Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Boruto nor its characters.

Note: Please read Author's note at the end; involves STORY CHANGES and UNCERTAIN future updates.


"Anyway, I do have one condition, though. I'd like to bring a partner." Kakashi spoke, "Sarada."

"Sa…rada?" Naruto repeated after a momentarily silence, unsure if he heard that right. While he acknowledged that Sarada was an outstanding Ninja with fine abilities, the last person he expected for Kakashi to choose as a partner was her considering she was still young; was yet to truly have a taste of the pure cruelness of the Shinobi world.

Kakashi nodded in confirmation, unfaltering as he repeated, "Sarada Uchiha."


"And that's why I'll be bringing Sarada along for this upcoming mission." Kakashi concluded, after explaining the details of said mission to both Sakura and Sasuke, who he hoped were able to digest what he had just said, given the fact that it was practically six in the morning. It wasn't like him to be awake at all, not at this time, not when he was supposed to be retired. The last time he ever recalled being awake this early (missions and Hokage duties aside) was when he had to rush through his unfinished paperwork after unintentionally pulling an all-nighter to finish reading the latest volume of Icha Icha. But Sarada was still a child, and this wasn't a mission to take lightly. Thus, he needed her parents' consent urgently, since they were to leave tonight.

Because if it did involve them, there was no time to waste.

"Wait… let me get this straight, so you'll be bringing our daughter to a C-rank mission that might escalate to an S-rank mission if it involves them…" Sakura's voice failed in its attempt to sound calm. Already, Kakashi was anticipating for the eruption. The kaboom (mostly from Sakura). He knew he shouldn't have bothered them this early in the day, but the faster he got their approval, the better.

As he waited for Sakura's explosion of concerns, he took a glance at Sasuke who had both his eyes closed shut; probably still processing what he had just said. That, or he was in conflict. Kakashi didn't fault the man, no one wants to hear that their daughter was going to go on a highly possible life-threatening mission this early in the morning.

Once Kakashi gave a nod to confirm Sakura's statement, that's when the lava started to splatter out— a mother's worry. "Are you… Are you out of your mind?! No offence, Kakashi-sensei, it's not that I don't trust you but… at Sarada's current level… while I admit she has faced and won many battles with formidable opponents…she is not suited to fight them, if they are involved. Not yet. She's still a genin… how did Naruto ev—"

"If," Kakashi emphasised. "The chances are low, which was what Naruto told me. If anything, this being a ruse is more likely, which is why it's better for Sasuke to stay here instead. But don't worry, Sakura…" His hand reached out, giving a reassuring pat to his ex-student's messy bed-hair, which he could've sworn became more frazzled and dare he say, porcupine-like when she heard Kakashi's preposition. "If it does involve them, I will make sure Sarada is out of harm's way." While the seriousness in his tone did soothe a bit of Sakura's volcanic nerves, it wasn't enough to convince her entirely. Sure, she did ask him to assist Sarada; she trusted him. After all, he was once too, her sensei. However, what he had just asked of her was on a completely different level on its own.

She turned towards Sasuke, with a troubled expression that Sasuke took as her asking for his input.

"Why did you choose Sarada?" was the first thing that left his lips, eyes averting away from his wife to Kakashi with a questioning look. "Why do you want to bring her along?"

"The same reason why you brought Boruto into another dimension… and back in time, too." Kakashi replied in an instant, receiving a rather peeved look from him as a response. Kakashi merely found it amusing. "Need I say more?"

Sakura's eyes darted between the two men, finding herself sinking in a momentary debate. She had faith in Sarada, there was no doubt in that. She could trust Kakashi to look after her, why else did she ask him to be her personal sensei? What was stopping her from giving consent was a mother's worry. She had seen her daughter come back mission after mission, sometimes so beaten up and bruised—sometimes so close to what seemed like death that it pushed Sakura's mind into a dark place, forcing her to question and ask herself if she made the right decision. Having been a young Shinobi herself, she knew exactly how rocky and tumultuous that path could be like. She knew how some people could get lost on that path, how some people never managed to return or reach the end. It was an excruciating fact, something all Shinobis had to acknowledge, accept and for the unfortunate ones, experience and witness at some point.

And not to mention, if it did involve them… then…

However, she was a mother of a Shinobi. She was well-aware of that for a long time, and was always, constantly reminded of that whenever Sarada returned home with new bruises and wounds for her to heal. She was well-aware that no matter how low ranked a mission that her daughter had set off to before, there was always that risk. That danger. That devastating possibility.

Now, that same devastating possibility had a higher probability of occurring. That was why she couldn't help but hesitate.

'If it does involve them, I will make sure Sarada is out of harm's way.'—That was what Kakashi promised them. And because Sakura had seen how far Kakashi would go for his comrades, she didn't doubt those heavy words.

Kakashi-sensei isn't the type to make reckless decisions… he doesn't do things without good reason… Sakura thought, running a hand through her hair as the inner debate of hers continued. He must have a reason for bringing Sarada along despite the risk… besides, I can't shelter Sarada forever… not to mention if she wants to be the Hokage, I…

Somewhere down the line in Sakura's thought process, she found herself asking this: If Kakashi believed that Sarada could handle the mission should it escalate to an S-rank, is there any reason I shouldn't? And that was when she found her answer.

"…You have my permission." Sakura finally decided, sighing shortly after. "Just make sure both of you will be back in one piece."

"Of course, of course…" Kakashi nodded, before addressing the other parent whose peeved look was yet to simmer down, "Sasuke?"

"…I heard you started to teach her Chidori?" While Sasuke's out of topic question struck Sakura as abrupt and surprising, Kakashi had an opposite reaction, merely nodding before replying with a simple and nonchalant, "Yes."

While his peeved look didn't disappear, a bewildered expression of his came into the picture. "So you should be aware that you need two tomoes to be able to utilize it properly, otherwise teaching it her now is not purpos—"

"I know, I'm the one who created it after all… and then taught you." Kakashi laughed lightly, though it did little to nothing to loosen the tension that gradually grew in the air. "I just wanted to… test the waters; to check something. But don't worry you two, I would never push her to do something that would be too overwhelming for her current skillset." He assured before adding on, "If anything, when Sarada has a clear mind, her Sharingan is keener than ever before, at least since the last time I saw her before this out-of-retirement arrangement. Granted, there is still room for improvement regarding her perceptive ability, however given everything I've seen from her and know about, I'd have almost guessed those two tomoes had appeared already, at least in one eye. I'm surprised it hasn't yet evolved, despite everything she had went through… then again, even though there are still brutal enemies lurking around, Konoha is still more peaceful than it was before as of now. Perhaps that could be one of the reasons, with the lack of such extreme predicaments… not that it's a bad thing, of course."

"She just needs a little push." And a confidence boost. Kakashi thought, albeit not aloud; deciding that they need not know how dissatisfied and discontented her daughter could be. After all, it wasn't like that sort of despondent attitude was going to continue, Kakashi would make sure of it.

On the other note, it wasn't that Sasuke doubted Kakashi, not at all. Aside from a few instances that made him question Kakashi's entire being (like when he introduced to him that Icha Icha novel to help better things with his daughter; a memory he wished he could forget when he found out what that entire series was truly about, at its core), he respected the man. And judging from Kakashi's expression and firmness, Sasuke decided not to probe any further. Kakashi had his own methods. Besides, he knew that Kakashi would never do anything that could harm his daughter in any way.

Clearing his throat, Kakashi continued, "Well then, so—"

"Why did you come out of retirement?" Was Sasuke's next question. It still perplexed him. The old man had been so utterly overjoyed when he could finally retire, travelling to one vacation spot to another, occasionally with one of his closest friends—Gai—to view the attractions related to the Icha Icha series. While he did return to Konoha to fulfill Shinobi-related duties whenever required of him or when disaster fell upon the town, nobody would've expected for him to dedicate himself to a student again. He had looked so liberated when he didn't have to look after brats (as he'd call it) full-time, again. Yet…

"Again, it's the same reason you took Boruto under your wing and…" He paused for a moment, pondering how he should phrase the rest of his reasonings in a proper manner, that wouldn't stress the father of his current pupil. Although, when he came to the conclusion that it was better to let things unfold and explain for itself, rather than have him word-for-word relay his future expectations, he continued with, "And a bit more."

"'a bit more'?" Sasuke queried with a frown, unsure as to what he meant.

"A bit more." Kakashi repeated, grinning as he made his way towards Sasuke, giving a light pat on his shoulder before taking a step past him. While his expression was no longer that visible to them; the sudden shift in atmosphere in the second he took that step had informed the both of them that the grin underneath his mask had vanished, morphing into something else… resolute and solemn. "Don't worry, Sasuke. At the final lap, I'll leave it all up to you."

Sasuke's brows knitted, confused as to what he meant by 'the final lap', because he certainly didn't mean racing or running, did he? Wanting to clear his puzzlement, he parted his lips with a question prepared to shoot at him, "Wha—"

"Oh, Sarada is that you?" However, he was cut off by Kakashi, whose chirpiness resumed and shooed off the previous serious tone he had adopted. The unnatural instant shift back to the lighthearted atmosphere unsettled Sasuke, who still couldn't quite understand Kakashi's words. Sakura on the other hand, turned around upon taking notice of the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, which was then followed by a shadowy figure that grew clearer when she approached the crowd of three.

"Mama…? Papa…?" Sarada yawned, rubbing her eyes tiredly before she wiped her glasses on the edge of her baggy pajamas. "What are y— K-K-KAKASHI-SENSIE?!" Sarada gasped when her eyes caught sight the white-haired man once she had her glasses on. No wonder she heard a stranger's voice; she had originally thought either one of her parents had a sore throat.

"Good morning, Sarada!" Kakashi laughed as he watched the girl speechless, then embarrassed in the way she presented herself, and then a sort of worry started looming over her. "W-Wait, was there training t—"

"Nope, I'm just here to ask for your parents' permission to bring you along this next mission I'm going on." Kakashi reassured.

"Mission…?" Sarada repeated, and once that finally processed, her sleepy eyes suddenly enlarged, glimmering and sparkling in pure excitement. "A mission?!" She gasped. "With just you and me? No Konohamaru-sensei, no Mitsuki and no Boruto?"

Kakashi nodded. "Indeed. I just an 'Okay' from your father."

Sasuke watched as Sarada's focus shifted to him, and while he and his daughter didn't exchange any words, that pleading, sparkling look in her eyes said it all. And he wasn't sure if it was just the morning's exhaustion that sparked this hallucination, but he could've sworn he heard Sarada's voice echoing in his head, begging and pestering him to say yes.

He exchanged a look with Sakura, who only wore a smile and nodded.

"It's alright," He mumbled, still bothered about the meaning behind the masked man's words that he didn't get. "She can go."


"Ehhhh? That's unfair!" Boruto huffed. "You get to go on such an exciting mission with that Old Man Kakashi? Can't we come along?" He groaned, gesturing to Mitsuki as he prepared to pull out that 'we are a team, aren't we?' card.

"I mean, we are a team, right Sara—"

Needless to say, Sarada expected this sort of reaction from her fellow blonde comrade. Not to mention, she could already imagine an even more exaggerated reaction from him had she disclosed the complete details of the mission to him. Whether it be for the better or worse, Sarada wasn't permitted to disclose all the information about the mission to them just yet. It was a request from Kakashi that she chose to respect, and thus left some important details out of her speech when relaying the news to Boruto.

That aside, she was already prepared to retort back the moment he would pull out that 'we are a team, aren't we?' card which was a vain attempt to guilt-trip her. Though before she could counter with said retorts, Mitsuki came to her immediate defense. "But Boruto, didn't you and Sarada's father also—"

"Oi Mitsuki!" Boruto chided, arms crossed when faced with the unexpected betrayal of one of his closest friends. "Whose side are you on?"

"Nobody's," Mitsuki smiled, finding Boruto's envy amusing and difficult to understand, given that the Uzumaki had his fair share of adventure-filled missions that he nor Sarada were directly involved. Then again, perhaps it was because of his undying hunger for those exact adventure-filled missions that made him a little greedy. After all, it was those missions that would make him stronger. He didn't like missing out on them. "Just merely stating facts… besides, I think this would be a good opportunity for Sarada's own development… she has been restless for quite some time. Strangely, more restless than you this time around." He added.

"Mitsuki…" Sarada said, grateful for his defending statement. So he had noticed, huh? Sarada thought, surprised at his observance. Restlessness… well… that's definitely one way to put it.

True enough, during these past two years she was restless. She wanted to advance so badly. She desired for her Sharingan to advance.

But it didn't.

It was like she was almost there, Sarada could feel it. However, when the results failed to show in the form of a second tomoe, everything would suddenly feel so far away; at a distance that she couldn't reach. Though, now that Kakashi was her personal mentor… maybe that feeling would change. Maybe the outcome could be different.

"Maybe after this mission…" Sarada muttered, catching the attention of both her teammates. "My Sharingan… will become stronger… and then…" Her eyes trailed away from Mitsuki, instead settling on Boruto—the Shinobi she considered as her rival.

The blonde only looked at her cluelessly, waiting for her to continue her sentence. And when she didn't, when her stare prolonged, he was about to voice out something sarcastic and whatnot; or mention how weird she was being in that all too familiar joking tone.

Then, Sarada abruptly moved closer to him. Too close.

He felt his cheeks warming, as his childhood friend inched closer to him. Not to mention, there was what Boruto liked to call 'Mitsuki's shit-eating grin' that didn't help make the situation any better.

"O-Oi Sarada wha—"

"And then just you wait, Boruto!" She exclaimed, her arm extending before one of her fingers stuck out, pressing against his chest; challenging him. But all Boruto was currently focused on were her onyx eyes that looked at him with such determination for something his brain didn't have enough time to discern. And then there was that equally determined smile of hers; shining as brightly as the sun. She was shining. "I'll beat you, especially if you choose to slack while I'm gone!" She smirked, finally taking a step back, allowing the poor flustered blonde air to breathe.

"Sarada, you're merciless, huh?" Mitsuki chuckled, to which Sarada only tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what he was referring to. "What do you—"

"I-If anything you shouldn't slack!" was Boruto's immediate reaction after Sarada freed him, his mind still somewhat in a daze. "K-Kakashi's an old man already! Ya better not leave everything up to him, 'dattebasa!" Why am I stuttering?! Boruto thought helplessly.

"Huh?!" Sarada shot him a glare that he was all too familiar with. Boruto gulped as he watched that shining expression twist into something frightening. Instead of glowing, she was glowering. And as opposed to coming in between them to extinguish the burning flames, Mitsuki chose to instead watch the two of them at the side, finding the scenario before him quite entertaining.

"Me? Slacking?" Sarada scoffed, as Boruto raised his hands up frantically in defense. "S-Sarada, I was just j-jok—" He was cut off not by a verbal response, but rather the glare that was so sharp he could've sworn he felt a kunai aimed right at his neck. Honestly, given the instances of carelessness he had in both words and missions, he wondered how he ever survived the wrath of Sarada…

"Do you even know—"

"Sarada."

A new voice emerged into the conversation, before the owner himself emerged from the shadows of the forest. It took Sarada less than a second to recognize who it was.

"Papa?!" Sarada's glare simmered down to a warm and welcoming smile, turning away from Boruto as she sprinted towards her beloved father.

Thank you… Sasuke-san… Boruto thought to himself, nearly falling flat onto the grass field if it weren't for Mitsuki's swift catch.

"I thought you were meeting with the Seventh?"

"It ended early." Sasuke answered as he took a glimpse at the scene behind his daughter, where he saw Boruto who looked like he had just seen a ghost, along with Mitsuki who was lecturing him about something Sasuke wasn't sure if he wanted to know. "Are you… busy?" He asked, gesturing to the chaos behind.

Sarada shook her head, chuckling innocently (though to Boruto, who was still recovering from what he believed was a life-threatening situation, her chuckle sounded more devious than anything). "Nope, not at all! Why? Did something happen?" She asked.

"Not really." Sasuke said, "If you're free, I'd like to show you something before you depart tonight."

"Of course!" The young girl exclaimed elatedly, wondering if her father was going to teach her a new trick that could come in useful for the mission, or to impress Kakashi. "I'll see you later then, Boruto, Mitsuki!" Sarada said, waving towards her two teammates before following Sasuke to another more suitable location.

Mitsuki waved back, so did Boruto; albeit it looked as if his arms were flailing. It was clear to Mitsuki that the blonde was still shaken up about the incident earlier. "I'm surprised you said that Boruto, I thought you would be the first one to acknowledge that Sarada would never slack." He spoke nonchalantly, before enquiring with much curiosity, "Also, aren't you tired of facing Sarada's wrath?"

"Ahhh give me a break, Mitsuki! It was just… in the heat of the moment…and well… that's besides the point!" Boruto grumbled, acknowledging his poor choice of words when replying to the Uchiha. Although, he stubbornly refused to accept the full blame, why did she had to get so close to him anyway? Because of that, his mind became clouded and there was a strange, odd feeling swirling in his stomach that he even more weirdly didn't hate that much. "And what was with that stupid grin just now?! She was suffocating me!"

"So?" Mitsuki chuckled, wearing that same grin that frustrated Boruto—and it did so, again. "Sometimes you suffocate her, but I don't interfere too often." He smiled, recalling a few times how it was Boruto instead that got too close to her, like that one instance where he confidently proclaimed how he wanted to be by her side when she became Hokage.

"What's that supposed to mea—"

"Ah, also, maybe we could gift Sarada something before she leaves. That's the considerate and respectful gesture for 'well wishes', right?" Mitsuki suggested, remembering how they had previously gifted Konohamaru as a means to wish him well while he was still recovering from his sickness. "Especially since she did say she wouldn't know when she would be returning after all."

While Boruto didn't like how Mitsuki snuck past his question, he decided to dismiss it for now, now that they had a new task at hand. "I know, I know…" He sighed, having had similar thoughts to Mitsuki when Sarada had announced the mission she was going for an indefinite amount of time. "Though… we don't exactly have much time… it's so last minute…"

What will… Sarada like? Boruto pondered long and hard. He knew a couple of things that Sarada liked: tea-based foods, cute things like keychains and whatnot. Despite knowing these things about, he didn't feel like it was suitable for the occasion. Something was missing. Come on, Boruto… think, think, th—

That's when it hit him.

"AH!" He exclaimed, startling Mitsuki a bit. "That's it!"


"What did you want to show me, Papa?" Sarada questioned inquisitively as she trailed behind her father, who led her to a rather spacious area, with a large lake that stretched quite a distance. Sarada's eyes darted around, spotting a few old and worn-out targets left lying around, practically crippling from previous Shinobis' practice shots. It didn't take her long to come to the conclusion that this was a training space, which could only mean—

Before her curiosity could take the shape of exhilaration upon realizing what or rather, why her father brought her here, Sasuke started to speak, "The mission… you're aware of the possible dangers, right?"

Sarada nodded. "I am. The probability is low according to Kakashi-sensei, but I know I shouldn't let my guard down." To be honest, she didn't completely understand why Kakashi had chosen her to be his partner in this mission rather than selecting the many skilled Jonin who resided in Konoha. Sure, as he had mentioned beforehand that it was highly unlikely that they'd bump into them. But, even with the littlest possibility… no one would willingly assign a genin to something like this, right? A possibility was still a possibility, no matter how small—it still had the chance of happening. Albeit, when she attempted to ask Kakashi when he had paid a visit to the Uchiha's residence, he had already bid his farewell and left to prepare.

Regardless, with that probability or not, if the Sixth Hokage believed that she could do it, she would live up to that expectation. She wasn't going to turn such an opportunity down.

Sasuke switched the topic momentarily, "How's your Fireball Jutsu coming along?"

"I can now use it while moving, and I don't have an issue with changing the direction of the flames anymore…" Sarada spoke, "But, sometimes when the fight gets too intense, or if the situation is stressful… I have the issue of blowing out too much flame, so there's the problem of control during such predicaments…which results in chakra being wasted." Towards the end, bitterness noticeably grew in her tone. She didn't like when her recklessness would blind her senses and logic during fights; it always resulted in a wasteful drainage of her chakra. And she didn't like how her reason for an occurrence like that was because she couldn't help it—because she could.

Her mother had once told her that she struggled in chakra control, and day by day while she had been working in her offence, she had become more aware of this weakness. It wasn't like she didn't try to improve on it, because she did. And gradually, it did improve. Slightly. However, with new missions coming in her way, as well as that impatience that crept back when her Sharingan's evolvement became stagnant, her focus averted elsewhere. She lost control. For that, she was apologetic towards her mother who she felt she had disappointed.

Now with Kakashi as her sensei, one could only hope that he would help her with balance; along with patience.

Turning around to face his daughter, Sasuke said, "Let's work on that, then." Briefly glancing at the sky, he continued, "There's still some time."

Any feelings of gloom that dared invade her expression had now fleeted, a cheerful smile now taking its place. It had been a while since her father last trained with her personally. "Really?"

"Of course." Seeing his only child smile was rather infectious, for a smile of his own appeared on his lips. Unfortunately, it faded after a moment, upon remembering the other thing that he had wanted to remind Sarada. For that, his smile settled into something grave. "After all… you shouldn't—you can't use Chidori." He paused, before emphasizing, "Not now."

Sarada frowned, not understanding what Sasuke meant by that. Of course, since she currently hadn't yet master Chidori, she was unable to utilize it yet. That was a given. However, something told her that wasn't what her father meant. "What—"

"For Chidori… you need at least two tomoes in both your eyes to be able to thoroughly comprehend your surroundings. Otherwise, you'll have tunnel-vision, and you won't be able to see your opponents. It's a liability" He stated flatly.

Sarada flinched. Two tomoes, huh? Well, at least now I know why Papa looked so shocked the other day when he found out...

Once again, she was reminded just how far that next step was, and how much further the finishing line was. It sent an irksome feeling down her throat, diving and then swimming around her stomach tauntingly, mockingly.

"Then… why did Kakashi-sensei…?"

"I don't know." Sasuke sighed. "He's aware of this but…perhaps he wanted to teach you something, in his own… peculiar way. Either way, it's not something for me to help you figure out, or interfere… as long as he is not pushing you too far."

"Ah… don't worry, he isn't." Sarada assured. If anything, she was pushing herself too far, much too far. Though to Sarada, her father need not know that. "But… 'peculiar way', huh?" She uttered, her gaze averting down towards the barren land. She didn't know what Kakashi wanted to teach her by letting her have a brush against a power that was even further out of her reach than she expected but…

With one tomoe in each eye… what more can I even do? She wondered, biting her lip.

"Don't look like that." Sasuke sighed as he took a step closer to her, his hand reaching out to give a light poke on her forehead.

"E-Eh?!" Evidently, it was enough to blow away the negative thoughts that had been accumulating in the younger Uchiha's head.

"I believe in you, Sarada." Sasuke remarked, the smile from before returning to his face. "And so does your mother."

Touched by her father's genuine and supportive words, Sarada couldn't help but grab the area around her chest, having felt so moved. "Papa…"

"For now…" Sasuke said, deciding to get back on track since they didn't have much time left, "Let's work on your fireball jutsu."

With a soft giggle, Sarada nodded. "Alright!"


The fact that Kakashi was late again to meet Sarada, this time at Konoha's gate, was more than concerning to Sarada in numerous amounts of ways. Even if it was just ten minutes.

First, she started to wonder if Kakashi—the Sixth Hokage—did indeed have a bad habit of being so untimely tardy, and if he did, what could Sarada even do? He was the sixth Hokage. It wasn't like Boruto or Mitsuki who she could reprimand them whenever they failed to be punctual and who still dared to come up with strange, lame excuses that made her wonder if they thought that she was that much of a fool to actually believe them.

But then, the idea that Kakashi had second thoughts in his choice of picking her to accompany her started to creep up in her thoughts, planting a seed that awaited to sprout more anxiety in her mind; to cause her more unsettlement mentally. However, any form of anxiousness and worry tied to those pile of doubtful thoughts soon disintegrated upon seeing her mentor arrive, strolling towards them so frivolously as he waved a nonchalant hand at them.

"Gee, Uncle Kakashi… I can't believe you have the guts to be this late!" Boruto scoffed, with that out-of-place pride of his for being the earliest one (along with Mitsuki and Sakura) for the first time in forever. Grinning, he turned towards Sarada expectantly, awaiting to watch her explode in nags like how she normally would in the case of Boruto's and Mitsuki's series of tardiness (though in Mitsuki's case, he had only ever been late if he had gotten entangled in Boruto's own tardiness); and maybe even commend him for his timely presence. Unfortunately to his dismay, while she did have that same glare she'd shoot to her unpunctual teammates, it wasn't directed at Kakashi—but him.

W-What did I do?! Boruto panicked, unsure of what he did wrong this time round. I wasn't the one late!

Kakashi tilted his head with a forceful innocence, 'unaware' as to what the blonde meant. "What do you mea—"

"He means nothing!" Sarada faked a laugh before taking a few steps forward towards him. Her lips parted, originally wanting to ask him for the reason behind his lateness. Albeit, she was quick to close them after having her mind changed. Something about witnessing how Kakashi had strolled into the scene in such a carefree manner without a sense of urgency, along with the innocent look he wore told her that she would rather not know.

Oh, Sarada… Kakashi couldn't help but think. He had been well aware of how Sarada Uchiha could get should her teammates be behind schedule. He had overheard about it from Boruto, and had even accidentally come across it when he was walking around the village, minding his own business until he heard a booming voice full of frustration that he couldn't ignore. To say the least, it was mirthful.

It wasn't like he wanted Sarada to yell at him or anything. It was more of an old man's curiosity to see how much tolerance and patience this young Shinobi had for him; the man who was graced with the title of Sixth Hokage that apparently came with a "get out of being scolded by an Uchiha" card. Back in the day, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke were having none of his lateness, and would often criticize him for it.

"After all these years… and you're still late?" Sakura sighed, shaking her head in disbelief. Kakashi chuckled in response, giving a flippant shrug of shoulders that deeply concerned Sarada. "I'm early when it counts. Besides, I couldn't help it today. I had to—"

"So!" Sarada cut in. She couldn't bear to hear any of it anymore. "We should… head off now. Before it gets too dark." She spoke, nodding towards the orange sky that was slowly being consumed with the spots and patches of dark, sleepy blue.

"Ahhh, before that here's some food to keep you full on the way!" Sakura exclaimed, as she presented her daughter with a neatly wrapped-up bento box that she had hidden behind her back.

"Thank you, Mama!" Sarada gleamed as she took it off from her mother's hands, carefully placing it in her bag pack. Granted, to many it was just a bento box, nothing that needed as much caution as someone who handled glass. However, to Sarada the contents within the bento box were just as fragile as glass. She didn't want to mess the insides up. After all, it meant a lot to someone like her.

"Don't just thank me!" Sakura chuckled, before motioning towards Boruto and Mitsuki. "They helped out too."

Boruto? Mitsuki? Sarada blinked in surprise at her two friends, having not expected such an act from either one of them, since they never seemed to be that enthusiastic about cooking. Mitsuki merely flashed her that warm smile of his, while Boruto, for a reason that Sarada didn't know, had his eyes darting around bashfully.

Is he embarrassed? Sarada couldn't help but grin cheekily as an urge to poke a little fun suddenly rose from within, which then left in the form of a playful tease. "I hope you didn't give Mama too much trouble… and I hope you washed your hands before handling any food in here, Boruto." She said, specifically targeting only him.

Boruto snapped his head towards her direction, cheeks reddening more than the setting sun ever could. "O-Oi! Why are you only aiming at me?! I can do some cooking too, datte—"

"Don't worry Sarada, I made sure he washed his hands." Sakura interrupted, joining in the fun along with Mitsuki who nodded in agreement. "Me too. We both made sure he did. Rest assured, Sarada."

"Auntie Sakura! Mitsuki!" Boruto whined slightly. He couldn't believe that they were teaming up against him. "I—"

"Thank you, anyway, Boruto." Sarada said, casting a brief glimpse at the bento box. He must have remembered what I said last time, about what a bento box meant… to think someone like Boruto could remember something like this…

Right then and there, Boruto noticed how her expression softened into something heartwarming. What he didn't notice, or rather what he didn't recognize was how his heart fluttered, and merely dismissed it as a chill from the cold evening breeze. "Ah, and you too Mitsuki!" Sarada quickly added. Mitsuki didn't seem offended that Sarada only thanked him after. All he did was offer a teasing look that came up not long after her realization.

The flush on Sarada's cheeks indicated to him that she knew what he was teasing her about, however in the presence of her parents and her sensei, she held herself back from explaining herself.

This little scenario in front of them didn't go by unnoticed by Kakashi, who turned towards Sasuke, giving him a nudge. "Were you aware of this?" He asked, a smirk of his own hidden beneath his mask as he gestured to the kids.

"Of what?" He responded, oblivious. All he saw was Naruto's son and Sarada's other friend who were considerate enough to help his wife prepare a meal for his daughter's journey.

"Ah… I see. That's how it is." Kakashi continued, dismissing the topic at hand with a wave of his hand. Although, it did little to nothing to dismiss Sasuke's creeping annoyance for the old man who had been leaving him unanswered questions the whole day.

"What are you—"

"KAKASHIIIIIIII—" An intrusive roar reverberated about that curtly cut off Sasuke's question, startling a few of them; even the guards that stood around the gate.

Kakashi was the least startled. He didn't flinch, nor did he give much of a reaction the moment his ear heard that familiar voice. "Yes… Gai?" He sighed, purposely exaggerating his dreaded and unimpressed tone as he lazily turned towards the direction of the source of the noise.

"Oiii, wouldn't it kill you to sound a bit more enthusiastic to hear and see your most formidable, number one favorite rival?" The sound of wheels dashing intensified as Gai raced towards Kakashi, and before any of them knew it, he appeared right in front of him. "Come on! Look happier! Even with that mask I still know you're giving me that 'I can't believe you are doing this to me right now' look! It won't kill you to spare some time!"

"Gai," Kakashi sighed, as he scratched the back of his head. "I don't have time for a competition right now, if not we might be late."

Now he cares about time? A certain (trying so hard to not be) peeved Uchiha thought.

"Of course, of course I know!" Gai laughed, before extending his arm to hand over a bento box of his own. "Just wanted to pass you this. I made half of it at Sakura's home but wanted to give it a sprinkle of Gai before handing it to you."

Speechless by his choice of diction for a moment, Kakashi spoke, "I think I lost my appetite for the rest of the month after hearing 'sprinkle of Gai', thanks for the effort bu—"

"Hey don't say that!" He reprimanded, before forcing the bento box in his hand. "I channeled all the Icha Icha energy—"

"You two—" Sasuke abruptly coughed before Gai could even continue; resisting the urge to glare at him when he mentioned the horrifying word 'Icha', in front of his own innocent child. "—should get going." He deadpanned.

"You're right." Kakashi nodded, wondering what sort of evil the Icha-Icha series ever did to Sasuke that made him sound so full of malice toward it. One way or another, that series did eventually patch up things between him and his daughter, didn't it? Even if it was the sole catalyst of having Sarada calling him annoying; which was something that he couldn't help but find so humorous even till this day. "Thank you for the meal, Gai. B—"

"No big deal!" Gai assured, before shooting a rather challenging look to Sarada, who was a little taken aback. "Next time we meet, let's have a challenge between my prodigy's prodigy and your prodigy's prodigy!" He declared shamelessly.

"Prodigy's prodigy what now—"

"SEE YOU LATERRRR!" He yelled, before zooming off while loudly rambling about something regarding the fact that he had agreed to supervise metal's mountain hiking which was about to start anytime soon.

"Well… now that that's over…" Kakashi sighed, reluctantly keeping the bento in his bag. "Anything you want to say before we really leave?" He asked Sarada, who was still in a complete daze after witnessing that… chaotic scenario.

"Well, I do." Sakura hummed softly, making her way forward as she pulled her into an embrace that Sarada returned in a heartbeat. "Come back safely." She whispered, squeezing her daughter even more tightly into the hug.

"M-Mama, too tight—"

"A-Ah!" Sakura laughed lightly, releasing her daughter immediately. "I couldn't help it."

"Of course you couldn't." Sarada sighed, catching her breath. "But don't worry… I'll come back safe." She smiled reassuringly, her eyes then darting over to Sasuke who motioned her over.

Smile remaining plastered on her face, Sarada's arms spread wide as she approached her father who she had expected to give her a hug like how her mother did. Except, he didn't; instead, he poked her on her forehead when she got close enough, before she had a chance to embrace him.

"H-Hey!" Sarada stammered, having been caught off guard. "That's the second time today… and in front of—"

She was interrupted by the embrace her father pulled her into, "I couldn't help it." He mimicked Sakura, who resisted a chuckle.

"Come on…the both of you…" She pouted quietly, and while she was frustrated at how her father teased her like that, her arms still wrapped around him.

Sasuke…Sasuke-san can joke?! Boruto held back a gasp, not wanting to ruin the little Uchiha family moment they had. That aside… I wonder what's with that forehead poke thing… He wondered, shaking the thought away soon after, figuring it was an Uchiha thing that an Uzumaki like him would probably never understand completely, much less experience, right?

"Well then, we'll be off." Kakashi said when Sasuke had finally let go of Sarada. "It's going to be a long journey."

With that, along with another round of waves, well wishes and goodbyes, Kakashi and Sarada departed for their mission.


Author's Notes:

First, I made some changes; mostly due to my poor memory and fault on my part. Basically, the gist is my dumb-self had forgotten/was unaware that you needed two tomoes for Chidori to work completely. My apologies, please don't bash me too much haha. It's been a while since I last watched/read Naruto, and when I did, I binged it like mad so the memory's a bit fuzzy here and there… so clearly, I really need to brush up haha. (Is it strange I have more motivation to brush up on my Naruto lore knowledge than do homework? LOL;; anyway,)

As a result, I ultimately decided to fix this mistake by changing Sasuke's reaction slightly upon finding out Sarada had learned Chidori in the chapter 6 to something more shocked. A part of me did think about re-doing the two previous chapters. However, I don't have time on my side… so once again, I'm sorry if things are messy. If you have any questions about this, comment below and I'll respond. I don't wish to make A/N any longer than it already is.

Secondly, I'd like to apologise for the late update. I got distracted, then demotivated, then distracted again ahah… I'm sorry haha T-T. It's been a while since I finished writing something, so I hope my writing quality didn't worsen overtime from its already bad quality HAHA.

Thirdly, that aside, starting next year I don't really know what the updating schedule for this fic will be like. Originally, I wanted one chapter a month. However, seeing how messy this year was for me (and everyone practically) and how next year I'm going to be busier due to academics… I don't know if I'll have the time since I have two other fics and a tumblr to run lol. Regardless, I'll try my best to update this when I can, I really want to finish all my fics… I don't really want to leave them unfinished / discontinued ;-;. However, do note that if I feel no one's reading a fic anymore, I'll most likely not prioritise it as high as other ongoing fics. I'll still finish it hopefully, but not as fast. I hope y'all will stay haha.

Lastly, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. They finally departed on their mission haha;; details of it will be further revealed in next chapter. And who knows? Maybe somewhere along the mission, Sarada will have a brief meeting with someone troublesome? Hoho. That aside, hoped I portrayed Gai's and Kakashi's friendship alright!

Thank you for reading, and leaving reviews, comments and kudos; they are always appreciated. So, please leave a review! Constructive criticism is welcomed.

If you wish to contact me personally or to check if I'm still alive and active haha, my tumblrs are: snkwritings and rosaline-kei