Like a Dream || borusara

6.

The late morning sun peeked through sheer curtains, waking Sarada a few minutes before her alarm. With a big yawn, she stretched her arms overhead, waking her body. For the past few nights, she had been getting surprisingly restful sleep.

Her dreams no longer consisted of running endlessly from terrible monsters. Instead, she would rendezvous with her kitsune lover in that same moonlit forest. Every time, Sarada tried to convince herself that he wasn't Boruto, but from his looks to his personality, none of her arguments could hold water.

A sleepy smile stretched across her lips as her gaze drifted to her book bag and the charm that Boruto gave her. He had visited her in the library almost every day for the last week, bringing her coffee or treats. They'd sit there and talk for hours about her art and the upcoming showcase, her latest folklore readings, and her schoolwork.

Sarada felt bad after realizing that she dominated much of their conversations, but Boruto asked so many questions and listened so intently, sometimes it felt like his fascination with her mirrored her fascination with kitsune. He always seemed eager to learn more and the attention was so flattering.

But with her steamy dreams growing more frequent, Sarada could feel this itch growing under her skin. When she saw him, she found herself wondering if he planned to make a move or if he was waiting for her to.

Her phone alarm sounded, signaling it was time to get up and finally start her day. Her thoughts continued to wander as Sarada rolled out of bed, her bare feet padding gently over to the bathroom. As she began brushing her teeth, dark eyes stared back at her in the reflection of the mirror and she resolved today would be the day she finally made a move.

*****

The rest of Sarada's morning was smooth. There was barely a line at the coffee shop and her professor extended the deadline on one of their papers; she decided both were signs from the universe that good fortune was on her side.

She was feeling confident about finally making a move on Boruto when she arrived at the library for her shift. But then, just before she was scheduled to get off, dark storm clouds consumed the night sky and the sudden downpour put a real damper on her mood.

Sarada had expected Boruto to visit her that night, but with all this rain, she wouldn't blame him if he didn't. She laid her head down on the desk as unwelcome disappointment stirred in her stomach.

"I swear this storm came out of nowhere," Sarada mumbled, remembering the clear skies from that afternoon. She didn't anticipate such a dramatic shift in weather and therefore was completely unprepared.

She would either have to run home and get soaked by the pouring rain or wait out the storm in the library, presuming it would clear up soon. Sarada exhaled a frustrated sigh, honestly, both options were not so great.

"Sounds like you need an umbrella."

At the sound of that familiar voice, Sarada bolted upright to find a grinning Boruto leaning against the reception counter. A single, damp umbrella sat beside him.

A faint blush bloomed across her cheeks, slightly embarrassed by how excited she was to see him. Then again, he always showed up when she needed him most.

"I really do," she finally replied with a soft chuckle.

"Can I walk you home?"

Sarada nodded, resisting the giddy smile that tugged at her lips. "Let me pack up and then we can go."

A few minutes later, the pair stepped outside and stood under the cover of the library's entryway as Boruto opened his umbrella. It was a tight squeeze, but Sarada couldn't say she minded the excuse to snuggle up close to him.