A/N: Hello, dear readers! We are back with another chapter!

For your guidance, KNH is like their version of TMZ. :)

We don't own Naruto/Boruto.

Twisting her ankle was a lot more trouble than Sarada ever expected it could be. Her foot ached terribly, kept swelling and throbbing until she wanted to just cut it off. It was a mistake caused by her own ridiculousness and she was still so angry at herself. Sarada really and truly knew in her heart that Boruto loved her and she had no reason to be jealous. She'd made it up in her mind that she would never feel that way again—but as soon as she saw Kiyoko giggling and chatting with Boruto out of earshot, that annoying feeling was back and she couldn't look away from them.

Now, because of it all, Sarada couldn't work, maybe even for a whole week. She hoped that wouldn't be the case, it made her feel like she was letting everyone down and she really didn't like that feeling. It wasn't so bad though. Being at home with Boruto was surprisingly easy and Sarada couldn't say she hated him spoiling her. He was always attentive, but even more so now that she was hurt.

Everything she needed, he took care of it and he helped her get around too, even though she only got up when she needed to go to the bathroom. Almost always, she was on the bed or the couch, foot propped under several pillows. Keeping it elevated helped the swelling but she felt Boruto kept making it a little higher than it needed to be. Sarada used an ice pack as often as she could too and it helped with the pain and swelling.

Boruto continued to work while Sarada didn't have much to do and both of them weren't bringing up the whole Hōki situation, or the picture or the media. None of that. For two days, not a word was mentioned of it and Sarada didn't look online to see what was going on. If Boruto knew anything else, he didn't say anything, and Sarada couldn't say she minded that. However, the peace couldn't last forever and it was a text from Hōki that disturbed Sarada's little bubble of happiness.

Truthfully, it had been a while since the two of them had spoken because Sarada was avoiding him as much as possible. She really didn't want anything to do with Hōki and she was beyond ready to put him behind her. Soon, she knew. It wouldn't last forever. Not much longer with Sasuke helping take care of it. Hōki knew it too and that's why he'd started texting her.

Hōki: Hi, Sarada. Heard what happened to your ankle. How are you feeling?

It was late to ask, but she was disappointed he reached out to her at all. He was definitely aware of the spat between her father and his manager—and everything else. The photo wasn't meant to cause problems with Hōki, but it had. There was also her new role. She was supposed to be free from him, but they'd been trying their best to keep her stuck in the fake relationship.

Sarada didn't respond to that first text because she honestly didn't have anything to say to him. He would know she was fine—she didn't need to tell him that. She didn't tell Boruto either that she'd gotten that text. But then she received another.

Hōki: look, I feel really bad for not being there for you… can I come over? I'll bring you anything you want.

That message really gave her the creeps. They weren't really together and she didn't need him to be there for her, he had to know this and yet he could send her such a text?

Sarada glanced at Boruto over her phone. They were on the couch, her foot propped on his lap, and two pillows. He was on his phone for work, probably talking to Mitsuki and she wondered if she should tell him. Maybe she should reply, maybe she shouldn't. Boruto could be mad if he found out now or he could be really upset with her not telling him right away.

"Boruto?" Sarada began, wanting to make sure she trod lightly.

"Hmm?" He didn't put down his phone but tilted his head towards her as he typed. "Yes, princess?"

"Are there any updates with the whole… Hōki thing?" She asked carefully, not wanting to trigger him or herself.

Boruto put the phone down and looked at her. "Kakashi and Sasuke are still fighting it out. I'm not in copy with the email but Mitsuki is. He forwards me a screenshot whenever there's a reply. Why?"

Sarada should have known he couldn't answer her without questioning her in return. "Just curious… haven't heard anything in a while."

"Don't worry about it," Boruto smiled at her reassuringly and stroked her leg. "Your father is on it, and people online are finding this new meme to gush over. Nothing alarming for now." He went back to his phone, texting again.

It was still impossible to know whether she should respond to Hōki or not. It had the potential to cause even more problems if she did, but he was persistent so she felt it necessary to tell him she was fine and needed to leave her be.

Sarada: I'm fine, just need to be off of my leg for a couple of days. Don't worry about me, instead, you need to be helping us take care of things.

After sending the text, she really expected silence in return. But she was reminded that Hōki didn't give up so easily. It didn't take him long at all to respond either.

Hōki: That's a relief. I still feel bad though. Do you need anything? It's really no problem for me if you need me to come. Kakashi is taking care of everything and he's a very competent manager. You don't have to mind it. Why, is Boruto making you do something for the contract? That's his job, you know.

Sarada rolled her eyes and let out a huffy exhale. This guy really was something else and she didn't like it. She just didn't expect him to be like this. Shifting a bit onto her side, she started typing a response, only to delete it and start over several times.

Sarada: I don't need anything. I'm not doing anything with it, but you could be. We can end this and be done. Let's?

It took a while for Hōki to respond, but the three white dots indicated that he kept on typing. Finally, he responded.

Hōki: Sarada, hasn't Boruto sent you the proposition Kakashi made? If we end it now, more people are going to talk, especially after that photo with your family. I don't want people calling you a cheater. Kakashi even sent Boruto the script to the new movie I was in, and they wanted you. Did he even let you read that?

"Oh my goodness," Sarada scoffed dramatically under her breath. He was really getting on her nerves when he should have been just letting it go.

"Sarada?" Boruto's hand stroked up and down her shin. "Are you okay? Is it painful?"

"Hm?" She looked at him over her phone before his question hit her completely. "Oh, I'm okay…"

Only she wasn't. She wanted to make Hōki leave her alone for good and she had to figure out how to make him understand once and for all.

Boruto continued to stroke her shin, blue eyes softening. "Okay," he whispered. "Just tell me if you want anything." After a few more strokes, he picked his phone up again and scrolled through something she couldn't see.

Sarada took the opportunity to finally send a reply to Hōki.

Sarada: I saw it, but I wasn't interested. I already had my eyes set on my new role and I'm very happy with it. People can think what they want, Hōki. I know I'm not a cheater so that's all that matters.

Once she sent the text, Sarada almost went to Ninstagram but she stopped herself right before she clicked on the app, knowing she was supposed to be avoiding it. She knew that Hōki wasn't going to back off so easily, but things were just ridiculous right now.

Hōki: You're not a cheater, I know that. But Sarada, even if you aren't, it doesn't just affect you personally. It also does to your career. And mine, too. Kakashi suggested we be quiet and make it look like we got too busy during our shoots. It's more acceptable that way.

That was Boruto's proposal in their contract, not Kakashi's.

Hōki: Three months is all we're asking for.

That wasn't part of the earlier agreement.

"THREE MONTHS?" Sarada shrieked, almost throwing her phone across the room in frustration. He had lost his mind for sure this time. No way was she waiting another three months. She didn't even want to wait three more minutes.

Boruto jumped and dropped his phone on the ground. "Sarada!" He put a hand to his heart to calm himself. "What the hell was that for?"

Face paling at realizing her slip, Sarada waved her hand around nervously. "S-Sorry. Seems this new novel I want is going to be a while…" That was the lamest lie she'd ever thought up, but at least it was something.

His brows creased together, hand slipping to her knee while he bent to pick up his phone. "All of that for a book?" He muttered. "Well… which publisher is it? Maybe I can ask them to get you an earlier copy."

These lies were really starting to stress her out. "That's okay, I'll wait." She said quickly and looked back at her phone.

Boruto looked at her with a weirded out expression on his face. "Are you sure you're okay, princess?" He stroked her knee. "If you're stressing about missing work, don't, okay? They're shooting the game shots so it's all about the boys."

His concern made Sarada feel guilty for lying to him and more importantly—leaving this Hōki texting a secret. "Umm… well, Hōki was texting me…" she admitted shamefully. She was responding without him knowing so far, so she knew he was going to be upset with her.

His lips pressed into a fine line, those blue eyes hardening. "What did he want?"

"Asking how I was and apologizing for not being there for me. He keeps offering to bring me things if I need him and now he's trying to fight me about the agreement. Said he wants us to wait three more months. He's crazy!"

Boruto's face contorted in anger, holding his hand out. "Give it to me. I'll reply to him." His voice was even, but lethal.

Sarada blinked are him, holding her phone to her chest. He got angry so easily but she didn't know how to feel about it. "No, you're upset. You don't need to say anything to him right now."

"Of course I'm upset!" Boruto's voice raised, but he retracted his hand. "Him talking to you and stressing you out is the last thing you need right now. You're not even supposed to be bothered with what's going on for fuck's sake." Saying he was upset was an understatement. Boruto was seething and he looked scary.

"I know, I know." Sarada sighed, sitting up to rub his arm. "Don't worry, I'll handle it."

"You're not supposed to be dealing with this!" Boruto held her hand and took a deep breath to calm himself down. "I will take care of it, okay? Three months is not happening and he better stop texting you or I will have Mitsuki block him."

He was so serious and quite frankly turning her on right now. "I know, we won't be waiting near that long. It's all fine." As soon as her last word came out, her phone pinged with another text from Hōki. She hadn't even responded to the last one. "It's him."

All the composure Boruto was able to gather faded away. His anger rushing back to him. "The fuck does he want now?" He extended his arm towards her. "Give me the damn phone."

"What are you gonna do?" Sarada asked, trying not to sound excited.

"I'm going to tell him to leave you alone."

"Well, I can do that." Sarada snickered. "Let me see what he said…"

Hōki: Baby, please. Give us a chance.

"No, he didn't," Sarada whispered, almost choking on a laugh.

"What did that bastard say?" Boruto leaned closer to her, reaching for the phone. "I said give me the phone, Sarada."

"You don't wanna know," Sarada said knowingly. He would definitely show out if he read that last one.

Boruto's face looked stoic, but the fire in his eyes was unmistakable. "All the more reason for me to know. Why are you hiding it from me? The fuck did he say?"

He was so mad and it was really hot. Sarada couldn't help but hand her phone over to him. "Fine, but don't do anything you'll regret."

He took the phone without another word, he scrolled up to read the messages. For a moment, his face was unreadable, but his grip on the phone tightened with every message he read. When Boruto finally got to the last message, his face contorted and he shouted, "Baby?! Who the fuck does he think he is?!"

So loud. "I know… he thinks he can call me that. He thinks he's my boyfriend."

"Like hell he is," Boruto spat. "This bastard needs to stop or else he's going to get it." He started texting, thumbs flying over the keyboard as he formed a response.

"What are you saying?" Sarada asked, pouting since she couldn't get over to him and see with her leg all stretched and propped up. "Don't be brash!"

"I'm just telling him to mind his own business," Boruto muttered.

"Are you telling him it's you?"

Boruto turned his head to face her. "I think he'll know it's me."

"Probably," Sarada mused, unsure if she should be worried or amused. She just let her head rest on the pillow under her and laughed softly. "You might only rile him up, Boruto."

"I'm riled up," he bit back, deleting what he texted to start over. "Me? Asking you to take care of work things? Never." Boruto rolled his eyes. "Just because other managers ask their talents to, doesn't mean I do."

"He wants you riled up." And so did she apparently. This wasn't normal at all. "He can say and think whatever he wants, none of it matters anyway."

The last bit made Boruto put her phone down. He chewed on his lower lip, thinking about what she said for a moment. "I know he doesn't matter, but he still pisses me off." At least, for now, he stopped texting. "He needs to stop texting you. I'm blocking his number from your phone."

"Don't do that!" Sarada said chidingly, making grabby hands for her phone that she couldn't reach. "It could do more harm than good in the end."

"But he'll keep texting you!" Boruto argued. He probably wanted to sound firm but it came out more like a whine. "He doesn't even have any reason to do so."

Sarada sighed and continued to hold her hand out. "I know he doesn't, but after it's all over, then we can block him. Okay?"

He pouted at her for a few seconds before handing her the phone back. It was empty, no texts sent. "Just don't reply to him, I'll send Kakashi an email with him in copy." Boruto sighed dramatically and picked up his phone. "Bastards always making me work more than needed."

"Just calm down, please." Sarada smiled. "I think I'll take a short nap while you finish working."

"Fine, fine." Boruto slumped a little lower on the couch. "Do you want me to carry you to bed?"

"No, we can stay here. You can carry me later." She smiled and pulled the blanket up to her chin and closed her eyes. It didn't take long at all for her to drift off.

The sound of her phone ringing was what woke her and Sarada wasn't happy. She'd been sleeping so well, so deeply, but the phone was obnoxiously loud, so without opening her eyes, Sarada answered the call and held her phone to her ear.

"Hello?" She spoke groggily, voice muffled from the sleep that still looked over her.

"Hey baby…"

"Hōki?!" Sarada's eyes opened wide and she jolted into a sitting position, the sudden movement making pain lance through her leg. She winced but didn't have time to worry about that when Hōki was calling her.

And she was answering.

Boruto wasn't around and Sarada didn't know where he could be, but he couldn't be too far.

"Yeah, it's me… you never texted back earlier. I want to see you."

There was something off with his tone. His words were spoken more slowly than normal and though she couldn't be sure, Sarada suspected he'd been drinking.

"No." She replied flatly, irritated that he would call her at all, much less when he'd been drinking and to annoy her about wanting to see her. It wasn't happening.

"No?" Hōki gasped as if that was the last thing he expected to hear. "Baby, please don't be this way. I'm already on my way over now… I got you some gifts."

Sarada gawked at the ceiling in shock, unable to say anything for a moment. No way was he actually coming over to her place.

"Don't you even think about coming over here!" Sarada finally got out, nearly yelling at him. "I was sleeping, Hōki!"

"I didn't mean to wake you, baby. I love you, you know that, don't you? I want to see you so I'm coming over. We can talk about everything. In person."

"Ew, no! Hōki, what are you even saying? Listen to yourself. I don't love you and you don't love me either. If you come to my house, I will have to have you arrested."

"Wha-baby, I know you don't mean that."

"Of course I mean it! You're so annoying! You just leave me alone, Hōki… if you don't, your career will pay the price for it."

There was some silence on the other side until Hōki started sputtering nonsense. "What—Sarada—ugh. It's Boruto isn't it? Did he put you up to this?"

"Don't you go trying to blame Boruto!" Sarada really did yell then because she would not allow him to badmouth Boruto around her. She was looking around for Boruto's phone, ready to call her father to put an end to Hōki for good, but she couldn't move much and it was nowhere in sight. "This has nothing to do with him and everything to do with how crazy you're being right now. Just let it go."

"Crazy? Sarada, I have been nothing but nice to you and really wanted to make things work between us, for real, you know? You're the one who—who always rejected me. It's Boruto—he's the one you want isn't it?" He was yelling now, and Sarada had to move the phone away from her ear.

Sarada was livid now. She wasn't going to let Hōki run all over her. "Maybe so. I definitely don't want you, so you don't need to worry about it. You and I were never together. It was all fake from the beginning and you need to accept that."

He laughed loudly, and Sarada could practically see him shake his head from side to side as he spoke. "Oh, baby. You and I could have been together, and I would have let the whole world know you were mine. But Boruto? It's pathetic. You want him and yet you two aren't together, are you? Where's Prince Charming now that you need him?"

The actress flinched and felt angry tears pricking at her eyes. Maybe he was right and they weren't officially together, but Boruto was here—always with her. She just didn't know where right that moment. "You're despicable, Hōki. My Prince Charming is always by my side. Not that it's any of your business, because it's not."

"Sarada?" Boruto poked his head out of the bedroom door, hair damp, and a towel hanging from his head. He was still shirtless and wearing a pair of joggers. "I heard yelling, you okay?" He padded over to her, shaking out his wet hair and drying it with a towel as we went. "Who're you talking to?"

"No, I'm not okay." Sarada pouted. "It's Hōki. He's drunk and apparently on his way over." The phone was still at her ear, but she didn't hesitate to give her manager the information he asked for—even though she knew he was going to be mad.

"What?!" Boruto burst, extending his hand for her to give him the phone. "The fuck does he think he's doing?"

Placing the phone in his hand, Sarada shrugged. "I don't know." She frowned, feeling guilty that either of them was even in such a position, to begin with.

"What do you want?" Boruto wasted no time speaking into the phone, not even bothering with pleasantries. He paused for a while to listen to the actor before retorting, "You're drunk. You better not be going over here or I'm calling KNH on your ass."

Sarada turned on the couch, letting her feet rest on the floor for a change. The swelling had gone down and the pain was tolerable, especially with her so focused on Boruto.

"You wouldn't. You're at her apartment now, aren't you? What are you doing there this late?"

Boruto rolled his eyes. "Sarada," he handed his phone to her. "Could you call Kakashi and tell him his brat is out of control? If he doesn't come here to pick his ass up I really will call KNH and Mitsuki on his ass."

"No problem." Sarada nodded as she looked for Kakashi's contact information and then called him. The phone rang several times before he finally picked up and Sarada sighed in relief. "Kakashi, Hōki is drunk and on the road. He says he's coming over here after I've repeatedly told him to stay away. Things have really gotten out of hand now."

Boruto had moved away from her, yelling expletives, and for some reason, Boruto was telling Hoki, "Pull the fuck over or you're gonna crash!"

Kakashi responded with a sigh. "Okay, I'm coming."

"Good." Sarada rolled her eyes before ending the call and calling her father's number. It only rang twice before he answered in a very professional manner, unlike he would ever use for her. He sounded confused as well, no doubt wondering why Boruto would be calling him in the evening. "Papa… I need you to come over."

"Sarada?" Sasuke breathed in surprise. "What's going on?"

Sarada took a moment to explain the situation to her father and when he confirmed he was on his way, she called Mitsuki as well. Tonight, they were putting this all behind them. Boruto was still on the phone with Hōki by the time she finished and Sarada held her arms out for him, giving him her best puppy dog eyes.

Boruto tossed her phone on the other side of the couch and walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and letting her lean against his chest. "What a bastard," Boruto muttered. "I hope he gets arrested for driving under the influence."

Finally, she could breathe properly. She just needed him to hold her was all. He was so warm and smelled so good, just like his shampoo and body wash that she knew so well. "It may get worse before it gets better. Papa and Mitsuki are both pretty upset…"

"Who the fuck wouldn't be!" Boruto huffed and held her tighter. "Did Kakashi say he was coming?"

"I know… yeah, he's coming too. It's a mess. All I wanted to do was cuddle and sleep." She rested her face against his neck and sighed deeply. "But tonight, we will finally put this behind us."

"Yeah good riddance." Boruto stroked her hair and sighed. "I was really hoping it wouldn't come to this, ya know? And if he does reach your door, I'm not opening it." He picked up his phone from her hands and sent a text to the front desk of Sarada's condo. "Gotta detain that shit."

Knowing Boruto and everyone else would take care of everything, Sarada just kept quiet and held onto him. She felt at ease as long as he was close to her like this. Her peace didn't last forever though. Not even ten minutes had gone by before Boruto's phone rang and she handed it over to him, noting it was Mitsuki calling. When Boruto answered, he placed the call on speaker so she could hear as well.

"Boruto." Mitsuki's voice was calm, but they could hear angry shouting in the background.

"Mitsuki—What was that?" Boruto asked.

"I'm downstairs, I bumped into Hōki," he explained calmly.

"You what?" Boruto asked, and grimaced when he heard the actor to be released. "Are you… choking him?"

"No," Mitsuki replied quickly. "I'm just holding him down until security gets here."

"The fuck you doing," Boruto groaned, not wanting to get up. "Who's there?"

"Just some people passing by." He didn't even sound like he was struggling. Mitsuki looked lean but he was strong and had a serpent-like grip. "I thought you called security."

"I did!" Boruto sighed exasperatedly. "Hold on. Let me call them. If you see Sasuke, ask him to come up and I'll get down there."

"Alright." Mitsuki sounded so cheerful. It was like Sarada could hear him smiling.

"Do you think Hōki will be okay?" Sarada asked, feeling obligated to worry. "Mitsuki sounds more angry than I've ever heard him."

"Oh he'll be fine," Boruto muttered distractedly, looking for the building's security number.

She wasn't so sure, but she knew it best not to worry too much. "Better hurry." Mitsuki had been more stressed than he usually was and that calm tone was more frightening than it would have been to hear him yelling.

"Yeah, don't worry," Boruto rubbed her arm and found the number. "Mitsuki's done much worse—I mean—handled much worse, ya know?" Boruto dialed the number and then pressed it to his ear, waiting for someone to pick up. "Yes, hello. I'm calling to report an incident at the front desk. Yes… yes… thank you." He put the phone down and grinned. "See? They're already there. Handled. I'll go down to clean it up as soon as your father gets here, okay?"

"You won't get in a fight with Hōki, will you?" She asked, gazing at him worriedly. "I would be really afraid if you got in any trouble."

"Don't worry, I won't." Boruto smiled to reassure her, and she knew he meant that. For the most part. "The most trouble I'll be in is Kakashi being upset about this whole thing and maybe letting KNH know he has a drinking problem. If I'm feeling petty." He laughed.

Sarada couldn't blame him for that at all. Honestly, Hōki deserved it. "I'm not going to go down though. I don't want to hear him, much less have to look at him."

"I wasn't planning on even letting you, princess." Boruto squeezed her lightly and kissed her temple. He lingered a bit longer and only pulled away when his phone started ringing.

Boruto picked up and put Mitsuki on speaker again. "Hello." He was sounding much happier now.

"Security detained him and I found Sasuke. He's on the way upstairs." Mitsuki reported.

"Okay," Boruto nodded as if Mitsuki could see him. "I'll get down there as soon as Sasuke gets here. Are you feeling burritos for dinner?"

"Yes," Mitsuki responded happily. "And get my extra beef."

"Will do." Boruto cut the call and opened up a delivery app on his phone. "Celebratory burritos." He cheered as he ordered. "Is your dad a burrito or a quesadilla kind of guy?"

"Quesadilla for sure." Sarada giggled and peeked at his phone. "Are you really good to order food? They may all decide to move in."

"Just for dinner," Boruto laughed. "Least I can do for Sasuke and Mitsuki, ya know? Kakashi and Hōki aren't invited though."

"That's why papa calls you my Prince Charming. He really likes you." Sarada smiled happily and nuzzled her nose against his chest. "And so do I. I love you."

He smiled warmly at her and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, too."

The bell rang and Boruto let go of Sarada, jogging into the bedroom to pull a shirt on. "I'll be right back, princess!" He called and went to get the door. Boruto greeted Sasuke and waved at her before disappearing into the hall.

"Sarada." Sasuke walked over to her and sat on the couch. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm tired, papa. Tired of Hōki! Boruto is too… he's been trying so hard to keep things calm and bringing an end to the whole thing without causing too much fuss. But it's Hōki, He's crazy. It's like he mixes fantasy and reality into one and becomes delusional."

"Don't you worry, Sarada. You'll never see that bastard again after today."

Sarada really hoped he was right.

A/N: He's crazy and we already knew that. Do you think this is the last we'll see of Hōki? Let us know in the reviews!

Thank you again for all the love and support! Wash your hands and stay safe, fam.

Cheers,

Kairi and Tyy