The first thing that Boruto noticed when he woke up was that his face was wet. The second thing that he noticed was that Sarada was crying.

Blinking the sleep away from his eyes, he sat up to realize the third. His head had been in her lap.

He barely had the chance to wipe the teardrops away from his face before he was enveloped in a tight hug.

"I thought you were going to die," she whispered, her chin burying itself into his shoulder as her fingers wrapped around the fabric of his jacket.

Slowly, he put his hands up and melted into her arms. "I'm alive. Hebi said they wouldn't let us die, remember?"

Sarada made a muffled "mmm," sound.

Despite his heart hammering in his chest, he felt more empathetic towards her as he received her hug, wishing he could give her the same reassurance he craved after seeing her body in tatters.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled into the collar of his jacket. "I didn't think it felt like this."

He smiled. "It gets better," he replied, a chuckle escaping his throat. "Just wait until you try to sleep tonight. Hebi might step in and give you dreams about pink sheep."

Sarada laughed, her hands slowly releasing the fabric of his jacket. Hesitantly, she lifted her head to pull back, but Boruto only adjusted his grip and pulled her into his chest. "The thing I regret the most when I saw you die," he started, noting her muscles slowly relax again, "is that I didn't hold you for longer after you woke up." Eyes closing, he rested his chin on her head. "At least until you feel like everything around you is real again… It's ok to stay like this."

"…Boruto?" Sarada said after a short silence.

"Hmm?"

"I…" She began fiddling with her fingers, his jacket hiding his view of her face. "After we get back… There's something I need to tell you."

Just then, something caught the edge of Boruto's vision. He looked up to see a time space portal. Which could mean one of two things; Hebi, or Sasuke.

"Sorry Sarada," he said, taking her shoulders to push her upright. "I don't want to get killed by Sasuke-san."

Sarada nodded, wiping at her tears with her arm sleeve.

The minute Sasuke came through the portal, Boruto watched him survey the area. "Is everyone alright?"

Boruto looked around. Everyone?

"Doing fine, thank you," replied Kakashi, sitting up.

Boruto's face lit up like Christmas.

"It seems like Hebi was able to make it on time," said Mitsuki, opening his eyes from his spot on the ground.

He couldn't take it anymore. He covered his face, his red ears peaking out from under his headband. They were here… They were awake!

Sarada hid her face behind her hair.

Sasuke glanced over at his daughter and Naruto's son. He narrowed his eyes. "Why are you—"

"More importantly," continued Kakashi, "I'm surprised you managed to beat that monster. He gave me quite the difficult time."

"It was mostly thanks to the rinnegan," replied Sasuke, his eyes lingering on the kids for a few more moments before turning to Kakashi. "I'm surprised you managed to hold your own against him for as long as you did. Perhaps your age hasn't gotten to you after all."

"Despite my age, I was the sixth hokage. And your master. Sasuke-kun." Kakashi smiled the most sarcastic smile he possibly could under his mask. "Now then, everyone's alive, so we should go home. Shouldn't we!"

"I agree."

Sasuke turned, portal still open. "This will take us back to the front of the academy…"

"More importantly," said Kakashi, slinging an arm over Sasuke's shoulder. "I think maybe I should start writing a book. What do you think?"

"Huh? A book?"

Mitsuki walked through the portal first, followed by a blushing Boruto and Sarada. When they were on the other side, Boruto couldn't help his outburst.

"Mitsuki!"

"Yes?"

"If you were awake… Why didn't you say anything?!"

Mitsuki smiled. "I felt as though it would have been rude of me to ruin the mood. Kakashi winked in my direction as well."

Looking towards the ground, he gritted his teeth as his cheeks turned bright pink.

Shortly after, Sasuke and Kakashi came up behind them.

"Better than those books you always read?"

"Hear me out first, Sasuke-kun," continued Kakashi. "I'm thinking about writing it on the pure and innocent love of 12-year-old children."

"12-year-old—"

"Mitsuki!" Sarada said suddenly. "Boruto! Why don't we go to get a burger as a celebration for being reunited again?" Putting her hands on their backs, she began pushing them towards the shop, her tomato red face still hidden by her hair.

"Ah, good idea," replied Boruto, walking stiffly away from the conversation.

Mitsuki smiled. "Should we have the sixth hokage and Sasuke-san join us?"

"Thanks for the invite," said Kakashi, watching Boruto and Sarada shoot Mitsuki looks that revealed the tints of their faces, albeit for a millisecond, "but us adults prefer ramen to burgers. How about it Sasuke-kun? I'll treat you to some ramen after we go report to the seventh."

"Cut it out with the kun," said Sasuke, "I'm not a kid."

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on, Sasuke-kun!" Kakashi put his hand on Sasuke's back. "I'll tell you more about this interesting story concept on the way," he added in a whisper.

"…Fine."

Sasuke's eyes never left the kids as Kakashi pushed him towards the ramen shop.

"And," said Mitsuki once they were gone. "Are we actually going to eat burgers?"

"I don't see why not," sighed Sarada, adjusting her glasses, the tomato color finally gone from her face. "We should celebrate after all."

"Hmm… If that's what you want. Boruto, are you in agreeance?"

"I'm always down for a burger," is what Boruto said, but his mind was elsewhere.

You only have until Thursday at 7:25 to complete the mission. Mitsuki was finally back, and he was happy about it. He wanted to celebrate. But he had to ask the question… would he get another opportunity to be alone with her before then? Sasuke was in town. And if Kakashi told him about what had happened earlier, Boruto had the feeling he wouldn't be able to get anywhere near Sarada, even if the author pulled some strings in the background… After all, Sasuke had likely just taken out one of their people. This could be his only chance…

"Don't worry about it, go eat a burger. I told you, I've got you covered," said the voice of a little flower at his feet.

Mitsuki stared at the flower. Then he looked up at Boruto. "Have you not completed the mission yet?"

Boruto looked away, tucking his face into the corner of his jacket. The embarrassment of the situation earlier was still lingering. Even if this was his only chance, it would likely be impossible for him to complete the mission now… "…I don't think I have the confidence anymore. Come on, we beat the bad guy. Why don't I give up? There's no need to complete it right now anyways."

"Boruto."

Boruto looked up to see Mitsuki standing in front of him.

"Go complete the mission. Then we can celebrate. This isn't over until it's done."

"Mitsuki…"

"Hurry. You can treat me to two burgers after this."

Boruto's eyes teared up. "But I don't think I can—"

"Boruto." Mitsuki's eyes were stone cold. "The fate of the world is resting on your shoulders. You may trust Hebi, but what if this was all an elaborate set up? Even if it wasn't, more people could still show up. The sooner you complete it, the better."

Sarada put her hands on her hips. "Mitsuki, even if the world was ending tomorrow, don't you think we should spend it as a team?"

"We complete missions together as a team," said Mitsuki, "and as happy as I am completing missions with you both, we might be able to prevent the end of the world if this mission is carried out safely. This is my will. I won't feel at ease until it's completed."

"Then why can't you come with us," asked Sarada. "Why can't we complete it as a team?"

Mitsuki smiled. "I don't think Boruto would like that."

"Wha— Mitsuki!"

"Sheesh, what is this mission? Either way, let's just hurry up and get it over with so we can throw a party and things can go back to normal. I'm tired."

Boruto looked at the ground. His heart was hammering through his chest, but he knew that there was truth to Mitsuki's words.

Don't worry, said Hebi into his mind. I'll help you.

"Mitsuki… I promise I'll treat you to two… no, four burgers for this!"

"I'll try to distract Sasuke-san after Kakashi is done with him, but I don't think I can hold him off for long."

"What does papa being distracted have to do with the—" Sarada paused as if she was remembering something. She looked down at her fist. Then she looked up at Boruto's face. Blinking twice, Boruto acted fast before she could finish her thought.

Grabbing her hand, he led her off. "Sarada, come with me for a second. We can go get burgers in the morning."

"In the morning? Wait, Boruto! Where are we going?! What about Mitsuki?"

"I promise we can celebrate as soon as this is all over!" Tightening his grip, he began to jog in the direction of Hebi's mental directions.

"Boruto, how far are we running? And why are you still holding my hand?!"

He slowed down to a walk, keeping his hand in hers. "Sorry, but I don't know how much time I have."

"…Hand?"

"…It would be problematic if you ran away."

"For crying out loud I'm not going to run away! Can you please just tell me what this is about?"

Boruto looked towards the horizon. The sun was about to set. Are we almost there?

Keep walking.

Isn't it going to get dark soon?

That's what I'm waiting for. And be honest. Tell her you want to hold her hand. You know how much she hates being babysat.

Boruto's cheeks pinked.

It's no use lying, I can read your mind.

But this is Sarada we're talking about! If she knew I wanted to hold her hand, she'd…

At this point, I really don't think she'd tease you… But you know what, I'll give you a more valid excuse.

Huh? What are you—

In that moment, Boruto fell into a time space portal opened directly underneath of him. Because he was still holding Sarada's hand, she was dragged in as well.

"Oi! Hebi," said Boruto, landing on his back with Sarada next to him, his arm breaking her fall. "What was that for?"

Walk in here for a little bit.

"Why are you talking to Hebi?"

There's a specific place—

"I'm getting directions," said Boruto, dictating the urgency of his answer to be more important than Hebi's words. "I guess there's a specific place where I have to complete this mission… This is starting to be a pain…"

Sarada sat up and looked around. "Is this… a desert?"

"I guess," he replied, sitting up. "But apparently, this isn't the place."

Sarada shivered. "It's cold again…"

Give her your jacket.

But then I'll be cold—

I'll make it so you're warm.

Boruto frowned. …You can do that?

Yes.

Then why don't you just do it to Sarada?

The author sighed. You really are dense, aren't you?

I'm not dense, I'm practical.

Just give her your jacket.

Fine… Boruto looked over at Sarada. He narrowed his eyes. From this angle, she wouldn't even be able to see him take it off. Rolling his eyes at the notion, he took off his jacket and held it out in front of her.

"…Huh?"

"Here." This wasn't like the time where he did it of his own accord because that time, he was already warm, and he felt bad for her. This time, he hadn't seen her shiver enough to feel pitiful. And so he didn't particularly care about the delivery method.

"…I don't need it."

"What? You're shivering."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Your arms are shaking! I can see them! I'm not blind!"

"So what? That doesn't mean I'm cold."

Boruto sighed. "Just put it on."

"I will k-kindly refuse."

"Sarada," said Boruto, getting on his knees and towering over her. "Admit it. You're cold."

"I-I'm n-not c-cold!"

He blinked. How could she be so stubborn? Her speech wasn't even coming out properly. Just as Hebi had promised, he was starting to feel warm. Almost as if he was under a kotatsu. But she was cold, and Hebi refused to make her warm. What if she got hypothermia? How was he supposed to complete the mission then?

He was going to make her wear this jacket if it was the last thing he did.

"Sit still."

"Wha—Boruto!"

Taking the jacket by the shoulder seams, he shifted his weight to his knees and wrapped it around her. When he sat back down, his hands were still gripping the fabric of the jacket collar. "Put your arms in."

She looked away.

"Sarada."

Glancing back out of the corner of her eye, she slowly put her arms through the arm sleeves. "I-I'm s-still c-cold."

He narrowed his eyes. This was your plan all along, wasn't it.

I am the author, after all, laughed Hebi. Now, what will you do? The girl you like is shivering, but you're as warm as a heater. What a predicament.

I hope this isn't the place you had in mind to finish the mission.

'Tis not good sir, 'tis not. Please hold off until the proper location has been revealed.

Boruto was about to respond mentally when something small tucked itself into his chest. He looked down. "…Sarada?"

"W-why… are y-you s-so w-warm…"

Her positioning looked far from comfortable. Her neck was folded at an awkward angle as it rested against his chest, her back leaned over like a shrimp. A good bit of blush dusting his cheeks, Boruto decided it couldn't be helped. She was shaking like a leaf.

Pulling her into his lap, he wrapped his arms around her, allowing her head to rest in the crook of his neck, her legs folding over his arm. "Better?"

She snuggled down into his shirt. "Mmm."

He looked everywhere but down, trying to find something to focus on. But there was nothing. I hope you're happy, he thought to Hebi as he settled for the view of endless sand, his cheeks still pink.

Very.

"Sarada…"

"Hmm?"

"About that thing you wanted to tell me earlier…"

"Ah, that?"

He couldn't help his curiosity. What if she beat him to it? "I was just wondering what it was."

Sarada tucked her knees into her chin, curling into a ball in Boruto's lap. "I was thinking… Is this mission really worth it? I died, you almost died, Mitsuki almost died, Kakashi almost died… Boruto… I don't think you should bother with Hebi anymore."

He smiled, resting his cheek against her head. "Hebi is the one who's been saving us this whole time… I feel like it would be wrong not to complete it."

"But still…"

"Don't worry," he said, "once it's all over, everything will go back to normal."

"…Normal?"

"Normal. We can go eat at Kaminari burger with Mitsuki, I'll ask your dad to train me, and you can go visit mine whenever you feel like it."

"…You knew about that?"

"It seems you go to see him more than I do," laughed Boruto. "I'm kinda pathetic, don't you think?"

She reciprocated his laughter and returned it. "You're just now realizing that?"

Suddenly, Hebi's voice interrupted his prepared response. I'm going to open a space time portal for you now. Make sure you take her through it with you.

He gently shifted and placed one arm under the backs of her knees, the other against her shoulders. "I knew it from the start," he said as he stood to his feet, her body lighter than a feather in his arms. "I just didn't want to accept it."

"Boruto?! What are you doing? Put me down…"

"If I do that, you'll get cold. I'll put you down once we're on the other side."

Her cheeks were flushed as she glanced up at him. "…On the other side of what?"

The portal opened. "That."