Hello all I hope you are staying safe and healthy. I know I haven't finished my previous fic yet as I've been very busy, but this was on my mind for months and I decided it needed to be written already. I decided to write it in first person, because I used to hate reading in first person. I want to read about the characters, not read as if I was the character. But after reading a few first person fics, I saw that you can really get into the character's head, and put even more emotions than third person. So I've been wanting to give it a try, since I want to continue trying new things and improving myself and this felt like the perfect fic for it. I am halfway done with the cosplay fic and will be working on it when I have the time. I'm starting to think maybe I will keep this string as small excerpts of longer fics and open new ones when I finally get to writing the full stories. We'll see.

This fic was inspired by the Ramayana, when Rama and Sita first see each other and they have immediate and strong desires for each other.

Also, thanks for the comments!

foddermaru- I know that but the fic character here is Boruto not Cloud. I based the Mazda on my bf. Maybe I'll write a love triangle fic at some point, lol. Need inspiration.

romancefangirl- thanks! I hope you like the full version.

iBloo- thanks also! It's awesome to get a review from a writer like you.

Setting is nowhere in particular, but using ninjas was kinda weird so I changed it to knights with ninja-style rank. There's probably grammar mistakes and stuff but I haven't gotten around to fixing anything other than content.

Ten years have passed since I've been here. This place has changed substantially, yet it's as beautiful as ever. The gardens are colorful with fruit trees and flowers everywhere, all perfectly trimmed and neatly designed.

My father, a war hero, was always busy managing the military, fighting wars or consulting tacticians for the Fire Country. And as his son, I am constantly assigned by him to guard, protect or watch over important figureheads or people of power or some kind of importance. He was the Hokage of the Fire Country's military force, in charge of all the knights and assigning them to missions they were hired for. The Fire Country desired peace, which was perfect for him as it is basically his specialty in life. He mostly fights to defend and I mostly protect. And now, we've traveled from Konohagakure to the Uchiha kingdom once again, this time to increase the security around the king's daughter, Sarada. I haven't seen her since we were young children, bickering over silly things like soba noodle buns. She was a princess, but at the time, she was just a friend and rival. And now, she was a 'real' princess. She has come of age and her father expected her to marry soon. I thought about her often, mostly out of curiosity and this was the opportunity I've been waiting for. I may have left but she never left my mind.

In a few days, princes, lords, and even unmarried young kings from all over the world were coming to try their luck at her winning hand. This was a high risk event with so many unknown nobles from far away places, along with their family and entourage. The king Uchiha was an also an accomplished knight, who was my father's equal and has his own military to guard his palace. Yet with so many guests and strangers my father himself was summoned to increase security and ensure safety and peace. And I as well, being one of the highest among the ranks, was commissioned to protect the princess herself. It was my specialty and she was after all, a childhood friend.

As we walked towards the palace, something bright caught my eye and I looked up. That's when I saw her on her balcony, standing there in a flowing red dress locking eyes with me. Emotions unexpectedly welled up and I felt as if I would crumble in her presence. Her eyes and hair were as my memory recalled, darker than night, like those beautiful onyx statues I'd seen in the Land of Earth. But the rest of my memory were instantly crushed by the Kohl lining her eyes and the red that painted her lips. She looked the same yet so different. The moment only lasted a second or two, but it felt like an eternity. When it was cut short by my father calling my name, my heart ached.

After a short greeting and briefing by her father I was allowed to do as I pleased for the rest of the day. We were tired and the next day we would have our meeting to plan the security of the palace, assign stations, and so on and so forth. It was difficult to focus as the image of the woman in red had burned into my mind and appeared in every direction I faced. My heart as well felt as if it was being wrung by the girl herself. Why am I even feeling this way?

Perhaps meditating under a waterfall would ease my troubles. It had taken me months to be able to focus and bear the freezing temperatures and harsh beating of falling water. It was a practice done by monks to strengthen their mind and body and purify themselves and I had taken it on as a challenge to improve myself. Walking by the cherry blossoms and seeing their spectacular display of pink and white did little to ease my heavy heart. Usually they are a pleasurable sight and people would travel far and wide to see them. They did have a sense of tranquility about them though.

Once I reached the waterfall so many memories filled my mind. It was a nostalgic place full of fun and laughter between us. It wasn't a natural waterfall but it was good enough to use for meditation. The water came from a fountain on top of the castle and flowed down like a gentle stream to other beautiful waterscapes and eventually ended in a lily pond. I should've brought a change of clothes, but I can't stop now…

The waterfall felt good on my back. It was cold and refreshing. But after a while I just couldn't focus. If anything, it was actually making it worse. She invaded my every thought and closing my eyes only made her image more vivid. I decided to make my way to my quarters.

I haven't seen him in ten years and now he stood below my balcony, those unforgettable blue eyes staring back at me with some surprise and curiosity- and, something else- I don't know what but deep inside I can see there was something there. He was always difficult to read that hasn't changed. It felt as if time stopped in that small moment. His father called and when he looked away the entire world felt different. Everything felt right and wrong at the same time.

I felt a clench in my chest and felt like I needed to lie down. My maids noticed I wasn't feeling well and brought me tea and more pillows and whatever they could to help me feel better. What happened? they asked. Just a few moments ago I was laughing with friends before I went out to the balcony upon hearing the Hokage has arrived. I tried my best to smile for them and say I felt better but it was clear to all of us that nothing was working. They ran a warm bath for me with exotic and aromatic oils and even spread out rose petals. I watched each rose petal lazily float about wishing I could do the same. The warmth felt good and released my tension but I still felt despair. The worst part was that none of us knew what was causing this. Maybe it was him. Was he cursed? After my bath I sat on my favorite swing watching the stars and the moon. It was the night of a waning moon and was a beautiful sliver –ever so thin- of silver light.

One more day and nobles from all over the world will gather here to try and win me over, and I want nothing to do with it. Maybe I could escape and run to somewhere far away. No, that wouldn't bode well.

With a heavy sigh I slumped on the ropes of the swing.