Chapter 10 – Pride
"Let go of the you who's tired of weeping.
Your prayer is heard now, so
advance to the future that's begun to move,
The way continues endlessly on and on.
If you want it, take it.
Shine brilliantly."
"Listen to me carefully, Sarada." Sasuke told her, his voice low and urgent behind her. "Leave Kawaki and run when I tell you to."
"Leave-"
"Yes. We will handle Kawaki."
"But, papa-" she wasn't sure how they could. Naruto and Sasuke would have to choose – fight the Ōtsutsuki or stop Kawaki. They couldn't do both. And if they let him go…Boruto would kill him.
"Sarada." His voice was quiet, not demanding, but asking her.
The ache in her chest spread, cracking her heart open as she answered him. "Okay, papa."
He moved behind her, the sound of his sword behind drawn as he bent, whispering a single word.
"Now."
Sarada turned on her heel, spinning herself around to flee just like her father wanted despite her warring instincts pulling her apart. Half terrified, half fiercely protective. But a good shinobi followed the orders of her superiors
...A good shinobi also protected her comrades.
Tears burned behind her eyes as she pushed away from the fight, fire filling the way behind her, but it was too late. The Ōtsutsuki appeared in front of her with alarming speed, its sickle blade already coming down on her. Somewhere behind her, Sasuke called her name, the fear in his voice tangible for the first time. Unable to get away, Sarada brought her hands up, crossing them in front on her as the shrunk back. Its speed was terrifying. Beyond anything humanly possible. The blade came down on her chest carving a wicked path down to her abdomen. Sarada cried out as she fell back, hitting the ground hard, her back bouncing off once before she slid to a stop. Her fingers dug into the ground as she struggled to find the strength to get up. Her father slid past her, glancing down briefly to assess the damage without stopping - and how could he, even if he wanted to? If he did, the Ōtsutsuki would kill them both. Sarada clenched her teeth as Sasuke attacked the enemy relentlessly, she attempted once again to push herself up. Blood gushed from the long, ugly cut and she stilled, wide eyes looking down at it. Her top was soaked in blood that was starting to pool around her on the ground. Panic set into her and Sarada suddenly felt cold all over. Am I going to die here?
She grunted, nails digging into the ground, her muscles shaking as she tried to force herself up and she managed to lift her back before a hand curled around her throat, pulling her from the ground, so high that her feet dangled useless underneath her. A choked sound left Sarada's throat as she clawed weakly at the large hand, her vision blurring as she scanned the area for her father. The fingers tightened, cutting off her air supply and Sarada knew – if he squeezed any harder, her neck would snap like a twig. Familiar ropes tied around her body, winding around and around and then Sasuke was there, lightning etched sword coming down on the Ōtsutsuki's arm. The fingers released her before the weapon managed to make contact and Sarada was yanked away. Mitsuki's arms immediately going around her as his snakes unwound from her body.
"Sarada," he whispered urgently, a hand on her face, worried eyes searching her gaze.
He lifted her in his arms, turning away from where she could hear Sasuke fighting.
"Papa," she croaked, her hand clenching in Mitsuki's shirt.
"He'll be fine, Sarada." Mitsuki promised, but through her blurry vision, Sarada could see a tightness around his eyes. Mitsuki continued winding through the buildings, seemingly knowing exactly where to go as Sarada bounced against his chest. "Almost there," he kept promising. As much as Sarada wanted to pass out - pass out and wake up with none of this ever being real, sleep didn't come to her. She felt wide awake, the pain unbearable - but a sign that she was alive.
"Mitsu-" that was her mother's voice, cutting off abruptly.
"Set her down here," Sakura said, almost calm, but there was tightness to her voice. Mitsuki did as instructed and Sarada recognized where they were for the first time. The main gate. Her mother came into her vision then. Her hands pressing down on Sarada's wound - assessing the damage.
"Sakura," Ino put a hand on her shoulder. "We have to go. Right now."
"Sarada needs treatment immediately." Sakura replied, not stopping.
"Sakura-"
"She'll die if I don't!" Sakura screamed and Ino's face paled, her hand dropping away.
Sakura continued healing Sarada, her face tight, brows down in concentration.
"Papa," Sarada managed, her voice a broken whisper.
"Don't speak," Sakura ordered, keeping her eyes on her hands.
"Papa," she tried again, "Papa is fighting them."
"Your father will be fine."
"Kawaki wants to kill him."
Sakura's gaze bounced to Sarada's face. "Who? Sasuke-kun?"
"Boru...to."
Sakura was quiet for a long moment. "It'll be fine. Your father and Naruto will handle it, okay?"
"Sakura!" Ino yelled and Sarada saw her mother's head jerk up.
"Take her," she said to Mitsuki who was at Sarada's side in an instant. Around them Sarada could see Hinata, Himawari in her arms, her face bandaged up. Hanabi next to them, Boruto's grandfather, Inojin and Shikadai.
And just beyond them, another Ōtsutsuki.
"Go," Hiashi said. "I will hold him back."
"Otou-sama-" Hanabi began but he pushed her back with an arm as he stepped forward. Hinata closed her eyes, clutching Himawari to her chest.
"Go!" he bellowed, rushing forward and Mitsuki turned, not wasting a second with her in his arms. It was only when Konoha was already out of sight that Hanabi made a pained sound and Hinata sobbed without a sound. Sarada knew what had happened to him.
She squeezed her eyes shut, turning her head into Mitsuki's chest.
Her father. The Hokage.
And Kawaki.
They were still in Konoha. Silently, she prayed for them to escape safely.
And Boruto? She wondered, not wanting to believe any of this had truly happened.
Not wanting to believe he caused all of this.
x-x-x-x-
Sarada stayed awake throughout the entire trip, her teeth grinding tightly against the pain. Every now and then, her mother would look over her without stopping. Asking Mitsuki about her temperature, if she was shaking, sweating and how her breathing seemed. Although the first-aid had done its job, from the level of pain, Sarada was sure she wasn't out of the woods yet. Her teeth clenched so tightly together she couldn't even speak.
Eventually they stopped and Mitsuki gingerly set Sarada down on a hard, icy surface. And then Sakura was there, immediately starting where she left off. Sarada wheezed out a breath, hissing at the sudden burning sensation accompanying the pain. She heard other shinobi moving around where they were but she couldn't muster the strength to turn her head and look.
"Sakura-" Hinata murmured.
"I know," Sakura snapped and immediately looked like she regretted it, giving Hinata and apologetic look. "They'll be here." she promised.
That told Sarada everything she needed to know. Her father and the Hokage hadn't joined up with them yet.
And neither had Kawaki.
She was worried for him too. She doubted the Hokage would just leave him behind, but her father?
Soon, she drifted off, perhaps her mother had used a medical ninjutsu? Sarada wasn't sure, but she was grateful to lose consciousness, to drift into nothingness.
When she opened her eyes again, Mitsuki was at her side. Her mother was a little away, arguing with Ino in a low voice. Sai was with them, his head turned to the entrance of the cave they were in as if he was waiting. Hinata was seated, Himawari still in her arms. The girl didn't seem as if she'd stirred yet.
"I'm not dead." Sarada whispered and Mitsuki leaned over her. Sakura's head whipped towards them at the sound and she rushed over, falling to her knees.
"I managed to heal most of the damage," Sakura said, a hand brushing Sarada's hair from her face. "But it's going to scar."
Like ripping of a band-aid, Sakura didn't hesitate, she said it matter of factly but there was a twinge of pain in her eyes.
"Thank you for saving me, mama."
Sakura's fingers curled around Sarada's hand. They sat like that for hours, the sun set sometime later, plunging the cave into darkness and somewhere deep into the night - they finally arrived.
The Hokage, drenched in blood and unconscious over Sasuke's shoulder. A murmur went over the shinobi, tangible dread and shock filling the room.
"Sakura." was the first thing Sasuke said and she gasped, rushing over to them. Her eyes never strayed from Sasuke's face as she took Naruto from him and Sasuke continued to stare down at her - their own unspoken language. And then Sakura blinked, turning and hauling Naruto into the cave effortlessly and Hinata came closer, still holding her child in her arms. Sarada watched them wordlessly until Sasuke appeared at her side, he wiped a bloodstained hand on his trousers before reaching out to her, his hand on her arm. Mitsuki drifted off wordlessly, drifting off towards where Inojin and Shikadai sat.
"Papa," Sarada whispered, her chin quivering slightly. "You're okay."
"I'm sorry." his voice was tight as he squeezed her arm.
"Sorry?"
Sasuke spoke quietly. "I wasn't quick enough-"
Sarada noticed her mother glancing up at them sharply.
"No." Sarada said quickly. "The failure was mine, papa. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been able to get away. So, thank you."
She lifted her hand and Sasuke swallowed, gripping her hand in his tightly.
"Kawaki-" she began to ask but Sasuke shook his head as he retracted his hand.
"Kawaki caused Naruto to be in that state." Sasuke told her, voice hard. Sarada jolted suddenly, trying to sit up but Mitsuki was there, pushing her down gently.
Sarada stared at a spot of the cave wall, not wanting to imagine-
"Is he-" dead?
"He escaped."
Sarada squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Yes, Kawaki hadn't killed Naruto, but had caused the Hokage to be hurt. That was treason in every way.
And in her heart, maybe Sarada committed treason too.
She was filled with overwhelming relief and...guilt.
x-x-x-x-
"Where do your loyalties lie, Kawaki?"
He'd taken too long. Too long to say what she'd been desperate to hear.
Here. With you.
But he hadn't said that. Kawaki hadn't said anything. Sarada knew that as the seconds ticked by, and Kawaki refused to answer, her father was losing patience with him.
Say something, she begged silently, hoping Kawaki would look over to her. Hoping he would say the right thing.
His lips parted then and relief flooded her – but it was short lived when she saw the curl in his lip. Kawaki had chosen offensive.
"What's it to you?" he snapped. "I don't need to explain myself to you-"
"Kawaki." Sarada said and his eyes snapped towards her immediately. For a moment, he opened his mouth with the same defiant look as he kept his gaze on her but his jaw snapped shut as he forced himself to look away.
"Nothing's changed. I made a promise and if given the chance – I will end him."
"That's not what I asked." Sasuke said, a deadly edge to his voice that Sarada had never heard in person. It was something she'd seen in his Mangekyou.
Before Kawaki could snap back, Sakura stepped in. "Since we are most likely going into battle together, it's only natural to know if we can count on you." She said practically.
Sasuke, it seemed wasn't done. "If we were in a fight and Momoshiki showed up, would you leave us to our fate to go after him? Would you leave Sarada?"
Sarada's lips parted as she turned to look at her father, Sakura threw her an apologetic look but she said nothing. Kawaki on the other hand looked like he wanted to break something, fists shaking at his sides.
"Would you sacrifice one of us for this promise you made to Boruto?" Mitsuki asked, further pressing Kawaki.
"We wouldn't leave you behind." Sarada added.
Kawaki loosed an angry breath. "No," he snapped, turning away from Sasuke. "The answer is no. I wouldn't leave her behind."
"Fine." Sasuke nodded. "If your answer had been yes I would have killed you right here."
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura shook her head. "No, you wouldn't have."
He shot her a look that said he begged to differ and she gave a breathy laugh.
"At any rate. The Rokudaime has ordered our immediate return." Mitsuki said, his head tilted to the snake on his shoulder and it took a moment for Sasuke to respond, but he glanced at Sakura's swollen belly inconspicuously before he gave a nod.
"Fine. We leave at sundown."