Like a Dream || borusara

5.

A soft yawn escaped Sarada's lips as she slowly gained consciousness. Dark eyes fluttered open to find midnight blue sky freckled in twinkling stars. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful, but... she didn't remember falling asleep outside!

Alarmed, Sarada pushed herself up to sit on the blanket beneath her. Her gaze flickered back and forth, confused to find herself in a clearing in a darkened forest with endless tall trees looming around her.

Not only was she outside of her apartment, but she was outside of the city?!

How did she get here?!

Thankfully, the full moon offered enough light for her to observe her surroundings. The lush green colors and earthy smells of the forest were rich like everything had just been covered in a light rain. The hum of chirping crickets created a peaceful melody and yet Sarada couldn't help her frantic heartbeat.

Anxious fists clenched and unclenched at her sides. Her surroundings were so serene, but Sarada didn't feel as though she could trust her own senses.

And maybe even more confusing than her location was what she found herself wearing. A traditional kimono comprised of layers of pale pink fabric with ornate details like the ones in her folklore books. But Sarada certainly didn't own a garment like this, so why was she wearing it?

Her mind was reeling, searching for any reasonable explanation for her situation when the sudden snap of a branch stole her attention.

Reflexively, she whipped her head to the side, waiting for a monster or some other horror to appear, but instead, an adorable fox walked into the clearing, his five fluffy tails swaying behind him.

A curious, inexplicable tranquility washed over her at the sight of the seemingly young kitsune. Cautiously, Sarada reached her hand out to the creature, hoping not to frighten him.

"Hey there, little guy," she whispered. In a few steps, the kitsune approached her, sniffing her for a moment before rubbing his face against her palm in a gesture of acceptance.

A smile spread across her lips as she gently pet his head. His pale orange fur was so soft under her touch, it began to ease her stress. The kitsune seemed to not just appreciate the affection, but encourage it, because after a few strokes of her hand he crawled onto her lap, snuggling against her happily.

Sarada continued to drag her hand over her new companion, petting him with tender care. Though her confusion lingered in the back of her mind, her fears of the forest melted away and suddenly she could admire its beauty.

"This place was actually quite peaceful..." she hummed quietly to herself.

"I'm glad you like it."

Sarada inhaled a sharp gasp as her gaze jerked down toward the unexpected reply of her kitsune companion.

But instead of a small fox, she was met with familiar blue eyes.

Her fingers froze, tangled in the blonde hair of Boruto as he laid outstretched on her blanket with his head on her lap. He blinked at her as if questioning why she stopped playing with his hair.

"I... how...?" she stuttered, staring down at him with wide eyes.

Boruto sat up, his five fluffy fox tails perked up behind him. His muscled chest peeked out of his dark blue kimono and Sarada couldn't help but stare, awestruck by the similarity between him and the kitsune man she had drawn.

"Are you a..." Her voice trailed off before she could finish her question.

Wait. He looked exactly like the kitsune man she had drawn.