Chapter One

Boruto stirred in the sheets. Perspiration on his forehead, and distant memories clouding his thoughts. Memories from a past filled with turmoil and darkness and hatred. It was all over now. Long over - had been for four years at this point - but the memories were as vivid as ever. Like it'd just happened yesterday. Thus, he couldn't stop the cool shiver that ran along his spine. Nor the gasp for air that spilled from his mouth. Nor the shaking that plagued his hands.

He lay there like that for about a minute. Just staring at the ceiling.

It wasn't until the sleeping form next to him began to stir that he calmed down. Until he felt her hand grasp his own beneath the sheets and hold it tightly.

"Memories again?" Sarada asked him, her voice thick from sleep.

"Mmhmm. I'm sorry for waking you."

"Don't be," she whispered. She snuggled closer to him. "Don't ever be."

"Tomorrow... Er, today, is big for us. We need rest. You especially."

"We're together. We'll be alright, no matter what. Like always. Now, stop worrying. And that's an order."

Sarada's words were comforting. They always were. But Boruto hated the feeling of being a nuisance to her. Truth be told, Boruto was just not a good sleeper. It'd been that way since... Since Momoshiki. Since coming back. It was like he wasn't suited for sleep. His mind was too restless. He woke up from the faintest of disturbances. He had nightmares too often - unreal nightmares, memories from the past, and strange visions of future possibilities.

He turned in the bed to face Sarada, pressing his forehead against hers. A smile spread on his face. "Yes ma'am."

She took his hand and pressed it to her heart. Then took her own hand, and pressed it against his heart.

"Do you feel that?" She asked him.

"Your heart."

"No, idiot - our hearts. They're beating in sync."

Boruto paid attention to the rhythmic thumping in her chest. Realization washed over him as he discovered Sarada was right again. Their heartbeats were thumping in synchronization, at the same rate and all. Together.

"How'd you notice that?"

"Just... A feeling," she said before planting a kiss on him. "Me and you have always had a special connection."

He ran his fingers along her neck and face. Her skin always seemed so soft beneath his touch. So smooth and perfect and right. "What does it mean? That feeling."

"It means that we're meant to be together."

Boruto felt the same way. He knew what it meant to lose Sarada. To be separated from her due to circumstances outside his control. And that experience was horrifying. It was empty and broken and lost.

A thought ran through his head.

"My mom said that," he started, trying to find the right words. It was a partly embarrassing memory. "When we were little babies, I would always stop crying whenever you were there with me."

They both chuckled at the thought. Boruto blushed himself. It was more than partly embarrassing. It was very embarrassing. But he still enjoyed the thought. "She said that I could be crying non-stop, but if Sakura brought you around to play with me, I'd get happy."

"You're such an idiot," Sarada said between her wide grin. She kissed Boruto on the nose, and her eyes peered into his. "But you're my idiot."

"Yes, ma'am, I am. Yours forever."

Boruto wrapped an arm around her and brought her close. Their bodies pressed together beneath the sheets. Heat and comfort, the only thing between them. So close and so so perfect; they were two beings that'd become one. And still, it was not close enough. When Boruto ran a hand between her legs, Sarada let out a sigh - and he caught it with a searing kiss that stole his own breath.

He couldn't ever get enough of Sarada. And didn't want to.

As though he were afraid of losing her, Boruto couldn't help his ever-tightening grip on her thighs.

I should've slept on the couch, Boruto considered. Tomorrow - er, today - is a big day, and they both needed sleep. He should've known sleeping in bed with her would only provoke his inner desire for Sarada; and it was an all-consuming need. The kind that always erupted for Sarada these days.

"Did you put me in a genjutsu?" He asked breathlessly, planting kisses along her neck and collarbone. He found her taste addicting, like he always did. Her smell, her feel. All of her. "Why am I under your spell?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Sarada said, her voice a mixture of whisper and moan.

In that moment, Boruto wanted for absolutely nothing else but Sarada. And yet, he felt her begin to push away. Slide out from under him.

"Please, Sarada - just one time tonight," he found himself practically begging and hoping.

"I know," she answered, her own voice dripping with desire and need. "But we have to get up early tomorrow, Boruto."

Boruto groaned in pain. Of course, he knew that she was right. Rationally speaking, Boruto agreed with her. It was the wise thing to do. Especially since, if they started now, they'd probably keep going at it for the rest of the night like two insatiable gluttons. But physically, Boruto's body wailed in disagreement. It was some mixture of physical and emotional torture to be denied Sarada at this stage. Boruto had suffered through a lot in his years, but moments like this were the worst.

"Alright," Boruto conceded.

They stayed there for several more minutes. Just gazing into each other's eyes. Hands lightly touching one another, and soft kisses being planted on one another. Then finally, Sarada turned in the bed, her back facing Boruto. She wiggled her way close again until her body was buried up against Boruto's. Then she took his arm and draped it over her body, as though she were putting on some protective seatbelt. Boruto let his hand travel up Sarada's chest. He didn't intend for it to be sexual, but he felt the slight jump in Sarada as she reacted to his touch. He heard the slight moan.

They lay there for another few minutes, during which Boruto took note of their heartbeats. And again, they were synchronized, the both of them thumping softly at the same time.

"I love you, Sarada," Boruto whispered as he placed a kiss onto her shoulder.

She squeezed his hand. "I love you, Boruto."


Early that morning, Sarada found herself in the kitchen. She still wasn't quite as good as her mom, but she'd put together a nice little breakfast for her and Boruto. A simple one. Rice, egg and chicken. She made two bowls of the meal.

It's not his favorite, but... He'll love it.

She heard his footsteps approach from the other end of the kitchen.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she greeted Boruto. "Sit down."

"It smells good," he complimented.

Sarada turned to him with a bowl in each hand. He still wore his plain white t-shirt, but now he had sweatpants. And his hair hung disheveled over his face, in that cute way it always did every time he got up early. She watched him maneuver his way onto the bar stool at the counter, her eyes glued to him the entire time. Sarada could tell that he was still a bit nervous for the coming day. One skill she'd learned a long, long time ago, was how to read Boruto like a book. Right now, that book was giving telltale signs that he was worried.

She placed their bowls down at the counter.

"Stop worrying so much," she told him as she made for the refrigerator. She found a carton of orange juice, then dug around in the cabinet for a pair of cups.

"Is it that easy to tell?"

"It always is with you, silly. You'll be alright. We'll both be."

"I don't want to mess up," he told her. "You know I'm not as, uh... Skilled as I used to be. At talking with others and stuff."

Sarada poured them both something to drink, then found two sets of chopsticks and joined him at the counter, taking the seat across from him. She rested her chin on her palm. "That's all... In the past. Everyone's recognized you, Boruto. You're important to this village - and not just because of your dad."

He didn't seem convinced. But he dug into his food anyway.

"Mh, this is good, Sarada."

"Don't talk with your mouth full."

"How many times are you gonna tell me that?"

"As many as it takes to get it through your thick skull," She answered.

This was probably her favorite part of the day, truth be told. Eating breakfast with her Boruto. Just the two of them, sharing a meal and getting ready for the day. Or... Maybe nighttime was her favorite part of the day. Bedtime. Getting into the sheets with him and holding him close. The thought made Sarada blush.

"C'mon, Sarada. I'm not that handsome," Boruto joked.

Of course he noticed her blush. He noticed everything about her; just like she did about hi.

"You're right," Sarada joked back. "You're not that handsome."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes," Sarada lied. Yes - she did find him that handsome, and he knew it. "But you make up for it in other ways.

He wolfed down a mouthful of rice. Then shoved another mouthful between his lips. "What ways are those?" He asked, his mouth filled with food.

Sarada swallowed down a wad of rice and egg. "Hmmm. Well, you're caring. And kind. And you don't ever lie. Not to me, anyways."

He seemed to consider her words a moment. His cheeks were red from blushing. "I don't, do I? Maybe I should start. That'll get me out of trouble."

"I can read you like a book, Boruto. You can't lie to me."

"Hmph." He reached across the table and grabbed her hand. Caressed her knuckles with his thumb. "And I'd never consider it."

They ate in silence after that. Though neither said much, they still communicated with each other. It was that same non-verbal communication they'd developed long ago. A glance into the eyes, a subtle grin or smile, a raise in the eyebrows. It all conveyed a level of understanding that went deeper than even the closest bonds. Sarada felt whole when she was with Boruto. And she knew that it was the same for him with her.

Sarada reached across the table with her napkin and wiped food from his mouth. "You're so greedy," Sarada mumbled. "Didn't your mom teach you some manners."

"She did," he smiled. "But something tells me you don't mind."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes, Princess Uchiha," he gave her his disarming grin.

Sarada blushed herself this time, as though she were 13 years old again. Boruto had given her that nickname a long time ago. And to this day, she still found it charming. She glanced down at her empty bowl.

"I'm not a princess."

"You are to me. And, I promised your dad I'd always treat you as such." Boruto stood from his seat. "Still almost got me killed."

"He didn't almost kill you, Boruto! You're always over-exaggerating that story!"

"Yes he did - you saw his eyes, Sarada; I thought I was dead!"

Sarada laughed. "He can't kill you with his eyes, stupid."

"That's what you think," he said. "Your dad still scares me. Way more than my old man ever did."

"Well then," Sarada stood herself and checked the clock. "You'd better put some real clothes on. I don't plan on being late."

That got Boruto to hurry and put his dishes away to go get dressed.

Sarada felt a bit giddy herself. Today was their joint interview session. Both of them had been selected to join the Land of Fire's new Security Committee. Or rather, Sarada had - and she'd been allowed to choose someone to work as her assistant. They'd given her that choice - but in all reality, it hadn't been a choice at all. There was only one person Sarada had ever even considered, and that person was Boruto. This was a major step for the both of them; a major step toward their dreams and lifelong goals.

One day, they would make their way into the Hokage's Office. One day, the Leaf Village - and the greater Land of Fire - would be theirs to serve and protect together. There was nobody Sarada would rather share that with than Boruto.