XxX
No time like the present, Sarada regrettably supposed, as her mother walked in that morning only to find her and Boruto in the same bed. Sarada sat up sleepily and rubbed her eyes, took into account her mother's expression, blinked in confusion, looked to the side of her to see the mop of blonde hair next to her, then it clicked. Her head whipped back to her mother as if she were an oncoming train, and Sakura simply blinked, pursed her lips, then closed the door.
"Boruto!" Sarada exclaimed, shoving Boruto to the side. He exclaimed profanity.
"What?!" He snapped, still half asleep, but Sarada was already making a beeline to her closet to throw on a hoodie. She didn't respond and quickly ran out the door and slammed it behind her, and Boruto was confused. It then dawned on him that he accidentally fell asleep last night, not only at Sarada's house, but in her bed with her.
He promptly began preparing for his funeral.
Sarada dashed into the kitchen in a panic, but saw her uncle Itachi and her father were seated at the table having breakfast. Her heart was racing with anxiety but she took a deep breath to compose herself, and approached her mother with as much grace and humbleness she could muster.
"U-Uh, hi mom, can I please talk to you?" She urged with a stiff smile, trying to not gain the attention of her father. Sakura kept her eyes pinned on the waffle batter she was currently whisking.
"About what?"
"Um, can we like, go in the office or something?" She glanced at her uncle and father. Itachi paid no mind as he flicked to the next page of his book, and Sasuke adjusted his glasses while sipping on his coffee and continued to look over some papers.
"Whatever you need to say doesn't need to be a secret." Sakura said, and Sarada bit her lip.
"Mom, please–"
A knock on the door pulled all of their attention away from Sarada. The four of them looked at the door strangely, and Sakura glanced at Sarada, and she hustled over to open it. Boruto was standing there, bright eyed and bushy tailed, with a grin plastered on his face. She was speechless.
"Hey, Sarada! Thanks for inviting me over for breakfast!" He greeted casually, and walked through the door. Sarada stared at him in complete dismay. Was he an idiot?! He should've just let her handle this!
"Gooooood morning Mr. Uchiha, Uncle Uchiha!" Boruto greeted with a wave as he slid off his shoes.
"You invited Boruto over?" Sasuke questioned.
Sarada was at a loss for words but when Boruto sent her a look, she nodded vigorously.
"Y-Y-Yep! I was just about to tell mom but he showed up sooner than expected!" She chuckled nervously.
"I see." Sasuke said, eyeing the two overly-cheerful teens. "Next time I would recommend parking your car across the street, both our neighbors' sprinklers turn on at five. You wouldn't want to ruin the new paint."
Boruto was about to respond, but immediately stopped once it registered. Him and Sarada both had similar jaw-to-the-floor speechless expressions.
"Also the garbage man comes on Tuesday at eight!" Sakura chimed in, and Sarada wanted to melt into the floor with embarrassment.
"Who wants waffles?" Itachi smiled, and Boruto and Sarada both looked at each other before sitting at the table, humiliated.
The situation was humorous, even though Sasuke did want to have a talk with the both of them later, but for now, it was funny watching them scramble for excuses. He liked keeping Boruto on his toes. If he was going to be getting serious with Sarada now, he had to be able to handle their family and everything that came with it. Sarada was very precious to all of them, as Sasuke and Sakura only had one child and Itachi had no kids of his own.
Of course, Sasuke also understood that he was no saint when he was Boruto's age, so he wasn't angry by any means. He knew what it was like to be sixteen. He just wanted what was best for his daughter and for her to be smart about it.
Boruto and Sarada ate their waffles in awkward silence, not quite sure what to say, while Sakura and Itachi chatted casually. As Sarada stood up to get some juice, Boruto watched her absentmindedly, watching the way her newly cut hair, albeit disheveled, swayed against her shoulder blades and her sock-clad feet shuffled against the tile flooring. The hoodie hung low on her stature. The oversized look was cute.
Sarada opened the fridge, and as her eyes scanned the shelves, she scrunched her brows together.
"Mom, do we have orange juice?"
"No, honey. Just water." Sakura said.
Boruto scowled himself and took note of the empty space. Now, he wasn't the fridge police, but he swore when he'd been here before there was much more variety, not that he was judging. Maybe they hadn't gone grocery shopping in a while?
Not to mention, what Chocho had said yesterday about the car… why did they get Sarada such an old car? When Boruto had run around the front of the house just barely, Sasuke's car was missing from the driveway though he was here. And that led to another question, why was Sasuke always home?
Then it clicked. It was only a theory, but a logical reach nonetheless. His fork lowered to the bowl, and Sasuke cleared his throat. Boruto flinched and took another bite of his waffle.
After breakfast, before Sarada and Boruto could retreat and hide, Sasuke called them to his office. As they sat in front of him, his daughter seemed severely uncomfortable and Boruto just seemed distracted. It was important that they knew when to take responsibility, and as of right now, it definitely looked like they did. So Sasuke wasn't going to actually scold them.
"Dad, I just want to say I'm really really sorry! I just didn't feel good last night, and Boruto was taking care of me, but I should've just told you or mom. But, uncle Itachi knew, so I didn't think it was a problem." Sarada said.
"Honestly, Mr. Uchiha, I was way too tired to drive home last night, and I should've been more respectful of your house and Sarada and left anyway." Boruto nodded. "Just last night Sarada was feeling really sick and I didn't want to leave her alone."
Sasuke linked his fingers together, elbows resting on his desk. "You're both right. Sarada, you live in this household, and you need to follow our rules. Boruto, I think you're a respectable young man, but I can't have you sleeping overnight in her room, it's inappropriate. If this situation is to ever arise again, you are more than welcome to our couch. It's not that I don't trust you guys, but it's about respecting rules. In a workplace, if you don't follow the rules, you get fired. And in a lot of other families, you get disowned or kicked out. We are very lenient with you Sarada and try to provide everything we can for you."
Sarada nodded. "I understand."
"But your mother and I have already talked about it. We like Boruto, and we trust you, so there's no issue."
Sarada was taken aback. "Wait, I'm not in trouble?"
Sasuke let out a comical snort. "No, but if it happens again without us knowing, then you will be."
Threat noted, Sarada thought, letting out a sigh of relief. Boruto didn't seem any less thoughtful, though, and she eyed him.
"You okay?" She asked.
"Yeah," He said, not taking his eyes off her dad, "Um, Mr. Uchiha, do you mind if I talk to you alone?"
Sasuke raised a brow, but nodded. Sarada tilted her head in confusion, and Boruto gave her a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Hesitantly, she left the room, clasping the door shut behind her. Once Boruto was sure Sarada couldn't hear them, he turned back to her father.
Sasuke looked at him expectantly, and Boruto was at a loss for words. He stared at the ground for a moment and gathered his thoughts, but then realized there was no eloquent way to ask what he was about to ask. So, he blurted it out.
"Are you unemployed or something?
The two stared at each other for a long moment, and only then did Boruto realize that there were probably about seven different ways he could've approached that differently. He bit his thumb nail, cursing every moment he existed, then held his hand out. "Uh, I-I'm sorry, uh, I didn't mean–"
"It's quite alright." Sasuke said.
Boruto wasn't sure what to say, so he waited for Sasuke to answer his question. The air was suspenseful, and finally the Uchiha let out a breath.
"Yes, I am."
Boruto's brows furrowed. "For how long?"
"Since last August."
His mouth dropped. "That long? Why haven't you told Sarada?"
"Boruto, there's a long list of why's." He said, "The important thing is that my family is safe, we have a roof over our heads, and I get employed as quickly as possible. We've been living off of savings, but that won't last forever. I don't want to worry Sarada – I want her to focus on school."
"But that's…" Boruto was shocked. "M-My dad probably has an opening at his job! You're good at negotiating and defending, right? So you should be a lawyer with him–!"
"That would require more schooling in a different field, something we are currently insufficiently funded for." He said, "The stock market is not doing good. Less business means less jobs. My company just happened to be one of the few to fall first." Boruto frowned, and Sasuke shifted in his seat. "But that's besides the point. I'm curious as to how you caught on so quickly."
"I mean, no offense, but I don't think I've ever seen an Uchiha driving anything older than my Xbox, and I got that last year. Plus Sarada always talked about how you were home at weird hours. And also, who doesn't have orange juice?"
Sasuke cracked a smile. "People who have bills to pay, Boruto."
He leaned back in his seat indignantly. "So what are you gonna do?"
"Right now, I'm interviewing with three major companies east of here." He said, "My field of practice is very specific, and no one wants to hire someone as a grunt when they've been a CEO."
"Wait, but if you get a job in a different state, does that mean you're moving?"
Sasuke saw a look of forlornness and distress on his face. To think that his unemployment had the potential to tear his daughter away from everything she's grown up with, not to mention this boy… as much as he hated to admit it, there was something special about him, and Sasuke wanted to preserve every bit of hope for them.
"Two years. By the time you graduate." Sasuke said. "I promise you until then, she's not going anywhere."
Boruto felt himself simmering with relief. She wasn't leaving him, yet.
"Do you at least want to talk to my dad?" Boruto insisted. "Maybe they need someone to manage some business thing somewhere, I don't know."
Sasuke smiled, and it wasn't a humorous smirk kind of smile, but a genuine, grateful smile. "No thank you. You're very thoughtful to think of us."
"Well, I wouldn't like feeling broke, but at least I offered." Boruto shrugged.
Sasuke shook his head, but Boruto could see he thought what he said was funny. "Well, regardless, don't tell Sarada yet. We're going to tell her when the time is right."
Sasuke Uchiha was asking him to keep a secret from his daughter? Well, he would definitely try, but now there was so much burden on his shoulders. To hear Sarada asking if they had any orange juice wouldn't just be an innocent statement anymore. It meant so much more, and not in a positive way.
"Yeah, I can do that." Boruto said solemnly. He stood up to leave and was slow to walk to the door.
"Wait, Boruto."
He stopped in his tracks. "What?"
"Call me Sasuke." Sasuke stated, and Boruto seemed surprised, but quickly got over it.
"Nah, that's too weird." He said, and left the room.
Sasuke shook his head with a chuckle. What a character. He truly believed the whole world was his oyster.
Right as Boruto stepped out of the office, Sarada immediately bounced up from the couch to him.
"What did you guys talk about?"
Boruto almost laughed at her fervency, but then was filled with forlorn. Now he knew the reason behind the car she had, their lack of groceries, Sarada complaining about no new clothes or dresses for dances, and inability to pay for anything major… Sarada might not even be able to get into volleyball this next year with all the fees it came with. Not to mention she also could possibly be moving in two years if they couldn't afford their house anymore, leaving behind everything she grew up with and loved. Boruto was now seeing the impact that unstable finances could cause.
He couldn't believe he'd never noticed before – growing up he'd always had everything he wanted at the drop of a hat. He now fully understood why everyone called him privileged and rich, it's because he was. Boruto never had to worry about where his next meal was coming from or if his parents could pay for an accident, or his sports, or any extracurricular activities, but soon Sarada might have to.
Boruto wasn't sure how to answer.
"Manly stuff. Y'know." He waved her off, and she puffed her cheeks out.
"Tell me!"
He laughed and dodged her arms as they went to hold him still. She kept trying, but each time Boruto dodged her with ease. Chasing each other around the house was all fun and games, and he was genuinely enjoying himself until his phone started buzzing in his pocket. He stopped and his heart practically stopped. It was his dad. Sarada gasped, but Boruto let it ring until it went to voicemail. They both were frozen in place as if acting like they didn't move, the inevitable doom would go away.
"See? No problem." Boruto said breathlessly.
Suddenly, his phone started ringing again, but this time it was his mom.
Okay, now he was fucked.
Very, very hesitantly, he answered, and avoided Sarada's gaze at all costs.
"...Hello?"
"Boruto Uzumaki–!"
"Mom, I am so sorry–"
"Come home right now!"
He looked sheepishly at Sarada, then made a move to go upstairs. "Okay, I'll be home in ten minutes."
Once in her room, he grabbed his jacket he had discarded on her bed. It smelled like the house party from last night, which speaking of, Boruto was even scared to check the group chat and see what became of all of them after the party got busted. He still had to call Shikadai and find out what exactly happened, but he would wait until he got a tongue lashing from his parents. He was definitely not looking forward to driving home, he wanted to stay here at Sarada's house in a peaceful, unaware bliss, or even go practice volleyball or go on a drive with her somewhere. Literally he'd rather be anywhere but his own house.
"Are you in trouble?" Sarada asked quietly, seated on the edge of her bed, her posture immaculate as always, and Boruto sighed.
"Probably." He then forced a grin. "If you find my body in a ditch in a few days, don't be surprised."
Sarada smiled sympathetically. "That's what you get for not calling your mom."
"Hey," He chided, and she giggled. He padded towards her softly and tilted her chin up with his fingers. Her cheeks tinged pink, and he smirked. "Oh, you're blushing."
"Shut up. No I'm not." She turned her head to avoid his gaze. He tilted his head affectionately.
"You're such a pain in the ass."
She turned back to look at him, and there was a tight lump in his throat as their irises met. Her eyes were so beautiful, like the color of a rich dark chocolate. The somersaulting butterflies returned to his stomach as they gazed into each other's eyes. Not that he'd ever admit it, but he always felt nervous around Sarada; always trying to impress her, always trying to win over her heart, always trying to get her to notice him. He gently brushed a hand through Sarada's hair, sending shivers down her spine.
"I'm probably going to get grounded." He said regrettably. Sarada still kept her eyes on him.
"So I won't see you for a while?"
"Probably not."
Sarada looked sad, but she tilted her head. "Guess it'll be a while, then."
A while? While for what? The way she was looking at him then to his lips, it suddenly dawned on him. Oh, was that an invite?
Still, he couldn't. Not yet under these circumstances. He didn't want their first kiss after so long to be a goodbye. He wanted it to be a hello to the future.
Tentatively, Boruto leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to her forehead. Her skin was warm, and her eyes closed at the contact.
Unfortunately, it was short lived. Boruto pulled away, already craving the feeling of her skin against his.
Without a word, he left, and Sarada didn't move for a long time after that, even once Boruto was gone.
XxX
Boruto drove slowly, not quite wanting to face his inevitable doom but also wanting to get it over with. He was quite torn whether he just wanted to run to a different country, change his name, and start a whole new life, or just not care and shut off his emotions to the verbal lashing he was about to get.
When he opened the front door, Hinata and Naruto were both waiting for him at the kitchen table, angry expressions on their faces. He didn't care about how angry his dad looked, but his mom on the other hand looked livid. He gulped as he set his keys on the counter.
"Um…" He hesitated, "I'm home?"
"You're grounded." Naruto said immediately. "No phone, no Xbox, no hanging out with friends."
Boruto's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me?! You didn't even let me explain myself!"
"What is there to explain? Your license plate was written down on a list of cars that were at that party last night." Naruto stood up from the table. Boruto's eyes widened. "There was an investigation going on trying to find every minor that was there drinking, and people said you were there but left once the cops showed up. Boruto, were you drinking and driving?"
"What? No!" Boruto was aghast. "Dad, I'm not stupid!"
"Then were you at that party?"
"Well yeah, it was Sarada's birthday party, but I didn't drink anything, and neither did any of my friends!"
"Then why did you run?"
Boruto was utterly flabbergasted. "Don't you know that even if you're innocent, you can still be guilty by association? We weren't doing anything bad and that was Sarada's first real party she's been to. When the cops showed up she was too afraid of getting caught there, so we ran to my car and went to her house."
"Caught with what? Drugs?"
"Dad–no! What?" Boruto ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Listen to me! We went to Sarada's house to surprise her for her birthday, okay? Me, Shikadai, Mitsuki, Iwabee, Denki, and some other people all went. Iwabee apparently had this whole huge surprise party and so we went to check it out, and when they were singing happy birthday to Sarada that's when the cops showed up. Sarada was too scared to stick around cause that was the first party she's been to ever, so we just left. Then she felt so sick from anxiety that I stayed with her last night."
"Were her parents okay with that?"
"Well, yeah." Boruto furrowed his brows. "They like me."
"I just find it hard to believe you're telling the truth." Naruto said. "Your mother and I are very disappointed in you, Boruto."
When he began to walk away, Boruto's body heated up with a raging anger. He clenched his fists and the words that fell out of his mouth next were unstoppable
"Disappointed in what? That I acted responsibly and took care of my friends? That I've done everything you guys have ever raised and taught me to do, yet I still get in trouble?! You don't even know half of what goes on, dad, you're never here to see anything! Sarada's parents love me, I'm over there all the time so they didn't even have a problem with it! If you were around more you'd know that — I bet you didn't even know Sasuke's been unemployed for almost a year now!"
"What?" Naruto stopped in his tracks. He flipped around. "He's what?"
"Unemployed," Boruto snapped, "not that you'd care anyway."
"Is this true?" Naruto looked at Hinata. She looked just as surprised as him.
"I… don't know, honestly. Sakura hasn't said anything."
"Why would they? Compared to you two?" Boruto sneered. "The perfect and rich Uzumaki family with perfect kids, perfect income, perfect things. You don't get it. Why would anyone want to tell us anything?"
"Boruto, you knock it off right now." Naruto took a threatening step forward. His blue eyes were blazing with fury, but Boruto wasn't giving in.
"Knock what off, dad? You don't know anything about me. All you know how to do is ignore your problems and the people who need you, and take all of your work stress out on your family!"
Hinata gasped as Naruto slammed Boruto against the wall. Boruto yelped as the back of his head hit the sheetrock, and Naruto got dangerously close to his face. He shook him one more time.
"You are done disrespecting everything your mother and I have worked for." He said venomously, "Don't you dare ever speak to me like that again. Go to your room."
Tears welled in Boruto's eyes, and he shoved his dad off of him before running up the stairs. Hinata's hand slowly dropped from her mouth.
"Naruto…"
Naruto sighed and sat down at the table, massaging a hand against his forehead.
Himawari had been at the top of the stairs listening, and Boruto stormed right past her absolutely furious. She was taken aback by his intense demeanor.
"Boruto–"
He slammed his door shut, causing her to flinch. She gazed at his door sadly then sat at the top of the stairs.
Boruto plopped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. Absentmindedly, he dropped his phone on his chest only to pick it up and repeat the action. He was still fuming, and his head was throbbing. Sniffling, he wiped his teary eyes and rolled onto his side. Who the hell did his dad think he was?
His phone rang, and he leaned up. When he answered, he put it on speaker.
"Hey, Mitsuki, I was gonna call you."
"Hey." Mitsuki responded. "How was the party?"
"A disaster." Boruto said, with no other way to describe it. "It got cop crashed and then Sarada got sick when I took her home and then I accidentally fell asleep there and her mom walked in on us. Then her dad told me all their family secrets"
"Oh... wow."
"Yeah, then my dad threw me against a wall and grounded me for the rest of the summer. Y'know, the usual." He flicked his nails. "So what did you end up doing?"
There was a pause on the other end as Mitsuki digested the whirlwind of information he'd just received. "Well, I went home and watched a movie with my dad. It was very nice."
That was all great and dandy, but there was one thing Boruto couldn't get off his mind about the party. Mitsuki was starting to say something else, but Boruto cut him off.
"Do you know who snitched?"
Mitsuki was confused. "Huh?"
"Someone had to have snitched. With that many police there? And how quickly they caught everyone?"
"Oh. I suppose you're right, though I wouldn't know since I wasn't there."
"I'm gonna find out who." Boruto growled. "It was planned."
"I think you're overthinking it."
Boruto second guessed himself. "I guess so. But still."
Mitsuki snorted. "How is Sarada?"
"She's good." He said skeptically.
"Boruto, you don't have to hide from me." Mitsuki said softly.
"I'm not hiding anything from you, it's from everyone else." He grumbled. "An Uzumaki and an Uchiha? We're a dangerous combo."
"Well they do say opposites attract."
"Shut up." Boruto huffed. "She's annoying anyway."
"But you like her. You got her that bracelet for her birthday after all." Mitsuki said cheerfully, and Boruto scowled. A couple weeks ago he had seen over Boruto's shoulder that he was looking at women's bracelets, so obviously he was questioned. Thus, the cat came out of the bag. Unwillingly, of course. "So why not date her?"
"Because, because…" Boruto tried to find any negative excuse as to why he shouldn't, but couldn't gather anything. "Her and Metal just broke up like last month."
"Okay, and?"
"And I can't risk looking stupid in front of other people."
"Stupid how?"
"Being all… in love… and shit." Boruto kicked his socks off. "Love is dumb. It causes people to do dumb things. I already look like a stupid simp."
Mitsuki laughed on the other end. "Seriously? You're worried about what other people think that badly?"
He paused. "I-I don't know! I never worried about it in my last relationship, but it turned out she was cheating on me and I had no idea. So ever since then I refuse to look stupid like that again."
"We were fourteen and in middle school, it doesn't count. And Sarada's not Eden — not even close!"
"She took my virginity, I'm pretty sure that counts." Boruto deadpanned.
"Whatever, Boruto. You're just holding yourself back and making excuses."
"I know that." Boruto muttered.
Mitsuki snorted on the other end. "You're thinking too much."
Boruto shrugged, though his friend couldn't see him. "You're the only person I've told all of this to… so like, don't say anything."
"Who would I have to tell?"
"I dunno, your dad?"
Mitsuki almost laughed. "Would I even have enough time with him to tell him a story like that?"
"Okay true." Boruto said. "But my dad is probably gonna come up here any second and yell at me some more, so I'll talk to you later."
"Okay, sounds good." Mitsuki said casually, then hung up.
Boruto saw he had some messages in the group chat asking if anyone had been caught and gotten out okay, or where everyone ended up going and how they got there. He didn't respond and let his phone drop to the floor. A knock on his door sounded a few moments later.
"Boruto." It was his mom. He turned to his side facing the wall, and she opened the door slowly. "Can I talk to you?"
"I know, I know, I'm grounded. There's my phone. My Xbox is right there too." He said monotone, and Hinata frowned.
"That's not what I'm here for."
Boruto craned his head to look at her, and she sat on the edge of his bed.
"Naruto… had a really stressful week at work, and the police showed up right after he'd just gotten home from a very difficult case. I'm not defending him, but I'm asking that you try to see it from his view."
"I don't see why immediately jumping to conclusions was necessary." Boruto said. "I know I messed up by not calling you guys and telling you where I was at, but dad just assumes I'm always doing something wrong. I'm trying my best and it's just never enough."
Hinata set her hand on his leg gently. "I understand. And your father knows he's not home a lot, so he gets you nice things to try and show you he's there for you and wants to be included in your life."
Boruto turned around with a look of disgust on his face. "Bribing me with empty promises and money isn't enough. When's the last time he ate dinner with us? When's the last time he checked in on Himawari? She's going into high school this year and he probably forgot, just like he did when it was her birthday. He'll remember the day after registration and send her to the mall with his credit card, that's what always happens. Does he even know she's entering the art contest with Inojin and that they've been working on their piece since last September?"
"If he could be home more, he would." Hinata said sadly. "But part of providing for our family is working long, hard days. Without Naruto, I wouldn't be able to stay home and raise you kids or get you nice things."
"So to be a good dad you have to be gone?" Boruto narrowed his eyes. "Well if that's the case then I'd rather be the Uchiha's. They may be broke but at least Sasuke is there for them."
Hinata looked at the floor sorrowfully. There was nothing she could say, so slowly stood from his bed and walked to the door. Before she fully closed the door, she poked her head back in.
"About what your father said… he was a little extreme. He just doesn't want you going down a bad path with partying, he's worried about you. So I'll talk to him. Maybe just don't hang out with your friends for a while and help around the house when he's here."
Boruto scoffed. "So act like a perfect son when he's here. Got it."
Hinata recoiled and closed the door softly. Boruto's heart twisted in a knot as he brought his knees to his chest. How dysfunctional.
"Is Boruto okay?" He heard Himawari ask outside his door. He couldn't hear what his mother said, but their footsteps eventually faded. Boruto closed his eyes, hoping a nap would cure some of his stress.
XxX