Mitsuki's POV

Mitsuki hurried on, carefully searching for his prey. All evidence pointed to his opponent being more dangerous than he had initially hoped so it was very important that he finish this quickly.

"That's right, Mitsuki. This way." A voice taunted him from up ahead. Hate was boiling close to the surface again. It was making it hard to think so he tried to focus instead on urgency. This had to be taken care of before Boruto caught up to them; before he could get hurt again.

The memory of Boruto asleep as he carefully laid him in the grass would not leave his mind. Sarada had jumped down from where she had been watching. She approached them quickly, her black eyes wide and face full of worry.

"Mitsuki? Wha-" She began but Mitsuki cut her off.

"Take care of him, Sarada." He didn't have time. The venom he had used was very mild so Boruto would wake up soon. He could have put him out for longer but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Even doing this much made his heart heavy.

He allowed his eyes to pass over Boruto's sleeping face and the two punctures in his neck as he indulged in passing is fingers through his hair one last time. Then he turned his back on his Sun and ran.

It felt like he was leaving his heart behind. That was okay, though. He wouldn't need it for this fight.

He had only been running a short time when he caught up. Once again, his opponent was standing freely in the open, his stance relaxed and his arms crossed across his chest, waiting. Mitsuki didn't slow down. He didn't have time for pointless dialogue or stupid monologues. He went straight for the head, aiming his Snake Lightning for a quick and clean kill.

His prey seemed taken aback at Mitsuki's attempt at a fast resolution but only for a second. He recovered quickly and dodged, losing some hair to snake lightning as it sizzled past his ear.

"Now, now, Mitsuki. No need for impatience." He said coolly as he wove his own signs.

They traded blows, over and over as Mitsuki looked for a way to end this. It didn't matter how as long as it was fast. To his fury, it felt like the earth ninja was toying with him, easily parrying most of his moves and avoiding the others with little effort. It was starting to take too long. Boruto was going to be in danger again if he didn't finish this now.

"Worried about Boruto?" His enemy taunted, as if reading his thoughts, "Don't worry, he will join us soon but all things in good time."

Boruto's POV

Sarada's words echoed in his ears, somehow louder than the roaring of the wind as he ran. She might have still been scolding him when he left. He was an idiot, blah, blah, blah, something about needing to come up with a plan, he really hadn't been paying attention. He was too distracted by both the fact that his best friend loved him and his overwhelming need to help. He was moving long before she was finished talking but it didn't matter. She was just going to follow him anyway. He knew how much that pissed her off but that didn't matter either. She could yell at him to her heart's content after they got back.

What was important now was catching up with Mitsuki. He was not going to let him do this alone. Mitsuki had always been there, supporting him no matter what. Now, it was his turn. Mitsuki couldn't be that far ahead. He silently prayed he wasn't too far ahead.

A flash of white and blue somewhere deep in the dark ahead caught his eye.

"Mitsuki?!" He called but got no response. He urged his legs to move faster. He wasn't too far away. He could still catch him. Another flash of blue and white, then another and at last, he could see him. He was a little ways off still but within ear-shot. He gained ground quickly, but then for some reason, Mitsuki sped up.

"Wait, Mitsuki! Wait!" Boruto called after him. Mitsuki ran on, seemingly oblivious to Boruto's pursuit and deaf to his cries.

On they ran through the endless forest, Mitsuki always just beyond his reach. No matter how hard he ran, he got no closer. No matter how he cried for Mitsuki, he got no answer. Something was wrong. Was Mitsuki ignoring him? Maybe Sarada had been wrong and he didn't really love him. It all felt as if Mitsuki was trying to get away from him again.

"Mitsuki!"

Mitsuki's POV

"You will not have Boruto. I will see to that." Mitsuki growled at his opponent.

"Well, it's funny that you should say that." The ninja jeered.

"Mitsuki, please! Wait!" Boruto's voice sounded from somewhere behind him.

"Boruto! Boruto stop!" Sarada's voice followed immediately after.

"You see, I already have him." Mitsuki's blood froze as the truth in those words settled in. He had failed. He had betrayed Boruto again in order to keep him safe and it had been for nothing. Mitsuki had to get to him, now. He turned in the direction of Boruto's voice but an earth style jutsu blocked his path.

"Mitsuki!" Boruto's cry for him stabbed his heart. He could see him now, running through the trees chasing a phantom version of himself.

"Boruto..." Mitsuki almost whispered.

"Very interesting. It seems he dreads you leaving him more than anything." The enemy jeered. Mitsuki felt sick. This was all his fault. He had to get to him, had to release him from the genjutsu but relentless earth attacks drove him back time and time again. He screamed his frustration and aimed another lightning style attack directly at the assailant, hoping to throw him off enough to create an opening. It was close but still wasn't quite enough. His opponent recovered easily and his eyes smiles cruelly from behind his mask.

"Oh, does it disturb you, Mitsuki? Would you prefer I end his suffering?" The ninja raised a hand and an earthen spear, not unlike the ones he had seen in his nightmare, formed in the air. Then Boruto changed directions. He was running towards them now, eyes still fixed on a Mitsuki only he could see. With a flick of his wrist, the spear was launched towards Boruto.

"No!" Mitsuki surged forward. The earth broke apart as he ran but he paid it no attention. His clothes tore and his skin was gashed but he pressed on. He was almost there.

"Mitsuki! Look out! Boruto yelled. Mitsuki threw himself the last few feet, reaching for his Sun at the same time as Boruto dove forward. His left arm and shoulder collided with Boruto's side, shoving him out of the way. Blood splattered across his vision and for a horrible heartbeat, he thought it was Boruto's.

Boruto's POV

"Mitsuki, please! Wait!" Boruto gasped out his plea once more but Mitsuki sped up more. Boruto was already struggling to keep up. His legs burned and his side ached from the effort but still he ran on. He wouldn't let Mitsuki go. Not again, not ever.

Something was moving ahead of them. Boruto stared ahead, trying to determine what it was. The realization hit him hard. It was an enemy jutsu! The rouge ninja had laid a trap for them and they were running head-long into it.

"Mitsuki! Look out!" Boruto dove for him but missed, thrown aside by something hitting him hard from the side. The wind was almost knocked out of him as he hit the ground but he ignored the pain. He scrambled to get up and look for Mitsuki, but there was a sickening 'crunch' and blood splattered across his face.