A long way from there, with the winter sun high, three shadows crept through the hidden entrance of the latest of Orochimaru's hideout. The cool tunnels were chilling, and the three shinobis were more than ready for a break. Konohamaru had never been there, but they said all of the Sannin's places looked alike : a serpent's den. Boruto and Mitsuki sure seemed at ease and led him to a corridor full of working rooms. Only one office casted light beyond the door, and that's where they went. To Konohamaru's relief, it was not their host but Suigetsu that worked there. He looked up from his computer and raised an eyebrow upon seeing the new addition to their party.
- Showing visitors around now ? he asked pointedly.
- Which rooms should we take ? replied Boruto, ignoring him.
- Whichever, there's only poor me these days. And too much work.
He cast a sour glance at Mitsuki, as if he should be helping him instead of wandering.
- Where's he at then ?
- You keep asking questions, Boruto, knowing I can't answer. He'll be around if he feels he needs to.
- We're not staying long, make sure he knows that.
- Whatever. grumbled Suigetsu before returning to his work.
They went down another similar corridor, and before long a set of doors appeared again. Boruto opened the first and made a face.
- That's got to be Suigetsu's.
A quick look showed only an incredible mess. The next door was empty of furniture, but then there was a perfectly fine room, though a little impersonal.
- You can take Jûgo's room. said Boruto. He never comes here anyway. We'll take the one across.
Konohamaru nodded, suddenly very tired, and put his things down before closing the door, eager to take a nap. He rummaged through his package and brought out the stale onigiris, only to find Himawari's letter tucked under. Sighing, he told himself he'd give it to Boruto later. He ate quickly and went to sleep almost immediately.
In the other room, it was time for a little private chat, and Boruto was clearly uneasy about it. He put away all his things with too much force, loud as ever. Mitsuki knew that behavior well and patiently waited until his companion was out of options before stating the obvious.
- This is a mess.
- No shit ! I can't believe they did that to him…
- I was talking about the fact that we murdered a Konoha intelligence officer.
- Well, according to Konohamaru, he had it coming. How could my father do this ?! It makes no sense !
- You certainly made sure he was mad at you when you left. pointed Mitsuki.
Boruto made a face, then stopped his pacing and sat on the bed, anxiously trying to figure out what had happened. Had everyone gone mad in his absence ?
- You should talk to him.
- Who ? My father ?
- No. sighed Mitsuki with patience. Konohamaru-taicho. Seems he's gone through hell, the least you can do is be nice to him.
- 'Cause it's all my fault, you mean ?
- Isn't it ?
- I guess I deserve that. Boruto grumbled.
That was one of the things he usually liked most about Mitsuki : he was always straightforward and would speak his mind even if it meant telling weird things and hard truths. But everything that had happened weighed on him, and he'd rather be left alone.
- You'll just torture yourself until you know exactly what happened, so go talk to him and be done with it. Mitsuki insisted.
- Yeah, yeah. Boruto surrendered.
- Be nice.
- I'm always nice. Or do you mean nice nice ? he joked.
- Whatever. The guy sure needs some love.
Boruto stopped dead in his tracks, bewildered. He cast an inquisitive look at Mitsuki.
- That's pretty generous. I don't know how I should take it. he pouted.
But Mitsuki seemed very serious and absolutely not in the mood for jokes.
- You really don't mind, do you ? sighed Boruto. And here I thought you'd be over jealous.
- You've got a very high opinion of yourself, Boruto.
An easy smile softened the blow. Still, it hurt a bit, but he could see where Mitsuki was coming from. Straightening, he made up his mind.
- I'll see if Suigetsu needs help with whatever he's doing. Mitsuki told him. Take the time you need, I guess there's a lot to talk about.
- I'm not really looking forward to it… Boruto answered gloomingly.
- Don't be a coward. Running away from things will get you nowhere.
- Yeah, I know…
Once before the door, he still had to take a deep breath before knocking. He waited, then tried again louder. When the door finally opened, he had to laugh.
- You fell asleep, nii-chan ?
- I took a nap, what's so funny ?
- Maybe you should have taken a shower first.
Looking at himself, Konohamaru had to admit Boruto was right : his clothes were covered in dirt and blood. He was still not fully awake, and the sight put him in a bad mood. He let Boruto come inside.
- I thought we could talk a bit… began Boruto, but his elder cut him short by handing him a letter. What's this ?
Looking at the envelope, he knew immediately. His name was neatly written and his sister had drawn a little sunflower besides. It hit him like a train at full speed. How he missed her !
- How is she ? he asked, his throat tight.
- Let's see. Konohamaru pondered for a second. Hanabi is in charge of training her Byakugan, and it seems to go well since she's quite skilled. Your grandfather is completely doting on her. She's a junior teacher at the Academy now, the new kids love her. She's as stubborn as you.
- You see her often then ?
- No. Your parents forbid me to talk to her. But she comes by now and then, to see if I'm ok.
- She gave you the letter ?
- She left it in your old room, I went and brought it with me. I guessed there was little chance you'd ever read it else.
- Thank you.
He wanted to be alone to read it, and so put it away quickly. This was something he'd have to face later. He was deeply grateful Konohamaru had thought to do this for him.
- You keep taking care of me, and that only brings you misfortune. I should have asked you to come with us.
- I should have left with you, on that we all agree. Hanabi told me the same thing.
- How is everyone then ?
- Good as far as I know.
- What does that mean ?
- No one talks to me, Boruto. They wish I was dead.
He went to turn his back on Boruto, but the younger shinobi just took his arm and made him look him in the eyes.
- Talk to me ! Don't shut me out. This mess is my fault and I'll do everything to make it right.
- I don't think you can.
- Let me try !
Out of the blue, Boruto just took him in his arms. What surprised Konohamaru was that he was now as tall as him. The closeness they had shared for a few months more than two years ago came back to him, and he realized he'd missed that. Alone for so long, it came as a revelation that he still hoped for someone's affection. But when Boruto tried to kiss him, he suddenly recoiled.
- What the fuck ! Mitsuki is in the next room !
- Well, it was his idea.
- Excuse me ? Konohamaru shouted, now very angry.
- He said we should take care of you.
That took Konohamaru by surprise and reminded him his short conversation with Mitsuki about Boruto. I'm glad you were there for him. Somehow he felt humbled by the young man's selflessness. From anyone else this would have felt like a bad joke, but Mitsuki had always played by his own rules. Seeing him softening a bit, Boruto smiled.
- He's something else, I give you that. he said, as if reading his elder's mind. Maybe Orochimaru dropped him on the head when he was a baby or something.
- You ok with this ?
Boruto just sat down on the bed and then relaxed back to look at the ceiling.
- I missed you. he said, trying to be as honest as possible. I don't want you to be alone, shutting us out. You should see yourself, it breaks my heart.
- I don't think this is a good idea in any case…
- Yeah, 'cause you're frightened. What, you think I can't see that ?
Konohamaru had paled, clearly shaken. This was a reminder that even though Boruto was a lot like his father, he was way sharper. Kakashi had once told him he got that from his grandfather, the Yondaime Hokage. Feeling very tired, he sat down too and tried to sort out his thoughts and feelings. He couldn't yet believe that just a day ago he was still trapped in his own personal nightmare. Now he had no clue as to what to do with himself. Boruto shifted on the bed and took him in his arms again, with utmost care.
- I'm tired of letting my father break everything I love. he said bitterly.
It dawned on Konohamaru that the first thing that was broken was Boruto himself. Being the Hokage's son had never been easy on him, though he acted like he couldn't care less. Looking back on the last few years, it felt like the young rogue had just fled to protect what he cared about. How had it come to this ? What made people hurt those they loved the most ? No easy answer came to Konohamaru and he let himself lie back too, somehow defeated by how pointless and sad their whole story had become. Boruto snuggled closer, and he had not the heart to say anything. After that, one thing led to another and there was no stopping the young man, even if Konohamaru had wanted it. Rediscovering someone he thought he'd lost forever was bittersweet at first, and so much had happened since. Then, with the careful and slow lovemaking, every hurt went away, leaving them both lightheaded, happy and so tired they soon fell asleep.
Konohamaru woke up in a start a couple hours later, and it took him a few seconds to realize it was the sound of the shower that had shaken him from his slumber. He suddenly felt very ashamed of himself.
- Get up already ! shouted Boruto's voice from the bathroom.
One thing was sure, he needed a shower, and so steeled himself to join the young man who was apparently enjoying the hot water for some time already.
- It's been weeks of washing with cold water, I'm not getting out. he warned. That's the drawback of rogue ninja's wandering.
Konohamaru smiled and thought to himself there was no point in being shy now.
- Here's soap, you need it man. Come here, I'll remove those bandages for you.
But the Jonin snatched back his arm quickly, and Boruto gave him a hard look. With less struggle than he would have thought of himself, Konohamaru let his young lover remove the bandages that wrapped both his arms. A painful silence followed, and he could clearly see the fury building again on Boruto's face.
- Boruto…
- I'll kill him for this.
- This was me, no one else.
Even now he felt ashamed, but that was part of him too. After being released from prison and the trial that had found him guilty, he had thought he'd be better off dead. Mirai had found him in the bathtub, soaking in his own blood. Only the skills of Sakura had managed to close the deep wounds without lasting damage. But he kept the scars, and it was not a pretty sight. Hanabi had been the only one to visit, and only to tell him he should have left the village rather than offering them such a pathetic show.
Seething, Boruto stepped out of the shower and wrapped himself in a towel before leaving without a word. That had gone bad, but Konohamaru was too numb to care anymore.
