XxX
"Oh em GEE YOU GUYS KISSED!"
"Hima, shut up." Boruto whined, mashing buttons on his Xbox controller. "Don't talk to me."
They were back at their house that night after dinner at the Uchiha's, and somehow Himawari managed to get Boruto to spill the beans. He didn't know how, but she just had a way of making anyone confess their darkest secrets. He literally could not keep a single thing from her, it was irritating.
"I told you you would! I told you, I told you, I told you–" Himawari pranced around his room with a sing-song voice. She then gasped and stopped in her tracks, cupping a hand over her ears. "Are those wedding bells I hear?"
Boruto glared daggers and chucked the pillow at her. She laughed hysterically as she dodged it, then grabbed it from the ground and flung it back at him. He blocked it with his foot, jumping to his feet and grabbed Himawari by her waist. She screamed as he threw her onto his bed and began beating her with his pillows.
"Okay, okay, okay, truce! Truce!" She begged, laughter falling in between each word. Boruto cackled as he let her free, and she huffed. "You're so much stronger than me, it's not fair!"
"Shoulda stayed in those martial arts classes!" He said. Himawari frowned and threw a kick at him, which he dodged with ease. She tried a forward thrust flat palm, but Boruto deflected it and sent the same move right back into her stomach. She yelped.
"I'm gonna beat you!"
"I'd like to see you try!" He dodged every one of her attacks, occasionally retaliating, but honestly he was having too much fun playing around with her. He attributed part of his great mood to it having been a good day, the other part to because of Sarada. He still didn't know how he felt about relationships, definitely still had a lot of insecurities and toxic traits...but, there was something telling him to move forward. To become better. To work on himself.
So, he supposed trying it out with Sarada couldn't hurt.
XxX
With Christmas now passed, Boruto's birthday was on Tuesday. In only one day he would be sixteen.
He didn't have any set plans, maybe hang out with Shikadai and Mitsuki, but honestly he wasn't feeling up to a huge party like he usually would've been, which was strange. Sixteen was a once in a lifetime chance, and Boruto didn't feel like fully grasping it.
"Boruto," Shikadai whined over Xbox Live that day. "What happened with you and Chocho? She's been complaining to me all day. Just suck it up and fix it."
"I don't have to do anything." Boruto snapped back.
"Boruto please, she's complaining to me too and it's starting to drive me crazy." Inojin pleaded on the other side of the mic.
"Wait, Boruto, you and Chocho are done? Can a bro swoop?" Iwabee said.
"Iwabee, that's against the bro code!" Denki shouted into his mic.
"You don't like her anymore?" Mitsuki asked next to him, even though he already knew everything. The group was playing Call of Duty; Boruto lazily splayed out on Mitsuki's lavish bed while eating sour candy. So far winter break had been so lukewarm. He groaned.
"A guy can only get bad head so many times." He scoffed. It wasn't true, but he needed them to get off his back about it somehow.
They all exclaimed disgust.
"Damn, there goes all my hopes and dreams!" Iwabee shouted. There was a clacking of the controller. "Boom, headshot!"
"Nice kill!" Denki exclaimed.
They were winning so far, but the team they were up against was holding strong. His friends seemed to drop the Chocho topic, so Boruto was grateful. If he even mentioned he and Sarada were kind of a thing now, no one would take it seriously. They'd all just think it was one big joke, that Boruto was playing to prove that he could get an Uchiha. So it was a disaster no matter which way he looked at it. Mitsuki already had a good idea what was going on, then the next best person to tell would be Shikadai. But on Xbox Live with everyone at the same time? No way. If no one asked, Boruto would never tell.
"Oh, Inojin, you and Himawari get it on yet?" Iwabee cackled. Boruto scowled.
"Bro, that's my little sister. Disrespect."
"No!" Inojin screeched into his mic. "Boruto ignore him."
Iwabee was laughing hysterically. Boruto didn't find it funny. Only he could personally make fun of his sister all he wanted, but if anyone else did, he would chop their arm off. Mitsuki cast him a side glance and muted his mic.
"You're sensitive today. What's wrong?"
Boruto muted his mic as well. "I'm going through an eighth life crisis." he grumbled. Mitsuki smiled coolly as ever.
"If you say so."
"Aye, Boruto, we're hanging out tomorrow." Shikadai said. "Even if it's a drag to deal with you all day my dad wants to take us out to dinner."
Boruto unmuted his mic. "Better be a lot of food there!"
"Sweet. I'll let him know."
"Oh yeah, isn't tomorrow Boruto's–" Denki started to say, but Iwabee cut him off.
"Oh darn looks like you just got shot!"
"What? Why did you shoot me you idiot?!"
Boruto gave Mitsuki a weird look. He simply kept a smile on his face and blinked in response.
The next day, Boruto slept in and woke up in considerably a better mood. It was officially his birthday! He was going to open his presents, go get his official license, then hang out with Shikadai and the Nara family. It would be a nice, peaceful, enjoyable birthday.
Or, so he thought.
"Happy birthday big brother!" Himawari shouted, bursting into his room. He screamed as she jumped on top of him, smashing a palm full of whipping cream into his face.
"Hima!" He wiped it off his face and chased her out into the hallway. She was giggling profusely, practically jumping down the staircase, where the lights suddenly flipped on, revealing all his family in the kitchen with party hats, cake, streamers hanging from the ceiling, balloons, and confetti poppers.
"Surprise!" Everyone shouted, and Boruto stood there dumbfounded. He heard the snapping cameras, then Himawari smashed more whip cream into his face. Everyone laughed loudly while Boruto sighed, though he couldn't help but smile. He grinned deviously and put his sister in a headlock before slapping it back in her face. She squealed in protest while Boruto got his revenge.
Once he washed his face, styled his hair, and got dressed, he went downstairs to greet everyone. His grandpa Minato and grandma Kushina were there, godfather Jiraiya, uncle Neji and wife Tenten, aunt Hanabi, grandpa and grandma Hyuuga, family friends Kakashi and Yamato, Naruto's previous protege Konohamaru and his grandpa Sarutobi, Moegi, Udon, and Gaara and his adopted son, Shinki.
"Grandpa!" Boruto shouted. Minato hugged his grandson tightly. "I can't believe it! When did you get back?"
"Just yesterday, we wanted it to be a surprise." He said. Boruto's eyes glistened with inspiration. His grandparents were such badasses. They were in their late fifties, but still looked like they hadn't aged a day past thirty. They traveled around the world as environmentalists and were often busy so it was rare for them to be home.
"How long are you staying?" Boruto asked.
"Just for a couple days. Then we have to get back to work." Kushina said. Boruto frowned, then looked to his godfather Jiraiya. He was a badass; he was an infantry rifleman in the Marines, so he was rarely home as well. But if there was a family member Boruto had to pick he was closest with, it would be Jiraiya.
"What about you?" He asked.
"I'm on call for now." Jiraiya grinned with a thumbs up. "So I could possibly never go back!"
"I wish!" Boruto agreed. "I hate when you go. My dad isn't even half as cool as you."
They all laughed, and he made his way around each family member. He chattered to his uncle Neji mindlessly, while Tenten kept her hand on her belly. She was due within the next few months. They knew the gender, but still hadn't picked a name out. Neji worked as an electrical technician on airplanes and ships. He had been working on planes as a hobby ever since he was in his teens, Tenten often told him and Himawari stories of how when they were dating he spent more time with his planes than her, so everyone always teased that he was dating his airships.
It was always a fun story to hear, and finally Boruto made his way to Gaara and Shinki. They weren't family, but Boruto's mother had told him the story of when Naruto and Gaara were teens how he saved his life. Gaara had been in a dark place when his parents died, and Naruto didn't give up on him. Now, they were both lawyers and state representatives. So for Gaara to drive all the way here meant a lot to him. He'd adopted Shinki when he was a toddler after being abandoned in a foster home. He and Boruto had been close since the first day they met. It was unfortunate they lived in different states, but Boruto was always happy to go visit when they had the chance.
Boruto's chest felt warm and comfy the entire morning, and they had a large breakfast and he opened presents. Himawari handed him each present cheerfully, and he opened them with much vigor. There was one huge box that Boruto couldn't wait to open! Himawari handed it to him happily.
"That ones huge!" Hanabi exclaimed. She glared at her sister. "You spoil your kids too much!"
Hinata chuckled sheepishly while Naruto only grinned. "Our kids work hard, they deserve it!"
Boruto quickly tore the wrapping paper off, opening the box, inside, was another box that was wrapped. He pulled it out and looked at his parents confused. Naruto looked a little too proud of his practical joke. He cackled loudly.
"Go on, open it!"
Boruto gave him a grim expression and did so less enthusiastically. It carried on until the boxes got smaller, and smaller, and smaller, and Boruto was convinced at this point he was going to get a grain of rice. Unbeknownst to him, the present was in the last box he was refusing to open.
"Dad, this is dumb!"
"No, just open it! I promise!" Naruto urged.
Boruto glared at him, tearing off the paper indignantly and opening the box. Inside, a pair of keys laid, and Boruto almost fainted. He quickly grabbed them.
"No way!"
"Go outside." Naruto said. Boruto and everyone scrambled out of the house, cameras ready, and he burst through the front door. In the driveway was parked a brand new, sleek black Mazda hatchback. He almost fell to his knees.
"No way!" He ran around the perimeter of the car. "This is awesome!"
Naruto grinned victoriously, meanwhile Jiraiya chuckled from behind him.
"How long you give him before he totals it?"
"Three months." Gaara said. Hinata laughed while Naruto folded his arms indignantly.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about, my son is a great driver!"
"Honey, you're not the one who practiced for his permit test with him." Hinata said with a smile. Naruto's mouth gaped open.
"Mom, can I drive it, pleaaase?" Boruto ran up to her and clasped his hands together. She shook her head.
"We can later, everyone's here to see you."
"We'll be fine here." Minato put his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "He's just a kid, let him go have fun with it."
"We need to get going anyway." Neji said. "Tenten has a doctor's appointment today."
"Boruto say bye to Neji before he leaves!" Hinata said. He quickly ran over to his uncle and gave him a hug.
"Thanks for coming!" He said. Neji smiled.
"Happy birthday. You're so lucky to have such good parents. Take care of them like they take care of you."
That statement didn't quite ring as nicely in Boruto's ears as it should've. His dad didn't take care of them, he was never home and when he was, he tried to parent like he knew what he was doing. Boruto understood that without his dad's hard work they wouldn't have all these nice things, but he didn't respect him. Naruto was a horrible dad and tried to make up for it by sending them chain letter emails or buying them nice things; like the car.
Boruto had fully expected a car for his birthday, in all honesty. His dad wouldn't let his ego be bruised by not getting his son something so extravagant. He was so ridiculous.
"Yeah, I will." He replied half hearted, and hugged Tenten goodbye. Once Boruto put his shoes on, Naruto grabbed the keys and begrudgingly Boruto went to the DMV with just the two of them while Hinata and Himawari stayed back to host.
The ride was silent, and Boruto couldn't fully enjoy his new car with his dad humming to some dumb oldies song. He was trying to look at all the modifications he could add, but Naruto started talking.
"The man of the house is sixteen." He said. Boruto rolled his eyes and slumped on his palm, resting on the window. "How does it feel?"
"Like nothing new. I'm still me."
"I remember when I turned sixteen. Sai, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, Neji, and Kiba all threw me a surprise party. It was almost better than my twenty-first birthday!" He cackled loudly. "But I was married to your mother then, so I had calmed down. Aren't you and Chocho boyfriend and girlfriend?"
If Boruto had been drinking anything, it definitely would have been sprayed all over the dashboard. He looked at him incredulously.
"No, we weren't ever dating."
"Really?" Naruto tilted his head. "At your age, there was this girl in my class. She reminds me a lot of Inojin's mom, Ino, and–"
Boruto tuned him out, yawning. He was itching to drive this car himself, he could tell that it had power and could really race. He couldn't wait to flaunt it to all his friends later and take it to the Sunday meetups. Mitsuki, Shikadai, Iwabee, and Inojin had already turned sixteen, so they had gotten their bragging rights already.
They got his license, and Boruto begged his dad to let him drive home. It was a manual shift, which Boruto wasn't too great at, but he knew the basics. Naruto was hesitant at first, but when Boruto peeled out of the driveway onto the freeway, Naruto definitely was clutching to the seat for dear life.
The only people left when they got back were his grandparents and Jiraiya. Boruto immediately ran to his room, getting on Xbox Live to see who was online. No one. Strange.
His phone started ringing moments later. It was Shikadai. Boruto answered fervently.
"You'll never guess what!"
"You got a car for your birthday."
"Yeah–! Wait, how'd you know?"
"Your dad is so predictable." Shikadai said. "So you gonna pull up now or what? My family will be waiting for you. And you know how my mom gets."
Boruto shuddered. "Alright, I'll be there in ten."
He grabbed a jacket, and flew down the stairs saying bye to everyone before dashing to the door. Right as he opened it, he stumbled into someone. Surprisingly, it was Sarada bundled up in a tan pea coat with a red scarf and earmuffs. She gasped, and quickly let go of him.
"S-Sorry!" She stuttered, and Boruto shook his head.
"Sarada!" He said, his mind still racing. He took a few breaths to come back to reality. He looked her up and down and closed the door behind him. "Wha–What are you doing here?"
"Um, sorry, I should've told you I was coming over, I just wanted to drop something off really quick." She held up a small gift bag. "And...you made me cookies, and got me that necklace, so I wanted to get you a birthday present."
Boruto's mind was finally relaxing just enough to register what was happening. Sarada got him a birthday present, and she looked really pretty. Her glasses were slightly foggy which made him smile, but then he remembered Christmas Eve. His face flushed red. They kissed four days ago. Right.
"Oh, wow, uh..." He took it from her. No girl had ever been this thoughtful before. It was...a strange feeling.
She smiled. "My uncle Itachi is taking us skiing, so this was the only time I could drop it off. I hope you like it."
Boruto took a hold of her wrist. She gasped and looked down at their contact. Boruto leaned forward and quickly kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you."
She blushed, a warm smile on her face. "See you later," She said, stepping down the porch and waving.
Boruto waved, watching her walk out of sight, then finally the cold caught up to him. He shivered and held on tighter to the gift bag. He didn't open it until he was in his car to keep prying eyes from seeing. A gift from Sarada, wow. He never imagined something could make him feel this way.
There was a small paper inside, it said Happy Sweet Sixteen, thank you for everything. -Sarada.
Boruto smiled then pulled out the gift.
Inside the small box was a stainless steel cross necklace. It was a dark charcoal color, and just the right size, not too chunky, but not extremely petite either.
Wow. Sarada was incredible. Boruto almost felt guilty that he hadn't texted her at all since they'd seen each other; he'd been so distracted with everything else. Sarada truly was so kind, she managed to leave him in awe on more occasions than one.
He wanted to spend more time with her...but she said she would be skiing all day with her family, and Boruto was going with Shikadai's family tonight. He sighed. There was a feeling in his chest he didn't recognize, but he knew Sarada had to be part of the cure. So tomorrow, he'd see her for sure.
He put the necklace on, and examined himself in his rear view mirror. It suited him perfectly. The thought, time, and effort Sarada must've put into picking this gift made his heart swell.
Besides driving leisurely to get to know his car (which would piss off Temari to no end from how long he was taking) Boruto wanted more time to think about Sarada. Her eyes, her hair, her laugh, her smile, her kindness, everything about her was just so enameling. Boruto had never felt this way before...or even allowed himself to like someone this much in a long time. It was crazy.
Pulling into the driveway, Shikadai opened the door, a frazzled expression on his face.
"About time, my mom was gonna kill me then you!"
Boruto laughed, locking his car then running inside.
XxX
The Nara's took him out to a teppanyaki, and all had fun catching food in their mouths and watching the chef cook right in front of him. Boruto was stuffed by the time they came back, and Shikadai pulled Boruto to the side.
"We're going to Mitsuki's. He wanted to throw you a tiny party just with the guys."
"Sweet!" Boruto and Shikadai hopped in his car, and while Boruto started the ignition, Shikadai admired the interior.
"Damn, this is a nice car."
"I know right. And just listen to the engine!"
"People will hear you from a mile away, that's for sure." Shikadai folded his arms, and Boruto pulled out of the driveway. Only a few times did he stall, but they got to Mitsuki's house with ease.
They walked up to the front door, and Shikadai didn't bother knocking. All the lights were off, then suddenly they all flipped on. Boruto jumped when tons of people jumped out and screamed, "Surprise!"
After his initial shock, Boruto glared at Shikadai. "A tiny party?"
He shrugged sheepishly, but Boruto definitely wasn't complaining. It had been quite a while since he'd let loose. Bring on the alcohol!
He was deep into a game of truth or shot when a hand touched his shoulder. He turned around to see Chocho with her hands on her hips indignantly. He choked on his tequila. When the hell did she get here?
"Boruto Uzumaki, you have a lot of explaining to do!"
"Oh god." He said, looking to Mitsuki and Shikadai for help, but Chocho dragged him by the shirt collar out of the circle. He quickly scrambled to his feet and ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, trying to distance himself as much as possible. He beelined toward Mitsuki's room, but she was hot on his heels.
"I can't believe you refuse to talk to me! Do you know how immature you're being about everything, I did so much for you and paid for everything! You just wanted me for a hookup didn't you?!"
"Yes, Chocho, you're right!" He threw his arms out. "What happened at your birthday party was supposed to be a one time thing, I never wanted it to be anything more. So please, for the love of God leave me alone, because whatever you thought this was, it's over." He may be drunk, but he would still hold his ground. Chocho clenched her fists.
"Then why didn't you tell me that sooner!"
"I did! But you're just not getting it in your head!" He said, exasperated.
"Who gave you that chain?" Chocho asked uncharacteristically quietly. Boruto scoffed.
"Why does it matter?" The sides were barely visible, but somehow girls noticed everything.
"Because all the times I went to your house I never saw that. And it's not something you'd buy for yourself. So who gave it to you? Another girl?"
"Stop with the insecurity, it's so damn annoying. If you didn't realize, it's my birthday, so I got it today as a gift."
"From who?"
"None of your business."
"From who?!"
"God–" Boruto's brain was about to explode. "Sarada, okay?"
"Sarada?" She sounded outraged to cover up her surprise. "So you really are hooking up with Sarada now."
"No–no." Boruto smacked a hand to his face. "That's not what it is."
"If you play her like you played me I'll be so mad! You better not hurt her because that's my best friend!"
Boruto deadpanned. Yeah, it was obvious how great of friends they were.
"I'm not playing her."
"Then why are you wearing it?"
"You know, that's a great question." Boruto was running out of patience. Besides, he didn't owe any explanation to her. He was wearing it because it was a thoughtful gift, and it was his style and he adored the girl. But he wasn't going to say that out loud.
He should've just lied and said it was from his mom.
"But does she mean nothing to you?" Chocho continued.
"What, no," He defended. No, of course she meant something to him, he wouldn't wear the necklace if she didn't. What kind of a question was that?
"Wow. Break my heart now you're going after my best friends'." Chocho looked on the verge of tears. "You're literally horrible. I should've never fallen for you."
She walked away, and Boruto was extremely confused. Chocho made no sense, and she actually had liked him? He always thought she was joking. And he swore she and Sarada weren't friends anymore for how much shit Chocho talked on her. He sighed. This is why he hated girl drama.
He tried to not let the rest of the night drag on, but with Chocho's looming presence in every corner of the room, it was hard to enjoy himself. When he asked Shikadai why she was here, he only shrugged.
"It was the only way to get her off my case about you. I told her we were throwing a surprise party and she demanded she be invited or she'd rat us out to our parents"
"She's literally insane." Boruto said. "I'm negative two tequila shots too sober for this. Come on."
A few shots and some songs later, Boruto, Mitsuki, and Iwabee were in a circle with other boys, Chocho, and a few other girls playing spin the bottle, kiss or tell edition. Boruto's luck with this game was legendary—not once had it ever landed on him in the existence of his partying days and it was iconic. Everyone who had been to a party with Boruto Uzumaki knew this, and people had always tried to break his streak but to no avail.
This specific game the bottle was spun, and whoever it landed on, they either had to kiss them or admit their crush. And for a bunch of fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen year olds, admitting a crush could either make or break their social lives. It was a big deal.
It was a girl's turn that Boruto didn't know, he was pretty sure her name was Ava, and Chocho was sure to send Boruto a glare before the bottle was spun. He smirked, knowing fully well it wouldn't land on him. As the bottle came to a slow stop, and the whole circle went dead silent. Boruto couldn't conceal his shock.
"Damn, they finally got you." Iwabee said from beside him. Boruto was speechless.
"Kiss or tell?" Chocho said cockily from the side of Ava. Like hell he'd ever kiss some random girl, but he couldn't get away with saying he didn't have a single crush. Absolutely no one would believe him. And admitting he had a small thing for Sarada would completely ruin him, as well as drag her into drama she didn't need. He couldn't do that to her; not here, not now.
The conflict in his eyes was visible. Girls started whispering, and Mitsuki leaned close to his ear.
"You don't have to do anything. It's just a game." He said. Boruto grimaced.
"Well?" Chocho said expectantly. Her and Boruto held an intense gaze before he huffed.
"This game is stupid anyway. I'm done."
He stood up, and Chocho did too, taking Ava with her. Poor innocent girl was caught in the crossfire.
"What, you won't kiss her 'cause of your new girl friend?"
Boruto stopped in his tracks.
Chocho smirked and threw her hair behind her shoulder. "Or the girl you broke up with me for? That you cheated on me with?"
"It's common knowledge that you're an insecure bitch but now we can all add liar to that list." He said sardonically. "Just shut up already and leave me alone. I said I'm done."
"Oh, so no one else knows then." Chocho smirked, her arms folded. "I wouldn't want to tell anyone either, because she's such a downgrade. Such a skanky hoe compared to me. Everyone, listen up!" She said loudly, and the music blaring throughout the house quieted. "Boruto Uzumaki cheated on me with–"
With no other choice, Boruto pushed his and Ava's lips together. Everyone gasped, and now the whole party's attention was on them. Chocho was silenced at first, but then smirked in victory. He pulled away and wiped his mouth off with his sleeve, a look of disgust etched across his expression. What an evil, petty person. What had he gotten himself into, what did he get Sarada into?
Ava looked completely dazed, but Boruto wasn't paying attention to her. His harsh gaze was pinpointed right on Chocho's cocky expression. She knew exactly what she'd done. This blackmail was bound to bite him in the ass soon.
"You'll never win against me." She said matter-of-fact. They locked eyes for a moment longer before turning away in defeat. He went to Mitsuki's room and locked himself in it the rest of the night.
XxX