Chapter 3: Cards on the table
A kid was crying. Sarada runs to their room and finds Haruto laying on the floor. Both kids were crying.
-« Haruto, you're ok, my boy? You will be fine. » says the father.
-« What happened? »
-« He fell from the bed. »
-« Show me. »
-« It's a bit twisted, I think »
-« Don't move him too much. Lay him on the floor.» asks Sarada.
Sarada passes her hands on the young boy and a green halo emanates. The kids stop crying, surprised by the magic trick.
-« Are you ok, now? »
Haruto nobs.
-« Good. » Sarada stands up.
-« Thank you! » finishes Haruto a bit shy. It puts a smile on her face.
-« You have magic hands? » asks Haruna, touching Sarada's hand.
-« Yeah, I guess. » answers Sarada, not knowing what to say.
-« That is cool. Now, I wanna play the doctor with the magic hands, like Sarada. » says Haruna to Haruto.
-« You will be ok, Haruto?... Didn't know you were a medic-nin. » Asks Boruto, while the kids quickly move on to something more interesting.
-« I only do the basics. I got that from my mother. »
-« Your mother was a legendary sannin, is it? »
-« Yeah, trained by Tsunade herself. »
-« Yeah, she was from Konoha too. You have quite a family… I don't understand how can people like you become criminals? You are ninjas too. You can do such a great thing. »
-« You really never heard of my family history? »
-« Yeah I heard, they talked about your clan in history class. I heard of the Uchiwa affair... »
-« Did they teach you it was a command from the leaders of Konoha? »
-« No. It was the older brother, Sasuke's brother. »
-« Yeah, he did it to protect the village. Your precious, stupid village. Don't you find that weird that you can't leave the villages without authorizations? There are so many secrets. You can't trust any of those kages. »
-« Let's talk outside, not in front of them... My father is not perfect, but he's a good person. He would never do something like that, things have changed...»
-« Don't give me that speech. It's because of his decisions that we are here today. He separates me from Haruna and Haruto. How can someone do that. He tricked me and took them. He promised me that I would be free, but instead, he hid me and jailed me in Rensei. »
-« The isolated prison? »
-« Yeah, with the worst criminals. »
-« Cut the crap, Sarada, you trade them for your freedom, it was your will. That was a cheap shot to do to me and my father, you didn't deserve to be free after that. You didn't want them. »
-«... »
-« Didn't you? Did you want to stay with them? »
-« I did not, but when I saw them, I changed my mind. »
-«...»
-« But, I guess. Everything's ok. You did a great job with them. Probably better than I could have done. »
...
-« They are sleeping? » asks Sarada while drinking a glass of wine.
-« Yeah, finally. »
-« Want some? »
-« Would not say no. They sure have a lot of energy, they used to be outside all the time. I'm exhausted. »
-« ... yeah, it's not the perfect set up for them. »
They stay pretty silent, not knowing really what to say. They just barely know each other. They exchange about the kids, but at a moment, Boruto gets more serious:
-« about earlier. Tell me the truth. Is it true that you wanted to stay with them? »
-« Does it really matter? »
-« Yeah, for me it does. »
-« All this is a bad idea. You were right, I'm not their mother... »
-« Sarada, I was angry, I thought you didn't care. »
-« It was a bad idea to meet them now... »
-« What do you mean? »
-« … it may sound silly but I thought I would recognize them and they will recognize me. But we don't. There's no bond. We're nothing.
-« You just met them.»
-« My dad has a better connection with them than I do. I don't understand how. And they not just don't connect with me, they just don't like me. »
-« Don't be too harsh. If you want to be friends with them, they will want to be friends with you. You just have to give it some time. »
-« Yeah I guess… » not convinced.
-« ... Can I talk seriously to you?... can't believe I will tell you that… When I got them, I thought I could never love them. I guess we were in a similar situation. And I thought I was the worst person on earth for not feeling any bonds with my children. »
-« You're serious? »
-«... you know, you left me in a hot mess. When I got them, I lost everything. I had to go back to my parents' place, could not be ninja anymore and could not see my friends as much. I was alone with two babies, without knowing what to do. I've thought my life was ruined. I really wondered how could I possibly, one day, love those who took so much from me. But still, I named them after the spring, because I was hoping for the new beginning. I guess I was forcing myself to see the positive side... Today, I could tell that they are my everything. I love them more than anything in the world. »
Sarada places her hand on his forearm.
-« So, you're not regretting? »
-« I regret messing up. I'm definitely not proud that you tricked me like that. I'm mad but one part of me has to thank you. You gave me the most precious things. So, thanks for that, Sarada. »
-« They are lucky to have you as a father. »
-« They teach me how to be one. »
-« Thank you for telling me this and for how you took care of them. I was not very thrilled to meet you again after all that... I'm sorry for what I did to you. You did deserve to be treated like that. »
...
-« You have nice hair! » Says Haruna looking at Sarada.
-« Thank you. »
-« Can I brush them? I can do them too. Do you have rubber bands and bobby pins. »
Sarada looks at Boruto surprised.
-« Maybe you can only brush them for now. » answers Sarada.
-« Go get your dolls brushes, Haruna. I want to try too. » asks her brother.
-« Ok »
-« You can sit on the floor, Sarada. we will go on the couch. »
-« That's really sweet of you to do Sarada's hair. » congrats the father.
-« Yes. » answers Haruna proudly.
The kids tried to brush Sarada's hair but did quite a mess. Boruto looks at them softly, sitting next to his kids on the couch. At one point, the girl gets off the couch and places herself in front of the woman to take a look at her piece of art. She nobs.
-« Oh yeah, that's nice. »
Without really thinking the little girl lets herself fall on Sarada's laps and hugs her legs. The Uchiwa was surprised by the affection she was receiving, and gives a look at Boruto, asking what she should do with her eyes. Haruna crawls to Sarada and sits on her laps.
-« Do mine! »
-« You want me to brush your hair? »
-« yeah, Haruto. Give her a brush. »
Haruto did. A bit jealous, he puts his legs on each side on Sarada's head and lets him fall on her head. Sarada was really choked to receive that much attention from the kids. Maybe they didn't dislike her this much.
...
Haruto, Haruna et Boruto were on Boruto's big bed for storytime. Sarada knocks at the door.
-« You're up late! »
-« Sara, comes with us. »
-« It's late for you. » answers Sarada sweetly.
The girl gets out of the bed and takes Sarada's hand to bring her to the bed.
-« Daddy, Sarada just arrived, we can stay a bit more. »
-« mmmm. ok but not too long. We finish the story and you sleep in your beds after, not here. »
-« OK daddy. »
-« Sarada is like my sister. I think. » Says Haruna.
-« Come on, Sarada. Look closer. If you pull that. You see, there's snow. If you pull in back, no more snow... and before... turn the pages papa... you pull that and it's like the horse is running. »
-« That's cool. » Says Sarada laying on the bed. Haruna snuggles against her. Sarada smiles and caresses her hair.
-« Hey, me too. I want to be with Sarada. »
-« Hey, what about me, you two? » complaint Boruto.
-« No, we want Sarada. » Jokes Haruto who places himself to get closer to Sarada.
-« Well, I guess. You will have to read. » says Boruto giving her the book.
...
-« I knew, they were going to fall asleep. Thank you for helping me. » Murmurs Boruto while they were transporting the kids back to their bed.
-« It's nothing. »
Before going, Sarada caresses Haruto's hair and takes a final look at him. She rejoins Boruto.
-« Is it normal to like them more when they are asleep? » jokes Sarada.
-« Perfectly normal... They seem to like you, you are their new toy. »
-« Yeah, I guess so... Are you tired? Do you want to take a drink? »
-« Why not? Let's go for a drink. »
...
-« It was funny to see you with them earlier. »
-« Why? »
-« I don't know, I've never seen that part of you before. »
-« It's not like, we know each other, either. It's really special. How they are, I mean. It's like they are not thinking, they just give. They just do what they want to do... Like they give me hugs but I did nothing to deserve it. »
-« They start knowing you, it's normal. But yeah, I know what you mean. When they love you, they love you a lot, unconditionally. But, trust me, when they are mad, they are the meanest people ever... What are you thinking about? »
-« Just that life is strange. It's a mess but it feels kinda right, like it's how it should be »
-« I don't understand. »
-« We should never have to meet each other, or maybe on the battlefield, anyway, you know what I mean, what happened should have never happened. But yet, Haruto and Haruna are here, they exist and it feels right. »
-« Yeah. It's unfair to say they are an accident. »
Sarada lets her hand fall on Boruto's.
-« Do you think, it feels right that they are here? »
-« No. I think we should be at home. »
-« I should not have met them? »
-« That's not what I'm saying» he answers holding her hand. « But, it sure doesn't feel right to keep them locked. You may not like Konoha but they will get a better life than being nukenins. »
-«...mmm. »
-« That is not what you wanted to hear. »
-« Of course, but I'm not surprised that you are saying that. » rolling her eyes.
-« Hey Sarada. » He turns to her and grabs her hands. « We are not friends or anything, but I said things to you, that I regret. I think you would have been a good mother to them. »
Sarada approaches him and hugs him.
-« You're a good person, Sarada. »
-« You are too. »
...
In the training room, Sarada was experimenting with her susanoo. As the thoracic cavity was growing around her, her face distorted showing her pain.
-« Sarada? »
She turns to Haruto and Haruna who were looking at her.
-« Are you ok? Are you hurt? »
-« No, I'm not, don't worry. I'm just practicing. You should not be here, it's pretty dangerous »
She approaches them.
-« Do you like Ninjas? »
-« Yeah, they are cool! » answers Haruto.
-« Do you want to train to become one? »
-« Yeah! » the kids answer.
-« Come! Does your father shows you anything?»
-« Yeah, look how high I kick? »
-« Me too! »
-« mmmm... Are you good at throwing? »
-« Like ball. »
-« No, more like shurikens. »
-« No. »
-« Go get a deck of cards. 2, if you can find them. »
The kids come back with cards and their curious dad.
-« Hey, what are you doing with that? » Boruto asks.
-« Sarada is training us to be ninjas. » says Haruna, running to Sarada, and burying her face on Sarada's leg.
-« Oh that is cool. So what are you training at? »
-« I don't know. » says Haruto opening his deck of cards.
-« We are throwing shurikens. Well, cards-shuriken. Can you give me your deck, Haruna? So, you're gonna be doing that. »
Sarada throws the card at the wood board, right in the middle. She used so much force that the card actually stayed stuck in the wood.
-« Oh wow, I want to try. »
-« It's not easy, you will need practice... Look, take them between your fingers like that, see I don't use my wrist, it stays straight with my forearm. Give it a try. »
-« I missed! »
-« Yeah, you need to try and try and try. »
He continues throwing the cards.
-« Haruna, don't you want to try. »»
-« It seems difficult. »
-« Practice makes it easy. Let's go you have 52 cards... and you throw them all, you can get them back and try again. »
-« So, who's the best? » asks Boruto.
The kids had fun at their practice.
-« Can you do it, dad? »
-« Of course. You know how great I am. »
-« Show me, how you do? »
-« Looks, and here. »
-« yyeeeahhh! you're good, daddy. »
- « Have you heard something? » asks Sarada to Boruto, hearing noise inside the bunker.
-« I think so. »
-« I will take a look. Don't mind me, continue. You're starting to be really good at this. »
Sarada comes back with another woman.
-« Oh my god, It's them. Sara... »
-« You're ok, mama? »
-« Yeah. Hello! »
-« Who is she, daddy? » asks Haruto.
-« I think... it's Sarada's mother, mushroom. Come say hello. »
Sakura clearly moved, she hugs Boruto in her arms.
-« Hi, I'm Sakura.»
-« Boruto, nice to meet you. So, I guess you're here to meet your grandchildren. »
-« I think I'm gonna cry. »
Sakura kneels.
-« Hi, how are you, you two? You're are really beautiful... oh Sarada, go get me my purse for me, sweety. »
-« Don't be shy, come to say hello. » says Boruto to the kids.
-« Hey, what are your names? »
-« Haruna, and it's Haruto. »
-« I'm Sakura. Do you know who I am? »
-« ... You're Sarada's mom. »
-« Yeah. I've wait a long time to meet. »
-« You're crying? you sad? »
-« No, of course, no. I'm really happy. Can I have a hug? »
Sakura hugs both kids, and then looks at them and caresses their red hair.
-« I've got your purse, mama. » says Sarada.
-« Thanks you darling.» Sakura turns to the twins. « I have something for you. »
-« Chocolate, mama? Really? » asks Sarada before the kids jumps on it. « You should have asked Boruto before. »
-« I wanted to make a good first impression. »
-« It's ok, we will manage their energy later. » Says Boruto.
...
-« Thank you for bringing dinner, mama. »
-« No problem... Your father isn't here, darling? »
-« No, he had to take care of something. »
-« Really? We're always missing each other. »
-« Why are you staying here? » asks Boruto.
-« Oh, I run a hospital, needless to say, it keeps me busy. »
-« Really? Where is it? »
-« It's a special hospital, you probably never heard about it. »
-« What do you mean, it's a special hospital? »
-« I built it for people who do not belong to any hidden village and can't afford a normal hospital. I also specialize in pediatric medicine for complicated cases. »
-« Wow, that's amazing! »
-« I'm not surprised, my daughter didn't talk about it. And, I'm sure she did not tell you that she's helping me. » trying to flaunt her daughter
-« Mama, what are you doing? » giving big eyes to her mother.
-« What do you mean? »
-« If you want to run, go to the training room. » says Boruto to the kids who were excited.
-« Can't believe they are real. » Says Sakura still moved. She touches her daughter's hand.
-« Like I would invent such a story. »
-« I know. It's just... I'm realizing that I'm a grandmother, and I missed 4 years of their life. Tell me everything, how are they, Boruto? »
-« They're great: smart, kind, they just love everyone. »
-« Oh. They seem perfect... and you, you look so much like your father. You know that we were childhood friends. »
-« Yeah, I saw the picture of the team 7. »
-« You're kind-hearted like him. Really, Sarada, you find a gem. »
-« Mama, stop. »
Boruto finds it funny how easily Sakura was teasing Sarada. But something comes to distract them. Haruna comes to Sarada jumping like a bunny. She monkeys around before trying to sit on Sarada's laps. Still agitated, Haruna says:
-« I'm thirsty. I want juice. »
Sakura melts seeing her daughter with a kid. On the other side, Sarada was not super comfortable to be in this position in front of her mother.
-« What about water, Haruna? »
-« No, I want juice. Pick me up. » Haruna demands, rolling her arms around Sarada's neck.
-« I'm gonna get you some water, sweetheart. » says Sakura.
-« What you do says Haruna? »
-« Thank you. »
-« I made one for your brother too, will you give him? »
-« ok » Haruna turns to her father « Do you want to come to play with us? »
-« Sorry mushroom, we're kinda tired. »
-« ok... I will see what Haruto is doing then. »
As the young girl was living, Sakura looked at Sarada with a big smile cracking.
-« What? Why you're smiling? » asks Sarada wanting to hide.
-« I'm just discovering my baby as a mother. It's another side of you. »
-« I'm not their mother, they don't see me like that. »
-« Honey, of course, you're their mother. What are you saying? They love you. »
...
-« You're sure you have to go? »
-« Yeah, but I will come back to visit those beautiful babies again. »
-« We're not babies. » says Haruna.
-« Of course, I'm sorry Haruna. Come give a hug, darling... and you too, young man. Grandma will miss you. »
-« You can come back. We like chocolate. » says Haruto.
-« I will bring more next time. » Sakura says with a wick. « bye, bye »
Sakura closes the door behind her.
-« Well, I meet all your family. »
-« Yeah, that was awkward. Sorry. »
-« What are you saying? Your mother is lovely. »
-« You're kidding, right? She was super emotional, and she just acts like it was normal. »
-« She just doesn't make a big deal of that... but you kinda are. »
-« I'm not. I will get the water ready for the bath, it's already late. »
-« I won't lie, I like having some help with all that... let's go, mushrooms, we will choose our pajamas for tonight. »
...
-« I'm still wet from the bath, it's like I took a bath myself. » says Boruto.
-« Maybe you should, you can take some time to relax, I won't go to sleep yet. »
-« I don't know the last time I took a bath. You're sure it's ok with you? »
-« Yeah, don't worry. »
-« Anyway, if one of them wakes up, just come get me. »
...
-« Sara? Are you there? »
-« Boruto, what is it? »
-« I forget to check but there are no more towels here. »
-« oh I see, I will get you one. »
She does and comes back.
-« I'm here, I have a towel. »
He cracks the door a bit and passes his hand. She gives him the towel.
-« Thank you »
After a moment, Boruto gets out of the bathroom wearing only a pant, his eyes almost closed.
-« You're ok? »
-« Yeah, but I have to get to bed before I fall asleep on the floor. » He brushes his wet hair with his hand.
-« Daddy? »
-« Hey mushroom, what is it? »
-« I can't sleep, I don't want to be alone. » says Haruto coming to them.
-« Do you want us to read your book, your dad is a little sleepy. » asks Sarada to him.
-« Yeah. »
Haruto stretches his arm toward Sarada, wanting to be pick-up. She does. Boruto approaches them and kisses the boy's cheeks. Then, he places his hand on Sarada's back.
-« Thank you, Sara... Night, night you two. »
-« Bye Daddy. »
They settle down on the couch and Haruto lets his head fall on Sarada. Sarada reads the books to him.
-« and his mama tells him '' He doesn't look naughty, maybe it's a good monster.'' '' but, he looks scary'' he answers. '' Does he? I think he looks fluffy and his big eyes... »
-« Sarada? Is that you? »
-« What do you mean Haruto? »
-« The mama in the story. You're my mama. »
-« … I guess I am. »
-« Tenshi said the daddy was not our real daddy? »
-« Who is Tenshi? Is he your friend? »
-« Yeah, he lived on the street. He said that I was adopted. »
-« Why would he say that? »
-« I don't know. He said he heard his parents. They said that I don't have parents, and daddy adopted us, and that's why I don't have a mama. »
-« Well, it's not true. Boruto is your dad. But you know, if he wasn't, do you really think it matters? Your dad is the person who takes care of you and loves you. »
-« And you? Why didn't we meet you before if you're our mom? »
-« It's complicated. »
-« You did not like us? »
-« No, absolutely not. I could not stay with you back then. But now, I'm here. » says Sarada hugging him.
...
Boruto and Sarada were cleaning the kitchen.
-« Your father did not come back yet? »
-« Yeah, it's been a while. Things must be complicated. »
-« Is he ok? »
-« Yeah, he can face any situation, I'm not worried. »
-« I'm a bit curious about how things go out there. »
-« That would be great if Haruna and Haruto could go outside. Sorry about all that... talking about the little beasts, I will take a look if they are still asleep, they should be up soon... »
Sarada opens the door and just melt. She turns back to Boruto and waves him to join her. The blond looks in the room and sees his two kids sleeping on the same bed with their heads touching. He couldn't help but smile. She approaches his ear to murmur.
-« They're so cute, we can't wake them up. »
They look at each other smiling. Boruto rolls his arm around her shoulders and Sarada snuggles on him. They stay a while enjoying the moment.