Chapter 2: Years apart
About 4 years later.
Boruto was really happy to come back home. It was a small mission but at least it was a beginning. It gives him hope that he could be a ninja again, someday. It was late, the twins should be sleeping by now. Maybe he will just take a peek. What the fuck? There were people in the room. He turns on the lights to see his mother laying on the floor and 2 women in black cloaks above the children's bed, obviously waiting for him. The light wakes up the kids who were in panic. The black-haired woman activates her Sharingan and puts them to sleep quickly before they could make a sound. The cloud that brings him home, just disappears, stripping him from his confidence. He tries to look composed, but he knows that he is no match for the cold-hearted woman before him.
-« Don't touch them! »
-« It's really them? »
-« Don't hurt them. What did you do to my mother? »
-« I won't hurt them and your mom is fine... Didn't expect them to have red hair. But it seems they have my eyes. » Says Sarada examining the face of the girl.
-« Sarada! Please don't do anything stupid. Why are you here? »
-« We need those children. »
-« They are not yours. Leave them. »
Sarada stoic approaches Boruto.
-« We both know you can't stop me.» She scrutinizes him, before frowning « God, you look like your father... I swear I'm gonna kill him someday. » she says in disgust then she turns back to her partner. « Karin, grab one, we are leaving. »
-« Wait, take me with you too. »
-« What game are you playing? Why would I do that? »
-« I just want to protect them... and it will make a father crazier, so you will get your revenge. »
-« mmm... you know what I like to hear. Very well. »
-« What... »
Before Boruto understands what is going on, Sarada puts him to sleep...
...
-« Hey, wake up. »
Boruto opens his eyes to meet Sarada, he looks around.
-« They are scared. »
-« What? Where am I? »
-« The kids are scared. They want you. Follow me. »
-« We are underground? »
-« That's none of your business. » continued Sarada almost expressionless, it was how he remembered her. But now, he knows how vicious she is.
He follows her to a kid room with 2 beds. There is an old man watching with his arms crossed, he turns to Boruto when he enters the room. The Uzumaki could figure that he's the famous Sasuke Uchiwa. Boruto ignores him for now and leans to look under the beds. His children were hidden under and tried to barricade themselves with toys.
-« Hey, you guys. »
-« Daddy? Is that you? »
-« Yeah, it's me. »
Without even thinking, Boruto completely lays on the floor, melting to see his twins. By instinct, he hides his own fear, knowing it would only affect the little ones.
-« Sorry I was not there when you woke up but I'm here now. Comes. »
The kids get out from their hiding place and jump in the arms of their dad. Boruto kisses them on their head.
-« Is this the right kids? » asks Sasuke, talking to both of the young adults. « Where the hair comes from? »
Boruto stays quiet, but the same question has been burning his mouth since he got the babies. He peeks at Sarada to see her reaction, but her eyes are absent, gazing at the little family in front of her.
-« Dad, what is going on? » asks one of the children.
Sasuke approaches the little family. The kids curl up more on their father.
-« In fact, we are family,» the dark-haired man answers. « We were really looking forward to meeting you. »
...
During the nap, Boruto leaves the kid's room and he could feel eyes on him. Facing the Uchiwa was not something he was looking up to, but he knows that he should gather more information on their intention.
-« Boruto, can you come here? » asks Sarada, visibly because her father asks her to. Boruto approaches the kitchen table where Karin, Sarada and Sasuke were waiting for him. « Need to eat something? »
-« Yeah, thank you. »
-« Sit. » asks Sasuke, trying to sound warm, but comes out weird to Boruto, but he listens to him anyway. Haruto and Haruna, is that it? » asks Sasuke.
-« Yeah. » looking down.
-« Good names. Did you choose it yourself? »
-« What are you gonna do with them? »
-« My father asks you a question. »
-« Sarada, don't be too rough with him... he took good care of your kids. Didn't he?»
Sarada was not pleased to be rebuked by her father in front of the other, and just decide to retreat herself from the conservation, giving a rice bowl to the young man.. Sasuke's words surprised Boruto. Was Sasuke Uchiwa really praise him?
-« Talking about that, I would like to check their health after their nap. Will you be able to help me with that, Boruto. » asks Karin.
-« They are healthy. Why do you want to check them? » defensive.
-« We just want to know them more. » she answers.
-« You want to know them more? » he repeats.
-« Ok, let's cut the crap. He knows those kids may have potential... We want to have a look at their genetics to see how likely are the chances they could develop Sharingan. »
-« No need to check their dna for that, just let the time do its job. » Boruto answers, not liking what he was hearing, He gets more and more suspicious.
-« I only need some blood. » explains Karin.
-« ... I have a little question, what if only one has the potential to develop Sharingan. What are you gonna do with both of them? »
-« Let's drop it. It's only probabilities. It doesn't mean anything… and we don't need him, we can use our Sharingan. » Says Sarada standing up.
-« We're not using our Sharingan with them anymore, Sarada… Where are you going, Sarada? » asks Sasuke.
-« I don't think there's more to discuss. Can I go? » Sarada asks, but visibly irritated.
-« Don't you want to know more about the kids? »
-« I'm tired actually, I'm gonna go. »
...
« So, the clumsy ninja throws the banana, but he steps on it... wou wou wou, and he falls... and falls on... on what?
-« on his butt. » laugh Haruna who was laying on his father with her brother by her side..
Then, Boruto continues reading the kid book.
-« on his butt. That's right... The clumsy ninja then, throw a watermelon and... bang bang bang, it hits his head... »
The kids yawns.
-« Ok, I think it's enough for tonight, you have to sleep. »
-« Can you stay with us? »
-« You have to sleep on your own. You're not babies. And you have a nice room, don't you? »
-« Tomorrow, we can sleep in your bed. » states Haruto.
-« Maybe, we will see. Bye bye, love you. »
-« Love you too, daddy. »
Boruto leaves the room and is surprised by Sasuke who was waiting outside, listening to them all this time. He tries to ignore him, a little intimated.
-« You're good at that. »
-« Thank you. » trying to sound not nervous.
-« I wanted to tell you that the kids are important to us and to me… I know it's odd circumstances, that was not a wanted situation from both parts, but you don't have to worry. I would never do anything to hurt them. »
-« I just don't understand what you're trying to do. »
-« Come, I think we can use a good talk. »
...
-« I understand, it seems like there's a lot of people who are after the Sharingan… No disrespect, but I know you might not like Konoha or my father, but Haruna and Haruto were in perfect security there. Nobody knows that they have Uchiwa blood, they don't even know they have mine. »
-« I know that Naruto would do anything to protect the babies, but the elders of the village, I don't trust them at all. »
-« Yeah, I heard the story... I'm sorry about that. »
-« Don't be... It has nothing to do with you. »
-« I understand but I have to disagree. I don't think it was fair. The elders have changed, my father is a good hokage and it's unfair for the kids to be separated from the family they know and their friends. »
-« mmm... Maybe it was a bit selfish, I wanted to meet them. Therefore, one day, they will need training for their Sharingan, the old Kakashi won't be able to help them. »
-« and Sarada wanted to meet them too? »
-« Why she would not? »
...
- « You're scary. » says Haruto.
-« Am I? » asks Sasuke back.
-« Yeah. »
-« mmm, ok... What do you think would make me less scary? »
Haruto shrugs.
-« You don't know, I don't know either. »
Haruna was looking from the bed. Intrigued, she comes to meet Sasuke and pokes his face with her finger as he stays stoic. She starts to laugh, then Haruto does the same.
-« You think that's funny? » falsely offended.
-«Yeah... » answers Haruto still smiling. He pokes Sasuke again.
-« Ok, that's enough. » Sasuke stands up with his arms forward, to try to grab the kids.
Haruto and Haruna both laugh and scream trying to escape from the Uchiwa by running. Boruto watches the scene from nearby and has a smile. From the corner of her eyes, he could see Sarada poking her head, curious by all the noise. She freezes, puzzled to see her dad playing with kids. She never thought she would see that one day, her father never really played with her when she was a child.
-« Hey Sarada, you're already back? How are things going? » asks her father, noticing her.
-« Not too bad. We will have to talk... Mitsuki wants to talk to you, he asks if he could pay a visit. »
-« ok... did you see your mom? »
-« Yeah... you know, she was excited. She will take days off to come to visit. »
-« Good. »
-« Yeah good... ok, I will go unpack my stuff now. » trying to excuse herself.
She leaves and Boruto excuses himself too, saying he was going to the bathroom, but he catches up with her.
-« Hey, can I talk to you? »
-« What? »
She was not comfortable, talking alone with him. What does he want? Shame her? God, he was just some random dude, she thought she would never see again. Anyway, who does he think he is?
-« There's definitely something wrong. Is there a problem with Haruto and Haruna? »
-« Nothing wrong, they have fun, don't they? »
-« That's not what I meant... You're avoiding them, you did not want them to be tested. After what you did to me I deserve the truth. I'm not the father, isn't it? »
-« What? »
-« They look nothing like me. »
Pretty shocked, Sarada did not see that coming. She just quickly answer him.
-« Don't worry about that. You are. There was nobody else. » She turns to leave.
-« Why me? »
Internally, she sighs. Let's just hope, he did not think she was in love with him back then.
-« You just happen to be the son of the wrong person. »
-« I always wanted to meet again and see if you were the monster I thought you were. I never met someone as cold and deceiving as you. »
His words felt like spits on her, but she did want to worsen the situation. She just wanted to get out of that conservation.
-« Well, I owe it all to your father, thanks to him. » she leaves.
...
-« Daddy, is she really our mother? »
-« ...Yeah, it's the woman who gives birth to you. »
-« I don't like her, she scares me, daddy. »
-« It's ok, mushroom. I don't want you to be scared, ok? Nobody here wants to hurt you. Everybody here wants to protect you. You're in security. Come on, give me a big hug. »
...
-« Hey Mitsuki, how are you? » asks Sarada.
-« Very good. So it's the little monsters? »
-« Yeah... it is. »
-« I'm ready! » Says Sasuke approaching them with a bag.
-« You're leaving? »
-« Yeah, we're having trouble. Naruto is looking for his son and the kids. He ain't kidding, so we will have to cover our trace and mislead the anbu. »
-« You should have told me, I would have done it. »
-« No, no. Stay with the kiddo, you have some time to catch up. Take care of them. »
Sarada was mortified to stay alone with the 3 Uzumaki, but she doesn't want to explain herself either. God, it was uncomfortable.
...
Boruto reaches the room where the Haru twins were to see Sarada leaning toward his daughter, talking to her. When the little girl sees Boruto she runs to him.
-« Yeah, mushroom. Wanna play with your brother? »
-« He hits me. »
-« Haruto, is it true? You hit her? »
-« She did too. »
-« Be careful, you both... do you still wanna play together? Are you ok with that Haruna? »
-« Yeah. »
Haruna goes to meet her brother with concern and they start to play, guarded. Boruto indicates to Sarada that he wanted to talk to her in private outside the room.
-« What were you doing with them? » trying to not sound too pissed off.
-« What do you think? They were fighting I just stop them. »
-« I don't want you to interact with them when I'm not around. »
-« You're delusional. »
...
At night, Sarada and Boruto were eating after the twins fell asleep.
-« So, your father leaves? » asks Boruto.
-« Yeah. It seems that the Hokage puts a lot of effort to find you. »
-« I'm not surprised. He would do anything for Haruna and Haruto, He's crazy about them. »
-« mmm... My father has gone crazy too. He really likes Haruto and Haruna. I never see him like that. »
-« Yeah, I wasn't expecting that from the great missing-nin Sasuke Uchiwa. » cracking a smile.
-« I guess they're his grandchildren... And they seem like great kids... Unfortunately, they really don't like me. Wish I wasn't the worst mother. »
-« You're not a mother. »
The words escape Boruto's mouth. It was too late.
-« What? » frowning at him.
Ok, fuck it, he just decides to go with it and say what he thought.
-«You're not a mother, you were never there. Maybe next time, don't give birth and abandon your children. »
-« Fuck you. Like it was my fault. »
-« What do you want me to say? I won't pity you. All of that is your fault. »
-« None of that would have happens if it wasn't for your father. »
-« Because my father told you to sleep with me, maybe. »
-« He gave me 20 years for nothing. Just because I'm not part of a village and because of my father's past. »
-« That doesn't justify that you tricked me and you played with life as you did. You really have no heart to abandon babies you give birth to. But, I'm happy you did because they don't deserve you as a mom. »
Sarada purses her lips trying to control her rage.
-« Are you finish? »
-« No! You ruin my life Sarada. You don't know what it was to take care of two babies alone. And, I was way too young to be a father. »
-« Something else? »
-« You really don't care. What kind of monster are you? »
-« OK enough for tonight. It was lovely. » she finishes sarcastically.
...
In the middle of the night, Boruto wakes up to get water. He sneaks out of his room, but freezes when he sees Sarada watching by the crack of the door the kids' room. Weirdly, she doesn't hear him when he approaches her. She turns her head to him, suddenly. She feels a bit uncomfortable when she notices he is topless. Well, he did not expect to meet her.
-« I was not doing anything.» says Sarada.
-« What do you want? You're creepy. »
-« Can I have a look at them? »
-« Do it during the day. »
She was about to leave when he grabs her arm, dead serious.
-« If you ever do anything to them, I promise I will end you myself. »
-« What the fuck do you think I gonna do? I don't hate them. »
She turns the back and that was the moment Boruto noticed the tattoo on her back behind her tank top. She did not have it back then.