The Prince and the Serpent

Crystals

Sarada stared in shock at the Dragon Witch. This was an arcane crystal? It couldn't be. The whole reason she, Boruto, and Mitsuki had been going through hell the last three months was to gather three of this very crystal. The Serpent King had said the only way they could get them was by taking them directly from the Heart of the Earth.

Had they been tricked? Had there been another way all the long? Anger and humiliation began to burn through Sarada. She had known that the Serpent King was not trustworthy but she had gone along with this anyway. The real shame was she had grown to like and trust Mitsuki.

"Where did you get this?" Sarada asked, trying and failing to keep her voice from trembling. A strange, toothy smile split the witch's face.

"This?" She asked in an openly teasing tone. She picked the crystal up between her thumb and forefinger. "I traded for it. But, I don't think that is what you meant." Renewed anger surged through Sarada. The witch was toying with her but she forced herself to stay patient. Witches had a well-earned reputation for being finicky. If she wanted answers, she would have to wait. Azamada smiled wider.

"What troubles you, young one?" Her tone suggested that she knew exactly what was bothering Sarada but she wanted to hear her say it.

"I was under the impression that arcane crystals could only be taken from the Heart of the Earth." Sarada said stiffly. If possible, Azamada's grin grew wider.

"You are correct." She said sweetly. Sarada was reaching her limit but she remained silent. At last, Azamada decided to have mercy on her. "This one is manufactured. It has less than a tenth the power of a genuine arcane crystal. Still, it represents the best an arcane mage can accomplish." She mused as she held the twinkling crystal before her covered eyes.

Sweet relief passed over Sarada as the witch's words sank in. The crystal wasn't real so Orochimaru hadn't actually sent them on a fools errand. She wasn't going to have to try to convince Boruto of his future father-in-law's treachery. That conversation would have been a disaster at best. Boruto was too blinded by love to be able to hear anything against his beloved serpent fiance or his family.

"Unfortunately..." Azamada began, her smile fading, "This is one of my last two." She set the crystal back on the polished wood with a dull click. "The arcane mage I commissioned them from died last year. Without these catalysts, I cannot keep Kawaki's curse sealed." Azamada leaned back with a heavy sigh. That is disappointing, Sarada thought. Had the mage still lived, they could have been the one to lift Boruto's curse.

That wasn't the only thing disappointing. She now knew how Kawaki's curse was controlled and once again, it all came back to arcane crystals. Since that was a dead-end, she needed information on the last key guardian. There was no point in dragging this out any longer than she had to.

"Dragon Witch Azamada, I have also come to seek your council." Sarada began formally. Azamada quirked her head and gave Sarada an amused smirk.

"I believe I have already given you council but you wish for a reading?" She asked with laughter in her voice. Sarada nodded. Azamada hummed and extended her hand, "A reading is not a simple task. What do you have to offer me?" Sarada immediately dug in her coin purse and offered the witch five fat gold coins. The witch struck her hand and the gold scattered noisily to the floor. Her actions were as aggressive as her frown but when she spoke, her tone held no hint of malice.

"My child, I am not a common prostitute. I do not deal in things as ordinary as gold. What can you offer me that has value?" Sarada sat stunned with her hand still outstretched. Her mind raced for something she could offer but she had nothing else. The only things she had of real value were the keys currently sustaining Boruto's life and she would never give those up.