Sarada was officially a crazy person.

It had only been a few days since she had last seen Boruto, and despite his vexing personality and even more maddening behavior recently… she missed him.

Given the explosive argument and angry sex that happened the last time they saw one another, they decided they needed some time apart to cool off before the Grand Prix.

But even days later, Sarada still struggled to sort out her contradicting feelings.

It was so stupid, but no matter how desperately she tried to rationalize with herself, she always seemed to get sucked back into his gravity. Boruto was bright and warm like the sun, and the pull she felt towards him was so loathsome it made her nauseous.

That fight had been such a mess and really didn't solve anything, in fact, it probably made things even worse. She thought he was acting like a coward for feigning illness and not showing up to practice that day, but the way that Sarada had run away without a word made her feel like the real coward.

But she just had to get out of there.

Being around Boruto made her completely irrational and she hated it. There was just no way she could think straight when he stared at her with those impossibly blue eyes.

She was so embarrassed by the way she threw herself at him that day, but she was suddenly and inexplicably consumed by this selfish need for confirmation that he still wanted her. Even after all they had done to try to hurt each other.

It wasn't a smart decision, nor was trying to seduce Shikadai, but then again she had been making a lot of stupid decisions lately that didn't feel like her normal self.

By the time Sarada arrived at Konoha's central train station, Boruto was already waiting by the train that would be taking them to Suna. When she waved at him, he acknowledged her with a tight-lipped smile and a nod.

Sarada could already tell this was going to be an awkward train ride.

They boarded together and found their seats. Boruto put his bag in the overhead storage, and without her even having to ask, he grabbed her small suitcase and put it next to his.

"Oh, thanks," she said, offering him a smile.

"Yeah," he mumbled, his gaze never really landing on her before he plopped down in his seat.

Sarada sat down quietly next to him, the tension between them making her body feel stiff. She wanted to talk to him, needed to talk to him, but she just didn't know where to start.

Boruto on the other hand didn't seem at all interested in talking as his blue eyes stared out the window at the city passing by.

When she saw Boruto looking so downtrodden, her instinct was to comfort him, but...

"I'm still mad at you."

What a stupid thing to say, but at least she was being honest.

Sarada still hurt, not only from him sleeping with other girls but the way he taunted her. Making sure she saw them, making sure it hurt.

"I didn't think you weren't," Boruto muttered, not bothering to look at her.

It was early evening when Boruto and Sarada arrived in the desert city of Suna. They made their way up the stone-paved pathway, lined with tall palms, toward the hotel. The entrance boasted grand archways and an elegant fountain, the warm colors all the more rich against the setting sun's rays.

It was definitely one of the fancier hotels in Suna's downtown district and it was walking distance from the ice complex where the competition would be held the following day.

Without much conversation, they picked up their badges and checked in to the hotel. The competition coordinators booked them in the same room like last time. Despite their numerous sleepovers since then, Sarada was much more nervous than she had been that first time.

She wasn't sure if being truly alone together would allow them time to work things out or make them worse. That's why she wished they could've talked on the train ride there, at least that kind of public setting would prevent another screaming match (and possible angry sex).

She told him on the train that she was mad at him, but she didn't want to be. At least not that weekend. They had both worked so hard to get to the Grand Prix, and Sarada didn't want to throw those months away on a stupid fight of who hurt who more.

When the pair got into what felt like the world's slowest fucking elevator, they stood silently beside each other. In such a small space the awkward tension was nearly suffocating.

"So, um," Sarada began trying to fill the quiet. "I'm actually going to meet up with ChoCho so we can get ready for the welcome reception together."

The International Grand Prix was always kicked off with a fancy celebration the night prior to the competition's start. There was dinner with free alcohol and all the competitors' families were invited as well.

"Alright," he replied with a small nod. Still refusing to meet her gaze.

"Boruto…" she whispered, but she was interrupted by the chime of the elevator doors opening to their floor.

"After you," Boruto mumbled. She stepped out of the elevator, and he walked right past her toward their room.

She didn't want it to be like this. She didn't want to see him looking so dejected.

He pulled out his keycard to unlock the door, but Sarada stopped him with a hand over his. "Wait, I know that you're upset, and I can't say that I'm not either, but can we please just call a truce for this weekend? I don't want it to be this weird between us."

"So what are you suggesting? We should just pretend like it never happened?" Boruto asked, finally turning to meet her gaze. "If I recall, you're not very good at that."

Sarada sighed and let her hand fall as Boruto unlocked the door and pushed it open.

Sarada leaned against a high cocktail table, sipping on a glass of wine, as her dark eyes scanned the area. The vast ballroom was lined with tall stone columns and decorated in rich colors and soft velvets that created a warm, elegant ambiance. Well-dressed guests were ambling about the room, drinking and socializing over the sound of smooth jazzy music.

Getting dolled up with ChoCho had been fun, a good distraction for an hour or two, but she was growing more anxious waiting for Boruto to show up to the reception, wondering if he planned on avoiding her all night.

The moment Boruto walked into the ballroom, Sarada stiffened as she watched him immediately make a beeline for the bar. Without thought, her feet seemed to carry her over in his direction.

He noticed her upon her approach and his eyes lingered until the bartender regained his attention. "And two shots of vodka… yeah thanks," she heard him say.

Boruto was leaning casually against the bar when his blue gaze returned to Sarada, who now stood directly in front of him. His eyes traced over her figure-hugging red cocktail dress and she couldn't help but blush from his observation.

He swallowed a lump in his throat before he uttered, "umm, nice dress."

The longing in his eyes didn't seem to match the lackluster compliment.

"Thank you," she replied and offered him a polite smile. "You look good."

He looked so good.

So fucking good it should be a sin.

Boruto dressed almost exclusively in activewear, she probably saw him in sweatpants more often than not. But that suit — mmm, that classic black suit — was obviously tailored to fit his athletic build perfectly.

God, she would love to grab him by that skinny tie and pull him down into a steamy kiss.

But she couldn't kiss him, because they were still supposed to be mad at each other.

"Thanks," Boruto replied and turned away when the bartender slid his drinks in front of him.

He threw back a shot of vodka with a slight grimace and Sarada reached for the other, but he grabbed it quickly, giving her a confused look. "They're both for me."

She watched as he took the second shot and chased it with his champagne.

"What? Do you have to be drunk to hang out with me now?" Sarada tried to joke.

"No, but it helps," Boruto mumbled. Her small smile immediately fell.

"So, umm… are your parents here?" she asked, desperate to change the subject.

"No, my dad had a thing, so they're flying in in the morning."

"Oh…"

"How about you?" he asked before taking another sip of his drink.

Sarada was relieved that he was actually attempting to engage her in conversation beyond just answering her questions. "Um, yeah they should be getting here soon, I'm sure."

"Cool," he nodded.

Thank god, Mitsuki and ChoCho were coming over to save her from this awkwardness. Maybe he would feel more comfortable too if they weren't alone and forced to face what they did to each other.

"If it isn't the future Grand Prix silver medalists!" ChoCho sang as she skipped up to the bar with a smiling Mitsuki in tow. "Sorry guys, but gold is ours."

"We'll see about that one!" Sarada smiled. She looked to Boruto to back her up, but he was just sipping at his drink again.

"Actually, it seems like it's going to be a tough competition this year, I mean beside Satan himself (Kagura), did you see that cute, shy boy? Him and his partner are locals from Suna," ChoCho gossiped.

"Shinki?" Sarada chuckled. "You think he's shy? I was going to say snooty?"

"C'mon, let's go talk to them!" ChoCho said, grabbing Sarada by the arm and dragging her toward the Suna skaters.

Boruto and Mitsuki exchanged a look and decided to follow after them, catching up just in time for their introductions.

"... and this is my partner, Boruto," Sarada said and he lifted his drink in acknowledgment.

"Oh, of course, the hockey player prone to violence," Shinki said plainly, before looking back to Sarada. "I'm surprised you made it to the Grand Prix with a partner who isn't even an actual figure skater."

Boruto furrowed his brow, "excuse you?"

His partner, Yodo, snorted a laugh. "Sorry, he doesn't mean to be rude, Shinki's just a little blunt. But you've been skating for what? A couple of months? Most of us have been skating competitively for over half our lives."

"Right..." he murmured.

Sarada wasn't sure if she should chime in or not, the guy wasn't trying to insult Boruto, he was just making an observation. Though she did decide her assessment of Shinki was more accurate than ChoCho's.

But soon the conversation drifted to a new topic and the opportunity to say something passed, then Suna skaters excused themselves to go talk to Shinki's dad.

She couldn't help but glance at Boruto every so often during their group conversations to see if he was laughing with the rest of them, but at most all he gave was a half-hearted smile.

Usually, he was the life of the party, making jokes or slyly flirting with her, but tonight he seemed like a shell of himself.

Hope bloomed in Sarada's chest when she felt Boruto's warm hand slide over her back and settle on her hip in a slightly possessive touch. She looked up to him to find he was wearing a stern expression and looking off into the distance.

She followed his line of sight to Kagura, who nervously looked away.

Wait, was Kagura actually scared of Boruto?!

Considering their last interaction where Boruto threatened him with bodily harm, combined with his highly publicized fight from the Kumo hockey game, it might not be that much of a reach.

It made sense why someone who didn't know him, like Shinki, thought he was prone to violence.

Suddenly, Boruto's hand fell away and he mumbled, "Sorry."

Sorry for what? Touching her? He had never apologized for that before.

"Boruto…" she said sadly. She wanted to tell him it was okay that he touched her, that she wanted him to. That she missed his teasing smirk and the playful way they used to interact.

But he was quick to dodge any such conversation.

"I'm gonna go get another drink," he declared and walked away from the group. Sarada's eyes lingered on his retreating form.

"Lovers' quarrel?" Mitsuki asked with a knowing smile the moment Boruto was out of earshot.

"Wh-what?!" Sarada blushed. "Boruto and I aren't dating."

"Really? Why not?!" ChoCho giggled. "That boy is a snack! I don't know how you keep your hands off of him!"

She doesn't.

Or at least she didn't before everything blew up in her face. It was really starting to feel like this heartache was entirely of her own making.

Despite all his flirting, she was the one who initiated the first time they slept together. Despite his agreement, she was the one who proposed they have this casual sex arrangement. And she was the one who made things complicated by insisting there shouldn't be any feelings involved when it was becoming painfully clear that wasn't the case for either of them.

Sarada had never been fully honest with him about how she felt, but it was because she couldn't even be honest with herself.

"I, um, I'm going to go get some air." Sarada excused herself from the group to step outside onto the quiet balcony terrace that overlooked the glittering city lights.

She slipped off her heels, letting her sore feet rest on the cold stone tiles beneath her. With her eyes closed, she leaned against the balcony railing and breathed in the night air.

Sarada tuned out the distant sounds of the reception, the music, and people who seemed to be so much happier than her. She should be elated, she worked her ass off, literally taught someone how to figure skate, and had a solid chance at medaling at the Grand Prix!

And yet, any ounce of joy or excitement she felt melted away the moment she remembered Boruto's misery.

His bright smile seemed to be an essential ingredient to her own happiness.

After constantly telling herself for months that she couldn't have feelings for Boruto, it was difficult to suddenly be honest. She didn't know what was the truth and what was a lie she convinced herself of.

But she did know, neither of them would be hurting this bad if they didn't feel anything for each other.

It wasn't long before the sound of approaching footsteps told her someone had decided to join her outside.

Sarada turned around hoping that she and Boruto could finally be able to have an honest conversation, but she was surprised to find her father standing there.

"Not who you were hoping for?" Sasuke jest before taking a sip of his wine. Clearly, her expression conveyed her disappointment.

Sarada let out a light laugh as she turned her gaze back to the view in front of her. "Sorry, Papa. I just expected you to be Boruto."

Sasuke leaned against the railing next to his daughter. "What are you doing out here all by yourself?"

"Just thinking."

"About the competition?" he guessed.

"Actually, no," Sarada confessed and Sasuke blinked at her, expecting her to elaborate.

"About… Boruto. He's really just been driving me crazy lately. Like for the most part, our entire partnership had been really smooth, we got along great, and we… had a lot of fun."

Her cheeks heated, hoping her father didn't take that the wrong way.

"But then I got mad at him for doing something that I told him he could do, and things just kind of spiraled out of control from there. We even got to the point that we were trying to one-up each other on who could provoke the other more," she sighed. "He's just so frustrating, and annoying, and I swear want to beat his stupid head in, but at the same time seeing him sad makes me… so sad."

Sasuke silently nodded and so she continued just pouring out everything that had been weighing on her. "I just feel like I don't know what to do or say because I can't understand him, he's been acting so irrational lately."

Then again maybe she had been just as irrational. It felt as though they were living in extremes, every emotion inexplicably heightened when it involved the other.

"Maybe you should cut him some slack," her father murmured, staring out at the city lights.

"I beg your pardon?!" Sarada squawked.

Cut him some slack?!

How could that possibly be his response!? Her father cuts no one slack!

"You know he's desperately in love with you, right?"

Her eyes widened, staring at shock and confusion at Sasuke's profile.

Oh shit!

Did her mom say something to him about her and Boruto sleeping together?! Her father was probably the last person she would want to find out about their little affair!

Not just for herself, but for Boruto.

She knew, for a fact, he did not want his beloved coach to know about his scandalous relations with his daughter. Sarada knew she had to try to play off her father's suggestion to the best of her ability.

"Wh-what are you talking about, Papa!? That's crazy!" she asked with a forced laugh.

Sarada could feel herself starting to sweat despite the cool night air. No one said the best of her ability was any good.

"What would give you a crazy idea like that?!"

Sasuke turned his head, his serious dark eyes meeting hers. "He told me."

Sarada's heart stopped. "... he what?"

A/N: you know I love cliffhangers haha thanks so much for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! only two chapters left!