, her smile.

"I think our family is pretty close to perfect, Princess. Everything will be complete when Ita-kun finally arrives… for a while anyway."

A/N: Finally put the Kagura issue to bed. Lol! And yay for a cute little doggy.

Cheers and wash your hands,

Kairi and Tyy