Chapter 18:

Days passed, something Boruto only knew in his windowless cell because of the meals he received, and he hadn't seen anyone other than the guard delivering their food enter their prison.

Boruto knew his father wouldn't leave him in such a place, but he hadn't visited either. He assumed it was because he wasn't allowed. Nevertheless, Boruto knew his father was trying to find a way to free him. Perhaps that was why he hadn't seen him. The guard said Naruto was there begging the king for Boruto's release, but Boruto wasn't sure if that was a lie or not.

He could have sworn he was losing weight but only a couple of pounds. According to his cellmate, he didn't look any thinner.

At some point between meals, the door opened and a guard came in and stood in the doorway. Naruto looked at him then focused his gaze on the man's knees, knowing they often took his innocent glances as a type of challenge. The man stood in the doorway for a while then moved to one side and another pair of legs entered. The thin legs of a child.

Boruto lifted his gaze and gave a small gasp, recognizing the newcomer as the boy he injured on the field. The soldier's son.

The boy still had a bandage on his head which made Boruto feel even more guilty.

"My son has something to say to you," the soldier said sternly.

Boruto remained silent but kept his eyes in their direction.

The boy looked at Boruto in the cell for a long time without a word. He started to walk closer but his father's hand kept him from straying too far. He looked up at him, saying, "Dad, can I have a word with him alone, please?"

The man shook his head. "Say it here with me watching."

"Please, Dad? It's personal. I need to do it alone."

The man reluctantly stepped out into the hall. "Shout if you need me. I'll be right here."

"Thanks, Dad."

The man kept the heavy door open a crack but the boy pushed it closed and stepped closer to Boruto's cell for a private conversation.

The boy put his hands on the bars, peering through them for a better look at the one inside. "You're just a kid like me."

Boruto was only mildly offended at being called a child, considering who it was coming from.

After an ephemeral silence between them, Boruto asked the boy if he was alright. "How's your head?"

The boy smiled and peeled back the bandage with his fingers to show him. "I got eight stitches. I hope it leaves a scar. It'll look cool."

This child was so innocent. Perhaps he was comfortable talking to him because they were so close in age. If he had been an adult, the boy might have been frightened and unwilling to be alone with him. Perhaps that was why the boy studied him for so long in the doorway, surprised to find a child in the cell.

"I'm sorry," Boruto told him. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Anyone."

The boy smoothed the bandage over his head, his smile fading. "Why'd you do it?" he asked. He didn't sound accusatory. He just wanted to know.

Boruto pressed his knees to his chest in the back of his cell, wanting to explain his motives to the boy but afraid of what he'd think of him. He knew now that it was stupid and reckless on his part and was kicking himself for not seeing it sooner. If he had, he could have prevented all this.

"The king wanted something impossible from my dad. They met in that area to talk about it. When my dad said he couldn't do what the king wanted, the king said he'd declare war on our village. I thought if I could scare the king with some explosives, he'd go away and wouldn't do it."

The boy rested his chin on the bars. "Soldiers are supposed to be brave. They wouldn't run from danger. And if the king was scared or felt threatened, my dad and the rest of the soldiers would run towards the explosions."

"I know. It was stupid. I should have seen that," said Boruto. "But the explosives were supposed to go off in the distance. I didn't think you'd park your caravan so close to them. I didn't have time to get rid of them before they went off."

"My dad says they sometimes do things differently to throw off assassins. It's not your fault you didn't know."

"I didn't think they'd have a kid with them, either," said Boruto earnestly. "I was just trying to scare them. I never meant to let someone innocent like you get hurt. I'm so sorry."

The boy pulled his face away from the bars, but remained rooted to the spot, still holding the bars with both hands. "You're a ninja, right? But you're only a couple years older than I am, aren't you?"

Boruto didn't answer.

"I admire my dad so much because he's a soldier. I think it's cool and want to be just like him. I ask him all the time to take me with him on assignments. I tell him I can help. He never takes me. I've gotten a tour of the palace, but never left the city. Not until that day. I begged and begged him. He said since it was only a minor thing, he'd let me come, saying it'd be a lot of standing around. It was boring. I wanted something to happen. Then the explosions happened and… Well, I don't think my dad will let me come along anymore."

"I'm sorry," Boruto told him.

The boy smiled bittersweetly at him. "He told me that on assignment, you have to be ready for anything. I guess he was right. But what happened didn't scare me. I still want to be a soldier like my dad. And even though I got hurt, I still saw some action. Now I know what it'd be like when it happens for real."

Boruto stood up, but stayed at the back of his cell. "Aren't you mad at me? I know the guards are. Your dad and all the soldiers…"

"You didn't mean it. And you said you were sorry."

Boruto shook his head in disbelief. "When I said that to the guards, they didn't care. No matter how many times I apologized, they still look at me like I'm the worst person in the world. They don't accept my apology, no matter how much I mean it."

"Adults are stubborn and stupid," said the boy. "I know you didn't mean it. That's why it hurts you so much."

It felt like ice had filled Boruto's lungs. His breathing grew sharp as he realized the boy was right. He was in so much pain because he knew he messed up. He had almost killed an innocent kid and it was all his fault. Aside from his guilt, the only thing more painful was having everyone around look at him like he was a monster. He was sorry and nobody seemed to believe him.

"I know how the king can be. Our city's prosperous and I love living here, but my dad complains about the king all the time. I asked him once why he works for the king if he feels this way… And he said because he's not working for the king so much as he's working to keep us safe. Becoming a soldier was his way to do that. Part of his job just happens to be doing what the king says."

The boy stuck his nose through the bars to make sure Boruto could hear him. When his forehead brushed the bar above, he pulled back slightly without wincing.

"My dad's had to do things he didn't want to because of orders. Ninja probably have to do it, too."

"But I wasn't under orders," Boruto said. "What I did was my own actions and…"

"You did what you thought was right. You were trying to help. But sometimes adults have plans they keep secret so you don't have to. That's probably why Dad does what he's told, even if he doesn't want to. And when I grow up and become a soldier, I'll think of this and know that my best intentions could be poorly executed."

Boruto moaned, knowing he had become a cautionary tale.

"I get it," said the boy. "Soldiers and shinobi are similar. We do the assignments we're given and sometimes our leaders make decisions we have a problem with and want to take matters into our own hands. You and I are similar. I get it."

"What's your point?"

The boy smiled faintly at Boruto. "I forgive you."

Boruto didn't know how much he needed to hear those words until now. It melted the ice in his lungs and he could breathe again.

The boy reached through the bars with his hand. "I'm not mad at you. And maybe if they see that I'm not mad, the soldiers won't be either." He smiled. "I'm Sota, by the way."

Boruto stepped closer and shook his hand. "Boruto."

The door opened and the soldier pulled Sota away from the bars. "Dad, everything's fine," he protested. "You don't have to-"

"No," said the soldier. "The shinobi leader's back again. I have to get into position. I'm taking you home."

Boruto's eyes widened. His father was back again? Did this mean they had a solution or was this more talking?

"Dad, can't I-"

"You need to go home to your mother and she'll look after you. I need to get ready. The king may need me. Let's go, son."

Sota was quickly pulled out of the room and the door was locked behind them, leaving Boruto standing anxiously in his cell.

"This is a colossal gamble, Naruto," Shikamaru said from the corner of his mouth. "A number of things can go wrong here."

"We're trying this," Naruto hissed.

They were brought before the king for a second time and undoubtedly expected to have something new to say. Unfortunately, they would be repeating themselves once more.

On the long train ride back, Naruto and Shikamaru finalized their plan. Shikamaru was normally confident in his strategies but this was one he had serious doubts about no matter the direction. Every mission had its risks and were prepared to deal with that. However, there was a lot more at stake with this one. Naruto's idea was riddled with holes Shikamaru tried frantically to patch up. Even when it seemed solid enough, there was just something about it that made him worry it was going to sink.

Shikamaru began to wonder if there was something wrong with him. Was his cat transformation messing with his mind? Was that why he felt like he was missing something? Naruto said he didn't notice a difference but Shikamaru had a sense of unease that wouldn't go away.

Naruto tended to have a way to get through to most people that Shikamaru didn't possess, so he agreed to let Naruto try things his way. After all, Shikamaru's strategies meant nothing if his opponent never made a move.

The king entered the throne room and sat at the top of the platform as before. Once seated comfortably in his throne, he addressed the two shinobi. "I trust you have things sorted?"

Naruto nodded and stepped forward, stopping when warned by the guards to do so. "There is a way to get Kai back."

"Go on."

"After a lot of research and questioning and sleuthing and traveling and just about everything else, we discovered that there is only one way to get Kai back. He must go to a certain location."

Naruto made sure not to give the real reason or the real location, unwilling to let anyone find out about the cat spirits or their home. So, though he didn't consider it a complete lie, Naruto decided to tell the king only enough and withhold what was too dangerous to reveal.

"There's a land with healing properties. If we take the donkey there, Kai will be cured. We can go there anytime and do this."

Shikamaru held his breath, knowing everything relied on the king's answer. If he didn't agree, they would have to go with the bigger gamble.

The king sat back in his chair with an annoyed sigh, resting his chin on his knuckles. "Did I not tell you the last time you stood before me that it had to be done here before my very eyes?"

Naruto tried to make him understand. "It's the land itself that can do this. The donkey must be taken there for this-"

"Find another way."

"This is the only way."

"Find another way."

Naruto clenched his jaw. "It's the only way. Your Majesty, unless he goes to this location we discovered, it's not happening. It's the only possible way."

"Find another way," the king enunciated. "If you truly love your son, you will find another way."

Clenching his fists Naruto took one step closer, ignoring the guards' warnings. "I knew it. I knew you were keeping him because you thought I'd try harder. But don't you see? I am trying my best and I still can't. Even with my son's life on the line, I cannot do it. Not because I don't want to but because I can't. Please, see reason."

"You will find another way or you don't care about your son as much as you claim."

"I can't lasso a cloud either, but caring has nothing to do with that. It's just not possible. Even to get my son back, I can't do what I can't do. You have to understand and accept that. Please."

The king scoffed and shifted to the other side of his chair. "Unless it is done the way I wish it, it's not happening."

"If you want to see it happen, then come with us. I offered that already."

"No," said the king, pointing at the ground. "It is done here or nowhere."

"For the love of… How can one person be so stubborn?" Naruto snarled. "You're asking me to do a job and when I tell you I can only under certain conditions, you won't allow it. Either you want it done or you don't."

"I want it done a certain way."

"I get that, but it's like telling me to run out into the rain and not get wet and refusing to allow me to use an umbrella. I mean, come on!"

The king shrugged. "Why do you insist on wasting my time? Get it done or…"

"You're wasting our time if-"

"It must be done as I said or not at all," the king said angrily. "Unless you are to do it the way I instructed, don't come back at all."

Naruto opened his mouth to retort when the door was pushed open and a soldier came in panting. "Your Majesty, about the men you sent to the Leaf to find better leverage…"

Naruto and Shikamaru spun in the soldier's direction with a gasp, horrified.

The king had sent men to the Leaf to collect more shinobi? Was this a goose chase just so he could go into the Leaf without the Hokage there? Did he not think Boruto would be enough?

As the king reprimanded the soldier for his interruption, Naruto went to Shikamaru's side to discuss.

"We know he was looking for the other shinobi involved," said Shikamaru. "He must have gone to the village to collect Sarada and Mitsuki."

"Without us there? He had no right."

"I know," said Shikamaru. "He said he was willing to let it go, but his anger's making him go back on his word. Which he can't do without repercussions. After all, he invaded a shinobi village. It makes him look untrustworthy if he says he won't do something during a meeting and then does it, especially if he's a king."

"Well, clearly this guy doesn't care if he looks bad or not." Naruto glanced sideways at the king barking orders at the man who came to give his report of what took place at the village.

"All this proves, Naruto, is that he can't be trusted." Shikamaru leaned closer. "He went to the Leaf knowing we wouldn't be there. But our people can handle themselves. We can use this, though. We can use his actions in our negotiation."

"You just said he can't be trusted."

"We'll tell him that. You tell him that his actions make it hard for us to do business with him. How will you know your cooperation will lead to Boruto's safe return? If this is important to the king, he could change his mind."

"You said 'could' not 'would', so there's a chance he won't."

Shikamaru bit his lip. "We still don't know why the king's doing this. We know there is a third party but we don't know what the king was promised in exchange. We left before we could discover anything. There are too many unknown variables. And you've seen how this king can be. He says he cares then he doesn't."

"Then what are we doing?"

"I still say we use this to our advantage. Tell him what I told you. See if there's a chance he'll change his mind. If he doesn't…"

Wasting no more time, Naruto stepped towards the king, doing as Shikamaru instructed. "You sent men to my village after promising not to. How can I trust you'll keep your word?"

"Why should I trust you?" the king retorted. "The last time I did, rocks rained from the sky."

Naruto didn't know how to argue this. However… "The people in the village didn't know about our meetings. They're innocent."

"There are still two shinobi in your village who were here before."

"You said you were willing to forget about them."

"That was until the attack. You shinobi prove time and again that you can't be trusted."

"Yet you're asking me to do something for you." That wasn't a question, though his motives were questionable.

The king scoffed and sat back in his chair. "You failed to deliver, wasted my time and tried to sell me a song and dance when I was expecting more. As far as I'm concerned, you gave me reason to go to your village."

"You show up unannounced and start trying to gather children off the street saying it's official business and get upset when the adults try to defend them? From their perspective, you look like kidnappers. You can't blame them for fighting back."

"The more time you waste, the more action I must take," said the king. "If this boy of yours isn't worthy of rescuing, then I will find a better prize. I'm still cross about the other two, and now I'm cross about the actions of your people. The audacity of it all."

"Again, you came to the village and started snatching up children. They know nothing of what's going on between us. How else do you expect them to..?"

"Your people did something to my men. They came back emptyhanded. I will not take this sitting down. And just how much longer are you going to have your child wait? How many more people are going to suffer because of your indecision? Your insubordination?"

This king was unbelievable. He wouldn't see reason and made it Naruto's fault. He sent his men to invade a village and sought revenge when they defended themselves, not knowing what was going on.

Shikamaru was right. Being away from the village for too long would cause problems. He was also right that their people could look after themselves if danger struck. However, the Hokage was the one to rally them together. He decided what actions they would take. His people could not declare war but without a leader to help curb their anger and instruct them, there was little stopping them from taking matters into their own hands. If Boruto's actions were any indication of what course it could take, Naruto was unwilling to allow that. It would only make things worse.

He could send a clone back to the village to help defend it, but the moment his kitsune abilities came into play, the clone would vanish. He couldn't combine his kitsune powers with his shinobi jutsu. Plus, eventually, his clone would vanish. Sooner if it was struck with an attack.

If he went back to the village now, what would happen to Boruto? This king was unpredictable, acting in accordance with his whims. He could kill Boruto if he thought Naruto abandoned him, even if that weren't the case. The king was already agitated that things were taking so long. If Naruto went back to the village, saying he was researching a solution, the king might not believe him and think he had simply given up. It would also indicate such a thing if his men came to the Leaf and saw Naruto among the people. They would surely report this to the king and then what?

As long as the king thought Naruto was doing his job, Boruto would be safe.

No, that was no longer true. The king sent his men to the Leaf because he thought Boruto wasn't good enough of a hostage. If he thought that, what was keeping him from harming his son?

Naruto couldn't see his condition. Shikamaru only heard his voice from the hallway and said he sounded well, unable to see him either. That was days ago.

The king was getting impatient. He would make rash decisions; actions he couldn't undo. If he killed Boruto, Naruto wouldn't have a reason to cooperate anymore, but he wouldn't have a son either. The village could be attacked. People could die. People who didn't know what was happening or why.

Naruto was the leader and a father. Everything relied on his judgement.

What kind of leader was the king and what kind of leader was Naruto?

Who were they?

Sound came back to Naruto's ears, unaware until now that the king had continued talking. He heard mention of the Leaf Village and Boruto, something about his men and Naruto. The king was making plans.

More running around only to come back to the same answer? More uncertainty? More of the king doing things that was ultimately making things worse for both sides? The better man should stop this, right?

"Wait!" Naruto said loudly, standing before the king's throne.

He couldn't see another way. He had to gamble.

"There is something I can bring to this spot and do it in front of you."

The king raised his brow. "Come again?"

Naruto inhaled slowly and spoke more clearly to the king. "There is a way to do it in front of you. I can bring Kai back, and it can be done wherever you want."

The king grinned. "There. Was that so hard?" he said sweetly, but his tone made Naruto's jaw ache from clenching it so hard.

"But you must let Boruto go and leave the Leaf in peace. No more of this invading or capturing or keeping prisoners. No going back on your word."

"Please. I only did that to make you moves faster. And I was right."

"Do we have a deal or not?" Naruto asked through his teeth.

"Yes, yes, deal."

"Promise?"

The king sighed and stood from his throne. "You have my word." He walked down the stairs from his throne to the polished floor and shook Naruto's hand to make it official. "I'll go make preparations."

Waiting until the king left, Shikamaru rushed to Naruto's side. "Are you kidding me? What was that?"

"I had to," said Naruto.

"Letting him have his way like that is not-"

"We both agreed that if he didn't see reason, we'd gamble."

Shikamaru rubbed his forehead, stressed. "I don't like this, Naruto. I have a bad feeling."

"What else could I do?"

Shikamaru whispered into Naruto's ear, "If the king finds out it's a trick and he will…"

"We talked about it, Shikamaru and I get it." He gave his friend a bittersweet smile. "But the village shouldn't have to suffer because of me."

He wasn't doing it because it was easy or quick. He was doing it because he didn't want anyone else to suffer. Naruto was doing it for noble reasons.

Overall, Shikamaru had to say that he was right. When it came to official business, they did do things the honest way, but they were shinobi and they were all about deception. They tricked enemies on missions all the time. They did anything they could to win. Whatever the mission called for them to do, that was what they'd do.

Then why did this feel wrong?