A/N: Sarada keeps her tabs on her maybe friend while others begin to notice. Enjoy.

5: Bonds

2 days later

"Well, another day in the books…" Boruto was in a good mood as we returned to the gate. I don't know why we've been stuck with animal based missions recently but saving that beached whale may have been worth it.

"The whale certainly took a liking to you." Mitsuki chimed in as we got a breather while Konohamaru was submitting our report but my mind was titling on something else that I needed to get free for.

"Can we speed this up please!"

"You seem to be in a hurry to get out of here." He mentioned while looking at the clock once again. "ChoCho awaiting?"

"Actually Boruto if I recall correctly they're still on a mission in the rice paddies…Inojin mentioned it to me a few days ago." Mitsuki chimed in annoying my already anxious mood. "They won't be back for 2 more days."

"You seriously got somewhere else you need to be." His prying already was getting more and more tedious. I was all set to burst out of here when finally, Konohamaru walked over to greet us.

"Ok, nice job today guys, we'll be right back here in a couple of days for the next one."

I quickly bowed my head in respect and leaped away. Somehow the three of them looked on in shock but knowing me I didn't care at that point, I had to get there right when they let out for the day.

9 Days Later.

"Yep there she goes again."

Its right about this time nearly every day for a week and a half now that I've begun to notice Sarada make a beeline for the Academy. Whether we're on a mission or an off day. Exactly at this time like clockwork she heads out.

"Why would…"

Now I decided to go see for myself and like luck that train happens to pass right when I need it. A few quick hops and I'm back on the rooftop enjoying the view I've come to frequent a lot. Surely enough the train happens to go by the academy, and I can easily make out Sarada moving into range.

"She's stalking someone."

But as the train curved, I now got closer than I anticipated and could see one female student walk out alone and downtrodden. It was another 30 seconds later as the student got away that now Sarada lept into her path following her movements on the rooftop.

"This is nuts even for her." From what I could see as Sarada kept moving in time with what the other girl was doing this was not something she'd usually do.

Later as I got home that night, I saw something rare even for us.

"Hey…"

"Welcome back big brother…"

"Dad…"

Dad was here with Himawari and not mom, I know given his responsibilities that he usually doesn't get home all that often and back a few months ago I resented him for that but after my regretful mishap at the Chunin exams we did start to mend things. But him here now is a bit of a shock.

"Where's mom?"

"Late night emergency at the hospital, and I happened to be done with my stuff early, so I came back, it's been really quiet for the last few months."

Hima now popped up behind me ushering me to the table "Come on big brother…"Dad also made dinner, now this is really acting odd.

"Speaking of odd, you're timing actually couldn't be better Dad."

"What is it?"

"Remember when we were talking with Saradas parents after you guys got back?"

Hima was thankfully ignoring us while eating so he realized what he could say.

"Yeah…"

"we'll it's weird even for her, she's been stalking a girl at the academy, real loner type somehow it's been occurring nearly every day around the same time."

He dropped a bit of sushi and looked at me in shock.

"You need to tell me everything…"

"Is she in trouble again?"

"No, just something I may need to address with her personally…"

While we ate Hima just kept humming happily to herself, not a care in the world for her.

15 Hours Later.

Another day and another needless mission to do before I go see what Sayuri is up to. I swear she's getting more aware of my presence but at least she is consistent. As the guys chatted amongst themselves I just keep thinking one thing.

"This better not take long."

Now Konohamaru walks over motioning us his way. We join him but his face looks uneasy.

"Well, hopefully we can get this done. With just 3."

We looked at him in shock. "Why 3?"

"Sarada, Lord Seventh Actually needs to personally speak with you, wanted me to send you over his direction."

I looked back at Boruto who instantly denied his involvement. But somehow, I knew better.

"Did you hear what about?"

"No, only that you need to see him and that we were to do today's mission without you." He picked up his bag while signaling for Boruto and Mitsuki to follow. "Guys were moving out…"

As the trio walked off Boruto turned back to me with an apologetic look yeah he ratted me out, no way his dad would want to see me without his knowledge.

The walk to the Hokage office I've done before and yet as I knocked there was something odd tearing me up.

"Would she…"

"Come in…" The voice of Borutos dad is unmistakable to anyone in the village but as I opened the door and saw him at the desk two others I now could see were with him.

"Mom?"She was nearby lord seventh as well as another woman with brunette hair and a small spiral scar on her arm. I was motioned to come forward at that point while the looks on all three were the same. Grimm realization.

"You wanted to see me sir."

"Sarada you probably can guess why you're hear but first there's someone id like you to meet."

The woman with the spiral scar now stepped forward. She was beautiful but something was off with her.

"This is Itsuki Midoriya, a personal representative assistant for the building. And the mother of Sayuri…"

The gulp in my throat was palatable. "Say…uri…"

Now mom popped to my side. "We know you have been following her nearly ever single day that the academy has let out for the past 2 ½ weeks, you have concealed yourself well of course but it was Boruto who actually came forward to notify us."

My mind and hands went on the defensive very quickly. "Sir, she has no friends I just want to make sure she can at least make it home ok…"

"Sayuri hasn't had the best go of things…." Itsuki now spoke, "The scar from my arm came from her incident 2 months after her birth as I was trying to get her to calm down and somehow she managed to crush it with barley a touch. We got her diagnosed as she grew to nearly a 4 year old within 2 months and discovered the truth."

"I don't know what she has told you, but I could tell that this is someone who wouldn't want to be alone all of her life…." I now turned to Lord Seventh anger palpable in my throat. "Sir, you have nearly the…"

"ENOUGH!" He raised his hand to silence us and I knew that was squashed. "Hand over your headband…"

Now I was livid, stripped again cause of this? "Sir…"

"You are not stripped of rank, but you are not getting away without some form of discipline…Now once more hand over your headband."

This time I did that as mom handed it over to him, while I saw Itsuki place a small dot on the center. I was quickly given it back as I readjusted it Mom now turned to me ready to explain.

"They have placed a small camera in the center of the headband, this will detect your location at all times and act as a pov, when alerted by the police. Under orders of Lord Seventh, you are not to come within 500 feet of Sayuri, and any violation will result in permanent strip of rank, further yet will be imprisonment. A reassessment will occur within 3 months at which point the camera will be removed."

Now I was ready to scream but I turned to see Itsuki with a tear in her eye. As much as I need to help her daughter out this is probably the better solution.

"I Understand sir." My bow was quick, but he shooed me back up.

"You are free to rejoin your team in 2 days. Now my suggestion is a bit of reflection may be in order to make sure this doesn't occur further."

Mom and I walked out while I could see Sayuri's mom talk with him. As we got to the doors at the bottom of the stairs my mind went back to Sayuri thinking one simple thing.

"If its for the best…"

We walked off into the crowded and busy street.

A/N: We Move to Pasadena after the finale and precursor a reunion in Chapter 6: Connection As Always Subscribe for more.